Celebrity Big Brother housemates given conveyor belt food task

Celebrity Big Brother housemates given conveyor belt food task

Celebrity Big Brother's contestants could win a luxury hamper for their evening meal tonight if today's task is won.

Gareth Thomas and Nicola McLean nominated themselves as leaders of the challenge, and after being called to the Diary Room, were sent by Big Brother to a special task room.

As various foods and drinks roll along a conveyor belt, Thomas and McLean must describe the items without using banned words.

Remaining housemates Denise Welch, the Shannon twins, Romeo Dunn, Michael Madsen and Frankie Cocozza have to correctly guess the specific food or drink to win it as part of their dinner.

However, if they fail to accurately identify it, it will go into a blender and sprayed in their faces.

The Shannon twins expressed particular opposition to the task, unhappy with the chance of "$2,000 worth of hair extensions" being ruined, and threatening to pull out.

'True Blood' Michael Raymond James joins 'The Walking Dead'

'True Blood' Michael Raymond James joins 'The Walking Dead'

Michael Raymond James and Aaron Munoz have joined the cast of The Walking Dead, reports suggest.

Both actors will make their debut in the zombie drama's midseason premiere, titled 'Nebraska'.

Cadillac Records actor Munoz will play a character named Tony who joins with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the other survivors, according to Shock Till You Drop.

James will play an unspecified role. He is best known for his roles on HBO's True Blood and short-lived FX drama Terriers.

It was recently reported that Michonne - a popular character from the Walking Dead comic - was to debut on the show, with rumours suggesting that True Blood's Rutina Wesley had been cast in the role.

However, executive producer Robert Kirkman later announced that the character's appearance was "not confirmed".

"I can say that's definitely a character we want to work into the show at some point in the future," he said. "Whether that happens this season, I don't really know."

The Walking Dead returns to AMC in the US on February 12. The show resumes on FX in the UK on February 17.

Nicola McLean evicted from Celebrity Big Brother

Nicola McLean evicted from Celebrity Big Brother

Nicola McLean has become the first Celebrity Big Brother housemate to leave in tonight's double eviction.

The glamour model was given her marching orders after receiving fewer votes to save than the Shannon twins, Romeo Dunn, Gareth Thomas, Denise Welch, Frankie Cocozza and Michael Madsen.

Upon hearing the news from host Brian Dowling, McLean said her goodbyes to her fellow contestants and departed the Big Brother house.

She was given a hostile reception by sections of the crowd outside, with many attendees greeting her with a chorus of boos.

Speaking to host Dowling in the aftermath of her eviction, McLean speculated that the public's decision was due to her run-in with Welch, and the crowd's reaction to the fact that she is "a blonde with big boobs".

Natalie Cassidy and Kirk Norcross were eliminated from the show last Friday.

Cocozza is the bookmakers' favourite to win this year's Celebrity Big Brother.

'Downton Abbey'-inspired jewellery removed from PBS shops

'Downton Abbey'-inspired jewellery removed from PBS shops

PBS has been forced to pull a line of jewellery inspired by Downton Abbey.

The historical drama, which airs on ITV in the UK, has proved popular for public broadcaster PBS in the US and led the network to sell accessories such as a "Lady Mary knotted pearl necklace and earring set" ($184.99) and a "Lady Sybil black pearl bracelet and earring set" ($159.99) on its merchandise site ShopPBS.org.

However, the 38-item collection was removed from the site on Tuesday after claims that Downton Abbey's UK producers Carnival Films were reportedly "horrified" by the sale of the unauthorised products, from which they received no profits.

"ShopPBS obtained jewellery from a number of third-party vendors and placed them within a collection of products dedicated to Downton Abbey," a PBS spokesperson told Today.com.

"An email from the business affairs office of NBC/Carnival was received requesting that we remove these items. PBS complied immediately and the products are no longer being offered."

A Carnival Films spokesperson insisted that the issue was easily resolved, saying: "There is no dispute, it was a mistake on PBS's part [to identify the jewellery with the show's characters].

"It was part of an ongoing conversation with PBS. It isn't a big issue. We didn't want viewers to think this was the jewellery that the characters wore."

Joshua Jackson: 'Fringe could continue off network'

Joshua Jackson: 'Fringe could continue off network'

Fringe star Joshua Jackson has hinted that the show could continue, even if it is axed by Fox.

Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly recently revealed that the sci-fi drama is losing money for Fox on Friday nights.

"My gut says that the head of Fox doesn't go on national television and say 'I'm not in the business of losing money' as a joke," Jackson told the MTV Movies Blog.

Jackson added that, if Fox declines to pick up a fifth season, Fringe could be revived by a cable network.

"I think there's a possibility that if people just watched the show on the day and date, and if the numbers came back, [renewal] is a possibility [on Fox]," he said. "[But] they've talked about maybe going off network with it, too.

"The TV landscape is a different place than it used to be, so [cancellation on Fox] might not be death."

Jackson recently insisted that Fringe deserves a real ending, calling on Fox to give the show's writing team enough time to reach a suitable conclusion.

"The most important thing to me about Fringe is that it finishes properly," he said. "You can't bring people along a journey like that for all those years and then just cut it off. It sucks."

Fringe continues on Fridays at 9/8c on Fox. The show returns to Sky1 in the UK in February.

Charlie Sheen: 'New sitcom is playground for the imagination'

Charlie Sheen: 'New sitcom is playground for the imagination'

Charlie Sheen has revealed that he is excited to begin work on new FX sitcom Anger Management.

The former Two and a Half Men star will play a frustrated therapist in the project, which is loosely based on the 2003 Adam Sandler film.

"I'm excited to be in a work environment that's a playground for the imagination and not a f**king... quagmire of oppression," Sheen told Variety.

Lionsgate TV will produce the new comedy, which has been picked up for ten episodes.

"Regardless of what you think of what happened, [Charlie Sheen] made hundreds of episodes of television," said Lionsgate's Jim Packer.

"We trust he can deliver a show. Assuming he doesn't have his problems, he can deliver a hundred episodes."

Sheen recently suggested that Anger Management will deal with "more mature themes" than Two and a Half Men.

Showrunner Bruce Helford has also described the series as a "smarter" comedy, calling Sheen "a strong actor".

"[Charlie] hasn't had an opportunity to tap into that in a while," he said in October. "But he is capable of playing much more complicated characters."

Casting Updates: Good Wife Welcomes Homeland Hottie, Happy Endings Snags Hanks and More!

Casting Updates: Good Wife Welcomes Homeland Hottie, Happy Endings Snags Hanks and More!

Two familiar faces from Showtime’s fall drama lineup have landed hot new winter gigs.

First up, Homeland stunner Morena Baccarin will drop by The Good Wife this March, playing a high-powered event planner who accuses returning creepster Colin Sweeney (Dylan Baker) of sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, Dexter alum Colin Hanks is set to ditch the gloom and doom(sday killings) for a guest appearance (as himself!) on Happy Endings. The story finds a fictionalized Hanks befriending Dave when the Steak Me Home Tonight truck becomes a Chicago hotspot.

Both casting scoops were first reported by EW.com.

Ready for the rest of today’s casting roundup? Well…

• Former Gossip Girl badboy Sebastian Stan has booked a top-secret guest spot on a spring episode of ABC’s freshman fairy tale Once Upon a Time, TVGuide.com reports.

• Newcomer Lindsey R. Garrett will guest-star this February on a flashback-centric installment of The Vampire Diaries, per TVGuide.com. The fresh face has been cast as Samantha Gilbert, Elena’s distant relative and one of Mystic Falls’ founding family members.

Pilot Scoop: CBS Orders Drama Widow Detective

Pilot Scoop: CBS Orders Drama Widow Detective

CBS has ordered a drama pilot from CSI exec producer Carol Mendelsohn about a cop who’s basically the kiss of death.

The hour-long project, titled Widow Detective, revolves around a decorated police officer who, after losing three partners in the line of duty, becomes a surrogate husband, lover and father to their families.

David Hubbard penned the script and will serve as an exec producer along with Mendelsohn.

Romeo Dunn evicted from Celebrity Big Brother

Romeo Dunn evicted from Celebrity Big Brother

Romeo Dunn was the second Celebrity Big Brother contestant to be eliminated in tonight's double eviction.

The So Solid Crew rapper finished sixth in the series after receiving fewer votes to win than the Shannon twins, Gareth Thomas, Denise Welch, Frankie Cocozza and Michael Madsen.

Upon learning the news from host Brian Dowling, Dunn embraced his fellow housemates, before walking out to the sound of cheers from the audience.

Glamour model Nicola McLean left the house to a chorus of boos earlier.

Cocozza is the bookmakers' favourite to win this year's Celebrity Big Brother, which concludes on Friday night.

Matt Smith on 'Doctor Who': 'I have no plans to leave'

Matt Smith on 'Doctor Who': 'I have no plans to leave'

Matt Smith revealed backstage at the National Television Awards that he has "no plans to leave" Doctor Who in the immediate future.

When asked whether his co-star Karen Gillan's exit had changed his mind on how long he should stay on the show, Smith insisted that he was happy to carry on with new companions for the foreseeable future.

"I always knew that me and Karen would have slightly different journeys in the show. People say, 'Are you not sad?' I am sad because I have enjoyed worked with Karen and Arthur [Darvill], they are wonderful guys. But the show is bigger than all of us actors in it," said the sci-fi star.

"It's bigger than everyone in it and it will continue far longer, way after me. I am here for a very small period of time.

"I'm here for the future, I love working on the show. I have no plans to leave."

However, Smith later added that he only has "a year of Who" before he would start making a possible move into films.

"I've got a year of Who and then I'll take it from there really," said Smith. "I am interested in films, I've always loved the idea and process of films and I am actually interested in directing."

His comment suggested that he had already started to think about his career after the BBC One series, but it wasn't clear if this remark was just a slip of the tongue or if he actually plans to exit in 12 months' time.

David Walliams: 'Friends ask me if Simon Cowell is gay'

David Walliams: 'Friends ask me if Simon Cowell is gay'

David Walliams has revealed that all his showbiz pals want gossip on Simon Cowell since he started working with him on Britain's Got Talent.

Walliams and Alesha Dixon and have joined Cowell and Amanda Holden on this year's Got Talent panel, and the Little Britain star described the ITV1 show as "the best fun you can have".

"I can't believe they pay me to do it. You can't prepare for it. You just have to sit there and react to whatever is on. It's so much fun and I love working with Simon… he's a very naughty man," said Walliams.

Teasing his new boss, the comic said: "[Simon] really is hilarious. I've never had a job where so many people and friends in the business have asked me questions. 'What's he like? What's he like? Is he gay?'"

David Walliams won the 'Landmark' award at the National Television Awards last night (January 25) for his Sports Relief charity swim up the Thames.

Comparing his charity feat with working on Britain's Got Talent, he joked: "Just like when you attempt to swim the Thames, [when you work with Simon Cowell], you have to cover yourself in lard."

Walliams, Cowell and Dixon are currently touring the UK with Got Talent auditions. Amanda Holden is missing the latest batch of try outs following the birth of her daughter Hollie Rose Hughes.

'The Office' Spin-off Being Considered at NBC

'The Office' Spin-off Being Considered at NBC

A source confirmed that the network is considering a spin-off centered on Rainn Wilson's Dwight Schrute and his life on his family beet farm.

There may be more life left at The Office.

Reports of NBC eyeing a potential spin-off centered around Rainn Wilson’s quirky Dwight Schrute character are indeed true, according to a well-placed source. The idea would be to further explore the Shrute family farm, with multiple generations of Schrutes involved. The comedy concept could get a test of sorts on an episode of The Office later this season.

Wilson, along with actor/showrunner Paul Lieberstein and executive producer Ben Silverman, are believed to be involved, with Greg Daniels sitting out this iteration as he’s devoted to too many other projects at the network. Among them: his adaptation of British series Friday Night Dinner, which got a pilot order from NBC earlier this week.

While Wilson’s character has long had something of a cult following, the idea is not without risk. One need only look at Friend’s short-lived spinoff Joey for a cautionary tale. Making the potential move that much more risky is the current state of the original, which is no longer the ratings or buzz driver it once was.

The news of a potential spin-off comes mere months after the long-running NBC staple was forced to undergo a substantial casting change in the wake of Steve Carell’s departure. The series came back last September with new hire James Spader and Ed Helm’s Andy Bernard assuming the role of regional manager.

The Office has not been picked up for a ninth season, though given the show's legacy and younger male appeal as well as the health of the network, a renewal seems very likely.

The E! reality star raised funds while participating in a charity event for Cantor Fitzgerald back in September.

The E! reality star raised funds while participating in a charity event for Cantor Fitzgerald back in September.

Kim Kardashian is giving back.

The reality star raised $50,000 for The Trevor Project, a non-profit suicide-prevention organization for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, while participating in a charity event with Cantor Fitzgerald. The investment bank gives away millions of dollars each year on Sept. 11 in honor of their employees who died during the tragic 2001 terrorist attack.

The Trevor Project has attracted a slew of celebrity donors in recent years, including Daniel Radcliffe, Jodie Foster, Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer, James Marsden and Darren Criss. Founded in 1998, The Trevor Project offers a free and confidential telephone number, which connects young callers with professional counselors.

A rep for Kardashian confirms the news to The Hollywood Reporter, as first reported by RumorFix.

Kardashian’s hefty donation lands her among the organization’s largest donors, with a source adding that she is planning to visit a call center in the near future.

Legal Fight Brewing Over CBS' New Sherlock Holmes Adaptation

Legal Fight Brewing Over CBS' New Sherlock Holmes Adaptation

The network's planned series depicting a modern-day Sherlock could be taken to court by BBC, which also has a modern Sherlock, or the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle estate.

Producers of BBC's hit series Sherlock have issued a warning to CBS Television over plans for a new modern-day adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories, Elementary. The British producers say they are prepared to protect against any TV show that too closely resembles their own.

One might assume that Sherlock Holmes, first depicted in the 19th century in four novels and 56 short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is firmly in the public domain. Since the master of logical reasoning first appeared in literature, there have been hundreds of films, TV shows, plays and stories featuring the character. But whether or not Holmes has slipped out of copyright, and whether TV producers have the ability to create derivatives at will, is a mystery that's ripe for legal sleuthing.

The public domain is commonly understood to allow unfettered access to works whose intellectual property term has expired. Unfortunately, it's not so simple. Sherlock Holmes presents a good case study.

For the past few years, BBC, along with Hartswood Films, has been imagining Holmes in modern times in the popular series Sherlock. A third season has just been announced.

Last week, CBS announced a pilot for its own modern retelling of the Holmes story with the detective solving obscure cases in New York.

CBS' announcement set off alarm bells for producers of Sherlock, which has been showing in the U.S. on BBC America and on various PBS stations. According to The Independent, Sue Vertue, an executive producer on the series at Hartswood, had this to say about the development:

"We understand that CBS are doing their own version of an updated Sherlock Holmes. It's interesting, as they approached us a while back about remaking our show. At the time, they made great assurances about their integrity, so we have to assume that their modernised Sherlock Holmes doesn't resemble ours in any way, as that would be extremely worrying...We are very proud of our show and like any proud parent, will protect the interest and well being of our offspring."

The British press has interpreted this statement to signal a lawsuit ahead. Might CBS get in trouble for using the famous detective character?

"Our project is a contemporary take on Sherlock Homes that will be based on Holmes, Watson and other characters in the public domain, as well as original characters," CBS tells THR in a statement. "We are, of course, respectful of all copyright laws and will not infringe on any stories or works that may still be protected."

When it comes to the public domain, not everything is elementary. One decision last July at the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals might hold some clues about the types of claims that producers of Sherlock might make against CBS.

In the case, Warner Bros. sued a company that specialized in nostaligia merchandise for using movie posters and lobby cards for Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind and several Tom & Jerry short films. The 8th Circuit took up the question of whether the defendant had appropriated “original elements” of the film or merely elements that were already in the public domain. The appeals circuit handed Warners a win.

"There is no evidence that one would be able to visualize the distinctive details of, for example, Clark Gable’s performance before watching the movie Gone with the Wind, even if one had read the book beforehand," the justices wrote. "At the very least, the scope of the film copyrights covers all visual depictions of the film characters at issue."

In other words, the Eighth Circuit ruled that the features of on-screen characters can be copyrighted even if these characters were based on prior work. It potentially means that Sherlock producers can protect their own modern version of Sherlock Holmes, even though it is based on work from the 19th Century. 

Katie Couric Talker Acquired By Canada's Rogers Media

Katie Couric Talker Acquired By Canada's Rogers Media

Disney-ABC Domestic Television racked up the foreign sale ahead of a September 2012 debut, and after clearing the syndicated talker in 93 percent of the U.S. market.

Katie Couric's upcoming talk show, Katie, is headed to Canada.

Rogers Media acquired the hour-long talker from Disney-ABC Domestic Television ahead of its September 2012 debut on the Citytv network.

Katie is the latest acquisition by Rogers Media from Disney-ABC, which in recent years has sold most of its product to rival Bell Media, via a long-standing output deal.

Rogers Media, which is beefing up its Citytv lineup as the network expands nationally, earlier picked up the daytime talker The Chew, in addition to primetime series like Revenge, Happy Endings, Body of Proof and Private Practice.

Citytv will also air the upcoming Disney-ABC series Scandal and the new daytime show The Revolution, which replaces One Life to Live.

And Rogers Media bought the Russell Brand late night talker from FX stateside for its FX Canada channel.

The Canadian deal for Katie follows the talker clearing in 93 percent of the U.S. market, including 95 of the top 100 markets.

'Amazing Race' 20: Big Brother Rachel Reilly, Brendon Villegas in cast

'Amazing Race' 20: Big Brother Rachel Reilly, Brendon Villegas in cast

Big Brother winner Rachel Reilly and her fiancé Brendon Villegas are among the cast for the 20th instalment of The Amazing Race.

The couple are fresh off their second stint on Big Brother this past summer, which saw Reilly win the $500,000 (£320,924) grand prize.

Reilly and Villegas will compete against ten other teams as The Amazing Race travels through 22 cities on five continents, including stops in remote locations like Paraguay and Azerbaijan.

They will be joined this season by a pair of twins, a duo of border patrol agents and married clowns.

This year's contestants will be forced to push themselves to the limit as they skydive in Argentina, search the German castle that inspired Cinderella and find their way through the 'Garden of Eden' in Africa.

Last season's Amazing Race finale saw engaged Ernie Halvorsen and Cindy Chiang triumph in the finals to win the grand prize.

The Amazing Race premieres Sunday, February 19 at 8/7c on CBS.

The new teams are:

Dave Brown Jr and Rachel Brown

Dave Brown Jr
Age: 33
Hometown: Madison, Wis
Current occupation: US Army Officer


Rachel Brown
Age: 30
Hometown: Madison, Wis.
Current occupation: Project Manager

Connection to Teammate: Married

____________________________________________________________________

William 'Bopper' Minton and Mark Jackson

William 'Bopper' Minton
Age: 41
Hometown: Manchester, KY.
Current occupation: Motorcycle Mechanic


Mark Jackson
Age: 45
Hometown: Manchester, Ky.
Current Occupation: Former State Inspector

Connection to Teammate: Best Friends

____________________________________________________________________

Nary Ebeid and Jamie Graetz

Nary Ebeid
Age: 32
Hometown: Los Angeles
Current occupation: Federal Agent


Jamie Graetz
Age: 33
Hometown: Los Angeles
Current occupation: Federal Agent

Connection to Teammate: Federal Agents/Friends

____________________________________________________________________

Brendon Villegas and Rachel Reilly

Brendon Villegas
Age: 31
Hometown: Westwood, Calif.
Current occupation: PhD Student


Rachel Reilly
Age: 27
Hometown: Westwood, Calif.
Current occupation: Event Hostess

Connection to Teammate: Engaged

____________________________________________________________________

Joey 'Fitness' Lasalla and Danny Horal

Joey 'Fitness' Lasalla
Age: 29
Hometown: Whitestone, N.Y.
Current occupation: Trainer/Supplement Company Owner


Danny Horal
Age: 27
Hometown: Holbrook, N.Y.
Current occupation: Nightclub Promoter

Connection to Teammate: Friends

____________________________________________________________________

Misa Tanaka and Maiya Tanaka

Misa Tanaka
Age: 27
Hometown: San Diego
Current occupation: Car Buyer


Maiya Tanaka
Age: 25
Hometown: San Diego
Current occupation: Professional Golfer

Connection to Teammate: Sisters

____________________________________________________________________

Dave Gregg and Cherie Gregg

Dave Gregg
Age: 44
Hometown: New Port Richey, Fla.
Current occupation: "Ambassador of Laughter"


Cherie Gregg
Age: 44
Hometown: New Port Richey, Fla.
Current occupation: "Ambassador of Laughter"

Connection to Teammate: Married Clowns

____________________________________________________________________

Elliot Weber and Andrew Weber

Elliot Weber
Age: 28
Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
Current occupation: Musician


Andrew Weber
Age: 28
Hometown: Menlo Park, Calif.
Current occupation: Professional Soccer Player

Connection to Teammate: Twins

____________________________________________________________________

Kerri Paul and Stacy Bowers

Kerri Paul
Age: 30
Hometown: Gulfport, Miss.
Current occupation: Programme Co-ordinator


Stacy Bowers
Age: 30
Hometown: Gulfport, Miss.
Current occupation: Self Employed / "Basketball" Wife

Connection to Teammate: Cousins

____________________________________________________________________

Vanessa Macias and Ralph Kelley

Vanessa Macias
Age: 31
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Current occupation: Freelance Writer


Ralph Kelley
Age: 36
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
Current occupation: Bar Owner


Connection to Teammate: Dating Divorcees

____________________________________________________________________


Art Velez and JJ Carrell

Art Velez
Age: 43
Hometown: Temecula, Calif.
Current occupation: Border Patrol Agent


JJ Carrell
Age: 42
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
Current occupation: Border Patrol Agent

Connection to Teammate: Border Patrol Agents/Friends

'Gossip Girl' Producers Tout 100th Episode, Eyeing Season 6 as Final Year

'Gossip Girl' Producers Tout 100th Episode, Eyeing Season 6 as Final Year

Executive producers Josh Safran and Stephanie Savage spoke to a small roomful of reporters at a screening of next week's CW drama's milestone.

Gossip Girl may live to see another season.

Executive producers Josh Safran, also showrunner, and executive producer Stephanie Savage indicated as much at a screening Wednesday morning of the CW drama's 100th episode, "G.G.," airing Jan. 30 at 8 p.m. In fact, the writers opted not to write a series ender.

"We're not writing a series finale this year," Savage said.

Later during the Q&A session, she expanded on her statement.

"That's with many conversations with people, [they'd] stare at me and roll their eyes and go, 'Seriously, dude, you have to stop asking me if you should be writing this year's [series] finale,' " she said to a small roomful of reporters, before clarifying further.

"I checked in with the bosses to make sure we're not shooting ourselves in the foot," added Savage.

"The actors' contracts expire at the end of next season, so that feels like probably an organic ending point," Savage told THR in the latest issue of the weekly magazine, with Warner Bros. TV president Peter Roth echoing the sentiment: "I certainly hope we get one more season."

That should be a sigh of relief to viewers of the television series, based on the popular young adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar (who has appeared on the show), which has hovered around 1.3 million to its premiere telecasts this season. At its highest point, Gossip Girl reached more than 3.7 million.

Even so, hitting 100 for any show is "a big deal," Savage says.

"The O.C. got to 93 episodes, Chuck got to a heartbreaking 91 episodes," the television vet says. "A hundred episodes in our industry is considered the standard of success of achievement. To get there on a serial drama, especially a show about young people, especially on a cycle where there was a writers' strike, it's a big deal."

Safran joked that it was his naivete that made him confident from Day 1 that Gossip Girl, which launched in 2007, would hit the mark.

"I was new to this, I was wide-eyed. 'This will totally make it there!,' " he recalls. "[Stephanie] kept going, 'Shut up, shut up!,' which I get now. Now I would never say that."

Savage noted that though hitting the magic 100 is no longer about syndication, "it's really still a milestone."

Gossip Girl airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. on the CW.

Rosie O'Donnell's Talk Show Gets New Producer, New Look

Rosie O'Donnell's Talk Show Gets New Producer, New Look

O'Donnell is taking a page from Andy Cohen's Bravo series as she looks to put her little watched OWN talk show on the map.

On the air for just three months, and already Rosie O’Donnell’s ratings-challenged OWN show is getting a makeover.

The struggling cable network announced Wednesday that it had hired Emmy-winning producer and former O'Donnell collaborator Shane Farley (Rachel Ray, Rosie O’Donnell Show) to replace Page Hurwitz as executive producer of The Rosie Show. What’s more, the Chicago-based talk show is moving into a significantly smaller 70-seat studio, a bid to inspire a sense of intimacy and lower costs on a series that now averages just more than 200,000 viewers. The new space will feature O’Donnell’s own art and photos and is said to be inspired by her home art studio in New York.

“I was a guest on Andy Cohen’s show Watch What Happens Live recently and I loved the homey feel of his set and the intimacy of his smaller audience,” O’Donnell said of Cohen’s space, a key ingredient to the success of his low-budget late-night series on Bravo. “I wanted to re-create that laid-back feeling, less about performing for a huge audience and more about having a one-on-one conversation.”

Added Farley, ““I was fortunate to work with Rosie on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and I jumped at the opportunity to work with her again in this new capacity… she is genuinely the funniest person I know and what’s even better, she thinks like a producer, which is why I’m looking forward to working with her on her OWN show.”

The set will no longer have space for a band, though musical director Katreese Barnes will continue to create original music from behind the scenes. Another piece of the new look designed to draw viewers to the fledgling network: a growing social media presence that will have the veteran host continue to live Tweet and Facebook during the show.

TV Tonight 26th of January 2012

TV Tonight 26th of January 2012

The daily list in alphabetical order, of all the new episodes airing.

    24 Hour Catwalk S01E04: "Motherhood"
    30 Rock S06E04: "The Ballad of Kenneth Parcell"
    30 Rock S06E03: "Idiots Are People Three!"
    American Idol S11E05: "Auditions #5"
    American Stuffers S01E04: "The Yorkie a Hawk Tried to Carry Away"
    Archer (2009) S03E02: "El Contador"
    Art Mann Presents S08E02
    Bargain Hunt S31E19: "Series 31, Episode 19"
    Biggest loser Sverige S01E04: "Prestation och mål"
    Braxton Family Values S02E11: "Desert Divas"
    Celebrity Big Brother S09E24: "Series 9, Episode 24"
    Celebrity Coach Trip S03E09: "Series 3, Day 9"
    Come Dine With Me S18E10: "Series 18, Episode 9"
    Conan S02E40: "Cuba Gooding Jr., Jon Heder, They Might Be Giants"
    Coronation Street S53E18: "Thu Jan 26, 2012"
    Countdown with Keith Olbermann S10E17: "Season 10, Episode 17"
    Crimewatch UK S29E02: "Series 29, Show 1 (Update)"
    Crimewatch UK S29E01: "Series 29, Show 1"
    Days of our Lives S47E55: "Ep. #11765"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E143: "Episode 1823"
    Dickinson's Real Deal S08E38: "Series 8, Episode 38"
    Doctors S13E185: "Completion Day (Part 1)"
    Earthflight S01E05: "Asia and Australia"
    EastEnders S28E16: "January 26, 2012"
    Emmerdale S41E22: "January 26, 2012"
    Emmerdale S41E23: "January 26, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Escape To The Country S12E18: "Norfolk"
    Eternal Law S01E04: "Series 1, Episode 4"
    First Week In S01E03: "Rude Awakening"
    Fort Boyard - Ultimate Challenge S02E09: "Season 2, Episode 9"
    General Hospital (US) S49E208: "#12482"
    Got to Dance S03E29: "Series 3, Episode 29"
    Great British Railway Journeys S03E19
    Halv åtta hos mig S08E04: "Göteborg - Jerry"
    Hollyoaks S18E19: "January 26, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E04: "Episode 5439"
    Homes Under the Hammer S14E178: "Series 14, Show 178"
    Hotel cæsar S28E141: "Season 28, Episode 141"
    House of Anubis S02E28: "House of Impasse"
    House of Anubis S02E27: "House of Pendulums"
    Ich bin ein Star - Holt mich hier raus! S06E14: "Folge 14"
    Ikke gjør dette hjemme S02E04: "Season 2, Episode 4"
    Impact Wrestling S08E69: "Season 8, Episode 69"
    Impractical Jokers S01E08: "Season 1, Episode 8"
    Inside Comedy S01E01: "Jerry Seinfeld / Don Rickles"
    It's All About Amy S01E08: "Episode 8"
    Jeopardy! S28E94: "Show #6299"
    Jersey Shore S05E04: "Free Vinny"
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USA picks up 2nd chances reality TV series

USA picks up 2nd chances reality TV series

Expanding beyond its stable of successful dramas, the USA Network announced Wednesday that it has picked up the nine-episode reality series "The Moment," in which Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner will give people a second chance to return to abandoned careers.

Warner knows about second chances: He famously went from bagging groceries to leading the St. Louis Rams to a Super Bowl victory in just 18 months.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by USA co-presidents Chris McCumber and Jeff Wachtel, who are expanding the top-rated cable network into sitcoms as well as reality programming. The series, debuting in the third quarter of this year, will be executive produced by Charlie Ebersol and Justin Hochberg.

"Everyone has a 'what-if' moment in their life - a decision or path they could have taken - but rarely do they get a second chance to explore what could have been," said Hochberg and Ebersol. "We created a format that taps into this emotion, and proved so powerful that it attracted Kurt Warner -- the guy who got his own second chance -- to his first reality hosting gig."

6 TV Shows We Think Are Doomed

6 TV Shows We Think Are Doomed

We hate to say any show is doomed. We know people's jobs are at stake. But we have to be painfully honest.

This has been a great season for comedies, but a tough one for dramas. And so we're preparing our goodbyes for seven shows whose ratings just don't give us much confidence in their futures. (We don't add shows to this list lightly; the last time we made one, we went six-for-six in our predictions.)

Here are the shows we think are doomed. May all of them prove us wrong.

The Finder (Fox)

It might seem incredibly presumptuous to predict the loss of "The Finder" (left) after two episodes. We don't think so. The "Bones" spinoff premiered Jan. 12 to a very soft 1.7 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic and 5.5 million viewers. It improved to a 2.2 rating and 6.7 million total viewers in its second week.

But that second week improvement came after a lead-in from "American Idol," the biggest show on television, which on the same night had a 5.7 rating and 14 million viewers. It's not promising that a show connected to the very reliable "Bones" and following the mighty "Idol" is off to such a slow start.

The Firm (NBC)

We expect "The Firm" to finish out its season. And that will be an accomplishment, given ratings even worse than those of "The Playboy Club," which NBC canceled after just three episodes.

Why do we expect the John Grisham adaptation to soldier on? Because it's cheap for NBC to air. The show's production partners, Sony and Entertainment One, sold "The Firm" to international networks to cover almost the entire cost of production before they sold it to NBC. That means NBC pays a much lower licensing fee for the series than it normally would.

It's an intriguing model that could make sense for future shows. But it's hard to imagine even the fourth-place network signing up for another season of "The Firm," given that it's averaging a mere 1.3 rating.

A Gifted Man (CBS)

CBS has low tolerance for low ratings. And while the Fridays-at-8 time slot for "A Gifted Man" has been anything but a gift, the show's 1.3 average rating is still dismal. Its 8.2 million total viewers are impressive considering how poorly it does in the 18-49 demo, but we're confident that CBS is confident that it can do better with something else next season, if not sooner.

We'd say it's time for CBS to finally schedule the midseason cop drama "NYC 22," from Richard Price ("Clockers," "The Wire"). But we don't want to wish a Friday time slot on any show, especially one that looks so promising.

Pan Am (ABC)

We know you may be thinking this was already canceled. Not quite.

We enjoy "Pan Am." We like the unapologetic nostalgia, the easy breeziness of it all, the sense that the attractive, pleasant-enough characters are never in any real danger. It's truly diverting.

But the lack of drama -- and our lack of fear for the characters -- also makes "Pan Am" feel very much like a one-season show. There's nothing grabbing viewers and demanding we watch. The show's 2.5 average rating feels just right – not at all embarrassing, but not compelling enough to keep the show going, either.

"Pan Am" looked doomed a month ago, when one of its stars, Karine Vanasse, tweeted about receiving "THE call" and said "Pan Am" would only air one more episode in 2012. ABC quickly clarified that the show only wanted "Pan Am" to shoot one of five new scripts it had ordered, but that the show wasn't canceled and remained in contention for a second season pickup.

It won't happen unless ABC's midseason shows bomb. We don't think they will. One of them, "GCB," takes over the Sundays-at-10 "Pan Am" timeslot beginning March 4.

Fringe (Fox)

Fox entertainment president Kevin Reilly said at the Television Critics winter press tour this month that Fox was losing money on "Fringe," though he stressed that it has not been canceled. "Please don't start the letter-writing campaign right now," he joked. "I can't handle it."

We don't think a letter writing campaign would help.

Networks know Fridays are ratings hell, so they stock them with shows whose fans will follow them to hell. "Fringe" and its loyal viewers have nobly struggled there throughout the season, earning an average 1.4 rating for this perennial bubble show. We strongly expect that struggle to end with this season.

"Fringe" was one of many shows that have tried to recapture the mystery of J.J. Abrams' "Lost." But Fox has a new "Lost" successor in "Alcatraz," which has the same intelligent, mysterious qualities as Abrams' "Fringe" while earning much better ratings, at least so far. ("Alcatraz" is also performing well in a tough time slot, 9 on Mondays, against CBS hits "Two and a Half Men" and "Mike & Molly.)

Body of Proof (ABC)

The Dana Delany medical examiner drama was a midseason hit last year, but this year has averaged only a 2.1 rating. We're including it on this list with one caveat: We expect "The River," which will lead into "Body of Proof" on Tuesday nights, to succeed. It fills a drama-horror niche that "Walking Dead" and few other shows do.

If it thrives, it may be able to lift "Proof" as well, though the two shows are probably too different for it to make any difference.

We'll find out soon. "The River" premieres Feb. 7 with a two-hour episode, then settles into its Tuesdays-at-9 timeslot ahead of "Body of Proof" on Feb. 14. Maybe it will be a Valentine's Day present.

Simon Cowell to Take a Spin at DJ Talent-Search Show

Simon Cowell to Take a Spin at DJ Talent-Search Show

Talent-show mogul Simon Cowell is hoping to spin his latest idea into another hit.

Cowell, the man who brought "American Idol," "America's Got Talent" and "The X Factor" to the world, is teaming up with Jada Pinkett-Smith to create a new show that will search for the world's greatest DJ.

The as-yet-untitled international project will be co-produced by Cowell's Syco Entertainment along with Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith's Overbrook Entertainment. Sony Pictures Television is partnering with Syco and Overbrook for the project.

"DJ’s are the new rock stars, it feels like the right time to make this show," Cowell said of the venture.

Broadcast partners for the project in the U.S. and UK are expected to be announced soon.

Those hoping to see Cowell critique the scratching techniques of would-be superstar DJs are bound to be disappointed, however.

"Excited to announce new DJ show. I will NOT be judging this show," Cowell tweeted Wednesday. "Excited to be working with @jadapsmith. Stay tuned!"

Tim Gunn's Celibate Streak: 10 Ways the World Has Changed Since He Last Had Sex

Tim Gunn's Celibate Streak: 10 Ways the World Has Changed Since He Last Had Sex

The internet caught a collective case of the vapors this week, after "Project Runway" mentor Tim Gunn revealed on his new daytime talk show "The Revolution" that he hadn't had sex in 29 years.

"How could a man of such obvious charms as Gunn's deprive the world of his sexuality for nearly three decades?" some wondered.

Others merely reeled when suddenly confronted with the mental image of Gunn, 56, engaged in carnal relations at all.

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For perhaps obvious reasons, TheWrap would prefer to divert our attention elsewhere -- anywhere, really -- and focus on what's gone on in the world around Gunn during his impressive monastic stretch.

As Tim "Not Gettin' None" Gunn keeps his legs crossed and summons all of the tantric reserve he can muster, we present 10 Ways the World Has Changed Since Tim Gunn Last Had Sex.

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10. In 1983, the Berlin Wall was still in place. With its 1989 destruction, Gunn's aversion to physical intimacy would effectively become the most powerful barrier on the planet.

09. Also in 1983, Meryl Streep won her last Oscar, for "Sophie's Choice." Is it mere coincidence that the same year also marked the end of Gunn's sexual activity?

08. Sean Connery stars in "Never Say Never Again," marking the last time that he would be able to convincingly play James Bond. Again, the question is begged -- could that be unrelated?

07. Justin Bieber had not yet been born. Nearly twice over.

06. The iPod would still not be invented for another 18 years, depriving Gunn of a method of conveniently and tastefully compiling his makeout-jam mixes.

05. When Tim Gunn last got busy, people thought Joe Piscopo was as funny as his "Saturday Night Live" co-star Eddie Murphy. We'll pause for a minute while you drink that in.

04. In 1983, the rock band Kiss first appeared publicly without makeup.

03. When Tim Gunn last had carnal relations, "Flashdance" rode the top of the box office. Maybe it was the leg warmers that shut Gunn's mojo down.

02. The Drug Abuse Resistance Program (D.A.R.E.) launched that year. Clearly, the philosophy of "just say no" resonated with Gunn on some level.

01. In 1983, Bonnie Tyler shot to the top of the charts with "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Turn around, Tim Gunn ... do you recognize anyone in those lyrics?

Alan Ball's 'Banshee' Ordered to Series by Cinemax

Alan Ball's 'Banshee' Ordered to Series by Cinemax

Alan Ball is expanding from vampires to another mythical creature of dread.

Cinemax has ordered the "True Blood" creator's latest project, "Banshee," to series, and tapped a director for the maiden episode.

Also read: Cinemax to Go Amish With New Alan Ball Series

The series will center on an ex-con who arrives in a tiny town in Pennsylvania Amish country and poses as a murdered sheriff in order to inflict his own twisted form of justice.

Greg Yaitanes, veteran director of "House M.D.," "Lost" and "Heroes,"' will sit behind the camera for the first episode.

"Banshee" joins a recently beefed-up original series roster for Cinemax that also includes a small-screen adaptation of the "Transporter" movies (though that project has been marred by problems, such as the injury of series star Chris Vance in October) and the action series "The Sector," which is being developed by Tony and Ridley Scott.

Academy of Country Music Awards to Air on CBS Through 2021

Academy of Country Music Awards to Air on CBS Through 2021

"Country Music's Part of the Year," the annual Academy of Country Music awards show, will air on CBS for the next decade, thanks to a new deal with the ACM, CBS and Dick Clark Productions.

The awards show, which has aired on CBS since 1998, will next air on the network on April 1, hosted, for the second consecutive year, by Reba McEntire and singer/"The Voice" judge Blake Shelton.

"The Academy of Country Music represents a highly valued partnership for our company and the awards show is one of the marquee broadcasts on our network," CBS CEO Les Moonves said. "It is an entertainment event that continues to grow in scope and popularity, and we look forward to working with the ACM and Dick Clark Productions to build on this great momentum over the next decade."

Last year's 46th annual ACM awards telecast drew 13 million viewers, as Taylor Swift was named Entertainer of the Year.

Nominees for the 47th annual awards show -- which will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas -- will be announced on Thursday.

Star Jones Returning to 'The View' in February

Star Jones Returning to 'The View' in February

Star Jones and Barbara Walters have found it in their hearts to reunite.

Jones, who made a hasty exit as a co-host of "The View" in 2006, will return to the show for an episode in February after trading criticisms with "View" star Barbara Walters.

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Both have undergone heart surgery, and Jones will appear on the Feb. 22 episode of "The View" to discuss heart health for women during National Heart Month.

Walters confirmed Jones' upcoming return on Wednesday's episode of "The View."

"Star and I have been heart-to-heart now for many years," Walters said. "We've had lunches together and discussions together ... we had open heart surgery within months of each other. So we are very happy to have her on, and it will be a nice day for all of us to see her."

Jones, who underwent heart surgery in 2010, quit the daytime talk show in 2006. She surprised viewers -- and Walters, who had not been aware she was going to make an announcement -- by saying during a live June 27 broadcast that she was leaving the show.

Jones was not allowed to return to "The View" the next day, and Walters wrote in her 2008 autobiography "Audition" that Jones had asked her "View" co-stars to lie about her weight-loss surgery. Jones criticized Walters for sharing details of her affair with a married U.S. senator in her book.

But next month, the two will presumably kiss and make up in the name of promoting the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" heart health campaign. Walters underwent open heart surgery to repair a faulty valve in 2010.