‘Who’ by numbers: Reege to syndication?
Regis Philbin is in the running to host the syndicated version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” slated to debut in the fall of 2002 (and still without the question mark at the end of the show’s title).
Philbin, of course, hosts the prime-time version of “Millionaire” on ABC, and told me over lunch last summer that he would consider the syndicated job if approached with an offer. But it was thought, at the time, that Philbin wouldn’t have the time to host the syndicated “Millionaire,” given his duties in prime time and co-hosting “Live with Regis & Kelly.”
But with ABC’s “Millionaire” suffering ratings losses due to what some perceive as overexposure – it’s now on twice a week – Philbin might be available for extra work if ABC decides to yank one of its “Millionaire” segments.
Buena Vista, which is producing the syndicated “Millionaire,” told Electronic Media recently that Philbin is “on the short list” of candidates to host the show, scheduled for fall 2002 on Ch. 2.
Ch. 41 sets Spanish-language ratings record
Univision’s Ch. 41 shattered all its past records last week, accruing a 2.9 weekday rating (212,000 households) – the highest weekly average in the history of Spanish-language TV in New York. Part of that can likely be attributed to Ch. 41 viewers watching coverage of American Airlines Flight 587, which crashed last Monday en route to Santo Domingo, killing everyone on board and more on the ground in Rockaway.
Ch. 41’s morning show, “Despierta America” (7-9 a.m.) also hit an all-time-high, averaging 190,000 households to beat “Good Day New York” on Ch. 5 (175,000 households). Ch. 41’s numbers last week were also up 107 percent over w/o Nov. 17 ’00.
Gray matter: Bill set for ‘Amy’ appearance
William Devane has been cast in an upcoming episode of “Judging Amy” as the brother of Maxine Gray (Tyne Daly).
In the episode, Devane plays Richard McCarty, Maxine’s estranged older brother who she hasn’t seen in 12 years. Richard reappears after his son, Kyle (new cast member Kevin Rahm) shows up at Maxine’s office and moves into the Gray house.
This just in . . .
Cousin Brucie salutes World Hunger Year in a “Bruce-A-Thon” radio marathon all day today on WCBS (101.1 FM). Brucie will be on the air from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. auctioning off items including guitars from Bruce Springsteen and Eric Clapton.
Ch. 11’s Polly Kreisman continues her report tonight (10 p.m.) on the local Korean black market for dog meat. By the way, Kreisman and her producer, Christina Summers, have won the Peggy Award from the Newswomen’s Club of New York.
There’s been a lot of good buzz surrounding Boston-based Heather Schmid, “Miss Millennium 2001.” She’ll be at the Mercury Lounge Nov. 26 (7 p.m.) performing her original music.
Mike Wallace and his wife, Mary, chowing down at Patsy’s (West 56th St.) on Sal Scognamillo’s spaghetti and meatballs.