ABC mum on its 'American Idol' expose
WASHINGTON, May 3 (UPI) -- The ABC television network is keeping a public relations lid on its expose' of "American Idol" in an apparent bid to boost ratings.
The network's "Primetime" show, set for a Wednesday evening broadcast right after Fox's "American Idol," will reportedly discuss allegations judge Paula Abdul coached contestant Corey Clark in the hit show's second season, Washington Post reported Tuesday.
ABC declined to discuss the contents of its "Primetime" broadcast, entitled "Fallen Idol," a strategy expected to hike viewership by about 15 percent, analysts said.
Abdul has declined to comment on the rumors and her lawyer reportedly has written to ABC warning of possible legal action if the broadcast runs.
To get Clark's cooperation, ABC has agreed to air a portion of his new single during the newscast, a source said.
'American Idol' contender sides with Abdul
NEW YORK, May 3 (UPI) -- Speculation about a reported ABC News expose' of "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul has led a former contestant to come to her defense.
ABC News plans to air a much-discussed edition of its "Primetime" show Wednesday that reportedly includes allegations Abdul coached Corey Clark in his failed bid to win the competition, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday.
But Carmen Rasmusen, who was on the second season of "American Idol" along with Clark, said she doesn't believe the allegations.
"I just do not see Paula Abdul as a person who would try to sabotage 'American Idol,'" Rasmusen said. "I do not see Paula doing something that stupid that would hurt her image and hurt the show as well."
Neither Fox, ABC News nor Abdul would comment on the upcoming edition of "Primetime."
National Lampoon sets comedy radio network
NEW YORK, May 3 (UPI) -- National Lampoon will launch a comedy radio network in January, The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.
The paper said the National Lampoon Radio Network will be run by Kent Emmons, a co-founder of All Comedy Radio Networks. The new network will target FM stations in major U.S. markets, with an emphasis on men 18-34.
Live programming will originate from Los Angeles and New York. The network also plans to partner with at least one satellite radio service.
All Comedy Radio Networks is currently carried by more than 150 radio stations. Emmons told The Reporter there will be no direct competition between All Comedy Radio and the National Lampoon Radio Network.
"All Comedy is almost all AM, has mainly pre-recorded content and has an older demographic," he said. "National Lampoon is that on steroids."
Hollywood set revenue record in 2004
LOS ANGELES, May 3 (UPI) -- The major Hollywood studios took in a record $44.8 billion worldwide in 2004, The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.
Citing an executive summary submitted to members of the Motion Picture Association of America, the paper said revenue from the studios' filmed entertainment output -- including theatrical exhibition, home video and TV -- was up 9 percent from the $41.2 billion recorded in 2003.
Home video was the big driver that accounted for the increase, increasing 10 percent -- from $18.9 billion in 2003 to $21 billion in 2004. DVD sales were up 46 percent worldwide and up 14 percent in the United States.
Theatrical revenue was down 1 percent worldwide, even though foreign theatrical revenue was up 9 percent. For the first time, the international market accounted for a greater share of theatrical revenue than the U.S. market, The Reporter said.
Overall, the U.S. market generated the largest share of all-media revenue last year -- $25.5 billion.
