Williams tapped for 'Candidate'
Emmy-winning talk-show host Montel Williams will host the Showtime political reality series "American Candidate." The 13-year television veteran will take viewers through the ambitious effort from R.J. Cutler ("American High"), which premieres Aug. 1.
The series features a dozen contestants from around the country. Over the course of 10 weeks, the show will test the contestants to see if they have what it takes to run for president of the United States. There will be debates, political rallies, and advertisements; they will receive the advice of real-life political strategists. They'll eventually choose running mates, and the final contestants will debate live. The winner receives $200,000 and a chance to address the nation.
This will be Williams's first time hosting a regular reality series.
"Montel Williams is the award-winning host of his own wildly popular hit talk show, and he has had years of experience interviewing and producing captivating stories about issues facing all types of Americans," says Robert Greenblatt, Showtime Entertainment president. "This, along with his amazing life experience as a decorated naval officer, a successful author, and a man determined to bring an end to multiple sclerosis, makes him uniquely suited to host `American Candidate.' We think Montel will bring insight, humanity, and even some much-needed entertainment value to the campaign process."
Williams was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and has responded by launching the Montel Williams MS Foundation to further the scientific study of the condition. He won his Emmy as outstanding talk-show host in 1996.
Networks will air Ray Charles film
To commemorate the life of Ray Charles, the sister networks A&E and the Biography Channel will both air a one-hour film about the musician, featuring clips of performances and interviews with family members and friends. "Bio Remembers: Ray Charles" will air on A&E tomorrow at 10 a.m. and on the Biography Channel Monday at 8 p.m. SUZANNE C. RYAN
Globes won't affect Oscars
The 62d annual Golden Globe Awards are scheduled for Jan. 16 in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live on NBC.The schedule, released this week by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, will see the Globes taking place a week earlier than they did this year, when they were held Jan. 25.
However, even the earlier date will not mean the Globes will affect nominations for the 77th annual Academy Awards -- because voting on Oscar nominations will close at 5 p.m. Jan. 15.
HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
`Queer Eye' returns to NBC
NBC is bringing the Fab 5 to network television again this summer."Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" will air on NBC at 8 p.m. Wednesdays for three weeks beginning June 30. The episodes will be rebroadcasts -- two from earlier this year, and one from the show's second season, which launched this month.
First up are fraternal twins Brandon and David, who get help from the Fab 5 in updating their frat-boy furnishings and in finding styles that help each brother carve out an individual identity.
The other episodes will feature Kevin, a retro-loving cat who needs to clean up his act (and apartment) before proposing to his girlfriend; and John, a figure-skating champion who gets a
makeover to impress his bride of four months. NBC enjoyed solid ratings when it aired two "Queer Eye" episodes last summer. An abbreviated, half-hour version of the show drew 6.9 million viewers in July, while a full episode a month later was seen by 8 million. In turn, NBC says, the network airings helped raise the show's profile on Bravo (which NBC owns).
KNIGHT RIDDER
Talk of the dial
10 a.m. WBIX-AM (1060) -- "Stu Taylor on Business." Guests: Gary Wakstein, DineGift.com; Jon Sorenson, Sheraton Hotels; Joshua Gonyeau, Kinsale Irish Pub and Restaurant.Other radio highlights
7 a.m. WGBH-FM (89.7) -- "Classical Weekend." Haydn's Symphony No. 87 in A; Balakirev's Islamey; R. Strauss's Don Juan; Brahms's Academic Festival Overture; Sibelius's Lemminkainen Suite; Mendelssohn's 2 Psalms, Op. 78; Chopin's 24 Preludes; Bach's Violin Concerto No. 1 in A.
9 p.m. WCRB-FM (102.5) -- "Boston Pops Orchestra Live." Keith Lockhart conducts music by Dvorak, Bernstein, the Beatles, Billy Joel, and a baby boomer sing-along.
