CBS debate coverage may be most fun
Foreign policy and terrorism are the assigned topics tonight at 6 when President George W. Bush and challenger Sen. John Kerry meet in the first of three televised debates planned over the next couple of weeks.
Jim Lehrer will moderate the debate at the University of Miami, and one can safely bet that Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and homeland security will be front and center.
You could watch the debate and subsequent rehashing on CNN, MSNBC, PBS, NBC, ABC or C-SPAN. But the most fun viewing choice might be CBS.
The network is trying to recover from the debacle of its story about Bush’s National Guard service, which was based on papers that CBS now says it cannot authenticate.
Bush partisans are howling about liberal bias, and many call for Dan Rather to step down.
So it’s hard to credit the network’s claims that the subsequent quashing of a “60 Minutes” piece on Iraq was strictly due to the approach of Election Day.
Even Walter Cronkite says the situation is embarrassing, and CBS is looking for cover.
Thus it should be entertaining to watch Rather anchor CBS News coverage of the debate. Their efforts will include “a moment-by-moment scientific poll” — sounds like an oxymoron, no? — on how viewers react to what they’re seeing.
The debate is supposed to last 90 minutes, and Rather will also host a CBS post-mortem.
Hope he doesn’t hurt himself bending over backward to be seen as fair and balanced.
Of course, many Bush supporters think he couldn’t manage that under any circumstances.
They’ll likely be watching Fox News, where Brit Hume will have the mike.
Highlights
“Extreme Makeover,” ABC at 8: A participant wants a rock-star makeover.
“Survivor: Vanuatu,” CBS at 8: The episode is called “Double Tribal, Double Trouble,” so you can guess the twist. Both tribes will lose a member at the next tribal council. So the third and fourth castaways are voted off the island.
“Totally Outrageous Behavior,” Fox at 8: It’s a repeat, featuring mountain biking and a student pilot. Followed by a “World’s Craziest Videos” repeat.
“Joey,” NBC at 8: Joey joins a book club to meet women.
“Blue Collar TV,” WB at 8: Man chooses fishing trip over family funeral. Followed by a repeat.
“Will & Grace,” NBC at 8:30: Molly Shannon returns as the wacko Val.
“One Tree Hill,” WB at 9: Repeat from earlier in the week, as Lucas throws Nathan and Haley a wedding reception.
Family Fare
“You Wish!” (2003), Disney Channel at 8: A teen wishes for his younger brother to disappear and he does.
Cable Cast
College football, ESPN2 at 4 and ESPN at 4:30: Pittsburgh at Connecticut and Navy at Air Force.
“Inside the NFL,” HBO at 8: Weekly pigskin roundup and preview.
“Torn Apart,” Lifetime at 9: Tia Carrere stars as the doctor whose husband and child are kidnapped by the father of a child whose life she couldn’t save.
Late Night Talk
“Late Show with David Letterman,” CBS at 11:35: John Travolta and musical guests Pearl Jam. The band is on its way to start the Vote For Change tour Friday night.
“Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” NBC at 11:35: David Spade and Al Franken.
“Jimmy Kimmel Live,” ABC at 12:05 a.m.: Steve Harvey.
“Late, Late Show,” CBS at 12:35: Guest host Ana Gasteyer with Crosby, Stills & Nash.
“Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” NBC at 12:35: James Spader, Kenny Hotz and Spencer Rice.