This was quite a hot-button topic here a few weeks back, so for those
that haven't heard the latest development, I copied this out of
today's Hollywood Reporter (couldn't find it in the online version):


P&G WITHDRAWS ADVERTISING FROM 'DR. LAURA SHOW'
By Steve Brennan and David Finnigan

Giant TV advertiser Procter & Gamble Co. confirmed Monday that it has
pulled its support from Dr. Laura Schlessinger's upcoming TV talk show
and from her controversial talk radio show.

P&G, which makes such major brands as Pampers, Mr. Clean and Tide, has
been a tent-pole supporter of Schlessinger's radio show and was set to
be a critical advertiser on the TV show. P&G announced only last week
that it would be the TV show's first major advertiser. It was
confirmed Monday that P&G is preparing to issue a statement saying,
"We've decided not to sponsor the 'Dr. Laura Show.' There has been
controversy surrounding Dr. Laura on a number of topics. We've chosen
not to be involved with a show that will require time and resources to
deal with this kind of controversy."

A spokeswoman for Paramount Domestic Television Distribution, which
has syndicated the "Dr. Laura Show" for a fall debut, said the company
had no comment on the development. Paramount Television and P&G are
partners in a programming venture that dates back to 1995. The
agreement provides for network and syndicated programming production,
with P&G and Paramount sharing ownership.

The statement from P&G adds, "We were offered this opportunity as part
of an ongoing programming partnership (with Paramount). The focus of
the show is intended to be responsible parenting. As we've studied it
more closely, we've decided it isn't possible to separate the broad
range of Dr. Laura's opinions from the specific focus of this program.

"Stepping back, today there are lots of programming options and we've
decided there are better ones for us."

P&G is reacting to protests nationwide over Schlessinger's anti-gay
statements. One of those protests took place outside the Paramount
Studio in Los Angeles. The protesting groups and civil liberties
advocates have taken issue with Schlessinger's references to gays as
"biological errors" and other such remarks.

Gretchen Briscoe, spokeswoman for the Cincinnati-based P&G, told The
Hollywood Reporter that the company decided last week (shortly after
it confirmed that it would be the show's first advertiser) that it
would not be backing the "Dr. Laura Show" this fall after all and that
the decision was announced to Paramount. Briscoe added that "for
similar reasons," P&G is phasing out its advertising on Schlessinger's
syndicated radio show.

"Procter & Gamble should be commended for this exercise in good
corporate citizenship," said John Aaravosis, co-founder of
StopDrLaura.com, one of many groups trying to persuade Paramount to
drop the TV show.
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The Rev

"I'm pissed off.
 And the whole world owes me."
     - Vanessa Lutz, "Freeway"