QUICK NOTES: Regis Philbin Cuts Back, 'Dateline' Limited,'American Idol' Prediction; Teens Calls Private White House Number

At 76 years of age, it’s about time that Regis Philbin decides to slow down. He announced that he’s going to take four day weekends next year (where do I sign up for that job?), leaving Thursday and Friday for Kelly Ripa and a fill-in co-host on ‘Live’. Show owners should look at this as a huge opportunity to find a great co-host for Ripa for a post-Regis era. The show can go on. She’s so annoyingly perky that she’s appealing for 9am in the morning. How often do you get a year or more to groom a replacement? Click here to see the 'host chat' where Philbin made the accounement. It's about 12:00 into the clip.
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With the writers strike continuing and the rest of the TV season in doubt, many people predicted an opportunity for news magazines to return. "Dateline' most notably has been yanked from NBC air this fall. It will air three times in December but predictions that it could return to two or three nights a week in January were wrong. NBC announced it's schedule that did not include 'Dateline.' Check out Variety.
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My 'American Idol' prediction: The January 15th & 16th return will prove to be the most popular season yet for the sing along show. As if the show was not already a huge part of pop culture, the ongoing writers strike and the added publicity about 'Idol' will peak even passing fans' interest. If the strike continues, watch for 'American Idol' to set ratings records as viewers search for something new to watch during the cold winter. Check out the FOX page for 'Idol'
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And finally, ABC News has a great story of a 16-year old from Iceland who claims to have gotten through on a private, top-secret number to the West Wing of the White House (you know, where the President is). White House officials claim the teen reached the main switchboard for the West Wing -- 202-456-1414. Even his mom says her 16-year old son made it much farther... through several layers of security and finally connecting with President Bush's secretary. "She told me the president was not available at the time, but that she would mark it in his schedule to call me back on Monday evening," the teen said. Kind of makes you feel safe doesn't it? LOL Geez.

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