Quick Takes: Globes ratings steady

The critics may have felt that Ricky Gervais was defanged, but viewers apparently felt the Golden Globes still had enough bite.

Ratings for the 69th annual Golden Globes on Sunday delivered an average of 16.8 million total viewers, according to Nielsen.

That was essentially flat with last year’s 17 million, when Gervais’ hosting caused a sensation with the British comic’s barbed jabs at celebrities.

The Globes are the most-watched award show so far this season, beating out the Emmys and the American Music Awards.

—Scott Collins

KTLK adds afternoon show

Former KNBC-TV Channel 4 news anchor David Cruz launched a talk show Monday on KTLK-AM (1150).

KTLK is owned by Clear Channel Communications, which also owns L.A.’s top-rated talk station, KFI-AM (640), the subject of protests from Latino activists last September for the campaign against the California Dream Act by afternoon hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou.

“The David Cruz Show” airs weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m., directly opposite “The John and Ken Show” on KFI.

In a statement released by KTLK, Reuben Guerra, chairman of the Latin Business Assn., congratulated the station “for creating a space on-air that allows Latinos and other communities to be heard.”

—Lee Margulies

ACE hands out nominations

The morning after “The Artist” won the Golden Globe for best musical or comedy film and “The Descendants” earned the Globe for best dramatic film, both movies received nominations Monday for the 62nd annual American Cinema Editors’ Eddie Awards.

Joining “The Artist” in the best edited comedy or musical film category are “Bridesmaids,” “Midnight in Paris,” “My Week With Marilyn” and “Young Adult.”

Vying with “The Descendants” in the dramatic film category are “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” “Hugo,” “Moneyball” and “War Horse.”

—Susan King

Morgan aims for higher ratings

Piers Morgan may not have lived up to his initial brash boasts about burying the competition when he replaced Larry King on CNN, but he didn’t fail, either. “Piers Morgan Tonight” viewership was up 9% over King’s final year, even more among youthful viewers.

He marks his first anniversary this week.

“It isn’t as successful as I’d like it to be,” Morgan said in a recent interview. “I’d like to get the ratings significantly higher, and we believe there is a real opportunity this year to put the foot on the gas. But am I pleased with where we ended up after the first year? Yeah, actually, I am. It would be pretty churlish to be overly critical given that we’ve taken the ratings up.”

—Associated Press

Finally

Going, going...: Following auctions of her jewelry and fashions, 38 artworks that belonged to the late Elizabeth Taylor, including a Vincent van Gogh landscape, will be put up for sale by Christie’s auction house next month.