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Whitney, Madonna Make The Guest List
submitted by: Lisa D.
source: New York Daily News
Date: April 22, 2003
By RICHARD HUFF DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR
Whitney Houston is is going back to school.
The troubled singer, last seen on television in December in a rambling interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer, will be on Fox's "Boston Public" next month - as herself.
Houston's trip back to school is just one example of how networks are using celebrities to boost ratings during the May sweeps.
The "Boston Public" segment is built around a student who writes to Houston, asking her to be his prom date. Houston surprises everyone when she shows up, and even Aisha (Tamyra Gray of "American Idol"), who's always singing on the show, gets stage fright and can't perform.
Eventually, Houston inspires the star-struck student by singing her current single, "Try It on My Own."
It's a rare appearance for Houston, who has been dogged by tabloid reports about her private life.
In another celebrity guest shot, on Thursday at 9 p.m. (the first night of the sweeps), Madonna will appear on NBC's "Will & Grace."
"They spark interest," said Tom DeCabia, executive vice president of ad buyer PHD USA. "When you get a name like Madonna, who really doesn't do a lot of stunting for the networks, it's a very good to bring in the light viewers."
Madonna pops up when Karen (Megan Mullally) searches for a new roommate and finds a compatible but peculiar and high-maintenance office worker, according to the network's description of the show.
"You're going after a big star and making a statement," DeCabia said of the casting. "You're making a statement to the other networks. You're making a statement about your drawing power."
As for Houston, she detailed her extensive drug use and other personal problems in the interview with Sawyer.
Since then, her husband, Bobby Brown, has had a run-in with the law, creating more supermarket tabloid headlines.
Houston's episode was taped last Tuesday and Wednesday at the show's set in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Brown joined Houston for the shoot, but is not appearing on the show.
The program will air May 12 as "Boston Public's" season finale. There's no word yet whether the show will be back next year, as Fox doesn't reveal its schedule until May 15. As a result, any rise in ratings isn't likely to affect the show's future.
"If you can get the light viewers in and they like your show," DeCabia said, "you'll build an audience."
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