Fred Thompson Presidential Bid Could Mess Up TV Schedules

This is interesting. From The Washington Post:

Federal campaign law requires broadcasters to give all candidates equal time on the airwaves. That rule applies to entertainment programs like "Law & Order," meaning stations which run the show would be required to give other GOP candidates a like amount of prime time television exposure. . . .

"As a practical matter, [the television stations] would in all likelihood have to pull all of the Fred Thompson shows for the duration of his candidacy," said Andrew Jay Schwartzman, president of the Media Access Project.

Wonkette says it better:

Baby’s Day Out star Fred Thompson is still trying to get everyone excited about the prospect of a scary old man running for President. While he’s currently polling better than every other Republican, because old people still fondly recall his portrayal of Prosecutor Mr. McGonigal in a 1993 episode of Matlock, there’s one huge problem with the prospect of a Thompson campaign, completely overlooked until now: it might @#$% up Law & Order reruns.