Maryland Public TV, Fortune magazine to change Rukeyser's TV show

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) _ ``Wall Street Week'' host Louis Rukeyser could fall victim to one those maxims he is fond of reciting: The only constant is change. <br><br>Rukeyser, 69, could be out of

Thursday, March 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) _ ``Wall Street Week'' host Louis Rukeyser could fall victim to one those maxims he is fond of reciting: The only constant is change.

Rukeyser, 69, could be out of a job as Maryland Public Television retools the popular public television program. He has been host for 32 years.

MPT and Fortune magazine are creating a new version of the weekly financial program called ``Wall $treet Week With Fortune.'' The show, slated to air in the fall, will feature Geoffrey Colvin, Fortune's editorial director, and an undetermined co-anchor, MPT said Thursday in a statement.

The statement did not indicate whether Rukeyser would fill the open slot. Rukeyser's contract with MPT is up in June.

``Well, clearly, it strikes everybody as a silly, bad joke,'' Rukeyser told The (Baltimore) Sun late Wednesday. He declined to comment further.

Rukeyser is known for his dry wit, his erudition, his elaborate metaphors and his skepticism of some of the marketplace's workings. His show has boosted viewership on public television around the country.

Terry McDevitt, a Fortune spokeswoman, would not comment on Rukeyser's future with the show.

MPT President and Chief Executive Robert J. Shuman and Vice President Jeffrey Hankin did not immediately return calls.

On the Net:

Wall $treet Week with Louis Rukeyser

Maryland Public Television

Fortune