Collected and Edited by Rick Kaempfer
The Sumner Redstone Tribute Gala(Portfolio.com) I don't know why I find this article to be absolutely hilarious. Liz Gunnison writes: "Sumner Redstone, executive chairman of Viacom and CBS Corp., will be the man of the hour at the black-tie gala tonight. One wonders whether the Paley Center is finding it more difficult than usual to drum up friends and colleagues to speak well of the guest of honor. Redstone has long been an influential presence in the industry to be sure, but he isn't exactly the most popular media tycoon on the block. Of the eight special attendees listed by the Paley Center, four are more or less on Redstone's payroll: Andy Rooney and Bob Schieffer from CBS News, and Marlo Thomas and Frank McCourt, who are authors published by CBS Corp.'s Simon & Schuster imprint...But former C.E.O.'s Tom Freston and Frank Biondi, both of whom were pushed out by Redstone, may not feel they owe him tribute. Nor is Mel Karmazin likely to do so. He got so fed up with Redstone's backseat driving that he walked out of the C-suite in 2004 and didn't look back...Jon Stewart (who is employed by CBS Corp.'s Comedy Central), was originally slated to host the evening — an odd choice considering his public support of the striking writers. Unfortunately, Stewart backed out last week due to a "busy schedule" as he writes his own show and prepares to host the Academy Awards. Another CBS employee, Charlie Rose, will pinch hit."
(Rick's note: If only someone had written a novel about the kind of people who run the media business today. Oh wait, what's that below...)
CLICK HEREVanity Fair cancels it's Oscar Party
(People) Brian Orloff writes: "The annual Vanity Fair Oscar party is the latest casualty of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. The magazine has decided to cancel its annual bash on Academy Awards night. 'After much consideration, and in support of the writers and everyone else affected by this strike, we have decided that this is not the appropriate year to hold our annual Oscar party,' the magazine said in a statement. 'We want to congratulate all of this year's nominees and we look forward to hosting our 15th Oscar party next year.'"
Ferguson to host White House Correspondent's Dinner
(Washington Examiner) Dufor and Gavin write: Craig Ferguson, host of CBS’s “The Late, Late Show,” has been tapped as the entertainment for this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Hollywood sources tell us the details are still being finalized but Ferguson is expected to discuss his participation this week on “The Late, Late Show.” Ferguson seems to be a choice that splits the middle ground between Stephen Colbert and Rich Little. Colbert, who performed two years ago, made some pols and journos squirm when his edgy material, according to some, violated the event’s unspoken rule: You may poke, but not pierce. On the other extreme, Little’s performance last year was both polite and harmless, but it also came off as dated and irrelevant (and not that funny). For his part, Ferguson tends to play it safe on his late night show."
(Rick's note: He may play it somewhat safe, but Ferguson's monologue is the funniest 15 minutes of television every night.)
CLICK HERE
Should Reporters Be Allowed To Vote For President?
Two Views...
Jon Friedman argues "Yes"
Steve Rhodes argues "No"
Progress Toward Ending Writer's Strike(NY Times) Michael Cieply writes: "Informal talks between representatives of Hollywood’s striking writers and production companies have eliminated the major roadblocks to a new contract, which could lead to a tentative agreement, according to people who were briefed on the situation but requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak. A deal would end a crippling writers strike that is now entering its fourth month. The agreement may come without renewed formal negotiations between the television and movie writers and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, though both sides still need to agree on specific language of key provisions. If that process goes smoothly, an agreement may be presented to the governing boards of the striking Writers Guild of America West and Writers Guild of America East, the people said. The breakthrough occurred Friday after two weeks of closed-door discussions between the sides. Even if approved by leaders of the guilds, a deal would require ratification by a majority of the more than 10,000 active guild members."
Yahoo still considering Microsoft's offer
(Reuters) Yahoo Inc said it may take "quite a bit of time" to weigh its strategic options, including keeping the company independent, following Microsoft Corp's $45 billion offer to buy the company. In a weekend posting on the company's Web site, Yahoo said it was undertaking a deliberate review of Microsoft's unsolicited offer to pay Yahoo shareholders either $31 in cash, or 0.9509 of a share of Microsoft common stock. The review "will include evaluating all of the Company's strategic alternatives including maintaining Yahoo! as an independent company," the posting said. "A review process like this is fluid, and it can take quite a bit of time."
CLICK HEREFox TV executive named head of Tribune Broadcasting
(LA Times) Meg James writes: "Veteran television executive Ed Wilson will become president next week of Tribune Broadcasting, stepping into a job that carries the task of re-energizing 23 TV stations that have been squeezed in recent years by falling advertising sales. Wilson, currently president of News Corp.'s Fox TV network, is among the first high-level appointments for Tribune Co. Chairman Sam Zell and the company's executive vice president, Randy Michaels. Chicago-based Tribune was taken private in late December in an $8.2-billion buyout engineered by Zell and made in conjunction with an employee stock ownership plan...Wilson's last day with Fox will be Friday. He will join Tribune next Monday, replacing John E. Reardon, who spent 22 years with Tribune, including eight as general manager of KTLA. Reardon, 54, is expected to leave the company."
ABC joins Fox, CBS in fighting fleeting expletives appeal
(Radio Online) ABC is throwing its hat in the ring and will team with CBS and Fox to ask the U.S. Supreme Court not to review a lower-court decision that said the FCC failed to justify its fleeting profanity rules. ABC joins CBS and Fox after it was hit with a $1.4 million indecency ruling last week for an episode of "NYPD Blue" that showed the profile and backside of a naked woman. ABC plans to add its name to the Supreme Court petition, while NBC is reportedly filing its own brief, even though none of its TV shows are involved."
CLICK HERE
AFTRA Board votes to end SAG joint bargaining agreement
(Radio Ink) In an move that the union said "set the stage for AFTRA to move forward on its own in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements for members," the American Federation of Television and Radio Artist's national board has approved a resolution to end AFTRA's joint bargaining agreement with the Screen Actors Guild. The "Phase 1" bargaining agreement has been in place since 1981, but the board takes the position that SAG abrogated the agreement in July 2007, when it instituted "bloc voting," under which all SAG members on the unions' joint bargaining committee vote unanimously on all issues under consideration -- a move that some believe was designed to minimize AFTRA's influence. SAG denies that its move to bloc voting violated the Phase 1 agreement.
An interview with DreX(Chicago Radio Spotlight) This past weekend I interviewed the morning man at WKSC, Kiss-FM 103.5 in Chicago. We talked about his web innovation "DreXVizzzion," the origin of his name, and much more. This coming weekend: an interview with WGN's Dean Richards.
