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Little Lindsey Rose's Favorite 'Idol' Singer Wears Wristband To Show Support For Girl
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Published: March 14, 2008
Updated: 03/13/2008 11:44 pm
That little orange band seen on the wrist of "American Idol" contestant David Cook this week has a Tampa connection.
Cook got the wristband last week from WTVT, Channel 13, reporter Charley Belcher, who was on the "Idol" set to interview the 12 finalists. Belcher covers all things relating to "Idol."
The band is a tribute to Belcher's 7-year-old daughter, Lindsey Rose, who has leukemia.
"I didn't mean for this to be a big deal or anything like that, and I am not encouraging anyone to vote for him," Belcher says. "I didn't even know he was going to wear it."
Belcher says that during an interview with Cook, he told the 25-year-old rock singer from Tulsa, Okla., about his daughter's battle with the disease.
"I don't know why my daughter latched on to David Cook, but he is her favorite this season," Belcher says.
He says Cook asked him to call Lindsey on his cell phone so he could talk to her. "It really made her day," Belcher says.
Belcher told Cook about Lindsey's adoration and the wristbands that the family made for inspiration.
Each band has "Do Watcha Gotta Do" printed on one side and "Lindsey Rose" on the other.
That phrase is the motto Lindsey and her parents have adopted to help them get through everything that lies ahead.
"I feel a little odd about it because I try to be impartial about all the contestants," Belcher said. "But seeing him wear it really excited a little girl who is going through a lot."
J.P. FAREWELL: Sportscaster J.P. Peterson signs off from WFLA, Channel 8, today.
Earlier this year, he and station management mutually agreed to part ways, so his contract is not being renewed.
Peterson, who has been with News Channel 8 for more than seven years, says he was not satisfied with the direction of sports coverage and the amount of time and personnel devoted to coverage.
But he says he appreciates having worked for the station and is proud of what he achieved while at Channel 8.
Peterson replaced the late Chris Thomas as main sportscaster at WFLA in 2002 after Thomas' contract was not renewed. Thomas died of cancer in 2004.
A native Floridian, Peterson grew up in Hollywood, Fla., before attending Florida State University, where he graduated in 1986. Peterson joined the News Channel 8 sports staff in 1999 as the weekend sports anchor.
He was the station's anchor for Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason broadcasts.
Peterson said he plans to continue his sports talk show on WHBO, 1470 AM, from noon to 2 p.m. weekdays.
WFLA and The Tampa Tribune are both owned by Media General and share newsgathering resources.
"JEZEBEL" MISFIRES: There were high expectations for a new Fox comedy, "The Return of Jezebel James," because it was created by the offbeat and witty Amy Sherman-Palladino, the producer-writer who gave us "Gilmore Girls."
Also raising hopes was the casting of Parker Posey, the quirky queen of low-budget independent films, as a co-star.
But alas, "Jezebel," debuting at 8 tonight, is not up to par with the chatty, clever "Gilmore."
Posey plays Sarah, a successful author and publisher of children's books who recruits her estranged slacker sister, Coco (Lauren Ambrose of "Six Feet Under"), to be a surrogate mother. Sarah is a single career woman who wants it all (except a husband), but she can't have children.
The sisters, who have opposite personalities, will be bonding during the pregnancy. Jezebel James is the name of Coco's imaginary childhood friend and the hero of Sarah's novels.
TUNE IN TONIGHT
Ultimate Coyote Ugly Search, 8 p.m., CMT
Let's see how Tampa's Ashley Glasgow fares in the competition this week.
House, 9 p.m., Fox
Repeats of this series hold up well. Dr. House takes on the case of a sick little boy who thinks aliens are chasing him.
For more TV listings go to TBO.com, keyword: TV.
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