Survey: HDTVs Continue to Be Hot With Consumers; Interest in 3D TV Almost Nil Despite Hype at CES

A new study from the Opinion Research Corp. shows the consumers like HDTVs, but their interest in purchasing sets that are 3D capable is practically non-existent, reports Digital Trends.

According to the report, the study said that  "nearly two-thirds of U.S. households now have an HDTV, and another 12 percent are looking to purchase one in the next two years."

That means by 2013, three out of four U.S. households will have HDTVs, the report says.

On the 3D front the article says, "despite all the hype over 3D technology at this year’s CES show in Las Vegas, only five percent of survey respondents said they plan to buy a 3D-capable television in the next two years."

--Chuck Ross

VIDEO: 'MADtv' Way Out Front With iPad Sketch

It appears that Steve Jobs' introduction of the Apple iPad this week wasn't the first time such a product was contemplated. In a very funny sketch three years ago the folks at "MADtv" had the same idea.  However, be forewarned: some may find the skit offensive. As a "MADtv" writer said this week about naming of iPad: "I don't think Apple had any women in the room when they came up with the name."

TVWeek sent this out earlier today as part of our Viral Video e-daily. If you wish to receive our Viral Videos on a daily basis, click here to sign up. It's for free.

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Richard Hatch WILL Participate in All-Star 'Survivor' Anniversary Season -- Sort of

Original "Survivor" winner Richard Hatch will participate with other past contestants in the show's 10th anniversary celebration, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The catch is that he'll be on a special titled "Surviving Survivor," which CBS has slated to air on Feb. 4, a week before the competition begins.

Hatch, the season one winner who was convicted of tax evasion and imprisoned, will share his insights about playing "Survivor" in the special “Surviving Survivor.” 

Hatch had wanted to actually participate in the all-star 10th Anniversary competition, but was in jail when filming began and a judge refused to let him out early.

-- Allison J. Waldman and Chuck Ross

BET Plans Fundraiser for Haitian Relief

Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Pharrell are on board for BET Networks' telethon for Haitian relief, "SOS Saving OurSelves -- Help for Haiti" which will air on BET, Centric, MTV and VHI Feb. 5 at 8 p.m., reports B&C.

The benefit concert will telecast  live from Miami. Among the organizations to receive donations from the charitable event are CARE, Project Medishare and Children's Safe Drinking Water.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Survey Says: Ad Execs Think NBC Should Not Have Let Conan Go

According to a survey of 129 advertising and marketing executives conducted by Round2 Communications, 44% of respondents said they believe the Jay Leno-Conan O'Brien "Tonight Show" controversy will hurt NBC's late-night advertising, MediaPost reports.

The survey said 37% believed it would have no effect on that advertising, while 19 percent said they thought the controversy would actually help, as in "any publicity is good publicity." 

A full 47% of the respondents said they would have kept Conan O'Brien compared to only 41% who agreed with NBC's choice of holding onto Jay Leno. The remaining 12% would have hung on to both comics.

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Faced With New Super Bowl Ad Dilemma

After accepting a pro-life advocacy ad for the upcoming broadcast of the Super Bowl, CBS has a new potential controversy because now Mancrunch.com, a gay-dating Web site, wants to purchase a spot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

CBS has yet to decide whether to accept the ad, although speculation is that the network may not have much unsold time left at this point.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox to Super-size Tuesday 'Idol'

"American Idol" is already a huge TV presence and it's about to get bigger, as Fox announced that the March 23, March 30 and April 6 Tuesday episodes will be two hours long instead of just an hour, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Also, Fox's new drama "Past Life" will have "American Idol" as a lead-in on Feb. 16; on March 9, a rerun of the "Glee" will air before it.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Popular Star of TV and Broadway to Host New CBS Game Show Pilot

CBS has a new game show pilot in the works that it picked up when Fox decided to not go forward with the project. It's based on the Britsh game show "The Cube," reports our friend Joe Adalian at The Wrap.

One of the stars of "How I Met Your Mother," Neil Patrick Harris--who also has been popular on Broadway as well as an engaging host of both the Tony and Emmy awards shows-- will host the pilot. Harris is also one of the game show's executive producers.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Leno on Oprah's Show: Of 80,000 Respondents on Oprah.com Poll, 96% Were Against Jay. Oprah: You Could Have Walked Away. Leno: That Would Have Been an Ego Decision, Telling My Staff 'Good Luck Finding Jobs.' Oprah: Really?

Here's a partial transcript from the end of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" yesterday when she had Jay Leno as her sole guest. In this portion of the interview, Oprah brings up the question of why Leno just didn't walk way from NBC after the network canceled his 10 pm show. It's a question she had asked him earlier in the show as well. You can find a complete transcript of the show at AllYourTV.com.

--Chuck Ross

OPRAH WINFREY (Recorded Voice-Over set to video footage of Jay and Conan): We asked viewers to weigh in on the Jay versus Conan controversy. About
80,000 of you responded to our Oprah.com poll. When asked whose side are you on,
Jay's or Conan's, a staggering 96% of you said Conan. And 94% of you believe Jay
should not go back to "The Tonight Show."

Winfrey (now talking directly to Leno): Honestly, you know, we're not like friends talking all the time but I think over the years we've developed a friendly relationship. So many people
were against you. We did an Oprah.com poll, and there were so many people who
were on Conan's side, that I started asking like do I have it wrong? Am I
missing something here? Because the way I understood it is the way that you've
explained it.

LENO: Right, right.

WINFREY: So the fact that so many people seem to feel that you are being the
selfish guy…

LENO: Right.

WINFREY: …who--that's why I'm asking you the questions, who stole Conan's dream?
That's why I keep, you know, hammering on is there a part of you that feels that
you should have just retired?

LENO: Well, like I say, to me, being retired seemed like the selfish thing
to do.

WINFREY: Why?

LENO: You walk out and say to the 170 people that work here, "Listen, I
don't want to get my reputation ruined, I don't want anybody talking bad about
me. So I've got enough money, I'm going to leave. You people can all fend for
yourself." I mean to me, it's sort of a team effort. Everybody's in it here
together, and as long I'm working, they're working and that seems to make sense
to me.

Is it a little selfish in that I still like being on TV? Oh, sure. But,
you know, the minute you can't do the job, they do tap you on the shoulder and
tell you to leave. I mean, nobody is around who can't do the job because you're
gone, you're gone in a half a second.

WINFREY: Did you feel bad for Conan at any point?

LENO: I did, I felt really bad for Conan. I think it's unfair, but TV is not
fair. I thought it was unfair for me.

WINFREY: You felt that for Conan, but you didn't think you caused--you were the
reason ...

LENO: No, I wasn't the reason. The reason was the ratings.

WINFREY: Mm-hmm. Do you have regrets?

LENO: Oh, yeah, I do have regrets. I regret that it wasn't handled better.
I'm just not sure what I could have done differently.

WINFREY: Lots of people say you could have walked away.

LENO: Again, by walking away, that is an ego decision. That is me going,
"No, goodbye, everybody, you know something? I'm fed up with this. You-all fend
for yourselves. Good luck finding jobs, I'm out of here. To me, that's the ego
decision, not the other one.

WINFREY: Is it, really?

LENO: Oh, yeah, I think so, I think so. Like ...

WINFREY: How is it an ego decision for you to say I've done it, I've done "The
Tonight Show," I've tried it prime time, that didn't work. Thank you, NBC. I'll
take my paycheck and go."

LENO: If I was going to do it that way I would say maybe after these two
years of being on the air, I would tell my staff, "One year from today, it's
over, guys."

WINFREY: But you could have done what--do you think now you could have done what
Conan did? When they came in and said your prime time show's canceled, you say
okay, you owe me two years, because that's what you said at the beginning.

LENO: Right, right.

WINFREY: You were guaranteed at least a year.

LENO: Right.

WINFREY: Two years if you were successful.

LENO: Right.

WINFREY: Pay me out, pay out my staff. You could have done that.

LENO: I could have done that, but I didn't. They offered me my old job back.

WINFREY: Right, I get that.

LENO: Which is the dream job. I said okay.

WINFREY: Is there a bigger lesson in all of this?

LENO: The key is not to be bitter and I think Conan said it best when he
said don't be cynical.

WINFREY: Mm-hmm. And yet you said earlier you haven't called him?

LENO: It's not the right time, because I'm not sure what I would say right
now. Let some time pass and I would hope we can talk again.

WINFREY: Will you have him on your show?

LENO: I would love to. I don't know whether he would do it or not. I think
he will have a successful show on Fox or somewhere else.

WINFREY: Wherever he goes.

LENO: And then we will all compete again and may the best man win.

Video: Jimmy Kimmel Gives His Side of the Story After Leno Tells Oprah that Kimmel 'Sucker-Punched' Jay When Kimmel Appeared on Jay's Show and Joked About the Latenight War Between Jay and Conan

What Surprised Oprah About the Leno Interview

After the Jay Leno interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that aired yesterday, Jan. 28, Oprah conducted a Q&A with an audience that aired exclusively on her website that lasted about 40 minutes.

It was during that show that Oprah said, "What surprised me in [the Leno] interview is that Jay didn't say that 'I thought about just walking away' [after his 10 O'clock show had been canceled]. That is what surprised me. Because to me, that's a big old option."

To see a partial transcript of the actual Leno interview on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," click here.

Another Network Wants to Get Into Late Night

Another network is getting into the late night talk show business but Conan O’Brien shouldn’t count on finding a home there, the Associated Press reports.

The Spike network is developing a new show with Thom Beers (Spike's"1000 Ways to Die," Discovery's "Deadliest Catch").

The network plans a nationwide search for talent for the show, looking for ordinary people who have done something unusual. "We're looking for unknowns," programming chief Sharon Levy told the AP, in order to "create our own faces and start from scratch to build something."

No air date or host has been chosen. It will start as a weekly show.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Conan’s Last Audience Was His Biggest

Conan O’Brien’s farewell “Tonight Show” turned out to be his biggest ever, with 10.3 million viewers, or almost one million more than the 9.2 million who tuned in on his first night on June 1, The New York Times reports.

Among viewers 18 to 49, the final show averaged a 2.4 rating, also topping the 2.3 of his first week.

--Elizabeth Jensen

As ‘Ugly Betty’ Disbands, Cast Members are in Demand

The cast members of “Ugly Betty” may not be unemployed for long, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

With cancellation of the show hitting in the middle of pilot casting season, the show’s actors are already fielding plenty of interest, THR says.

Producers are trying to help out, by attempting to wrap production of “Betty” before the planned March 25 date, so the actors will be freed up for pilot shooting, which usually begins at the start of March.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Dancing With the Stars' Co-Host Leaving Show

ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” is losing one of its co-hosts, People.com reports.

The popular show is currently hosted by two people, Tom Bergeron and Samantha Harris.

It's Harris who is leaving. 

She said she’s leaving because she needs to concentrate on her correspondent job at “The Insider.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Former Star of Emergency Room ('ER') Set to Star in HBO's Upcoming 'Emergency Sex'

One of the stars of the long-running hit "ER" will star in the upcoming HBO drama series  "Emergency Sex," reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Maria Bello, who played Dr. Anna Del Amico during the third season of "ER," has been signed for the HBO series, which is being written by Simon Beaufoy (“Slumdog Millionaire”) and executive produced by Russell Crowe, among others, according to the report.

The series is based on the book "Emergency Sex and Other Desperate Measures: A True Story From Hell on Earth," whose screen rights Crowe owns.

The book chronicles the experiences of Kenneth Cain, Heidi Postlewait and Andrew Thomson who were members of a UN peacekeeping mission in Cambodia in the 1990s.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Cablevision Asks U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on Must-Carry

Cablevision made its formal request to have the Supreme Court review the constitutionality of the must-carry rules, B&C reports.

In its filing the cable operator notes that earlier rulings that passed by a narrow margin might not go the same way today, given that “vibrant competition” has replaced earlier fears of a cable monopoly.

The case that sparked Cablevision’s quest is a recent Second Circuit decision which upheld an FCC mandate that the cable operator carry station WRNN, a small TV station in Kingston, New York.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Newest Baby on '19 Kids & Counting' Getting Stronger

The 19th child of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, stars of TLC’s "19 Kids & Counting," is getting stronger after being born more than three months prematurely, the Associated Press reports.

The baby, Josie, weighed less than two pounds at her birth seven weeks ago. She and the family will be featured on a special Sunday episode of the program, which was renamed to reflect her addition to the family.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Entertainer of the Year Added to Super Bowl, Joining The Who and Queen Latifah

The Who has long been slated to perform at halftime during this year's Super Bowl, and now comes word that the current Entertainer of the Year, as determined by the Academy of Country Music, will be singing the national anthem, says The Hollywood Reporter.

Carrie Underwood will sing the anthem, and  Queen Latifah will perform "America the Beautiful."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Tells FCC Why Acquiring NBCU Is in the Public Interest

Comcast Corp. formally put its 145-page application to take control of NBC Universal before the FCC, the Los Angeles Times reports.

In broad strokes, the company said the merger wouldn’t stifle competition, or shut out rival programmers, and would be in the public interest, noting that it will be able to ramp up its video-on-demand movie business, as consumers want.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Judge Rules Top Tribune Executives Can Keep Bonuses

A bankruptcy judge rejected objections from a union and a bankruptcy trustee and ruled that top executives at Tribune Co. can keep $45.6 million in bonuses, The New York Times reports.

The incentive program money went to 10 top executives and 710 managers. The Newspaper Guild and the company’s bankruptcy trustee had argued that the payments were too high at a time when the company didn’t perform well and had been laying off lower-ranked employees.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Hope for Haiti Now' Numbers Pass $66 Million

The money keeps rolling in to the “Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, which said it has raised more than $66 million, The Wrap reports.

The higher total includes proceeds that are starting to come in from sales of the music from the telethon. The “Hope for Haiti Now” album this week became the first digital-only album to debut on the Billboard 200 in the top slot.

--Elizabeth Jensen

If You Really Want to Hear About It: J.D. Salinger Dea—

Sorry to have to say we've just received a "cease and desist" order from a lawyer claiming to represent the estate of  J.D. Salinger.

In a statement e-mailed to us, the lawyer wrote: "I can neither confirm nor deny the death today of J.D. Salinger, 91, from natural causes, and we don't want you to either. My client spent his entire life protecting Holden Caulfield, keeping  Hollywood at bay, and that's not going to change now, regardless of the condition of Mr. Salinger, such condition that I can neither confirm nor deny. As yours is a publication associated with Hollywood, my client wants nothing to do with it, and neither do I."

OK, we didn't really get a note from a lawyer, but it would not have surprised us if we had. And yes, Salinger, a truly wonderful writer, has died. He was equally as protective of his privacy as he was adamant about not letting Hollywood get its hands on his classic novel "Catcher in the Rye." Some of those who tried included Billy Wilder, Steven Spielberg and Harvey Weinstein.

--Chuck Ross

Comic Book Legend Dropping in on 'Big Bang Theory'

The geeky characters on CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" will get the thrill of a lifetime when real-life comic book legend, Stan Lee -- co-creator of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk -- appears as himself on an upcoming episode, reports TV Guide.

In the episode, Lee will appear at the comic book store where the characters regularly hang out.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Gives Ron Howard's IRS Comedy Pilot a Yes

The Fox network has ordered a comedy about an Internal Revenue Service regional office from 20th Century Fox TV and Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Brent Forrester ("The Office") is writing the script. Imagine previously had the series "Arrested Development" on Fox.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fans Rally ABC for Show That Isn’t Even Made Yet

Fans of novelist Jennifer Weiner ("Good in Bed") are lobbying ABC to save a show she’s involved with that isn’t even made yet, The Wrap reports.

She asked her fans to lobby the network to pick up the pilot for her one-hour comedy “Jane and Dick.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

A Murdoch Talks Tough at NATPE

Shine Group head Elisabeth Murdoch told NATPE attendees that they need to buck up in the face of tough economic times and follow their audiences into social networking, the Los Angeles Times reports.

She said that "we all act more like a victim support group than a gathering of dynamic industry leaders,” adding that NATPE and other gatherings “are rapidly dominated by worries about falling advertising revenues, of the difficulties of recapturing the mass audience of yesteryear, or the fear that new entrants like Google and Facebook now control the agenda."

The answer, she said, is to “catch up with what our audience is doing," by embracing social networking, adding that "We must end our traditional, one-dimensional attitude. ... We are at the start of something exciting -- a model that can lead to a new kind of commerce."

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Nightmare's' Englund to Appear on 'Bones'

Actor Robert Englund, best known from as killer Freddie Krueger in the "Nightmare on Elm Street" films, will make an appearance on Fox's "Bones," reports TV Guide.

The episode will involve death and a slasher on the loose, which may or may not be Englund's character on the show, a suspicious custodian at Brennan's old high school.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Daystar TV Sponsoring NASCAR Chevy

The faith-based Daystar Television Network will become the chief sponsor for the Golden Gate – Richard Childress Racing Development Team for the 2010 NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Daystar was previously an associate sponsor.

Daystar is now primary sponsor of the newly designed No. 21 Chevrolet, with Blake Koch behind the wheel or a second season.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Huh? Papa John's Has a 30-Second Spot In the Super Bowl, But it Didn't Buy the Air Time From CBS or Any TV Stations

Papa John's pizza will run a 30-second spot in the Super Bowl just before halftime, but it didn't buy the air time from CBS or any TV station, Advertising Age reports.

Instead, the deal is a product integration one with the National Football League itself.

According to the report, "Papa John's chief marketing executive, Andrew Varga, declined to give the price of his company's deal, or confirm that a 30-second spot from the NFL costs less than the $3 million asking price from CBS."

It's been widely reported that CBS is generally getting between $2.5 million and $2.8 million for its 30-second spots on the game, which is a dip from last year's prices.

The Ad Age article also contains details of the Papa John spot itself.

--Chuck Ross

It's Not Always A Pretty Business: 'Ugly Betty' Canceled

ABC canceled “Ugly Betty,” which will go off the air after finishing its fourth season in the spring, the Associated Press reports.

The series about a style-challenged woman working in the fashion publishing business won numerous awards over its short life but it has lost audience in recent years, as ABC moved it to several different time periods. The show averaged around 8 million viewers its first season; it's now down to about 5 million viewers a week.

Eight episodes remain and ABC said loose plot ends will be tied up.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Has Another ‘Bachelor’ Wedding Planned

ABC has scheduled another “Bachelor” wedding for March, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Jason Mesnick, who has been in two editions of the program, and Molly Malaney, who was first the runner-up and then got a proposal, will wed in a show to air March 8.

The wedding of Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter who met on "The Bachelorette" drew more than 17 million viewers when it aired in 2002.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Chairman Roberts to Congress: Zucker Will Be CEO and NBC Will Remain On Broadcast, Won't Be Moved to Cable

Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts, in a Washington, D.C. appearance before the Congressional Internet Caucus' State of the Net Conference, said there are no plans to move the NBC network to cable, when Comcast takes control of NBC Universal, B&C reports.

Talk of moving the network to cable is "right off the table," he said, according to B&C.

When asked why NBC should remain a free network, he cited the example of ABC’s Monday Night Football, whose ratings dropped when the program moved to ESPN.

Roberts didn’t comment on NBC’s latenight mess, but he did say that NBCU chief Jeff Zucker is “going to be the CEO of the company."

--Elizabeth Jensen

CW Picks Up Pilot from Creator of 'Gilmore Girls'

CW’s pilot pickups include a family drama from Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of “Gilmore Girls,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Sherman-Palladino’s family drama is set on a Wyoming horse farm.

The CW has also picked up the pilot of another version of the action series "La Femme Nikita." 

If it goes to series, “Nikita” would be the fourth version of the story about a young criminal who is trained by her captors to become a covert government assassin; the original French film was remade for the US, and then followed by a USA Network TV series in 1997. In this version, she would go rogue and be replaced by a new assassin.

--Elizabeth Jensen

TBS Gets David Spade Project

TBS is in business with David Spade, the company announced today.

Spade, the former "Saturday Night Live" performer who's become a household name both on the small screen and the big one, is writing a script for TBS that will be a pilot for an animated version of his 2001 movie "The Advenures of Joe Dirt."

TBS closed the deal with Spade, Sony Pictures Television and Happy Madison Productions.

According to the announcement, The pilot will be written by Spade, Fred Wolf (Spade’s frequent writing partner), and Donick Cary. All three will serve as executive producers, along with Doug Robinson of Happy Madison Productions.

--Chuck Ross

Time Warner Cable Lost More Subs Than Expected in Fourth Quarter

Time Warner Cable lost about 105,000 basic subscribers in the fourth quarter, more than the 30,000 to 80,000 that analysts had been expecting, Multichannel News reports.

Making up for that bad news, the company approved its first annual dividend, of $1.60 per share (40 cents per share per quarter) that was on the high end of what analysts were expecting.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Major League Baseball TV Featured in Steve Jobs' iPad Rollout Presentation

One of the apps featured in Steve Jobs' rollout of Apple's new iPad on Wednesday, Jan. 28, was Major League Baseball TV. That's the subscription service where users can watch out-of-market baseball games.

MLB has written about creating the app on its website.

According to the article, "Chad Evans, director of mobile product development for MLB Advanced Media, gave the demo for MLB.com before Jobs returned to the stage.

" 'We were incredibly excited to build something for the iPad, and we realized we couldn't just take our existing iPhone app and make it bigger,' Evans said. 'We really needed to create a whole new experience to take advantage of the big, gorgeous interactive screen on the device.'

"He went through several screen displays showing how the content will look, including users' ability to touch players for details, bells and whistles, and to access data pertinent to game situations."

--Chuck Ross

Time Warner Cable Reaches Agreement to Keep Two Scripps Nets

Time Warner Cable and Scripps Networks Interactive have agreed on a multiyear renewal for two of  Scripps’ networks, Multichannel News reports.

The renewals are for The Food Network and Great American Country.

The carriage agreement expired at the end of last year, but the two sides had kept talks open, unlike in Scripps’ negotiations with Cablevision, which ended with Food Network and HGTV off the Cablevision lineup for three weeks.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Jeff Gaspin's Hollywood Blind Spot

On Tuesday, Jan. 26, at NATPE, NBCU TV Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin spoke more about the Leno/O'Brien latenight situation. In a lively blog post, TVWeek Open Mic contributor Chuck Ross explains how the interview revealed Gaspin's Hollywood blind spot and thus the liklihood that the proposed Leno/O'Brien latenight plan would fail. Click here to read it.

--Tom Gilbert

Video: Preview of Leno on Oprah

Here' a preview of Oprah's interview with Jay Leno, set to air Thursday , Jan 28th.

1) One promo for the program shows Oprah asking the following questions:

"When they asked you to go back, did you ever think, 'I’m taking away Conan’s dream?' "

"America has taken sides, and a lot of people are not on your side."

"Did you ever ask yourself, 'Well, am I being selfish?' "

"Do you think you can be number one again?"

The promo doesn't show Leno answering any of these questons but it does show him saying, "This whole thing was a huge mess."

2) Today Oprah's Harpo Productions did release this video exchange between Oprah and Leno:

Fox Elevates Programming Trio

Shana C. Waterman and James Oh have been promoted from directors to VPs of current programming at the Fox network, reports B&C.

Fox also elevated David Sleven from manager of comedy development to director of current programming. 

-- Allison J. Waldman

Video: Steve Jobs Reveals Apple's New Tablet, the iPad

Click on the picture to watch the video...TVWeek sent this out earlier today as part of our Viral Video e-daily. If you wish to receive our Viral Videos on a daily basis, click here to sign up. It's for free.

--Chuck Ross

Trifecta To Launch Hispanic Soap

Trifecta Entertainment announced plans to syndicate "Hacienda Heights," a soap opera starring Mauricio Mendoza and featuring an all-Hispanic cast to be produced in both Spanish and English.

Trifecta is pitching the soap, to be available in the fall, to English- and Spanish-language stations as a weekend block of two half-hours, reports B&C.

The show, which Trifecta defines as a traditional soap rather than a telenovela, will be shot in San Francisco.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Ad Prices for Academy Awards Show Same As Last Year

Ad prices for the 2010 Academy Awards broadcast remain at the same level as last year, between $1.3 million and  $1.5 million per 30-second spot, reports Advertising Age.

The nominations for the Oscars, which this year will feature 10 contenders the best picture category, will be announced Feb. 2 and the awards ceremony will broadcast on ABC March 7. 

-- Allison J. Waldman

'CSI' Creator Zuiker to Address NAB Show

Breaking down the subject of how to take content to the next level across multiple platforms is the mystery that "CSI" creator and exec producer Anthony Zuiker will solve when he's the man in the spotlight at the upcoming National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas.

Zuiker, who will be part of the Super Session at the NAB convention Wednesday, April 14, plans to address how to create original and repurposed content for TV, the Internet and other platforms.

-- Allison J. Waldman

BET Report: Buying Power Up Among African Americans

According to a survey commissioned by BET of more than 80,000 African American consumers, conducted over an 18-month span, African Americans in 2008 accounted for a 10% increase in population from the year 2000, while African American buying power increased more than 55% during the same period to $913 billion, reports Multichannel News.

BET analysts project that by 2013, African American buying power will reach $1.2 trillion dollars.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Bocelli and Blige to Duet on Grammys

CBS' broadcast of the Grammy Awards Sunday will team former Grammy winners Mary J. Blige and Andrea Bocelli on a duet, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

Blige and Bocelli will sing the Simon & Garfunkle classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water." A recording of the performance will be made available on iTunes after the telecast, with sales proceeds going to Haitian earthquake relief efforts.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Conan Back in Business with NBC (Only in Hollywood, Kids, Only in Hollywood...)

Conan O'Brien is already back in business with NBC, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network picked up an hourlong pilot, called “Justice,” from O'Brien's production company, Conaco. It’s about a Supreme Court justice who quits to start a law practice.

--Elizabeth Jensen

The Most Sought-After Actors and Actresses of Pilot Season

A few actors and actresses have the pick of the crop this casting season, with offers from multiple pilots to choose from,reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Those with offers from multiple shows include Julianne Moore, Maria Bello, Christina Applegate, Matt Dillon and Jason Isaacs.

The report says Matt Dillion, for example, "who largely has steered clear of TV, had gotten feelers for NBC's new take on 'The Rockford Files' from 'House' creator David Shore, and he was talked about for 'Ridealong,' Shawn Ryan's cop drama at Fox."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Jay Leno’s Primetime Show Ending Even Earlier

NBC’s “Jay Leno Show” will end its 10 p.m. earlier than previously announced, EW.com reports.

The network had announced that "The Jay Leno Show" would end on Feb. 11. Now it looks like the date is Feb. 9th, according to the report.

EW says the network released a February programming schedule that lists repeats of other shows in Leno's time slot for Feb. 10 and 11, days which NBC had previously said would include Leno.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Syfy Partnering with Atari on Big 'Star Trek Online' Launch

NBC Universal's Syfy is joining with Atari to promote the launch of "Sar Trek Online," which releases for PCs on Feb. 2nd.

According to an announcment put out by the companies, Syfy will "build a one-stop 'hub' for Star Trek Online, where fans and gamers alike will be able to view explosive new content, participate in special contests and sweepstakes, and even purchase an exclusive bundle via digital download....Star Trek fans can visit Syfy.com/StarTrek and purchase the limited time 'Syfy Bundle' to digitally download the game and receive a variety of bonus offers, both in-game and out of game."

In conjunction with the promotion Syfy also announced, "a two-day 'Star Trek' marathon on Monday, 2/1 8 am to 5 pm of “Star Trek Enterprise” and Tuesday, 2/2 8 am - 9 pm of 'Star Trek Next Generation.'

--Chuck Ross

CBS Seeking Even More Advocacy Ads For Super Bowl

Not only is CBS not going to pull an advocacy ad from the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, which is to run in the Super Bowl, but the network said it has eased restrictions on such ads and would consider more for the Feb. 7 broadcast, the Associated Press reports.

The network said it would consider ads that are “responsibly produced,” and noted that it has changed its policy toward such ads. Spokesman Dana McClintock said "We have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms."

The Focus on the Family ad features football star Tim Tebow.

The network said an ad from the United Church of Christ highlighting its gay-friendly policies that was rejected in 2004 to great controversy would be accepted now.

The article didn't say whether or not CBS was more open to these ads this year because the economy has made the Super Bowl a tougher sale than in most years.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Local Stations Want Voice in Industry’s Ratings Talks

Local stations are organizing so they aren’t left out of industry efforts to develop new audience measurement services based on cable and satellite set-top box data, our good friend Harry Jessell of TVNewscheck reports.

A group of station executives met quietly at this week's annual convention of the National Association of Television Program Executives to discuss their strategy vis-à-vis the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement, according to sources. Among those at the NATPE meeting were representatives from Sinclair, Hearst, Fox and Fisher Communications, according to TVNewscheck.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Breakthrough in Talks: ‘Jersey Shore’ Cast Likely to Return

Negotiations between MTV and the cast of “Jersey Shore” for a second season are expected to be concluded by the end of the week, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

No deal has been reached but MTV’s offer of $10,000 per episode put the talks back on track, after the cast members rejected an earlier offer.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Original Series ‘Spartacus’ Premiere Ratings Sparkle for Starz

The Jan. 23 premiere of Starz' “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” drew more than 3.3 million total viewers in its several showings, which the network said was its most successful premiere ever, reports Multichannel News.

When ongoing DVR playback and online viewing is added in, the premiere is expected to eventually top 4 million viewers, the network said. The pay network had high hopes for the show, renewing it for a second season even before the premiere.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Larry the Cable Guy to Install New Show on..Cable

"Blue Collar Comedy" star Larry the Cable Guy is headed to a cable network for his next series, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show, on the History Channel, has the working title of “Only in America With Larry the Cable Guy.” According to the network, he’ll travel the country to explore different lifestyles and jobs. The show will air later this year.

--Elizabeth Jensen

In Twist, Nancy Grace Asks Court to Ban Videotaping of Her Deposition

HLN talk-show host, lawyer, former prosecutor and soon to be syndicated court show judge Nancy Grace ("Swift Justice with Nancy Grace") has asked a judge to prohibit the videotaping of her deposition in a central Florida wrongful death lawsuit, the Associated Press reports.

The judge turned down the request.

Grace's  lawyer said the ban was necessary to protect Grace from embarrassment, the report said.

She’s being sued by the family of Melinda Duckett. The 21-year-old Florida mother, after being grilled by Grace and accused of hiding something she knew about the disappearance of her young son, killed herself the day the taped interview was to appear on HLN.

The judge ruled the videotaping could take place but lawyers for Duckett’s family can’t share the recording or disclose its contents without court permission.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Steve Jobs Asks Networks to Drop Prices on iTunes

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs is expected to introduce the next big thing in electronics tomorrow -- the Apple Tablet, a flat PC -- and in anticipation of that announcement, Jobs has met privately with top TV executives to urge them to cut the price of episodes at the iTunes store in half, reports the Business Insider.

The price is now $1.99. Apple wants to lower it to 99 cents. Jobs believes that increased sales will offset any revenue lost from the price drop.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Report: ABC Offers Abdul Development Deal in Exchange for 'Stars' Appearance

Former "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul has reportedly been offered a $1 million development deal with ABC contingent on her agreeing to be a contestant on "Dancing With the Stars," according to TMZ.com.

The Web site says an integral part of the deal would be an out that gives Abdul the freedom to be a regular judge on Simon Cowell's new Fox series, "The X Factor."

-- Allison J. Waldman

One of the 'Mad Men' Won't Be Back Next Season

Bryan Batt, who played Salvatore Romano, an art director and closeted homosexual in AMC's "Mad Men," which is set in the early 1960s, will not be on the show when it resumes next season, reports TV Guide.

Matt Weiner, creator of "Mad Men," explained that Romano would be off the show because once the character was outed in that time and business atmosphere, he would not be able to return to the Sterling-Cooper mileiu.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Disney Names Bates to Succeed Padden

ABC parent The Walt Disney Co. has named Richard Bates to replace Preston Padden as its senior vice president of government relations, reports Multichannel News.

Bates, former executive director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and a 19-year Disney veteran, will oversee corporate relations with trade groups including the NAB and NCTA, as well as federal and state activities.

Padden plans to exit the company at the end of the year.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'How I Met Your Mother' Gets Early Renewal

One day after giving creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas a lucrative new deal to develop a new situation comedy, CBS has given their hit "How I Met Your Mother" an early renewal for a sixth season, according to The Wrap.

In previous years, CBS has waited till much later in the spring before renewing "Mother," so this action is a sign that the network is very happy with the Monday comedy.

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Refuses to Pull Controversial Super Bowl Ad

CBS announced today that it would not pull the Focus on Family commercial -- one deemed to be pro-life by advocates for reproductive choice -- from the Super Bowl, reports B&C.

The commercial features the mother of University of Florida quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow talking about her decision not to have an abortion when doctor warned her that her health was in jeopardy if she carried the baby, who grew up to be Tim, to term.

Opponents of the ad cited instances when CBS rejected advocacy commercials for Moveon.org, PETA and United Church of Christ. However, CBS said not all advocacy ads are deemed inappropriate and in this instance, the network approved the commercial.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Broadway Musical Star Drafted by 'Ugly Betty'

Tony Award-winning Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell is the latest big name to join the cast of ABC's "Ugly Betty," reports Entertainment Weekly.

Mitchell has been cast as a former lover of Vanessa Williams' character who is her complete antithesis. Before making his Broadway success, Mitchell played Dr. Jackpot Jackson on "Trapper John, M.D."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Program Partners, Knowlera Media Team Up

Knowlera Media, a supplier of "How-To" video programming, has teamed with Program Partners to create a new service that will create ready-made content for broadcasters, according to B&C.

The joint effort, announced Monday at the NATPE conference is Las Vegas, will assist local stations with content for news features, local programming and sales initiatives.

 Knowlera programming will be distributed by Program Partners' new affiliated company, PPI Releasing.

-- Allison J. Waldman

First Oprah and Now Martha: Stewart Leaving Syndication for Exclusive Cable Deal

Original episodes of “The Martha Stewart Show” will leave daytime syndication and move exclusively to cable in the fall.

Stewart, a syndication staple, will move to the Hallmark Channel come autumn, the network announced Tuesday morning.

The show will air weekdays from 10-11 a.m., as part of a two-and-half-hour block of original Martha Stewart programming. It will also be rerun during the day. The 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. block will feature new programming being developed by Stewart’s MSLO.

As part of the multiyear deal, MSLO will also develop prime time specials for the channel, some with holiday themes.

The show is currently in its fifth season and is distributed by NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution.

--Elizabeth Jensen

How CBS TV Distribution Got Nancy Grace Show Cleared

Given the tough economy for TV stations, and a desire to get Nancy Grace's show launched this fall, CBS Television Distribution had to think creatively, The New York Times reports.

So CBS decided to forego cash license fees and go with all-barter deals.

The company was determined to get the show going this fall, to get it established a year in advance of Oprah Winfrey’s departure from daytime syndication in 2011. The end of her “Oprah Winfrey Show” is expected to set off a major reshaping of the business.

“To lose the opportunity of an entire year going by without a new franchise starting would be, I think, a real loss,” John Nogawski, the president of CBS Television Distribution, told the paper.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Last Surviving Cast Member of No. 1 1960s Show Has Died

He was a true rebel, the actor who shocked the nation by quitting the No. 1 show on TV in 1965. The last surviving member of the Western series “Bonanza,” Paernell Roberts, died in Malibu at age 81, the Associated Press reports.

Pernell Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright, the eldest of three sons in the series’ Nevada ranching family, was instantly made famous by the role, but unhappy at the show’s premise; he didn’t like that the brothers had to defer to strong-handed patriarch Ben Cartwright, played by Lorne Greene. He quit in 1965 when his contract was up. The show continued on until 1973.

After more than a decade doing TV show appearances and theatrical touring, he hit it big again, in 1979, as the star of "Trapper John, M.D," which ran until 1986.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Tagline of Oprah's New OWN Network Revealed

Programming at Oprah Winfrey’s new OWN network was on the minds of those who went to hear Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav in a keynote presentation at NATPE, but he wasn’t giving up many details, B&C reports.

Zaslav did say that the channel, which Discovery and Oprah is slated to launch in January, 2011, will have a tagline of "it's your life ... own it." He said: “This network is not called Oprah, it's called OWN -- it's about owning your challenges, your relationships, and moving forward in a positive way." More programming details will be unveiled in the spring.

As for Discovery's forthcoming 3D network in partnership with Sony and Imax, Zaslav said, "The way technology works, unfortunately, you have to place your bets before all the evidence is in.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Hope for Haiti Now’ Drew More than 80 Million Viewers

With a roadblock on all the major broadcast networks and many cable outlets, Friday’s “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon drew about 83 million viewers, reports the Associated Press, citing Nielsen Co. figures.

That figure was for those who tuned in at some point during the event, which ran on 33 networks. The average audience over its two hours was 24 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Another Network Returning to the Upfront Fold

NBC isn’t the only network that abandoned the upfront format, only to announce a return to it this year, B&C reports.

Univision Communications, which opted out last year in favor of regional meetings, is scheduling a full presentation during upfront week, on Thursday, May 20, the same day as The CW.

B&C says the Spanish-language network, which this year hosts the World Cup, is targeting more mainstream advertisers; the network is hoping the upcoming census numbers will also persuade more marketers to come on board.

--Elizabeth Jensen

FiOS Growth Slows in Fourth Quarter

Verizon's FiOS is no longer growing at quite the fast pace that it was, Multichannel News reports.

In the fourth quarter, the service added 153,000 subscribers for both TV and Internet services, ending the year with 2.9 million FiOS TV customers, and 3.4 million FiOS Internet customers.

Year to year, FiOS TV subscribers jumped by 49 percent and FiOS Internet subscribers were up 38 percent. But growth slowed as the year progressed: In the first half of the year, FiOS added 599,000 TV customers, compared to 344,000 in the second half.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Lifetime Movie Huge Hit With Young Women

Lifetime Television's latest made for the network movie has done exceedingly well in the women 18-34 demo category.

"The Pregnancy Pact" was ad-supported cable’s most-watched film since 1994 among women 18-to-34, with 1.37 million viewers in that demographic.

The movie, which aired Jan. 23, averaged 5.86 million viewers overall; it was the most-watched Lifetime original movie premiere ever among Women 18-to-34, 18-to-49 and adults in both those age groups.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Cartoon Network Working With ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic, but Not on a Cartoon

Singer and comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic is developing a live-action made-for-TV movie for Cartoon Network, B&C reports.

The film will center on a teenager; Yankovic would have a supporting or guest role. He would also direct, if it gets picked up.

--Elizabeth Jensen

'My So-Called Life' Creator Close to Getting New Show Script Approved by ABC Family

ABC Family is getting close to giving a greenlight to an hourlong drama based on the young adult novel “Huge,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The book, by Sasha Paley, explores girls’ body image issues and is set at a weight-loss camp. Winnie Holzman, who created the series "My So-Called Life," wrote the script with her daughter, Savannah Dooley.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Forest Whitaker Headed to CBS Series?

Oscar winner Forest Whitaker may be headed to series TV as the star of a “Criminal Minds” spinoff on CBS, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Whitaker, who did a memorable arc on FX's "The Shield," is in final negotiations to star in the show, which would feature a new group of profilers and be set outside the FBI bureaucracy.

The proposed spinoff is to be introduced on the original series this spring.

--Elizabeth Jensen

CBS Urged to Drop Super Bowl Ad Featuring Football Star

A coalition of women's groups wants CBS to drop a planned Super Bowl ad -- paid for by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family — the Associated Press reports.

The ad will feature college football star Tim Tebow and his mother, and the groups are objecting because they expect it to have an anti-abortion message, the report says.

"An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year — an event designed to bring Americans together," said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women's Media Center, which is coordinating the protest.

CBS said it has already approved the script for the 30-second ad. The ad is expected to tell Pam Tebow’s story of how she became sick while pregnant with her son and ignored doctors’ recommendation to get an abortion. Tim Tebow won the 2007 Heisman Trophy

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Idol' Contestant Canned After Confidentiality Breach

One of the 24 semifinalists on this season's "American Idol" has been replaced in the Fox reality competition because his father breached the show's confidentiality rules, the New York Post reports.

The Post, citing the 'Idol' spoiler Web site Joe's Place, says the father of finalist Michael Lynche leaked to the St. Petersburg Times that his son made it to the semifinals. Lynche was replaced over the weekend when the producers learned of the breach.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Harris Poll: Oprah TV's Top Personality; No. 2 a First-Timer on List

Oprah Winfrey is the No. 1 personality on television, up three places from where she was last year, according to the Harris Poll, conducted by Harris Interactive.

New to the annual top 10 list and landing right behind Oprah was Fox News talker Glenn Beck, with NBC's Jay Leno coming in third. In a fourth place tie were Hugh Laurie, the star of Fox's "House," and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres, soon to be a judge on Fox's "American Idol."

The rest of the top 10 includes "The Daily Show" host Jon Stewart at No. 6; CBS' stars of "Two and a Half Men" and "NCIS" respectively, Charlie Sheen (No. 7) and Mark Harmon (No. 8). CBS' late night host David Letterman was No. 9, and rounding out the list was Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, 10th on the roster.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Don't Forget the Lyrics' Headed to Syndication

A new version of the former Fox network game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" is slated for syndication by Twentieth Television, reports B&C.

The show, produced by RDF USA and Apploff Entertainment, will be hosted by Mark McGrath and is set to launch on Fox-owned outlets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Washington, D.C., as well as in primetime paired with "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" on MyNetwork TV.

Like "5th Grader," Twentieth will broadcast "Lyrics" across multiplatforms, broadcast syndication, network primetime and on cable, including VH1.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox's NFL Championship Game Coverage Crushes Sunday Ratings

With a 6:40 p.m. start for the NFC Championship Game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, the spillover into primetime catapulted Fox to the top of the Nielsens for Sunday night, averaging a 19.0 in the 18-49 demographic, according to TVbythenumbers.

At 8 p.m. ABC's new episode of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" earned a 2.25 average rating, against reruns on CBS and an NBC "Dateline" that managed a 0.8 rating in the 18-49 demo.

Another new "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" from 9-10, averaged a 2.6, besting NBC's coverage of "Figure Skating" which earned a 0.55 average.

From 10-11, NBC's "Figure Skating" remained in the basement, 0.65 in the 18-49 demo, while the end of the game and the post-game festivities on Fox dominated with a 13.4 average. ABC and CBS showed reruns.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox's New Drama to Premiere in Post-'Idol' Slot

"Past Life," Fox's new sci-fi series about reincarnation, has been given a post-"American Idol" time slot for its premiere, reports The Futon Critic.

"Past Life" will debut Feb. 9 at 9 p.m. after "American Idol." "Idol" will also provide a lead-in to the new series on Feb. 25, March 4 and March 11.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Mixed Results for 'Burn Notice' Premiere

The mid-season premiere of USA Network's "Burn Notice" was down from its season-to-date average, 5.4 million total viewers compared with 6.17 million.

On the plus side, the mid-season return was up 3 percent from a year ago, and in the desirable 18-34 demographic, the show was particularly strong with 1.18 million viewers.

-- Allison J. Waldman

CBS Renews 'Survivor' and 'Amazing Race'

Not surprisingly, "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race" have been renewed by CBS, two more cycles for "Survivor" and one more of "The Amazing Race," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

It will be the 21st and 22 cycles for "Survivor" and the 17th for "Race."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Spike Promotes Griffin

Spike TV has elevated John Griffin from VP to senior VP of programming, putting him in charge of
acquisitions, media planning and scheduling for the network, reports B&C.

As programmer for the male-oriented network, which is part of the MTV family, Griffin has been responsible for acquiring HBO's "Band of Brothers" and "Entourage," as well as the "Star Wars" films.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Guess Which Game Show is the Most Popular Worldwide

With the opening of the annual convention of the National Association of Television Program Executives in Las Vegas today, word comes from Television Business International that they've determined the most popular game show in the world, based on ratings.

And the winner is--drum-roll please: "Slumdog Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."

Here is the top 10, according to the magazine:

Show                                                      Debut channel               Debut year      Distributor/Licensor
1. Who Wants To  Be A Millionaire?   ITV (UK)                        1998                Sony Pictures Television
2. Deal or No Deal                                 Nederland 2                 2002                Endemol
3. Wipeout                                               ABC (US)                       2008                Endemol
4.  Wheel of Fortune                              NBC (US)                      1975                CBS Studios International 5.  Family Feud                                       ABC (US)                      1976                FremantleMedia
6.  Don't Forget The Lyrics                    Fox (US)                        2007               RDF Rights
7.  Hole in the Wall                                 Fox (US)                        2008               FremantleMedia
8.  Are You Sm. Than A 5th Grader?   Fox (US)                        2007               Shine Int'l./Mark Burnett Pr.
9.  Jeopardy                                             NBC (US)                      1964               CBS Studios International
10. I Love My Country                             RTL4 (Netherlands)    2008               Talpa Media

Countries included in the survey were: UK, US, Australia, Belgium (North and South separately), Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain and Sweden. According to the report, "Rankings were based on the number of times a show appeared in a country’s top-rated programmes with shows under five minutes and duplicates excluded."

--Chuck Ross

Conan Makes the Case for His Next Job

Conan O’Brien’s last show Friday night drew a 7 household rating in preliminary Nielsen figures, almost three times his usual number, and performed even better among younger adults, The New York Times reports.

Among 18-to-49-year-old viewers, according to preliminary numbers from 25 major markets, the show pulled a 4.8. Only three primetime shows last week hit that mark: Fox’s “American Idol” and CBS’ Monday comedies, “Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Andy Dick Charged With Felony Sexual Abuse

Actor and comedian Andy Dick was charged with two felony counts of sexual abuse in West Virginia, where he was performing over the weekend, the Associated Press reports.

The former “NewsRadio” star was accused of grabbing a bouncer's crotch at a bar, and groping and kissing a male bar patron. His attorney said in a statement that "Andy is stunned by these allegations and we are strongly denying any criminal conduct."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nancy Grace, 'E! True Hollywood Story,' 'American Dad,' Nate Berkus, Judge Karen: It's Time for the Big Bang (Theory) of January, NATPE 2010

As the annual convention of the National Association of Television Program Executives gets underway in Las Vegas today, statiions are hoping that in 2010 the ad market will improve so their cash positions will get better.

As B&C reports, it's a tough syndication market out there, both on the cash and barter side.

A good round-up of syndication stories B&C had during the last week, including ones about Debmar-Mercury, CBS Television Distribution, Tribune, and Liongates' Kevin Beggs re-election as NATPE board chairman, can all be found here.

Separately, The Hollywood Reporter has a story that Debmar-Mercury is teaming up with ITV Studios to launch a U.S. version of the popular British program "The Jeremy Kyle Show." If a limited summer test run works, the show will be rolled out nationally for fall 2011.

The producers said the British version, which debuted in 2005, is the country’s most-viewed daytime talk show.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Video--Conan Says Goodbye: Thanks NBC For His Run on the Net; Tells Young People 'Please Don't Be Cynical'

'Jersey Shore' Cast Holding Out for Higher Second Season Salaries

The cast members of MTV’s "Jersey Shore" rejected MTV’s Season Two salary offer, TMZ reports.

According to sources, they had been offered $5,000 an episode each, with a $10,000 signing bonus.

MTV later doubled the offer to $10,000 an episode. That is still on the table.

MTV wouldn’t comment on the negotiations but said no decision has been made to bring the show back.

Meanwhile, fans of the show descended on a New Jersey nightclub, forcing closure of a road, and leading to the arrests of four people when a fight broke out, the Associated Press reports. About 2,000 showed up at the 501 Lounge in Montclair, which has a capacity of about 800 people.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Hope for Haiti Now’ Raises $57 Million, and Counting

Organizers said Friday night’s "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon has raised $57 million, with money continuing to come in, the Associated Press reports.

The two-hour star-studded event aired on all the major broadcast networks and numerous cable channels, as well as online.

The figure includes the money raised by phone calls, texts and online, but not any corporate donations. Nor does it include the money from iTunes, where the individual performances are being sold for 99 cents. As a $7.99 CD, "Hope for Haiti Now" had the biggest one-day preorder ever on the site.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Longtime FCC Commissioner Quello Dead at 95

James H. Quello, who served on the Federal Communications Commission for 23 years as a commissioner and also interim chairman, died Sunday in Alexandria, Va., B&C reports. He was 95.

While on the commission, he was known as a defender of free, over-the-air broadcasting. In recent years, he has been a consultant for the law firm Wiley Rein.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Super Bowl Windfall for Local Stations

Next month’s Super Bowl XLIV is generating more local ad activity than usual, partly because CBS has kept the national pricing strong, reports B&C.

Last year, according to Peter Gusmano, managing partner and director of client service for GroupM Matrix, NBC’s lower rates kept some clients at the national level; this year they are going local.

Nationally, CBS is expecting an estimated $200 million in ad revenue for the game.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Mommyblogger Gets HGTV Development Deal

Popular "mommyblogger" Heather Armstrong, who writes about her life at dooce.com, signed a programming development deal with HGTV, Multichannel News reports.

She’ll work with network executives on programming that can run online as well as on-air, and will continue to blog at dooce.com.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Barbara Walters to Anchor the Sunday ‘This Week’

ABC’s guest hosts of “The Week” as it searches for a replacement for George Stephanopoulos will include Barbara Walters, TVNewser reports.

Walters, who hasn’t guest anchored the show since 1990, will host next week. The roundtable guests will include Fox News head Roger Ailes and The Huffington Post's Arianna Huffington.

--Elizabeth Jensen

James Mitchell, Patriarch of ‘All My Children,’ Has Died

James Mitchell, who for more than three decades played the rich patriarch Palmer Cortlandt on ABC’s "All My Children," died Friday at age 89, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Mitchell appeared on the show’s 40th anniversary episode just a couple weeks ago. A former dancer, he began in the role in 1979.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Writers' Huge Age Discrimination Suit vs. Studios, Networks Settled

Settlement has been reached in a massive age discrimination lawsuit against Hollywood studios, the TV networks and talent agencies, The Wrap reports.

The suit, which involved 19 long-standing cases filed against 17 major networks and studios and seven talent agencies by more than 165 TV writers, reached a settlement valued at $70 million today.

“I speak for all class counsel in recommending that all settlement class members accept the settlement. We are honored to represent a distinguished and talented group of clients and class members,” The Wrap quoted Paul Sprenger of Washington D.C., lead counsel for the defendants, as saying.

-- Tom Gilbert

Smit Named Head of Comcast Cable

Neil Smit, current CEO of Charter Communications and former head man of Time Warner's America Online Internet-access service, has been named president of Comcast Cable Communications, reports B&C.

Smit's Internet-access experience is seen as a a plus in his new role. Smit will report to COO Steve Burke.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Video: Kimmel's Funny Pseudo-Ken Burns Documentary on the Leno/Conan War

Jimmy Kimmel came up with another comedy gem on his show last night (Thursday, Jan. 21). It's a short 4 minute fake documentary about the latenight wars, made as if Ken Burns had done it for PBS. It's must-see and we have it as part of our daily Viral Video e-newsletter. Click here to see the funny Kimmel  video. Once on that page you can scroll down a tad and click where it says to view the other videos we also sent out today. If you like what you see, you can subscribe to our daily Viral Video e-newsletter here, for free.

--Chuck Ross

Imagine Plans Pilot Based on Series Idea by 'Star Trek' Creator

Imagine Entertainment will develop a pilot based on an unproduced series idea by "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The late Roddenberry concocted another sci-fi series in the early '70s called "The Questor Tapes," telling the story of an android in search of its creator to learn the meaning of its existence.

Son Rod Roddenberry, who is behind the project, told THR, "My father always felt that 'Questor' was the one that got away. He believed that the show had the potential to be bigger than 'Star Trek.'"

"Questor" was turned into a TV movie with Robert Foxworth in 1974.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Leno Invited to Host White House Correspondents Dinner; Conan Bumped to After-Dinner Call-In Show on C-SPAN

Nah, we made the Conan part up. It's not April Fool's Day, but it IS Conan's last day on "The Tonight Show" and we couldn't resist.

But the first part of the headline is true. Jay Leno, the soon-to-be-returning host of NBC's "The Tonight Show," has been invited to host the annual White House Correspondents Dinner on May 1, reports B&C.

Leno previously hosted the dinner in 1987, 2000 and 2004. Other comics who've hosted the event include Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert and CBS's Craig Ferguson. The President and First Lady usually attend this charity dinner.

-- Chuck Ross and Allison J. Waldman

'Idol' Winner Jordan Sparks Gets Next TV Role By Tweeting Her Interest in the Show

Keeping it all in the Fox family, former "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks is slated to appear on a Fox drama series, according to TV Guide.

Hart Hanson, "Bones" head man, said that Jordin Sparks had tweeted her love for the show, which prompted her being cast for the guest role. The episode, which may air during May sweeps, will include music, giving Sparks a chance to sing.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Report: Minnelli Joins 'Ugly Betty' Cast

Broadway diva Liza Minnelli will join the cast of ABC's "Ugly Betty" this season, portraying a high school drama teacher, reports Fox News.

Minnelli will play Lena Korvinka, Justin's teacher who encourages his interest in theater, an inside source told Fox News, describing Minnelli's character as "outrageous."

A spokesperson for Minnelli told Fox News that he had no knowledge of her involvement with the show and said she was not currently on board. Fox News' said e-mails to ABC were not returned.

-- Allison J. Waldman

New Political Face-Off Show for Jerry Springer, Bill Cunningham

Tribune is developing a syndicated weekend political debate show featuring TV’s Jerry Springer (on the left) and radio’s Bill Cunningham (on the right) facing off on issues, B&C reports.

The pilot has been airing on Tribune stations in recent weeks. Company executives are hoping to introduce it in the fall.

--Elizabeth Jensen

TNT Adding More Original Series

TNT will launch three new original scripted series over the next two years, bringing its total number of originals to 10, Multichannel News reports.

The three, which will start with 10 episodes each, are a light drama, “Delta Blues” and a crime drama “Rizzoli & Isles,” as well as an untitled alien-invasion series from Steven Spielberg starring Noah Wyle (“ER.”)

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC's Gaspin Says Leno Fans Will Return

The late-night war of words won’t hurt Jay Leno in the long run NBC executives believe, B&C reports.

Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, told B&C: "While a lot of this has been fodder for [the media] I think in the end Jay Leno viewers don't care what Conan O'Brien's rabid viewers and fans are saying." He called the weeks of sniping and contract wrangling “the inner-workings and the politics of Hollywood."

Leno returns in latenight on March 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Video: Robin Williams' Raucous Ditty on Conan's Show Thursday Night. (Here's the Chorus of the Song, Directed to NBC: 'F--- the bast---- if they can't take a joke' )

Besides Fox, Here are the Other Nets Known to Be Interested in Conan

Fox and its cable sister FX aren’t the only networks that are expressing interest in providing a new home for Conan O’Brien in latenight, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Several cable networks, including USA, TNT and TBS, Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime have also sent out informal inquiries, THR says.

Under a settlement with NBC announced Thursday, O’Brien will be free to start elsewhere on Sept. 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Attention HBO: Cast Rosie O'Donnell as John Edwards Wife Elizabeth, and Sarah Palin as Herself

HBO has optioned the rights to the book "Game Change" about the 2008 presidential race. The book is co-written by Mark Halperin, who spoke to the New York Post's Page Six this morning. 

According to the article, no one in the book comes off worse than "Elizabeth Edwards, whose public persona as a stoic cancer victim ("St. Elizabeth") was wildly at odds with her shrill haughtiness."

So when Page Six asked Halperin who should play her in the HBO movie, he replied, "I like Rosie O'Donnell."

And when asked by Page Six who should play Sarah Palin, Halperin said, "Palin could play herself. It seems she's willing to do almost anything for money..."

--Chuck Ross

Fox Confident Majority of Affiliates Could Clear a Conan Show

Fox TV executives think some 60 percent to 70 percent of the network’s local stations would be free to carry a latenight show hosted by Conan O’Brien, Bloomberg reports, citing a source.

Earlier reports suggested that the network’s affiliates might have a difficult time clearing their schedules because of existing contracts for syndicated shows.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Executive Who's Been with Discovery for All of Its 25 Years Explains the DNA of Success

Clark Bunting, who is currently the President and General Manager of the Discovery Channel, was one of company's first employees when it launched 25 years ago.

                                                                               1985 logo

If there's a job he hasn't done at the company it's news to us. He was one of the people who came up with the idea for "Shark Week."

In this lively, penetrating interview with Bunting--part of our salute to Discovery Communications as TVWeek's "Cable TV Programmer of the Decade"--this key executive explains the philosophy and process the company goes through as it decides what programming to put on the air.

Click here to read it.

--Chuck Ross

Leno Hopes to Appear on ‘Oprah’ Next Week

Jay Leno is hoping to grab back some of his reputation as a nice guy with an appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” next week, the New York Post’s Page 6 reports.

An NBC representative said the appearance is still under discussion.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Rob Lowe Leaving ‘Brothers & Sisters,’ but Maybe Not ABC

Rob Lowe left “The West Wing” after four seasons, and now he’s doing the same with ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Lowe started on the show, playing Sen. Robert McCallister, as a recurring character but quickly became a regular.

ABC said it would like to find a way to keep Lowe at the network. Entertainment President Steve McPherson said in a statement that "We feel he should be anchoring his own franchise. We are in talks now."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nielsen Disputes Study That Says Youth TV Viewing is Down

Nielsen is disputing the results of a new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation which found that live TV viewing by youths between the ages of 8 and 18 had dropped by 25 minutes per day in the last five years, Multichannel News reports.

Nielsen said its digital meters showed that viewing by the group during the five-year period had actually gone up, by a few minutes.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Trouble for Another 'Two and a Half Men' Star; Did Worries About a Hit Man Cause Taping To be Done Without a Live Audience Last Week?

The FBI has been called in to investigate a death threat alleged by a star of CBS' "Two and a Half Men."

Jon Cryer, who co-stars with Charlie Sheen in the series, has asked the FBI investigate his allegations of a hit man engaged by his ex-wife, according to TMZ.com and CBSNews.com.

Cryer and his ex are engaged in a bitter custody battle, prompting the acrimony. Cryer believed a hitman was stalking him and contacted the authorities for protection. Last week's studio taping of the CBS sitcom had to be done without a live audience for security reasons.

This week's taping will also be sans an audience, but "creative reasons" are being cited, TMZ said.

Sheen was recently jailed briefly after being arrested in Aspen for allegedly threatening to kill his wife.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Supreme Court’s Decision on Political Ads Could Mean Station Windfall

The Supreme Court’s Thursday decision that lifts restrictions on how much corporations and unions can spend on campaign ads could lead to a windfall for local TV stations, B&C reports.

Just how much more money will flow to local stations is unclear, however, because many groups have found their way around the restrictions in the past.

Democrats criticized the ruling, saying it will vastly increase special interest spending on the airwaves.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Charlie Sheen’s Wife in ICU, Likely Delaying Domestic Violence Hearing

Charlie Sheen's wife was in an intensive care unit Wednesday as a result of an infection following oral surgery, a development which might delay a court hearing in the domestic violence case against the actor, the Associated Press reports.

The prosecutor's office in Aspen, Colo., allowed Sheen, the star of CBS' "Two and a Half Men," to visit his wife in the hospital, despite a court order that they stay away from each other following the Christmas Day incident in which Sheen was accused of threatening his wife with a knife. He denied it.

The court order was to have been discussed at a Friday hearing but it is uncertain the hearing will take place.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Mischa Barton’s NYC Landlord Wants Her to Pay Up

Mischa Barton's landlord has sued the actress in an effort to collect three months’ back rent on her $7,000-a-month New York City apartment, the Associated Press reports.

According to the lawsuit, Barton rented the apartment in the Tribeca neighborhood beginning in September, when she was starring in the CW’s "The Beautiful Life," which turned out to be short-lived.

Her representatives didn’t immediately comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Beyonce, Madonna Join Haiti Telethon Lineup; Leonardo DiCaprio Pledges $1 Million

Beyonce and Madonna joined the already star-studded list of performers for Friday’s "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon, the Associated Press reports.

Denzel Washington, Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and former President Bill Clinton are now expected to participate, as well.

Even before the telethon, DiCaprio announced that he is donating $1 million to one of the telethon’s beneficiaries, the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund, which is being led by Clinton and former President George W. Bush.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Scripps’ Food and HGTV Settle Retrans Feud with Cablevision

Scripps Networks Interactive’s Food Network and HGTV are back on Cablevision’s 3 million New York-area homes, ending a three-week blackout while the two sides battled over how much the channels were worth, The New York Times reports.

No terms were released. According to reports, Scripps had been demanding about 25 cents per month per subscriber for the Food Network, nearly three times more than its typical distributor deal. The figures for HGTV were less.

Cablevision rival Verizon FiOS said it added new customers because of the standoff.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Sets March 1 for Leno's 'Tonight Show' Resurrection

NBC has announced that Jay Leno will resume hosting “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” from 11:35 p.m.-12:35 a.m. beginning March 1.

“Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” will remain in the 12:35 a.m.-1:35 a.m. slot, where it was before Conan O'Brien's departure as "Tonight Show" host.

Jeff Gaspin, chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, said in a statement, "We’re pleased that Jay is returning to host the franchise that he helmed brilliantly and successfully for many years.” .

Also, according to The New York Times, NBC will rerun episodes of O'Brien's "Tonight," not Leno's, between Jan. 25 and Feb. 12.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Cowell Enlists Boyle, Lewis for Haiti Aid Initiative

"American Idol's" Simon Cowell said that he is organizing a celebrity recording to raise funds for Haitian relief, reports People magazine.

Simon, who announced the recording at he National Television Awards in London on Wednesday, has enlisted Susan Boyle and Leona Lewis, among others, to take part.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Huge Viewership for Fox News on Election Night

Coverage of the Massachusetts election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was a ratings winner for Fox News, according to Huffington Post.

Fox News drew 6.161 million total viewers in prime time, trouncing competition; CNN drew 1.503 million total viewers, MSNBC pulled 1.138 million total viewers and HLN attracted 668,000.

The election was won by Republican Scott Brown, who defeated Democrat Martha Coakley.

-- Allison J. Waldman

More Food, HGTV on NYC’s WPIX

With no resolution of the standoff in the carriage battle between Cablevision Systems and Scripps Networks Interactive's Food Network and HGTV, reruns of some shows from the networks will again air on the New York station WPIX on Sunday.

Reruns of HGTV’s “House Hunters” and “House Hunters International” will air from 5-6 p.m. and a rerun of Food Network’s “Iron Chef America” will air 7-8 p.m. WPIX is owned by Tribune Broadcasting, a minority owner of Food Network.

The networks came off Cablevision’s New York area systems on Jan. 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nervous Time for Oprah: Author Who Accused Bush of Using Cocaine, Reagan of Date Rape and Sinatra and Nancy Reagan of an Affair Has Unauthorized Bio of Oprah Coming Out in April

A tell-all biography of a TV uber-star will hit bookstalls in the spring, according to the Huffington Post.

Crown Books has just announced April 13 as the release date for "Oprah: A Biography," an unauthorized tome about the life of TV icon Oprah Winfrey by Kitty Kelley, who previously penned controversial tell-alls about Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan, Jackie Onassis, the Bush family and Frank Sinatra.

In 1986, Sinatra sued Kelley in an unsuccessful effort to stop the release of her book about him.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Zombies and Crime Pilots for AMC

AMC ordered pilots for what would be its fourth and fifth original series — if they get that far — one about zombies and the other a crime show, reports Multichannel News.

“The Walking Dead” is based on Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, while “The Killing” is based on the popular Danish series called "Forbrydelsen."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox News’ Megyn Kelly Gets Her Own Show

Megyn Kelly, just back from maternity leave, is getting her own afternoon show on Fox News, the Huffington Post reports.

She’ll leave the morning “America's Newsroom" which she cohosts with Bill Hemmer, and take over the 1-3 p.m. slot now occupied by “The Live Desk.”

“Live Desk” co-host Martha MacCallum will take Kelly’s place as co-host of the morning show.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Conan, NBC Break-Up Done; Cost is $45 Million

Conan O’Brien’s divorce from NBC is final, and the network announced on “Today” that it will pay him more than $33 million in severance with about $12 million going to his staff, the Associated Press reports.

The $45 million deal was held up over the issue of severance for the staff, but O’Brien’s manager Gavin Polone told The Wrap that "In the end, Conan was appreciative of the steps NBC made to take care of his staff and crew and decided to supplement the severance they were getting out of his own pocket."

O’Brien will be able to work elsewhere by Sept. 1, but he won’t be able to immediately badmouth NBC in interviews because both sides agreed to a period of silence.

--Elizabeth Jensen

OMG & Wow: An Article Back in 2008 Quoted a Latenight Source as Saying the Plan is to Keep Leno at NBC 'so if Conan fails on ‘The Tonight Show’ they will put Jay right back in there'

We've always known that James Hibberd, our former TVWeek colleague, is one of the best reporters around, but the following reportage astounds even us!

Back in December, 2008, after Hibberd left us for The Hollywood Reporter, he wrote a piece quoting a "well placed late-night source"  who explained that Leno was being kept at NBC in case Conan didn't pull numbers and the network could then replace O'Brien with Leno.

In a piece published on Dec. 9, 2008--on the occasion of NBC announcing Leno's move to 10 p.m.--Hibberd said he had spoken to the source in June, 2008, who had told Hibberd this:

"They [NBC] will try to keep Jay in the fold so if Conan fails on ‘The Tonight Show’ they will put Jay right back in there. Jeff Zucker will call Jay into his office with big wink and say, 'if you say it publicly I’ll deny it, but if Conan fails, I want you back.' That’s just the way NBC works. Back when Dave and Jay were fighting over 'The Tonight Show,’ they tried to see if they could do the same thing. That’s what they’re going to try and do here with Jay and Conan, only they are more likely to pull it off this time. One of the most important things to remember about NBC, is they had Coke with Carson. There was no Pepsi. They gave birth to Dave, then they suddenly had a cola war. They cannot bear the idea of Conan or Jay going across the street."

Very impressive. Kudos, James.

--Chuck Ross

Video: Conan Continues To Stick it To NBC in His 'Tonight Show' Comedy Bits--This One's From Last Night (Wed., Jan 20th)

How to Keep Having Fun Watching TV About Latenight Once Conan Leaves NBC and All the Jokes About the NBC Situation Stop Flying

With Conan O'Brien's lkely departure from "The Tonight Show" tomorrow night (Friday, Jan. 22), all the jokes about NBC's latenight fiasco will likely fade away.

The problem with that is that for the last several weeks it's the most fun a lot of us have had watching the latenight time period in years.

Fear not, loyal TVWeek reader, for Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross has the answer to our woes with a plan to keep us laffing. Click here and the plan shall be revealed.

--Tom Gilbert

The Recipe to Following Up 'Jon & Kate': A Baker, Some Police Women and a Few Little People, Of Course

Consider this dilemma. You take over a cable network whose ratings have plummeted 30%. Miraculously, you turn it around and ratings jump 43%. Then, your No.1 show self-destructs under the glare of the nation's media. How do you rebuild from there?

If you're Eileen O'Neill, the smart, hard-working, never-say-die chief of TLC, you get a baker, some police women and a few little people.

It's all in today's interview with O'Neill, part of our salute to Discover Communications as TVWeek's
"Cable TV Programmer of the Decade."

O'Neill, a Discovery veteran, was asked to turn TLC around in July, 2008. With the help of "Jon & Kate Plus EIght," a show she helped develop at Discovery Health when she ran that network, O'Neill did indeed improve the fortunes of TLC.

Of course what happened next was played out in our living rooms for the latter half of last year, as the marriage of Jon and Kate Gosselin fell apart.

Now, the really hard part: how TLC grows without the eight. Click here to read our interview.

--Chuck Ross

Steve Harvey To Host Classic Game Show

Comedian Steve Harvey is stepping into the host role at a syndicated classic game show, the Associated Press reports.

He’ll take over on "Family Feud" in the fall, replacing actor John O'Hurley, who has been hosting the show for four seasons. The show is distributed by Debmar-Mercury.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Ted Koppel Not Headed to ABC News’ ‘This Week’

Ted Koppel won’t be returning to ABC News as the replacement for George Stephanopoulos on “This Week,” B&C reports.

Sources told B&C that talks ended without an offer, noting that ABC News President David Westin was irked because he believed Koppel’s side had leaked news of the talks, and that Koppel had insisted that his long-time producer Tom Bettag come with him, while ABC wanted to keep current EP Ian Cameron.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Orders More of its Current Shows to Fill Hours

NBC gave a number of its existing shows additional episode orders, as it looks to fill five extra hours of primetime when Jay Leno moves back to late night, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

"Law & Order" and spinoff “SVU” will add several episodes each, while “Trauma” gets four more originals. Thursday comedies "Community" and "Parks & Recreation" each got a few extras, as well.

--Elizabeth Jensen

A&E Reality Show for David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff left one show and is jumping into another, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor recently left his judge post at NBC's "America's Got Talent." Now he’ll star in a 10-episode A&E reality series.

The new series will track his efforts to help his teenage daughters break into the recording business.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Congress Sets Comcast-NBCU Hearing

Congress set a Feb. 4 hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee's antitrust subcommittee to review Comcast Corp.’s proposed deal to take majority control of NBC Universal, the Los Angeles Times reports.

NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts are slated to appear; consumer advocates are expected to be called, as well, along with other industry executives.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Springsteen, Bono, Rihanna, Keys, Coldplay, Jay-Z, Sting, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Among Others, Set for TV Benefit Friday Night

There will be an all-star cast of musicians performing for the "Hope for Haiti" telethon, including Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting in New York, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in L.A., and Coldplay, and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in London.

George Clooney will anchor the concert from Los Angeles, with Haitian singer  Wyclef Jean anchoring in New York. CNN's Anderson Cooper will deliver reports from Haiti.

The telethon  will be telecast Friday, Jan. 22 starting at 8 p.m., ET, and it will be almost impossible to miss the show on the TV dial. All the major broadcast networks are on-board, as are the MTV networks, and a slew of other cable nets. 

In a move sure to please millions of viewers, the musician's performances  will also be made available at the Apple iTunes store beginning Saturday, Jan. 23 for $.99 per song, with proceeds benefiting Haiti relief.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Must See Video: Chinese Animation of NBC Latenight Woes. Trust Us, This is Funny

Larry David To Receive WGA Lifetime Achievement Award

The Writers Guild of America will present its Paddy Chayevsky Laurel Award for television to Larry David, creator of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Seinfeld," reports NBC Los Angeles.

David's career achievements will be highlighted at the award ceremony, to be held Feb. 2 in Los Angeles. Previous Laurel winners include Susan Harris ("Soap"), Steven Bochco ("NYPD Blue") and Stephen J. Cannell ("The Rockford Files").

-- Allison J. Waldman

Emeril Returning to Series TV on ION

Former Food Network star Emeril Lagasse is returning to television with a new ION series called "The Emeril Lagasse Show."

As with his previous Food Network program, Lagasse will be cooking, welcoming celebrities and offering music from a live on-set band.

The show debuts in March.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Grammycast to Include 3-D Tribute to Michael Jackson

CBS' broadcast of the Grammy Awards Jan. 31 will include a special tribute to Michael Jackson, featuring Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Celine Dion and Smokey Robinson, and, in a first for the Grammys, a 3-D film clip of Jackson, reports People.

The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences will also give its a lifetime achievement award to Jackson. Glasses required to view the clip in 3-D will be available at Target stores.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TV One to Rerun ABC Family's 'Lincoln Heights'

TV One has acquired the off-network syndication rights to the popular ABC Family' series, "Lincoln Heights," reports Multichannel News. 

Beginning Jan. 25,  TV One will telecast  the first four seasons of the program weeknights at 11 p.m.

"Lincoln Heights" follows the story of an African-American cop who returns to his old neighborhood with his family.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Starz Officially Cancels 'Head Case'

The Ali Wentworth comedy series "Head Case," which premiered in 2007 on Starz, has officially been canceled, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

There is still no word from Starz about the status of "Crash," which is reportedly on the brink of being canned as well.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Summit Adapting 'Push' for Series Pilot

The feature film "Push," which starred Dakota Fanning and Chris Evans, is getting an adaptation for television, according to Digital Spy.

Summit Entertainment is putting the project together, with "Watchmen" screenwriter David Hayter producing and writing the pilot. No word yet on which networks would be interested.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Showtime Finds a Writer for Spielberg Series

The playwright and TV writer Theresa Rebeck will write Showtime’s forthcoming Broadway series, which – if it gets picked up – will track the development of a musical and then actually mount the show, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The series was the idea of Steven Spielberg, who is one of the executive producers.

Rebeck has written for "NYPD Blue," "L.A. Law" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and her play, “The Understudy," is currently running off-Broadway, starring Julie White and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Here's What's Holding Up Conan's Exit Deal

No, it's not true that NBC is so happy about Conan's increased ratings of late that they're having second thoughts, and thinking of keeping Conan but replacing Andy Richter with Jeff Zucker so they can verbally spar and abuse each other on a nightly basis, mano a mano.

The real reason is that Conan O’Brien’s exit deal has been held up as he and NBC haggle over his desire to get severance deals for his “Tonight Show” staff, the Associated Press reports.

The two sides are also still not in agreement on who keeps rights to his comedy bits such as Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog,

O'Brien is "dug in” on the severance for staff, one person on his side said, which prompted a statement from NBC that said "it was Conan's decision to leave NBC that resulted in nearly 200 of his staffers being out of work." The network added that “We have already agreed to pay millions of dollars to compensate every one of them. This latest posturing is nothing more than a PR ploy."

--Chuck Ross and Elizabeth Jensen

What Joe Abruzzese, Ad Sales Executive Extraordinaire, Did That Changed the Ad Game

In 2002, Joe Abruzzese, then the top ad sales executive at the Tiffany Network, CBS, did a most extraordinary thing. He jumped to cable, taking the helm for ad sales at Discovery Communications.

As one top media agency person told TVWeek at the time, "It's a watershed moment. The ad sales departments at the cable networks are filled with former broadcast network managers, but it's an incredible statement that Joey has made leaving CBS, where he was well ensconced as the sitting president of ad sales, his relationship with Mel aside." In the eyes of many, Abruzzese's move legitimitized cable as an ad vehicle in a way it hadn't been before.

The reference to "Mel" is to Mel Karmazin, who was running CBS at the time, and is known as a pretty tough executive. At a 2006 press conference announcing his coming to Discovery, Abruzzese, when asked about Karmazin, said,  "Mel made me better at my job." Then he compared Mr. Karmazin to a football coach, adding, "After practice you're beaten up, but at the end of the day you're a better football player.''
 

Subsequently, over the years, when asked about working for Karmazin, Abruzzese has been oft-quoted as saying that it was like the brutal first 20 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan." Every day.

The reason this anecdote is still worth repeating is that it goes to the core of what Abruzzese is all about. Clearly one of the best and brightest, he's also big on relationships. Relationships with the buyers and media agency managers up and down Madison Ave., as well as the managers inside the company at which he works.

Today we present our recent interview with Abruzzese as part of our special report in which TVWeek has named Discovery Communications our Cable TV Programmer of the Decade.

In the interview Abruzzese begins by talking about his relationship with the man who runs Discovery these days, David Zaslav--and he even talks a little about Karmazin. Please click here to read it.

--Chuck Ross

Why Judge Refused to Toss the Letterman Alleged Blackmail Case

A Manhattan judge turned down a request by a CBS producer charged with attempting to blackmail David Letterman to throw out the case, the Associated Press reports.

According to the report, "Whether Halderman's conduct amounted to commerce or crime 'is a classic example of an issue that is best left for a trial jury to decide,' Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon wrote.

Producer Robert "Joe" Halderman has been charged with attempted grand larceny for allegedly demanding $2 million in exchange for keeping quiet about the late night host’s personal life.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Conan Books Big Names For What’s Expected to Be Final Week

Conan O’Brien is going for ratings gold this week — which could be his last on NBC — with a big-name guest slate, The New York Times reports.

Friday, which is expected to be his last night, he’ll have Tom Hanks and Will Ferrell.

Tonight, it’s Adam Sandler, Joel McHale and musical guest Joss Stone, while Thursday will bring Robin Williams and musical guest Barry Manilow.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Smarter Than a 5th Grader’ Gets Second Year in Syndication

With NATPE approaching, Twentieth Television renewed “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” for a second season, B&C reports.

Tribune, Fox and Local TV picked up the show again for fall.

Meanwhile, CBS Television Distribution, which has already announced its “Swift Justice With Nancy Grace” as a go for fall, said the show has been cleared in more than 90% of the country.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC Expects to Lose $200 Million on Winter Games

NBC expects to lose $200 million on the upcoming Winter Olympics, The New York Times reports.

The network has itself to blame, the paper said, by far exceeding rival bidders in order to land the rights, and failing to plan for a possible economic downturn.

“Our luck had been good,” NBC Universal Sports chairman Dick Ebersol told the paper. “But we didn’t foresee what would happen to the economy in 2008.” He added, “The rabbit’s foot that was mine, or ours, got lost.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

New Study Says Youth Viewing Dropping

A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that the amount of time that youths ages 8 to 18 spent watching regularly scheduled TV dropped by 25 minutes between 2004 and 2009, B&C reports.

That’s the first time viewing has dropped. Nonetheless, TV remains a big factor in the kids’ lives, accounting for 4 hours and 29 minutes of media time per day; followed by music and audio (2 hours 31 minutes); computers (1:29); video games (1:13); print (38 minutes), and movies (25 minutes.)

--Elizabeth Jensen

Is This New Ad DVR-Proof?

The virtual phone system company Grasshopper says it has come up with a DVR-proof ad, reports Adgabber.

Viewers can still fast-forward through it, of course, but the company’s grasshopper mascot named Gary stays visible and immobile in center screen throughout the whole ad, so viewers see the image even when the ad is playing at hyper-speed.

The ad debuts Monday or it’s available on the Adgabber.com site now.

--Elizabeth Jensen

New Strategy for MyNetworkTV Seems to Be Working

MyNetworkTV’s syndication-based programming strategy, introduced last fall, seems to be working, B&C reports.

The primetime audience is up 28% in viewers compared to a year ago, according to Executive VP Paul Franklin, although the audience remains small at an average 2.3 million season-to-date. Affiliates that B&C talked to said they were happy with the lineup.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MGM Attracts More Than Half-Dozen Offers

More than a half-dozen offers have come in to buy all or part of MGM, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

None of the bids reached $2 billion, but they were high enough that the process will continue to a second round.

--Elizabeth Jensen

FCC Extends Deadline for Comment on Kids TV Content-Control

The FCC has agreed to a request by advertisers to extend the deadline to comment on its inquiry into kids TV content-control strategies in a digital world, B&C reports.

The American Association of Advertising Agencies, the American Advertising Federation, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative and the Children's Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureau had asked for an extended deadline.

The FCC is looking into a wide range of issues, from obesity to indecency to ratings and program blocking.

The deadline had been Friday; it will now be Feb. 24.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Big Numbers for Nick’s ‘Big Time Rush’

Nickelodeon’s Jan. 18 debut of “Big Time Rush” was the network’s highest-rated and most-watched live-action Nick series premiere, Multichannel News reports.

It benefited from a lead-in from a new episode of “iCarly,” which drew its best numbers ever.

The “iCarly” episode attracted 11.2 million viewers at 8 p.m.; “Big Time Rush,” a comedy about four friends who join the L.A. pop scene, followed with an average 6.8 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Video: Oscar-Winning Director Offers Conan Part in Upcoming HBO Series (You too, Andy)

Fox Developing U.S. Version of Huge U.K. Ratings Hit -- Think '24' With Aliens (and People You Really Respect Who've Seen the U.K. Version Will Tell You It's Really Good!)

One of the most popular science fiction dramas from the U.K.'s BBC is being developed as a new American TV series by Fox, according to James Hibberd's Live Feed at The Hollywood Reporter.

BBC Worldwide Productions is developing the series "Torchwood," and Russell Davies, who created the British version, is working on the screenplay.

"Torchwood" is a spinoff of “Doctor Who,” about a group of agents who are tasked with fighting alien infiltration of Earth. But the show is not a comedy.

Hibberd, who cut his TV chops here at TVWeek before moving on to THR,  is one of those in the industry we really respect, and here what he says about "Torchwood" and its related mini-series, "Children of Earth" : "If you're a fan of serious sci fi such as 'Battlestar Galatica' and haven't seen 'Children of Earth,' rent it. You don't need to know anything about the series. And I know the previews for "Torchwood" can look silly. Trust me, it's terrific. Like '24' with aliens." 

-- Allison J. Waldman and Chuck Ross

It's OK If This Death Makes You Say You're Sorry -- Author of Huge 1970s Tearjerker Dies

The author of a 1970s novel that created a sensation and flew off bookstore shelves died of a heart attack Sunday in London, reports The New York Times.

Erich Segal, 72, wrote “Love Story,” about a Harvard student's romance with a Radcliffe student, which started out as a movie script and was fashioned into a best-selling 1970 novel that later that year was adapted into a blockbuster motion picture.

Segal followed up with a sequel to the novel in 1977, "Oliver's Story," and the screenplay for the subsequent movie version.

He was also co-writer of the screenplay for the Beatles’ movie “Yellow Submarine” and served as script supervisor on numerous European productions, including a French TV series.

Segal also was a classics scholar who taught at Harvard, Yale, Princeton and Oxford universities.

He had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for 25 years.

-- Tom Gilbert

'Law & Order: SVU' Star Among Chorus of Leno Bashers

Mariska Hargitay, star of the NBC' drama "Law & Order: SVU," has a theory for why the show has been slipping in the ratings this season, and it's all about being moved out of the 10 p.m. hour that Jay Leno's been hogging, reports People.com.

Citing an interview in the February issue of More magazine, People quotes Hargitay as saying that "SVU" lost audience when it was moved to 9 p.m. "Nobody knew when the show was on. …I hope we go back to where we belong. It was doing so well. Why mess with it?"

-- Allison J. Waldman

ESPN Acquires Tech Development Company

ESPN has acquired Plano, Texas-based technology development company Vistas Unlimited, which makes technology that enables the insertion of advertisements or graphic enhancements into live coverage of sporting events, reports B&C.

The network said it will use the technology across multiple platforms.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Taxi' Star Seriously Injured in Home Accident

An actor who starred in the ABC series "Taxi" suffered serious injuries when he fell down a staircase in his home Monday, reports TMZ.com.

Jeff Conaway, well known for his role as Bobby on the 1978-82 sitcom, was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with a broken hip, a broken arm, a fractured neck and a brain hemorrhage.

He more recently appeared on the VH1 reality series "Celebrity Rehab."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Simon Cowell Inks Record Deal With Sony

Sony Music Entertainment has entered into a joint venture with Simon Cowell's company, Syco, which will begin with the launch of Cowell'sTV show "The X Factor" in the U.S. on Fox next year, reports BBC News.

The venture will cover the distribution of recordings from Syco artists and shows, which include foreign versions of "X Factor" and the "Got Talent" TV format.

Sony has a past relationship with Cowell, who expressed enthusiasm over the new partnership, saying, "I'm delighted we are launching this venture together."

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBA Channel to Serve Up Free Game Offer to Digital Cable Viewers

With the pro basketball season at the half-way point, the NBA Channel has come up with a promotion to lure cable watchers to buy the NBA League Pass for the remainder of the season, according to Multichannel News.

Digital cable consumers on Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, Cox and Bright House Networks, plus a number of smaller MSOs, will get a free preview of the League Pass from Jan. 18-24. That includes the stats channel, HD feeds, out-of-market games, replays, dual feeds, a mosaic channel, broadband access. The price to order the package now is $99.

--Allison J. Waldman

Will CBS Let Neil Patrick Harris Guest on Fox's 'Glee'?

"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy would like to get "How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris singing and dancing on his Fox show with Joss Whedon directing, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Murphy has a story in mind and talks are ongoing, but CBS would have to allow Harris to do a show on a competiting network.

Whedon directed Harris in the Internet musical hit "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Zucker on Charlie Rose Show--Rose: NBC in 'Shambles'; Zucker: That's 'Unfair'

In an interview on PBS’ “Charlie Rose” on Monday, NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker said he had shown leadership and “guts” in his handling of the Jay Leno-Conan O’Brien drama, Reuters reports.

He said his job was to take chances, noting, "Nothing tried, nothing gained."

When Rose opened the show saying that NBC was in "shambles," Zucker's immediate retort was that that assessment was "unfair" to the people who worked at the company.

In hindsight, Zucker said  the move of Leno to prime time was a mistake, adding "And I think it's the sign of a leader to step up and say, you know, when something's not working, to have the guts to reverse it. Leadership is about taking chances and taking risks. And also, leadership is about acknowledging when they don't work."

To watch the entire interview, and or read a complete transcript of the interview, click here, which will take you to the webite of the 'Charlie Rose Show.'.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

CBS Won't Let Episodes of Show Starring One of Johnny Carson's Idols Be Put Out on DVD

Two dozen recently rediscovered episodes of the long-running series starring one of Johnny Carson's idols won’t be released from the vault to be put on DVDs because CBS won’t let them, the New York Post reports.

The series is the classic "Jack Benny Show." Carson made no secret about how much he admired Benny.

Laura Leff, president of The International Jack Benny Fan Club, told the paper that the fan club had offered to pay for the digital transfer and preservation of the episodes, but CBS refused, citing unspecified issues that Leff thought were costs associated with potential musical copyrights.

The episodes were discovered in 2008; the show aired from 1950-64.

The paper didn’t say what CBS’ comment was.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Video: Conan's Monday Monologue Nasties About NBC

Video: Leno's Sit Down Talk with Viewers Last Night: What NBC Did, No Amimosity Towards Conan

Problem: How to Make a 24-Hour TV Network Out of Environmentalism. Solution--Great Story Telling and This Mantra: 'Green is a Fad. Sustainability is Forever'

Today's entry in our salute to TVWeek's "Cable TV Programmer of the Decade"--Discovery Communications--is a look at Planet Green through the prism belonging to the channel's President and General Manager, Laura Michalchyshyn.

She arrived at Discovery from the Sundance Channel last March, and a number of her changes at Planet Green are about to come on-air.

In this perceptive and enjoyable interview, Michalchyshyn reveals how she's gone about changing Planet Green. Click here.

President’s State of the Union Address May Get ‘Idol’ Lead-In

The White House picked 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27, for President Obama's State of the Union address, which would likely mean he’ll get a lead-in on Fox from “American Idol,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

“Idol” is scheduled to air at that hour, but the network is likely to move it to 8 p.m., bumping the new “Human Target.”

Other networks didn’t have final plans because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, but NBC is expected to preempt "Law & Order: SVU" and "The Jay Leno Show."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Judge to Rule Today on Whether Letterman Case Gets Tossed

A Manhattan judge is expected to rule today on a request to have the case against David Letterman’s accused blackmailer tossed, the Associated Press reports.

CBS producer Robert "Joe" Halderman, who faces criminal charges in the case, has asked for the attempted grand larceny charge to be dismissed.

Halderman could face as much as 15 years in prison if convicted.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Uri Geller Sues CNN Over Michael Jackson Report

Spoon-bending mentalist Uri Geller is suing CNN because it reported he betrayed his friend Michael Jackson for $200,000, the New York Post reports.

The lawsuit was filed in Britain, where libel laws are looser than in the U.S.

He claims CNN ran an interview with Jackson’s dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, and in the interview Klein accused Geller of taking money to talk to Martin Bashir for his 2003 documentary, portions of which aired on ABC’s “Nightline.” Geller denies he was paid.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ESPN, Microsoft, Held Talks About an Xbox Live Deal

Microsoft held in-depth talks with Walt Disney Co. about a deal to put ESPN programming on the subscription gaming service Xbox Live, The New York Times reports, citing sources.

No deal is imminent, the paper said, and the companies declined to comment. Possible programming options would be subscription living streaming of sports events, and interactive ESPN-branded games.

Microsoft wants consumers to think of the service as a cable channel, not just a gaming console.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Public Television Mainstay Ends After 15 Years

Public television’s “Think Tank With Ben Wattenberg” will end production at the end of the month, after 15 years on the air, Current.org reports.

The public affairs program said it hasn’t been able to raise money to keep production going. Wattenberg said he hopes to bring the show back when the economy turns around.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nat Geo Channel Grabs Afghanistan Doc

National Geographic Channel has acquired exclusive global broadcast rights to a feature-length documentary about U.S. troops on the frontlines in Afghanistan, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

"Restrepo," which will premiere on the opening night of the Sundance festival, is based on Sebastian Junger's latest book, called “War,” and comes from Junger and photojournalist Tim Hetherington.

Theatrical rights have yet to be sold. The move is expected to air on Nat Geo in the fall.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Larry King’s Haiti Fundraiser Pulls in $5 Million

Larry King’s two-hour Monday show soliciting funds to help Haitian earthquake victims raised $5 million for UNICEF and the American Red Cross, TVNewser reports.

Jared Leto paid $1,000 for the suspenders King was wearing.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Is a Cowell-Abdul Reunion in the Works?

Simon Cowell is in talks with his former fellow “American Idol” judge Paula Abdul to have her join his new “The X Factor,” reports The Hollywood Reporter.

He’s also talking to Cheryl Cole, who currently is a judge with him on the U.K. version of the show. The U.S. version launches on Fox in 2011.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Globes Ratings Up 10% From Last Year

NBC's telecast of the 67th annual Golden Globes drew 16.9 million total viewers and a 5.4 rating among adults 18-49, up 10% from last year's edition and good for the network's best performance in the time period, aside from sports, in five years, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The return of Fox's "24" and a preview of that network's new drama "Human Target" performed well enough in the Nielsen Sunday night. "Human Target," with 10.1 million total viewers and a 2.9 among adults 18-49 at 8 p.m.

The two-hour "24" return at 9 p.m. drew 11.4 million total viewers and pulled a 3.8 rating, solid but down 12% from last year.

CBS was propelled to win the night, however, by the AFC playoffs overrun.

--Tom Gilbert

Will This Popular CBS Talent Finally Find a Series That Runs?

CBS is determined to find a television series for a popular star of two of its failed series, reports Entertainment Weekly.

CBS is in talks with Alex O'Loughlin, the lead from canceled efforts "Moonlight" and "Three Rivers," to join its remake of "Hawaii Five-O" just greenlighted this morning, EW says.

CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler expressed the network's desire to keep O’Loughlin on the CBS roster, telling television critics at the TCA presentation, “We love him and want him to stay around a long time.”

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Snags Jennifer Lopez for 'Glee' Guest Spot

"Glee" creator Ryan Murphy has revealed that Jennifer Lopez will be guesting on the show later this year, reports Extra.

Murphy told the Extra reporter at last night's Golden Globe Awards ceremony that a role has been written for Lopez on the Fox series. "We want her to be a cafeteria lady," said Murphy.

-- Allison J. Waldman

A&E Wants More From The Jacksons

Based on the performance of the first season of "The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty," A&E has asked for more from Michael Jackson's brothers, according to TMZ.

The Jackson Brothers have yet to respond to the network's offer of a second season. The season finale  of "The Jacksons" airs Jan. 24.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Strong Advance Sampling for SyFy's 'Galactica' Prequel

To boost the premiere of SyFy's "Caprica,' the new prequel to "Battlestar Galactica," the network boldly made the previews of the two-hour premiere available in a variety of ways, giving viewers numerous chances to sample the science fiction program, reports Multichannel News.

When the show premieres Jan. 22, some 1.5 million viewers will have seen the pilot on Hulu, Syfy.com, DVD, FOD (free on demand) and via Apple and Amazon downloads, or at film-festival screenings.

-- Allison J. Waldman

FX Sets Premiere Date for 'Justified'

The new Timothy Olyphant drama, "Justified" will premiere on FX March 16 at 10 p.m., according to The Futon Critic.

The series, which was originally called "Lawman," is based on a character created by novelist Elmore Leonard. It is a contemporary western about U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens reluctantly returning to his Kentucky hometown.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Mad Men' Star to Guest on 'Ugly Betty'

One of the stars of AMC's "Mad Men" will be guesting on ABC's "Ugly Betty" in March, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Actor Rich Sommer will play a potential love interest for Betty, a "Seth Rogen-type" fire fighter whose night out with Betty turns into the date from hell.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Could Conan Land on Cable?

Add a cable network to the list of those who’d like to offer a new home to NBC’s Conan O’Brien, B&C reports.

FX Networks head John Landgraf said he’d jump at an O’Brien show for his network “in a heartbeat," although he acknowledged that the economics of such a move probably made more sense for a broadcast network. Sister Fox network has already expressed interest in O’Brien, although Fox affiliates might have a hard time clearing their late-night schedules of the syndicated shows they now run.

--Elizabeth Jensen

AMC Developing Mini About Teapot Dome Scandal, From ‘John Adams’ Writer

AMC is developing a miniseries, "Black Gold: The Teapot Dome Scandal,” about the 1920s Teapot Dome scandal, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Kirk Ellis (HBO’s “John Adams”) is adapting the project from Laton McCartney’s non-fiction book about the political scandal, in which big oil companies masterminded Warren G. Harding’s election to the presidency.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Children of Former Talk Show Host Say Their Father All But Abandoned Them

His TV talk show focused on family and social responsibility but in his personal life, Montel Williams is “like a stranger,” Williams’ children charged in an interview with the New York Daily News.

Williams and his ex-wife have been battling over custody of their two children, a boy and a girl, ages 16 and 14, respectively, for ten years. The children told the paper that while Williams, who now hosts a radio show and writes books, pays  $18,700 a month in child support, he doesn’t give them any emotional support. One said: "Everyone knows him as a great guy, but he's not making the best choices as a parent."

Williams declined to comment to the paper, except to say that "I love my children very much. I do not believe parenting is best done in a public forum and I will not comment on ongoing legal action involving my minor children."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Zucker Takes Responsibility for Leno’s 10 p.m. Failure; Fred Silverman, a Former NBC Programming Chief, Calls In-Fighting 'A Corporate Embarrassment’

NBC Universal head Jeff Zucker said he takes responsibility for the failure of Jay Leno’s prime time program, The New York Times reports.

“At the end of the day Jay at 10 o’clock didn’t work,” Mr. Zucker told The Times, “and I take responsibility for that.”

In a lengthy front-page story, The Times said that executive missteps compounded by the economic challenges facing network television have brought NBC from the heights of success to “shambles.”

Fred Silverman, who has overseen programming at ABC, NBC and CBS during his career, told the paper: “Now they have a situation that — I’ve never seen anything like it.” He called all the sniping “a corporate embarrassment” and the plan to move Leno back to late night a “Mickey Mouse scheme.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Deal Set for Conan and His Staff to Leave NBC with $40 Million

The basic outlines of Conan O’Brien’s exit from NBC were set Sunday night, Jan. 17th,  The New York Times reports.

The settlement includes a payment of about $40 million, a portion of which will go to the comedian’s staff members. O’Brien will also be able to work at another network by September, and possible sooner.

--Elizabeth Jensen

VIDEO: More Must See TV: On Friday Night, Leno and Conan Traded Barbs. Sample Line: Conan--'NBC Thinks I'm Such an Idiot They Now Want Me to Run The Network.' Hi-Yoooo!

Golden Globes: 'Glee,' 'Mad Men' Best Shows; Lots of Zingers Directed at NBC Late Night Situation

As "Glee" and "Mad Men" took the Best Comedy/Musical TV Series and Best Drama TV Series awards at the Golden Globe awards Sunday night, NBC, which broadcast the show, was the subject of a number of barbs.

The list of Golden Globe winners is below.

Here's a list of the barbs directed at NBC, compiled by Curt Wagner on his Show Patrol website at ChicagoNow and TMZ:

[NBC TV star] Tina Fey before the show on the Red Carpet: "It's not rain; it's just the sky crying for NBC."
Tom Hanks before the show on the Red Carpet: NBC said it was going to rain at 10, but they moved it to 11:30.
Julia Roberts before the show on the Red Carprt: NBC, you guys are in the toilet.
[Golden Globe show host] Ricky Gervais: "I will be making the most of this opportunity. I'm not used to these sort of viewer figures. Let's face it, nor is NBC."
Ricky Gervais: "Let's get on with it before NBC replaces me with Jay Leno."
Julianna Margulies [during her acceptance speech as Best Actress for "The Good Wife" on CBS]: "I'd just to like to thank [CBS executives] Leslie Moonves and Nina Tassler for believing in the 10 o'clock drama."
Arnold Schwarzenegger: "I've seen ["Avatar" director James Cameron's] deal, the only way that he can actually make more money than that is by being hired by NBC ... or being fired by NBC."

Here's the complete list of Golden Globe winners:

TV Winners:

Best TV Series Comedy or Musical: "Glee"
Best TV Series - Drama: "Mad Men"
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical: Toni Collette for "United States of T.A.R.A."
Best Actor in a TV Series Comedy or Musical: Alec Baldwin for "30 Rock"
Best Actress in a TV Series Drama: Julianna Margulies for "The Good Wife"
Best Actor in a TV Series Drama: Michael C. Hall for "Dexter"
Best Mini-Series or TV Movie: "Grey Gardens"
Best Actress in a TV Mini-Series or Movie: Drew Barrymore for "Grey Gardens"
Best Actor in a TV Mini-Series or Movie: Kevin Bacon for "Taking Chances"
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series, Mini Series or TV Movie - Chloe Sevigny for "Big Love"
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series, Comedy or Musical: John Lithgow for "Dexter"

Movie Winners:

Best Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: "The Hangover"
Best Motion Picture Drama: "Avatar"
Best Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: Meryl Streep for "Julie & Julia"
Best Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Musical: Robert Downey Jr., "Sherlock Holmes"
Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama: Sandra Bullock "The Blind Side"
Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart"
Best Supporting Actress : Mo'Nique for "Precious"
Best Supporting Actor, Motion Picture: Christoph Waltz for "Inglourious Basterds"
Best Director: James Cameron for "Avatar
Best Screenplay - Motion Picture: Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner for "Up in the Air"
Best Animated Film: "Up"
Best Foreign Language Film: "The White Ribbon" (Germany)
Best Original Song - Motion Picture: "The Weary Kind," theme from "Crazy Heart"
Best Original Score - Motion Picture: Michael Giachinno for "Up"
Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement: Martin Scorsese

--Chuck Ross

Being Allowed to Fail May be Behind the Success of Animal Planet

We continue our series of interviews with the top executives of Discovery Communicaions, TVWeek's "Cable TV Programmer of the Decade."

Today we speak with Marjorie Kaplan, who's been with Discovery for 13 years, the last three overseeing a major transformation at Animal Planet.

Under Kaplan's leadership Animal Planet is not the same channel it was for its first ten years. Then, the channel was watched by grandparents and their grandchildren. But the Animal Planet of today is not your grandparents AP.

A perfect example: Here's Animal Planet's description of a new show that just debuted on the channel last night, Jan. 16th:

"Pit Boss," premiering Sunday Jan. 16 at 10 p.m. Shorty Rossi, a former actor who's now an entertainment guru and devoted pit bull rescuer, has recruited three pals to help him with the often difficult task of rehabilitating pit bulls. This breed, as we know too well, has long suffered from a bad reputation, and when the dogs have been mistreated or neglected, their road to recovery--and trust in humans--is a rough one. Shorty, who heads Shortywood Productions, a talent management company for little people, asked his friends/employees Ashley, Ronald and Sebastian to work with the dogs. And as the cameras will show, the dogs' size is just one more challenge for Shorty and company, all of whom are little people.

An engaging mix of documentary and soap opera, with a healthy dose of show biz, "Pit Boss" brings you six episodes of a unique dog-and-human partnership.

Please click here to read our entertaining and informative interview with Marjorie Kaplan, President and General Manager, Animal Planet Media Entertpises.

Attention Hollywood Talent: If You've Got a Good TV Idea, Starz' Chris Albrecht Wants to Hear It

New Starz chief Chris Albrecht, who had an award-winning run putting great TV shows on-air at HBO for a number of years, has put out call for talent to bring projects to Starz, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Albrecht told THR, "I hope people who have good ideas will try to get us to hear them."

“Party Down” got a nod of approval from Albrecht, who said the comedy might get an early renewal to get talent on board during pilot season.

Book ‘Em, Danno: CBS Picks Up ‘Hawaii Five-O'

CBS picked up a remake of the classic cop show "Hawaii Five-O," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The series will be some major talent behind it: Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and "CSI: NY" executive producer Peter Lenkov.

Says the article, "Kurtzman and Orci, co-creators/exec producers of Fox's sophomore drama 'Fringe,' know a thing or two about reinvigorating TV series: They recently penned the J.J. Abrams-directed blockbuster 'Star Trek.' Their feature writing credits also include the two 'Transformers' movies and 'Mission: Impossible III.' "

The original aired on CBS from 1968-80.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Copy of Conan's 'Tonight Show' For Sale Ad on Craig's List

Last week Conan O'Brien announced that he'd put the the "Tonight Show" for sale on Craig's list. Here's the ad, cound by the folks at Mashable.com:

email this posting to a friend los angeles craigslist > SF valley > for sale / wanted > collectibles
please flag with care:

4 SALE: BARELY-USED LATE NIGHT TALK SHOW – MAKE ME AN OFFER!!! (Universal Studios)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: 2010-01-13, 3:48PM PST
Reply to: sale-tntdd-1551463643@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a chance of a lifetime to own your very own late night talk show--guaranteed to last for up to seven months!! Really must see to appreciate.

Information for potential buyers:

- Measures 100’ x 100’ x 32’ – plenty of room for a futon!

- Designed for 11:35 but can be easily moved

- Band can be sold separately

- Buyer must honor Barry Manilow booking next Thursday

MAKE ME YOUR BEST OFFER!!!!! (Also willing to trade for Coldplay tickets.)

Location: Universal Studios
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1551463643

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright © 2010 craigslist, inc. terms of use privacy policy feedback forum

--Chuck Ross

TV Critic Goes After Leno and NBC Execs in No Uncertain Terms

President Lyndon Johnson once famously said about his support of the Vietnam War that once he had lost Walter Cronkite he had lost America. Johnson was referring to a report Cronkite once did where he said the war could not be won.

We don't know if this is such a watershed moment in the latenight TV wars, but in a commentary marked by vitriol, longtime TVWeek contributor Aaron Barnhart, the TV Critic for the Kansas City Star, in his latest entry at his popular TVBarn.com website, does not mince words in telling us where he stands in the Leno/O'Brien/NBC spectacle.

Leno Staffers Say Don’t Blame Their Boss

Jay Leno staff members have come to the defense of their boss in the finger-pointing taking place over what caused NBC’s late night drama, reports the Associated Press.

Producer Jack Coen said Leno is “being a good soldier, and he's being trashed," while co-producer Tracie Fiss said “The decisions are made by NBC."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nat Geo Wild Will Launch with Large Slate of Originals

National Geographic Wild, the wildlife channel that replaces the Fox Reality Channel in the spring, will launch with at least five new series and specials, Multichannel News reports.

New shows include a documentary series, “Expedition Wild,” whose first episode will follow naturalist Casey Anderson’s attempts to teach a rescued grizzly bear how to fish. The 13-episode “Rebel Monkeys” will follow a gang of monkeys in Jaipur, India.

The network said it has hundreds of hours of original programming in the works, building off of the wildlife films of National Geographic.

--Elizabeth Jensen

The War of Words Goes On: Conan Camp Rebuts Ebersol

NBC Universal Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol lashed out at Conan O'Brien in The New York Times, saying the comedian himself is responsible for potentially losing his time slot, and now the comedian’s camp is striking back, reports Joe Adalian at The Wrap.

While officially no one in O’Brien’s camp is commenting, one insider told Adalian:
"This is the essence of NBC's problems. Conan O'Brien is losing his job because he didn't take the comedy notes of a 62-year-old sports producer."

When they aren’t slinging insults, Adalian writes, the two sides are continuing to hammer out severance packages for the staff of O’Brien’s show, who may be out of work for several months until the comedian is able to set up a new gig at another network.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Wide Airing for Clooney-Organized Haiti Telethon

"Hope for Haiti," the telethon that George Clooney is organizing and MTV Networks is presenting to help victims of the Haiti earthquake, will air commercial-free on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, The CW, HBO and CMT, as well as the MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1 and BET.

It will also be made available to MTV Networks International, CNN International and National Geographic channels worldwide.

The hosts of the Jan. 22 live event will be Clooney in Los Angeles, Wyclef Jean in New York City and CNN’s Anderson Cooper from Haiti

-- Allison J. Waldman

Confidential Report: Comcast Pledges Not to Discourage Competition

In a confidential report it is using as it meets with legislators and regulators about its acquisition of a controlling stake in NBC Universal, Comcast pledges that it “does not and will not foreclose consumer access to any online Internet content for anticompetitive purposes," B&C reports.

The company also insists that the deal "will have no impact" on cable prices and adds that there is "nothing to [the] rumor" that the NBC network or its local stations will be spun off.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Discovery Teams with Spielberg

Discovery Communications and Steven Spielberg are teaming up on a documentary about rebuilding the site of New York’s World Trade Center, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Titled "Rebuilding Ground Zero," the six-part series is planned for Discovery's Science Channel in 2011, which is two years before the projected completion of what’s being called "Freedom Tower."

--Elizabeth Jensen

TV Guide Network to Keep ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm' Edits to Minimum

When the TV Guide Network premieres the first basic cable run of Larry David's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" in March, it will keep edits to a minimum, reports TV Guide.

The network said that the award-winning HBO series, which ran without commercials on HBO, will not be edited into a half-hour sitcom length; the only edits will be for language and nudity.

-- Allison J. Waldman

‘Damages’ Reveals More Upcoming Casting

Two popular stars from former HBO series, Dominic Chianese from "The Sopranos" and Craig Bierko from "Sex & the City," have been cast on the upcoming third season of FX's "Damages," reports Theatermania.com.

The series returns on Jan. 25. Chianese is slated for a few episodes while Bierko will be a recurring character.

-- Allison J. Waldman

FX's 'Archer' Makes a Strong Debut

FX’s new animated sitcom, "Archer," made a splashy debut Thursday night, drawing 1.8 million total viewers, reports B&C.

Among adults 18-49, "Archer" had 1.2 million viewers.

The performance was better than that for the network’s last new comedy, "The League," which was renewed for a second season.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Ricky Gervais May Guest on NBC's 'The Office'

Ricky Gervais, the original star of the BBC's "The Office," may do a guest turn as David Brent, his character on that show, on NBC's version of "The Office," reports Michael Ausiello in Entertainment Weekly.

If it comes to pass it would be the first time Steve Carell's character, Michael Scott, would be in contact with his alter ego from the Brit show.

-- Allison J. Waldman

New Kids Channel From Discovery and Hasbro Has a Name

Discovery Communications and toy company Hasbro Inc. have settled on a name for the new kids channel they are launching later this year, the Los Angeles Times reports.

It will be called “The Hub,” and will be targeting kids 6 to 12, said Margaret Loesch, president and chief executive. She said other kids networks focus on children either younger or older.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Better Not Seat Rosie O’Donnell Next to Jay Leno Any Time Soon, But Jane Lynch? Yes

Rosie O’Donnell is siding with Conan O’Brien over Jay Leno, the Associated Press reports.

She was at the TV critics’ tour to promote her new HBO documentary but when asked her opinion of the late-night fights she said that it’s time for Leno to step down.

Proclaiming herself an O'Brien fan, she said, "Pass the keys to the new guy with red hair and not try to flatten his tires before he even gets going."

Meanwhile, Access Hollywood reports that she also said she’d love to do a guest stint on Fox's "Glee" as a romantic interest of Jane Lynch's character, Sue Sylvester. “I would like to have a competitive cheerleading team against Jane Lynch, and maybe she and I like fall in love and have a torrid affair," O’Donnell said.

--Allison J. Waldman

NBC's Ebersol: 'What this is really about is an astounding failure by Conan.' O'Brien: 'It's been a real honor to sit in the seat occupied by Steve Allen, Jack Paar, Johnny Carson, Jay Leno and Jay Leno.'

A top NBC executive defended Jay Leno, saying that he is returning to late night because Conan O’Brien’s ratings were disappointing, The New York Times reports.

Dick Ebersol, chairman of NBC Universal Sports, said that “what this is really all about is an astounding failure by Conan.” Ebersol was interviewed by veteran Times' TV reporter Bill Carter.

Ebersol also criticized the verbal zings being thrown on air at NBC this week by O’Brien and CBS’ David Letterman, saying it was “chicken-hearted and gutless to blame a guy you couldn’t beat in the ratings.”

Ebersol has a long history connected with NBC latenight.

According to the Times’ article, "Mr. Ebersol said Mr. Leno had not pushed for any of the changes, not the original decision to guarantee Mr. O’Brien the show five years in advance, nor the plan to put Mr. Leno in prime time

“ 'Jeff and I are big boys,' Mr. Ebersol said, referring to [NBC Universal chief executive Jeff] Zucker. 'When we do something big in the public forum and it doesn’t succeed, we know we’ll be the butt of criticism. But you don’t personally attack someone who hasn’t done anything.' In this case, he added, 'we bet on the wrong guy.' "

On last night's "Tonight Show," Conan continued joking about the situation,opening by saying, "I'm Conan O'Brien, NBC's Employee of the Month."

He also joked that he'd been contacted to star in a porno movie where the idea was for him to make love to an actress and right before climax he'd be replaced by Jay Leno.

And he made the crack in our headline, above, about sitting in the esteemed seat as host of "The Tonight Show."

Ironically, as the Leno/O’Brien controversy has heated up the ratings for "The Tonight Show" have also improved.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Video: Must See TV: Kimmel on Leno (and the Barbs Fly!)

Report: Deal Set for Conan O’Brien to Leave; NBC Won’t Invoke Non-Compete

The deal is set for Conan O’Brien to leave NBC with a payout, and NBC won’t keep him from jumping to another network before his contract expires, according to a report by the veteran--and well-respected--entertainment reporter Kim Masters at The Daily Beast.

There had been earlier reports that NBC would keep O’Brien from appearing on other networks if he left.

Universal film studio head Ron Meyer played a role in forging the deal, according to the report.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: ABC Mulling ‘The View’ as Possible 'Oprah' Replacement

Executives at Disney and ABC are mulling turning the daytime show “The View” into a syndicated program that stations could run as a replacement for “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” TVNewsCheck reports, citing the pay web site NewsBlues.

Another option would be to keep the chatfest on the network but move it to 4 p.m., which is where Oprah’s show airs on the ABC-owned stations, or even 3 p.m., bumping “General Hospital” to a different time slot.

Back on Nov. 6th TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross suggested that "The View" would be a good replacement for Oprah.

Oprah’s show ends after the 2010-11 season.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Tom Gilbert

CBS Renews Two New Dramas

CBS has renewed two of its freshman dramas for a second seasion,  reports The Hollywood Reporter.

One of them was a clear no-brainer: the spinoff "NCIS: LA," which has averaged 16.8 million viewers a week.

Also renewed was "The Good Wife,” which has averaged 13.7 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Everybody STILL Loves Raymond--His TNT Show Gets Renewed

TNT has ordered a second season of the Ray Romano-Andre Braugher-Scott Bakula comedy-drama "Men of A Certain Age” after just five outings on the air.

The network has asked for 10 episodes for the second season. 

At the TCA tour this week in Pasadena, actor Wendell Pierce confirmed that Romano wrote the character that Andre Braugher plays for Pierce.

In one of those six-degrees of separation anecdotes, Pierce said he turned the role down to appear in the upcoming HBO series "Treme."

"Treme" is co-created by David Simon, with whom Pierce worked as one of the stars of Simon's "The Wire" on HBO.

And, Simon noted, Braugher, who got the role on "Men of a Certain Age" after Piece turned it down, was one of the stars that made Simon's "Homicide: Life on the Street" such a success.

-- Allison J. Waldman and Chuck Ross

'Army Wives' Will be Redeployed in April

Lifetime's "Army Wives" is returning for a fourth season on Sunday April 11, at 10 p.m.

The show is a ratings winner for Lifetime. When the show premiered in June, 2007, it garnered the highest rating for a series premiere in the history of Lifetime.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Θα TV δείχνουν να ανανεωθεί: That's Greek for 'Will This TV Show Be Renewed?'

ABC Family has renewed all its scripted programs except for one, which is on the bubble, reports Michael Ausiello at EW.com.

That one exception is "Greek." According to the article, channel executives will be paying close attention to the show’s Jan. 25 premiere ratings as they make their decision.

[Editor's Note: We didn't link to Mr. Ausiello's column because it carries a number of spoilers about other series and it has no additional information about "Greek" other than what we've written here. If you want to go there anyway, despite all of the spoilers about lots of show,  click here.]

--Elizabeth Jensen

http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/01/13/ask-ausiello-spoilers-greys-glee/

Why Henry Schleiff Really Joined Discovery and How He Intends to Grow ID

As part of our special report designating Discovery Communications as our Cable TV Programmer of the Decade, today's entry is an interview with the effervescent  Henry Schleiff, one of the most colorful executives ever in the TV business.

Schleiff, after running Court TV for many years, then ran Crown Media's Hallmark Channel. Now he's at Discovery as President and General Manager for Investigation Discovery (ID), Military Channel and HD Theater.

He calls the stories ID shows "passion plays," though "Often with one side or the other out of kilter, for sure."

Two new ID shows are "Disappeared" and "I (Almost) Got Away With It." New York Post TV Critic Linda Stasi, in her Jan. 11th review of the shows said, "If you can never get enough of real life mysteries, you'll be stuck to your couch like you sat in Crazy Glue with two new 'why didn't somebody think of that before' shows debuting this week."

To read our insightful, illuminating interview with Schleiff, click here.

Local Stations Make Strong Showing at duPont Awards

Six local television stations were among the winners of 2010 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, the highest number of local stations to win in more than two decades, Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism announced today.

CBS News won two duPonts for political and economic reporting, and MediaStorm, a multimedia production studio, became the first winner of an award for a Web-based production from the organization, which traditionally have recognized broadcast work only. NPR and PBS' "POV" were among other winners.

Honorees will be presented with their awards Jan. 21 at a ceremony at Columbia University in New York.  A full list of winners can be found here, and full details will be available in the January issue of TVWeek.com's NewsPro magazine, to be published Monday.

-- Tom Gilbert

Report: Conan O’Brien’s Last ‘Tonight’ Will Be Jan. 22

Friday, Jan. 22 will likely be Conan O'Brien’s last as host of "The Tonight Show," reports People Magazine.

A source told the publication, "Conan does not currently plan on doing any more new shows after next week.” The show had already been planning a hiatus beginning Monday, Jan. 25.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Seinfeld Back on NBC’s Post-Leno Thursday Schedule, Sort Of

NBC has set its post-Leno 10 p.m. schedule and Jerry Seinfeld is coming back to Thursday nights--sort of, reports The Wrap.

The Seinfeld-produced comedy reality series "The Marriage Ref" will air Thursdays at 10 p.m. beginning March 4 (it will also get a post-Olympics closing ceremony preview on Feb. 28.)

Ron Howard's new drama "Parenthood" will take the Tuesday 10 p.m. slot, and “Law & Order” will go into the Monday slot while spin-off "Law & Order: SVU" takes over Wednesdays.

Newsmagazine “Dateline” gets the Friday slot, from 9-11 p.m. At 8 p.m. the network is putting a Lisa Kudrow-produced reality series "Who Do You Think You Are?”

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBCU Channels Will Offer Record Winter Olympics Coverage

NBC Universal laid out its Winter Olympics schedule, and it includes a record 835 hours across all its networks, more than the 2006 Turin games and the 2002 Salt Lake City games combined, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Networks include NBC, USA, MSNBC, CNBC and Universal HD, but Bravo, which had previously carried the Olympics, is opting out.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Food Network Used Ringer Vegetables in White House Garden ‘Iron Chef’

The Food Network took liberties when editing its "Iron Chef America" White House garden showdown to make it appear the vegetables—the show’s “secret ingredient”-- came from the garden itself, when in fact they didn’t, the Chicago Tribune reports.

The heavily promoted Jan. 3 episode was the show’s most-viewed ever, with 7.6 million viewers.

The chefs were shown in the Washington D.C. garden picking vegetables and then walking into the New York stadium carrying vegetables. Those veggies were replacements, a Food Network spokeswoman said.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Idol’ Slips on Night Two

Fox's "American Idol" slipped in its second night, after a big season debut, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The 90-minute Wednesday episode dropped 14%, to 26.4 million viewers, according to preliminary ratings, from its Tuesday opening episode, which drew nearly 30 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Alterman Returns to Comedy Central to Head Up Programming

The new head of programming for Comedy Central is Kent Alterman, reports B&C.

Alterman, who was previously with Comedy Central before exiting in 2001, replaces Lauren Corrao, who left the network late last year.

In his previous tenure with Comedy Central, Alterman helped bring "Strangers with Candy," "The Upright Citizens Brigade" and "Viva Variety" to the schedule.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Gives Ramsay a Cushy Post-'Idol' Boost

Gordon Ramsay's "Kitchen Nightmares" will get a plum ratings boost thanks to Fox's decision to move the season premiere to Tuesday, Jan. 26 after "American Idol," reports The Futon Critic.

The following week, Feb. 2, "Nightmares" will also follow "Idol," before moving to its regular spot on Fridays at 9 p.m.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TV Guide Network Names New Programming Head

Diane Robina, currently the president of FearNet, was named the new executive vice president of development, acquisitions and programming strategy for the TV Guide Network, reports B&C.

She will continue with FearNet, in addition to her new job at TV Guide.

"Diane will play a critical role in helping build TV Guide Network into a place to watch the best and most entertaining shows on television," said Ryan O'Hara, president of TV Guide Network and TVGuide.com.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Erica Hill Named CBS ‘Early Show’ Newsreader

Erica Hill, co-anchor of the Saturday edition of CBS News’ “The Early Show,” will also take over as the newsreader for the weekday editions of the program.

She’ll replace Russ Mitchell, who is headed to a national correspondent post at the news division.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Jennifer Morrison Returning to 'House'

Actress Jennifer Morrison, who left "House" at the end of last season, will be returning to the show in a major story line, Entertainment Weekly reports.

Columnist Michael Ausiello confirmed that Morrison's character, Cameron, will be on before the season wraps in May.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TVWeek Honors the Cable TV Programmer of the Decade

By Chuck Ross

If the past 10 years are notable for a single achievement in television, it's been the flowering of cable TV programming. By decade's end, from "Mad Men" to "Dexter" to "Curb Your Enthusiasm" to "Damages" to "The Closer" to "Jon & Kate Plus Eight," the boom in original programming on cable has been extraordinary.

There are many shows and individuals to whom the honor of being named TVWeek's "Cable TV Programmer of the Decade" would be appropriate.

But we've decided to go a slightly different route, and have honored a company for its extraordinary achievement in cable programming over the past decade.

It's a company whose very roots are founded in the best of what TV can offer. It's the coming to fruition of the vision of one man, who wanted to present the human adventure as seen through the prism of science, nature, history, and travel.

While that vision became somewhat blurred for a few years during the past 10, it's come roaring back as the decade came to a close.

The vision we're speaking of was that of John Hendricks, and the company is Discovery Communications.

In this special report please journey with us as we talk to an incredible brain-trust as they share the secrets of this oh-so-smart company.

Today we start with David Zaslav, President and CEO, along with Bruce Campbell, President, Digital Media and Corporate Development for the company, and Bill Goodwyn, President of Discovery's Domestic Distribution and Enterprise.

Over the next week we'll be adding one or two additional interviews a day from many other executives who make up Discovery's award-winning team. They include Joe Abruzzese, Clark Bunting, Marjorie Kaplan, Laura Michalchyshyn, Eileen O'Neill, Henry Schleiff and Carole Tomko. 

A short anecdote before we begin. It's getting more and more difficult to surprise people with these honors. A few weeks ago, when we interviewed Harvey Levin for our feature singling out TMZ as our Website of the Year, he thought I was working on a negative article about them, despite my protestations that I was working on a positive piece about TMZ.

In this case we had told Discovery that Zaslav had been designated our Cable TV Executive of the Year, an honor we have long bestowed. Zaslav said he'd rather have us honor his entire team, which actually fit with our bigger plans anyway. So Discovery is finding out about this honor along with rest of our readers as they read this. 

If you have an interest in excellence in the TV space, we urge you to read this series. Steal some of the smart processes and broad concepts that the Discovery team uses and goes through. They won't mind. Adopting best practices can only be good for everyone connected with TV, from viewers to producers. 

Finally, a thank you to all the Discovery executives we spoke with who were so generous with their time and the sharing of their ideas. And a special shout-out to David Leavy and two of his top communications lieutenants, Catherine Frymark and Alison Rudnick, without whom this special report would not have been possible.

Now, on to our interview with David Zaslav. Click here.    

Conan Cracking Wise Again: 'Hosting 'The Tonight Show' has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for me - and I just want to say to the kids out there watching: You can do anything you want in life. Unless Jay Leno wants to do it too.' Yowser!

Conan has never been funnier, wisecrack-wise. Beside the gem in our headline, above, here are two other zingers from 'The Tonight Show' on Thursday night, Jan. 13:

"According to a new TV Guide poll, 83 percent of voters want me to stay at 11:35. When he heard this poll number, President Obama asked, 'How can I get NBC to screw me over?' "

"Last night, the new season of 'American Idol' started on the FOX Network and it was watched by an audience of 30 million people. When they heard that, NBC executives said 'That's not true, there's no such thing as an audience of 30 million people.'

--Chuck Ross

Possibility of '24' Movie 'Absolutely on the Table'

As we reported back in August, this might be the final season of the Fox hit '24.' Contracts with many connected with the show end after this season, and it's one of the most expensive shows on TV to produce.

Now comes word, via TVGuide.com, that there very well could be a '24' movie--a possibility that's been rumored for over the years.

'24' showrunner Howard Gordon told TV Guide: "We have had sporadic conversations about a movie and yes, the answer is that it's absolutely on the table. It depends on Fox's appetite."

--Chuck Ross

Extent of NBC Affiliate Losses Due to Leno Show Calculated at Tens of Millions

A research firm calculated the financial losses among NBC’s affiliates as a result of dropping news ratings caused by a low “Jay Leno Show” lead-in, and said the damage could have been collectively $22 million, the Associated Press reports.

Harmelin Media said local NBC stations had an average 25 percent drop in the 25- to 54-year-old late news audience in November compared to the year earlier. Over three months, the firm estimated, that would have cost them about $22 million.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Dexter’ Star Michael C. Hall Treated for Lymphoma

Michael C. Hall, the star of Showtime’s “Dexter,” said he had been treated for Hodgkin's lymphoma, and is successfully completing treatment, the Associated Press reports.

He said he had been diagnosed with a "treatable and curable condition," but didn’t say where he had been treated.

His spokesman said the disease is in complete remission, and Hall will return to the show for its fifth season.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: Peter Chernin is Looking to Get Involved with Another Studio

Somewhere, over the rainbow, former News Corp. president Peter Chernin has his eye on another studio.

Word is that Chernin is interested in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, but to get it he might have to team up with his former employer, the Los Angeles Times reports.

News Corp. has bankrolled the production company Chernin set up when he left last June. The paper cited sources close to Chernin who said that he could fold his new Fox-based company into MGM, and gain an equity stake in the company, with News Corp. the primary owner.

--Elizabeth Jensen

George Clooney to Host Telethon for Haiti To Be Seen on All MTV Networks

Actor George Clooney will host a telethon airing next week on all the MTV channels to raise money to help victims of the devastating Haitian earthquake, Roger Friedman’s Showbiz411 reports.

Clooney said he is trying to get his celebrity friends and performers to participate in the Jan. 22 event.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sarah Palin a Ratings Hit

Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin's debut Tuesday as a Fox News contributor drew 3.954 million total viewers to “The O'Reilly Factor,” the Huffington Post reports.

That was more than CNN, MSNBC and HLN combined during the 8 p.m. hour.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Charlie Sheen Gets Shy About Being on Camera--in the Courtroom, That Is

TV stars are not usually shy about being on camera. But it looks like that depends upon the venue.

Charlie Sheen’s attorney asked a Colorado judge to bar TV cameras from the Aspen courtroom next week when the CBS star has a hearing related to his Christmas Day arrest on allegations he threatened his wife with a knife, the Associated Press reports.

The attorney said Sheen wants the cameras barred to preserve privacy for his wife, with whom he wants to reconcile, and to protect his right to a fair trial.

--Elizabeth Jensen

No S_ _ _! Appeals Court Doesn't Appear to Buy FCC's Indecency Ruling

The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York City heard arguments between the FCC and Fox Wednesday, Jan 13th, over swearing on live TV and the consensus among observers was that the judges weren’t buying the FCC’s argument, B&C reports.

According to the article, " "To say that the justices were extremely skeptical of the FCC's application of the indecency law from a constitutional perspective in this case is an understatement,' said one observer sympathetic to the broadcaster arguments and who asked not to be identified. The FCC said no one was available to comment on their side of the argument."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Is Starz Set to Cancel ‘Crash’?

With a new president at the network and one of its stars being treated for prostate cancer, “Crash” may not make it to a third season on Starz, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The pay cable network declined to comment, except to point out that Chris Albrecht just took over as president and CEO this week. But The Reporter said it’s believed that a “Crash” cancellation will be one of his first programming moves.

Star Dennis Hopper has said he’s being treated for prostate cancer.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Only One U.S. Automaker Has Bought a Super Bowl Ad; Four Imports Will Have Spots in Program

Only one U.S. automaker has bought a spot in the Super Bowl, according to reports from TVWeek sibling publications Automotive News and adage.com.

Dodge will be joining import automakers Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Volkswagen with ads in the TV show that customarily draws the biggest audience of the year.

Said the report, "Chrysler Group's brands have not run a national ad on the Super Bowl for several years, though they have run regional commercials in recent years during the game. The last national Super Bowl spot was in 2005 and featured the Dodge Magnum."

TNS has reported that national spots in this year's Super Bowl have been selling for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million

--Chuck Ross

Russ Mitchell Leaving CBS’ ‘Early Show’

Russ Mitchell, the news anchor on CBS’ “The Early Show,” will leave the program at the end of the week, to become a national correspondent for CBS News, The New York Times reports.

He’ll also continue to anchor the Sunday “CBS Evening News” and report for “CBS News Sunday Morning.” “The Early Show” recently got a new executive producer, David Friedman, but the news anchor change was set in motion before he arrived, the paper said.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Josh Schwartz Twitters Return of 'Gossip Girl’

"Gossip Girl" creator Josh Schwartz confirmed via Twitter that the show will be back on The CW on March 8.

He said that the network wants to run all ten of the remaining new episodes in a row, without interruption or postponement.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'American Idol' Opens with Big Win; Could Host Seacrest Soon Be a Judge, Too?

Viewers didn’t seem too perturbed that judge Paula Abdul wasn’t there; Fox’s "American Idol" opened its ninth season by drawing an estimated audience of nearly 30 million people, the Associated Press reports.

Last year’s debut drew 30.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen Co. figures.

Meanwhile, with judge Simon Cowell having announced his exit at the end of the current season, there's a possibility that host Ryan Seacrest may do double-duty as the fourth judge, reports EOnline.com.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Rob Zombie to Direct His First TV Show

Rocker and horror film director Rob Zombie, best known for "Halloween" and its sequel, "Halloween II," will soon make his television directorial debut, the Associated Press reports.

His episode of “CSI: Miami,” which started production this week, will have the Miami crime solvers in Los Angeles. It airs March. 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comcast Launches New ESPN Channel

ESPN On Demand, a new service from the sports giant, began running on Comcast today, reports B&C.

The On Demand channel will rebroadcast the films from ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series, and will feature the latest content from the upcoming Winter X Games 14 in Aspen. Other programs available include the recent Alabama vs. Texas college championship game, the World Series of Poker and coverage from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Sesame Street' Characters to be Featured in New Video Games

Warner Brothers Interactive will launch a series of video games based on the popular characters of "Sesame Street," the Associated Press reports.

As part of the deal with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind "Sesame Street," WBI will incorporate characters like Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Grover into video games on a variety of platforms. There hasn’t been a new “Sesame Street” video game since 2001.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Conan O'Brien Controversy Boosts 'Tonight' Viewership

The Conan O’Brien controversy gave NBC's "The Tonight Show" a major ratings boost Tuesday night, reports The Wrap.

Preliminary ratings put O’Brien’s show at a 1.7/7 in adults 18-49 in Nielsen's 25 major people meter markets, up 40% from Monday.

That nearly doubled David Letterman's "Late Show," which had a 0.9/4.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TV News Mobilizes to Cover Haitian Disaster

American TV news divisions rushed to cover the earthquake that rocked Haiti on Tuesday, with CNN's Anderson Cooper the first major anchor on the scene, reports Hal Boedeker in the Orlando Sentinel.

CBS’s Katie Couric and NBC’s Brian Williams are on their way down for their respective broadcasts, and every other TV news organizations has sent people in.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Alyssa Milano's New ABC Sitcom Slotted for Mondays

ABC will give Alyssa Milano’s new situation comedy a run on Monday nights this spring, reports The Futon Critic.

"Romantically Challenged" is slated for a Monday, April 5 debut at 9:30, following a 90-minute edition of "Dancing With the Stars," according to the report. ABC hasn’t confirmed the plan.

-- Allison J. Waldman

News Corp. Confirms New Cable Management Structure

Fox’s entertainment chairman Peter Rice is adding oversight of News Corp.’s FX and Fox Movie Channel, and Fox Sports chairman David Hill will oversee News Corp.'s 19 regional sports networks, as well as Fuel TV, Speed Network and Fox Soccer Channel, B&C reports, confirming a report from earlier in the week.

Both will report to Fox Networks Group Chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra. Rich Battista, who had overseen the channels as the president of Fox National Cable Networks, is talking to the company about a new role, and News Corp. said he is a “valued member.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

In Conan's Own Words: 'I May Soon Be Available for Children's Parties,' & 'I Remember Watching Johnny Carson and Thinking, Someday I'm Going to Host that Show For Seven Months.' Ouch!

Conan O'Brien was on fire during his show last night, exhibiting a funny, sarcastic anger and bitterness over his plight.

As ABC News reports, "O'Brien, seemingly uninterested in currying favor with NBC, let one of his staff writers, Deon Cole, deliver some of his harsher barbs. In a racy bit, Cole compared O'Brien to a prostitute and the network to his pimp."

And the two lines above in the headline come from Conan's monologue last night, Tuesday, Jan. 11.

--Chuck Ross

New York Times' Maureen Dowd Goes After Zucker in Column About the Latenight Debacle

New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd goes after NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker in her column about the NBC Leno/O'Brien drama.

Dowd writes, "In a town where nobody makes less than they’re worth, and most people pull in an obscene amount more, there has been a single topic of discussion: How does Jeff Zucker keep rising and rising while the fortunes of NBC keep falling and falling?"

Later in the column Dowd says, "Zucker rolled the dice because he wanted to show Jeff Immelt that he could get beyond his Ben Silverman debacle and get prime time to stop bleeding money (a problem he created). But he learned the hard way that it is a lot to undo."

--Chuck Ross

‘People of Earth’ Largely Support Conan

Conan O’Brien’s open letter to “People of Earth” explaining why he won’t continue on if NBC moves his “Tonight Show” to a 12:05 a.m. start time evoked support for the host among online commentators, The New York Times reports.

The Times said commenters were largely supportive of the comedian’s statement in the midst of a difficult situation, and many held rival Jay Leno responsible for the NBC scheduling problems.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Comedy Pilot Starring Former 'Friends' Star Gets Greenlit by ABC

ABC has greenlit a new comedy pilot that will star a very "Friends"-ly face, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The pilot, "Mr. Sunshine," will star Matthew Perry.

He'll play a stadium manager who is turning 40 and thinks he should grow up. ABC won the bidding war for the project when it was announced in October.

The show is from Sony TV and Jamie Tarses' Fanfare, the article says.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Cable Network Buys Commercial Time in Super Bowl

A spot in the Super Bowl, which will be seen on CBS this year, has been bought by a cable network, Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News reports.

The spot, which will run at the end of the second quarter just prior to the two-minute warning, was purchased by Turner Broadcasting’s TruTV to promote the network's new “NFL Full Contact” series, the report says.

Not reported was how much Turner paid for the spot. TNS media has said that commercial time is going for up to $2.8 million on this year's Super Bowl.

The TruTV series is produced by NFL Films. The spot, from Grey Advertising, will star Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/443961-Turner_s_TruTV_Buys_Super_Bowl_Ad.php

Guess Which Cable Network Ad Executives Said They'd Most Likely Increase Ad Buying On in 2010

Results are now in from the latest Beta Research survey of ad executives. The survey took place August to October 2009 amongest 226 advertising media professionals--including 151 from ad agencies and 75 from advertisers--each asked which basic cable nets the ad folks were going to increase spending on in 2010.

Taking the No. 1 slot was ESPN. Forty-five percent of those surveyed said they plan to increase spending on ESPN. Discovery was second at 40 percent; TNT was third at 37 percent.

Rounding out the Top Ten were TBS (36 percent), Food Network (35 percent), USA Network (34 percent), ESPN2 (33 percent), HGTV (32 percent), Comedy Central (31 percent) and Bravo (29 percent.)

--Elizabeth Jensen

Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams Both Show Ratings Gains

Both top-rated “NBC Nightly News” and ABC’s second-place “World News” showed ratings gains last week, reports The New York Times.

Diane Sawyer’s first non-holiday week as the “World News” anchor drew 9.4 million viewers, the program’s highest average in nearly two years. The network said the ratings have gone up each week since Sawyer took over Dec. 21.

NBC, however, retained the top slot, with 10.7 million viewers on average, the newscast’s highest weekly average in four years.

--Elizabeth Jensen

HBO's 'Big Love' Return Gets Group Hug From Viewers

The fourth season premiere of HBO's "Big Love" on Sunday, Jan. 10, got off to a fast start, reports Hollywood  Reporter Live Feed blogger James Hibberd.

The show had 1.7 million total viewers, up nearly 50% from last year.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Nat Geo Not Whispering About This: New Series Has Highest-Rated Premiere Ever For the Net

National Geographic Channel, home to the popular "Dog Whisperer," had its highest-rated series premiere ever on Sunday, Jan 10th, reaching 2.9 million viewers, Multichannel News reports.

The new series that set the record was "Border Wars." Over two airings that night, the show about the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency drew 4.6 million viewers. The show then moved to Monday to what will be its regular night.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck  Ross

Verdict is In: Court Show Gets Firm Renewal

After being picked up by Tribune's WPIX in the nation's No.  1 market, New York, a court show many thought was once dead has gotten a firm renewal.

"Judge Karen’s Court” is a firm syndication go for fall, after it was acquired by Tribune’s WPIX New York, reports B&C.

The show was considered history by many when producer Sony got out of the court business last year. But with the urging of the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Litton picked up the producing and distributing chores. 

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

ABC Family Renews Two Shows

ABC Family has renewed two of its most popular series, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Returning for a third go-around is "Secret Life of the American Teenager." And entering its sophomore season will be "Make It or Break It."  

Both will come back in the summer. 

In last week's midseason premiere, both hit series highs, "Secret" among female teens, and "Break" among total viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Conan O’Brien Says He Won’t Host ‘Tonight’ at 12:05 A.M.

Conan O’Brien released a letter to the “People of the Earth” in which he says he won’t host “The Tonight Show” if NBC moves it to 12:05 a.m., because it would “seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting,” The New York Times reports.

In the statement, O’Brien also expressed disappointment that he was never given a chance to build an audience at 11:35 p.m. He said he has no offer from another network and has “no idea what happens next.” (For the full text of the statement, click here.)

NBC said Monday that it is pulling “The Jay Leno Show” from primetime in February and wants to move it 11:35 p.m., pushing back O’Brien’s “Tonight Show” by a half-hour.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Former Characters will Return on Final Season of 'Lost'

Former “Lost” characters Michael and Libby, played by Harold Perrineau and Cynthia Watros, will be back in the final episodes airing this spring, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

At ABC’s press tour presentation, "Lost" producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse also said that once the series ends in May, it won’t be back in sequel or spinoff form, reports the Associated Press. They added that while the final episode isn’t yet written, they’ve had the show’s final image in mind since season one.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Fox Wants Another Seth MacFarlane Show

Fox already has three Seth MacFarlane animated shows, but the network would like another, reports IFMagazine.com.

“He’s stretched thin,” Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment president, said of MacFarlane, but added, “we’ve got one other show we’re contemplating with Seth and looking to broaden our animation brand out, too."

-- Allison J. Waldman

ABC Renews Three Wednesday Sitcoms

ABC’s freshman sitcoms "The Middle," "Cougar Town" and "Modern Family" have been renewed for a second season, reports B&C.

ABC Entertainment Group President Stephen McPherson said the network was happy with the Wednesday comedy block and the network will be adding another 30-minute sitcom in the slot once occupied by the now-canceled Kelsey Grammer comedy, "Hank."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Ted Harbert Signs New Comcast Deal

Former ABC and NBC executive Ted Harbert will continue leading the Comcast Entertainment Group, comprised of E! Entertainment Television, Style Network and G4, for the next six years, reports B&C.

Harbert’s new deal keeps him at Comcast through 2016, and makes certain that Harbert will be at the company when it concludes its acquisition of NBC Universal.

-- Allison J. Waldman

USA Acquires 'CSI' Rights

The success USA Network has had with the off-network broadcast of shows like "NCIS" and "House" has paved the way for the network's big deal with "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," reports B&C.

Beginning in December, USA will have non-exclusive rights to "CSI" seasons 1-10, with exclusive rights to seasons 11 and after as of fall 2011. As of September 2014, all seasons of "CSI" will be exclusively shown on USA and NBC Universal cable nets.

No terms were disclosed.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Court Denies Dan Rather’s Appeal in Suit Against CBS

It may be the end of the road for Dan Rather’s breach of contract lawsuit against his former employer, CBS, The New York Times reports.

The anchor’s request to appeal his lawsuit was turned down by the New York Court of Appeals on Tuesday. In September, the appellate division of New York State Supreme Court ruled that the $70 million suit, brought in 2007, should be dismissed.

CBS executives said this brings legal proceedings to an end. Rather’s lawyer did not immediately comment.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Travel Channel Web Site Re-Launched

Now that it is majority owned by Scripps Networks International, Travel Channel has re-launched its web site with a new video player and a vast library of travel videos, reports Multichannel News.

There is also new content on the site from Travel Channel programs like "Anthony Bourdain No Reservations," as well as a new online programming guide for the network.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Logo Orders Four New Shows, Renews Others

MTV Networks' gay-themed channel Logo will add four new shows to the schedule this year, including "RuPaul's Drag U," "The Robert Verdi Show Starring Robert Verdi," "The Arrangement" and "Kept," reports B&C.

All four shows are unscripted, reality programs. In addition to those titles, the network has ordered more episodes of "Beautiful People," "Exes & Ohs," "Real Momentum" and "The Big Gay Sketch Show."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Epix Gets Second Distribution Deal

New pay TV service Epix landed its second distribution deal, on Cox Communications systems, Multichannel News reports.

The deal kicks in beginning in April. Verizon FiOS also carries the service.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ABC Orders 'Bachelor Spin-off'

ABC has ordered a spin-off to its successful "Bachelor" franchise, according to James Hibberd of The Hollywood Reporter.

The new show, "Bachelor Pad," will have former contestants living together in a house, a la "Big Brother," Hibberd writes.

According to the report, the show, "produced by Mike Fleiss' Next Entertainment in association with Warner Horizon, will bring back 20 contestants from the previous 13 cycles of 'The Bachelor' and five editions of 'The Bachelorette.' The series will represent the first 'all-stars' reunion for the franchise."

ABC has ordered seven episodes, Hibberd writes.

--Chuck Ross

Sitcom vets Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves, Wendie Malick and Betty White in New Sitcom

Sitcom veterans Valerie Bertinelli ("One Day at a Time"), Jane Leeves ("Frasier"), Wendie Malick ("Just Shoot Me") and Betty White ("The Golden Girls"), will all be in a new ensemble comedy, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show, "Hot in Cleveland," is a pilot for TVLand.

Suzanne Martin (“Frasier”) is writing the series about three fortysomething friends who decide to move to Cleveland from L.A., because the locals think they are glamorous. White plays a neighbor.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox Affiliates Lukewarm on Wanting Conan O’Brien for Latenight

A number of Fox affiliate executives told B&C that they’re lukewarm on the idea of having Conan O’Brien do a latenight show for the network, if he decides to leave NBC.

The affiliate executives said their stations are locked into syndication contracts which would make clearing a new latenight show tricky, or they have new 11 p.m. newscasts. Moreover, they said they are likely to lose ad inventory, should the network take over the time slot.

The affiliates spoke only off the record and B&C said its calls to Fox affiliate board chairman Brian Brady weren’t returned.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Contract May Play Role in Whether Conan Jumps to Fox

Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly spelled out Monday the network’s interest in landing Conan O’Brien for a late-night show, but the comedian’s NBC contract could be a hurdle, The New York Times reports.

NBC executives are confident they won’t be breaking O’Brien’s contract if they shift him back to a 12:05 a.m. start, because he’ll still be the host of “The Tonight Show,” the report says.

Fox’s O’Reilly acknowledged that NBC could also impose an extended non-compete period that would keep O’Brien off the air for some time.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox Restructuring TV Unit

Look for  Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting and Fox Sports Chairman David Hill to get expanded roles under a reorg going on, according to a number of media reports.

According to the account by B&C editor Ben Grossman, sources have told him that "Fox National Cable Networks President Rich Battista could end up either being reassigned within the company or no longer with the company."

Furthermore, Grossman writes,"The cable networks, including FX chief John Landgraf, would report directly into Peter Rice, while the regional sports networks, including chief Randy Freer, would fall under the umbrella of Hill."

Still unknown, according to a number of the reports is how--if at all--the reorg will affect Fox Networks Group chairman Tony Vinciquerra. Both Hill and Rice current report to Vinciquerra.

--Chuck Ross
 

Fox Could Revive ‘Little Genius’

Fox executives said the competition show “Our Little Genius” may eventually be revived, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The show was supposed to debut this week after “American Idol” but was pulled just a few days ago over concerns that the young children who were contestants had been improperly coached, by receiving too much information about the subjects of the questions (although not the answers). The irregularity was brought to Fox's attention by the company that produces the show, Mark Burnett Prods. .

The paper reported that Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly said Monday at the TCA gathering on Monday in Pasadena that "The sanctity of these competitions is extremely important. This was something that happened at the producing level, [there was] a miscommunication in which two producers who were responsible for handling the kids [provided] information that was potentially overlapping that could seem to have compromised" the integrity of competition.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Super Bowl Ad Prices Drop for Only Second Time Ever

Prices for ads in the Super Bowl dropped for only the second time ever, due to the economic slump, the Associated Press reports, citing TNS Media Intelligence.

TNS said 30-second spots during next month’s game, airing on CBS, are going for between $2.5 million and $2.8 million, down from last year’s record of an average $3 million, when the game was on NBC. Some advertisers, such as Pepsi and General Motors, have opted out this year, but as of Friday, CBS had nonetheless sold all but four of the 62 spots.

Furthermore, CBS isn't conceding that prices have fallen. According to the AP article, " 'We believe our pricing is similar and believe we are in a better sellout position than [NBC was] at this time going into the game,' John Bogusz, executive vice president of sports sales and marketing for CBS Television, said."

Says the AP report, "The only other year that prices declined was from 2006 to 2007, when 30-second slots dropped from $2.5 million to just under $2.4 million, TNS said."

The ad time remains the most expensive on television.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

New Cop Show, With Burning Hot Pedigree, Starring 'West Wing' Veteran, Picked Up by Fox For Summer

A new cop show will  get a run on Fox starting Monday, June 8th, after receiving previews leading into two editions of "American Idol" in May, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

The show is "Code 58," from "Burn Notice" creator Matt Nix and starring Bradley Whitford. The show was previously was titled “Jack and Dan." Colin Hanks co-stars in the buddy cop show.

Whitford is probably best known for his role as Deputy Chief of Staff Josh Lyman on the long-running series "The West Wing."

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Executive Producer Named For John King's New CNN Show

It'll be deja vu all over again for John King and his executive producer when his new 7 pm political program starts airing in February.

Michelle Jaconi, executive producer of CNN’s Sunday morning “State of the Union with John King," will jump with King when he makes the move.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Lifetime’s ‘Rita Rocks’ Canceled

Lifetime canceled its "Rita Rocks" sitcom after two seasons, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The show, meant as a companion to reruns of “Reba,” starred Nicole Sullivan.

Lifetime had a stake in the show, along with MRC, which produced it, and, according to THR, "the original plan was to amass enough episodes to strip it."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Back to Basics: NBC Returning to Traditional Upfront

Armed with its new mantra "Back to Basics," NBC Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin announced that the network will abandon its highly touted "Infront" ad presentation of recent years and return to a traditional Upfront presentation.

The date will be Monday, May 17. For the last two years, the network has substituted mini “Infront” presentations without all the hoopla of traditional upfront events.

For many years NBC had been the first network to reveal its new fall lineup. When it went to the Infront, Fox grabbed that Monday slot. Gaspin said NBC will present in the morning of May 17th, with Fox going in the afternoon that day.

Gaspin also said by returning to the later May date NBC will be better positioned to have evaluated its development slate.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Cinematographer of One of the Most Popular TV Shows Ever Dies

Joseph M. Wilcots, the first African-American to join the International Cinematographers Guild, died at the end of last year, at age 70, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

He was best known for his work as director of photography for the groundbreaking 1977 ABC miniseries “Roots,” based on Alex Haley's best-selling book. The finale of "Roots" still stands as the third highest rated program ever aired on TV.

--Elizabeth Jensen and Chuck Ross

Cowell Sets ‘Idol’ Exit; Fox to Get His New ‘X Factor’

This will be Simon Cowell’s last season as a judge on Fox’s "American Idol," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

He won’t disappear from the network, however; Fox has picked up the U.S. version of his British hit “The X Factor” for fall 2011, when “Idol” is on hiatus.

The deal is expected to be announced later this afternoon.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sarah Palin to Become Fox News Contributor

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has become a contributor to the Fox News Channel, The New York Times reports.

She’ll appear on the network regularly as part of a multi-year deal, and will host occasional series, but won’t have her own regular program. No financial terms were disclosed.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Who Altered 'The Simpsons' Final Credit and Why?

When last night's 20th anniversary episode of "The Simpsons" ended, the thank you credit--originally a friendly jab at Fox colleague Seth MacFarlane, the creator of animated series including “Family Guy”—was altered, reports The New York Times.

Instead of reading "Thanks for 20 wonderful years. Now stay tuned for three Seth MacFarlane shows," the card’s second line read "The best is yet to come." A Fox spokeswoman said the version given to critics was a rough cut, and those are often changed before air.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Glee' Renewed for Second Season

At Monday's TCA presentation, Fox announced that the musical TV series "Glee" has been renewed for a second season, reports Joel Keller at TVSquad.com.

The Ryan Murphy creation has been a solid ratings success and has spawned major hits on the iTunes music chart.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Barbara Walters Reveals She Was Offered NBC News Spot

On Monday's episode of ABC's "The View," host Barbara Walters revealed that she had been offered a job at NBC News last year, reports TV Guide.

Walters said that at her age (80) she was extremely flattered to be asked back to the network where she got her start as a co-host of “Today,” and it was a tough choice. She added that she was grateful to NBC for considering her.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Howie Mandel Joins 'America's Got Talent'

Now that David Hasselhoff has decided to not to return to NBC's "America's Got Talent," Howie Mandel will take a judge's chair, reports the Associated Press.

Mandel has been the host of NBC's game show "Deal or No Deal." He’ll join hosts Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Sheen Returns to Work at CBS

Charlie Sheen on Friday taped his first episode of CBS’ “Two and a Half Men” since being arrested in Aspen, Colo., on Christmas Day on accusations of domestic violence, The New York Times reports.

Chuck Lorre, the co-creator and an executive producer of the show, said his holiday troubles had had no effect on the program, noting, “We put on a show last night that went extremely well. The audience was wonderful last night. We’re just going about our business.”

Lorre said the actor “seems to be doing as well as he can under the circumstances.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

'Undercover Boss' Won’t Pay the Workers

Unlike participants in other CBS reality shows like "Survivor" and "The Amazing Race," the workers who appear on camera in "Undercover Boss" will not receive compensation, reports the New York Post.

The producers had participants sign a release to appear in a "formatted documentary," instead of a reality show, thus avoiding having to pay them. The show is premiering in the plum post-Super Bowl slot.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'Friday Night Light's' Minka Kelly Engaged to Derek Jeter

Actress Minka Kelly, one of the young stars of NBC's "Friday Night Lights," is engaged to marry New York Yankee shortstop -- and all-star -- Derek Jeter, reports the New York Post.

The couple has set the date for Nov. 5, 2010, after any potential Yankees trip to the World Series.

-- Allison J. Waldman

‘Law & Order’ Headed Out of New York

For the first time, a spinoff of “Law & Order” will be set somewhere other than New York, the New York Post reports.

The latest series in the franchise will be set in L.A., according to NBC programming chief Angela Bromstad, who said that there is a dearth of L.A.-based cop shows.

--Elizabeth Jensen

What's Really Behind NBC's Leno and Late Night Moves

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross was your insider at the TCA session on Sunday, Jan. 10, in which NBC Universal Television Entertainment Chairman Jeff Gaspin explained why he was cancelling Jay Leno's primetime show and trying to build a new latenight schedule. 

What the hell's really going on with these moves? Ross thinks he knows, and he shares it with you if you click here. 

--Tom Gilbert

NBC Unveils Six More Drama Pilots

NBC is back in the drama hunt now that it plans to cancel the 10 p.m. “Jay Leno Show” and it has ordered six more pilots, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Among the projects are pilots from David E. Kelley, Jerry Bruckheimer, David Shore and Hank Steinberg. The network previously said it had ordered a legal dramedy “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer" and a show from J.J. Abrams.

The Steinberg pilot is a remake of the British drama "Prime Suspect," while Shore is redoing "The Rockford Files."

--Elizabeth Jensen
 

Leno Leaving Prime Time After Feb. 11

Jay Leno’s last 10 pm. prime time show will be on Feb. 11, Jeff Gaspin, the chairman of NBC Universal Television Entertainment, said Sunday, but the network still doesn’t know where he’ll end up, The New York Times reports.

Gaspin, speaking at press tour, told reporters that the network would like to push back Conan O’Brien’s “Tonight” show a half hour, to 12:05 a.m. so Leno could do a shortened 11:35 p.m. show. Talks with O’Brien and the others about the proposal will continue this week, he said, noting, according to The Hollywood Reporter, that “My goal right now is to keep Jay, Conan and Jimmy as part of our late-night lineup. As much as I’d like to tell you we have a done deal, we know that’s not true.”

The Associated Press reported that some affiliates notified the network last month that they would go public with their complaints or even bump the show if a change wasn’t made. Gaspin said about one-third of NBC’s affiliates had been hurt by the lower ratings for Leno’s show.

The Times reported that NBC expects to schedule two hours of scripted programs, a reality show, some “Dateline” newsmagazines and reruns in the 10 p.m. hours after the Winter Olympics.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Simon Cowell’s ‘X Factor’ Could Land at Fox

Simon Cowell plans to launch a U.S. version of his British music talent show "The X Factor" in 2011, sources told the Los Angeles Times, and as a result this year’s “American Idol” season, which kicks off this week on Fox, may be his last as a full-time judge.

Fox and Cowell have been involved in intense negotiations in recent days trying to come up with a deal to bring the new show to the network, and an announcement could come as early as this week, the paper said. The network also has tried to persuade him, unsuccessfully so far, to keep his current “Idol” role.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox News Chief Roger Ailes Made $23 Million Last Year

Roger Ailes was paid $23 million last year in salary, bonuses and other compensation for his success in turning Fox News into a News Corp. “profit engine,” The New York Times reports.

The paper said the unit is expected to bring in $700 million in operating profit this year, and is believed to make more money than its two cable rivals, CNN and MSNBC, and the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts combined.

While Ailes is well-compensated by News Corp., Matthew Freud, a top London p.r. executive who is married to News Corp. head Rupert Murdoch’s daughter Elisabeth, told the paper that, “I am by no means alone within the family or the company in being ashamed and sickened by Roger Ailes’s horrendous and sustained disregard of the journalistic standards that News Corporation, its founder and every other global media business aspires to.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

CBS Says It Benefited from NBC’s Failed Leno Experiment

CBS entertainment president Nina Tassler told reporters at press tour that the network had reaped more 10 p.m. ad revenue as a result of NBC’s decision to slot “The Jay Leno Show” in the hour, the Associated Press reports.

"Ten o'clock is a great business for us," Tassler said, according to the AP. "The unfortunate thing is that our creative community was to some degree somewhat bruised by this ... A lot of people were put out of work. A lot of people really saw this as having a negative effect on our business."

She also said the network is close to extending contracts with late-night hosts David Letterman and Craig Ferguson through mid-2012.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sunday was Stephanopoulos’ Last on ABC’s ‘This Week’

George Stephanopoulos said at the end of Sunday’s “This Week” that it was his final regular appearance as anchor of the show, TVNewser reports.

He started as co-anchor of the network’s “Good Morning America” last month. No replacement has been named.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Nickelodeon Launching Math Series for Preschoolers

Nickelodeon will launch the only preschool series centered entirely on teaching math to children, reports TVWeek contributor Elizabeth Jensen in The New York Times.

The half-hour “Team Umizoomi,” which starts Jan. 25, has been in development for nearly five years, and is the network’s most educational program to date.

--Tom Gilbert

‘Gumby’ Creator Dead at 88

Art Clokey, creator of the bendable Gumby animated figure, died Friday at age 88, the Associated Press reports.

The character and his horse friend Pokey were a student project Clokey produced while at the University of Southern California in the early 1950s, which he later featured in shorts for the "Howdy Doody Show" and other series.

The figure later became a popular toy, after Clokey relented and allowed merchandising. He was also the creator of the Lutheran Church’s claymation TV characters "Davey and Goliath."

--Elizabeth Jensen

NBC to Lose Money on Winter Olympics

Rising license fees mean NBC Universal will lose money on the Winter Olympics this year, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chairman Dick Ebersol said Sunday, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Ebersol said that sales had recently taken off, after a slow start due to the recession. Nonetheless, "We will for the first time in all our years I've been with the Games lose money on the Olympics, but it won't be because the sales didn't come around."

NBC paid $2.2 billion for the U.S. rights to the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in 2010 and 2012.

Ebersol also said he hoped that an Olympics-focused cable channel that NBC Universal’s soon-to-be-owner Comcast had been planning with the U.S. Olympic Committee would remain on hold, Multichannel News reports.


--Elizabeth Jensen


 

Showtime Will Move from Tudors to Borgias

Showtime has ordered 10 episodes of a series about the Italian Renaissance family the Borgias, B&C reports.

The show will go into production this spring and begin airing next year, with Jeremy Irons set to star as the family patriarch.

The network also said at the Television Critics Association press tour that it has picked up a comedy series called “Episodes,” starting former “Friends” cast member Matt LeBlanc.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Diane Sawyer in Afghanistan

 In her first overseas trip since taking over in December as anchor of ABC’s “World News,” Diane Sawyer will anchor from Afghanistan tonight and Tuesday, the Associated Press reports.

Meanwhile, Nielsen numbers for last week show that NBC’s top-rated “Nightly News” drew an average 10.7 million viewers, its biggest weekly audience in four years, topping ABC by 1.3 million viewers.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: Conan Can Turn to Fox

Fox is interested in providing a home for Conan O'Brien's latenight talk show should he decide to depart NBC, according to Josef Adalian at TheWrap.com.

It is not known whether O'Brien, whose "Tonight Show" is being reassigned to 12:05 p.m. weeknights to allow former "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno to return to the plum 11:35 berth, will stay with the network.

Adalian quoted a Fox network source as saying, "We've always been interested in late night and we’re always looking to bring great new talent to Fox," and adding that O'Brien "would be a great fit," though cautioning that the comic is "still under contract with NBC."

--Tom Gilbert

Disney Pulling Plug on 'Hannah Montana'

Disney Channel has confirmed that the upcoming fourth season of the hit series "Hannah Montana" starring Miley Cyrus will be the last for the show, according to the New York Post.

The popular tweener comedy has been a solid performer for Disney, averaging 5 million total viewers a week. In the final season, Ray Liotta and "Two and a Half Men" star Angus T. Jones will guest star.

-- Allison J. Waldman

College Football Championship Dominates Thursday Ratings

The networks bowed to the power of college football Thursday evening, serving up mostly reruns against the University of Alabama vs. the University of Texas championship game on ABC.

The game won the Nielsen race handily, averaging 10.1 in the 18-49 demographic, according to TVbythenumbers.com.

The one new episode on the networks was NBC's "The Jay Leno Show," which mustered a 1.4 among 18- to 49-year-olds amid all the media attention caused by rumors of a cancellation.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NATAS Technical Emmys Presented at CES

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences honored Arbitron, Fox and PBS, among others, Thursday night at its  61st Annual Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards, reports B&C.

Arbitron was recognized for its audience measurement technology and Fox and PBS received honors for pioneering efforts in development and implementation of network distribution workflows for ATSC DTV development.

Comic legend Jerry Lewis was also honored for his work as an actor, writer and director, as well as his humanitarian work for Muscular Dystrophy, at the event, which was held in conjunction with the Consumer Electronics Show. .

A full list of winners can be found here.

-- Allison J. Waldman

HSN Launches Shop by Remote App

Samsung HDTV and Blu-ray Players will soon have an interactive application that allows HSN viewers to shop by remote.

HSN Shop by Remote will be on select 2010 models of Samsung televisions and players, making purchases instantaneous by using the remote controls. The HSN app is one of the first of a group of TV apps that will be available free of charge to consumerson Samsung Apps in spring 2010.

-- Allison J. Waldman

TV Game Changers of the Decade

In her latest entry, Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin looks back at how the Aughties changed TV, recalling a decade that began before 9/11, the reality craze, "American Idol" and Jack Bauer, when Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings and Dan Rather reigned supreme over their respective network newscasts.

State of the Union Address Won't Bump 'Lost' Premiere

Fans of "Lost" can stop the petitions! The White House has declared that President Obama's State of the Union address will not be given on Feb. 2, which means the return of ABC's "Lost" can premiere as originally scheduled, according to The Wrap.com.

At today's White House briefing, press secretary Robert Gibbs announced that the date for the speech is still undecided, but it will definitely not be on that date as originally considered.

-- Allison J. Waldman

'How I Met Your Mother' Voices Her Choice for Mom

CBS will broadcast the 100th episode of "How I Met Your Mother" Monday, bringing audiences a step closer to discovering the identity of "mother," and if star Alyson Hannigan gets her way, when the final reveal is made the actress playing Ted's spouse will be Jennifer Aniston, according to TV Guide.

Hannigan made her choice known when the cast gathered as a 100th episode celebration at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles this week.

-- Allison J. Waldman

Ted Turner’s Bison Offer Prompts Protest

Ted Turner offered to take 74 bison off the hands of Yellowstone National Park officials for five years, in exchange for getting to keep their most of their offspring, but critics complain they shouldn’t be given up for private profit, the Associated Press reports.

Officials have been unsuccessfully searching for a home for the bison and Turner offered to step in to help. But critics said he wasn’t a good option because he would be commercializing the animals.

--Elizabeth Jensen

It's Friday and Here's Our Favorite Story of the Week: Florida Man, 92, Crashes Into Restaurant, Orders Breakfast

In a week filled with lots of news, our favorite story is this one--and it's only connection to TV is that it was reported by WESH-TV in Orlando.

It's just what the headline says: A 92-year-old man crashed his car into a restaurant, calmly got out of his car, asked if anyone was hurt (no one seriously) and then proceeded to do what he had come to the diner to do: Order his breakfast and eat it. 

Click here to watch the video of what happened.

--Chuck Ross

NBC Plan: Return Leno to Latenight, Move Conan to 12:05 A.M.

With affiliates unhappy about low ratings leading into their late newscasts, NBC is looking at canceling Jay Leno’s 10 p.m. show and returning him to latenight at 11:35 p.m., but in a half-hour format, The New York Times reports.

His replacement, Conan O’Brien, would move to a 12:05 a.m. EST start time and his show would remain an hour long, the Times said, citing sources who have talked to NBC’s top management. The plan would go into effect after the Winter Olympics. Jimmy Fallon’s show would also slide a half-hour, to a 1:05 a.m. start.

NBC told the paper that no final decision has been made, and said in a statement that “We remain committed to keeping Conan O’Brien on NBC.” A source said that the plan is essentially in place.

In his monologue Thursday, Leno addressed the developments, noting: “I don’t think there is any truth to the rumors. See, it’s always been my experience that NBC only cancels you when you’re in first place.”

--Elizabeth Jensen

Fox Pulls New Show Before It's Out of the Gate

Less than a week before air, Fox pulled from its schedule the new game show “Our Little Genius,” which has been criticized by child welfare experts for putting pressure on kids as they compete for cash prizes by answering questions, reports The New York Times.

The program has been postponed and possibly canceled, because, executive producer Mark Burnett said in a statement, "I recently discovered that there was an issue with how some information was relayed to contestants during the pre-production of ‘Our Little Genius.’ As a result, I am not comfortable delivering the episodes without re-shooting them. I believe my series must always be beyond reproach, so I have requested that Fox not air these episodes."

The move raised questions about whether contestants were given answers in advance, which two sources told the paper wasn’t the case.

In its own statement, Fox said: "Mark Burnett is one of the pre-eminent producers of unscripted programming on television. Even though we were incredibly pleased with the quality of ‘Our Little Genius,’ we respect and appreciate his due diligence and the decision to pull these episodes. We agree there can be no question about the integrity of our shows. While these episodes will not air, the families who participated in the show will receive their winnings, and we are grateful for their participation."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Judge: Sheen Must Appear in Person at Aspen Hearing

A Colorado judge denied actor Charlie Sheen’s request to participate by telephone at a Feb. 8 hearing in Aspen related to his Christmas Day-arrest on allegations he held a knife to his wife’s neck and threatened to kill her, the Associated Press reports.

The judge ruled Sheen, star of CBS’ "Two and a Half Men," must appear in person.

Sheen has denied threatening his wife with a knife.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Sinclair, Mediacom Reach Retrans Deal

A day before the extended deadline, Sinclair and Mediacom reached a retransmission consent deal, B&C reports.

No details on the one-year deal, covering 22 TV stations in 15 markets, were released. Sinclair President David Smith said the deal includes “an acceptable economic arrangement.”

Mediacom’s Tom Larsen, VP of public and legal affairs, said that while the company is happy to continue to be able to offer the programming, "We think the retrans process is broken and are going to seek to have that reformed in the next year, working with people like Senator John Kerry to help reform it."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Two Possible Syndicated Shows Dropping Out

Warner Bros.’ “MomLogic” and Twentieth’s “Dog Whisperer” are no longer contenders for the fall syndication market, B&C reports.

“MomLogic” will remain in development for a possible 2011 start, after it failed to land a major-market group for fall 2010.

Meanwhile, stations weren’t able to fit “Dog Whisperer” reruns into their standard talk and court show daytime lineups.

--Elizabeth Jensen

MSNBC’s Schultz Says He’s Not Running for Senate

MSNBC host Ed Schultz said he isn’t running for Sen. Byron Dorgan’s North Dakota U.S. Senate seat, TVNewser reports.

Dorgan said earlier this week that he won’t run for another term, and Schultz said he had been contacted by Democratic leadership and asked to run.

On MSNBC’s "Morning Joe," Schultz said: "I won't say no to anything. Am I running for Senate? No. I'm not. I'm not running for Senate." He added: "I was cast into this without even thinking about it. And I'm expected to come up with an answer in 24 hours?"

--Elizabeth Jensen

FCC Defends Stay on Lifting Crossownership Ban

The FCC defended its decision to stay a plan to partially lift the newspaper-broadcast crossownership ban because new commissioners are likely to come up with new rules, B&C reports.

The FCC also says court challenges to lifting the ban should be held in abeyance.

Broadcasters want the stay lifted, after more than five years of regulatory uncertainty.

--Elizabeth Jensen

CBS Shuffling Schedule

CBS will air Jerry Bruckheimer’s new midseason hospital drama “Miami Medical” on Friday nights at 10 p.m., starting April 2, replacing “Numbers” which will have finished its run, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Meanwhile, the Monday comedy "Accidentally on Purpose" will move to Wednesdays, beginning March 31. “Rules of Engagement" will replace it on Monday starting March 1.

--Elizabeth Jensen

ATAS’ Shaffner Faces New Challenge in Renewing Emmy TV Deal

After being reelected as chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, John Shaffner faces a new challenge: Renewing the broadcast network contract to air the Primetime Emmy awards ceremony on favorable terms, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The contract is in its final year of the current deal, and ratings have been dropping.

"This is a challenge; it's a puzzle, but it's not impossible," Shaffner said. "I believe the TV business wouldn't be the same without a big wonderful Emmy program every year."

--Elizabeth Jensen

Showtime Gives Greenlight to Laura Linney Series

Showtime gave a series order to Laura Linney's project "The Big C," in which the three-time Emmy winner plays a suburban wife and mom who is diagnosed with cancer, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The pay network ordered 13 episodes for a fall debut.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Ben Silverman Lines Up Distribution for His New Studio

Ben Silverman, the former NBC Entertainment co-chairman, lined up Yahoo to distribute shows from his new studio, Electus, which plans to specialize in programs created with advertisers, The New York Times reports.

Silverman has also signed up “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest and has “multiple projects” in the works with him, the paper said, and is working with actors including Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and America Ferrera.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Report: Leno Moving Back to 11:30

"The Jay Leno Show," currently airing on NBC weeknights at 10 p.m., will go on hiatus Feb. 1 and return to its old 11:30 p.m. timeslot after NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics ends, TMZ is reporting, citing unnamed "sources."

According to the Web site, the fate of "The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien," currently in the 11:30 slot, is not clear. 

Earlier today, the network denied a report that Leno's show had been canceled, and issued that same denial when asked for comment on the time change by TMZ.

NBC did not respond to a request for comment on the timeslot change from the Star-Ledger. 

-- Tom Gilbert

Celebrity Judge Leaving 'America's Got Talent'

After four years on NBC's "America's Got Talent," a celebrity judge says he wants to move on and create his own show.

David Hasselhoff has decided to leave the talent competition program, reports People.

In a statement, the network said, “David’s been an integral part of the success of America’s Got Talent and we are sad to see him go. We wish him all the best with his new show.”

No replacement judge has been named. The show is scheduled to return for its fifth season next summer.

-- Allison J. Waldman

NBC Denies It's Canceling 'The Jay Leno Show'