Jerome on Rukeyser. (Media).

After Louis Rukeyser was fired last week as host of "Wall Street Week' ending a 32-year run, some fingers quickly pointed to PBS stations for the broadcast veteran's ouster.

But Al Jerome, president and chief executive of L.A.'s KCET (Channel 28), said his station had nothing to do with the decision made by Maryland Public Television executives.

"We have not made any comments to PBS or MPT about the program," Jerome said. "Louis Rukeyser has been an excellent host."

But Jerome added that he supports efforts to improve programming and said KCET will continue airing "Wall Street Week." Local ratings for the show averaged a 1.5 last year, down from a 1.9 in 2000. (Each ratings point represents a percentage of television sets turned on during the time a show is being aired).

KCET has seen its prime-time ratings drop in some periods, Jerome said. For example, "Washington Week In Review," the lead-in to "Wall Street Week," saw its average rating fall to a 1.5 in 2001 vs. a 1.7 in the year prior.

Staff reporter Claudia Peschiutta can be reached at [phone] ext. 229 or at [e-mail].