The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released its first assessment on the state of gay and lesbian representation on network TV. In its new "Network Responsibility Index," the group tracks the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on network television, and ABC garnered top honors. The Alphabet Network, with shows like "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty," received the highest marks. "While we have made great strides in the 10 years since Ellen Degeneres came out on television," notes GLAAD President Neil Giuliano, "this report shows where …

Diet Pepsi Max is extending its "Wake up, people!" ad effort into the National Football League's season in an attempt to boost its sales to men. Three new spots will break prior to the kickoff of the season and star Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, owner Jerry Jones and new coach Wade Phillips. Like previous executions, the Cowboys will end up yawning during key situations. The brand is designed to compete with Coke Zero and is laden with ginseng and caffeine. But for guys, who typically shun diet drinks, the ads may only elicit more yawns. "I don't …

Don Imus' former radio and TV duties are getting broken up, with MSNBC likely signing up Joe Scarborough for a morning telecast, while radio is looking elsewhere, according to insiders. WFAN, the New York radio station that Imus called home, is near to signing former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason to his old time slot. MSNBC used to simulcast Imus' radio show before he got canned in April for his racially charged on-air remarks. Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, has been a nighttime personality for the cable net MSNBC, but has been trying out his "Morning Joe" program for the …

A professor at American University challenged a class of his undergrads to go without any kind of electronic media for 24 hours in an attempt to get them to think about the media-saturated world. "I wondered if they would balk, or even refuse to do it," writes Danna Walker. After all, it would mean no television, computers, iPods, radio, video games, CD players, records or phones for a full day. While 18-to-20-year-olds may have vague memories of a time before iTunes, personalized ring tones, Facebook, etc., Walker notes that "like their contemporaries, the Olsen twins, whom they …

The "Law & Order" franchise has been a ratings mainstay for NBC in prime for 17 years, but one incarnation of the show has a big test coming up as it moves to Thursdays on USA. "L&O: Criminal Intent" will be on the cable net that night, facing off against top dramas like "Without a Trace" on CBS and "ER" on NBC. "We're the brand-new kid on the Thursday night block," says series creator Dick Wolf, who adds that he has long wanted the Peacock Network to slot a "Law & Order" on Thursday because of the night's heavy advertising …

Stephanie Seymour, former Victoria's Secret supermodel and mother of four, will be the new face and body of Chantelle starting next month. The French lingerie marketer will feature Seymour in an ad campaign shot by Peter Lindbergh and created by agency Storm, London. The effort will tee off black-and-white images of her and is tagged "Beyond Beauty." She claims her return to the business is motivated by her loyalty to the brand. "The only reason I accepted to pose was because it was Chantelle," Seymour says. "I have been a Chantelle client for many years." Chantelle targets women …

Presidential candidates are banging on the door to get time with Jon Stewart on "The Daily Show" and, as Comedy Central ramps up its "Indecision 2008" coverage, advertisers are boosting their involvement as well. Set to roll in the next few weeks are second-tier candidates like Sen. Joe Biden (D.-Del.) and former Republican governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson. Also on tap are the fast-fading Sen. John McCain (R.-Ariz.) and U.S. Senator from Illinois (and Dem superstar) Barack Obama. "It's sort of an open invitation for candidates," says Michele Ganeless, Comedy Central's executive vice president and general manager. "Jon …

Hotels.com has put its $68 million-plus advertising account in review, another punch in the stomach to independent shop Doner, currently handling ad duties for all Expedia brands. The Michigan-based agency's snag of $170 million in Expedia work last year was a big deal after a string of account defections, including Six Flags, Sylvan Learning Centers and La-Z-Boy, all of which were good for a combined $150 million. At the same time, client Outback Steakhouse's $87 million account, which Doner shares with Havas' MPG, is also in review. The moves comes as Hotels.com has a banner year, with …

NBC Entertainment chief Ben Silverman has green-lighted "America's Got Talent" to be hosted by Jerry Springer, replacing Regis Philbin. And he has also signed off on new episodes of "Last Comic Standing." This will be the third season of "Talent" and No. 6 for "Comic." The former, on at 8 p.m. Tuesdays, pulled an average 3.6 rating/11 share in adults 18-49, with 12.1 million total viewers, making it the top summer show this year. It has also bumped ratings for its time slot up by 21% in adults 18-49 over the same period lat year. "Comic" …

Television is making a documentary about itself. A PBS project, tentatively titled "The History of Television" and set to debut in spring 2009, will comprise a series of programs examining every aspect of the medium. Kicking off the series will be a four-hour look at scripted prime time programming and the iconic characters featured in comedy and drama series during the past six decades.