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USA Takes Break From Dog Show For These Very Important Body Slams

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By WALT BELCHER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 11, 2008

Updated: 02/10/2008 07:11 pm

When it comes to the USA network's priorities, professional wrestlers trump the dogs this year.

For the first time in the history of USA's coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the network is showing World Wrestling Entertainment's "Raw" tonight instead of the 132nd annual pooch parade.

Dog lovers pay attention: USA will cover some of the dog show tonight - from 8 to 9 - but wrestling will begin at 9, when coverage will bounce to CNBC and run to 11 p.m.

Why?

USA averages 5 million to 6 million viewers for "Raw," making it one of the most-watched programs on cable. And wrestling fans are vocal when they don't get their weekly fix.

The Westminster show also averages about 5 million to 6 million viewers, but the second night is the biggest draw. That's when the champion is crowded.

So USA will cover the finals from 8 to 11 p.m. Tuesday.

The event, at Madison Square Garden in New York, features more than 2,500 dogs.

Individual breed judging takes place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

The hound, terrier, nonsporting and herding breeds will be judged today. Sporting, working and toy breeds will be judged Tuesday.

Competition in each breed and variety may be viewed in streaming video online at westminsterkennelclub.org. This video will be available within two hours of completion of a breed's judging.

David Frei, director of communications for the Westminster Kennel Club, returns as co-host with Lester Holt of NBC News.

There are four newly eligible breeds this year: Plott, Tibetan mastiff, Beauceron and Swedish Vallhund.

"JERICHO" REDO: CBS' apocalyptic drama "Jericho" returns with new episodes at 10 p.m. Tuesday. Viewers can get up to speed by watching a four-episode marathon tonight on the Sci-Fi Channel beginning at 7 p.m.

You also can watch every episode from the first season for free at cbs.com.

"Jericho" was canceled at the end of last season because it didn't have a large viewer base. But a vigorous online campaign by loyal fans resulted in a resurrection. The network ordered seven more episodes with the hope more viewers will show up this time around.

"HOLLYWOOD WEEK": The audition weirdness is over as "American Idol" moves on to "Hollywood Week," with 164 singers competing to be among the 24 finalists. Supposedly, we have heard the worst of the worst.

Among the contenders is Suzanne Toon, 21, of Clearwater, who was shown getting her golden ticket to Hollywood on the Jan. 30 episode.

Toon has been profiled by "American Idol" and WTVT, Channel 13. During the auditions in Miami, she performed Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."

Judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson found her voice sexy and sultry. She is a single mom who gave up performing at 18 after her daughter Madison was born.

"I'm just sick of struggling, really," she said. "And it would really mean a lot to be able to give my daughter more than I had and what I can give now."

She told WTVT that she "works in customer service" and had attended a performing arts school.

CROSSING PATHS: A mellow melodious meeting of musical minds takes place when Robert Plant shares the stage with Alison Krauss at 8 tonight on CMT's "Crossroads."

This series is known for bringing together unlikely duos such as Bon Jovi and Sugarland, Elvis Costello and Lucinda Williams, Babyface and Trisha Yearwood or Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson.

Plant, the aging rocker from Led Zeppelin, and Krauss, the sweet-voiced country princess, came together last year for the "Raising Sand" CD. On stage, they are beauty and the beast, with each offering a take on the other's songs.

The icons perform "Please Read the Letter" and "Rich Woman" from their duo album. They also do Krauss' "The Boy Who Wouldn't Hoe Corn" as well as Led Zeppelin classics "Black Dog" and "When the Levee Breaks." They also pair up on the Everly Brothers song "Gone Gone Gone."

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