Gail Shister | Rather, on CNN, disdains identification with CBS By Gail Shister Inquirer Columnist
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/columnists/gail_shister/15002 650.htm He may deny it, but Dan Rather is still hotter than a Laredo parking lot about CBS. Sharp-eyed viewers may have noticed that Rather was not identified on screen with his network of 44 years when he appeared on Anderson Cooper's 360 Wednesday to discuss his recent trip to North Korea. CNN didn't drop the ball, graphically speaking. Rather, ol' Dan didn't want CBS in the picture. Literally. In an in-house memo sent from a 360 staffer Thursday to CNN producers, they were told to "please feel free" to use taped snippets from Cooper's interview with Rather the previous night, but with one glaring caveat: "Mr. Rather requests that his font not associate him with CBS News. So no 'Former CBS Anchor.' We thank you and Dan thanks you." A CNN rep confirms the authenticity of the e-mail. Rather had no issue with being verbally identified on the show, she adds. Rather was fishing in Upstate New York and couldn't be reached for comment Friday. Rather, 74, left CBS in a rage June 20, saying the network had not lived up to its obligation to allow him to do "substantive work." His contract runs until late November. Rather anchored CBS Evening News for an unprecedented 24 years before being forced to step down in March '05 due to the Memogate scandal. He became a full-time correspondent for 60 Minutes. Look for Rather to crackle like a hickory fire Wednesday on Larry King's CNN confessional when he discusses his life after CBS and takes viewer calls. (Think Les Moonves will dial in?) Rather will be on set with Father King in L.A. No word whether CBS will appear anywhere near his name on the screen this time. Not to get too Oliver Stone-y, but could Rather be in L.A. for other reasons - like announcing that he's joining HDNet, Mark Cuban's high-definition TV network based in Dallas? It's been rumored for weeks that Rather will develop and host a weekly documentary series for HDNet, which reaches an estimated three million homes. HDNet is scheduled to present a Q & A session tomorrow to TV critics gathered in L.A. Thus far, the network has not confirmed the content of the session or who will be there. >From a publicity point of view, HDNet would get a major bang for its buck by announcing Rather to critics, followed the next day by an hour-long wet kiss on CNN's most popular show. Dan Rather and HDNet. Turn the lights down, the party just got wilder. Calm seas at 'TXF. Fox's Channel 29 is becoming a lifeboat for local news refugees. Ahoy, mateys. WTXF news boss Holly Gauntt has received resumes and tapes from staffers at CN8, she confirms, adding that she hasn't actually interviewed anyone yet. News employees at CN8 in New Castle, Del., were told June 29 that the 1, 7 and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts would be eliminated after their Aug. 18 telecasts. The move is part of Comcast's plan to expand the network from local to regional programming. More than 40 CN8 staffers can apply for about 50 new positions, but no one is guaranteed a job. CN8 execs will decide after July 17 who stays, according to CN8 insiders. That date is not correct, says a Comcast rep. She would not provide the correct date, however, citing policy. Meanwhile, WTXF is expanding. Two weekday newscasts are being added, at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The 11 a.m. show launches Oct. 2; no debut date yet for the 5 p.m. Tasha Jamerson of Channel 17's now-defunct WB17 News at Ten joined 'TXF in March as a freelance reporter for The Ten O'Clock News. WB17 News' entire 30-person staff was fired in December, when the Tribune-owned station began outsourcing its 10 p.m. news to NBC's Channel 10. Gregory S. Williams [EMAIL PROTECTED] Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
