Though May sweeps ended yesterday, the final numbers weren’t available until after our deadline. Going into the final week of sweeps, WPVI-6 was ahead at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and WCAU and KYW were practically tied for second place.
Some of the notable sweeps “special reports” included KYW-3’s look at “Dan the Naked Handyman,” WCAU-10’s “Female Viagra,” and WPVI-6 putting meteorologist Cecily Tynan in a bathing suit to “swim with the sharks.” Lots of viewers learned of the Tynan report because WPVI-6 promoted the feature during top-rated “Desperate Housewives.”
The “good soldier” award goes to KYW’s Kathy Orr who is undergoing an ultrasound to tell viewers the sex of her unborn baby for sweeps. Orr previously got potty-training advice for her daughter from “Dr. Phil” during another sweeps period.
“Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” stars Amber Tamblyn and Blake Lively will meet fans outside the KYW-3 broadcast plaza tomorrow from noon-1 p.m. A bit of advice: don’t mention to Tamblyn that her show, “Joan of Arcadia” was canceled by CBS this week. “Pants” also stars Alexis Bledel of “Gilmore Girls.”
With Memorial Day weekend here, the local stations’ annual “Shore Wars” commence. For KYW-3, chief meteorologist Kathy Orr returns with her “Orr at the Shore” reports. For WPVI-6, new meteorologist Adam Joseph gets the assignment. WCAU isn’t assigning a weather anchor, but will hire a shore traffic reporter. CN8’s meteorologist Ginger Jeffries will report the Friday weather forecasts from shore destinations.
Producer Norman Lear (“All in the Family”) is lending his rare copy of the Declaration of Independence to the National Constitution Center for Memorial Day weekend.
No word yet from KYW-3 on who will replace departing evening weekend news anchor Tom Negovan, who is going to Chicago.
"Metro" entertainment editor, Sara Doran, will be a guest judge on Sunday’s edition of “Gimme the Mike” on UPN 57. This week’s performers are Seth Aaron of North Hills, PA; Jeromisha Atkins of Philadelphia, PA, Terrance O’Brien of Cape May, NJ, Glenda Pifer of Royersford, PA, Ketty Roman of Glassboro, NJ, and Damon Small of Philadelphia, PA.
There are more additions to the big Philadelphia Freedom concert happening July 4. Patti LaBelle, Bryan Adams, and special guest Walter Cronkite will join headliner Elton John. The concert will be televised on WPVI-6. Go to www.phillyfreedom.net for more.