Summer of Scandals Leaves BBC in Crisis

Labor furious after interviewer follows up Internet rumors

(NEWSER) - Gordon Brown's office and the British Labor Party are furious with the BBC after the host of the channel's flagship political program asked the prime minister if he took prescription painkillers. Downing Street had already denied the rumor, which began on the Internet. A shocked Brown responded: "No! I think this is the sort of questioning which is all too often entering the lexicon of British politics." More»

(NEWSER) - The Erin Andrews video scandal is just another sick symptom of “male sports culture,” Bonnie Erbe writes in US News & World Report, but the fairer sex does have recourse. “If women didn’t attend NFL games or NBA games, or even watch them on TV to help drive up ratings, they would be doing more to stop men from behaving badly than they could ever do otherwise.” More»

Survey prompts British channel to cut back on racy content, swearing

(NEWSER) - Responding to viewers’ concerns, the BBC will no longer give free rein to potentially offensive material after 9pm, the Telegraph reports. A network survey of 2,700 people age 11 and up found that its audience, especially older viewers, is unhappy with the content. Now, foul language may be subject to “bleeping out” after 9, and shows throughout the day will have content warnings. More»

(NEWSER) - Last night American Idol sent Joanna Pacitti on to the next round—then just a few hours later declared her ineligible and replaced her with Felicia Barton, People reports. Questions about Pacitti’s eligibility have plagued her from the start of the show: The singer has had previous record deals, releasing a single and an album, and was rumored to be involved with execs from the talent agency associated with Idol. More»

Disgraced guv will start with Today , hit Larry King, van Susteren, and Letterman

(NEWSER) - Though last week’s TV blitz didn’t save his job, Rod Blagojevich is coming back for another round tomorrow, the AP reports. The ousted Illinois governor will start on NBC’s Today and continue into the evening, for interviews with CNN’s Larry King and Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren and a sit-down on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman. More»