Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
May 22, 2007

 

The “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric” broadcasts live from Philadelphia tonight (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m.  Following the news, CBS3 and CW57 will dedicate their new high definition broadcast center in the Fairmount section of Philadelphia.

 

Rosie Trumped

When Rosie O’Donnell first announced her upcoming departure from “The View,” I didn’t think she’d last through her scheduled departure date in June.  However, since the pressure has been taken off, she’s been good on the show.  Maybe, she’ll reconsider and stay.

 

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s “The Apprentice” will not be on NBC’s fall schedule.  Since Trump likes to get into fights with other celebrities such as O’Donnell, Barbara Walters, and Mark Cuban, wouldn’t a better show be having Trump arguing with other celebrities each week?

 

The season finale of “American Idol” airs Tuesday and the results will be announced Wednesday.  For those who can’t get enough of judge Paula Abdul, her reality show “Hey Paula” is scheduled to air this summer on Bravo.  Although Jordin Sparks seems to be the perfect candidate to win (she even has the perfect show business name), I’m leaning towards Blake Lewis to win.  For season six, my favorite mentors were Jennifer Lopez and Jon Bon Jovi.  My least favorite mentors were Tony Bennett and Gwen Stefani.  My least favorite judge this season was Randy Jackson, who was on the grouchy side (maybe because he gained most of his gastric bypass weight back?).  My favorite judge was Simon Cowell, but Paula Abdul got her groove back most of the season.  Tickets for the “American Idol” tour go on sale Saturday.

 

VH1 is taking a break from airing “Charm School” round the clock (not that I’m complaining, since I’ve seen every episode) to air the “VH1 Rock Honors” featuring Heart, Genesis, ZZ Top, and Ozzy Osbourne Thursday at 9 p.m. West Chester’s Bam Margera hosts.

 

Local Stuff

According to station sources, former weekday morning anchor Dawn Timmeney was named the permanent weekend evening anchor for NBC10.  Timmeney replaces Lauren Cohn, who took an anchor position in Chicago a couple of months ago.

 

Adios to Spanish Format

Rumba 104.5-FM switched formats to Alternative Rock last week.  Over the last decade or so, some of 104.5-FM’s incarnations have been “Sunny,” “Star.” “Alice, “ “Sunny” (again),  “Rumba,’ and now “Radio 104.5-FM.”

 

The Arbitron radio ratings using the new electronic system are out.  Here are the ratings for ages 12 and over.  Each number represents the share of the Philadelphia audience listening to each station.

(1) WBEB 101.1-FM – 9.2,  (2) KYW 1060-AM – 8.4, (3) WMMR 93.3-FM – 7.9, (4) WOGL 98.1-FM, 7.4, (5) WMGK 102.9-FM – 5.7, (6) WXTU 92.5-FM – 5.5,  (7) WDAS 105.3-FM 5.1, (8) WBEN 95.7-FM – 4.2, (9) WPHT 1210-AM 3.8, (10) WUSL 98.9-FM 3.5, (11) WHYY 91-FM 3.4, (12) WIOQ 102.1-FM 3.3, (13) WISX 106.1-FM 3.2, (14) WPHI 100.3-FM – 3.1, (14) WRDW 96.5-FM – 3.1, (16) WIP 610-AM 3.0, (17) WPPZ 103.9-FM – 2.2, (18) WRNB 107.9-FM – 2.1, (18) WUBA 104.5-FM – 2.1, (20) WXPN 88.5-FM – 2.0, (21) WYSP 94.1-FM – 1.9, (22) WJJZ 97.5-FM – 1.4, (23) WJBR 99.5-FM – 1.2.