Quick Takes

Lehrer to Colbert: “I am bias free”

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“You can make fun of me all you want, but it takes courage to be boring five nights a week,” the NewsHour’s Jim Lehrer tells Stephen Colbert during an appearance on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report. Lehrer also declared himself to be “bias free.” [Scroll down to stream a two-part video clip.]

Quick Takes

Gore headlines pubTV’s 2007 teacher convention in NYC

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Former Vice President Al Gore will headline the 2007 edition of the WNET/WLIW regional teachers’ convention. The New York pubTV stations’ second annual Celebration of Teaching and Learning, March 23-34, 2007, pins its theme to the 50th anniversary of Sputnik’s launch. Last year’s celebration drew nearly 7,000 area teachers.

Quick Takes

YouTube to show up on Verizon cell phones

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A deal to be announced today by Verizon Wireless and YouTube will bring YouTube videos to cell phones, according to the New York Times. The service will offer a limited selection of YouTube fare and requires a $15 monthly subscription to Verizon’s VCast service.

Quick Takes

New York’s WNET launches media blog

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WNET unveiled blogthirteen, which is devoted to coverage of media. It offers a daily briefing that compiles links to news and features on a wide range of media topics and a weekly column by President Bill Baker.

Quick Takes

Thanksgiving meal time-savers

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Christopher Kimball of America’s Test Kitchen offers some time-saving tips for cooks who are planning Thanksgiving menus. Mashed potatoes can be prepared ahead of time and reheated tomorrow, but instant mashed potatoes are out of the question, he tells Morning Edition’s Steve Inskeep.

Quick Takes

Pubcasters Focus on Tech Issues — Radio World

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CPB is disappointed that fewer public radio stations are applying for grants to support conversion to digital broadcasting, reports Radio World. CPB is surveying stations to determine why they aren’t applying and is contacting them to let them know that the money is available.

Quick Takes

CBS challenges FCC ruling on 2004 Super Bowl

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In a lawsuit filed yesterday, CBS contends that Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” during the 2004 Super Bowl was an “unscripted, unauthorized and unintended long-distance shot of Ms. Jackson’s breast for nine-sixteenths of one second.” The Los Angeles Times reports that the network is challenging the FCC’s $550,000 fine for the incident, which was broadcast to an estimated audience of 90 million and was deemed indecent by the FCC.