Entertainment News for Early January 2007
Disney vice president Margaret Loesch confirms the eight year extension of Fred Dekker's current contract with the studio. Dekker will continue to oversee live action adapations of Marvel's countless superheroes for years to come. Dekker has helmed Marvel's live action film and television canon since 1984, beginning with The Mighty Thor, which he served as executive producer.
- G4's Attack of the Show
The wait is almost over. At Universal Studios in Hollywood, the cameras have started to roll on Popeye the Sailor Man with John Cena as the titular character. The film, planned to be the launch of a longterm cinematic storyline, will reach theatres in May of 2008. Not surprisingly, Popeye's Chicken has signed on to be the fast food tie-in partner.
- Access Hollywood
Longtime boxing referee Mills Lane has become President D'Alesandro's nominee to the Supreme Court following the retirement of Justice Antonin Scalia.
- The Washington Post
Microsoft is facing protests from the LGBT community in its hometown after reports of a proposed Paramount Pinnacle theme park Dubai. The UAE is known to be one the world's most homophobic nations.
- The Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Howard Stern faces stern discipline from WXRK-FM after repeatedly prodding Tiffany Disney on a November broadcast about her use of adult diapers for medical reasons.
- The New York Post
The Sports Page
WLAF Commissioner Oliver Luck confirms the start of the WLAF season, originally scheduled to start the Saturday after the Super Bowl, will be delayed until March 3 to allow time for the Jacksonville Tomcats, formerly the St. Louis Stallions, to be properly introduced to their new market. The Tomcats and new in-state rival Orlando Thunder will both hold training camp at Fox Sports World (known IOTL as Disney's Wide World of Sports) in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.
- ESPN
NBA Commissioner Jerry West and deputy commissioner Adam Silver will meet with Fox, UPN, CBS, SBC and NBC for negotiations on the free-TV package currently held by ABC. The new TV deal will take effect starting in the 2008-09 season. TNT is expected to extend its deal for Tuesday and Thursday nights. ESPN will have to guard against FX, WB Sports, USA Network, The Hub and Odyssey for Wednesday and Friday night games.
- ESPN