Broadcaster, Newspaper Combine Operations

A TV station, radio station and newspaper in Salt Lake City are combining their news operations in a move that will mean a cutback of half the staff of the newspaper, the AP reports.

The Deseret News, the longest-publishing daily newspaper in Utah, will move to the broadcast facilities of KSL-TV and KSL Radio, about five blocks away. Layoffs at the paper reportedly will include 57 full-time and 28 part-time employees.

"We are in a period of massive innovation," Deseret News CEO and President Clark Gilbert said in a statement. "Audiences are migrating from traditional newspapers to digital news sources, which allows us to reach more audiences than ever before."

Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Sparks Should Fly With These Cast Members

Bravo has revealed the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” and the lineup is a recipe for high drama, iVillage reports.

Among the cast members are Camille Grammer, Kelsey Grammer’s ex; and former child actresses Kim Richards and Kyle Richards, who are Paris Hilton’s aunts. Also in the lineup is Adrienne Maloof, part of the family that owns the Sacramento Kings NBA franchise.

Apple Closing in on iPhone Antenna Solution, May Have New Hardware Ready Within Weeks

Apple appears to be close to unveiling a hardware fix that solves the widely publicized antenna problem with the iPhone 4, Ars Technica reports.

Citing an executive with Mexican mobile carrier Telcel, the story says Apple is expected to release the revised hardware after Sept. 30.

Apple’s current program distributing free cases to iPhone owners as a temporary solution is set to expire Sept. 30.

Hallmark, AT&T Resume Carriage Negotiations as Deadline Looms

The carriage agreement standoff between AT&T's U-verse multichannel video service and the Hallmark channels is yet to be resolved, but at least the two sides have resumed talks, reports B&C.

Currently, Hallmark is asking for more than AT&T wants to pay. AT&T's deadline for pulling the plug on the Hallmark Channels is Wednesday at 12:01 a.m. ET. However, Hallmark has offered to continue letting the signal reach AT&T U-verse customers past the deadline even if a settlement has yet to be reached.

Icahn Raises Hostile Takeover Bid for Lions Gate

The hostile takeover bid by businessman Carl Icahn for Lions Gate Entertainment was increased by 15% on Tuesday to $7.50 a share, reports Multichannel News.

Lions Gate is a major entertainment player, owning the TV Guide Channel and producing two award-winning TV shows, "Mad Men" and "Nurse Jackie," among other properties.

The Lions Gate board of directors will review the latest bid from Icahn, whose previous bids were rejected, and is expected to respond soon, the story says.

Advertiser Insures NFL Player's Hair for $1 Million

NFL fans know that Troy Polamalu's mane is his trademark, which is why the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro safety has had his hair insured for $1 million by Head & Shoulders, reports Yahoo.com.

Polamalu is the star of commercials for Head & Shoulders and the company is concerned that while playing football, his hair may become a casualty.

It's not unheard of for fellow players to grab onto an opponent's hair should it flow out of the helmet. It happened to Polamalu in 2006 when he had intercepted a pass and was trying to return the pick for a touchdown.

Oscar Nominee Joins Upcoming Showtime Drama

A two-time Academy Award nominee is the latest star to join Showtime's new one-hour drama series "Shameless."

The new cast member is actress Joan Cusack, who received Oscar nominations for "Working Girl" and "In & Out." Cusack will appear in all 12 episodes of the show, from Bonanza Productions in association with John Wells Productions and Warner Bros. Television.

She will play Sheila, an agoraphobic Chicago housewife who develops a special friendship with star William H. Macy’s character, Frank Gallagher.

"Shameless" goes into production this fall and will premiere on Showtime on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at 9 p.m. ET.

CBS Reruns Top Monday Night Nielsens

CBS reruns of "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory" were the top shows in the Nielsens Monday night, with ratings of 2.6 and 2.8, respectively, in the 18-49 demographic, while ABC's second hour of "Bachelor Pad" managed the best numbers for new programming, according to TVbytheNumbers.

At 8 p.m. the first hour of "Bachelor Pad" scored a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic, before the show climbed to 2.1 in the 9 p.m. hour. Also at 9 p.m. Fox's "Lie to Me" earned a 1.7 in the demo.

At 10 p.m. ABC's "Dating in the Dark" collected a 1.5 rating in the 18-49 demo, just ahead of NBC's "Dateline," which had a 1.3.

Freshness Quotient and Moments of Inspiration Kept 62nd Annual Emmys From Sinking Into Trophy Tedium

Did you think this year's primetime Emmy Awards telecast on NBC was a marked improvement over recent years?

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin did. She says Jimmy Fallon's hosting was inspired and the show's emphasis on fun and funny definitely elevated this year's Emmys broadcast.

To read her thoughtful blog, please click here.

Soap Star Sued for More Than $250,000

One of the stars of a CBS daytime soap is being sued for more than a quarter of a million dollars by her attorneys, her manager and a security firm for allegedly being delinquent in her payments, reports SoapCentral.com.

TMZ.com revealed that the suit was filed Aug. 27 in Los Angeles Superior Court against actress Hunter Tylo of “The Bold and the Beautiful,” according to the report.

Tylo, who has played Dr. Taylor Hayes on "B&B" since 1990, has a history of legal entanglements, including a wrongful death lawsuit against a social worker who Tylo believed was responsible for her son's drowning death in 2007.

Tylo was reportedly awarded $4.8 million in damages in 1998 in a lawsuit against Aaron Spelling that claimed the actress was fired from “Melrose Place” because she was pregnant, the story adds.

'Dancing With the Stars' Lines up More Celebrities -- Including the Mom of a Famous TV Family and the Driver of TV's Famous Talking Car

"Dancing With the Stars" announced its new celebrity line-up on Monday, with some of television's best-known names from classic shows of the 1970s and 1980s signing up, according to an announcement from ABC Entertainment.

Florence Henderson, who played Carol Brady on "The Brady Bunch" during its run from 1969-1974, will be showing off her dancing skills, while David Hasselhoff of "Knight Rider" and "Baywatch" fame will also be competing on the show. The remaining 10 contestants are best-selling recording artists Michael Bolton and Brandy; comedian Margaret Cho; former L.A. Lakers forward Rick Fox; "Dirty Dancing" star Jennifer Grey; "Cory in the House" star Kyle Massey; Sarah Palin's daughter, Bristol Palin; "The Hills" star Audrina Patridge; "Jersey Shore" cast member Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino; and former St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner, the network says.

According to the New York Times, Bristol Palin was asked during a question-and-answer session following the release of ABC's announcement what her mother thinks about her joining the show. 
“She’s excited for me. She knows that this is going to be hard work but she’s excited," Palin said. Asked if Sarah Palin would visit the show, Bristol answered, "Hopefully."

In Emmy's 'In Memoriam' Segment, Some Viewers Mistook Young Corey Haim for Another '80s Child Actor

An '80s child star may be the victim of poor literacy, or perhaps some Twitter pranksters, after the Emmy's "In Memoriam" segment got some viewers confused between him and a young Corey Haim, reports PopEater.com. 

An image of a young Corey Haim - who passed away in March - was shown during the segment, along with his name superimposed over his picture, the story says. The picture did resemble that of a young Fred Savage, the star of "The Wonder Years," the article points out.

After the segment, the phrase "Fred Savage Dead" started popping up on Google, while viewers picked up on the rumor and posted it on Twitter. Savage, 34, hasn't commented on the mistake.

Undercover Surprise: Fox News Star Wore a Bulletproof Vest Under His Button-down Shirt at His 'Restoring Honor' Rally

The niece of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was told by Fox News' Glenn Beck that he was wearing a bulletproof vest at his "Restoring Honor" rally in Washington, D.C. last weekend, the New York Daily News reports. 

The vest apparently was worn under his blue button-down shirt and tie during the event. Beck said that he had risked his life by attending the event, as did other speakers.

King's niece, Alveda King, choose not to wear the protective vest, Beck said, according to the story. "She is a marked woman for standing on that step with me," he said. Beck also called a V-shaped flyover of a flock of geese a divine sign. "I think it was God's flyover," he said.

Report: ABC, NBC and CBS Vying for 'Good Christian Bitches'

ABC, NBC and CBS are all interested in the Darren Star-produced dramedy "Good Christian Bitches," reports Deadline.com's Nellie Andreeva. 

The project is based on a book with the same name by Kim Gatlin, with the script from "Steel Magnolias" writer Robert Harling. The show focuses on a recently divorced mother who moves back to the wealthy Dallas neighborhood where she was raised, only to find herself mixed up in gossip, fraud and Botox, the article says. Star, Harling and Aaron Kaplan are executive producing.

Snooki to Receive Very Public Marriage Proposal

Snooki, one of the stars of MTV's "Jersey Shore," is receiving an unusual proposal from her boyfriend of at least two weeks, reports the New York Post. 

Her boyfriend, Jeff Miranda, is using the Sept. 10 cover story in Steppin' Out magazine to ask her to marry him, the story says.

The cover features a shirtless Miranda on his knees with the headline, "Jeff Miranda has a question for Snooki. Will you marry me?" Miranda tells the magazine, which is devoted to covering New York and New Jersey entertainment, "Once she deals with the shock, I think [she'll] say yes. I really do. In fact, I know she'll say yes."

Gloria, er, Sofia Vergara, from 'Modern Family' as Florida's First Lady?

Florida could see Gloria from ABC's "Modern Family" end up as its first lady -- or at least, the actress who plays her, Sofia Vergara, reports the New York Post's Page Six. 

Vergara's boyfriend, Nick Loeb, may be eying a run for governor, the story says. Loeb, who is related to the Lehman financial dynasty, has previously run for a U.S. Senate seat for Florida, although he dropped out of the race, the article says. If he runs and wins the gubernatorial race, that would make the Colombian native the first lady of Florida, the story adds.

Could the Emmys Be Divided into Two Programs Next Year, With One for Broadcast and Another for Cable?

An idea is circulating among television executives that may change the way the Emmys are presented in the future, reports The Hollywood Reporter. 

The top TV networks have been talking with the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences about potentially splitting the awards into two programs, with one for broadcast and another for cable or pay TV, the story says.

The audience for Sunday's Emmys was down by nearly one-third from 2002, although it did show improvement from 2008, the article adds. Splitting the event would address a concern of broadcasters, who have seen cable networks take over the movie of the week, long-form and miniseries categories.

Broadcast executives have been frustrated that the Emmy Awards ceremony is becoming a promotional event for HBO and other cable networks, the article adds. ATAS isn't commenting, the story says.

Piers Morgan Getting Closer to Taking Over Larry King's CNN Slot

Piers Morgan says he's getting closer to taking over Larry King's time slot on CNN, reports the Los Angeles Times' ShowTracker blog. 

From the red carpet at Sunday's Emmy awards ceremony, Morgan told the newspaper, "We're near the end of negotiations and we're getting to what I hope will be a very happy resolution." He added that being on CNN is like working for one of the "great holy grails of television."

Morgan also said that he won't try to copy King's style. "They're the biggest suspenders to fill imaginable. So I won't even try. I'll just be myself and no suspenders."

With an Extended Season, Will the Super Bowl Run into the 2014 Winter Olympics?

If the National Football League decides to move forward with extending its season to 18 games, a prospect that looks likely, it's possible that the Super Bowl may go head-to-head with the 2014 Winter Olympics, reports the New York Post. 

Such a run-in looks inevitable because Super Sunday would fall either on one of the games' opening nights or on the second Sunday of the Olympic's two-week broadcast, the article points out. A similar threat to the Oscars led the awards show to announce it would be fine with moving the broadcast to a weeknight, the story says.

Murdoch's Desire to Save Newspapers Could Help Push Apple's 99-Cent TV Plan

Rupert Murdoch's desire to save newspapers may help push forward Apple's plan to rent television shows for 99 cents per episode, reports the Los Angeles Times. 

Murdoch and other top News Corp. executives are considering joining a six-month trial of Apple's television service because they believe it could help build a relationship with Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, the story says. That, in turn, may boost benefits for News Corp.'s newspapers, the article adds.

Murdoch has said that Apple's iPad will turn around print media by attracting readers who otherwise wouldn't buy a physical newspaper subscription. News Corp.'s participation in the TV-rental plan would become pivotal, given that NBC Universal, CBS and Time Warner are resisting the idea, with only Walt Disney Co. supporting the idea, the article adds.

British Comedian Joining Cast of Showtime's 'United States of Tara'

A British comedian will be joining the third season of Showtime's "United States of Tara" in a major recurring role, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com. 

Eddie Izzard will play a psychology professor who becomes fascinated with Tara, a woman who struggles with dissociative identity disorder, the story says. It marks Izzard's first U.S. series role since he starred in FX's "The Riches," the article adds.

GSN Succeeding by Sticking to Games, Rather Than Broadening Offerings -- as Well as Giving Viewers a Chance to Win

The New York Times takes a look at the success of GSN, the cable channel devoted to games that began 16 years ago as a place to air reruns of classic game shows. 

GSN will boost its television advertising revenue to a projected $94 million this year, representing a 20% jump from 2007, when David Goldhill joined as chief executive, the story says.

One way the network is engaging viewers is by giving them a chance to win at home through "GSN Live," which gives home viewers a chance to win part of the $1.5 million in prizes the network gives away annually, the story says.

The network also has games on GSN.com and Facebook, along with its own online currency that can be traded for prizes, the article says. “Nobody watches a game show without playing along. It’s almost an involuntary action," Goldhill says.

Cable Network Gets New President

A major cable network announced a new president today.

WIth Paul Lee going to head up the ABC network, that left a void atop ABC Family, from whence Lee came.

The company filled the position today, Monday, Aug. 30th, 2010, with the naming of Michael Riley as President of ABC Family.

Riley comes to the job from a sibling Walt Disney Co. division. He has been senior vice president and general manager of Radio Disney, where he was in charge of 36 radio stations.

"Previously Riley was senior vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System, Europe, Middle East and Africa," the company announced, adding that "From 2004-06 he was vice president and general manager, Turner Broadcasting System France.."

In making the announcement, Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks & president, Disney/ABC Television Group, and the person to whom Riley will report, said, in a statement, “Michael’s talent and drive are eclipsed only by the enthusiasm and passion he brings to every opportunity. I’m confident his unique set of skills and experience will help us further ABC Family’s amazing momentum.”

Tribune Stations To Air More Classic TV Shows

The Tribune stations will air more classic TV shows.

Beginning Jan. 2, 2011, Tribune will start airing Antenna TV as part of its digital multicast, Tribune Broadcasting announced on Monday, Aug. 30, 2010.

Antenna TV will also be made available by Tribune to non-company TV stations.

"Antenna TV will offer a combination of movies and classic television shows including: 'Three’s Company,' 'All in the Family,'  'Sanford and Son,'  'Benny Hill,'  'Maude,'  'The Nanny' and 'Married with Children.' Classic television series will air overnight, including: 'Dennis the Menace,' 'The Donna Reed Show' and 'The Three Stooges,' " the announcement said.

In a statement, Sean Compton, President of Programming for Tribune Broadcasting, added, "'Earlier this year Tribune expanded its relationship with MGM to launch THIS TV, a digital channel of classic movies, in additional markets."

"Sanford and Son," Three's Company," and "The Nanny" also can be seen on cable's "TVLand."

"The Nanny" is also on cable's "Nick@Nite" as well.

Tina Fey Spills Two '30 Rock' Scoops on Emmys Red Carpet

Tina Fey may have been shut out from winning any Emmys Sunday night, but she was in a generous mood when she spilled two major casting scoops about "30 Rock" during an interview on the red carpet, reports Entertainment Weekly.

Fey confirmed that "Mad Men's" Jon Hamm would be back as Drew for the live episode of the NBC sitcom on Oct. 14. She also announced that Emmy winner Paul Giamatti would be appearing in an upcoming episode as a grouchy editor confined to a basement office in the GE building.

"30 Rock" returns for the new season on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 8:30 p.m. ET.

'Idol's' Lythgoe Confirms One of the Judges for Upcoming Season

At Sunday night's Emmys ceremony, the executive producer of Fox's "American Idol," Nigel Lythgoe, broke some news about the judges, reports Zap2it.com.

It wasn’t exactly the news everyone has been waiting for, concerning rumors that Elton John and other celebrities might be close to joining the show. But it was something.

Lythgoe told Sam Rubin, entertainment anchor from KTLA, that Randy Jackson will definitely be back as one of the "Idol" judges.

How to Keep In-Show Promotions From Falling Flat? Just Look at 'Vampire Diaries'

Brian Steinberg in Advertising Age takes apart how television shows are increasingly ensuring that in-show television promotions don't fall flat by looking at an upcoming promotion in "The Vampire Diaries."

While the CW show won't feature a Ford Fiesta until early October, the automaker is talking up the product placement weeks in advance, the story says. That will help alert fans to the placement and may even reward them for paying attention, as the car maker is starting a contest this week soliciting essays via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail. A winner will receive one of the cars.

Such approaches avoid the pitfalls of product placement, the article points out.

"The practice of weaving name-brand products into TV shows has risen over the last several years, as more advertisers struggle to get their wares in front of TV viewers more prone than ever to fast-forward past or otherwise skip expensive commercials. Yet to most couch potatoes, the result is the same: Someone jammed a car, soda can or hand-held gadget into a favorite program," Steinberg writes.

'Scrubs' Actor Among New Cast Members Lined Up for 'SNL'; Do the Additions Mean More Veterans Are Leaving?

Three new performers will join the cast of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” this fall, the New York Post reports, and speculation is that some of the current cast members may be out of the lineup when the show’s new season debuts in late September.

One of the newcomers is Taran Killam, best known for his role in “Scrubs.” Two Chicago-based comics, Paul Brittain and Vanessa Bayer, are also set to join the show.

Thus far, only Will Forte has announced his exit from the show, as previously reported. But the announcement of new cast members suggests that other veterans could be leaving the NBC late-night comedy series, the story says.

Shift in Focus for MTV? Latest Project Could Signal a Return to Hip

MTV is working on a new television series that could signal the network is trying to tap back into youth culture, reports New York Magazine's Vulture blog.

The series, based on the book "I Just Want My Pants Back," is filming in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood and, according to a Craigslist ad looking for "real hipsters" to be extras in the show, will be directed by Doug Liman of "Go."

"Filming on location in Brooklyn for ‘I Want My Pants,’ too, shows almost a commitment to the project, and to seeming "hip"," the story says.

The show might help segue MTV from "the exhausted, glossy 'Hills' aesthetic," the article adds.

CBS Counting on Familiar Theme Music to Help Push New Show

CBS is counting on the well-known theme music from a popular 1970s show to help draw viewers to the new version of the show, which will debut this fall, reports The New York Times.

Composed by CBS executive Morton Stevens in the 1960s, the theme song to "Hawaii Five-0" (to listen to it, click here) is familiar even to people who don't recognize the show, the story says.

About 70% of people over the age of 35 are familiar with the show, the story says. The downside? About 70% of people under 35 don't know the show, the story reports, citing CBS Corp. Chief Marketing Officer George F. Schweitzer.

“When we asked what was the expectation for a remake, people said, ‘I want to see the crime-fighting, I want to see Hawaii, and play me the song.’” Schweitzer said.

The promotional campaign for the show will include theme-song elements, such as a contest called Hawaii Five-0 Marching Band Mania and ads that will play as people walk by bus shelters and store windows, the article says. There will also be free ringtones to cellphone users who text H50 to 69937, as well as clips on YouTube, the story adds.

ESPN Invites Fans to Submit Their Own Sports Highlights to Air on 'SportsCenter'

Fans who have always wanted to get 15 minutes of fame on "SportsCenter" now have a way to try to make it happen, according to B&C.

ESPN is teaming up with YouTube to encourage viewers to make their own sports clips for a "SportsCenter" highlight and submit them to the network.

According to John Kosner, ESPN senior VP and general manager for digital media, the best highlight clips featuring the viewers and their family members or friends will be broadcast on "SportsCenter."

"There is a lot of ad sales interest in social media programs on ESPN.com and on ESPN Mobile," said Kosner.

Emmys Edge NFL Game for Top Spot in Sunday Ratings; Best Emmy Total Viewer Ratings in Four Years

UPDATE 12:45 PM, PT: TVBytheNumbers added this to its Emmy ratings story: 

"[I]in the Time Zone Adjusted fast nationals, the Emmy Awards were down very slightly from last year in adults 18-49 rating (4.1 vs. 4.2) and up very slightly with viewers  (13.503 million vs. 13.471 million viewers).  Only a slight edge, but still the best viewer totals since 2006.  You can check out the table of  historical Emmy Awards ratings going back to 1956."

The NBC broadcast of the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards was the top-rated program of Sunday night in the Nielsens, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

Starting at 7 p.m. with the Red Carpet coverage, NBC scored a 1.8 rating for the hour in the 18-49 demographic, beating CBS's "60 Minutes," which had a 1.3 in the same demo.

At 8 p.m. the Primetime Emmys commenced with a 3.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of Fox's NFL preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos, which had a 3.3 in the demo. CBS's "Big Brother" was a strong third with a 2.8 in the 18-49 demographic.

At 9 p.m. the Emmys and the NFL game continued first and second for the hour, with ratings of 3.8 and 3.7, respectively, in the 18-49 demo.

In the 10 p.m. hour the NFL jumped ahead of the Emmys, 3.3 to 3.2, in the 18-49 demographic.

Is the Jerry Lewis Telethon Recession-Proof?

In its 60 years on the air, the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon has raised nearly $6.5 billion, and last year’s results are evidence that the telecast is recession-proof, says the comic legend/host, according to UPI.com.

Lewis, who is getting ready for the Labor Day Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, said that last year during the recession, the event still raised $60.5 million.

"It was bad last year and look what we did," the 84-year-old told the Las Vegas Sun.

Who's the Top NFL Player of All Time? NFL Network Is About to Let Us Know

Coinciding with the kickoff of the National Football League season, the NFL Network, in conjunction with NFL Films, is launching a new series Sept. 3 called “The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players," reports SportsNewser.com.

The 10-part series will feature former NFL stars, coaches, analysts, celebrities and fans lending their expertise to a list of the top NFL players of all time. The countdown will start with player No. 100 and continue until No. 1 is revealed. Each one-hour episode will focus on 10 NFL players.

After the Sept. 3 premiere, episode two will be shown on Tuesday, Sept. 7, with future episodes slotted for Thursdays at 9 p.m. starting Sept. 16.
 

Video: Fallon and Cohorts Team for One Of Best Emmy Openings Ever

Getting the 2010 Primetime Emmy telecast off to a rousing beginning was a spoof of "Glee," featuring some of the show's cast trying to figure out how to earn money to attend the Emmys, with help from Emmy host Jimmy Fallon. The number includes a memorable bit with Betty White teaching Jon Hamm of "Mad Men" how to dance, as well as a version of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run."

Emmys Make Winners out of New Comedies and Returning Dramas, While Conan O'Brien Loses out on Taking a Shot at NBC (and an Award): Complete List of Winners

TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF WINNERS OF THE 2010 PRIMETIME EMMYS, LISTED BY SHOW TITLE AND NETWORK, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

TO SEE A PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE WINNERS OF THE 2010 PRIMETIME EMMYS ISSUED BY THE ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS 7 SCIENCES, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

TO SEE ATAS' OFFICIAL PDF OF THE WINNERS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

The Primetime Emmys made winners out of new comedies such as ABC's "Modern Family" while favoring returning dramas such as AMC's "Mad Men," reports the Los Angeles Times' The Envelope blog.

"Modern Family" won the top comedy prize, the Emmy for outstanding comedy series, marking the first time in more than 20 years that an ABC comedy has received the honor, reports the New York Times. It also marked the end to the three-year dominance of NBC's "30 Rock," the story adds. "Glee," Fox's freshman comedy, scored two awards: one for Jane Lynch for supporting actress in a comedy and another for creator Ryan Murphy for comedy direction.

Both "Modern Family" and "Glee" are from Twentieth Century Fox Television.

On the drama side, AMC's "Mad Men" from Lionsgate took home its third consecutive Emmy for drama series, while AMC's "Breaking Bad" actor Bryan Cranston won his third leading acting Emmy for his starring role on the show.

One surprising upset of the evening was in the reality-competition category, which was won by "Top Chef," breaking a seven-year run of wins by CBS' "Amazing Race," the New York Times points out.

The highly anticipated moment of Conan O'Brien getting on stage to needle his former bosses at NBC never happened, as Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" won the Emmy for best variety, music or comedy series for an eighth year, the article says. Still, the award show's host, Jimmy Fallon, had a go at the late-night brou-ha-ha, when NBC pushed O'Brien off the air in favor of Jay Leno, in his monologue. “NBC asking a late-night host to go to L.A. to host another show. What could possibly go wrong?” O’Brien nodded to the camera, the story says.

2010 Primetime Emmys Also an Event on Twitter and Social Media

SF Gate blogger  Zennie Abraham (Chairman and CEO of Sports Business Simulations (SBS), Editor-in-Chief of SBSON.com, and Founding Executive Producer of the national show "The Blog Report With Zennie62") says the 2010 Primetime Emmys represented a landmark for the show for its impact on Twitter and social media.

According to Abraham, "Near the end of the telecast of the 62nd Emmy Awards, personalities in it served to dominate the Twitter Top Trends. That's never happened in Emmy Awards history. 

In fact, as of this writing, the 2010 Emmy Awards still represents seven of the ten Top Twitter Trends. From top to bottom, the Top Twitter Trends are: Temple Grandin, Hugh Laurie, Jim Parsons, Emmy Awards, #emmys10, #somewhereintheworld, Modern Family, Indiana Jones, and Jane Lynch."

Abraham adds, "According to SocialMention.com, the term Emmy Awards was mentioned on a website or blog every 15 seconds during and after the telecast. Twitscoop.com reports that as of this writing, Modern Family, the Best Comedy Series Award Winner is at the top of Twiter Trends, with 20,101 tweets devoted to it, and counting."

Furthermore, Abraham says, "

The Real Winners and Losers of this Year's Primetime Emmys

Lacey Wood, who writes the Moneywood blog for Forbes, has pronounced who the real winners and losers were at the 2010 Primetime Emmys.

Here's her list:

Losers: "Lost," Conan O'Brien, NBC's Thursday Comedy Block, Drama on the broadcast networks.

Winners: Jimmy Fallon, AMC, 20th Century Fox, Showtime, Top Chef, Comedy on the broadcast networks.

To read her reasons, here's a link to Wood's blog.

Some 'Glee' Stars Claim They've Been Stiffed out of Record Royalties from Soundtrack

 Some of the cast of "Glee" are claiming they're not receiving royalties from the hit show's soundtrack, the New York Post's Page Six reports.

The show's most recent record, "Glee: The Music -- Journey to the Regionals," landed at the top spot on the Billboard 200 chart in June, but Mark Salling, who plays Puck, said he hasn't received royalties from Sony Music, the story says.

Corey Monteith, who portrays Finn on the show, told a radio program that he's received $400 from the recording.

The article says that Sony CEO Ralph Schmidt-Holtz created a soundtrack deal with show creator Ryan Murphy that cut the cast out of the royalties.

That may be the reason behind many of the cast members' decisions to strike solo deals with other recording companies, the article adds.

Matthew Morrison, who plays Will Schuester, has a deal with Mercury Records, while Salling has signed a deal with independent recording label Pipe Dream Records, the story says.

Phew: Time Warner Cable Customers Are Congratulating Themselves for Getting Tough and Not Rolling Over as Time Warner Cable and Disney Set Carriage Deal

Just 10 days before the National Football League's opening of its regular season and on the eve of the fall television season, Time Warner Cable and Walt Disney Co. have set a carriage agreement, reports the New York Post.

The agreement in principle means that Time Warner Cable customers will avoid a blackout of ESPN and ABC programs on the cable system, the story points out.

The current contract between the two companies expires on Thursday, a week before the NFL season opens in New Orleans with a match between the Saints and the Minnesota Vikings. Few details of the proposed deal are known, such as how much Disney was able to earn for ABC, the story says.

Both companies' legal teams still need to review the terms, the article adds.

We're guessing that Time Warner Cable customers around the country are congratulating themselves for getting tough and not rolling over.

The Rest of Us Are Congratulating Ourselves for Not Rolling Over and Getting Tough as Glenn Beck Rules Out Running for the Presidential Office on Sarah Palin's Ticket

Glenn Beck said during "Fox News Sunday," the day after his "Restore America" rally in Washington, D.C., that he has no plans to run for the presidential office on a Sarah Palin ticket, reports the New York Daily News.

Beck, who hosts Fox News' "Glenn Beck", said he believes he wouldn't be electable and added that he's not smart enough, the article says. "There are far too many people that are far smarter than me to be President," Beck said. "I'd like to find one with some honor and integrity. I haven't seen them yet, but they'll show up." Beck led Saturday's rally with Palin.

Paris Hilton Arrested on Suspicion of Cocaine Possession; Heiress and Star of 'The Simple Life' Reportedly 'Not Worried'

Paris Hilton was arrested late Friday in Las Vegas on suspicion of felony cocaine possession, reports the New York Times.

According to TMZ.com, Hilton has been saying she's not worried about the charge and doesn't think it's a big deal.

Hilton had been arrested earlier this year in South Africa on suspicion of marijuana possession, but the charges were dropped, the New York Times story says.

Entire Cast of 'Jersey Shore' Sued for Alleged Assault by Security Guards

The entire cast of MTV's "Jersey Shore" has been sued by a woman who is alleging she was assaulted by their security guards, reports RadarOnline.com.

The claimant, whose lawsuit refers to her by the initials J.P., claims that four security guards working for the show allegedly threw her to the ground after an argument with Snooki, according to the article. The woman's attorney claims her chin was cut and she now has a scar for the alleged incident, the story says. The incident allegedly happened last September.

Is 'American Idol' Executive Producer Lythgoe Still Trying to Recruit Elton John?

Is "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe is still trying to recruit Elton John as a judge for the Fox program? That's the question posed by Deadline.com.

 The report says Lythgoe responded to a question about hiring Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez as judges by saying, "I must say, I really do love Elton John. He’s a huge favorite of mine." He added that Elton John's busy schedule is "always the problem." Lythgoe also added whether or not John clears off time on his schedule "depends on whether [he] wants to give back," the story says.

But there isn't a deal in the works because of John's touring schedule and his asking price, the story says.

Justice Department Investigating How Comcast-NBCU Merger Would Affect Internet Video Market

The Justice Department is investigating how Comcast's proposed purchase of NBC Universal would affect the Internet video market,reports the Wall Street Journal [Note: THe WSJ is behind a firewall and may charge you to read this artcle.]

The agency's antitrust unit is looking at whether Comcast and other satellite and cable giants want to lock up distribution rights to TV programming on the Web, potentially hurting competition, the story says.

However, the investigation is unlikely to kill the deal, the story says. But the issue comes as the video market is rapidly changing, with Apple and other companies seeking to provide video over the Internet. The Justice Department is looking at whether Comcast having control over NBCU's content would make it tougher for online video companies to compete, the story says.

Report: 'Real Housewives of New York' Want 'Jersey Shore'-Sized Contracts

The "Real Housewives of New York City" are looking across the Hudson for some contract-negotiation tips,reports the New York Post's Page Six.

The stars of the Bravo show have been asked back to the program, but the ladies are reportedly upset that they make less than "Jersey Shore" star Snooki, the article says. The women are looking at "other options," the article adds. Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon and Alex McCord are earning about $4,000 per episode, compared with the $30,000 per show earned by Snooki, the story says.

Zarin, who was recently seen with camera crews during a shoot of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog", may be holding out for a higher-paying contract. Her representative didn't have comment, nor did Bravo, the article adds.

Print Out This At Home Emmy Ballot

http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/62ndEmmy_Ballot.pdf

Video: Terrorism Suspect's Audition on 'Canadian Idol'

A man arrested this week as part of a suspected terrorist plot has been identified as an aspiring singer who tried out for Canada's version of "American Idol" in 2008, the Kingston Whig-Standard reports.

Here is the audition tape in which the suspect, Khurram Syed Sher of London, Ontario, attempts Avril Lavigne's "Complicated," complete with moonwalk.

More Fallout for Embattled ESPN Commentator Following Arrest

Jay Mariotti, a sports columnist best known for his appearances on ESPN's "Around the Horn," has been suspended indefinitely by his other employer, AOL, following his arrest last week, according to TheWrap.

Mariotti, who has been a contributor to AOL’s Fanhouse feature, faces charges of domestic violence involving his girlfriend.

Commenting in an AOL statement, a spokesperson said, "We are continuing to gather all the facts. In the meantime, we have suspended Jay Mariotti and are not featuring any new work from him."

ESPN has not announced any official action regarding Mariotti, but a spokesperson for the network did confirm that when "Around the Horn" returns from a week off the air (while the Little League World Series tournament airs), Mariotti will not be on the panel.

If Couric Doesn't Re-Sign With CBS, Zucker's Interested In Having Her Back

With Katie Couric's CBS contract coming to an end next spring and “CBS Evening News" stuck in third place, there's been speculation that Couric might leave the network, and now NBC's Jeff Zucker is saying her former home would be interested in her returning, The New York Times reports.

Zucker, the chief executive of NBC Universal, said Wednesday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that the network would consider rehiring Couric if she became a free agent. CNN is another possible landing spot for Couric if CBS chooses not to re-sign her.

Asked about Couric by host Joe Scarborough, Zucker said, "I have always said, look, Katie would be a great addition wherever she is. If the time were right, I think that’s something we would look at. You know, but she’s under contract now, and I think she’s happy where she is, whether you believe it or not. So I’m not going to wade into that controversy."

CBS's 'Big Brother' Leads the Way in Thursday Ratings

On a slow summer night, CBS's reality show "Big Brother" was Thursday’s highest-rated program in the Nielsens, reports TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. "Big Brother" had a 2.7 in the 18-49 demographic.

ABC's "Rookie Blue" was tops at 9 p.m. with a 1.7 in the 18-49 demographic.

At 10 p.m. the only new show was ABC's "Nightline Prime: Secrets of Your Mind," which had a 1.2 in the demo.

More Celebrities Sign On for 'Dancing With the Stars'

The official ABC announcement isn't coming out till Monday during the broadcast of "The Bachelor Pad," but several more stars' names have surfaced and they're apparently confirmed for the upcoming season of "Dancing With the Stars," according to E! Online.

Singer Michael Bolton and former L.A. Lakers forward Rick Fox will be on the show, the story says. The Web site points out that Bolton and Fox, coincidentally, are ex-husbands of two "Desperate Housewives" stars, Nicollette Sheridan and Vanessa Williams, respectively.

Also confirmed are comedian Margaret Cho and actress Jennifer Grey of "Dirty Dancing" fame.

Bristol Palin was also revealed this week as a participant on the show, and another celebrity who is reportedly set to appear is the former mom on "The Brady Bunch," Florence Henderson.

'Spanish Oprah' Will Follow in Winfrey's Footsteps

Known as the “Spanish Oprah,” the most famous talk show host on Spanish-language television is following in the footsteps of Oprah Winfrey and will end her Univision program in November, the AP reports.

Cristina Saralegui’s "El Show de Cristina" has been one of the top-rated Spanish-language shows on the network. The show will wrap after a 20-year run.

In announcing her decision, Saralegui called it a "bittersweet moment."

HBO Casts Oscar Winner in Key Role for Movie on the Financial Collapse; Who Else Should Be Cast?

An Oscar-winning actor has signed on to play Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in HBO's movie "Too Big to Fail," reports Deadline.com.

The actor is William Hurt, who won an Oscar in 1986 for his starring role in “Kiss of the Spider Woman.”

The drama will look at the 2008 financial crisis by focusing on Paulson, the story says.

Filming will start in early fall from a script by Peter Gould, who based it on the book by New York Times columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin.

HBO will soon be casting the other parts of the drama, including Paulson's successor Timothy Geitner, Lehman Bros CEO Richard Fuld and Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, the article adds.

Who do you think should be cast to play these parts? Here at TVWeek we have an outside-the-box idea of which HBO-friendly face (right) should play Bernanke (left) :

Former James Bond to Play Mystery Man on 'Chuck'

An actor who has played James Bond in the movies will make an appearance on NBC's "Chuck" as a mystery man with ties to Chuck's mother, reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files.

The actor is Timothy Dalton, who played Agent 007 in “The Living Daylights” and “Licence to Kill.”

"Chuck" executive producer Josh Schwartz declined to disclose the relationship between Dalton's character and Chuck's mom, although he did say that the character isn't Chuck's real dad.

“We’ll only say that they’ve known each other for a long time," Schwartz said.

The appearance will mark Dalton's first appearance in a U.S. television series in more than three decades, since he had a role in "Charlie's Angels" in 1979, the story says.

"We’ve wanted to have him on the show since season 1,” Schwartz said. “When we came up with this part, we thought he’d be perfect. So we sent him [some episodes], he dug it, and then we started talking."

Dalton will appear in the upcoming season’s seventh episode, called "Chuck Versus the First Fight."

Longtime Popular SNL Cast Member Won't Be Returning to the Show

One of the popular cast members of "Saturday Night Live" won't be returning to the latenight series this fall.

It's Will Forte, who played the character MacGruber on the show, among other characters.

According to the New York TImes, a rep for Forte said in an email, " 'After eight great seasons, Will has made the decision to move on from ‘SNL’ to pursue new opportunities. He is eternally grateful to Lorne and all of the incredible people he worked with over the years.' Mr. Forte joined 'Saturday Night Live' in its 2002-3 season."

The reference to Lorne is to Lorne Michaels, who has run "SNL" for many years.

Old TV Mystery Solved. Years Ago, on the 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers,' One Day The Blue Ranger Was No Longer On the Show. Viewers Were Told He Went To Another Planet. In Reality, the Actor Walked Off the Set, Tired of Being Taunted For Being Gay

About 20 years ago, the blue power ranger on Fox's "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" went to live on another planet. But the reality behind the character's inter-planetary move was that the actor who played the part, David Yost, walked off the set after being teased about being gay, reports EW.com's PopWatch blog.

Yost says he had a nervous breakdown after leaving the show, but since has been working as a producer for reality shows including "Temptation Island."

PopWatch said Yost was interviewed by NoPinkSpandex on YouTube. Here's a copy of part of the interview:

Intrepid Reporter Discovers That This Show Canceled Itself!

As regular readers of TVWeek know, we have long admired the reportage of the talented James Hibberd, who used to work for us and who now writes for The Hollywood Reporter.

The other day, Michael Vick announced that he had canceled his VH1 show "The Michael Vick Project" after its 10-episode airing.

Hibberd knows that it's rare for a star to cancel his or her own show after one season. He wrote on his Live Feed blog, "Smelling doggy do-do, I called BET," to see who they'd say canceled the show.

BET told him that what really happened is that the show was designed to air only one season.

Hibberd wrote that was a strange response because "It's not the way the business functions. It’s like trying to tell the traffic cop the light was blue. Networks sometimes announce a short order if they think a project is only going to work in the short term, but they never walk away from a second season of a reality show IF it was successful. Reality stars do quit — Oprah Winfrey pulled the plug on 'Oprah’s Big Give' after one season -- but that's very rare."

Given that the show opened big with 1.8 million viewers, but finished at 800,000 viewers, ratings probably did in the show, Hibberd notes.

But with BET saying that Vick didn't cancel the series, and claiming that they didn't cancel the series, Hibberd concludes, " 'The Michael Vick Project' -- the show that canceled itself." 

Will Ryan Seacrest Be Larry King's New Boss?

Will Larry King soon be working for Ryan Seacrest? Could be.

Seacrest, whose daily Los Angeles-based radio show is set to end in November, is in discussions to create his own radio company. And King, 76, may become Seacrest's first hire, reports the New York Post.

It would be a return to the medium for King, who started at a Miami radio station in the 1950s. King has been an admirer of Seacrest's and had hoped the younger man would become his replacement on CNN.

Here's What's Holding Up Time Warner Cable's Negotiations with ESPN

Negotiations for Time Warner Cable to renew rights to ESPN may be delayed by demands from ESPN's parent, Walt Disney, for money for ESPN3.com, Bloomberg News reports.

Disney wants Time Warner Cable to pay 10 cents per month per customer for the site, a demand which Time Warner Cable is resisting, the story says. ESPN3.com, formerly called ESPN360, carries 3,500 live events annually and airs programming that's not available on TV.

If ESPN strikes a deal for the Website, it would add more than 9 million paying customers for ESPN3.com.

Time Warner Cable is currently negotiating pricing for Disney's cable networks such as the Disney Channel and ABC Family, as well as ABC's broadcast stations New York, Los Angeles and Raleigh, North Carolina for a contract that expires Sept. 1, the article says.

Could the Super Bowl Find a Permanent Date? How the 18-Game Proposed Season Could Have Big Effect on Television

The proposed 18-game season for the National Football League could affect the television industry, including creating a permanent date for one of the biggest annual TV events, the Super Bowl, reports Joe Flint in the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog.

By pushing the regular season out by two additional games, the Super Bowl could be pushed "into mid-February and give the NFL a chance to make the three-day Presidents' Day weekend a permanent home for its biggest event," Flint writes, adding. "No doubt there are plenty of football fans who overdo it on Super Bowl Sunday and wouldn't mind having Monday off."

But a longer season could also mean TV networks would need to pay up more for rights, the story says. "With a longer season, the league could even consider carving out yet another television package of games," the story adds. While it's not certain the plan will come to fruition, it seems likely, possibly as early as 2012, Flint concludes.

Potential Facebook Competitor Set To Launch Sept. 15

Facebook is so big and ubiquitous now that it may be hard to challenge, but four U.S. college students have gotten some publicity for giving it a try.

It's called Diaspora, and bills itself as "The privacy aware, personally controlled, do-it-all, open source social network."

According to BBC News, Diaspora now says it will launch on Sept. 15.

"The project was started by three computer scientists and one mathematician from New York," the article says. According to the Diaspora website, the four are Daniel Grippi, Maxwell Salzberg, Raphael Sofaer, and Ilya Zhitomirskiy.

The article says the four have raised $200,642 from nearly 6,500 people--with the help of the fundraising site Kickstarter--and that "Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, reportedly donated to the project."

The word diaspora means a group migration. With a capital "D" the tern generally refers specifically to Jews living outside of Israel having being forced to leave the Holy Land centuries ago.

After Auto-Tuning Uproar, Simon Cowell Bans the Technique on 'The X Factor'; 'American Idol' Producers Say Where They Stand on Auto-Tuning

The auto-tuning debacle may be drawing to a close for U.K. television, with Simon Cowell banning the technique for "The X Factor" and scrapping an episode of show because it didn't meet his standards, reports the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

"People have got to be able to trust 'The X Factor' - we are not faking anything," Cowell said. More than 300 viewers complained after an 18-year-old contestant's voice on last week's episode was altered with auto-tuning, which hides pitch errors, the story says. The U.S. hit "Glee" incorporates auto-tuning into many of its songs.

Separately, producers of "American Idol" issued a statement saying that the show has never used the technique, reports the Associated Press. "We have never, nor would we ever, use Auto-Tuning during the 'American Idol' competition," the statement said.

Emmy Awards Host Jimmy Fallon: Look for Conan to Show Up, But Leno Maybe Not; Also, Tune Into Backstage at the Emmys as You Watch the Program

Jimmy Fallon, host of the Emmys Primetime Awards this Sunday, August 29, 2010, tells Deadline.com that he hasn't been restricted in what he can say and that "we have a couple of ideas with Conan."

While Fallon didn't say what those ideas are involving Conan O'Brien, he added he believes the former NBC late-night talk-show host will attend the event.

As for rival Jay Leno, "We’re not sure right now" whether he'll be there, although Fallon says he hopes he'll attend. "No one’s telling me anything like, don’t go here, don’t talk about Conan [O’Brien]," Fallon says. "We’ll touch on the stuff the network’s gone through. We’ll probably have a couple of jokes in there about all of the late-night stuff. You can’t not talk about it."

Separately, you can watch all the behind-the-scenes action at the Emmys online while you are watching what's going on on-stage on the NBC broadcast.

It's a new product called  "Backstage Live @ the Emmys." Tune into Emmys.com to watch it commercial free. It'll also be available on NBC.com and Ustream.com.

Best Non-TV Story of the Day: Essential Question You Need to Ask Your Doctors: 'Do You Believe in God?' Because a Study Has Found That Those Doctors Who Don't Are Twice As Likely To Pull The Plug on You (Like We Didn't Have Enough To Worry About Already)

"At the end of life, patients put their faith in doctors and, according to a new study, whether doctors put their faith in God makes a big difference in how they are treated," CBS News reports, adding, "According to a mail-in survey of nearly 4,000 British doctors, those who were atheist or agnostic were almost twice as willing to take actions designed to hasten the end of life. They were also far more likely to offer 'continuous deep sedation until death' and discuss end of life options with their patients."

The full study was published in the Journal of Medical Ethics.

So what does the study mean for you? Says the CBS News article, one view is "that religious doctors are slow to offer care that will ease pain at the end of life and quick to recommend treatment that will prolong life regardless of the cost to the patient and family.The flip view is that non-religious doctors are quick to take steps that will hasten death and quick to offer drugs that will render patients unconscious.'

Scatter Market Seeing Double-Digit Price Increases After Strong Upfront, Allaying Concerns

The scatter market is getting double-digit price increases, allaying concerns that the strong upfront would have left little money for advertisers to buy commercial time closer to air,reports former TVWeek National Editor Jon Lafayette, who now works at B&C.

"Scatter prices had been up sharply in the second and third quarter, but those comparisons were to the recession-weakened 2009-2010 upfront. The fourth quarter scatter market follows the stronger upfront for the new 2010-11 season," Lafayette writes.

He continues, "At the same time, both buyers and sellers say that while the process is only about half way over, nearly all of the commitments made during the upfront are turning into firm orders. At this point most media buyers are still presenting the results of their upfront negotiations to clients for their approval."

TLC Plans to End Run of 'Little People, Big World' After Sixth Season

 TLC will end its reality show "Little People, Big World" after its next season, which will be its sixth on television, reports Multichannel News.

Blockbuster Prepares to File for September Bankruptcy

After struggling against newer competitors such as Netflix and Redbox, Blockbuster is preparing to enter a "pre-planned" bankruptcy next month, the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog reports.

The goal would be for Blockbuster to restructure its almost $1 billion in debt and shutter between 500 to 800 of its more than 3,400 U.S. stores.

Blockbuster presented the plan to 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. because the home-video rental chain will need the studios' support to ensure it can rely on an uninterrupted flow of new DVD releases after filing for bankruptcy, the article says.

 The company's executives and senior debt holders met with the six top movie studios to alert them to the plan, the story says. While it's not definite that Blockbuster will enter bankruptcy protection, executives presented the plan as the most likely outcome, the article adds.

A Blockbuster spokeswoman declined to comment on the meetings with studios, according to the story.

Viacom and NBC Veteran Simon Takes New Job With BBC America

Perry Simon, a former senior executive with NBC and Viacom, has been appointed general manager of channels for BBC Worldwide America, Deadline.com reports.

Simon will oversee BBC America, BBC America HD, Video on Demand, BBCAmerica.com and future platforms for the U.S. operations, the story says.

He is scheduled to assume his new post on Sept. 7 ans will report to BBC Worldwide America President Herb Scannell.

“Perry is a creative force with a proven track record of successfully developing, producing, scheduling and marketing television and has most recently been active in emerging digital platforms,” Scannell said.

Google Rolls Out Free Phone Service

After shaking things up over the years in areas such as Web searching, Internet advertising and e-mail, Google is at it again, unveiling a new service that will let users make free phone calls from their computers, The New York Times reports.

The new feature, Voice Calls from Gmail, expands on what has been available previously through Skype and iChat, the story says, enabling callers in the U.S. and Canada to use their own phone numbers to make free calls. The service was released Wednesday.

The feature works through Google’s Gmail service, incorporating a user’s Gmail address book to make it easy to place a call, the story reports.

FCC Appeals Court Decision in Effort to Restore Enforcement Power Over Broadcast Indecency

With the backing of the Justice Department, the Federal Communications Commission has filed an appeal of a Second Circuit Court of Appeals decision that effectively gutted the panel’s indecency enforcement policy, reports B&C.

The FCC contends that the ruling was too broad and would make creating an indecency enforcement policy that would satisfy the court a "seeming impossibility,” the story says.

The panel alleges that the court “all but ignored” the facts of the case, which was focused on fleeting profanities that aired on a live awards broadcast on Fox.

NBC Shuffles Fall Schedule, Delays New Reality Show's Debut

The debut of a new NBC reality series has been pushed back to Oct. 15, according to The Hollywood Reporter, taking the show out of the lineup during the crowded fall premiere period.

The show is "School Pride," a makeover show. In its place, "Dateline" will air on Friday nights in mid-September.

We Detect the Hand of Providence (in Rhode Island): Video of Something You Don't Usually See in a Political Debate

Ad Prices for Conan's TBS Show Approaching Leno and Letterman Prices

Conan O'Brien's new late-night cable show is getting ad prices that approach those of broadcast counterparts Jay Leno and David Letterman, Advertising Age reports.

Ad buyers say Time Warner's Turner cable unit is getting $30,000 to $40,000 for 30-second spots in O'Brien's show on TBS starting this November--an eyebrow-raising figure because it's close to the cost for commercials during NBC's "Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and CBS's "Late Show With David Letterman," the story says.

Bristol Palin to Appear on TV Competition Show

The 19-year-old daughter of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Bristol Palin, has been picked to appear as a contestant during the upcoming season of ABC's "Dancing With the Stars," reports E! Online.

Other celebrities believed to be in the cast next season include David Hasselhoff, Audrina Patridge, The Situation and Brandy.

Another rumored celebrity appearance, by Kirstie Alley, apparently will not happen, according to the report.

"Dancing" premieres on ABC Sept. 20.

Cable Takes a Hard Hit as Subscription TV Sees First Quarterly Decline in History

A new SNL Kagan analysis released this week shows that cable, satellite and telco video combined lost 216,000 customers in the second quarter, the first such decline in history, Mediaweek reports.

The loss brings total subscribers down to 100.1 million and compares with a gain of 378,000 subscribers during the same period in 2009, the story reports.

Cable was the big loser, down a total of 711,000 subscribers. Six of the eight MSOs reported their worst quarterly losses, the story says. Satellite and the telcos were up, but not enough to offset the losses in cable. DBS was up 81,000 subscribers while the telcos added 414,000 subscribers.

The analysis blames the economy, with low housing formation and high unemployment cited as contributing factors. Also cited is the digital transition, which contributed to a spike last year and is now seeing the expiration of introductory contracts with special promotional rates.

Oprah Lets Out a Few Secrets About Her Final Show

Oprah Winfrey has unveiled a few hints about the upcoming final episode of the syndicated "Oprah Winfrey Show," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

There's a chance that the show, scheduled for spring 2011, will be broadcast from Soldier Field in the heart of Chicago. In an interview with TV Guide, Winfrey said the stadium would be a good venue in terms of enabling many people to attend, but she was concerned about the Chicago weather in the spring.

She was less confident about President Obama being one of her last guests, but said her staff is working on finding some of the audience members from her very first broadcast.

Finally, she promises that she will not be crying. Her memories of a teary time when Mary Tyler Moore visited Oprah still haunt the talk show mogul. "If you've ever looked at that tape, snot's running out of my nose," Winfrey said.

Cable Show Co-Star Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting a Minor

The co-star of a series on cable was arrested earlier this month for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, reports TMZ.com.

It was the co-star of  TLC's "Cake Boss," Remy Gonzalez, who is the brother-in-law of the show's star, Buddy Valastro. Gonzalez has been charged with aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, criminal sexual contact, and endangering the welfare of a child, the story says.

He is being held in Morris County Jail in New Jersey on $300,000 bail, and has been there since he was arrested on Aug. 18, the article adds.

According to the story, TLC said in a statement, "We support Buddy and the Valastro family during this very difficult and challenging time .... and as this doesn't involve us, we will not be commenting any further."

MSNBC Host Has Meltdown Over Promos, Screams To Shocked Staff, 'I'm going to torch this [bleep]ing place!'

Hey, it's the dog-days, it's hot, so what's a little screaming meltdown between friends? Still, it may not go over too well with your bosses.

MSNBC President Phil Griffin and NBC News Steve Capus gave MSNBC host Ed Schultz a warning after the talk-show personality had a meltdown in the network's newsroom in which he told staff, ""I'm going to torch this [bleep]ing place," reports the New York Post's Page Six.

Schultz was reportedly upset because the network was airing election-night promos that didn't include him, the story says. After talking with the network's marketing department, Schultz reportedly slammed down the phone and had his meltdown, which included him yelling, ""[Bleep]ers!", the article says.

Schultz was informed in the meeting with Capus and Griffin that if he has another meltdown, he will be fired, the story adds. Schultz' spokeswoman and a representative for MSNBC declined to comment.

Report: Michael Eisner Might Become Chairman of Tribune, and Bring a Top Comcast Executive Along With Him

Former Disney topper Michael Eisner might replace Tribune Chairman Sam Zell after the company emerges from bankruptcy.

So says our good friend--and absolutely first rate reporter/editor--Sallie Hofmeister and two of her colleagues, Dawn C. Chmielewski and Michael Oneal, at the Tribune-owned Los Angeles Times.

Furthermore, according to the report, "Under one scenario being discussed by the senior creditors, Eisner, 68, would be joined by Jeff Shell, a former News Corp. cable executive who is now in top management at Comcast Corp., according to four people with knowledge of the talks. Shell would become chief executive of Tribune, replacing Randy Michaels."

The story adds, "Shell, 44, a Los Angeles native who runs Comcast's cable channels group from the company's headquarters in Philadelphia, declined to comment. Earlier in his career, Shell worked on the strategic planning staff of Disney when Eisner ran the company."

What makes the Shell part of the scenario so fasciniating is that this Times' report comes as Comcast is getting closer and closer to wrapping up its approvals to take over NBC Universal, which has a large stable of cable networks. Presumably that could mean an extension of Shell's role at Comcast.

The article also says that , "According to people familiar with the matter, other executives who have been approached by one or more of the creditors about playing a role in Tribune, post-bankruptcy, include Fred Reynolds, retired chief financial officer of CBS Corp.; Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius XM Radio Inc.; Terry S. Semel, former chairman and co-CEO of Warner Bros.; and Robert Pittman, former chief operating officer of AOL Time Warner Inc."

Sean Connery Turns 80; Says He'll Never Act Again

Scotsman Sir Sean Connery, who once starred as James Bond in a number of movies, including "Never Say Never Again," has said just that.

In an interview with the Edinburgh Evening News on the occasion of his 80th birthday yesterday, Aug. 25, 2010, Connery said, ""I don't think I'll ever act again. I have so many wonderful memories but these days are over."

Though he continues to do voice-over work for animated films and games, he has not appeared in a live-action film since "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" in 2003.

Another famous actor, James Cagney, retired in 1961, but finally returned to the screen 20 years later, when he was 83, to appear in the movie "Ragtime."

Another Reason to Stay Home to Watch TV: Bed Bugs Are Coming to a Movie Theater Near You ('Inspect the popcorn for anything that moves')

Here's another good reason to stay at home and watch television: bed bugs are coming to a movie theater near you -- at least if you live in Manhattan, reports Nikki Finke at Deadline.com.

In the latest manifestaion of the bed bug infestation that's overtaken New York City, audience members have reported bites at Times Square's AMC Empire 25 and in Harlem's AMC Magic Johnson 9, according to news reports, Finke writes.

Suggestions for moviegoers, says the article, include wearing washable clothes, which should be isolated as soon as you return home; leaving your bags and purses at home; and our favorite, "Inspect the popcorn for anything that moves." 

Here's The Latest Fee War Between a Distributor and a Cable Network: It's AT&T U-verse Threatening To Drop These Cable Channels Come Midnight, Aug. 31st

[AUGUST 27, 2010, 06:38 AM, PT: UPDATED with Hallmark's response to AT&T's resonse; AUGUST 26, 2010, 12:20 PM, PT: UPDATED with AT&T's response]

As we approach another month's end we have the seemingly never ending confrontation between a program distributor--this time AT&T U-verse--threatening to drop a cable programmer.

The cable networks involved are Crown Media Holdings' Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel, according to a press release put out by the Hallmark channels.

In a press release about the situation Bill Abbott, president and CEO of the Hallmark Channels said, ""Hallmark Channels has been a good partner and supporter of AT&T U-verse since they launched their service, and we have been negotiating in good faith with them. We hope AT&T will recognize the extraordinary value of our channels and renew the carriage agreement. At the present time, however, talks are not progressing and it is looking more likely that Hallmark Channels will be dropped from AT&T. This would be a tremendous loss to viewers who look to Hallmark Channels, America's most trusted family networks, for programming that connects people emotionally."

For its part, AT&T put out the following statement:

DALLAS, Aug. 26, 2010 — Despite Crown Media’s unreasonable and inflexible demands, AT&T* is working to keep Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel on AT&T U-verse® TV at a fair price for its customers. AT&T’s existing contract with Crown Media expires at 12:01 a.m. EDT Sept. 1. AT&T has provided the following statement to update customers on its programming negotiations with Hallmark:

"We are making every effort to reach a fair agreement and continue providing these channels to our customers. Frankly, we’re surprised that Hallmark has decided to take its negotiations public, instead of working with us in good faith, especially since we’ve made numerous offers to Hallmark. We’re disappointed that Hallmark is acting in a way that may punish viewers and is trying to charge AT&T more than what similarly-sized and smaller TV competitors pay for these channels. We want to continue to carry the channels under terms similar to our current agreement.

"We don’t want customers to lose their programming. We’re fighting for a fair deal because our customers deserve the programming they want, at a fair price. We want to reach an agreement that is fair to our subscribers and for all parties, as we have with numerous other content providers."

After AT&T issued the statement above, Bill Abbott, the CEO of the Hallmark Channels, gave out the following statement:  “It is unfortunate that AT&T U-verse’s statement of the situation is inaccurate. They are a multi-billion dollar organization bullying one of the nation’s last surviving independent cable networks by insisting on unreasonable rates that would seriously jeopardize our longevity. Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel are two of the few remaining family-friendly networks offered on television and represent less than 1% of AT&T’s total basic programming fees! Although we would have preferred to conduct the negotiations privately, we have been forced to comment since AT&T advised its customers weeks ago that Hallmark Channels may be dropped on August 31, 2010.”
this statement: "

It's Life Imitating Art, Which Is Imitating Life (Uh, We Think We've Got That Right...): 'Mad Men' and London Fog

"Mad Men's" Christina Hendricks--who plays Joan Holloway on the series--has closed a deal to be the star of the latest ad campaign from apparel maker London Fog, reports U.K.  publication DailyMail Online.

According to the article, "London Fog featured in the opening episode of the third series of Mad Men last year, as a client of fictional ad agency Sterling Cooper. In a conversation with Don Draper and Bert Cooper, the British CFO of the company, Lane Pryce describes the name of the company as 'ludicrous'.

" 'There is no fog in London. There is no London fog,' he says. 'Never was. It was the coal dust from the industrial era… Charles Dickens and whatnot.'

"London Fog, which was founded in 1923, made waterproof clothing for the U.S. Navy during World War II. The brand became a favourite with U.S. shoppers for its raincoats in the Fifties, which were the first to have a patented removable liner, and by the Seventies, two-thirds of all raincoats sold in the U.S. were London Fog."

'Futurama' Sold in Broadcast Weekend Syndication to Tribune Stations

The animated show "Futurama" has been sold in broadcast weekend syndication to Tribune's stations for a debut in the fall of 2011, Twentieth Television has announced.

The show, which first aired on Fox and now is shown in originals on Comedy Central, has been cleared in 30% of the country, with stations such as WPIX-TV in New York and KTLA-TV in Los Angeles signing on. In Chicago, however, where Tribure owns nationally distributed WGN, "Futurama" will be on Weigel Broadcasting's WCIU.

Tribune said the show will be added to its weekend animation block, which includes "American Dad" and "Family Guy." The show is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television, while Rough Draft Studios contributes animation.

"Futurama" was created by Matt Groening, who also created "The Simpsons."

With Summer Shows, TV Networks Keep Ratings Fairly Stable Although New Scripted Shows Struggle

The top four broadcasters kept their ratings stable over the summer months although struggled to find viewers for new scripted shows, while cable networks debuted scripted hits such as "Covert Affairs" on USA and "Rizzoli & Isles" on TNT, reports our good friend Gary Levin--who's one of the smartest people on the TV beat--in USA Today.

But scripted shows on the broadcasters fizzled, except for "Rookie Blue," which drew 7.3 million viewers, according to the article.

About cable, Levin wrote, "Basic-cable networks were down 1% in prime time, paced by declines at news networks CNN (–42%), Fox News (–12%) and MSNBC (–9%). USA was down 5%, but again ranked first, nearly a million viewers ahead of Disney Channel and TNT. Other networks fared well with new series, from TV Land's 'Hot in Cleveland' to A&E's 'The Glades' and ABC Family's 'Pretty Little Liars.' "

DirecTV Selling NFL Package for Computers and SmartPhones and other PDAs such as an iPad

DirecTV is reaching out to football fans who want to watch NFL games on their computers, smart phones, and other PDA's such as the iPad, reports the New York Post.

The company will charge $350 for its Sunday Ticket To Go package for viewers to watch games via their computers and cell phones, the story says. DirecTV is expanding the service nationally after testing it in Manhattan last year.

The catch is that if you want only this service you have to prove that you can't get DirecTV--for example, because you live in an apartment and the owner won't allow DirecTV in the building. If you do get DirecTV, once you subscribe to Sunday Ticket you can get the "To Go" portion of the service for an extra $50, the article says.

The service will start with streamed games on Sept. 12.

Spike Orders Trash-To-Treasure Show 'Auction Hunters'

Spike TV has ordered eight half-hour episodes of the trash-to-treasure show "Auction Hunters," reports Multichannel News.

The show will feature historic or unusual items, such as a vintage slot machine, the article adds, and will debut in November.

As previously reported, Spike had ordered two scripted pilots as possible candidates for series this coming season, but passed on both of them.

Tiger Woods' Ex Speaks Out After Divorce Is Finalized

Elin Nordegren talked openly about her divorce from Tiger Woods, made final this week, and the circumstances leading to the dissolution of their marriage in an interview with People magazine, AOL Sports reports on its Fanhouse Web page.

She said she never suspected that Woods was having affairs. "I'm so embarrassed that I never suspected--not a one," Nordegren told the publication. "For the past three-and-a-half years, when all this was going on, I was home a lot more with pregnancies, then the children and my school."

She added that she never hit Woods with a golf club, as some reports indicated. "There was never any violence inside or outside our home,” she said. “The speculation that I would have used a golf club to hit him is just truly ridiculous."

Asked whether she would ever forgive him, she told the publication, “Forgiveness takes time. ... It is the last step of the grieving process."

Fox News Star Leaving the Network

Fox News White House reporter Major Garrett is leaving the network to take a position with the National Review, Mediaite.com reports.

Effective Sept. 3, Garrett will be gone. Garrett's addition to National Review is seen as a way for the publication to go after Politico.com.

As for Fox News, White House correspondents Wendell Goler and Mike Emanuel will take over the beat.

In a statement, Garrett said, ““Throughout my television career, I’ve known with certainty I would someday return to my roots in print journalism. That day has come. … I will miss many dear Fox News journalists, colleagues and friends. I wish all of them success. I look forward to discussing my future work on Fox News--keeping in touch with an audience I’ve come to know and cherish.”

High-Visibility NFL Player About to Get Even More Exposure

An NFL player who many observers already think is overexposed is about to get even more exposure, TMZ.com reports.

The player is Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who currently stars in VH1's "Ochocinco: The Ultimate Catch." Ochocinco has committed to appear as a regular on VH1's "Basketball Wives" in the upcoming season, according to the report.

Ochocinco’s current love interest Evelyn Lozada is one of the women featured in "Basketball Wives," having been the fiancee of Antoine Walker.

The latter show will be filmed in Miami, but to accommodate Ochocinco's NFL schedule, VH1 is contemplating shooting scenes in Cincinnati.

One of the Best Movies About the Power of TV Is on TV Thursday. Chances Are You've Never Heard of It, But It's Well Worth DVR-ing

[NOTE: This film also airs on TCM on Monday morning, Sept. 13th, 2010, at 1 a.m. ET, and earlier in all other time zones]

By Chuck Ross

One of the best movies about the power of TV and how the unscrupulous can take advantage of that power is on TCM tomorrow, Thursday, Aug., 26, 2010. Chances are that many of you have never heard of it, but it’s a movie well worth watching, either live or via DVR. (It screens at 8 p.m. ET, and earlier in all other time zones.)

It’s called “A Face in the Crowd,” and you’ll never believe who it stars: Andy Griffith, in a raw, powerful performance that’s as unlike his role as Sheriff Andy as it would be to imagine Mother Teresa playing Don Corleone.

Not particularly well-received upon its release just before Memorial Day in 1957, James Woolcott, in Vanity Fair, revisited the film upon its 50th anniversary in 2007 in a column that carried the title "An Unforgettable Face."

The introduction to that piece said that "the dark tale of media manipulation still resonates."

Besides a tour-de-force by Griffith, the film stars the radiant Patricia Neal, who died earlier this month at age 84. In the recent New York Times obituary about Neal it mentioned that her performance in “A Face in the Crowd” displayed an acting range that had previously eluded her.

That’s not surprising, considering that the film was directed by Elia Kazan. “A Face in the Crowd” was the last film Kazan made during the 1950s, when his movies made a huge impact on the medium. It was the decade when he also directed “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront,” “East of Eden” and “Baby Doll.”

Actors films all: Brando, James Dean, Steiger, Vivien Leigh, Kim Stanley, Eli Wallach, Karl Malden, Julie Harris, Jo Van Fleet, and Carroll Baker.

Kazan, who had started as an actor himself and was a co-founder of the Actors Studio, was, above all, an actor’s director.

Besides Griffith and Neal, you’re in for a treat watching a remarkably vibrant performance by Anthony Franciosa as the man who becomes Griffith’s agent and Lee Remick in a terrific movie debut. Remick, 21 at the time, plays a spirited 17-year-old baton-twirling teenager who gets Griffith’s character hot and bothered. And Walter Matthau, in only his fourth picture, has a juicy part as a writer with an acid tongue who is under-appreciated by all the other characters in the film..

In his "An Unforgettable Face" piece for vanity Fair, Woolcott wrote, “A time capsule from the pioneer days of television, when the cameras and sets looked Soviet-bulky and the production values were strictly Salvation Army, ‘A Face in the Crowd’ grits with a documentary charm, presenting cameo appearances by then familiar granite heads such as Walter Winchell, John Cameron Swayze and Mike Wallace (who has outlived everybody), postcard snaps of Norman Rockwell small-town Americana, and anxious political palaver whose sinister tone seems drawn from the demagogic specter of Red-baiting senator Joe McCarthy, who died the year ‘A Face in the Crowd’ was released but whose influence lingers today, an enduring toxin in the bloodstream. ‘A Face in the Crowd’ peered into a glass darkly at the prospect of a mob mentality that might rise from the mud and follow the tune of a malignant Pied Piper.”

The writer of “A Face in the Crowd” was Budd Schulberg. Schulberg also wrote Kazan’s “On the Waterfront,’ which won the Oscar for Best Picture for 1954.

Both Kazan and Schulberg were considered pariahs by many in Hollywood. They met after both had testified before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee and both admitted that they had once been associated with the Communist Party. And both had named names of others they knew who had such associations. And neither man regretted that he had named names.

Besides its political bent, one of the film's wonderful satirical elements is its portrayal of the relationship between advertising and TV.

I think “A Face in the Crowd” survives as one of the best films of 1957. I consider it in many ways a companion piece to the pungent look at PR agents and columnists which was released a month to the day after “Face”—“Sweet Smell of Success.”

In the spring of 1958, the handing out of Academy Awards was televised for the first time. These Oscars were for films made in 1957. Both “A Face in the Crowd” and “Sweet Smell of Success” were not nominated in any category. The movie that basically swept many of the Oscars that year was David Lean’s “Bridge on the River Kwai.”

“Made during the middle slumbers of the Eisenhower era, Elia Kazan's A Face in the Crowd… retains its status as one of the most provocative, unplaceable vagrants—or is it mongrels?—of American moviemaking,” Woolcott wrote in the Vanity Fair piece. “It's a perennial in-between. It didn't behave then, and it doesn't quite belong now…. As Richard Schickel observes in his gung-ho biography of Kazan, published in 2005, 'The film has never achieved wide popularity, but it has never disappeared, either. It keeps nagging away at us. At some of us, at least.' "#

Barbara Walters Targets a Vastly Different Audience for Spinoff of 'The View'

Years ago Barbara Walters came up with an idea that grew into the very successful daytime talk show "The View," and now Walters is ready to strike again with a spinoff of "The View,” reports the New York Daily News.

However, this time the target audience will be men.

Walters and Bill Geddie, her co-creator of "The View," are pitching a spinoff of "The View" with a male perspective and featuring men as hosts.

The top name on their wish list is former "Today Show" host Bryant Gumbel.

'Desperate Housewives' Finds a Husband for Vanessa Williams' Character

Vanessa Williams ("Ugly Betty") joins ABC's "Desperate Housewives" this season and the producers have finally found her a spouse, reports TV Guide.

The role will be played by Reggie Austin, who formerly appeared in "Life Unexpected" and "The Starter Wife." He will play Doug Perry, the estranged husband of Williams' character, Renee.

Doug is described as a successful professional baseball player.

'Glee' Snags Another High-Profile Singer-Songwriter's Catalog

Another popular artist has been added to the list of singer-songwriters whose music will be featured in an upcoming episode of Fox's award-winning series "Glee," reports AccessHollywood.com.

The singer is Billy Joel, who had one song, “Piano Man,” used on the show last season. Joel revealed that he has given the go-ahead to the producers of "Glee" to use his entire catalog for a future episode of the show.

"I said, ‘Yeah! Go ahead. Use my stuff.’ I was in a chorus when I was in high school, why not?” Joel said.

CBS to Present U.S. Open Tennis Championship in 3D

Believing that tennis might be the perfect sport for 3D broadcasting, CBS Sports has made a deal with Panasonic to produce stereoscopic 3D coverage of the upcoming U.S. Open tennis tournament, reports B&C.

The tournament will take place Aug. 30-Sept. 12, and the CBS coverage will be broadcast on DirecTV's n3D channel. The 3D coverage will be mainly of matches played at Center Court at the Tennis Center.

CBS Sports Executive VP of Operations and Engineering Ken Aagaard said: "The camera positions are very difficult, and obviously you want to be able to shoot it low [for 3D]. But I think we've got some good positions."

ESPN Pulls Plug on Beer Deal for Sideline Reporter

ESPN is pouring cold water on a sideline reporter’s deal to appear in an ad campaign for beer, expressing concerns that her beat is college sports, USA Today reports.

Jenn Brown, an ESPN sideline reporter who covers college basketball and football, secured the deal with MillerCoors' Icehouse beer to appear in commercials, only to have the deal rejected by the network.

ESPN spokesperson Mike Soltys said Tuesday the network objected to Brown's participation because she is a reporter and because her beat is collegiate.

NBC's 'America's Got Talent' Rules Tuesday Night Ratings

The highest-rated show of Tuesday night was NBC's "America's Got Talent," reports TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. ABC's "Wipeout" was on top with a 2.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of NBC's game show "Minute to Win It," which had a 1.8 in the demo.

At 9 p.m. NBC took charge, with "America's Got Talent" reaching a 3.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic, well ahead of ABC's "Shaq vs.," which collected a 1.7 in the demo.

The second hour of "America's Got Talent" at 10 p.m. moved up to a 3.1 in the 18-49 demographic against only reruns.

Cox Expands Deal With NFL Network

Cox Communications' Advanced TV digital service has inked an extensive deal to continue carrying the NFL Network, reports Multichannel News.

In addition, Cox is adding the NFL RedZone premium channel to the package as an option consumers can purchase for $39.99 for the season. RedZone--named for the area from the 20-yard line to the goal line--enables fans to watch all the scoring opportunities during Sunday game broadcasts on the NFL Network.

Cox is the third-largest cable operator in America and has carried the NFL Network since 2005.

'CBS Evening News' Drops to Lowest Viewer Rating in 20 Years

Tying a viewer low set in June, the "CBS Evening News" reached its lowest total viewer rating in almost 20 years, reports the New York Times' Media Decoder blog. 

The program was watched by an average of 4.89 million viewers last week, which included two days when anchor Katie Couric reported from Afghanistan, the story says. It's the same number of viewers who tuned in for a week of the program during June, and the story notes that Nielsen's modern ratings only extend as far back as the 1991-92 season.

Still, the evening newscasts likely attracted more viewers in the decades before that, so it's probable that last week's viewer rating was the lowest in more than two decades, the story points out. NBC was the most-watched newscast with 7.42 million viewers, while ABC's "World News" drew 6.51 million viewers.

New Option for Watching TV Shows Coming from Apple: Rent an Episode for 99 Cents

A new option for watching TV shows through iTunes may soon be coming from Apple, allowing consumers to rent episodes for prices as low as 99 cents, reports Bloomberg News. 

Currently iTunes sells TV episodes for $1.99 or $2.99 each, and only movies are available for renting. Consumers would be able to watch programs from Fox for 48 hours, and Apple is also in discussions ABC parent Walt Disney Company, CBS Corp. and NBC Universal, the story says.

With the service, viewers would be able to rent TV shows within 24 hours of their air dates and the programs would be free of advertisements, the article adds. Apple will hold an event on Sept. 7 in San Francisco -- two weeks before the 2010-11 prime-time season begins -- to announce the service, as well as updated devices, according to the piece.

ABC and Fox are closer to reaching a deal with Apple than NBC and CBS, the story adds. CBS and NBC may not be part of the Sept. 7 event. Apple, Fox, CBS, NBC and Disney declined to comment.

Court: Defamation Lawsuit Against Former ABC News Correspondent May Proceed

A defamation lawsuit against ABC News and former correspondent John Stossel may go forward, according to a ruling from a federal appeals court, reports TVNewser.com. 

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the lawsuit filed by television evangelist Dr. Frederick Price, the story says. The court found that Price may be able to prove that his words were taken out of context for a 2007 report on "20/20" about politicians, religious leaders and businessmen who appeared to be living lives of excess, the article says. According to Reuters, the case will return to the trial court for more proceedings.  

Secret Identity of 'Top Gear's' The Stig Is Revealed

The mysterious identity of the Stig, a masked driver on BBC's top-rated car program "Top Gear," has been revealed, reports the New York Post.

The Stig is someone who has also made appearances as himself on the show, and who has long been rumored to be the Stig: Ben Collins, a driver in Formula Three, American Le Mans and other racing series.

Since 2003, the Stig's secret identity has been kept under wraps, adding an air of mystery to the show. The Stig would appear to do the most dangerous stunts and driving.

Collins was identified through financial records by the Sunday Times of London.

In America, "Top Gear" has been a top draw on BBC America, and a new American version of the show will debut on History Channel late this fall. No word on whether the U.S. version will include its own version of The Stig.

The Real Lesson of the Groundbreaking Series 'Twin Peaks'? 'Not Every Mystery Should Be Solved'

Michael Glitz in the Los Angeles Times takes a look back at the ground-breaking television series "Twin Peaks," which he writes, "hit network television with the impact of a meteor 20 years ago." 

While the show's enigmatic characters and plots are now seen as laying the groundwork for successors such as "Lost" and "The X-Files," there's another lesson to be learned from the show, Glitz writes.

"Not every mystery should be solved," he points out. After Laura Palmer's killer was revealed in the middle of the second season, interest in the show plunged, the article says. The show ultimately came to an end after two seasons. That lesson was noted by shows such as "Lost," which later extended mysteries across the entire course of a series. But whether "Twin Peaks" will be revived remains doubtful, Glitz writes.

"I don't think it's going to happen," says co-creator David Lynch. His co-creator Mark Frost says that while he's discussed reviving the show over the ensuing years, "at this point, it feels best to let bygones be bygones."

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Finale Brings in Record Ratings with 3.4 Million Viewers

The finale of Bravo's "Real Housewives of New Jersey" scored the season's most-watched episode and the network's highest-rated Monday telecast to date with 3.4 million viewers and 2.3 million adults between 18 to 49 years old, reports B&C. 

The numbers represent an 18% jump from total viewers for the first season's finale, the article adds. The show's Web site at BravoTV.com also got a boost, with page views more than doubling on Monday and video streams jumping 630%, the article says.

Syfy's 'Three Inches' Adds 'Torchwood,' 'Melrose Place' Actors to Pilot

Syfy's drama pilot "Three Inches" has tapped Naoko Mori of "Torchwood" and Stephanie Jacobsen of "Melrose Place" as regulars, reports Deadline.com. 

The pair will play fellow heroes recruited by Walter, the main character who can move any object three inches with his mind. Jacobsen will play a character who can shape emotions of people she encounters at close range, while Mori's character will be able to copy any sound she hears, the article says.

The Gosselins Get Competition: TLC Orders TV Show About Sextuplets in New York City

Kate Gosselin and her family will soon get more competition on TLC, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The network has ordered eight episodes of a program tracking a Latino family in New York City who have sextuplets, the story says. The show, "Sextuplets Take New York," will debut Sept. 14.

The parents, Victor and Digna Carpio, are raising the children in Queens, where the show will track the challenges of raising six 22-month olds in a modest house, the article says. The parents also have a 9-year old son.

Like "Kate Plus 8," "Sextuplets" is produced by Figure 8 Films. TLC has made something of a niche from programming about big families, with "19 Kids and Counting" and the recently announced show "Quints by Surprise."

No Mystery Behind Vampire Craze: From Books to TV, Undead Have Raised $7 Billion for Hollywood

The Hollywood Reporter takes a look at the economic engine that's been created by vampire franchises, from the cult hit "True Blood" on HBO to books such as Justin Cronin's "The Passage" and films based on books such as the "Twilight" movies. 

The power of the undead may be summed up in one number: $7 billion, the story says. That's the amount brought to the Hollywood economy by the bloodsuckers, the article adds. While it's harder to estimate the amount of money that TV shows bring in compared with movies, the article pegs "Vampire Diaries" as likely to generate $100 million to $125 million and "True Blood" as likely to ring up $50 million to $75 million from domestic and international licensing agreements, assuming the shows stay on air for five years.

And DVD sales will add to that, the story says. With the first season of "Vampire Diaries" going on sale next week, and "True Blood" DVDs selling briskly, the two shows could bring in $200 million for the home video market, the article says.

Carol Mendelsohn’s Production Company Taps Literary Agent as President

Carol Mendelsohn’s CBS TV Studios-based production company has tapped WME literary agent Julie Weitz as president, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com. 

Weitz has worked at WME and Endeavor for the last six years, moving to Endeavor in 2004 when the agency started a movies-for-television unit, which Weitz ran. Before that, she worked for TNT as executive vice president of original programming, the story says.

'Sons of Anarchy' Cast Member Arrested for Suspicion of Assaulting an Officer

"Sons of Anarchy" actor Mark Hiedrich, who under the name Mark Boone Jr. plays Bobby on the FX show, was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of assaulting an officer, reports MyFoxLA.com. 

Hiedrich was pulled over for a traffic violation but went after an officer during the stop, the story says. The police called for additional officers and Hiedrich was arrested on the charge above as well as resisting arrest, the story says. Sgt. Tom Lorenz of the Glendale Police Department said there was no evidence of alcohol or drugs being involved.

'Get Him to the Greek' Writer-Director Signs Blind Script Deal With 20th Century Fox TV, Chernin Entertainment

Nicholas Stoller, the writer and director of "Get Him to the Greek," has signed a blind script deal with 20th Century Fox TV and Chernin Entertainment and is writing a TV comedy, reports The Hollywood Reporter. 

Stoller will executive produce the comedy project, which is being shopped to networks, along with Peter Chernin and Katherine Pope, the story says. He'll be working on the TV project in the next few months as he also starts work on his next movie, "Five-Year Engagement," the article adds.

Will the Emmys Get Competition from Rival TV Awards Show?

While the Emmy Awards are drawing attention to who will win on Sunday's ceremony, a group of television executives are moving forward with starting a rival awards show that may debut in 2012, reports the New York Post. 

The Paley Center for Media Television Awards Planning Committee is working on an event to take place in New York during May's annual upfront week. The committee consists of 20 television executives, including Sony Pictures TV president Steve Mosko, who is chairing the group, and Fox Networks Group CEO Tony Vinciquerra, the article says.

The group is currently working on choosing award categories and a winner voting system with the goal of addressing industry frustration with the system used by the Emmy Awards, the article adds. Some voting may be opened up to the general public, the story says.

Fallon Wants Viewers to Write Emmys Introductions

As host of this year’s Emmy Awards, set for Aug. 29, Jimmy Fallon is adding an interactive element to the show, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

Fallon is asking the public to submit introductions for the presenters through Twitter, with the best selections to be read as the presenters are introduced.

Jewel Joins Lineup for Emmys Presentation, Will Perform Unreleased Song

Singer Jewel will perform an acoustic version of the previously unreleased song "The Shape of You" during the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The song, which will be available on iTunes, is about the loss of a friend.

The Emmys broadcast is set to air live on NBC from the Nokia Theatre in L.A. on Aug. 29 at 5 p.m. PT.

Spielberg, 'Star Trek' Team Readying Comic Book-Based TV Series; Stephen King's Son Also Involved in Project

Steven Spielberg and "Star Trek" producers Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci are working on a new TV show based on a supernatural comic book series, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Novelist Joe Hill, who is Stephen King’s son, has joined with the producers to set up the adaptation of Hill’s “Locke & Key” comics at Fox TV.

Spielberg, Kurtzman and Orci collaborated before, on the film “Eagle Eye.” Kurtzman and Orci are also behind the new CBS revival of “Hawaii Five-0.”

This We Gotta See: Major Japanese Manufacturer Says Look for 3D TV Sets WITHOUT GLASSES By Year's End

A Japanese TV set maker says it will have a set on the market by year's end that does not require viewers to use glasses to see shows in 3D,  the Daily Yomiuri Online reports.

The manufacturer is Toshiba, and the release of these TV sets is expected to fire up the 3D market, the article says. 

Toshiba says it will introduce three models, including one with a 21-inch screen, according to the report. The release will be timed to take advantage of the holiday shopping season. It was unclear from the article if that means that sets will only be on-sale in Japan this year.

According to the article, "Toshiba has developed an integral imaging system that emits rays of light at different angles, allowing viewers' brains to recreate 3-D images without special glasses. The new technology also will enable viewers to enjoy 3-D content from numerous viewing positions, and the images will not strain the eyes, the sources said."

Furthermore, the story says, "According to the sources, Toshiba plans to use high-definition panels so that three-dimensional images--fast-moving images being one example--can be seen with the naked eye. All existing 3-D content, including high-resolution digital images, will be playable on the new TVs, the sources said."

Dell intros first smartphone at $100

Dell has unveiled its first U.S. smartphone, and it sells for about $100, Reuters reports.

It’s a 3.5-inch Android-based device called the Aero, for use on on AT&T's network, the story says.

The device puts Dell in competition with market leader Apple and with other phones using Google’s Android operating system.

The computer maker said its smartphone will sell for $99.99 with a 2-year contract from AT&T, or $299.99 without the contract, the story says.

Emmy Winner Joins Syfy Superhero Project

An actress who won Emmys in the 1980s as part of a popular comedy troupe will join the Syfy pilot "Three Inches" as the main character's mother, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The actress is Andrea Martin, who won two Emmys as part of the team behind "SCTV Network." Her character is described as cynical although protective of her son, who has the ability to move any object three inches by using his mind, the story says.

The 90-minute pilot comes from Fox TV Studios and writer Harley Peyton of "Twin Peaks." It's executive produced by Bob Cooper, the story says.

As Other Channels Abandon the Arts and Culture Niche, One Cable Net Turns It Into a Formula for Growth

At a time when other networks have abandoned the goal of providing arts coverage to TV viewers, one independent arts and culture cable network has been adding advertisers and homes during the past few years, reports the Los Angeles Times' Meg James.

The network is Ovation, which has grown from a reach of 5 million homes in 2007 to 42 million homes today, representing about half of all U.S. homes with cable and satellite service.

While Bravo and A&E gave up their arts coverage goals to target a broader audience with dramas and reality shows, Ovation has stayed loyal to its mission, the story says.

Still, persuading pay-TV operators to carry Ovation has presented its challenges, and several major providers such as Cox Communications haven't added the network, the article points out. Ovation's niche might have its benefits: While every other cable network apparently chases the same viewer, Ovation might find success by standing out from the crowd.

Still, it's unclear what the size of the network's audience will be, since Nielsen won't include public ratings for Ovation until later this year, the story points out.

More Talk of a Feature Version of Canceled Sci-Fi Series: This Time It's One of the Stars Saying There Has to Be a Movie

A once-hot sci-fi series that was canceled earlier this year has been the subject of speculation among the show’s rabid fan base about a possible feature film version, and now another important voice has been added to the chorus, reports DigitalSpy.com.

The voice belongs to Greg Grunberg, who played Matt Parkman on NBC’s “Heroes.” Grunberg is gung-ho about the prospect of a "Heroes" feature film, the story reports.

"I think there has to be [a movie],’ the actor is quoted as saying. “But I also predicted they wouldn't just out and out cancel it, so what do I know?"

Grunberg goes on to make a case for a movie, saying, "It makes business sense to do something--there's a huge fan base that wants some sort of conclusion, and I think the actors want to do it. It's not about making a fortune to come back--we all appreciate the fans so much, I think if the call went out, we'd all be on board."

The show’s creator, Tim Kring, has said he intends to keep “Heroes” alive in some form, the story notes.

Nothing Beautiful About Ratings for NBC's 'Miss Universe' Broadcast

The days when the "Miss Universe Beauty Pageant" was a ratings boon are long gone, with last night's NBC broadcast registering a record-low rating in the 18-49 demographic, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. on Monday, the first hour of ABC's "Bachelor Pad" led with a 1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic. The second hour of the show at 9 p.m. climbed to a 2.1 rating in the demo, ahead of NBC's broadcast of "Miss Universe," which had a 1.7, tied with Fox's "Lie to Me."

In the 10 p.m. hour, "Miss Universe" improved to a 2.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic, better than ABC's "Dating in the Dark's" 1.6 in the demo.

Former 'Sopranos' Family Member to Play Cop in New Show

One of the members of Tony Soprano's family on HBO’s “The Sopranos” is returning to series TV, having been cast in a Lifetime pilot opposite Sherry Stringfield, reports Deadline.com.

Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played Tony Soprano’s daughter Meadow, will play a cop this go-round, Stringfield's detective partner in the untitled Josh Berman ("Drop Dead Diva") pilot. The duo investigate high-profile cases while trying to keep their personal lives in order.

Martin Short's Wife, Nancy Dolman, an Actress Who Had Part on TV Series 'Soap,' Dies at 58

Nancy Dolman, an actress who had a recurring role on the primetime television series "Soap" and was married to actor Martin Short, has died at age 58, reports People.com.

There were no details about time, location or cause, the story says.

However, at E! Online, reporter Natalie Finn, who formerly worked here at TVWeek, writes that Dolman "had been battling cancer since 2007."

On Saturday morning, the Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call for medical help at the pair's home in Pacific Palisades, the People article adds. Short and Dolman had been married for 30 years and have three children, who are in their 20s. They met in 1972 during a Toronto production of the musical "Godspell," and Dolman retired from acting in 1985 to raise their family, according to People. 

Report: 'Dancing With the Stars' Has a Situation Next Season -- the 'Jersey Shore's' 'Situation'

"Dancing with the Stars" viewers may get an eyeful of abs next season as Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has reportedly signed on for the dancing-competition show, says OK! Magazine.

The star of MTV's reality show "Jersey Shore," who has become known for his ab-flashing, was voted by the cast as its worst dancer, the Los Angeles Times' Showtracker blog notes. 

ABC doesn't discuss competitor additions to the show until host Tom Bergeron makes an announcement before the start of the season, the story adds. The announcement should be this coming Monday, Aug. 30, 2010.

The Spin Zone: First, It was Ellen Saying It Was Her Choice To Leave 'Idol'; Now It's a Report Saying Kara Also Told 'Idol' Producers She Wanted Out. Are You Buying All This?

"American Idol" judge Kara DioGuardi tried to quit the show two months ago, according to an "exclusive' report on  EOnline.com by Marc Malkin.

According to the article, after working on the show for two years, DioGuardi believed it was time for her to move on and went to Fox in June to let the network know she didn't want to participate in another season.

The story also says that DioGuardi hasn't heard from Fox about whether the network wants to keep her or not. She's obligated by a contract to continue with the show if Fox wants her to remain, the story says.

The E! Online article says a representative for DioGuardi didn't immediately comment, while Fox declined to comment.

Bay Area Legend: It Was A Pleasure to Know You, Dave McElhatton

Dave McElhatton, who served as a broadcaster in the San Francisco Bay Area for 50 years--including a long stint as the chief news anchor on KPIX--has died.

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross, who covered Mac when Ross worked at the San Francisco Chronicle, writes a moving tribute, which you can read if you click here.

After Ordering Two Pilots, Spike Decides to Pass on Both Projects

After ordering two pilots, Spike TV has decided to pass on both projects, an unusual although not unheard of occurrence, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

The projects, "Back Nine" and "Playing with Guns," "aren't the right projects for us to move forward with right now," said a representative for the network. Spike has two other comedy projects in development, "Rebel League" and "Fort Bush,' the article says.

Last year, Showtime passed on four pilots it had ordered, including "The End of Steve" and "Possible Side Effects," the story adds.

Dish to Offer 150,000 Videos with Debut of 'TV Everywhere' for Satellite Customers

Dish Network will offer more than 150,000 episodes, video clips and movies through its "TV Everywhere" effort through DishOnline.com, reports Multichannel News.

The site will offer content to the satellite operator's customers from content partners ranging from MTV to Starz Entertainment, the story says.

About half of the content will be free for anyone to watch, because Dish wants "Cablevision and Comcast customers to come to the site and say, ‘Look at all this other great stuff Dish offers'," says Bruce Eisen, Dish's vice president online content development and strategy.

The site isn't selling ads but the company plans to consider that later, the story adds.

Will U.S. Version of 'The X Factor' Include Fake Singing Like U.K. Version?

After it was revealed that the British version of "The X Factor" uses auto-tuning -- an audio processor that disguises off-pitch singing -- Nikki Finke at Deadline.com asks whether the U.S. version of the show will employ similar tactics.

Fans of the program in the U.K. weren't happy to learn that the show used the program to polish some performances, according to BBC.com.  The issue came to light with the show's season debut on Saturday, when an 18-year contestant's performance was changed through use of the program.

According to the article, "The use of Auto-Tune is a hot button issue in the music industry with both JayZ and Christina Aguilera protesting its prevalence."

Comcast's G4 Orders Real-Life TV Version of Oscar-Winning Film 'The Hurt Locker'

Comcast's G4 has ordered 10 one-hour episodes of a reality show that's a real-life version of the Oscar-winning movie "The Hurt Locker," reports James Hibberd at the Hollywood Reporter.

The show tracks a U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit as it begins its training in the U.S. and then deploys in Afghanistan, the story says.

Called "Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan," the show's production received permission from the Navy to shoot the program, although the military won't have creative control, the article adds. The show is produced by Big Fish Entertainment and is executive produced by Doug DePriest and Dan Cesareo.

Despite Allowing Same-Sex Couples, None Advance in Wedding Contest on 'Today'

Even though NBC's "Today" decided to allow same-sex couples to apply for its "Modern Love" wedding contest, none have made the cut among the show's four finalists, TVNewser.com reports.

As previously reported, "Today" decided in July to allow same-sex couples to apply after the show received complaints from viewers and pressure from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Viewers can vote on the four couples via Facebook or at the "Today" Website, and the winning couple will be married on TV October 6th, the story says.

It's 'Howdy Doody' Time No Longer--Show's Primary Writer--He Also Wrote the Theme Song--Dies at 85

Edward Kean, the primary writer of the 1940s and 1950s children's program the "Howdy Doody Show," has died at the age of 85, the Associated Press reports.

Kean is credited with creating the word "kowabunga" and also wrote the theme song, "It's Howdy Doody Time," heard by millions of children during the show's TV run from 1947 to 1960, the story says.

Kean died on Aug. 13 from complications of emphysema. Kean's exclamation 'kowabunga' later became popular through its use by Bart Simpson on the animated series "The Simpsons," the article adds.

Lionsgate TV Adds to Broadcast Projects with Project From Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci

Lionsgate TV is adding to its broadcast work with a project from Steve Buscemi and Stanley Tucci's Lionsgate TV-based Olive Prods., reports Deadline.com.

The project is attached to NBC, and is a script order, the article says.

The show is a character-based polioce drama and the script will be written by "State of Mind" creator Amy Bloom, the story says. She's also executive producing with Buscemi and Tucci.

Buscemi, meanwhile, remains busy playing the lead in the highly anticipated "Boardwalk Empire" that begins in September on HBO.

Lionsgate TV is returning to broadcast primetime TV in the fall with Fox's comedy "Running Wilde," the article adds.

DirecTV Files With FCC a Bunch of Concerns About a Comcast Takeover of NBCU

DirecTV is now on-the-record opposing Comcast's takeover of NBC Universal, Wayne Friedman over at MediaDailyNews reports.

According to the article, in comments filed with the Federal Communications Commission, DirecTV says, " 'the transaction would permit Comcast to raise prices for NBC programming' to its TV rivals.

"It offers up one major example: Comcast has withheld selling Philadelphia regional sports networks to its rivals for over a decade, 'even though [the network] had significant minority partners in that entity.' "

Furrthermore, the article says DirecTV fears that a Comcast-NBCU "could give itself high-end HD or 3D programming and sell standard-definition programming to rival programming service competitors.

"It could also 'make online NBCU content available to its own systems in an earlier window than would be available to competitors.' DirecTV believes Comcast could also provide NBCU programming at a faster, higher-quality online data rate, selling other programming at lower-level quality."

Fantasia: Overdose Was No Accident, It Was Suicide Attempt

Fantasia Barrino, who was hospitalized last week after overdosing on pills, admits on VH1's new "Behind the Music" episode--set to air Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 9 p.m. ET--that she wanted to die and knew what she was doing, according to People.com.

The singer, best known from her appearances on "American Idol," says in the VH1 program: "I didn't have any fight in me. I didn't care about anything. I just wanted out.”

Here's the Backstage Gossip at High-Profile HBO Show About....Backstage Gossip

The production of the pilot for a high-profile HBO show about backsage gossip now has its own high-profile backstage gossip, reports Entertainment Weekly.

The show  is HBO's "Tilda," starring Diane Keaton and Ellen Page, which either is or isn't somewhat based on Deadline.com.

Showrunner Cynthia Mort--who has a history of being in charge of troubled series, including "Roseanne"--reportedly clashed with director/producer Bill Condon, as well as Oscar winner Keaton.

An insider reported that Mort was very aggressive and her attitude was "my way or the highway."

HBO sided with Condon and Keaton. Mort retaliated with a scathing e-mail to the production crew. HBO was not pleased with the e-mail and that led to Mort's exit, according to the report.

'Cougar Town' Premiere to Reunite 'Friends' Stars

A former star of the NBC sitcom “Friends” will return to prime-time TV for a guest appearance on the season premiere of Courteney Cox's ABC sitcom "Cougar Town,” reports Deadline.com.

The episode, set to air Wednesday, Sept. 22, will feature a guest appearance by Jennifer Aniston, reuniting her with her “Friends” co-star Cox.

The former stars of "Friends" have previously reteamed on the FX comedy "Dirt."

Controversial NFL Quarterback Calls Off Reality Show

A controversial NFL quarterback has decided not to do a second season of his reality show, reports Profootballtalk.com.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick’s BET show "The Michael Vick Project" is now dead, according to the story.

Jordan Raanan of CSNPhilly.com reports that Vick told him that the show would not be continuing, the story says. Vick told Raanan, "I put a stop to that. They asked me to do it. I don't have that lifestyle."

In Unusual Marketing Move, ABC Puts Series Pilot Online

In a bold marketing move, ABC has put the pilot episode of an upcoming fall series online for viewers to preview.

The first 50,000 interested watchers will get a free showing of the adventure drama "No Ordinary Family," which stars Michael Chiklis and Julie Benz.

To view the pilot on the ABC Web site, users must log in using the password “Extraordinary.”

NFL Game Gives NBC a Big Ratings Win

Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings were a big draw for NBC's "Sunday Night Football" in the Nielsen ratings, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 7 p.m. NBC’s "Dateline" kicked off the night with a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demo, better than CBS's "60 Minutes," which had a 1.1 in the same demo.

At 8 p.m. the first hour of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" collected a 3.3 rating in the 18-49 demo, ahead of CBS's strong showing for "Big Brother" with a 2.6 in the demo.

The second hour of Minnesota vs. San Francisco on NBC earned a 3.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The 10 p.m. hour of football earned a 2.7 in the 18-49 demographic, besting ABC's "The Gates," which managed a 0.9 in the demo.

Auction of 'Lost' Memorabilia Exceeds Expectations; Camaro, Signed Script Among Top Items

An auction over the weekend in Santa Monica, Calif., of props and other items from the ABC hit "Lost," which went off the air in May, drew a crowd willing to pay far more than pre-sale estimates for items such as the copy of "Watership Down" read by actor Josh Holloway in several episodes, reports The New York Times.

The book, with a pre-sale estimate of $300, ultimately sold for $3,300, the story says. Oceanic Airlines-branded water bottles, which were shown in the pilot, sold for $1,680, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $200.

"This show is the new ‘Star Trek’ when it comes to collecting,” said Joseph Maddalena, the founder of the auction house Profiles in History, which ran the event.

The top sellers included Hurley's red-and-white Camaro, which sold for $24,000--well above the pre-sale estimate of $15,000--and a script signed by co-creators J.J. Abrams and Damon Lindelof, which drew 100 bidders before selling for $18,000, compared with a pre-sale estimate of $300, the article says.

Spencer Threatens to Release Sex Tapes, Pressures Heidi to Do Another Reality Show

Spencer Pratt has given his estranged wife Heidi Montag an ultimatum to tape another reality show with him or else he will sell sex tapes, reports TMZ.com.

Pratt arranged a meeting with Montag at a Costa Rica hotel so that he could give her the couple's two dogs, the story says. But while he did turn over the dogs to her, he also delivered the ultimatum, the story adds.

The article says that Montag doesn't want to star in any more reality TV shows. Spencer has been talking with Vivid Entertainment about releasing the tapes, the story adds.

Leno's Benefit Gig Generates $100K to Aid Gulf Coast

NBC's Jay Leno went to the Gulf Coast for a performance Saturday night to raise funds for those affected by the BP oil disaster, reports the AP.

More than 1,000 people showed up to watch Leno in concert at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Miss., where Leno raised close to $100,000 for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

The exact figure on the oversized check was $90,336, but Jay reportedly made up the difference out of his own pocket to bring the total to about $100,000.

Emmy-Winning CBS News Correspondent for '48 Hours' Dies at 62

 
An Emmy-winning CBS News correspondent for "48 Hours," died unexpectedly on Saturday morning in New Jersey, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Harold Dow was 62. It's believed that he suffered an asthma attack, reports TVNewser.com. Dow's family issued a statement saying, he had been suffering from adult onset asthma and that the Hackensack Police Department found an inhaler on the floor of his vehicle. "Therefore, it is believed at this time that Harold succumbed to an asthma attack while behind the wheel," the statement says.

Dow, who had worked for "48 Hours" since 1990, won a George Foster Peabody Award for a report on runaways and he had won five Emmys for coverage including the 1998 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, the Los Angeles Times reports. Dow had the first network interview with O.J. Simpson after the 1994 murder of his ex-wife, and he also had an exclusive interview with Patty Hearst after her kidnapping, the story says.

You Want To Rebrand, But a Lot of Your Customers Have No Faith In The New Name You've Chosen

It's a classic dilemma, and it's facing one of the best programs airing on any media. So says TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross in his latest provocative entry. To read all about it, click here.

Rachael Ray Brings First Show in Nine Years To Be Solely Food Focused to Cable. Also, New Shows From Al Roker, Bobby Flay to Debut

Rachael Ray is bringing to cable her first show in nine years that'll be soley food-focused.

The show is "Week in a Day," in which Ray will "shares her secrets for creating an entire week’s worth of meals, from scratch, in just one day," according to an annoucement from The Cooking Channel, where the show will appear on Saturday afternoons starting Sept. 25th.

Also debuting in September on The Cooking Channel will be Al Roker's "My Life in Food" and Bobby Flay's Brunch@Bobby's, the network said.

ESPN's 'Around the Horn' Commentator Jay Mariotti Arrested by Los Angeles Police

 ESPN's "Around the Horn" commentator Jay Mariotti was arrested by Los Angeles police officers on suspicion of a felony, reports the Los Angeles Times' L.A. Now blog.

Mariotti allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend at a Santa Monica club, the story says. The dispute then continued to the couple's apartment in Venice, where an altercation allegedly happened, and Mariotti was arrested after police were called, the article says.

Bio Hits Cable This Week of One of Most Famous Rock 'n' Roll Guitarists of All Time With Exclusive Interviews, Footage From Private Archive

He was one of the most famous rock 'n roll guitarists of all time, and he died far too young.

On Thursday, August 26, a two-hour documentary debuts on the Bio Channel about Jimi Hendrix, including exclusive interviews and footage from the Hendrix private archive.

The documentary is co-produced by Janie Hendrix  (Jimi's half sister) and John McDermott, the network says.

'Real Housewives of NJ' Banned from Garden State Country Club After Fight

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" has been banned from the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, N.J. after the show was allowed to film there and cast members got into a fight, reports the New York Post. 

At a fashion show held at the country club, hosted by Kim from Posche Boutique, Danielle Staub and Teresa Giudice got into an altercation in the foyer.

During the fight, Jacqueline Laurita's daughter, Ashley, ripped out some of Staub's hair extensions. Ashley was charged by the police with assault.

The country club apologized to its members for allowing the show inside and claimed it didn't know what the program was about, the article says.

John Stanley, the country club's manager, said that the show won't be allowed back in.

Report: Glee Co-Creator Ryan Murphy Says He's Developing Two More Series, One for John Stamos, One for An Emmy and Tony Award-Winning Actress

Glee Co-Creator Ryan Murphy says he's developing a TV series for John Stamos and one for an actress who is both an Emmy and Tony Award winner, according to E! Online.

According to the article, by Kristen Dos Santos, "Ryan Murphy not only confirmed that he is developing a show for Glee's Emmy-nominated guest star Kristin Chenoweth (let the angels sing!), but he revealed to me exclusively that he is currently working on creating a new show for upcoming guest star John Stamos, too!"

Chenoweth, who originated the part of Glinda in "Wicked," won an Emmy for "Pushing Daisies" and a Tony for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

With Creative Arts Emmys, HBO Leads the Awards with 17 Wins, Followed by ABC with 15

HBO topped the Creative Arts Emmys on Saturday with 17 awards, followed by ABC with 15 trophies, reports B&C.

"The Pacific," HBO's miniseries about World War II, took six awards, while its movie "Temple Grandin" received two, the story says.

ABC's Christmas special "Prep and Landing" won four awards, with three of them for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, the article adds. ABC's hit freshman comedy "Modern Family" won three trophies.

Neil Patrick Harris won an award for his appearance in "Glee" with the statue for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, as well as an unexpected win for host of the Outstanding Special Class Program, the Tony Awards. Because of an oversight by Tony producers, Harris wasn't at first listed as a nominee, the article says.

For reality programs, Jeff Probst of "Survivor" won for Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition Program, marking his third win in a row.

Meanwhile, Betty White helped NBC win an award with her trophy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, earned for her role as host on "Saturday Night Live." It marked one of NBC's seven awards.

With Move to Basic Cable from Broadcast, Conan O'Brien's Writers Are Getting a Pay Cut

With moving to basic cable from broadcast, the writers for Conan O'Brien's show are upset about getting a pay cut,reports the New York Post's Page Six.

The story doesn't say how much of a pay cut the writers are taking. The Writers Guild, however, is continuing negotiations for how much the comedian's writers will earn, the article says.

O'Brien's new show on TBS will debut on Nov. 8.

Abs of Gold: 'Jersey Shore' Star 'The Situation' on Track to Earn More Than $5 Million This Year

 Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, the 29 year-old star of MTV's "Jersey Shore", is on track to earn more than $5 million by year-end, the Hollywood Reporter reports, citing a source familiar with the ab-flashing reality star's finances.

"He has been able to secure many endorsement deals, business opportunities and additional television offers based on the success of the show. Our goal has always been to try to build a brand if the situation presented itself," says Mike Petolino, Sorrentino's manager.

The star will be earning nearly $60,000 per episode after bonus incentives for the third season of "Jersey Shore," which should net him about $1 million this year, the story says.

He's also making money off of products such as an ab-focused workout video and a vodka endorsement, the article says.

New NY Times/CBS Poll: Will Pay TV See the Same Troubles as Newspapers?

There's concern in the television industry that consumers will start "cutting the cord" -- canceling their pay TV service -- in favor of watching shows online. A new poll sheds some light on this fear.

And the truth is that there's not much evidence to suggest it's actually happening, the New York Times reports.

For consumers who still want to watch their favorite shows on big-screen TVs instead of a computer screen, getting rid of the cable or satellite connection can prove complicated, the story says. And then there's the issue of not being able to access every show through online services, such as HBO's "True Blood."

Thus, about 88% of respondents to a New York Times/CBS News poll in August paid for traditional TV service, with only 15% considering getting rid of it in favor of Internet services such as Hulu, the story says.

But those under 45 years old were more likely than older respondents to say they had thought about replacing their pay TV connection, the article adds.

Even though the TV industry has so far avoided the fate of other types of media, such as newspapers and music, through efforts to make sure that some top shows such as "American Idol" and live sporting events can't be legally watched online, consumers are becoming resistant to paying more, the story points out.

As previously reported, Cable companies such as Cablevision are testing services to watch TV shows on devices such as smartphones, while Verizon is planning an application to put live TV on the iPad.

In a separate article, the New York Times reports that Dish Network will this week debut
DishOnline.com, a portal that will allow customers to watch shows from Discovery, HGTV and MTV.

Despite Shaky Economy, Political Advertising Expected to Boom -- Perhaps Double That of 2008

Even though the economy is still shaky, political campaigns are planning on pulling out the stops when it comes to advertising up through the Nov. 2 elections, reports Adweek.

One estimate from Borrell Associates pegs political advertising this year reaching $4.2 billion, double the $2.1 billion it estimated was spent in 2008, the story says. The boom is all the more remarkable given that general advertising isn't expected to reach pre-recession levels until at least 2013, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the story says.

The spending is being fueled by a high number of competitive races, with nearly 100 congressional elections and more than half of all gubernatorial and senate seats being decided in November.

Jennifer Aniston, Jon Stewart Recall Their Awkward First Date

When Jennifer Aniston appeared Thursday night on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," she and host Jon Stewart joked about the night years ago when he asked her out and they shared an awkward first date. Watch the video on People.com.

Good News on Two Fronts: NBC Is Committed to Bringing Back 'Rockford,' and the Move Could Mean a New Lead Role for a 'Lost' Refugee

NBC remains interested in rebooting the James Garner detective series "The Rockford Files," and now the name attached to the project is a former cast member of "Lost," reports Entertainment Weekly.

Josh Holloway, who played James “Sawyer” Ford on “Lost,” is being considered for the role of Jim Rockford, the story says. The publication reports that Dermot Mulroney, who filmed the new pilot last spring, is now out of the running.

According to "House" executive producer David Shore, who is behind the reboot, “NBC is still high on the project. They would like it to happen. Peter Berg’s involved producing and possibly directing.”

Michael J. Fox Makes Return to TV--as Cynical Lawyer Willing to Use His Neurological Condition to His Advantage

Five-time Emmy Award winner Michael J. Fox will return to TV this fall with a guest spot on CBS's "The Good Wife," the Orlando Sentinel reports.

He has been cast as a "shrewd and cynical litigator" on the legal drama, squaring off against star Julianna Margulies' character, Alicia.

Fox's character, Simon Canning, is described by CBS as “willing to use anything in court, including symptoms of his neurological condition, to create sympathy for his otherwise unsympathetic client: a giant pharmaceutical company.”

Fox has been semi-retired from acting for about 10 years. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 1991 and went public with his condition in 1998. He has appeared in a few guest arcs on TV series in recent years, including “Boston Legal” in 2006, an appearance that earned him an Emmy nomination, and “Rescue Me” in 2009, for which he won an Emmy.

CBS's 'Big Brother' Tops Fox's NFL Preseason Game in Ratings

CBS's summer reality hit "Big Brother" delivered the night’s best Nielsen ratings Thursday, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. "Big Brother" served up a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of the first hour of Fox's broadcast of the NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons, which earned a 1.9 in the demo.

At 9 p.m. the Fox NFL broadcast was tops with a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demo, compared with ABC's "Rookie Blue" getting a 1.7 in the same demo.

At 10 p.m. the last of the NFL game collected a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demo up against ABC's "Nightline Prime: Secrets of Your Mind," which registered a 1.1 in the demo.

Colbert Plans Two-Night Tribute to Iraq Vets With the Title: 'Been There: Won That'

Coinciding with the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces from Iraq, Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert will host two special episodes devoted to the troops, reports The New York Times.

During the Thursday night broadcast of "The Colbert Report," Colbert announced that on Sept. 8 and 9 his broadcasts would be a tribute to American service members.

The shows will be called “Been There: Won That: The Returnification of the American-Do Troopscape.”

Said Colbert: “No matter how you felt about this war, we Americans sent them off to fight it. And now that it’s over, we should thank them. And quickly, because I think a lot of them are getting sent to Afghanistan.”

Comic Book King Adds His Geek-Cred to Syfy's 'Eureka'

The father of Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk and dozens of other comic book heroes will appear on Syfy's "Eureka," reports TV Squad.

The former president and chairman of Marvel Comics, Stan Lee is also behind the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, Iron Man, Thor and many other characters. He will make a cameo on the show next season, the story reports.

Lee isn't the only geek-friendly personality to make an appearance on "Eureka"; Wil Wheaton of "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and Ming-Na of "Stargate Universe" are also among the stars who have been booked to guest on the show.

"Eureka" was renewed for a fifth season by Syfy earlier this week.

OMG: This Is Something We Would Pay to See on Premium Cable, and It's on Basic: Jerry Springer and Perez Hilton on the Same Show

A celebrity blogger who has stirred up his share of controversy is joining forces with a veteran talk show host known for his salacious subject matter to raise the level of intrigue on GSN’s “Baggage,” Multichannel News reports.

The top-rated GSN dating game show, hosted by Jerry Springer, has added celebrity blogger Perez Hilton to the program. Hilton will present the "Perez Hilton Baggage Report," in which Hilton will check on the baggage of contestants on the show in short-form digital segments to run online and on air.

Another new online segment for "Baggage" will be "The Springer Institute for Baggage Research," in which the fictional research center will deal with a variety of theories, hypotheses, studies, polls, clinical trials and statistics.

Annoy a TV Writer? You Might End up as the Namesake of a Psychotic Character on TV

In an amusing look at the power of television writers, the Wall Street Journal's Amy Chozick looks at how writers sometimes take out frustrations by naming characters after people who have wronged them or by introducing unflattering plot lines to get payback 

For instance, after receiving some poor reviews from Entertainment Weekly, the writers of USA's "Psych" decided to name a psychotic killer doctor "Ken Tucker," the name of the real-life TV critic for the publication, the story says (note: the WSJ is behind a paywall, so not all readers may be able to access the story.) "It was never 'Dr. Tucker' or just 'Ken.' It was always 'Did Ken Tucker eviscerate the body?'" says Jeff Wachtel, programming chief for the network. Tucker says that, for his part, he didn't mind finding his name attached to a villain: "It shows you're not wishy-washy. You have strong opinions and people react strongly to them."

When Matthew Weiner, the creator of "Mad Men," worked as a writer on "The Sopranos," he put the name of a former employer on a gravestone in a cemetery scene, the article says. "Unless you're Spielberg or Scorsese, there's no other gig where you have that kind of power," says "Cougar Town" co-creator Bill Lawrence.

After Losing Part in '$#*! My Dad Says,' Actor Lands Arc on 'Grey's Anatomy'

After getting replaced in CBS's comedy "$#*! My Dad Says," Ryan Devlin continues to find new roles, with the latest being an multi-episode arc in "Grey's Anatomy," reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files. 

The actor, who will also be returning to "Cougar Town," had previously guest-starred in the two-part finale of "Grey's Anatomy" in May as the husband to Mandy Moore's character, the story says. He'll reappear in the medical show's sixth and seventh episodes, scheduled to air on Oct. 28 and Nov. 4, the story says.

Moore will also reappear on the program, although the article says it's unclear whether she'll be in one or two episodes.

The CW Drops Show

The CW has dropped the Canadian show "18 to Life" after the program drew just 825,000 viewers and a 0.3 rating among adults between 18 to 49 years old, reports TheFutonCritic.com. 

The CW will replace the program with repeats of "Life Unexpected" in the 9 p.m. Tuesday timeslot, the story says. There were six episodes left of "18 to Life," after the network aired the program for three weeks, although those will stay on the shelf, the article adds. The program has received a second-season order from CBC and so will continue in Canada.

Set Your DVR: Great Opportunity This Weekend to Visit a Famous Show From the Golden Age of TV

Yes, some observers say we're in the midst of a second golden age of TV drama, but we're talking about the first one, in the 1950s.

Back in 1955 Rod Serling wrote two dramas that went a long way to establishing his reputation as one of the best  TV dramatists. One was "Patterns," about climbing the corporate business ladder, that appeared on the "Kraft Television Theater."

The second show he wrote that year that garnered a lot of attention was "The Rack" for the "U.S. Steel Hour."  At the time TV reviewer J. P. Shanley called it "controversial and compelling." 

Both these acclaimed programs were made into motion pictures.

Tomorrow (Saturday) TCM is showing the motion picture version of "The Rack" with Paul Newman. The movie has never been released on DVD, so this is a rare opportunity for you to watch it.

It's on TCM at 6 a.m., ET-- and earlier in all the other time zones -- so we'd suggest you set your DVR. 

This motion picture version of "The Rack" has a screenplay by Stewart Stern, based on Serling's teleplay. Though Newman did a number of TV roles at the beginning of his career, he was not in the TV version of "The Rack." The part Newman plays in the movie was played by Marshall Thompson in that TV version. Thompson is best remembered as Dr. March Tracy on the 1960s-era adventure TV series "Daktari."  

"The Rack" is a courtroom drama. Newman plays a Korean War veteran on trial for treason. In only his second starring role, Newman received many kudos for the part. 

In his Nov. 6, 1956, review of the movie, New York TImes film critic Bosley Crowther raved, "A brilliantly detailed performance by Paul Newman....He truly achieves in this picture a remarkable tour de force. In his facial expressions, his gestures, his pauses and his use of his voice, he makes apparent in one figure a singular personal tragedy."

Bill O'Reilly Steps Back from Web Ad for Financial Newsletter

After a financial columnist at CBS MoneyWatch questioned why Bill O'Reilly had loaned his name to an advertisement promoting a financial newsletter sold by the conservative Web site Newsmax, O'Reilly is stepping back from the Web ad, reports the New York Times. 

O'Reilly was featured in a guest online video, which promoted the newsletter and a secret "I.R.S. payout" that required consumers to pay to learn more, the story says. Fox News said that O'Reilly hadn't been aware that the interview would be used in a promotion.

“They took an interview that Bill did and used it for other purposes,” says Fox News executive vice president Bill Shine. It isn't known how much O'Reilly was paid, and he declined to comment, the article adds.

Spencer Pratt Writing Tell-All About Ex

Spencer Pratt, 26, is planning on writing a tell-all book about his relationship with Heidi Montag, who filed for divorce in July after one year of marriage, reports USmagazine.com. 

But Montag says she's looking into her legal options, reports TMZ.com. "This is exactly why I left him," she says.

Pratt has high hopes for his book, USmagazine.com says. "My last book, 'How to be Famous', didn't make the New York Times best-seller list because it was in the self-help section," Pratt says. "This one is going to be totally different. I'm not holding anything back."

Nothing is More Important Than Communicating About Your Brand. Is the Press Release, As You've Known It, Dead? This Is a Must-Read on the Future of Public Relations and Social Media

The modern press release, as we know it, was created in 1906. Is the Internet, with the advent of social media, finally changing the face of public relations?

That's the subject of and article titled "The Future of Public Relations and Social Media" published by Mashable.com. To find the answer, the article features inteviews by 14 PR pros. Here's a sample of their thoughts:

“While I don’t believe the press release is dead, it has been transformed, to become this living, breathing thing. If a release doesn’t have a social element — that is, a way for viewers to comment or share to their social networks — it doesn’t have legs.”--Amanda Miller Littlejohn, founder of Mopwater Social Public Relations

“In the past couple of years, we’ve seen a marked shift in [the press release's] format to reflect the accelerating societal shift from mass consumption of media (“push” media) to personalized consumption or “pull” media. That’s a shift that has led Cisco to spend less time telling reporters and bloggers what it is we expect them to write, and more time helping them understand how what Cisco is doing might fit with their interests.

“…[I]t’s pretty clear where the press release will go next: It’s going to get shorter; link to more sources; be focused on simplification and explanation; and it’ll come in many more flavors. Practically speaking (assuming the SEC keeps pace with media evolutions), that means the press release of the future will deliver its content in text, video, SMS, microblog and podcast form, to any choice of device, whenever the reader decides, and preferably it will be pre-corroborated and openly rated by multiple trusted sources.”-- David McCulloch, director of public relations at Cisco Systems

The article is essential reading. To read the entire article, click here.

Lythgoe of 'American Idol' on Judge Choices: 'Decision Has Got to Be Made Within the Next Three Weeks'

The guessing game over who will be seated at the judges' table on "American Idol" may go on for a few more weeks. The Los Angeles Times' ShowTracker blog reports that executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said in an interview on "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's radio show that "the decision has got to be made within the next three weeks." 

"I think decisions have been made, let's be honest about this. I think decisions have been made, and negotiations are taking place," Lythgoe said. "And those negotiations, when you're just dealing with ordinary people, and you say, 'I want to take you out of everything for the next four months to do "American Idol," ' that's OK. But when you are dealing with stars who have other lives to concentrate on, it's like, 'I want to take you off the planet and you'll join us on Planet American Idol for four months,' that's really tough. So you've got to let them work everything out and, of course, come up with the money that they will appreciate."

Will Larry King Stick Around Longer?

It's possible that Larry King will delay his departure from CNN until the end of the year, instead of leaving in the fall, as his widely thought replacement, Piers Morgan, is reportedly having trouble getting a work visa, reports the New York Post. 

CNN remains set on replacing King with Morgan, the story says. But because Morgan is a citizen of the U.K., he needs a special visa that will give him permission to work full-time in the U.S., and which are increasingly becoming difficult to obtain, the article says.

His current visa, which allows him to work on "America's Got Talent" in the summer, permits him to work for a limited number of days in the country. But with the job on CNN, he needs to switch visas to allow him to work year-round.

'Real Housewives of New Jersey' Star Blames Show for Financial Stress

"The Real Housewives of New Jersey" star Teresa Giudice is blaming the show for her family's continuing financial problems, reports PopEater.com. 

According to a friend of hers, the star believes if she hadn't gained fame from the Bravo show, her bankruptcy case would have been settled before now. She and her husband owe creditors almost $11 million, and recently unsuccessfully sought to have an auction of their New Jersey home halted.

"Because she is now famous everyone is using the situation to get press for themselves and humiliate her and her family. It's honestly got to the point where she's not sure if she wants to come back for another season," the unnamed friend told PopEater.com.

PC World Says About New Verizon iPad FiOS App: 'You might want to skip it for now.' Plus, Here are Lots of Other Choices for Streaming Video on an iPad

PCWorld has taken a look at the new Verizon iPad FiOS app and comes to this conclusion: It an app "you might want to skip for now."

The article, written by Brennon Slattery, says, "The app's restrictions -- including a lack of portability and the cost of service -- make it an iPad add-on you might want to skip for now."

Furthermore, Slattery writes, "A streaming video app is also nothing new for the iPad -- there are many current offerings and even more on the way.

•The Netflix app streams video-on-demand content through a user's Netflix subscription
•Hulu is working on an iPad app to utilize its new premium paid service
•Major League Baseball has had a streaming app since the iPad's launch
•ABC has one for its popular shows
•Dish Network will be releasing a streaming TV app soon
•Comcast's forthcoming iPad app features social elements that allow for sharing TV shows
•Time Warner will be bringing video-on-demand with its app
•Cablevision has ideas for an app, but like Verizon, its streaming TV feature will be restricted to your home
•HBO wants to bring its on-demand HBO Go service to the iPad"

New Young Broadcasting's CEO Steps Downs, Company's CFO Departing

New Young Broadcasting's Vincent Young is stepping down as chief executive and will take on the role of non-executive chairman, B&C reports, citing a company memo from Chief Restructuring Officer Kevin Shea that was dated Aug. 19. 

The memo, which was sent to employees, also notes that the company's chief financial officer, Jim Morgan, will be leaving the company in October, the story says. The changes come a year after Gray Television's arrangement to manage seven of Young's stations, which the story calls "one of the more peculiar arrangements in local TV's recent history."

Spy Drama Receives Second-Season Order from USA After One Month on Air

After just a month since its debut, the spy drama "Covert Affairs" has received a second-season order from USA Network, reports B&C. 

The show, which debuted July 13, hit a series high on Aug. 17 when 5.4 million viewers tuned in. It's also drawn the biggest audience of adults between the ages of 18 to 49 of any cable series debut this year, the article adds.

The show comes from Universal Cable Productions and is executive produced by Doug Liman, Dave Bartis through Dutch Oven and James Parriott.

Report: Television Advertising Sales Predicted to Remain Healthy in 2nd Half of Year

Television advertising sales should remain strong in the second half of the year, The Hollywood Reporter reports, citing TV executives, Wall Street analysts and entertainment company CEOs. 

Scatter ad pricing "looks to be pacing up 15%-20% on average while the upfront deals may provide an 8%-9% pricing increase base to grow off with the start of the new broadcast season," according to Janney Montgomery Scott analyst Tony Wible.

If the rates sustain over the the course of the next year, financial estimates from Wall Street "could move higher," the story says. Second-quarter broadcast and advertising revenue rose 5.9% and 13.4% respectively, the analyst summarized, according to the story.

Apple to Shutter Mobile Ad Network After Buying It for $250 Million

Apple will shut down Quattro Wireless, a mobile ad network it bought earlier this year for $250 million, after using the service to build its iAd mobile ad platform for its devices, reports Advertising Age. 

The closing of Quattro means that Apple won't be in direct competition with Google, which purchased mobile ad network AdMob last year, the story says. Instead, Apple will be focusing on premium ads on its devices such as the iPad and iPhone, which cost many times what standard mobile banner ads command, the article adds.

Still, while there are more than 100 mobile devices in consumers' hands, only a few million of the latest iPods and iPhones can handle iAd's promotions. IPads will be able to accept iAd's advertisements later this year, the article says.

'Boogie Nights' Star, 'Entourage' Producers, Controversial Writer Developing HBO Series Based on Porn Industry

HBO is going ahead with development of a drama pilot about the contemporary pornography industry with a number of high-profile principals on board, reports the New York Post.

“Entourage” producers Mark Wahlberg and Stephen Levinson are executive producing the one-hour pilot, which will be written by controversial author James Frey.

"We're going to make a sprawling epic about the porn business in L.A.,” said Frey, whose next book is titled “The Final Testament of the Holy Bible,” the story says. “We're going to tell the type of stories no one else has told before, and go places no one has gone before."

The porn business is familiar territory for Wahlberg, who starred in “Boogie Nights,” a 1997 feature film focused on the porn industry.

Frey is perhaps best known for a confrontation with Oprah Winfrey in 2006 over whether Frey fabricated parts of his memoirs.

WGBH Wants Union to Agree to Cuts in Benefits, Other Concessions

Asking for cuts in retirement benefits, WGBH began negotiations with the public broadcaster's largest union, reports the Boston Globe.

WGBH wants concessions including moving to a performance-based pay raise system and cutting the company's match for employee retirement plans in half, the story says. WGBH is seeking to reach a new three-year agreement with the Association of Employees of the Educational Foundation, Local 1300 of the Communications Workers of America as its current contract is due to expire on Oct. 31, the article adds.

Local 1300 President Jordan Weinstein declined to comment.

WGBH produces one-third of the Public Broadcasting Service's programming, including shows such as "Nova" and "Frontline,' the story says.

Martha Stewart's Move to Hallmark--a Potential Game Changer for the Network--Sparks $5 Million-Plus Marketing Campaign

Hallmark Channel is pulling out the stops--and likely spending between $5 million and $8 million--to make consumers aware of Martha Stewart's shift to the network on Sept. 13, reports Brian Steinberg in Advertising Age.

Hallmark is committed to eight hours per day, Monday though Friday of shows from Stewart's company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, which SNL Kagan senior analyst Derek Baine says "gives the network more of a definition."

More viewers for the network could mean more advertising as well as higher subscriber fees from cable and satellite operators; currently Hallmark is paid about 6 cents per subscriber, compared with 24 cents for Cablevision's AMC, the story points out.

Hallmark is promoting Stewart's move in TV, radio, print and other venues such as Valpak mailers, the article adds.

Added to Court Charges Against Snooki: Being Annoying

"Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi is now officially annoying--at least according to a new charge brought against her related to her July 30 drinking binge in Seaside Heights, N.J., reports the New York Post.

Snooki was given the additional charge of "annoying others on the beach," the newspaper reports.

The star of the MTV reality show didn't appear in court on Wednesday, although she wasn't required to, the story adds. Her attorney pleaded not guilty for her to the charges of disorderly conduct, public nuisance, and the new charge of annoying others.

Her trial is scheduled for Sept. 8.

"We added the additional charge after looking at all the information," says municipal prosecutor Kim Pascarella. "It seemed a little more appropriate."

Betty White's Ever-Expanding Media Empire Gains a New Product Line

The Betty White media avalanche continues with the announcement Thursday by TV Land that it has launched a line of character-oriented merchandise based on her role in the sitcom "Hot In Cleveland."

Wednesday night's cliffhanger ending to the show's season finale had White's character, Elka, arrested for her late husband's involvement with the mob. The “Free Elka” line includes T-shirts, coffee mug and bags, and features the mug shot of White’s character along with the “Hot in Cleveland” logo.

The products are now available on the TV Land Web site.

Co-Host of 'The View' to Add Game Show to Her Hosting Duties

One of the co-hosts of ABC’s “The View” is about to get a little busier--and take on lighter material--as she becomes the host of one of TV’s most familiar game show formats, the AP reports.

Comic Sherri Shepherd will take over the spot vacated by singer Carnie Wilson as host of GSN’s “The Newlywed Game.” The show begins a new season in November.

Shepherd is excited about the opportunity to handle lighter fare, saying of her new gig, "I get to have fun. I'm not going to be arguing with anybody about whether we should pull the troops out of Afghanistan."

CBS's 'Big Brother,' NBC's 'America's Got Talent' Pace Wednesday Ratings

CBS's "Big Brother" and NBC's "America's Got Talent" were the top Nielsen draws Wednesday night, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. "Big Brother" scored a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, while Fox's "MasterChef" had a 1.9 and NBC's "Minute to Win It" had a 1.6 in the demo.

At 9 p.m. "America's Got Talent" earned a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of the second hour of "MasterChef," which logged a 2.2 in the demo. CW's "Plain Jane" managed a 0.5 in the demo.

NBC Orders Additional Episodes of Game Show

NBC is more than doubling its initial order for episodes of a game show that has been steadily climbing in the ratings for the network, reports The Futon Critic.

The show is “Minute to Win It,” which has averaged almost 6.5 million viewers and a 2.0 rating among adults 18-49 since July. NBC has confirmed that it is ordering another 24 episodes, bringing the total to 42, the story reports.

For the rest of the summer, NBC will broadcast the show on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, blending fresh episodes with repeats.

Despite Weak Ratings in Recent Years, CBS Will Again Put On Live TV Concert to Announce Grammy Noms

CBS will broadcast a live concert TV special Dec. 1 to announce the nominations for the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards, reports the AP.

The previous two years that CBS has used this approach to unveil the nominations resulted in tepid ratings, but CBS is committed to trying it again. The lineup has yet to be announced but will include past Grammy winners and some of the top artists of 2010.

The 2011 Grammys will be broadcast on CBS on Feb. 13.

Report: Michael Jackson's Parents, Both in Their 80s, to Divorce After 60 Years of Marriage

A report in the U.K publication Daily Star says that the parents of Michael Jackson--Katherine, 80, and Joe, 81--are going to be divorced.

According to to the article, "It was said mum Katherine has 'finally had enough' of dad Joe’s behaviour."

The story continues, "Speaking about the months leading up to Michael Jackson's death, outspoken Joe, 81, said of his wife: 'I begged her to go over and stay with him, but she insisted he needed his privacy.' The betrayal is said to be the last straw for Katherine, who won sole custody of Jackson’s children Prince Michael, 13, Paris, 12, and “Blanket”, 8, following the singer’s shock death last June at the age of 50."

Not Every Band Wants Their Music on 'Glee': One Band Explains Why They Turned Down Offer

Not all bands want to have their music used on Fox's hit "Glee," reports U.K. music magazine NME.

For example, one band that turned the idea down was Kings of Leon. The band said the reason is that if they had accepted the offer they would have been "selling out." 

The band also says it got an offer to appear in an episode of "Ugly Betty," which it also rejected. "They wanted us to play ourselves. We were supposed to come in and help her out with some problem or other," bassist Jared Followill said, according to the artcle. "We could have sold out so much more. We turn stuff down constantly."

Jennifer Aniston, Scott Speedman (He Played Ben Covington in 'Felicity'), Anne Hathaway, Other Celebs Alleged Victims of Beauty Parlor Scam

Jennifer Aniston, Scott Speedman, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler and Melanie Griffith allegedly had their credit cards ripped off  " by a woman who ran a swanky salon in Beverly Hills called the Chez Gabriela Studio," TMZ reports.

Says the TMZ story, "According to court documents, Maria Gabriella Perez is accused of ripping off the credit card information from her ultra-wealthy clients ... and 'fraudulently [charging] approximately $280,000 worth of charges in a one year period.' "

TMZ also said Perez had posted, in her beauty salon, autographed pictures of celebrities, including one from Aniston that reads, ""Dearest Gabby, Thank you for always being so good to me!"

Facebook's New Geo-Location Service Is Both Cool and Creepy...

Places, which is Facebook's new geo-location service, is "both cool and creepy," says ZD Net Bwtween the Lines blogger Sam Diaz.

Writes Diaz: "There were a few instances when the execs on-hand today made this service sound creepier than it needed to be. The idea that guests at a party at my home could turn my home address into a public “place” on Facebook and my only recourse is to flag my address to have it removed.

"I also didn’t like the idea of letting my friends “tag” me at their locations. If we’re all a concert, for example, and a friend checks in with Places, he can “tag” the people who he’s with - just as if you were tagging a person in a photo. Yes, I have to give my permission first and yes, I can also “untag” myself - but who wants to be a party pooper like that?

"And throughout it all, I couldn’t help but wonder how long it takes for the API to be used for a “Who’s not home?” app for burglars. I’m just sayin’…"

At the same time, Diaz notes, Facebook has done a great deal to maintain privacy with the new serv ice.

...Likewise, a Comcast TV Survey Is Both Cool and Creepy

In a recent survey by Comcast about which of the shows set to debut this fall is most anticipated,  CBS' "Hawaii Five-O" came out as the number one pick, says the Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes.

However, on the creepy side, de Moraes writes, "Comcast, the company that is buying NBC Universal, believes "The Prisoner" -- the 1960s British cult hit TV series that starred Patrick McGoohan, who has been dead for more than a year -- is returning to American primetime TV in the fall.

"Even worse, when Comcast included "The Prisoner" in a list of seven "returning" TV shows it gave to 1,000 people who participated in a survey and asked which of the seven they were most excited to see return, far more people picked that show than picked NBC's returning comedy series 'Community,' starring Joel McHale."

Betchya Can't Guess What This Show is About: Rapper Vanilla Ice to Star in New DIY Cable Series

Vanilla Ice, the rapper who became popular in the 1990s with the hit "Ice, Ice Baby," will be starring in a DIY Network show, reports Multichannel News.

The 10-episode series, called "The Vanilla Ice Project," will debut on Oct. 14 and is about home renovation.

It will feature the rapper overhauling a six-bedroom, five-bathroom, 7,000-square-foot house in Palm Beach, Florida, the story says.

The article adds that Ice has been buying land and flipping houses for years, during which he's taught himself the basics of renovation.

'Access Hollywood Live' Picks Billy Bush and Kit Hoover as Co-Hosts

"Access Hollywood Live" has tapped Billy Bush and Kit Hoover as co-hosts, reports B&C.

The show is a spinoff of the long-running "Access Hollywood."

Bush, 38, had joined "Access Hollywood" in December 2001 and was promoted to co-anchor. Hoover, 40, started in television in 1995 when she was a cast member on the first season of MTV's "Road Rules," the story says.

Since then, she's held a variety of posts, ranging from the host of ESPN2's morning talk show "Cold Pizza" from 2003-2004 to hosting TLC's "Real Simple Real Life" from 2008-2009, the story adds.

NBC Universal is giving "Access Hollywood Live'" a slow roll-out, with plans to expand if it performs well in the ratings, the article says.

Verizon Plans to Allow FiOS TV Customers to Watch Live TV Shows on Apple's iPad

Verizon is planning to allow its FiOS TV customers to watch live television shows on Apple's iPad, an expansion of a service that allows them to view on-demand shows such as rented movies, reports Bloomberg News.

The additional service will begin next quarter, the story says. The technology is ready, although Verizon is still in negotiations with the owners of the programs, including CNN and Time Warner, about the service. The story says that content owners are more likely to approve the service for in-home usage first. "This is why we built FiOS the way we did, and this is why we made the investment,” said Verizon Chief Information Officer Shaygan Kheradpir.

MTV Awards Taps Chelsea Handler to Host, First Woman to Emcee Since Roseanne Barr in 1994

The MTV Video Music Awards has tapped Chelsea Handler of the E! network series "Chelsea Lately" as its host, marking the first woman to emcee the event since Roseanne Barr in 1994, reports the New York Times.

“If there’s one awards show that I should be hosting, it’s probably this one,” Handler says. “My personality probably wouldn’t jell with the Emmys or the Golden Globes.” MTV general manager Stephen K. Friedman said Handler's college fan base made her an attractive choice for the role. The awards ceremony will be broadcast on Sept. 12 and Handler says she plans to air a week of music-award-focused shows the week before that on "Chelsea Lately," the article adds.

Maker of BlackBerry Looking to Buy Ad Network; Wants to Keep Up With Google's AdMob and Apple's iAd

Research in Motion (RIM) the maker of the popular BlackBerry PDA's, is looking to buy a mobile advertising unit, The Wall Street Journal reports. [Since the WSJ is behind a firewall and may charge you to read this story, a free version of this story has been published by AppleInsider.]

The report says RIM is talking to a number of ad networks, including Millennial Media.

According to the AppleInsider article, "RIM has struggled to keep pace with Apple's iPhone growth and new competition from Google's Android platform. Android has taken over as Verizon's flagship phones after the miserable launches of every iPhone-like model shipped by RIM.

"RIM's beleaguered launches include the BlackBerry Storm, Storm2, and the recent debut of the BlackBerry Torch, which reportedly shipped just 150,000 units at launch, a figure in the same dismal ballpark as Sprint's Palm Pre and HTC EVO 4G. IDC says RIM's share of the global smartphone market slipped from 19.1 to 17.8 percent over the past year."

Howard Stern Will Love This Story: Director of Apple's App Store Sells Fart Apps on the Side

The director of Apple's App Store has a side company which sells fart apps, Wired reports.

According to the article, "Phillip Shoemaker, director of applications technology at Apple, who runs the App Store process, sells iPhone apps in the App Store under the company name Gray Noodle...Titles include a fart app called Animal Farts [and] a urination simulator called iWiz...."

The article continues, "Shoemaker, who has been frequently cited in news stories as one of the top decision makers enforcing rules when evaluating apps for approval or rejection, did not respond to a phone call or an e-mail requesting comment."

The story adds, "[I]t comes off as hypocritical that a director of the App Store sells apps that some might call inappropriate, said Ben Kahle, developer of Me So Holy, a satiric religious app that Apple rejected in mid-2009 for containing 'objectionable material.' Kahle said after he re-submitted the app to the store, an Apple employee called him and said Me So Holy would 'never' be approved.

“ 'If they’re going to do things like this why can’t I do apps like Me So Holy?' Kahle said. 'Especially when the guy in charge is doing shit like this.' ”

Finally, Wired posted this Update to its story: "When informed of our story, Shoemaker purged his Twitter account cited throughout the story and updated his LinkedIn profile to remove mention of Gray Noodle. However, Wired.com archived the webpages, available for download [zip]. Also, a cached version of his LinkedIn profile and multiple iPhone app aggregation websites point to Shoemaker as the owner of Gray Noodle."

PBS' 'Nightly Business Report' Purchased by Former Mixed Martial Arts Manager

PBS' "Nightly Business Report" has been sold to a private company headed by a former mixed martial arts manager, reports our friend Elizabeth Jensen in the New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

The show had been owned by public station WPBT-TV in Miami, which completed the sale to the private company, NBR World Wide Inc., on Friday, the story says.

The price wasn't disclosed and the purchase was disclosed to show's staff on Wednesday. Mykalai Kontilai, who says mixed martial arts used to be "a hobby of mine for a short period of time," said he felt the program could be expanded and has been talking with international distributors, which could help the show attract more sponsors.

The program, which attracts about 500,000 viewers each night, has been recently struggling to find enough corporate underwriters, the story adds.

Spacey Cashes In on HBO Connection, Gets Deal to Develop Latest Project

Kevin Spacey, through his and Dana Brunetti's Trigger Street Prods., is taking his cult-leader drama "The Crux" to HBO in a first-look deal, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

There isn't a pilot order, the story adds. The project was shopped at other cable networks two months ago and drew interest from HBO, Showtime, Starz and FX, the article says.

Spacey's ties to HBO--he starred in and earned an Emmy nomination for the 2008 HBO movie "Recount"--helped sway the project to the pay-cable network.

Emmy Nominee Moves Into Neighborhood on 'Desperate Housewives'

The latest larger-than-life actor to join ABC's "Desperate Housewives" is a Broadway and movie star, as well as an Emmy nominee, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lainie Kazan, best known as the mother in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "My Favorite Year," has been cast in a multi-episode arc as a neighbor and shop owner who becomes involved with Teri Hatcher's character, Susan.

Kazan was nominated for an Emmy for a guest role in “St. Elsewhere” in 1988.

Veteran Rocker's 'Idol' Deal Reportedly Inked

Fox has yet to confirm it, but sources are reporting that a veteran rock singer has signed the deal to make him an "American Idol" judge, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The rocker is Steven Tyler, lead singer of the band Aerosmith. Despite the fact that he's 62 years old, Tyler's rock ‘n’ roll credentials make him a good choice for the hit show, according to insiders.

TV Land Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Beloved Sitcom, Lets Viewers Pick Favorite Episodes

TV Land viewers will choose the top 50 episodes of a beloved CBS sitcom from the 1960s, to be aired in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the show.

The show is "The Andy Griffith Show,” and starting today "50 Days of Andy" will air Monday through Friday, 3-6 p.m. ET, showing episodes and trivia about the show in the three-hour block. Fans can go online to vote for their favorite shows.

On Sept. 25-26 the final results of the voting will be presented in a countdown. In addition, on Oct. 3, the anniversary of the series debut, TV Land will show a special marathon of landmark episodes beginning at 4 p.m. ET.

NBC News Promotes Exec to Key Investigative Position

A veteran executive with NBC News has been promoted to senior broadcast producer, NBC News Investigations, reports TVNewser.

Robert Dembo has been with NBC News for 14 years, doing a variety of jobs including director of national news coverage, senior producer of “NBC Nightly News” and project manager of large-scale news events.

In a message to staff, Steve Capus, NBC News president, said of Dembo's promotion, "We are incredibly excited to bring his unique skills to the outstanding investigative news teams all around this news division."

'SVU' Heads to L.A. to Cross-Pollinate With New 'L&O' Series

"Law & Order: Los Angeles" won't be the only Dick Wolf crime procedural shooting in Hollywood, reports Access Hollywood.

"Law & Order: SVU" is shooting scenes there with the idea of introducing Skeet Ulrich from the new NBC show to viewers of the established hit. On the Sept. 29 episode of "SVU," Olivia (Mariska Hargitay) will be in Hollywood working a rape case and will interact with Ulrich's Det. Rex Winters. "Law & Order: Los Angeles" will then debut later that night.

Teri Polo, the star of movies such as "Meet the Parents," has been cast in a major recurring role in "Law & Order: Los Angeles," reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com. Polo will play Casey Winters, the wife of Det. Winters.

Her character is an ex-cop who left the force to start a family, the article adds.

Betty White's Next Project Is Revealed

TV legend Betty White, who's having the year of a lifetime, is adding another project to her agenda, the AP reports.

The 88-year-old Emmy Award-winning actress, who earlier this year became the oldest person to host “Saturday Night Live,” will tackle writing next. She has signed a two-book deal with G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Her first book will be titled "Listen Up!" and is scheduled for release in 2011. Among its subjects will be sex, celebrity, life and love, the story reports.

White stars in the TV Land sitcom "Hot in Cleveland."

Oscar Winner, Star of '60s Sitcom, to Be Honored With SAG Lifetime Achievement Award

An Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated actor has been chosen as the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, the AP reports.

The actor is Ernest Borgnine, who’s 93 years old and still working.

SAG National President Ken Howard said in a statement that Borgnine's boundless energy "at 93 is still a hallmark of his remarkably busy life and career."

Borgnine won the Oscar for "Marty" in 1955, and was the star of "McHale's Navy," which ran from 1962-66.

Comedy Troupe Reunites for IFC Miniseries

A comedy troupe that had a popular TV show in the 1990s has reunited for the first time since 1996, for a four-hour miniseries to air beginning this week on the IFC Network, the AP reports.

The show, "The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town," reassembles all five members of the Canadian troupe The Kids in the Hall. The first two half-hours will be broadcast on IFC on Friday, Aug. 20, at 10 p.m. ET.

All five of the original "Kids" have been enlisted--Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Kevin McDonald, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson.

The miniseries was filmed last summer, 20 years after the original series ran on TV.

Details Scarce as Comcast Media Center's COO Leaves Company

Details are scarce, but Comcast has confirmed that Comcast Media Center Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Gary Traver has left the company, B&C reports.

Jenni Moyer, senior director of corporate communications for Comcast, said in a statement, "It was a mutually agreed upon decision and we're working on a transition plan to maintain business continuity and support for CMC customers and employees.”

Moyer would not comment further, according to the report.

Traver's last day on the job was Monday.

On Death of Plastic Surgeon to the Stars: According to His Ex-Girlfriend, 'He lived up in Malibu on a tiny street and he was texting while driving and he accidentally went over the cliff.'

Dr. Frank Ryan, 50, a plastic surgeon who worked on celebrities including television star Heidi Montag, died on Monday after his 1995 Jeep Wrangler went off the side of the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, reports the Associated Press.

Just before the car accident, he was sending a Twitter message about his dog, People.com reports, citing Ryan's ex-girlfriend.

"He lived up in Malibu on a tiny street and he was texting while driving and he accidentally went over the cliff," his ex-girlfriend, celebrity publicist Charmaine Blake, says.

Ryan was indeed texting before the crash, confirmed the California Highway Patrol.

The cause of the accident hasn't yet been determined, the story says. Ryan's dog, Jill, was in the car during the crash and survived the accident, the article adds.

Under Fire For Her N-Word Outburst, Dr. Laura Says She's Quitting

Conservative radio talk-show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger announced on "Larry King Live" that she's ending her program, citing a desire to "regain my First Amendment rights" following an episode in which she came under fire for repeatedly using the "N" word on-air, reports the New York Times' Media Decoder blog. 

Dr. Schlessinger said she won't renew her contract when it expires at year-end. “I want to be able to say what’s on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates, attack sponsors. I’m sort of done with that," she said on "Larry King Live."

Even though she's ending her show, she emphasized that she's not retiring and will continue with speaking engagements and writing books, the article adds.

Media Matters for America, which had asked advertisers to avoid her program, said in a statement that "Dr. Laura’s radio career ended in disgrace tonight because of the bigoted, ugly and hateful remarks made on her show. Americans have had enough."

The Website StopDrLaura.com on Tuesday night had posted a headline on its site reading, "We Stopped Dr. Laura."

The incident occurred last week when a caller, a black woman, said her white husband's friends and family members make racist comments in front of her. Dr. Schlessinger used the "N" word 11 times in her argument that there's a "confusing" double standard because blacks can use the word while whites can't. The caller complained, saying, "I was a little caught back by the N-word that you spewed out, I have to be honest with you”

Will Apple Debut a Smaller, 7-Inch iPad?

"With the industry revving its engines for the third and fourth quarter, the iPad rumor mill has also begun to pick up with reports of a smaller 7-inch iPad," reports PC magazine. The screen-size of the current iPad is 9.7 inches.

According to the article, "One of the iPad's chief criticisms is that it is not much more than a larger iPod touch, a criticism that has been dispelled by Apple's most recent sales figures. A smaller iPad would most likely not dramatically improve the portability of the device, as it's still larger than a pocket. But a 7-inch iPad would be on par with the Barnes & Noble Nook and slightly larger than the redesigned Amazon Kindle, which includes ts traditional 6-inch display but a smaller border."

Report: Let's Assume Verizon Will Get the iPhone. If So, Who Are the Winners and Who Are the Losers

An article in InfoWorld makes this supposition: If Verizon Gets the iPhone, who are the winners and who are the losers.

First, the article says, some of the conventional wisdom is wrong: "The spin-jockeying has already begun: AT&T is pre-emptively claiming that losing its exclusive grip on the iPhone won't hurt its revenue. On the heels of that, Motorola floated the idea that it will benefit if the iPhone goes to Verizon. Both are likely wrong."

Though both Apple and Verizon will be winners, the article says both companies need to be careful:

"Apple, for example, has to be wary about what it claims the iPhone can do. 'Remember those ads Apple ran about the ability to do things like look up a movie time while you're talking to your buddy?' says [Gartner analyst Charles] Golvin. 'No can do that on [Verizon's] network.' (Back in the spring, Verizon was rumored to be making upgrades to its network to allow for simultaneous voice and data usage, but nothing has come to fruition yet.)"

On the losing side InfoWorld places Sprint, T-Mobile, Motorola, HTC, and, to a certain extent, AT&T.

It's Creepy and Kooky, Mysterious and Spooky, Kinky and All Together Rather Ooky: The 'True Blood' Rolling Stone Cover

Hollywood Getting Nervous the Internet Will Undermine the Small Screen

With Google promoting its new technology called Google TV, Hollywood television executives are nervous on a number of counts, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Google's idea is to unleash television shows from networks by using TV sets equipped with a set-top box loaded with Google software that connects to the Web, or through their iPhones or other smart phones, the story says.

Some TV executives are worried that the Google service could do for TV what the Internet did to newspapers and the recording industry: gut its business model. For instance, viewers might decide to cancel their monthly cable or satellite service if they can watch TV shows free over the Internet, the story says.

And then there's the question of advertising. Google is promoting an online-auction model that's worked in its search business, but goes counter to how television advertising is sold, the article points out. Networks bundle prime-time hits with ratings-challenged shows so that the most popular programs help pay for the others, the story says.

But for the time being, Google needs Hollywood to help improve its service's video search. "Right now, Google TV isn't very effective in correctly identifying TV shows. In demonstrations with network executives, Google TV confused one network's shows for a rival's. On another occasion, it listed the several ways a popular prime-time show could be watched online and on TV — except on the network's own website," the story points out.

Heaven for Gleeks: Radio Station Debuts Programming Solely from 'Glee'

Gleeks, those uber-fans of Fox's "Glee," may be thrilled to learn there's a radio station that's devoted to songs from the program, according to a report from Sky News Online.

But given that the radio station, which is based in the U.K.'s Oxford, limits itself to songs from the television program, its playlist consists of just 80 songs, the story says. "The response has been very divided. People are either in the Glee camp or they are not. Female listeners love it more than male," station program director Susan Carter says.

'Undercover Boss' Getting Companion Series at CBS

CBS' hit reality show "Undercover Boss" is getting a companion show about life in the workplace, reports James Hibberd at the Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

The untitled project, also from Studio Lambert, will track two employees who work for the same company and who compete for a big promotion, the story says. The project has stand-alone episodes that go behind the scenes at big U.S. companies, like "Undercover Boss," the article adds.

For the Ratings of Shows on Cable, It's the Summer of Love

As we've reached the dog days, cable's ratings continue strong this summer.

Showtime set a ratings record with its cancer comedy "The Big C" on Monday night, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The show drew the largest audience for Showtime in eight years for the debut of an original series, the story says. Laura Linney, who stars in the program, drew 1.2 million viewers to its first episode.

Its lead-in, the returning comedy "Weeds," drew 1.26 million viewers to its season debut, representing a 4% increase from its previous season's premiere, the story adds.

"Dora's Big Birthday Adventure," a special marking the character's 10th year on television, averaged 3.3 million viewers on Nickelodeon's Aug. 15 airing, reports Multichannel News.

The show was the highest-rated "Dora" primetime special since 2008 and was the most watched program during its 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. timeslot with children between 2 and 5 years old and with those between 2 to 11 years old, the story says.

A 12-minute documentary called "Dora the Girl Heard 'Round the World', which aired immediately after the special, drew 2.3 million viewers, the article adds.

The History Channel said, in an announcement, that  Sunday and Monday night lineups of "Ice Road Truckers" and "Top Shot" (Sunday night) and "American Pickers" and "Pawn Stars" (Monday night) continued to deliver in a big way this past week with record ratings for the network on both nights."

Furthermore, the annoucement said, "2010 to date, "Pawn Stars" remains History's No.1 hit and "American Pickers" remains the No. 1 new non-fiction series of 2010 among total viewers and Adults 25-54."

Comedy Central did well with its recent raunchy roast of David HasselHoff, saying that the show lead the network to "its highest rated and most watched week since October 2009 with [persons]18-49 and [men] 18-34."

And the USA Network announced yesterday (Tuesday, August 17, 2010) that in the basic cable universe the network "is poised to win its fifth straight summer in P18-49, P25-54 and total viewers."

With New Lifeline and No More Hot Seat, Plus Major Format Changes, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' Is Getting a Makeover

The 11-year old game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" is getting a facelift for its next season, including a new lifeline and the elimination of the "hot seat," reports the New York Post.

Host Meredith Vieira and contestants will be made to stand during the entire show, the story says. The new lifeline is called "jump the question" and will allow players two free passes, although the show is nixing two other lifelines, "ask the expert" and "double dip," the story says.

The show will keep "ask the audience" as a lifeline, it adds. The format is also getting a tweak: instead of a 15-question route to win $1 million, the game will consist of two rounds.

The first round includes 10 questions and prizes worth as much as $25,000, but the prizes and level of difficulty of the questions will be shuffled.

According to the article, "The result: the first question could be a softball worth $25,000. But there is a catch.

"Players are penalized for quitting early -- with half of their winnings returned to the bank.
In the second round, contestants only have to answer four questions to reach the $1 million.

"The shorter path to the grand prize is coupled with a guarantee. If a player walks away from round two, they are allowed to keep all of their accumulated winnings."

People Get Ready: Emmy-Nominated Director Wants to Make Fictional Biopic About Bob Marley

Director Jenny Ash, who is up for an Emmy Award later this month for History Channel's "America - The Story of Us," wants to make a biopic about reggae singer Bob Marley, reports Deadline.com .

Ash's picture would "concentrate on the year Marley spent living in London in 1977," the article said.

Ash told Deadline.com, "There’s never been a fiction film about Marley. We’ve never had a sense of him as a real man, as opposed to the legend."

However, at one point the Weinstein Co. said they were going to make a biopic on Marley. And Martin Scorsese, who did an acclaimed documentary about Bob Dylan, was at one point going to do a documentary on Marley. When he dropped out, Jonathan Demme was supposed to be attached to that project, until it was reported that he had left the project as well.

New 'Hawaii Five-O's' Danno--James Caan's Son, Scott--Books Himself For Surgery

A serious knee injury incurred during a stunt for the action show "Hawaii Five-O" earned actor Scott Caan -- who plays Danno Williams -- a flight back to Los Angeles for surgery, reports the New York Post.

Caan, 33, is believed to have torn his ACL while filming in Hawaii, the story says. Schedules were rearranged so that filming of the television-show remake could continue without Caan.

Michael Douglas Has Throat Tumor

Actor Michael Douglas will undergo radiation treatment and chemotherapy for a tumor in his throat, USA Today reports.

The 65-year-old star of the new movie “Wall Street; Money Never Sleeps” is expected to make a full recovery and to participate in helping to publicize the film, which opens Sept. 24, the story says.

The treatment is scheduled to last eight weeks, according to the story.

ABC Plans Splashy Unveiling for New 'Dancing With the Stars' Celebrity Lineup

ABC will announce the new celebrity roster for "Dancing With the Stars" at a special live event during the broadcast of "Bachelor Pad" on Monday, Aug. 30, 8-10 p.m. ET.

Co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke will announce the new contestants for the Fall 2010 season, which premieres on Monday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. ET.

ABC.com will also post the press conference, in its entirety, the following day.

Gossip Columnist Readying 'Hollywood Uncensored' for Reelzchannel

A longtime Hollywood gossip columnist and entertainment anchor has landed a new show on Reelzchannel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Hollywood Uncensored With Sam Rubin," to be hosted by the columnist and KTLA entertainment anchor, is an entertainment roundtable show that will assemble panelists from movies, TV, music, sports and journalism to tackle cultural and entertainment topics. The show will debut Sept. 4.

Mike Smith, senior VP of programming at Reelzchannel, said in a statement, "Sam Rubin has a unique approach and unprecedented access to all things Hollywood, making him the perfect choice to share and discuss his insights with a celebrity roundtable and our viewers."

Reruns Rule the Night in Monday Ratings

On a tepid Monday night in the Nielsen ratings, reruns of CBS’s "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory" scored better than any new shows, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. ABC's "Bachelor Pad" earned a 1.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic for the first hour, and at 9 p.m. it moved up to 2.0 in the demo. Fox's "Lie to Me" at 9 p.m. had a 1.6 in the 18-49 demographic against the ABC reality series. Meanwhile, a rerun of “Two and a Half Men” at 9 p.m. scored a 2.4 rating in the demo and a rerun of “The Big Bang Theory” at 9:30 p.m. had a 2.5.

At 10 p.m. ABC's "Dating in the Dark" earned a 1.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic compared with NBC's "Dateline's" 1.3 in the demo.

Recipients of Cronkite Award Named--And a Strongly Political Cable Host Will Share the Award

The host of a politically oriented cable news show has been chosen to receive the 2010 Walter Cronkite Faith & Freedom Award from the Interfaith Alliance, according to the Huffington Post.

Rachel Maddow, the host of MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," will receive the award, given in recognition of "individuals who courageously promote democratic values, defend religious freedom and reinvigorate informed civic participation," the story says. The award will be presented in New York in October.

Alongside Maddow, an outspoken liberal, Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion Director the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell will also be honored with the prize. They join the ranks of Peter Jennings, Tom Brokaw, Larry King and others who have received the award.

NBCU Exec Cameron Death Gets Title to Go With His Duties as Digital Studio Boss

NBC Universal announced that Cameron Death has been upped to senior vice president and general manager of the company’s digital studio, according to TheWrap.

Death has been overseeing the NBC digital studio since 2008, when it commenced production.

"Cameron has done what many thought impossible," said Vivi Zigler, president of NBC Universal Digital Entertainment. “He has created a digital studio from the ground up, achieving repeated success with top-notch entertainment that puts brands front and center. He thinks big and is fearless, and as a result, has successfully taken on uncharted territory."

Hallmark, Martha Stewart Set Sights on Fashion Industry

The Hallmark Channel is readying a prime-time fahion special starring Martha Stewart that will be timed to coincide with the wrap-up of New York’s Fashion Week, reports Multichannel News.

The special, slated for Sept. 19, is called "Martha Stewart Presents: The Women Who Dress America" and will include Stewart's interviews with legendary fashionistas Diane Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Tory Burch and Jenna Lyons.

This is the first of a series of specials Stewart will be doing for Hallmark Channel. In addition, Stewart's daily talk show, "The Martha Stewart Show," will move to the Hallmark Channel weekdays at 10 a.m. ET.

Late-Night Talk Show Brings in Former Letterman Exec As Producer

A former executive producer of David Letterman's show is returning to the late-night talk show wars,  B&C reports.

Robert Morton, a veteran executive producer of late-night talk shows who oversaw David Letterman's show as well as programs starring Wayne Brady, David Alan Grier and others, assumes the executive producer's role on TBS' "Lopez Tonight," the publication reports.

Morton takes over the position from Mike Gibbons and Jim Paratore, neither of whom had contracts for a second year with the show. The talk show, hosted by George Lopez, will move from 11 p.m. to midnight to make room for Conan O'Brien's show.

Video: Promo for 'America's Next Top Model' With Shockingly Thin Model Prompts Apology from Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks has apologized for and removed a promo for "America's Next Top Model" which featured an aspiring model with a shockingly small waist, reports the New York Daily News.

"On behalf of the entire ‘Top Model' team, I am truly sorry for the style in which the ‘Top Model' promo clip was presented," Banks wrote on Tyra.com. In the clip, which features a 6' 2" 19-year old woman from Dallas, Banks tells her, "You have the smallest waist in the world,' and then adds, "There's something about her I like!"

Banks has struggled with her own body image and criticism, with several tabloids commenting on her weight in 2006, calling her "Tyra Porkchop," the article says. Banks said she offered support to the 19-year old aspiring model, who was "experiencing her own internal struggles with her body, and the cruelty she faces on a daily basis directly related to the way she looks."

After Cancellation, HBO Reverses Decision and Orders Third Season of Series

Despite previously canceling this series two months ago, HBO has reversed its decision and placed a 10-episode order for a third season, reports Deadline.com's Nellie Andreeva.

The series, the MRC/Good Humor TV-produced animated comedy "The Life & Times of Tim," is a cult favorite and is popular with comedy writers, the article says.

Started in 2007 as a pilot at Fox, the series was moved to HBO with a 10-episode order. The second season ran in a block with the MRC-produced animated series "The Ricky Gervais Show," which has also been renewed, the story adds.

Did Bill O'Reilly Get a Local Cable Host Fired, and If So, So What?

The Columbia Journalism Review (CJR)  this week has a story titled "The O’Reilly Factor: How the Fox host used raw corporate power to crush a critic."

We do more than just report about this story. In a must-read entry, TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross dissects the piece, adding his unique insight to this important story.

Click here to read.

In Odd Revelation, PeeWee Herman Tells Playboy He Was Set to Win 1991 Masturbation Case -- With Masters and Johnson Institute Expert (What About Switch Hitters?)

Paul Reubens, who created the PeeWee Herman character and was arrested in July 1991 for masturbating publicly in an adult theater, tells Playboy magazine that he could have won the case with the help of a Masters and Johnson Institute expert.

The expert "was going to testify that in 30 years of research on masturbation the institute had never found one person who masturbated with his or her nondominant hand. I’m right-handed, and the police report said I was jerking off with my left hand. That would have been the end of the case right there, proof it couldn’t have been me," Reubens tells the magazine.

So why did he end up pleading no contest? Reubens says he didn't want that revealed in court and have to "listen to Jay and Arsenio and others for another two weeks."

Reubens added that his arrest a decade later for possessing child pornography was based on "nothing offensive." The items confiscated by the police were things such as a "a crudely done painting I got at a thrift store. It’s of a football stadium. In the foreground the football players are out on the field in mid-play, but they don’t have pants on. When I found it I thought, Oh my God, that is the greatest painting I’ve ever seen in my life! It’s hilarious," Reubens says. "They made it sound as if I had a huge homoerotic collection, which I didn’t."

Real News About the Housewives of New Jersey: Staub Reportedly Out; Teresa's Bankruptcy Boo Boo

Danielle Staub, one of the co-stars of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," has been asked not to return for the third season of the Bravo show, reports Life & Style magazine. The news came as a shock to Staub, the story says. She gained notoriety for a sex tape scandal, allegations of prostitution and her cat-fights on screen, the article notes.

Staub is also trying to sell a spin-off reality show about her life. A Bravo representative declined to comment, while Staub's booking agent had no comment on the report.

In response to the report, Staub said in a statement that she's "not even thinking about season 3 right now as I am considering many incredible options that have been presented to me," reports US Magazine. ""Don't worry, next year, I'll still be the one you either love to hate or hate to love," Staub said in the statement.

Separately, within days of filing for bankruptcy, "The Real Housewives of New Jersey" co-star Teresa Giudice and her husband went on a $60,000 buying spree, which was potentially an ill-judged move given the couple is trying to convince a bankruptcy judge to halt an auction of their mansion, reports the New York Post's Page Six.

The couple spent $8,800 on curtains and almost $45,000 on furnishings such as mirrors, tables and chairs, the story says. The spree even seemed to give pause to the couple's attorney, James Kridel, who said in court that the spending presented "a dilemma" and that the judge might interpret it as "conspicuous consumption," the article adds.

The judge didn't grant the couple's request to halt the auction of their Towaco, New Jersey home, but did delay it until Oct. 3. After the hearing, Teresa declined to comment on the spending, while her husband, Joe, snapped, "None of your business! Back off before I get pissed!", the story says.

HBO Says No To NetFlix

HBO isn't falling under Netflix's sway, and instead is telling the online-video service that it's unlikely to make a deal to sell hits such as "True Blood" and "The Sopranos" to the online service,reports Bloomberg News.

“There is value in exclusivity,” HBO co-president Eric Kessler says. Viewers “are willing to pay a premium for high quality, exclusive content." HBO plans to make its shows and movies available online through HBO Go, a service that will be available to HBO customers at no extra cost in about six months, he adds.

The service will be available on cable systems, Apple's iPad and on mobile devices. With HBO's stand, Netflix won't be able to gain titles from all of the major studios, the story says. “We would love to do a deal as well with HBO,” a Netflix spokesman says. “Compete with us or collaborate with us, but we would much rather work with them.”

Apple-Holic Blogger Speculates What the iPhone 5 Will be All About

"If you've been wondering what to expect from iPhone 5, the next-generation, beyond an all-new and improved antenna, then let me share a few ideas with you -- your iPhone will be your wallet, your house keys, your identity, the centre of your mobile existence."

So says blogger Jonny Evans, ComputerWorld's self-declared "Apple Holic."

If you're a non-techie like us, you'll find the article not too clear. It's all based on a technology called Near Field Communication (NFC).

So after reading the Evans piece, we suggest to read up on NFC. You can do so at this site, which helps clarify things quite a bit.

Retrans Fight Intensified as Broadcasters Go on Offensive with Keepmytv.org

 The fight over retransmission consent rules just stepped up as the National Association of Broadcasters has started a site called Keepmytv.org that seeks to persuade consumers of the benefits of keeping the current rules, reports Mediaweek.com.

The site spells out consumer options if pay-TV providers no longer carry a broadcast channel, and promotes the importance of broadcast TV as a way of tapping into local news and emergency information, as well as TV's highest-rated programs, the story says. Pay-TV providers are pressing Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to alter the rules.

In Orlando, Oprah Winfrey's Timeslot Will Go to 'Dr. Oz'

WFTV-TV in Orlando, Florida has decided that Oprah Winfrey's timeslot will go to Dr. Mehmet Oz's program "Dr. Oz" when Winfrey's show goes off the air in 2011, reports the Orlando Sentinel.

"We did research, and that’s what viewers said that wanted at 4 o’clock,” WFTV General Manager Shawn Bartelt says. “Pretty much what folks told us they wanted in the 4 p.m. hour was information and a little entertainment. They wanted a substantive show."

Winfrey's show had been a ratings draw for the ABC-affiliated station and helped provide a lead-in to the station's early evening news, the story says. In the market, "Dr. Oz" currently airs on NBC-affiliated WESH-TV, although WFTV had finished negotiations for the show several weeks ago, the article adds.

Despite Last Week's Overdose, Fantasia Barrino to Appear on 'Good Morning America,' Other TV Shows Starting Aug. 24

Fantasia Barrino, the winner of the third season of "American Idol," plans on making television appearances starting Aug. 24 when she performs on "Good Morning America," just two weeks after landing in the hospital over overdosing, reports US Magazine.

The TV appearances represent previously scheduled spots that Barrino is sticking with despite being hospitalized for overdosing on Aspirin and a sleeping aid last week, the article says.

She'll be promoting her new album, "Back to Me," the story adds. "I can't thank my fans enough for their prayers and support during such a challenging time," Barrino said in a statement on Monday. "It has given me the motivation to get back to work ...I put a lot of blood, sweat and tears into this album and I pray that everyone enjoys it as much as I do."

Fox TV Studios Gets New President

Fox TV Studios, which produces such hits as "Burn Notice: and "White Collar"--both on the NBU Universal-owned USA Network--has named a new president.

David Madden has been promoted to president, succeeding Emiliano Calemzuk who left two weeks ago to take a role as chief executive of Shine Group Americas, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

Madden, formerly executive vice president at Fox TV Studios, will continue to report to Dana Walden and Gary Newman, the story says. In his previous role, Madden oversaw the studio's creative development and production.

Furthermore, the article says, "He also oversees the new series "The Good Guys" for Fox, “The Gates” for ABC, "Persons Unknown” for NBC, "Lights Out" for FX as well as FX's pilot “Outlaw Country" and the project formerly known as "The Killing" at AMC.

USA Network's Buddy Cop Pilot 'Common Law' Taps 'FlashForward' Actor

USA Network's buddy cop pilot "Common Law" has cast an actor who was on ABC's "FlashForward'  to star, marking the project's first actor cast in the comedic show, reports Deadline.com.

The actor is Michael Ealy.

The pilot focuses on two cops, Travis Marks, who will be played by Ealy, and Wes Mitchell, who are partners in the Los Angeles Police Department, but who can't stand each other, the story says. Ealy was most recently in ABC's "FlashForward." "Common Law" is produced by CBS TV Studios and Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment.

Oprah's OWN Network Hit With Discrimination Suit by Ex-Employee

A former employee of Oprah Winfrey's OWN--Oprah Winfrey Network--is suing the network claiming wrongful termination and that she was subjected to a hostile work environment because she suffers from multiple sclerosis, reports TMZ.com.

Catherine Dunn started at OWN as an assistant in August 2008 and claims that she needed to take a stress leave and a leave of absence because her symptoms were made worse by the stress at the job.

She alleges that the network replaced her with a "non-disabled and younger employee" while she was out on leave, the story says. She's asking for unspecified damages.

There wasn't any comment from OWN, the story says.

Another 'Jersey Shore' Star Arrested--Over Parking Tickets? Seriously

Another "Jersey Shore" star has been arrested, reports MTV.com, and the reason might come as a surprise to fans of the show. It has to do with parking tickets, according to the story.

Ronald "Ronnie" Ortiz-Magro was arrested Sunday in Seaside Heights, N.J., for warrants stemming from unpaid parking tickets, the story says. The 24-year old was taken into custody for warrants from Annendale and Stuartsville, both in New Jersey, and was released after paying off his fines.

A representative for MTV, which airs the show, didn't have comment.

The arrest comes after fellow "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi was arrested in Seaside Heights for disorderly conduct, as previously reported.

It's Final, So Stop Asking: 'Legend of the Seeker' Won't Be Picked Up by Syfy

Syfy is once again telling fans of the Rahl family--including hero Richard and his evil brother Darken--that the channel isn't picking up the fantasy series "Legend of the Seeker," reports TVbytheNumbers.com.

Despite telling fans earlier this year that Syfy wouldn't be picking up the show, Syfy continues to barrageed with requests that it pick up the show, the story says.

"'Legend of the Seeker' is produced by ABC Studios, and doesn’t make sense for ABC and sadly isn’t a really good fit for Disney or ABC Family," writes TVbytheNumbers.com. "ABC Studios obviously hasn’t offered the show at a price that would be attractive for Syfy, and one can hardly blame ABC Studios for not wanting to discount the price so much that it loses money in the deal."

Golf Tournament, 'Big Brother' Lift CBS to Ratings Win

Three overtime holes to decide the PGA Championship and "Big Brother" propelled CBS to a Nielsen victory on Sunday night, reports TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 7 p.m. the golf tournament collected a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demographic, better than NBC's "Dateline," which had a 0.9 in the demo.

At 8 p.m. the PGA overrun paired with "60 Minutes" scored a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demo.

An hour later, the combination of "60 Minutes" and "Big Brother" had a strong 2.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic, while the season finale of ABC's “Scoundrels" earned just a 0.8 in the demo.

The end of "Big Brother" in the 10 p.m. hour was matched with "Undercover Boss" for a 1.6 rating in the 18-49 demo. ABC's "The Gates" earned a 0.9 in the demo for the hour.

Video: Never-Before-Seen 'Return of the Jedi' Clip Unveiled by George Lucas

Director George Lucas, accompanied by “Star Wars” stars Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, spiced up a “Star Wars” celebration in Orlando, Fla., over the weekend by showing a never-before-seen deleted scene from “Return of the Jedi,” Entertainment Weekly reports.

Here’s a video clip. The deleted scene will reportedly be included in the Blu-ray release of “Jedi,” scheduled for next year as part of a Blu-ray release of all the “Star Wars” movies.

Gallup Poll: Confidence in TV News Is Declining

A recent survey by the Gallup organization reveals that only 22% of respondents have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in television news, reports TVNewser.

That result is significantly down from previous years. In 1999 the figure was 34%, and in 1993 it was 46%.

One theory suggests the decline could be the result of the proliferation of cable news outlets, with Fox News Channel and MSNBC getting in the game since earlier surveys. In 1993 CNN had the market segment to itself.

ABC Plans to Ramp Up the Funny in New Season of 'Wipeout'

"Wipeout," the ABC summer competition game show with the giant red balls and elaborate obstacle course, has been renewed for a fourth season by the network, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The new season will feature new obstacles and other changes. Producers are hinting at a new “motivator” for the show’s trademark giant balls challenge, along with other new twists and obstacles, the story reports.

The Endemol-produced series is executive produced by Matt Kunitz. Regarding the renewal, Kunitz told the publication, "I'm excited that a fourth season will give our team the opportunity to create bigger and funnier ways to wipe out contestants and thrill families across America."

After 10-Episode Run, TBS Wants 90 More Episodes--That's Right, 90--of Hit Sitcom

Confirming news that was rumored last week, TBS has ordered more episodes--a lot more--of one of its sitcoms after a successful 10-episode summer run.

The show, which airs as part of a Wednesday comedy block, is “Are We There Yet?,” starring Terry Crews and Essence Atkins. TBS is ordering 90 more episodes.

In a statement, Michael Wright, executive vice president, head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies (TCM), said of the renewal, “'Are We There Yet?' has proven itself to be an extremely strong addition to TBS’s comedy lineup. [It] attracts a young, diverse audience, making it an especially good fit for our Wednesday night slate of original sitcoms.”

The show is produced by Revolution Studios and Cube Vision and distributed by Debmar-Mercury.

Blockbuster Receives More Time to Restructure Debt, and a Chance to Avoid Bankruptcy

Blockbuster, the struggling DVD rental chain, has been given more time from its debt holders to restructure its debt, but if it's unable to do so before the end of September, the company may have to file for bankruptcy protection, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Blockbuster, the largest DVD rental chain in the U.S., nonetheless warned investors on Friday that even if it successfully restructures its debt, it may still need to file for a Chapter 11 reorganization because of its slumping business.

The Dallas-based company said sales plunged 20% in the quarter ended July 4, while its net loss grew to $69 million, the article says. The company holds just $64.3 million in cash and $920.4 million in debt, making it difficult for the retailer to invest in growth, the story adds.

Multiple Emmy-Winning Actress, Darling of Both Critics and the Public, Says She Doesn't Watch TV

An actress who has won three Emmys and two Golden Globes for her work on TV, and who is a favorite of critics and audiences alike, says she does not watch TV, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actress is Edie Falco, of "The Sopranos'' fame, now protraying "Nurse Jackie" for Showtime.

Here's an interesting question posed to Falco by THR, and her surprising response:

THR: Former "Sopranos" producer Matt Weiner has garnered a tremendous following for his show "Mad Men." Are you a fan of the series?

Falco: I'm embarrassed to admit that I have never seen it. I've actually spoken to Matt a couple of times congratulating him on the success and I've been embarrassed to tell him that I haven't seen the damn show. I don't ever watch television. I'm just not a television person, and it's crazy because I work in TV!

Asked, inevitably, about the possibilities of a "Sopranos" movie, Falco said she doubts it'll happen, but if it does she'd be pleased to be in it.

Steven Slater, the Flight Attendant Who Walked Off His Job While Plane Was Still on Runway, Is Offered Reality TV Show

Steven Slater, the JetBlue flight attendant who dramatically quit his job by deploying the evacuation slide on the jet he as on and leaving the plane, has been offrered a reality TV show, reports TMZ.

According to the story, Slater's lawyer has been appproached by Stone Entertainment to host a show in which various disgruntled workers quit their jobs in extravagant ways.

Neil Patrick Harris Expecting Twins

Neil Patrick Harris, a co-star of "How I Met Your Mother," announced on Twitter that he will become the father of twins, reports E! Online.

Harris said he and his partner of about six years, David Burtka, an actor and chef, are expecting the babies to arrive in October via a surrogate, the story says.

 Harris tweeted, ""So, get this: David and I are expecting twins this fall. We're super excited/nervous/thrilled. Hoping the press can respect our privacy..."

Gordon Ramsay Gets Much-Needed Cash

Gordon Ramsay, who recently had $2 million owed in back taxes associated with his New York restaurant, is breathing a little easier these days, reports The Wrap.

That's because a company Ramsay co-owns, One Potato Two Potato (OPTP), was just bought. Ramsay co-owns the company with Optomen, and Optomen was just bought by All3Media, which will also pick up OPTP, the  article says.

All3Media paid about $62 million for Optomen.

Hub, the Kids Channel Joint Venture Between Hasbro and Doscovery, Announces Appointment of Director, Consumer Marketing, and Director, Integrated Marketing Solutions

The Hub, multi-platform joint venture between Discovery Communications and Hasbro, Inc., has named two positions in its marketing department, it's been announced.

Michael Grover has been named Director, Consumer Marketing, and Cindy Slocki joins as Director, Integrated Marketing Solutions.

Both will report to Greg Heanue, the Hub's vice president of marketing and promotions.

Previously, Grover was marketing manager for the Cartoon Network. Slocki was previously brand manager for United Media.

According to the announcement, "The Hub will launch October 10, 2010 (10-10-10) reaching approximately 60 million U.S. households on what is currently Discovery Kids channel."

Hulu Readying Initial Public Offering that Could Value Online-Video Service at $2 Billion

Hulu is readying an initial public offering that could value the online-video service at $2 billion, reports the New York Times.

Executives at Hulu have been talking with investment banks about an IPO as early as this fall, the article says. But even so, the company currently makes little profit, the story adds.

"With the market for I.P.O.’s widely regarded as soft, it was unclear how a Hulu offering would fare, and there was some concern in the marketplace that a potential stock sale by G.M. particularly would soak up a large part of investor demand," the article says. A Hulu representative couldn't be reached for comment, the story adds.

Sure, HDTV Is Available on 20-Inch TV Screens, but Does It Matter?

Getting the top-quality high-definition television resolution on a smaller set sounds like a good deal -- after all, a 20-inch set will set you back just $300 -- but in reality, the benefits of such sharp resolution on small screens are "minuscule,"reports the Los Angeles Times.

1080p resolution has become more common on smaller TV sets for a reason, the article says. The manufacturers, companies such as ViewSonic Corp. and Hannspree, were previously better known for computer monitors. And higher resolution works visually for computer screens, the article says.

But not so much for TV sets. "To see 1,080 vertical lines of resolution you need at least a TV of about 46 inches to fully see it. At 26 inches, forget it, you won't tell the difference."" says HDGuru.com editor Gary Merson.

No Critical Huzzahs Like 'Mad Men,' But TNT's 'Rizzoli & Isles' and Shows Like It are Cable's Meat & Potatoes

TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles" has generally received lukewarm reviews, but it's still no surprise why this female buddy show is considered one of the summer's breakout hits, reports Brian Steinberg in Advertising Age

Its ratings have been robust for a summer scripted show, drawing between 6.5 million to 7.5 million viewers for its five episodes, the story says. That represents a larger audience than those drawn by other summer programs, including MTV's "Jersey Shore" and USA's "Covert Affairs," the article points out.

Shows like "Rizzoli & Isles," which don't have the flash of a "Mad Men," are a network's meat and potatoes, and that's incredibly important, the story says. As Steinberg points out, "as more broadcast-network programs see viewership fall in the 6 million to 10 million viewer-range (ABC's "Modern Family," widely considered a hit, has notched only an average of 8.5 million viewers for the season through Aug. 8, Nielsen said), a by-the-numbers drama on the order of "Rizzoli & Isles" could spell the difference between success and failure for TV outlets hoping to delve more seriously into scripted fare. TNT has already renewed the program for a second season."

To read all of Steinberg's article, please click here.

NY Times-Owned Paper in Worcester, MA, To Charge for Online Content; Pre-Cursor to NY Times Itself Charging for Online Content

A metered pay-wall system has been set up for those who want to read articles online in the New York Times-owned newspaper The Telegram & Gazette in Worcester, Mass, the NY Times reports.

According to ther article, readers can "view 10 local news articles per month free. Once they reach that threshold, they will be able to buy a variety of online subscriptions, ranging from a $14.95 monthly pass to a $1 day pass. Subscribers to the paper’s print edition will not be charged any extra to read articles online."

The New York Times itself has said it will go to some pay model for its online content early in 2011. The company has not said how similar its pay-wall may be.

Blogs and Twitter Feeds Become Source of TV Inspiration -- but Success Isn't a Sure Thing

Blogs and Twitter feeds are becoming a new source of inspiration for the entertainment industry, but successfully translating a feed based on 140-character messages into television show or film isn't necessarily a sure thing, reports the Los Angeles Times.

For every "$#*! My Dad Says," the television show based on a Twitter feed, there's Stuff White People Like, a blog that was turned into a best-selling book but whose television rights lapsed without reaching development, the story says.

So what translates from blogs and Twitter feeds to television? The same traits as with other media: "artistry, consistency, talent and innovation," the story says.

Blogger Heather Armstrong, who writes the parenting blog Dooce and has a development deal with HGTV, says, "What this medium has done is it's given a lot of us who wouldn't have been paid attention to, whose resumes or transcripts would have been tossed aside, and given us our own platform to say, 'I have something to say and I want to see what happens if I put it out to people'."

Ex-Paramount Film Group President Developing Projects at HBO

A former Paramount Film Group president is developing two series projects for HBO reports Nelllie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

John Lesher is developing "The Three Weissmanns of Westport," based on a novel by Cathleen Schine, and which will be adapted by "Rachel Getting Married" writer Jenny Lumet (who is the daughter of filmmaker Sidney Lumet), the story says.

Jenny Lumet will also serve as an executive producer with Lesher and Adam Kassan, while author Schine and Janet Meyers will co-produce.

The second project from Lester is "Keys to the City," based on a book of the same name by Joel Kostman, who wrote 14 stories based on his work as a professional locksmith in New York City. Oscar winner William Monahan, who wrote "The Departed," is adapting the book and will also serve as an executive producer with Lesher, the story says.

Some of Google's Allies Feel Betrayed by Company's Alliance With Verizon; Critics Claim Google Stance Could Harm Net Neutrality

Google's latest stance on how Internet access should be regulated has  left some of the company's former allies, "as well as many other technology and media companies, feeling disappointed and even betrayed," the New York Times reports.

According to the article, "a week ago, Google stunned many of its allies by crossing the aisle and teaming up with Verizon Communications to propose that net neutrality rules should not apply to wireless access and to outline rules for the wired Internet that critics say are riddled with loopholes."

Separately, Multichannel News' Todd Spengler writes that "Critics of the Verizon/Google network neutrality compromise have complained that the companies’ proposal to exempt managed services opens the door to the “cable-ization of the Internet....First, let’s be clear, “cable-ized” Internet-based network services already exist. Verizon and Google were merely pointing out that such managed services should remain exempt from nondiscrimination guidelines." 

Says the NY Times report, "Some say that as Google has grown up and become a large multinational company, it has been forced to start weighing its business interests against the more idealistic leanings of its founders and many of its employees.

“ 'I don’t know that Google pondered the moral decision this time,' said Jordan Rohan, an Internet and digital media analyst at Stifel Nicolaus. “I think the business decision to cooperate with Verizon superseded the other complications and side effects that it may cause.'

"Google strongly defends its proposal with Verizon, saying it does not violate net neutrality principles and, if adopted by regulators, would protect wired Internet access more than it is protected now."

Video: Ellen DeGeneres Dances on 'So You Think You Can Dance'

Dr. Laura Apologizes for Repeatedly Using N-Word on Air

Radio celebrity Dr. Laura Schlessinger has apologized for repeatedly using the "N" word during an on-air conversation with a caller, reports the New York Daily News.

Schlessinger characterized the listener as "hypersensitive" to racism, but has apologized on her Web site for using the derogatory word to make her point. Schlessinger claims it was a "horrible mistake."

After learning of the radio exchange, the Rev. Al Sharpton appeared on CNN to say that he thought the incident
was "despicable."

Former Showtime Boxing Producer Jay Larkin Dead at 59

Former Showtime boxing producer Jay Larkin, who produced more of Mike Tyson's bouts than anyone else, has died at 59, reports The New York Times.

The cause of death was brain cancer, the story says. Larkin started at Showtime as a publicist, eventually becoming an executive producer and senior vice president before his job was cut in a reorganization in 2005.

In 1986 he became producer of Showtime Championship Boxing and in 2001 he helped start a program about promising new boxers called "ShoBox: The New Generation," the story says. In 1997, he produced the second fight between Tyson and Evander Holyfield, which was the first match to gross more than $100 million and became infamous for Tyson biting off part of Holyfield's ear.

Prior to that, in 1995, Larkin helped gain exclusive rights to Tyson's return to boxing after Tyson left prison. Following his departure from Showtime, Larkin became president of the International Fight League in 2007, the article says.

Final Season of Canceled Starz Series Will Be Available For Digital Downloading Beginning Aug. 24

[Corrected 3:58 p.m. 8/13/10. This item--including its headline--originally said the episodes in question had never aired. That was incorrect, and not what the report on Vulture.com said.]

All 10 episodes of “Party Down’s” final season will be available for digital download beginning Aug. 24 via outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.com,according to New York Magazine's Vulture.com. The suggested price is $1.99 per show.

Starz has pushed up the release to appease the fans.

Starz digital media exec Marc DeBevoise told the publication, "It's the earliest we've ever gone out [for sale] with a show. Our goal is to get out there as fast as possible to the rabid fans."

'Big Brother' Tops Season Finale of 'So You Think You Can Dance' in Ratings

CBS's reality hit "Big Brother" was a Nielsen ratings winner Thursday night, beating the first half of the season finale for Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. "Big Brother" scored a 2.6 rating in the 18-49 demographic, while "So You Think You Can Dance" trailed with a 2.2 in the demo.

At 9 p.m. the second hour of "Dance" jumped up to a 2.7 rating in the 18-49 demo, up against mostly reruns. An original episode of ABC's "Rookie Blue" collected a 1.7 rating.

ABC's season finale of "Boston Med" at 10 p.m. earned a 1.2 in the 18-49 demographic.

Political Appearance Turns to Talk About Status of 'Idol' Judge--Who Happens to Be Candidate's Daughter

While the media and the public are waiting for Fox to announce its choices for "American Idol" judges for the upcoming season, one current judge who's in limbo--Kara DioGuardi--hasn't been getting any information either, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kara's dad, Joe DioGuardi, a Republican candidate for Senate in New York, appeared on the New York TV show "Capital Tonight" to talk politics, but mentioned his daughter's situation when asked.

Joe DioGuardi agreed that Kara's tenure is nebulous, then said, "Would you believe she did not hear--and still has not heard--anything? She read it the way you did and I did. Her disappointment is that that's the way she's being treated, and she feels that's not proper. I think they're trying to create a lot of buzz ... they're trying to reformat the thing. But Kara has a very deep career in music ... she'll be fine. Would she want to do it another year? I think so ... I think at some point [she] will confront them on that."

CNN Plans Special Programming to Mark Katrina Anniversary

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastation of the Gulf Coast, CNN will air a series of specials during the next two weeks revisiting the event and updating the recovery effort, reports TheWrap.

The shows will be broadcast across all the CNN platforms, emphasizing what happened then as well as "how far the region has come in its rebuilding efforts,” the network announced.

Among the shows are an Anderson Cooper special, “CNN Heroes: Coming Back From Katrina,” on Aug. 14; Soledad O'Brien's "New Orleans Rising" on Aug. 21; and Dr. Sanjay Gupta's Aug. 28 program covering the medical angle and revisiting a hospital where Gupta provided coverage during the crisis.

Crown Media, Owner of Hallmark Channel, Takes Earnings Hit

Crown Media, owner of the Hallmark Channels, saw a "second-quarter net loss [of] $9 million, or 8 cents per share, compared to $5.3 million, or 5 cents per share, a year ago," reports former TVWeeker Jon Lafayette, who now works for B&C. 

According to the article, "Revenue fell 4% to $65.7 million in the quarter. Subscriber revenue was flat in part because the National Cable Television Cooperative has not renewed its agreement to distribute Hallmark Channel, while ad revenue dropped 4% to $49 million. Crown blamed the decline on lower ratings."

On the bright side, Hallmark CEO Bill Abbott touted the company's upcoming daytime block though its deal with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Abbott said, according to the story, ""We are very excited about the introduction of our new original lifestyle programming on Hallmark Channel, and the unprecedented move of an original series ["Martha Stewart Living"] ]from broadcast network to cable. This is an ideal partnership in terms of brand, audience and content, and we are looking forward to seeing our vision become a reality on September 13th. Early indications from advertisers and distributors confirm our expectations of the combined value and appeal of our new daytime format."

Jennifer Aniston Fires Back at Bill O'Reilly

Actress Jennifer Aniston, whose remarks were said by Bill O'Reilly to be "destructive to society," has fired back at the outspoken political and cultural commentator.

Aniston, 41, recently said that "Women are realizing it more and more knowing that they don't have to settle with a man just to have that child. Times have changed and that is also what is amazing is that we do have so many options these days, as opposed to our parents' days when you can't have children because you have waited too long."

To see a video of O'Reilly criticizing Aniston, click here.

Here's Aniston's response, which she made to People.com: ""Of course, the ideal scenario for parenting is obviously two parents of a mature age. Parenting is one of the hardest jobs on earth. And, of course, many women dream of finding Prince Charming (with fatherly instincts), but for those who've not yet found their Bill O'Reilly, I'm just glad science has provided a few other options."

Lastest 'Idol' Rumor: Now the Next Judge Might Be The Performer Who Has the 8th Biggest Selling Album in the U.S. Ever

The producers of "American Idol" reportedly want to talk to representatives of the recording artist who holds the record for the 8th biggest selling album in U.S. history, reports our former Crain colleague Claire Atkinson in the New York Post.

The artist is country sensation Shania Twain. While her name had been earlier floated as a possible candidate, she was ruled out recently. But now she may end up taking the spot that had been thought would go to Jennifer Lopez, who, as previously reported,  may now be out of the running.

Twain, whose 1997 album "Come on Over" is the 8th biggest selling album in U.S. history in any musical genre, was one of the mentors for the contestants this past season.

Separately, Twain will host a personal-improvement show for Oprah Winfrey's new cable network , OWN, called, "Why Not? With Shania Twain."

To Get More Funding for OWN From Discovery, Oprah Commits to Personally Appearing More on the Network

Discovery Communications recently said it would make a commitment to invest more than the $100 million it had originally agreed to give to the upcoming Oprah Winfrey Network that it co-owns with Oprah Winfrey.

Now, Discovery has revealed in an SEC filing that in return for investing an addional $89 million in OWN, Oprah Winfrey " has agreed to increase her on-air commitment to OWN, including hosting or starring in a show to air on OWN."

The news was reported in Multichannel News. 

Discovery had previously announced that Oprah "would be featured in a primetime travel series, 'Oprah's Next Chapter,' to air two or three times weekly starting in late 2011," the article noted.

The SEC filing also said that OWN would debut on or before January 1, 2011.

As Rival Networks Get Irked, NBC Pulls 'Mad Men' Spoofs with Emmy Host Jimmy Fallon

NBC has pulled three Emmy promos that spoofed the AMC drama "Mad Men" and featured Emmy host Jimmy Fallon with "Mad Men" star Christina Hendricks (she plays Joan Holloway in the series). The promos immediately drew complaints from rival networks with shows competing with "Mad Men" for Emmy awards, reports the Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

The first of the three promos aired Wednesday night, August 10, 2010. NBC doesn't have plans to spoof rival shows, and the voting window for the Emmy awards remains open, the article adds. NBC said the promo was released prematurely and that it will hold the additional Fallon "Mad Men" spoofs until after the voting window closes on Aug. 17.

Actor Who Refused To Do Love Scenes Because of His Catholic Faith to Star in New Starz Series Called...'Vigilante Priest'

Actor Neal McDonough, after leaving ABC's "Scoundrels" because he refused to do some love scenes which conflicted with his Catholic beliefs, will star in a new Starz drama series, "Vigilante Priest,"  reports Deadline.com.

McDonough, also co-created and will executive produce the series. In the show McDonough will play a priest with a mission of cleaning up the streets of Los Angeles, "one sinner at a time," the article adds. He's co-creating the program with "Law & Order" veteran Walon Green, who will also executive produce and write.

Sorry, Snooki: Trademark Application for Nickname Turned Down

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi was turned down by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, which rejected her application to trademark her nickname for printed matter  reports The Smoking Gun.

The reason for the turn down was because of a "likelihood of confusion" with a 2004 trademark for a children's book called, "Adventures of Snooky," which features a cat who falls into the water during family fishing outing, the story says.

While Snooki's application for trademarking her name for books and other printed matter was turned down, her application to register a "Snooki" mark for use in “Entertainment in the nature of personal appearances by a television personality” looks like it's on track, the story says.

Snooki is one of the stars of MTV's "Jersey Shore."

Video: Kimmel Acting As Campaign Manager for Levi Johnston

As PGA Championship Takes Place in Milwaukee, Local TV Stations Focus Attention on One of Woods' Alleged Mistresses

The PGA Championship is taking place in the Milwaukee area, and Tiger Woods hopes he'll play better this weekend than he has recently.

But the big story on three out of four of the local Milwaukee TV stations with newscasts focused on the appearance of one of Woods' alleged mistresses, Joslyn James, at a local strip club. 

That's the subject of a thoughtful, provocative column by Duane Dudek, who writes about TV and radio for the Milwaukee Journal  Sentinel. Duane was kind enough to let us reprint it as a Guest Blog in our Open Mic blog.

Please click here to read his column.

With Kelsey Grammer's Divorce, Estranged Wife Stands to Get at Least $30 Million in Split

Kelsey Grammer may not be offering spousal support to his estranged wife, Camille Donatacci, but she stands to get at least $30 million in the split because she owns half of Grammer's television company, Grammnet Productions, reports the New York Post's Page Six.

Grammer reportedly isn't offering spousal support for this reason, the story says. Donatacci, who has been married to Grammer for almost 13 years, stands to receive half of all the syndication money from "Frasier" that came in while they were married, which represents seven years of episodes, in addition to income from other shows from Grammnet Productions. Those include "Medium" and "Girlfriends," the story says. Grammer is said to be worth $85 million, the story says. Donatacci filed for divorce in July, while Kelsey Grammer has a new girlfriend, Kayte Walsh, who is pregnant, the article adds.

What Would Papa Smurf Do? Probably Not What Cartoon's Importer Did -- Attempt to Extort Son-in-Law for $11 Million

Stuart Ross, who brought the Smurfs to the U.S. in the 1980s, took a no-jail plea in a case that involved extorting his son-in-law, a private equity executive with Blackstone Group, reports the New York Post.

Ross denied a likeness to the Smurf's arch-enemy Gargamel as he left court, the story says. "My name isn't Gargamel," Ross said as he left court. "Remember, it's Papa Smurf."

Ross may serve two or three years of probation in the case, which, according to court papers, involved him menacing his daughter and her husband with demands for millions.

Ross admitted he tried to squeeze his son-in-law, Blackstone senior managing director David Blitzer, for $5.5 million in return for not bothering the family and for an additional $5.5 million to stop contacting Blitzer and Blackstone, the story says.

While Ross' investment in the Smurfs had made him millions, he subsequently lost the fortune, the article adds.

NBC Tells Federal Communications Commission that Super Bowl, Olympics Wouldn't Move to Cable in Comcast Merger

NBC Universal sought to reassure the Federal Communications Commission that the Super Bowl and Olympics wouldn't end up on cable as part of the proposed merger with Comcast, reports MediaDailyNews.

Dick Ebersol, who heads NBCU's sports and Olympics programming, and Gary Zenkel, president of NBC Olympics, met with FCC staffers and a Department of Justice attorney on Wednesday, the story says.

According to a meeting summary, the NBCU executives said the merger would help the media company's ability to buy sports rights and wouldn't result in major sporting events moving to cable, the story says.

Google TV Ads Sign on DirecTV For Auction-Based Ad System

Google TV has signed on DirecTV for Google's auction-based ad system, reports our friend David Goetzl at MediaDailyNews.

Google TV also represents inventory on Dish Network. Thus Goetzl writes, "[T]he chance to reach 33 million homes --- which is a larger reach than many national cable networks -- could quiet some who say TV Ads lacks significant reach. Mike Steib, who heads TV Ads at Google, said the DirecTV deal signals that the company could now attract cable and telco TV operators to cede inventory to Google. Cable operators and telcos have more robust local sales operations than satellite operators have typically had."

DirecTV will let Google TV auction off time on 11 of the satellite providers lower-rated cable networks, according to the story.

The article also says, "In addition to DirecTV and Dish time, Google bidders can try for spots running nationally on networks, such as Outdoor Channel and GSN.

"But higher-rated national cable networks -- TNT, USA, ESPN -- have opted not to provide theirs, fearing it may turn it into a commodity. Steib says TV Ads isn't meant to supplant face-to-face negotiations for spots on hit shows or on multiplatform deals. It just helps fill time when a network is drawing little demand."

War of Words Heats Up Between Golf Analyst and Ryder Cup Captain Over Tiger Woods

A TV sportscaster and golf analyst who recently came under fire for hosting LeBron James’ “The Decision” is in the spotlight again, this time thanks to an escalating war of words with Ryder Cup Captain Corey Pavin, The Washington Post reports.

The Golf Channel's Jim Gray reported recently that Pavin had said he would put Tiger Woods on the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but Pavin later denied having said that to Gray. The controversy blew up Wednesday when the two men threatened to go at it physically, according to the story.

Pavin appeared at a press conference yesterday and backed up a message he had tweeted: “For the record, @golfchannel and Jim Gray has misquoted me re: picking Tiger. I never said such a thing and will not say a thing until 09/07."

Gray confronted Pavin at the press event and declared that Pavin is a liar, The Post reports. USA Today golf writer Steve DiMeglio reported that Gray stuck his finger in Pavin's face and told him, "You're going down."

CNN Anchors Join Forces for Cross-Channel Segment

CNN anchors Ali Velshi and Richard Quest have a new segment launching Thursday that will appear across two CNN outlets, CNN and CNN International, reports TVNewser.

The new “Quest & Ali” segment, or “Q&A,” is running on CNN’s “CNN Newsroom” show and on CNN International’s “Quest Means Business.” During the segment the two hosts connect and talk about money issues.

Each segment will cover just one topic that a viewer will propose. The hosts will take a moment to explain what they know about the subject, followed by a test conducted by a team of CNN producers.

Where's the Beefcake? From Commercials to Viral Video Star to Movie Deals

One of the biggest stars to emerge from a commercial since Clara "Where's The Beef" Peller has gone from TV commercials to Internet video sensation and now the movies, reports Media Bistro.

Isaiah Mustafa, the Old Spice guy, has been picked by mega-movie maker Tyler Perry for an upcoming film, and he's also going to appear in another movie with Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx and Kevin Spacey, according to the report.

Seven Reasons Fox Hasn't Signed an 'Idol' Judge

[Revised 5:30 a.m., 8/13/10]

It’s been more than half a year now since Simon Cowell announced back in January that he was leaving Fox's “American Idol.” And Ellen DeGeneres is also out. Judging for the new season is set to begin in a few weeks. But Fox has not announced who the new judge lineup. What gives?

Our former TVWeek colleague James Hibberd, now with The Hollywood Reporter,  has spoken to his sources and compiled the seven biggest reasons insiders are citing to explain why the show has yet to name a replacement.

Here they are: 'Idol' is looking for well-known celebrities, and that's tough; money; lots of executives trying to choose the judges; compatibility between the judges; chemistry (e.g. do they go with two performers, or a performer and a music producer); the time commitment celebrity judges would have to devote to the show; and the potential bugaboo celebrities might have about following in the footsteps and Simon Cowell and his fellow former judges. And oh, did we mention money?

Oscar Winner Returns to 'Law & Order: SVU'

An Oscar-winning actress who also nabbed an Emmy nomination for her guest role on NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" is returning the crime drama to reprise her character, reports TV Guide.

Marcia Gay Hardin has played Dana Lewis, an undercover FBI agent, in guest spots on the show since 2005, each time crossing paths with Mariska Hargitay's Det. Olivia Benson.

Hardin is expected to be in episode No. 8 of the new season, which is likely to air in early 2011.

Hardin won an Oscar for “Pollock” in 2001.

TV Host Who Left Job Amid Scandal Returns to Sports Roots

A former syndication star who left his high-profile TV hosting job two years ago amid a voicemail scandal has decided to return to sports, his original beat, reports TV Squad.

Pat O'Brien, who exited his job as host of "The Insider" after voicemails surfaced in which he appeared to be trying to arrange group sex, is headed to the Fox Sports radio show "Loose Cannons."

In a comment to the New York Post, O'Brien was optimistic. "It's going to be fun,” he said. “A day doesn't go by when someone doesn't ask, 'When are you going back to sports?' This feels like going back home."

Former WNBC-TV Exec Takes CNBC Post

Tom O’Brien, the former president and GM of WNBC-TV New York, has landed a new gig as chief revenue officer at CNBC, reports B&C.

This is a new position for the company, which--like WNBC--is part of the NBC Universal group. The assignment is effective immediately, with O’Brien reporting to CNBC President Mark Hoffman.

In a statement, Hoffman said, "I am confident that under Tom's leadership, CNBC's growth will go from strong to stronger."

Sweet on Snooki: John McCain Comes To Snooki's Defense About Her Disorderly Conduct Arrest

Sen. John McCain has added his voice to the chorus of opinions on Snooki, US Magazine reports, and apparently the former presidential candidate is a little smitten with the beleaguered reality star.

"I kind of think she might be too good looking to go to jail," McCain, 73, is quoted as saying during a radio appearance Wednesday on KMLE in Phoenix. Snooki, whose real name is Nicole Polizzi, was arrested July 30 on a disorderly conduct charge.

The 22-year-old star of MTV reality show “Jersey Shore” apparently agrees. On Monday, she told MTV, "I'm too pretty to be in jail. ... I'm not a criminal," the story reports.

Good News, Bad News on Upcoming Apple TV--Along With a Name Change

Details are surfacing on the upcoming updated version of Apple TV, and not all the news is good, Engadget reports.

The $99 set-top box, containing similar processing and storage capabilities to the iPhone 4, reportedly won’t be capable of handling 1080i or 1080p video, settling instead for 720p. But it will get a number of apps that may be comparable to those available for iPad and iPhone.

As for the name, the device is now going to be called iTV--the same name that was used when Apple TV was originally announced, according to the report.

U.K. Import Gets Third Season Pickup from Syfy for Early 2011 Debut

The U.K. import "Merlin" has been picked up for a third season by Syfy, which plans to air the show in early 2011, reports TVGuide.com

The first season of the show aired last summer on NBC with mediocre ratings, at least for a broadcast show, the story says. The program then moved to Syfy for its second season this summer, building a cult following and drawing 1.72 million viewers, the article adds. The third season will include 13 episodes.

Report: Diva Out of the Running as an 'American Idol' Judge After 'Out of Hand' Demands

People.com is reporting that a well-known actor-singer is out of the running as an "American Idol" judge after her demands "got out of hand," according to an unnamed source in the story.

Fox didn't have comment, and a representative for Jennifer Lopez  didn't immediately return a call. The New York Post, however, reports that Lopez is still under consideration, citing a source close to the singer .

The singer and actor has been close to a deal to joining the show as a permanent judge, filling one of the slots left vacant by departing judges Simon Cowell and Ellen DeGeneres. Fox is considering a number of people to fill the slots, including Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler.

Shocking Bad Judgment: In Table Read for 'Army Wives' Spinoff, Producer Uses N-Word

During a table read for the pilot of the "Army Wives" spinoff, producer Mark Gordon used the word "nigger' twice, prompting Lifetime to notify ABC Studios that the situation needed to be dealt with, reports Nikki Finke of Deadline.com.

Gordon, who also executive produces "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice" with African-American showrunner Shonda Rhimes, said in a statement, "I feel terrible about this. It was a stupid lapse in judgment. I didn’t meant [sic] to offend anyone, and I’ve apologized to everyone involved.”

During the table read, there was a scene involving one character putting a gun to another's head. Acting out what he said was a scene from the film "Blazing Saddles," Gordon claims he put himself in a headlock (a witness said he grabbed the person next to him) and said, "I'm going to kill you nigger ... nigger," the story says.

Gordon, who is white, acted out the scene in front of a cast and crew that includes two African-American actors, Gabrielle Union and "Army Wives" series regular Wendy Davis, the story says. (To see the "Blazing Saddles" scene, click here.) 

Gordon was reported to Lifetime's Human Resources, which then reported him to ABC Studios. ABC says the episode was "dealt with appropriately," according to the the story.

Cost-Cutting Reflected in Stars' Pay, Although Surprise May Be in Who Makes What

In a survey of who makes what on television, veteran reporter Stephen Battaglio at TVGuide.com finds that cost-cutting has taken its toll in stars' pay this year. The stars of new series are  making between $75,000 to $125,000 per episode this year, compared with a salary for a lead in recent years somewhere between $150,000 to $200,000 per episode.

But the biggest surprise of the list may be in '"devastating" comparisons of who makes what, points out Movieline.com. For instance, how is it that Matthew Morrison of Emmy-nominated series "Glee" makes $30,000 per episode, the same as "Jersey Shore" reality star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, the story asks. Kevin Dillon, a supporting actor on HBO's "Entourage," makes $200,000 per episode, double the fee earned by "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm, the article says.

Here's the top ten salaries being paid actors in TV comedies and dramas, per episode, according to the TVGuide.com article:

1. Charlie Sheen (Two and a Half Men) $1.25 million

2. Jon Cryer (Two and a Half Men) $550,000

3. Hugh Laurie (House) $400,000+

4. (tie)  Marcia Cross (Desperate Housewives) $400,000

            Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives) $400,000

            Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives) $400,000

            Eva Longoria Parker (Desperate Housewives) $400,000

            Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons) $400,000

            Julie Kavner (The Simpsons) $400,000

10. (tie) David Caruso (CSI: Miami) $375,000

             Marg Helgenberger (CSI) $375,000

             Mark Harmon (NCIS) $375,000

[This item was revised at 5:58 a.m. 8/13/10]

VH1 Sticking with Second Season Premiere of Fantasia's Reality Show Despite OD

VH1 said it's sticking with the Sept. 19 second-season debut of Fantasia Barrino's reality show, "Fantasia for Real," despite the "American Idol" winner's overdose this week, reports the New York Post.

A representative for the network said that it's too early to say how or if anything will be reworked in the season premiere to reflect this week's events, the story adds. The second season will track Barrino as she promotes her album, "Back to Me," which will be released Aug. 24, and how she's a positive example for her 9-year old daughter, the article says.

As previously reported, Barrino was hospitalized after overdosing on aspirin and a sleeping aid following negative media attention over her affair with a married man. The show's first season averaged 1.2 million viewers per episode.

CNN Announcement About Larry King Replacement Might Come by Next Week

CNN may announce sometime before early next week that it's officially tapped Piers Morgan as Larry King's replacement, reports TheWrap.com's TVHunter blog.

While a story on Hollywoodlife.com reported that Morgan wouldn't be taking the gig (note: a link on TheWrap.com to the Hollywoodlife.com story says the original story can't be found and TheWrap.com says the story has been pulled from Hollywoodlife.com), that's not true, TheWrap.com reports. Morgan is completing paperwork on the deal, the story says.

AMC Places Full-Series Order for Pilot Formerly Known as 'The Killing,' Based on a Danish TV Crime Series

AMC has placed a full-series order for the pilot that was formerly known as "The Killing," and which now is untitled, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

The series is based on a popular Danish television crime series called "“Forbrydelsen," while the AMC version will be set in Seattle and comes from writer and executive producer Veena Sud of "Cold Case," the story says. The show will track the police investigation of a murdered young girl.

The order marks the fifth series in AMC's line-up of original programming, with its other shows being "Mad Men", "Breaking Bad", "Rubicon" and "The Walking Dead." The first season of the new crime series will consist of 13 episodes and star Mireille Enos of "Big Love" as Sarah, the lead homicide detective. Other actors include Michelle Forbes of "True Blood" and Billy Campbell of "Once and Again." The show will debut in 2011.

Cox Communications to Integrate Its Video-On-Demand Service in TiVo's Digital Video Recorders

Cox Communications will integrate its video-on-demand service in TiVo's digital video recorders, allowing viewers to tap both services without dealing with two separate devices, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Without this arrangement, viewers would need a cable set-top box for on-demand shows and a separate TiVo box for services such as Netflix's streaming movie option, the story says. The deal is likely to draw new customers, however, because existing subscribers aren't likely to swap out their devices, the article adds.

The deal comes as TiVo has sought to collaborate with cable and satellite companies after struggling to sell its devices because cable companies began offering similar digital-video recording features in their set-top boxes, the story says. Cox has 6 million subscribers and operates in 18 states.

Calling Ruling 'Flawed,' Viacom Appeals $1 Billion Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Against Google's YouTube

Calling a June ruling "flawed" when a federal judge threw out Viacom's $1 billion copyright infringement lawsuit against Google's YouTube, Viacom formally appealed the decision on Wednesday, reports AOL's DailyFinance.

After filing a two-page notice in the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, Viacom issued a statement saying, "We believe this ruling by the lower court is fundamentally flawed. After years of delay, this decision gives us the opportunity to have the Appellate Court address these issues on an accelerated basis."

The appeals court may find holes in the original decision, which consisted of 30 pages written by U.S. Circuit Judge Louis L. Stanton, because it's "very short and not very detailed," according to Eric Goldman, Director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law.

Because Viacom has so much at stake -- it had argued that YouTube built its following partly on unauthorized videos from Viacom's networks such as MTV -- that it won't give up the case easily, the story says.

Syfy Nabs 'Pushing Daisies' Creator in Deal to Adapt 'The Lotus Caves' Novel

Syfy has cinched a deal with "Pushing Daisies" creator Bryan Fuller to adapt a popular science-fiction novel called "The Lotus Caves" for television, reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files.

In the 1969 book by John Christopher, two rebellious boys living on a lunar colony discover an uber-smart being living in the caves of the title. Fuller will co-write the script with "Pushing Daisies" writer Jim Grey, the story says.

Veteran Writers/Producers Sign Overall Deals with 20th Century Fox TV

Veteran "Family Guy" writers and producers Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild have signed overall deals with 20th Century Fox TV, the producers of the show, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

The deal allows the pair to work on developing new shows while continuing on "Family Guy," where they are non-showrunning executive producers, the story says. They might first work on a live-action comedy, the article adds. The pair started working as writers on the first season of "The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn" on CBS.

DirecTV Taps Google to Sell Ads for 11 Networks Including Bloomberg and G4

DirecTV has signed a deal with Google for the Internet company to sell ads across 11 networks airing on the satellite operator, reports Multichannel News.

The deal will allow Google TV Ads to sell inventory across all dayparts on local avails on the following 11 networks: Bloomberg, Fox Business, Centric, Fuel, G4, Current, Ovation, Fit, Sleuth, Chiller and TV Guide, the story says. There isn't a rollout date for the ads, the article says.

DirecTV will reserve some inventory for its own marketing spots, although most of the satellite operator's local avails on those networks are covered in the deal, the story says.

Producer of Landmark TV Miniseries 'Roots' Dies: David L. Wolper Was 82. In 1998 TV Guide Recognized Him as One of the 45 People Most Influential in Shaping the Modern Medium of TV

David L. Wolper, the producer who purchased the TV rights to Alex Haley's "Roots" before Haley had even finished writing it, has died at age 82. 

"Wolper died Tuesday [August 10, 2010] at his Beverly Hills home of congestive heart disease and complications of Parkinson's disease, said Dale Olson, his longtime publicist," the Los Angeles Times reports. 

Besides producing the game-changing, blockbuster 12-hour "Roots" miniseries in 1977, Wolper is probably best known for the "spectacular opening and closing ceremonies he created for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles," the article said.

Furthermore, the Times notes, "In 1998, TV Guide named him one of the "45 People Who Made a Difference" in shaping the medium of television. As one of TV's top creative forces, Wolper's 'many contributions to broadcast history have embedded themselves in the American psyche,' the magazine said."

Additionally, in 1971 Wolper produced a movie that's close to the heart of many who saw it when they were growing up: the Gene Wilder version of "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." 

Wolper also produced many documentaries in the 1960s.

In his astonishing career "Wolper oversaw the production of more than 300 films that have won more than 150 awards, including two Oscars, 50 Emmys and five Peabody Awards," the article said.

An L.A. Times picture of Wolper working in the 1960s
 

Actor's Emmy Nominations Count Rises After Oversight Is Discovered

When the Emmy nominations were announced last month, the star of a popular sitcom received two nominations. However, he is now officially being credited with three nominations after an oversight caused his name to be overlooked in one category, the L.A. Times reports.

Neil Patrick Harris, who appears in CBS's "How I Met Your Mother," collected two nods when the nominations were announced--one for outstanding supporting actor for the sitcom and another for outstanding guest actor on "Glee." But Harris emceed the nominated Tony Awards broadcast, the story reports, and will receive the Emmy--along with the producers--if the show wins in the best special-class program.

Therefore, Harris officially has three nominations for the upcoming Emmy Awards, scheduled for Aug. 29.

Although earlier reports attributed the oversight to the TV Academy, the mistake was apparently on the part of the producers of the Tony Awards broadcast, who left Harris off the entry. The TV Academy said it added Harris to the nomination last week after receiving a request from the producers. 

Oscar Winner Working on HBO Series Adaptation of 'Olive Kitteridge'

An Oscar-winning actress is working on an HBO series adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book "Olive Kitteridge," in which she would play the title character, a Maine town's seventh-grade math teacher, reports Deadline.com.

Frances McDormand has optioned the book, which consists of 13 linked short stories about the title character and other residents of a coastal Maine town, before it won the Pulitzer in 2009, the article says.

The pilot script is being written by Jane Anderson, who also wrote and directed the Jessica Lange/Tom Wilkinson HBO drama "Normal," the story adds. "Olive Kitteridge" author Elizabeth Strout will be a consulting producer.

McDormand won an Oscar for “Fargo” in 1997.

What Do Maria Bartiromo, Jeff Bewkes, Rocco Commisso, Jim Gray, Paul Kagan and Tim Wirth Have in Common?

CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo; Time Warner Inc. Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes; Mediacom Communications founder, Chairman and CEO Rocco Commisso; Jim Gray, former vice chairman, Time Warner Cable, and former chairman and CEO, PrimeStar Partners; PK Worldmedia Chairman and CEO Paul Kagan; and United Nations Foundation President Tim Wirth are the 2011 inductees into The Cable Hall of Fame, reports Multichannel News.

The six Hall of Famers will receive their honors June 14 at the annual Cable Hall of Fame Celebration in Chicago. The festivities are part of a cable industry event called Cable Connection-Spring, running June 14-16.

The Cable Center is located in Denver, Colo., and is the educational arm of the cable industry.

Lawsuit Filed Against 'Desperate Housewives' Star--Alleged 'Mood Swings,' 'Unusual Requests' Among the Issues

One of the stars of ABC's "Desperate Housewives" is being sued, along with ABC Studios, ISBE Productions and The Walt Disney Co., reports TheWrap.

Jennifer Glassman, a former executive with Teri Hatcher’s ISBE Productions, accuses Hatcher in court documents of backing out on a 2006 deal that would have made them business partners, according to the article.

Glassman, who was working as a Paradigm Talent Agency executive, resigned from that position to work for Hatcher. Glassman's documents describe the experience in a negative light, saying Hatcher had “mood swings and unusual requests." Glassman declared that she was “wrongfully terminated” in late February 2010.

The fly in the ointment for Glassman, however, may be that her deal with Hatcher was never created as an equal partnership. Glassman reportedly signed an agreement as an "at will" employee, giving Hatcher the latitude to fire her at will.

'Chuck' Character Will Come Out From Behind the Desk

After appearing on NBC's spy series "Chuck" for three years as a recurring character, Gen. Beckman has new marching orders, reports Entertainment Weekly.

The character, played by Bonita Friedericy, has been promoted to full time, according to the story.

As Gen. Beckman, Friedericy issues the orders to the CIA and NSA agents on the show, not unlike Charlie's job on "Charlie's Angels," only she appears on camera--usually sitting at a desk. Now, as a full-time cast member, she's likely to be seen even more.

According to co-creator Chris Fedak, “We’ll see her legs in the first episode. She gets to walk around.”

Who Hacked Mika Brezinski's Twitter Account? For 'Morning Joe' Host the Answer Hits Close to Home

Mika Brezinski, co-host of MSBNC's "Morning Joe," has revealed in a Ladies Home Journal story that her 12-year-old daughter Carlie used Mika's Twitter account to try to snag a meeting with teen singing sensation Justin Bieber, reports TVNewser.

Without mom's permission, Carlie used her mom’s Twitter account to send out this message to 19,000 followers: "Can anyone help my daughter meet Justin Bieber?"

After this experience, Brezinski and her husband devised an Internet usage "contract" to monitor her kids’ online activities.

One Year After Taylor Swift Debacle, Kanye West Gets an Invitation Back to Video Music Awards

Everyone remembers that at MTV's Video Muslc Awards broadcast last year, singer Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to claim that Beyonce deserved the prize. But apparently all is forgiven because Kanye has been asked back to perform at this year's show, reports US Magazine.

West is slated to perform a song from his new album on the Sept. 12 broadcast on MTV.

Former 'Scrubs' Stars Lined Up for Guest Spots on ABC's 'Cougar Town'

Going into the show's second season, Bill Lawrence--the creator of ABC's "Cougar Town"--is assuring fans that stars from his former hit "Scrubs" will make guest appearances on the Courteney Cox sitcom, reports E! Online.

Lawrence declared that Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Zach Braff, John C. McGinley or Judy Reyes will appear on "Cougar Town" in the upcoming season. Left off the list of potential "Scrubs" actors to guest was Neil Flynn, who played the janitor on the medical comedy. Flynn is busy at work on ABC's "The Middle."

Fox's 'Hell's Kitchen' Finale Cooks Up a Win in Tuesday Night Ratings

Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" had a potent season finale Tuesday night in the Nielsen ratings, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. the one-hour Gordon Ramsay series logged a 3.2 rating in the 18-49 demographic, the top performance of the night, while ABC's "Wipeout" had a solid 2.6 rating in the demo.

At 9 p.m. Ramsay's other food show on Fox, "MasterChef," came in second with a 2.7 rating in the 18-49 demo, while NBC's "America's Got Talent" was the top show with a 2.9 in the demo. ABC's "Shaq Vs." earned a 1.3 in the demo. CW's "18 to Life" aired two episodes in the hour, but they barely registered with a 0.3 in the 18-49 demo.

The second hour of "America's Got Talent" at 10 p.m. also drew a 2.9 in the 18-49, up against reruns.

Standing Ovation, Please: Legendary Newsman, 87, Retiring After 63 Years on TV (!!) and 22,000 Stories

Not only is it once in a lifetime, it IS a lifetime.

One of the most famous local newsmen in TV, who started his on-air career in 1947, at the dawn of the TV era, is retiring at age 87, the Los Angeles Times reports.

It's Stan Chambers of pioneering L.A. TV station KTLA.

Chambers has covered stories ranging from the 1961 Bel-Air fire to the South Central riots in 1992 as well as reporting on the station's broadcast of the Tournament of Roses parade nearly every year since 1949, the story says. But the story that set him apart early in his career was his coverage in 1949 of the death of Kathy Fiscus, a 3-year old who fell down a well shaft while playing in San Marino.

Chambers and his colleague Bill Welsh broadcast more than 27 hours of continuous live coverage of the unsuccessful rescue attempt, the story says. While TV sets were relatively rare at the time, Los Angeles residents were prompted to buy televisions after the coverage, the article adds.

Chambers was scheduled to announce his retirement on "The KTLA Morning News" this morning and will appear on today's 1 p.m. newscast, which will also air a career retrospective, the story says.

The station plans a one-hour special on Aug. 23 at 8 p.m., with a repeat on Sept. 5 at 11 p.m. "I can go anywhere and have memories of what happened. I can say, 'I was there,' or 'We did this.' It really is a special feeling and I will miss it terribly. I'm sure that's why I put this off for so long," Chambers says.

Video: Bill O'Reilly Attacks Jennifer Aniston for Saying Women Don't Have to Have a Man Just to Have a Child

How the Steven Slater Story--He Is the Flight Attendant Who Took the Evacuation Slide to Quit His Job This Week--Is Stifling JetBlue's Social Media Strategy

The story this week of the JetBlue flight attendant who flamboyantly left his job by activating a plane's evacuation slide after an altercation with an unruly passenger has caught the public's imagination, but JetBlue has had a hard time talking about it.

"At a time when every brand wants to master social media, what's a marketer that's already pretty darn good at it to do when it's muzzled by lawyers? That's precisely the conundrum JetBlue seems to be facing," reports Advertising Age.

The article continues, "Overnight, a slew of Facebook pages cropped up dedicated to the flight attendant. A public page for Steven Slater already has nearly 50,000 fans as of press time, while a 'Free Steven Slater' page approaches 15,000 fans. Then there's a 'WWSSD?' page (What Would Steve Slater Do), a Steve Slater PayPal fund and, maybe the most telling of his rapidly rising star, the 'Can Steven Slater Get More Fans Than Justin Bieber?' page. While brand Slater has taken off, brand JetBlue is doing its best to keep its distance."

To read all of this intriquing article, please click here.

Wow! Treasure Trove of Material From 'The Tonight Show' Starring Johnny Carson To Be Put Online

For years the word has been that the vast majority of the "Tonight Show" hosted by Johnny Carson had been destroyed.

It turns out that while that is true about the episodes Carson hosted for the first ten years of the "Tonight Show, " all of the episodes he did from 1973 on have been preserved.

And now almost all this material is going to be made available online, according to the New York Times.

According to the article, "a rejuvenated Carson Web site, at johnnycarson.com...will feature video clips from the 30-year history of 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.' ”

Furthermore, the story says, there will also be "an online archive — available at first only to industry professionals — where users can search a digital inventory of Carson’s program and watch nearly every surviving minute of his 'Tonight Show' run."

Jeff Sotzing, who is Carson's nephew who is also president of Carson Entertainment, told the Times, that the company has wanted to do this for a long time, but “the technology has really not been there. You could put it online, previously, but you could not put everything online. We wanted to make it accessible all at once.”

Scary News? 'Saw' Horror Movie Producer Named to Lead Cable Network

The executive producer of the "Saw" horror-film franchise has been tapped to lead FearNet, the cable service owned by Comcast Cable, Sony Pictures Television and Lionsgate, reports Multichannel News.

Peter Block will become president and general manager of the service as it prepares to debut a linear service in October. He's taking over from Diane Robina, who will continue to oversee the venture's video-on-demand and online services, the story says.

Block has helped shepherd other horror films to movie-goers, including "Daybreakers," "Hostel" and "Open Water." FearNet plans to debut as a digital-basic movie network before the 2010 Halloween season, the story says.

Report: 'American Idol' Winner Fantasia Overdose Was on Aspirin after 'Overwhelming' Media Backlash

"American Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino overdosed on aspirin and a sleep aid following an "overwhelming" day of negative media attention over a relationship with a married man, reports TMZ.com.

 According to a statement issued by a representative, Barrino took the medication after being "overwhelmed by the lawsuit and the media attention" surrounding her relationship with Antwaun Cook. The statement says she had recently read a complaint from Cook's wife against him. Barrino's "injuries are not life threatening. She was dehydrated and exhausted at the time. Fantasia is stable now. She will be released from the hospital soon," the statement said.

Time Out For This Non-TV Story: Saudis Want 'Mecca Time' to Replace Greenwich Mean Time

Check this out from AOL News:

"For centuries, an astronomy observatory in Greenwich, London -- the namesake of Greenwich Mean Time -- has been the reference point for lines of longitude, ships' navigation on the world's seas and the time zones used today.

"But Saudi Arabia wants to change that. It's building what it calls the largest clock in the world, atop the second-largest skyscraper in the world, in the Islamic holy city of Mecca -- in hopes of replacing GMT with 'Mecca Time.' "

The new clock, still under construction, will be much bigger than London's Big Ben, according to the article, adding, "Putting Mecca time in the face of Greenwich Mean Time, this is the goal,' Mohammed Al-Arkubi, general manager of Royal Makkah Tower Hotel, told the Arab News, a Saudi newspaper..

Wasilla, Alaska Mayor Advises Levi Johnston to 'Keep His Clothes On' and Finish High School Before Running for the Job

After hearing that Levi Johnston would be running for the job of mayor of Wasilla, Alaska in his proposed reality show, the town's current mayor has some advice for the 20-year old, reports ETonline.com.

Mayor Verne E. Rupright said, "I think it would be wise for him to get a high school diploma and keep his clothes on. The voters like that!" He also added that he thought it was a little early to declare a campaign, as most wait until the seat is up for election.

As previously reported, Johnston, who recently broke off his engagement with Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin for a second time, is proposing a reality program called ""Loving Levi: The Road to the Mayor's Office."

Is 'Flight of the Conchord' Actor Currently One of the Top Choices To Replace Steve Carell on 'The Office' When He Leaves?

It looks like an actor from HBO's "Flight of the Conchords" might be one of the leading candidates to replace Steve Carell on the NBC sitcom "The Office" if, as expected, Carell leaves the show when his current contract expires, reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files.

The actor in question is Rhys Darby, who played band manager Murray Hewitt in HBO's "Flight of the Conchords." 

The producers are also considering Danny McBride, who stars in HBO's "Eastbound & Down," although recruiting McBride may prove to have more obstacles since HBO recently renewed the program for a second season, the story says.

Darby, though, is free since "Conchords" isn't continuing, the article notes. The show's producers are discussing introducing a new salesman into Dunder Mifflin, but he didn't say whether the new person would replace Carell, who plays the Scranton office's boss, Michael Scott. “We haven’t settled exactly who will take over,” says showrunner Paul Lieberstein.

How Syndicators Are Adapting to Changing Times

Amid a tough economy and a poor track record for recent debuts, syndicators are taking more creative approaches for rolling out new shows, reports TVNewsCheck.com.

It used to be that a syndicator would find an appealing host, produce a pricey pilot and shop it to television stations. But now that it isn't a guarantee of success, syndicators are trying approaches such as the limited-run spin-off, while others are importing shows from outside the U.S. or testing a program in a few markets before seeking national distribution, the story says.

NBCU Domestic Television Distribution, for example, will roll out a daytime variation of its "Access Hollywood" show with limited distribution to 13 stations, the story says. The show, "Access Hollywood Live," will debut in the fall.

"These models are all about mitigating risk for broadcasters and distributors," says Ritch Colbert, principal at Program Partners, which is selling Canadian program "Steven and Chris," a proven show in its home country. "It definitely opens up a lot of possibilities for testing new formats and talent."

In recent years Debmar-Mercury in particular has pioneered various out-of-the-box techniques to launch syndicated shows.

Comcast Has Already Spent $90 Million in Fees to Acquire NBC Universal; Final Tally Will Likely Be More Than $100 Million in Fees

We don't yet know if Comcast's bid to acquire NBC Universal will be successful, or what kind of success Comcast will make of the company if the acquisition goes through.

What is known, however, is that so far the acquisition process has been a boon to lawyers, accountants, bankers and the like, who have already collected $90 million in fees, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to the Inquirer--which is based in Comcast's hometown--the cable company's price tag for the purchase will easily tally up to more than $100 million in fees by the time the deal is either approved or not. 

The pending merger is also affecting Comcast's stock, the story says. While rivals' shares have prospered, Comcast has returned modest gains during the past year, the article adds. 
 

Disney to Become More 'Aggressive' in How Soon It Will Release Movies to VOD Services; Could They Be Put on VOD Before DVDs Are Released?

In a call with analysts on Tuesday, Aug. 10th, 2010, to discuss third quarter earnings, Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger "said the company would become 'aggressive' in experimenting with how soon it release its movies to the home through video-on-demand services," reports the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog.

According to the article, "Other Hollywood studios are mulling making movies available to the home before their DVD release. Iger declined to talk about the timing or provide other specifics.'It's too early to make predictions on that,' Iger said. 'I think it presents an interesting opportunity. There are people who we believe would like to see movies sooner rather than later and would pay a premium price on that.' "

Disney's third-quarter earnings, helped by ESPN's World Cup soccer coverage and the NBA finals,
jumped 40% to $1.3 billion, while revenue rose 16% to $10 billion, the article noted.

Revenue at Disney's cable networks jumped 28% to $3.2 billion, the story says. Advertising at Disney's broadcast unit was basically flat. Iger also said the company's film studio helped its performance, with movies such as "Toy Story 3" and "Iron Man 2."

Iger deflected a question about whether ABC would see a broader management shakeup after the departure of Entertainment Group President Steve McPherson, the story says. He also didn't talk about McPherson, but instead only spoke about his successor, Paul Lee, and noting his track record at ABC Family, the article adds.

Former Sen. Ted Stevens Killed in Plane Crash

Former Sen. Ted Stevens, who helped shape the sweeping telecommunications bill in 2006 as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, has died in a plane crash, The New York Times reports.

The Alaska Republican was killed Monday night in the crash of a small plane in southwestern Alaska, the story says. Five of the nine people on board were believed dead.

Sen. Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, was 86.

'American Idol' Winner Hospitalized for Overdose

An "American Idol" winner was hospitalized Monday night in Charlotte for a medication overdose, WCNC reports. Sources told the station that the singer’s condition was not life-threatening.

Fantasia Barrino was taken to Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville at about 8:55 p.m. Monday, according to sources.

The sources did not know what type of medication was involved, according to the report, and it was not known whether the overdose was accidental.

Barrino has been in the news lately after she was named in a lawsuit and accused of making a sex tape with a married man.

Solid Ratings Debut for ABC's 'Bachelor Pad'

While not on a par with "The Bachelorette," ABC's new series "Bachelor Pad" had a good debut in the Nielsen ratings Monday night, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. the first hour of "Bachelor Pad" collected a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic, ahead of Fox's special "Teen Choice 2010," which had a 1.5 in the demo.

At 9 p.m. "Bachelor Pad's" second hour moved up to a 2.3 rating in the demo, while the rest of "Teen Choice 2010" remained at 1.5 in the demo. NBC's season finale of "Last Comic Standing" tied with the Fox special, also getting a 1.5 in the 18-49 demo.

ABC's season finale of "Dating in the Dark" at 10 p.m. had a 1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic, better than the second hour of "Last Comic Standing" which managed just a 1.5.

'Glee' Creator Confirms Britney Tribute, Says Pop Diva Has 'Been Through a Lot' and Show Will Be a 'Thank You' to Her

"Glee" co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed Tuesday morning on the Ryan Seacrest radio show that there will be a Britney Spears episode in the upcoming new season, according to a link to the broadcast on TV Tattle.

Murphy told Seacrest, "Britney, I think 100% is going to be on the episode, which is exciting."

Murphy suggested that he could be playing John Stamos' dental assistant.

"The Britney episode, I'm here to say, is so reverential about her and so kind, and it's about her music and it's not about her personal life. ... I think she's been through a lot, and I want to do something that just sort of says, you know what, 'Thank you for what you have done.'"

Another WCBS-TV Department Head Moves Up to a Post With CBS TV Stations

In the second promotion from WCBS-TV in New York to the CBS station group in the past two months, David Friend, VP/news director for WCBS, has been promoted to senior VP of news for parent CBS Television Stations, B&C reports.

Friend has been at WCBS since 2006 and will continue to oversee the newsroom there, according to the story.

The position at the CBS-owned stations is a new one. Friend will "take on the increased responsibility of collaborating with the local management teams at CBS's owned stations to oversee all news production and news operations," CBS said in a statement, adding that he "will facilitate communication and team building, develop newsgathering resources and share best practices with his colleagues across the group."

Friend will also have the task of working with CBS Radio to strengthen TV-radio partnerships in markets where CBS owns both TV and radio outlets. He will also be a liaison with the CBS News management team.

WCBS Creative Services Director Bruce Erik Brauer was promoted in June to senior VP of creative services for the 29-station group.

Top Cop on Celebrated Police Drama--a Winner of Multiple Emmys--Converts to Serial Killer for Role on 'Criminal Minds'

An actor who won two Emmys for his role as a police captain in a celebrated 1980s cop show will be on the other side of the law when he guests on CBS's "Criminal Minds" this season as a serial killer, reports TV Guide.

Daniel J. Travanti, who was nominated for five Emmys and won two for his role as Capt. Frank Furillo on NBC's "Hill Street Blues," has been cast in “Criminal Minds” as "the butcher." The character led a killing spree 20 years ago and currently suffers from Alzheimer's disease and cannot remember his past--but that doesn't stop him from wanting to kill again.

"Criminal Minds" returns for the fall season on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 9 p.m. ET, with Travanti's episode scheduled to be broadcast in October.

Endemol Expands Its Reality TV Holdings With Acquisition of Authentic Entertainment

Production giant Endemol has acquired a majority piece of the reality production outfit Authentic Entertainment, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Endemol already has a large piece of the reality television market, and the acquisition expands its stake. Authentic is behind Bravo's "Flipping Out," TLC's "Toddlers and Tiaras" and Food Network's "Ace of Cakes," among others.

While terms of the deal were not released as yet, it's believed to be somewhere in the neighborhood of $60 million.

Endemol North America Chairman David Goldberg said of Authentic, "We have been following their growth over the last few years and were impressed by the variety and quality of their shows. This growth, and the versatility in their programming, will only help to further diversify Endemol North America's business."

Sam's Club Commits to Wi-Fi, Puts Marketing Heft Behind Internet-Connected TVs

In a push to promote and sell Wi-Fi capable television sets, Sam's Club will make its stores free WI-FI zones, reports The Wall Street Journal.

The idea is to make consumers more comfortable with the technology by demonstrating how it could work for them personally from their smartphones or PDAs.

"This will allow a member to walk up to a Samsung LCD Internet-enabled TV and see how to find his Facebook page or stream video from Vudu. It is an intimidating category with lots of complexity," Sam's Club Chief Executive Brian Cornell told the publication.

The free Wi-Fi will also be helpful for consumers who might choose to price-check or do research on the Net before making a purchase. Sam's Club, the membership warehouse chain from The Walmart Company, expects to have the free Wi-Fi in more than 500 stores this November.

Debmar-Mercury Gets Syndication Rights to Hit Cooking Show

Debmar-Mercury has secured the domestic distribution rights for Fox's hit reality show "Hell's Kitchen.”

The Gordon Ramsay cooking competition program, an ITV Studios production, has been a solid ratings draw. It will start its eighth season on Fox on Sept. 22 with a two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. ET.

The deal marks the third collaboration this year between Debmar-Mercury and ITV Studios. The two companies are developing a syndicated talk panel show called "The Chefs" and a new U.S. first-run version of "The Jeremy Kyle Show," a successful British daytime talk show.

Legendary Football Coach Jimmy Johnson Credits 'Survivor' With Saving his Life

Jimmy Johnson, the Fox Sports analyst and legendary football coach, has confirmed that he is a contestant on the new season of "Survivor" -- and credits the show with saving his life, reports USA Today.

Johnson, who coached the Dallas Cowboys to Super Bowl victories, said he wanted to get on t he show six years ago and was tentatively accepted three years ago, with the requirement of a physical, the story says.

That exam found that one of his heart arteries was completely blocked and another one was 70% obstructed. He had surgery a week later.

According to the article,  Johnson said " 'Survivor' may have saved my life."

Johnson couldn't disclose how long he lasted on the show, which is set in Nicaragua, but told UUSA Today that the rest of the cast at first thought he was a lookalike. When they realized it was Johnson, he says, "They asked me why I put myself through those hardships when I didn't need the money. I told them it wasn't about the money, it was about the adventure."

Levi Johnston, Off-Again Fiance of Bristol Palin, Finds Partner in Reality Show Deal -- Which Will Track his Attempt to Become Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska (And You're Gonna Love the Proposed Title of This Show)

 Levi Johnston, whose engagement with Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol Palin was recently broken off for a second time, has a new partner with a reality show deal, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The deal is with reality production company Stone and Co., which is pitching the concept to networks. The show will feature Johnston as he runs for mayor of Palin's home town, Wasilla, Alaska, the same post that Palin held earlier in her career, the article says.

The show will also focus on his role as a father to Tripp, his child with Bristol Palin, and his focus on getting a career started in Hollywood, the story says.

And oh yeah,  here's the proposed name of the show:  "Loving Levi: The Road to the Mayor's Office,"

Best Non-TV Story of the Day: Wouldn't We All Like to Quit Our Jobs With This Kind of Flourish

We all daydream of making some grand flourish when we quit a job. Here's a guy who actually did it.

According to numerous media accounts, Steven Slater, 38, who had been a flight attendant for years, was on a JetBlue plane the other day that had just landed at JFK airport. The plane wasn't at the gate yet and some passenger jumped up and started to get his bag from the overhead compartment.

We'll pick up the New York Times account of the story from here: "Mr. Slater instructed the person to remain seated. The passenger defied him. Mr. Slater reached the passenger just as the person was pulling down the luggage, which struck Mr. Slater in the head.

"Mr. Slater asked for an apology. The passenger instead cursed at him. Mr. Slater got on the plane’s public-address system and cursed out the passenger for all to hear. Then, after declaring that 20 years in the airline industry was enough, he blurted out, 'It’s been great!' "

Slatter then grabbed a beer from the beverage cart and, according to the Times, "activated the inflatable evacuation slide at a service exit and left the world of flight attending behind."

Once on the ground he ran to his car in the employee parking lot and went home.

Unfortunately for Slater, he was later arrested. Evidently you can't just deploy an airplane's evaculation slide if you're pissed at a passenger. "According to a spokeswoman for Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, Slater was being charged with 2nd- and 4th-degree criminal mischief, 1st- and 2nd-degree reckless endangerment and criminal trespass in the 3rd degree," CBS News reported.

Ad Marketing Company With Decent Track Record Says Two CBS Shows Will Fare Best Among New Shows This Fall

In a study that aims to predict which new television shows will connect with viewers this fall, two CBS shows, a sitcom and a drama, come out on top, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The shows are the sitcom  "$#*! My Dad Says" and the remade drama "Hawaii Five-O."

The study looks at viewers' "emotional attachment" to the titles of new television shows, the article says. Coming from advertiser market analyst NewMediaMetrics, the firm claims an 85% track record for predicting how the new fall shows will line up in Nielsen ratings, the story says.

Three lower-profile series also scored among the top five programs in the study: "Running Wilde" and "Raising Hope" from Fox and CBS' "Mike & Molly," the article says. While last year's survey did pick a number of successful new shows such as "The Good Wife" on CBS, it missed ABC's hit comedy "Modern Family," the story adds.

Netflix Nearing Deal with Epix That Would Make Home-Video Service Competitor to HBO

Netflix is nearing a deal with pay-television network Epix that would give the home-video service exclusive online rights to films from Epix' three backers, Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog reports.

MGM is having major financial woes, and Lionsgate is challenged by shareholder Carl Ichan, but Paramount is clearly a strong major player.

According to the article, the agreement would place Netflix in competition with Time Warner's HBO, which offers movies from Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures, the story says.

Netflix has been directing its efforts to buying content for its streaming video service, including a recent deal with Starz and another with Relativity Media. The deal with Epix would require Netflix to pay almost $1 billion in licensing fees over the term of the agreement, although some points continue to be negotiated, such as when Epix would permit Netflix to stream its movies.

The agreement isn't expected to impact Epix' online video-streaming service, the article says. A spokesman for Netflix and Epix Chief Executive Mark Greenberg didn't immediately return calls for comment, the story adds.

Oddest Location for Weather Report? 'Today' Fill-in Delivers Weather From Stuck Elevator

It may be one of the oddest locations for a televised weather report, as Stephanie Abrams was filling in for Al Roker on NBC's "Today" when she got stuck in an elevator, reports TVNewser.com.

Abrams was stuck in the elevator with her hair and makeup experts while going down to the "Today" studio, and so delivered Monday's first weather forecast from her cell phone, the story says. She made it into the studio for the program's second forecast. "Worst case scenario, you are stuck there four or five days, but you have your hair and makeup people so you will look great when they rescue you," "Today" co-host Matt Lauer told

Another Headache for Tiger Woods: Scandal Affects His TV Ratings As Well As His Golf Game

Tiger Woods' scandal may have also put a dent in his ability to attract television viewers, reports the New York Post.

During this past weekend's Bridgestone Invitational, which ended on Sunday, Aug.  8, 2010, Woods both played the worst golf game of his career and saw ratings for the final round decline 51% compared to last year's Bridgestone tourney, when Woods won the event, the story says.

The article notes,"But more telling, the ratings were down 34 percent from 2008 -- when Woods did not even play in the tournament."

Furthermore, the article states, "Viewers want to see [Tiger] and when he does not, they turn off the set by the millions. But if the latest ratings trend holds up, the game has a new problem: people are tuning out rather than watching the one-time champion struggle and fail."

Something Wild: Oscar-Winning Director to Direct Two Episodes of HBO Series

An Academy Award-winning director will direct two episodes of an HBO series, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

The show is the HBO comedy "Enlightened," starring Laura Dern. And  the director is Jonathan Demme, whose 1991 movie "Silence of the Lambs" won both Best Picture and an Oscar for Demme as Best Director.

The project marks a rare television series job for Demme, who has previously directed one episode of "Colombo" in 1978 and one episode of "Saturday Night Live," in 1980, the story says.

Writes Andreeva, "I hear he is good friends with Dern and is a fan of her work and of 'Enightened'," which follows a woman as she finds spiritual awareness after living in a self-destructive way.

As reported back in February, 2010, Demme may also direct a pilot for HBO after joining with the network to develop a series based on Walter Mosley's detective novel series "The Long Fall."

Studio and Mobile Phone Provider Team In First Ever Teaming to Create Globally DIstributed Series

For the first time, a mobile phone provider and studio have teamed up to create a globally distributed series, reports B&C.

NBC Universal Digital Studio and Samsung Electronics are working on the original digital series, called "Fact Checkers Unit,"

The series will be available at factcheckers.com, cable video-on-demand services and mobile platforms, as well as some Syfy networks and digital platforms outside the U.S., the story says.

The series is based on a short film called "FCU: Fact Checker's Unit," which follows two celebrity fact checkers. The series will include guest stars such as Alex Trebek of "Jeopardy" and Luke Perry of "90210," according to the artic

You Might Be A Killer Great White If...: ABC Renews 'Shark Tank,' Jeff Foxworthy Will Show Up as a Guest Shark

"Shark Tank," which TVWeek has to admit is one of its very favorite guilty pleasures, has been renewed by ABC for a second season. The show and has added comedian Jeff Foxworthy as a judge for three of the eight episodes ordered from Sony Pictures Television and executive producer Mark Burnett, reports the Hollywood Reporter.

The choice to add Foxworthy is unusual, given that he's not a business figure, the story says. But ABC says the comedian has created his own line of BBQ sauces and beef jerky, as well as expanded his career into different media such as books and albums, according to the article. The five Sharks from the show's first season will return -- ranging from real estate mogul Barbara Corcoran to financial expert Kevin O'Leary -- and the second season will debut sometime in 2011, the article adds.

Foxworthy also hosts Burnett's "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" on Fox.

MTV Picks First Ever Twitter Jockey; She Gets $100,000 Contract Thanks to MTV Partnership with AMEX's ZYNC Card

Gabbi Greg, described by MTV News as a "23-year-old Detroit native and plus-size-fashion blogger," was crown MTV's first ever TJ (Twitter Jockey) in the finale on Sunday night (Aug. 8, 2010) of the network's " "Follow Me: The Search for the First MTV TJ."

According to the article, "Throughout the first round of challenges, Gabi's eye for style and gregarious charm catapulted her to more than 5,000 Twitter followers and nabbed her the highest number of votes on the ZYNC by American Express Facebook hub."

Furthermore, the story said, "Moments after it was revealed that Gabi nabbed the throne, the @MTVTJ account was transferred to her possession, and she tweeted her first official message: "Ommmmmgggggg thAnk you to everyone." 

Her most recent tweet--at 9 am today (8/10/2010)--was: "For everyone wondering about my jewelry from finale night, it was by @fennimas! Check it out: http://bit.ly/9F3chm" 

After Tough Times in Recession, Web Video Makes a Comeback with Advertisers

Advertisers and backers are beginning to return to entertainment videos made exclusively for the Web, following a tough time during the start of the recession, the New York Times reports.

One recent example, according to the article, is a branded entertainment deal from Ikea, the Swedish furniture company, which was persuaded by actor Illeana Douglas to back her Web series, "Easy to Assemble."

In the series, Douglas plays a Hollywood actor who decides to take a job at Ikea. She declined to disclose how much Ikea spent on the branded-entertainment deal, although she says the Swedish company gave her a wide berth and only asked her to make the content family-friendly, the article says.

My Damn Channel, a company which also distributes Douglas' Web show, has secured $4.4 million in financing, while YouTube last month announced a program to give $5 million in grants to online producers, according to the story. The resurgence in interest in Web video comes as more viewers are watching online: 86% of Web users in the U.S. watch at least one online video each month, according to comScore, the story says.

Musical Production Number Just One Possibility Raised by Intriguing Guest Spot Scheduled for 'How I Met Your Mother'

A couple of guest spots scheduled for the second episode of the new season on CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother’ raise a number of intriguing possibilities, reports TV Guide.

"Let's Make a Deal" host Wayne Brady will reprise his role as James Stinson, Barney's gay, African-American brother--but this time he’s bringing along his father, played by Ben Vereen.

This raises the question, is Vereen’s character also Barney's (Neil Patrick Harris) father? And then there’s the possibility of a musical production number.

'CSI' Producers Hope Zuiker's Return to Writers' Room Will Breathe Life Into Sagging Ratings

Anthony Zuiker, the creator of CBS's long-running hit series "CSI," has decided to resume a hands-on role in the writing of the show, reports New York magazine.

Zuiker has never walked away from the show, but has been less involved in the writing of the original “CSI” show for the past five years so he could lend a hand to the “CSI” spinoffs.

“CSI’s” producers hope Zuiker's return to the writing--along with his well-known over-the-top story ideas--will boost the sagging ratings of the once-dominant crime procedural.

Zuiker's ideas for future episodes reportedly include a vampire and werewolf convention, a shark in a pool, and a guest turn by Ann-Margret.

Preseason NFL Game a Ratings Winner for NBC

NBC's broadcast of the first NFL preseason game, the Hall of Fame Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Cincinnati Bengals, was the top draw in the Sunday night Nielsen ratings, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 7 p.m. the "Madden NFL 2010 Pigskin Pro-Am" on NBC had a 2.1 rating in the 18-49 demographic, besting CBS's "60 Minutes" with a 1.3 in the demo.

At 8 p.m. "Sunday Night Football" on NBC had a 4.1 rating in the 18-49 demo for the first hour, while CBS's "Big Brother" collected a 2.4 in the demo. ABC's "Scoundrels" managed only a 0.8 rating in the 18-49 demo.

The second hour of the game at 9 p.m. continued the strong results with a 3.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The end of the game at 10 p.m. logged a 3.3 rating in the same demo, while ABC's "The Gates" netted a 0.7.

Canadian Talk Show Racking Up Stations, Gaining Traction in U.S. Market

A Canadian Broadcasting talk show that has been compared to "Rachael Ray" has been cleared for broadcast in 40% of the U.S. market for its Sept. 13 debut, reports TVNewscheck.com.

"Steven and Chris," a 4-year-old CBC program, has clearances on stations in 50 markets and is looking for more, in what syndicators are calling a phased rollout.

"We're still clearing the show,” said Ritch Colbert, a principal in syndicator Program Partners. “At this late date, schedules are still being shifted around and changed, so we're not letting up."

The stars of the show, Steven Sabados and Chris Hyndman, are best known in the U.S. for the TV show "The Designer Guys," which was broadcast on the Discovery Channel a few years ago.

Former 'Price Is Right' Model Sues Bob Barker

Shane Stirling, a former model on CBS's "The Price Is Right," has filed a suit against the former host of the show, Bob Barker, alleging that he had her fired when she was pregnant, reports the UPI.

Stirling was fired in 2006 because Barker reportedly objected to the liability issues related to her condition, according to the suit. Stirling was rehired in 2008, but then dismissed again when the program took a new direction.

Stirling is seeking $25,000 in damages.

Olbermann Dropped From 'Football Night in America'; NBC Decides Sports Gig Is Too Big a Distraction for News-Talk Host

The host of "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" on MSNBC, former ESPN anchor Keith Olbermann, has been dropped from the NBC's "Football Night in America," reports the New York Post.

The powers that be at MSNBC apparently thought that Olbermann was distracted from his political duties by the sports gig, part of NBC's "Sunday Night Football" lineup. NBC News executives were unhappy when Olbermann missed some Friday night editions of "Countdown" to prepare for the Sunday NFL games.

Olbermann's tenure on the NFL broadcast began in 2007.

NBC denied that the removal of the outspoken left-leaning political commentator from the sports lineup had anything to do with his politics.
 

Planet Green Orders Second Season of Documentary Series

Planet Green announced Monday it has ordered a second season of a popular documentary series about two men’s efforts to live like “gentleman farmers” after years as city dwellers.

Season 2 of "The Fabulous Beekman Boys," starring Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, will consist of 10 new episodes, to be broadcast in the first half of 2011.

Laura Michalchyshyn, president and general Manager of Planet Green, said in a statement, “Brent and Josh both possess huge, endearing personalities that America is falling in love with. 'The Fabulous Beekman Boys' has quickly established itself as a cornerstone franchise for Planet Green and our Verge block--we can’t wait for season two.”

A&E's 'Breakout Kings' Taps 'Percy Jackson' Actress as Series Regular

A&E's "Breakout Kings" has tapped an actress who appeared in "Percy Jackson & the Olympians" for a series regular role, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

On the series, Serinda Swan, who played Aphrodite in the film, will play Erica Reed, an expert at tracking down people who are in hiding. The show is about a group of former convicts who work with U.S. marshals to capture fugitives, the article says.

HBO Hopes Fantasy Series 'Game of Thrones' Will Be Next 'True Blood'-Like Hit

HBO is hoping its new series "Game of Thrones," based on fantasy novels, will become the network's next "True Blood"-like hit, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

The nature of the material didn't personally appeal to Michael Lombardo, the network's programming president. "It wasn't the genre we responded to, it was the storytelling," he said at the Television Critics Association press tour on Saturday. The show will debut in the spring of 2011. Given that the genre novels the show is based on have a devoted following, the network has "enormous pressure" to "get it right," Lombardo said.

Another Facebook Campaign Lands a 'Saturday Night Live' Host

A Facebook campaign started to get her on the show has succeeded in securing a date for Second City veteran Jane Lynch, a star of Fox's hit "Glee," to host NBC's "Saturday Night Live" this coming year, reports Movieline.com.

Lynch, who plays the mean cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the Fox program, will host the comedy show's Oct. 9 broadcast, the story says. Her 'SNL' hosting gig comes after a similar campaign on the social-networking site to get comedian Betty White on the show.

How Is Reality TV Linked to Hewlett-Packard Scandal?

The scandal behind the resignation of Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Mark Hurd involves a former contestant on NBC's 2007 reality show "Age of Love," reports the MercuryNews.com.

Jodie Fisher, 50, resolved her claim against Hurd and didn't have a sexual relationship with him, according to her attorney, Gloria Allred, the story says. Fisher met Hurd in 2007 when she applied for a job in a marketing role on a contractual basis. Hurd resigned after a company investigation found four instances in which the CEO submitted false expense reports and instances when Fisher received payment when there wasn't a legitimate business reason, the article says. According to her complaint of sexual harassment to HP, Fisher claimed to have felt pressure to have sex, the story adds.

Aside from the reality show, Fisher also appeared in several minor films such as "Blood Dolls" and "Sheer Passion," the article says. In "Age of Love," Fisher vied against several other women for the attention of Australian tennis champ Mark Philippoussis. The contestants were divided into two groups: women in their 20s and women in their 40s. Fisher, among the group in their 40s, was eliminated on the show, according to the show's Website . Her bio on the show's site says "she is ready to find a new partner who is as spontaneous and wild as she is."

'Dora the Explorer' Takes an Odd Turn as Character Turns up in Immigration Battle

As "Dora the Explorer" nears 10 years on the air, the bilingual cartoon star is turning up in an odd situation: as the target of anti-immigrant feelings, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Dora, who teaches young children phrases in Spanish as she and her sidekick monkey solve problems, turned up in several doctored mug shots earlier this year, the story says. One pictured a beat-up looking Dora accused of illegally crossing into the U.S. and was circulated after Arizona passed its controversial immigration law, the article adds.

"There's a part of me that's almost like her mom," co-creator Valerie Walsh Valdes says. "I said, 'Why would they drag her into this?' It seemed totally inappropriate." But for most people, she's an example of how it's cool to be multicultural, the article adds. She's also big business: The show has generated more than $11 billion in retail sales, according to an estimate from Nickelodeon.

Guess Who Will Appear on Sarah Palin's TLC Show? Hint: It's Another Mom in the Media Spotlight

The new TLC show starring Sarah Palin will have an appearance from another mom in the media spotlight: Kate Gosselin, reports EW.com's PopWatch blog.

"Sarah Palin's Alaska" also set a debut date, with the show scheduled to hit the airwaves on Nov. 14, the story says. The Gosselins will visit the Palin family in Alaska, in a trip that apparently includes camping, the story says.

HBO's Longest-Running Show, 'Entourage,' Slated to Draw to an End in 2011

HBO said its longest-running show, "Entourage," will end in 2011, possibly with a shortened final season of only six episodes, reports James Hibberd at The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

"The plan right now is we'll finish up this season, we'll do a shorter order for next season, we've talked about six," Michael Lombardo, HBO programming president, said. Show creator Doug Ellin is talking with the network about doing a film based on the show, and has pitched ideas for other programs to HBO, Lombardo said.

But in what's good news for fans of another HBO show, network executives said there's no scheduled end for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," at least as long as Larry David wants to continue with the program.

The Annual Summer TCA Tour is Over. How'd the Broadcast Networks Do?

The annual summer gathering here in Hollywood of the Television Critics Association in now over, and TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin tells us how she thinks the broadcast networks did.

From memorable quotes to party time, Atkin was there. To read her stimulating commentary, click here.

Shonda Rhimes' 'Off the Map' Taps 'Friday Night Lights' Star in Medical Role

The Shonda Rhimes-produced ABC drama "Off the Map" has cast Zach Gilford, formerly of "Friday Night Lights," in a role as a plastic surgeon, reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files.

The series, slated to debut at midseason, is "kind of an all-American frat boy," Gilford says. He's previously appeared in a Rhimes' series, with a guest-starring role on "Grey's Anatomy" in its fifth season, the article says. The new show is set in South America.

Geography Quiz: Which Part of the World Will Sub for Earth 85 Million Years Ago in 'Terra Nova'?

Fox has settled on the right landscape to stand in for Earth as it looked 85 million years ago for its time-travel series "Terra Nova," reports The Hollywood Reporter.

That landscape will be a corner of Fox boss Rupert Murdoch's birth country: Queensland, Australia. The production will mostly be set around southeastern Queensland, a state which includes sights such as the Great Barrier Reef and cities such as Brisbane and Cairns, and will hire about 80% of its cast and crew from among local residents, the story says.

"Queensland had the right look, climate and terrain, a vibrant production community and attractive economic incentives," said Jim Sharp, executive vice president of production for 20th Century Fox Television.

Executive Behind Apple's iPhone Hardware Leaves Company after Antenna Problems

Following criticisms of antenna problems with Apple's latest iPhone , the executive behind the device's hardware has left the company, reports Bloomberg News.

Mark Papermaster, who was also responsible for the iPod's hardware, had started at Apple last year after being sued by his former employer, IBM, the story says. IBM had claimed Papermaster's decision to join Apple violated an employment contract that stipulated he couldn't work for a competitor for a year after leaving IBM. The dispute was resolved in January 2009, the article adds.

Apple said that Papermaster's responsibilities will be taken over by Bob Mansfield, a senior vice president who oversees Macintosh hardware engineering, the story says.

Hallmark Taps 'Army Wives' Star and 'Dead Zone' Actor in Original Movie About Online Romance

Hallmark Channel has tapped "Army Wives" star Brigid Brannagh and "The Dead Zone" actor Sean Patrick Flanery as stars in an original movie about online romance, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

"Mystery Girl" will focus on Ben, played by Flanery, as he accidentally messages with Charley, played by Brannagh, when trying to get in touch with another woman, the story says. Charley is a single mom who works for the same company as Ben, the article adds. The movie will debut next year.

Segall Hired as VP/Publisher at Company That Owns Deadline.com

Clearly, the biggest story about those who write about Hollywood over the past several years has been the rise of Nikki Finke and her Deadline.com.

Now Mail.com Media Corporation (MMC), whose portfolio includes Deadline.com, has hired someone on the business side who is as much a force of nature as Finke is on the edit side: Lynne Segall.

Going back to the days  when The Hollywood Reporter and Variety were privately owned by their founding families, it was Segall who made THR competitive on the business side of the ledger, as she implemented a strategy of over 100 special  issues.

After leaving THR four years ago, Segall went to the Los Angeles Times, where she broke new ground--sometimes controversially--with the entertainment advertising she brought the paper.

Said the MMC announcement about the hiring of its new vice president/publisher: "Segall will be responsible for the development and execution of advertising sales and business development strategies for MMC’s entertainment portfolio including Deadline.com, HollywoodLife.com, Movieline.com, and events such as the Young Hollywood Awards, Style Awards, and Breakthrough Of The Year Awards. She will report to MMC’s Chairman & CEO Jay Penske."

Red-Hot Television Advertising Market Powers Ahead Despite Mixed Economic Trends

The red-hot market for television advertising continues to power ahead despite mixed macroeconomic trends, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The ad market is getting some help by increased spending from the country's biggest advertisers, such as Procter & Gamble and General Motors, the story says. Both have indicated recently that they are boosting their ad spending in 2010. Still, ad spending this year should be similar to the level reported in 2002-03, instead of at the level seen before the recession, the story says.

Cable networks may see a big benefit, the article adds. "The momentum at the cable networks will continue as they have done their upfront, and most had growth in the double digits and are reporting the scatter market is up in the double digits from that," said SNL Kagan analyst Derek Baine. "So it should be smooth sailing for the rest of the year for cable nets."

Neil Patrick Harris' Emmy-Nominated Guest Spot on 'Glee' May Be a One-Off; It Seems There's This Little Matter of His CBS Contract

CBS relented last season by letting Neil Patrick Harris appear on Fox's "Glee," but don't expect it to happen again, reports E! Online.

Despite his getting an Emmy nomination for his guest role--or maybe because of it--CBS is apparently holding Harris to the terms of his contract as a star of "How I Met Your Mother," which restricts him from turning up on the competition.

Harris is also nominated for an Emmy as a supporting actor in “Mother” this year--as he has been every year since 2007.

Harris told E!, "I have bosses that make me sign contracts to keep me at one place for a long period of time, and understandably so. I love the ['Glee'] gig, love doing it. … And they didn't shoot me at the end of the first episode, so if I'm ever able to come back I'd love to."

'V' Villainess to Reprise Role on Latest Version of Show

In a move that sci-fi fans have been clamoring for, the actress who played the original villainess on NBC's "V" will appear on ABC's "V," reports TV Guide.

Jane Badler will again play a character named Diana, and this time she will be Anna's mother, the story reports.

The relationship between mother and daughter is strained, according to Scott Rosenbaum, the executive producer. Diana is being imprisoned by Anna on the mother ship.

ABC's "V" returns for a second season in November.

'Bourne Identity' Director to Do Pilot for MTV

Doug Liman, a film director whose credits include "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Swingers" and "The Bourne Identity," has a new project lined up--directing a pilot for MTV called "I Just Want My Pants Back," reports TV Squad.

Liman has been dipping his toes into television for a while, including working as executive producer of USA Network's "Covert Affairs." He also directed the pilot for "The O.C.," so he has a good track record on the small screen.

On-Air Medical Emergency for Morning Show Host

On CBS's "Early Show," co-host Harry Smith nearly lost a finger while participating in a cooking segment on Friday morning's episode, according to TVNewser.

With guest Katie Lee, Smith was slicing zucchini on a mandolin when he suddenly stopped and reached for a towel to stop the bleeding. While another member of the staff jumped in to complete the segment, Smith left the set and was taken to Roosevelt Hospital, where the father of CBS medical correspondent Dr. Jen Ashton treated the finger.

Erica Hill stepped in to complete the segment while Smith was taken away.

The injury reportedly did not require stitches.

'Big Brother' Takes Top Honors on a Slow Night in the Ratings

On another slow summer night on the networks, CBS's "Big Brother" was the strongest show in the Nielsen ratings, according to TVbytheNumbers.com.

At 8 p.m. "Big Brother" scored a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, tops for the hour and the night.

ABC's "Rookie Blue" and Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" tied for the 9 p.m. hour in the ratings, both netting a 1.8 rating in the 18-49 demographic.

The last non-rerun of the night was ABC's "Boston Med" at 10 p.m., which earned a 1.3 in the demo.

'American Idol's' Lythgoe Apparently Won't Get His Wish--Abdul Barred From Returning as Judge

Earlier this week, returning "American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe said he would like Paula Abdul back as a judge, but apparently he didn't know that she cannot return to the Fox show because of her contract with CBS for "Got to Dance," according to E! Online.

Abdul's deal with the new CBS dance competition show prohibits her appearing on any similar type of show, such as "Idol." A source told E! Online, "If Paula did ‘Idol’ she would get sued bigtime by Viacom. She's locked in exclusively with CBS."
 

Can We Talk? 'Fashion Police' Becomes Weekly Series on E!

Red carpet interviewer and comic Joan Rivers has been signed to star in "Fashion Police," a new weekly series from the E! Channel.

Upgraded from its previous special status, the new “Fashion Police” series kicks off Monday, Aug. 30, at 10 p.m. ET with an hour-long Primetime Emmy Awards event.

On Friday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 p.m., "Fashion Police" moves to its regular weekly time slot.

Rivers will be the hostess and her daughter Melissa Rivers will be co-executive producer of the program with Joan.

In a statement, Joan Rivers said, “Melissa and I are so excited to bring viewers ‘Fashion Police’ on a weekly basis. It’s great to be on E! where I can speak my mind about celebrity fashion choices, including the hits, misses and everything in between.”

A&E Goes 'Beyond Scared Straight,' Revives Acclaimed Juvenile Crime-Prevention Series

Based on the landmark "Scared Straight" documentary series, in which real convicts confronted juvenile offenders with the horrors of life behind bars, A&E has ordered a four-hour documentary from executive producer by Arnold Shapiro called "Beyond Scared Straight."

The original juvenile crime prevention program was an Oscar and Emmy Award winner. The new incarnation will be presented on A&E as a four-hour special event in winter 2011.

In a statement about the new series, Shapiro said, "I have seen so many teenagers turn their lives around after experiencing inmate-run prison programs like 'Scared Straight' that I am grateful for the opportunity to bring more of these programs and stories of transformation to television."

The Reason for Mary Hart's Departure from 'ET'? Her $5 Million Salary Amid Tough Times for Syndication

The real reason for Mary Hart's departure from "Entertainment Tonight" may be explained by the economics of syndication, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The veteran host was making $5 million in her 29th year at the program, although Hart accepted a pay cut in May for hosting the program another season, a pay trim that may have been as much as 50%, the story says.

"Whether Hart left of her own volition or was nudged out the door, the economics that made her impossible to keep on start at the local TV station level, which is coming off a few brutal years that saw revenues drained by the recession," the story says. With station groups unwilling to pay for license fees and advertising declining, it means syndicators have been forced to cut costs, the article says.

CBS Television Distribution declined comment.

Who's the Recording Icon that 'American Idol' Wanted for a Judge but Didn't Get?

The one judge that the producers of "American Idol" really wanted but didn't get is none other than recording industry legend David Geffen, reports Nikki Finke at Deadline.com.

Producer Simon Fuller of 19 Entertainment approached Geffen -- the founder of both Asylum Records and Geffen Records and a former principal of DreamWorks SKG -- four months ago about taking on the role that would be left empty by Simon Cowell, the story says.

"I hear the multibillionaire who rarely gives interviews or appears on television asked Fuller perplexed: 'Why should I do this?' " Finke writes. "Geffen would have been a natural: he's often brutally honest, he is a legendary talent spotter, and he's forgotten more about the music biz than Cowell will ever know in a lifetime." Geffen is on his yacht in Greece and was unavailable for comment, the story says.

Showrunner Departs CBS Show Amid Creative Differences with Veteran TV Star

 "Blue Bloods" showrunner Ken Sanzel is leaving the CBS show after running into creative differences with star Tom Selleck, reports Nikki Finke at Deadline.com.

A former cop, Sanzel wanted mold the show into a crime procedural, while Selleck wanted a program that delved into character exploration, the story says. Selleck also wished to be in charge of the program, it adds.

Sanzel, who had been a longtime "Numb3rs" showrunner, had been selected by CBS and CBS Studios to work on the program and doesn't yet have a date for when he's leaving, the article adds.

Selleck wants to find "his guy" to take on the role, although the episode is embarrassing for the network because it's not only one of its more high-profile new shows but is also executive produced by CBS Corp. board member Leonard Goldberg, the article says.

Surprise! Michaele Salahi of 'Real Housewives of D.C.' Involved in Another Odd Incident -- This Time With Whoopi Goldberg

An exchange between Whoopi Goldberg and "Real Housewives of D.C." star and alleged White House gate crasher Michaele Salahi during an Aug. 3 taping of "The View" is turning into another odd incident, reports People.com.

Goldberg walked on the set and touched Salahi's arm to try to get her focused on tailing about the White House incident, the story says. But afterwards, Salahi and her husband complained to producers about the experience, calling it "humiliating and torturous."

“The first encounter I had with this woman is her grabbing my arm and telling me to change the subject,” Salahi told People.com. But after the interview, Goldberg came up to Salahi and confronted her about complaining over their interaction."Whoopi came in and said ‘Did you [expletive] say that I hit you?’ " Salahi says.

ABC issued a statement saying Salahi's accusation of Goldberg hitting her was "completely unfounded and erroneous." According to People.com, Salahi says she didn't use the word "hit," but only described Goldberg as grabbing her.

Oprah Winfrey Network Taps Rosie O'Donnell for Daytime Talk Show

Rosie O'Donnell will be returning to television with her own daytime talk show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

The move comes about after O'Donnell had been talked about as a replacement on broadcast television for Winfrey's time slot after she ends her show, the story says. But television stations pitched on the idea by veteran television executives Dick Robertson and Scott Carlin didn't warm to the idea.

"She had become something of a lightning rod. Her outspoken personality and political stances on 'The View' ended up overwhelming the image she'd cultivated as 'the queen of nice' on her old talk show," the article says. Instead, she'll be creating an hourlong daytime show for OWN, which debuts in January. The show will be produced by O'Donnell and will be based in New York, the story says.

Real-Life Version of 'Big Love' in Form of Polygamist Reality Show Heading to TLC

A real-life version of HBO's "Big Love" is heading to TLC in the form of a reality show tracking a polygamist family in Utah, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

Called "Sister Wives," the program will center on husband Kody, his wives Meri, Janelle and Christine and their 13 kids, the story says. The storyline will follow Kody as he adds a fourth wife to the family, a woman who is younger than his current spouses and who has three of her own children, he article adds. The show, produced by "Jon & Kate Plus 8" production company Figure 8 Films, has a seven-episode order and the network may order more if the ratings justify it.

The family decided to go along with the reality show because they wanted to lift some of the secrecy around their living situation and are "looking for understanding," according to TLC President Eileen O'Neill, the article adds.

'Extreme Makover: Home Edition' Host Ty Pennington Developing Daytime Show

Ty Pennington, the host of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" is working on a daytime show that would be ready for a fall 2012 debut, just after his contract with "Extreme Makeover" comes to an end, reports Deadline.com.

While his managers are Bill Stankey and Drea Bock are considering ABC, they are also looking at syndication and cable partnerships with alternative revenue sources, the article says. The potential show is also in discussions with what might be several big sponsors, the story adds.

Pennington's contract with "Exteme Makeover" ends in the spring of 2012.

Fox's 'Lone Star' Close to Signing Andie McDowell, in What Would Be Her First Major TV Role

Fox's "Lone Star" is close to signing a deal for Andie McDowell to join the cast, a move that would represent the actor's first major television role, reports EW.com's The Ausiello Files.

McDowell would play the love interest to Jon Voigt's character, an oil tycoon, the story says.

The show has also hired Rosa Blasi of "Make It or Break It" to play Blake, a trophy wife of the character played by Mark Deklin, the article adds. The show will follow a con man, played by James Wolk, who leads a double life.

Marking a Debut as a Recording Artist, 'Family Guy' Creator Seth MacFarlane Signs Record Deal for Show Tunes

Unlike his singing on "Family Guy," Seth MacFarlane won't be doing any spoofs on his debut album, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

The "Family Guy" creator has signed a deal with Universal Republic Records, marking MacFarlane's debut as a recording artist. The album will be a collection of 1940s and 1950s show tunes from Broadway greats such as Rodgers and Hammerstein and Lerner and Loewe, the story says.

MacFarlane isn't a stranger to singing, as he frequently sings parody songs on his shows and at live events and this year was given an Emmy nomination for lyrics and music, the story says. A live orchestra and big band will provide back-up for MacFarlane.

Fox Executive Calemzuk Trades Rupert Murdoch for Job at His Daughter's Reveille Production Company

Fox Television Studios executive Emiliano Calemzuk is leaving Rupert Murdoch's fold to join Murdoch's  daughter's television business, reports the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog.

He's joining Elisabeth Murdoch's Reveille as the production company's chief executive, the story says. At Fox Television Studios, which produces shows such as USA's "Burn Notice," Calemzuk turned around the unit from a money-loser into generating about $20 million in profit last year, the story says.

Reveille, the U.S. arm of her Shine Group production company, is responsible for such hits as NBC's 'The Office" and "The Biggest Loser." He'll report directly to Elisabeth Murdoch, the story says. No replacement has been tapped for him at Fox Television Studios, although one candidate will likely be Dave Madden, an executive vice president at the unit, the article adds.

NBC Universal Renews NBC Entertainment Chairman Marc Graboff in Three-Year Deal

NBC Universal has signed NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios Chairman Marc Graboff to a new three-year contract, reports Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com.

Despite being approached for jobs outside of NBC, Graboff decided to remain at the network, where he's worked since 2000, the story says. Negotiations between NBCU and Graboff went on for several months, the article adds.

"Graboff, who is very well respected in the industry, had brought stability to NBC during several regime changes over the past decade, and his business presence and institutional knowledge would certainly help make the transition to post-Comcast merger NBC smoother," Andreeva writes.