TV Bites: Dr. Conrad Murray, Manslaughter Suspect and Your Next Reality Star

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· Reality television does not discriminate. Case in point, Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's doctor who could be convicted of involuntary manslaughter, has struck a deal with a British documentary crew to film his "first day back on the job in Houston." You're probably thinking the same thing we are: "How could the man who illegally supplied the King of Pop with a fatal dose of Propofol continue to practice medicine?" We're not sure, but Murray's spokesman released a statement saying that Murray is already "working 12 hour days ... to pay off his [child support] debt." The footage was taped on November 23 and Murray refuses to let the company air anything until the Michael Jackson investigation is finished. [TMZ]

ABC releases a "new" Lost trailer, Jane Lynch warms up her pipes, and more TV Bites after the jump.

· The final season of Lost is upon us and the series is offering up another trailer but still no new footage. The stinginess is being described as a marketing scheme to maximize interest and keep audiences in the dark about what happened after Juliet detonated the bomb. But with a sixth season clocking in at 18 total hours, couldn't they have at least forked over a new mischievous grin by Ben? [THR]

· One of the only Glee characters not given a ballad or wheelchair dance number yet -- Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester -- will finally get to show off her vocal range and dance moves when the series returns. Although she can't disclose which song she'll perform, Lynch teased that "It's a very cold song." Any guesses? [EW]

· Connie Hines, the actress who played Wilbur's wife on the iconic TV show Mr. Ed, has passed away at the age of 79. [EW]

· As Movieline speculated yesterday, Starz has named formed HBO CEO Chris Albrecht the new president and CEO of the pay channel. Albrecht alluded to his experience (and growth since his Las Vegas arrest?) in a statement: "I'm coming in with a more grown-up and mature approach; hopefully I'm a little wiser." [THR]

· And while we're talking about musical numbers, Neil Patrick Harris will get to do a little of his own during How I Met Your Mother's 100th episode on January 11. The number, titled "Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit" will blow your mind, promises the former Emmy host: "There were so many great little things that we were able to put into each shot." [EW]



Comments

  • Over the past 10 years I have researched the curious matter of the lack of appropriate physician discipline. The citizenry may find it interesting that there is something called the National Practitioner Data Bank, whose sole purpose is to record data on misbehaving doctors. How many doctors do they have in their files? A whopping 237,000 - MDs referred to by the Health Research Group as either "Dangerous" or "Questionable." The overwhelming majority of the medical miscreants in this group continue to play medicine, in spite of such crimes as kidnapping, rape, child molestation and murder.
    The mind-boggling fact is this: In the United States, authorities hold doctors to a LOWER standard than any other misbehaving professional.
    Healthcare Reform? Now there's a complex issue. But here's an idea. Why not just start by tossing out the lunatics?
    Bafflingly, misfits like Conrad Murray, MD would be held to a higher level of accountability if he were a Truck Driver, Real Estate Broker, a Nurse, or a licensed Contractor.