Lydia: 'I'd marry Andy Scott-Lee in Big Brother house'

Lydia Louise has confessed that she would be willing to wed her celebrity boyfriend Andy Scott-Lee in the Big Brother house if he joined her in the compound.

The dancer claimed that she would marry Scott-Lee "tomorrow" if he proposed.

"I would marry him. I would marry him tomorrow," Lydia told her fellow housemates.

"Would he [want to marry me]? That's the question."

When asked if she would wed the singer inside the Big Brother compound, she said: "I'd be like, yeah, I want to marry him. I'd be like this is Vegas."

She jokingly added: "I'd only do it if they play 'Thong Song' as the first dance though."

Scott-Lee is the brother of Steps singer Lisa and he was a member of boyband 3SL, who had hits with 'Take It Easy' and 'Touch Me, Tease Me'. He also appeared in the reality shows Pop Idol, Totally Scott-Lee and was previously married to Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton.

Euro 2012: Offices buy TVs to stop exodus

A third of British workers will reportedly stay behind at work at least one night this week to watch or listen to Euro 2012 matches, with three quarters of workplaces getting TVs on site to prevent the mass exodus.

England will get their campaign at the tournament under way this evening (June 11) for the opening group match against France at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

But as the game kicks off at 5pm, many people face a dilemma over how they will catch the live coverage on ITV1 and Radio 5 Live.

According to a survey by Asda, three in ten workers will opt to remain at their workplace to watch the game rather than leaving early in the afternoon.

Four out of ten of those polled said that they would head to the pub to watch the match, and the remainder expected to head home, or miss the match entirely and catch up on highlights later on.

The supermarket chain has also seen a surge in sales of cheap TVs, which it believes is down to employers seeking to avoid the mass exodus by offering people options to watch the game. Its current bestselling electronic goods are said to be the 19-inch Luxor LCD TV/DVD combi for £98 and the 32-inch Luxor HDTV for £177.

Rush hour travellers without any interest in football are likely to have a much happier homebound commute due to the trend.

But later trains are expected to see a surge in passengers due to the "slomuters" after the match finishes.

"The rush hour chase for a seat is likely to be in the office," said Michael Arnott, Asda TV expert. "We've seen brisk trade in affordable TVs this week and anecdotally we're hearing that many of these TVs are headed for offices."

Arnott added: "It's a great opportunity to bond with workmates around the TV. With prices this low, you can pick up a TV for the office for not much more than a few rounds of drinks."

Other notable Euro 2012 games in the 5pm slot over the next few weeks include Greece versus the Czech Republic, Denmark versus Portugal, Italy versus Croatia and Ukraine versus France.

Tim Allen's 'Last Man Standing' Gets a New Showrunner

Tim Allen has a new man standing in the showrunner position for his sitcom "Last Man Standing."

Tim Doyle, executive producer for "Rules of Engagement," will replace Kevin Abbott as a showrunner on the ABC series for its second season.

Abbott will remain on as executive producer, but the move will free him up to focus on his new comedy "Malibu Country," which has been picked up by ABC. "Malibu Country," which stars Reba McEntire as a Nashville mother who moves to California after a divorce, is executive-produced and written by Abbott.

The show will be paired with "Last Man Standing" on Friday nights starting in November.

Big Brother Ashleigh Hughes admits to Luke S crush

Ashleigh Hughes has admitted that she has feelings for fellow Big Brother housemate Luke Scrase.

The pair look like becoming the first Big Brother romance of the series, but Ashleigh is unsure whether her feelings are reciprocated.

Ashleigh revealed in the Diary Room: "I want to tell you about Luke, I really like him. Sometimes I think he's awkward, he's very blunt, then on the other hand he's really kind and nice, it's a bit weird.

"I just like his muscles, I think that's why I like him, don't think it's his personality, we'll see what happens."

In a conversation with Chris James later, she added: "I like Luke a little bit, but I know other people like him… I think Lauren.

"I think he likes Lauren... so that's why I'm going to stay away, I don't want to get involved."

After hugging in the kitchen, Luke S told Ashleigh that he wanted to "smash [her] back doors in". An embarrassed Ashleigh told the nightclub promoter that he must be "sexually frustrated".

TV Tonight 12th of June 2012

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

    Alien Surf Girls S01E09: "The Cane Field"
    America's Got Talent S07E09: "Tampa Auditions (Part 2)"
    Amish: Out of Order S01E09: "Family Affairs"
    BBC Euro 2012 S01E09: "Day 5 - Highlights"
    Big Brother (UK) S14E09: "BB 13, Episode 9"
    Big Brother's Bit on the Side S05E08: "Series 5, Show 8"
    Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms S01E05: "Season 1, Episode 5"
    Blockbusters (2012) S01E22: "Series 1, Show 22"
    Canada Sings S02E05: "RBC vs.. Stampede Casino"
    Chasing Classic Cars S05E12: "Steve Moal"
    Chelsea Lately S06E97
    Chopped S12E03: "A Guts Reaction"
    Conan S02E102: "From Chicago: Andy Samberg"
    Dance Moms S03E02: "Night of the Living Dancers"
    Dangerous Flights S01E06: "Prop Jockeys"
    Days of our Lives S47E151: "Ep. #11861"
    Deadliest Catch S08E10: "Rise and Fall"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S07E261: "Episode 1941"
    Design Star S07E03
    Diagnosis Live From the Clinic S02E05: "Series 2, Episode 5"
    Dickinson's Real Deal S08E105: "Series 8, Episode 105"
    Doctors S14E47: "Matthew and Son"
    EastEnders S28E94: "June 12, 2012"
    Eat St. S03E04: "Fries & Dolls"
    Euro 2012 S01E15: "Greece v Czech Republic"
    Euro 2012 S01E16: "Poland v Russia"
    Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files S02E21
    Franklin & Bash S02E02: "Viper"
    Funny Roots S01E06: "Jeremy Elwood"
    General Hospital (US) S50E51: "#12579"
    Geordie Shore S03E01: "Series 3, Episode 1"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S22E202: "Season 22, Episode 202"
    Great Ormond Street S01E05: "Decisions for Life"
    Haiyore! Nyaruko-san S01E10: "TBA"
    Hardcore Pawn S05E25: "Kill Em All"
    Hell's Kitchen (US) S10E04: "15 Chefs Compete"
    Hit & Miss S01E04: "Episode 4"
    Holby City S14E35: "Unsafe Haven - Part 1"
    Hollyoaks S18E117: "June 12, 2012"
    Hollywood Treasure S02E04: "Auctions Are Like A Box Of Chocolates"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E102: "Episode 5537"
    House Hunters S48E116: "Three Bedrooms and a Basement in DC"
    House Hunters International S25E119: "A Caribbean Quandary"
    Jane By Design S01E12: "The Celebrity"
    Jeopardy! S28E192: "Show #6397"
    Jimmy and the Giant Supermarket S01E03: "Episode 3"
    Jimmy Kimmel Live S09E266: "Martin Short, Cee-Lo Green, Goodie Mob"
    Katie S02E02: "Series 2, Episode 2"
    Kendra on Top S01E03: "Guess Who's Coming to Calabassas"
    Kendra on Top S01E02: "Batteries Not Included"
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E285
    Late Show with David Letterman S19E86
    Level Up S01E15: "Leveling Up"
    Live with Regis and Kelly S29E205
    Love In The Wild S02E02: "Season 2, Episode 2"
    Luna, el misterio de Calenda S01E10: "El Culpable"
    Masterchef (US) S03E04: "Top 18 Compete"
    Masterchef Australia S04E33: "Immunity Challenge: Jamie Oliver"
    Match of The Day S47E63: "Euro 2012 - Day 5 - Highlights"
    Million Dollar Rooms S02E08
    Mysteries at the Museum S03E12
    Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden S01E11
    Neighbours S28E112: "Episode 6422"
    Packed To The Rafters S05E09: "A Kiss Is Just a Kiss"
    Pregnant in Heels S02E05: "Rosie's Relationship Retreat"
    Pretty Little Liars S03E02: "Blood Is The New Black"
    Queen's Blade: Rurou no Senshi S03E11: "Episode 11"
    Real Rescues S08E02: "Series 8, Episode 2"
    Repo Games S02E11: "Mike is the King Of the Neighborhood"
    Rizzoli & Isles S03E02: "Dirty Little Secret"
    Savage U S01E11: "Cornell"
    Silk S02E05: "Series 2, Episode 5"
    Springwatch S09E10: "Series 9, Episode 10"
    Storage Wars S03E03: "The Iceman Carveth"
    Storage Wars S03E04: "Here's Looking at You, Kenny"
    Teen Mom S05E01: "Letting Go"
    Teen Mom S05E02: "TBA"
    The Block S05E51: "Day 51"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E57: "Ep. #6341"
    The Catalina S01E03: "Don't Rain On My Parade"
    The Chase (2009) S05E91: "Series 5, Episode 91"
    The Colbert Report S08E74: "Will Allen"
    The Daily Show S17E112: "Colin Powell"
    The Devils Ride S01E06: "Fallen Devil"
    The Glee Project S02E02: "Dance-ability"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S07E185: "June 12, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E95
    The Project S04E139: "Season 4, Episode 139"
    The Real Housewives Of Orange County S07E18
    The Talk S02E182: "Season 2, Episode 182"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E100
    The View S15E180: "Kevin McKidd, John Walsh, Nik Wallenda"
    The Young and the Restless S40E56: "Ep. #9925"
    Tosh.0 S04E13: "TBA"
    United Stats of America S01E05: "Money Talks"
    VI Oranje S02E09: "Season 2, Episode 9"
    What Not To Wear (US) S09E18: "Kathy"
    Workaholics S03E03: "Fat Cuz"
    World's Worst Tenants S01E02: "Rub A Dub, Big Man In A Tub"
    World's Worst Tenants S01E01: "Home On The Gun Range"

Jonathan Ross: 'BBC Jubilee coverage was p*ss-poor'

Jonathan Ross is the latest celebrity to criticise the BBC for their coverage of the Diamond Jubilee.

Ross had a dig at the broadcaster's bank holiday weekend royal coverag, calling it "p*ss-poor" in an article for the Guardian.

Speaking about Nintendo's new Nintendo Wii U, Ross said: "It's the Wii on steroids - faster processor, better resolution and with delusions of grandeur that has encouraged it to grow a screen on the primary controller that not only serves as a backup, so that you can keep playing if someone else comes in and wants to watch another three days of p*ss-poor jubilee coverage from the BBC on the main screen, but also adds to the gameplay in some rather fun ways."

The TV host's comments follow criticism from Stephen Fry on Twitter during the Jubilee weekend, when he described the BBC's coverage as "mind-numbingly tedious".

Ross worked for BBC radio and TV between 1999 and 2010, hosting shows including Film and his Friday Night With... show.

The BBC has repeatedly defended their Jubilee coverage, insisting that they were very proud of the "quality and breadth of the BBC's coverage of this extraordinary event".

Why Broadcast Networks Killed the Miniseries

“Roots.” “Shogun.” “Rich Man, Poor Man.” “The Thorn Birds.” “North and South.” “Gulliver’s Travels.” Those classic broadcast network miniseries from the 1970s, '80s and '90s made for marquee television. They were multi-night programming events that drew people to their TVs in numbers unachievable today outside televised sporting events. They won awards for their networks.

And then the networks stopped making them. The last broadcast-network miniseries to receive an Emmy nomination was CBS’ “Elvis” in 2005 -- and in 2011, there were so few miniseries in the running on both broadcast and cable networks that the Television Academy surrendered to the inevitable and folded the Outstanding Miniseries category into a newly combined category, Outstanding Miniseries or Movie.

What happened? Are the networks so focused on promoting their regular lineups that they don’t want to divert promotional efforts and money to miniseries programming? Are our entertainment options so diverse that it’s tough to draw viewers to an event presentation on TV?

With the lure of big-screen movie series like “Harry Potter,” “Lord of the Rings” and “The Twilight Saga,” did it become a harder sell to get viewers excited about them on the small screen?

Try all of the above.

“From a business point of view, [the miniseries] is not a great business,” Warren Littlefield, former NBC Entertainment president, says. “The series business is a great business. That’s a business where you make a sample, a pilot, you announce it at the upfronts in May. Then you get paid over the summer for that sample. You take in a tremendous amount of money prior to having to spend it to make the product. Cash flow‑wise and as a business, it makes a lot of sense.

“In the movie-of-the-week and miniseries business, you develop the script, and then you pay for it. It doesn’t have that cash flow. It doesn’t have that sales opportunity. More and more, what networks realized is it’s really about the repeat visit in the habit of the series [viewing].”

Since the miniseries category was introduced to the Emmy competition in 1973, ABC, CBS and NBC have received 90 nominations and won 16 awards. But they haven’t won since ABC’s “Anne Frank” in 2001 -- and their total share of the nominations, which topped 60 percent between 1973 and 1999, has been less than 20 percent since 2000. NBC, the dominant network in the miniseries category with 10 wins in its 38-year history, hasn’t been nominated since 1999, when it won nods for “The ‘60s” and “The Temptations.”

Littlefield, who was involved with NBC miniseries like “Shogun,” “Marco Polo,” the Michael Mann-produced “Drug Wars,” “Gulliver’s Travels” and “The '60s” during his network tenure, says viewers also look to regular series now for their event-programming moments.

“The miniseries event was very much a sweeps-driven business,” says Littlefield, who just released the book ‘Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV,’ a wonderfully detailed oral history of his nearly 20-year career at NBC.

“We’re reminded each and every May on the broadcast side that events in regular series are what audiences are really attached to --the events that end the seasons, or the big, big milestones for characters. Those are as successful in many cases as any movie miniseries event that you can come up with, because audiences are invested in those shows, those characters.”

And regular network series aren’t the only entertainment properties vying for audiences’ attentions. Hundreds of channels of cable TV series, movie theaters, movies online, books, magazines, the internet, web series, videogames and the entertainment buffet that is the iPad have all made for a fractured market in which companies compete with each other (and even themselves) for audience attention and dollars.

Meanwhile, as the broadcast networks have all but abandoned miniseries programming -- and with good reason, as the latest, ABC’s two-night “Titanic” miniseries in April, sunk into the ratings bottom -- cable networks are more ready, willing and able to devote their resources to miniseries projects.

HBO, for example, can invest millions of dollars into Emmy-winning miniseries like “Band of Brothers,” “The Pacific” and “Mildred Pierce,” because its money comes from subscribers, not advertisers who have to be wooed with potential ratings numbers.

And basic cable networks, like AMC with its 2007 Emmy-winning miniseries “Broken Trail” and Syfy (then Sci-Fi) with the 2003 Emmy winner “Taken,” see the cost of event programming as an investment, to draw in viewers who will see promos for -- and potentially become regular viewers of -- their regular schedules.

In fact, if there is hope for a resurgence of the miniseries, it lies mostly with the cable networks, who continue to draw big names like Oscar winner Kevin Costner and Oscar nominee Sigourney Weaver for projects like History Channel’s popular “Hatfields & McCoys” and USA’s “Political Animals,” and PBS, which has been nominated for a miniseries Emmy every year since 2004 and was the inaugural winner of the newly-merged miniseries and movie Emmy last year for “Downton Abbey.” (The soapy “Abbey” has switched to the Outstanding Drama Series category for the 2012 Emmy race.)

Upcoming miniseries include ReelzChannel’s adaptation of Ken Follett’s “World Without End;” Lifetime’s “Columbine,” produced by Christine Vachon and Michael De Luca; a miniseries version of “The Exorcist” from “Martha Marcy May Marlene” director Sean Durkin; and History Channel’s “The Bible,” from producer Mark Burnett.

The miniseries might also serve as a sort of deluxe pilot for some networks that want to scope out viewer interest with just a handful of episodes. “Probably more with an international co‑financing structure, you may see more [miniseries],” Littlefield says. “I think you might find more of them as we look to our European counterparts, the way they change it up with, OK, here’s six hours, and it’s an exciting six hours.

Then we’ll see what the audience says, and maybe we’ll bring it back.

“The models are being thrown up in the air. Change, and a different way of doing things, is being embraced more and more. That’s good. That’s exciting.”

ABC Files Opposition to CBS Restraining Order Over 'Big Brother'-Like Reality Show

ABC has fired back at CBS in the fight over the "Big Brother"-like reality show "The Glass House," filing an opposition to CBS's request for a temporary restraining order Monday night.

Per federal judge Gary A. Feess' order last week, ABC had until 5 p.m. Monday to file its objection.

In the opposition, ABC claims that CBS' request is "wholly unprecedented," and stands as "the first [effort] to enjoin any television show based on theory of possible copyright infringement."

ABC also insists that CBS's copyright claim "will not succeed on the merits."

CBS filed suit against ABC in May, claiming that "The Glass House" bears far too many similarities to "Big Brother," and that numerous former "Big Brother" employees work on "The Glass House." The suit, which claims that "The Glass House" was developed with propriety information from "Big Brother," asks that the defendants be prevented from using confidential information and surrender all copyrighted material and trade secrets they may have. The suit is also seeking  $500,000 from each former "Big Brother" staffer for allegedly violating their confidentiality agreements.

In its opposition today, ABC scoffs at the notion that "Big Brother" is wholly unique in the realm of reality television.

"To begin, there is no 'secret sauce' in 'Big Brother'"s production process," ABC's opposition  reads. "The processes outlined in CBS's brief and attached Appendix describe commonly known equipment, jobs, and ways of doing things in reality television production."

ABC also rebuffs claims that it "poached" former "Big Brother" employees in order to steal secrets from the show. According to ABC's objection, "The Glass House" crew has so many similar members because "Glass House" showrunner Kenny Rosen had become accustomed to working as a team with certain people.

"A group of employees followed Mr. Rosen from "Big Brother" (where he last last worked in 2007) to "Hell's Kitchen" at Fox, an then to "The Glass House,'" ABC's filing reads. "It had nothing to do with "Big Brother"'s so-called secret processes. Instead, it had to do with personal relationships and experience."

Oddly enough, in making its case, ABC admits that "The Glass House" is not terribly unique itself.

"[N]one of the alleged similarities shared by 'Big Brother' and 'The Glass House' involve copyright protectable elements -- they are al generic staples of the reality show genre: people living in a house, competing with each other to avoid elimination, and winning a prize."

"The Glass House" premieres June 18 -- unless CBS succeeds in blocking it.

Ratings: Tony Awards Hit Low; ABC Wins Night

Despite a night that was heavy on repeats, the 66th Annual Tony Awards slipped to an all-time low Sunday night, while ABC took an overall ratings win and a "Family Guy" repeat was the night's top-rated program.

ABC took first place in ratings with an average 1.4 rating/4 share in the advertiser-friendly 18-49 demographic and third in total viewers with an average 4.9 million. Following an "America's Funniest Home Videos" repeat at 7 p.m., "Secret Millionaire" at 8 matched its ratings low, tying for last week's premiere with a 1.5/5 and receiving 5.3 million total viewers. "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition" the following hour also tied a ratings low, matching last week's premiere with a 1.5/4 and taking 4.6 million total viewers.

NBC took second place in ratings and total viewers with an average 1.3/4 and 5.3 million. The network ran "Dateline Sunday" at 7, which posted a 1.2/4 and took 5.5 million total viewers. Repeats of "America's Got Talent" followed.

Fox came in third in ratings and fourth in total viewers with an average 1.2/4 and 2.7 million. Despite airing repeats, the network scored the night's highest rated program with a "Family Gun" rerun at 9, which received a 1.6/4 and drew 3.5 million total viewers.

Univision took fourth place in ratings and fifth in total viewers with a 1.1/3 in the demo and 3 million.

CBS ran fifth in ratings but first in total viewers, averaging a 1.0/3 and 6.5 million. "60 Minutes" at 7 posted a 1.1/4 and was the night's most-watched program with 7.9 million total viewers. At 8, the Tony Awards dropped 17 percent in the ratings from last year, hitting a ratings low of 1.0/3, and had 6 million total viewers.

Joy Behar to Host Show on Current TV

Joy Behar will host a new primetime show for Current TV beginning in September.

The "View" co-host, whose HLN series "The Joy Behar Show" was canceled last year, will appear Monday through Thursday nights at 6 p.m. The new show, which also has “The Joy Behar Show” as its working title, will repat later in the evening.

Featuring a regular rotating group of journalists, analysts and political satirists, it will focus on political events, social issues and relevant topics that impact the American zeitgeist. The cast, official title and premiere date will be announced this summer.

Behar will guest anchor a week on the network beginning starting next Monday, while Eliot Spitzer, host of “Viewpoint,” is on vacation. “Joy Behar: One Week Only *Until the Fall” will air Monday through Friday.

“Joy Behar is a beloved veteran television personality with her finger on the pulse of what viewers care about,” said Current TV chairman and former Vice President Al Gore. “Millions of Americans tune in daily to hear her take on the issues along with her inimitable style. We are honored that Current TV will be Joy’s new primetime home.”

David Tennant: 'I haven't been typecast by Doctor Who'

David Tennant has insisted that he has not been typecast by his time on Doctor Who.

The Scottish actor played the lead role in the BBC sci-fi drama from 2005 to 2010.

"Doctor Who opened more doors than it closed," he told the Radio Times. "I was never bored, but I wanted to make sure I left before it became [just] a job."

Tennant - who will next be seen in BBC One drama True Love - added that he is still "very glad" to have starred as the Tenth Doctor.

"Mercifully, I haven't been typecast," he said.

The 41-year-old star recently advised new Doctor Who companion actress Jenna-Louise Coleman to "keep [her] nose clean" and "watch [her] back".

"You're suddenly rocketed into a world of attention," he told. "You just need to watch your back a little bit, but it's wonderful and it's such an exciting thing to be starting out on."

True Love begins on Sunday (June 17) at 10.25pm on BBC One.

Big Brother Benedict comforts Arron: 'Pull yourself together lad'

Benedict Garrett has attempted to cheer up fellow Big Brother housemate Arron Lowe today, offering comfort to the model, who claims that he is concerned about "being liked" in the house.

Benedict, a porn star, told Arron that his concerns about people ignoring him or disliking him were likely to be based on nothing.

Speaking about how low he felt in the house on Sunday, Arron said: "I felt transparent. I felt like I was invisible yesterday. I felt very low yesterday.

"I felt like every time I walked in a room people walked out. I felt ignored."

Benedict replied: "I wasn't conscious of that all.

"Every day, I feel I'm trying to say things and people ignore me. I think it's just because I'm old and boring. I don't think anyone is doing it intentionally."

Arron added: "I said from the minute I opened my eyes yesterday, this don't feel right."

Attempting to bolster Arron's confidence, Benedict joked: "Pull yourself together lad!"

Arron laughed: "I'm a big girl's blouse ain't I?"

Matt Barbet, Ranvir Singh join ITV1's 'Daybreak'

Matt Barbet and Ranvir Singh have signed up for ITV1's Daybreak.

The pair will present the first hour of the morning magazine show at 6am later this year, before main hosts Lorraine Kelly and Aled Jones take over.

Ranvir Singh is currently on maternity leave, and has presented and reported on BBC North West Tonight since 2005.

Barbet currently presents 5 News for Channel 5, but has previously worked for BBC London while also covering for Bill Turnbull on Daybreak's rival show BBC Breakfast on occasions.

Singh said of her appointment: "I'm very excited about joining Lorraine, Aled and Matt. We'll be buzzing with all the morning news and having a laugh along the way I hope. I can't wait to get started!"

Barbet added: "I'm hugely excited to be joining the team at ITV. During my career to date I've been privileged to cover some massive stories, from the Afghan war to the royal wedding, and I'm looking forward to bringing that experience to my new role on Daybreak."

Daybreak editor David Kermode said: "We are so excited Matt and Ranvir are joining the team. They have the perfect blend of personality, authority and live broadcasting experience to make great breakfast TV. We can't wait to welcome them to the ITV family, to join Lorraine and Aled and the rest of the team".

Kelly and Jones were signed up as the new main hosts of Daybreak last month.

'The X Factor' guest judge Anastacia: 'Gary Barlow is so hot'

X Factor guest judge Anastacia has admitted that she has a crush on Gary Barlow.

The 'I'm Outta Love' singer joined up with the Take That star, as well as Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh, during the talent show's Glasgow auditions.

Anastacia told the Scottish crowd: "I'm not sure I'll be able to concentrate on the talent because of Gary Barlow - he's so hot!"

The 43-year-old also flirted with a contestant who took to the stage wearing a kilt.

"So, what you got on under there?" the American popstar asked, to which the auditionee replied: "Why don't you come up here and find out?"

After peeking under the man's kilt, she returned to her seat, proclaiming: "He had nothing on under there! I love Scotland!"

Anastacia is the sixth guest judge of this X Factor series, following Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Nicole Scherzinger, Leona Lewis and Rita Ora.

The auditions round concludes with dates in Cardiff and Newcastle later this month.

Networks to Offer Online Ratings to Help Parents

ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, Telemundo, Telefutura and Univision will begin offering online ratings for shows viewed online to help parents better monitor what their children watch.

Each network will determine its own ratings system, and they will take effect Dec. 1. The networks and the Federal Communication Commission announced the news Monday.

A recent survey by the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board found that roughly 70 percent of parents use TV ratings to determine what their kids can watch, and that about 61 percent of children now watch shows on devices other than a TV screen.

“I applaud the networks’ commitment to empower parents," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowsk. "With our rapidly changing media marketplace, it is vital parents have tools to help them make informed choices.”

The ratings will appear at the start of full-length video programs and in online programming descriptions. Networks' websites will also include or link to ratings system information.

Can Positive Reality Shows Succeed? USA Is About to Find Out

Can USA score hits with inspirational reality shows?

After becoming the top-rated cable network with a slate of optimistic, aspirational dramas, USA is branching out into reality – as well as comedy and late-night.

But it will soon find out if its sunny approach to drama can also work for reality, a genre where trumped-up conflict can lead to quick ratings success.

USA's "The Moment," expected to air this fall, finds Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner helping people achieve dreams like becoming a race car driver or deep sea diver after abandoning them to work 9-to-5 jobs. Warner can relate: He stocked shelves at a supermarket as he tried to break into the NFL. USA is also considering a series order for "The Choir," about uniting communities around music.

Sundance and Oprah Winfrey's OWN are in the midst of big pushes for positive-minded reality shows. But USA's viewership may make "The Moment" the ultimate test of whether uplifting reality programs can thrive on cable as well as feuding housewives do. OWN has struggled for ratings since premiering last year, despite recent improvements. Sundance doesn't release ratings.

Other cable networks, meanwhile – from USA's fellow NBCUniversal property, Bravo, to Viacom's VH1, have found that nothing makes ratings pop like a gang of quasi-celebrity women popping champagne. And then bickering.

Bravo's "Real Housewives" franchise is a cacophony of petty catfights, and VH1's primetime ratings soared 33 percent in the first three months of the year, thanks in part to the conflict-packed "Basketball Wives" and "Mob Wives."

The "wives"-oriented shows tend to be the most fight-filled because they have no built-in competition, like "Survivor," "American Idol" or "The Amazing Race," all occasionally inspiring reality shows that juice their drama by stressing competitors' personal stories.

With no immunity idols or sing-offs to win, Bravo and VH1's wives turn on one another. Calamity and ratings ensue.

But what about shows like those on OWN, Sundance and -- soon -- USA, where no built-in competition exists, and the stars don't fixate on spats? Storytelling relies on drama, and such shows need to work harder to find it. A man's struggle to overcome his self-doubt on "The Moment" may be more intense than a race through a maze on survivor. But the maze is more visual.

USA hopes to deal with that challenge by offering reality personalities who are as unflappable as the characters on USA dramas. The network's fictional characters tend to be good, sexy and likeable, and to live in seaside locales. But the real-life characters will have to overcome real problems, said Heather Olander, USA's senior vice president of alternative programming.

"We wanted to make sure we're not giving you a prize for the sake of giving you a prize.

That's not entertaining," she said. "It’s more of a 'Rocky' or 'Karate Kid' story than, 'Here is it is on a platter.'"

The network is going into reality for the first time since its 2005 rebranding under the slogan "Characters Wanted." USA's other reality pilots include "Bride or Best Man" in which a groom and best man try to plan a wedding, and the competition "Romancing the Globe," in which contestants look for love all over the world.

Although USA hasn't decided whether to order "The Choir," which is based on a British series, it showed scenes of it at its upfront presentation to advertisers last month.

One that received a particularly warm response featured a nattily dressed, mild-mannered choirmaster, Gareth Malone, walking into a rough-and-tumble bar to ask if anyone would like to join a choir he's starting.

It felt like a Sasha Baron Cohen stunt from "Borat" or "Bruno" -- watch the strange man put himself in grave danger -- but it went in an unexpected direction. A few patrons signed up to sing.

All reality shows aspire to such moments. The challenge is finding them. Among the critiques of OWN -- including from your humble correspondent – is that it may be killing itself with kindness by emphasizing rosy outlooks over conflict.

In interviews, OWN and Sundance executives told TheWrap they saw no reason to go negative, saying it wouldn’t match their brands.

OWN Co-President Erik Logan said "bringing light," to borrow Winfrey's phrase, was an inherent part of the network.

"We think that we can have a very successful network that returns great value to our partners and nourishes and brings light to all of the viewers and our advertisers and our affiliates," he said. "The right way is going to be staying on brand and on mission."

That doesn't mean shying away from controversy, he said, noting that an upcoming episode of "Our America With Lisa Ling" will profile couples who swap partners.

"It's like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe there's going to be swingers on the Oprah Winfrey Network,'" he said. "But when they sit down you get a better understanding of how they see the world. And that is bringing light."

OWN's other upcoming shows include "Lovetown, USA," about matchmaking in a small town. Over the weekend it premiered "Lives on Fire," about female firefighters, and "Real Life: The Musical" a reality series in which people say difficult things – from "I love you," to "Marry me" – through song.

OWN has been projected to lose $142.9 million this year, but says it positive approach is steadily working. It notes that its ratings have been up for 20 consecutive weeks in target demo, women 25-54. For the year to date, it is also up in double digits in primetime and total day viewers in the demo.

Sundance, meanwhile, sees its reality shows as an alternative to more mainstream ones – just as the channel, which launched in 1996 with an emphasis on independent film, provides an alternative to mainstream hits.

That's not entertaining," she said. "It’s more of a 'Rocky' or 'Karate Kid' story than, 'Here is it is on a platter.'"

The network is going into reality for the first time since its 2005 rebranding under the slogan "Characters Wanted." USA's other reality pilots include "Bride or Best Man" in which a groom and best man try to plan a wedding, and the competition "Romancing the Globe," in which contestants look for love all over the world.

Although USA hasn't decided whether to order "The Choir," which is based on a British series, it showed scenes of it at its upfront presentation to advertisers last month.

One that received a particularly warm response featured a nattily dressed, mild-mannered choirmaster, Gareth Malone, walking into a rough-and-tumble bar to ask if anyone would like to join a choir he's starting.

It felt like a Sasha Baron Cohen stunt from "Borat" or "Bruno" -- watch the strange man put himself in grave danger -- but it went in an unexpected direction. A few patrons signed up to sing.

All reality shows aspire to such moments. The challenge is finding them. Among the critiques of OWN -- including from your humble correspondent – is that it may be killing itself with kindness by emphasizing rosy outlooks over conflict.

In interviews, OWN and Sundance executives told TheWrap they saw no reason to go negative, saying it wouldn’t match their brands.

OWN Co-President Erik Logan said "bringing light," to borrow Winfrey's phrase, was an inherent part of the network.

"We think that we can have a very successful network that returns great value to our partners and nourishes and brings light to all of the viewers and our advertisers and our affiliates," he said. "The right way is going to be staying on brand and on mission."

That doesn't mean shying away from controversy, he said, noting that an upcoming episode of "Our America With Lisa Ling" will profile couples who swap partners.

"It's like, 'Oh my God, I can't believe there's going to be swingers on the Oprah Winfrey Network,'" he said. "But when they sit down you get a better understanding of how they see the world. And that is bringing light."

OWN's other upcoming shows include "Lovetown, USA," about matchmaking in a small town. Over the weekend it premiered "Lives on Fire," about female firefighters, and "Real Life: The Musical" a reality series in which people say difficult things – from "I love you," to "Marry me" – through song.

OWN has been projected to lose $142.9 million this year, but says it positive approach is steadily working. It notes that its ratings have been up for 20 consecutive weeks in target demo, women 25-54. For the year to date, it is also up in double digits in primetime and total day viewers in the demo.

Sundance, meanwhile, sees its reality shows as an alternative to more mainstream ones – just as the channel, which launched in 1996 with an emphasis on independent film, provides an alternative to mainstream hits.

Mark Cuban: Dish 'Smart' for Auto Hop, Networks Should Settle

Mark Cuban offered television networks some advice in their dispute with Dish over its divisive new “Auto Hop” feature: make a deal.

Cuban said that Dish made a smart decision by introducing the commercial skipping feature because it is just trying to create a better experience for its users.

“People forget that satellite, Direct TV, Dish TV, at some point they are all going to be digital. What Dish is doing with Hopper is smart because you have to start pushing the envelope,” Cuban told the audience at the fourth annual Produced by Conference. “Wherever we are, people use the best technology available.”

Fox, NBC and CBS have all sued Dish over the device, accusing it of copyright infringement. CBS President Les Moonves has dubbed it “illegal.”

Cuban, though saying he didn't want to speak for Moonves, proposed an alternative.

“If I’m CBS and I make money off of advertising, I am upset but there is nothing to say there can’t be a compromise,” Cuban said.

He suggested that Dish reduce the risk to networks by paying a premium to air shows without commercials. That way, they can recoup of the advertising dollars networks dread Auto Hop will lose them.

“Take advantage of digital opportunities,” Cuban advised.

Though Cuban is a long-time advocate of digital video and “Auto Hop”-like technological advances, he spent a good chunk of his conversation with the Los Angeles Times' Dawn Chmielewski defending television.

Appearing on the same stage online video heavyweights like Hulu’s Andy Forssell and YouTube’s Robert Kyncl inhabited less than an hour before, Cuban argued many companies try to deceive advertisers and consumers with metrics like “number of views.”

Comparing views online to TV ratings is comparing apples and oranges, especially if you consider how long people are watching.

As an example, he brought up “Shark Tank,” an ABC show he stars on. A Friday rerun drew 4.297 million viewers, a rating that reflects the average numbers of viewers for the duration of the show. If you consider the total number of households and multiple people in a household, Cuban argued the total number of viewers in one hour could have been as many as 7 million.

By comparison, the most popular YouTube video on a given day might draw 700,000 views – and again, that’s over the course of a whole day.

“It comes back to viewership and the numbers,” Cuban said. “The numbers just don’t support comparisons to TV.”

That contradicts what the likes of Kyncl and Forssell said earlier, as they talked about online video as the "third wave" of TV after broadcast and cable.

Cuban reminded the audience that he was heavily involved in streaming video more than a decade ago, a fact lost on those describing web series as a new phenomenon.

Perhaps the best way to summarize his entertaining discussion of TV, in which he joked about watching with his hand in his pants as well as the grating "Gummy Bear Song" , it is this:

“Television is an undervalued medium."