Damon Lindelof finally explains the Lost finale

In a revealing On The Verge interview, Lost creator Damon Lindelof has finally explained his take on the Lost season six finale…

The fact that two years on, a 25-minute YouTube video in which the creator of Lost, Damon Lindelof, lays bare the reasoning behind that season 6 finale is being passed around the internet like a well-thumbed copy of Forever at an 1980s high school, is a reminder of just how strongly fans still feel about Lost’s send-off.

Interviewed for On The Verge about upcoming Ridley Scott film Prometheus, Lindelof was confronted about fan disappointment with the Lost finale, and engaged in almost half an hour of tussling about his reasons for writing the ending.

“I take responsibility and authorship for Lost, and in terms of my own feelings about the ending, I make no apologies for it”, Lindelof says, adding later “It’s the story I wanted to tell".

“It’s not that I didn’t care about the mythology of the show, it’s just like, many shows have come and gone that are very focused on their mysteries and their mythologies and their ambiguity and there is no worse scene in the history of genre than the Architect explaining to Neo everything that happened in The Matrix, and I wasn’t going to [rude word] touch that with a ten foot pole.”

It's a detailed discussion that takes in the controversial endings of other hit TV shows, the “filler” episodes that came as a result of network indecision about when Lost would end, Lindelof’s least favourite episode, and why he’s unlikely to ever do Lost: The Movie. It is, in short, the interview that Lost fans have been waiting for since 2010.

Dish and Networks Sue Each Other Over Ad-Skipping Auto Hop

Dish sued the big four television networks over its new ad-skipping Auto Hop feature Thursday, even as Fox, NBC and CBS filed their own lawsuits to stop Dish from offering the technology.

The networks accused Dish of copyright violations. As of late Thursday, ABC had not sued, despite being named in Dish's suit.

Dish, meanwhile, sought a federal court's "declaratory judgment on questions" related to Auto Hop, which allows viewers to skip commercials when they watch previously aired shows.

Dish, which appears to have filed first, said it was suing because "the Major Television Networks have threatened it with litigation" intended to stifle Auto Hop, which it debuted May 10.

Fox was the first to make good on that threat Thursday, and NBC and CBS soon followed.

"We were given no choice but to file suit against one of our largest distributors, Dish Network, because of their surprising move to market a product with the clear goal of violating copyrights and destroying the fundamental underpinnings of the broadcast television ecosystem," Fox said in a statement. "Their wrongheaded decision requires us to take swift action in order to aggressively defend the future of free, over-the-air television."

NBC said it was suing "in order to keep over the air broadcast television a strong competitor." Its lawsuit, like Fox and CBS's, said it depended on ad revenue to produce shows.

That echoed a statement by CBS CEO Les Moonves (right), who told last week that AutoHop was "illegal" and asked, "How am I going to produce 'CSI' for $4 million without ads? I can't do that. I can't give the audience that kind of quality."

Dish, the nation's third-largest pay-television provider, contends that the Auto Hop technology is like a more advanced form of fast forwarding. With the touch of a button, viewers can decide not to watch the ads on recorded shows that aired the day before. (See ad, above.)

"Consumers should be able to fairly choose for themselves what they do and do not

want to watch," David Shull, Dish senior vice president of programming, said in a statement. "Viewers have been skipping commercials since the advent of the remote control; we are giving them a feature they want and that gives them more control."

But networks made their distate for Auto Hop very clear at last week's upfront presentations to advertisers, when they suggested it was a threat to ad-supported television.

In its lawsuit, Fox said Dish's "PrimeTime Anytime" service -- which includes the Auto Hop feature -- is a "bootleg broadcast video-on-demand service" that "makes an unauthorized copy of the entire primetime broadcast for all four major networks every night." (It does indeed record all the network shows, though Dish would take issue with the "unauthorized copy" language.)

"To make matters worse," the lawsuit says, Dish allows customers to view the shows commercial free.

The service makes the shows available for eight days.

Prior to Thursday's filings, the three networks that have sued -- CBS, Fox and NBC­ -- rejected ads for the Hopper Whole-Home DVR, the device that features the PrimeTime Anywhwere service and AutoHop function.

Joe Dempsie on 'The Fades' series two: 'It's a shame it was axed'

Joe Dempsie has revealed what series two of The Fades might have involved.

Dempsie played villain John in the BBC Three paranormal drama, which was axed in April after a single series.

"By the time we found out that it wasn't going to be recommissioned, we'd kind of guessed as much anyway, because you don't usually wait so long to hear," the actor told Digital Spy.

"I thought a programme like that really was a chance for a channel like BBC Three to move away from 'My Boob Job and Me' [-type shows] and a lot of the stuff that you usually identify with them.

"I don't know if maybe that was part of the problem - if people don't know that good drama lurks on BBC Three, they're not going to find out about it."

The Game of Thrones actor confirmed that a second series would have explored the past of his character John.

"I'm not sure of any definite plans, but I think there was an idea that the show might have visited John at a time before he was a Fade," he said. "You might have had a chance to get to know the John that was.

"I think it would've been really interesting and it would've been great for me as an actor to have a go at playing around with that, but I don't know anything more specific than that. I guess we never will."

Dempsie added that he was sad when The Fades was axed, calling BBC Three's decision "a shame".

"It was such a strong ensemble performance and I think [creator] Jack Thorne is someone who, if you've got the chance to delve into his brain at any point, then you should just grab it with both hands.

"I think series two would've been really interesting, so... it's a shame that BBC Three decided not to pick it up, but they've got their own budgets to handle and decisions to make - I don't really know what happened behind-the-scenes."

Science Acquires Off-Network Syndication Rights to "Fringe"

Repeats of the series will begin airing on the network in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Science today announced that the network has acquired the off-network syndication rights to FRINGE, the acclaimed dramatic series from creators J.J. Abrams (Lost, the Star Trek and Mission: Impossible movies), Alex Kurtzman (Star Trek, Transformers) and Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Transformers), and executive producers Jeff Pinkner (Alias, Lost), J.H. Wyman (The Mexican, Keen Eddie) and Bryan Burk (Lost, Alias, Star Trek, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol). The agreement with Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution grants the network the rights to the four existing seasons of the series as well as the upcoming fifth season which debuts on FOX this fall (Fridays 9/8c), as well as behind-the-scenes features and unseen bonus footage. FRINGE will begin airing on SCIENCE in the fourth quarter of 2012.

"FRINGE is the kind of smart, lean-forward programming that our viewers gravitate toward. The combination of compelling characters and excellent science-themed storytelling make this franchise a huge addition for our network," said Debbie Myers, General Manager and Executive Vice President of SCIENCE. "We're going to deepen the audience experience with FRINGE by giving them more of the access to the writers and creative process than ever. We're also going to work with our cadre of leading experts to explore the real-world science that provides the foundation for these completely engrossing narratives."

"We couldn't be more pleased to be in business with SCIENCE," said Ken Werner, President, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. "By licensing the off-network rights to 'Fringe,' they are acquiring a program with a devoted audience that will further bolster their programming schedule and bring new viewers to the network to discover compatible programs that fit perfectly with their television viewing tastes."

FRINGE explores the ever-blurring line between science fiction and reality, where hybrid monsters tear through sewers, thieves walk through walls and portals open to parallel universes. Unable to police a world in which science has advanced beyond our wildest dreams - and nightmares - FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham (series star Anna Torv) seeks help from eccentric 'fringe' scientist Dr. Walter Bishop (John Noble) and his jack-of-all trades son, Peter (Joshua Jackson). Under the direction of Special Agent Phillip Broyles (Lance Reddick) and assisted by Agents Astrid Farnsworth (Jasika Nicole), Charlie Francis (Kirk Acevedo) and Lincoln Lee (Seth Gabel), the Fringe Team investigates unusual incidents that defy human logic and unimaginable events that threaten our very existence on a universal scale.

Irrevocably linked to a parallel "other" universe by the machinations of a younger Walter Bishop trying to save the life of his son, Olivia and alternate-born Peter must bridge two universes while wrestling with questions of identity and destiny... and a multiverse threatened by the mysterious Observers. With the help of Nina Sharp (Blair Brown), who runs Massive Dynamic, the omnipresent corporation founded by Bishop's former lab partner, William Bell (recurring guest star Leonard Nimoy), the Fringe team imagines and tests the impossibilities while investigating unbelievable events, macabre crimes, and mystifying cases involving pyrokinesis, neuroscience, cryonics, genetic engineering, astral projection, and other fantastical theories. When the unimaginable happens, it's their job to stop it.

Exclusive: FOX's "Hell's Kitchen," "MasterChef," "So You Think You Can Dance" to Take Two-Week Break Against NBC's Olympics Coverage

FOX isn't taking any chances against NBC's coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics as "Hell's Kitchen," "MasterChef" and "So You Think You Can Dance" will all take a break from originals during the 17-day period (July 27-August 12).

Said developments - as well as a host of other scheduling moves - were confirmed to the site exclusively this afternoon. Other highlights include the return date of "Mobbed" (Saturday, July 14); finales for its Thursday entries "Take Me Out" (July 26) and "The Choice" (July 12); "Touch" repeats taking over Saturdays at 11:00/10:00c beginning August 4; and new post-Olympics homes for "Hell's Kitchen" and "MasterChef."

Here's a breakdown of what to expect for the rest of the summer:

Mondays (June 4-July 23)*
8:00/7:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Originals)
9:00/8:00c - "MasterChef" (Originals)

Mondays (July 30-August 6)
8:00/7:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Repeats)

Mondays (as of August 13)
8:00/7:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Encores)
9:00/8:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Originals, New Time Slot)

Tuesdays (June 5-July 3)*
8:00/7:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Originals)
9:00/8:00c - "MasterChef" (Originals)

Tuesday, July 10*
8:00/7:00c - "MLB All-Star Game"

Tuesdays (June 17-July 24)*
8:00/7:00c - "Hell's Kitchen" (Originals)
9:00/8:00c - "MasterChef" (Originals)

Tuesdays (July 31-August 7)
8:00/7:00c - "MasterChef" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "MasterChef" (Repeats)

Tuesdays (as of August 14)
8:00/7:00c - "MasterChef" (Encores)
9:00/8:00c - "MasterChef" (Originals)

Wednesdays (May 30-June 27)*
8:00/7:00c - "So You Think You Can Dance" (Originals)

Wednesday, July 4
8:00/7:00c - "New Girl" (Repeat)
8:30/7:30c - "New Girl" (Repeat)
9:00/8:00c - "New Girl" (Repeat)
9:30/8:30c - "New Girl" (Repeat)

Wednesdays (July 11-July 25)
8:00/7:00c - "So You Think You Can Dance" (Originals)

Wednesdays (August 1-August 8)
8:00/7:00c - "So You Think You Can Dance" (Repeats)

Wednesdays (as of August 15)
8:00/7:00c - "So You Think You Can Dance" (Originals)

Thursdays (June 7-July 12)*
8:00/7:00c - "Take Me Out" (Originals)
9:00/8:00c - "The Choice" (Originals)

Thursdays (July 19-July 26)
8:00/7:00c - "Take Me Out" (Originals)
9:00/8:00c - "Glee" (Repeats)

Thursdays (August 2-9)
8:00/7:00c - "Raising Hope" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "Raising Hope" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "New Girl" (Repeats)
9:30/8:30c - "New Girl" (Repeats)

Thursday, August 16*
8:00/7:00c - "NFL Preseason: Cincinnati at Atlanta"

Thursdays (as of August 23)
8:00/7:00c - "Raising Hope" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "New Girl" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Glee" (Repeats)

Fridays (June 1-July 20)*
8:00/7:00c - "House" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Bones" (Repeats)

Fridays (July 27-August 10)
8:00/7:00c - "House" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "House" (Repeats)

Friday, August 17*
8:00/7:00c - "NFL Preseason: Detroit at Baltimore"

Fridays (as of August 24)
8:00/7:00c - "House" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Bones" (Repeats)

Saturdays (May 26-July 7)*
8:00/7:00c - MLB/NASCAR Coverage
11:00/10:00c - "The Finder" (Repeats)
12:00/11:00c - "30 Seconds to Fame" (Repeats)

Saturdays (July 14-July 28)
8:00/7:00c - "Cops" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "Cops" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Mobbed" (Originals & Repeats)
11:00/10:00c - "The Finder" (Repeats)
12:00/11:00c - "30 Seconds to Fame" (Repeats)

Saturday, August 4
8:00/7:00c - "UFC ON FOX 4"
11:00/10:00c - "Touch" (Repeat)
12:00/11:00c - "30 Seconds to Fame" (Repeat)

Saturdays (August 11-August 25)
8:00/7:00c - "Cops" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "Cops" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Mobbed" (Originals & Repeats)
11:00/10:00c - "Touch" (Repeats)
12:00/11:00c - "30 Seconds to Fame" (Repeats)

Saturdays (as of September 1)
8:00/7:00c - "FOX Sports Saturday: College Football"
11:00/10:00c - "Touch" (Repeats)
12:00/11:00c - "30 Seconds to Fame" (Repeats)

Sundays (June 3-June 17)*
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeats)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeats)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "Bob's Burgers" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeats)
9:30/8:30c - "American Dad" (Repeats)

Sunday, June 24*
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "FOX's 25th Anniversary Special" (Repeat)

Sunday, July 1*
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
8:30/7:30c - "Bob's Burgers" (Repeat)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
9:30/8:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)

Sunday, July 8
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
8:30/7:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
9:30/8:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)

Sunday, July 15
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
8:30/7:30c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
9:30/8:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)

Sunday, July 22
7:00/6:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "2012 Teen Choice Awards"

Sundays (July 29-August 5)
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeats)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeats)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "The Simpsons" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeats)
9:30/8:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeats)

Sunday, August 12
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeat)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeat)
8:30/7:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeat)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeat)
9:30/8:30c - "American Dad" (Repeat)

Sundays (as of August 19)
7:00/6:00c - "American Dad" (Repeats)
7:30/6:30c - "The Cleveland Show" (Repeats)
8:00/7:00c - "The Simpsons" (Repeats)
8:30/7:30c - "The Simpsons" (Repeats)
9:00/8:00c - "Family Guy" (Repeats)
9:30/8:30c - "Family Guy" (Repeats)

Richard Hammond, 'Total Wipeout' team reunite for 'The Secret Service'

Richard Hammond is to host a new hidden camera comedy series for BBC One.

The Secret Service will launch in a Saturday evening slot in 2013.

The six-part series will follow Hammond and his 'secret service' - a specially trained team of actors and comedians - who can be hired by members of the public to pull off absurd pranks on friends and family.

"Richard has proved to be an enormous treat for the Saturday night audience with his own unique brand of humour," said Mark Linsey, BBC One's controller of entertainment commissioning.

"I think the viewers are going to enjoy his Secret Service as much as they have Total Wipeout."

The new series is from Initial - an Endemol company - who previously produced Total Wipeout for BBC One.

"Following on from the great fun we've had with Total Wipeout, we're delighted to be working with Richard Hammond again," said Nick Samwell-Smith, creative director at Initial.

"This exciting new hidden camera show... will make for great family viewing on Saturday nights."

Total Wipeout was dropped by the BBC in March, after running for four series.

The Secret Service was co-created by Richard Hammond, Richard Osman (Pointless), Nick Samwell-Smith, Catherine Lynch and Andy Rowe.

TV Tonight 25th of May 2012

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

    20/20 S34E44: "Season 34, Episode 44"
    8 out of 10 cats S13E05: "Series 13, Episode 5"
    A League of Their Own (UK) S05E06: "Series 5, Episode 6"
    Acayip Hikayeler S01E07: "Kontrolsüz / Uncontrolled"
    Accel World S01E08: "Temptation"
    Alan Carr: Chatty Man S08E05: "John Bishop, Cuba Gooding Jr, Plan B"
    America's Most Wanted S25E25: "Season 25, Episode 25"
    Ancient Aliens S04E12: "Aliens and Cover-Ups"
    Better Homes and Gardens S14E17: "Series 14, Episode 17"
    Big Brother Sverige S08E84: "Del 84"
    Blockbusters (2012) S01E10: "Series 1, Show 10"
    Come Dine With Me S18E89: "Series 18, Come Dine With Me"
    Coronation Street S53E106: "Fri May 25, 2012 [Episode 2]"
    Coronation Street S53E105: "Fri May 25, 2012 [Episode 1]"
    Dateline NBC S21E50: "FR2136"
    Days of our Lives S47E140: "Ep. #11850"
    De Zonen van Van As S01E10: "Season 1, Episode 10"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E246: "Episode 1926"
    Doctors S14E37: "Divine Intervention"
    EastEnders S28E85: "May 25, 2012"
    Emmerdale S41E125: "May 25, 2012"
    Eureka 7 (JP) S02E07: "Episode 7"
    Fake Britain S03E05: "Series 3, Episode 5"
    Fashion Police S07E21: "Season 7, Episode 21"
    General Hospital (US) S50E40: "#12568"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S22E190: "Season 22, Episode 190"
    Great British Menu S07E35: "The Olympic Feast - 35"
    Have I Got News for You S43E07
    Hollyoaks S18E105: "May 25, 2012"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E90: "Episode 5525"
    Horrible Histories S04E11: "Series 4, Episode 11"
    House Hunters S48E104: "Downtown San Francisco vs Bay Area Burbs"
    House Hunters International S25E107
    Jennie Garth: Little Bit Country S01E06
    Jeopardy! S28E180: "Show #6385"
    King (2011) S02E13: "Wendy Stetler"
    Ladykracher S07E10: "Kein Papier"
    Ladykracher S07E09: "Kackkuh"
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E278
    Later... with Jools Holland S40E06
    Lip Service S02E06: "Series 2, Episode 6"
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E193
    Masterchef Australia S04E18: "Masterclass 3"
    Medaka Box S01E08: "TBA"
    Melissa & Tye S01E05: "Viva Las Vegas"
    Neighbours S28E100: "Episode 6410"
    Piers Morgan's Life Stories S07E07: "Jimmy Tarbuck"
    Poms in Paradise S02E09: "Series 2, Episode 9"
    Real Time With Bill Maher S10E18: "Season 10, Episode 18"
    River Monsters S04E12: "Untold Stories"
    Sakamichi no Apollon S01E07: "Episode 7"
    Salatut elämät S14E170: "Antilla on ikävää"
    Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids S02E14
    Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids S02E1
    Stand Up for the Week S04E05: "Series 4, Episode 5"
    The Block S05E36: "The Block Unlocked"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E46: "Ep. #6330"
    The Chase (2009) S05E79: "Series 5, Episode 79"
    The Dead Files S02E07: "Deadly Attraction"
    The Dr. Phil Show S10E167: "Inside the Other Side"
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S09E168: "Matt LeBlanc, Olivia Munn"
    The Graham Norton Show S11E07
    The Half Hour S01E06: "Nick Vatterot"
    The Half Hour S01E05: "Brendon Walsh"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E178: "May 25, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E88: "TBA"
    The Project S04E124: "Season 4, Episode 124"
    The Revolution (2012) S01E85: "Season 1, Episode 85"
    The Ricky Gervais Show S03E06: "The English"
    The Singing Bee S05E06: "Season 5, Episode 6"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E93
    The Ultimate Fighter S15E12: "Season 15, Episode 12"
    The View S15E168
    The Young and the Restless S40E45: "Ep. #9914"
    Thuis S17E195: "Season 17, Episode 195"
    True Justice S01E09: "Brotherhood: Part 1"
    Tyler Perry's House of Payne S07E61: "Payneful Matrimony"
    Tyler Perry's House of Payne S07E62: "What You Know About Me"
    Van Der Vorst Ziet Sterren S05E05: "Season 5, Episode 5"
    Very Important People S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Would I Lie To You? S06E07
    WWE Friday Night SmackDown! S12E87: "Season 12, Episode 87"

'The Apprentice' shock firing draws 6.2 million viewers

More than 6.2 million viewers saw the latest firing on The Apprentice last night, according to overnight data.

Lord Alan Sugar's reality show was seen by 6.22m (26.4%) in the 9pm hour. 2.29m (12%) turned to BBC Two to catch the You're Fired! spinoff afterwards.

The Apprentice was preceded by DIY SOS: The Big Build (4.07m/20%), while ITV1's Lewis took 5m (22.6%) across two hours from 8pm (+1: 330k/1.6%).

Elsewhere on BBC Two, the 2012 Chelsea Flower Show attracted 1.63m (8%) and Hitler's Children was watched by 1.36m (5.8%).

Channel 4's Secret Eaters was seen by 1.26m (6.2%) and 164k (0.7%) on timeshift. It was followed by 24 Hours in A&E, which grabbed 1.96m (8.3%) from 9pm (+1: 365k/2.1%), and the US version of The Killing, which managed 382k (2.2%).

NCIS continued with 1.18m (5%) on Channel 5 (+1: 144k/0.9%), and Emergency Bikers preceded it with 719k (3.6%).

Overall, BBC One secured primetime victory with 21.8%, beating ITV1's 20.6% (+1: 1.1%). BBC Two came third with 7.7% ahead of Channel 4's 5.4% (+1: 1%) and Channel 5's 4% (+1: 0.3%).

On the multichannels, The Only Way Is Essex took 920k (5.1%) on ITV2 with an additional 267k on timeshift. Peter Andre: My Life had 640k earlier (+1: 197k/1.2%).

Justified and Archer averaged 102k (0.4%) and 52k (0.5%) on 5USA and 5* respectively, and Grey's Anatomy appealed to 209k (1.2%) on Sky Living.

'Skins' star Joe Dempsie: 'I'd be sceptical of Chris return'

Former Skins star Joe Dempsie has revealed that he would be willing to return to the show.

However, the actor - who played Chris on the E4 drama - told Digital Spy that he is "sceptical" as to how the show's writers could incorporate his deceased character.

"I think, for me, Skins is something that you should never say never to," he said. "I think for all of us it was such an important shared experience and it came in a really crucial time in all of our lives - our formative years were spent making it."

Dempsie added that he would now be happy to play Chris again, having since appeared in such shows as Game of Thrones.

"I suppose now might be a good time to go back," he suggested. "If you'd have asked me the same question a year ago, I would probably have said that I wouldn't be interested, because I was still trying to get some more dramatic roles and move away from that character a little bit."

Skins will return for a final seventh run in 2013, with several former stars expected to return - including Jack O'Connell (Cook).

"I think the idea to revisit the old characters is a really nice way to round the series off," said Dempsie. "They've got some really interesting stuff planned, from what I hear."

Development Updat: the 25th of May

A MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE (Lifetime, New!) - Grant Gustin, Annabeth Gish and Jessica Lowndes have been cast in an original movie at the cable channel about a teenager (Lowndes) who seduces a depressed boy (Gustin) only to accuse him of assault when he tries to pull back from their relationship. Gish then is set as the girl's mother. Production on the project begins next week in West Kelowna, British Columbia with Larry Gershman and Meyer Shwarzstein serving as executive producers. Shelley Gillen penned the script. (THR.com)

UNTITLED CATHERINE KEENER PROJECT (HBO, New!) - Oscar-nominee Catherine Keener ("Being John Malkovich") is set to star in a potential comedy at the pay channel described as "an exploration of one day in a woman's life and how the events leading up to it can affect, or not, the reality in which she lives." "Malkovich" screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is behind the half-hour, which he'll write, direct and executive produce with Keener serving as a producer. No other details were given. (Deadline.com

COMMUNITY (NBC) - David Guarascio and Moses Port ("Happy Endings") have been tapped as the new showrunners of the much-ballyhooed comedy, which moves to Friday nights at 8:30/7:30c this fall. They'll take over for creator Dan Harmon, who is expected to retain a consulting producer credit. Said duo, who have overall deals with producer Sony Pictures Television, will also fill the void left by executive producers Neil Goldman and Garrett Donovan, who are moving over to FOX's newcomer "Ben & Kate." NBC Entertainment chief Robert Greenblatt first told reporters of the potential change last week (read the story), saying "I think those conversations are happening as we speak. And I guess what I would say is I expect Dan's voice to be a part of the show somehow, I'm just not sure if that exactly means him running it day to day or consulting on it." (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED ALEXANDER CARY/TIM ROTH PROJECT (FX, New!) - "Lie to Me" alums Alexander Cary and Tim Roth are set to team for a potential new drama at the cable channel about "addiction, bank robbery, and an extremely volatile family dynamic." Said hour, from Fox 21, is being developed as a starring vehicle for Roth, who will presumably executive produce alongside writer Cary. (Deadline.com)

Christopher Eccleston on 'Doctor Who' exit: 'My conscience is clear'

Christopher Eccleston has said that he feels justified in leaving Doctor Who after the first series.

Eccleston has been largely tight-lipped about his time on Doctor Who since departing in 2005, but did reveal last year that he quit the show over "politics".

In a new interview with The Telegraph, the actor contended that he acted honourably in bowing out of the role after his brief tenure as the Ninth Doctor.

"I know what went on and the people who were involved know what went on - that's good enough for me," Eccleston said, adding: "My conscience is completely clear."

The actor continued: "I've lived my life, particularly my working life, on the basis that I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror about the way I behave. It wasn't a bold move, it was an entirely natural one.

"I'm hugely grateful to the children who to this day come up and talk to me about the show."

Eccleston has previously denied that he would return for Doctor Who's 50th anniversary in 2013 because he doesn't like revisiting his past work.

"I never bathe in the same river twice," he told Graham Norton last May.

Matt Smith's current incarnation of Doctor Who returns for its seventh series this autumn.

Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will be leaving mid-series, to be replaced by Jenna-Louise Coleman as The Doctor's new companion.

Eurovision 2012's Spanish entrant Pastora Soler 'told to lose'

Eurovision's Spanish entrant has admitted that it would be best for the country if she didn't win the competition.

Pastora Soler acknowledged the fact that Spain would financially struggle to host next year's Eurovision should the country triumph.

"If we won, I think it would be impossible to stage the next edition because it costs so much money," Soler told ABC Punto Radio.

The AFP news agency quotes the 33-year-old as stating: "I think it is not the moment, neither for Spain nor for the Spanish public, to win Eurovision."

Meanwhile, directors from broadcaster TVE sent a joke message to Soler, saying: "Please, don't win!"

The Eurovision Song Contest final will be staged on Saturday, May 26.

TV Land Brings the Heat With a Summer Line-Up Full of Funniest Stars and Sitcoms

The Home of TV's Favorite Sitcoms Sizzles With Original Series, A Special Presentation With Shirley MacLaine, And The Launch Of "That '70s Show"

TV Land's summer programming is hotter than ever! Beginning June 1, the network is introducing a new summer line-up full of laughs with two nights of original sitcoms, including "The Soul Man," starring Cedric "The Entertainer" and Niecy Nash, returning series "The Exes," starring Donald Faison, Wayne Knight, David Alan Basche, Kelly Stables and Kristen Johnston and "Retired at 35" starring George Segal, Jessica Walter, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Johnathan McClain and Josh McDermitt. June on TV Land will also feature "TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Shirley MacLaine" and the launch of acquisition "That '70s Show."

Below is a detailed look at TV Land's summer programming:

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

· "The Soul Man"

SERIES PREMIERE: Wednesday, June 20 at 10pm ET/PT

"The Soul Man" stars Cedric "The Entertainer" and Niecy Nash and revolves around R&B superstar-turned-minister Reverend Boyce "The Voice" Ballentine (played by Cedric). Though he's used to living in Las Vegas at the top of the music charts, he gets "the calling" and decides to relocate to St. Louis with his wife, Lolli (Nash) and his daughter, Lyric (Jazz Raycole), to take over the preaching duties in his father's church. However, his family is not exactly eager to give up the fabulous superstar life for their new humble one. The comedy also stars John Beasley ("Everwood") as Boyce's father, Barton, and Wesley Jonathan ("What I Like About You") as his brother, Stamps.

· "The Exes"

SEASON 2 PREMIERE: Wednesday, June 20 at 10:30pm ET/PT

In season one of "The Exes," Phil (Faison, "Scrubs") and Haskell (Knight, "Seinfeld") were shocked to learn that their landlord and divorce attorney, Holly (Johnston, "3rd Rock From The Sun"), was forcing a new roommate on them - the clingy and recently-divorced Stuart (Basche, "The Starter Wife"). In season two, they're still attempting to adjust to one another's quirks and annoying habits, but Holly is there to help avert any disasters - or in some cases, cause them. Meanwhile, Holly's assistant, Eden (Stables, "Two and a Half Men"), doesn't exactly let professionalism get in the way of prying into her boss's dating life - or lack thereof.

· "Retired at 35"

SEASON 2 PREMIERE: Tuesday, June 26 at 10pm ET/PT

The new season brings a new cast member as Marissa Jaret Winokur (Broadway's "Hairpsray") joins the show! In "Retired at 35," after 37 years of marriage, Alan Robbins (Segal, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?") and his wife Elaine (Walter, "Arrested Development") are expected to cruise into retirement and live out their days happily ever after. However, they get an unexpected surprise when their uptight and overworked son David (McClain, "24"), sick of the NYC rat race, decides to move in with them in their active-adult community. David finds himself dealing with his overzealous parents as well as his sister Amy (Winokur), who, while successful in business, has made less than impressive choices in her love life.

SPECIALS

· "TV Land Presents: The AFI Life Achievement Award Honoring Shirley MacLaine"

AIRS: Sunday, June 24 at 9pm ET/PT

The annual "TV Land Presents: AFI Life Achievement Award," will be presented to Academy Award(R)-winner Shirley MacLaine by fellow Academy Award(R)-winner Meryl Streep, her co-star in "Postcards From The Edge." The event will celebrate MacLaine's extraordinary life and all her endeavors, from movies and television to Broadway, writing books and beyond. The ceremony tapes Thursday, June 7 in Los Angeles. To apply for press credentials to the red carpet, please visit the TV Land / AFI Life Achievement Awards Credentials Site.

ACQUISITIONS

· "That '70s Show"

PREMIERES: Friday, June 1 at 9pm ET/PT

Hit sitcom "That '70s Show" will join the TV Land line-up with a weekend-long marathon on June 1, 2 and 3 from 9pm ET/PT to 12am ET/PT. The series, which starred Topher Grace ("Valentine's Day"), Ashton Kutcher ("Two and a Half Men"), Mila Kunis ("Black Swan"), Laura Prepon ("Are You There, Chelsea?"), Wilmer Valderrama ("Awake"), Danny Masterson ("Men at Work"), Kurtwood Smith ("24") and Debra Jo Rupp ("Better With You"), revolves around a group of teenagers as they come of age in 1970s Wisconsin.

'Inbetweeners' Blake Harrison for Comedy Central's 'Big Bad World'

Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison is to play the lead in new Comedy Central pilot Big Bad World.

Caroline Quentin (Men Behaving Badly) and James Fleet (The Vicar Of Dibley) are also among the cast.

Harrison will play Ben Turnbull, a university graduate who reluctantly returns to his home town after three years away and reunites with old friends Beth (Rebecca Humphries), Eggman (Seann Walsh) and Oakley (David Fynn).

"It's very exciting to be working with such a brilliant cast on a new project," said Andrew Newman of Objective Productions.

"Comedy Central already have many of the best comedy shows from around the world and we are very proud to be making a new British one for them."

Sarah Farrell of Comedy Central added: "It's with huge excitement that we're able to reveal the fabulous cast that this script and Objective have attracted. We can't wait to see the finished programme and have very high hopes that this is our next big show."

Big Bad World has been written by Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf, with additional episodes penned by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley (Black Books). Tristram Shapeero (Peep Show, Community) will direct.

Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Mel B set for 'X Factor' guest judge slots?

Leona Lewis is on the verge of becoming The X Factor's second guest judge, according to reports.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer, who won the Simon Cowell show in 2006, is in talks with executives at present and could be confirmed in the coming days, PA reports.

Geri Halliwell was hired as the first temporary panellist to sit alongside regulars Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos in yesterday's first round of 2012 auditions in Liverpool.

Fellow Spice Girls star Mel B and 'R.I.P.' chart-topper Rita Ora are also allegedly being lined up before a permanent replacement for Kelly Rowland can be found.

Rowland, who lasted one year, confirmed her X Factor departure last month citing "global commitments".

Bosses allegedly held talks with fan favourite Dannii Minogue about returning to the show.

'The Exorcist' Being Remade as a TV Miniseries

It's the first horror movie to get an Oscar nomination for Best Picture, and now, William Peter Blatty's classic exorcism thriller "The Exorcist" will be remade as a 10-episode TV miniseries.

"Martha Marcy May Marlene" director and writer Sean Durkin (left) will write and direct the remake, his rep confirms to TheWrap. The miniseries will focus on the events leading up to a young girl's demonic possession and how her family deals with it. Hint: that's where Father Damien Karras comes in. Vulture first reported the series.

The original 1973 "Exorcist" movie -- based on Blatty's 1971 novel, which he adapted for the film -- received 10 Oscar nominations, including a Best Actress nod for Ellen Burstyn and Best Supporting Actress nomination for Linda Blair, who played Chris and Regan MacNeil, a mother and her possessed daughter.

William Friedkin also received a nomination as Best Director, while the movie won Oscars for Best Sound and Blatty's adapted screenplay.

"The Exorcist" miniseries, which will be produced by Roy Lee ("The Departed"), isn't yet attached to a network, Vulture reports.

'American Idol' Has Lowest-Rated Season Finale Ever

Earning a 6.4 according to latest ratings released this afternoon. That is still an all-time low for a season finale.

"American Idol" had its lowest-rated season finale ever Wednesday, sliding in total viewers and the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic from past finales.

The finale caps a difficult season for the show, the highest rated on televison for the previous eight seasons. Because of the ratings slip this season, its eleventh, it is in a close race with NBC's "The Voice" for TV's highest-rated program aside from NFL football.

"The Voice" averaged a 6.1 rating in the key demo this season, and the "Idol" average was close to that. "Idol" was expected to average a 6.1 or 6.2, though the final "Idol" average was not yet available Thursday because not all viewing had been factored in.

The "Idol" finale delivered a 6.4 rating/18 share in the key demo -- 22 percent lower than the previous low, the 8.2 in the demo for the season 9 finale. It was 30 percent lower than last season's finale, which had a 9.2 rating.

"Idol" had 21.5 million total viewers, the least ever for a season finale. The previous low was 23 million for the first season finale.

Despite the slide, "Idol" was easily Wednesday night's top-rated and most-watched show, and won the night for Fox. "Idol" also scored its highest ratings in the demo since the second week of this season and its second-highest number of total viewers since the season premiere.

After ratings fell in season 9, "Idol" successfully rebuilt itself in season 10 with new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. There has been speculation that Lopez may not return next season, fueled in part by her declining to publicly commit to the show.

NBC gave "The Voice" a ratings boost this season by airing its premiere episode after the Super Bowl. It will begin its third season in the fall.

This season has been a tough one for aging reality behemoths from "The Bachelor" to "Dancing With the Stars," which have also suffered ratings declines.

As for the other networks:

ABC was second to Fox in ratings and total viewers, averaging 2.6/7 and 7.3 million, according to preliminary ratings. It had its lowest-rated finales for "The Middle" and "Modern Family," which were both down 5 percent from last year in the ratings. At 8, "The Middle" had a 2.0/7 and 6.5 million total viewers. A "Modern Family" repeat aired at 8:30, followed by the show's finale, which had a 4.0/11 and 10 million. The "Apt. 23" finale at 9:30 had a 2.5/7, up 32 percent from last week's season low, and 5.7 million. The "Revenge" finale at 10 had a 2.4/6, up 20 percent from last week's season low, and 7.6 million.

CBS, which aired repeats throughout the night, was third in ratings and total viewers, averaging a 1.5/4 and 5.9 million.

NBC was in fourth, averaging a 1.4/4 and 5.4 million. The "Off Their Rockers" finale at 8 had a 1.5/5 and 5.5 million total viewers, and the "Law & Order: SVU" finale at 10 had a 1.9/5, up 12 percent from last week but down 34 percent from last year's finale. It was the show's lowest-rated finale ever. It had 7 million total viewers.

ITV to air new police drama 'True Crime' from makers of 'The Bill'

ITV1 has commissioned a new police drama titled True Crime.

The series will be ITV1's first daytime drama in four years, and is produced by the makers of The Bill.

It will comprise 20 hour-long episodes, and will be recorded at The Bill's former home at Wimbledon Studios. The drama follows two police officers taking on cases inspired by real events.

True Crime is created by former Bill executive Paul Marquess of Newman Street, a newly formed drama division at FremantleMedia UK.

The show will be shot in a documentary style and will also contain footage similar to CCTV for an authentic look.

ITV's director of factual and daytime Alison Sharman said: "It's very confident and sassy, and there's definitely some grit in the oyster.

"We tested the pilot with our viewer panel and we came back with positive responses from younger and older viewers. We know that drama repeats fare well on ITV1 in the afternoon, but there's the opportunity to do something fresh and challenging."

True Crime will air on ITV1 in an afternoon slot later this year.

'Doctor Who's Matt Smith to carry Olympic Torch in Cardiff on Saturday

Doctor Who star Matt Smith is to start the Olympic Torch relay in Cardiff on Saturday (May 26), it has been confirmed.

The news was announced on the official Doctor Who Twitter account on Friday morning.

Smith said: "To carry the Torch is an honour, one I thought I'd never get. I'm very excited!"

Who fans will remember David Tennant's Doctor famously carrying the London 2012 Olympic Torch in 2006 episode 'Fear Her'.

Smith has recently been filming the seventh series of the long-running sci-fi show, which will see the "heartbreaking" departures of companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill).

Smith has called the new episodes "extremely extraordinary", and said that he is "really, really pleased" with the Ponds' exit scripts.

'American Idol' Finale: As Phillip Phillips Wins, Two Alums Get Engaged

Last night's "American Idol" season 11 finale produced not only a new champ -- Georgia crooner Phillip Phillips -- but the show's first engaged couple: Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo got engaged on the "Idol" stage.

Phillips, the fifth consecutive male "Idol" winner, was the favorite going into the finale, after managing to stay out of the bottom three the whole season.

Phillips, who got the majority of the 132 million votes cast in his finale showdown with runner-up Jessica Sanchez, suffered health problems throughout the competition, including a serious kidney problem that will necessitate surgery before he embarks on the annual "American Idol" summer tour.

Meanwhile, another "Idol" pair almost stole the show.

Host Ryan Seacrest pulled Young (a season five alum) and DeGarmo (a season three alum) on stage, setting the scene for Young to make his proposal.

"This has always been home to us and I felt that this would be the perfect place to ask a simple question," Young said. "Diana, we have conquered Broadway together. We have created all your new music together. We have an amazing group of people around us.

"I love you to death, you're my best friend, I wanna make this last forever," he added, getting down on one knee before asking her if she'd marry him.

She said yes, they kissed, and she got a look at the ring. "Wow, babe, you picked a good one," DeGarmo said. "My makeup's running!"

"Mine, too, after that," Seacrest quipped.

Big Brother 2012: The new series 13 house in pictures

Channel 5 has unveiled photos from inside the Big Brother 13 house.

The pictures give a first look at the compound for the 2012 regular edition of the long-running reality show, which launches next month.

Areas inside the house include a rather grand looking bathroom complete with a long sofa and gold mirrors, while the stairway features a selection of Eames-style chairs.

The garden has the traditional swimming pool, Jacuzzi and dining area, while there is also an outside living room space with sofas.

The bedroom has two rows of large beds, with what appears to be one extra super large bed.

Finally, the Diary Room door is a simple glittery affair with a green outline.

Big Brother will launch its 13th series on Tuesday, June 5.

It will return with a special auditions show, hosted by Jamie East, before a one-hour-and-45-minute live launch at 9pm with Brian Dowling.

Emma Willis also returns with spinoff series Bit on the Side at 10.45pm. The first live eviction will air on Friday, June 8 at 10pm.