Wednesday, January 30, 2019
NEWSMAKERS
Cuomo’s CNN show has its best month against tough foes
NEW YORK
When CNN gave Chris Cuomo its 9 p.m. time slot last June, there was reason to fear it could be a television suicide mission.
After all, that hour is where the big dogs roam. Fox News Channel’s Sean Hannity and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow are the top two personalities in cable television. They still are, but Cuomo’s “Prime Time” quickly established itself as CNN’s most-watched program and, with 1.64 million viewers in January, is having its best month, the Nielsen company said.
For the week of Jan. 21-27, the top 10 shows, their networks and viewerships: “60 Minutes,” CBS, 11.24 million; “America’s Got Talent Champions,” NBC, 9.71 million; “Chicago Med,” NBC, 9.42 million; “Chicago Fire,” NBC, 8.43 million; “The Big Bang Theory,” CBS, 8.33 million; “This is Us,” NBC, 8.23 million; “The Conners,” ABC, 7.74 million; “Ellen’s Game of Games,” NBC, 7.47 million; “FBI,” CBS, 7.4 million; “Chicago PD,” NBC, 7.23 million.
‘Empire’ cast member alleges homophobic attack in Chicago
CHICAGO
A cast member on the hit television show “Empire” alleged he was physically attacked by men in Chicago who shouted racial and homophobic slurs, police said Tuesday.
Police did not release the actor’s name, but a statement from Fox, which airs “Empire,” identified him as Jussie Smollett, 36. Authorities said they are investigating the alleged attack as a hate crime. Smollett is black and openly gay.
According to a police statement, the actor was walking near the Chicago River downtown about 2 a.m. Tuesday when he was approached by two men who shouted at him, struck him in the face and poured an “unknown substance” on him before one of them wrapped a rope around his neck.
Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said that when officers first came in contact with Smollett, he still had a rope around his neck. Guglielmi added that the two men were wearing masks. Investigators have not found any surveillance video or witnesses from which they can put together a description of the offenders, he said.
Smollett was able to take himself to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Smollett was last reported in good condition.
Guglielmi also said the FBI is investigating a threatening letter targeting Smollett that was sent to the Fox studio in Chicago last week.
Associated Press