Tuning In

By | Thursday, October 9, 2008

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ABC hit with lawsuit

ABC is being sued by a Japanese broadcaster for what it claims is copyright infringement on the network's summer hit "Wipeout," Variety says.

Tokyo Broadcasting System says it has filed suit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles claiming "Wipeout" appropriated ideas from three of its programs, "Takeshi's Castle," "Sasuke" and "Kunoichi."

The "Takeshi's Castle" capture-the-castle game show aired on TBS from 1986 to 1989, and both the show and its format have sold widely around the world, with versions airing in nearly 20 countries, Variety says.

"Sasuke," a three-hour obstacle-race special that has appeared on TBS periodically since 1998, also has been popular with foreign buyers. It airs in edited versions in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Greece and Italy. "Kunoichi" is a spinoff of "Sasuke" for female competitors.

ABC spokesperson Hope Hartman said the network would not comment on pending litigation.

Hannity renewed

Fox News Channel host Sean Hannity has signed on for another tour at the top-ranked news channel.

Financial terms of the multiyear deal were not announced. However, it will keep him on "Hannity & Colmes" and "Hannity's America," the Hollywood Reporter says.

The commitment follows a new radio deal Mr. Hannity made with ABC Radio Networks earlier this year for a reported $100 million over five years.

"Hannity & Colmes" has been on the air since September 1996 and is the top show on cable news in its time period, THR notes.

On tap tonight...

Life on Mars (10 p.m., ABC) Series premiere. NYPD Detective Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara) nabs a murder suspect, who gets a grilling from him at the precinct house. He takes a phone call in the age-old squad room, which lately has been upgraded with computers and a splash of color on the walls. Then, about seven minutes into the episode, viewers are struck by something unexpected: Tyler is the victim of a hit-and-run — and, after coming to, realizes he's dwelling in the year 1973. Based on the hit BBC series of the same name.

• Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from staff, Web and wire reports

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