Wedding Disaster An Unpleasant Reality At FOX
Scandal has done what television critics could not, kill reality programming at the FOX Television Network. Fox has been the butt of many jokes since it aired the now infamous special, WHO WANTS TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE? So much so, that executives are worried it has hurt the company's image, and thus, its ability to make money.
The special was Fox's spin on the enormously successful WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? which airs on rival ABC. It garnered high ratings for FOX, over 23 million viewers. However, things didn't end up "happily ever after" for Darva Conger and Rick Rockwell, the couple who met and married on the special.
It turns out that Rockwell had a restraining order placed on him by a former girlfriend in 1991 because he allegedly hit her and threatened to kill her. Bride Darva Conger was anything but blushing when she told reporters that she and Rockwell slept in separate beds during their honeymoon and that she planned to get the marriage annulled. (Editor's Note: Gee, a marriage based solely on money didn't work out. Go figure!)
It appears even FOX has a line which they do not want to cross. FOX executives are now worried reality shows such as this and WHEN GOOD PETS GO BAD have hurt the overall FOX brand, and thus, hurt their ability to charge higher commercial rates during their more elite shows like PARTY OF FIVE and ALLY MCBEAL. The network has now killed almost a dozen reality-type programs that were in the pipeline and scheduled to air in the coming months. Will other networks follow suit? Stay tuned for further details.
ESPN Brings Virtual Advertising To The Plate:
ESPN plans to use the latest in video technology to place "virtual" advertising in at least 20 of its SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL games in the coming season.
The technology will let producers superimpose an advertising logo for a major product onto the backstop behind home plate or anywhere else on the field that they wish. Those actually attending the game in person won't be able to see it because the advertisement isn't really there. However, people watching the game at home won't be able to miss it, even if they wanted to.
Here come the judges!
Here is the order of popularity for the various courtroom shows on television:
1. JUDGE JUDY
2. JUDGE JOE BROWN
3. DIVORCE COURT
4. PEOPLE'S COURT
5. JUDGE MATHIS
6. JUDGE MILLS LANE
Here are my television viewing recommendations for the week beginning March 11th. Enjoy.
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