NAMES: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes that Marv
Albert's "best prospect" for work "may be a return" to MSG
as the permanent host of its "SportsDesk" nightly news show,
but "there is no guarantee of such a return to his old
employer." Sandomir also notes that "according to people
who know him, Albert's familiar sarcastic edge has been
blunted, and he is humbler" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/1)....Former Fox
Sports analyst Craig Simpson said he is "close" to signing a
multi-year deal with CTV Sports Net to be its lead hockey
analyst. In other news, TSN Senior Producer for the NHL,
Gord Cutler, "is jumping" to CTV Sports Net to produce its
NHL games (William Houston, Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 7/1).
PROGRAMS: Fox Sports Net's "Goin' Deep" will conduct an
MLB Town Meeting on July 8, with MLB COO Paul Beeston taking
questions from host Joe Buck and a panel made up of MLB's
Consultant to the Commissioner Frank Robinson, Mariners SS
Alex Rodriguez, author George Will and USA Today columnist
Hal Bodley (FSN)....AP TV writer Frazier Moore reviewed
HBO's "Arli$$," calling it "witty, fast-paced and often
downright farcical" (AP/SEATTLE TIMES, 6/30)....Barry
Diller's USA Broadcasting "is seriously considering making a
bid" for KCAL-TV, which owns rights to Lakers, Angels and
NHL Kings games (Cynthia Littleton, DAILY VARIETY, 7/1).