TV

Don't get me wrong -- I love digital television. I have a satellite dish on my roof and love using Tivo. But I also love the days when I could take my Sony Watchman to a Dallas Cowboys game and follow the (televised) action and the live action while parked in the stands, holding the TV in one hand and a hot dog in the other. As soon as the Friday deadline passed for the digital TV migration, I got out my Sony Watchman, turned it on and got what I expected -- nada. Oh, sure, Cowboys fans can now sit in the stands and follow the replays on a 60-yards-wide high-definition screen. But you won't be able to hear Joe Buck and Troy Aikman analyze the action. It was also cool taking the Sony Watchman on vacations and being able to watch television anywhere you wanted. I'm 57, so permit me even more nostalgia: Few people realize that, at one time, EVERY National Football League home game was blacked out, not just those that failed to sell out 72 hours before kickoff. So, when I was a kid, the Dallas papers ran an article showing you how to build your own beat-the-blackout antenna, and what do you know, the darn thing actually worked. You took a bed slat and five coat hangers with these lengths -- 28, 27, 26, 25 and 24 inches. You cut the 27-inch piece in half, shaved off any paint to enhance conductivity and attached to each piece one of the two strands of antenna wire. You pointed it in the direction of a TV station more than 75 miles away (back then, that was the blackout perimeter) and voila! Instant Cowboys game (albeit with a little snow). We lived in Southeast Dallas, so we pulled in the games from KLTV, Channel 7 in Tyler, which back then carried all the Cowboys home games. (Sherman and Waco were the other options.) Well, you can't do that anymore. Anyone want to buy a Sony Watchman that brings in NOTHING?

Photo: The now-outdated Sony Watchman

From the Ausiello files at EW.com:

Talk about lousy karma.

Despite reports that TBS was on the verge of rescuing My Name is Earl from NBC's scrap heap, a spokesperson for Twentieth Century Fox Television confirms that the Emmy-winning comedy is officially dead.

In a statement, the studio rep said, "While we had hoped to find a way to produce additional episodes for TBS, in the final analysis we simply could not make the economics work without seriously undermining the artistic integrity of the series. As none of us, [series creator] Greg [Garcia] included, want the show to go out on anything but a high note, we regret that we must put to rest any speculation that Earl will continue. We are grateful to everyone at TBS for their enthusiasm for the series and wish to offer our heartfelt thanks to the cast and crew of My Name is Earl for their incredible work."

From the Associated Press:

BAGHDAD (AP) -- It's official. Stephen Colbert has declared victory in the war in Iraq. But the top U.S. commander in the country says not so fast.

Colbert, wearing a camouflage suit and tie, brought "The Colbert Report" - Comedy Central's political satire in which he plays a conservative TV pundit - to hundreds of U.S. troops at Camp Victory, the U.S. military headquarters on the western edge of Baghdad.

He drew rousing applause from the uniformed audience when he poked fun at the fact that many of them have been deployed to Iraq multiple times and could end up in Afghanistan as soon as the U.S. effort there accelerates.

"It must be nice here in Iraq because I understand some of you keep coming back again and again," he said during the taping of the first show on Sunday. "You've earned so many frequent flyer miles, you've earned a free ticket to Afghanistan."

Comedian Stephen Colbert gets a military style haircut from General Raymond Odierno, Commander of the Multinational Corps, Iraq.

Conan O'Brien is not smooth, or charming and far from being classically handsome, he's kind of weird-looking. That's why as a celebrity, and more to the point, as a talk-show host he lives and dies by being funny and smart. He was both during his Monday night debut as the new host of The Tonight Show, replacing Jay Leno who ended his 17-year run on Friday.

Just not enough of either

He didn't cry, but after 17 years hosting the Tonight Show, Jay Leno has never done anything to make viewers expect he would. The man who replaced late-night legend Johnny Carson under less than ideal circumstances -- Carson was clumsily forced out and his handpicked heir, David Letterman, was unceremoniously passed over -- has proven to be unflappable during his tenure, always steady and ready with a joke and a softball question for his next celebrity guest.

For fans of Lost, the recent season finale had a disquieting ending indeed. One of our favorite characters, Juliet -- played by one of our favorite actresses, Dallas' own Elizabeth Mitchell -- appeared to be a goner. Juliet tumbled, literally, down a deep dark hole, after which she appeared to set off a hydrogen bomb that may determine the fate of her fellow castaways on the infamous island. We're not the only ones who appreciate Mitchell's contribution to the series. Check out this piece. Mitchell grew up in the Park Cities and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She's the daughter of Dallas attorneys Joe and Josephine Mitchell, who still live in the Park Cities.

Photo: Elizabeth Mitchell as Juliet on Lost

After the Mavericks' heartbreaking loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, American Airlines Center was one very sad place. But less than 24 hours earlier, it felt like the happiest place on Earth after Jeff Dunham's sold-out performance. A hometown guy who graduated from Richardson High School, Dunham got a standing ovation at the AAC even before he began giving large gifts to local charities. His parents, now in their 80s, were in the crowd. He brought his mom onstage and had the crowd sing happy birthday to her. He spoke of having his dad take him to the Dallas Public Library's Bookmobile when he was 8 years old. He mentioned having taken out a book, Fun With Ventriloquism, by Alexander Van Rensselaer, and how it shaped a career that began after reading the book. (Five years later, Dunham was so successful as a working ventriloquist that he was audited by the IRS.) One problem, though: He has felt guilty all these years because he never returned the book. He showed a graphic noting that he now owed $10,281 in overdue book fees. So, he paid them onstage, handing the check to Corinne Hill, assistant director of resource management for the Dallas Public Library. He didn't stop there. (Please click below to read on.)

Photo: Jeff Dunham with one of his creations, Achmed the Dead Terrorist

From the Associated Press:

CHICAGO (AP) -- HBO says there's no chance Drew Peterson will appear on "Cathouse," its reality television show set in a Nevada brothel.

In fact, HBO spokeswoman Tobe Becker says the network would cancel the show before allowing the former suburban Chicago police officer to appear.

Peterson is a suspect in the October 2007 disappearance of his young wife, Stacy.

Peterson publicist Glenn Selig (SEH'-lig) said Wednesday that his client was weighing an offer from the owner of the Moonlight Bunny Ranch outside Carson City.

Becker calls that a "stunt" that HBO does not condone.

Selig did not immediately comment Thursday. A spokeswoman for the Bunny Ranch says they're still talking to Peterson.

Well, now we know what we're doing for the rest of the day.

Disney has decided to join NBC Universal and News Corp. (the other superpowers) in Hulu.com, their online venture. You can watch almost everything on Hulu, which has some of the snarkiest commercials you'll ever see, and now Disney movies and ABC and Disney Channel TV shows are in that number.

The shows, of course, will only be available on Hulu after they air, so don't go looking to watch Hannah Montana until after the new one's been on your TV. And there's no ESPN. Disney already signed a deal with YouTube to provide content from the sports channel. Here's hoping some of ESPN's documentaries (such as Black Magic) get to shine on Hulu, too.

One warning: Hulu is immediately addictive for any TV-phile (like me).

(Photo is screen shot of Hulu.com)

From CNN.com:

Word gets out that a television show is "on the bubble" and may be canceled. The reasons vary, but more often than not, the ratings don't match the adoration of the fans.

Some go gentle into yonder good night, often to the place known as available-only-on-DVD-land.

Yet still others manage to serve as a rallying point for fans and critics alike who have a single, collective message for the networks: SAVE OUR SHOW!

This season, a swirl of programs have generated the "will they or won't they" buzz, including ABC's "Better Off Ted," "Castle" and "Samantha Who?"; CBS' "Without a Trace" and "Eleventh Hour"; and Fox's "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Dollhouse."

But perhaps the one getting the most attention is the NBC show "Chuck," which has spawned a "Save Chuck" campaign with fans trying to blog, tweet and even eat sustained life into the series.

Read the rest of the story here.

What do you think, readers? Have you ever participated in one of these campaigns? (I'm looking at you, browncoats!) Do you think they work? Or are they a waste of time and effort?

From The Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) -- John McCain will be the host of AMC cable network's Memorial Day weekend marathon of movies celebrating war heroes.

The former prisoner of war and Republican presidential candidate will introduce movies like "Midway," "Patton," "The Longest Day," "Hamburger Hill," "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Battle of the Bulge."

McCain says the most interesting thing he's found about heroes is that "they're the last people to believe that they're really heroes."

The Arizona senator was held captive in Hanoi for more than five years after his plane was shot down during the Vietnam War.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Gospel Music Channel will shine the spotlight on "American Idol."

Filmmaker David Lewis' "From Idol to Inspiration" will premiere Thursday before the Gospel Music Association's 40th annual Dove Awards telecast. The one-hour documentary explores the effect of the Fox network singing competition on Christian music.

The documentary features interviews with several former "Idol" finalists and with Maria Santiago, sister-in-law of current finalist Danny Gokey, who has worked for eight years at Faith Builders International in Milwaukee and at its sister congregation in Beloit, Wis.

Mandisa Hundley, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Melinda Doolittle are the ex-"Idol" finalists featured in the documentary.

If you've been living under a rock (or just don't have a Facebook), it's possible that you haven't seen this clip of Britain's Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle belting out "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables. If you haven't, sit back and enjoy. Seriously - it's worth the 8 minutes of your time.

Sadly, all of the versions I can find have embedding disabled, so click on through to YouTube to watch.

But this isn't the first time a BGT contestant has turned out to be more than the audience expected. Check out Paul Potts from last year's competition.

From CNN.com:

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's career as a politician appears to be over, but a new career in the world of reality television could just be beginning.

The disgraced former governor has inked a deal to appear on an NBC celebrity-themed reality show, assuming a federal judge allows him to travel as his criminal charges remain pending, the network said in a statement.

Read more.

I guess this solves the "which-is-better-ninjas-or-pirates" debate: Navy pirate hunters for the win!

From The Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Barely a day after the daring rescue of an American sea captain, cable TV's Spike announced a deal Monday to produce a show about U.S. Navy pirate hunters.

Two crews for 44 Blue Productions hope to be on board Navy vessels patrolling in the pirate-infested waters off the coast of Africa within two weeks. The company is aiming to have a series ready to put on the air by September, said Rasha Drachkovitch, 44 Blue's president and founder.

He'd been talking to the Navy about the idea for three months, but it was finished late last week while the standoff with pirates who had taken Capt. Richard Phillips hostage was going on.

NEW YORK - The Fox network is making a reality show out of the troubled economy.

An upcoming series titled, "Someone's Gotta Go," lets employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagues will be laid off.

Fox says it has no air date yet for the series, which is being developed by the company behind "Big Brother" and "Deal or No Deal." Each week, a different company lays off an employee.

Fox also wouldn't reveal the show's host, which it says is a business consultant who will offer advice to participating companies.

Producers from More to Love, a new reality dating show from the folks who brought us The Bachelor, will be in Dallas tonight searching for a "large, lovable single guy who is looking for love." No six-packs allowed, they say -- they want a guy who's a softy, both inside and out, with that "Teddy bear" appeal. The open call for men will be from 6 to 9 tonight at Primo's, 3309 McKinney Ave.

They're also looking for women, and an open casting call will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at the new Lane Bryant store at Park Lane Center (across Central from NorthPark).

For more info on either casting session, go here, and click on "now casting."

Boston's NBC affiliate would rather take its chances with a local news show at 10 p.m. rather than Jay Leno's new talk show scheduled for the same time.

Of course, NBC isn't taking this lying down; the network is threatening to strip the station of its status as an affiliate.

NBC affiliate in Boston nixes new Jay Leno show

BOSTON -- Boston's NBC affiliate says it will air a local newscast instead of Jay Leno's new 10 p.m. talk show.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/Associated Press)

Anyone miss Wanda at Large besides me and mine? (We still catch reruns on TV One, don't you know?) Well, you'll get another chance to watch comedian Wanda Sykes on Fox when she starts her nightly talk-show host gig this fall.

And why not? If Jimmies Kimmel and Fallon can hold down slots, then surely Wanda can. She was a star on Chris Rock's HBO show (and in Pootie Tang). One warning to guests: Don't be bringing her no mess.

(Photo by GUS RUELAS/Associated Press)

Fifteen years ago, the economy was stable, Bill Clinton was president, I was in high school, and Dr. John Carter began his internship at County General in Chicago.

After 15 seasons and numerous cast changes, ER airs its final episode tonight on NBC. A clip show retrospective kicks off the night at 7 p.m. The two-hour finale begins at 8. You can read about the history of the show from the people who lived it here.

Thanks to morning reruns on TNT, I don't think I've missed a single episode of the show, and I'm sorry to see it go. (Even if I haven't forgiven the show for killing of Dr. Pratt earlier this season). I still cry when Dr. Carter reads the letter from Elizabeth Corday, telling the ER staff that Mark Greene has died. I still wince when "Rocket" Romano walks in to the helicopter blade, severing his arm. And I can barely watch the Valentine's episode that ends with the stabbing of intern Lucy Knight and John Carter.

Tell me, fellow ER fans: What are your favorite memories of the show?

"After 72 years, TV's 'Guiding Light' switching off." The headline is nigh unbelievable, as this institution has been around longer than TV. But there it is. I can imagine how fans of the show feel. When Another World went off years ago, I didn't think I'd ever be able to watch daytime TV again. And then came Passions. Then it went away, too. Are any other daytime serials right behind?

The Associated Press
NEW YORK -- The soap opera "Guiding Light" is switching off after a 72-year run that predates television.

CBS says the show will have its final episode in September. Like most daytime dramas, "Guiding Light" has suffered from declining ratings and CBS is looking for a lower-cost alternative to the hour of programming.

The Guinness Book of World Records has cited it as the longest-running television drama.
It began as a 15-minute serial on NBC Radio in January 1937 and debuted on CBS television in 1952, focusing on the Bauer family of Springfield.

(Photo of Kim Raver, considered by some the contemporary face of Guiding Light, by ROBERT VOETS/CBS)

Project Runway walked right over to Lifetime, ending the battle that's been going on for the rights to air the show. The Weinstein Com., NBC Universal and Lifetime had been tussling for what felt like forever for fans of the show, which crowned another winner while waiting to be shown. Now you know, the season will be shown this summer.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. reality TV show "Project Runway" will air on cable network Lifetime Television after the show's producer The Weinstein Co. agreed to pay NBC Universal to move the series from its Bravo cable network.

The show -- in which fledgling fashion designers compete for money to launch their own line -- has been one of Bravo's top-rated shows, averaging 4 million viewers.

NBC Universal sued The Weinstein Company, run by Miramax Films founders Bob and Harvey Weinstein, in April last year, claiming the network and Bravo had the right of first refusal for future cycles of the show and any spinoffs.

Lifetime Networks, which targets women and is owned by Hearst Corp and The Walt Disney Co., then counter-sued in November. The Weinstein Co has said the Lifetime deal is worth $200 million over five years.

(Photo of host Heidi Klum and show stalwart Tim Gunn by RICHARD DREW/Associated Press)

Songs for the Love, Lorne instantly became my favorite album title of all time. Andy Hallett, who played the demon Lorne on Angel, died on Sunday at the age of 33. And I was filled with shock and a surprisingly strong sense of loss today.

I loved his character's lust for life, the actor's own love of it shining through. Though acting from beneath pounds of green (!) makeup, it made my night when there was an Angel episode with Lorne in it. Remember his first song on the show? I know, right? Remember his, "Oh, honey," to Angel or Cordelia or Gun? And his nicknames for Angel (David Boreanaz): Angelface, Angelcake, and on and on?

I know I sound like a rabid fan getting an actor's character mixed up with the actual person. That's because I am. Andy was a fixture at sci-fi and fantasy conventions, always willing to share his time with his fans. And we loved him for it. Farewell, Lorne. Good night, Andy.

(Photo by Nigel Parry/Twentieth Century Fox)

Will she stay or will she go? Most of us wish Katherine Heigl would make up her mind already. First, she declines an Emmy nom because she didn't think the Grey's Anatomy writers had given her anything worth working with. And then she fans the flames of perhaps an early exit for her character, Izzie.

And the showrunners aren't helping much, being all inconsistent with denials and what-not. Anyway, the latest news is that Heigl would very much like to stay. Yeah, whatever.

(Photo by Chris Weeks/Associated Press)

"The Office" (9 p.m. on NBC): Michael quit last week because he's fighting with the new vice president. Apparently he doesn't know the new boss is played by Idris Elba, who was on HBO's "The Wire" as the deadly Stringer Bell. Yo, Michael, this is not a guy to mess with.

OK, now that my hyperventilating is under control after reading that note in Rick Kushman's TV column for the Sacremento Bee, I thought I'd share it.

Elba isn't starving for work, but this could well be the moment that (those eyes, that jaw) his name sinks into the public consciousness. It seems no matter how many critics lauded his previous series, The Wire, the greater public just wasn't into the darkness of that series, even though its realism was something to behold.

He's also acted in some films since that series went into the brilliant-but-over category, but except for Tyler Perry's Daddy's LIttle Girls, he wasn't the lead. And he's been very busy since then with 28 Days Later, American Gangster and Prom Night among his eclectic choices.

Check for him later in HBO's The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, which begins airing on Sunday.

Well, this is one award that Desperate Housewives or Damages will be getting. The television academy honored eight shows that have a conscience. I'm thinking that's entirely subjective: I mean, I think Nip/Tuck has one. But that's beside the point ...

TV Academy honors 8 programs with a 'conscience'
By LYNN ELBER
AP Television Writer

LOS ANGELES -- The TV Academy will honor eight programs that are examples of "television with a conscience," including a "Brothers & Sisters" episode about same-sex marriage.

The programs focused on issues including tolerance, adoption, gun control, the environment and questions of faith, John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, said Wednesday.

The Television Honors, to be given at an April 30 ceremony, were instituted last year to recognize valuable work produced by the industry, Shaffner said.

(Photo of, left to right, Luke Macfarlane and Matthew Rhys by Randy Holmes/ABC)

From The Associated Press:

WASHINGTON - The White House says President Barack Obama will appear this week on Jay Leno's talk show, perhaps adding a lighter touch to his bid to resuscitate the moribund economy.

Obama will visit "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" during his trip to Los Angeles on Thursday. NBC will tape the program and air it that night, after the president has returned to Washington.

Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner Prince will perform for three consecutive nights on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, starting on March 25.

Prince will also play Leno on the host's next-to-last show on May 28. Last time Prince was on Leno, he played a two-song encore, including his hit "1999." He released this message to fans in early March: "From the 24th on, there will b a slew of NPG-related events happening around electric Lalaland," said Prince. "We don't want 2 give away all the details yet, but b prepared 2 get yo groove on, numerous ways 4 numerous days. We know $ is tite but the adventures will b worth ur while! Stay 2ned 2 this outtaspacestation."

His Royal Badness has partnered with Target to release his next CD: a three-disc bundle that will include his two new studio albums, and LOtUSFLOW3R and MPLSoUND, along with an album from his newest protege, Bria Valente. The CD will cost only $11.98 and will be available March 29.

U2 played as the house band on The Late Show With David Letterman for the week before they released their newest CD.

Three constitutes a trend. Who's next?

(Photo by KEVORK DJANSEZIAN/The Associated Press)

It seems Mariska Hargitay will only miss one episode of Law & Order: SVU while recuperating from a partially collapsed lung. That's good news for SVU fans who thought they might miss the Stabler-Benson pairing.

For my money, I'd love for Ice-T (Odafin Tutuola) and Richard Belzer (John Munch) to take a turn as the leads. But that's just me ... Fin's ire and Munch's conspiracies (and ire) always make for an interesting hour for a show that's a bit long in the tooth.

(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/The Associated Press)

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz will reportedly join the cast of the updated Melrose Place. The Hollywood Reporter says she'll play Violet on The CW reboot, a new resident also new to L.A. And, of course, she'll have a secret.

All right. Before you make any disparaging comments, remember that she got her start (with good reviews, even) on 7th Heaven, long before she was the other singing Simpson. And she's a working mom; I'd take a TV show over touring in concert any day. Simpson-Wentz will also guest on CSI: NY on March 18, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

(Photo by Evan Agostini/The Associated Press)

I know the first thing I would do after getting dumped on national TV is call the girls and go out for drinks and dancing. Dallas' Melissa Rycroft is reportedly doing just that by joining Dancing With the Stars in the wake of the show's injury problems.

Rycroft, now doing the talk-show circuit after being dumped by Jason Mesnick just last week, will be taking over the spot of Nancy O'Dell, who's on the injured list with a torn meniscus (that's knee cartilage for you lucky so-and-so's who've never become BFFs with the X-Ray tech or with your physical therapy nurse). At least that's what E Online is saying.

I guess it's the least ABC could do after airing the cringe-inducing embarrassment that The Bachelor turned out to be. It's easier - and more sanitary - than a pound of flesh.

We'll know for sure tonight when the replacements are announced during the two-hour season premiere of DWTS.

(Photo of Melissa and Jason by MATT KLITSCHER/ABC)

Oprah Winfrey is sharing the cover of O magazine with a real, live person for the first time in almost a decade. No, it's not her beau or her best friend Gayle, though the odds did favor them. It's First Lady Michelle Obama.

Of course, there's no way the First Lady could have graced the cover of April's issue all by herself. The cult of Oprah might have revolted ... though Oprah has shared the cover before, with puppies and with her smaller self. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures ...

O.K., it's back to T.V. for the next installment of the Disney Channel phenom that leapt to the big screen in its last outing. -- High School Musical 4 is a go for a 2010 , probably with some secondary characters from the last movie taking center stage. But here's the intriguing part. It's going for a story about cross town school rivalry. Could it have been inspired by the real-life onetime cross town school rivalry of the Fort Worth high schools that bonded over doing shows like High School Musical together -- the very same schools that Disney filmed for a documentary on high schools doing High School Musical?

My one-word summation of Jimmy Fallon's debut as the latest late-night talk show host is: oof.

NEW YORK - Jerry Seinfeld is headed back to NBC as the producer of a comic reality series about marriage.

The series, called "The Marriage Ref," will feature a real-life couple involved in a marital spat. A team of celebrities will provide commentary and a "referee," whose identity hasn't been determined, will give the final verdict on who is right and wrong.

Seinfeld, in a statement, stressed that it's a comedy show, not a therapy show.

His production partner, former "Oprah Winfrey" producer Ellen Rakieten, says it's not clear yet whether Seinfeld will appear on the air. It's also not clear when the series will start, but producers are shooting for next season.

Dallasites have been invited to a casting call for a new reality show from the people who brought us Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Wipeout. The show will be here next week, perhaps staying for two weeks, looking for their stars.

If you're a woman aged 21-50 and "outgoing," you're eligible. You also have to be facing some big change in your life. (You could also join the legion of North Texans on reality TV shows ...)

Here's the pitch the I got in my inbox:

The producers of Deal or No Deal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Wipeout are casting for a new series where one of Hollywood's top life coaches will offer advice to women living in the city of Dallas.

Producers are looking for outgoing women ranging in age from 21 to 50 that are in the midst of life changing drama with their personal lives, careers, children, etc.

If you think your life is interesting enough to be featured in a television show, and you could use the guidance of a full service life coach, then WE WANT YOU!

If you are interested please email Stephen Graham at sgraham517@aol.com or call at 404-285-5096 ASAP!

In the category of news that fills me with glee: Andy Richter will join in on the madness that will be The Tonight Show. Conan O'Brien's former sidekick on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, will join O'Brien when he takes over Tonight in June. It's like Nightwing joining back up with Batman. Speedy hanging out again with Green Arrow. In a word, it's perfect.

NBC says he'll be part of comedy bits (he'd better be). The best part? He'll be the announcer. LOL ... I can't wait.

(Photo by Reed Saxon/The Associated Press)

Grapevine's Julia Anderson won 'True Beauty,' the reality show from Tyra Banks and Ashton Kutcher that judges a group of gorgeous folks on inner and outer beauty.

Ms. Anderson's show bio says she's "a former pageant winner who earned the titles of Miss Teen Texas in 2002 and Miss Grapevine in 2008. Julia is a very good manipulator and should not to be underestimated. She is convinced that America will love her."

Ms. Anderson won $100,000 in cash, a spot in People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue, and the title of "America's Most Beautiful Person."

In the best self-promotion I've seen from a band in a long time, U2 will be the house band on the Late Show With David Letterman for the week of March 2-6.

It's the first time a band has been booked for a full week of performances on the show. Bands are learning new and different ways to get their records on as sales of physical CDS continue their slide (at least, that's one story). One wouldn't think U2 would need such extra exposure, but that's probably why they're considered one of the best bands in the world. They never stop innovating. And David Letterman won't make out too badly in this deal, either.

(Photo by Amy Sancetta/Associated Press)

Joaquin Phoenix has been in the news lately for his decision to leave the world of acting to become a hip-hop rapper. His new film, Two Lovers, is also set to hit theaters next weekend (and in local theaters on Feb. 27.)

Phoenix was on the Late Show With David Letterman Wednesday night. Check out the ... strange .. interview and tell us what you think:

And for reference: The video of Joaquin rapping

The Jonas Brothers, in preparation of the release of their concert movie (in 3D!) on Feb. 27, will host programming tonight on The CW. Nick, Joe and Kevin (pictured from left to right) will also offer a glimpse of the film, but you have to stay tuned. No word on when exactly that will be shown.

Perhaps they're going for a little older demographic, as tonight's offerings on the channel are the reboot of 90210 and Privileged. Each of the shows stars teenagers, but, oh, the problems that these teens have!

(Photo by Phil McCarten/Reuters)

Us Weekly reports:

Katherine Heigl and T.R. Knight will soon take off their scrubs for good, their Grey's Anatomy costar confirms. When Us Weekly asked James Pickens Jr. (a.k.a. Grey's Dr. Richard Webber) on February 7 if Heigl is leaving the medical drama, he said, "Yes, she is." And he continued, "Wherever Katherine goes, I wish her nothing but the best."

Following Heigl, 30, out the door? Her outspoken BFF, Knight, 35. "He's going too," Pickens told Us at the NAACP Awards luncheon in Beverly Hills. "He just wanted to pursue other career paths."

"He complains to Katherine all the time," a set source has said of Knight (with Heigl). "The energy on set will be much better when he's gone."

Sources close to the actors concur. "Katherine is ready to move on to the next chapter," says a set source. And Knight is "not shy about telling people" he wants out of his contract, another insider told Us in December.

But now it seems they're finally getting their wishes. A source tells Us Knight has had numerous talks with executive producer Shonda Rhimes, and that the "writers are scrambling to find a believable exit for George, one that would leave the door open for him to come back someday." Both Heigl's and Knight's reps had no comment, and ABC and ABC Studios could not confirm the departures.

NEW YORK (AP) -- America's got Nick Cannon as the new host of "America's Got Talent."

The musician, comedian, actor and producer will preside over the NBC talent competition series when it returns for a fourth season this summer, the network announced Monday.

This variety show is the first of "multiple projects we are looking to do with Nick at NBC," said network chief Ben Silverman.

Jerry Springer will leave his gig as host of America's Got Talent. The popular NBC talent show, which has made a star out of a ventriloquist and a rapping granny, also lost judge Brandy before last season started.

The three judges still on the show are David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osbourne and Celebrity Apprentice winner Piers Morgan. No replacement for Springer was announced, though he did cite his other commitments, including a role in a play, as the deciding factor for his resignation.

No word on executive producer and American Idol judge Simon Cowell's reaction.

(Associated Press photo by Mark J. Terrill)

From Meg Fullwood at KERA comes word about a documentary that will air soon about a historic Dallas institution.
Bishop College: A Bridge Between the Worlds traces the history of the school, which was founded in Marshall, Texas, in 1881 and relocated to Dallas in 1961. Bishop College was particularly known for its training of future teachers and religious leaders, and among its points of pride: One of its students, David Abner, was the first African-American to graduate from a Texas institution of higher learning. The year was 1884.
Bishop College ultimately filed for bankruptcy and closed in 1988, but it remains an important part of the history of Texas' education, religion and African-American culture.
KERA's Rick Thompson directed and edited the documentary, which will air at 8 p.m. Feb. 16 on KERA-TV (Channel 13).
(Photo of David Abner standing in front of Bishop College's original Bell Tower. Image courtesy of Bishop College Alumni Association.)
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Check out the sneak peek of Jon Hamm as Dr. Drew Baird, the new neighbor of Liz Lemon (played by Tina Fey).

(Also, read why Ms. Fey says she may 'accidentally roofie' the divine Don Draper ...)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Kim Manners, a prolific director and producer on Fox series "The X-Files," died January 25 of complications from lung cancer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 58.

Manners served as a producer on nearly 160 episodes of the series and directed more than 50, receiving four shared Emmy nominations for his work. At the time of his death, he was a director and executive producer on the CW series "Supernatural."

Read more.

From Yahoo.com's omg!

Donny Osmond won't be on the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars after all.

He reportedly let it slip at a taping of The Bonnie Hunt Show this week, but now he says, "I'm definitely not doing this upcoming season."

Read more.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Comedy Central TV channel says Paul McCartney is going to drop in on Stephen Colbert.

McCartney will be a guest on Wednesday's "The Colbert Report," talking up his latest album, "Electric Arguments." The work represents a collaboration between the former Beatle and producer-musician Youth, and was released under the band name the Fireman.

"The Colbert Report" airs at 11:30 p.m. EST weeknights.

Life on Mars returns for its second season premiere tonight at 9 on ABC. Watch for the mustaches, the clothes and the time trip to 1973. Stay for the drama. And Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli's impressive facial hair.

I found this to get you caught up.

By Verne Gay
Newsday

REASON TO WATCH: A fond and funkadelic look at New York City as it appeared 35 years ago. (Oh, yeah, and Michael Imperioli, in Fu Manchu and 'burns.)

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Modern-day NYPD cop Sam Tyler (Jason O'Mara), in a coma, awakens in 1973 NYC, where he's a member of the 1-2-5 Precinct, and suddenly discovers his Inner Polyester Suit. Based on the BBC series.

(Photo of Jason O'Mara by Vivian Zink/ABC)

Donny Osmond has let slip that he is about to step into his sister Marie's shoes - her dancing shoes.

While next season's stars have yet to be announced for the ABC hit Dancing with the Stars, Donny appeared with Marie for a Monday taping of the syndicated The Bonnie Hunt Show for an episode scheduled to air Tuesday.

Read more.

So, while Wolverine has always been one of my favorite characters in the ever-expanding universe of the X-Men (remember when there were blue and gold teams?), I always appreciated him in tandem with other characters. The Beast, with their cannonball special. Nightcrawler, so pious and dramatic, and Wolverine cutting, literally, to the chase. Taking special care of Jubilee, who for all intents and purposes, was his substitute for a child. Pining for Jean Grey, so obviously playing with his affections.

Heck, I even liked his berserker rage whenever Sabretooth made the scene. What a couple they made! Now, here comes the Nicktoons Network with a new X-Men animated cartoon and they've named it Wolverine and the X-Men. Poor team leaders; poor fans of the original Marvel stories. Storm, though her new suit looks mighty fine, never gets any love (well, not from anyone not named Black Panther, anyway, but that's another story). And cartoons on Friday night? At 7 p.m.? None of this means I won't be watching. I'll just DVR it and watch it Saturday morning, the same thing I do with Justice League Unlimited, Spider-Man and The Batman. Forget sexy, I'm bringing Saturday morning back!

I just read a Q&A with Battlestar Galactica executive producer Ronald Moore. I mean, I'm still scratching my head over the returning episode. ("Really," "huh," "nuh-uh" and "no she didn't" were the phrases most heard in my house while we were watching.)

Anyway, he does make a good point when he tells the suits at Sci Fi that anyone who had followed his vision this far would probably see it through no matter how dark he went. However, I think his show makes an even greater case for having a plan. Did you notice in the opening that the Cylons no longer have a plan? Well, you see where that got them ... Caution: Spoilers ahead.

(Photo of Kandyse McClure as Dualla by Paul Michaud)

An OMG moment if I've ever had one, Chevy Chase is set to join NBC dramedy Chuck for three episodes. He'll play a "technology mogul" who is accused by Chuck's father of stealing his ideas. Here's hoping he's good for a laugh.

So, now word comes that a Gossip Girl spinoff is really in the works. And it won't be the spinoff from the series of GG books (I love those books by Cecily von Ziegesar!), The It Girl, which focused on Lil J being shipped off to boarding school and reinventing herself along the way.

No, following right in the footsteps of this season's TV trend, we'll hop in Mr. Peabody's Wayback Machine and find out the apple (Serena) doesn't fall far from the tree (her mother, Lily). It's back to the 80s, when Lily was a wild child. Hee! Can't wait ...

(Kelly Rutherford as Lily by Giovanni Rufino / The CW)

Jimmy Fallon is expected to take over "Late Night" in March while Conan O'Brien will join the "Tonight Show" as host in June.

Can Jimmy fill Conan's shoes? Can Conan fill Jay's? What do you think?

Read what Craig Ferguson thinks.

UNIVERSITY CITY, Calif. (AP) -- CBS is close to a deal with pop star John Mayer for a music and variety TV show.

CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler told a meeting of the Television Critics Association that the project is under development and an agreement is near. She didn't provide details.

Mayer and CBS have worked together before. In 2006, he made a cameo appearance on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," performing songs for a scene set in a Las Vegas network.

Mayer, whose current hit is "Say," might also appear on next month's Grammy Awards on CBS: He's up for five prizes. He took the best pop vocal album Grammy in 2007 for "Continuum."

Prison Break is going to call it a series after four seasons. I stopped religiously watching the series that started behind bars, with a seemingly selfless brother becoming a perp to join his wrongly jailed brother in prison, near the end of the second season when it all just got too fanciful. (This, from a devoted denizen of the Buffy-verse and a wishful member of the Merry Marvel Marching Society.)

I could only suspend my disbelief so much. But I remember a couple of us would say that they should just call it The T-Bag Variety Hour and be done with it. T-Bag (played with a wink and wince by Robert Knepper (right), last seen on the big screen in Transporter 3, was by far the most entertaining character left.

Prison Break, we hardly knew ye. Fare thee well.

(Photo by Jeremy Cowart/Fox)

WFAA_TV (Channel 8) has become the first local television station to receive the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Gold Baton for investigative journalism in the 20-year history of the award. The station was honored for "its continuing commitment to outstanding investigative reporting," according to a release from the Columbia University journalism school. The station has previously won eight Silver Batons. Read all about it here.

I've been hearing about how Dexter is the best Showtime show around for awhile, so last week I finally got around to watching it on my On Demand channel. I'm really digging it, very twisted and enjoyable. But I had no idea Michael C. Hall and Jennifer Carpenter had been dating. So it's quite shocking to hear that they eloped recently.

Talk about a new creepiness factor added to the show.

ADA Alexandra Cabot (actress Stephanie March, right), last seen in the witness protection program, will return to Law & Order: SVU, according to the Associated Press. She's always been one of my favorites in the revolving door that exists in the district attorney's office.

Let's hope her character hasn't been in the least softened by her exile. And I hope her return won't get in the way of her hanging out with her husband, Food Network star Bobby Flay, on his new radio talk show.

(Photo by Darron Cummings/Associated Press)

The NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Tyler Perry and Halle Berry (!) Feb. 12 on Fox, announced their nominations today. No huge surprises, but it's striking how many double-threat nominees there were.

Beyonce, Alicia Keys and Jennifer Hudson (right) were each nominated in music and acting categories. Of course, they're all competing against each other for best video, supporting film actress and outstanding female music artist.

No Image Awards would be complete without nods for actresses from Perry's films. Angela Bassett (Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns) and Alfre Woodard (The Family That Preys) took two of the best-actress nominations.

(Photo by Chris Pizzello/The Associated Press)

The cool kids (read: fanboys) at Wired have put together an educational compendium of the 11 actors to play The Doctor (click to see):

So the Beeb announced this weekend that relative unknown (even to those of us who spend entirely too much time tuned in to BBC America) Matt Smith will take over as the 11th Doctor. Mr. Smith (*insert laugh at inside joke here*) will be the youngest actor (26 years old) to take on the role in the show's 8 million year history.

I started watching Who with the start of the Russell T Davies era and Christopher Eccleston. When he departed after the first series, I was convinced I'd never accept this "new" Doctor. Boy, was I wrong. I loved David Tennant's take on the Time Lord, and I'll be sorry to see his turn end. But since I learned my lesson about snap judgments, I'm willing to give this Smith kid a chance.

So Who fans -- I know you're out there. What do you think of this decision? Were you hoping for some truth to earlier rumors about Chiwetel Ejiofor or Paterson Joseph being the first black Doctor? A last minute "Oh, I was just joking. I'm totally staying!" from David Tennant? C'mon, you know you want to talk about it.

So they told me that if Time Warner and Viacom Inc. can't get it together, a lot of appointment TV will go dark at 12:01 a.m. After the screaming died down (was that me?), I scrambled to find replacements for some favorites. Networks on the block include MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central and Spike TV. I'm taking refuge in Boomerang and TNT. You might like some of these other choices:

If you like The Daily Show/The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, flip over to CNN. We know there's no replacing The Daily Show, but in the meantime, you can still get your news with a dash of snark by watching D.L. Hughley Breaks the News (Saturdays at 9 p.m. and Sundays at 10 p.m., CNN), featuring the comedian (right) as host.

Today's Dallas Morning News has a story that a group of networks owned by Viacom Inc. will go dark at 12:01 a.m. if they don't agree on a deal with Time Warner Cable. The media company wants more money, and the cable company says, well, no. So that leaves us with the threat that some of our favorite shows will go dark if the businessmen running Time Warner Cable and Viacom Inc. can't get along. That's 19 channels. 19. Channels.

This includes The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on Comedy Central; Dora the Explorer on Nick Jr.; and Spongebob Squarepants on Nickelodeon; any of the MTV reality shows; and all that testosterone on Spike TV. Go ahead, go to one of the show's Web sites. They're asking you to call your cable company or the network and "DEMAND THEY KEEP YOUR CHANNEL." Frankly, we're seeking shelter, just in case, on TNT and Boomerang.

(Photo of The Daily Show's Jon Stewart by EVAN AGOSTINI/Associated Press)

It's time for another year-end list. And, quite expectedly, this one for TV in 2008 is cable-heavy. There's Mad Men, The Shield and The Wire. You know, the usual suspects. And I've been waiting for my favorite show to get its long-overdue props for acting and writing: Battlestar Galactica. ("Catch the frak up" at the Web site.)

BSG returns to SciFi on Jan. 16 with the end to its strike-truncated season, which will be the end of the series. By turns dramatic, amusing and thought-provoking, BSG tackled so many of today's issues, including war, torture, military tactics and religion, without beating you about the head and shoulders with it. So glad to see it singled out ...

(Photo by Carole Segal)

Santa didn't deliver that new boyfriend or girlfriend under your tree? Well, it's time to take your future in to your own hands.

ABC is holding a casting call for the next season of The Bachelorette from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 7 at PM Nightlife Lounge (a favorite haunt of our Mr. Dallas).

From the casting site:

The seach is on for the next Bachelorette. If you have the beauty, charm, style and a winning personality to be the next Bachelorette or if you know someone who does please apply or nominate today. If you are an eligible bachelor that would like to meet the next bachelorette complete the online submission form or download the mail in bachelor application and send it to us with some photos.

If you can't make it out, there's an online option, as well.

I always look forward to this time of year because the networks take a bit of time off, too, and that leads to marathons. Here's an official plea for FX to bring back its "Buffy the Vampire Slayer Slayathon," but there's some other good stuff on throughout this holiday season. Set your DVR:

General Hospital: The Most of Christmas Past, 7 p.m. Dec. 25, Soapnet: It's three hours of holiday eps from the long-running sudser.
Law & Order: SVU, 5 a.m., Dec. 26, USA: Yes, you can bump into any Law & Order at any time on almost any channel on the dial. I keep waiting for it to show up on Cartoon Network. And there are impromptu mini-marathons all the time. Here's hoping we get to see Tutuola and Stabler (right) get all medieval on some unsuspecting suspect while Benson angsts the day away.
The Twilight Zonee, 5 a.m. Jan. 1, Sci Fi Channel: Pure. Genius. All. Day.

(NBC photo by Will Hart)

From The Associated Press:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jack Black is headed to "The Office," guest-starring in an episode slated to air during a ratings-rich time slot: after the Super Bowl.

The Feb. 1 episode of the sitcom, titled "Stress Relief," will follow the office drones as they try to secretly watch a bootlegged Hollywood movie at work. The network did not say how Black will factor into the story line.

Black recently starred in "Tropic Thunder." His other film credits include "King Kong," "High Fidelity" and the voice of the main character in the animated "Kung Fu Panda."

From The Associated Press:

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- The star of "The Nanny" wants to go from playing nasally New Yawkers to succeeding Hillary Rodham Clinton in the U.S. Senate.

Publicist Jordan Brown delivered the straight line that Fran Drescher is serious about becoming the next junior senator from New York. Brown cited Drescher's experience as an actress, advocate for women's health and public diplomacy envoy for the U.S. State Department.

The 51-year-old "Saturday Night Fever" and "This is Spinal Tap" actress joins a field headed by Caroline Kennedy and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. New York Gov. David Paterson will appoint Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's successor if she is confirmed secretary of state in the Obama administration.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jay Leno is staying at NBC, and he's moving to prime time. The network announced on the "Today" show Tuesday that Leno will host a show on weeknights at 10 p.m. Eastern, after he leaves the "Tonight" show. The network had announced earlier that Conan O'Brien would move to the "Tonight" show and succeed Leno.

The deal not only prevents Leno from moving to another network and competing with O'Brien, it also has the potential to be a big cost savings for NBC.

Dramas at 10 p.m. Eastern used to be a mainstay of network schedules, but they have been fading - particularly on NBC. One reason is digital video recorders; more people are watching shows they taped earlier than the live 10 p.m. shows.

The deal was first reported Tuesday in The New York Times.

Oh this is very exciting. This comic series is one of my faves.

According to the Hollywood Reporter:

The network has handed out a pilot commitment to the fantasy project, based on the comic book created by Bill Willingham and published by DC's Vertigo imprint.

Six Degrees creators/executive producers Stu Zicherman and Raven Metzner are penning the script for the hourlong drama set at Warner Bros. TV.

David Semel has come on board to direct Fables, which revolves around characters from fairy tales and folklore living in exile in modern-day New York.

Semel has directed the pilots for such series as Heroes, My Own Worst Enemy, Life and The Cleaner.

From the Associated Press:

BOSTON (AP) -- Paul Benedict, the actor who played the English neighbor Harry Bentley on the sitcom "The Jeffersons," has died. He was 70.

Benedict was found dead Monday on Martha's Vineyard and his brother, Charles, said authorities were still investigating the cause of death.

Benedict began his acting career in the 1960s in the Theatre Company of Boston, alongside such future stars as Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman and Al Pacino.

Benedict went on to appear in a number of movies, including a role as the oddball director in "The Goodbye Girl" with Richard Dreyfuss. But he was mainly known for his role as Bentley in "The Jeffersons," which ran on CBS from 1975 to '85.

NEW YORK - The troubles that are part of imaginary life on daytime dramas are hitting those shows for real in the form of budget cuts and dismissals.

"All My Children" regulars including longtime stars Susan Lucci, Michael E. Knight and Ray MacDonnell are seeing their paychecks shrink as part of a cost-cutting policy being applied to all three of ABC's soaps, including "One Life to Live" and "General Hospital."

Read more.

When "American Idol" returns to television Jan. 13, the show will be "more real" and "intimate," and "raw," according to Mike Darnell, Fox's president of alternative programming.

What does this mean exactly? "It's going back to letting the kids be more emotional and seeing more of their reality, we're going to allow the public to see a little more of their emotional state," Darnell said in an interview with TV Week.

Read more.

Quality television took a serious hit this evening with news that ABC has opted not to order additional episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money for this season. The network isn't commenting, but multiple sources confirm that all three shows have effectively been canceled.

The one bright spot: The ratings-challenged trio will complete production on their 13-episode orders (Daisies already has, while Eli and DSM have an episode or two to go). Of course, completing the episodes and actually airing them are two totally different things.

Read more.

Dan Rather has canceled his appearance at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which was scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 22. He was scheduled to speak as part of the Impressions of Jack Kennedy Series.

Tom Maurstad posted news that mega-star Will Smith will be in Dallas today. He was out early on Good Morning Texas to promote his new movie, Seven Pounds.

Smith will also host the Dallas premiere of Seven Pounds tonight at Cinemark 17 at Webb Chapel. The event is also a canned-food drive benefiting the North Texas Food Bank.

Read Tom's post for all the details, and let us know if you met the star and/or plan to go to the premiere.

NEW YORK (AP) -- No need to grieve, tweens: Miley Cyrus is not dead.

The "Hannah Montana" star, who is alive and well, was the victim of an Internet hoax over the weekend when someone hacked into her YouTube account and posted a video alleging she'd been killed by a drunken driver.

The video, which has been taken down, had a fake message from Cyrus pal Mandy Jiroux, who swiftly denied the rumor in a posting on her official MySpace page.

Wrote Jiroux: "MILEY IS OK!! Some1 hacked our youtube account."

More proof: The Associated Press interviewed Cyrus at the Los Angeles junket for the Disney animated film "Bolt" on Sunday night. She voices a 12-year-old TV actress in the movie, which hits theaters Nov. 21.

NEW YORK (AP) -- The final ER season is bringing back some of its original stars for guest shots, but Julianna Margulies won't be among them. She was invited but says she declined.
Margulies, who played nurse Carol Hathaway on the NBC medical drama from its 1994 premiere, exited after six seasons. Her character left Chicago for Seattle, settling down with the character played by fellow ER alum George Clooney.
Margulies says she feels she left Hathaway "in the best scenario possible" and can't imagine a better ending for the character.

WFAA-TV's Victory Plaza studio will turn into a celebrity fishbowl on Tuesday morning when Will Smith stops by to visit Good Morning Texas and promote his new film, Seven Pounds. While Channel 8 viewers are by now familiar with on-camera spectacle of post-game crowds milling about the studio during the ABC (and, of course, Belo-owned) affiliate's 10 pm newscast. But this Tuesday morning will offer the rare opportunity for some completely justified screaming-in-public when the man known as Mr. Fourth of July/the $25 million dollar Man and/or the Biggest Movie Star in the World gets his up-close-and-personal groove on in Victory Park. The show begins at 9 am, so figure out what the ideal arrival time is and be part of the throng.

Editor's note: Smith will also host the Dallas premiere of his upcoming movie Seven Pounds at Cinemark 17 at 11819 Webb Chapel Rd in Dallas.

Click the link below to see details on how to attend the screening.

LOS ANGELES - Is Paula Abdul gearing up to abandon her judge's chair on "American Idol"?

According to a report by OK! Magazine, Abdul is planning to "transition" out of her involvement with the FOX mega-hit to begin working on several new TV projects.

Read more.

NBC announced that its dropping second-season start-up Lipstick Jungle and debut My Own Worst Enemy.

The fall of Lipstick Jungle is no surprise. The show isn't good, never really found an audience and was stuck in the primetime deadzone of Friday night. The writers strike gave it a stay-of-execution as it was declared the putative victor in the contest between dueling Sex and the City knock-offs when the even lamer Cashmere Mafia was put out of viewers' misery. But the show never found its rhythm, a point driven home by the debut of a much more successful primetime series starring Brooke Shields, namely the clever series of Volkswagen commercials for the German automaker's new minivan, the Routan.

TV Guide Magazine has named Television's Toughest Action Heroes in the Nov. 17 issue, which hits newsstands on Thursday.

1. MacGYVER: Laugh if you must, there is nobody better at saving the day than the mulleted Mr. Wizard of explosive household items. Devoted to non-violence, Mac's scientific solutions to international crises and catastrophes showed us that brains can trump brawn, and that physics is handier than a handgun. Especially if it's crafted from an old apple core, a thumbtack and a length of duct tape.
2. BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER: In every generation, there is a Chosen One. She alone will stand against vampires, the demons and the forces of Darkness. She is the Slayer. And she raised the stakes for future teen titans by dispatching the undead with an acrobatic prowess and acerbic wit that was sharper than even her beloved weapon, Mr. Pointy.


3. JACK BAUER: Is it heresy that Mr. 24 isn't No. 1? Yeah, Jack-O's survived torture in a Chinese prison, pulled the U.S. from the brink of war and kicked smack, but let's be real: The man has only worked six days in the past seven years! Still, when the shizz goes down, we're doomed without this one.


4. SYDNEY BRISTOW: Next to the word "butt-kicking" in the Badass Dictionary is a shot of this chameleonic CIA spy. Whether she's blowing up cars or bustin' up the killer clone of her dead pal Francie, the only thing more vicious than Syd is the fact that Alias took such a beating in the ratings at the end of its five-season assault on the airwaves.


5. MAGNUM, P.I.: Despite the Ferrari, short-shorts and hideous Hawaiian shirts, this is not a guy you mess with. First off, he played college football and those dudes are monsters. Secondly, the chest hair? Total virility. And finally, before he landed the cushy gig as Robin Masters' personal dick, Thomas Magnum was a Navy SEAL during Vietnam, which means he could crush your windpipe faster than you can say "nice porn 'stache."

NEW YORK (AP) -- This much is clear: The Obama daughters are welcome on the set of "Hannah Montana."

But any talk that 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha are likely to appear on the popular Disney Channel show seems to be just that - talk. And it's been mostly from Billy Ray Cyrus, father of "Hannah Montana" star Miley Cyrus.

He told "Access Hollywood" on Monday that the young daughters of President-elect Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, would "probably" be appearing on the show. "The invitation is there."

It was the last elimination before the semi-finals on Tuesday night's Dancing with the Stars -- the cruelest cut, to be so close to something so meaningless. With all the mounting stress and strain, the five remaining couples had a session with Celebrity Rehab's Dr. Drew. Former Olympian sprinter Maurice Green and DWTS vet Cheryl Burke could have saved themselves the soul-baring; they were the unlucky couple cut, sparing north Texas native Cody Linley who with sub Edyta Sliwinska was the other couple on the cusp of elimination. Cody teared up while talking about how much his DWTS partner Julianne Hough -- who's been out for a couple of weeks after surgery -- means to him during his Dr. Drew session. He managed to hold back the tears of joy when the judgment was announced that assured him of being reunited with Julianne for next week's semi-finals.

From the Associated Press:

Live from New York! It's Tim McGraw.

McGraw's spokeswoman said he will host Saturday Night Live on Nov. 22, joining a short list of country stars to host the show.

Garth Brooks was the last one, and that was back in 1999. Other country singers to host SNL include Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton.

McGraw says he isn't exactly known for playing comedy in his movies, but fans who come to his concerts at least know he has a sense of humor.

Hanging out with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon might help. McGraw appears with them in the holiday comedy "Four Christmases" out later this month.

His many hits include "Live Like You Were Dying," "Where the Green Grass Grows" and his latest, "Let it Go."

A nice bit of 'ripped-from-the-headlines" verisimilitude at the end of Wednesday night's new episode. At the end of a highly publicized murder trial, DA Jack McCoy is giving a press conference on the stairs of the courthouse. As he finishes his comments and turns to leave, a reporter shouts out "Is it true you've been asked to join the Obama administration?" Is America ready for its first fictitious Attorney General?

WASHINGTON -- My friends, it's John McCain, live from New York, just three days before the election. Aides to the Republican presidential candidate said Friday that McCain will make a detour from battleground states to appear on Saturday Night Live, the late-night show that has been a must-watch for many during the political season.

Read more and tell us what you think.

LONDON (AP) -- Britain's best-known time traveler is ending his journey.

The BBC has announced that Scottish actor David Tennant will leave long-running science fiction series "Doctor Who" in just over a year.

Tennant has played the show's time- and space-traveling alien hero since 2005. He will appear in a Christmas special and four hour-long episodes to be aired in 2009 and early 2010. But he said Wednesday that when the series returns for a full season in 2010, "it won't be with me."

"This show has been so special to me," Tennant said. "I don't want to outstay my welcome."

"Doctor Who" was first broadcast in 1963 and is one of the BBC's longest-running and most popular programs. Tennant is the 10th actor to play the title character, who has the power to regenerate in a new body.

Classically trained Tennant, 37, is currently starring in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" for the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Are you so universally disliked by your fiance's family that you're thinking about hiring a security guard for your wedding? Are you considering making your bridesmaids work out so they aren't "fat" for your big day? If so, you might want to head for the Fairmont on Sunday to meet with casting directors from Bridezillas, WE TV's show about brides behaving badly. They'll be at the Great Bridal Expo at noon.

I took advantage of this week's TV Guide/iTunes exclusive offer and downloaded the 30 Rock premiere. I just watched it on my iPhone where it now is stored along with other favorite episodes, including season two hotspots such as "Rosemary's Baby, MILF Island and the sublime "Cooter" ("The ceiling's leaking." "No, it's not. I can show you the study.")

I'm afraid I have dropped off the Heroes bandwagon for good. This season's first few episodes have been confusing, unsatisfying and in some cases almost unwatchable. I didn't even record this week's episode, which is a very bad sign. (Usually when I am falling out of love with a series, I just record it anyway, fail to watch it for weeks, and only then erase it without regrets.)

Entertainment Weekly has a cover story detailing what's gone wrong with the series and suggesting how it could still be rescued.

But even if Heroes does improve, will its audience still be around to care?

Readers, are you still watching Heroes? If so, am I really missing anything?

CNN.com:

Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin plans to appear on "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, multiple sources told CNN Thursday.

They've had the imitation, but now "Saturday Night Live" is getting the real Sarah Palin this weekend.

ANTM fans, time to celebrate. Two of the brightest spots of the show, Mr. and Ms. Jay, are getting their own show. It's like Top Model without suffering through Tyra's insanity.

From The Hollywood Reporter:

The CW is spinning off its hit reality series America's Next Top Model.

The network has ordered a pilot for Operation Fabulous, starring Top Model regulars Jay Manuel and J. Alexander and executive produced by Top Model chiefs Tyra Banks and Ken Mok.

On Fabulous, "Jay and J," as Manuel and Alexander are called on Top Model, will travel the country giving women makeovers. In various towns, the duo will select five participants and give them Top Model-style overhauls -- how to dress, wear their hair and makeup and bring out their confidence with the support of family, friends and their community.

Read the full story.

The ongoing financial implosion has had lots of effects on our nation's economy and our society's psychology. But one of the most dramatic has been its transformative effect on the television viewing experience.

In this cable era of 24/7 news cycles and competing news networks, watching the news has become the routine backdrop of our daily down time -- flop on the couch, go through the mail, return email and text messages, pay bills and whatever else, all while your preferred news network buzzes in the background, sort of the televisual equivalent of Muzak.

But now, thanks to the economic crisis, with each day bringing a new chapter of breaking bad news, watching the news has changed. Turning on the news these days feels like you're enrolling in a correspondence program to earn an MBA. All the facts, all the figures, $700 billion this , $300 billion that, the "commercial paper" industry, "mortgage-backed securities -- as the newscasters and pundits go on and on, you just want to hit the pause button and scream "Is any of this stuff going to be on the test?"

It's a good evening to stay in (or to use the trusty video recorder) for those of us who enjoyed a couple of ABC's new shows last fall: Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money. Both were cut short because of the Writers Guild strike, but both are back tonight -- as is perennially praised underdog Friday Night Lights, premiering its third season on DirecTV.

Daisies was a critics' favorite, quirky and adorable with plenty of dark-edged humor and likeable characters played by Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Swoosie Kurtz, Ellen Greene and Kristin Chenoweth, plus Jim Dale as narrrator. And where else will you ever see Paul Reubens, aka Pee-wee Herman, playing an olfactory expert?

Money was a glossy, twisty soap opera with a stellar cast: Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland, Jill Clayburgh, Blair Underwood, William Baldwin, plus the fabulous Candis Cayne as a superhot tranny mistress. (Lucy Liu also is joining the cast this season as Nola Lyons.) It's the saga of do-right attorney Nick George's interactions with his old family friends, the Darlings -- an ambitious New York billionaire clan whose often-dark motives frequently undermine Nick's best intentions.

On the opposite end of the TV-family trustworthiness scale: the Taylors of Dillon, Texas. Friday Night Lights' stars are Kyle Chandler as high-school football coach Eric Taylor and Connie Britton as his wife, Tami. But the entire cast is great, including Dallas' own Liz Mikel as Corrina Williams, the no-nonsense mother of star RB Brian "Smash" Williams.

This is one of the finest shows on TV, but FNL almost did not make it back for season 3 because of low ratings. However, a partnership between NBC and DirecTV saved the series, at least for now. That's why you can't see it tonight unless you have DirecTV, which will initially air the new season of FNL before it repeats on NBC in early 2009.

From the Associated Press:

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Jesse Ventura will be working on a new conspiracy-theory series for truTV.

Production of a pilot featuring Ventura begins next month. The project comes from A. Smith & Co. Productions, which also produces "Hell's Kitchen" and "Trading Spaces."

Ventura will travel the country, investigating cases and getting input from believers and skeptics before passing judgment on a theory's validity.

Weird:

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ed McMahon has an unexpected new job title: rapper.

The 85-year-old former "Tonight Show" sidekick will star in two viral rap videos for FreeCreditReport.com, a financial Web site owned by credit bureau Experian. The videos feature McMahon wearing a tracksuit, being chauffeured around Los Angeles in a golf cart and waxing lyrical about his very public financial troubles.

The videos will appear online in October.

FreeCreditReport.com says the company sought out McMahon to star in the humorous spots after seeing him openly discuss his finances on "Larry King Live."