Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
July 10, 2007

 

In the spirit of the Major League Baseball “All Star Game” tonight (Tuesday), here’s my broadcasting All Star team.

 

Meredith Vieira (NBC) – Meredith has effortlessly moved into the co-host role on “The Today Show,” while her former show, “The View” went berserk with her replacement, Rosie O’Donnell.

 

Vieira also does a solid job on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” although I can never figure out what she’s saying when she goes to a break.

 

Charles Gibson (ABC) - Gibson gave “The World News Tonight” the stability it desperately needed after the ill-fated Bob Woodruff/Elizabeth Vargas pairing fell apart.  ABC is regularly beating NBC in the evening news race.

 

Greta Van Susternen (Fox News Channel) - Although Bill O’Reilly and “The O’Reilly Factor,” get most of the hype, “On the Record,” is the best show on Fox News.  She always asks intelligent questions and is in the middle of the top story of the day.

 

“The Early Show”(CBS) – Though it continues in third place behind the other morning shows, it always has interesting features where one can (gasp) learn something.

 

Larry King (CNN) – Viewers can count on one faux pas or silly question per show, but his hard-working staff gets his show the best guests on a consistent basis.  And nobody does death like Larry!

 

Joel Siegel (ABC) – The movie reviewer, who passed away last week, was one of the last of a dying breed (literally).  With Gene Siskel gone and Roger Ebert battling cancer, where is our next generation of movie reviewers?  My guess is the Internet – www.aintitcoolnews.com, www.boxofficemojo.com.

 

Joe Scarborough (MSNBC) – With the help of the cute title, “Morning Joe,” Scarborough is the front-runner to take over Don Imus’ show on MSNBC.

 

Not Having All Star Years:

Katie Couric (CBS) – Katie’s firmly entrenched in third place in the evening news wars.

 

Barbara Walters (ABC) – Walters’ reputation has taken a hit with her awkward handling of the Star Jones Reynolds and Rosie O’Donnell departures from “The View.”

 

Paula Zahn (CNN) – Zahn is rumored to soon lose her 8 p.m. show on CNN to Glenn Beck.

 

Don Imus (MSNBC) – Obviously.

 

Reality Check

There will be a “Survivor” casting call at Harrah’s in Atlantic City Thursday from 3 p.m. 5 p.m.

 

For the first time, “American Idol” will hold auditions in Philadelphia at the Wachovia Center August 27.
 
Summer Television
 
My favorite summer show is "Big Love" on HBO.  What are your favorite summer shows?   To post your opinions, go to http://blogs.phillyburbs.com/blog.php?p=15929&cat=10#comments