Why a network was in ‘Jeopardy!’ recently
Q: How come “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” was on ABC, while the regular game show is on CBS? – Susan Frenger, Columbiana, Ohio
A: That might be the case with the weeknight “Jeopardy!” in your area, but because it’s syndicated to separate stations with different network affiliations across the country, that’s not the situation everywhere. (For instance, in our own area, it’s on the ABC station ... as it is in such major markets as New York and Los Angeles.)
What’s even more interesting is that the Alex Trebek-hosted “Greatest” competition was on ABC when CBS Television Distribution is among the production entities on the nightly version of the game show. However, Sony Pictures Television took the lead on selling the multi-part special, so it presumably went for the network it felt could make the best deal for it.
Q: Is it true that Ricky Gervais won’t ever be back as the host of the Golden Globe Awards? – Jeff Marx, via e-mail
A: Well, he certainly got comedic mileage out of that notion at last month’s edition of the annual event, but the fact is that he’s made that claim before and ... he came back. It really depends on what the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which stages the ceremony, wants. Even that organization’s president joked on the show that Gervais should “put it in writing” that his time with the Globes broadcast is done. Anyone who hires the intentionally outrageous Gervais knows what they’re getting, and that includes NBC, whose censors had to “bleep” a couple of his Globes comments this most recent time ... one of which, in regard to Dame Judi Dench, drew a very visible look of “Did he really say that?” shock from attendee Gwyneth Paltrow.
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