ABC reports on its own demise. To those of us old enough to remember the days when there were only three networks, the news that ABC has fallen way behind relative newcomer Fox on a seemingly permanent basis is jolting indeed.

It appears that this ignomy is well earned. Rather than concentrating on making quality programming, admittedly a phrase one must use guardedly in reference to network television, they bet the whole network that people would have an inexhaustable appetite to watch Regis Philbin act like an idiot while dressed strangely. Shockingly, this proved unwise.

Indeed, aside from the occasional sports program, the only show on ABC I regularly watched was The Practice, the last episode of which aired last Monday. This show, too, was killed by the odd decision to move it from its comfortable Sunday night slot up against Everyone Loves Raymond on Mondays. I don’t even watch their Sunday morning show anymore now that they’ve turned the reins over to George Stephanopolous.