Too
Dumb To Be A Crook: "America's
Most Wanted" host John Walsh was changing planes in
Dallas when he learned that four of the seven Texas
prison escapees had been captured in Colorado and another
had killed himself. "That's five down, two to
go," he said in typical Walsh fashion. (Two days later, the other two men
were indeed aprehended.) Authorities are crediting the
Fox show with the captures, which had featured the
convicts four times since the Dec. 13 escape. Show
executives and authorities say a viewer from Woodland
Park, CO, watched the show and called the local sheriff's
department the next day to tell authorities he believed
he had seen some of the escaped criminals around town.
The sheriff's office passed the tip along to U.S.
marshals, who put the area under surveillance, which lead
to the captures. "Had we not had information from
the community that said we think at least three, if not
five, of these suspects from Texas are here in Teller
County, we never would have been here," said John
Anderson, sheriff of neighboring El Paso County, CO. Now,
if you were an escaped convict wanted along with six
other escapees, would you continue to travel together or
part ways once you reached freedom? View other wanted
criminals on their website at: http://www.amw.com
What'chu
Talkin' about Willis? February is Black
History Month and many cable channels are making a
valiant effort to explore black life, issues and history.
Nick at Night is getting into the act each Friday with classic sitcom
episodes focusing on racial attitudes. On Feb. 2 at 11:30
p.m. they will air the classic "All in the
Family" episode in which Sammy Davis Jr. and Archie
Bunker collide. Another worthy rerun is Odyssey Network's
showing of the 1970s miniseries "Roots", airing
at 9 p.m. Sunday Feb 4 through Friday Feb 9. Interviews
with cast members including Levar Burton and John Amos
are included. Court TV is also recognizing black
contributions to the legal profession with individual
tributes sandwiched between its programming throughout
the month. I hope they do a tribute to Divorce Court's
Judge Mablean Ephriam, she could kick some Judge Judy
booty! For more African-American tv programming visit the
Black Entertainment Television Network's website www.bet.com
Beauty
And The Beast: Cross-dressing shock rocker
Marilyn Manson and actress Rose McGowan have broken off
their two-year engagement. "There is great love, but
our lifestyle difference is, unfortunately, even
greater," McGowan said in a statement. What exactly
did she expect? This is NOT a man you bring home for
dinner -- "Uh, mom and dad, this is my husband
Marilyn. He worships Satan for a living.". Well
isn't that special. Visit www.marilynmanson.net if you dare.
I'll
Be There For You: Well, at least for
10 more minutes anyway. With CBS's eagerly anticipated
Survivor: The Australian Outback preparing to do battle with Friends
beginning Feb. 1, NBC has decided to expand its No. 1
comedy to 40 minutes for four weeks and fill the
remaining hour with live Saturday Night Live skits. This
is the first major programming move made by NBC's new
entertainment president, former Today executive producer
Jeff Zucker. According to USA Today, Zucker met with the
cast of Friends and suggested expanding future episodes.
The six stars reportedly will be paid extra for the
additional scenes. As if $750,000 an episode wasn't
enough compensation. Go to http://www.warnerbros.com/pages/friendstv/index.jsp
and have a cup of coffee at Central Perk.
And
The Winner Is: Making a rare appearance as a
presenter at the Golden Globes, Dame Elizabeth Taylor
nearly spoiled the surprise by revealing the winner for best dramatic
motion picture before announcing the nominees. Greeted by
a standing ovation, 68-year-old Taylor began reading her
lines from the TelePrompTer. But before mentioning the
nominees, she began opening the envelope. Realizing her
error, the audience laughed. Taylor responded in a
confused voice "Whaaaaat? I don't open this?"
The show's executive producer, Dick Clark, emerged from
backstage and tapped a surprised Taylor on the shoulder.
"You don't want to lose the suspense," he said.
"You read the nominees first." Taylor responded
of her role as an award presenter, "I'm new at this,
I usually like to get them." Seriously now, anyone
who's won 2 Golden Globes herself, plus 2 British Academy
Awards and 2 Oscars should know the darn drill. I think
it's time to put National Velvet out to pasture. Visit http://www.oldhorses.com/
The
Tribe Has Spoken: Kelly Wiglesworth,
runner-up on CBS' hit summer show "Survivor,"
recently agreed to a plea bargain that removed a 1995
credit card fraud charge. Her lawyer told a judge that
the then-18-year-old Wiglesworth didn't know the credit
card was stolen when it was used at a restaurant by her
then-boyfriend. But prosecutors argued that the couple
went on a two-day spending spree. Each was charged with
felonious financial transaction card theft and financial
transaction card fraud. A now-23-year-old Wiglesworth
pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of conspiring to commit
credit card fraud. She will pay $455 in restitution and
perform 75 hours of community service. Before appearing
on "Survivor", Wiglesworth was a professional
whitewater rafting guide making only $62 a day. But then
on "Survivor", she earned $100,000 for
surviving 39 days on a remote Pacific island. The charge
can be expunged from her record if she stays out of
trouble for a year. Wiglesworth said she will perform her
community service by volunteering for a recreation
program in Las Vegas for people with physical and mental
disabilities. Maybe they should just stick her on another
island with Sue Hawk insted. Visit http://www.mtv.com/nav/intro_shows.html for the Celebrity
Deathmatch schedule.
by Mary
Xmas
fashion. (Two days later, the other two men
were indeed aprehended.) Authorities are crediting the
Fox show with the captures, which had featured the
convicts four times since the Dec. 13 escape. Show
executives and authorities say a viewer from Woodland
Park, CO, watched the show and called the local sheriff's
department the next day to tell authorities he believed
he had seen some of the escaped criminals around town.
The sheriff's office passed the tip along to U.S.
marshals, who put the area under surveillance, which lead
to the captures. "Had we not had information from
the community that said we think at least three, if not
five, of these suspects from Texas are here in Teller
County, we never would have been here," said John
Anderson, sheriff of neighboring El Paso County, CO. Now,
if you were an escaped convict wanted along with six
other escapees, would you continue to travel together or
part ways once you reached freedom? View other wanted
criminals on their website at: 
classic sitcom
episodes focusing on racial attitudes. On Feb. 2 at 11:30
p.m. they will air the classic "All in the
Family" episode in which Sammy Davis Jr. and Archie
Bunker collide. Another worthy rerun is Odyssey Network's
showing of the 1970s miniseries "Roots", airing
at 9 p.m. Sunday Feb 4 through Friday Feb 9. Interviews
with cast members including Levar Burton and John Amos
are included. Court TV is also recognizing black
contributions to the legal profession with individual
tributes sandwiched between its programming throughout
the month. I hope they do a tribute to Divorce Court's
Judge Mablean Ephriam, she could kick some Judge Judy
booty! For more African-American tv programming visit the
Black Entertainment Television Network's website 
battle with Friends
beginning Feb. 1, NBC has decided to expand its No. 1
comedy to 40 minutes for four weeks and fill the
remaining hour with live Saturday Night Live skits. This
is the first major programming move made by NBC's new
entertainment president, former Today executive producer
Jeff Zucker. According to USA Today, Zucker met with the
cast of Friends and suggested expanding future episodes.
The six stars reportedly will be paid extra for the
additional scenes. As if $750,000 an episode wasn't
enough compensation. Go to 
revealing the winner for best dramatic
motion picture before announcing the nominees. Greeted by
a standing ovation, 68-year-old Taylor began reading her
lines from the TelePrompTer. But before mentioning the
nominees, she began opening the envelope. Realizing her
error, the audience laughed. Taylor responded in a
confused voice "Whaaaaat? I don't open this?"
The show's executive producer, Dick Clark, emerged from
backstage and tapped a surprised Taylor on the shoulder.
"You don't want to lose the suspense," he said.
"You read the nominees first." Taylor responded
of her role as an award presenter, "I'm new at this,
I usually like to get them." Seriously now, anyone
who's won 2 Golden Globes herself, plus 2 British Academy
Awards and 2 Oscars should know the darn drill. I think
it's time to put National Velvet out to pasture. Visit 
