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Abercrombie settles race case for $40 million:
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Abercrombie & Fitch Co. has agreed to pay $40 million to black, Hispanic and Asian employees and job applicants to settle a class-action federal discrimination lawsuit that accused the clothing retailer of promoting whites at the expense of minorities, lawyers said Tuesday.~//~
ABC apologizes for steamy MNF intro:
NEW YORK (AP) -- ABC's "desperate" bid at cross-promotion backfired on Monday Night Football.Can't believe I missed that.
The network's steamy intro to the Philadelphia-Dallas game, featuring a naked Nicollette Sheridan jumping into the arms of Eagles receiver Terrell Owens, drew complaints from viewers and the NFL.
ABC Sports apologized Tuesday for the segment, used a day earlier to promote the hit show Desperate Housewives and broadcast just nine months after another football flap -- the Janet Jackson Super Bowl fiasco.
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Nearly 800,000 Bowflex machines recalled:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The makers of the popular Bowflex fitness machine are recalling nearly 800,000 units after dozens of people reported injuries from mechanical problems, the government announced Tuesday.Not sounding like good PR for Bowflex. Though I am intrigued by their new product - Bowflex SelectTech, their new dial-a-weight free weights system. Too bad the dumbbells cost $400 (S&H not included).
This marks the second large recall of Bowflex equipment this year. In January, the machine's manufacturer issued a voluntary recall of about 420,000 units after reports of similar mechanical problems.
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PETA campaigns against eating fish:
NEW YORK (AP) -- Touting tofu chowder and vegetarian sushi as alternatives, animal-rights activists have launched a novel campaign arguing that fish -- contrary to stereotype -- are intelligent, sensitive animals no more deserving of being eaten than a pet dog or cat.Just for that I'm going to encourage more goldfish-eating at parties.
Called the Fish Empathy Project, the campaign reflects a strategy shift by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals as it challenges a diet component widely viewed as nutritious and uncontroversial.
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Conference on blogs' news impact:
LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The woman who writes Wonkette! needed no introduction and offered no apologies Saturday, telling her peers in online journalism that Web logs like hers have spurred a quicker response to breaking news by major media outlets.I'm no fan of Wonkette (notice no link included) but she's right. Blogs are making more traditional media rethink some of their tactics and reasoning. After all, we are in the 21st century.
Ana Marie Cox and others who maintain "blogs" were criticized after the November 2 presidential election for posting exit polls throughout the day -- a practice frowned upon in the mainstream media because the data could sway the outcome.
"To the extent to which they affect voter turnout is to the extent people believe them," Cox told the Online News Association conference in Hollywood. She added that blogs have made it more difficult for mainstream news organizations "to sit on a story."
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So much for all that reality TV:
LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Television networks are learning a harsh lesson in reality -- too many reality shows are a turn-off for viewers.They had me at "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee." Or was it "The Swan." Or maybe "The Bachelor Part 12 1/2." Or maybe "Wife Swap: The Clean Version." Or perhaps it was "My Dog The Lifeguard." Maybe it was "Ye 'Olde House of Renaissance Pool Cleaners." Egads, I forget which one was one too many. I can't believe I just wrote "egads." Honestly, I'm hoping the whole fad blows over and we get some real entertainment. Some new shows that may stand the test of time. Y'know, like "Tool Time" or "Yes, Dear."
As broadcasters increasingly binge on unscripted shows starring ordinary folks willing to do almost anything for cash, romance or 15 minutes of fame, the burgeoning genre of reality TV appears to be wearing a bit thin with U.S. audiences.