Jann Carl

The key figure in the alleged extortion plot against television anchorwoman Jann Carl was ordered on Wednesday to stand trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. Municipal Court Judge Karl Jaeger, after a six-day preliminary hearing of the case against producer Gil Cabot, ruled that there is sufficient evidence that Cabot attempted to extort $30,000 from the KTLA-TV newswoman. Cabot is accused of telling Carl that he could make sure sexually explicit pictures of her would not be published in return for a payoff.

In an industry that uses cardboard scenery and camera angles to turn diminutive actors into legendary tough guys, Gil Cabot may be the ultimate illusionist. For two decades, the colorful promoter has used a variety of entertainment industry gimmicks to snare clients. But police and others say Cabot, once depicted in a flashy brochure as "Supermanager" in tights and a cape, is really a sophisticated con man. "All he has ever done is preyed upon people for his own good," said San Fernando Superior Court Judge Robert D. Fratianne, who sent Cabot to prison in 1982.

It's the time of the year for the "Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon," which has been raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. for 28 years. Ed McMahon will anchor and Leeza Gibbons will be a co-host from Las Vegas, while Jann Carl, Larry McCormick and Casey and Jean Kasem will emcee local segments of the two-day broadcast that begins Sunday on KTLA-TV Channel 5 at 6 p.m.

A man described as a con artist was convicted of trying to blackmail a local anchorwoman by asking for $30,000 to help block the publication of X-rated photos of her, which in fact did not exist. The Superior Court jury deliberated for about four hours before finding Gilbert Cabot, 44, guilty Thursday of attempted extortion and conspiracy in connection with the plot against KTLA anchorwoman Jann Carl. "I feel relieved," Carl said.

The fierce local TV wars took a dramatic turn Monday when Jeff Wald, news director of powerful KTLA Channel 5, said he was quitting to take over the news operation of low-rated KCOP Channel 13. Wald, who joined KTLA in 1981, helped build it into an almost unbeatable force among L.A. independent stations with a veteran news team that includes Hal Fishman, Stan Chambers, Larry McCormick and executive producer Gerald Ruben. Fishman co-anchors KTLA's winning nightly newscast with Jann Carl.

It's almost Labor Day, so what time is it? It's Jerry Lewis Time. The 26th annual Jerry Lewis Pre-Telethon Extravaganza on Saturday will be the opening event in the traditional fund-raising weekend. "This dinner is the most fun and there will be a band that everybody can dance to," said Jann Carl of TV's "Entertainment Tonight," party co-chairwoman and an emcee for both events for six years.

ENTERTAINMENT It's True: Actress Drew Barrymore has confirmed that she and comedian Tom Green have indeed tied the knot. During an on-camera, backstage segment at Tuesday's 2001 Blockbuster Awards, which was to air on Fox Wednesday night, interviewer Jann Carl asked Barrymore if Green's recent comments about the couple's having secretly wed were true.