TV Notes: 'Weakest Link' Episode Suspended

June 27 -- NBC is going to change the way it screens contestants for The Weakest Link, after the ex-wife of a network honcho managed to get on the show and win a $92,000 jackpot.

Winner Julie Harmon and NBC Studios President Ted Harbert have been divorced for 15 years. NBC discovered the potential conflict just hours before the episode was set to air Monday, and another episode was substituted.

An NBC spokeswoman said the network reviewed the situation and decided to go ahead and air the episode next week. Harmon is also being allowed to keep her winnings. Harmon answered her application truthfullywhen asked if she had any current relationships with NBC employees.

To avoid the appearance of impropriety, NBC rules forbid game show appearances by friends and relatives of network employees or affiliated companies. The spokeswoman said the network will change the way it words its application to avoid any confusion.

Survivor Lawsuit

Who says you can't make everyone happy? CBS and former Survivor contestant Stacey Stillman are both claiming victory this week.

Stillman claims the show was rigged against her. The Eye network decided to countersue. A judge has ruled CBS can't sue Stillman for breach of contract. But the judge indicated CBS can pursue its defamation case against her.

Stillman says she's "elated" by the ruling. CBS says it's pleased, too.

Meanwhile, the producers of Survivor III are forging ahead with their plans to take the reality show to the Shaba National Reserve in Kenya.

Moreover …

Reality shows dominate last week's ratings. NBC's Spy TV, had the third-highest viewership of any show last week. NBC's Fear Factor is also doing well.

But the same can't be said for ABC's new game show, You Don't Know Jack. It had a lukewarm start with a little more than 8 million viewers tuning in for its premiere. However, the network's powerhouse, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, took the top three spots in the ratings.