CONAN O BRIEN - O'BRIEN LAYS INTO ABC FOR LETTING LOOSE PIRATES AGAINST EMMYS

Conan O'Brien, who will host NBC's telecast of the Aug. 27 Emmy Awards, has criticized ABC's decision to air Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl against it. In the past, rival networks have generally held to a gentleman's agreement to give the Emmys telecast a wide berth by airing series reruns against it -- particularly inasmuch as their own stars and programs are up for awards. But ABC was reportedly miffed that its top-rated Lost and Desperate Housewives were virtually ignored by TV academy voters this year and therefore decided to mount some strong competition. Interviewed by the Los Angeles Times's GoldDerby.com, O'Brien commented, "It just isn't done." He pointed out that the strategy could backfire against ABC's Grey's Anatomy, which was nominated in 11 categories. "ABC is pretty much saying, 'No one watch the Emmys! Screw you, Grey's Anatomy!'" O'Brien remarked. This year, the awards were moved to August for the first time in hopes of avoiding competition from NBC's Sunday-night football telecasts.

14/08/2006