Davy Jones of the Monkees Dies

Singer Davy Jones of the Monkees has died, NBC News reports. The medical examiner’s office in Martin County, Fla., confirmed that the former teen heartthrob died of a heart attack. He was 66.

The British-born Jones was named the top teen idol of all time by Yahoo Music in 2008.

Jones was one of the four original members of the Monkees, along with Micky Dolenz, Peter Tork and Mike Nesmith. The group was put together in 1965 to star in the TV show “The Monkees,” which became a huge success for NBC.

The group went on to sell more than 50 million records, with hits including “I’m a Believer,” “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone,” “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Daydream Believer.”

After the Monkees broke up in 1971, Jones had a solo career and participated in a series of Monkees reunion tours over the years.

The story notes: “He also acted on stage and screen, with his most famous TV appearance as himself on ‘The Brady Bunch,’ in an episode where Marcia Brady was the president of his fan club and tried to get the singer to appear at her school dance. He also played Fagin in ‘Oliver!’ on Broadway.”

He also recently played himself in an episode of “SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Davy Jones

Lifetime Lands a Palin for New Series

Lifetime has picked up a new reality series that will star a member of the Palin family, USA Today reports. Sarah Palin’s daughter, Bristol, will be the focus of “Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp.”

Lifetime describes the series as a look at Palin’s life as a single mom, “forging her own way in the world while living under the constant spotlight as a member of one of America’s most high-profile families,” the story reports.

The report adds: “Lifetime says it will have ‘never-before-granted access’ to Palin's life in Alaska, and it sounds like we'll probably be seeing her folks, Sarah and Todd Palin, too. Look for 10 half-hour episodes of the program to air this year.”

New JC Penney Ads Win Big at Oscars

Retailer JC Penney’s new ads starring Ellen DeGeneres were among the most effective commercials to debut during the Oscars, Advertising Age reports, citing ad-effectiveness firm Ace Metrix.

“Four spots, which saw Ms. DeGeneres going back in time to a variety of eras to see whether befuddling return policies and pricing strategies have always been the norm, each scored between 630 and 552, above the average department store Ace score of 510,” the story reports.

The choice of DeGeneres as the spokesperson for the retailer sparked protests over her sexuality, as previously reported.

Fresh Off Win at Oscars, Writer/Actor Lands Lead Role in Fox Project

When you’re hot, you’re hot: Just a few days after winning an Academy Award for best adapted screenply for “The Descendants,” Nat Faxon has landed the lead role in a new Fox comedy pilot.

Faxon will play the title role in “Ned Fox Is My Manny,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"The project revolves around Abby Elliott's Kate, a single mother who gets an assist from her brother who moves in with her to help her raise her baby in the project previously known as ‘Ben Fox is My Manny,’" the story says.

Faxon will play Ned Fox, Kate’s brother, who is based on writer Dana Fox's brother, Ben Fox, the story adds.

The "Ned Fox" cast also includes Lucy Punch, Maggie Jones and Echo Kellum. The single-camera project is from Chernin Entertainment and 20th Television.

Video Game to Become TV Series -- Again

A video game that was popular in the 1980s -- and was made into a short-lived TV series back then -- will return to television, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Disney XD is developing a show tentatively titled “Pac-Man: The Adventure Begins,” an animated action comedy, the story reports. The arcade game was on TV before, as Hanna Barbera’s “Pac-Man: The Animated Series,” which ran on ABC from 1982-83.

The new show will be executive produced by Avi Arad (“The Amazing Spider-Man,” “The Avengers”) and Rick Ungar (“X-Men: Evolution,” “Biker Mice From Mars”).

The series is being prepped for a fall 2013 debut on Disney XD.

News Corp.'s James Murdoch Steps Down as Executive Chairman of U.K. Publishing Unit

News Corp. announced today that James Murdoch, the son of News Corp. Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch, has resigned from his position as executive chairman of the company’s U.K. publishing unit News International.

News International CEO Tom Mockridge will retain his post and will report to News Corp. President and Chief Operating Officer Chase Carey, the company announced.

James Murdoch has been under pressure in the phone-hacking scandal that has focused mainly on News Corp.’s U.K. tabloids, as previously reported. Information surfaced in the past few months that indicated he may have known more about the extent of the phone-hacking activity than he had previously admitted.

In the past few days, news broke that News Corp. had settled a lawsuit filed by singer Charlotte Church in connection with the phone hacking for close to $1 million, as reported earlier this week.

Commenting on James Murdoch’s announcement, Rupert Murdoch said in a press release: “We are all grateful for James' leadership at News International and across Europe and Asia, where he has made lasting contributions to the group's strategy in paid digital content and its efforts to improve and enhance governance programs. He has demonstrated leadership and continues to create great value at Star TV, Sky Deutschland, Sky Italia, and BSkyB. Now that he has moved to New York, James will continue to assume a variety of essential corporate leadership mandates, with particular focus on important pay-TV businesses and broader international operations.”

James Murdoch added: “I deeply appreciate the dedication of my many talented colleagues at News International who work tirelessly to inform the public and am confident about the tremendous momentum we have achieved under the leadership of my father and Tom Mockridge. With the successful launch of The Sun on Sunday and new business practices in place across all titles, News International is now in a strong position to build on its successes in the future.”

Co-Creators of 'Glee' Have Upcoming Project With This Dream Cast: Beyonce, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow and Andy Samberg

The three co-creators of "Glee" have an upcoming project that will star Beyonce, Reese Witherspoon, Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow and Andy Samberg, reports Mike Fleming at Deadline.com.

The project is a musical comedy called "One Hit Wonders," and Sony is interested in making it into a feature film.

According to the story, "[Ryan] Murphy is attached to direct, and he will write the script with his 'Glee' cohorts Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan."

Murphy previously made the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" with Julia Roberts for Sony.

'Downton Abbey' Producer Has a Follow-Up Series in the Works

Following in the footsteps of its “Downton Abbey,” ITV has announced plans for a new 10-part drama series, “Mr. Selfridge,” based on the life of American businessman Harry Gordon Selfridge, Deadline.com reports.

"’Mr. Selfridge’ will trace the life of the flamboyant and visionary American entrepreneur, Harry Gordon Selfridge, who created the famed London department store Selfridge’s," the story says.

The UK's ITV is seeking an American actor for the title role.

"Contrary to ‘Downton,’ which is made by NBCUniversal’s Carnival Films, ‘Mr. Selfridge’ will be an in-house ITV Studios production," the story says.

The series is based on the book “Shopping, Seduction and Mr. Selfridge” by Lindy Woodhead and is created by writer Andrew Davies (“Brideshead Revisted,” “Bridget Jones’ Diary”).

"’Mr. Selfridge’ is set in London in 1909 at a time when wealthy women were enjoying a new sense of freedom," the story says. "'Mile a Minute Harry’ wanted to indulge, empower and celebrate these women, making shopping as thrilling as sex."

Chrissy Skinns is producer with Kate Lewis executive producing. Jon Jones will direct.

CBS's Moonves Expects Double-Digit Upfront Price Increases

CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves said he expects the network’s advertising prices to rise by double digits in the next upfront, B&C reports.

"I think we're in that kind of marketplace and we've got that kind of ratings story," Moonves said at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference.

"A year ago, in a strong marketplace, CBS held onto some inventory to maximize pricing and got increases of about 13%," the story says.

"We sold somewhere in the high 70s last year -- 77-78%. The year before that, we were probably 10 points less because pricing was down, so we bet more on scatter," Moonves said. "You know what? Once we establish our pricing where we think is the fair marketplace, we would probably go to the low 80s, but not much more than that."

Moonves cited some softness in the fourth quarter of 2011, but said the ad market had firmed by the first quarter of this year, with prices in the scatter market topping upfront levels by more than 15%, the story says.

"Demand had increased greatly. It is wonderful to see the auto companies coming back, and they're coming back in force," Moonves said.

Disney Starts Shooting on Johnny Depp's 'Lone Ranger' Movie

“The Lone Ranger,” the movie remake of the television series, which was shelved last summer and resurrected after producers agreed to make budget cuts, started filming Tuesday, according to TheWrap.com.

The Walt Disney film, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski, reunites the director with his “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp, who will play the Lone Ranger's sidekick Tonto. Armie Hammer will play the Lone Ranger.

"Production was originally scheduled to start in October. However, in August, Disney put the brakes on the project citing a budget that was initially estimated to be between $250 million and $275 million," the story says.

Verbinski and Bruckheimer trimmed the budget to around $215 million, and in October Disney announced the project was back on track.

The supporting cast includes Tom Wilkinson (“Michael Clayton”) and William Fichtner (“Black Hawk Down”), and the project will also reunite Depp with his “Sweeney Todd” and “Alice in Wonderland” co-star Helena Bonham Carter.

The film is slated to open on May 31, 2013.

Veteran Portrayed in 'Band of Brothers' Dies

World War II veteran Lynn D. "Buck" Compton, who was portrayed by actor Neal McDonough in the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” died Feb. 25 at the age of 90, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Compton became famous in his eighties because of ‘Band of Brothers,’ the 2001 miniseries based on the 1992 book by historian Stephen Ambrose that chronicled the journey of Easy Company from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division," the story says.

The miniseries followed the band of soldiers from basic training through D-Day and the Battle of Bulge to their capture of Hitler's retreat at the end of the war.

"Compton was winningly portrayed by Neal McDonough (‘Boomtown,’ ‘Justified’) as a good soldier and inspiring leader," the story says. "The actor said he spoke with Compton for hours on end during filming to get the details right and he was so impressed by the man that he nicknamed his son Morgan 'Buck.' McDonough and three other stars of the show attended Compton's 90th birthday party in January."

Compton won a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his service in WWII.

Lynn D. "Buck" Compton

Fifteen Oscar Statuettes -- Many From Hollywood's Golden Era -- Sold at Auction for $3 Million

"An auction of 15 Oscars from Hollywood's golden era has produced record-breaking receipts of more than $3 million," reports The Guardian.

Included in the auction was one of the two Oscars won by the classic movie "Citizen Kane," as well as the "Best Picture" Oscar for the movie that beat "Kane" for that award in 1941, "How Green Was My Valley."

According to the story, "The statuettes all dated prior to 1950, the year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences introduced rules intended to prohibit the sale of Oscars. The highlight of the auction was the sale of Herman Mankiewicz's 1941 best screenplay statuette for 'Citizen Kane,' which went for $588,455. Orson Welles' twin Oscar for the same prize reached $861,542 when it was sold in December; both are considered valuable because they represent the only Academy Awards won by Welles' film, widely considered one of the greatest of all time."

The statuettes were sold by auctioner Nate B. Sanders. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, here is a full list of Oscar statuettes that Sanders was scheduled to auction off:

1931 Best Director to Norman Taurog for "Skippy"

1933 Best Picture to Frank Lloyd for "Cavalcade"

1937 Scientific Oscar to Farciot Edouart

1938 First Special Effects Oscar to Farciot Edouart for "Spawn of the North"

1939 Cinematography to Gregg Toland for "Wuthering Heights"

1941 Best Screenplay to Herman Mankiewicz for "Citizen Kane"

1941 Best Picture to Darryl F. Zanuck for "How Green Was My Valley"

1942 Special Effects to Farciot Edouart for "Reap the Wild Wind"

1943 Best Supporting Actor to Charles Coburn for "The More the Merrier"

1946 Film Editing to Daniel Mandell for "Best Years of Our Lives"

1946 Best Music to Hugo Friedhofer for "Best Years of Our Lives"

1946 Art Direction to Paul Groesse for "The Yearling"

1946 Cinematography to Leonard Smith, Charles Rosher and Arthur Arling for "The Yearling"

1947 Best Actor to Ronald Colman for "A Double Life"

1949 Art Direction to Paul Groesse for "Little Women"

HBO Documentary Series to Focus on War Journalists

Director Michael Mann (“Heat,” “The Insider”) will work with HBO on a documentary series about the lives of combat photographers, according to The New York Times.

"HBO said on Tuesday that it had ordered a nonfiction series titled 'Witness' that will be produced by Mr. Mann and David Frankham, a director of commercials and documentaries, and that will focus on young photojournalists in conflict zones in Mexico, Libya, Uganda and Brazil," the story says.

Mann, who directed the pilot episode of HBO's “Luck” and serves as an executive producer of that series, said: “David Frankham and I share an admiration for combat photography that captures the universal -- and sometimes the indescribable -- in a single frame in the midst of chaos and danger.”

Singer's Tattoo Gets Concert Canceled

A popular singer has had a concert canceled because of a tattoo, BBC News reports. A publicity photo for R&B singer Erykah Badu appears to show the word “Allah” in Arabic tattooed on her shoulders, and that was too much for officials in the Malaysian capital city of Kuala Lumpur, where she was scheduled to perform.

Malaysia’s Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry canceled the show after a Malaysian newspaper published the publicity shot. The country has a Muslim majority, and in the past has warned international artists to dress modestly during their concerts in the country.

The story notes: “Tattoos are forbidden in Islam and using the word ‘Allah’ in a way deemed disrespectful offends many Muslims.”

The Malaysian ministry said it was not aware of Badu’s tattoos when it originally gave approval for the show. But some Muslims in the country protested after the photo appeared in the newspaper The Star.

The story reports: “Information Minister Rais Yatim said a government committee had decided to cancel the show because Ms. Badu's body art was ‘an insult to Islam and a very serious offence.’”

Erykah Badu publicity photo

McCain Weighs In on HBO's 'Game Change' as Premiere Looms

Sen. John McCain made it clear he’s not a fan of HBO’s upcoming movie about his failed 2008 presidential campaign -- even though he hasn’t seen the film.

TheWrap.com reports that McCain says he will not be watching "Game Change," which stars Ed Harris as McCain and Julianne Moore as McCain's running mate Sarah Palin. The movie premieres March 10 on HBO.

At a campaign event Monday for current Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, McCain said, "This new movie that comes out, (people) ask me if I'm gonna watch it. I tell them it'll be a cold day in Gila Bend, Arizona."

Palin has also denounced the film in advance of seeing it, prompting an HBO statement: "The events depicted in 'Game Change' have been thoroughly sourced by not only [John] Heilemann and [Mark] Halperin’s bestselling book, but also through our own research including extensive first person interviews with those involved with the campaign. HBO has a long track record of producing fact-based dramas, and our mantra has always been, 'get the story right.' We stand by our movie and we hope that people will withhold any judgment until they have viewed the film."

FX Sets Date, Slots Sheen's 'Anger Management' as Part of Thursday Night Comedy Block; Russell Brand Series Also on Tap

Charlie Sheen's sitcom "Anger Management" and Russell Brand's series "Strangely Uplifting" will bookend a two-and-a-half-hour comedy block on FX starting June 28, reports Deadline.com. Also included in the lineup will be returning comedies "Louie" and "Wilfred."

"Anger Management" will kick off with two episodes at 9 p.m. ET. In subsequent weeks the previous week's show will air at 9 followed by a new show at 9:30 p.m.

"Wilfred" will air at 10 p.m., followed by "Louie" at 10:30 p.m.

Brand's "Strangely Uplifting" will air at 11 p.m., with Brand sharing his unusual take on current events, politics and pop culture. The program will be shot before a live audience and will feature interaction between the often outrageous Russell and the audience.

At Closing Bell the Dow Was at 13,005 -- First Time the Stock Market Has Closed Above the Magical 13,000 Mark Since 2008

The Dow Jones industrial average of 30 stocks broke through the 13,000 level today, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2012, and stayed there through the closing bell, something that last happened on May 19, 2008, reports The New York Times.

According to the story, "As it did twice last week and on Monday, the Dow poked through the 13,000 level in intraday trading on Tuesday but then dropped back down toward the end of the day before a final surge that pushed it up to about 13,005."

The story adds, "It was a day marked by a handful of economic reports that were generally positive. The Conference Board’s measure of consumer confidence registered a 12-month high of 70.8 this month, a reflection presumably of continued improvement in labor market conditions, economists from Capital Economics said in a research note. Home prices, however, have fallen, with the 20-city Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index declining 4 percent in December year-over-year. Durable goods orders fell 4 percent in January, but aircraft orders accounted for much of the drag. "

The Times also notes that " 'Thirteen thousand is not so very important technically as it is emotionally, simply because it is not 12,000,' Dan McMahon, the head of equity trading at Raymond James & Associates, said earlier Tuesday. 'It is on the way to 14,000. It is kind of a landmark on the way. The market has rallied significantly since the October lows and everything seems to be trending in the right direction,' Mr. McMahon added. 'We are waiting for the next catalyst.'

"Mr. McMahon said a better barometer for the market in general was the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index, which measures the broader market, and has already hit its own precrisis levels."

CW Orders Perez Hilton Show

The CW network has picked up two episodes of "Perez Hilton Superfan," to be shown as specials on the channel, reports Deadline.com. The celebrity blogger hosts the program, in which he interviews stars.

UK's ITV2 originally commissioned the series and ordered four shows. The CW has acquire two of the four -- one featuring Lady Gaga and one with Katy Perry.

The show comes from Chris Coelen’s Kinetic Content, Scotland-based STV Prods., GroupM Entertainment and The Collective. Coelen, Hilton, Alan Clements, Richard Foster, Tony Moulsdale, Steven Grossman, Jennifer Danska and Matilda Zoltowski executive produce "Superfan."

Cablevision Posts Steep Profit Decline After Spinning Off AMC

The nation’s fifth-largest cable provider announced a steep decline in profit for the fourth quarter, Fox Business reports.

Profit for Cablevision fell 47%, reflecting the loss of the company’s cable-networks division, including AMC, which was spun off last year. The New York-based company did have some good news, retaining more customers than expected.

Cablevision lost 14,000 video customers from the previous quarter, offset by the addition of 20,000 high-speed data customers and 31,000 voice subscribers, the story reports. Its telecommunications business totaled 3.61 million customers at year’s end, off 11,000 from the end of Q3.

Cablevision stock has fallen about 45% in the past year.

The story notes: “In recent trading, Cablevision shares declined 9.5% to $14.16, amid worries about the company's ability to gain additional market share and offset ongoing increases in programming costs. Concerns about Cablevision's operating business and leadership have also mounted in recent months, following the unexpected departure of its well-respected Chief Operating Officer Tom Rutledge late last year.”

The company said during a conference call with analysts that CFO Gregg Seibert and CEO James Dolan would assume Rutledge’s duties for the “foreseeable future.” The firm would not comment on why Rutledge left, the story reports.

Cablevision’s fourth-quarter profit was $60.6 million (22 cents per share), down from $113.9 million (38 cents a share) a year ago.

'Beaking Bad' Villain Joins NBC Project

An actor known for his recent run as a bad guy on AMC’s “Breaking Bad” has signed on with an NBC pilot, Deadline.com reports.

Giancarlo Esposito, who had an electrifying turn as Gus Fring on "Breaking Bad," joins the J.J. Abrams/Eric Kripke pilot "Revolution," the story reports. Esposito is currently recurring on ABC's "Once Upon a Time," and is known for his film roles in “The Usual Suspects,” “School Daze” and other movies.

“Revolution” has sci-fi overtones, with a premise in which all forms of energy have ceased to exist worldwide and a group of people struggle to find a way to reach their loved ones. Esposito will play a military man, Captain Neville -- a Southern gentleman and tough soldier who may not be exactly what he seems to be.

Feature director Jon Favreau ("Elf," "Iron Man") is directing the pilot.

MSNBC Tops CNN in Prime Time

Even with CNN’s ratings getting a bump in February from a Republican presidential debate and the death of pop superstar Whitney Houston, MSNBC topped CNN in the prime-time ratings for February.

MSNBC reported that it averaged 988,000 total viewers in weekday prime time for the month, to 804,000 for CNN.

MSNBC also saw growth in its morning lineup, which was up by 11% year-to-year during the month in the key news demo of viewers 25-54.

This Sucks: The Oscar- and Emmy-Winning Creator, Showrunner and Head Writer of Popular Series Stepping Down From Day-to-Day Duties on the Show

The Oscar-winning and Emmy-winning creator, showrunner and head writer of a popular TV series is stepping down from his day-to-day duties on the show, reports the New York Times' Arts Beat blog.

According to the article, "Alan Ball, the television producer and screenwriter who has helped imbue the supernatural drama 'True Blood' with its sex-saturated bite, is preparing to say fangs for the memories to that hit HBO series. The cable network announced on Monday night that Mr. Ball, who won an Academy Award for writing 'American Beauty' and an Emmy for directing the pilot episode of his HBO series 'Six Feet Under,' would not remain the showrunner of 'True Blood' for a possible sixth season."

In a statement, HBO said: "When we extended our overall deal with Alan Ball in July 2011, we always intended that if we proceeded to ‘True Blood’s’ sixth season that Alan would take a supervisory role on the series and not be the day-to-day showrunner. If we proceed to season six, the show will remain in the very capable hands of the talented team of writers and producers who have been with the show for a number of years. This is the best possible world for both HBO and Alan Ball. Alan will remain available as executive producer to consult and advise on ‘True Blood’ and he will be free to develop new shows for both HBO and Cinemax.”

Notes the Arts Beat story: " 'True Blood,' which is adapted from Charlaine Harris’s best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels, has completed its fourth season and is preparing for its fifth; HBO has not officially announced a sixth season. That the network would not renew the popular show -- which often draws more than 5 million viewers for new episodes -- seems unthinkable."

Ball -- who early in his career worked briefly for the now defunct MediaWeek trade magazine -- is executive producing the upcoming Cinemax series “Banshee,” which is set to begin production this spring.

By the way, a tip of the TVWeek cap to MTV News, from whom we borrowed the "This Sucks" part of our headline. Also, Forbes was the first media outlet to report this story, with a headline that began "Tired Blood?" noting that Ball was leaving the day-to-day responsibilites of the show because he is exhausted.

TV's Urkel, Eight-Time Grammy Winner, Tennis Superstar and 'The View' Co-Host Among the 12 Contestants Just Announced for ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars'

After months of speculation, the lineup for season 14 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” has been revealed, MSNBC reports.

Controversial NFL player Tim Tebow, the subject of weeks of rumors, is NOT on the list, the story notes. But the list of 12 celebrities includes Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” along with Jaleel White, who was uber-nerd Steve Urkel in “Family Matters.”

Also in the lineup are tennis superstar Martina Navratilova and eight-time Grammy winner Gladys Knight. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Donald Driver is also on board, as is “Melrose Place” and “General Hospital” actor Jack Wagner.

Singer-songwriter Gavin DeGraw, Disney Channel star Roshon Fegan and “Extra” host Maria Menounos also will participate, as will “The View” co-host Sherri Shepherd, actor and former model William Levy and Welsh pop singer Katherine Jenkins.

Season 14 premieres March 19.

Cast Churn Continues for NBC's 'The Office'

On-screen personnel changes continue for NBC’s “The Office,” where repercussions are still being felt from the departure of Steve Carell. James Spader, who joined the show as part of the transition from Carell, won’t be back next season, Time reports.

Additional changes may also be in order. The story reports: “Mindy Kaling has a sitcom deal that may sweep her away. Whether John Krasinski is staying around remains an open issue. Rainn Wilson is staying on, but NBC is planning a spinoff for his character Dwight as soon as next midseason.”

There’s little suspense about whether the show will be back for season nine. Even with the lineup changes, it has been doing better in the ratings than any other NBC comedy, the story notes. The report does suggest the possibility that the Rainn Wilson spinoff might eventually replace the current version of “The Office.”

The fate of “The Office,” the story suggests, may ultimately have more to do with economics than art.

The piece notes: “Business considerations at struggling NBC will take precedence. The question is what kind of show ‘The Office’ can and should become -- a question ‘The Office’ is already ostensibly dealing with, but not very effectively or decisively.”

Sean Young Speaks Out About Her Arrest at Oscars Bash

Actress Sean Young wants the Motion Picture Academy to apologize for an incident that resulted in her arrest on the night of the Oscars, CBS News reports.

As we reported previously, the “No Way Out” and “Blade Runner” star was booked Sunday night on a misdemeanor battery charge after a confrontation with security at the Governors Ball, the Academy’s official post-Oscars party.

The actress posted an entry today on her Facebook page about the incident, writing: "Waiting on word from The Academy on a public apology. I think they have figured out it was in fact [their] security guards fault and may indeed feel they should issue an apology to me. I will keep you posted."

Young, 52, was released early Monday after a few hours in jail, reportedly after posting $20,000 bail.

On her Facebook page, she wrote: "I just want everyone to know that I was sober, extremely well behaved when a very stupid security guard went postal on me and then The Academy's very stupid lawyer recommended a 'private person's arrest' and I have grounds for a lawsuit against the Academy although I believe a public apology to me would be much better. I am OK and I have the Hollywood Police Stations support who very carefully and kindly photographed the bruises on my arms which this guard is responsible for doing."

'Sex and the City' Prequel Casts Young Carrie Bradshaw

The producers of the “Sex and the City” prequel “The Carrie Diaries” have found their young Carrie Bradshaw, E! Online reports. The choice part goes to film actress AnnaSophia Robb.

Robb, 18, already has a substantial film resume, including appearances in “Bridge to Terabithia,” “Race to Witch Mountain” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” She will appear in the “Diaries” pilot on the CW, based on the Candace Bushnell book.

The story notes: “In the new hourlong dramedy, we will see Carrie in the '80s, asking her ‘first questions’ about love, sex and friendship. (So you know, a bit more network-appropriate given that she has yet to meet Samantha.)”

The older version of Carrie was played by Sarah Jessica Parker in the original HBO series.

AnnaSophia Robb

Justin Bieber Sued by 'Joustin' Beaver' Video Game

Pop star Justin Bieber is embroiled in a legal beef with the maker of a sound-alike video game that says it has the First Amendment on its side, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Bieber’s camp served notice two weeks ago with a cease-and-desist letter to Android app maker RC3 over the game “Joustin’ Beaver,” the story notes. Bieber’s position appears to be that the game infringes the singer’s trademark and publicity rights.

But RC3 pre-empted any subsequent legal action by Bieber’s side by filing its own suit. The lawsuit admits that the game is aimed at Bieber’s popularity.

According to the report, the suit states: "In an effort to comment upon the Defendant's life, the Plaintiff, RC3 developed the aforementioned App entitled ‘Joustin' Beaver.’ The App, a video game, is a parody of the commercial success of the Defendant and any celebrity. The parody app portrays a beaver floating on a log down a river. The beaver presents with bangs, a lance, and a purple sweater. The beaver knocks 'Phot-Hogs' that are attempting to take his photograph into the river with his lance. The beaver also signs 'Otter-graphs.' The beaver also must dodge the 'whirlpool of success,' which will lead beaver out of control, while navigating the river."

The story reports: “By claiming that the game is a comment on Bieber's life and also invoking ‘parody,’ the game company hopes to convince a judge it has a First Amendment right to use the teen pop star's intellectual property.”

The report notes that the parties negotiated after Bieber’s side submitted the cease-and-desist letter, but wer unable to reach an agreement.

Workers Picket Cable Series in Fight Over Unionization

A group of workers representing two unions picketed Monday in Burbank, Calif, in a show of support for crew members from the cable series “1000 Ways to Die,” the Los Angeles Times reports in its Company Town blog.

The story reports: “The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Teamsters Local 399 organized picket lines Monday morning outside the Burbank production office of Original Productions, the producer of the Spike TV show. ‘1000 Ways to Die’ has become the latest flash point in an effort by Hollywood's leading unions to extend contracts to the rapidly growing cable TV sector.”

The unions say the show fired about 30 crew members last week after they voted to join the unions. The unanimous vote was part of an effort to obtain health and pension benefits along with collective bargaining rights, the story reports.

Steve Dayan, business agent for Teamsters Local 399, told the paper: “This is a successful show. They’re making money and they’re doing it on the backs of this crew.”

Teamsters Local 399 represents location managers, casting directors and drivers, the story notes.

George Lopez, Whose Self-Titled Sitcom Continues to Perform Well in Syndication, Is in Talks for a New Sitcom With Non-Traditional Production Plan

George Lopez, who hosted a talk show on TBS and previously starred in the comedy “George Lopez” on ABC, is in talks with Debmar-Mercury for a return to television as the star of a new sitcom, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Debmar-Mercury is also producing Charlie Sheen's upcoming “Anger Management” and produces the Tyler Perry sitcoms that have been seen on TBS.

Says the article, "The plan for a Lopez-centered sitcom, which has been brewing for many months, will operate like [these other Debmar-Mercury sitcoms] with an initial 10 episode order. If the project, which Lopez will co-create, hits a certain ratings threshold, an additional 90 will be ordered." With 100 episodes then in the can, the show would be ready-built for syndication.

Lopez’s previous sitcom, which ran on ABC from 2002 to 2007, has performed well in syndication, the story notes. That show was a family-themed sitcom. No word on the subject of Lopez's new sitcom.

Lucy Liu to Play Sherlock Holmes Sidekick -- a Female Watson -- in CBS Project

CBS's updated and tweaked-out version of Sherlock Holmes will include Lucy Liu, who is set to play Holmes' sidekick Watson -- Joan Watson -- in the drama pilot “Elementary,” Deadline.com reports.

The story reports: “The project, written by Robert Doherty, is set in present day and stars Jonny Lee Miller as eccentric Brit Sherlock Holmes, a former consultant to Scotland Yard whose addiction problems led him to a rehab center in New York City. Just out of rehab, Holmes now lives in Brooklyn with ‘sober companion’ Joan Watson (Liu), a former surgeon who lost her license after a patient died, while consulting for the NYPD.”

The pilot is being directed by Michael Cuesta, with CBS TV Studios and Timberman/Beverly producing, the story notes.

Fox Continues to Tweak Lineup, Places New Kiefer Sutherland Drama in Choice Slot

A new Fox drama starring Kiefer Sutherland will have a strong lead-in after it makes its official midseason bow March 22 in the network’s Thursday lineup at 9 p.m., leading out of “American Idol," TVLine reports.

“Touch” was well-received when it aired a sneak peek over the winter, the story notes. Now Fox is shuffling the lineup, which has already been in flux, in part to give the Sutherland series its best chance.

Clearing the way for “Touch,” “Bones” will play out its seventh season on Mondays at 8 p.m. starting April 2, the story notes.

“House” will be back at 9 p.m. starting April 2, for the runup to the series finale. A “House” retrospective will air Monday, May 21, at 8 p.m., leading in to the finale.

The spring finale for Fox’s “The Finder” is set for March 8, with the season to resume at a later date that has not been announced yet.

The story adds: “’Alcatraz,’ as previously announced, will continue with all-new episodes throughout March, including a double helping on March 5 and a two-hour season finale on March 26.”

Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr. Takes Lead in Fox Pilot

Cuba Gooding Jr., who won an Oscar in 1997 for “Jerry Maguire," will star in an upcoming pilot. If the project gets a series order, it would mark Gooding’s first regular series role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Gooding will star in an upcoming Fox legal drama from well-known TV show creator Greg Berlanti called "Guilty." 

According to the article, “’Guilty’ centers on William ‘Billy’ Remz (Gooding), an ethically questionable defense attorney who has been stripped of his license to practice law after being falsely convicted of fraud. He uses unorthodox techniques to solve cases he's been banned from handling -- and exacts revenge upon those who set him up.”

Also appearing in the pilot are Eva Amurri Martino and Julian Morris. McG directs.

NBC Still Trying to Find the Right Spot for 'Rock Center'

"Rock Center with Brian Williams" is still looking for a niche in the NBC schedule and will be moved for the second time in a month to a new time slot, reports TVNewser.com.

"Rock Center" will air Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET beginning March 7. That's a move from the 9 p.m. slot on Wednesdays, after the newsmagazine debuted on Monday nights.

The move is not permanent. Starting April 11, "Rock Center" will return to 9 p.m. ET Wednesdays.

In last week's outing, "Rock Center" reached just 2.6 million viewers, an all-time low.

Millions Thought They Saw a J.Lo Nipple on the Oscars, Making Her Presentation the Most Repeated Clip on TiVo; Here's the Clip, With Two Reporters Dissecting What We Saw

News Veteran Tops List of America's Favorite Current Affairs Personalities; Then There's Least Favorite -- With a Runaway Winner

A new Harris poll lists the country’s favorite current affairs personalities, and topping the list is a familiar face in broadcast news, TVNewser.com reports.

ABC News veteran Diane Sawyer comes in at No. 1 in the survey, the story reports, with 23% of respondents naming her as one of their top three. Second on the list is CNN’s Anderson Cooper, named by 19%, with NBC’s Brian Williams also coming in at 19%.

Rounding out the top five are Bill O’Reilly and Barbara Walters, both at 15%. The rest of the top 10 consists of George Stephanopoulos (14%), Matt Lauer (13%), Katie Couric (13%), Rush Limbaugh (9%) and Sean Hannity (9%).

Two of the top 10 personalities also made the list of the three least favorite. Coming in at No. 1 on that list by a wide margin is Limbaugh, at 46%, followed by O’Reilly at 31%. Third least favorite is Nancy Grace at 23%.

Details Emerge About Arrest of Actress at Oscars Party

Details are surfacing about what happened at the Governors Ball after Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony that led to the arrest of actress Sean Young.

As we reported previously, the star known for her roles in “No Way Out,” “Blade Runner” and other movies was booked on misdemeanor battery after an alleged confrontation with security at the Motion Picture Academy’s official post-Oscars soiree.

Now TMZ.com reports that Young was apparently near the entrance to the Governors Ball, taking photos, when security discovered that she didn’t have a ticket and requested that she leave. TMZ reports: “We're told Sean left but came back shortly thereafter, and when security asked her to leave again, a guard may have placed his hand on her arm when Sean allegedly slapped him. She was then placed under citizen's arrest for battery.”

The story notes that shortly before her arrest, Young posed for photos at the event with Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock and other stars.

Must Watch: Jimmy Kimmel's Funny Post-Oscars Pitch to Oprah for Shows She Should Put on OWN

It's Now Written in Black & White: Oscarcast Draws 1.4 Million More Viewers Than Last Year

Updated overnight Nielsen ratings for Sunday night confirm what the metered market returns, reported earlier, hinted at: The Oscars did better this year than last, ABC noted in a press release..

Total viewership averaged 39.3 million for the broadcast, up 4% from last year’s final tally of 37.9 million, according to what is referred to as Nielsen's "Fast National" ratings. Many observers had predicted the number would decline because of poor box office figures for the contending movies.

In the key 18-49 demographic, viewership was the same as in last year's Fast Nationals, an average rating of 11.7. Last year that number increased to 11.8 in the final numbers.

Here's ABC's full Oscar ratings release:

February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012 – Based on Nielsen’s True Fast National Ratings

Surging Year to Year by 1.4 Million Viewers and Topping 3 of its Last 4 Telecasts, ABC’s “Academy Awards” Broadcast Draws its 2nd-Biggest Audience Since 2007

ABC’s “Oscar” Sunday Programming Reaches an Estimated
76.0 Million Unique Television Viewers Across the United States

Audience for Network’s “Oscar” Multiplatform Experience Jumps 42%
Year to Year, Drawing 10.2 Million Visitors to “Oscar.com” and the “Oscar App”

The “84th Annual Academy Awards” (8:30-11:24 p.m.)

ABC’s broadcast of the “84th Annual Academy Awards” attracted an average audience of 39.3 million Total Viewers and posted an 11.7 rating among Adults 18-49, based on Nielsen’s “Fast National” ratings. The 2012 “Oscars” stand as ABC’s most-watched telecast in 2 years – since 3/7/10.

Surging year to year by 1.4 million viewers (39.3 million vs. 37.9 million) and outdrawing 3 of its last 4 telecasts, the “Academy Awards” attracted its 2nd-largest audience since 2007 – since 2/25/07. In addition, the “Oscar” telecast retained 100% of its year-ago Fast National Adult 18-49 rating (11.7 rating) and increased its delivery among Women 18-49 (14.1 rating vs. 13.9 rating).

With the “Oscar’s Red Carpet Live” pre-show, the “Academy Awards” telecast and “Jimmy Kimmel Live: After the Academy Awards,” ABC’s “Oscar” programming on Sunday reached an estimated 76.0 million unique television viewers across the U.S. – unduplicated Viewers 2+ watching 6-minutes or more during the broadcast.

Across TV and digital platforms, audiences consumed more than 8.5 billion minutes of ABC’s “Academy Awards”-themed programming on “Oscar” Sunday – cumulative number of minutes viewed across platforms of ABC’s “Oscar” programming on February 26, 2012.

Online: “Oscar.com” and “Oscar App”

“Oscar.com” and the “Oscar App” experienced tremendous year-over-year growth. The number of visitors to “Oscar.com” since the nomination announcement (10.2 million) surged 42% over 2011, and the “Oscar App” was downloaded 370,000 times, an incredible 1154% jump over 2011. On “Oscar” Sunday alone, 4 million people visited “Oscar.com” or used an “Oscar App.”

Star of 'Xena, Warrior Princess' Arrested

Actress Lucy Lawless, best known as the star of the television series "Xena: Warrior Princess," was arrested in New Zealand while taking part in a Greenpeace protest, reports New York Magazine.

Lawless and other activists were reportedly arrested after boarding an oil rig set to go on an Arctic oil drilling expedition. The protesters, including Lawless, reportedly scaled a 174-foot drilling tower during their four-day occupation of the vessel, with Lawless live-tweeting about the protest over the weekend.

The protest apparently came to an end Monday with the arrest by New Zealand authorities of Lawless and the other protesters.

Lawless is a native New Zealander, the story notes.

'The Artist' Takes Top Honors at 84th Annual Academy Awards; See the Complete List of Winners

The silent movie “The Artist” was the big winner Sunday night at the 84th annual Academy Awards, taking home a total of five trophies including best picture, best director and best actor.

Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” also scored five Oscars, despite being shut out in the top categories. Meryl Streep won her third Oscar, for best actress, in “The Iron Lady.”

Michel Hazanavicius, director of “The Artist,” was the winner in the directing category, while “The Artist’s” Jean Dujardin won best actor.

Woody Allen won best original screenplay for “Midnight in Paris.”

Best supporting actor went to Christopher Plummer for "Beginners," while Octavia Spencer won best supporting actress for "The Help."

Click here to see the complete list of winners.

Sacha Baron Cohen's 'Dictator' Shows Up at Oscars After All, Pulls Red Carpet Stunt at Ryan Seacrest's Expense. Seacrest Clearly Not Happy About It

After a showdown between the Motion Picture Academy and actor Sacha Baron Cohen in the days leading up to the Oscars, the Academy’s worst fears came true when Cohen showed up on the Oscars red carpet in character, MTV News reports.

As previously reported, the Academy tried to refuse permission to Cohen to appear in character, fearing he might hijack the event to promote his upcoming movie “The Dictator.” However, an agreement was apparently reached, as Cohen’s Admiral General Aladeen did the red carpet walk -- complete with an urn purported to contain the ashes of Kim Jong Il.

Below is a video showing what happened when Ryan Seacrest caught up with Aladeen.

Watching the E! red carpet show live Sunday night, as the evening wore on and Seacrest interviewed other stars, it was clear he was not pleased with being the target of Cohen's prank.

Oscar Ratings Surprise

Preliminary ratings for Sunday night’s Academy Awards telecast showed that the ABC telecast was on track to improve on last year’s Oscar ratings, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

The news comes as a bit of a surprise considering that box office numbers for the nominated movies were down in 2011.

Time zone-adjusted ratings are due later today, but ABC announced household results from the 56 metered markets and numbers for the 18-49 demo in Nielsen’s Local People Meter markets. The show averaged a 25.5 household rating and 38 share, up from a 24.5/37 for the telecast a year ago.

In viewers 18-49, Sunday’s broadcast delivered a preliminary 14.3 average rating in LPM markets.

The network reported that the top five markets in terms of household rating were New York, with a 36.9 average household rating, Chicago (33.8), West Palm (32.5), Los Angeles (31.9) and Boston (31.9).

Actress Arrested at Governors Ball

A well-known actress was arrested at the official post-Oscars party after she allegedly got into a physical confrontation with a security guard, TMZ.com reports.

Sean Young, known for her roles in "Blade Runner," “No Way Out,” "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and other movies, was placed under citizen’s arrest by security at the Governors Ball before being taken into custody by LAPD officers, the story reports. The Governors Ball is the Motion Picture Academy's official post-Oscars event.

Young was reportedly booked on misdemeanor battery, and was released a few hours later.

TMZ later posted video in which the actress commented on her arrest and expressed unhappiness with the Academy.

Here’s the clip.

CBS, Discovery Among Suitors in Sale of Cable Net

CBS Corp. and Discovery Communications are among the media heavyweights that have shown an interest in buying the TV Guide Network and its companion site, the New York Post reports.

Also joining in the bidding is Andrew Nikou, founder of TV Guide magazine owner Open Gate Capital, according to the report.

The cable channel’s owners, Lionsgate Entertainment and One Equity Partners, hired investment bank Moelis in January to oversee the possible sale of the network, the story notes. The TVGuide.com website has been up for sale since last year.

The channel reportedly could go for as much as $350 million, with the website valued at closer to $50 million, the story says.

The report adds: “Discovery’s cable channels include Animal Planet and TLC in addition to the flagship Discovery Channel. Beyond premium channel Showtime, however, CBS has far less exposure to the cable business.”

Both Discovery and CBS declined to comment for the report.

Film Icon's Grandson to Star in TV Project

The grandson of one of the legends of Hollywood will star in a television project, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Ethan Peck, the grandson of Oscar winner Gregory Peck, will star opposite Aimee Teegarden of “Friday Night Lights” in the CW pilot “The Selection.”

The futuristic drama project, described as similar to “Hunger Games,” is based on an upcoming book series by Kiera Cass. “The Vampire Diaries'” Elizabeth Craft and Sarah Finn will exec produce the pilot for Warner Bros. Television, the story reports.

Ethan Peck, 25, previously had a recurring role on ABC Family’s "10 Things I Hate About You."

His grandfather, Gregory Peck, won an Oscar for “To Kill a Mockingbird” in 1963, and also received the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. He was nominated four other times for best actor, for “Twelve O’Clock High” (1949), “Gentleman’s Agreement” (1947), “The Yearling” (1946) and “The Keys of the Kingdom” (1944).

National Cable Ad Sales Grow, Continuing Upward Trend

National cable ad sales rose during 2011, continuing an upward trend, according to figures from the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau.

Multichannel News reports that combined sales for national cable networks were $22.1 billion, up 7.8% from $20.5 billion during the previous year.

The 2010 figure represented a hefty 18.1% increase from $18.7 billion in 2009, the story reports.

The story adds: “CAB attributes the uptick to growth during the upfront selling season for the 2011-12 TV year, strength in the scatter market and the industry's continued commitment to original programming.”

CAB President and CEO Sean Cunningham said in a statement: "In staying close to agencies and advertisers throughout 2010 and 2011 we knew cable's role as primary driver in the media plan and marketing mix would increase to new heights. Agencies wanted details on original programming, cable's ratings strengths by programming/target genres, and proof points around the cable brands' multi-screen vitality -- all of which are measures that the cable nets thrive in."

Ryan Seacrest Reacts to Being Target of 'Dictator' Prank on Red Carpet

After getting the “ashes of Kim Jong Il” dumped on him on the Oscars red carpet by Sacha Baron Cohen’s character from “The Dictator,” Ryan Seacrest revealed that he was concerned something like that might happen when he interviewed “Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen.”

But he said he was definitely not in on the prank, the New York Daily News reports.

Seacrest said today on his radio show: "I remember before the show, whoever makes that movie franchise, they called the office and said, 'Hey would you guys be interested in “The Dictator”?’ And we said sure, that's fine. When we said yes, in the back of my head, I'm thinking this guy is coming as 'The Dictator,' and not to do something, to what extent, I don't know, but to not do something ..."

Then Seacrest became the punch line to Cohen’s joke, as previously reported, with Cohen shouting out as he was being hustled away by security that Seacrest could tell people he was wearing Kim Jong Il.

Seacrest said he survived the prank by having another jacket handy.

"My mom told me as a young 'Live from the Red Carpet' reporter, she said, you always want to make sure if you can that you have two jackets. You never know what's going to happen, you never know what you're going to spill on yourself," he said, according to the Daily News story. "And you want to be red carpet ready at all times because that's your job, to be red carpet ready at all times because you're a red carpet host. So I had another jacket."

During the interview, Seacrest had a feeling it was going too smoothly. "[Cohen] comes over and I ask him a couple of questions and, you know when in your gut, you're like, 'Something is going too normally'? It just didn't seem like he would put all that on to just answer a couple of questions," Seacrest said, according to the report.

Video of the prank can be seen by clicking here.

Rising Programming Costs Push Charter Communications to Higher Q4 Loss Than Expected

Citing increased programming costs, Charter Communications reported worse-than-expected losses for the fourth quarter, Deadline.com reports.

The cable company posted a net loss of $67 million for Q4, the story reports. That figure is down from an $85 million loss one year ago, the story says.

Charter's revenues were $1.83 billion, up 2.8%. But the company reported an increase of $31 million in programming costs, attributable in part to the addition of HD services and the NFL Network.

The adjusted net loss of 63 cents a share "far exceeded the 32-cent loss that analysts forecast," the story reports.

The company's video subscribers fell by 45,500 in the quarter, the story says, to around 4.1 million. That represented an improvement from the fourth quarter of 2010, when Charter lost 62,200 subscribers.

The story notes that the subscriber loss is offset by increases in broadband and phone subscriptions.

WEtv Greenlights Show

WEtv has greenlighted an original series, placing an initial order for eight episodes, B&C reports. The one-hour show, "Hair Divas: Hollywood," comes from 3 Ball Productions/Eyeworks USA.

The reality show will follow celebrity stylist Kim Kimble as she works with clients, handles her line of products and manages her Hollywood salon. The series is set to premiere Thursday, June 7, at 9 p.m., the story reports.

Kim Martin, president and general manager of WEtv, said: "This new series will further strengthen our Thursday night lineup, which we've scheduled to super-serve African-American women who are looking for entertaining stories about relatable and interesting characters.”

Singer Settles for Almost $1 Million in Phone-Hacking Case

A popular singer has agreed to settle her claim against News Corp.’s British tabloid News of the World in connection with the paper’s phone-hacking scandal, The Guardian reports.

Charlotte Church and her parents, Maria and James, have reached a settlement of £600,000, or about $950,000, in the case, the paper reports.

Half of that figure will pay the legal costs, according to The Guardian, with the remaining half divided among the singer and her parents.

According to a statement read at the high court in London, Church's voicemails were targeted numerous times over several years and the now-defunct newspaper "unlawfully obtained" and published "private medical information" about Church and her mother after a suicide attempt by Church’s mother, the story reports.

Video: Best Moments From the 2012 Oscars

Mark Your Own Choices On This Printable Oscar Ballot . Or If You're Going to a Party and Really Have No Idea Who'll WIn, We're Also Offering Another, Separate Printable Ballot That Has Those Who We Here at TVWeek Think Will Win Already Checked Off

[NOTE: IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE PRINTING OUT EITHER BALLOT, ONCE THE BALLOT APPEARS ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN JUST HIT CONTROL P.]

It's time for the Oscars, and we've got your last minute printable ballot. It lists all the nominees and categoriies, and you can just check who you think will win. To get the ballot, click on this pdf: ballotright.pdf.

Now, we're also offering a separate ballot this year. It's the same ballot as above, but it comes with our TVWeek picks of all the winners. This is for those who may not really have any idea who may win, but want to play along anyway.

To download the ballot that has who we think will win already checked off, please cllick on the following pdf: filled out Oscar ballot001.pdf

MTV Cancels Series

MTV has pulled the plug on a series after just one season, reports Deadline.com. There will be no second season of the David Gordon Green animated comedy program “Good Vibes.”

The cancellation comes after the network has been struggling to develop a strategy to continue the show, which has been airing as part of a block with “Beavis and Butt-Head.” Ultimately the network determined that “Vibes” didn’t have a broad enough audience to earn another season even though MTV was reportedly happy with its creative direction.

The series was initially headed for Fox back in 2008, but the broadcast net eventually took a pass on it and MTV gave it the go-ahead in 2010.

Controversial Ad Campaign to Debut During Oscars

A major advertising campaign that sparked a high-profile controversy in recent weeks is headed for a high-profile debut, TV Guide reports. The campaign features Ellen DeGeneres as the new spokesperson for JC Penney.

The campaign will roll out with five new commercials during Sunday’s Academy Awards, the story says. As previously reported, the decision by JC Penney to hire DeGeneres sparked an outcry from the group One Million Moms, which was upset because DeGeneres is gay.

The group has called for the retailer to fire DeGeneres, but JC Penney has stood firm. One prominent TV personality who came out in support of DeGeneres -- in a move that surprised many -- was Bill O’Reilly. Click here to see a video of O’Reilly’s outspoken comments.

Martin Lawrence Comedy Pilot Gets Green Light

In a move that is expected to be the last pilot order of the season, a multicamera comedy starring Martin Lawrence has been given the green light by CBS, Deadline.com reports.

The story reports: “The project, written by Mike Lisbe and Nate Reger and produced by CBS TV Studios, stars Lawrence as a widowed father of two teenagers who, after losing his job in construction, decides to go to the police academy and become a cop at the age of 46.”

Executive producers include Lisbe and Reger, along with Lawrence’s managers, Michael Green and Sam Maydew from The Collective, the story notes.

'Big Bang Theory' Continues to Surge While 'American Idol' Sputters

The battle for Thursday night supremacy between CBS and Fox continues to be one of the most compelling ratings fights of the season, with the two networks settling for a draw last night in the key 18-49 demo.

TVbytheNumbers.com reports that both networks wound up with 3.2 average ratings in viewers 18-49 for the night, finishing ahead of ABC (2.3 average) and NBC (1.6). Total viewers went to CBS with 13.7 million to 10.8 million for Fox, followed by ABC with 6.8 million and NBC with 3.3 million.

The CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” won its head-to-head battle at 8 p.m. with Fox’s once-dominant “American Idol,” averaging a 5.2 rating in 18-49 to “Idol’s” 4.0 for the half-hour. The full hour broadcast of “Idol” managed a 4.4, but that was down 14% from a week ago and off a whopping 39% from a year earlier, the story notes. “Big Bang,” in contrast, was up a tenth of a point from last week.

CBS also got a strong performance from “Person of Interest” at 9 p.m., with the drama rising three tenths from a week earlier to a 3.1 average in 18-49, tying it for the first time this season with its time-slot competition on ABC, “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The bad news for CBS came at 10 p.m., when “The Mentalist” slipped 7% to tie its season low with a 2.5 rating in viewers 18-49 -- still good enough to win the hour over ABC’s “Private Practice” (2.2) and a repeat of NBC’s “Grimm” (0.9).

Next Big-Screen James Bond Installment Goes to Even Bigger Screen

The next James Bond movie will break new ground for the wildly successful spy series, TheWrap.com reports. For the first time in series history, the movie will get the IMAX treatment, the story says.

“Skyfall” is set to open internationally in IMAX theaters Oct. 26, with its U.S. release set for Nov. 9. As we reported previously, the movie will feature a new Bond Girl, played by Berenice Marlohe. It will be directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes.

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond, marking his third entry in the series. Judi Dench is also back as M. Also in the cast are Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris.

Star of '300,' 'Phantom of the Opera' in Rehab

A film, television and stage actor known for his roles in movies including “300” and “The Phantom of the Opera” has reportedly been in rehab, according to TMZ.com.

Gerard Butler, who played King Leonidas in the 2006 release “300,” reportedly checked himself into the Betty Ford Center three weeks ago in an attempt to head off full-blown addiction to prescription drugs. He was expected to leave the center today.

The story reports: “Butler's problems were triggered by the physical demands of shooting ‘300’ in 2006. We're told the actor began struggling with pain management, and the problem became exacerbated while filming ‘Of Men and Mavericks,’ when Butler was badly hurt on December 18 during a surfing accident.”

Butler has also reportedly struggled with cocaine use, the story notes.

Beatles Songs Find a New Platform

The music of the Beatles is being made available for the first time on a popular digital platform, Rolling Stone reports. Thanks to a deal with iTunes the songs are now being sold as ringtones.

The 30-second ringtones are selling for $1.29 each, the story reports.

Beatles songs have been available on iTunes since November 2010, something that took years of negotiations to achieve, the report notes.

The story adds that the Beatles “may have waited too long to get in the ringtone business, as the market has been in decline since smartphones and ringtone-making apps have become more popular.”

'Biggest Loser' Contestants Pay a Price for Walking Off Set

NBC's "The Biggest Loser" has eliminated two contestants who walked off the set in protest, reports TMZ.com. The story doesn't say which contestants have been let go from the show.

As previously reported, the remaining contestants on the weight-loss competition walked off after learning the producers were considering bringing back previous competitors.

Production has resumed since the walk-off, with producers considering using the mutiny as a twist in the show, the story adds.

NBC has declined to comment, according to the article.

'Saturday Night Live' Cast Member Lands Lead in Fox Pilot -- Which Could Mean an End to 'SNL' Run

A "Saturday Night Live" cast member has been cast in a lead role in a Fox comedy pilot -- which may mean the end is near for her run on the NBC comedy show, reports TVLine.com.

Abby Elliott will play a single mom in "Ben Fox Is My Manny," in which her character hires her brother to help raise her daughter, the story says. If the project is picked up to series, Elliott will have to leave "SNL," the story says.

Elliott is known for her “SNL” impersonations of Khloe Kardashian, Angelina Jolie and others, the story notes.

Popular 'Dancing with the Stars' Instructor Says He Hasn't Been Asked Back Yet

A popular "Dancing with the Stars" instructor said he hasn't yet received a call inviting him back to the show, according to ETOnline.com.

"I still don’t know if I’m on the show," Maksim Chmerkovskiy said, according to the article. "I would still not tell you if I did but I'm not lying to you. I didn't get the call yet."

"Dancing with the Stars" returns to ABC on March 19. The network said contestants for the new season will be announced on "Good Morning America" on Feb. 28.

'She Was Not Ambushed': Barbara Walters Defends Star Jones Interview

"The View" co-host Barbara Walters defended her interview with former co-host Star Jones, reports the New York Post's Page Six.

Walters and co-host Joy Behar questioned Jones about her controversial departure from "The View" in 2006, as well as her weight-loss surgery.

As previously reported, Jones asked Walters, "Are we really going to go here, Barbara?"

"She was not ambushed," Walters told the Post. “I invited Star to be on the show, and there were no questions that she said she would not answer except about her marriage to Al [Reynolds],” due to legal reasons, she added, according to the story.

Jones told the Post that she was "really glad to return to the ‘View’ couch" and to have a chance to advocate for heart health, which was the reason for her appearance on the program, the story notes.

Video: Sacha Baron Cohen Responds to Motion Picture Academy

Sacha Baron Cohen, appearing as his character from the movie “The Dictator,” expressed outrage about the character’s exclusion from the Oscars ceremony, TMZ.com reports.

In a video statement, the character, General Aladeen, warns the Motion Picture Academy of “unimaginable consequences” if it refuses to grant him tickets to the event.

As we reported previously, the Academy is concerned about Cohen’s track record of pulling high-profile stunts and has taken a stance against allowing him to appear in character on the red carpet.

Here’s the video:

Bill Maher Makes $1 Million Political Donation

Bill Maher capped off his live comedy special "CrazyStupidPolitics: Live from Silicon Valley," which streamed on Yahoo, by announcing that he was making a $1 million donation to President Barack Obama's Super PAC, Deadline.com reports. The announcement was made complete with the presentation of an oversize check.

The donation comes when Obama's support from Hollywood has been declining, the article points out. Maher’s pledge was made to Priorities USA Action, Obama's Super PAC, the piece adds.

Maher’s publicist told the publication that Maher said having Barack Obama in office, rather than any of the Republican candidates, is “worth a million dollars” and said “this is the wisest investment I think I could make,” the story reports.

Ad Strategy by Chrysler and Chipotle Tests Networks' Patience

An unusual television advertising strategy being used by Chrysler and Chipotle Mexican Grill appears to be testing the patience of the TV networks. With the marketers airing two-minute commercials, the question remains whether networks will bite, reports Brian Steinberg in Advertising Age.

Chrysler has aired two-minute ads for two years running in the Super Bowl, while Chipotle recently aired a 2 minute, 15-second ad during CBS's broadcast of the Grammys, the story says. Chipotle bought five consecutive 30-second spots to make the ad work, the article adds.

"Keep in mind that a two-minute ad costs a fortune compared to its slimmed-down, contemporary 30-second counterpart. And not every ad message or creative idea warrants an extension beyond the norm," Steinberg writes.

"Of course, a TV network could charge a premium for putting a two-minute ad into its schedule, but that could make the cost even more prohibitive. For now, it would seem, there are too few ad ideas and too little demand to contemplate a TV world filled with these commercial mega-blocks," Steinberg adds.

Howard Stern Says He Was 'Downright Compassionate' During 'America's Got Talent' Auditions

Shock jock Howard Stern said he was "downright compassionate" at times during the first auditions for the NBC competition show "America's Got Talent,” which were held in Los Angeles, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

"You don't want to be a stereotype as a judge," Stern said, according to the story. "You don't want to be, 'Oh, you're replacing Piers; you've got to be the mean guy, or you've got to be the guy that always hits the buzzer.' I have no preconceived notion, and I've got news for you: If you go in there and watch this taping, it is insane."

Stern's role on the show has sparked objections from the Parents Television Council, with the group raising concerns because of Stern's use of profanity on his radio show.

Stern said he had some bite during the auditions, however. "I buzzed a 9-year-old kid. The kid was adorable, but I did it -- man, you've got to do it. I said, 'Look, you're cute, you're adorable, but, goodness gracious, you don't belong on "America's Got Talent," ' “ Stern said, according to the piece.

FX Renews Animated Series

FX has renewed a popular animated show and signed an overall deal with a number of people behind the show, reports New York Magazine's Vulture blog.

FX extended "Archer" to a fourth season, although it could stick around for longer than that, according to the story. The network signed an overall deal with creator Adam Reed, executive producer Matt Thompson and animation studio Floyd County Productions, the story says. The agreement is for two years, with an option to extend for an additional two, the piece adds.

The fourth-season order is for 13 new episodes.

'Downton Abbey' Delivers Ratings Surge for PBS

The second season of the British period drama "Downton Abbey" brought a ratings surge for PBS, with the show’s season finale giving the network its highest rating since the debut of a Ken Burns documentary in 2009, reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

"Downton Abbey" averaged 5.4 million viewers for the finale on Sunday night, the story notes. That was the highest rating for a PBS program since Ken Burns' "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" in September 2009, the story notes.

The season average for the second edition of the program doubled PBS's average prime-time rating, the piece adds.

The third season of the drama is currently being filmed and will include Shirley MacLaine as the American mother of Lady Grantham, the article notes.

Lily Tomlin Joins Comedy Project

Emmy Award-winning comedian Lily Tomlin has been tapped to co-star in an upcoming comedy pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

Tomlin will play the mother of Reba McEntire's character in the ABC project from McEntire, the story says. The project stars McEntire as a woman who moves to Malibu from Nashville after her rock star husband cheats on her and spends most of their money, the piece adds.

Tomlin's TV credits include roles on "The West Wing" and "Will & Grace." She has a long string of Emmy nominations for writing and acting, and has taken home the award four times -- including winning the Emmy in 1974 for "Lily," which aired on CBS, and in 1981 for "Lily: Sold Out," also on CBS. She was nominated in 2010 for her guest performance in “Damages.”

She also has an Academy Award nomination, for her performance in the 1975 movie “Nashville.”

Hundreds of Blockbuster Stores to Be Shuttered by Dish

Hundreds of Blockbuster video stores will be closed by Dish Network, as it seeks to eliminate underperforming retail locations or those that have inflexible landlords, reports B&C.

The company reportedly plans to close 500 stores.

"Our goal is to reach a steady state store count, so that we can leverage with our current pay TV business and our future wireless enterprise, similar to the way we incorporated Blockbuster homes, by mail and streaming services, into our pay TV business," Dish Chief Executive Joe Clayton said.

The closures would mark the second round of closings for Blockbuster stores since Dish bought the company. In July, Dish shut down about 200 locations, the story notes. The video-rental chain currently has 1,500 retail stores in the U.S.

CMT Announces Early Renewals for Two New Series

CMT has picked up two freshman series for second seasons, Deadline.com reports. The cable network will bring back "Bayou Billionaires" and "My Big Redneck Vacation," the story reports.

Both shows debuted in January and have been putting up big numbers, becoming the two highest-rated original series in CMT's history.

In a statement, network EVP Jayson Dinsmore, said, “'Bayou Billionaires' and 'My Big Redneck Vacation' with Tom Arnold have energized Saturday nights on CMT and become runaway hits for the network."

The first-season finales for both programs are set to air March 31.

Academy Clarifies Stance on Whether Sacha Baron Cohen Can Attend Oscars

After widespread media reports that the Motion Picture Academy had banned actor Sacha Baron Cohen from attending the Academy Awards ceremony, the Academy has clarified its position, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

As we reported earlier, Cohen was said to have had his tickets revoked by the Academy -- in effect, banning him from the event -- after the Academy got wind of his plan to appear on the red carpet as his character from his upcoming movie “The Dictator.” But the Academy says that’s not what happened.

A spokesperson for the Academy told THR: "We haven't banned him. We're just waiting to hear what he's going to do."

The Academy continues to express its determination not to allow Cohen to pull a promotional stunt for the movie.

Cohen has been expected to attend as part of the contingent representing Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” which is nominated for best picture and 10 other Oscars. Cohen has a substantial role in the movie as the station inspector.

THR reports that Paramount, the studio behind both “Hugo” and “The Dictator,” has been notified by the Academy that it wants to know what Cohen has planned for Oscars night.

The Academy spokesperson told THR “We don’t think it’s appropriate,” referring to the prospect of a promotional stunt by Cohen. The spokesperson added: “We’re waiting to hear back.”

The story notes: “Cohen has a history of using awards shows and other big events to hype his movies. To help launch ‘Borat’ in 2006, Cohen arrived at the Toronto International Film Festival dressed up as his TV journalist alter ego, riding a wagon pulled by ‘Kazakhstani peasant women.’ At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, he came as gay fashionista Bruno (to promote ‘Bruno’).”

What's Different About JK Rowling's New Book Deal?

The author of the mega-selling “Harry Potter” series has a new book deal, and it has one big difference from the “Potter” books, The Huffington Post reports.

JK Rowling’s next book will be aimed at adults.

The story reports: “The writer behind the wildly popular ‘Harry Potter’ series has finalized a deal with Little, Brown for her forthcoming novel, which will be available both in print and e-books. This will mark a departure from her previous publishers, Bloomsbury in the UK and Scholastic in the U.S.”

Details about the new project have not been released.

Rowling said in a press release: "The freedom to explore new territory is a gift that Harry's success has brought me, and with that new territory it seemed a logical progression to have a new publisher.”

Hollywood Dresses Up to Honor Those Who Dress Up Hollywood

It's the one night of the year when costume designers in film and television get more glory than the actors who wear their creations, and TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin was on hand to size up the Costume Designers Guild Awards.

Click here to read Hillary’s account of how Jane Lynch dazzled, veteran designer Lou Eyrich basked and Clint Eastwood and his longtime costumer Deborah Hopper stole the spotlight.

ABC Posts Ratings Gains as 'Modern Family' Trounces 'American Idol' in Viewers 18-34

ABC posted ratings improvement Wednesday night over its year-ago numbers for the third week in a row in total viewers (up 3%) and adults 18-49 (up 4%), and was the only broadcast network to post year-to-year improvement in the 18-49 demo, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

The network came in second for the night to Fox in the 18-34 demo, with ABC’s “Modern Family” beating Fox’s “American Idol” by a best-ever 27% in adults 18-34. The ABC sitcom was the top show of the night in women 18-34, men 18-34 and men 18-49.

“The Middle” also performed well for ABC, beating CBS’s “Survivor” by 23% in adults 18-34.

'Kennedy Center Honors' to Stay at CBS

After 40 years with CBS, The Kennedy Center Honors signed a deal to remain with the network through 2018, reports Deadline.com. The agreement between the network and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts ensures that the awards continue to be a televised event.

In a statement, CBS Corp. President and CEO Leslie Moonves, said, “The Kennedy Center Honors continues to be one of the most prestigious broadcasts on all of television, and we are honored to be its host. It is a unique event that reinforces our country’s collective appreciation for the performing arts with tremendous class, style and, yes, entertainment.”

The annual special broadcast blends music, dance and celebrity in honoring the greatest artists in America. Last year's broadcast won the Emmy Award as outstanding variety, musical or comedy special for the third straight year.

Actor Known for 'Seinfeld' Role Clings to Life After Suicide Attempt; 911 Call: 'I've Shot Myself in the Head'

A veteran TV and film actor known for roles on “Seinfeld” and “Malcolm in the Middle” was fighting for his life in an Ohio hospital after an apparent suicide attempt, TMZ.com reports.

Daniel von Bargen, 61, who played Mr. Kruger in a recurring role on “Seinfeld” and Commandant Spangler on “Malcolm in the Middle,” reportedly was in critical condition Wednesday after shooting himself in the head.

Daniel von Bargen

Von Bargen was able to call 911 after the shooting, telling the operator that he decided to shoot himself rather than go to the hospital to have some toes amputated, the result of diabetes, the story says. Cincinnati law enforcement officials appeared at his apartment complex, and the actor was taken to a nearby hospital, the piece adds.

A Wikipedia entry about von Bargen said that he already has had one leg amputated as a result of his diabetes.

Von Bargen appeared most recently on television in “Law & Order,” and has earlier credits that include “The West Wing,” “Ally McBeal” and “Without a Trace.” On the big screen he has acted in “Super Troopers,” “Crimson Tide,” “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” and many other films.

TMZ posted von Bargen's 911 call, which can be heard here:

Actor From Top Oscar Contender Reportedly Banned From the Academy Awards

An actor who stars in of one of the top Oscar contenders has reportedly been banned from attending the Academy Awards ceremony, according to Deadline.com.

Sacha Baron Cohen had his tickets pulled by the Motion Picture Academy, according to the report. Cohen plays the station inspector, a key role in Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo,” which is up for 11 Oscars. The Academy wants assurances that Cohen won’t appear in character, according to the story.

Cohen has courted controversy in the past with roles such as Borat on the big screen and his earlier TV incarnation as Ali G. The Academy appears to be concerned that this time he will strut the red carpet in full costume as the character from his upcoming movie "The Dictator," the story notes.

Without those assurances, the Academy has refused to issue him tickets to attend, the report adds.

A source at Paramount, which is distributing “The Dictator,” told the publication: “Unless they’re assured that nothing entertaining is going to happen on the red carpet, the Academy is not admitting Sacha Baron Cohen to the show.”

"The Dictator" is a comedy that depicts a Middle Eastern leader who fights to make sure his country never becomes a democracy, the piece notes.

The Oscars will be broadcast this Sunday, Feb. 26, on ABC.

Sacha Baron Cohen as ‘The Dictator’

Cocaine Now Suspected in Death of 'Amazing Race' Producer

Cocaine is now reportedly suspected as the cause of death for a freelance producer on "The Amazing Race" who was found dead in his hotel room, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

As previously reported, poisoning was initially reported as the cause after Jeff Rice was found dead in a Uganda hotel room. Rice, 39, is now believed to have suffered a drug overdose, the story notes.

His assistant, Katheryne Fuller, was found unconscious in the room and is recovering, the piece adds.

"[We] do not believe this was any type of food poisoning. Again, we are still investigating and will know much more when we can talk to Ms. Fuller," said Uganda Police Force spokesman Asuman Mugenyi, according to the piece.

Rice previously worked on shows including "Whale Wars" and "Destination Truth."

Veteran Stage, Film and TV Actor Dies

An actor who was a key figure in the “blaxploitation” films of the 1970s and later earned honors for his work on the stage has died, The New York Times reports. Dick Anthony Williams, who also worked steadily in television for more than three decades, was 77.

Williams was a regular on the ABC series "Homefront" in the 1990s, and played Malcolm X in the 1978 NBC miniseries "King," the story says.

He was also a prolific actor on the stage and appeared in blaxploitation films in the 1970s, such as the 1973 movie "The Mack," which starred Richard Pryor. In that film, his character, Pretty Tony, was a pimp armed with a sword-cane, the story notes.

Williams won the 1974 Drama Desk Award for his work on the stage in “What the Wine-Sellers Buy,” which also earned him a Tony Award nomination. He was nominated for a Tony and a Drama Desk Award in 1975 for “Black Picture Show.”

His many film appearances included “Dog Day Afternoon,” “The Jerk,” “Mo’ Better Blues” and “Edward Scissorhands.” On the small screen, he was seen in “Dragnet,” “Ironside,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Cagney & Lacey,” “L.A. Law,” “The X-Files,” “NYPD Blue” and many other series.

Dick Anthony Williams

Google Wants to Offer TV Service in Kansas City, Challenging Cable -- Model for Rest of Country?

"Google Inc. has sent its clearest signal yet that it’s positioning itself to sell TV service in Kansas City and challenge cable service head-on," reports the Kansas City Star.

The article continues, "The company’s subsidiary, Google Fiber, recently filed applications in Missouri and Kansas to operate a video service. So besides bringing fastest-in-the-country home Internet service to Kansas City, the search and advertising behemoth also intends to compete with cable companies on TV service."

The story adds, "In the Kansas application, Google said it would use 'national and regional video headend facilities' -- essentially programming collection points -- 'to send IPTV' -- a television-over-Internet technology like that used in AT&T’s Uverse -- 'across a private (Internet protocol) network to subscribers.'

"The key now, analysts say, is whether Google can corral enough sportscasts and high-end TV programming to lure customers. To accomplish that, Google will have to challenge Hollywood studios’ alliances with traditional distributors such as satellite television and cable operators. Time Warner Cable is the dominant distributor in Kansas City, although satellite services and Uverse have made recent inroads."

The Time magazine version of this story notes, " 'Google’s decision to enter the video market is perhaps best viewed as an experiment in video delivery and package,' Sanford C. Bernstein analysts Carlos Kirjner and Craig Moffett wrote in a note to clients Tuesday, 'but perhaps also as an admission that their original proposal of a broadband-only business model is not economically viable.' Indeed, if Google is going to go to the trouble of building out a new fiber network, it makes sense to bundle additional services beyond broadband Internet, and pay TV is an obvious choice."

Video: Rising Price of Gas Caught Live on Evening News

Call it a coincidence or serendipity, while airing a segment on ABC's "World News with Diane Sawyer" about rising gas prices, the price of a gallon of gas jumped 10 cents, reports TVNewswer.com.

Reporter Cecilia Vega was doing a live shot in front of a Los Angeles gas station where at the start of the piece, gas was $4.99 a gallon. Two minutes later in the story, the price had been changed to $5.09. Vega commented to Sawyer about the hike, "It is almost too unbelievable to believe."

Here's the video:

Video: Star Jones, Back on 'The View,' Talks About Her 'Ugly' Departure From Show

Star Jones, who returned to "The View" to raise awareness of heart disease in women, was asked by host Barbara Walters to talk about the circumstances around her departure from the show, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

"Are we really going to go here, Barbara? Do we care at this point, my sister? I honestly don't," Jones asked, when Walters began talking about her departure. After Jones was told in 2006 that her contract wouldn't be renewed, she surprised her co-hosts by announcing her departure on air and left the next day, the story notes.

"It was ugly," Jones said. "It was a bad emotional time. Nasty things were being said in the media. ... I made the decision that I wanted to go out on my own terms."

Walters added that the co-hosts were "trying to protect" Jones.

Here’s the video:

Struggle Continues for Interactive TV Ads: Cable Industry's Canoe Consortium Pulls Plug on Initiative, Lays Off 120

An initiative set up by the cable industry is abandoning efforts to develop interactive television commercials via set-top boxes, reports Advertising Age. The consortium Canoe Ventures will lay off 120 employees, the story reports.

The firm's New York office will close, the piece adds. Following the shuttering of that unit, Canoe will focus on finding ways to advertise beside video-on-demand content, the story says.

"Canoe's bump is a sign of just how fleeting the promise of so-called interactive advertising has become. Once heralded as one of the technologies that would make TV ads more valuable even as audiences for TV content splintered, ITV has been hard to master," the story points out.

Peter O'Malley Reportedly -- and Surprisingly -- Drops Out of Bidding for L.A. Dodgers; His Storied Family Owned the Dodgers for Half a Century Before Selling the Team to News Corp. in 1998

"Peter O'Malley has withdrawn his bid to buy the Dodgers, two people familiar with the sale process said," reports Bill Shaikin in the Los Angeles Times.

The story adds, "According to one of the people, O'Malley was concerned he might not win the bidding even if he made the highest offer. O'Malley, 74, publicly called for [Frank] McCourt to sell the Dodgers before Commissioner Bud Selig applied pressure for him to do so. In a September 2010 interview with The Times, with McCourt and his ex-wife in the midst of a highly publicized divorce trial, O'Malley said, 'The current Dodgers ownership has lost all credibility throughout the city.'"

The article notes: "Backed in part by the South Korean conglomerate E-Land, O'Malley was one of 11 bidders to survive the first cut" in the bidding for the team.

Previously, the story says, O'Malley has said: "The Dodgers need to be owned by a small but diverse group of Los Angeles people who understand the culture of the organization and the importance of the Dodgers in this city. If there's a role for me -- temporarily, short term -- to accomplish that, I would devote as much time and energy as necessary."

Peter's father, Walter, who was general counsel for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s, bought into the team in 1950. Walter was instrumental is moving the Dodgers to Los Angeles in 1958, Peter grew up working in the Dodgers organizaton before becoming president of the organizaton in 1970. Walter died in 1979. Peter sold the team to News Corp. in 1998.

'Heroes' Actor Cast in Co-Starring Role in CBS Comedy Pilot

One of the stars of "Heroes" has been cast in a co-starring role in CBS's untitled comedy pilot from Greg Berlanti and Greg Malins, reports Deadline.com.

Greg Grunberg, who previously had a role on the comedy “The Jake Effect,” will be a regular in the show, which is known as "Oh Fuck It’s You."

The series tracks womanizer Nick, who realizes the woman he loves is actually his best friend, Wendy, who is already engaged, the story says. Grunberg will play Wendy's brother Charlie, who is in the middle of a divorce and is also the best friend of Wendy’s fiance, the story adds.

Former Sarah Palin Aide Cries Foul Over HBO's 'Game Change'

A former aide to Sarah Palin discredited the HBO movie “Game Change,” claiming that HBO reneged on a promise to let him fact check the script for the movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film depicts the McCain-Palin presidential campaign four years ago.

Jason Recher, who was a senior adviser and trip director for the campaign, claims that "Game Change" screenwriter Danny Strong asked him early on whether the book the project is based on is accurate, the story notes. "I told him absolutely, unequivocally, it was not,” Recher said, speaking on a conference call, according to the story.

The call was designed to discredit the HBO movie before its March 10 debut, according to the article. Six other Palin aides and advisers joined on the call.

Strong allegedly offered to share the script with Recher, who later called to take him up on the offer, but Strong replied early this month that HBO wouldn't allow him to share the script, Recher said on the conference call, according to the piece.

"It is true that I interviewed Jason Recher to get his side of the story," Strong said in an email, the story says. "I did not offer to show him the script. I did not offer to show him the film. HBO offered to show Gov. Palin the film several weeks ahead of its debut and she declined the offer."

CW Renews 'Next Top Model' -- With a Twist

The CW has renewed "America's Next Top Model," adding a 19th season that will tweak the formula, EW.com's Inside TV blog reports.

Season 19 will be a college edition of the reality staple, the story reports.

The program's 18th cycle is slated to debut on Feb. 29, the report notes. The program, created and hosted by model Tyra Banks, first went on the air in 2003.

Journalist Killed in Syria, Hours After Reporting on CNN About the Dangerous Situation in That Country

Just hours after appearing on CNN's "AC360" to talk about the dangerous situation in Syria, Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin was killed Tuesday, reports TVNewser.com.

The Long Island native had appeared on CNN telling the story of a little boy who had been killed in Syria, one of many deaths she witnessed while working in that part of the world. French photographer Remi Ochlik was also killed Tuesday in the region.

“Syria is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous assignments for foreign journalists, in some respects even more dangerous than Iraq and Afghanistan were,” the story reports.

Here’s a video of Colvin’s final report on CNN:

Sitcom Star Says He Snorted Coke at a White House Correspondents' Dinner

[Updated with correction in headline at 2:20 pm, PT, on 2/22/12. The original headline left out the last two words, "Correspondents' Dinner.' Cross did not say he snorted coke at the White House, but at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, which is not held at the White House itself but at a hotel.]

An actor known for his work in television sitcoms has admitted that he snorted cocaine at a White House Correspondents' dinner, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

David Cross, known for his role on Fox's "Arrested Development" and currently the star of IFC's comedy "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret," said the incident happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2009, the story reports.

Cross was apparently trying to be outrageous and contends that the amount of coke was tiny, but he did make sure that someone witnessed his stunt, which occurred under a table and within 65 feet of President Obama. He shared the story in the March issue of Playboy.

Cross explained, "It was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."

Cross said he was not "ashamed" of his actions, but did regret embarrassing Amber Tamblyn, his fiancee, who received the invitation to the White House. "I was her date, her plus-one, and she got dragged through the mud because of what I did. She had nothing to do with it. And because of that she’ll never be invited to the White House again. That’s not cool."

As previously reported, Cross was in the news last month for poorly received comments about Jews as he recounted his experience working on the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.” Click here to see the video of his controversial appearance on “Conan.”

Comcast Sets Sights on Netflix as Online Video Wars Heat Up; New Service Undercuts Netflix on Price

Comcast is rolling out a new video-on-demand service that could pose problems for Netflix, as competition for digital consumers heats up, Time reports.

Time reports: “The new service, called Xfinity Streampix, will be available to over 20 million Comcast subscribers, and will feature programs from the company’s NBCUniversal subsidiary, as well as other media giants. Comcast’s new service, which launches this week, significantly deepens the company’s library of popular older titles at a time when consumers are increasingly demanding video choices on their own schedule.”

Licensing agreements with Disney-ABC Television Group, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. will contribute to content for the new service, the story notes.

The report adds: “Comcast said the new service will be available for free to Comcast customers who subscribe to many of the company’s triple-play internet-phone-cable packages, and will cost $4.99 per month for customers who subscribe to more basic plans. At that price point, Comcast is undercutting Netflix’s $7.99 streaming-only plan.”

Comcast isn’t the only media company taking aim at Netflix. The story notes: “Comcast’s move to bolster its on-demand offering comes as various large players are jockeying for position to try to take a shot at Netflix, the streaming video leader, with some 22 million subscribers. Amazon is moving into the space with its Prime streaming product, and Verizon recently announced a partnership with Redbox to create a new streaming offering.”

Nickelodeon Confirms Signing 'X Factor' Youngster to Star in Comedy Series; 14-Year-Old Also Lands Record Deal

Nickelodeon has confirmed that it signed a 14-year-old singing sensation who broke out thanks to an appearance on “The X Factor.” We reported earlier that Rachel Crow was closing in on a deal with the network.

Paula Kaplan, Nickelodeon’s Executive Vice President, Talent Strategy and West Coast Operations, announced the overall talent deal with Crow.

Crow also signed a recording contract with Columbia Records/Syco.

Nickelodeon is developing a comedy series as a vehicle for Crow.

Said Crow: “It’s such an honor to be signed to Columbia Records. To think that I am signed to the same label as my idols is a dream come true. I can’t wait to get in the studio and start making music. And I am so excited to now be a part of the Nickelodeon family. I grew up watching Nick, and I’m a huge fan.”

“X Factor’s” Simon Cowell, who mentored Crow during her time on the show, said, “I am incredibly happy for Rachel. This girl has it. We saw her potential at the first audition and Nickelodeon and Columbia are the right homes for her.”

Added Kaplan: “Rachel is an original. She’s funny, genuine and has raw talent and a passion for performing. We’re delighted to be home to her first acting project and think she is poised to join the ranks of our next generation of Nick stars.”

Five-Time Emmy Winner Leaves Millions to UCLA

A five-time Emmy winner who died last year bequeathed a large scholarship fund to the University of California, Los Angeles, reports the AP.

UCLA announced that the $3 million from the late Peter Falk will be used to create the Shera and Peter Falk Lt. Columbo Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Falk won four Emmys for his portrayal of Columbo in the long-running detective series. His first Emmy came in 1962, for “The Dick Powell Theatre.” He died in June 2011 at the age of 83.

The UCLA awards will be given out starting in fall 2012. The scholarship’s focus will be on aiding undergraduates in the field of music, and on students with disabilities and military veterans.

NBC's 'Biggest Loser' Suspends Production After Contestants Walk Off the Set

The remaining contestants on NBC's "Biggest Loser" have reportedly walked off the show and are threatening to quit, reports TMZ.com.

The mutiny happened this week when the contestants learned that the producers were considering bringing back previous contestants to compete, the story notes. The current contestants, to protest that decision, decided together to walk off the show in the middle of shooting an episode, the story says.

The show has shut down production for at least a week, the piece adds. NBC and "The Biggest Loser" didn't immediately respond, the story says.

'Amazing Race' Producer Poisoned to Death

A producer for CBS's "The Amazing Race" was found dead in his hotel room, the apparent victim of a poisoning, reports the Daily Mail.

Jeff Rice was a freelance producer who worked on creating challenges for the CBS show in Africa. His female assistant was also poisoned, and was hospitalized in a coma. The incident took place in Uganda.

Rice and his aide, who were not working for "The Amazing Race" at the time, had apparently had an encounter with local thugs in which Rice refused to give up their belongings.

FoxNews.com reports that Uganda police are still investigating the case.

Rice was an experienced TV producer, having worked on Animal Planet's "Whale Wars" and the South African version of "The Biggest Loser." The current season of "The Amazing Race," which began airing Sunday, included Rice's work.

CBS has not commented on Rice's death. Jerry Bruckheimer Films, which produces "The Amazing Race," told the newspaper it had no knowledge of the incident.

Report: Whitney Houston Had Deadly Drug Cocktail in Her System

The late Whitney Houston had a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol in her system when she died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the New York Post reports. The drugs included Valium and Xanax, according to the report.

The coroner is awaiting final toxicology reports to find out which of the three substances was the major contributing factor in her death, the story notes. While she was found submerged in a bathtub at the hotel, it's believed that her heart stopped beating because of the sedatives and alcohol, not from drowning, the piece adds.

Final results should be available in the next few weeks, according to the article.

Late-Night Talk Show Host Gets Contract Extension

A popular late-night talk show host has had his contract extended until 2014.

A press announcement today said, "TBS has extended the popular late-night series 'Conan' through April 2014, demonstrating the network's solid commitment to the Emmy-nominated show and its host, Conan O'Brien."

The release added, " 'Conan' has enjoyed three consecutive months of audience growth. In January 2012, the show was up 27% in total viewers compared to October 2011, while adults 18-34 were up 18% and adults 18-49 up 21%. Already in February, 'Conan' is showing an additional 12% growth among adults 18-34, 11% among adults 18-49 and 8% among total viewers. In 2012, 'Conan' has averaged 1.1 million viewers, with 407,000 adults 18-34 and 702,000 adults 18-49."

In a statement, O'Brien said, “I am excited to continue my run with TBS because they have been fantastic partners. This means I’ll be taping episodes of 'Conan' well into the Ron Paul presidency.”

The press announcement adds that O'Brien "has amassed 5,020,000 followers on Twitter, more than any other late-night host. Video clips from 'Conan' presented through TeamCoco.com, viral players and YouTube attracted more than 83 million video views in 2011. And the Team Coco Facebook page has drawn more than 1.8 million fans, nearly doubling the page's January 2011 figures."

Oscar Hopeful's Very Special Mentor, and the Best Saturday Afternoon Ever

This story -- which you can read if you click on this sentence -- is told by TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross, and it's most likely not what you expect.

Late-Night Talk Show Loses Director After 17 Years

After 17 years on the job, the director of one of the broadcast channels’ late-night talk shows is exiting the show, Deadline.com reports.

Brian McAloon is leaving CBS’s "The Late Late Show" and its production company, David Letterman’s Worldwide Pants, the story reports.

McAloon was the only person to direct the late-night show, overseeing it through three hosts, the story says. McAloon started off on Letterman's "Late Night" on NBC and moved to "The Late Late Show" in 1995 when it debuted with Tom Snyder as its host, the piece adds.

He directed more than 3,400 episodes in all, including the entire run of Snyder’s successor, Craig Kilborn, according to the story.

He's leaving as current host Craig Ferguson is finalizing a deal to shift to a larger studio. McAloon will be replaced by his longtime assistant director, Tim Mancinelli, the story adds.

Adele Unleashes Her Inner M.I.A., Flips the Bird on Live TV

Singer Adele apparently channeled M.I.A. during a live awards broadcast, flipping the bird after the show cut off her acceptance speech for British Album of the Year Award, reports TheWrap.com.

Adele was speaking Tuesday at the BRIT Awards when she was cut off to make time for Blur's performance at the end of the show, the piece reports. M.I.A. gave the finger during this year's Super Bowl halftime show.

"I was held up with my voice and troubles but the album kept walking without me. I flipped the bird for the suits at the BRITS who cut me off. Sorry if I offended anyone but it was for them, not for the fans," Adele said, according to the story.

Here’s a clip of the incident:

'Heroes' Actor to Star in Frank Darabont TNT Project

Frank Darabont, who executive produced the first season of "The Walking Dead," has cast one of the stars of "Heroes" in a starring role in his TNT drama pilot "L.A. Noir," reports Deadline.com.

“Heroes” alum Milo Ventimiglia will likely join "The Walking Dead" actor Jon Bernthal, who is in negotiations for another lead role on the TNT crime drama, the story notes.

Ventimiglia will play Ned Stax, an ex-Marine who served with Bernthal's character during World War II but who is now a lawyer working for the mob, the story says. The project is based on the book "L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City," the piece adds.

Fox Readying New Show From 'American Idol' Producer

Fox is close to a deal with "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia North America for a new show that's based on a U.K. hit, reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

The network is already casting for a version of the dating show "Take Me Out," which features a single man trying to impress 30 single women standing at lighted podiums, the story says. If they lose interest, the women switch off their lights. If the man survives and avoids a "blackout," the remaining women compete until only one is left, the story adds.

Fox is considering a summer debut, according to the piece. Both Fox and FremantleMedia declined to comment, the story adds.

'X Factor' Contestant May Get Nickelodeon Show

A former contestant on "The X Factor" may get a show on Nickelodeon, reports the New York Post. The television network is working on a comedy pilot for 14-year-old Rachel Crow, the story says.

"We are in the early stages now,” Crow said, according to the story. “We haven’t figured out exactly what we will do with the show yet. I want it to be definitely very ‘Rachel.’ Something that shows who I am and who I want to be.”

Crow will appear in five episodes of Nickelodeon's new comedy program "Fred: The Show,” the story adds. She will sing two songs and play Fred's best friend, with the episodes scheduled to air later this spring, according to the article.

Crow, whose mother was addicted to crack cocaine, finished fifth in "The X Factor" and was a fan favorite, the piece adds.

Google Working on Voice-Controlled Television Remote Control

Google is working on a television remote control that would be activated by voice, allowing consumers to ask the TV to change the channel or seek out a specific program, reports the Los Angeles Times' Technology blog.

Google revealed the plans in a September 2011 supplement to a May 2011 filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the story notes. One example cited in the filing describes a viewer asking his TV, using a remote or a smartphone, when "Seinfeld" is on; the listings for the show then appear on a TV or on the handheld device, the story says.

Google reportedly isn't the only company seeking a voice-controlled TV service, with Apple rumored to be working on a TV product that would use its Siri technology to find TV shows, the piece adds. Microsoft has also been rumored to be creating TVs with its Kinect motion and voice technology built in, the story says.

"A race is underway to allow us to talk to our TVs and for our TVs to talk back," the article notes.

Dennis Quaid in Talks for First TV Series Role

In what would be his first television series role, actor Dennis Quaid is in talks to join an untitled cowboy project at CBS, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Also in talks for the project is Michael Chiklis, who would take his first show role since ABC's "No Ordinary Family" went off the air last year, the story says.

The project is a 1960s period piece about Ralph Lamb, a rodeo cowboy who became a longtime sheriff in Las Vegas, the story notes. Quaid would star, while Chiklis would play a mobster from Chicago who has moved to Las Vegas, the piece adds.

Magic Johnson Launches New Cable Network

Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who led the L.A. Lakers to five NBA championships in the 1980s, has signed a deal with Comcast to launch a new cable network, according to The Hollywood Reporter, citing a Wall Street Journal report.

The network, which targets the African-American community, is called Aspire. The channel is expected to begin broadcasting in Summer 2012.

Johnson sees Aspire as a new BET and promises to build the network over time and invest significantly.

Johnson's deal comes on the heels of news that Comcast is backing the new channel Revolt from Sean "Diddy" Combs, as previously reported.

Comcast today also rolled out plans to launch two English-language channels owned by Latinos, the L.A. Times reports. “One will be owned by film director Robert Rodriguez (‘Spy Kids,’ ‘El Mariachi’) and the other by Spanish-language television veteran Constantino ‘Said’ Schwarz,” the Times reports.

The Times story adds: “El Rey channel will be a joint venture between Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures executives John Fogelman, a former top William Morris Endeavor talent agent, and Cristina Patwa. The channel, which is slated to launch in early 2014, is expected to feature Latino celebrities and producers.”

Spike TV Comedy Series Canceled

The plug has been pulled on a comedy series that has been airing on Spike TV for three seasons, Zap2it.com reports. The series is the Lionsgate-produced "Blue Mountain State," which aired its finale in November.

Viewership fell during the show’s third season, to an average of about 900,000 per episode. Lionsgate considered shopping the show to another outlet after Spike opted out of season four, but the company has decided not to bother.

All together 39 episodes were made -- three season of 13 episodes each. All the actors on the show, including Denise Richards, Darin Brooks and Ed Marinaro, have reportedly been given the go-ahead to move on to other projects.

NBC Announces When 'Community' Is Returning, Along With Three Other Shows

NBC has announced the return of "Community" to its lineup.

It will return Thursday, March 15, 2012, at 8 p.m., the same time the hit "Big Bang Theory" is on CBS.

NBC also announced dates for "Bent," "Best Friends Forever" and "Betty White's Off Their Rockers."

"Bent," a sitcom starring Amanda Peet, comes to NBC on March 21 at 9 p.m. "Best Friends Forever" starts April 4 at 8:30 p.m,. after the Betty White show.

To make room for "Community" on March 15,"30 Rock" will move to 8:30 p.m. "Parks & Recreation" will leave the Thursday lineup and come back April 19.

Lindsay Lohan Lands Another Role -- but There's a Catch

Soon after news broke that Lindsay Lohan will host “Saturday Night Live,” as previously reported, word surfaced that she has landed the role of Elizabeth Taylor in Lifetime’s upcoming TV movie “Liz and Dick,” Access Hollywood reports.

But there’s one catch, according to the report: Lohan has to stay out of legal trouble. The actress is due back in court Wednesday as her probation review continues. She has been doing well with it lately, and her deal with Lifetime reportedly stipulates that she has to continue to do so.

The Lifetime project, which has been in development since May 2011, will be overseen by producer Larry Thompson, the story reports.

The report notes that Lohan “was last seen on the big screen in ‘Machete’ in 2010 and on the small screen in 2009’s TV movie ‘Labor Pains.’”

'Glee' to Break With Its Summer Tradition

Fox’s musical series “Glee” will break with a tradition it has built over the past two summers, Entertainment Weekly reports. The series will not take its show on the road this summer.

“Glee,” which did live tours the past two summers, will instead take a two-and-a-half-month hiatus this year, giving cast members the chance to do other projects.

The producers do hope to stage a single benefit concert, probably at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Bowl, next fall. The event will be a fundraiser for the show’s arts education charity, Glee Give a Note.

The report adds: “To date, ‘Glee’ has not been picked up for a fourth season, so plans for future tours are still uncertain. But while ratings for the cultural phenomenon have declined in its third season, the earnings from last year’s tour were respectable: It was the 16th most successful concert tour of 2011, grossing more than $40 million in arenas across the U.S., Canada, England and Ireland.”

'The Voice' Powers NBC to Another Monday Win

NBC continued to flex its Monday night ratings muscle, getting a strong performance from a two-hour installment of “The Voice” to win the night, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

“The Voice” was down two-tenths from a week ago but still easily finished as the top show of the night with a 5.8 average rating in adults 18-49.

NBC won the night overall with a 4.6 rating in 18-49, ahead of CBS (3.5 average), ABC (2.4) and Fox (2.1). Fox also won total viewers, averaging 12.6 million to top CBS (11.0 million), ABC (8.6 million) and Fox (6.5 million).

NBC’s 10 p.m. show “Smash” continued to slip, down a half-point to a 2.3 average in the 18-49 demo.

CBS’s comedies were generally up, with “How I Met Your Mother” rising 0.4 to a 3.8 average in 18-49; “2 Broke Girls” up two tenths to a 4.0; “Two and a Half Men” climbing two tenths to a 4.1; and “Mike & Molly” even at 3.4.

Fox’s “Alcatraz” lost a tenth of a ratings point , managing only a 1.8 average in adults 18-49. “House” also dropped a tenth, to a 2.3 average.

Price Tag Revealed for CBS Revamp of 'Early Show'

How much did it cost for CBS to remake "The Early Show" into "CBS This Morning"? According to The New York Times, the price tag was about $40 million.

The company took a restructuring charge of about $46 million, mostly related to the show's overhaul, which included shedding the show’s longtime “Early Show” title, the story notes.

The network laid off almost two dozen staff members and moved from a Fifth Avenue studio to a new studio at the CBS News headquarters, the story says. CBS said it expects to recoup the costs in 12 to 18 months, according to the piece.

Troubled Drama at Risk of Cancellation After Weak Turnout for Season Finale

Poor ratings for the finale of a broadcast drama series may lead to the show's cancellation, reports the Los Angeles Times' ShowTracker blog.

Only 3.9 million viewers watched Sunday’s first-season finale of ABC's “Pan Am,” with the broadcast trailing CBS's "CSI: MIami" and NBC’s "Celebrity Apprentice" in its time period in both total viewers and viewers 18 to 49, the story notes. The show pulled a paltry 1.2 average rating in 18-49.

The finale numbers represent a large dropoff from the show's debut, which attracted almost 11 million viewers, the piece points out. ABC declined to comment, according to the article.

ESPN Fires Writer Over Offensive Jeremy Lin Headline

ESPN has fired the overnight headline writer who wrote a headline about Knicks player Jeremy Lin that included the phrase "chink in the armor," reports the New York Daily News.

Additionally, ESPN suspended anchor Max Bretos for using the same phrase, the story notes. “If there is a chink in the armor, where can he improve his game?” Bretos said on Wednesday, with the comment going unnoticed at the time, the piece adds. The anchor didn't appear to be making a pun, the story says.

On Saturday, the phrase was used again in a headline on ESPN that read: "Chink in the Armor: Jeremy Lin’s 9 Turnovers Cost Knicks in Streak-stopping Loss to Hornets," the story says.

The headline writer said it was an "honest mistake," according to a separate story in the NY Daily News. "This had nothing to do with me being cute or punny," said Anthony Federico, who was fired on Sunday.

Lin said he was moving on, according to the piece. "They've apologized and so from my end, I don't care anymore," Lin said. “You have to learn to forgive, and I don't even think that was intentional."

Stephen Colbert, Back on Air, Explains His Sudden TV Absence

Stephen Colbert returned to taping his Comedy Central show Monday and explained his sudden absence from the show last week, noting that he was tending his 91-year-old mother, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"Evidently, having 11 children makes you tough as nails," Colbert said during the show. He shot down rumors that he was absent due to a bid for the presidency, a rehab stint or plastic surgery, according to the story.

Here’s the video:

Trouble at 'Anderson' -- Ratings Woes Are Just the Start of the Problems

"Anderson," the daytime talk show from CNN’s Anderson Cooper, is demonstrating how tough it can be to start a television show, as it copes with middling ratings, staff turnover and format changes, reports David Bauder of the Associated Press.

The show, on the air for six months, ranks behind rival programs featuring Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, Jerry Springer, Maury Povich, Ellen DeGeneres and Kelly Ripa, the story notes. Some questioned whether "Anderson" would have survived without a distribution deal that gives the show's syndicator more desirable network slots in large cities such as New York, the article points out.

"Any show takes time organically to figure out what it is. I think we've made a lot of progress in doing that and I'm really pleased in where the show is and where the show is headed," Cooper said, according to the piece.

"Anderson" has dealt with challenges, including a skateboarding accident that sent a boy into a coma. The producers had asked him to provide footage of himself, raising questions about whether they had encouraged him to take risks, according to the piece. The boy is recovering, the story notes.

Several executives have also left, including the show’s original executive producers. Cooper said turnover is "completely normal" for a new program, the story adds.

"As the show evolves and it becomes more topical and as it changes, different people have different strengths," Cooper said.

Lindsay Lohan Snags High-Profile TV Gig

Headline-grabbing actress Lindsay Lohan is set to make a high-profile TV appearance in a couple of weeks, TheWrap.com reports.

Lohan will host the March 3 installment of NBC’s "Saturday Night Live," according to the report. The musical guest will be Jack White, the story notes.

The hosting job will be Lohan's first on-screen role in months, as the actress has been dealing with legal problems that stem from 2007 and two drunk driving convictions, the piece adds.

Presentation of Writers Guild of America Awards Brings Up Touchy Race Issue; Plus We Have the Complete List of Writers Guild Award Winners

To read TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin's full report on the awards, plase click here.

To go directly to a full list of Writers Guild Award winners, please click here.

Who's the First Actor From Canceled 'House' to Line Up a New TV Job?

The first actor from the canceled Fox staple "House" to line up a new television role will be on a Showtime drama, reports Deadline.com. "House" co-star Peter Jacobson has signed on for a role in the upcoming "Ray Donovan," the story reports.

Jacobson will have a recurring role in the Showtime project if it gets past the pilot stage. The show stars Liev Schreiber as "fixer" Ray, who can make problems go away, the story notes. Jacobson will play Lee Drexler, a wheeler and dealer who taps Ray whenever his clients get into trouble, the piece adds.

Time Warner Cable and MSG Settle Their Differences Amid Excitement Over Knicks Guard Jeremy Lin -- With an Assist From the New York Governor

Time Warner Cable and the MSG Network have ended their impasse, with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo helping to push the agreement -- aided by the excitement over New York Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, reports The New York Times.

Lin's sudden success in the past couple of weeks put more pressure on the companies to resolve their issues, given that Time Warner customers around New York couldn't watch Knicks games without finding a bar or a friend with a different cable or satellite service, the story notes.

Cuomo said the demand from fans "heightened the pressure" on MSG and Time Warner Cable to reach an agreement, which he helped arrange, the story notes. Financial terms weren't announced.

The two sides' tentative deal came in time for Time Warner Cable customers to see the Knicks play the Hornets on Friday on MSG, the piece notes. Unfortunately for New York fans, the Knicks lost to the Hornets, 89-85, with Lin’s nine turnovers -- tying him for the most in a single game in the NBA this season -- offsetting his 26 points and contributing to the team’s first loss since “Linsanity” began.

The Knicks’ loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the team.

Really? 'Rihanna Records Sexually Explicit Songs With Chris Brown 3 Years After Assault' Blares Headline in Us Magazine, Which Also Says They Are Seeing Each Other Again Personally

"Rihanna and Chris Brown are back together in more ways than one," reports Us Weekly magazine, adding, "On Rihanna's 24th birthday Monday, the singer released a full-length version of her song 'Birthday Cake' (from the album 'Talk That Talk') featuring new verses by her abusive ex Brown, 23."

The new, explicit lyrics added by Brown are " 'Girl I wanna _ _ _ _ you right now. Been a long time I been missing your body,' Brown sings on the remix," according to the article.

The Us story contines, "Brown assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna just before the Grammy Awards in 2009. He later pleaded guilty to a felony charge and was sentenced to five years' probation.

"Although Brown is currently dating aspiring model Karrueche Tran, multiple sources confirm to Us Weekly that he and Rihanna have been secretly hooking up over the past year."

When You're in New York, Do You Like Those Taxis That Have TVs? Or Would You Rather Play With Some Taxi-Provided Apple Device During Your Cab Rides in the Big Apple?

Is Apple coming to taxi cabs in the Big Apple?

"Just as New Yorkers have grown used to blaring televisions in the back of taxis, the Taxi and Limousine Commission is considering another electronic option: embedded tablet computers," reports The New York Times.

The article continues, "The commission is weighing a proposal by Square, a mobile payment company based in San Francisco, to replace Taxi TVs in 50 cabs with similarly shaped iPads or other tablets. If approved, the pilot program would allow riders to play computer games and swipe a credit card at any point in the trip. David S. Yassky, the chairman of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, said Square’s technology would open up opportunities for a variety of content and computer applications, like the social network Foursquare, which allows members to note their locations, or games with taxi themes."

Currently Taxi TV in New York presents excerpts of newscasts produced by WNBC and WABC.

Despite Declining Ratings, Oscars Remain a Must-Buy for Marketers

Despite ratings that have declined 15% over the past five years, the Oscars remain a must-buy for advertisers, leading to rising ad rates, reports Adweek.

The average 30-second spot sold for $1.7 million this year, up from $1.5 million last year, the story notes. Hyundai will be a pillar sponsor of the program, joined by Coca-Cola and JCPenney as the show's key advertisers, according to the piece. Each of the three companies spent more than $10 million in last year's Oscar telecast, the story notes.

Other major advertisers will include McDonald's, American Express, Procter & Gamble and Samsung, with companies eager to reach an upscale audience that's also 70% female, the piece adds. The 84th Academy Awards will be telecast on ABC this Sunday, Feb. 26.

Sean Combs Will Challenge MTV With His Own Music Cable Network

Hip-hop mogul Sean Combs is planning to challenge MTV and BET by creating his own music cable channel, which will be called Revolt, reports The New York Times.

Combs was expected to announce his plans this morning, with the network possibly ready to air by year end, according to the article. Revolt is billed as a music and news TV network that will be influenced by social networking sites, the story notes.

Comcast has agreed to carry Revolt on some of its cable systems, although the cable operator declined to comment and it's unclear how many homes the new network will reach, according to the piece. Time Warner Cable has also been in talks about carrying Revolt, with a spokeswoman noting that discussions are continuing, the story adds.

It's unclear what type of on-camera role Combs, the chief executive of Bad Boy Entertainment, would have on Revolt, the article says.

Video: Kevin Costner's Funny, Moving and Very Touching Eulogy For Whitney Houston. We Learn What They Had in Common--Both Grew Up in the Baptist Church. Plus Some Absolutely Wonderful Anecdotes About 'The Bodyguard'

Was One of the Most Popular Film Stars in History a Communist Spy? Newly Released Documents Say the FBI and the Brits' MI5 Tried for Years to Prove It

He is unquestionably one of the most famous stars in the history of movies. And now, new documents show that for years the FBI and Britain's MI5 tried to prove he was a Communist spy and was not born in London with the name Charles Chaplin.

"According to newly released documents, both the FBI and Britain's MI5 spent years trying to determine if [Charlie Chaplin] the star of silent films was actually a Communist born in France..." reports ABC News, adding, "The Americans wanted to see if he was actually born in France under the name Israel Thornstein, and if he was a Communist spy."

According to the article, "On Friday [Feb. 17, 2012], the British National Archives released previously classified documents compiled by MI5 in the 1950s revealing extensive cross-Atlantic surveillance of the British actor for suspected communist ties."

ABC News adds, "Though agents speculated that Chaplin's family might have Russian origins, the MI5 was not able to resolve suspicions about the place of Chaplin's birth. The agency could not find any records of the actor's birth in England under either name. It also said there was 'no evidence that Chaplin's name is or ever has been Israel Thornstein,' or that he had been born in France. While a Washington-based MI5 liaison officer determined that Chaplin had given funds to 'communist front organizations,' the agency also found no reason to believe he was a spy."

The story also explains: "Film historian Matthew Sweet told the AP that rumors about Chaplin's biography had been circulating well before the McCarthy era. The story about a French birthplace apparently originated with a film magazine article from the 1910s that said Chaplin was born while his mother was on tour near Paris."

                                                             Charlie Chaplin

Big Screen Version of 'Perry Mason' Gathers Steam. Robert Downey Jr. Could Star. Co-Creator of a TV Lawyer Series Negotiating to Write the Screenplay

A big screen version of one of the most famous series in the history of TV, "Perry Mason," is gathering momentum.

Robert Downey Jr. "is producing with his wife and partner Susan Downey and their banner Team Downey, along with Robert Cort," according to a story in The Hollywood Reporter, and Downey may star in the film for Warner Bros.

The latest news is that Marc Guggenheim, who "co-created the [TV] legal dramedy 'Eli Stone,' " is negotiating to write the screenplay, the story says. Guggenheim also "co-wrote the 'Green Lantern' movie and is exec producing and co-writing 'Arrow,' CW’s take on DC’s Green Arrow hero," the article says.

Mason, a stunningly successful defense attorney, was first the subject of a series of novels by Erle Stanley Gardner, then a radio series and then, in 1957, a TV series starring Raymond Burr as Mason.

The TV version was a hit in syndication as well, and when TBS got national distribution as a satellite "superstation" and picked up "Perry Mason" reruns, a new generation of viewers became enamored of the show.

Here at TVWeek we only have one question: "How successful can the movie be if everyone already knows the ending -- that Perry Mason will win the case?"

                                          The late Raymond Burr as Perry Mason

TVWeek's Presidents Day Holiday Schedule

Today, Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, is the Presidents Day holiday. TVWeek will not publish on Presidents Day. We will resume our regular publishing schedule on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. We will publish breaking news over the holiday.  

Runup to Whitney Houston Funeral Marked by Controversies on Both Coasts

With attention focused on this weekend’s funeral for pop superstar Whitney Houston, a couple of controversies have flared up -- one on each coast -- the Los Angeles Times reports.

In Houston’s home state of New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie was defending his decision to lower the flags on state government buildings to half-mast on Saturday, the day of the funeral.

At a news briefing on Thursday, Christie said: "I am disturbed by people who believe that because her ultimate demise -- and we don't know what is the cause of her death yet -- but because of her history of substance abuse that somehow she's forfeited the good things that she did in her life. I just reject that on a human level."

Christie, responding to criticism of the decision, also tweeted on the topic, the story reports, posting: "Flag being lowered for her cultural contributions as an artist & New Jerseyan. Her struggles w/substance abuse r a diff topic."

The story also spotlights a controversy on the opposite coast, in Los Angeles. The Times reports that local talk-radio hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampiou were suspended by their station, KFI, for what the radio station called “insensitive and inappropriate comments about the late Whitney Houston."

On the KFI website, the station announced: "KFI AM 640 Management does not condone, support or tolerate statements of this kind," according to the report.

The Times story adds: “The DJs on Wednesday had called Houston a ‘crack ho’ and referred to her as ‘cracked out for 20 years’ -- she'd publicly denied smoking crack -- with Kobylt saying, ‘Then you find out she's dead and it's like, really, it took this long?’”

Kobylt apologized in the station’s statement, according to the report, saying: "We made a mistake, and we accept the station's decision. We used language that was inappropriate, and we sincerely apologize to our listeners and to the family of Ms. Houston.”

The story adds: “KFI host Tim Conway Jr. also was joking about Houston's death during his 7-10 p.m. show Wednesday.”

Kobylt and Chiampiou were expected to return to their KFI show Monday, according to media reports.

Houston's funeral Saturday will be televised, as previously reported.

Veteran Character Actor Dead at 89

A veteran character actor with a long string of television credits, best known as the host and narrator of the Disney Channel series “Welcome to Pooh Corner,” has died, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Laurie Main, 89, died Feb. 8 in Los Angeles, the story reports.

The Australian-born Main had roles in TV series and feature films going back to the 1950s, including guest roles in the early TV shows “The Adventures of Robin Hood” and “The New Adventures of Charlie Chan.” On the big screen he appeared in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” in 1970, “Freaky Friday” in 1976 and “Time After Time” in 1979.

He focused on voice work later in his career, including providing the voice of Dr. Watson in Disney's "The Great Mouse Detective” and doing voices for the 1978 TV movie “Black Beauty” and the 1981 feature film “Tarzan the Ape Man.”

In "On A Clear Day You Can See Forever," he played Barbra Streisand's rich, older husband, Lord Percy, in the regression scenes.

He made guest appearances on a wide range of episodic TV programs, including "Bewitched," "Hogan's Heroes," "Honey West,” “That Girl,” “Ironside,” “Daniel Boone” and “The Partridge Family.”

Laurie Main

Judges on NBC's 'The Voice' Close to Signing for Season 3 -- With Big Bumps in Pay and a Move to Fall

All four judges on NBC's "The Voice" -- Cee-Lo Green, Blake Shelton, Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera -- are are expected to return for season three, reports TheWrap.com.

Aguilera has reportedly already agreed to a deal that will pay her $10 million for the season, while insiders say the three men will double their salaries to about $6 million each.

The official announcement has yet to be made by NBC, which says nothing is final. "The Voice" has been a breakout hit for the network -- one of the few -- since its debut in April 2011.

Insiders are saying that with the assurance of the four stars coming back, NBC will slot "The Voice" in the fall TV schedule to maximize the network's investment. With a fall rollout, "The Voice" would compete with Fox's "The X Factor."

'Friends' Star Lands Role on 'The Good Wife'

One of the stars of “Friends” has signed on for a role on the CBS drama series “The Good Wife,” EW.com reports. The recurring role will have Matthew Perry playing Mike, a “charming Chicago lawyer in charge of an elite panel investigating a suspicious police shooting,” the story reports.

His character will reportedly cause series star Julianna Margulies’ Alicia, who’s on the same panel, to doubt his qualifications. Perry’s debut on the show is set for March 25.

Fox Wins Thursday Night Despite Historically Low Ratings for 'Idol'

On a slow night for the broadcast networks, Fox took a comfortable ratings win in the key demo and total viewers even as its workhorse “American Idol” posted declines, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

“Idol’s” two-hour installment was down 14% in adults 18-49 from the one-hour episode a week earlier, posting a 5.0 average -- the show’s lowest number since its first season, back in 2002. In a head-to-head battle with “The Big Bang Theory,” the first half-hour of “Idol” at 8 p.m. trailed the CBS sitcom’s 5.0 in the demo, managing only a 4.6.

For the night, Fox’s 5.0 average in 18-49 topped CBS (3.3 average), ABC (2.4), Univision (2.2) and NBC (1.4). Fox averaged 16.5 million viewers, more than CBS (13.3 million), ABC (6.8 million), Univision (5.1 million) and NBC (3.1 million).

Most of the broadcast shows were down compared with a week earlier. On CBS, “The Big Bang Theory’s” 5.0 in viewers 18-49 was down 10% from the show’s season high last week. “Rob” was down a tenth to a 3.2, “Person of Interest” was down 12% to a 2.9 and “The Mentalist” fell off 7% to a 2.8.

ABC’s “Wipeout” tied its season low with a 1.5 in the 18-49 demo, while “Grey’s Anatomy” was off an alarming 23% to a 3.1. The good news for ABC came from “Private Practice,” which surged 18% to a 2.6.

NBC had little to cheer about, with series lows in 18-49 for “The Office” (2.2 average), “Parks & Recreation” (1.7) and “Up All Night” (1.5).

Discovery Renews Series, Adds Behind-the-Scenes Specials

Discovery Channel has ordered another season of a series that has been pulling in strong ratings for the cable channel, Multichannel News reports.

The series is the gold-mining show “Gold Rush,” which will return for a third season. The show has been averaging 4.5 million viewers, making it the top show on television on Friday nights in the key 18-49 demo, the story says.

The show’s second-season finale is set for Friday, Feb. 24, after which Discovery will air two behind-the-scenes specials about “Gold Rush” on subsequent Fridays.

Video: Clinton's Surprisingly Frank Conversation With Top Adviser as the Monica Lewinsky Scandal Was Breaking Revealed in Upcoming PBS Show

Janet Jackson in Talks With 'X Factor,' While Two Other Music Stars Are on Cowell's Short List

"The X Factor" is reportedly in early discussions with singer Janet Jackson to join the program, according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

Jackson has reportedly expressed interest in working on the Fox show, but the talks are still in the preliminary stage, the piece notes. The report comes after Anderson Cooper and Jackson talked about the subject, with Jackson noting she's not currently a judge and adding, "But that's all I really think I should say," the story adds.

Simon Cowell has two other singers on his list -- Pink and Katy Perry -- as possible replacements for the show's ousted judges, the story says.

As previously reported, the show recently cleaned house, dumping judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger along with host Steve Jones. Thus far only L.A. Reid is signed for next season.

Dustin Hoffman Says He Was Warned Not to Do TV

Two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman, who is starring in HBO's horse racing drama "Luck," said he was warned by friends and colleagues against going into television, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"People said, 'Oh, no, you're into television!'" Hoffman told the publication. "'It causes divorce, it maims people physically; you knock out so many pages a day… .'"

Hoffman said he was drawn to television partly because shows take many characters seriously, delving into them to make them more than two-dimensional, according to the story.

"Those are three-dimensional characters who are given their time, onscreen, to reveal that dimension," Hoffman said of the characters in "Luck."

Hoffman, 74, said he also took the role because he doesn't get as many scripts as he used to, the piece adds. "Leads are written for guys in their 20s and 30s, and unless you carry a gun or have a signature part like 007, you are not going to get those kinds of parts. Suddenly, you start out hoping to get supporting parts. You feel victorious if you do," he said.

Controversial Former Presidential Candidate Leaves MSNBC in Politically Charged Breakup

A controversial former presidential candidate and opinionated TV host is parting company with cable news channel MSNBC, and political differences have been cited as a factor in the breakup.

Conservative Pat Buchanan is officially leaving the channel after not appearing on it since October, reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog. In an essay he blamed "an incessant clamor from the left" as the reason, according to the story.

“After 10 years, we’ve parted ways with Pat Buchanan. We wish him well," said a spokesman for MSNBC.

Buchanan hadn't appeared since he started promoting his book, “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?,” in which he expressed concerns about the country's demographic changes and described what he called "the end of white America," the piece notes.

Some liberal groups had pressed MSNBC to either fire or sanction Buchanan, citing the statements in his book, according to the article.

Here's Who's Hot This Pilot Season, From Greg Berlanti to Kari Lizer to Scott Ellis and Many Others

Our good friend Nellie Andreeva at Deadline.com has posted a must-read piece today, about who's hot this pilot season.

Andreeva calls them "The Overachievers of This Pilot Season."

On the list are such luminaries as Greg Berlanti. Andreeva notes, "Berlanti and his company Berlanti Prods. sold five projects to the broadcast networks."

Then there's Kari Lizer. Writes Andreeva, "The New Adventures of Old Christine creator ... saw both her NBC and ABC comedy scripts go to pilot."

And Scott Ellis, the director who's taking the helm at three multicamera comedy pilots.

In all, Andreeva singles out 33 individuals and/or companies for her list. We urge you to read the entire article by clicking on the link in the first sentence of this item, above.

NBC Rolls Out Pilot Online for New Show, Ahead of Its Debut on the Network

Ahead of its debut on the network, the pilot for an upcoming NBC show has been released online, reports TheWrap.com. The special release of "Awake" is part of a recent trend toward finding ways to drive audience interest before a show’s premiere, the story notes.

"Awake" is being made available for two weeks before its debut March 1, the story says. The drama stars Jason Isaacs as a detective who wakes up after a car accident to find that he's living in two realities -- one in which his wife survived the crash and a second in which his son survived, the piece adds.

NBC used a similar strategy with "Smash," releasing it online before its debut date.

Online Giants Want a Piece of the Billions of Ad Dollars TV Gets During Its Upfront Season

"In a challenge to television ... Google and its YouTube video site, Yahoo, AOL, online video venture Hulu and Microsoft, will each take a day to present advertisers with marketing opportunities and future video programming," reports The Hollywood Reporter, citing a story in the Wall Street Journal [Note: the WSJ is behind a firewall and may charge you to read its article.]

The THR story says, "Ahead of broadcast TV networks' traditional upfront advertising presentations here in May that show off their fall season schedule, online media giants will in April hold a similar two-week event dubbed Digital Content New Fronts to also tout their content lineup and advertising opportunities"

The THR article adds, "'We need to show there is a new game in town,' said Colin Kinsella, CEO of the North America operations of ad agency Digitas, which came up with the idea for the event. Television advertising spending amounted to $60.7 billion last year, according to research firm eMarketer. Online video ad spending in the U.S. reached only $2.02 billion, but that was up 55 percent from 2010, the Journal highlighted."

Recommended Reading Over the Weekend #1: How the Oreo Conquered China

Nabisco's Oreo is the No. 1 cookie in America.

But as the company found out, you can't just import it into China and expect it to be No. 1 there as well.

In this insightful piece from the smart folks at Natonal Public Radio's Planet Money team, read how the Oreo conquered China. Please click here to read it.

(One of the strategies the article talks about is running commercials in China to teach the Chinese how to dunk Oreos in milk. A copy of that spot is below.)

Recommended Reading Over the Weekend #2: Wonder Dog, or Dr. Lassie. (If This Story Hasn't Already Been Scooped Up by Hollywood, We'd Be Very Surprised)

This recommendation is for a heart-warming story that ran a few weeks ago in The New York Times Magazine.

The Times calls the piece "Wonder Dog."

We call it "Dr. Lassie."

Please click here to read it.

After Two Candidates Decline to Participate, CNN Cancels GOP Debate

After two presidential hopefuls declined to participate in a debate, CNN canceled the Republican primary event that had been scheduled for March 1, reports TVNewser.com.

Mitt Romney and Ron Paul said they wouldn't join the debate, according to the story.

CNN released a statement saying: “Without full participation of all four candidates, CNN will not move forward with the Super Tuesday debate. However, next week, CNN and the Arizona Republican Party will host all four leading contenders for the GOP nomination. That debate will be held in Mesa, Arizona, on February 22 and will be moderated by CNN’s John King.”

'Beauty and the Beast' Reboot Casts Female Lead

A new project based on the late 1980s show “Beauty and the Beast” has cast its “Beauty,” reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

"Smallville" actress Kristin Kreuk, who payed Lana Lang in the CW series, has been tapped for a lead in CW’s reboot, the story reports.

The new "Beauty and the Beast" pilot is based on the CBS show of the same name, which starred Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. Kreuk will play Catherine, a New York homicide detective who becomes friends with Vincent, who was transformed into a beast by an experiment gone awry, the piece adds.

Kristin Kreuk

Fox News Attacks Activist Group, With MSNBC Caught in Crosshairs

A battle between Fox News Channel and the activist group Media Matters for America is heating up, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and Fox News rival MSNBC is being dragged into it.

Media Matters boss David Brock has made no secret of his desire to bring down Fox News, with the group launching the website DropFox.com to help get advertisers to shun the cable news channel.

THR reports that recently “Fox News has been fighting back with ammunition supplied by The Daily Caller, which has been running a multi-part expose on Media Matters that includes allegations that it coordinates its message with the White House, a no-no for a tax-exempt organization that claims to be nonpartisan. Republican lawmakers are already looking into the issue.”

Also among the allegations against Media Matters, the story reports, is a claim that the organization writes scripts for MSNBC -- along with an accusation that Media Matters has created an enemies list designed to embarrass Fox News employees.

Fox host Sean Hannity is quoted in the story responding to news of the enemies list on his show Wednesday: “If they have an enemies list and they collaborate with the White House, does it mean the White House may have an enemies list? By the way, my name was on the list. Shocking.”

Hannity also fired a warning shot at the competition at NBC and MSNBC. THR quotes him saing: “How does NBC get out of this? Because the next installment -- they said it publicly and I spoke to the guys at The Daily Caller -- the next installment is they’re going to show examples: Media Matters wrote this, and this is the script on NBC News.”

Star of Syfy's Longest-Running Series Announces He's Leaving the Show

One of the stars of a hit Syfy show, which has been on the cable network for eight years, announced Wednesday that he’s leaving the show, EW.com reports.

Grant Wilson, a co-lead investigator on the paranormal docu-series “The Ghost Hunters,” made the announcement on the show.

Said Wilson: “It is with mixed emotion that I am announcing my departure from the cast of ‘Ghost Hunters.’ While paranormal investigating has always been and will remain a passion for me, after enjoying nearly eight successful seasons on television, I have made the decision to leave the series in order to focus on other aspects of my personal life.”

Amanda Knox Gets a Staggering Figure for Book Deal

Amanda Knox, who was freed last year from an Italian jail after being imprisoned for four years on murder charges, has signed a book deal with HarperCollins that will pay her close to $4 million, EW.com reports.

Knox, 24, was cleared four months ago of charges that she killed her roommate, Meredith Kercher. Prosecutors in Italy continue to push to keep the case alive, but Knox has since returned home to the U.S. and most observers consider it unlikely that she will be returned to Italy.

Rights to her story, which will be based largely on a diary she kept during her time in prison, became the subject of a bidding war in the publishing industry.

HarperCollins issued a statement saying: “Knox will give a full and unflinching account of the events that led to her arrest in Perugia and her struggles with the complexities of the Italian judicial system. … Aided by journals she kept during her imprisonment, Knox will talk about her harrowing experience at the hands of the Italian police and later prison guards and inmates. She will reveal never before-told details surrounding her case, and describe how she used her inner strength and strong family ties to cope with the most challenging time of her young life.”

Hit TBS Sitcom Gets Order for 35 More Episodes

TBS has ordered an additional 35 episodes of a sitcom that premiered in November and has been the No. 1 show on TV among African-American adults, Deadline.com reports.

The show is "Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse," which tells the story of three couples at different points in their relationships.

In a statement, Michael Wright, head of original programming for TNT and TBS, said: “Tyler Perry’s shows have proven to be a popular draw for TBS on Friday nights. We’re very happy to keep that trend going by ordering more episodes of ‘Tyler Perry’s For Better Or Worse.’”

The show, which is produced by Tyler Perry Studios and distributed by Debmar-Mercury, averaged 2.9 million viewers and 1.6 million adults 18-49 in its 10-episode first season, the story notes.

Popular Comedy Central Show 'Colbert Report' Suspends Production. Report Says Reason is Colbert's Mother is Seriously Ill

[Updated at 7:18 p.m., PT on 2-16-12 to reflect in headline and body of story an update seem on the Huffington Post]

Comedy Central's popular "The Cofbert Report" has suspended production for the week because the mother of host Stephen Colbert is seriously ill, reports the Huffington Post.

The story notes that Colbert's mother is 91.

The show scheduled repeats for Wednesday and Thursday nights; the program doesn't tape on Friday evenings.

“Colbert Report’s” companion show, Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," has twice previously canceled shows at the last minute due to personal reasons: once when Stewart’s second child was born and the second time when a staff member passed away suddenly, according to Third Beat Magazine.

Comedy Central hasn't commented on the cancellation, according to Mediaite.com.

'Monday Night Football' Scales Back, Dumps One of Its Three Announcers

"Monday Night Football" will shift from its traditional three-person team to two announcers, The New York Times reports. The odd man out of the booth is Ron Jaworski, who is being dropped from the program so he can focus on analytical work on other programs, according to the report.

Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico will call the games. The show has used a two-person announcing team for only six seasons of its 42-year history, the story notes. Most recently that was from 2002-05, when Al Michaels and John Madden did the honors, the story notes.

The program started in 1970 on ABC with Keith Jackson, Howard Cosell and Don Meredith.

Jaworski replaced Joe Theismann in 2007, while Gruden came on board in 2009. Gruden, who had been fired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coach, had led that team to a Super Bowl win in 2003.

"Gruden’s comfort in his role led him to dominate the games, moving Jaworski to, at best, a supporting role. Both are game-film wonks, and often sounded as if they were competing with -- and not complementing -- each other," the story notes.

Whitney Houston's Funeral to Be Broadcast; Star-Studded Guest List Taking Shape

The funeral this Saturday for pop superstar Whitney Houston will be televised, according to media reports. CNN reported that the event is being made available for television and Internet outlets.

The funeral will be held at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., Houston’s childhood church.

CNN indicated it will have special coverage along with tributes to Houston. The cable channel said Piers Morgan, Soledad O’Brien and Don Lemon will be among the CNN personalities covering the event, beginning at 11 a.m. ET Saturday. The funeral is expected to begin at noon ET, and a special “CNN Presents” on Houston’s life and death is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.

The CNN report adds: “Publicists and entertainers by Wednesday had confirmed nearly a dozen celebrities and personalities will be in some of the 1,500 coveted, ‘invitation-only’ seats. Gospel singer and pastor Marvin L. Winans, a longtime friend of the Houston family, will give the eulogy at New Hope Baptist Church. Winans officiated at Houston's 1992 marriage to R&B singer Bobby Brown.”

Aretha Franklin, who is Houston’s godmother, has reportedly been asked to sing at the funeral.

Other guests who reportedly have been confirmed include the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Chaka Khan, Darlene Love, Bebe and CeCe Winans, songwriter Diane Warren, L.A. Reid and Brandy.

Would We Have Accepted a World-Weary Whitney Houston Whose Voice No Longer Soared Like an Angel? Plus, Oprah's Revealing Interview With Houston

That's the question TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross addresses in this insightful entry, where he also praises Oprah's don't-miss interview with Houston that airs on OWN tonight, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012 (click on this sentence to see Ross' piece).

After Plagiarism Allegations Surface, TV Chef's Show Is Canceled

A cable food show has has been canceled after allegations surfaced that some of the host’s recipes were plagiarized from other chefs, reports the New York Post.

Television chef Anne Thornton is accused of using recipes from chefs including Martha Stewart and Ina Garten, apparently prompting Food Network to cancel her "Dessert First" program, the story reports. The show, which debuted on Food Network in October 2010, won't see a third season, the story says.

Thornton's frosting for German chocolate cupcakes were allegedly nearly identical to Martha Stewart's 2009 coconut-pecan frosting recipe, while her lemon squares were very much like Ina Garten's 1999 recipe for the same treat, according to the story.

A representative for Food Network declined to comment on Thornton's recipe originality, but said the show's cancellation was "purely due to ratings/performance," according to the story.

Thornton denied any problem with her recipes' originality, noting that chefs learn from their heroes and "then you riff on that," the piece notes.

"As for lemon squares, there’s only so many ways you can make them, so of course there will be similarities,” Thornton said, according to the piece. “The same thing with baking or frosting -- there are only so many ways you can do it.”

NBC Taps a Veteran of Dating Shows to Host Adventure Dating Series

NBC has tapped a well-known television personality with experience in the dating genre to host its adventure dating series "Love in the Wild," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Jenny McCarthy, who hosted MTV’s “Singled Out” in the 1990s, will join the NBC show, the story reports. The announcement comes as McCarthy is also preparing a talk show for VH1, which is scheduled to debut later this year.

"Love in the Wild" will begin taping in the Dominican Republic later this month, and will feature McCarthy putting contestants through challenges as they try to find love, the story says. The show's first season drew an average of 5.5 million total viewers, the story says.

Former Presidential Candidate Denies 'Dancing With the Stars' Rumor

“Dancing with the Stars” appears to be courting presidential candidates who have dropped out of the race, and one of them, Michele Bachmann, has made it official that she’s not interested, the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog reports.

Bachmann denied a report that she was planning to appear in the next season of ABC’s hit dance competition, the story reports.

"In full disclosure, I did win a polka dancing competition when I was in the tenth grade at my alma mater, Anoka High School in Anoka, Minn. But, despite my tenth grade polka success and my lifelong love of ballroom dancing, the recent rumors are false," Bachmann said in a statement released on her website.

The names of other former presidential candidates -- notably Herman Cain -- have also come up in rumors about who will be on the next season of the show. A spokesman for Cain denied this week that Cain would be on the show.

“Dancing” will return March 19 for its 14th season.

Fox Picks Up Show From Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony

Fox has picked up Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's international talent show, "Q'Viva! The Chosen," according to TheWrap.com.

The show features Lopez, Anthony and concert director Jamie King as they search for unknown Latin performers across 20 countries, the story says. The show will debut March 3 at 8 p.m. on Fox, with two-hour episodes scheduled for five weeks, the story notes.

Lopez and Anthony announced last year that they were ending their marriage after seven years, as previously reported, but indicated at the time that they would continue to work together on the talent show.

Former 'House' Co-Star Lands Lead Role in ABC Comedy Project

A former co-star of Fox’s long-running medical series "House" has been cast as the lead in an ABC comedy pilot, reports Deadline.com.

Kal Penn will star in "Prairie Dogs" as Neil, an unhip cubicle worker (or "prairie dog") working at one of the world's hippest companies, the story says. Neil becomes a victim of identity theft, but when he realizes the thief has created a much better life for his alternative identity, he hires the criminal to help him improve his life.

Penn worked on "House" before he started a two-year post at the White House, working in the Obama administration as associate director of public engagement. He's also a co-star of the "Harold & Kumar" movies, the story adds.

Ousted Oscars Producer -- Who Inflamed Controversy With Comment Perceived as Slur -- Resurfaces With Campaign for Activist Group

The director and producer who made headlines last year by getting himself booted from his Oscars gig has a new job -- and it’s right on target if he hopes to rehabilitate his image in the wake of that PR disaster.

Brett Ratner has agreed to produce and direct a video campaign for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, reports Deadline.com.

As previously reported, Ratner was ousted from the Oscars job after saying, "Rehearsal is for fags," and getting into a crass discussion of sex on Howard Stern's Sirius XM show. His departure sent the Oscars telecast into a scramble, with Eddie Murphy dropping out and Billy Crystal eventually agreeing to return as host.

“Working together with GLAAD has been a very positive and enlightening experience for me, and I could not be more pleased to be developing this crucial campaign to help educate people that we all share the same humanity,” Ratner said, according to the story.

The videos will feature celebrities, musicians, politicians and athletes expressing their support for equality, the piece notes.

Ratner is best known for his work in feature films, including directing the “Rush Hour” film series, “X-Men: The Last Stand” and “Tower Heist.”

The Oscars ceremony is set for Sunday, Feb. 26, to be televised live on ABC.

CNN and Larry King Call It Quits -- for Real This Time

Larry King and CNN have called it quits, finishing the breakup they began when King left his job as host of “Larry King Live” in 2010, The New York Times' Media Decoder blog reports.

The two sides agreed to call off the quarterly specials they began producing last winter, ending the television host's 27-year relationship with the network, the story reports.

The announcement may surprise television viewers who thought King and CNN had already concluded their relationship with the end of "Larry King Live." But King had agreed to produce four special interview programs annually for the network. The agreement means that CNN and King are ending their pact early, the story notes.

The decision comes amid a report that King, 78, has been talking with Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim Helu about joining an online venture, the piece adds. King's attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the article.

CBS in Talks to Produce Content for Netflix; Moonves: 'We Do Not Look at Them as a Competitor'

CBS Corp. Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said the company is in talks to produce original content for Netflix, reports Bloomberg.

“Until they are doing 22 hours a week of premium content, we do not look at them as a competitor, but rather another place to put our content," Moonves said Wednesday on a conference call, according to the story.

Netflix will add five original programs by 2013, including "Lilyhammer" and "House of Cards." Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said in December he views the media landscape as an "arms race" to dominate streaming TV viewing, the story notes.

Hugh Laurie Lashes Out at Reports That It Was His Idea to Pull Plug on 'House'; Plus TV Guide Reports What It Says Really Was Behind the 'House' Cancellation

Hugh Laurie, whose long-running Fox drama “House” is winding down after eight seasons, let his feelings be known after reports surfaced that he was tired of the show and it was his idea to kill it, TVGuide.com reports.

Fox recently announced that the show’s current eighth season, which wraps up in May, will be its last, as previously reported. But Laurie clearly isn’t happy about how the show’s cancellation has been handled in the media.

TV Guide printed a statement from Laurie that says in part:

“Some newspapers, obviously dissatisfied by the statement we released last week, have suggested that ‘the truth’ -- a modern journalistic shorthand for ‘not even remotely the truth but it's creepy enough so let's go with it’ -- behind our joint decision was that I was sick of going to work. The evidence for this was a remark I made five years ago about a different subject.”

Laurie’s statement also says: “Let me say unequivocally that I love my job, and work harder at it than most journalists work at theirs. As we explained in our press release, we were trying to preserve some of the character's mystique; we never wanted to over-stay our welcome. Very possibly, we could have continued with a re-worked formula — House gets a job in a shoe shop and high jinks ensue — but none of us could face that. We wanted to keep the band together and go out with as much dignity as we could muster.”

TV Guide's Mike Schneider reported separately that the real culprit in the show’s demise was economics, particularly involving Fox and Universal.

The story reported: “The network wasn't looking to let go of ‘House,’ which averages a 3.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 9.1 million viewers -- good numbers for a drama in its eighth season. Universal TV, the studio behind ‘House,’ was also anxious to keep producing the show, which adds millions of dollars to NBCUniversal's bottom line. ‘Universal was the lead horse, the one driving a renewal,’ one source says. ‘It had the most desire and ambition to do another season.’"

The report adds: “Fox, which currently spends $5 million an episode for ‘House,’ wanted to see a cut in the show's license fee before considering a renewal. And although Universal was willing to take back some costs, it wasn't as large a discount as Fox wanted. Insiders also say Universal was pursuing a 22-episode order, while Fox would only commit to a final 13-episode season. ‘Universal came off as aggressive,’ one exec says. ‘It was such a big gap that [Fox] didn't pursue the discussions.’ Universal insiders say the studio was surprised by the decision and had been willing to work out a compromise.”

Warner Bros. Slaps Charlie Sheen and FX With Cease-and-Desist Letter

Charlie Sheen and Warner Bros. may have settled their lawsuit over “Two and a Half Men,” but they’re apparently not quite finished with their legal hassles.

Warner Bros., Sheen’s former employer, sent a cease-and-desist letter to the actor demanding that he, his new network FX and Debmar-Mercury, the production company behind “Anger Management,” his upcoming sitcom, stop using WB photos to promote the show, TheWrap.com reports.

Sheen has reportedly been distributing WB photos in connection with appearances to market the show to international and U.S. buyers, including at last month’s NATPE conference.

According to the publication, representatives for FX and Debmar-Mercury declined to comment, and Sheen's attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

As reported previously, Sheen sued Warner Bros. for $100 million after he was fired from his lead role on “Two and a Half Men,” eventually resulting in a $25 million settlement for Sheen covering back-end payments for his work on the series.

How Those Redbox Kiosks at Your Favorite Supermarket Get Around Studios That Insist on a Long Delay for DVD Rentals

So how do those Redbox DVD rental kiosks get movies way before a studio authorizes them for the rental market?

"The kiosk company ... buys Warner Bros. discs on the open market instead of accepting the studio’s insistence that it wait 56 days for new releases," explains our friend David Lieberman at Deadline.com.

And Redbox says it would do the same thing if Universal or Fox goes to a longer delay for DVD rentals.

Says the article: "Paul Davis, CEO of Redbox parent Coinstar, says he’s 'comfortable that we could deal with' a similar situation if Universal or Fox also try to change their current arrangement to hold new releases for 28 days before selling discs directly to Redbox. The kiosk company says it offsets the higher price it pays retailers for Warner Bros’ new DVD and Blu-ray releases by carrying fewer of the studio’s titles. 'We’re not buying every single movie from Warner Bros,' he told analysts at the Pacific Crest Emerging Technology Summit. 'We’re pretty selective.' The company expects to 'learn a lot more as we go through the quarter' about how many discs to buy to satisfy consumers and still make a profit. Although Redbox is prepared to do the same thing with Universal and Fox, Davis says 'I don’t believe that’s where we’ll end up.' "

Dory Previn, Emmy-Winning and Oscar-Nominated Songwriter and Singer, Dead at 86

A singer and lyricist who helped create music for a string of major movies, receiving three Academy Award nominations, has died, TheWrap.com reports. Dory Previn died Tuesday at 86 at her home in Southfield, Mass.

Previn often collaborated with her husband, composer Andre Previn. One of her most popular songs was the theme for "Valley of the Dolls," which became a hit for Dionne Warwick.

She was nominated for Oscars for best original song for the movies “The Sterile Cuckoo” (for the song “Come Saturday Morning”), “Two for the Seesaw” (“Song From Two for the Seesaw (Second Chance)”) and “Pepe” (“Faraway Part of Town”).

After her marriage to Andre Previn ended, Dory Previn suffered a breakdown and was institutionalized for a time. She later regrouped and launched a solo musical career, becoming a singer-songwriter with a loyal following.

Dory Previn won her Emmy for the song "We'll Win This World" from the 1982 TV movie "Two of a Kind" starring George Burns and Robby Benson.

At the time of her death, she was married to painter Joby Baker.

Granite Broadcasting to Test Streaming at KOFY in San Francisco

"Granite Broadcasting is joining with London-based Motive Television PLC to develop a system that can be used to broadcast linear channels and VOD programming to smartphones, tablets and other portable devices," reports our good friend Harry Jessell at TVNewsCheck.

The story continues, "Among other things, the Motive technology permits stations to broadcast movies and TV shows in non-real time to mobile devices that will record them for later viewing.To receive the service, consumers will have to attach a dongle with a DTV receiver to their devices and download an app."

The technology will be tested at Granite's KOFY in San Francisco and at other, unnamed, Granite stations, the story says.

Video: Kelly Ripa's Wardrobe Choice Has Some Viewers Offended by Her 'Nipples'

Kelly Ripa had what some viewers considered a fashion faux pas this week on “Live! with Kelly,” The Stir reports. Her form-fitting dress, called “The Miracle Dress,” caused some of Ripa’s fans to complain that they could see her nipples.

Apparently it was all a misunderstanding and what they were really seeing was part of the construction of the dress. See for yourself:

'Your Love Was Cheap' -- Not Everything at the Grammys Was Lovey-Dovey

Yes, what many will likely remember from Sunday's Grammys were the tributes to Whitney Houston. But as TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin points out, if you listened to the lyrics of the song Katy Perry sang, and some others, it wasn't so nice. Click here to read Hillary's review of the show.

Sony Says Price Hike on Whitney Houston Albums Was a Mistake

After angry fans accused Sony Music of exploiting Whitney Houston's death, the company said it was a mistake that the prices of two of her albums jumped just hours after her death, reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

Early Sunday, "The Ultimate Collection" price jumped to about $12.50 in Britain, up from $7.85, while "The Greatest Hits" jumped to $15.67 from $12.50, the story notes.

“Whitney Houston product was mistakenly mispriced on the U.K. iTunes store on Sunday,” said a statement from Sony. “When discovered, the mistake was immediately corrected. We apologize for any offense caused.”

Sales of Houston’s music soared over the weekend, with downloads especially strong, according to the story.

Game Change? Barry Diller Announces Plan to Stream Signals From New York TV Stations Starting Next Month. The Ingenious Way Diller Thinks This Is Different From Ivi TV, Whose Similar Plan Was Struck Down by a Federal Court

Barry Diller, the legendary television executive who created the Fox Network about 30 years ago, has turned his attention to a new model for distributing broadcast programming, Brian Stelter reports for The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

Diller rolled out a new service this week called Aereo, which distributes television over the Internet. Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp led a $20.5 million round of financing for the start-up, which Diller said “pries over-the-air broadcast television out of that closed system" of broadcast, cable and satellite, the story notes.

The service will be available in mid-March in New York City, allowing customers in the nation’s largest TV market to stream programming from the local New York stations that carry ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to Internet-connected TVs, phones and tablets, according to the piece. The price will be $12 a month and will include a DVR. It won't include a complete lineup of cable networks, the story points out.

According to the article, "Last year, a service called Ivi TV tried to redistribute broadcast television signals on the Internet, but it was stopped by a federal judge in New York after broadcasters and content providers sued, saying the company was effectively stealing their signals and work. The service is appealing that ruling. Aereo says that by setting up antenna arrays, it is wholly different.

Here's how the "antenna" part works, according to the story: "In Brooklyn, the company has arrayed thousands of tiny antennas -- each the size of a thumbprint -- so that each subscriber has an assigned antenna. That way, the company says, it complies with laws involving the exhibition of copyrighted material. 'Technically we’re actually providing a use license for the antenna and the cloud DVR,' " said Aereo founder Chet Kanojia.

The idea is to appeal to people who don't want cable, the story says. "If you have this and you have Netflix, you absolutely have the ability to not have a standard cable subscription,” said Kanojia, according to the story.

The article adds that Aereo "is bracing for possible legal challenges from TV stations. 'We understand that when you try to take something meaningful on, you have to be prepared for challenges,' Mr. Kanojia said. The major stations in New York declined to comment."

NBC Orders Series From 'Pushing Daisies' Creator

NBC has given a 13-episode order to a new project from the creator of “Pushing Daisies” and “Dead Like Me,” EW.com’s Inside TV blog reports.

The series is Bryan Fuller’s "Hannibal," based on the character in "Silence of the Lambs."

According to its logline, the project is a "one-hour contemporary thriller series featuring the classic characters from Thomas Harris’ novel ‘Red Dragon’ -- FBI agent Will Graham and his mentor Dr. Hannibal Lecter -- who are re-introduced at the beginning of their budding relationship," the story notes.

Henry Winkler -- aka the Fonz -- to Appear on NBC Sitcom

Henry Winkler, the actor known for his role as the Fonz on "Happy Days," has taken on a new sitcom role, playing Ava's father on NBC's "Up All Night," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ava, played by Maya Rudolph, is the host of a fictional TV show on the comedy. Winkler will play Robert Alexander, a children's book author beloved by a generation of readers, with whom Ava has had to compete for his attention, the story says.

The episode featuring Winkler’s guest appearance doesn't yet have an airdate, according to the piece.

Ex-Husband of Angelina Jolie to Star in CBS Sherlock Holmes Project

An actor who was married to Angelina Jolie in the 1990s has been cast to star in CBS's Sherlock Holmes project, reports Deadline.com.

Jonny Lee Miller, also known for his role as Sick Boy in the film "Trainspotting," will play the detective in "Elementary," CBS's modern take on the classic detective stories, the piece notes. In the CBS version, Holmes now lives in New York City.

Miller recently starred in a stage version of "Frankenstein" in London, where he performed with Benedict Cumberbatch, who stars as Holmes on the BBC's version of the Holmes stories, called "Sherlock," the story notes.

Comcast Profit Jumps 26%, But NBC Lags

"Comcast Corp. beat analysts' estimates with a 26% increase in fourth-quarter profit, but two NBCUniversal units continued to struggle: the NBC broadcast network and Universal Pictures," reports Meg James in the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog.

According to the article, "For the quarter ended Dec. 31, the Philadelphia cable television giant posted net income of $1.29 billion, or 47 cents a share, compared to $1.02 billion, or 36 cents per share, for the year-earlier period. Revenue climbed 3% to $15 billion.

"Once again, the company's core business of providing bundles of cable TV channels and high-speed Internet service bolstered its financial results. Comcast added 336,000 Internet customers during the quarter while losing 17,000 video subscribers, demonstrating that the cable company was doing a better job holding onto its customers than it did during the recession."

While the NBCUniversal cable networks continue to perform well, the article notes that "Broadcast TV revenue declined 3.7% to $1.8 billion -- reflecting continued ratings problems at the NBC broadcast network. Filmed entertainment revenue dipped 1.8% to $1.3 billion, in part because of lower home entertainment sales. Theme parks revenue climbed 4% to $498 million."

Bloomberg's story on the Comcast earnings adds: "Comcast also authorized a $6.5 billion stock buyback and increased its annual dividend 44 percent to 65 cents a share. The buyback is a sign the company is committed to give back to shareholders after Time Warner Cable Inc., the second-largest U.S. cable company, announced a $4 billion buyback plan last month, according to Vijay Jayant, an analyst at ISI Group in New York with a 'buy' rating on the stock."

“A return to positive video subscriber growth -- unthinkable in consensus numbers as recently as six months ago -- is now not only plausible, but arguably likely,” Craig Moffett, a Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst in New York, told Bloomberg. “That’s a huge change,.” Moffett added. 

Moffett has an “outperform” rating on the stock, the story notes.

'Veins Popping Everywhere': 'Simpsons' Stunt Crowns Two Winners, Who Break World Record for Continuous TV Viewing

Two California men broke the Guinness World Record for longest continuous television viewing by sitting through 86 hours and 37 minutes of "The Simpsons," reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

"My eyes were insane," said Carin Shreve, 33, one of the winners of the marathon stunt. "My man was like, ‘Carin, your left eye doesn’t look right!’ Veins popping everywhere. Yeah, it wasn’t too good."

Asked whether he had any revelations about watching the show in this way, the other winner, Jeremiah Franco, 22, said, "Seeing them [like this], you just notice little things, certain things in the art direction." He added, though, that he couldn't remember exact episodes. "Honestly, it’s kind of all blurred together," he said, according to the story.

To win at the Fox-sponsored Ultimate Fan Marathon, which ran from Feb. 8-12, the pair had to stay awake, and received 10-minute breaks every two hours for the first two and a half days, the story notes. After that, the contestants could choose whether they took a 5-minute break every hour or stick to a 10-minute break every two hours.

The marathon was part of events leading up to this Sunday’s 500th episode of the Fox animation staple.

The pair, who were among 100 contestants, each won $10,500, the piece adds.

Report: Apple Testing an iPad With an 8-inch Screen

"Apple Inc. is working with component suppliers in Asia to test a new tablet computer with a smaller screen, people familiar with the situation said, as it looks to broaden its product pipeline amid intensifying competition and maintain its dominant market share. Officials at some of Apple's suppliers, who declined to be named, said the Cupertino, Calif., company has shown them screen designs for a new device with a screen size of around eight inches and said the company is qualifying suppliers for it."

So reports the Wall Street Journal. [Note: The WSJ is behind a firewall and might charge to read this article.]

The story notes that this is a test and Apple may not end up building an iPad with a smaller screen.

The story also notes that the screen would have similar resolution to the iPad 2. Other reports have siad that the new iPad 3, expected to debut in about 2 weeks, will have a higher-resolution screen than the iPad 2.

The current screen size for the iPad is 9.7 inches.

The article adds: "A smaller tablet device would broaden Apple's portfolio and could help it compete with rivals such as Samsung Electronics Co. and Amazon.com Inc. It would also begin to emulate the strategy it took for its iPod music player, which it released in a number of shapes and sizes over time. The company has taken a different tack with its iPhone, releasing one design at a time."

The WSJ said that Apple had no comment about its report.

Report: Amazon's Prime Service Falling Short of Estimates

Amazon.com's Prime service, which provides free two-day shipping along with access to content through online streaming for an annual $79 fee, has fewer than half as many customers as analysts had projected, according to Bloomberg.

Between 3 million and 5 million people had signed up for Prime as of October, far less than the 10 million customers that analysts had estimated, the story notes.

Amazon is aiming to reach 7 million to 10 million customers within the next year. An Amazon spokeswoman declined to comment on the company's Prime membership numbers.

Prime, started seven years ago with the shipping deal, last year added video streaming to the product, allowing customers to watch streaming TV shows and movies. The service is being counted on by Amazon as a way to lock in customers and bring in revenues, the piece adds.

Rumor About Paul McCartney and 'Mad Men' Put to Rest

A rumor that has surfaced about Sir Paul McCartney and AMC's "Mad Men" has been put to rest, reports EW.com's Inside TV blog. McCartney will not do a cameo on the show, despite a report in the British publication the Daily Mail that indicated he would.

A source close to the show says that there's no truth to the report, according to EW.com.

"Mad Men" avoids casting gimmicks, and the piece notes that it would be odd for McCartney, 69, to appear on the period drama, which is set at a time when the Beatles were young and at the height of their fame.

Veteran Television Actor Who Originated Role of Jerry's Dad on 'Seinfeld' Dead at 80

A veteran character actor best known as the title character's father on "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" has died, the AP reports. Philip Bruns, who also originated the role of Jerry Seinfeld’s father on “Seinfeld,” was 80.

Bruns died last Wednesday in Los Angeles of natural causes, the story reports.

Bruns had a three-year stint on Jackie Gleason's variety show in the 1960s. He was also a familiar face in television commercials.

On the big screen, his appearances included roles in "Flashdance," "My Favorite Year" and "The Stunt Man."

He was the original actor to play Morty Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld’s father, on “Seinfeld,” appearing in an episode during the first season called “The Stakeout.” The role was later taken over by Barney Martin, who became better known for playing the character.

Bruns played George Shumway, Mary Hartman’s father, on the 1970s sitcom “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” His many other TV appearances included “Barney Miller,” “St. Elsewhere” and “Just Shoot Me.”

Philip Bruns

Fox Sports Columnist Apologizes for Jeremy Lin Tweet Called 'Inappropriate on So Many Levels'

A columnist in the Fox Sports organization has apologized for a Twitter message last week that was apparently aimed at celebrating New York Knicks player Jeremy Lin but badly misfired, MediaBistro.com reports.

FoxSports.com columnist Jason Whitlock issued the tweet Friday in response to a 38-point performance by Lin, an Asian-American, in the Knicks’ narrow victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to the report, Whitlock tweeted: "Some lucky lady in NYC is gonna feel a couple of inches of pain tonight."

The tweet drew an angry response from the Asian American Journalists Association, which went on Facebook to express its concerns.

Addressing Whitlock, AAJA wrote: "Let’s start by saying that your tweet in the midst of the Jeremy Lin hoopla was inappropriate on so many levels. Certainly, it doesn’t hold up to the conduct of responsible journalists, those in sports or otherwise, who adhere to standards of fairness, civility and good taste. Nor does it meet the standards of Fox Sports, with which you are associated."

The post also says: “Let’s not pretend we don’t know to what you were referring. The attempt at humor -- and we hope that is all it was -- fell flat. It also exposed how some media companies fail to adequately monitor the antics of their high-profile representatives. Standards need to be applied -- by you and by Fox Sports.”

The association went on to ask Whitlock for an apology.

Whitlock complied on Sunday. On FoxSports.com, he posted in part: "The couple-inches-of-pain tweet overshadowed my sincere celebration of Lin’s performance and the irony that the stereotype applies to pot-bellied, overweight male sports writers, too. As the Asian American Journalist Association pointed out, I debased a feel-good sports moment. For that, I’m truly sorry."

Whitlock indicated he is among those who are excited about the emergence of Lin in the NBA, but he “gave in” to his own “immature, sophomoric, comedic nature.”

NBC Scores Another Monday Win, But There Are Signs of Trouble in the Peacock Net's Ratings

NBC is back -- at least on Monday nights. The network’s “The Voice” continues to flex its ratings muscle, finishing Monday as the highest-rated show of the night and leading NBC to its second consecutive Monday win, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

NBC claimed a comfortable win for the night both in total viewers and in the key 18-49 demo. NBC averaged a 4.9 rating in the demo, ahead of CBS (3.3 average), ABC (2.3) and Fox (2.1). The Peacock Network averaged 13.4 million total viewers, beating CBS (10.3 million), ABC (8.3 million) and Fox (6.7 million).

But the picture wasn’t completely rosy for NBC. The two-hour telecast of “The Voice” averaged a 5.9 rating in 18-49, down 12% from a week ago. More troubling was its lead-out, the second episode of the new series “Smash,” which was off 26% from its premiere a week earlier, averaging just a 2.8 rating -- down from a 3.8.

CBS had season lows across the board in the 18-49 demo, including “How I Met Your Mother” with a 3.4, down 15% from a week ago, “2 Broke Girls” at 3.7, down 14%, “Two and a Half Men” with a 3.8, down 12%, and “Mike & Molly” averaging 3.3, down a tenth. “Hawaii Five-0” equaled its season low with a 2.6, down a tenth from last week.

NBC was touting the ratings achievements of “The Voice,” noting that the show was the top-rated series program of the past week, and the second-ranked program outright behind only the Grammy Awards, in the adults 18-49 demo.

“The Voice” also delivered NBC's two highest non-Olympic 18-49 ratings in its time period in nearly five years, since March 5, 2007.

'The Closer' Star Lands Role in ABC Pilot

"The Closer" star J.K. Simmons has been tapped for a co-starring role in ABC's comedy pilot "White Man Van," reports Deadline.com.

The blue-collar comedy is based on a British show and tracks a man, played by Kyle Bornheimer, who is forced to take over his family's handyman business, the story says. Simmons will play his father.

On "The Closer," Simmons played Chief Will Pope since the show's pilot. Available for the first time since "The Closer" is ending its seven-season run on TNT, Simmons was offered multiple pilots but wanted to do a comedy, the piece notes.

'Simpsons' Creator Funds New Animation Initiative at UCLA

The creator of "The Simpsons" has made a donation to the University of California, Los Angeles, of $500,000 toward establishing a new chair that will bear his name, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The school announced that the Matt Groening Chair in Animation at UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television will "allow visiting master artists to teach classes." It will also "bring working professionals with wide-ranging expertise" to work with students.

Groening, who graduated from Washington’s Evergreen State College, has already made a financial commitment to UCLA, making a yearly donation of $50,000 for students who wish to produce socially conscious short animated films.

Groening's latest gift coincides with his receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the 500th episode of "The Simpsons," which airs Sunday.

ESPN Names New VP, Original Programming and Production

ESPN has created the new position of vice president of original programming and production, and has elevated a veteran of the network, Jamie Horowitz, to the post, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Horowitz was most recently a coordinating producer in the studio and event production department for ESPN. In his new post he will report to Marcia Keegan, VP of production.

Norby Williamson network EVP, programming and acquisitions, said of the promotion: “For the past five years, Jamie’s invaluable experience and passion for television has made him vital to the evolving programming landscape at ESPN. We are fortunate to have him as a key member of our team as we continue to further the creative interaction and cooperation between Production and Programming that will raise the network’s programming to new heights in the coming year.”

Commenting on the promotion, Horowitz said, “My goal is to further ESPN’s commitment to the highest-quality sports programming and to work with the talent teams we have in place to enhance our content. The sports business is an ever-shifting landscape and I am excited to have the opportunity to help strengthen this dynamic area of our business.

Oprah Grovels for Ratings -- in Violation of Nielsen Rules

Oprah Winfrey did something that got her in trouble with the Nielsen TV ratings service over the weekend, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The trouble started when Winfrey sent out a tweet asking her fans to watch "Oprah's Next Chapter," which aired Sunday.

Winfrey tweeted: "Every 1 who can please turn to OWN especially if u have a Nielsen box." The message violated Nielsen's rules by mentioning she wanted to reach people with the company's electronic boxes, which are used to measure ratings, the story says.

It was not clear what action Nielsen would take as a result. Nielsen said it was reviewing the incident and "may withhold, break out and/or make a note in the ratings," the story adds. Nielsen told The New York Times it would add an asterisk to OWN’s ratings noting “a possible biasing effect,” according to THR.

Winfrey's representative immediately issued the following statement: “I removed the tweet at the request of Nielsen. I intended no harm and apologize for the reference. -- Oprah Winfrey.”

About 25,000 of the more than 100 million U.S. TV homes have the Nielsen boxes, the story notes.

Singer Defiant After Controversial Grammys Performance

A singer whose performance during Sunday’s Grammys broadcast offended Catholics and others issued a defiant tweet as experts warned she could lose fans, Fox News reports.

Nicki Minaj shocked some viewers with her high-concept performance of “Roman Holiday” from her upcoming album, which included what has been described as a self-exorcism. Experts have warned that negative reaction to the performance could hurt album sales.

But Minaj apparently is unconcerned. The singer issued a tweet Monday saying: “Stay offended. Not a single F**K is given,” according to the report.

Ronn Torossian, CEO of 5WPR, told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column: "Nicki Minaj was clearly aiming for shock value and mass PR, and she succeeded. With big ideas and shock value comes big opportunity, but also backlash. She has to be aware of possible alienation from some ... current fans, who take religion and spirituality seriously."

Catholics in particular were offended. Said Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League of America: “There are Catholic priests who are trained to perform exorcisms, and it seems plain that the time has come for Nicki Minaj to make an appointment. Even worse than Minaj is the Recording Academy that runs the Grammys -- they knew exactly what she was going to do and gave her the green light. I've never heard of a collective exorcism, but there is a first time for everything.”

Decision Made About Whether Whitney Houston's Funeral Will Be Public or Private

The body of Whitney Houston arrived late Monday in New Jersey, where funeral plans were announced for the pop superstar, the AP reports.

Her funeral will be held Saturday at the New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, the story reports. No wake and no public memorial will be held, despite earlier talk of a possible large-scale memorial at the Prudential Center sports arena in Newark.

Houston, 48, died Saturday at a Beverly Hills hotel, where she was found underwater in a bathtub. Officials have said there were no apparent signs of trauma and no indications of foul play, the story reports. The coroner’s office is waiting for results of toxicology tests before determining a cause of death, which could take weeks.

The report notes: “Houston was born in Newark and began singing as a child at the New Hope church, where her mother, Grammy-winning gospel singer Cissy Houston, led the music program for many years. Cousin Dionne Warwick also sang in its choir.”

Houston was honored during Sunday’s Grammys ceremony, which included a performance of her hit “I Will Always Love You” by Jennifer Hudson. Viewership for the broadcast surged by about 50% from last year’s Grammys, presumably fueled by Houston’s death, with about 40 million viewers watching.

Fans have been leaving tributes to Houston, including flowers and candles, outside the New Hope church.

Click here to see Houston’s performance of the National Anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl, which has been called one of the greatest moments in television history.

Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested in Alleged Assault on Playmate of the Year

The 21-year-old son of Hugh Hefner was arrested Sunday for allegedly attacking Playmate Claire Sinclair, reports E! Online.

Police were called to the couple's Pasadena home after they received a domestic-violence call, the story says. Sinclair, the 2011 Playmate of the Year, allegedly suffered minor injuries.

Marston Hefner was taken into custody and charged with battery on a spouse, although the pair aren't married, according to the piece. He was released after posting $20,000 bail.

Marston Hefner is the son of Hugh Hefner and Kimberley Conrad, the 1988 Playmate of the Year, and is Hefner’s third child, the story notes.

Sinclair has said in the past that her relationship with Marston Hefner was “tumultuous,” the story adds.

Angry Birds Game FInally Lands on World's Most Popular Website -- and It Will Have Levels Exclusive to This Site

Game sensation Angry Birds has finally landed on the world's most popular website, USA Today reports.

The site is Facebook.

The article says, "The game will feature levels exclusive to Facebook and social features such as sharing high scores and giving friends 'mystery gifts.' Angry Birds on Facebook also adds several power-ups such as a Sling Scope for precision lobs and Super Seeds to turn birds into giant projectiles. The power-ups are available through friends' gifts or purchase."

The story adds that Angry Birds game developer "Rovio plans on giving free power-ups to all Facebook users who play Angry Birds between today [Feb. 14, 2012] and Feb. 16, 2012."

'Law & Order' Actress Tapped for Lead Role in NBC Pilot

An actress who has co-starred in NBC’s "Law & Order" and “Law & Order: LA” has been tapped for a lead role in NBC's medical drama pilot "Do No Harm," reports Deadline.com.

Alana De La Garza joins a cast that also includes British actress Ruta Gedmintas. The pilot is written by David Schulner and directed by Michael Mayer, the story reports.

The project is about a neurosurgeon who deals with a dangerous alter-ego, the story says. De La Garza will play Dr. Lena Steck, a fellow neurosurgeon who has chemistry with the lead character, the story notes.

The Ghoulish Truth: Can You Guess Which Show Just Set Some Basic Cable Ratings Records?

The third-season debut of a basic cable drama has set ratings records in key demographics, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

AMC’s "The Walking Dead" premiered Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, and ranked as the strongest drama telecast in basic cable history among key age groups. For its 9 p.m. season premiere, 8.1 million viewers tuned in, with that figure bumping up to 10.1 million viewers for the night, the story notes.

Among key demographics, 5.4 million of those were ages 18 to 49, up 12% from the previous record, held by the same show’s Season 2 premiere, and 4.4 million were in the 25-54 demo, up 6% from the record also held by “Walking Dead’s” Season 2 premiere, the story notes.

Coverage of Whitney Houston's Death Gives CNN a Rare Ratings Achievement

CNN reaped some of its strongest recent ratings with its coverage Saturday night of the death of Whitney Houston, reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

CNN pulled off the rare feat of beating Fox News for the night. CNN averaged 2.17 million viewers, with Fox News averaging only 1.34 million viewers. MSNBC trailed with 652,000 viewers, the story notes.

The strongest ratings came in the 9 p.m. hour, with 3.15 million viewers tuning into CNN, including 1.48 million in the key news demo of 25-54, the story notes. Fox News had 1.62 million viewers, with only 508,000 in 25-54 -- about one-third of CNN’s total, the story points out. MSNBC was competitive with Fox in the demo with 419,000 viewers, but was a distant third in total viewers with 819,000.

Cable Channel Greenlights Gun-Oriented Spinoff of Its Top-Rated Show

A cable network is leveraging its top-rated show with a weapons-themed spinoff. Announcing plans today for the new show, “Hardcore Pawn: Fort Bragg,” a spinoff of its top-rated “Hardcore Pawn,” was TruTV, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The new series “will revolve around the staff and customers at Guns Plus, a South Carolina pawn shop specializing in weapons and military equipment,” the story reports. “Situated near one of the largest military bases in the country, Guns Plus is staffed by many veterans while its customers consist largely of armed services personnel and their families.”

The network has ordered seven episodes of the show, from Zodiak USA, set to premiere later this year.

TruTV also picked up a sixth season of “Hardcore Pawn,” the story notes.

In a statement, Marc Juris, executive VP and COO of TruTV, said: "We have had such tremendous success with ‘Hardcore Pawn,’ it makes sense to expand the concept into a franchise with ‘Hardcore Pawn: Fort Bragg.’ The new ‘Hardcore Pawn: Fort Bragg’ also gives us the opportunity to introduce viewers to some of the incredible men and women who serve in the military and whose stories will play an important part in the show."

Show Creator's 'Dream Guest' Joins 'Community'

Despite being on hiatus, NBC's "Community" continues to cast, with creator Dan Harmon grabbing someone he had described as one of his "dream guests," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

That guest is "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" contributor John Hodgman, the story notes. He will appear in an episode near the end of the show's third season, although the producers are keeping quiet about the details of his role, according to the piece.

Hodgman is also known for his role as the PC in the popular Apple ads.

NBC hasn't scheduled the return of "Community," but its remaining third-season episodes include a "Law & Order"-inspired episode and a Civil War-themed show, the story notes.

Report: Resurgent NY Knicks Basketball Team May Cause Time Warner Cable Customers to Defect in Nation's Largest Market

Jeremy Lin's winning streak with the New York Knicks is electrifying fans -- except for subscribers of Time Warner Cable, who are unable to watch the NBA team's games because of an ongoing dispute between the cable operator and MSG Network, reports Reuters.

The two sides haven't been able to reach a new broadcast carriage agreement after the previous deal expired Dec. 31, meaning that New York-area viewers who have Time Warner Cable have missed out on watching the games, the story notes.

While Time Warner Cable's cancellations have been "insignificant" so far, according to the piece, that could change as some New Yorkers are unhappy and are threatening to switch.

"With everyone jumping aboard with Jeremy Lin, there is more interest now in the team but at least I have a pretty good handle on which bars don't have Time Warner," said Milan Mesarich, a musician and Knicks fan.

Called "Linsanity," the buzz around the team’s resurgence has helped MSG's shares, driving them up almost 4% on Monday, the story notes.

Lin was a relatively unknown player until earlier this month, when he was inserted into the Knicks’ starting rotation. With Lin playing an increased role in the team’s games and going on a scoring tear, the Knicks are on a five-game winning streak.

The dispute between the two sides could last until April, the story says, citing MSG Media President Michael Bair.

'Chuck' Star Takes Lead Role in Fox Comedy

The star of NBC’s “Chuck” has been cast as the male lead in a Fox comedy, lifting a contingency on the project, reports Deadline.com.

Zachary Levi, who plays the title character in "Chuck," joins the Fox pilot "Let It Go." Levi will play the husband in the project, which is an ensemble comedy about a married couple, his best friend and his wife's sister as they deal with society's rules, the story says.

The casting marks a return to half-hour comedy for Levi after his role on ABC's "Less than Perfect," from which he jumped to the comedic spy drama "Chuck," which is ending its fifth and final season on NBC, the piece adds.

Public Funeral May Be Held for Whitney Houston; Drama Surrounds Houston's Daughter

Funeral plans are beginning to take shape for singer Whitney Houston, who died Saturday at 48. Her body will be flown to her home state, New Jersey, and her family is said to be considering holding a wake Thursday and a funeral Friday at the Prudential Center in Newark, MSNBC.com reports.

The facility hosts home games for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and the New Jersey Nets of the NBA.

Meanwhile, TMZ.com is reporting that the family is dealing with fears that Houston’s daughter, Bobbi Kristina, 18, might be suicidal. She has reportedly been hospitalized twice since her mother died.

TMZ reported separately that Bobbi Kristina was involved in an incident one day before her mother’s death that bears eerie similarities to Houston’s death. The teenager reportedly fell asleep in a bathtub in the same hotel where her mother died in a bathtub the next day.

TMZ reports: “According to our sources, friends of Bobbi Kristina tried knocking on her door repeatedly Friday night ... but she didn't answer. We're told they called security to get them to unlock the door and help them get Bobbi out of the tub.”

As we previously reported, indications from the coroner are that Houston’s death is related to to prescription drugs and alcohol. However, results of an autopsy have not yet been made public.

'Glee' Set to Pay Tribute to Whitney Houston

Fox's telecast of "Glee" tomorrow night, the Valentine's Day episode, will include a tribute to Whitney Houston, E! Online reports.

The episode was taped before Houston’s death, but by coincidence the episode already included a rendition of Houston's big hit, the Dolly Parton composition "I Will Always Love You," sung by Amber Riley’s character, Mercedes.

In addition the episode will include a dedication to Houston.

Riley said she met Houston for the first time just last Thursday in Los Angeles and was very moved by the encounter. Riley told E! reporter Marc Malkin, "I didn't need her to take a picture with me. I didn't need an autograph. The fact that she even acknowledged that I was standing there was enough for me.”

In the episode, Mercedes sings the song for Sam (Chord Overstreet).

One of OWN's Most Important Shows Gets Tweaked, Drops Live Audience

A show that has been counted on to help bring viewers to Oprah Winfrey’s OWN cable network has been undergoing some fine-tuning, and the tweaks appear to be getting bigger.

Since its bow in September 2011, Rosie O’Donnell’s "The Rosie Show" has evolved, eliminating some segments and shrinking its in-studio audience. Now it will drop the audience entirely, along with a move to a smaller studio, ChicagoBusiness.com reports.

A spokesperson for Harpo confirmed that "Rosie " is no longer taping before a live audience at Harpo Studios Inc. in Chicago, where she had taken over the former "Oprah" studio. The show also recently dropped a game-show element.

On air, O’Donnell told viewers that she had decided to make the changes to be more comfortable.

"It's much better for me,” she said. “I loved doing the other show with the audience, but truthfully, I'm 49 years old -- when I did my old show I was 33, maybe 34, and I had just come off of 15 years of doing stand-up. I'm out of practice and it also doesn't feel real for who I am today. Who I am today is not just a comic, right? I've got a lot of other interests. I want to have real conversations. I don't want to perform or present, I just want to talk."

E!'s 'Live from the Red Carpet' Sets Ratings Records

E!’s Grammys red carpet show on Sunday went through the roof, finishing as not only the channel’s top-rated Grammys red carpet show, but also its most-watched “Live from the Red Carpet” for any awards.

The channel announced that Sunday’s 6-8 p.m. event got a 2.98 household rating to rank among E!’s top 10 telecasts of all time. The program drew more than 4.0 million viewers, more than five times the time period average of the previous four weeks.

The numbers in both categories were up more than 40% from last year’s program.

Sunday also was the most trafficked awards day across E! Online and E! mobile platforms, the channel reported.

The channel announced: “’Live from the Red Carpet: The 2012 Grammy Awards’ remained bigger and better than ever, driven by record highs among all the key demos, posting its most-watched ‘LRC: Grammy Awards’ ever with Adults 18-49 (2.1 million), Adults 18-34 (1.1 million), Women 18-49 (1.5 million) and Women 18-34 (800K) as it exceeded last year’s performance by over +30% with the 18-49 demos and roughly +15% with the 18-34 demos.”

Showtime's 'The Franchise' Settles on a Team to Showcase

Showtime has announced which team the second season of "The Franchise" will showcase, B&C reports. The program, which spotlights a Major League Baseball team, will focus on the Miami Marlins, the story says.

The first season of the show was all about the 2010 World Champion San Francisco Giants.

The Marlins were chosen because the team has undergone a major transformation, including changing its name from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins. The team is also moving into a new state-of-the-art stadium.

MLB Executive VP, business, Tim Brosnan said; "With all of the changes they have made, this is the perfect time to feature the Miami Marlins. The club has no shortage of intriguing storylines and colorful characters that will make for compelling television."

David Nevins, president of entertainment, Showtime Networks, added: "Miami is not only one of the most sexy and cosmopolitan cities in the country, but has become one of the best sports towns as well. 'The Franchise' has worked for us because it appeals to both the hard-core sports fan as well as audiences interested in compelling unscripted drama. A newly rebuilt Miami Marlins franchise full of big player personalities, and led by the larger-than-life Ozzie Guillen, are an ideal team for season two of 'The Franchise.'"

Video: 'World's Largest Dancing Fountain' Dances to Whitney Houston Song

Among the many tributes to Whitney Houston, this video of the Dubai Fountains, billed as the “world’s largest dancing fountain,” choreographed to Houston’s recording of “I Will Always Love You,” has been getting attention since the singer died Saturday.

Super Bowl Got a Big Bump From Out-of-Home Viewing

This year’s Super Bowl got a big ratings bump from people watching outside the home, Advertising Age reports.

Adding in the out-of-home figures raised the program’s total audience by at least 20.7%, depending on the demographic, the story reports.

In the key demo of adults 18-49, the figure was 25.4%.

The story reports: “Among adults over 18, Arbitron found that 11.9 million people watched the New York Giants defeat the New England Patriots from an ‘out-of-home’ venue, usually someone else's house.”

More Information Surfaces About Whitney Houston's Death: Where, Exactly, She Was Found. And What Drugs Were Found in Her Hotel Room. And What the Coroner Says -- and Doesn't Say, for Now

The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office said Sunday afternoon, Feb. 12, 2012, that an autopsy on pop icon Whitney Houston's body has been completed, but official results have been placed on hold, pending toxicology tests, Fox News reports.

The story says Deputy Coroner Ed Winter "confirmed that Houston was found Saturday afternoon in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Prescription drugs had been found in the Beverly Hills Hilton hotel room where Houston's lifeless body was discovered Saturday afternoon just hours before a huge Grammy party she was to attend.

TMZ.com reported that "Houston's family was told by L.A. County Coroner officials ... the singer did not die from drowning, but rather from what appears to be a combination of Xanax and other prescription drugs mixed with alcohol ... this according to family sources."

Drowning was initially considered as a likely cause of death, but the TMZ report indicates that the family was informed by Coroner’s officials that the amount of water found in Houston’s lungs was not enough to support that conclusion. The report also cites sources saying Houston’s family was told the singer may have died before her head became submerged.

Earlier, says the Fox News report, TMZ reported, "Police discovered a half dozen bottles of medication in Houston's room," adding that "family members said Houston had been taking the prescription drug Xanax, which is often used to treat anxiety."

The Fox News article continues, "When combined with alcohol, Xanax can cause drowsiness. Houston was reportedly found in her bathtub -- TMZ says her head was underwater -- and could not be revived by paramedics after being removed from the tub. No alcohol was found in the preliminary sweep of Houston's room, TMZ reports, but there were multiple reports that Houston had been drinking with friends the night before at the hotel."

Simon Cowell: Houston Was Positioning to Become a Judge on 'X Factor'

Whitney Houston was being considered as a judge for Fox's "The X Factor," said Simon Cowell, appearing on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight," according to The Hollywood Reporter's the Live Feed blog.

Houston was interested in the role and was actively campaigning to join the show, the story says. Cowell said Houston and other potential judges were to be discussed by people behind the show the day after the Grammy Awards, held Sunday.

"We were, ironically, going to meet on Monday and of course, one of the names we were going to be talking about in that meeting as a possible mentor on the new series of ‘X Factor’ was going to be Whitney Houston," Cowell said. He added that he was "absolutely devastated" by her death.

Pushed by Fresh Memories of Whitney Houston, Grammys Get Colossal Ratings. Even Beats Last Year's OSCAR Telecast!

CBS's presentation Sunday night, Feb. 12, 2012, of the  54th Grammy Awards "scored a giant 14.1 adults 18-49 rating and 39 million viewers, up 41% vs. a 10.0 rating and 26.7 million average viewers last season," according to TVbytheNumbers.com, adding, "That was the second highest viewership in Grammy history (1984), and the best adults 18-49 ratings since 1990."

How big is that? As USA Today notes, Sunday's Grammy numbers even blew away last year's OSCAR numbers! Last year the Academy Awards telecast was watched by an average of 37.9 million viewers. And given the relatively low box-office numbers of this year's top Oscar nominees, it is likely that the number of viewers who watched Sunday's Grammys will beat this year's Academy Awards telecast as well.

So what was on the Grammys in 1984 that made it the highest-rated Grammys show in history? That was the year Michael Jackson won eight Grammys for "Thriller," USA Today says. That show had 51.7 million viewers.

Show That Mocked Whitney Houston Pulled from E!'s Schedule

A show that made fun of Whitney Houston's wardrobe was pulled from the schedule by E!, reports TVLine.com. The episode of “Fashion Police” originally aired Friday, before Houston’s death.

It was scheduled for rebroadcast Sunday at 8:30 p.m., but was replaced by a rerun of "Khloe & Lamar," the story notes.

The program featured show host Joan Rivers and others making fun of Houston's clothing.

As previously reported, Houston was found dead Saturday.

Video: It Was for This Performance on the Grammys in 1986 That Whitney Houston Won Her First and Only Emmy

CW Shakes Up Daytime, Will Pull Current Show in Favor of Young-Skewing Talk Show

The CW is shaking things up in daytime, replacing a current show with a talk show that appeals to younger viewers, B&C reports.

"The Bill Cunningham Show," a syndicated talk show from Tribune, will go national in the fall on the CW, which will replace "Dr. Drew's Lifechangers," the story reports.

Cunningham, a syndicated talk radio DJ, has hosted the TV show since September, the story notes. It currently is carried on Tribune's 19 stations, as well as on three other TV stations. By clearing the show on The CW, Tribune doesn't have to look for a distributor to sell the program into each market, the story points out.

Sean Compton, president of programming and Entertainment, said in a statement: "Since the launch of ‘The Bill Cunningham Show’ six months ago, the show has far surpassed expectations and found a strong voice in the daytime talk landscape. ITV Studios and Executive Producer Kim Brechka have produced a very successful first season, and the renewal and expansion of the show to a national platform are a testament to Bill's staying power."

John Goodman Joins New Roseanne Barr Sitcom

John Goodman, who played Roseanne Barr's television husband on her hit ABC comedy "Roseanne," has signed on for Barr's latest project, reports TheWrap.com.

The new NBC comedy pilot is set in a trailer park, and like “Roseanne,” it will be aimed at a blue-collar audience, the story notes.

Goodman has occasionally appeared on TV since the “Roseanne” days, including a run on HBO's "Treme." But the actor has mainly performed in feature films in recent years, including taking roles in a number of Coen brothers films, the piece points out.

The story doesn't specify what role Goodman will play in the NBC project.

Video: Jennifer Hudson, at the Grammys, Sings Moving Tribute to Whitney Houston

OWN to Air Oprah's Two-Hour In-Depth Interview With Whitney Houston; Lifetime to Air Houston's Debut Movie

OWN and Lifetime will air programming this week remembering Whitney Houston, who was found dead on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012.

Tonight, Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, Lifetime will present the 1992 film "The Bodyguard," starring Houston, in her acting debut, and Kevin Costner. "The film received Academy Award and Grammy Award nominations for its songs 'I Have Nothing' and 'Run to You,' " Lifetime said in a press release.

The movie will air on Lifetime at 8 p.m., ET/PT, the release said.

On Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, OWN will air a two-hour special consisting of a 2009 interview with Houston that OWN says was the singer's "last in-depth television interview from 'The Oprah Winfrey Show,' ” according to an OWN press release.

The release adds, "In September 2009 for the 'Oprah Winfrey Show' season 24 premiere, Winfrey sat down with Houston for a special one-on-one interview. After nearly seven years since the world heard the music icon's voice, Houston gave an intimate and poignant performance of 'I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.' She shared only with Winfrey the private struggles she tried to hide from public view and discussed openly about her marriage to R&B star Bobby Brown, her struggles with drug abuse and why she retreated from the spotlight. Opening up to Winfrey like never before, Houston also spoke candidly of the day she left her husband, her sorrow over the death of Michael Jackson and her hopes for her future."

Adele Big Winner at Grammys. Here's Her Majestic Grammy Singing Performance -- Her First Live Gig Since Losing Her Voice and Having an Operation to Restore It

Video: Sarah Palin Talks With Fox News' Chris Wallace About Forthcoming HBO Movie 'Game Change' in Which Palin Is Portrayed by Julianne Moore

'Glee' Co-Creator Scales Back Role on Show -- Unless You Ask His Rep

"Glee" co-creator Ryan Murphy will reportedly be stepping away from full control of the hit Fox show, according to the New York Post's Page Six. The story cites sources saying Murphy is scaling back his “Glee” work to make time for his new project, “The New Normal.”

The new show has been given a pilot order by NBC, the piece notes. Allison Adler, a co-executive producer on "Glee," is also working on the project, about a gay couple and their surrogate.

With Murphy focusing on the new project, "Glee" co-creator Brad Falchuck reportedly has taken control of the day-to-day operations of the Fox show, the story says.

However, Murphy's rep said the story is "totally false" and added that Murphy "is and will continue to be 100 percent involved with and committed to ‘Glee,’ as he is with ‘American Horror Story’ and as he will be with ‘The New Normal,'" according to the piece.

Cablevision Plans Record Rate Cuts to Stem Subscriber Losses

Cablevision is planning record rate cuts to halt subscriber defections and to fend off competition from Verizon's FiOS television service, reports the New York Post.

Cablevision is offering new customers on Long Island a "triple-play" of television, phone and Internet service for $69.95 a month, when the average U.S. bill is north of $100 per month, the story notes.

The offer comes with a locked-in rate for two years, the story notes. Cablevision is also giving away a $200 Apple iPod touch and a free DVR, making the deal one of the "most aggressive" ever seen, according to ISI Group senior managing director Vijay Jayant, the story notes.

Cablevision lost 19,000 cable television customers in the third quarter, according to the story.

Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48

[Updated at 9:08 p.m. PT on 2-11-12 to include link and reportage from Los Angeles Times story of Houston's erratic behavior earlier this week and to include information on "Dateline" tribute.]

"Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died," reports the Associated Press.

She was 48.

The AP added, "Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday [Feb. 11, 2012] that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown."

However, TMZ reported "Paramedics were called to the Beverly Hilton [Hotel in Beverly Hills] today when Houston was found unresponsive in her hotel room ... sources tell TMZ. We're told police arrived [at] the scene within minutes and [the fire department] was already there on another call. According to our sources, paramedics performed CPR but it did not work and she was pronounced dead at 3:55 PM [PT]. Our sources say there were no signs of foul play. We're told she was ID'ed by family and friends."

In a story published tonight, Feb. 11, 2012, the Los Angeles Times reported: "The Hilton is the scene for [music mogul Clive] Davis’ annual [pre-Grammys] gala. On Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012] Houston dropped by the rehearsals to offer vocal tips for Brandy and Monica, who were slated to be one of the evening’s headliners.

"Press, including The Times, were in attendance for a junket with the reunited R&B divas and Davis. Though Houston greeted people with a warm smile, she appeared disheveled in mismatched clothes and hair that was dripping wet with either sweat or water. [The Grammys Awards telecast itself is scheduled for Sunday, Feb, 12, 2012 on CBS.]

"The visibly bloated singer displayed erratic behavior throughout the afternoon -- flailing her hands frenetically as she spoke to Brandy and Monica, skipping around the ballroom in a child-like fashion and wandering aimlessly about the lobby. It was mentioned by a Grammy staffer that security personnel received calls of the singer doing handstands by the pool."

The L.A. Times story continued, "After leaving rehearsals, Houston returned to the ballroom -- with her teenage daughter Bobbi Kristina in tow -- as camera crews set up for interviews. The singer smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. A Grammy staffer said that during the interviews with Brandy, Monica and Clive, Houston was dancing just off camera to make the singers and Davis laugh. Grammy personnel expressed concern that she'd be caught on camera, and that reporters would write about her behavior. Finally her daughter pulled Houston out of the room, and the singer skipped off. In our post of the event, we called Houston's behavior 'loose and lively.' "

NBC's "Dateline" will look at Houston's life in a program scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at 7 p.m. ET. The announcement about the show from NBC News said, "In a 'Dateline' special airing on Sunday, February 12, at 7p/6c, the newsmagazine will look at the life of the legendary singer, actress and producer. ... Anchored by Lester Holt, the hour will report on Houston’s life and career and the reaction from those who knew her."

The TMZ story added that Houston, who was an Emmy winner, also had won "six Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards during her record-breaking career. Her album 'Whitney' was the first female album to ever debut at #1 on the Billboard Charts. She has sold 200 million albums worldwide."

Said the AP report, "At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's best-selling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen....

"She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise. She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston."

Veteran TV Star Dies -- Best Remembered for 'Big Valley,' 'Maverick'

A veteran television actor best known for his role on the acclaimed 1960s Western series “The Big Valley” has died, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Peter Breck, 82, died Monday in Vancouver following a long illness.

Breck played the son of Barbara Stanwyck’s character on “The Big Valley” from 1965-1969, and played Doc Holliday on another Western, “Maverick,” where he appeared opposite James Garner. He also appeared as a regular on “Black Saddle,” and showed up in guest roles on “The Virginian,” “Hawaiian Eye,” “Lawman,” “Gunsmoke,” “Perry Mason” and other series.

Breck worked in film as well, including “Thunder Road” in 1958, Samuel Fuller’s “Shock Corridor” in 1963 and “Benji” in 1974.

THR reports: “On ‘Big Valley,’ Breck played Nick Barkley, who lost his temper easily and was often spoiling for a fight. Nick was the brother of the characters played by Richard Long, Charles Briles and Linda Evans and the half-brother to Lee Majors. He stayed close with Stanwyck after the show finished production.”

The story notes that Breck moved to Vancouver in the 1980s and opened an acting school. He had been hospitalized since Jan. 10 and was reportedly suffering from dementia.

Peter Breck

Madonna Opens Up About M.I.A.'s Super Bowl Misstep -- and She's Not Happy

Madonna wasn’t happy that M.I.A.’s middle finger stole the headlines from her Super Bowl halftime appearance, as we reported earlier today, and she opened up about the incident in an interview with Ryan Seacrest.

In an interview on Seacrest’s radio show, Madonna said of the "finger," “I was really surprised. I didn’t know anything about it. I wasn’t happy about it. I understand it’s punk rock and everything, but to me there was such a feeling of love and good energy and positivity -- it seemed negative. It’s such a teenager … irrelevant thing to do … there was such a feeling of love and unity there, what was the point? It was just out of place.”

Madonna's favorite moment of the show was singing with Cee Lo Green. She talked about realizing how into it the audience was when she was performing "Like a Prayer" with Green: “I was overwhelmed. I started crying. I felt an incredible sense of warmth, love, and support. To see an entire stadium light up like candles it was … like a religious experience.”

'American Idol' Reclaims Its Thursday Supremacy -- Did 'Cliffhanger' Stage Fall Have Anything to Do With It?

With “American Idol” getting a bump in the ratings and reclaiming its top dog status on Thursday night, Fox took the top spot in the key 18-49 demo for the night, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

“Idol” was up two-tenths from last week to a 5.7 average rating in 18-49, a better average than its 8 p.m. rival “The Big Bang Theory” (5.5) for the first time in four weeks. CBS’s “Big Bang” did win the common half-hour, when “Idol” opened with a 5.2.

Fox came out on top in prime time overall with a 4.0 average rating in viewers 18-49, ahead of CBS (3.6 average), ABC (2.6) and NBC (1.7). CBS, however, turned the tables in total viewers, winning the night by averaging 14.3 million to 12.2 million for Fox, 7.3 million for ABC and 3.9 million for NBC.

“Idol” may have benefited from an incident in Wednesday’s show, when a contestant fell off the stage and the show left her fate as a cliffhanger at the end of the show, as previously reported. The show’s decision not to reveal the outcome of the fall by Symone Black on Wednesday’s episode -- along with some subsequent wisecracks by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe about the incident -- created a firestorm online in the wake of the show.

It may have brought negative attention to “American Idol,” but as they say in show business, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. And Thursday’s bump for “Idol” appears to reinforce that axiom.

Reuters points out that after dealing with Black’s stage fall and revealing she was OK, the episode focused on a number of other non-musical dramas, such as illnesses, complaining and arguing among contestants.

The Reuters piece notes: “More than halfway into the episode, only one thing was missing: singing. None of the groups had performed for the judges and none would for the rest of the episode.”

Video: Bill O'Reilly Blasts Those Who Want JC Penney to Fire Ellen as Its Spokesperson Because She's Gay. O'Reilly Compares It to McCarthyism, Says It's a Witch Hunt and Is Wrong

After the video, below, ran on "The O'Reilly Factor" DeGeneres thanked Bill O'Reilly on her show, saying, according to Fox News, “You didn’t really make it clear if you were going to shop at JC Penney, but if you do you can use my employee discount anytime you want.”

1970s Sci-Fi Series to Be Remade

A 1970s science-fiction show is being remade by some of the same people who recently created an update on a 1980s sci-fi miniseries, Deadline.com reports.

The British sci-fi show “Space 1999” will get an update from ITV Studios America and HDFilms, the story reports. The original starred Martin Landau and Barbara Bain -- a married couple better known for their roles on the 1960s series “Mission: Impossible.”

For starters, the title will be updated to "Space: 2099." Jace Hall of HDFilms, who most recently was involved in the reboot of the 1980s miniseries "V," will executive produce the new project.

Showtime Project Adds Hollywood Legends

The Showtime pilot “Ray Donovan” has brought some Hollywood heavyweights aboard, Entertainment Weekly reports. Oscar winner Jon Voight and Oscar nominee Elliott Gould are now on board with the project, according to the story.

The drama stars Liev Schreiber as the title character, a professional trouble shooter. Voight has been cast as Donovan's dad, Mickey, an ex-con with questionable reasons to reconnect with his family. Gould will be a recurring character named Ezra Goodman, Ray's mentor and confidante, who's the senior partner at a law firm.

Voight, perhaps best known for “Midnight Cowboy” -- and for being the father of Angelina Jolie -- is a four-time Academy Award nominee, and won the Oscar for his 1978 film “Coming Home.” Gould received an Oscar nomination for the 1969 movie “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.”

The pilot, from Ann Biderman, begins filming soon in Los Angeles, the story notes.

Cable Network Scraps Its Entire Prime-Time Lineup

A cable network that is languishing in the ratings will scrap its prime-time programming and replace it with repeats of the shows that currently air on the network from 5-8 p.m., reports The New York Times.

The network is four-year-old Fox Business News, which draws an average of 54,000 viewers in prime time, making it one of the lowest-rated cable channels tracked by Nielsen, the piece notes. By comparison, top-rated business network CNBC draws an average of 228,000 viewers in prime time.

With the change, "Freedom Watch" with Andrew Napolitano; "Power & Money" with David Asman; and "Follow the Money" with Eric Bolling will be canceled, the story notes. The three hosts will remain contributors, with Bolling continuing his role as co-host of "The Five," a 5 p.m. show on Fox News.

The three programs will be replaced by shows featuring Gerri Willis, Neil Cavuto and Lou Dobbs, which currently air at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Those anchors are currently the network's best-known personalities, the story notes.

The changes will take place Feb. 20.

Video of News Anchor Being Attacked by Dog Sparks Debate

Video of a dog attacking an anchorwoman on live television has gained national attention and sparked a debate over her station's move to take the video off the Internet, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Kyle Dyer of Denver NBC affiliate 9News was bitten in the face by a dog Wednesday while she was anchoring the morning news show, the story says. The dog, which had been rescued from a frozen lake just days before, attacked her when she leaned toward the dog, according to the piece.

Her station declined to air tape of the incident and has sent takedown notices to websites where the footage has been posted. But that decision drew criticism, with Denver's alternative newspaper pointing out that the station has aired violent footage as part of its news programming.

The station said Dyer would make a full recovery and was doing well, the story adds.

Here’s a video report on the incident from NBC’s “Today” show, which does not show the attack itself:

Late-Night Host Close to Deal to Remain Through 2014 -- With a Change of Venue

One of the broadcast networks’ key players in late-night talk is close to an agreement that will keep him in place through 2014, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Craig Ferguson appears poised to ink a deal with CBS to re-up as host of "The Late Late Show." The deal will move Ferguson to a bigger stage at CBS's TV City in Los Angeles, according to a source.

News of the impending agreement comes after CBS started talks to make sure both Ferguson and David Letterman would continue at the network, according to the story. Ferguson has proved to be a valuable element in CBS's schedule, the piece adds.

Letterman’s Worldwide Pants produces both Ferguson’s show and Letterman’s “Late Show.”

CBS declined to comment, the article notes.

The Grammys--Which Will Be Telecast This Weekend--Need to Recognize Four Great Artists as Lifetime Achievement Honorees

At least that's the opinion of TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross, and if you click here you can read who he's talking about.

Rapper May Face Legal Fallout From Super Bowl Salute

The rapper whose raised middle finger during the Super Bowl halftime show conjured up memories of Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” eight years ago may have some legal repercussions from the gesture, Yahoo Sports reports.

M.I.A. flashed the salute in a support role as part of Madonna’s halftime performance, triggering apologies from the NFL and NBC, as previously reported. Now it appears the British-born rapper could be in breach of her contract with the NFL.

The Yahoo story reports: “NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Yahoo! Sports this week that the league books all its own talent for the show, and has contractual stipulations with each performer regarding their behavior. ‘We do have [safeguards regarding artist conduct] written into their contracts,’ Aiello said.”

Aiello declined to say whether M.I.A. faces a possible financial penalty for her action.

The story adds: “The NFL was unhappy that the requisite delay system, designed to allow broadcaster NBC to ensure that any offensive material be kept out of the live telecast, failed to operate properly. NBC did scramble its signal, but it came moments after M.I.A.’s remark and gesture.”

The story quotes Aiello saying: “There has been a delay system in place since the incident with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. The system did not work and that is something we will review. We produce the show, the network televises it, and the system is supposed to work to make sure nothing is shown of this kind. It clearly wasn’t part of the plan.”

Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction in 2004 resulted in a $550,000 FCC fine against CBS, which was later overturned in a court ruling that said the agency “acted arbitrarily” in its enforcement of indecency regulations, the story notes.

It remains unclear whether the FCC is contemplating a penalty in the M.I.A. incident.

Madonna is said to be furious with M.I.A. over the incident, the story notes.

'Munsters' Reboot Suffers a Setback

Production on the pilot for NBC's remake of "The Munsters" has been pushed back to June after the production ran into difficulties with casting, reports Deadline.com.

The story doesn't specify the casting problems the project has encountered. The project, which has been titled "Mockingbird Lane," has Bryan Singer of "The Usual Suspects” and “X-Men" attached to direct.

As previously reported, Bryan Fuller of “Pushing Daisies” is behind the project.

NBC Overhaul Expected to Bring Cuts to Marketing Department

Big cuts may be coming to NBC's marketing department, with NBC entertainment chief Bob Greenblatt wanting to revamp the department as part of the network's overhaul, reports the New York Post.

It's not known exactly who will be cut, but the layoffs are expected to hit 2% of employees in the entertainment division, the story says. Many people in the network's marketing, promotions and publicity departments will be cut, according to the piece.

Says the story, "In August, Greenblatt drafted Len Fogge, the former executive vice president of creative marketing at Showtime, as the president of marketing at NBC. Fogge is now working on a restructuring of the marketing department, which is responsible for promoting primetime, daytime and late-night programming for the network."

The article adds, "Greenblatt also brought in a new public relations chief, Richard Licata, who hailed from Showtime. Licata is looking to downsize the number of publicists at NBC, sources said."

Claire Atkinson, who reported the story, then writes, "Already, news of the impending pink slips is ruffling feathers at the Peacock Network, especially because Greenblatt spent big to market his new primetime show 'Smash.' ... 'We launched the show and now we’re getting fired,' one NBC executive complained to friends, according to sources."

The article adds, "Company policy is not to comment on personnel matters,” said an NBC Entertainment spokeswoman.

Atkinson also writes that Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal, has asked executives at NBC and CNBC to find about $10 million "in cost savings."

CNBC Staffs Up for Push Into Reality Programming

CNBC is readying to launch a reality development slate, and has hired a veteran reality television exec to oversee the effort, reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

The channel hired VH1’s Jim Ackerman, known for producing reality shows such as “Celebrity Fit Club,” to take the lead role, the story reports.

Ackerman will be senior vice president of prime-time alternative programming and will report to CNBC President Mark Hoffman, the story notes.

“His work will complement our highly successful long form and documentary content, which has been established over the last few years," Hoffman wrote in a staff memo, according to the story.

CNBC declined to comment on its plans for reality programming, the story adds.

Google May Have Sights Set on Showdown With Another Tech Giant

According to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission, Google is working on an entertainment device that will use wireless home networks, reports Bloomberg. The move appears to put Google in a position to intensify its rivalry with Apple, along with other makers of mobile devices.

The new Google device will be tested in Mountain View, Calif., where Google is based, along with three other cities, the filing notes. The filing had testing set to continue into July.

"Google is developing an entertainment device that requires testing outside the laboratory environment,” the filing states, according to the story. “The device is in the prototyping phase and will be modified prior to final compliance testing.”

By working on an entertainment device, Google may be readying to go head-to-head with Apple, the story points out. Both companies offer devices that transmit music throughout homes via wireless networks, the story adds.

Google declined to comment for the piece.

Schedule Change Fails to Pump Life Into 'Rock Center' Ratings

Despite getting moved to a new night and an earlier start time, NBC’s "Rock Center with Brian Williams" has failed to catch fire in the ratings, reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

The newsmagazine was moved to Wednesdays at 9 p.m. from Mondays at 10 p.m. to make room for NBC's new drama "Smash." But despite the move, "Rock Center" drew 5.3 million viewers this week and its typical 1.1 rating among viewers 18 to 49, the story notes.

The rating matched that of "Harry's Law," which recently occupied the same time slot, the piece adds.

'Jersey Shore' Spinoff, Rejected by Hoboken, Finds a Home Base

The spinoff of MTV's "Jersey Shore" featuring Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley has landed a home after being denied a filming permit in Hoboken, N.J., reports the Associated Press.

The spinoff will be taped in Jersey City, New Jersey's second-largest city, with its mayor, Jerramiah Healy, noting that he believes the show will help promote the city, according to the piece.

As previously reported, Hoboken denied a filming permit, explaining the decision was based on "protecting public safety and quality of life concerns for Hoboken residents," according to a statement from its mayor.

The production company will pay for off-duty police officers or any other officers that will be needed, while the production crew will use pay lots instead of taking parking spots from residents of Jersey City, the Associated Press notes.

Filming in Jersey City was set to begin later this month, the story reports.

CBS Picks Up Pilot From 'Mike & Molly' Star

A comedy pilot from "Mike & Molly" star Melissa McCarthy and her husband, Ben Falcone, has been picked up by CBS, reports TheWrap.com.

The untitled project will star Falcone as a single 37-year-old who loses his shirt in the real estate slump and ends up living back with his parents, the story notes.

Falcone is also co-writing the project with "The Looney Tunes Show" writer Larry Dorf, the piece adds. Falcone played the air marshal that McCarthy's character in the film "Bridesmaids" sat next to, according to the story.

Fans Outraged Over 'Idol's' Handling of Contestant's Fall From Stage -- and Nigel Lythgoe's Wisecracks

After a 16-year-old contestant fell from the stage near the end of Wednesday night’s installment of “American Idol,” the show’s handling of the incident -- and subsequent wisecracks by executive producer Nigel Lythgoe -- outraged some viewers.

The stage fall by Symone Black was turned into a cliffhanger at the end of the episode, apparently to encourage viewers to tune in tonight to find out whether Black was OK. This may be a spoiler, but the update on that part of the story, according to a Fox spokesperson, is that Black received treatment for dehydration and was OK, according to EW.com.

Meanwhile, a tide of concern surfaced among fans posting online, and that’s where Lythgoe stepped into it. MSNBC.com reported that fans expressed concern for Black along with anger that “Idol” had turned the incident into a cliffhanger, to which Lythgoe responded with some unfortunate tweets.

According to MSNBC, Lythgoe tweeted: "I know you're all going crazy. You'll have to wait until (Thursday). That's why I'm a mean producer."

The report adds: “As if that mean reputation needed any boosting, Lythgoe then joked about the stage-side spill and the cliffhanger complaints.”

Lythgoe wrote in his follow-up post: "It's not a 'cliffhanger.' She didn't hang, she fell," the story reports.

Of course, that just further provoked fans ... and the battle continues to rage online.

Here’s the video of Black’s appearance and her fall from the stage:

Sony Deal Locks in Future of 'Breaking Bad'

The creative force behind AMC's award-winning drama "Breaking Bad" has signed a new overall deal with Sony Pictures TV, reports Deadline.com.

Vince Gilligan’s contract is for 18 months, retroactive to November 2011. He has been working without a contract since his previous one expired.

The deal firms up plans for the show's remaining run. The contract covers the final 16 episodes of "Breaking Bad," in which the saga of Walter White will come to a conclusion. They'll be filmed in two batches of eight episodes each.

After he wraps up work on "Breaking Bad," Gilligan will tackle other projects under the Sony arrangement.

Another Oscar Winner Joins HBO's 'Luck'

“Luck,” HBO's new drama set in the world of horse racing, has just added an Oscar-winning actress to the cast, reports Deadline.com.

Mercedes Ruehl joins two-time Oscar winner Dustin Hoffman and three-time nominee Nick Nolte in the cast. Ruehl will play Julietta Caligari, Renzo's (Ritchie Coster) mother. She first appears in a guest role this season, but will be a regular in season two, which HBO has already ordered.

Ruehl won an Oscar for “The Fisher King” in 1992.

Hoffman, who has been nominated seven times for Oscars, won the award for “Kramer vs. Kramer” in 1980 and for “Rain Man” in 1989. He also owns an Emmy for “Death of a Salesman” (1985).

Nolte was previously nominated for “The Prince of Tides” (1991) and “Affliction” (1999), and is a current nominee for “Warrior.”

Offbeat Comedy Veterans Pair Up for Cleveland-Based Project

A pair of well-known comedic actors have joined forces to create a sitcom pilot based on Cleveland, reports Cleveland.com.

Martin Mull and Fred Willard, whose previous collaborations go all the way back to the quirky 1970s sitcom "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" and its spinoff "Fernwood 2 Night," are filming a TV pilot in the WVIZ-TV studios in Cleveland, the story reports. "Cleveland Late-Late" will be focused on local activities, including sports, weather and Ohio celebrities.

Willard and Mull -- who are teaming with Cleveland novelist Scott Lax for this project -- plan to shop the finished pilot to networks and cable channels. Lax originated the idea, and Mull and Willard were apparently eager to join the project.

"We've just been waiting for someone else to come along and do all the hard work," Mull told the website.

Willard is known for a long list of offbeat film roles, including mockumentaries such as "This Is Spinal Tap!," "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." Mull's equally offbeat career includes extensive experience in series television, with appearances on "Two and a Half Men," "The Ellen Show" and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," among many others.

'Smallville' Returns for One More Season -- But Not as a TV Show

CW's "Smallville," the adventure series based on the life of Clark Kent before he becomes Superman, ended its 10-year run last May, but a new season will come to life in the pages of a DC comic book.

DC Entertainment announced that "Smallville Season 11" will pick up where the TV show ended. It will be written by Bryan Q. Miller, a former "Smallville" TV writer.

The comic book will be published digitally and will debut April 13, 2012. New digital chapters will appear weekly, just like TV episodes. There will be a print edition component to the chapters as well, with the first appearing May 16.

NBC Comedy Project Casts 'Weeds' Regular in Lead Role

The lead role in an NBC comedy pilot has gone to an actor best known for his regular role on Showtime's "Weeds," TVLine.com reports.

Justin Kirk joins “Animal Kingdom,” where he will play Dr. George Coleman, a misanthropic veterinarian along the lines of Hugh Laurie's character on Fox's "House." The guys likes the animals, but generally loathes the owners of the pets.

The show will be filmed from a script by Brian Gatewood and Alex Tanaka. Anthony and Joe Russo are directing the pilot.

Kirk reportedly continues to negotiate with Showtime about his role in “Weeds,” and word is he could continue to work on the show through its upcoming eighth season, which would wrap before “Animal Kingdom,” if it gets picked up to series, would get up to speed.

Fox Pulls Plug on One of Its Signature Shows

Fox is wrapping up a drama series that has been one of the network's signature shows, Deadline.com reports. The current eighth season of “House” will be the veteran medical drama’s last, the story says.

The decision comes after Fox gave creator David Shore the right to make an early decision, allowing the show to create a planned-out ending for its characters, the story notes. The eighth season will end in May.

The end of "House" may mean life for another Fox show, however, by potentially making room for "Terra Nova," which is awaiting a decision on whether it will be renewed for a second season, the story notes.

Fox and Shore decided on the fate of "House” within the past 24 hours, as Shore decided the program was creatively in the right place to bring closure to the long-running series starring Hugh Laurie.

The decision means Fox won't get into another tough negotiation battle with "House" producer Universal Television, after last year's protracted licensing talks, or with Laurie, whose deal expires at the end of the season, the story points out.

Oscar-Nominated Actor Files for Bankruptcy

A well-known actor who recently moved from the big screen to reality television has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, TheWrap.com reports.

Gary Busey, who recently appeared in "Celebrity Wife Swap," revealed in the filing that he has $50,000 or less in assets and debts in the $500,000 to $1 million range, the story reports.

Busey, known for “Lethal Weapon” and other hit films, received an Oscar nomination for his lead role in the 1978 movie “The Buddy Holly Story.”

The 67-year-old actor said his possible creditors include lawyers, the IRS, a storage company, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center and Wells Fargo bank, the story reports, citing the filing. He also listed Carla Loeffler, who filed suit against the actor for allegedly tackling her at an airport, as a possible creditor, the story adds.

According to the filing, Busey likens his financial problems to those of many other American institutions. "As with many great American institutions, i.e., General Motors, American Airlines, and many others who have utilized the strategic business tool called bankruptcy, Gary Busey’s filing is the final chapter in a process that began a few years ago of jettisoning the litter of past unfortunate choices, associations, events and circumstances," the filing reads, according to the piece.

Another Part of Oprah's Empire May Be in Trouble

Oprah Winfrey is focusing on turning around her new cable network OWN, but another Winfrey-branded project might need some attention. O, the Oprah Magazine, has seen a 32% plunge in newsstand sales, reports the New York Post.

Sales fell to 413,363 copies in the second half of 2011, down from 608,212 a year earlier, when her syndicated talk show was still on the air before ending its run in May 2011, the story points out. The sales figures represent the first six-month period without Winfrey having broadcast TV exposure, the article notes.

Total circulation also slipped, with customers declining 5% to 2.38 million, the piece adds.

“We knew that the turn away from the syndicated show would remove what was in effect a daily promotion for the magazine,” David Carey, president of O publisher Hearst Magazines, said, according to the story. The company plans to rely more on subscriptions, he said.

Winfrey’s magazine wasn’t alone in its trouble at newsstands. Overall newsstand sales fell 10%, the story notes, marking the third consecutive year of declines.

The story adds: “Of the top 25 glossy magazines in the country, all but four posted newsstand sale declines in the second half of 2011, according to the latest figures released yesterday by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.”

Report: Apple Will Introduce iPad 3 Week of March 5

It's coming! And it's coming soon.

"Sources say [Apple] has chosen the first week in March to debut the successor to the iPad 2, and will do so at one of its trademark special events," reports John Paczkowski at All Things D, continuing, "The event will be held in San Francisco, presumably at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Apple’s preferred location for big announcements like these."

The article adds, "As for the next-generation iPad itself, sources say it will be pretty much what we’ve been led to expect by the innumerable reports leading up to its release: a device similar in form factor to the iPad 2, but running a much faster chip, sporting an improved graphics processing unit, and featuring a 2048×1536 Retina Display -- or something close to it."

Former 'SNL' Regular, Who Now Has Her Own Sitcom, Set to Return as Guest Host

A former "Saturday Night Live' cast member has been tapped to host the show on Feb. 18, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Maya Rudolph, who currently stars in the NBC comedy "Up All Night," will be joined by musical guest Sleigh Bells, the story says. It marks her first hosting gig with the show since she departed in 2007.

This Saturday's host is "New Girl" star Zooey Deschanel, who will be joined by musical guest Bon Iver, the story adds.

TV Consumption Declining in One Important Demo Group, Rising in Another

Television remains the country’s No. 1 pastime, with Americans averaging 4 hours, 39 minutes of TV consumption daily, reports Brian Stelter in The New York Times.

But Americans 12 to 34 years old are spending less time watching television in front of their TV sets, marking the pull on younger people of alternatives such as Web videos and social networks, the piece reports.

"Young people are still watching the same shows, but they are streaming them on computers and phones to a greater degree than their parents or grandparents do," Stelter writes.

Older people, especially those over 65, are watching historic levels of TV, possibly due to the influence of digital video recorders, which allow people to save up shows for later viewing, the story notes.

Yet when looking at viewing among people under 35, even including DVR usage, TV consumption has declined for three consecutive quarters, the piece says.

"Adults ages 25 to 34, for instance, watched about four and a half fewer hours of television in the third quarter of 2011 than at the same time in 2010 -- the equivalent of about nine minutes a day. Viewers ages 12 to 17 also watched about nine fewer minutes a day. The demographic in between, those ages 18 to 24, watched about six fewer minutes a day," Stelter notes, citing data from Nielsen.

As previously reported, one culprit for Nickelodeon's ratings decline may be Netflix, with youngsters opting to stream children's shows online rather than to tune in to a TV set.

"To a child, television shows on the iPad are still television, but to Nielsen, it’s not: The company counts computer and mobile streams of shows separately, making it difficult for the television industry to get a handle on changing habits," Stelter notes.

Supernatural Drama Gets Third Season

A supernatural drama series has been renewed for a third season, according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

The show is "Being Human," which was renewed by Syfy. The decision comes three weeks after the show debuted its second season, with the return bringing a 27% jump in viewers 18 to 49 years old, according to the story.

The third season will consist of 13 episodes.

The show, which tracks a vampire, werewolf and ghost who are roommates, also saw a 15% gain in total viewers for its second-season premiere, the story notes.

Director of Features 'Elf' and 'Iron Man' to Direct J.J. Abrams Pilot for NBC

The director of the feature films "Elf" and "Iron Man" will direct an NBC drama pilot from J.J. Abrams and "Supernatural" creator Eric Kripke, reports Deadline.com.

“Revolution” marks the first drama pilot directorial duties for Jon Favreau, who has directed comedy pilots, including "In Case of Emergency," which starred David Arquette.

"Revolution" is described as a survival show about people struggling after all forms of energy have ceased to exist on Earth. Abrams, Kripke and Bryan Burk are tapped to executive produce.

Amazon Adds Viacom Cable Titles to Video-Streaming Service

Shows from Viacom's cable networks, including MTV’s "Jersey Shore" and Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer," will be available on Amazon.com's Prime membership service, reports Bloomberg.

Amazon's Prime membership costs $79 per year and offers free two-day shipping as well a a growing library of online content. With the Viacom deal, Amazon Prime customers will have access to unlimited streaming of more than 15,000 titles for the price of their membership, according to the story.

The deal boosts Amazon's library by 15%. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Currently Amazon spends an estimated $300 million on content, or about one-third of the $1 billion spent annually by Netflix on content deals, the story says, citing Nomura Securities analyst Brian Nowak. To compete, Amazon needs to increase its spending on streaming-video rights, the analyst said, according the story.

MTV Sets Premiere Date for 'Jersey Shore' Spinoff -- Show Will Be Paired With Retooled 'Punk'd'

MTV has scheduled the premiere date for a spinoff from its hit reality show “Jersey Shore,” with the new show to be paired with a revamped version of "Punk'd," according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

“The Pauly D Project” will debut March 29, following the new "Punk'd," the story reports. The spinoff will track Pauly D as he works in the music industry, accompanying Britney Spears on a tour and signing with G-Note Records, the story says.

“Punk’d,” previously hosted by show creator Ashton Kutcher, will now be hosted by a different celebrity each week. Among those who are lined up: Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus and Hayden Panettiere. Victims on tap for the new season include Khloe Kardashian Odom and Demi Lovato.

"Punk'd" will air at 10 p.m., with "The Pauly D Project" airing at 10:30 p.m.

Super Bowl Ad Wins $1 Million for Aspiring Filmmaker

Kevin T. Willson, an aspiring documentary filmmaker focused on humanitarian causes, won $1 million and a chance to direct another ad as the winner of Doritos' annual Crash the Super Bowl ad contest, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

His ad, called "Sling Baby," features a little boy eating Doritos from the safety of his play structure, taunting his wheelchair-bound granny and baby brother, who is secured in a baby sling. The granny launches the baby into the air, with the child grabbing the bag of Doritos out of the shocked boy's hands.

Willson, 34, created the ad for about $2,700, using the infant son of his visual effects specialist and shooting in a friend's backyard, the story says. The ad marked his third time as a finalist in the competition, and by winning he gets a chance to direct an ad with Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone of the Lonely Island comedy troupe, the story says.

He's hoping winning the contest will help him get a professional job as a comedic commercial director, a dream he has held since college, the piece notes. Willson plans to split the $1 million with the 40 to 50 people who worked on the ad with him, the article adds.

Here’s the winning ad:

Actor Known for 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' 'Spider-Man 2' to Star in TNT Medical Drama

An upcoming TNT medical drama has cast an actor known for roles in “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Spider-Man 2” and a string of other hit movies to star in the pilot, Deadline.com reports.

Alfred Molina will star in the pilot for TNT's "Chelsea General," the story reports.

The project is based on CNN chief medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta's novel "Monday Mornings," and tracks five surgeons as they deal with professional and personal challenges, the story notes.

Molina will play Dr. Harding Hooten, the chief of surgery, who runs a weekly meeting where doctors are either praised for their work or criticized for their mistakes, the piece says.

Actor Bill Irwin from "CSI" has also joined as Dr. Buck Tierney, described as a smug doctor who annoys his colleagues, according to the article.

Clint Eastwood Joins Team to Launch New Channel

Oscar-winning director and Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, who began his long career as an actor on the TV Western "Rawhide," is returning to television as one of the prime movers behind a new channel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

According to the story, Eastwood "is adding to his resume the title of creative board chairman and founding shareholder of the forthcoming golf lifestyle TV network, Back9Network."

Back9Network hopes to get distribution on TV, the Internet and mobile devices. No details about how it will get that distribution was in the article.

The story notes that "Eastwood not only plays [golf] frequently but also owns the Tehama Golf Club in Carmel, Calif., and is an investor in famed Pebble Beach."

James Bosworth, the network's chief executive, said of Eastwood, "He'll be a big picture sounding board. There's no better guy to go to for a golf media company."

The article adds, "In his new role, Eastwood, 81, will meet with the Back9 brass once per quarter to go over programming and casting choices for the network, which is currently in talks with distributors and is slated to launch later this spring. Back9 executives declined to comment on the nature of those conversations."

Bosworth plays golf with Eastwood, whom he met when Bosworth was an assistant pro at Pebble Beach in the mid-1990s.

Among the shows already being considered is a interview show called "You're So Money" hosted by Anna Rawson, an LPGA star. Rawson has already taped a sitdown with Eastwood.

Other titles and concepts are "Extreme Golf," in which celebrities face off on the most outrageous golf holes; "Lucky Me with Jackie Flynn," a blue-collar comic visiting the fanciest golf courses in the country; and "Hole Lotta Love," a dating show that includes golf.

No word on whether the startup wants to remake "Caddyshack."

CNN Suspends Roland Martin for His Controversial Tweets

CNN has suspended contributor Roland Martin for some controversial tweets he made during the Super Bowl.

As TVWeek previously reported, "Martin’s tweet made fun of [soccer superstar David] Beckham for sporting only his underwear in [a Super Bowl] ad, noting, 'Ain't no real bruhs going to H&M to buy some damn David Beckham underwear!'.... He continued, 'If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!'

CNN's statement said, "Roland Martin's tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being."

CNN did not say how long Martin would be off the air.

As our previous story noted, Martin said, "I do not advocate violence of any kind against anyone gay, or not." He has since apologized for his remarks.

Politico columnist Dylan Byers had this take on Martin's suspension: "[I]n its decision to suspend political contributor Roland Martin today for controversial statements he made on Twitter, CNN seems to have suggested that controversial comments made recently by other contributors -- namely Dana Loesch and Erick Erickson -- do not warrant the same punishment.

"On her radio show, Loesch championed U.S. Marines for urinating on dead Taliban soldiers and said that she would 'drop trou'and do it too.

"On his radio show, Erickson championed the tasing of an Occupy D.C. protester and said, 'watching a hippie protester get tased just makes my day.' "

Byers adds, "CNN may have felt extra pressure to suspend Martin because of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which strongly condemned Martin's comments."

Byers also notes, "It should be noted that among the three contributors, Martin was the only one to apologize for his statements."

Writing today, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, GLAAD said, "Earlier this week, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, Executive Director of the National Black Justice Coalition, the nation's largest black LGBT civil rights organization, also spoke out: 'Even if he meant it in a jovial manner, Roland Martin's words carry a real impact on the everyday lives of Black LGBT people, especially our youth. Given the number of rash murders, attacks and violent acts involving LGBT people of color, we cannot let statements such as this go unchecked. Silence is a form of acceptance and only perpetuates the problem.' "

Roland Martin

NBC Comedy Pilot Casts Allison Janney, Tony Shalhoub

NBC has attracted Emmy winners Allison Janney ("The West Wing") and Tony Shalhoub ("Monk") to star in the new Greg Daniels comedy pilot "Friday Night Dinner," reports Deadline.com.

Based on a U.K. comedy, the single-camera production is, as the title suggests, the ongoing story of what happens each week at Friday night dinner with a quirky family.

The stars will played Barbara and Gene, the heads of the family. The pilot is being directed by Ken Kwapis, who has successfully directed the U.S. adaptation of another British series, "The Office."

Super Bowl Broke Ground in Media Technology, but Halftime Show Was Deja Vu

Sunday’s record-breaking Super Bowl broadcast featured a great game, terrific ads and a wide range of technological innovations, but what it may be best remembered for was a low-tech gesture during the halftime show.

TVWeek Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin takes a look at the best and worst of what went on around this year’s game. Read her insightful roundup here.

Disappointing Debut for ABC Series

A new ABC series bowed to disappointing ratings Tuesday night as CBS parlayed a milestone episode of “NCIS” into a big win for the night in total viewers, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

CBS averaged 16.2 million viewers for prime time, more than twice as many as its closest rival. Trailing were ABC (7.6 million), Fox (6.8 million) and NBC (5.8 million).

The battle for the key 18-49 demo was much tighter, with CBS averaging a 3.1 rating to take a narrow win over Fox’s 3.0. Also in the hunt were ABC with a 2.4 and NBC with a 2.0.

ABC rolled out two hours of its new series “The River,” which dropped off steadily with each half-hour. The show opened with a modest 2.5 average rating in viewers 18-49 at 9 p.m., falling to a 2.4 at 9:30, a 2.3 at 10 p.m. and a 2.2 at 10:30.

CBS’s “NCIS” celebrated its 200th episode by claiming the title of top show of the night, scoring a 4.1 average rating in 18-49 along with a hefty 20.8 million total viewers.

Fox’s “The New Girl” continued to show strength, matching last week’s 3.5 rating in 18-49, while “Glee” dipped a half-point to a 3.2.

NBC’s “Biggest Loser” rose 5% to a 2.2 in adults 18-49.

Former Fox News Anchor Cleared in Rape Case

A former correspondent and weekend anchor for Fox News, now anchoring the morning show for Fox5 New York, has been cleared of a rape accusation, TVNewser.com reports.

Greg Kelly, who is the son of New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, was accused last month of raping a woman in October 2011, as previously reported. Officials reportedly had problems with the allegations from the beginning, and charges were not filed.

A spokesperson for the Manhattan District Attorney said Wednesday: "We have concluded that the established facts do not constitute a crime under New York criminal law."

Greg Kelly issued a statement saying: “I am so thankful the investigation established what I’ve known all along, that I am innocent of the allegations that were waged against me.”

Actress Poised to Reprise Golden Globe-Winning Role on 'American Horror Story'

An actress who won a Golden Globe for her role on "American Horror Story" will apparently return to the FX show, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

Co-creator Ryan Murphy appeared on Andy Cohen's "Watch What Happens Live," where he was asked about recasting the show, the story says. Murphy has in the past said that each season would change cast and characters, as well as the setting.

Asked whether Jessica Lange will make an appearance, Murphy answered, "Yes," although a representative for 20th Century Fox, which produces the program, said a deal hasn't been made yet, according to the story.

Lange won a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award this year for her appearance on “American Horror Story,” adding to a trophy case that includes two Oscars (for “Blue Sky” and “Tootsie”), an Emmy (for HBO’s “Grey Gardens”), a total of five Golden Globes and countless other industry honors.

Russell Brand Turns Down a Fortune in Divorce From Katy Perry

Comedian Russell Brand has turned down a fortune he was entitled to as part of his divorce from Katy Perry, reports TMZ.com.

Brand reportedly turned down about $20 million. The pair, who were married for 14 months, apparently didn't have a pre-nuptial agreement, which means that everything they earned during that time is community property, according to the story.

Perry made $44 million between May 2010 and May 2011, according to Forbes, the story notes.

Brand is reportedly content to end the marriage with the money he earned during the period -- which is well below Perry’s earnings, the story says. The divorce will become official June 30, the piece adds.

NBC May Rush New Season of 'The Voice' Into Fall 2012 Lineup -- And Three of the Four Judges May Be Replaced

NBC is considering debuting a new cycle of "The Voice" in fall 2012 instead of waiting until 2013 to return for another midseason run, reports TheWrap.com.

The network has signed judge Christina Aguilera for the next cycle, which, if it airs in the fall, would compete directly with Fox's "X Factor," the piece notes. The singer's deal signs her to tape a program from September to December.

Aguilera may be the only judge among the show's current four-person panel to return for a fall show, reports Joe Adalian in New York Magazine's Vulture blog.

That's because her fellow judges -- Cee-Lo Green, Blake Shelton and Adam Levine -- may not have the time to commit to another cycle within the same calendar year, the story notes. NBC is considering bringing on three new judges to join Aguilera, the piece adds.

A representative for NBC said the network hasn't made a decision about a fall broadcast, according to TheWrap.com.

Reality Star Says She's Bisexual, Questions Fellow Cast Member's Sexuality

One of the stars of a hugely popular reality television show came out as bisexual during an interview with The Huffington Post.

Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, in a joint interview with Jennifer “JWoww” Farley to promote the new season of MTV’s “Jersey Shore,” said: “I would consider myself bi. I've done stuff with girls before. ... I've experimented.”

Polizzi and Farley both indicated they wonder whether another cast member, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, is gay. Sorrentino’s sexuality has been the subject of speculation.

Said Polizzi: “He told me one time, ‘[All the talk is] making me wonder.”

Polizzi also denied recent rumors that she’s pregnant.

Video: Ellen Fires Back at Group Protesting Her Endorsement Deal

Daytime host Ellen DeGeneres used her talk show Tuesday to respond to a protest of her endorsement deal with JC Penney, The Washington Post reported.

DeGeneres fired back at the group One Million Moms, which is trying to pressure JC Penney to drop DeGeneres as a spokesperson because she is gay.

DeGeneres told her viewers: “Normally I try not to pay attention to my haters, but this time I’d like to talk about it ’cuz my haters are my motivators. This organization doesn’t think that I should be the spokesperson because I’m gay. For those of you who are just tuning in for the first time, it’s true. I’m gay. I hope you were sitting down.”

She also cheered the appeals court ruling the same day overturning California’s ban on gay marriage, which we reported previously.

JC Penney is standing behind its choice of DeGeneres as its spokesperson, the story notes.

Here’s the video of DeGeneres’ comments on the subject on her show:

'Idol' Executive Producer Thinks Show's Talent Pool Is Being Poached

"American Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe put out some theories about his show’s recent ratings dip during a telephone press conference Tuesday.

Lythgoe accused two rival singing competitions, NBC's "The Voice" and fellow Fox show "The X Factor,' of "feeding" from his show's talent pool, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He implied the talent pool for "Idol" is being diluted, while at the same time viewers appear to be growing fatigued by the proliferation of singing competitions on TV, according to the story.

Despite his criticisms, Lythgoe said he thinks "The Voice" has a "fun format" and he likes the chemistry between judges Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, the piece notes.

Best Buy Asks Its Customers Whether They Would Buy an Apple Hi-Def TV. Wait Till You Read What Best Buy Says This TV Will Do. Real or Wishful Thinking?

Nice scoop by The Verge about a survey Best Buy sent out regarding a possible Apple hi-def TV. [Note: If you click on the link to the original story, it's been down a lot today due to overwhelming traffic.]

Here is the info from the survey Best Buy sent out. The survey said:

The next 4 questions will be based on this description.

Be one of the first to get the all new 42” Apple HDTV at Best Buy for $1499. Apple finally reinvents what a TV can do:

•42” 1080p LED flat panel display

•Incorporates Apple’s operating system (iOS) found in its current Apple TV set top box which allows you to purchase and stream movies and other entertainment from the Internet

•Download and use apps from the App. Store. Can you imagine playing Angry Birds on a big screen in
your living room?

•Supports Apple’s new iCloud service for storing your movies, TV shows, and music content that you’ve purchased from iTunes and beam them to your Apple HDTV

•Use your iPad or iPhone as a remote control, and do everything from controlling your TV to purchasing new shows and swapping content between your Apple devices and the iCloud service.

•Built-in convenience with built-in iSight camera and microphone for Skype

•In addition to iTunes, stream content from popular sites such as Netflix, YouTube, and flickr

•Available for $1499

The Verge said that Best Buy confirmed sending out the survey, but that the description of the product was hypothetical. Then Best Buy pulled the survey, the story says.

Furthermore, ZDNet's Sean Portnoy has written that "The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting that a pair of Canadian carriers is in talks with Apple about partnering for its rumored television set (becoming unofficially known more and more as iTV), and that Rogers Communications and BCE already have prototypes in their office for testing.

"The paper’s sources claim that the TV can be controlled by both Siri-like voice commands and hand gestures (a la Microsoft’s Kinect). That level of control extends to an on-screen keyboard that allows users to interact with the Internet while using the set. In addition, iPhone and iPad owners would be able to control the set through an app on their devices."

While Most of Us Had Onion Dip This Past Sunday, Some Had Yorkshire Pudding: Can You Guess Which TV Show Came In Second to the Super Bowl in the Ratings?

With NBC’s Sunday telecast of the Super Bowl setting a record as the most-watched TV show in history, as previously reported, another ratings achievement has been largely overlooked. It didn’t come close to the Super Bowl’s numbers, but coming in second after the Super Bowl in the 9 p.m. hour was PBS's "Downton Abbey," The New York Times' Media Decoder blog reports.

The period drama about an aristocratic family living through World War I drew 4 million viewers, outpacing CBS's "CSI: Miami" (3.1 million); Fox’s "Family Guy" (2.4 million) and "American Dad" (2.2 million); and ABC’s "The Middle" (1.8 million), according to the story.

Aside from the PBS show, the other broadcast programs were all repeats. But they were impacted more by the Super Bowl than "Downton Abbey," which slid about 10% from its average, the piece adds.

With Fate of Fox's 'Terra Nova' Still Up in the Air, Star Books a Spot on Another Show

With the fate of Fox's dinosaur adventure series "Terra Nova" still up in the air, one of the show’s stars has booked a multi-episode arc on USA Network's "In Plain Sight," reports TVGuide.com.

Stephen Lang will play the troubled father of Mary McCormack's character, Mary Shannon, the story says. Her father, a criminal who abandoned his family more than 30 years earlier, has been talked about extensively on the show for the past four seasons, the piece notes.

James Wiley Shannon's return will force his daughter to confront some tough choices, the story says. Lang will appear for three episodes in the show, which begins its fifth and final season March 16, the piece adds.

ABC Orders Mandy Moore Comedy Pilot

Mandy Moore has received a comedy pilot order from ABC for an untitled single-camera project, reports TVLine.com. The project tracks Annie, played by Moore, and her newlywed husband as they open a restaurant in her hometown, where her high-maintenance family lives, the story says.

Shawn Levy of "Date Night" is tapped to executive produce and direct the pilot, the piece adds.

Report: ABC Has Plans for a New Senior Executive Producer at 'GMA'

ABC has a "plan in the works" that would elevate Tom Cibrowski to senior executive producer of the nrtwork's flagship morning program, "Good Morning America," reports Andrea Morabito at B&C.

According to the story, what would happen first is that "GMA's" current senior executive producer, James Goldston, would move to a "more wide-ranging role under President Ben Sherwood, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the plan."

The story notes that Cibrowski currently "already runs much of the day-to-day operations" of "GMA."

The article adds, "Sources say while Goldston is expected to be elevated to a more wide-ranging role, it would not necessarily fill the number two spot to Sherwood that has been vacant since Dave Davis, who served under former ABC News President David Westin, left the job in July 2010. After Davis' departure, ABC News' executive producers started reporting directly to Westin, a practice that has continued since Sherwood took over the news division in December 2010. A source says Sherwood is not looking to name a number two and will retain oversight of the division's executive producers, though Goldston would work very closely with the EPs on each of the broadcasts."

Morabito also reports: "A source notes there is no immediate timeline for making the personnel change(s)."

Disney's Iger: ABC Sells Out of Academy Awards Inventory in 'Healthy' Ad Market; Company May Implement Delay in Releasing DVDs for Rental Market

Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger noted in an earnings call with analysts that ABC has sold out of its commercial time for the Academy Awards broadcast, reports Deadline.com. Iger called the ad market “healthy,” the story reports.

Iger also noted that Disney is in talks to change its DVD and Blu-ray release policy, considering waiting 28 days before selling to rental companies such as Netflix, the piece adds.

Disney previously has not signed off on the idea that using a delay would help sales, but Iger noted, "The industry has continued to suffer on the sell-through side," according to the piece.

He declined to comment on reports that ABC is in talks to form a cable news network with Univision, the piece adds.

Super Bowl Sets Streaming Record

It has been widely reported that Sunday’s telecast of the Super Bowl on NBC was the most-watched TV show in history, but now word has surfaced that the game set another record.

NBC attracted 2.1 million viewers to watch its live Internet stream of the Super Bowl, according to The New York Times' Media Decoder blog. That means the game was the "most-watched single-game sports event ever online," NBC said.

NBC cited data from two measurement companies, Omniture and mDialog, the piece notes.

It was the first time the Super Bowl had been made available over the Internet by the TV network broadcasting the game, the piece notes.

The report adds: “The 2.1 million unique users watched a total of 4.59 million live video streams, according to NBC, reflecting the fact that live streams sometimes need to be rebooted by users. NBC said that 78.6 million total minutes were streamed.”

Syfy Renews Reality Series

Syfy has announced the renewal of a reality competition series, B&C reports. Returning for a third season will be the special-effects reality show "Face Off."

The network will start production on 10 new episodes in the spring, with the third season set to air in the summer, the piece notes.

The second season is currently running on Wednesdays at 10 p.m., and its January season premiere set a record for the show with 2.5 million viewers, the story says.

Not the Master of His Own Domain? Simon Cowell Tells 'Extra' He Fought to Keep Paula Abdul on 'X Factor.' So Was Her Dismissal From the Show Ordered by Fox?

Rick Feldman Stepping Down as CEO of NATPE -- Search Is On to Replace Him

Rick Feldman, who has run NATPE for the past nine years, is stepping down from that role on April 30, 2012.

In a press release today NATPE wrote, "Rick Feldman, who has served as President and CEO of NATPE for the past nine years, will segue, as planned, from his post at the end of his contract on April 30 into a three-year consultancy with the organization, it was jointly announced by Jordan Levin and Chris Grant, co-chairmen of NATPE."

The release continued, "NATPE has retained Korn Ferry to administer an executive search to select a new operating chief for NATPE. Feldman will assist with the transition."

Grant said in a statement, "Our goal now is to find an individual who can oversee the proposed plans we have for our 50th Anniversary celebration and can help implement the ideas we have discussed to grow NATPE and solidify its position as the premier content association in the world across all platforms, both traditional and emerging.”

In the same statement Levin said of Feldman, "We deeply appreciate the contributions Rick has made to NATPE including his work most recently on our very successful Miami Conference, which grew in all key categories for the second year in a row. His knowledge and experience will continue to be put to good use as a consultant to the person we select and to the organization as a whole.”

Feldman added, in the statement, "I am very proud of what I have accomplished during my time as CEO of NATPE. We have expanded our programs, improved our financial position, enhanced our brand internationally, integrated the digital world and brought new life to our organization with our move to Miami. I look forward to working with the person who will replace me and with the organization as a consultant in the years ahead.”

Grant is CEO of Electus. According to his official NATPE bio, Electus is "the first integrated multimedia entertainment studio to unite producers, creators, advertisers and distributors under one roof and produce all forms of content for distribution across a variety of platforms around the world."

Levin spent 10 years at The WB, rising to become its President of Entertainment. According to his official NATPE bio, "In 2005, Levin partnered to create Generate, a next-generation media company producing targeted content for distribution across traditional and digital platforms. Generate's distinctive full-service studio, talent management and brand engagement divisions collectively develop innovative entertainment experiences that integrate the advertising, technology and entertainment communities."

Feldman, prior to joining NATPE in April 2003, was -- according to his official NATPE bio -- "executive vice president and chief operating officer of USA Broadcasting in Los Angeles. While there, he was responsible for overseeing a group of four stations throughout the United States, including WAMI-TV/Miami. ... Prior to USA, Mr. Feldman served 16 years at KCOP-TV/Los Angeles."

Rick Feldman

Former PBS News Anchor Joins CNN

A TV news personality best known as an anchor for PBS has joined CNN, Multichannel News reports. Former “Wall Street Week” anchor Maribel Aber moves to CNN Newsource, where she will be a correspondent, the story reports.

Aber will report for “CNN Money Matters,” a production of CNN Newsource and CNNMoney.com.

The story notes: “CNN Newsource is the company's syndicated news service to over 800 affiliates including TV stations and regional cable news nets.”

Aber's experience includes work with NASDAQ MarketSite, where she coordinated CNN coverage from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, the report adds.

Best Song Category in Oscars Suffers Another Setback -- First, Only Two Songs Were Nominated; Now Those Two Songs Appear to Be Dumped From the Show

It’s a tough year for the best original song category in the Academy Awards. First the Academy found only two songs worthy of nominations, and now the producers of the telecast appear to have decided not to bother including those two songs in the show, Deadline.com reports.

The two nominees are "Real in Rio" from "Rio" and "Man or Muppet" from "The Muppets." Other contenders, including songs by Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Sinead O'Connor, failed to make the cut this year.

The story notes that things remain in flux, with Oscars producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer continuing to say the production is a work in progress. However, sources indicate that the songs will not be performed during the broadcast.

Fox and Disney, the studios behind the two nominated productions, reportedly protested the decision to no avail. An insider at one of the companies is quoted as saying, “It seems like a huge missed opportunity to me, and we certainly tried.”

Another source was skeptical about the “news” of the songs’ omission from the show, telling the publication: “Someone ‘leaking’ this possibility to you is just another way for people to try and influence the creative direction of the show. And there have been Oscar shows that did not have the nom songs performed.”

The Academy Awards ceremony will be televised Feb. 26 on ABC.

Non-TV News of the Day: Federal Court Strikes Down California's Ban on Gay Marriage

A federal appeals court has struck down California’s Proposition 8, which passed in 2008 and put a ban on gay marriage in the state, the Los Angeles Times reports.

However, a stay on same-sex marriages remained in place, meaning the ceremonies may not resume.

The story reports: “The 2-1 decision found that the voters, in approving Proposition 8 in 2008, unfairly took away a right from a minority group. ‘The people may not employ the initiative power to single out a disfavored group for unequal treatment and strip them, without a legitimate justification, of a right as important as the right to marry,’ the panel majority said.”

The decision applies only to California, indicating that the Supreme Court may stay out of the dispute, the story notes. However, opponents of gay marriage were already mapping plans to fight the ruling.

According to the report: “ProtectMarriage.com, which defended Proposition 8 with the help of Christian legal allies from the Alliance Defense Fund, immediately proclaimed their intention to appeal the 9th Circuit decision.

“Attorneys for the two organizations fighting to retain the definition of legal marriage in California as only between a man and a woman said they expected to have to carry the case forward from the 9th Circuit, deeming the ruling Tuesday the result of ‘a Hollywood and San Francisco attack on marriage.’"

NBC News Correspondent Launches iPad Series

An NBC News correspondent is launching a new monthly iPad documentary series, which premieres this week, B&C reports.

Starting Feb. 8, NBC News foreign correspondent Richard Engel will host "Hidden Planet," marking the first time that NBC has launched a series on an iPad app. It will be available through the "Rock Center with Brian Williams" app.

Engel will be expanding beyond his Mideast war stories, his usual beat, to explore unusual places around the world. He's scheduled to go to the lost city of Timbuktu and the tunnels beneath Saqqara Pyramids.

Episodes of "Hidden Planet" will be exclusive on the iPad for a week, then available online at RockCenterNBC.com.

TV Loses Ground as Source of Election News -- and There's a New No. 2

Even with all the political coverage on television, viewers are turning to TV less for their election news than they have in at least 20 years, Deadline.com reports, citing a study by the Pew Research Center.

In a comparable study four years ago, 72% of respondents indicated their first choice for election news was television, but the figure has now slipped to 69%. That number compares with 78% in 2004 and 86% in 2000, the story reports.

The falloff is greatest for local broadcast news, with only 32% of surveyed adults indicating they turn first to local news for election information -- down from 40% four years ago.

National nightly news fell significantly too, down to 26% from 32% four years ago. Cable news was the steadiest TV segment, slipping to 36% from 38% four years ago.

The Internet has overtaken newspapers as the No. 2 source for election news, rising to 34% from 26% four years ago. Only eight years ago the number for the Internet was just 13%.

Just 22% of respondents named newspapers as their first choice for political information and election news, down from 30% four years ago. As recently as 1996, the number for newspapers was around 50%.

NBC Finds a Winning Formula -- Including a Big Opening for 'Smash' -- to Launch February Sweeps

NBC snapped out of its ratings doldrums in time to win the first Monday of February sweeps, as its singing competition “The Voice” combined with the series debut of “Smash” to lift the network to No. 1 in total viewers and in the key 18-49 demo, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

NBC finished prime time with a 5.7 average rating in viewers 18-49, well ahead of the competition. CBS came in second with a 3.5 average, followed by ABC (2.4 average) and Fox (2.3). In total viewers, NBC averaged 15.6 million for the night, easitly topping CBS (10.8 million), ABC (8.4 million) and Fox (7.0 million).

“The Voice” appeared to benefit from Sunday’s post-Super Bowl push, scoring a 6.6 average rating in 18-49 for its 8-10 p.m. broadcast, 29% better than last year’s premiere.

As good as they were, the numbers for “The Voice” were dwarfed by the turnout for a special post-Super Bowl installment of the show one night earlier. NBC announced that Sunday’s season premiere, which pulled in a whopping 16.3 average rating in adults 18-49, was the highest-rated entertainment program on a broadcast network in six years -- since a post-Super Bowl episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” aired on ABC.

Bowing at 10 p.m. Monday, “Smash” scored a 3.8 to easily win the hour. CBS’s “Hawaii Five-0” pulled a 2.7 in the 18-49 demo at 10 p.m., while ABC’s “Castle” settled for a 2.0. The bad news in the hour for NBC may be the half-hour breakouts for “Smash,” which earned a 4.2 for the first half-hour but slipped to a 3.4 at 10:30.

CBS saw its solid Monday comedy lineup trending downward. “How I Met Your Mother” had a 4.0 average rating in 18-49, down 0.4 from its previous original; “2 Broke Girls” was off 0.3 to a 4.3 (the network’s best number of the night); “Two and a Half Men” slipped 0.4 to a season-low 4.2; and “Mike & Molly” fell 0.4 to a 3.4.

CNN Under Pressure to Fire Analyst After Controversial Super Bowl Tweet

CNN is being pressured by an activist group that is calling for the firing of an analyst in the wake of a controversial tweet, reports the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has started an online petition asking CNN to fire Roland Martin because of a tweet he wrote during the Super Bowl criticizing an H&M ad starring David Beckham, the story reports.

Martin’s tweet made fun of Beckham for sporting only his underwear in the ad, noting, "Ain't no real bruhs going to H&M to buy some damn David Beckham underwear!," according to the piece. He continued, "If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham's H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him!"

GLAAD accused Martin of gay bashing, the story says. Martin defended himself, writing later on Twitter, "I do not advocate violence of any kind against anyone gay, or not. As anyone who follows me on Twitter knows, anytime soccer comes up during football season it's another chance for me to take a playful shot at soccer, nothing more," according to the piece.

Reality Show Is Target of Alleged Blackmail Plot

An alleged blackmailer has been charged in what authorities say is a plot to force the cancellation of a reality show, the Associated Press reports.

The TLC Show "19 Kids and Counting" was the focus of the alleged plot. An Iowa woman was arrested and charged with being behind a plot to get Discovery Communications to cancel the show or pay $10,000 in exchange for not revealing compromising photos of a cast member, the story reports.

According to federal court documents, the woman, Teresa Hunt, is accused of threatening to send the photos, depicting a cast member in "apparently intimate situations,” to a magazine, the story notes.

Hunt was arrested Feb. 1 after an FBI undercover agent called her and said he represented Discovery and was following up on her letter, the story says. Hunt alleged that a 56-year-old professional musician she has a professional relationship with was having an affair with an unspecified female cast member, according to the court papers, the story notes.

"19 Kids and Counting" is a reality show that tracks Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 19 children.

Singer Dealing With Fallout From Disastrous Appearance on 'SNL'

A disastrous appearance on “Saturday Night Live” is having ripple effects for a pop singer, the New York Post’s Page Six reports.

Lana Del Rey is postponing her tour in the wake of the much-criticized "Saturday Night Live" performance, the story says. As previously reported, NBC anchor Brian Williams complained in an email that her performance was "one of the worst outings in SNL history."

Her performance was spoofed by "SNL" cast member Kristen Wiig last weekend.

Del Rey's appearance on the show was slated to kick off the release of her album "Born to Die," but the tour was postponed after her TV performance, the story says. She was scheduled to perform 30 dates across the U.S., starting as soon as March, but her agents and record label reportedly realized she wasn't ready to tour, according to the piece.

Del Rey is now working on her performance, the story says. A source told the publication that her record label, Interscope, was concerned that poor live performances would hurt record sales, and realized that it might be a good idea to put distance between the “SNL” appearance and the tour.

A rep for Interscope said the label had "nothing to do with booking or postponing a tour," while the singer's representatives didn't respond to requests for comment, according to the article.

Actor Who Played One of Hollywood's Seminal Zombies Dies

An actor who helped create the modern era of Hollywood zombies with his portrayal of one of the creatures in the seminal zombie movie “Night of the Living Dead” has died, E! Online reports.

Bill Hinzman, 75, died of cancer Sunday night at his home in Pennsylvania, according to media reports.

The E! story notes: “Hinzman was revered by horror aficionados for his memorable turn in George A. Romero's touchstone horror flick, in which he played the first zombie audiences see during the film's opening moments. In the scene, Hinzman's undead stalker attacks two siblings at a graveyard, killing one and chasing the other.”

Hinzman’s daughter, Heidi Hinzman, reported that her father asked to be cremated, saying, "He always joked if he got buried he would come back."

Hinzman reportedly joined the 1968 production of “Night of the Living Dead” as an assistant cameraman before landing the role as a zombie. In a 2010 interview he said, “I was in the movie because I was tall and skinny and had an old suit!"

The report adds: “After ‘Night of the Living Dead,’ Hinzman acted in over a dozen films, many of them horror-themed. He also wrote and directed two horror flicks in the late '80s, ‘The Majorettes’ and ‘FleshEater.’”

Bill Hinzman

ABC Family Orders Series From 'Gilmore Girls' Creator, Pulls Plug on Two Others

"Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino has received a series order for her project "Bunheads" from ABC Family, reports Deadline.com.

The project tracks Michelle, played by Sutton Foster, a Las Vegas showgirl who gets marries and moves to a small town, taking on a job at her mother-in-law's dance school, the story says.

The show joins another series that was picked up by ABC Family last week, "Baby Daddy."

Meanwhile, two other pilots from ABC Family's current group of projects, "Intercept" and "Village People," reportedly will not go forward, according to the piece.

Popular Character Cut From HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire'

HBO’s critically acclaimed Prohibition-era drama “Boardwalk Empire” is eliminating a popular character from the lineup, TVLine.com reports.

Lucy Danziger, played by Paz de la Huerta, has been cut from the mobster show, with HBO opting not to pick up Huerta’s third-season contract option, the story reports.

Lucy was introduced in the first season as the mistress of Nucky, played by Steve Buscemi. The character spent the second season pregnant and living with the baby's father, Michael Shannon's Van Alden, but after having the baby, she went out for formula and never returned, the story says.

She's the fourth original cast member to be eliminated from the third season, the piece notes, following three characters who were whacked in season two -- played by Michael Pitt, Dabney Coleman and Aleksa Palladino.

A number of new characters will be brought aboard to help fill the void, including a new rival for Nucky to be played by Bobby Cannavale, as previously reported.

Horse Racing Drama on Defensive Over Deaths of Animal Stars

HBO's "Luck," a new drama about the thoroughbred racing world, is responding to criticism of its treatment of horses after the deaths of two animal actors, reports the New York Observer.

Animal-rights organization PETA noted that a horse was euthanized after suffering a "severe fracture" while falling during a race sequence, according to the story. HBO said a scene in the pilot that shows a horse breaking a leg didn't include the animal that died, noting that instead the scene was created using trained movie horses and CGI, the story says.

Another horse died following an injury during filming of a race sequence for the show's seventh episode, the piece adds.

Because of the deaths, the American Humane Association said the two episodes don't carry the organization’s familiar certification “No Animals Were Harmed,” according to the article. The certification has been given back to the show after HBO worked with the AHA on improving safeguards, the piece adds.

HBO commented on the new safeguards in an email to the publication, saying: “After the second accident, production was suspended while the production worked with AHA and racing industry experts to adopt additional protocols specifically for horse racing sequences. The protocols included but were not limited to the hiring of an additional veterinarian and radiography of the legs of all horses being used by the production. HBO fully adopted all of AHA’s rigorous safety guidelines before production resumed.”

Media Heavyweight Working on New Cable News Channel

A new cable news channel is in the works and is the topic of advanced discussions taking place involving media heavyweight The Walt Disney Co. and Spanish-language broadcaster Univision, The New York Times' Media Decoder blog reports. The channel would be English-language, targeting English-speaking Hispanics in the U.S.

The news channel would seek to compete directly with established cable news outlets such as CNN and Fox News, the piece says.

For Disney, the partnership would allow it to reduce some of the costs related to its ABC News division, while sharing in subscriber fees from an additional network, according to the article.

Disney, which owns cable networks including ESPN and ABC Family, would help the partnership gain carriage agreements from cable and satellite companies, the story notes.

The story adds: “ABC News has halfheartedly tried creating its own cable news channel more than once before, but this new effort comes at a time when the news division, under Ben Sherwood, who became its president about a year ago, seems eager to strike deals. Last summer, ABC announced a Web partnership with Yahoo.”

'Heroes' Star to Play Romantic Interest on 'The Office' -- Spoiler Alert

One of the stars of "Heroes" has been cast as a romantic interest for a character on NBC's "The Office," reports TVGuide.com.

Sendhil Ramamurthy will play an Indian doctor who causes a breakup between Kelly Kapoor, played by Mindy Kaling, and Ryan, played by B.J. Novak, the story says.

"Ryan and Kelly end up becoming bitter enemies in the office when she falls in love with an Indian doctor. He's very handsome and a much, much better match for Kelly than Ryan is," Novak said, according to the story.

Ramamurthy is currently co-starring on USA's "Covert Affairs" as Jai.

Game Changer For Netflix? The Folks Who Have All Those Redbox Movie Rental Kiosks Are Partnering with Verizon to Create a National Service to Stream Movies and TV Shows

Two major media companies are joining forces to take on Netflix in the video-streaming space, Bloomberg reports. Verizon and Coinstar have formed a joint venture, 65% owned by Verizon and 35% owned by Coinstar, the story says.

The service would be available to anyone with a high-speed Web connection, the story notes, citing Bob Mudge, president of Verizon’s consumer business.

The venture is slated to launch in the second half of 2012, although Verizon declined to say whether it would focus on TV shows or feature films. The company plans to secure new streaming rights with content providers, the piece adds.

CBS Pilot Casts 'Pushing Daisies' Star

One of the stars of the ABC dramedy "Pushing Daisies" has been cast in a role on a CBS pilot, reports TVLine.com. Chi McBride, known for playing gruff detectives, will get another chance at it in "Golden Boy," the story reports.

McBride will play the jaded partner of the project's title character, who rises from officer to police commissioner, the story notes.

The drama pilot from Greg Berlanti is written by "NYPD Blue" alum Nicholas Wootton, the piece adds.

McBride’s long filmography also includes roles on “Boston Public” and “Human Target.”

'Simpsons' Poised for International Warfare Over Iranian Blacklist

The executive producer of Fox animation staple “The Simpsons” fired back at Iran after the country slapped a ban on the sale of “Simpsons” toys, the Los Angeles Times reports.

"Simpsons" EP Al Jean told the publication, "This means war!" when he was asked about the ban. Iran placed all "Simpsons" merchandise on a toy blacklist, joining toys such as Barbie that the country has banned for promoting Western culture, the article notes.

Some Western pop icons, such as Spider-Man and Superman, remain available in the country, because those figures are considered helpful to the "oppressed," the story adds.

The Iranian government’s Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults is monitoring the sale of toys. The Times reported that the agency’s secretary of policymaking, Mohammad Hossein Farjoo, “said that any doll that had distinguishable adult genitals, or any dolls of adults at all, were banned ‘because these dolls are promoters of Western culture.’"

The story adds: “Superman and Spider-Man got a pass because ‘though they are dolls and characters in American films, they help oppressed people and they have a positive stance.’"

“The Simpsons” is approaching its 500th episode, scheduled for Feb. 19.

Super Bowl Is Most-Watched TV Show in U.S. History

Sunday’s broadcast of Super Bowl XLVI on NBC set a record for U.S. television viewing, according to Nielsen’s fast nationals, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

The game was watched by 111.3 million viewers, eclipsing Fox’s telecast of last year’s Super Bowl, which came in with 111.0 million viewers.

The telecast also scored a 40.5 rating in the key 18-49 demo, the highest number for a Super Bowl in 15 years -- since the 1996 game scored a 41.2.

Only one non-Super Bowl broadcast, the “M*A*S*H” finale, is among the top five most-watched television programs in U.S. history, according to the report. Here’s the list:

1. 111.3 Million -- Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Sunday’s game)

2. 111.0 Million -- Super Bowl XLV, Fox

3. 106.5 Million -- Super Bowl XLIV, CBS

4. 106.0 Million -- M*A*S*H Finale, CBS

5. 98.7 Million -- Super Bowl XLIII, NBC

In terms of household ratings, the game had a 47.0 average (along with a 71 share), up 2% from last year’s 46.0/69, making it the sixth-highest-rated Super Bowl and the highest in 26 years.

Here are the highest-rated Super Bowls in households, according to the report:

1. 49.1/73 -- Super Bowl XVI, CBS

2. 48.6/69 -- Super Bowl XVII, NBC

3. 48.3/70 -- Super Bowl XX, NBC

4. 47.2/67 -- Super Bowl XII, CBS

5. 47.1/74 -- Super Bowl XIII, NBC

6. 47.0/71 -- Super Bowl XLVI, NBC (Sunday’s game)

T7. 46.4/71 -- Super Bowl XVIII, CBS

T7. 46.4/63 -- Super Bowl XIX, ABC

9. 46.3/67 -- Super Bowl XIV, CBS

10. 46.0/69 -- Super Bowl XLV, Fox

The story adds: “The viewership and rating grew throughout the game and peaked at a 117.7 million viewers and a 50.7 (overall rating)/72 (overall share) ... from 9:30-9:58 p.m. ET in the fourth quarter, when Eli Manning led the Giants on a game-winning drive.”

Additionally, the halftime show featuring Madonna was watched by a record 114.0 million viewers, almost 4 million more than the 110.3 million who watched last year’s Black Eyed Peas performance.

Former Reality Show Contestant Dies After Being Hit by Train

A 34-year-old man who was a former contestant on a network reality show was killed over the weekend when he was hit by a train, TheBostonChannel.com reports.

Jeffrey Fraza, a boxer who appeared on the show "The Contender," was hit by a commuter train in Haverhill, Mass., in the early-morning hours Saturday, the story reports.

Fraza's death is being investigated by the transit authority, MBTA, but his friend and trainer, Joe Calnan, was certain it was an accident.

Fraza, known as "Hell Raza" when he boxed, had been suffering from Crohn's disease, but had been doing better. According to his girlfriend, Sylvia Pastrana, Fraza often walked home by way of the tracks.

Jeffrey Fraza

Filmmaker Behind '9½ Weeks,' Showtime's 'Red Shoe Diaries' Dead at 70

A filmmaker who wrote and produced "9½ Weeks" and was a part of the Showtime series "The Red Shoes Diaries" died late last Friday at the age of 70, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Zalman King, who had been suffering from cancer, died in his Santa Monica home.

Early in his career, King appeared as an actor in episodic television, including a significant role on "The Young Lawyers" and guest spots on “Gunsmoke,” “Daniel Boone” and other shows. But it was "9½ Weeks," the 1986 erotic romance that starred Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke, that made him one of the most well-known erotic filmmakers in Hollywood.

He continued to work with erotic material, including the films "Two Moon Junction" and "Wild Orchid." He later was a writer, producer and director on the anthology series “The Red Shoe Diaries.”

Zalman King

Fox to Shelve 'Glee' for Two Months

Fox has announced that the award-winning musical comedy show "Glee" will be on the shelf for two months, reports TheWrap.com.

The show is going into a mini-deep freeze to make room on the Fox schedule for a comedy block that will include "Raising Hope," "I Hate My Teenage Daughter," "The New Girl" and "Breaking In."

Starting March 6, the lineup will be as follows:

8 p.m. ET -- "Raising Hope"
8:30 p.m. ET -- "I Hate My Teenage Daughter"
9 p.m. ET -- "The New Girl"
9:30 p.m. ET -- "Breaking In"

The winter finale of "Glee" will air Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 8 p.m. ET. "Glee" will return Tuesday, April 10, at 8 p.m.

In other Fox scheduling news, there will be a live two-hour Tuesday broadcast of "American Idol" Feb. 28.

CNN Names New National Political Correspondent

CNN has announced the appointment of a new national political correspondent. Effective immediately the cable network has promoted Jim Acosta to the post.

Sam Feist, CNN Washington bureau chief and SVP, made the announcement.

In a statement, Feist said: "Jim has been an outstanding addition to the political team. He has emerged as one of the key reporters on the campaign trail and his astute reporting skills will only help to position the network to dominate this important election cycle.”

Also issuing a statement was Acosta, who said: "Having grown up just outside of the nation’s capital, I’m very excited about this new assignment. I am honored to be part of CNN’s political team, which is second to none.”

Acosta will appear on a number of CNN shows, including "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and "John King, USA."

Another Leading Lady Is Cast for Sheen's 'Anger Management'

A second leading lady has been cast on Charlie Sheen's new sitcom "Anger Management," following the news that "Becker" alum Shawnee Smith was cast in one of the lead roles, as previously reported.

Selma Blair has snagged the role, reports Entertainment Weekly. Blair, who was most recently on the comedy "Kath & Kim," will play Kate, Charlie's “best friend with benefits," the story says.

Like Charlie’s character, Kate is a therapist who treats patients with anger issues.

Smith will play Charlie’s ex-wife.

Blair is also known for her roles in feature films including “Cruel Intentions” and “Legally Blonde.”

FX has given "Anger Management" a 10-episode commitment for the first season.

NFL Analyst Accused of Being a Deadbeat Dad

A retired NFL star and former contestant on "Dancing With the Stars," who currently works as an analyst with the NFL Network and is a regular on Showtime's "Inside the NFL," has been accused of being a deadbeat dad, TMZ.com reports.

Warren Sapp allegedly has fallen behind in his child support payments by more than $700,000, the story says.

Sapp's ex-wife Jamiko claims that the football star has not lived up to the the terms of their 2007 divorce decree, which included $15,000 a month in child support for their two children and $45,000 a month in alimony.

Specifically, Jamiko Sapp had a motion filed in court asking the judge to enforce the divorce agreement, declaring that Sapp owes her $728,100. Last October, Warren Sapp petitioned the judge to lower his monthly payments.

The judge has not ruled on either party's request, according to the report.

Obscene Gesture During Super Bowl Halftime Show Draws Apology From NBC and NFL, Sparks Comparisons With Infamous Janet Jackson 'Wardrobe Malfunction'

In an incident that is being compared to the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” by Janet Jackson at the 2004 Super Bowl, NBC and the NFL have apologized for a performance by a singer during Sunday’s halftime show for Super Bowl XLVI, the Associated Press reports.

Singer M.I.A. reportedly flipped the bird during her appearance as part of Madonna’s set -- extending her middle finger during Madonna's performance of her new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin.”

"The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans," said a representative for the NFL, which produced the halftime show. NBC also apologized, noting that its system "was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture," the piece adds.

M.I.A. had reportedly not done anything similar in rehearsals before the game, and the NFL didn't have a reason to suspect she might make such a gesture, according to the article.

The story adds: “The screen briefly went blurred after M.I.A.'s gesture in what was a late attempt -- by less than a second -- to cut out the camera shot.”

The Super Bowl is television's biggest ratings night of the year, and the incident took place in front of an estimated 110 million viewers on NBC. As she made the gesture, M.I.A. appeared to sing, “I don’t give a [expletive],” although it was unclear exactly what she said, according to the report.

Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” during Super Bowl XXXVIII, in which her bare nipple was glimpsed by millions of viewers, was televised by CBS in February 2004. That incident triggered fines, FCC regulations and a torrent of complaints, and is still referenced in discussions about television indecency.

Video: The Top 5 Most Popular Ads in the Super Bowl, As Determined by the Annual USA Today Poll Soon After the Game Ended (Plus Our Favorite Here at TVWeek)

In order:

Number One:

Will Ferrell Featured in Super Bowl Ad That Most Viewers Never Saw -- Here It Is

Comedian Will Ferrell starred in a Super Bowl ad that most viewers never saw, because it only aired in Nebraska, according to New York Magazine's Vulture blog.

The spot is the latest of what the article calls "beautifully bizarre" ads for Old Milwaukee beer, which previously have aired only in small markets, such as Davenport, Iowa, the piece notes.

The ad features Ferrell walking through a field of grain, catching a can of beer and popping it open before starting to deliver a line, which is then cut off for a local news promo. The article notes that the abrupt end was likely planned by Ferrell.

The ad has been posted on YouTube, thanks to someone who apparently viewed it at home and recorded it. Here it is:

Demi Moore in Treatment Facility on 'Total Lockdown'

After last month's health scare that sent actress Demi Moore to a hospital, she is now in a treatment facility on "total lockdown," reports E! Online.

The facility is the Cirque Lodge in Sundance, Utah, which the article describes as "ultra-posh." Moore, 49, is allegedly being treated for an eating disorder and addiction issues, the story says.

The facility's clients have reportedly included Lindsay Lohan and Mary-Kate Olsen, the piece adds.

Moore’s recent behavior has drawn intense media scrutiny after she was hospitalized Jan. 23 for what has been called a substance-related health scare, as reported previously.

NBC's High-Priced Series Gamble Premieres Tonight. Word in Hollywood Is That Marketing for the Show Has Already Hit $20 Million to $25 Million; NBC Says It's Less Than $10 Million

NBC's high-priced series gamble, "Smash," debuts on the network tonight, Monday, Feb. 6, 2012.

"The pilot for 'Smash' cost more than $7 million to make, and subsequent episodes are running close to $4 million apiece, according to people with knowledge of the show who did not want to speak publicly on the subject," writes Joe Flint in the Los Angeles Times' Company Town blog. Flint adds: " 'Smash' is a passion project for NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt, who took the top programming job at the network a little over a year ago."

Flint also notes the show's pedigree: " 'Smash' has an all-star lineup in front of and behind the camera. It stars Debra Messing, Anjelica Huston and Katharine McPhee and was created by playwright Theresa Rebeck. Producers include Steven Spielberg, Tony Award-winning composer Marc Shaiman, and Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, producers of the Oscar-winning 'Chicago.' "

On the marketing side, Bill Carter, in an article in The New York Times writes, "Estimated expenditures for outside media on 'Smash' have reached as high as $25 million. That includes things like billboards, print ads, taxicab spots and the lavish, laminated, 40-page Broadway-style program book that NBC sent to the press."

Flint writes in his piece, "There has been speculation in industry circles that the marketing campaign has topped $20 million, but Len Fogge, NBC's marketing chief, put the cost at less than $10 million."

As Carter notes, whatever that number is, "It does not include the value of all the promotional mentions that have appeared elsewhere -- between shows, in the middle of shows, on the bottom of the screen during shows -- on NBC and its sister channels (USA, Bravo, MSNBC, CNBC, etc.) over the last month.

"Executives at competing networks said the total promotional cost of 'Smash' could most likely be a record, though one noted that Fox spent extravagantly this past summer to build up its new singing competition, 'The X Factor.' That resulted in a show that achieved much-better-than-average ratings, but which was considered a disappointment to some -- including apparently Fox and the show’s executive producer, Simon Cowell, who decided last week to fire a majority of the cast."

One 'X Factor' Judge Is Signed for Next Season

Amid off-season turmoil on Fox’s "X Factor,” one judge is locked in for next season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Epic Records chief L.A. Reid, whom audiences appeared to embrace, signed his option contract Friday to return to the show, the story reports. The signing came just days after Simon Cowell axed judges Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones, as previously reported.

"Reid, a veteran music executive, was among the talents who truly shined during the show's inaugural run, showing no hesitation when it came to expressing his opinion honestly," the story notes. Some viewers thought he was even more pointed than Cowell, the piece adds.

FX Adds a Season -- and May Add One More -- to Order for Critically Acclaimed Drama

FX appears to be as big a fan of one of its dramas as the critics are. The network has already announced it’s bringing back the critically acclaimed “Sons of Anarchy” for a fifth season, and now it has picked up a sixth season, EW.com’s Inside TV blog reports.

And that’s not all, the story reports -- the cable net is considering extending the show to a seventh season.

Season five is set to premiere this fall.

20th Century Fox TV and FX Productions, which produce "Sons of Anarchy," have also closed a three-year deal with the show's creator, Kurt Sutter, the story notes.

The story notes that the show “finished season 4 as its highest-rated to date, building upon last year’s season average by 18% among adults 18-49 and 21% among total viewers. The drama that stars Ron Perlman and Katey Sagal is FX’s No. 1 program in history.”

'Scrubs' Star Gets Lead in ABC Pilot

"Scrubs" actress Sarah Chalke has been cast in the lead role in an ABC comedy pilot, reports Deadline.com.

The comedy, from 20th Century Fox TV and Imagine Television, is "How to Live With Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life.” The show is taped with a live audience and includes more scenes than a typical sitcom, the story says.

The project, based on creator Claudia Lonow's life, is about a woman who moves in with her eccentric parents after getting divorced, the piece adds.

Sarah Chalke

Stars of 'Sister Wives' Get Go-Ahead to Challenge Bigamy Law

The stars of the TLC show "Sister Wives" have been given the go-ahead by a federal judge for a lawsuit that challenges Utah's bigamy law, reports the Deseret News.

The judge ruled that Kody Brown and his four wives can sue Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Buhman, but their claims against the state's governor and attorney general were dismissed, the piece notes.

After "Sister Wives" debuted in 2010, Buhman threatened to prosecute the family, although his office hasn't filed charges. The family, with 16 children, moved from Utah to Nevada in 2011, according to the story.

The judge ruled Friday that sufficient evidence exists for the suit, in which the polygamous family contests the constitutionality of Utah’s ban on bigamy, the story reports.

Miniseries Based on Mass Shooting in the Works at Lifetime

A tragic mass shooting is the focus of a miniseries project at Lifetime, which will involve the creative team behind "Moneyball" and "Mildred Pierce," according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

The miniseries would be based on the 2009 book “Columbine” by Dave Cullen, which recounts the events of the 1999 school shooting in Colorado, in which 15 people died -- including the two shooters, who were students at Columbine High School.

Tommy O'Haver of "An American Crime" would write and direct the project, while Michael DeLuca of "Moneyball" is in discussions to produce, along with Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler of "Mildred Pierce," the story says.

Two-Time Emmy Winner Tapped for Lead in ABC Pilot

A high-profile TV actor who has racked up six Emmy nominations, including winning two trophies, will play the lead in the new ABC drama pilot “Last Resort,” Deadline.com reports.

Andre Braugher, who received back-to-back Emmy nominations in 2010 and 2011 for TNT's "Men of a Certain Age," has been cast in the role, the story says.

The project focuses on a nuclear submarine crew that disobeys an order and becomes fugitives, landing on an island and declaring itself an independent nuclear nation, the story says. Braugher will play Capt. Marcus Chaplin, the sub's commander.

Braugher won Emmys for his work on "Homicide: Life on the Street" and "Thief," and was also nominated for “Gideon’s Crossing” and “The Tuskegee Airmen.”

'Boardwalk Empire' Casts 'Third Watch' Actor as Brutal Gangster

HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" has cast an actor known for his role in "Third Watch" to play a brutal gangster, reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

Bobby Cannavale will play Gyp Rosetti, a gangster who challenges Nucky, played by Steve Buscemi, for control of the bootlegging business, the story says. The third season of the show will jump forward to 1923, a period when stockpiled booze supplies were beginning to run out and competition intensified in the illegal alcohol trade, according to the piece.

Cannavale is known for his role as Bobby Caffey on NBC’s “Third Watch,” and also had a recurring role on “Will & Grace” that won him an Emmy in 2005.

Running For His Life No More: Ben Gazzara, 81, Succumbs to Cancer

“Ben Gazzara, whose powerful dramatic performances brought an intensity to a variety of roles and made him a memorable presence in films, on television and on Broadway in the original “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” has died at age 81,” the Associated Press reports.

Gazzara died of pancreatic cancer on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, in the same city in which he was born, New York.

The story notes that “In 1965 [Gazzara] moved on to TV stardom in 'Run for Your Life,' a drama about a workaholic lawyer who, diagnosed with a terminal illness, quits his job and embarks on a globe-trotting attempt to squeeze a lifetime of adventures into the one or two years he has left. He was twice nominated for Emmys during the show’s three-year run.”

Gazzara had originated the role in an episode of the “Kraft Suspense Theater” that served as a pilot for the show. The series was created by Roy Huggins, the same person who created the similar man-on-the-run themed “The Fugitive.”

Gazzara was nominated for a third Emmy in the groundbreaking 1985 TV movie “An Early Frost” that dealt with HIV and AIDS. He won an Emmy in 2002 for the HBO movie “Hysterical Blindness.”

Gazzara was also nominated for three Tony awards for his stage work.

His movie debut came in the 1957 drama “The Strange One” by Calder Willingham. Gazzara reprised his stage role in the film. He played a cadet getting-even with another cadet.

When the movie came out New York Times critic Bosley Crowther wrote “[Jack] Garfein in his direction has engendered an atmosphere of mystery and malevolence in the barracks that is appropriate to a minor horror tale. And in the performance of Ben Gazzara as the mischief-maker, we have an unattractive image of a youthful fiend at work. In his deliberate preparations for the undertaking of a plan to compromise an enemy by making it look as if he had got drunk, he gives a tantalizing picture of devilish cleverness and of impudence and arrogance that make the blood run cold.”

Born Aug. 28, 1930 in New York, Gazzara grew up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. By the time he had graduated high school he had performed in at least one local play and had caught the acting bug.

Needing money, after graduating high school Gazzara and a friend headed to Miami to look for work as bellboys in one of the new hotels that were opening. They were hired at the then new, glamorous Sans Souci Hotel in Miami Beach.

From here Gazzara picks up the story, as he wrote in his 2004 autobiography “In the Moment: My Life as an Actor”:

“I was the worst bellboy that ever existed....I was one of six bellboys, each of whom had a particular position in the lobby standing at attention in front of a pillar, waiting for people to check in or out, or pointing them in the right direction. We were all given cigarette lighters, too, as no guest was to light his or her own cigarette.

“The lobby was always full of women--rich widows mostly....And despite the heat outside they wore their furs in the air conditioned lobby...I hardly noticed, because I was busy daydreaming. I was on Broadway, my name was in lights, I was the toast of New York. That's more or less how my thoughts always went.

“I was just taking my curtain call when I heard [my friend] call, 'Ben.' I turned around and I saw a woman, in harlequin glasses and a very fluffy fur coat, removing a cigarette from a silver case. I didn't know where I was and must have panicked. I whipped out my cigarette lighter, thrust it in the direction of her mouth and set fire to the collar of her coat. It started to sizzle and stink. Of course she put in a complaint and I was fired.

“I was on a Greyhound bus heading back to New York when I realized what I had to do. Staring out the window and seeing very little of the dark landscape made me feel especially lonely. 'You never feel that way onstage, Ben,' I said to myself. 'Why don't you give it a try?' Could someone named Ben Gazzara find room in the world of the Clark Gables, the Cary Grants, the James Stewarts? But what was the alternative? A lousy job that called on nothing but my presence. I knew it was a long shot, but the closer that bus got to New York, the more I was sure that, against all odds, I had to give it a try.”

.

NBC Tweaks Schedule, Relegates Struggling Show to the Wasteland of Saturday Night

NBC is moving a ratings-challenged show from its prime real estate on the schedule to a low-rent neighborhood. Deadline.com reports that the legal drama “The Firm” is shifting, effective immediately, from its Thursday night 10 p.m. slot to Saturdays at 9 p.m.

The network has a 22-episode order for the adaptation of John Grisham's novel, but the ratings -- including a series low 0.8 last night in the 18-49 demographic -- have been weak.

Taking over the Thursday 10 p.m. time slot as of March 1 will be the midseason drama "Awake," starring Jason Isaacs. In the meantime, reruns of "Grimm" will run in the slot.

CBS Sitcom Continues Its Winning Streak Against Fox's 'American Idol'

Fox’s once untouchable ratings powerhouse “American Idol” continues to show signs of vulnerability. The singing competition was beaten in the Thursday night ratings by CBS’s hit sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” for the third week in a row, TVbytheNumbers.com reports.

From 8-8:30 p.m., "Big Bang" had a 5.4 average rating in the 18-49 demographic while "Idol" settled for a 5.0 in the time slot. For the bottom of the hour, CBS's "Rob" scored a 3.4 while "Idol" rose to a 5.8.

“American Idol’s” 5.4 average for the overall hour was a season low, down a tenth of a point from last week, in Nielsen overnights. Some adjustments are still forthcoming.

Fox did win the night overall in the 18-49 demo, averaging a 3.9 rating to CBS’s 3.5, ABC’s 2.5 and NBC’2 1.5. CBS came out on top in total viewers, averaging 14.1 million to 12.0 million for Fox, 7.4 million for ABC and 3.6 million for NBC.

Veteran Rocker Defends His Version of National Anthem

After receiving a flood of harsh criticism of his rendition of the National Anthem, a veteran rocker is saying he meant to do it that way, the AP reports.

"American Idol" judge and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler sang a screechy version of "The Star Spangled Banner" before the AFC Championship football game broadcast, which he says is just what he intended. The singer says he was surprised that so many people criticized his performance.

Said Tyler: "I put emphasis on, 'In the land of the free' and I went up. Oddly enough I hit the note, so I don't know what they are talking about. I emphasized 'free,' which was for freedom. It was well thought-out prior to. I wasn't messing with American tradition."

Oscar-Nominated Actress Steps Up to Series Regular on 'The Big C'

An Oscar-nominated actress has received a promotion to series regular on Showtime’s "The Big C," reports TVLine.com.

Gabourey Sidibe, who plays Andrea Jackson on the program, will be on the show full time when it returns for its third season. The premiere is set for April 8.

Sidibe received an Academy Award nomination for best actress for the 2009 film “Precious.”

Three-time Emmy winner Laura Linney stars on the Showtime dramedy as Cathy, a woman dealing with cancer. Linney was nominated for an Emmy for “The Big C” in 2011, after winning the award three times for her earlier work -- for “Wild Iris” in 2002, “Frasier” in 2004 and “John Adams” in 2008. She has also been nominated for three Oscars.

Apple Working on a Touchscreen iMac

The next generation of Apple iMac computers could include a touchscreen, reports Digital Spy. Citing a story from the blog Patently Apple, the site explains that Apple filed a patent with the U.S Patent and Trademark Office for a desktop computer that employs a touchscreen-activated graphic user interface.

The target audience would be business users in the advertising and design fields, where changes to drawings and sketches could be done by touching the screen instead of reaching for a mouse or stylus.

The patent reads as follows: "The visual augmentation could include displaying an outline and/or fill region (e.g. a color or pattern fill) around the knob element, displaying text labels for minimum and maximum range limit values and displaying a slider element with the knob element."

The unit, writes Patently Apple, may be called the iMac Touch.

'Live! with Kelly' Slates Oscars Special, Contest

ABC’s morning show “Live! with Kelly” announced plans for a special post-Oscars edition to air live from Hollywood on Monday, Feb. 27, at 9 a.m. ET.

“Live! with Kelly’s After Oscar Show” will air on location from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre, with host Kelly Ripa recapping the award winners, the ceremony and the fashions.

The show is also putting on a special contest for fans. The show described it in a press release, saying: “’Live’ is offering a special opportunity for viewers to have their own VIP Hollywood experience. The show has partnered with Slim-Fast for ‘Live’s Hollywood Red Carpet Getaway,’ awarding three lucky winners the chance to join ‘Live’ in Hollywood for Oscar weekend. The prize includes round-trip airfare for two to Hollywood; hotel accommodations; tickets to ‘Live! with Kelly’s After Oscar Show’ and to an exciting, star-studded Hollywood bash; a one-month supply of Slim-Fast product; a make-over by Slim-Fast stylist Jacqui Stafford, and much more.”

Details are available on the show’s website, livewithkelly.tv.

Pop Superstar Reportedly Offered $100 Million a Year to Become 'X Factor' Judge (Hint: It's Not Mariah Carey, Who Has Been Rumored to Be in Line for the Job)

Rumors have been circulating that one pop singer is being wooed to become a judge on Fox’s “The X Factor,” but now reports have surfaced that a different pop star has been given a huge offer to take the job.

Beyonce has reportedly been offered $100 million a year to become a full-time judge on "The X Factor," according to the New York Post.

Beyonce might be tempted as a way to keep in the public's eye while not traveling too much, now that she's a first-time mom, the story notes. At $100 million a year she would be the highest-paid TV personality.

As previously reported, singer Mariah Carey is also thought to be a contender to join the show as a judge.

“X Factor” recently cleaned house, dumping a number of cast members, as reported earlier.

James Farentino's Cause of Death: Official Certificate Contains a Surprise

Actor James Farentino’s death late last month, which we reported previously, was initially thought to be due to heart failure. But his death certificate contains a surprise, attributing the Hollywood veteran’s death to a broken hip, TMZ.com reports.

Farentino, an Emmy nominee and Golden Globe winner known for roles on “Dynasty,” “Blue Thunder” and “E.R.,” officially died from "sequelae of right hip fracture," the story reports. The piece adds: “For those who don't know ... sequela is doctor-speak for a pathological condition that stems from a previous injury -- in this case, a broken hip.”

Farentino reportedly broke his hip when he fell out of his bed in December, before dying at the age of 73 in January. The nature of the complication from the injury was unknown.

Brian Williams and Matt Lauer Get Into a Tussle; Guess What They're Fighting Over

NBC's Brian Williams and Matt Lauer reportedly got into a tussle over who would get the pre-Super Bowl interview with President Barack Obama, reports the New York Post's Page Six.

Both camps -- Williams’ “Rock Center” and Lauer’s “Today” show -- called the White House to push their own talents and reasons for doing the interview, the story says. Williams reportedly wanted to secure the spot because of the anemic ratings for his new prime-time show, according to the piece.

A representative for NBC calls Lauer's interview with Obama "a bit of a tradition for us" when the network hosts the Super Bowl. Williams' request was "for a completely different opportunity," the rep said, according to the story.

NBC Betting Heavily on One New Series: The Price Tag Is Steep, but the Network Needs a Hit

As NBC tries to reverse its ratings -- which have been in the doldrums (to put it mildly) for years now and seem to be getting worse rather than better -- it is betting heavily on a charismatic cultural figure from the past: Marilyn Monroe, reports Joe Flint in the Los Angeles Times.

On Monday the network will debut "Smash," a series about turning Monroe's life into a Broadway musical. Called a passion project for NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt, "Smash" hasn't come cheaply: The pilot cost more than $7 million, with subsequent episodes in the $4 million range, according to the story.

"Smash" has received good reports from critics, but critical acclaim doesn't guarantee ratings, "particularly for a show that was conceived with a cable sensibility," Flint points out. NBC's new shows this season have largely flopped, including high-profile projects "The Playboy Club" and "Prime Suspect."

NBC's low ratings -- only one scripted show is in the list of the 50 most-watched TV shows this year -- pose another problem for "Smash." It’s harder for the network to lure viewers to a show if the network as a whole has low viewership, the story points out.

Maureen Bosetti, an executive VP of Optimedia, notes: "If you are promoting yourself on your own network and few are watching, it is challenging."

The report adds: “Take NBC's Sunday football out of the equation and its prime-time audience is about 5.7 million viewers, down 11% from last season, according to Nielsen.”

Star of a Beloved 1980s Super Bowl Ad Re-Creates Role in New Super Bowl Spot -- for a Much Different Product; Here Are Both Videos

A former NFL star who appeared in one of the most memorable Super Bowl ads in history is reprising his role for an ad in this year’s game, the Los Angeles Times' Show Tracker blog reports.

"Mean Joe" Greene was the star of a beloved 1980s Super Bowl spot that featured the Pittsburgh Steeler hobbling off the field and being offered a Coke by a young boy. Now he's back in a commercial that remakes that iconic ad, the story reports.

The differences? Greene is grayer, of course, and the spot isn't for Coca-Cola but for Downy Unstopables In-wash Scent Booster. And the little kid who handed Greene the Coke is replaced by Amy Sedaris.

It's not the only Super Bowl ad to look back to the 1980s, with Matthew Broderick playing an older version of Ferris Bueller in an ad for this year’s game, the story points out.

The Downy ad will air during the pre-game show on NBC.

Here’s the old Coca-Cola spot:

And the new Downy spot:

A few other ads for this year’s Super Bowl can be seen by clicking here.

J.J. Abrams and 'Supernatural' Creator Get Pilot Order From NBC

J.J. Abrams and "Supernatural" creator Eric Kripke have received a pilot order from NBC, according to The Hollywood Reporter's The Live Feed blog.

The order is for "Revolution," a dramatic thriller, the story reports. The project tracks a group of people who struggle to survive and find loved ones after all energy ceases to exist, the story says.

Kripke and "Lost" creator Abrams will write the script with Bryan Burk of "Fringe" executive producing. It's Abrams' second pilot order this season, coming on the heels of the CW's order for "Shelter," set at a New England summer resort, the piece adds.

After Losing Its High-Profile Star, Showtime's 'Masters of Sex' Finds New Lead Actor; Lead Actress Also Signs On

After losing its high-profile lead actor, the Showtime pilot "Masters of Sex" has found a new lead -- Welsh-born stage veteran Michael Sheen will play the 1960s human sexuality pioneer William Masters, reports Deadline.com.

Additionally, "Party Down" actress Lizzy Caplan, who has been in talks with the project for a while, just closed a deal to play Virginia Johnson, a member of the research team and the wife of Masters, the story reports.

British actor Paul Bettany, who is known for his roles in “A Beautiful Mind,” “The Da Vinci Code” and other feature films, was set to play the lead but dropped out of the project in January.

The new lead actor, Sheen, played David Frost in "Frost/Nixon" and has played Tony Blair in a number of productions, including the feature film "The Queen" and HBO’s "The Special Relationship," the story notes. He received an Emmy nomination for the HBO production.

The Showtime project is based on Thomas Maier's book "Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love.”

Hulu Picks Up Original Comedy Series From Writers Behind 'Sex and the City' and 'Mad Men'

Hulu has picked up an original comedy series written by Liz Tuccillo of "Sex and the City" and Paul Bartholomew of "Mad Men," Deadline.com reports.

The digital comedy, "Paul the Male Matchmaker," received an order for 10 episodes.

The series stars Bartholomew as a clueless man who inherits a matchmaking business from his aunt, the story says. The comedy will debut Feb. 13 and includes guest appearances from Lisa Edelstein, Sam Trammell and Janeane Garofalo.

This Is Not a Joke: Roseanne Barr Is Running for President

Actress and comedian Roseanne Barr is entering the U.S. presidential election, reports the Associated Press.

Barr is seeking the nomination of the Green Party, with the actress saying in a statement that she's a longtime supporter of the party, according to the story.

"The Democrats and Republicans have proven that they are servants -- bought and paid for by the 1% -- who are not doing what's in the best interest of the American people," Barr said.

The Green Party will nominate a candidate at a convention in July, the story says.

Barr, the star of the comedy series "Roseanne" from 1988 to 1997, said she has been fighting for women and the working class for decades, according to the story. She now owns a 46-acre macadamia nut farm in Hawaii, which was featured last year in the Lifetime reality show “Roseanne’s Nuts.”

ABC in Business With John Leguizamo

ABC and ABC Studios have signed a development agreement with actor and comedian John Leguizamo, who will star in and executive produce a comedy based on his life, reports Deadline.com.

This would mark Leguizamo's first TV comedy series, although he has appeared on dramas such as "ER," the piece notes. ABC is looking for a writer for the project, which will likely be off-cycle because of the timing of the agreement, the story says.

Sarah Silverman's NBC Project Casts 'Lost' Actor

Sarah Silverman's upcoming NBC comedy has cast an actor from ABC’s "Lost" as a love interest and neighbor, reports TVLine.com. The untitled project has signed Ken Leung for the pilot, the story reports.

The pilot will star Silverman and is based on her own experiences as a woman readjusting to single life after being in a relationship for a decade, the piece adds. Leung's character is a shut-in who spends most of his time watching TV from the couch, the piece adds.

Leung played Miles Straume in “Lost.”

Ken Leung

ABC Family Renews Scripted Series, Readies New Reality Show

ABC Family has renewed a scripted show that has become a staple on the network, EW.com's Inside TV blog reports. Coming back for a fifth season will be "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."

Additionally, ABC Family is working on a new reality show called "Beverly Hills Nannies," the story reports.

"Secret Life" premieres for its fourth season March 26, the piece notes. The show has been a ratings success, especially in the demo of female viewers 12-34.

“Beverly Hills Nannies” is from Evolution Media, the company behind "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," the piece adds.

The Drama: Upcoming NBC Show Based on 'The Munsters' Gets A New Name

NBC’s upcoming reboot of the 1960s sitcom “The Munsters” has a new name based on the Munster family’s address, TVLine.com reports. The new show will be called “Mockingbird Lane.”

As we reported back in November, the new show, from Bryan Fuller of “Pushing Daisies” and Bryan Singer of “X-Men,” will be a drama.

The Munster family’s creepy Victorian home is at 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

The pilot is still being cast. Key players in the original show were Fred Gwynne as Herman Munster, Yvonne De Carlo as Lily, Al Lewis as Grandpa, Butch Patrick as Eddie and Pat Priest for most of the run as Marilyn (replacing Beverley Owen, who played Marilyn in the first 13 episodes).

Do They Belong Together? Will Simon Cowell Get His Dream Judge for 'X Factor'?

Will Simon Cowell be able to land the music superstar who, it was rumored, had discussions about being a judge in season one of the "X Factor?"

The music superstar is Mariah Carey.

Randy Jackson, a judge on 'American Idol," in a conference call today with reporters, was asked about the possibilty of Carey showing up on the "X Factor" in season two, reports E! Online.

Here's what Jackson said, " 'She'd be amazing. I mean, I manage her, so of course I'm going to say that. She'd be amazing.' So does Jackson think Carey will actually join the show? 'I don't know if that's ever going to happen,' he said. 'Look, Simon's one of the smartest people I know. I'm sure he's got some very interesting ideas up his sleeve.'

The article continues, "Though Jackson is Carey's manager and a judge on a rival reality singing competition show, he says he wouldn't have any problems with his artist joining 'The X Factor.' 'No, no, not at all. She's her own person. She can of course do whatever she wants and she always will do that,' Jackson explained, adding, 'Simon's one of my dearest friends in the world.' "

Trump Announces His Endorsement for President

Media personality and political dabbler Donald Trump announced his endorsement for president today, appearing in Las Vegas to give his support to Mitt Romney, CBS News reports.

With Romney beside him, the host of NBC’s “The Apprentice” said: "Mitt is tough. He is smart. ... It is my honor, real honor, and privilege to endorse Mitt Romney.”

The report notes: “Perhaps not coincidentally, Trump's announcement comes ten days before the beginning of the new season of Trump's reality show, ‘The Apprentice,’ which airs February 12.”

Romney indicated he was happy to have the endorsement. The story adds: "’It means a great deal to have the endorsement of Mr. Trump,’ Romney said, referring to the publicity maven the same way contestants on his reality show refer to him. In the press, the real estate mogul is often known as ‘The Donald.’"

Romney is the favorite in Nevada’s caucus, which takes place Saturday.

Murdoch Chooses Respected Outsider to Run WSJ Parent Dow Jones

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. has gone outside the company to find the new CEO of Dow Jones & Co.

He's Lex Fenwick, who has been a respected executive at Dow Jones competitor Bloomberg. 

Fenwick became CEO of Bloomberg LP when Michael Bloomberg ran for Mayor of New York in 2001. Prior to that Fenwick had been Bloomberg's chief operating officer. Most recently Fenwick was in charge of Bloomberg Ventures, "the unit designed to explore opportunities to enhance, expand and diversifly Bloomberg product," according to a News Corp. press release.

News Corp.'s Dow Jones is the parent of The Wall St. Journal, Dow Jones Newswires, Barron's, MarketWatch, SmartMoney, All Things D and Factiva.

Fenwick replaces Les Hinton, a close Murdoch ally who left the company last July amid News Corp.'s problems with a phone hacking scandal in the U.K. At one point Hinton had run News International, which is News Corp.'s U.K. subsidiary.

Fenwick will report to Chase Carey, News Corp.'s president and chief operating officer. Said Carey, in a statement, "Lex has been a driving force in the financial news and information industry for more than two decades. His aggressive and bold leadership will be invaluable to Dow Jones at a time when digital technologies are making information ever more important. We have a great opportunity to build enormous value around Dow Jones’ unique expertise and franchises."

Murdoch said, in a statement, "We have clearly established WSJ as the premium consumer newspaper and we are thrilled that Lex will be driving our plans to grow all our Dow Jones franchises into true innovative market leaders for today’s digital world. We believe our enterprise business has the potential to follow the brand’s success in the consumer space, and be the premier product in providing the kind of hard-to-find, premium content that the financial customer demands. We are committed to making it happen and we think Lex is the executive to get us there.”

Another Food Program Gets Renewed

Moments after news broke that Bravo has renewed “Top Chef,” word surfaced of the renewal of another food-oriented program. Fox announced today that the Gordon Ramsey show "Kitchen Nightmares" will be back for a fifth season, reports Deadline.com.

Fox ordered a 16-episode season of the program, in which Ramsey finds failing and flawed restaurants and spends time with the principals to fix the mess.

In a statement, Ramsey said: “It’s great to be back for a fifth season … who knew there were that many nightmares to be had?!”

In the previous four seasons, the British chef and master restaurateur has visited -- and rehabilitated -- establishments in 54 cities. ITV Studios America and Optomen in association with A. Smith & Company creates the show, with Ramsey, Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Patricia Llewellyn as executive producers.

CBS Adopts Counterprogramming Strategy to Go Up Against Super Bowl

With the Super Bowl on NBC likely to occupy male viewers, among others, for much of this Sunday, CBS is going in the opposite direction and will try to attract women, TVNewser.com reports.

The network is rolling out a “60 Minutes” episode with a ladies night theme, the story notes, presenting a special under the title “Three Remarkable Women.” The show will profile Dolly Parton, Anna Wintour and Meryl Streep, with Morley Safer hosting.

In addition, instead of running at 7 p.m. ET, its normal time slot, "60 Minutes" will air at 8 p.m. ET. "Undercover Boss" moves into the 7 p.m. time slot.

Bravo Renews Emmy-Winning Reality Competition

Bravo is giving a new season to an Emmy-winning reality competition series, Deadline.com reports. The cable network is bringing back "Top Chef" for a 10th season.

The program will have a casting call for the new season on Feb. 21.

Due back are regulars Tom Colicchio and Padma Lakshmi. Magic Elves creates the show with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz executive producing.

'Ricki Lake Show' Names Exec Producer

Twentieth Television has announced an executive producer for ‘The Ricki Lake Show,’ the upcoming syndicated talk show from the daytime veteran.

Lisa Kridos joins the show, which is sold in 93% of the nation -- including the top 50 markets -- for a September 2012 premiere.

Stephen Brown, SVP of Programming & Development, Twentieth Television, said in a statement: “Lisa has made a career of producing television that resonates with the modern-day woman -- emphasizing fresh perspectives and strong, unfiltered voices. The combination of Lisa and Ricki, one of the sharpest producers in morning television and a talented, proven talk show host, will be a powerful and exciting force in daytime television.”

Kridos has more than 30 years of experience in daytime TV as a creator, writer, executive producer and consultant. She has been the executive producer of “Good Day LA” on KTTV for 15 years.

Must-Read: If This Is True, It Could Suggest Major Ratings Problem for TV Networks Is Looming. Is One Demo Abandoning Live TV?

A potential problem for the TV networks is receiving attention as fallout from a hassle one network has been having for months.

A possible explanation surfaced recently for Nickelodeon's ratings decline, which has been a source of contentiousness between Nick owner Viacom and Nielsen, Advertising Age reports.

It may be all about Netflix, and it may have far-reaching significance -- beyond just Nickelodeon. The upshot may be that “at least one subset of viewers is at risk of abandoning live TV,” the story reports.

Netflix subscribers watched more than 2 billion hours of movies and TV shows via its streaming service in the final three months of 2011, a quarterly record, according to the story.

Those numbers suggests that Netflix customers are watching an hour a day of streaming video, Janney Capital Market analyst Tony Wible said, according to the story.

"While this can't be proven yet, it seems more than coincidental that this 2 billion stat comes during the same quarter as Viacom's disastrous Nickelodeon ratings," Wible said, according to the piece. "This could mean Viacom sold too much of its content to Netflix or isn't charging enough."

We urge you to read the entire Ad Age piece, which you can by clicking here.

Netflix and Nickelodeon don't believe there's a connection, the piece adds. Netflix declined to say how much of the fourth-quarter streaming consisted of children's programming, according to the article.

Other children’s programmers, including Cartoon Network and Disney XD, are also becoming concerned, the story notes. Meanwhile, Starz and other channels have also been weighing the costs and benefits of providing programming through Netflix.

Most Fun Non-TV Story of the Day: Entire Town Wins Piece of $950 Million Lotto -- Except for One Guy

An entire town has won a piece of a $950 million lotto prize -- but one resident missed out, according to media reports.

The town is Sodeto, Spain, a struggling farm village of 70 households. All but one of them -- that of Costis Mitsotakis -- bought tickets in Spain’s Christmas lottery, known as El Gordo, The New York Times reports.

The village's number paid off -- and just in time, for a town that has been struggling through an economic downturn and a severe drought.

The Times reports: “Some of Sodeto’s residents, mostly farmers and unemployed construction workers, won millions. The least fortunate came away with a minimum of $130,000 -- and the giddy feeling that life, in its mysterious ways, was giving them another chance.”

The tickets were sold by the town’s homemakers’ association, which sells them each year but “somehow failed to visit Mitsotakis’ home,” Newser reports.

Mitsotakis’ reaction? Newser adds: “He wishes he had won, but reveals that he did come out on top in one sense: Some land he had been trying to sell was snatched up by a newly wealthy neighbor the day after the lottery.”

Britney Spears Lobbying for Role on Hit Sitcom

Britney Spears is lobbying for a role on a hit sitcom, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The pop star took to Twitter to bid for a guest spot on ABC's "Modern Family," according to the story.

Spears issued a tweet saying she was excited to see the next episode of the comedy, prompting her manager to ask fans, "@BritneySpears on Modern Family? What do you guys think?," the story says.

The hashtag #GetBritneyOnModernFamily started trending, prompting Spears to write, "I would love to be on it!," according to the piece. Spears has appeared on a couple of comedies recently, including "How I Met Your Mother," the story adds.

HBO Trailer Breaks Channel's Online Viewing Records

The trailer for the upcoming season of one of HBO's series has broken the network's online viewing records since it was released Sunday, EW.com's Inside TV blog reports.

The trailer is for the second season of "Game of Thrones," and the strong response signals that the new season may have a big opening.

The video has been streamed more than 4 million times on YouTube, setting records along the way for HBO's promotional content. During the first season of "Game of Thrones," viewership rose during almost every episode, with its finale ending at a season-high 3.9 million viewers.

The second season premieres April 1.

Here’s the trailer:

Business Associate Puzzled by Death of Don Cornelius; VH1 Slates Tribute to the 'Soul Train' Icon

The owner of Soul Train Holdings, Kenard Gibbs, tells the Los Angeles Times that the death of Don Cornelius, the founder of "Soul Train," is puzzling.

"I just didn't know Don to be despondent in any way," Gibbs said, noting that he spoke with him about a week ago. The pair had talked about the Grammy Awards and several projects, he said, according to the piece.

"I knew that his health wasn't 100% but that never impeded him from taking meetings," he said. Gibbs bought Soul Train Holdings from Cornelius in 2008.

As previously reported, Cornelius appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Meanwhile, VH1 has scheduled special programming as a tribute to Cornelius. The channel will televise the Emmy Award-winning documentary "Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America" on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

ABC Orders Two Pilots, Including Reba McEntire Project

ABC has ordered two comedy pilots -- a project from singer Reba McEntire and another from "That '70s Show" writers Jackie and Jeff Filgo, reports Deadline.com.

Both projects come from ABC Studios, the piece notes. McEntire's show, "Malibu Country," is about a woman who moves to Malibu after her husband cheats on her and spends all their money, the piece notes.

"Prairie Dogs," from Jackie and Jeff Filgo, tracks an unhip guy who works in a cubicle, but then discovers his identity has been stolen by a thief who has created a much more compelling alternative life with his identity, the story says. He then asks the conman to help him overhaul his life.

CNBC Taps Wall Street Journal Co-Anchor

CNBC has hired a rising video star from The Wall Street Journal's "The News Hub," reports The New York Times' Media Decoder blog.

Kelly Evans has worked both as a columnist for the newspaper and as a co-anchor of its morning newscast, "The News Hub," the piece notes. Evans will be an on-air reporter at CNBC, with her initial assignment in London, according to the article.

The hiring indicates that The WSJ and CNBC are becoming direct competitors, with The Journal producing hours of live business programming on the Web, the piece points out.

Kelly Evans

Desperate for a Ratings Edge, TV Networks Resort to Scheduling Tricks to Juice Their Numbers

Television networks are relying on scheduling tricks to help juice their ratings numbers -- including renaming shows and labeling them as "specials" so that they won't be counted in low-rated weeks, reports Bill Carter in The New York Times.

That approach was used by ABC's "Good Morning America," which during the last week of 2011 labeled four broadcasts as "special" and renamed them "Good Morning Amer," the story says. Leaving out that week of ratings from the show's national ratings meant that the network could claim "Good Morning America" ended 2011 closer to rival "Today" on NBC, with the smallest margin in 16 years, the article notes.

"This is the kind of programming sleight of hand that executives seize on as they seek to gain every possible edge in the television ratings game, at a time when each tenth of a point or two enhances their standing in the nightly ratings and the ability to pitch to advertisers who spend billions of dollars a year," Carter writes.

But the tricks don't translate into higher ad dollars, the story adds.

"The tricks themselves are familiar to most in the business: Smart commercial buyers know when the ratings are being spun for a better story in the media or a claim in a print ad, and they insist on paying for the real ratings, not the artificially enhanced versions," according to the piece.

Other tricks include front-loading national commercials toward the start of a show and extending episodes for a minute or two into the next hour, the article says.

Gender Gap Among Super Bowl Viewers Is Shrinking

The gender gap among Super Bowl viewers has been getting narrower over the past 10 years, reports Sports Business Daily, citing Nielsen Media data.

During last year's game, 54% of the viewers were men, compared with 46% women, the story notes. That difference of 8 percentage points is down from six years ago, when the gap was 12 percentage points, and 10 years ago, when it was 14 percentage points.

Showtime Renews Three Series

Showtime announced the renewals of three series, Deadline.com reports. The pay cable channel is bringing back "Shameless," "House of Lies" and "Californication."

The three series make up the channel’s Sunday lineup. "Shameless" will be going into a third season, while "House of Lies" will be getting a second. For "Californication," the upcoming season will be its sixth.

David Nevins, Showtime entertainment president, said: “These three shows are clearly resonating with audiences as evidenced by their steady growth on Sunday nights. We are extremely pleased with the creative work being done by the casts, producers and writers -- and I so appreciate that each of these series has such a clear and distinctive voice.”

Actor From 'Home Improvement' Arrested

An actor known mainly for his role on the hit sitcom "Home Improvement," which had a long run on ABC in the 1990s, has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of hash, reports TMZ.com.

Taran Noah Smith, who played Mark on the show, was picked up in Los Angeles early this morning, the story reports. Officers reportedly investigated after spotting his silver 1998 Accord parked near a fire hydrant at an odd angle. When they approached the car they reportedly found Smith at the wheel and detected the smell of marijuana.

Smith, 27, was booked on suspicion of DUI and drug possession.

Smith played Mark, the youngest child of the Taylors, on “Home Improvement” from 1991-1999.

CBS Slots De Niro Cop Drama for Midseason Debut

CBS has found a spot for a new police drama from Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions and CBS TV Studios, Deadline.com reports.

“NYC 22” will premiere April 15 at 10 p.m. ET, the story reports, taking the time slot currently held by "CSI: Miami."

“Miami” has a shorter episode run for this season -- just 19 episodes, all of which will have aired by that date.

"NYC 22," created by writer Richard Price, tells the story of NYPD rookie cops working in Manhattan. Starring in the show are Terry Kinney, Adam Goldberg, Leelee Sobieski, Stark Sands, Judy Marte, Harold “House” Moore, Tom Reed and Felix Solis. Executive producers include Price, De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Ken Sanzel and James Mangold.

Adele to Mark Her Return From Throat Surgery With High-Profile TV Performance

After having had surgery on her throat last fall, pop sensation Adele will make her return to performing later this month with an appearance at the Grammys, The New York Times reports.

The ceremony will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 12.

Already a multiple Grammy winner, Adele is expected to be a strong contender at this year’s awards with her album "21."

In a statement, Adele said, “It’s an absolute honor to be included in such a night, and for it to be my first performance in months is very exciting and of course nerve-racking.”

Neil Patrick Harris Opens Up About Speculation He's in Line for Seacrest's 'Idol' Job

With rumors swirling that Neil Patrick Harris is being groomed to take over Ryan Seacrest’s hosting duties on “American Idol,” Harris appeared this week on “Access Hollywood” and made it clear he’s not interested, The Huffington Post reports.

"I would not want to do that job at all,” Harris said. “I'd rather be a judge on 'American Idol.' That seems like the fun gig. You don't have to memorize, you just sit there and judge if they're good or bad. But poor Seacrest has to read that little teleprompter thing."

Harris, a four-time Emmy nominee for CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother,” said he heard about the rumors the same place most people did -- on the Internet.

Harris won two Emmys in 2010 -- one for a guest role on “Glee” and one as part of “The 63rd Annual Tony Awards.”

Talk of Harris taking over for Seacrest on Fox’s “Idol” started after word surfaced that Seacrest was launching a TV network and was being considered to replace Matt Lauer on NBC’s “Today” show.

Spike TV to Bring Back Show for Another Season

Spike TV has announced that it’s bringing back an unscripted show for a second season, B&C reports. The show is “Flip Men,” starring Doug Clark and Mike Baird.

The network has ordered 12 new episodes.

The show tracks Clark and Baird as they target foreclosed properties to resell. The show debuted in October 2011 and has done well for the network on Tuesday nights.

'American Idol' Showing Signs of Audience Fatigue

The Fox ratings juggernaut "American Idol," which has dominated U.S. television for years, is showing signs of audience fatigue, reports Scott Collins in the Los Angeles Times.

Now in its 11th season, the show has seen its ratings slide this month to their lowest level since the program first aired in 2002, the piece points out. Marking a first, "Idol" was surpassed by a show on another network, with CBS's "The Big Bang Theory" drawing more viewers last week, according to the article.

"Fox executives in January had predicted a ratings drop for ‘Idol,’ but the falloff -- more than 20% -- has been far steeper than they anticipated," Collins writes.

"That could potentially put the network in the position of offering free advertising time as compensation for commercial time bought before the season started. The major advertisers on "Idol" are Coca-Cola, Ford and AT&T, companies that have far-reaching deals involving products featured on the show as well as traditional commercials," the story adds.

A spokeswoman for Fox said executives wouldn't comment on the record, according to the article.

Don Cornelius, Creator of 'Soul Train,' Dead in Apparent Suicide

Don Cornelius, the creator and host of the long-running music TV show “Soul Train,” was found dead this morning at his home in the Los Angeles suburb of Sherman Oaks, Calif., the Los Angeles Times reports.

Cornelius, 75, appears to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the case.

Sources said police arrived at the home at about 4 a.m. today, and found no sign of foul play.

The report notes that Cornelius gave an interview to The Times in 2010 in which he talked about developing a movie based on “Soul Train.”

Cornelius said at the time: "We've been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ground. It wouldn't be the 'Soul Train' dance show, it would be more of a biographical look at the project, It's going to be about some of the things that really happened on the show."

The story adds: “Cornelius’ ‘Soul Train’ became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.”

Cornelius hosted “Soul Train” from 1971-1993. The show continued to air with a variety of hosts until it ceased production in 2006.

Don Cornelius

Sony Corp. Names New CEO to Replace Howard Stringer

Sony Corp., which is predicting its fourth year in a row of losses, has announced that it has selected a new chief executive officer who will replace Howard Stringer, reports Bloomberg.

The job will go to Kazuo Hirai, the story reports. Hirai, 51, will take on the CEO job beginning April 1, while Stringer will become chairman of the board after a shareholders meeting in June, the piece says.

Hirai is among four executives Stringer was grooming to be his successor and the only one who isn't an engineer. Instead, he has background in the music and gaming industry, the story adds.

The executive change comes after Sony's stock slid by more than half last year, and the company lost ground to Apple's iPod and failed to compete with Samsung in TVs and with Nintendo in game consoles, the piece points out.

ABC Greenlights Pilot From 'Desperate Housewives' Creator Marc Cherry. ABC Also Orders Pilots From Writers of 'Heroes,' 'Prison Break' and 'Twilight'

ABC has given a pilot order to a project from Marc Cherry of "Desperate Housewives," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition, ABC has given pilot orders to projects from the writers behind "Heroes," "Prison Break," and the movie "Twilight."

Cherry will write and executive produce "Devious Maids," a drama that tracks four maids with ambition who work for the wealthy in Beverly Hills, the story says. 

The second project, titled "Gotham," is about a female police officer who discovers a magical world within New York City, the story notes. "Heroes" writer and co-executive producer Michael Green will write and executive produce the drama.

"Zero Hour" comes from "Prison Break's" Paul Scheuring and tracks a man who worked for a skeptics magazine and becomes involved in a conspiracy, the piece notes.

The fourth project, "Penoza," comes from "Twilight" writer Melissa Rosenberg, the story says. The project tracks the widow of a criminal who takes over his job in the crime syndicate, the piece adds.

CW Picks Up Drama Pilots From J.J. Abrams, Two Others

The CW has given the go-ahead to three more drama pilots, including one from J.J. Abrams, reports Deadline.com.

The Abrams project is called "Shelter" and is written by "One Tree Hill" creator and showrunner Mark Schwahn, the story notes. The drama is set at a New England summer resort where the staff focuses on the needs of their guests while also dealing with their own romances and problems, the piece adds. It marks Abrams' first project for the CW.

"The Selection," based on a series of books by Kiera Cass, is set three centuries in the future and tracks a poor woman who is chosen in a lottery to participate in a competition to become the next queen of a troubled country, the piece says.

"Joey Dakota" is about a filmmaker who travels back to the 1990s and falls in love with the subject of her film, the story says. It's called a romantic musical and is based on an Israeli half-hour series called "Danny Hollywood," the piece adds.

Golden Globes Trial: CBS Boss Les Moonves Says He Might Have Bid at Least $25 Million for the Show

CBS chief Leslie Moonves, in testimony presented via videotape, says "that he might have bid at least $25 million for the rights to the [Golden Globes] awards telecast, but that was only the opening of negotiations," reports Alex Ben Block in The Hollywood Reporter.

The article continues: "[Dick Clark Production (DCP)] lawyers have objected to the Moonves testimony claiming it is not relevant. Sources close to DCP point out the average broadcast fee of just over $21 million a show it negotiated with NBC for the telecast only, and does not include a pre-show, a post-show or digital rights, so the ultimate package would be more in any case."

The court case pits DCP against the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). In his article, Block says this is the issue of the trial: "Did the HFPA really vote in 2001 to extend its deal with DCP and NBC for 10 years? If it did, say the lawyers for DCP, then the group did not need to vote in 2010 when it extended its contract once again with NBC."

The article adds, "Daniel Petrocelli, the lead attorney for the HFPA, along with attorney Linda Smith, continued to seek to prove that the press group had exercised its right as owner of the Golden Globes to approve any new contracts; and that it never intended to make a deal with DCP in perpetuity as long as the show remained on NBC."

The L.A.-based trial, five days old already, continues today, Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2012.

DGA Honors for a Miniseries That Traveled a Hard Road

A prestigious win at the recent Directors Guild Awards meant vindication for a miniseries that struggled to find a television outlet.

TVWeek’s Open Mic blogger Hillary Atkin breaks down the story behind the award, along with the rest of the DGAs -- including a glimpse of what may lie ahead in some of the key Oscar races.

Read her analysis of the awards here.

Good Indication That Local TV Auto Ads Will Be Strong This Year

In an indication that 2012 could be a good year in the No. 1  advertising category for TV stations -- autos -- the Associated Press reports that "Chrysler’s January U.S. sales jumped 44 percent over a year ago and Ford’s rose 7 percent, kicking off what is expected to be a strong year for auto sales."

The article continues, "Industry analysts are expecting industrywide sales to be up around 7 percent for January, to begin what is expected to be the strongest year for the industry since the recession."

On the down side in January, the article notes "General Motors reported a 6 percent decline for the month Wednesday, saying demand for its trucks and crossovers fell when compared to its strong sales a year ago. GM also offered fewer discounts than it did last January."

The story adds: "'Overall, the economy’s not in a good place yet, but I think consumers are reacting to the conditions much more favorably than expected,' said Jeff Schuster, senior vice president of forecasting for LMC Automotive, an industry consulting company in Troy, Michigan."

Here's the Nicki Minaj Video BET Refuses to Air

BET is refusing to air Nicki Minaj's latest video, reports TMZ.com. A representative for BET wouldn't disclose why the network has refused to air the video, called "Stupid Hoe," the piece adds.

Sources at BET reportedly said the video is too explicit for television.

The song’s lyrics include the phrase "stupid hoe," while the video includes several nearly naked women, the story adds.

Here’s the video, which has racked up more than 20 million hits on YouTube:

Fox News Channel Reaches a Milestone

Fox News Channel has reached a milestone, reports Bill Carter in The New York Times' Media Decoder blog. The channel marked 10 years as the top-rated cable news network, according to the story.

Fox News' first full year of operation was 1997, and it required an additional five years to gather more viewers than CNN, the piece reports. The first time it outpaced CNN was in January 2002.

Emmy-Winning Actress Cast as the Evil Queen's Mom in 'Once Upon a Time'

An Emmy-winning actress has been cast as the mother of the evil queen in ABC's "Once Upon a Time," reports EW.com's Inside TV blog.

Barbara Hershey, who won an Emmy for "A Killing in a Small Town" in 1990, will appear in both the current season and the show's second season, even though ABC hasn't yet announced a renewal, the story says.

Given that the show is the highest-rated new drama this season, it's considered a sure thing for getting another season, the piece notes.

Hershey also received an Emmy nomination for “Paris Trout” in 1991, and was nominated for an Oscar in 1997 for “The Portrait of a Lady.”

Why a New Jersey City Refuses to Allow Taping of a 'Jersey Shore' Spinoff

A New Jersey city has denied a filming request to tape a spinoff of MTV’s "Jersey Shore," explaining the decision on the grounds of "protecting public safety and quality of life concerns for Hoboken residents," according to a statement from its mayor, reports NJ.com.

According to the letter from Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer, "The city has denied a film permit for a spin-off of the ‘Jersey Shore’ to be filmed in public locations," the piece reports.

The show would have been a reality show following two TV celebrities -- presumably Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley -- day and night in Hoboken, the story says. The production company has the right to appeal the decision to the Hoboken City Council, the piece adds.

Wildest Non-TV Story of the Day: Weaving Zamboni Driver in Minneapolis-Area Arena Arrested for Allegedly Being Drunk While Clearing the Ice