Production for Season Two of "Grimm" Commences on May 30

Production for season two of NBC's fairy tale procedural drama GRIMM commences on Wednesday, May 30 in Portland.

GRIMM stars Russell Hornsby, Silas Weir Mitchell and Bitsie Tulloch will join Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber on May 29 to kick off production and celebrate another season of shooting in the northwest.

Also in attendance will be state legislators, members of the Governor's Office of Film and Television Board, NBC and Comcast officials as well as Oregon business owners who have benefited from the impact of local production.

Beginning Monday, May 28, NBC will run encore episodes of GRIMM every week at 10:00pm.

"Grimm" is inspired by the classic Grimm's Fairy Tales. Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, "Turn the Beat Around") discovers he is descended from an elite line of criminal profilers known as "Grimms," charged with keeping balance between humanity and the mythological creatures of the world. As he tries to hide the dangers of his new found calling from his girlfriend, Juliette Silverton, (Bitsie Tulloch, "quarterlife"), and his partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, "Lincoln Heights"), he becomes ever more entrenched in the ancient rivalries and alliances of the Grimm world.

With help from his confidant, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell, "Prison Break"), a reformed Grimm creature himself, Nick must navigate through the forces of a larger-than-life mythology, facing off with Hexenbiests, Blutbads and all manner of ancient evils, including royal lines dating back to the original profilers themselves, The Grimm Brothers. Reggie Lee ("Persons Unknown") and Sasha Roiz ("Caprica") also star.

"Grimm" is a Universal Television and Hazy Mills production. The series was created by Stephen Carpenter and David Greenwalt & Jim Kouf. Sean Hayes, Todd Milliner ("Hot In Cleveland") and Norberto Barba ("Law & Order: Criminal Intent") also serve as executive producers along with Greenwalt and Kouf.

Season two of GRIMM will premiere in August.

Development Update: the 26th of May

ANIMAL PRACTICE (NBC) - JoAnna Garcia ("Better with You") has been cast as the new female lead in the comedy, about George Coleman (Justin Kirk), a veterinarian who loves animals but usually hates their owners. She'll play Dorothy Crane, George's ex-girlfriend who returns to his life as the new hospital director... with a fianceé in tow. Amy Huberman originated the role in the pilot. Bobby Lee, Tyler Labine, Betsy Sodaro and Kym Whitley also star in the Universal Television-based half-hour, from co-creators Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka. Garcia spent the past development cycle as the female lead of "Oh F---, It's You," a comedy pilot which didn't move forward to series at CBS. (Deadline.com)

60-MINUTE SUPERSTAR (VH1, New!) - Former MTV Networks entertainment chief Brian Graden is developing a new talent competition at the cable channel that "plucks unsuspecting singers - secretly nominated by loved ones, neighbors, friends and co-workers - out of their everyday lives to give them a shot at stardom." Each installment then will track three aspiring singers as they undergo intensive training for vocals and choreography as well as receive a makeover. Said trio ultimately performs with one winner receiving an unspecified prize. Graden is executive producing alongside Lois Curren and Gaurav Misra via their Sunshine Industries banner. (Deadline.com)

MARY & MARTHA (HBO, New!) - Hillary Swank and Brenda Blethyn are set to star in a new film from the pay channel about "two women who emerge from traumatic family tragedy to forge a unique bond while fighting for the eradication of malaria." Director Phillip Noyce ("Salt") and writer Richard Curtis ("The Girl in the Cafe") are spearheading the project with Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasin, Juliette Howell, Hilary Bevan Jones and Lucy Richer among the executive producers. HBO Films is co-producing alongside the BBC, NBC Universal and Working Title Television. (Variety.com)

MOCKINGBIRD LANE (NBC) - Mason Cook ("Spy Kids: All the Time in the World in 4D") has been tapped to play Eddie Munster in the Peacock's reboot of "The Munsters." Eddie is Lily and Herman's (both yet to be cast) only child, "an earnest boy scout and budding werewolf [who's] horrified to learn the truth about himself." Charity Wakefield and Eddie Izzard also star in the Universal Television-based hour, from writer Bryan Fuller and director Bryan Singer. (Deadline.com)

Did you see CBBC’s mini Doctor Who episode?

A Weeping Angel, an Olympic torch bearer and a bad hair day for the Doctor. Watch a tiny new bit of Doctor Who, written by primary school children

This year’s Script to Screen competition winner aired today during CBBC’s Blue Peter, in the form of 3-minute Doctor Who mini-episode starring Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

Written by children aged 9-11 from Ashdene Primary School, the Olympics-themed Good as Gold was selected as the winning entry by Steven Moffat, executive producer Caroline Skinner, and BBC Learning’s Katy Jones.

Let’s take this in the spirit in which it was intended, i.e. some fun for primary school kids who love Doctor Who, the Olympics, and presumably, making their teachers happy.

Looking back at The Secret Circle

Witches have always been the least loved subgenre of fantasy television, and last week another one bit the dust. The Secret Circle, designed for the CW as a direct sister show for the uber-popular The Vampire Diaries, was cancelled after just one season and, while hopes that another network will pick it up are currently brewing (excuse the pun), it's just the most recent example of witches failing to tap into the public consciousness the way vampires, werewolves and other ghouls seem to be able to. Was there something wrong with The Secret Circle itself, or is it a deeper problem with all things Wicca that turns people off?

First, you'll have to excuse me if a large amount of The Vampire Diaries comparisons slip into this season recap, as it's hard not to pit the two against each other now they have gone in such different directions. Based on young adult novels from the same author, made for the same network to air on the same night, and produced by the same team (including Kevin Williamson of Scream and Dawson's Creek fame), the two are sibling shows in the truest sense of the word. Based on the success of the former, who can blame telly-land for thinking The Secret Circle would have the same cultural impact?

But, as it stands, they are vastly different shows. One has just finished its third season to grand applause, while the other has meandered in popularity and received a lukewarm (at best) reaction from critics. Is it fair to compare a newborn to its older sibling? Not at all - we can all remember how mixed early results on The Vampire Diaries were back in its first season. There was also no cinematic equivalent (where TVD had Twilight) to lead fans in gently. It was clear from the chequered past of TV witches that the network would have a bigger fight on its hands, and the fight has apparently been fruitless.

Our protagonist is a normal girl who, in the first five minutes of the pilot, loses her mother to an arson attack and moves to Chance Harbor, the mysterious childhood home of her parents. Cassie is played by Britt Robinson from Life Unexpected, the similarly cancelled CW series that was originally meant to be the 'new Gilmore Girls' (sounding familiar?), and her portrayal of the character may have played a huge role in the show's cancellation. I'm not saying she's a bad actress, but a series needs a capable, endearing protagonist, and unfortunately Robinson didn't tick those boxes often enough.

When she begins to explore her new home, several regulars present themselves to her in turn, establishing their stock personalities and potential roles within the titular circle. Once everyone and their shifty parents, have been introduced, Cassie learns of her witchy heritage, and peril ensues. We have Faye, the bitchy mean girl intent on getting as much power as possible for herself; Diana, the resident nice girl who welcomes Cassie with open arms; Adam, Diana's boyfriend who happens to be destined for Cassie, and Melissa, Faye's sidekick and floozy to Nick, the sixth and final member.

If I sound flip, that's because the early stages of The Secret Circle were less than promising. Where other fantasy shows had fast paced action and subversive rules and characters, this new arrival seemed intent on establishing its old-fashioned style. Say what you want about Charmed, but it put witches onto mainstream television in an original and entertaining way, and The Secret Circle had to up its game if it wanted to stick around. I fear that this shaky start was the ultimate reason for the show's cancellation, as viewers turned off by early episodes quite possibly never tuned back in.

But if they had, they would have seen a show dedicated to improving, adapting, and pruning its various issues, becoming more confident and entertaining week by week. We started to see a bravery borrowed from The Vampire Diaries, and things quickly changed. The circle was unexpectedly bound in the second episode, making everything feel a little safe and boring, so they killed off a member - Nick - and magically upped the danger quota. To replace him they brought in male 'totty' Chris Zylka, who was a middling success, and made him a duplicitous double-agent for the villainous witch-hunters.

The magic itself, surely the backbone of any show about witches, took a little longer to sort out. While chanting and hand-holding worked just fine in the campy world of Charmed, here it seemed mis-judged and outdated, destroying any credibility the series had clawed for itself and highlighting the lack of special effects budget at their disposal. This is pretty disastrous for any fantasy series, but can prove fatal to one that hasn't yet found its footing elsewhere. Dark magic (more staring, less chanting) was quickly introduced, and it watered down the issues the writers had with updating spells and enchantments for a modern audience.

But the biggest change-over, and one I applaud wholeheartedly, was the way the show dealt with its love triangles (yes, plural). Having watched The Vampire Diaries since the start, recapping it for this site for over a year, the way in which writers choose to tackle their love stories becomes incredibly important. We're introduced to one right at the start, as Adam and Diana's cosy partnership is interrupted by the fateful union between Adam and Cassie. The problem is, Britt Robinson and Thomas Dekker have now chemistry to speak of, and Shelley Hennig's Diana is so darn likeable it's hard to root for anyone else.

So, what to do? Well, firstly, they brought in Zylka's Jake, supposedly attracted to Cassie but with a history between him and Faye. That didn't work either. Phoebe Thompson was incredibly fun throughout the series, relishing her bad girl role so much that we couldn't help but join in. She's got charisma to spare so, put her together with the stiff and personality-free Zylka, and it makes a much more attractive coupling than with the equally earnest and boring Cassie. It was becoming clear that Cassie might be better off on her own, so an epic break-up episode, by way of ancient curse and anti-love potion, served to break all ties with Adam, while offering her vulnerability and heartbreak as a reason to root for her at last.

But a lot of people weren't really tuning in for the kids, as the tangled web of the past had emerged was by far the most interesting aspect of The Secret Circle. Unlike most teen shows, the parents were a huge part of the ensemble, and Charles (Diana's father) and Dawn (Faye's mother) provided much welcome shades of grey throughout. We see Charles kill Cassie's mother in the pilot, but clever characterisation, and a lovely relationship with his daughter, has us rooting for him to come out on top at various points. As the show ended, he was all but redeemed, and his and Dawn's motives (if not their actions) largely justified.

The season-long mystery the younger generation are trying to solve relates to an accident 16-years ago when at least one of their parents was killed. Aside from the ongoing threat of witch-hunters, the circle also has to worry about the return of John Blackwell, whose arrival late in the season triggered a sharp increase in quality that may now have been wasted. We hear so much about Blackwell, Cassie's father and the man behind the boatyard fire, during the first two thirds of the series that when he finally does arrive, viewers are encouraged to second-guess everything. I can't remember a series that so tightly concealed parts of its characters so well, for so long, and the last arc of the show really was something special.

But, alas, we'll probably never get to see how it would have panned out, courtesy of the cruel and familiar axe blow of cancellation. If a wildcard renewal for 'most improved show' were given out each year, then I'm certain The Secret Circle would have won it hands down, and it's a shame that this carefully crafted, and clearly cared for, show was cut short just as it was finding its feet. There's also the argument that an uneven first season that couldn't live up to the hype deserves to go, but the finale cruelly left fans with so many new questions, enticing developments and newly compelling relationships to ponder.

Should ABC Family pick the show up, which is rumoured, I think it would be a very smart investment. Whether, with Blackwell gone and a kitchen-sink approach to end of season cliff-hangers, The Secret Circle could have held on to its momentum much longer is unknown, but I sure would have liked to have see it. As it stands, the series is a neat little fantasy show that slipped under the radar this year, and comes recommended to fans of this thoroughly downtrodden subgenre.

BBC secures 'Match of the Day' highlights for further three seasons

The BBC has agreed a new three-season deal to retain the free-to-air highlights to Premier Leagues games for its Match of the Day programme.

In a statement today, the Premier League confirmed that the corporation will continue offering highlights of games from the league from the 2013/14 season through to the end of 2015/16.

The BBC secured the highlights package with a bid of £179.7m, ensuring that the coverage remains on the traditional Saturday evening Match of the Day programme, the Sunday morning repeat, MOTD2 on Sunday evenings and other selected evenings "when Premier League fixtures justify a show".

For the first time ever, Match of the Day will also be available on catch-up TV platform BBC iPlayer from midnight on Mondays, as is currently the case for MOTD2.

The deal will also run into Match of the Day's 50th year covering highlights of English top flight club football.

"The free-to-air highlights are extremely important to the broadcast reach of the Premier League; allowing the competition and our clubs to be seen by the maximum possible number of fans across the country," said Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore.

"The BBC has done a fantastic job for fans of Premier League clubs by providing quality coverage and analysis across their programmes. We are very pleased to be continuing our partnership with them."

Gary Lineker, who hosts Match of the Day with lead pundits Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson, added: "It is wonderful news that we have MOTD for another three years. It is a flagship programme and it shows how much the BBC values sport and the importance of football."

BBC director of Sport Barbara Slater said that after the thrilling final to the 2011/2012 season - in which Manchester City claimed the title in the final minutes of their last game - the Premier League has "never been more exciting and dramatic".

"We're absolutely delighted that the TV highlights will continue to be available to licence fee payers. We've seen audiences for MOTD grow in recent years and the programme remains one of the BBC's best loved and most iconic brands," she said.

"The new contract will see MOTD celebrate its 50th birthday and extend coverage to the end of the 2015/16 season."

The billion pound auction for new live rights deals to the Premier League is still due to go ahead, with current holders Sky and ESPN expected to be joined by Al Jazeera in the bidding.

Britney denies 'X Factor' audition walkout: 'I'm having the best time'

Britney Spears has played down reports that she walked out of the first session of X Factor USA auditions for season two.

The Femme Fatale singer was said to have disappeared from the judges' table towards the end of the first half of tryouts in Texas on Thursday (May 24), missing up to four contestants' performances. Some reports claimed that Spears had become upset when a contestant performed a bad rendition of 'Hold It Against Me'.

Spears wrote on her official Twitter page: "#Britneywalksoff‬??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!"

Her account appeared to be corroborated by E! News's Marc Malkin, who tweeted from the Frank Erwin Centre in Austin: "‪#britneyspears‬ did not walk off the stage. nowhere near as dramatic as others r (sic) reporting."

Antonio LA Reid, Demi LOvato, Simon Cowell and Britney Spears 2012 Fox Upfront Presentation held at the Wollman Rink - Arrivals New York City

Spears and Demi Lovato - the other new addition to the X Factor USA panel - were said to have had a difference of opinion over the first contestant.

In audio from the auditions obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Spears compared one contestant positively to Justin Bieber.

Lovato told the same contestant that while she felt he had "a great voice", he needed to find out what would make him stand out from his peers.

"I think you just have to find out what makes you special and what separates you from all the other teenage boys in this industry," she is quoted as saying.

Lovato also teased returning panel members Simon Cowell and LA Reid, reportedly saying that Cowell was "old and impatient" after he pressed her to make a decision on a contestant and calling him "grandpa" as they made their way into the venue.

Reid wrote on his Twitter page: "Day 1 @TheXFactorUSA and I have already been cut to shreds by @ddlovato. Let the games begin!"

Cowell himself posted a tweet at the end of the day's session reading: "One of the best audition days we have ever done."

'Glee's Ryan Murphy on season four: 'We're back to underdog status'

Glee exec Ryan Murphy has dropped hints about the show's fourth season.

Discussing the "halo" that many fans have placed on the show's first season, Murphy suggested that the upcoming episodes will take the characters back to their early "underdog" status.

"I will say the story for season four gets back to the underdog status [for the characters]," Murphy told Vulture. "And that will appease people, maybe.

"Sometimes I feel that you can't win. It's just a volatile group of people that watch it, and for that, I like their passion."

Murphy went on to reveal that he knows what the very final scene of the show will be.

"Even though Glee is sometimes a hard road, I am very excited about writing a multi-year arc," he said.

"For example, Rachel Berry, meeting her as you did, hopefully by the end of her journey she will be a star. That's a very long, long period.

"I know where she'll end up; I know what the last scene will be."

He also confirmed that the fourth season will feature a second Britney Spears tribute episode.

Murphy previously stated that the show will shoot in New York for its fourth season.

'Teen Mom' Amber Portwood returns to jail

Former Teen Mom star Amber Portwood has reportedly returned to jail.

Portwood has been charged with two counts of contempt of court, according to E! News.

The original case began in December when she was arrested for drug possession.

Portwood was jailed and told to complete a drug rehabilitation programme, but was recently jailed again after failing to meet the terms of her probation. She was released last week before returning on Thursday, May 24.

Her brother Shawn Portwood has now claimed that she "finally had enough", adding: "The system failed her, and that is all I can say.

"I really feel for my sister. She does not deserve to be there or anything that has happened to her. She is there because of who she is."

The final season of Teen Mom with the original cast is due to premiere on MTV in June.

Kiefer Sutherland's 'Touch' to get online spinoff 'Daybreak'

Kiefer Sutherland's Touch is to get a new online spinoff series.

Daybreak is described as "a series of online films... about the magic of technology and a global conspiracy to control an ancient and powerful object called a dodecahedron".

Touch creator Tim Kring announced the web project on his blog, writing: "On Touch, we recently introduced a 12-sided shape called a dodecahedron. It's a real thing, which many believe has mystical powers.

"You'll see it again in the May 31 season finale. And its journey will continue that same day in the premiere chapter of Daybreak, a series of webisodes."

The online series will star Sarah Roemer (The Event) and Ryan Eggold (90210).

"Daybreak doesn't share any common cast or plot lines with Touch, but it will have a similar look and feel," explained Kring.

"It's directed by Jon Cassar, best known for his work on 24, and will follow the exploits of protagonist Ben Wilkins (played by Ryan Eggold).

"Basically, Wilkins's life is turned upside down by the dodecahedron. It's a great story - with lots of twists and turns."

Touch airs on Thursdays at 9pm on Fox in the US and on Tuesdays at 8pm on Sky1 in the UK. A second season has already been ordered.

Leona Lewis confirmed as 'X Factor' guest judge

Leona Lewis has been confirmed as the next X Factor UK guest judge.

The 'Collide' singer, who won the third series of the ITV competition in 2006, will join regular panellists Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh at auditions in London starting tomorrow (May 26).

Lewis will take over from Geri Halliwell, who joined the judges for try-outs in Liverpool and has been rumoured to become a permanent fixture on the show.

Speculation that Lewis would judge The X Factor emerged yesterday (May 25) in a report that also named Mel B and Rita Ora as potential future panelists.

The 'Bleeding Love' artist has recently appeared as a guest mentor on the Swedish version of The X Factor.

Guest judges are being sought for the ninth series of the UK contest after Kelly Rowland departed the show and Dannii Minogue rejected a rumoured £1m offer to return.

Lee Rich, Producer of 'The Waltons' and 'Dallas,' Dies

Lee Rich, the Emmy-winning TV and film executive who produced such shows as "The Waltons," "Eight Is Enough" and "Dallas," has died. He was 93.

Rich, who was also the former chairman and chief executive of MGM/UA Communications, said he considered his greatest accomplishment to be co-founding Lorimar, which produced the shows. It  went on to produce "Family Matters," "Full House" and "Perfect Strangers," among other series.

Rich started in television at the advertising agency Benton & Bowles, where he helped package and sell both "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Danny Thomas Show." In 1965 he left to start his own production company, Mirisch-Rich Productions, which produced such shows as "The Rat Patrol" and one of the first Garry Marshall/Jerry Belson shows, "Hey, Landlord."

He co-founded Lorimar in 1969, which also produced television movies including "Sybil" and "Helter Skelter." He talked about the company's early days in a 1999 interview for the Archive of American Television.

Gesturing toward his wife, he said, "She and I took it from the beginning and built it to ... the largest supplier of network television that there was, just for a little independent company."

Lindsay Lohan Gets Her Richard Burton for Liz Taylor Biopic

Lindsay Lohan's Elizabeth Taylor has her Richard Burton: "True Blood" and "Ugly Betty" actor Grant Bowler has signed on to "Liz & Dick," Lifetime's movie about the couple's tempestuous relationship.

New Zealand native Bowler is best known to TV viewers as werewolf Cooter on "True Blood," as well as the love interest of Vanessa Williams' Wilhelmina on "Ugly Betty." He recently guest-starred on the ABC primetime soap "GCB."

"We had seen (Bowler) on tape and liked him, but wanted to confirm the chemistry between the two," "Liz & Dick" producer Larry Thompson told E! News. "But this morning we had Lindsay and Grant come into a room at Lifetime and the chemistry exploded. It was just Fourth of July firecrackers going off in the room. We knew from the chemistry that Liz and Dick live again.

"Chemistry means movie magic for sex," Thompson said. "This movie will definitely have as much sex as Lifetime will allow."

Burton was Taylor's fifth -- and sixth -- husband. The couple began an affair while filming "Cleopatra" (and while married to other people) and married for the first time in March 1964. They divorced in June 1974, re-married in October 1975 and divorced again in July 1976.

"Liz & Dick" is scheduled to begin filming June 4, for a possible fall premiere.

'Home and Away' Lynne McGranger: 'I'd love to star in Shameless'

Home and Away's Lynne McGranger has revealed that she would like to join the cast of Shameless.

The actress, who has played Summer Bay's Irene Roberts since 1992, said she is a loyal viewer of Paul Abbott's explicit Channel 4 drama.

"I'm a great fan of Shameless," she told What's on TV. "I would love to play an Australian character who moves in next door to Paddy and Mimi. I would just cause havoc!"

McGranger - Home and Away's second longest-serving cast member - also called for the return of her on-screen son Nathan, played previously by David Dixon then Craig Ball.

"I would love to see Nathan come back," the star said. "Last time we saw him he was off touring with an Irish nurse. So I think he's gone back to Ireland and is going to get married there.

"So I think Irene should go over to Ireland to see him! We could do some filming over there and my life would be complete."

The 59-year-old recently outlined her desire for scriptwriters to find a new love interest for her veteran alter ego.

'EastEnders' June Brown to front BBC One show on elderly

EastEnders star June Brown has been signed up to front a BBC One documentary on the elderly.

The Dot Branning actress, who is currently taking a six-month hiatus from the Walford soap, will investigate the lack of respect for old people in British society today.

The 85-year-old said: "I want to find out why older people are undervalued and ignored and what can be done to change the lives of millions.

"My own belief is that we must try and somehow reconnect the young and old before the gap between them grows so wide that it's impossible to fix."

Brown's show will be part of an entire 'When I'm 65' season of programmes focused on the ageing population in the UK.

The Apprentice's Nick Hewer will also reunite with former colleague Margaret Mountford to follow 15 retired pensioners returning to the workplace in The Town that Never Retired.

BBC One controller Danny Cohen said in a statement: "When I'm 65 brings together a range of powerful and thought-provoking programmes that explore the reality of life for many older people, and the choices they face.

"Thought-provoking seasons anchored in primetime are something I would like to have more of on BBC One, and the theme of our ageing population and the lives of older citizens is clearly a pressing one. I hope this cluster of programmes resonates with all BBC One viewers, no matter how old they are."

Ratings: ABC's 'Duets' Premieres Soft as 'SYTYD' Leads Fox to Demo Win

ABC doesn't seem to have its answer to "American Idol": The new singing show "Duets," which pairs contestants with Kelly Clarkson and other pop stars, premiered to soft numbers Thursday as the return of "So You Think You Can Dance" led Fox to a ratings win.

The weak debut for "Duets" -- paired with the lowest-ever ratings for an "Idol" finale the day before -- suggested waning viewer interest in singing shows. Or perhaps the interest has just been diluted, with "The Voice," "X Factor" and now "Duets" featuring tweaked versions of the familiar "Idol" formula.

"Duets" had a 1.7 rating/5 share in the 18-49 demo most important to advertisers, and 6.7 million total viewers, according to preliminary numbers.

Fox won the night with "Dance" filling its entire 8 to 10 p.m. primetime schedule. It was the top-rated network with a 2.4/8 and 6.2 million total viewers. It was only the third-most watched network in total viewers, however.

CBS, which aired only reruns, tied ABC for second in the overall ratings, averaging a 1.6/5. CBS was first in total viewers, averaging 7.6 million. A "Big Bang Theory" rerun was the second-highest rated show of the night with a 2.3/8, and the most-watched with 8.3 million total viewers.

ABC was second in total viewers with 6.5 million. After "Duets" from 8-10, it aired the season premiere of "Rookie Blue," which had a 1.4/4 and 6 million total viewers. "Duets" tied for the third-highest-rated show of the night with a "Rules of Engagement" rerun.

Univision was fourth in ratings and total viewers, averaging a 1.2/4 and 3.2 million. NBC was fifth in both with a .9/3 and 2.9 million. It aired only reruns, except for the series finale of the now-cancelled "Awake," which also had a .9/3 and 2.9 million.

Simon Amstell's 'Grandma's House' concludes with 740,000 for BBC Two

Grandma's House rose in the Thursday night ratings for the second week running but still performed below BBC Two's 10pm slot average.

Series two's last episode of the sitcom, which featured Tanya and Clive's second wedding, logged 742k (4.1%) - a turnaround from a fortnight ago.

Despite growing in critical acclaim, this year's run has been less popular on TV than its first series in 2010, compounding rumours that the BBC may not commission a third.

The Chelsea Flower Show (1.73m/8.7%) and The Fish Market: Inside Billingsgate (2.21m/10.5%) preceded Grandma's House on BBC Two.

Elsewhere, Long Lost Family's penultimate edition dipped to 3.96m (19.5%) on ITV1 at 9pm, but added 275k on +1. The Davina McCall/Nicky Campbell series, which had been solid before last night, was not helped by a lower-than-usual lead-in from Coronation Street.

Hot weather also seemed to affect BBC One, which could only muster 2.91m (14.6%) for Planet Earth Live in the 8pm hour, and 2.08m (10.2%) for a Diamond Jubilee special of National Treasures an hour later.

The Hoarder Next Door anchored Channel 4's schedule with 1.95m (9.6%) at 9pm (+1: 942k), prior to which Phil Spencer: Secret Agent interested 1.02m (5.1%) from 8pm (+1: 146k). 24 Hours in A and E capped a fairly solid night with 1.17m (7.2%) at 10pm (+1: 156k).

Meanwhile, The True Story (656k/3.4%) and Cowboy Builders (670k/3.3%) were low scoring for Channel 5 between 8pm and 10pm.

Overall, ITV1 led primetime with 21.9% (+1: 0.9%), comfortably beating BBC One which had 17.7%. BBC Two claimed third place with 7.6%, ahead of Channel 4's 6.6% (+1: 1%), and Channel 5's 3.3% (+1: 0.1%).

Tulisa unsure whether she will perform new music on 'The X Factor'

Tulisa Contostavlos has revealed that she is unsure about performing on The X Factor UK later this year.

The singer explained that she will have new singles out by the end of 2012, but has not confirmed plans to promote the tracks on the singing contest.

"Obviously I'll have more singles out this year so it just depends if the timing of the single is when the show is on," Contostavlos told The Sun. "It's a possibility but I've got no idea yet when my next one will be out."

The N-Dubz star - who serves as a judge on The X Factor UK - insisted that she has no plans to change her mentoring style after winning the 2011 series with girl group Little Mix.

"I'm definitely not going to try to do anything differently - but obviously I've matured in the past year," she explained.

"I managed to have a laugh last year but I just think I am going to be less worried about what people think."

Contostavlos scored her first solo UK number one with her debut single 'Young' earlier this month.

Her debut album is expected to be released in November.

TV Tonight 26th of May 2012

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

    24/7 S17E01: "Pacquiao/Bradley (1)"
    48 Hours Mystery S25E29: "One of Their Own"
    Area no Kishi S01E21: "Festival Music is the Melody of Love!?"
    Beyblade: Metal Fusion S02E42: "The Dragon Emperor Descends"
    Bleach (US) S13E26: "Final Chapter - Zanpakutō The Alternate Tale"
    Dan vs. S02E14: "Dan Vs. Reality TV"
    Euro 2012 S01E07: "Preview Show - 7"
    Eurovision Song Contest S01E65: "57th Eurovision Song Contest ( The Grand Final)"
    Fairy Tail S03E37: "Key of the Starry Sky"
    Fate/Zero S02E08: "Knight on Two Wheels"
    Formula 1 S04E13: "Monaco Grand Prix Qualifying"
    Green Lantern: The Animated Series S01E13: "Homecoming"
    How To Be a Gentleman S01E04: "How To Share A Relationship"
    How To Be a Gentleman S01E05: "How To Be Draft Andrew"
    Jongens tegen de Meisjes, De S02E06: "Season 2, Episode 6"
    Kuroko no Basuke S01E08: "Episode 8"
    Pointless Celebrities S02E06: "Series 2, Episode 6"
    Pokémon S15E15: "Evolution Exchange Excitement!"
    Saturday Kitchen S10E48: "May 26, 2012"
    Southern Nights S01E07: "Rodadtrip and Romance"
    Texas Women S02E07: "Vegas Can't Handle Texas"
    The Aquabats Super Show S01E11: "Night of the Cactus!"
    The Firm S01E18: "Chapter Eighteen"
    The Firm S01E17: "Chapter Seventeen"
    The Voice (UK) S01E15: "Live Semi Final"
    Thundercats (2011) S01E23: "Recipe for Disaster"
    Transformers: Prime S02E15: "Toxicity"
    UFC on FX S01E00: "UFC 146 on FX Prelims"
    UFC PPV Events S20E05: "UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir"
    Upotte!! S01E08: "Episode 8"
    Young Justice S02E05: "Beneath"

'Russell Howard's Good News' ratings creep up for BBC Three

Russell Howard's Good News ascended to a series high last night (Thursday, May 24), the latest overnight data has shown.

The BBC Three topical stand-up clip show was the most-watched multichannel broadcast of the night with 991k (5.5%) at 9pm, adding 369k (10.5%) for its late-night repeat at 12.30am.

A Eurovision Song Contest semi-final was watched by 484k (2.4%) between 8pm and 10pm, helping the digital channel to average 2.8% across primetime.

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, E4's latest US comedy import, premiered with a respectable 419k (2%), appealing to a further 175k on timeshift.

The Big Bang Theory held a decent 852k (4.5%) at 8pm and 358k on E4 +1, then 502k (2.5%) watched 2 Broke Girls at 9pm (+1: 258k), boosting the digital network to a 2.2% (+1: 1%) share overall.

Without Celebrity Juice, ITV2 collapsed, with the American Idol finale mustering just 293k (1.5%) in the 8pm juncture, and The Exclusives taking 150k (0.7%) an hour later.

Elsewhere, NCIS continued to perform well for 5USA, pulling in a round 500k (3%) for its latest edition.

'X Factor' Geri Halliwell would bring George Michael to Judges' Houses

Geri Halliwell has picked her potential guest mentors to join her on The X Factor.

The Spice Girls singer has acted as a temporary judge during the early stages of this year's talent contest.

Halliwell stated that she would ask either George Michael or her mother to be with her at the Judges' Houses stage of the show, if - as was speculated earlier this week - she is invited to join the show as a full-time judge.

"Whoever I bring in as my guest helper will be authentic to me. It wouldn't be [a] 'rent-a-celeb'," she is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I'd possibly ask George, as that feels authentic. It would either be him or my mum."

Halliwell added that she would definitely have auditioned for the show as a teenager.

"My mum was a cleaner, we didn't have money for stage school, so I'd have entered the X Factor. I love it for that reason," she explained

Robbie Williams, Leona Lewis and Mel B are among the names lined up for future guest judge spots during this summer's auditions.

NBCU May Buy Microsoft's Share of MSNBC.com

NBCUniversal is in talks with Microsoft to buy all of MSNBC.com, the joint venture between the two companies, in hopes of offering more of MSNBC's voice online, Adweek reports.

Sources with first-hand knowledge of the situation told Adweek that negotiations between the companies were far enough along that Comcast, NBCU's parent company, was conducting due dilligence. The deal could close within months.

While MSNBC has evolved into a left-leaning counterpoint to conservative-leaning Fox News, MSNBC.com is a general news site that uses content from NBC News and a variety of other sources (including The Wrap).

MSNBC and MSNBC.com were launched as joint ventures between NBC and Miscrosoft in 1996, but NBC has since bought out Microsoft's share in the network. The companies remain co-owners of the website.

Adweek reported that NBCU hopes to use the site to better promote MSNBC personalities like Rachel Maddow.

The MSN portal and general news approach, however, helped the site pull in a whopping 55.7 milion uniques as of April 2012. So the companies would likely reach a deal in which MSNBC.com woud still receive prominent linkage from MSN.com, Adweek said.

56 Reasons to Watch TV This Summer

Think summer's a bad season for TV? We have 56 reasons you're wrong.

Your DVR will be working as hard as your air conditioner if you check out the full mix of new and returning series the networks have planned for the next three months. They range from new dramas like HBO's "The Newsroom" to returning dramas like AMC's "Breaking Bad" to the new and returning "Dallas" on TNT.

Plus, there's a new talk show, new cartoons, award shows, and, of course, reality TV. Lots of reality TV. And Charlie Sheen.

Oh: And the world is assembling in London to throw together some sort of athletic competition.

Here's our handy, must-bookmark guide to everything worth seeing this summer:


JUNE 2012

"MTV Movie Awards"
June 3, 9 p.m., MTV
Russell Brand hosts from the show's new Staples Center home, while "Bridesmaids" and "The Hunger Games" duke it out for the popcorn statues with eight nominations each.

"Longmire"
June 3, 10 p.m., A&E
"The Matrix" star Robert Taylor is the titular Big Sky country sheriff Longmire, who's lost his enthusiasm for his job -- and his life -- after the death of his wife. A new female deputy (Katee Sackhoff) helps him decide to turn things around, and when another deputy decides to run against Longmire in the sheriff's election, the veteran lawmaker turns to his friend Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) for help.

"Real Housewives of New York City"
June 4, 9 p.m., Bravo
Jill Zarin, Kelly Bensimon, Cindy Barshop and Alex McCord are out, and for season five,  three new women are in, including Carole Radziwill, a Jackie O relative and the widow of a prince … the Countess is not going to be happy about that.

"Storage Wars"
June 5, 10 p.m., A&E
It's already been spun off, but the original is the best, and it's back for a third season.

"CMT Music Awards"
June 6, 8 p.m., CMT
Performers include Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Willie Nelson, Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry.

"Adam Richman's Best Sandwich in America"
June 6, 9 p.m., Travel Channel
He's going from Austin to Washington -- 27 cities in all -- to sample 30 sammies that will contend for his ultimate sandwich title honors.

"Royal Pains"
June 6, 9 p.m., USA
Bros and biz partners Hank and Evan decide to split up their HankMed venture in season four.

"Take Me Out"
June 7, 8 p.m., Fox
George Lopez hosts the new love-search series, in which 30 single women stand behind lighted podiums and meet single men. If they like what they see, their podiums remain lit. If not, it's lights out.

"The Choice"
June 7, 9 p.m., Fox
Cat Deeley hosts this "Voice"-like dating reality series, in which celebs like Pauly D, The Situation, Dean Cain and Rob Kardashian sit in rotating chairs and conduct blind auditions … for dates.

"Saving Hope"
June 7, 10 p.m., NBC
Michael Shanks and Erica Durance star in NBC's latest medical drama, she as a surgeon trying to save lives, he as her fiancé -- and the hospital chief of surgery -- who's stuck in a coma after an accident. But it's not quite that simple: he also has out-of-body experiences that allow him to wander around as a ghost-like figure, communicating with the dead and getting them to pass along messages to the living.

"Tony Awards"
June 10, 8 p.m., CBS
Neil Patrick Harris hosts for the third time, while "Once," the musical based on the movie of the same name, leads all nominees with 11, followed by "The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess" and "Nice Work If You Can Get It" with 10 each.

"True Blood"
June 10, 9 p.m., HBO
Christopher Meloni joins the cast as the Vampire Authority, who's displeased about the state of human/vampire affairs. Meanwhile, Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare), Vampire King of Mississippi, returns, and Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) team up to deal with him.

"Bunheads"
June 11, 9 p.m., ABC Family
A Vegas showgirl played by Tony winner Sutton Foster marries and moves to a small California town where her new hubby's cranky mom runs a dance studio. The best part? The new comedy is from "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, and the cranky mom is played by "GG" alum Kelly Bishop.

"Hurricane Hunters"
June 11, 9 p.m., Weather Channel
This is definitely an experience best enjoyed from the comfort and safety of your couch: the Biloxi-based Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron flies planes right into hurricanes to give us info to better understand the deadly force of nature and gather meteorological data from the eye of the storm.

"Teen Mom"
June 12, 10 p.m., MTV
The fourth, and final, season with the original Teen Mom cast finds Maci's relationship with Kyle on the verge of being kaput, Farrah continuing to fight with her controlling mother and, most sadly, Amber hanging on for dear life to what she admits is a very loose hold on her sanity amid all her legal woes.

"Dallas"
June 13, 9 p.m., TNT
Ol' J.R. Ewing, and his original portrayer, Larry Hagman, are back in this updated version of the primetime soap classic. J.R.'s bro, Bobby (Patrick Duffy) is back, too, and their rivalry has spread to the next generation as Bobby's kindhearted son Christopher (Jesse Metcalfe) is butting heads with his J.R.-like cousin, John Ross (Josh Henderson). Linda Gray, Steve Kanaly, Charlene Tilton and Ken Kercheval -- as J.R.'s ultimate enemy, Cliff Barnes -- also reprise their original series roles.

"Burn Notice"
June 14, 9 p.m., USA
Just when Michael (Jeffrey Donovan) and Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) finally seemed to have their relationship act together, she had to go and get herself thrown in the hoosegow. Michael, Sam (Bruce Campbell) and Jesse, of course, aren't going to let her stay there forever. Meanwhile, "Scrubs" alum John C. McGinley pops in as Michael's original CIA trainer.

"Suits"
June 14, 10 p.m., USA
Did Trevor spill Mike's big secret at the end of season one? That is but one of the reasons, along with the SAG Award-nominated performance of lead Patrick J. Adams, to tune in to this surprise hit from last summer as it opens its second season.

"Falling Skies"
June 17, 9 p.m., TNT
Resistance leader Tom (Noah Wyle) went onto the alien spaceship at the end of season one. So, when he emerges in season two, he's got some explainin' to do.

"Bristol Palin: Life's a Tripp"
June 19, 10 p.m., Lifetime
The reality series follows one of the most famous unwed teen moms as she moves from Alaska to Los Angeles with son Tripp and tries to navigate being a single mom and the attention that comes from being the offspring of mama Sarah, as well as her own sometimes controversial viewpoints.

"Futurama"
June 20, 10 p.m., Comedy Central
Back-to-back episodes open the resurrected show's seventh season, which will include guest appearances by George Takei, Wanda Sykes, Estelle Harris, Patrick Stewart and Dan Castellaneta.

"Inside Men"
June 20, 10 p.m., BBC America
Three security company employees are plotting to boost millions of dollars in this new thriller from BBC. The twist: The story unfolds from all three employees' perspectives. "Luther" alums Steven Mackintosh and Warren Brown co-star.

"Snooki & JWoww"
June 21, 10 p.m., MTV
What little charm may or may not be left among the "Jersey Shore" shenanigans, at least we'll -- presumably -- get to see Snooki go through life sober, with a baby in her belly as she and pal JWoww share an apartment in New Jersey.

"The Great Escape"
June 24, 10 p.m., TNT
Ron Howard's producing TNT's first reality competition in which contenders have to make their way through big-screen movie-level physical challenges. NFL Network star Rich Eisen plays host for the series.

"The Newsroom"
June 24, 10 p.m., HBO
Aaron Sorkin's new drama stars Jeff Daniels as a cable news anchor who has a crisis of conscience just as his co-anchor quits and he has to get used to a whole new crew of co-workers. Sam Waterson stars as the president of the network; Jane Fonda guests as the CEO of the company that owns the network.

"Wimbledon"
June 25-July 8, ESPN, ABC, ESPN2
Olympic tennis competitions will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis Club in about a month, but Wimbledon has first dibs on the courts.

"Craft Wars"
June 26, 10 p.m., TLC
Tori Spelling is indeed one crafty mama, and she's going to be going home with glitter everywhere after filming this reality competition series, in which DIY-ers are given supplies and challenged to get creative with them.

"Anger Management"
June 28, 9 p.m., FX
Here it is: Charlie Sheen's aptly titled comeback series -- a sitcom based on the Adam Sandler movie, with Sheen as a former baseball player (with anger issues of his own) who becomes a therapist. The best/craziest part: his dad, Martin Sheen, will play his dad, and one of his ex-wives, Denise Richards, will play his love interest.

"Wilfred"
June 28, 10 p.m., FX
Robin Williams guest stars as Ryan (Elijah Wood) gets a new job, a new love interest and new troubles thanks to his ornery pal Wilfred (Jason Gann) in season two.

"Louie"
June 28, 10:30 p.m., FX
There's no way Louis C.K.'s show is gonna get anything but even better in its third season.

"Brand X With Russell Brand"
June 28, 11 p.m., FX
A Russell Brand talk show? It's not going to be of the Letterman-interviewing-someone-from-a-desk variety. Think more Andy Kaufman, where Brand will be super-interactive with the audience and might actually load them onto a bus and take them on a comedy field trip.


JULY 2012

"Queen & Country"
July 1, 8 p.m., PBS
The four-part docuseries delves into all things Queen Elizabeth II, as the second longest-reigning monarch celebrates 60 years on the throne. Host Trevor McDonald takes viewers on tours of historic royal venues, and explains customs like the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

"Weeds"
July 1, 10 p.m., Showtime
Did Nancy get shot? And which one of her many, many enemies was aiming that gun at her? All will be revealed in the season eight premiere.

"Episodes"
July 1, 10:30 p.m., Showtime
Matt LeBlanc nabbed a Golden Globe for playing, well, Matt LeBlanc, or a very funny version of himself, in this underrated comedy. In season two, TV Matt has to continue working with producers/couple Sean and Beverly since his show was picked up, and that's going to be a little awkward after his season one fling. With Beverly.

"Web Therapy"
July 2, 11 p.m., Showtime
Meryl Streep, Conan O'Brien, Selma Blair and Rosie O'Donnell are among the guest stars seeking Fiona Wallice's (Lisa Kudrow) online counsel in the comedy's second season.

"The Closer"
July 9, 9 p.m., TNT
The Kyra Sedgwick drama kicks off its final six episodes of season seven, which wraps up on Aug. 13.

"Opening Act"
July 9, 10 p.m., E!
"American Idol" producer Nigel Lythgoe is behind this talent search show, in which amateur groups are given the chance to act as the opening act at concerts with Rod Stewart, Brad Paisley and Nicki Minaj.

"Perception"
July 9, 10 p.m., USA
"Will & Grace" alum Eric McCormack is Dr. Daniel Pierce, a neuroscience professor who is particularly skilled at helping the FBI solve complex cases. When his own schizophrenia doesn't get in the way, that is.

"MLB All-Star Game"
July 10, 8 p.m., Fox
American League vs. National League in Kansas City, which hasn't played host since 1973.

"Trust Us With Your Life"
July 10, 9 p.m., ABC
ABC's new improv series stars Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie and Jonathan Mangum re-enacting scenes from the lives of guest stars like Ricky Gervais, Mark Cuban and Jerry Springer.

"White Collar"
July 10, 9 p.m., USA
Neal gets a new love interest and a visit from a new federal agent -- played by Mekhi Phifer -- in season four.

"Beverly Hills Nannies"
July 11, 9 p.m., ABC Family
A reality series about -- well, read the title -- includes a former nanny for Charlie Sheen and Brooke Mueller. The stories, the shocking, shocking stories a legally binding privacy contract must prevent that woman from telling.

"Damages"
July 11, 9 p.m., DirecTV
The one-time FX drama unfolds its fifth and final season on DirecTV, with new cast member Ryan Phillippe.

"Big Brother"
July 12, 9 p.m., CBS
Her sometimes TMI-ish revelations on "The Talk" have us longing to see The Chenbot return for "Big Brother" season 14.

"Breaking Bad"
July 15, 10 p.m., AMC
The show's fifth and final season will be broken into two, eight-episode halves, and star Aaron Paul tweeted of the season's first installment, "Shit is about to get crazy … The teaser alone in episode 1 will have you screaming more than when someone got blown up last season."

"Political Animals"
July 15, 10 p.m., USA
Sigourney Weaver stars in the miniseries as Elaine Barrish, a former First Lady who is appointed Secretary of State after she loses the election to become the POTUS herself. Ciaran Hinds plays Bud, her ex-hubby and the ex-POTUS; Adrian Pasdar is Paul Garcetti, her new boss and the guy who beat her in the presidential election; Ellen Burstyn is her mom (and a former Vegas showgirl); James Wolk and Sebastian Stan are her sons; and Carla Gugino is the D.C. reporter and onetime Elaine enemy who becomes her unlikely ally during a crisis.

"2012 Olympic Games"
July 27, 8 p.m., NBC
The NBC Universal networks will air more than 5,000 hours of coverage from the 2012 London Olympics, i.e. there will be coverage of sports you've never even heard of.


AUGUST 2012

Shark Week!
Aug. 12, 9 p.m., Discovery
To paraphrase Tracy Jordan, we should all live every week like it's Shark Week. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Shark Week, and new episodes include "Air Jaws Apocalypse," in which shark expert Chris Fallows uses a specially-designed camera to follow 14-foot great white Colossus, "25 Biggest Baddest Bites" and "Sharkzilla," in which a crew recreates a megalodon, a 52-foot long, 100,000-pound shark with 250 teeth and make him bite through a car.

"Hell on Wheels"
Aug. 12, 9 p.m., AMC
The 10-episode second season will continue to focus on Anson Mount's Cullen Bohannon and his continuing efforts to leave his painful past behind and move on with the traveling railroad town.

"The Closer"
Aug. 13, 9 p.m., TNT
Brenda Leigh Johnson, a.k.a. Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, rides off into the sunset in the show's series finale.

"Major Crimes"
Aug. 13, 10 p.m., TNT
Mary McDonnell's Capt. Sharon Raydor takes over the Major Crimes unit, which won't go smoothly, despite her plan to build a department devoted to teamwork. Det. Provenza (G.W. Bailey), for one, isn't altogether on board with his new leader.

"The Burn"
Aug. 14, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central
"Roastmaster General" Jeff Ross hosts this new series in which he and his fellow comics sit around and riff on pop culture hot topics. Sort of like "The View," but with a bit more testosterone.

"Boss"
Aug. 17, 10 p.m., Starz
Sanaa Lathan and "Glee" alum Jonathan Groff join the season two cast as advisers to the dastardly Mayor Tom (Kelsey Grammer, who won a Golden Globe for the role), who tries to redeem himself for blackmailing his wife and sending his junkie daughter to jail. And then there's little matter of a possible murder …

"Copper"
Aug. 19, 9 p.m., BBC America
Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson ("Homicide") are the producers of BBC America's first original scripted series, about cops in New York City's Five Points 'hood right after the end of the Civil War. The gritty drama stars Tom Weston-Jones as Kevin Corcoran, a Civil War vet who comes home to a missing wife and a murdered daughter.

"Married to Jonas"
Aug. 19, 10 p.m.,
E!
Oldest Jonas bro Kevin and his wife, Danielle, play out their daily married life -- with as much interference/appearances by his famous siblings as ratings warrant.

"Lovetown, USA"
TBD, OWN
What happens when Oprah encourages a small Georgia town and all its citizenry to focus on nothing but love for 30 days? More than a few babies, we're guessing, but also the end of family feuds and a renewed sense of community after town-wide projects like community gardening and churches of different religions worshipping together.