This just in...
Bally has announced the launch of Crunchyroll, a new anime focused premium channel which will be added for free for current HBO and Cinemax subscribers starting in April of 2011.
Variety; September 1, 2009
Will Rockin' Rhonda overtake Hannah Montana on the charts? The Disney Channel hopes that will be the case when Rhonda hits the airwaves on the night of September 8.
- TV Guide
Cartooning Made Easy returns to PBS with a clean and sober Blanche Boudreaux hosting before a live audience at the Animation Academy at Disney's Epic Kingdom in Anaheim.
- Access Hollywood
This year's MTV Video Music Awards in Atlanta were overshadowed by an incident in which Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech after she won for Best Female Video for "You Belong with Me." But when Kanye went off on a tangent to spread misinformation about Tiffany Disney's lifelong incontinence issues, that was when Will Smith got out of his seat and slapped Kanye right on stage. By the way, when Beyonce won Video of the Year for "Single Ladies," she invited Swift to finish her acceptance speech.
- Kurt Loder; MTV News (You hear it first!)
Disney animation chief Sir Daniel Abbott released a statement saying that he has assigned Eric Goldberg to oversee Disney's output for the highly anticipated return of The Bozo Show.
- G4 Attack of the Show
King Features settles out of court with TBS+Paramount and Peacock over the rights to use Popeye for theme park attractions. Last year, TBS+Paramount recently acquired the struggling Circus World with plans to convert it into an East Coast Pinnacle park. King Features said they held a coin toss which will allow TBS+Paramount to keep the Popeye license for North America while Peacock can add Popeye attractions to Universal Studios parks in London, Osaka and Brisbane.
- PBS NewsHour
TimeWarner confirms Opryland will finally reopen in 2010 as an indoor park.
- The Tennesseean
Starting on January 1, 2010, TBS+Paramount and Bally will begin redevelopment at their respective parks to replace attractions based on New Line Cinema IP's. Bally had originally licensed Madeline and the Power Rangers from Golden Harvest of America while Worlds of Wonder was under construction. Meanwhile, New Line's other properties, like Nightmare on Elm Street and the Terminator had been licensed to Paramount Parks since the mid 1990's. In the new year, Peacock takes over the New Line license for all Universal parks worldwide.
- The Wall Street Journal
Tribune Media reaches an agreement with Peacock to allow Dick Tracy to appear in the second phase of the King Features Cinematic Universe. 20th Century-Fox, who released the Dick Tracy film starring and directed by Warren Beatty in 1990, will receive residual associate credit for future Dick Tracy projects.
- The Chicago Tribune
The Sports Page
Arco Arena will be sold out on September 16 when the San Jose Sharks and Mighty Ducks of San Diego drop the puck on the NHL preseason. During the second intermission, the fans that did get tickets will get a sneak peek at the new name and logo for the erstwhile St. Paul Wild, who will be moving to Sacramento next year.
- The Sacramento Bee
With NHL training camps now open, the Los Angeles Kings hope they have solved their king-sized image problem. Fed up with erstwhile part-owner Ed Roski's repeated slander of Tiffany Disney in broad daylight, Kings majority owner Michael Eisner has forced Roski out. Josh Harris, David Geffen, Jeanie Buss, Peter Guber, Patrick Soon-Shiong and Henry Samueli are among the bidders for Roski's 49% stake of the Kings.
- ESPN
NFL Primetime Schedule for September
Week 1
Thursday, September 10 (8:30 Eastern; Fox): New York Giants (w/ rookie QB Matt Stafford) at Philadelphia Eagles (Defending Super Bowl Champs) Sunday, September 13 (8:30 Eastern; Fox): Cleveland Browns (w/ Ray Lewis) at Indianapolis Colts (w/ Peyton Manning) Monday, September 14 (8:30 Eastern; ABC): Las Vegas Raiders (w/ Tom Brady) at San Diego Chargers (Defending AFC Champions)
Week 2
Sunday, September 20 (8:30 Eastern; Fox): New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (First regular season game at Jerry World) Monday September 21 (8:30 Eastern; ABC): Los Angeles Rams (w/Eli Manning) at Miami Dolphins (w/ Matt Ryan)
Week 3
Sunday, September 27 (8:30 Eastern; Fox): St. Louis Sorcerers (w/ Calvin Johnson) at Atlanta Falcons (w/ Mike Vick) Monday, September 28 (8:30 Eastern; ABC): Baltimore Marauders (w/ Chad Henne) at Brooklyn Jets (w/ Mark Sanchez)
This Just In....
September 13, 2009
Per TSN, the NHL and the AHL agree to the following affiliations below, which will take effect in the 2010-11 season.
With the return of Bozo the Clown roughly 12 months away, each animation studio is already making personnel decisions as they gear up to produce new content for the new Bozo show.
Serving as executive producers for the new Bozo show are Steven Spielberg and Rachel Stone-Abbott. Tom Ruegger will also be on board to oversee coordination between the different studios as new animated cartoons will be part of a 90 minute format for the Bozo revivial, which will also include live action skits, acrobats, games and prizes much like the original.
DISNEY
Just a few weeks ago, Sir Daniel Abbott, head of Walt Disney Classic Animation, assigned Eric Goldberg to oversee Disney's contributions to the new Bozo show. Newly named Legendary staffer Blanche Boudreaux will help out if necessary.
PARAMOUNT
Paramount Pictures has brought in veteran cartoon storyman Earl Kress to lead the writing staff for their Bozo material. Emily Chiang will also be on board as Paramount's head of production. Kyle Marshall, a rookie on the Paramount animation staff, will serve as Kress's apprentice in the bullpen.
WARNER BROS.
Darrell Van Citters and Larry Doyle will share the Bozo duties at WB, with new Looney Tunes material in the pipeline.
PEACOCK
Journeyman animator Phil Nibbelink returns to Peacock to oversee their Bozo contributions.
COLUMBIA-TRISTAR
Still mired in the aftermath of Blanche Boudreaux's bitter divorce from the studio, Columbia executive Bruce Timm assigns the sibling duo of Joe and Stephanie Macdonald to oversee a new Bozo unit. Raggedy Ann, Fox and Crow, Mister Magoo, Gerald McBoingBoing and Beany and Cecil are among the "classic" characters that hope to make a comeback. But those are just the beginning, with the DC, Nintendo and Hasbro heroes also part of the rotation.
TOUCHSTONE
John Lasseter assigns longtime parter in crime Pete Doctor to oversee new Hanna-Barbera material for the Bozo show. Meanwhile, Brian Henson will oversee new Muppet material.
NEW LINE CINEMA
Andy Heyward hires Lachlan Cunningham, Sir Daniel's Australian cousin and former Peacock staffer, to oversee New Line's Bozo contributions.
LUXOR
Mark Evanier has stated repeatedly that new Garfield quickies for the Bozo show will be in 2D to avoid cannibalizing the new 3D Garfield show which launched on SBC earlier this month.
This Just In...
"A few years back, I told the world how I didn't think I'd live to see my 65th birthday. I'm grateful to be part of SAGWA's alumni program, but I really do wish SAGWA itself had existed while I was in my prime. Now, I hope the new generation of wrestlers can have a more comfortable retirement without having to climb back into the ring in their early Fifties like I did back in '03."
Rowdy Roddy Piper in an interview on SportsCenter; September 14, 2009
Rockin Rhonda
Launched on The Disney Channel on September 8, 2009
Created by
Marisol Perez
Developed for television by
Rachel Stone-Abbott and Linda Woolverton
Produced in association with
Legendary Multimedia
Synopsis
Rhonda Ruiz (Selena Gomez) is an aspiring recording artist whose debut music video crashes and burns thanks to a sleazy manager and a clueless director. Now, Rhonda must pick up the pieces if she hopes to salvage her sagging career while maintaining a normal teenage life.
Notes
- On Wizards of Waverly Place, which airs on Nickelodeon ITTL, the role of Alex Russo is instead played by Ariana Grande. Grande also voices Gina on the 2006 version of Big Nate, which airs on NBC on Saturday Mornings and on USA Cartoon Express during the afterschool hours.
- As a child actress, Marisol Perez appeared as Dot in the 1994 live action film Little Audrey. In the years since, Perez appeared in a 1997 biopic about the adolescent years of Tex-Mex singer Selena Quintanilla. After that, she moved from Hollywood back to her native Houston where she worked as a cashier at her family's taco shop. Also, she got to ride the Zamboni at a few Aeros games.
- Perez says her experience working on the Selena movie inspired her to create her own fictional popstar.
NEW LINE CINEMA
New Line's new animation chief Lachlan Cunningham confirms the studio's initial rotation for their Bozo shorts.
Heathcliff, Inspector Gadget, Madeline, Walter Melon, Samurai Pizza Cats and Andy Larkin have already been confirmed. The Littles have now been added to New Line's rotation.
DISNEY
Sir Daniel Abbott: "After negotiating with Steven Spielberg, who will serve as one of Bozo's executive producers, I am happy to confirm once again that Roger Rabbit will indeed be part of our Bozo rotation."
Lisa Guerrero (Inside Edition): "Sir Daniel, do you know for sure if Devon Sawa or Zack Shada will voice Casper for Bozo projects?"
Abbott: "Devon will indeed return for Casper segments for the Bozo series while Zack will concentrate on Scare School, which has just launched on Fox. We've purposely made this decision to avoid cannibalization. Not only that, but we can also confirm that Soleil Moon-Frye will return as Little Audrey."
PEACOCK
Phil Nibbelink says that Peacock's rotation will consist of the following:
Woody Woodpecker, Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, Deputy Dawg, Dick Tracy and the Archies for at least the first year.
PARAMOUNT
Emily Chiang says Sonic the Hedgehog segments will air on the same day that Columbia-TriStar delivers a segment featuring the Super Mario Bros.
Paramount also says they have hired Grey DeLisle to voice Red Vavoom.
In a bankruptcy court in Amsterdam, Paramount acquires worldwide multimedia rights to George and Jimmy (Sjors en Sjimmie in their native tongue), 35 years after the duo were introduced to North America by Filmation. Henk van der Linden, the former head of the now-defunct Rex Films, says that he hopes Paramount will not repeat the problematic choices he made with his live action adaptations. Previously, Filmation and later Turner Broadcasting had custody of George and Jimmy only in English speaking countries (US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland) while Rex Films retained the rights in the Benelux.
LUXOR
Pac-Man joins the Luxor rotation with Garfield, Underdog, Gumby and the Jay Ward characters.
ELSEWHERE
Warner Bros. firmly states that they intend to focus solely on the Looney Tunes characters for their Bozo contributions.
Rumor Mill
A gossip columnist for the Los Angeles Times mentioned in yesterday’s paper that the Cartoon Network has offered rising YouTube sensation Brock Baker a chance to be the substitute voice of Spongebob Squarepants. This comes after many industry insiders expressed concern that current Spongebob voice actor Tom Kenny would logistically be unable to continue the role after accepting WGN’s offer to star in the Bozo revival due to launch next year.
- Access Hollywood
Paramount Pictures confirms that with the TBS+Paramount merger now settled, they will repurpose tertiary brand Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) for importing Japanese anime to western markets. Paramount vice president Barbara Broccoli says the studio expects anime to be the answer to "restoring the roar" for the once-glamorous brand.
- Variety
RKO Radio Pictures confirms a Summer 2013 release date for the sequel to Alejandro Inarritu's version of Star Trek. The first of what RKO hopes to turn into a trilogy will be available on DVD and BluRay from Sony-MCA Home Entertainment and on VHS through Limited Run in November.
- The Hollywood Reporter
Paramount finally releases a trailer for Thundercats 2, which is slated for a summer 2010 release. The sequel to the 2005 film helmed by Jonathan Frakes had been delayed by script issues as well as Paramount's merger negotiations with Turner Broadcasting.
- Access Hollywood
Rumor Mill
Paramount Pictures and Mattel offer Linda Woolverton $35 million USD to write the script for a live action Barbie movie they hope to release in 2012 as part of Paramount's 100th anniversary. But who would play the iconic doll? Some point to an established star like Reese Witherspoon, Kirsten Dunst or Bryce Dallas Howard. Others suggest Emily Osment, whose feud with Miley Cyrus on the set of Nickelodeon's Hannah Montana has reached a boiling point according to her big brother Haley.
- Entertainment Tonight
The Sports Page
Last night in Sacramento, the San Jose Sharks lost to the Mighty Ducks of San Diego 6-3. Even though last night's game was a neutral site NHL preseason game, the ARCO Arena was sold out. Some fans stayed as many as two hours after the game had ended, clamoring for autographs from Ducks president Tiffany Disney. Not bad for a basketball-specific arena where some seats in the lower bowl had to be tucked in for the rink to fit. In the second intermission, it was announced that Sacramento's new IHL team - formerly the St. Paul Wild - will take the ice next year as the River Rats, a tribute to the city's former roller hockey club which played briefly during the mid 1990's.
- The San Jose Mercury News
Janikowski surpasses Dempsey for Longest field goal in pro football (Las Vegas Review-Journal headline)
Las Vegas Raiders at San Diego Chargers
September 13, 2009
Jack in the Box Stadium; San Diego, CA Greg Papa (Raiders radio guy):
"Sebastian Janikowski will attempt a 65 yard field goal to win the game for the Raiders....The snap....Ball's down....The kick....IT...IS..."
Weeknight playoff games for the Wild Card and Division Series to be split evenly between ABC, NBC, ESPN, USA Network and New Line.
NBC and USA Network (both produced by NBC Sports) announcer pairings
Studio: Bob Costas, Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken, Jr.
#1 Vin Scully and Orel Hersheiser
#2 Matt Vasgersian and Mark Grant
#3 Greg Schulte and Bob Brenly
#4 Dick Stockton and Buck Martinez
Note: This year, Dick Stockton takes over for Brad Nessler as the voice of Thursday Night Football on the USA Network in Week 9 of the NFL season. Meanwhile, Nessler becomes the new voice of Notre Dame college football for NBC. Stockton will still cover WLAF and NBA games for Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, UPN) in the Springtime.
ABC and ESPN (both produced by ESPN)
Studio: Chris Berman, Tim Kurkjian and Dave Winfield Booth:
#1 Jon Miller and Joe Morgan
#2 Al Michaels and John Smoltz
#3 Don Orsillo and Joe Simpson
#4 Duane Kuiper and Ron Darling
New Line (produced by SBC Sports)
Studio: Curt Menifee, Ken Rosenthal and Mark Grace Booth:
Joe Buck and Tim McCarver
Kenny Albert and Eric Karros
American League Wild Card Series
(6) Texas Rangers vs. (3) Boston Red Sox
Games 1 and 2 at Fenway Park
Games 3 and 4 (If necessary) at Ameriquest Field
Game 5 at Fenway Park (If necessary)
(5) New York Yankees vs. (4) Los Angeles Angels
Games 1 and 2 at Angel Stadium
Games 3 and 4 (If necessary) at the new Yankee Stadium
Game 5 (If necessary) at Angel Stadium
National League Wild Card Series
(6) St. Louis Cardinals at (3) Arizona Diamondbacks
Games 1 and 2 at the Circle K Dome
Games 3 and 4 (If necessary) at Busch Stadium III
Game 5 (If necessary) at Circle K Dome
(5) San Diego Padres at (4) Florida Marlins
Games 1 and 2 at Joe Robbie Stadium
Games 3 and 4 (If necessary) at Petco Park
Game 5 (If necessary) at Joe Robbie Stadium
American League Division Series
Lowest remaining seed vs. Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary at Tropicana Field
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary TBD
Highest remaining seed vs. Detroit Tigers
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary at Comerica Park
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary TBD
National League Division Series
Lowest remaining seed vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary at Citizens Bank Park
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary TBD
Highest remaining seed vs. Minnesota Twins
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary at HHH Metrodome
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary TBD
American League Championship Series (Carried this year by NBC)
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary hosted by Highest remaining seed
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary hosted by Lowest remaining seed
National League Championship Series (Carried this year by ABC)
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary hosted by Highest remaining seed
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary hosted by Lowest remaining seed
World Series (Carried this year by NBC) Homefield advantage to be determined by the regular season records of the AL and NL champs
Games 1 and 2; plus 6 and 7 if necessary hosted by Highest remaining seed
Games 3, 4 and 5 if necessary hosted by Lowest remaining seed
CBS (NFC)
Studio (The NFL Today): James Brown, Bill Cowher, Rod Woodson and Mike Ditka
Booth:
Jim Nantz and Phil Simms
Gus Johnson and Steve Tasker
Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf
Dick Enberg and Randy Cross
Ian Eagle and Solomon Wilcots
Don Criqui and Dan Fouts
Bill Macatee and Dan Marino
Note: Verne Lundquist works with Gary Danielson as the lead announcers for CBS's SEC college football games on Saturdays.
SBC (AFC)
Studio (NFL Total Access): Curt Menifee, Bill Pidto, Michael Strahan and Jerome Bettis Booth:
Mike "Doc" Emrick and Boomer Esiason
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman
Sam Rosen and Brian Billick
Kenny Albert and Tim Green
Joel Meyers and Dennis Green
Ron Pitts and John Lynch
Mike Patrick and Steve Beuerlein
Fox (Sunday Night Football)
Studio (Fox NFL Sunday Night): Eric Clemons, Shannon Sharpe, Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long Booth: Kevin Harlan and Cris Carter Sideline: Pam Oliver
ABC (Monday Night Football) [1]
Studio (Bristol, CT): Chris Berman, Tom Jackson, Deion Sanders, Joe Theismann and Keyshawn Johnson Booth: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth Sideline: Suzy Kolber
USA Network (Thursday Night Football)
Studio (Universal City, CA): Diana Nyad and Joe Gibbs Booth: Dick Stockton and Jon Gruden
[1] Home to the 2010 Super Bowl, which will be played in San Diego.
WLAF announcer pairings for Spring 2010
TBS+Paramount networks (TNT, TBS, UPN)
Studio (World League Passport at Studio J in Atlanta, GA): Ernie Johnson, Derrick Brooks and Michael Irvin Booth:
Dick Stockton and Warren Moon
Paul Burmeister and Wayne Fontes
Sean McDonough and Emmitt Smith
Craig Bolerjack and Kevin Greene
Spero Dedes and Seth Joyner
Josh Lewin and David Diaz-Infante
Brian Anderson and Dan Jiggetts
Note: Marv Albert covers WLAF games in February and March. When the NBA playoffs begin, Paul Burmeister takes over for Marv.
Disney networks (Fox, FX and FSN)
Studio (Fox World League Weekend; Stage 3 on the Disney backlot in Burbank):
Eric Clemons, Shannon Sharpe, Howie Long and Terry Bradshaw Booth:
Nick Halling and Bill Maas
Paul Kennedy and Cris Carter
Ray Bentley and Rich Gannon
Barry Tompkins and Toi Cook
Dave Pasch and Ron Wolfley
Bob Papa and Tom Waddle
Ted Robinson and Matt Millen
Note: Kevin Harlan and Cris Carter cover WLAF games in February and March. Paul Kennedy takes over for Kevin when the NBA playoffs start.
The Hub (primetime games)
Studio (Inside the WLAF at HBO Studios in Chicago)
Bryant Gumbel, Junior Seau, Marcus Allen and Jerry Glanville
Barbie Watch
Peacock executive Kevin Feige says he intends to release Ridley Scott's J. Robert Oppenheimer biopic under the RKO banner on the same day as Paramount's Barbie movie. One insider says Paramount is thinking about either a June or July 2012 release, which will prove tricky if they want to avoid direct competition with Universal's Defenders of the Earth, Disney/Fox's Into the Spider-Verse, TriStar's Battleship or Columbia's Batman: Year Three. With the next 007 film slated for an October or November release in 2012, Paramount could opt to release Barbie closer to Christmas if summer competition proves too tough.
- The Hollywood Reporter
The Sports Page
Under New Ownership
Days before the regular season begins, the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approves the sale of the Los Angeles Kings to Earvin "Magic" Johnson and former Kings fan favorites Rob Blake and Luc Robitaille.
- ESPN
After the World Series, Josh Harris will meet with MLB Commissioner Larry Lucchino to discuss his bid to buy the Baltimore Orioles from Peter Angelos. Also involved in Harris's bid are former Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. and Baltimore-born filmmaker Rachel Stone-Abbott.
- ESPN
When the Beavers settle into their new ballpark on the former Civic Stadium site, the Breakers (WLAF) and Timbers (MLS) will continue to share the Delta Dome with plans to reconfigure the lower bowl to make the venue more football and soccer friendly.
- The Oregonian
Entertainment News for Early October 2009 (Part 2)
As the real 2010 draws closer, Paramount Pictures and Limited Run have reissued 2010: The Year We Make Contact. The much-forgotten sequel to 2001: A Space Odyssey was released in 1984 to positive reviews and was a modest box office hit. Paramount's reissue of 2010 is dedicated in memory of Space Odyssey author Arthur C. Clarke, who passed away in March of last year before the release of his final novel, The Last Theorem.
- CNN on UPN
The Sports Page
The Mighty Ducks of San Diego defeat the Houston Aeros 3-2 in the first NHL regular season game to be hosted in Mexico City.
- ESPN
Entertainment News for Early October 2009 (Part 3)
In Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Gaming is expected to meet with TBS+Paramount and officials from the Talking Stick and Gila River casinos to discuss MGM Resorts' plans to franchise Lionshare sportsbooks to both resorts.
- The Arizona Republic
If California state gaming officials approve, Cache Creek in Yolo County, Pechanga in Riverside County and Viejas in San Diego County could become the first tribal casinos in the state to be home to Lionshare sportsbooks franchised by TBS+Paramount's MGM Resorts subsidiary.
- The Sacramento Bee
President Obama expresses concern that TBS+Paramount is pitting tribes against each other in their strategy of franchising Lionshare sportsbooks to the highest bidders nationwide.
- The Washington Post
Attorneys for former child actor Johanna Thomas have filed a multimillion dollar defamation lawsuit against controversial comedian Roseanne Barr. In recent years, Barr has come under fire for a standup routine that critics say Barr deliberately misrepresented, misgendered and "deadnamed" Thomas on multiple stops of her 2008 standup tour. The suit is expected to go to trial in April of next year.
- NBC Nightly News with Katie Couric
"I don't know how Roseanne could possibly attack me like this. Her show ran on ABC at the same time that I was on Home Improvement. We were both part of the TGIF lineup. It feels like she's taking shots at me because we somehow stole her thunder when our series launched."
- Johanna Thomas in an interview conducted by Anderson Cooper on CNN on UPN.
Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Limited Run, have released the 1974 Nancy Drew animated series on VHS, DVD and BluRay. The series, which ran briefly on SBC, drew criticism for what many deemed was unnecessary fanservice. The controversy nearly sank the SBC network, which was in its infancy at the time of the show's launch.
- Billboard
TimeWarner enters negotiations with AB InBev to acquire SeaWorld. The beer giant has seen its stock price tumble amid news of layoffs stemming from the sale of Anheuser-Busch to Belgian power brokers.
- The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The Seminole Tribe of Florida, who acquired the Hard Rock hotel and cafe chain in recent years, have agreed in principle to acquire Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from AB InBev. Not to be outdone, the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut announced their intention to acquire Lake Compounce Theme Park from New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Both transactions are being hailed as milestones in Native American entrepreneurship.
- CBS News
The Sports Page
Big League Chew, the iconic baseball-themed bubblegum, sees a huge boost in sales thanks to a new commercial featuring last year's World Series MVP Evan Longoria.
- ESPN
After four years under Bobby Petrino, the World League's Kentucky Stingers hire former NFL backup and Louisville alum Jeff Brohm as their new head coach.
- ESPN
The World League of American Football approves the sale of the Hartford Knights from Howard Baldwin to the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut for $300 Million USD, the highest price tag for any World League team since David Geffen's expansion fee for the Berlin Ogres in 2006 and the sale of the Portland Breakers to Limited Run investor Chris Hansen two years ago.
- The Hartford Courant
Wrexham AFC, a lower-tier, Welsh soccer team that has languished in mediocrity for decades, are up for sale. Desperate for cash flow, they are seeking buyers from outside of Great Britain.
- Sky Sports
Fifteen years removed from their World Series upset over the Guardians, the Montreal Expos are rumored to be considering relocation. Since 1994, season tickets have declined 38%. Olympic Stadium, the Expos home since 1977, has admittedly lost some of its luster. Baseball Commissioner Larry Lucchino says he prefers the Expos stay put in Montreal. If Olympic Stadium is unable to be renovated or replaced, Las Vegas, Nashville or Charlotte could become the Expos' new home as early as 2014.
- ESPN
Statement from Tiffany Disney on Johanna Thomas's defamation lawsuit against Roseanne Barr
"I've known Johanna since her days as a teen heartthrob. Johanna has always been supportive of me whenever I myself have been targeted by conservative commentators. The views expressed by Ms. Barr concerning Johanna's gender affirmation journey are hateful, repugnant and harmful."
In Louisville, the right-wing Society for Highly Informative Television stages a protest at the offices of Kentucky Educational Television (KET) and PBS affiliate WKPC-TV after the airing of an episode of Cartooning Made Easy with Blanche Boudreaux in which former teen idol Johanna Thomas - once known as Jonathan Taylor Thomas - appeared as a special guest.
- The Louisville Courier-Journal
An audit reveals that New Orleans taxpayers will still be on the hook until August of 2023 for a $278 million settlement awarded to New Line Cinema after the city's police department botched its investigation into a June 1990 incident at the New Orleans Holiday Inn in which then-12 year old Gus St. Pierre's table reading for Terminator 2: Judgment Day was disrupted by his mother Bridgette.
- Gayle King (CBS News)
World Championship Wrestling (WCW) has been fined $3 million USD by the FCC over an uncensored, profanity-laced tirade launched by announcer Jim Cornette during an XYZ airing of WCW Monday Nitro. "Corny," as he is sometimes known, exploded with rage when confronted with new evidence of Vince Russo's role in the 2001 Rikishi Diarrhea Incident, which led to the downfall of the now-defunct World Wrestling Alliance (WWA) and the eventual formation of the Screen Actors Guild Wrestlers Association (SAGWA).
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
CBS wisely ignores complaints from the Federation of Americans for Responsible Television or Canadians United for Normal Television over a recent episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic in which Tiffany Disney voices a guest character called Top Shelf.
- Entertainment Tonight
Warner Bros. announces plans to reboot Heathers into a primetime cable series for Warner Freeform....for some reason.
- Access Hollywood
Rising pop star Lady Gaga expresses interest in collaborating on a sequel to Musicana, even though she has only released one album on Jive Records so far.
- MTV News
The Sports Page
Security will be tight at the Verizon Center when the Capitals host the Mighty Ducks of San Diego later this season. Employees from the Caps' ticket office say that they had received numerous threatening voicemails directed against San Diego owner Tiffany Disney. The culprit was later identified as Christian Weston Chandler of Ruckersville, Virginia.
- The Washington Post
Let the party begin in Columbus, because the ownership group led by John P. McConnell have paid the final installment of their expansion fee, making Columbus officially part of the International Hockey League starting with the 2010-11 season.
To celebrate the occassion, the Columbus IHL expansion team unveiled a logo featuring a stylized Ohio state flag (below) to celebrate their entry into the league. With that new logo, fans are now speculating about what the team will call themselves. Columbus Blue Jackets, Columbus Cannons, Columbus Generals, Columbus Federals and Ohio Glory are among the choices according to a leaked application filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Nationwide Arena, currently home to Ohio State Buckeyes hockey and men's basketball, will be the new home to Columbus's new IHL team next September.
- The Columbus Dispatch; October 20, 2009
Paramount Pictures confirms once again that an anime based on the manga A Certain Magical Index will be the first English dub for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
- Wizard
As part of its acquisition of Busch Gardens Tampa, the Seminole Tribe of Florida will sell the struggling Hard Rock theme park in Myrtle Beach, SC to the highest bidder.
- CNBC
The aging and increasingly dilapidated Circus Circus hotel and casino is up for sale. Right next door, Disney is currently building the Buena Vista hotel and casino on the former Stardust site. In recent years, attendance at the Adventuredome at Circus Circus has declined steadily as Bally's Worlds of Wonder and TBS+Paramount's MGM Grand Adventure parks elsewhere on the strip continue to thrive.
- The Las Vegas Review-Journal
TimeWarner receives approval from the Department of Justice in its bid to acquire SeaWorld from AB InBev. Knott's Soak City water park in Chula Vista will likely be rebranded under the Aquatica brand once the acquisition is complete.
- Associated Press
Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA have been sold to Palace Entertainment.
- The Washington Post
The Sports Page
Bundesliga agrees in principle to a $2 billion USD multimedia deal with Peacock. That will open the door for Bayern Munich and other top flight German futbol clubs to expand their fanbases globally, with games to be carried by NBC and USA Network starting with the 2011-12 season.
- ESPN
Liga MX, formerly Primera Division de Mexico, is reviewing bids from Disney (Fox Deportes), Peacock (Telemundo), Univision, Galavision and Telefutura for the rights to televise Liga MX matches to futbol fans in the United States, particularly in markets with large Hispanic populations.
- ESPN
Ducks Looking to Hire a Designated Driver
At a press conference, Mighty Ducks owner Tiffany Disney said she and head coach Randy Carlyle have agreed to part ways following Carlyle's arrest for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident. While Carlyle's legal issues are still pending, Disney and her GM Ace Bailey are in the hunt for an interim coach for at least the remainder of this season. Michel Therrien, Dan Bylsma, minor league coach Steve Martinson and current NBC analyst Barry Melrose are among the candidates to succeed Carlyle.
- The San Diego Union-Tribune
ALCS and NLCS preview
Miggy vs. Longo will be on the marquee as the AL's newest powerhouses, the Devil Rays and Tigers advance to the ALCS.
American League Championship Series
(2) Detroit Tigers vs. (1) Tampa Bay Devil Rays
All games to be carried by NBC
Games 1 and 2, plus 6 and 7 if necessary, will be played at Tropicana Field.
Games 3 and 4, plus Game 5 if necessary, will be played at Comerica Park.
The Phillies' star-studded talent (Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins) were simply too powerful for the Padres' bullpen (Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Trevor Hoffman) to handle. Meanwhile, Ichiro's heroics were plenty for the Diamondbacks to slither past the Twinkies to advance closer to the Fall Classic.
National League Championship Series
(3) Arizona Diamondbacks vs. (1) Philadelphia Phillies
All games to be carried by ABC
Games 1 and 2, plus 6 and 7 if necessary, will be played at Citizens Bank Park
Games 3 and 4, plus 5 if necessary, will be played at the Circle K Dome
