"Its A Mating Call, For Lawyers In Love"
'Buffy' Rates Worst Show for Families
A parents group applauded broadcasters Wednesday for embracing more family-friendly programming in prime-time, yet scolded television's two most popular shows for being among the raciest.
Both NBC's "Friends" and CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" made the Parents Television Council list of the 10 worst shows in prime-time.
Little-watched "Doc," a Pax TV drama about a country doctor who moves to New York City, was named the best show on television by the conservative watchdog group for its "uplifting and inspirational" themes.
After years when it was considered unhip, there's been a slight movement toward more family-friendly programming in prime-time, with ABC and the WB network lately making it a priority. ABC has blamed its recent ratings trouble partly on a decision to move away from that audience.
"It definitely is a heartening development," said Melissa Caldwell, the PTC's research director.
UPN's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was rated the worst show in prime-time, with the PTC condemning it for graphic violence and sex, and an element of the occult.
The group criticized TV's most popular comedy, "Friends," for basing much of its humor on sexual references or situations. The PTC said the show, which also featured two unmarried characters having a baby this spring, was inappropriate for its 8 p.m. time slot.
Jennifer Aniston's Rachel character gave birth in the season's final episode.
"I'm not really sure why it passed without much discussion," Caldwell said. "But it's certainly not a good role model, especially considering how popular the show is with teenage viewers."
"CSI" was criticized for dealing graphically with themes of incest and sadomasochism. The show has had a meteoric rise in popularity, often besting "ER" as viewers' favorite drama.
Four WB shows — "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," "Reba," "Smallville" and "7th Heaven" — made the PTC's list of best shows for families.
But "Gilmore Girls" — a WB show that was created specifically through funding provided by advertisers interested in family-friendly programming — was left off the list. Caldwell said her group was concerned about some of the mother's relationships in the show.
'Miss Germany' Risks Losing Crown over Nude Rules
"Miss Germany" has broken her contract and could lose her crown because she objects to beauty contest rules banning her from marrying or posing in the nude, organizers said on Thursday.
Ralf Klemmer, director of the Miss Germany Corporation that holds the annual pageant, said Berlin dental technician Katrin Wrobel canceled a contract with his firm because she said it contained "immoral clauses."
"The contract she and all the girls in the competition signed beforehand spelled it out quite clearly that marriage and nude photographs during the year are not allowed," Klemmer told Reuters.
He said the rules were quite clear and Wrobel would be stripped of her Miss Germany crown if she did not relent.
"The same rules apply to the Miss competitions all around the world," added Klemmer, whose firm has organized 42 consecutive Miss Germany contests since 1960. "It's strange that she now rejects this. But there is no way she can compete in the Miss World competition in Nigeria if this is not resolved."
"We've never had a case like this in 42 years," he said. "If she wants to relinquish the crown then the runner-up will be awarded it. There cannot be another competition this year."
Wrobel's lawyer Christian Schertz was not immediately available for comment. He was quoted in Bild newspaper on Thursday as saying Wrobel had canceled the contract "because it is filled with immoral clauses."
A tall brunette considered a long-shot to win the German competition in January, Wrobel, 24, has since landed a job as a presenter on a German television game show. She has long lived with her boyfriend, a 29-year-old electrician.
"I only took part in the contest for some quick cash," Wrobel was quoted as telling Bild. "I never thought I would have a chance of winning."
Hip-Hoppers Nelly, Eminem Beat Boss
After two weeks at No. 1, the Boss took a beating from a pair of hip-hop superstars in the latest album charts issued this week, slipping to No. 3 as St. Louis rapper Nelly reclaimed the top spot and Eminem slid in just behind him.
Nelly's "Nellyville" (Universal) scanned 183,000 copies in the week ended Aug. 18 -- a 12% drop but sufficient to top "The Eminem Show" (Interscope/Shady) at 179,000. Bruce Springsteen's "The Rising" (Columbia) sold just under 167,000 units.
Meanwhile, folk-rock singer/songwriter James Taylor crept up quietly to give the big boys a run for their money this week. "October Road" (Columbia), Taylor's first studio effort since 1997's Grammy-winning "Hourglass," bowed at No. 4, selling nearly 154,000 copies in its first frame.
And Arista's sleeper phenomenon of the year -- rocker Avril Lavigne -- continued her steady climb up the rankings, gaining four spots to land at fifth. "Let Go," the 17-year-old Canadian songwriter's debut effort, has sold almost 1.2 million copies to date.
Two other buzzy songwriters continued to gain ground this week: Norah Jones' first album, "Come Away With Me" (Blue Note), was up two spots to No. 13, and John Mayer's disc "Room for Squares" (Columbia) slipped two places to No. 21 but boosted sales by 6% to more than 47,000.
The second-highest debut of the session belonged to veteran R&B crooner Keith Sweat. His ninth album, "Rebirth" (Elektra), opened at No. 14, selling almost 58,000 discs.
The young bluegrass act Nickel Creek enjoyed an unexpectedly strong bow at No. 18 with "This Side," its second effort for respected roots-music label Sugar Hill. Despite modest promotion efforts, "Side" scanned a hefty 51,000 in its first week out -- putting the group on a trajectory to top even the sales of its far better-known labelmate Dolly Parton.
Also bowing in the top 20 were Snoop Dogg's "Doggystyle All-Stars VI" (MCA), which debuted at No. 19, and Detroit hip-hop crew Slum Village's "Trinity (Past, Present & Future)" (Capitol), which started in the 20th spot.
Next week's chart will likely be more of the same; there aren't any new contenders with the heft to rival either Nelly or Eminem. But Virginia hip-hop duo Clipse should make a strong showing with its inaugural Arista release, "Lord Willin'."
An Early Special Edition Look
Here's a look at the contents of Columbia TriStar's Spider-Man: Limited Edition boxed set (street date 11/1). In addition to the widescreen version of the DVD, you'll get an exclusive comic book, Stan Lee's Mutant's Monsters & Marvels DVD, a film cell, an art print and more.
REMEMBERING 9-11
Enrique Iglesias, Alan Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Al Green and Placido Domingo among the many artists performing in the Concert for America, a commemorative TV special set to air September 11 on NBC. The two-hour program will be hosted by NBC newsman Tom Brokaw and attended by first lady Laura Bush.
GIVE THE MAN A CIGAR?
Rumors surfacing again that former President Bill Clinton is in talks with syndication powerhouse King World and CBS about hosting a daytime talk show described as a cross between Oprah and Nightline.
