Millionaire Makeover
At least Regis Philbin has got his morning job, because his night shift isn’t looking quite so secure these days.
The Regis-hosted ABC game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire hasn’t been attracting as many millions of viewers of late. In fact, the overall audience for the series is down 21 percent compared to the January to September average. And last Thursday’s edition fell to number 20 on the Nielsen ratings — an all-time low for the show. But even more daunting is the major loss of interest among the advertiser-friendly 18-49 year olds.
Its four night a week run may be part of the problem. Formerly viewed as an “event,” Millionaire has lost some novelty due to its current staple presence on the network. With that in mind, executives are now seeking ways to spice up this increasingly bland cup of alphabet soup.
Among the changes under consideration: a casting call for contestant-wannbes. Show producers hope this will attract a more eclectic group of players, rather than the current “dorky” regulars.
Perhaps some minorities too?
Clinton: Spread Eagle
If you think the text of Kenneth Starr’s impeachment charge against the President brought nasty images to mind, wait until you see the cover of December’s Esquire.
The men’s magazine bids farewell to our two-term president with quite a salute — a photo shot from crotch level. The cover picture shows Clinton sitting on a stool, legs separated a good distance, and a bright blue tie pointing directly to, well, MonicaLand.
You can check out the picture and the interview on Esquire’s website. But don’t look too hard. That would be really wrong.
Plea from Eminem: Help!
I thought this was a joke, but it’s not. Eminem has apparently lost his notebook, which contains his private lyrical work.
Em’s notepad of dope rhymes was last seen in an airport newsstand shopping bag. It has a picture of Britney Spears on the cover.
If you’ve seen it, his publicist wants you to return it. Seriously.
Sweeps Time!
It’s November. Besides deciding which candidate will take seat at the White House next January, this month is also the time to decide local TV advertising rates.
And so networks will whip out the best of the best over the coming weeks, each trying to sweep the next by airing special events, miniseries, and guest appearances galore:
Remember the Seaver family? Well, Kirk Cameron and the rest of the Growing Pains cast is ready to reunite (minus Leonardo DiCaprio) for The Growing Pains Movie, this Sunday at 7 p.m. on ABC.
Survivor castmembers Jenna, Gervase, Sean, and Joel will make guest appearances on CBS’ Nash Bridges on Friday, November 10 at 10 p.m.
And for the one or two of you who care, the mega-blockbuster Titanic will make its network television debut on Sunday, November 26 on NBC.
E-News Briefs
Guns ‘N Roses is planning a January release for their next album, Chinese Democracy, and perhaps a summer world tour … this year’s World Series caught its lowest ratings ever … Meet the Parents has remained number one at the box office for the past four weeks … Brad Pitt is People magazine’s sexiest man alive, again … TRL host Carson Daly is engaged to eight-month gal pal Tara Reid.
Quote of the Week
“Let me tell you something: a Caesar salad, a good steak, and a good fuck. What else is there?”
–Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips in US Weekly, discussing what makes like fulfilling
Archived article by David Kaplan