IN THE NEWS

Here are a few news-blurts that will have an impact on the inner reality of the TV Universe.



LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Nigel Aylott, a contestant on CBS Sports' 'Subaru Primal Quest,' was fatally injured Wednesday while competing in the adventure race's 2004 edition on Orcas Island, Wash.



During the trekking/orienteering segment of the 10-day, 400-mile race, Aylott, an Australian native, died after being struck by a 300-pound boulder. Two other contestants were injured.

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'Gilmore Girls' will add some literary cachet with one of this fall's guest stars: Norman Mailer. The show gave Mailer, who plays himself, the chance to work with his son, actor Stephen Mailer.



In the episode, likely to be broadcast in a month or so, Stephen Mailer plays a reporter interviewing the acclaimed writer at the inn run by Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy).

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Lucasfilm confirmed officially that there will be a Star Wars television show in the future. They didn't comment on the setting (post-Episode III or post-Episode VI?) or the release schedule. But such a series would automatically be linked to 'Droids', 'Ewoks', 'The Clone Wars', and all of the appearances by R2-D2 and C-3PO in commercials and TV shows ('The Muppet Show', 'Sesame Street').



And much to George Lucas' chagrin, I'd wager, it will also be linked to the 1977 'Star Wars Holiday Special'!

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'A Christmas Without Ornaments' will be the third project to feature Peter Falk's character of the angel Max ('A Town Without Christmas,' 'Finding John Christmas').



CBS' press materials describe the project as "a heartwarming story about two very different families who need the help of Max at Christmastime. This time, Max’s job may be at stake when a supervising angel comes to earth to discipline him for contacting the wrong family in need."



And with this film, Peter Falk is once again eligible for the TV Crossover Hall of Fame as yet another character - this time, as Max the Angel. (Just when I thought I would eventually run out of holiday themed characters for December's entries!)



Falk is somewhat eligible already for his role as Lt. Columbo. And during 2005, he will be inducted as the January "Classic TV" character. (In 2005, the theme is "What I Says, Goes" because I'll be celebrating the half-century mark. Characters who might otherwise not be eligible due to some technical glitch, but who are favorites of mine, will find their way into the Hall. And that includes yours truly!)

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To promote Advertising Week In New York, Euro RSCG/N.Y. created a series of spots about an icon making the long trip to New York in search of fame and fortune.



Directed by Euro ECD Jeff Kling, "Icon Journey" features a rather unappealing icon -- a bloodshot eyeball carrying two rayguns -- and a documentary filmmaker who believes in him. Along the way, through almost a dozen spots, they encounter doubt, danger and -- yes -- even love.



Also, a gang of advertising icons -- including Ronald McDonald, Hootie the Owl, and Advertising Week chairman Ken Kaess -- opened the NASDAQ stock exchange in observation of Advertising Week. The NASDAQ promptly fell two points.

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I was proven right about ABC's scheduling blunder with the premieres of 'Lost' and 'The Bachelor':



ABC's new drama 'Lost' premiered to a surprisingly strong 11.6/19, dominating the 8 p.m. hour. A prime-time 'Dr. Phil' special on CBS was second at 7.9/13, while NBC's 'Hawaii' took third. The season premiere of 'Smallville,' 3.5/6, put The WB in fourth. 'That '70s Show' and 'Quintuplets' averaged 3.3/6 for FOX. 'America's Next Top Model' opened its season on UPN with a 2.7/5.



The first of two hours of 'Law & Order,' 12.2/19, gave NBC the lead at 9 p.m. 'Dr. Phil' improved to 10.1/16 for CBS. ABC dropped to third with the return of 'The Bachelor,' 6.2/9. Two episodes of 'The Bernie Mac Show' moved FOX up to fourth. 'The Mountain' debuted to a 2.6/4 on The WB, while UPN's 'Veronica Mars' managed only a 1.8/3 in its premiere.



At 10 p.m., the premiere of 'CSI: NY' averaged 12.1/20 for CBS, beating NBC's second 'Law & Order,' 10.7/17. 'The Bachelor' came in at 5.8/10 for ABC.



It was just as I predicted! Nyah nyah neyah nyah to you, ABC!

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Shaun the Sheep, the woolly star of the Wallace and Gromit short 'A Close Shave', is to get his own show on CBBC, the BBC's digital channel for children. The 40-part series, commissioned from Aardman Animations, begins production at the end of the year and will be transmitted on CBBC in 2006.



The show will follow the adventures of Shaun and the rest of his flock as they join in with his madcap schemes, including synchronised swimming in the sheep-dip and dressing up as a scarecrow.

[Story from BBC NEWS]



In the dream world that is Toobian, Shaun would eventually cross over with the cartoon series 'Sheep In The City'.

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Finally, here's an editorial suggestion:



"As an actor on 'Crossing Jordan', I have a character who can goof around and make jokes," said Jerrry O'Connell while talking about his character of Detective Woody Hoyt.



"I hardly ever say a word that's written for me by the writers. I play a fun, young cop. It's so much more fun than 'CSI' would be. I'm not frowning upon it, it's just not what I wanna do. I gotta talk a little more than they do!"



O'Connell better watch it when trash-talking the show's writers. That is why Joey Tribbiani soon found his character of Dr. Drake Ramoray dead on 'Days Of Our Lives'!



BCnU!

Tele-Toby