In the news

By Times staff writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published March 21, 2002

NBC won't air liquor ads

NBC on Wednesday canceled a plan to run ads for hard liquor, responding to criticism of its desire to become the first U.S. broadcast network to air such commercials in 54 years.

NBC three months ago said it would run liquor ads, though advertisers first would have to sponsor public-service messages against drinking and driving.

Though beer and wine have been advertised on network TV for decades, liquor hasn't been promoted in the same way because of networks' self-imposed guidelines. Parent groups and lawmakers had criticized NBC for its plan. NBC's decision to run the ads had come amid the slowest ad spending market in a decade.

O'Donnell mad about film

Rosie O'Donnell wants her name and voice removed from an Oscar-nominated documentary after learning the filmmakers are involved in a group that has been described as a homophobic cult.

O'Donnell narrated Artists and Orphans: A True Drama, about a New York theater group that travels to the former Soviet republic of Georgia to help orphaned and abandoned children.

O'Donnell publicist Cindi Berger said Wednesday that O'Donnell found out this week the filmmakers are involved with the Fourth Way School. The group emphasizes personal development and, according to various newspaper reports, bans homosexuals and believes gays shouldn't be parents.

David Goldstein, a lawyer representing the film, told New York's Daily News that it's "completely baseless" to say the film is the work of a cult.

TV notes

Fox is putting together a second edition of Celebrity Boxing. Former Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire? bride Darva Conger is among those being considered. A repeat of the first Celebrity Boxing airs at 8 tonight.

Chat off

Because of technical difficulties, the Oscar chat with St. Petersburg Times film critic Steve Persall at www.TampaBay.com was postponed Wednesday night. Watch this page for a new day and time.

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