O.J. Special Axed; Vanished Disappears;
60 Minutes Reporter Dies

November 2006 News

O.J. book, TV special cancelled: In a rare triumph of common sense over ratings, News Corp. announced that it would cancel the publication of O.J.'s planned book. (The title, If I Did It, says all you need to know — and probably more than you want to know — about its subject.) News Corp. also said it would not air the two-part special that Fox had scheduled for the last week of November sweeps.

Richards not a racist, he says: Former Seinfeld star Michael Richards found himself in hot water after using the N-word and other racial slurs at a L.A. comedy club November 17. Richards later apologized and said that his tirade was sparked not by racism, but anger at being heckled during his standup routine. Despite the impeccable timing and wacky talents he displayed on Seinfeld, Richards has not done much in TV or movies since the show ended, and this incident isn't likely to change that.

Barker retires: After half a century in television, Bob Barker is hanging up his mike. The longtime game-show host — September marked his 35th year as host of The Price is Right — told the Associated Press, "I've decided to retire while I'm still young." When he does, he'll do so as one of the youngest 83-year-olds in show business.

Fox leaves Album at the altar: David E. Kelley has come between Fox and The Wedding Album, which the network had picked up for midseason. Because of production issues, the network has decided to go with a new show from Kelly instead. Well, almost new — it's adapted from his failed 2004 ABC pilot, DeMarco Affairs. That was about three sisters who suddenly find themselves in the wedding planning business; this project, with the more generic title of The Wedding Store, is a one-hour comedy about a group of wedding planners. Wonder of any of the Wedding Album staff said, "I object"?

Other development deals: The N, a digital cable network for teens, and actor/musician Ludacris will team up for Halls of Fame, which follows two sisters trying to make their mark at a performing arts school. Ludacris is lending more than his street cred; for his first-ever TV project, he will executive-produce, write, compose music, and do occasional guest appearances.

Ludacris' project, at least to me, sounds a lot less ludicrous than Gay, Straight or Taken?, a half-hour reality series just ordered by Lifetime. In general I don't find dating shows that appealing, but this concept irritates me more than most. Yes, as the network claims, the show has the potential to blow up stereotypes — but can it do that without playing to those stereotypes in the first place? Guess Lifetime is betting that it can do better with this than Survivor did with its racial experiment.

Dropoffs and pickups: Fox's Vanished did too good a job of living up to its name. Currently on hiatus, it'd been scheduled to return December 11; instead, the last four episodes will be aired on the show's MySpace page. Fellow freshman drama Justice will take over the Friday 8 p.m. slot when it returns from its hiatus. Fox also gave the hook to two other new shows, The Rich List and Happy Hour. Apparently neither of them made the network rich or happy.

Two ABC newcomers, Six Degrees and The Nine, were put on hiatus, with no word on when — or if — either will return. Other freshman shows have fared better. Recently, more episodes were ordered for NBC's two SNL-based shows (Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and 30 Rock), Fox's 'Til Death and Standoff, CBS's The Class, and Showtime's Dexter.

In memoriam: On November 9, Ed Bradley passed away of complications from leukemia at the age of 65. The veteran journalist was with CBS since 1971, including 26 years with the network's 60 Minutes. Complications from cancer were also responsible for the death of director Robert Altman on November 20. Though best-known for his film work, Altman spent his early years in television before moving on to the multilayered ensemble pieces he's most famous for.

-- A. Wu