CBS: “Big Brother” is an experiment

CBS President Les Moonves on Tuesday described the reality show Big Brother as a “summer experiment” and indicated that he is not particularly disappointed with either the critical reaction to it or the show’s mediocre ratings. “I’m tired of putting on Diagnosis Murder reruns in the summer. There’s a quest to put on new forms of programming,” Moonves told the TV writers’ summer tour in Pasadena. Asked whether he would bring the series back again, Moonves replied: “I don’t know. It’s way too premature to make that decision.” (Moonves was more forthcoming about Survivor: Africa. He said the series will premiere Thursday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m.) Meanwhile, The Smoking Gun Web site on Tuesday posted information about contestant Mike Malin that indicated that he had been arrested in 1997 for trying to take pictures on the set of Warner Bros.’ Batman and Robin, with the intention of selling them to Inside Edition.