Doctor on critical list

By Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/13/2000

The CBS O & Os have downgraded Dr. Laura from afternoon time periods to 2 a.m. slots, intensifying speculation that the strip won't be around for a second season. Effective Nov. 13, stations bumping Dr. Laura are WCBS-TV New York, KCBS-TV Los Angeles, WBBN-TV Chicago, KYW-TV Philadelphia, KPIX-TV San Francisco, KTVT-TV Dallas and KEYE-TV Austin.

While some stations haven't nailed down their new schedules yet, shows looking to gain from Dr. Laura's loss are CBS Enterprises/King World syndicated strips Curtis Court and Martha Stewart Living.

More bad news: Dr. Laura also got whacked to bad time periods at WKMG-TV Orlando, KUSI-TV San Diego and WAGA-TV Atlanta. For the week ended Oct. 22, Dr. Laura posted a 1.4 household rating, placing her near the bottom of all talk efforts.