Marketplace Morning Report for Friday, February 17, 2012

Consumer savings from the payroll tax cut, which lawmakers just voted to extend for another year, were erased by higher gasoline prices. The same scenario is likely this year.

Reality TV is cheap to make and there's a whole lot of it out there. These days, producers are finding characters in the backwoods of Louisiana.

High commodity prices put big food producers in a tough spot.

The president of Ford Motor Co. credits good investments as a reason for the company's ability to stay afloat during the recession.

The longest-scripted show in TV history will air its 500th episode. Author John Ortved discusses how much "The Simpsons" is worth and the international market for the show.

What's the driving force behind Ford's turnaround? CEO Alan Mulally discusses from Detroit. Down South, reality TV is looking for new voices in the backwoods. Prices are rising -- for both food ingredients and gas. Britain and France are set to sign a nuclear energy deal. Whitney Houston's estate isn't making much money from all those "I Will Always Love You" plays. We explain why. Plus, what does the spectrum auction mean? And are taxpayers bailing out the banks again?

Listen to an extended conversation with Ford CEO Alan Mulally, where he discusses whether consumers will want larger or smaller cars 20 years from now and the importance of emerging markets like China to the carmaker.

A report says U.S. taxpayers may end up on the losing side of the multi-billion-dollar housing settlement between banks and states. Former TARP Inspector General Neil Barofsky explains how we may be bailing out big banks again.

Wireless companies may soon be able to buy more airwaves under a spectrum auction that will help pay for the payroll tax cut extension and other jobless benefits. What's the idea behind the auction?

The two European nations are set to strike a deal that will pave the way for new nuclear power plants in the U.K. But why now?

Economic data indicate our economy is warming up. But how might Europe's problems affect America's recovery?

Whitney Houston's music has been all over radio and TV following her death. But her estate only profits when someone actually goes to iTunes or Amazon or a record store and physically buys her albums.