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American Morning
Singer's Death Tops Entertainment News
Aired April 26, 2002 - 09:21 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, he is TV's single guy no more! That's right. Last night on ABC, "The Bachelor" -- there he is -- took the plunge finally, after narrowing the field of female suitors from 25 to one. In the end he chose Amanda -- yes, I don't know who she is -- as his leading lady. Television's all-important sweeps -- I suppose that's Amanda -- is now off and running. In its sweeps, the next month promises to be a festival of must-see, can't- miss, you-got-to-watch-it TV.
Joining us now with more on "The Bachelor," and all things entertainment, KTLA Entertainment Reporter Sam Rubin.
Morning, Sam. Thanks for joining us.
SAM RUBIN, KTLA ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER: Hey, Anderson, good morning to you.
You know that Amanda, of course, is the event planner, as opposed to Trista, who was the former dancer for the Miami heat, I believe.
COPPER: Well ...
RUBIN: You know.
COPPER: They both had very nice assets, a lot of things to recommend them.
RUBIN: Yes, indeed, they did and it might be advertising for things other than entertainment strictly. The thing that is interesting about it is throw up your hands as you may "The Bachelor" was extraordinarily well executed. And the thing that's interesting with this reality shows that seem to work, "Survivor," "Celebrity Boxing," you know, a lot of people may poo-poo this stuff but in terms of -- you know, in television there are a million ideas. It's the ideas that are pulled off well and this one was actually was. And really became water cooler fodder around the country. And the rating are now coming in and up against, you know, a brand new episode of "Friends," the preceding show to "The Bachelor" and then up against "Will and Grace" certainly held its own. It didn't beat "NBC's must see TV" but did very well. About a 15 share in New York City and probably strong elsewhere around the country as well.
COPPER: Now ...
RUBIN: So it did fairly well.
COPPER: As we mention sweeps period has begun. What should we be looking for in this sweeps period? I mean were seeing a lot of repeats up until now. And now all of a sudden last night on "Will and Grace" Michael Douglas appeared. Are we going to be seeing more celebrities suddenly popping up?
RUBIN: I think what they call it Anderson is stunt casting. You're going to see a lot of big names, anything to lure audiences in over the next four weeks. And what's interesting here is a real manipulation of audiences and ratings because television networks now are trying to set their advertising rates for the coming fall season. And they're going to advertisers and they're saying look how many people watch this over the course of May. The fact of the matter is the May sweeps don't really reflect what's usually on television, which is much more hit and miss, a lot of re-runs and the like. You will be seeing a lot of guest stars.
A really good example is Sunday May the 19th, the final Sunday in sweeps, at the same time you have a big reunion show, The Cosby reunion on NBC, you have the final of "Survivor" on CBS, the end of X- Files on Fox and the season finale of the Practice. So all these big shows at once. And it's kind of a shame because, you know, people who are television fans probably would like to watch all those shows but, obviously, not at the same time.
COPPER: Well that's what Tivo's all about or VCR's. What should we expect from the box office in terms of movies this weekend. It doesn't seem like it's a great movie weekend.
RUBIN: Well from the small screen to big screen, I think what happens here Anderson is people are still letting The Rock dominate. The big wide release is Angelina Jolie in a film called "Life or Something Like It" where she plays a television newscaster, perhaps the caricature of one, with the big blonde hair and the wig and the whole thing. The movie has received decidedly mixed notices. I don't audiences are use to seeing Angleano Jolie in a comedy like this. I don't imagine it will fair very well. As The Rock dominated last weekend, I suspect he will this weekend with "The Scorpion King." And perhaps the movie "Changing Lanes" will be in second. I think this one will be in third.
What will be interesting to see about the "The Scorpion King" is how much of a week-to-week drop will the movie go through. That's when -- how you analyze the box office. I mean it had extraordinary opening. Are people now going to tell their friends in junior high and elsewhere to go and see it? Are they going to go and see it for a second time? Is this, in fact, $100 million movie or a mere $70 million movie, that tale will be told this weekend.
COPPER: Sam, just wondered what the impression out in Los Angeles is of the death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of the group TLC. We've been giving it some coverage this morning. How big a story do you think this is?
RUBIN: Well I think this a story where, quite frankly, the result is not entirely unexpected. Extraordinarily talented in front of the microphone. A very troubled life when she wasn't singing or on camera. And it's sad that she's gone but I think one of those who people thought would die young frankly.
COPPER: All right. Sam Rubin, thanks very much for joining us this morning. And we'll check back with you next week.
RUBIN: Great.
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