newsmakers

newsmakers

CBS clobbers rivals with 15 of Top 20 shows

NEW YORK

Thanks to football and a slate of robust comedy and drama shows, CBS clobbered its prime-time competition last week.

The network surged with its coverage of the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Indianapolis Colts and the New England Patriots, which drew nearly 32 million viewers to rank as the week’s most-watched program, according to Nielsen.

CBS claimed an additional 14 of the Top 20 shows on broadcast and cable.

In second place was ESPN’s telecast of the BCS championship game between Florida State and Auburn, seen by more than 25 million viewers.

NBC’s only entry in the Top 20 was its Golden Globe Awards telecast, which ranked third with nearly 21 million viewers.

Overall for the week, CBS won with an average of 15.2 million viewers. It was the biggest ratings week by any network this season.

Runner-up NBC was far behind with 7.2 million, followed by ABC with 5.2 million and Fox with 3.7 million.

For the week of Jan. 6-12, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: AFC Divisional Playoffs: Indianapolis at New England, CBS, 31.69 million; BCS Championship: Florida State vs. Auburn, ESPN, 25.57 million; “Golden Globe Awards,” NBC, 20.87 million; “NCIS,” CBS, 20.84 million; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS, 20.35 million; “60 Minutes,” CBS, 17.06 million; “Intelligence,” CBS, 16.49 million; NFC Playoff: New Orleans at Seattle (post-game), Fox, 14.09 million; “The Millers,” CBS, 13.39 million; BCS Studio (8:18 p.m.), ESPN, 12.79 million.

Detectives search Bieber home in egg-tossing case

CALABASAS, Calif.

Detectives searched Justin Bieber’s home looking for surveillance footage that might serve as evidence the pop star was involved in an egg-tossing vandalism case that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a neighbor’s home, an official said Tuesday.

Roughly a dozen investigators searched Bieber’s home and arrested one member of the singer’s entourage on suspicion of cocaine possession, Lt. David Thompson said.

The man later was identified as Lil Za, a rapper whose real name is Xavier Smith. Jail records show Smith, 20, was being held in lieu of $20,000 bail. Thompson said the drugs linked to Smith were in plain sight when detectives searched Bieber’s house.

The drug initially was described as cocaine, but authorities later said they were testing it to verify its contents.

Bieber, 19, was at the home and cooperated with authorities but was not interviewed by detectives. Thompson said he expected the singer to speak with detectives when his attorney could be present.

“He has not been arrested, nor has he been exonerated,” Thompson said of Bieber.

Thompson declined to describe what evidence detectives took from Bieber’s home, but said the emphasis wasn’t on what was in the pop star’s refrigerator.

Funeral for teen who had aging disorder

SHARON, Mass.

Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of a Massachusetts teenager whose battle with a rare genetic condition that accelerates the aging process inspired professional athletes and spurred medical research.

Services for 17-year-old Sam Berns, of Foxborough, took place Tuesday at Temple Israel in Sharon.

Among those in attendance was New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft. A private reception took place later at Gillette Stadium.

Berns died Friday of complications from Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, commonly known as progeria. He was diagnosed with progeria when he was 22 months old.

He became the subject of an HBO documentary, “Life According to Sam.” The exposure has brought greater recognition to the condition, which causes musculoskeletal degeneration, cardiovascular problems and other symptoms associated with aging.

Ashlee Simpson engaged to marry Diana Ross’ son

NEW YORK

Ashlee Simpson is ready to give marriage another try.

The actress and singer is engaged to boyfriend Evan Ross, who is the son of Diana Ross.

The couple announced the news Monday on Twitter, and it was confirmed by Simpson’s publicist, Janet Ringwood.

Simpson, 29, previously was married to Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz. They have a son, Bronx, 5.

Evan Ross, 25, is an actor who will appear in the final two film installments of “The Hunger Games.”

Associated Press