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It takes three to replace Koppel on ‘Nightline’
“Nightline” is Ted Koppel’s program, and without him, it will not be “Nightline.” Exactly what it will be — and what the change means to TV news in general — is even more unclear now that ABC has announced the trio that will replace Koppel when he steps down Nov. 22.
Yesterday ABC News trumpeted a host trio of White House reporter Terry Moran and “20/20” contributors Cynthia McFadden and Martin Bashir. The latter is best-known for his salacious interview with Michael Jackson that resulted in the even more salacious child molestation trial.
The trio takes over Nov. 28, and although executive producer James Goldston has insisted that serious analysis of multiple hard-news topics will continue, I’m smelling more of a “20/20” sensibility.
“Nightline” has been sagging in the ratings, behind NBC’s “Tonight” and CBS’s “Late Show,” for years, and ABC at one point went after David Letterman to host an entertainment show to replace “Nightline.” When that effort failed, ABC insisted it would stay the course with hard news.
But Koppel is moving on — reportedly but not officially for a new gig with HBO — and “Nightline” is likely to sink even deeper. Who wants to watch a newsmagazine late at night?
Post-‘West Wing,’ Aaron Sorkin returns to NBC
Writer Aaron Sorkin, who created and abandoned “The West Wing,” has signed on with NBC to create a behind-the-scenes spoof of a late-night comedy show.
The new show, tentatively titled “Studio 7”, will join the schedule next fall — assuming Sorkin can hit the deadline, which he had trouble doing with “The West Wing.”
“This project is a noisy, compelling combination of bold drama and laugh-out-loud comedy,” NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said in a statement.
“Studio 7” plans to poke fun at network executives and the creative staff of a late-night comedy show that sounds a lot like “Saturday Night Live.” UT grad Tommy Schlamme, who also worked with Sorkin on “West Wing,” is again partnering with Sorkin.
Sorkin is no stranger to battles with network brass, and “Studio 7” could be an insider’s dream. But will the mainstream audience be amused by all the show-downs and ego explosions? If anybody can make this material entertaining, it’s Sorkin.
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