Katrina: Friday Notes & Quotes

> Press release: “ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The WB and UPN will join forces next week for a primetime special entitled Shelter From The Storm: A Concert For The Gulf Coast, to raise funds for those impacted by the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.” Friday, Sept 9, 8pm, commercial-free…

> Broadcasting & Cable says Wednesday’s ABC and NBC specials on the Katrina disaster both recorded a 2.7. (ABC’s share was 8; NBC’s was 7.)

> “As with 9/11, it’s all hands on deck” at TV nets, Gail Shister says “At ABC, recently retired producer Tim Tison was brought back.

> It’s difficult, but necessary, for reporters to be detached, Marcy McGinnis says: “I think they have great empathy, but there has to be some distance between us and them. Otherwise, we’d be working for the Red Cross, not being reporters.”

> Rick Bird: “…The news networks have been compassionate and competent in a story that logistically challenges their resources even more than the 9-11 attacks and the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions.”

> Steve Harrigan: “We were able to power the videophone off the boat battery by splicing the inverter cable…”

> CNBC is preparing two 7pm specials on the hurricane’s aftermath, to air tonight and Monday night…