The New York Times reports that "NBC executives said Tuesday that they are considering another special on the condition of Farrah Fawcett after a strong reaction to the special the network broadcast last Friday night.
Paul Telegdy, who is in charge of non-scripted entertainment programs for NBC, said the network is discussing the possibility of another special about Ms. Fawcett. The New York Post reported on Tuesday that her partner, Ryan O’Neal, said there was enough material to put together another special.
The two-hour show gave NBC its highest-rated Friday night in more than a year, with almost 9 million viewers. It was also the highest-rated show on television that night among viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 and 25 and 54, the two most important advertising categories."
Paul Telegdy, who is in charge of non-scripted entertainment programs for NBC, said the network is discussing the possibility of another special about Ms. Fawcett. The New York Post reported on Tuesday that her partner, Ryan O’Neal, said there was enough material to put together another special.
The two-hour show gave NBC its highest-rated Friday night in more than a year, with almost 9 million viewers. It was also the highest-rated show on television that night among viewers between the ages of 18 and 49 and 25 and 54, the two most important advertising categories."
Death sells.
I'm very sorry for Farrah, but what great accomplishments has she made in her life, what has she done that was so important that she merits a two-hour special?
ReplyDeleteBlinded by the bling...
anon 11:53
ReplyDeleteIt's not about her life. It's about her courage and faith and those around her.
Having had lost a stepdad to brain cancer in 06, I ask why??? Is it to promote awareness or sell ads?
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with grannydragon.
ReplyDeleteWhile Fawcett was a television and made for tv movie star, more has been made of her disease-centered life than of her life's accomplishments. The two hour special aired last week (yes, I watched the WHOLE thing) seemed more of a travelog than any sort of celebration of life or cancer awareness effort.
Throughout the entire program, not once was the point brought home that the liver cancer she's now dying from was caused by another cancer - anal cancer. Whether her anal cancer was of the type caused by HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) or not, we may never know, as it seems to be a guarded secret. If it was HPV that caused her imminent demise, here was a great but ignored opportunity to create a knowledge link for a sexually transmitted disease that ranks highest for transmission in the U.S., but that can be prevented through immunization and protection during sexual activities. If her anal cancer was NOT caused by HPV, it would do the world a service if that fact were divulged, with a tie-in that it is often caused by it.
What I saw last week was a sob story with no other redeeming content. Okay, she has a well-known face to people between the ages of 40 and 80. She's got cancer. It's been a struggle, a struggle shared by millions with cancer. But it's been portrayed as hers alone, getting the best care possible in two countries at no expense too great, while others suffer the pain, indignity, financial crisis and family upheaval with too few resources.
For there to be a second special aired with NBC's reporting that it was a great moneymaker for them (and for her) says to me that it's less than a genuine or well-serving effort, as well as that missed public service opportunity.