Tag Archives: CBS News

Hollywood Writers’ Strike—Week 3: Movie Alert

It’s week three of the Hollywood writers’ strike and despite the announcement that both sides are headed back to the bargaining table after Thanksgiving, things don’t appear to be improving for the TV or movie industry. In fact, Variety is now reporting that the film industry saw its first group of flicks go up in smoke (hopefully not permanently). According to the new report, “Angels & Demons,” the prequel to the box office hit “The Da Vinci Code,” reuniting Tom Hanks and director, Ron Howard, has been put on hold due to script problems. The thriller was scheduled for a … Continue reading →

Celebrity Updates: And The Winner Is…

A lucky kid who has a very wealthy father. That’s who won the chance to play an extra in Will Ferrell’s new movie. Confused? In a previous blog I told you about Ferrell’s idea to auction off a role in his new flick in order to raise money for the Cancer for College foundation run by his former fraternity brother at the University of Southern California. The opening bid was $5,000 and Ferrell made the comment that getting $10,000 would be a wonderful achievement. Well, consider Ferrell officially blown away. The winning bid came in at $47,100 from a Dallas … Continue reading →

Dan Rather Wants $70 Million From Former Bosses

How could you not see this coming? Former CBS anchor Dan Rather filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS Corp. and CBS’ parent company today. In the court papers, the newsman claims his former bosses made him the “scapegoat” for the controversy story that was later discredited regarding President Bush’s military service during the Vietnam War. You’ll recall 75-year-old Rather was removed from his anchor job at “CBS Evening News” in March 2005. He was later replaced by short-term successor Bob Schieffer and eventually by current anchor Katie Couric. Since his firing Rather has maintained that the network “intentionally botched” … Continue reading →

Katie Headed For Iraq

Just a few weeks shy of celebrating her first anniversary as “CBS Evening News” anchor–Katie Couric is ditching the desk and heading for Iraq. In what network insiders are calling an “ambitious reporting trip,” Couric leaves today for the war torn country. She is scheduled to anchor the “CBS Evening News” from Baghdad next Tuesday and Wednesday, then from Damascus on Thursday and Friday. This will be the first time Couric will be reporting from the region. She is the second major network anchor to travel to Iraq since ABC News’ Bob Woodruff was nearly killed by a roadside bomb … Continue reading →

All About Katie

I’ll admit I have written quite a number of blogs about Katie Couric. Most of them were penned in the days following her historic move to the “CBS Evening News.” Next month will mark Couric’s first anniversary at the CBS anchor desk and wouldn’t you know that her big day is being marred by the publication of a new book that allegedly paints the peppy former “Today” show queen in a very unflattering light. Talk about timing. It’s no secret that Couric has faced a ton of criticism in the last few months. Rating for her show have tanked since … Continue reading →

Katie’s Popularity Nosedive

I hate when critics turn out to be right. Hordes of them lined up to voice their negativity when Katie Couric decided to leave her cushy job at NBC’s “Today” show to take the quantum leap of becoming the first female solo anchor of a nightly news program. That was nearly 10 months ago… and now it seems their taunts may becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. According to a new Gallup Poll survey, one-third of Americans say they have a negative view of Katie Couric. What’s more, those same people say Couric’s personal popularity lags behind rivals Charles Gibson and Brian … Continue reading →

Celebrity News—The Good and The Funny

After a week filled with the obligatory wretched news from Hollywood (divorces, restraining orders, accusations of adultery, etc.)—finally, some good news. In a letter published in the Chicago Sun-Times, Roger Ebert announced that he is on the mend and hopes to be fully recovered in time for the Academy Awards and the Cannes Film Festival. The Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and co-host of the “Ebert & Roeper” TV show says he’s looking forward to getting back to work full time early next year. “One thing I’ve discovered is that I love my job more than I thought I did, and … Continue reading →

Celebrity Updates

Keeping up with the ongoing drama in a celebrity’s life is enough to make your head spin. The winds of change seem to be ever present in Hollywood… and all the other exotic places where celebrities frequent. So, in an effort to keep you in the “hip and now” the following are updates on the subjects of previous pop culture blogs: ANNA NICOLE’S BABY—THE DADDY MYSTERY SOLVED Did you watch CNN’s “Larry King Live” last night? If you did, then you know the identity of Anna Nicole’s baby girl has been revealed. Howard K. Stern, the lawyer for Smith, told … Continue reading →

Katie’s New Commercials

Have you seen the new commercials on CBS featuring Katie Couric? Ironically, the soon to be first woman solo anchor of a network evening newscast is barely on air long enough to be recognized. Call it a soft sell… I mean really soft. The new commercial that has just begun airing on CBS News programs is considered the first step in introducing the former “Today” show host to viewers. If you haven’t seen it yet, here’s basically what you are missing: Current “CBS Evening News” anchor, Bob Schieffer introduces Couric to viewers; he ad-libs; you see a quick shot of … Continue reading →

Katie Couric Needs Your Help!

Incoming CBS evening-news anchor Katie Couric wants to hear from you. The former “Today” show host named as the first woman solo anchor of a network evening newscast, is embarking on a six-city tour where she will meet informally with viewers like you to hear what you’re interested in seeing on the news. Couric’s first stop will be Denver, Colorado on July 13th. While her visit is still a few weeks away, starting today (June 26, 2006), Denver residents can visit cbsdenver.com and fill out a questionnaire. One hundred people representing a cross section of the community will be invited … Continue reading →