CBS’ Stringer Defends Re-enactments, Plans a Fix on ‘Sajak’

CBS Broadcast Group president Howard Stringer, speaking at a news conference in Universal City on Sunday, defended the networks’ use of re-creations on Connie Chung’s prime-time news program. He said that audiences can recognize the difference between “hard news” stories and re-enactments of events used responsibly in public affairs programs such as Chung’s. “We didn’t set out to ‘out-tabloid’ anybody,” he said.

Stringer also said the network is hard at work fixing its faltering Johnny Carson competitor, “The Pat Sajak Show,” and defended himself and CBS president Laurence A. Tisch for taking part in creative decision-making for the prime-time schedule.

Stringer said that “The Pat Sajak Show,” rumored to be headed for cancellation, would bring Sajak out from behind the desk in attempts to inject some new energy. “We’re not going to stay ‘pat,’ if you’ll pardon the expression,” he said.

Shortly after Jeff Sagansky’s hiring as president of CBS Entertainment, Stringer denied rumors that Sagansky had been reluctant to take the job because of possible creative interference from himself and Tisch and said Sagansky would have free rein to do his work. But, Sunday, Stringer said that the issue of creative control was not part of the negotiations and that Sagansky’s hiring was delayed only by difficulties terminating Sagansky’s Tri-Star contract.

“I run the company, and Tisch runs the network--it’s a collaboration. . . . I’ve got every right to spend time out here (in Hollywood) and make the collaboration work for the network,” Stringer said.