In it's preview of the upcoming TV season,
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY reports that ABC's new comedy, "SPORTS
NIGHT," draws "an obvious comparison to an ESPN show." EW:
"The pilot does a good job of capturing the frenetic pace of
live sports-TV broadcasts, but can the show avoid the
abrupt, boring soul-searching that flattens the pilot's
final scenes?" (EW, 9/11 issue).....Former Disney President
MICHAEL OVITZ is profiled in the L.A. TIMES. Ovitz "has
quietly begun putting together what he hopes will be a new
kind of entertainment company melding artists and athletes
and the worlds of movies, television, theater, the Internet
and sports." Ovitz "declined to be interviewed about his
plans," but sources said that "one element of his strategy
is to form a talent management and production company"
(Claudia Eller, L.A. TIMES, 9/11).....MAGIC JOHNSON, on
HOWARD STERN's new TV show: "I cannot wait 'til they cancel
him because I'm going to go on his radio show and dog him
right to his face" ("Tonight Show," NBC, 9/9)....Padres
Owner JOHN MOORES has contributed over $100,000 to the
campaign of CA Lt. Gov. GRAY DAVIS, a Democratic nominee for
Gov. (L.A.TIMES, 9/10)....Redskins bidder ANDREW PENSON is
profiled by Devin Leonard in the N.Y. OBSERVER. Friends and
business associates describe Penson as a "soft-spoken, even
self-effacing fellow -- the antithesis of your stereotypical
Manhattan real estate mogul" (N.Y. OBSERVER, 9/14 issue).
...Director WILLIAM BINDLEY and Producers GARY LUCCHESI and
CARL AMARI have acquired the rights to "Loose Balls," a book
written by TERRY PLUTO. The film revolves around MIKE
STOREN, who as ABA Commissioner turned the league into a
"barn-storming competitor for the stuffy NBA" (DAILY
VARIETY, 9/11)....MARK MCGWIRE, SAMMY SOSA and SHAQUILLE
O'NEAL appeared on the "MTV Video Music Awards" show last
night, introducing performing acts (THE DAILY).
