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FlashBy Times staff and wire reports © St. Petersburg Times, published December 7, 2000 Report: Network canceled movie after complaintsUSA Network canceled production of a television movie about two drug-tampering deaths after it was pressured by a major pharmaceutical advertiser, according to a report. The cable network pulled the plug on Who Killed Sue Snow? on Nov. 22, five days before filming was to begin in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday. The movie was based on the 1986 deaths of two Seattle-area residents who took cyanide-laced Excedrin. The cancellation followed objections by Johnson & Johnson, whose subsidiary manufactures Tylenol. The Times article said Johnson & Johnson wanted to avoid reminding the public of seven Chicago-area deaths in 1982 from cyanide-tainted Extra Strength Tylenol. John McKeegan, a Johnson & Johnson spokesman, confirmed that the company complained about the movie but denied it threatened to pull advertising. USA spokesman Ron Sato said the project was killed over concerns it could lead to copycat crimes. Overdose blamed in death of man who struck KingThe motorist who struck Stephen King with his van died of an accidental overdose of a painkiller, state medical examiners said. Bryan Smith, 43, of Fryeburg, Maine, died of an overdose of fentanyl, according to toxicology reports. He was found dead in his home Sept. 22. Smith, who suffered from a back injury unrelated to the accident, had been prescribed the painkiller not long before his death. His family also said he suffered bouts of depression. In 1999, Smith struck and nearly killed King as the author was walking along a road.
Sculptor wins top honor in area art festivalSculptor Michael Mick of Port Charlotte won the $2,000 best of show award at last weekend's Palm Harbor Arts, Crafts and Music Festival. Prizes included $850 awards of distinction to Amie Davis, photography, Lake Helen; Ummarid Eitharong, graphics, Orlando; Susanna Spann, watercolor, Bradenton; Susan Livingston, sculpture, Lutz; Jinsong Kim, ceramics, Mims; and Ralph Rankin, ceramics, Orlando. Judging the show were area artists Ira Burhans and Bill Renc.
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From the wire |
