TV Bulletin Board (Sept. 16)
09/16/08 16:37
By ED BARK
Runnerup in the Sarah Palin interview sweepstakes is CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, who will hit the campaign trail with the Republican veep nominee on Sept. 28-29.
CBS says that Couric will both quiz Palin and receive exclusive "behind-the-scenes access" as the Alaska governor travels both alone and with running mate John McCain. Part 1 of their collaboration will air on the Monday, Sept. 29th Evening News. Palin's debate with Democratic counterpart Joe Biden will be just around the corner (Oct. 2nd) by then.
***Chef Gordon Ramsay will be wielding his cutlery and even sharper tongue for a few more years on Fox.
The network has signed him to two more editions of Hell's Kitchen and at least another ladle of Kitchen Nightmares. Ramsay also will preside over a self-standing special and a third series, both yet to be specified.
***TNT has acted fast in renewing its new Raising the Bar legal drama after just three episodes have aired. Bar, from groundbreaking producer Steven Bochco (Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law), will get a second season while TNT's Saving Grace, starring Holly Hunter, has been greenlighted for a third.
Bar premiered to mostly tepid reviews but its premiere episode set record ratings for an advertiser-supported cable network with 7.7 million viewers. TNT programming executive Michael Wright says he's also been happy with "the creative growth of the show across the episodes and to see these characters and stories pay off."
Bochco's last basic cable series, FX's Iraq war drama Over There, got discharged after just one season.
***HBO's John Adams miniseries led the way with eight Emmys at last weekend's "creative arts" ceremony.
Also faring well were AMC's Mad Men (4) and NBC's 30 Rock (3). The trio led all Emmy nominees in their respective categories and will be back in the hunt for the "major" hardware during ABC's Sunday, Sept. 21st ceremony.