Rudolph's the man for TV audience
NEW YORK (AP) — When it comes to holiday TV traditions, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" has it all over the Grinch, a Rockefeller Center tree lighting and half-naked women selling lingerie. The annual TV return of Rudolph, on CBS last week, was seen by 10.6 million people, the Nielsen Co. said. That beat "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on ABC by more than a million and a half viewers.
Bryant Gumbel says he's had cancer surgery
NEW YORK (AP) — Bryant Gumbel shocked a television audience with the news that he's recovering from cancer surgery and treatment. The former "Today" show anchor, 61, said a malignant tumor and part of his lung were removed two months ago. He revealed his condition to Kelly Ripa while subbing for Regis Philbin on Tuesday's edition of "Live With Regis and Kelly." (Philbin recently had hip replacement surgery.) "It's nothing to hide from," Gumbel said. "They opened up my chest, they took out a malignant tumor, they took out part of my lung and they took out some other goodies."
CBS cancels another daytime drama
NEW YORK (AP) — Procter & Gamble, the company responsible for the phrase "soap operas," is out of the daytime drama business after 76 years now that CBS is making "As the World Turns" stop spinning. The network announced the cancellation on Tuesday, the day "As the World Turns" broadcast its 13,661st episode. Its last episode will air next September, CBS said.
Topless photo of Polanski, Tate auctioned in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — A topless photo of filmmaker Roman Polanski and his wife, Sharon Tate, taken just months before her murder has sold at a New York City auction for just over $11,000. The black and white portrait by British photographer David Bailey shows the couple embracing. Christie's says it was sold Monday to an unidentified private buyer. The presale estimate was $8,000 to $12,000.
ABC in talks with Cuomo for `20/20'
NEW YORK (AP) — ABC News' Chris Cuomo is likely to move to the nighttime newsmagazine "20/20" as its co-host. A network executive who spoke on condition of anonymity because the executive was not authorized to talk about hiring said Tuesday that Cuomo is in active negotiations for the job after apparently being passed over for "Good Morning America" co-host. Cuomo would co-anchor with Elizabeth Vargas and take on an expanded reporting role at the network.
New prize honors artists age 35 and under
NEW YORK (AP) — A new prize recognizing artists age 35 and under would provide the winner with $100,000 and help from mentors like Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst, the prize's creator announced Tuesday. The Future Generation Art Prize is the creation of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, whose namesake is a Ukrainian billionaire and art collector.
Woods' mother-in-law released from Fla. hospital
OCOEE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods' mother-in-law collapsed at his home and was rushed to a hospital early Tuesday, touching off the second media frenzy in two weeks surrounding the pro golfer's carefully guarded private life. Barbro Holmberg was taken by ambulance to Health Central Hospital with stomach pains after a 911 call from Woods' house. Holmberg, a Swedish politician, was released about 11 hours later and returned to Woods' mansion, hospital spokesman Dan Yates said.
Obama publisher steps down
NEW YORK (AP) — The publisher of Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" has stepped down. Jenny Frost, who as head of the Crown Publishing Group oversaw the release of Obama's million-selling book, left Wednesday, effective immediately.
5 top publishers plan rival to Kindle format
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Five of the nation's largest publishers of newspapers and magazines are teaming up to challenge Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle electronic-book reader with their own technology that would display in color and work on a variety of devices. Time Inc., News Corp., Conde Nast, Hearst Corp., and Meredith Corp., whose magazines include Time, Cosmopolitan and Better Homes and Gardens, announced a joint venture on Tuesday to develop new ways of presenting publications digitally to rival Kindle's gray "electronic ink" technique.
Elton will support Ukrainian boy he can't adopt
LONDON (AP) — Elton John's partner says the musician was devastated that he wasn't allowed to adopt an HIV-positive Ukrainian toddler, but plans to support the boy anyway. The 62-year-old pop star met 14-month-old Lev at a home for HIV-positive children in September. But he was refused permission to adopt the boy because he was too old and not married.
