CBS Corporation

As the World Turns had the first gay male character in daytime drama in 1988. Last summer, the show hit another milestone when the first two gay men on a soap, Luke and Noah, kissed for the first time. But the lovers haven't locked lips since September, when the Noah character was still coming to grips with being gay. But since officially becoming a couple, their lips have been sealed. Fans are wondering whether it's a sign of squeamishness by CBS or show sponsors Procter & Gamble Co, according to the Associated Press. They've been writing letters, signing an online petition and even have a Web site that counts the days, hours, minutes and seconds since Luke and Noah last locked lips. "We totally support this show and applaud the show for doing this story line," said Roger Newcomb, a computer worker from New York's northern suburbs and the man behind the campaign. "We just don't understand why they have to be censored or treated differently."  read more »

With the strike on CBS's bank of crime and punishment programming is getting low. CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves announced that the network is looking to its sister channel, Showtime, to fill in the gaps. Will Dexter, the mediocre-written, yet highly addictive show about a forensics cop who moonlights as a serial killer make it to network television?  read more »

A source at CBS said they'll have an interview later this morning with freshman Rep. Yvette Clarke of Brooklyn.

In case you somehow forgot, she who won a brutal four-way Democratic primary last year, and who more recently made headlines as the only New York Democratic congress member to not endorse Hillary Clinton.

The interview will be streamed live around 10:30 a.m. over here.

-- Azi Paybarah

Forty percent of Republicans expect Democrats to win the White House in 2008, according to a new New York Times/CBS News poll.

The AP looked at why Rudy Giuliani's "moderate" social positions are not slowing him down.

Anit-war protesters camped out in front of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's home in San Francisco.

Ellen Barry has details of a funeral for the Bronx fire victims;

Eliot Spitzer and his critics in the health care industry agreed to pull their television ads, for now.

In an interview with the Sun, Spitzer said he would consider restoring some proposed cuts to Medicaid and reducing his plans to increase charter schools.

The Times editorial board opposes Spitzer's plan to detain some sex offenders after they've completed their time in jail.

The search for WTC remains continues and there are plans to dig under West Street to look for more.

The city's Schools Chancellor said criticism from the city Comptroller aired at a conference yesterday was "all old news."

No city health inspector has been fired for taking a bribe since 2003.

The Coffee Shop, a Union Square eatery featured in Sex and the City, was shut down for health code violations.

And Seton Hall denied a connection between the $1 million the school received from Jon Corzine, and the scholarship they gave to his former girlfriend, union boss Carla Katz.

-- Azi Paybarah

8 a.m. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric kick off Women's History Month at Macy's Herald Square, 151 West 34th St and Broadway.

8:30 a.m. The Observer's Joe Conason talks about his book "It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush" on C-SPAN.

8:30 a.m. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein discusses school reform at a Crain's New York Business breakfast forum at the Sheraton New York, 811 Seventh Ave.

8:45 a.m. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn will tour PS/MS 187/287 Hudson Cliffs to view a K-8 middle school model. She will also discuss the Council's Middle School Task Force, and will be releasing the names of members recently appointed to the group at 349 Cabrini Boulevard at Fort Washington.

10 a.m. State Senator Malcolm Smith holds a hearing on judicial diversity at Fordham University Law School's McNally Amphitheater, 140 West 62nd St.

10 a.m. State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz will meet with Evangelical Ministers and Expectant Mother Care representatives to discuss the success of the Free Mobile Pro-Life Ultrasound Unit for pregnant Bronx women 910 East 172nd Street and Southern Boulevard.

10:15 a.m. Governor Eliot Spitzer holds a news conference with legislative leaders to announce a major criminal justice initiative in Albany.

11 a.m. Brooklyn borough president announces the fourth annual "Dine in Brooklyn" Restaurant Week at Borough Hall in Brooklyn.

Noon. Al Sharpton will have an exclusive interview with Nation of Islam leader Min. Louis Farrakhan on the Al Sharpton Show. (Live on Sharptontalk.net.)

Noon. Jewish groups and supporters will hold a prayer vigil to protest Iranian policy toward Israel outside the Iranian Mission to the U.N., 40th Street and Third Avenue.

6 p.m. The Queens Library hosts a reception for legislators at Cafe on the Green in Bayside.

6:15 p.m. A discussion with Iraqi Ambassador to the U.N. Dr. Hamid Al Bayati will be held at the Woolworth Building, 15 Barclay St.

6:30 p.m. Assemblyman Jim Brennan hosts a town hall about service at the Kensington Post Office, 3002 Ft. Hamilton Parkway.

7:30 p.m. The Log Cabin Republicans of New York will have a "Coming Out!" party at Bamboo 52, 344 W 52nd Street.

-- Gillian Reagan

Starting at 7 a.m., Hillary Clinton will make appearances on NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CBS's Early Show, and CNN's American Morning to talk about the President's State of the Union Address

At 8 a.m., Gale Brewer is honored at the Reading Reform Foundation breakfast at the Woolworth Tower Kitchen

At 9:30 a.m., the legislature begins to screen comptroller candidates in Albany.

Also at 9:30 a.m., Mike Bloomberg and others attend the Mayors Against Illegal Guns National Summit in D.C.

At 10 a.m., Helen Marshall gives her state of the borough report at York College in Queens.

At 11 a.m., a tenants' group names the city's "most abusive landlord," and holds a convention on affordable housing, at 55 Washington Square South.

At 12:30, Hillary, Chuck Schumer and New York's congressional delegation discuss 9/11-related illnesses of first responders at a press conference in D.C.

At 1 p.m. , Christine Quinn visits the Beth Jacob of Boro Park School in Brooklyn, then the Hatzolah Dispatch Center at 1:45 p.m.; Ohel's Children's Home at 2:15 p.m.; and the W.E.B. Dubois High School Web Center at 3:30 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the NYC Board of Elections will hold a hearing about the new voting machines, at 42 Broadway.

At 6 p.m., Christine Quinn will hold a Neighborhood Forum on community and police relations, at Harlem Hospital.

The President gives his State of the Union speech.

Speech-watching parties are being held on West 44th Street by Laughing Liberally and on East 83rd Street by the Metropolitan Republican Club.

And Ben and the team at Politico make their debut over here.

-- Azi Paybarah

It’s just past 8 a.m.  read more »

Katie Couric, the anchor of the CBS Evening News, was in Georgia on Friday, Jan.  read more »

CBS Radio finally found its home of 75,000 square feet at 345 Hudson Street, as Real Estate Weekly reported.

But here's some new information that everyone loves: Rent numbers!

CBS will take the 10th and 11th floors with rents starting at $34.50 a square foot for the first five years, $37.25 in the next five years, $40.75 for the next five, and $43.75 for the last five, according to a source familiar with the deal. CBS will get the first five months free as well as a promise of future work on the Hudson Square space from the landlord, Trinity Real Estate.

Wonder how these numbers will affect Home Depot's strategy. The retail giant, according to various media including Real Estate Weekly, has been dragging its feet on signing a 107,000-square-foot deal at 345 Hudson.

- John Koblin

Fishbowl NY's Dylan Stableford marks the passing of Ed Bradley with a screenshot fron one of CBS's video tributes. In the clip, the then-34-year-old Bradley reports live from the Philippines, describing his just-completed escape from Saigon as the city fell ("We had to fight our way through that crowd and then scale the wall"). Stableford, 29, is more taken by the fact that Bradley was wearing a "vintage" sportshirt, unbuttoned--a "pimp" style, in the 21st-century blogger's estimation. Tomorrow, Stableford praises the clip where Bradley gets "uppity" with the Russian generals.

Spitzer got up early today.

He was jogging out of Central Park and onto Madison Avenue at six in the morning when he ran into some journalists. He joked to a CBS reporter that the closer he came to being governor, the more people told him what to do.

He showed up at the school on 81st and Madison at 7:00 to shake hands and vote with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Then he attended to some last-minute campaigning.

At a subway station on 72nd and Broadway, Spitzer joined Andrew Cuomo around 8:00 to pass out palm cards and shake hands. Soon after, more local politicians, like City Councilwoman Gail Brewer and Assembly candidate Linda Rosenthal, showed up and slipped into line behind the two men.There were so many photographers opposite the candidates, eventually including Congressman Jerry Nadler, that reporters and candidates formed a narrow sidewalk gauntlet which most of the morning commuters opted to avoid on their way to the station.

Most of the people who did walk the line went right for Spitzer, who wore a dark suit and a pilling red-striped tie.

"I'm a taxi driver and I'm going to cast my vote for you," said one man.

"We are all with you brother," said another.

One woman, Erin Oates, a 48-year-old who works in communications for a medial research center, told Mr. Sptizer that she voted for him despite being a Republican.

"He takes action -- he's not a talker like the others, and I'm tired of politicians who just talk," said Oates. "I'm sure he is ambitious and wants to be president, but he's doing s a great job in the meantime. So why vote for the Republican?"

--Jason Horowitz

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The city of New York is a magnificent place to be, if you’re on television.  read more »

The city of New York is a magnificent place to be, if you’re on television.  read more »

When Pervez Musharaff refused today at a White House news conference to answer the question of what threat was made against his government after 9/11, by the United States, he cited his contract to his publisher, Simon & Schuster, saying he couldn't talk till the 25th, when his book is published. The White House press corps was embarrassed; it was a naked admission of the sort of deal that so much of our discourse is bound by. And humiliating, to see a head of state so bound. Even more pathetic, Musharaff's disclosures were already alll over television, thanks to Simon & Schuster's rollout. On 60 Minutes this Sunday of course; CBS and S&S share the same corporate parent. Synergy. Someone should have clued the Pakistani Prez.

The photographs of 9/11 hold an unparalleled, monumental power over us.  read more »

Jonathan LaPook is a popular Upper West Side gastroenterologist who specializes in CBS.    read more »

Jonathan LaPook is a popular Upper West Side gastroenterologist who specializes in CBS.  read more »

The New York Times Company announced this afternoon that it plans to get rid of its broadcast group, including nine local TV stations. The release follows:

THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO SELL ITS BROADCAST MEDIA GROUP

NEW YORK, September 12, 2006 - The New York Times Company announced today that it plans to sell its Broadcast Media Group, which includes nine network-affiliated television stations and their related properties.

"The decision to explore the sale of our broadcast stations is a result of our ongoing analysis of our business portfolio," said Janet L. Robinson, president and CEO. "These are well-managed and profitable stations that generate substantial cash flows and are located in attractive markets. We believe a divestiture would allow us to sharpen our focus on developing our newspaper and rapidly growing digital businesses, and the synergies between them, thereby increasing the value of our Company for our shareholders."

The stations that comprise the Broadcast Media Group are:

- WHO-TV in Des Moines, Iowa (NBC); - KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith, Ark. (CBS); - WHNT-TV in Huntsville, Ala. (CBS); - WREG-TV in Memphis, Tenn. (CBS); - WQAD-TV in Moline, Ill. (ABC); - WTKR-TV in Norfolk, Va. (CBS); - KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, Okla. (NBC); - KAUT-TV in Oklahoma City, Okla. (MyNetworkTV); and - WNEP-TV in Scranton, Penn. (ABC).

Last year, the Broadcast Media Group accounted for approximately 4% of the Company's total revenues. In 2006, the Company expects the Group will have revenues of approximately $150 million and operating profit of about $33 million. Depreciation and amortization is expected to be approximately $10 million for the year.

The Times Company has retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. to advise it.

There can be no assurance that any transaction will take place. Additional details will be provided when and if the Company enters into a transaction. As a matter of policy, the Company will not comment upon any proposals, discussions or rumors regarding the proposed sale.

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include national and local conditions, as well as competition, that could influence the levels (rate and volume) of retail, national and classified advertising, and other risks as detailed from time to time in the Company's publicly filed documents, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 2005. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2005 revenues of $3.4 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers, nine network-affiliated television stations, two New York City radio stations and 35 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

“It’s a long road to Tipperary,” Dan Rather sang, tentatively, in a whisper-soft b  read more »

“It’s a long road to Tipperary,” Dan Rather sang, tentatively, in a whisper-soft baritone.  read more »

HDNet, Mark Cuban's new cable channel, issued a formal statement today rebutting a Radar report that Mary Mapes, the former CBS producer, would be coming on board with Dan Rather. Yesterday, Radar editor Maer Roshan said that his publication's story was "true" and "confirmed." Ms. Mapes said it was "not true" and "hilarious." The statement, attributed to Colette Carey, Director of Marketing and Public Relations for HDNet, reads in its entirety:

"Contrary to several reports in online news outlets, former CBS News '60 Minutes' producer Mary Mapes is not joining the staff of HDNet's investigative news program 'Dan Rather Reports.' HDNet has not had any discussions with Mary Mapes, and there are no plans, now or in the future, for her to join HDNet or 'Dan Rather Reports.'"

—Rebecca Dana

Mary Mapes, the former CBS producer chiefly responsible for that network's flawed 2004 report on President Bush's National Guard service, is not joining her former boss, Dan Rather, at the cable channel HDNet. Asked whether she had been offered a job at the network or ever would be, HDNet owner Mark Cuban told the Observer in an e-mail: "Not true. No idea where it came from. As far as the future, I would doubt it."

On Sept. 5, the newly-relaunched Radar website reported that Ms. Mapes would be producing documentaries for the network. The item quoted her as telling a Radar reporter she was "thrilled to be on board" and that "Mark Cuban has told Dan, 'I don't give a damn about ratings. Let's just break news and have some fun breaking balls.'"

Reached Tuesday afternoon at her Dallas home, Ms. Mapes said she was not joining HDNet, had never spoken to a Radar reporter and had never heard of Radar Online. "It's not true," she said, "and I'm entirely puzzled by the quotes they have from me. No one's talked to me. I didn't say that." The story appeared in the Fresh Intelligence section of Radar Online. "They totally made it up," Ms. Mapes. "It's hilarious." Radar editor Maer Roshan and Fresh Intelligence editor Chris Tennant did not immediately return calls for comment. --Rebecca Dana

“Touch my Peabody,” Brian Williams said.  read more »

“Touch my Peabody,” Brian Williams said.    read more »

Using a third party line to get into the general election after losing a primary may be effective, but it does annoy party activists (as Joe Lieberman can tell you).

How would voters in Brooklyn's 11th congressional district react? We may soon find out.

At the CBS debate this morning (airing in a few weeks), Yvette Clarke said she would run in the general election on another party's line if she lost the four-way Democratic Primary.

A spokeswoman for Carl Andrews, who missed the debate, said they're focusing on the primary, but left open the possibility.

Chris Owens, through his spokeswoman, said if offered another party's line, he would consider it.

The only candidate to rule it out was David Yassky.

One line that could open up is the Working Families Party. They endorsed their own candidate in the race, but as the mayor's race proved, WFP candidates have a knack for leaving the line at convenient times.

-- Azi Paybarah

The first of three back-to-back-to-back debates with the four candidates in Brooklyn's 11th congressional district just wrapped up. It'll air on BCAT Friday night, but initial reports are still trickling in. (Hurry up with the spin!)

Tomorrow, the CBS duo of Andrew Kirtzman and Marcia Kramer tape their debate with the foursome. That'll air on Ch. 2 the Sunday before Election Day.

Thursday, the quartet heads to NY1 for a live debate.

-- Azi Paybarah

Back in 2003, when Steinway & Sons celebrated its 150th year of manufacturing splendid pianos, the c  read more »

Back in 2003, when Steinway & Sons celebrated its 150th year of manufacturing splendid pian  read more »

Our commercial real estate reporter Matt Schuerman passes along this wrap-up of fundraising in the Atlantic Yards-centric contest in the 57th Assembly District:

Hakeem Jeffries has blown away his rivals financially in the three-way race for the 57th, bringing in $77,610 over the past six months in individual and corporate contributions, according to his July fundraising report filed with the state.

While rival Bill Batson successfully hit up Atlantic Yards opponents to net $32,841, Jeffries, a lawyer for CBS who has leaned in favor of the Forest City Ratner development, netted contributions from prominent professionals like Carver Bank CEO Deborah C. Wright ($500) and p.r. scion Steven G. Rubenstein ($2,000).  read more »

The other candidate to represent the Prospect Heights-Fort Greene district, Freddie Hamilton, has raised just $520 in addition to her own $15,000 donation, despite her being vice chairwoman of the county Democratic organization.

"I have a number of fundraisers planned," she told us. "I am very serious about this race and I intend to win."

-- Josh Benson

Flab-ulous!   To the Editor:    read more »

Flab-ulous!

To the Editor:  read more »

If it’s gonna be,” Dan Rather used to intone, striding through the CBS newsroom, “it’s up to  read more »

If it’s gonna be,” Dan Rather used to intone, striding through the CBS newsroom, “  read more »

Yesterday, The Observer reported that Phil Collins had dropped $3.85 million on a Central Park West condo. But what seemed like the perfect Manhattan bachelor pad (especially for a guy going through his third divorce), could actually be a luxurious love nest.

Now, Page Six reports that Mr. Collins is dating CBS anchorwoman Dana Tyler--which could make the new apartment significantly less of a bachelor pad. Ms. Tyler recently took the musician around the CBS studio, and the couple has been spotted playing golf.  read more »

But seriously...could the fourth time be a charm for Mr. Collins?

- Michael Calderone

Dan Rather and CBS News president Sean McManus had their end-of-the-Rather-era lunch today, as scheduled. The meal was at media hotspot Gabriel's, on 60th Street and Broadway, and lasted two hours, according to a source with knowledge of the lunch. They were "amiable and engaged in energetic conversation" throughout. Both had the ravioli.

--Rebecca Dana

Today CBS News reports that Kimberly Dozier is headed home, talking "animatedly." CBS has regularly covered the correspondent's injury in Iraq, and the death of her two crew-members.

I'm a little surprised by the silence surrounding anchor Bob Woodruff's injuries from ABC News. Obviously, Woodruff was more grievously injured. But can we know a little more? Wikipedia says his absence has stirred opportunistic positioning at the network, as well you might understand. The Times has respected ABC's privacy, perhaps in deference to a news organization still staggering from Peter Jennings's death. I wonder if this is a Jim Brady like situation, career-ending. A journalist friend I asked about the issue snapped back at me, "Let him heal in peace." Heal, please heal. But am I wrong to want a little more information?

The news business is not a happy place these days.  read more »

On the evening of Sunday, May 28, just hours before she climbed into a Humvee with her cameraman, he  read more »

After a tear-jerking send-off on Wednesday, Katie Couric is ready to move on: to the Hamptons!

The future CBS News anchor just bought a $6.3 million home in East Hampton, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It seems like a nice way to spend the summer, before getting back behind the anchor desk. Measuring over 7,000 square feet, the two-story home includes seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, and a pool.

One of her new neighbors is beleaguered Knicks coach Larry Brown.  read more »

UPDATE:We now have a photo after the jump! - Michael Calderone

Tonight the NBC Nightly News doggedly began its broadcast with a report from the levees of New Orleans at the onset of hurricane season rather than where CBS and ABC began: with the Haditha massacre and the European-U.S. coalition visavis Iran.

By such choices, Brian Williams is hewing to the position he took at a forum of the news media in Harlem some weeks back (on C-Span), when he asserted that NBC was committed to covering the problems of black people—witness the New Orleans coverage. (An angry questioner had actually asked about Mumia Abu-Jamal; all the network types dodged that one, understandably). Good for them, and yet tonight's broadcast showed just how stupid such a stubborn posture can be, in the event. The important news was elsewhere; NBC couldn't go there, out of some kind of ideological bias.

George Crile, a writer and CBS News producer who was among the first journalists to chronicle the th  read more »

The CBS Upfront, aka the Leslie Moonves Variety Hour, began at 3:15 on Wednesday with a live band striking up at Carnegie Hall. A PSA appeared on the giant screen up front, asking everyone to silence their cell phones, Trios, two-way pagers, etc.

Anyway, the announcer told the packed house, "everybody who's anybody is already here."  read more »

A lot has happened to television in the last few years, and all of it, down to a description of real  read more »

A lot has happened to television in the last few years, and all of it, down to a description of real  read more »

In television news, as in life, the most successful people are often the ones who never seem to shut  read more »

A couple more thoughts on blogging from this newbie.

On the one hand, it's completely insane. The internet is a free printing press, and so you have a zillion people setting up their printing presses in the street and covering the town with paper. How are any of us readers going to sort it out? As a reader and writer, I feel overwhelmed by the internet. My computer is sitting their waiting like a landfill: I wade through spam and beautiful emails from old friends. It's too stimulating. I already don't know how to set borders in my life. And now that I'm blogging, it sort of owns me. When I sit down, it says, What do you have to throw in the landfill?

Of course the exciting thing is, We all get to watch how this sorts itself out. We're going to be alive, maybe, knock wood, as the great informative institutions of the net form. The New York Public Libraries, the British Museums, the Random Houses and CBS's of the internet—we're going to watch those volcanoes rise from the sea. And maybe they won't be institutions, but constellations of institutions.

On the humility front: you get comment on something you've said, and it's stunning. You realize: the internet is here because we're all smarter. That education in the last century paid off. We can all play as citizens here, and we better!

I'll stop before I get too sappy.

Now that Katie Couric—America’s High Priestess of Perky—will take over the vaunted anchor chai  read more »

Now that Katie Couric—America’s High Priestess of Perky—will take over the vaunted  read more »

Katie Couric will announce her intention to leave NBC on the Today show the morning of April 5, acco  read more »