TV STUFF: Matt Drudge Gets the Ax
By
Mauricio Minotta
, Hollywood.com Staff
|
Tuesday, November 14, 2000
HOLLYWOOD - ABC Radio gossip columnist Matt Drudge will be silenced come December. Drudge's syndicated talk show was canceled strictly as a business decision made by Bob Callahan, president of ABC's broadcast operations, The Associated Press reports.
But Drudge says the decision was punishment for reporting on ABC's activities.
"I guess I was a bad Mouseketeer," Drudge said Monday, a reference to ABC's parent company, Walt Disney Co.
Drudge also said that he thought the timing was odd, considering he had been talking with ABC executives about expanding his show to weeknights. His show was broadcast Sunday evenings in 135 markets across the country, reaching an estimated 1.25 million listeners. The show will continue until his contract expires in December.
MORE ABC NEWS: ABC packed a one-two punch in the ratings Sunday, drawing large audiences with "The Miracle Worker," starring Pepsi pitch girl Hallie Kate Eisenberg, and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." "Miracle" was the real star for the network, raking in the highest ratings for a "Wonderful World of Disney" production since it aired "Annie" in November 1999, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan averaged 17.4 million viewers in the 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. slot. "Millionaire" kept up the pace with 25 million viewers as it kicked off its celebrity edition.
WB MOVIN' ON UP: Last year, many thought the WB network was out for the count in the ratings. Not this year, says the Reporter. After sliding 11 percent in the key 18-34 demographics, the little network that could is now up 20 percent, thanks to shows such as "7th Heaven,'' ``Charmed,'' and ``Buffy the Vampire Slayer.''
It's still a bit weak in the Friday through Sunday slots, but most of its midweek numbers are up, noticeably. Even men ages 18-34 are tuning in more to the WB. Those numbers are up 31 percent this season.
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