'Boardwalk Empire' Renewed for Season 4

At the rate "Boardwalk Empire" is going, it may not have any living characters by the end of this season. But HBO is renewing it anyway.

The show, now in its third season, will be back for a fourth, HBO president of programming Michael Lombardo announced Tuesday. The Prohibition-era drama stars Steve Buscemi as Atlantic City power broker Enoch "Nucky" Thompson, who bounces between the underworld and sober society despite his insistence that "you can't be half a gangster." Its executive producers include Martin Scorsese and showrunner Terry Winter.

"Terry Winter, Martin Scorsese and the rest of their outstanding team continue to produce a stunning show that never fails to surprise and entertain," said Lombardo. "We are excited to bring this unique series back for a fourth season."

The second season of the show averaged 8.6 million viewers an episode. The premiere of the current season had 7.2 million and will gain more in additional airings and on-demand.

The show recently one four Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series (Tim Van Patten), Outstanding Art Direction for a Single-Camera Series (in a tie with “Game of Thrones”), Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, and Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role.

MTV Movie Awards Move Up to April

Blockbusters arrive earlier every year, and now the MTV Movie Awards will, too.

MTV announced Tuesday that its annual movie awards will be broadcast live on Sunday, April 14, nearly two months earlier than usual. The awards have traditionally aired on the first Sunday after Memorial Day.

The show is less known for its irreverent awards than for its comedy sketches and publicity stunts promoting the big summer releases. (Think Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno character landing in Eminem's crotch, the highlight of the 2009 awards.) The earlier date will give the hype machine more lead time.

It will also create more space between MTV's two award ceremonies: The VMAs traditionally air in Septemer, at the end of summer.

'Top Gear' Jeremy Clarkson criticised after comparing car to Elephant Man

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has got into hot water again after the BBC Trust ruled that his comments comparing a car to the Elephant Man played on the "stereotypically negative reaction" to facial disfigurement.

A viewer contacted the BBC to complain about a controversial segment of the BBC Two motoring show in which Clarkson discussed the new Prius campervan.

Describing the look of the vehicle, Clarkson simulated "really ugly" facial growths with his hands and then slurred his speech to mimic the title character (based on the real-life Joseph Merrick) from the movie The Elephant Man.

His Top Gear co-presenter Richard Hammond called it the "elephant car", and then Clarkson concluded: "You've got a double bed in the back and then another one in that growth. That is not a car that you could talk to at a party unless you were looking at something else, is it?"

The producers of the motoring programme responded to the complaint by saying that the "absurdity of the context" would have shown that Clarkson and Hammond did not mean to offend.

It was noted that Clarkson himself was the butt of the joke for much of the sequence, but the BBC also said that it was "genuinely sorry if the item had caused any upset".

However, the complaint was not satisfied with that response, as he wanted a public apology from Clarkson, and so escalated the matter to the BBC Trust.

In a ruling issued yesterday, the Trust upheld the complaint after disagreeing with the BBC's assertion that the comments were not justified by the editorial context.

The Trust's Editorial Complaints body particularly noted that the line, "That is not a car that you could talk to at a party unless you were looking at something else, is it?" played on a "stereotypically negative reaction" to facial disfigurement.

"The Committee agreed that this comment was not specifically referring to the character Joseph Merrick," said the Trust.

"Taken together with the references at the beginning of the exchange, when Jeremy Clarkson referred to facial growths as 'really ugly things' and said 'I'm talking about a growth', the Committee considered that this remark had a broader meaning than solely referring to the film character."

The Trust took into account the audience expectation of Top Gear's "banter and irreverent style of humour", and said that it was not putting disability off limits for humour.

However, it found that the remarks were "purposeless stereotypes" and therefore could cause offence.

"This is an area where producers should bear in mind that research has shown that public sensitivities are high and therefore care has to be taken. Judgements in this area are very fine," the Trust said.

"The Committee acknowledged that in this case the wording had been pre-scripted and the editorial team had exercised forethought. However, the decision had been on the wrong side of the line."

BBC to investigate "disturbing" Jimmy Savile allegations with police

The BBC has released a statement regarding recent allegations surrounding the late Sir Jimmy Savile.

A new ITV documentary focuses on claims made by several women dating back to the 1970s, along with allegations that he abused young girls at BBC TV Centre.

The corporation has stated that it will launch an investigation into the claims that he abused girls inside its buildings, and will help the police with any inquiries they may have.

"A number of serious and disturbing allegations have been made over the past few days about the sexual abuse of teenage girls by Sir Jimmy Savile," the statement read.

"Some of these allegations relate to activity on BBC premises in the 1960s and '70s. We are horrified by allegations that anything of this sort could have happened at the BBC - or have been carried out by anyone working for the BBC.

"They are allegations of a serious criminal nature which the police have the proper powers to investigate."

The statement concluded: "So we have today asked the BBC Investigations Unit to make direct contact with all the police forces in receipt of allegations and offer to help them investigate these matters and provide full support to any lines of inquiry they wish to pursue."

The BBC previously dismissed claims that there had been any form of cover-up regarding Savile, saying that it has "conducted extensive searches of its files to establish whether there is any record of misconduct or allegations of misconduct by Sir Jimmy Savile during his time at the BBC", adding that "no such evidence has been found".

It was recently revealed that Savile was questioned by police in 2007 over an alleged indecent assault.

'Dancing with the Stars' Shawn Johnson: 'I'm not losing weight yet'

Shawn Johnson has revealed that she is not yet losing weight like many of her fellow Dancing with the Stars contestants.

The Olympic gymnast, who is partnered with professional Derek Hough on the ABC competition, confessed that she is used to much harder workout sessions as a professional athlete, and therefore her body is not changing as quickly as she might like.

Dancing With The Stars S15E01: Derek Hough and Shawn Johnson

"[Other contestants] are like, 'I've lost 10 pounds', and I'm like, 'Cool, good for you'. I think over time, my body will change. It's just different," Johnson explained to People.

"Especially coming from Olympic training, I'm used to seven hours a day of the hardest workouts, so it takes more. It's not like the others who are like, 'Oh, I lost 13 pounds in two days'."

The 20-year-old added that she is also strict with her diet, saying: "I do the same thing I've always done through training. If I go and see an entire buffet, I'll go straight for the protein, and that's about it. I feel like everything else is a waste when you're just in a hurry. Chicken and vegetables, that's about it."

Former Bachelorette contestant Melissa Rycroft has named Johnson as a fellow competitor she would like to beat.

Merlin: Arthur's Bane (Part 1) spoiler-free review

Merlin's fifth series begins this Saturday on BBC One. Here's our spoiler-free look at the first episode, Arthur's Bane...

Like last year’s The Darkest Hour, series five of Merlin opens with a dramatic, exciting and promising two-parter penned by show co-creator Julian Jones. Arthur’s Bane - a title with more than one application - continues the darker, more adult tone established at the top and tail ends of the previous series, and reintroduces a familiar, if not immediately recognisable foe.

Those who’ve followed Merlin from the beginning will know that the show has improved greatly with age. The improvement isn’t just noticeable in its young cast, but also in Merlin’s ability to build a convincing magical world of wizards and dragons without the help of a big-screen budget. It’s here that Arthur’s Bane really prospers, as its locations, action sequences, and CGI backdrops are more impressive than ever.

It’s no spoiler to reveal that this opening episode is set some three years after the events of The Sword In The Stone, a gap of time necessary to properly fulfil a key series five plotline, and one that will become clear to fans by the end of part one.

The action is divided between Camelot, which is still feeling the ripples of Uther’s sorcery ban, and a stark, wintry landscape. The change of location allows season four director Justin Molotnikov plenty of opportunity to show off snowy vistas reminiscent of Game Of Thrones’ impressive beyond-the-wall locations. The contrast between the blue-white stone walls of an isolated fortress and the red-yellow infernal activity it conceals is gorgeously done, recalling not Westeros this time, but Isengard (well, as much Isengard as you can conjure up in the vicinity of Cardiff on a modest BBC budget).

Without giving away anything in terms of plot, the episode deals in betrayal, heroism, prophesy and revenge. Both King Arthur and Queen Gwen face difficult decisions, and each is tested as a leader and commander, though it’s unarguably Merlin who carries the heaviest burden.

Acting-wise, Colin Morgan, Bradley James and Angel Coulby all acquit themselves well, the latter showing the most character development in the three years she’s gone from serving girl to Queen and finally – finally – getting a regal frock to rival Katie McGrath’s fantastic gowns. The episodes’ chief guest-star also lends weight to proceedings, filling the patriarchal gap left by Uther and Agravaine’s departure in the previous series.

It wouldn’t be sporting to reveal whether or not Merlin makes the long-awaited step out of the magical closet in Arthur’s Bane (as the producers keep saying, you’ll just have to wait and see), but the first half of the two-parter gives him scant opportunity to show off the powers - now three years matured, remember - that he displayed in the series four finale. Those keeping their fingers crossed for more than a few parlour tricks from the mythical sorcerer will have to remain patient a little while longer.

Even if the magic isn’t all-guns-blazing at this early stage, the action certainly is. One battle scene in particular is wonderfully choreographed and shot, and every second of slo-mo sword wielding is great to watch. Merlin’s still a teatime show, so don’t expect bloody decapitations or gruesome bone-cracking sound effects, but in comparison with the much less confidently rendered fight scenes of earlier seasons, it’s clear that Merlin now has a clear handle on its 12A action.

As well as action, you also can expect some typical Merlin silliness, though it’s kept to a minimum and largely relegated to brotherly bickering between the two male leads. Weaving the comic moments in with the peril adds light to the shade, ensuring both that the show avoids high camp and that the clowning doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Overall then, Arthur's Bane (Part One) is a confident, exciting return that proves Merlin to be not just a plug for the Doctor Who gap, but great standalone family entertainment. Roll on Saturday.

Part one of Arthur's Bane will air on BBC One on Saturday the 6th of October at 7.45pm.

Joss Whedon’s S.H.I.E.L.D. character details revealed

Descriptions of five key characters planned for Joss Whedon’s S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot have arrived online…

ABC’s forthcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. pilot, currently being created by one Mr Joss Whedon, has whipped fandom up into what’s known in medical circles as a right old state. In short: we're excited

Since the news arrived that a pilot episode was on its way, little has been known about the in-development show; until now that is. Below, courtesy of TV Line, are the casting descriptions for five S.H.I.E.L.D. characters:

SKYE | This late-20s woman sounds like a dream: fun, smart, caring and confident – with an ability to get the upper hand by using her wit and charm.

AGENT GRANT WARD | Quite the physical specimen and “cool under fire,” he sometimes botches interpersonal relations. He’s a quiet one with a bit of a temper, but he’s the kind of guy that grows on you.

AGENT ALTHEA RICE | Also known as “The Calvary,” this hard-core soldier has crazy  skills when it comes to weapons and being a pilot. But her experiences have left her very quiet and a little damaged.

AGENT LEO FITZ and AGENT JEMMA SIMMONS | These two came through training together and still choose to spend most of their time in each other’s company. Their sibling-like relationship is reinforced by their shared nerd tendencies – she deals with biology and chemistry, he’s a whiz at the technical side of weaponry.

So now that’s out there, who'd like to join us in playing a round or two of the casting speculation game?

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Make a Triumphant Return to TV

Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo and Donatello - aka the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - made a triumphant return to television in their new Nickelodeon series premiere this weekend (Saturday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m., ET/PT), ranking as the week's top telecast with kids 2-11 (6.2/2.1 million) and boys 6-11 (8.2/837,000) across broadcast and cable TV, and the number-one kids program on basic cable with total viewers (drawing 3.9 million) for the week. Additionally, the new CG-animated version of the series hit a ratings high for Nickelodeon with boys 2-11 (7.5/1.3 million), and was the network's top-rated premiere for an animated series since 2009. During its premiere weekend the series reached nearly 12 million total viewers.

Following its launch success, Nickelodeon has ordered 26 additional episodes of the series, which will begin airing next year. Additionally, the reintroduction of this storied franchise has already ignited excitement in the licensing community, with the new line of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles consumer products from Playmates Toys being named 'Hot Toys for the Holidays' on the prestigious Toys R' Us and Time to Play lists.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is set in present day New York City, from the glittering towers of Manhattan to the dark depths of the sewers, and follows the adventures of four humanoid turtles and a six-foot-tall rat, Master Splinter. One day, while living a life in seclusion with his four pet turtles, the once human, Splinter, encountered a mysterious green ooze that covered him and his pets. Overcome by the mutagen, he was transformed into a rat and his four pets became humanoid turtles. Fearing persecution from humans, he brought the Turtles underground and raised them, training them to become ninjas. Years have passed since that point and the four turtles, Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo, are now headstrong teenagers, filled with the confidence of youth and a burning desire to see the world.

Being Human series 5 starts filming

Filming on the fifth series of Being Human has begun in Wales, and here's the photo evidence to prove it...

Not due on our screens until early 2013, filming on Being Human's six new episodes is now underway in Barry, Wales.

The BBC's official series blog cheered the return of Damien Maloney (vampire Hal) and Michael Socha (werewolf Tom) to Honolulu Heights, as well as welcoming new series regular Kate Bracken (ghost Alex), as "...a bona-fide member of the gang".

The blog post went on to promise all this and more from the next series of Toby Whithouse's supernatural show:

"We’ve got bits that will make you laugh! We’ve got bits that will make you cry! We’ve got bits that will make you jump! We’ve got bits that will make you drool! We’ve got puns! We’ve got thrilling guest stars! We’ve got exciting new talent! We’ve got a new place of work! We’ve got really scary threats! We’ve got flashbacks! We’ve got exclamation marks!!! We’ve got it all!"

'Fringe' star Joshua Jackson on show end: 'There's a sense of dread'

Fringe star Joshua Jackson has hinted at the show's final episodes.

The actor told Entertainment Weekly that a "sense of dread" will run throughout the Fox sci-fi drama's twelve remaining episodes.

"We have a scene - with a character who I will not name, doing a thing I can't tell you about - where [a dangerous] scenario plays out," he teased. "One break from the routine leads to disaster. I mean, really f**king major disaster. And if that sense of dread permeates the show this year, I think that's really good."

The fifth and final season of Fringe has relocated the show's characters to the future world of 2036, but Jackson - who plays Peter Bishop - promised that the series will continue to explore plot points from older episodes.

"The thing that we reveal in the episode that we're shooting right now is... if you're geeked out on the mythology of the show, it is going to be one of those knock-your-socks-off moments," he promised.

'Homeland' boss: 'Brody could die in season two'

Homeland exec Howard Gordon has confirmed that Brody (Damian Lewis) could die in the show's second season.

The former 24 producer told Entertainment Weekly that "characters who [viewers are] invested in could go".

"What I learned from 24 is to exit a character when their story has been told," Gordon said. "Everybody was fair game and that gave it a sense of stakes."

The showrunner added that season two "could" end with Brody's demise, with the show undergoing a "paradigm shift" for a potential third run.

"We're thinking in parallel to the end of season two and the beginning of season three and really trying to understand how much fruit there's left on the vine," he explained.

"And if the show does have to have a paradigm shift - which all shows do, at some point - we want to do it as gracefully as possible."

Fellow Homeland exec Alex Gansa recently revealed that marine-turned-terrorist Brody was originally slated to die in the season one finale, with "Damian's performance and... the chemistry between Damian and Claire [Danes]" ultimately guaranteeing the character's survival.

Homeland returned to Showtime in the US last night (September 30), with season two scheduled to premiere in the UK on October 7 at 9pm on Channel 4.

TV Tonight 3rd of October 2012

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

    112 - på liv och död S06E19: "Del 19 av 36"
    20.00 med Raske Menn S01E06: "Season 1, Episode 6"
    Abandoned S01E13: "Scranton Lace Company"
    Add a Friend S01E04: "Die Kassette"
    American Hoggers S02E13: "Pistol Whipped"
    American Hoggers S02E12: "The End is Near"
    American Restoration S02E31: "Soda Jerks"
    Animal Practice S01E03: "Clean-Smelling Pirate"
    Antiques Road Trip S05E03: "Series 5, Episode 3"
    Antiques to the Rescue S01E03: "Marston Hall"
    Be Your Own Boss S01E04: "Episode 4"
    Big Brother (AU) S09E45: "Daily Show 30"
    Bitchin’ Kitchen S03E02: "Hitched & Ditched"
    Cajun Pawn Stars S02E21: "Batter Up"
    Come Dine With Me S20E19: "Series 20, Episode 18"
    Conan S02E150: "Jennifer Garner, Terry Crews, Tegan & Sara"
    Cooks to Market S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Coronation Street S53E196: "Wed Oct 3, 2012"
    Couples Therapy S02E01: "Couples Therapy Begins"
    Daybreak S03E23: "October 3, 2012"
    Days of our Lives S47E221: "Ep. #11931"
    Deal Or No Deal (UK) S08E45: "Episode 2038"
    Doctors S14E102: "Simple"
    Dragons' Den (CA) S07E03: "Season 7, Episode 3"
    Dragons: Riders of Berk S01E07: "How To Pick Your Dragon"
    Emergency Bikers S04E12: "Series 4, Episode 12"
    Emmerdale S41E233: "October 3, 2012"
    Exposure (UK) S02E02: "Sir Jimmy Savile"
    Food Paradise S03E01: "Bacon Paradise 2: Another Slab"
    General Hospital (US) S50E130: "#12658"
    Ghost Hunters S08E17: "Ghostly Refuge"
    Goede Tijden, Slechte Tijden S23E23: "Season 23, Episode 23"
    Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Cookery Course S01E18: "Simple Suppers"
    Gran Hotel S02E01: "TBA"
    Gruen Planet S02E07: "TBA"
    Guys With Kids S01E03: "Marny Wants A Girl"
    Halv åtta hos mig S09E27: "Dalsland - Jeff"
    Helicopter Heroes S06E03: "Series 6, Episode 3"
    Highway Patrol (AU) S04E01: "Stolen Getaway Car"
    Hollyoaks S18E198: "October 3, 2012"
    Hollywood Heights S01E78: "Fresno"
    Home and Away (AU) S25E183: "Episode 5618"
    Hotel cæsar S29E59: "Season 29, Episode 59"
    Hotel GB S01E03: "Episode 3"
    House Hunters S50E73
    House Hunters International S34E69
    How We Won the War S01E08: "Episode 8"
    I Kveld Med Ylvis S02E07: "Season 2, Episode 7"
    I Married a Mobster S02E11: "The Outsiders"
    Inside the NFL S36E04: "Week 4"
    Isler Güçler S01E15: "Season 1, Episode 15"
    Jimmy Kimmel Live S09E313: "Amy Poehler, Alan Arkin, Garbage"
    Key & Peele S02E02: "Season 2, Episode 2"
    La Voz S01E03: "Gala 3"
    Last Call with Carson Daly S10E69: "Adam Carolla, MURS, fun."
    Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S02E344
    Late Show with David Letterman S20E15: "Tina Fey, Rick Santorum, LP"
    LEGO NinjaGo: Masters of Spinjitzu S02E20: "Stone Army"
    Life After Top Chef S01E01: "Cook Your Aspen Off (Pilot)"
    Live with Kelly S30E18: "Stephen Colbert, Leighton Meester"
    Mount Pleasant S02E07: "Series 2, Episode 7"
    Mrs Biggs S01E05: "Episode 5"
    Neighbours S28E193: "Episode 6503"
    NFL Turning Point S02E04: "Week 4"
    Not My Mama's Meals S02E08: "Southern to the Core"
    Oh Oh Europa S01E28: "Season 1, Episode 28"
    Oh Sit! S01E10: "Finale"
    On The Spot (2009) S03E05: "Maldív-szigetek"
    Operation Repo S10E16: "TBA"
    Paddy and Sally's Excellent Gypsy Adventure S01E04: "Episode 4"
    Panorama S60E36: "Britain's Secret Health Tourists"
    Paranormal Witness S02E09: "The Abduction"
    Pointless S07E26: "Series 7, Episode 26"
    Puberty Blues S01E08: "Episode 8"
    R.I.S. - Delitti Imperfetti S08E02: "Più spietato che mai"
    R.I.S. - Delitti Imperfetti S08E01: "Il ritorno del Lupo"
    Restaurant: Impossible S04E11: "Whistle Stop"
    Room At The Top S01E02: "Episode 2"
    Salatut elämät S15E23: "Liisan puskuri todistaa Paulan puolesta"
    Shameless S10E05: "Series 10, Episode 5"
    Sons of Guns S03E13: "Red Jacket Challenges Mythbusters"
    South Beach Tow S02E03: "TBA"
    South Park S16E09: "Raising The Bar"
    Supernatural S08E01: "We Need to Talk About Kevin"
    Survivor S25E03: "This Isn't a We Game"
    The Bold and the Beautiful S26E136: "Ep. #6420"
    The Chase (2009) S05E107: "Series 5, Episode 102"
    The Chew S02E18: "Episode 256"
    The Colbert Report S08E122: "Kenny Rogers"
    The Culture Show S17E13: "Series 17, Episode 13"
    The Daily Show S17E160: "Sen. Rand Paul"
    The Dr. Phil Show S11E22
    The Ellen DeGeneres Show S10E18
    The Food Hospital S02E03: "Series 2, Episode 3"
    The Hamster Wheel S02E02: "Season 2, Episode 2"
    The Jeremy Kyle Show S08E23: "October 3, 2012"
    The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S08E153
    The Middle S04E03: "The Second Act"
    The Neighbors (2012) S01E02: "Journey to the Center of the Mall"
    The Only Way Is Essex S07E02: "Series 7, Episode 2"
    The Project S04E236: "Season 4, Episode 236"
    The Real World/Road Rules Challenge S23E03: "What Happens in Vegas…"
    The Soup S09E40: "October 3"
    The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S20E160
    The View S16E22
    The X Factor (US) S02E07: "Boot Camp #1"
    The Young and the Restless S40E135: "Ep. #10004"
    Thuis S18E28: "Season 18, Episode 28"
    Vermist (2008) S04E03: "Emma"
    Watch What Happens: Live S08E19: "Ethan Hawke & Liam Neeson"
    Watchdog S31E04: "Series 31, Episode 4"
    Wereld draait door, De S08E23: "Season 8, Episode 23"
    Who The (Bleep) Did I Marry? S03E15: "The Unexpected Life"
    WWE Main Event S01E01: "Season 1, Episode 1"

'Doctor Who' Steven Moffat: 'I considered killing Amy and Rory'

Steven Moffat has admitted that he considered killing off Doctor Who companions Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill).

The pair departed the BBC sci-fi drama in 'The Angels Take Manhattan' after being sent back in time by the Weeping Angels, but Moffat revealed that death was another option for their exit.

"So many times over those mad few days [of finishing the script], the fate of the Ponds changed," Moffat wrote in the Radio Times.

"Alive, dead, alive, dead. Everything was wrong. Nothing felt right. Nothing felt inevitable."

Moffat revealed that he only became satisfied with the script when he devised the final scene, which featured a nod to Amy and Rory's debut episode 'The Eleventh Hour'.

"About four o'clock in the morning - with the gaspingly late script promised to the production team in a few hours - I remembered 'The Eleventh Hour'... and the single moment we've been heading for, since the very beginning," he explained.

'Made in Chelsea' to air in the US on Style Network

Made in Chelsea will air in the US next month, cast member Cheska Hull has revealed.

The Style Network will begin showing the E4 reality show from its pilot episode on November 12, in what Hull admitted was a "surreal" development.

"We've also just been bought by the Style Network in the US so Made in Chelsea is going to be shown in America," she told Closer.

"It's so surreal, we couldn't have predicted this success."

In a statement, Style confidently predicted that US viewers will "fall in love" with Caggie Dunlop, Spencer Matthews, Millie Mackintosh and their Made in Chelsea co-stars.

"With a keen on eye on fashion and trends, we are confident our viewers will gravitate towards Made in Chelsea and fall in love with these fashion-obsessed, upscale, sexy twenty-somethings," said Katie Buchanan, Style's Senior Vice President, Programming and Acquisitions.

Made in Chelsea's fourth series, which features Matthews's ex and a "spoiled" and "opinionated" fashion student among its new additions, airs in the UK this autumn on E4.

'Revolution, 'Go On,' 'New Normal' Picked Up for Full Season

In a show of confidence in three of its new series, NBC has picked up "Revolution," "Go On," and "The New Normal" for the full season.

The move marks a nice reversal for NBC, which was axing "The Playboy Club" at about this time last year, in the first cancellation of the 2011-12 season. (It also picked up "Whitney" and "Up All Night" on the day of "Playboy" died.)

Even sweeter for NBC, "Revolution" occupies the same Monday 10 p.m. slot that "The Playboy Club" did. "Revolution" and "The Voice" helped NBC emerge as the top-rated network during premiere week, though CBS was the most-watched.

"Revolution" (pictured) debuted two weeks ago to the best premiere ratings of any new drama in three years. It is averaging a strong 3.6 rating in the key 18-49 demographic and 9.8 million total viewers in live-plus-same-day results. The series imagines a world where all power sources suddenly disappear.

“We’re impressed with the imagination and creative direction of the entire team on ‘Revolution,’ not to mention the immediately strong response we got from the audience,” said NBC entertainment president Jennifer Salke. "Ordering the full season of this show is a pleasure. Thanks to J.J. Abrams, Erik Kripke, Jon Favreau, and everyone at Bad Robot and Warner Bros. Television for their dedication to making a truly unique series. And I personally love to escape into a world where there is no power, the phone doesn’t ring, and the pace of life slows down -- if only for one hour a week!”

The Matthew Perry group therapy “Go On” is averaging a 3.2 rating and 8.6 million viewers, while “The New Normal," about a gay couple having a child with the help of a surrogate mother, is averaging a 2.2 rating and 6.0 million total viewers.

"We’re also very proud of our new comedy block of ‘Go On’ and ‘The New Normal,’" Salke said. "In partnering with Matthew Perry for ‘Go On,’ creator Scott Silveri has created a comedy with a highly original voice that deftly combines humor and emotion. And Ryan Murphy and Ali Adler have created a truly unique family in ‘The New Normal’ that is reflective of the changing dynamics of the world we live in. These shows are both welcome additions to our new lineup!”

"We're very pleased with early results of the last three weeks of our fall season roll-out,” said Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment.  “The strategy for this season was to draft off the promotional platform of the Olympics and then begin our season early and strong.  I think we’ve accomplished both of those goals, yet we know it’s a long season and there’s much work ahead of us.  We are so appreciative of all the great talent that is working so hard on these shows.”

'Red Dwarf' movie scenes appear in new series, says Craig Charles

Red Dwarf stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles and Robert Llewellyn have discussed the overlap between the aborted movie and the upcoming new series.

A big-screen adaptation of the series was in development for several years and even reached the rehearsal stage, but never progressed any further.

The cast confirmed that several scenes and concepts from the film script will appear in the new series.

"There are a few scenes that I remember from the movie that have worked their way into this series," Charles said. "But I'm not allowed to tell you about them..."

Asked whether there was any scope for a film to still be made in the future, Charles said that he would not want it to happen at the expense of another series.

"I wouldn't want it to be exclusive of doing the series. We've been down that street before, we've kind of stopped doing the TV series to try and make the film, and ten years later there's still no film, and we've missed out on ten years of making Red Dwarf."

Red Dwarf X starts on Dave (Sky 111, Virgin 128, Freeview 12) on Thursday, October 4 at 9pm.

The series is available to download from October and buy on DVD from November 19.

Development Update: The 3rd of October

DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GO? (A.K.A. SOMEONE'S GOTTA GO) (FOX) - Endemol USA is on track to land a four-episode order for a new reality series in which "a dysfunctional company will task employees with deciding whether to dismiss one of their own." Said effort is a reworked version of the 2009 pilot "Someone's Gotta Go." Among the changes: "the decision whether to fire the company's perceived weakest link is optional, and the businesses are merely 'dysfunctional' rather than economically suffering." No other details were given. (EW.com)

DRESS TO KILL (ABC, New!) - Jessica Sharzer ("American Horror Story") has snagged a put pilot commitment for a new drama described as "an erotic thriller/soap set in the New York fashion world with whodunit mystery at the heart of it." 20th Century Fox Television-based Imagine Television is behind the hour with the company's Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo executive producing alongside Sharzer. (Deadline.com)

FARGO (FX) - The cable channel has a closed a deal to develop Joel and Ethan Coen's 1996 Oscar-nominated film as a TV series. Noah Hawley ("My Generation") is set to pen the adaptation, about "a pregnant Minnesota police chief (Frances McDormand in the film) who follows the trail of two bumbling criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) hired by a car salesman (William H. Macy) to kidnap his wife." MGM Television and FX Productions are behind the hour with the Coens, Hawley and Warren Littlefield executive producing. Edie Falco previously toplined a 1997 pilot for CBS based on the film, from director Kathy Bates and writers Bruce Paltrow and Robert Palm. (Deadline.com)

GOLDEN GUYS (FOX, New!) - TV icon Garry Marshall ("Happy Days") is returning to the small screen with a new multi-camera comedy about "a down-on his-luck guy who was once wealthy but gets caught in a scam and now must move back in with his family." Said half-hour was conceived alongside his son Scott Marshall with Prospect Park's Paul Frank, Jeff Kwatinetz and Josh Barry also executive producing for 20th Century Fox Television. (TVGuide.com)

THE HEART SPEAKS (ABC, New!) - Mimi Guarneri's memoir - about a female cardiologist who experiences a fall from grace - is being developed as a drama at the Alphabet. Yahlin Chang ("Pan Am") is on board to pen the hour, which is set up at Sony Pictures Television. She'll executive produce alongside Fishbowl Worldwide Media's Vin Di Bona, Bruce Gersh and Susan Levison as well as Ellen Stiefler. Guarneri herself will also serve as a consultant. (Variety.com)

MISS MOST LIKELY (ABC, New!) - Mandy Moore ("The Family Trap") is back in business with the Alphabet for a new comedy about a 28-year-old (Moore) who runs away from home to the big city so she can finally start the life she's always wanted only to find her family has decided to run away with her. Rich Appel is penning the half-hour, which has a penalty attached, for 20th Century Fox Television with 21 Laps-Adelstein's Shawn Levy, Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements executive producing alongside Moore and Appel. (Deadline.com)

EDISON (NBC, New!) - Daniel C. Connolly ("Longmire") has booked a period drama at the Peacock about a fictionalized version of famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison in 1880s Manhattan where he serves as "a secret consultant to the under-trained and under-equipped New York Police force." Sony Pictures Television is behind the hour with John Shiban and Gran Via Productions' Mark Johnson and Melissa Bernstein also serving as executive producers. (Deadline.com)

FAMILY AFFAIR (NBC, New!) - Sara Goodman ("Gossip Girl") has received a put pilot order from the network for a potential drama about "two families in a small Connecticut town who are thrown together when an accident claims the lives of a mother and father who were having an affair." Warner Bros. Television-based Berlanti Television is behind the hour with Greg Berlanti executive producing alongside Goodman and Melissa Kellner Berman serving as a co-executive producer. (THR.com)

NAPA (NBC, New!) - Tom Donaghy ("The Whole Truth") has snagged a put pilot commitment from the Peacock for a new drama billed as a modern day take on Emily Bronte's novel "Wuthering Heights." The 1847 tome "centers on the all-encompassing, passionate, but ultimately doomed love between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, and how this unresolved passion eventually destroys them and the people around them." No other details were given about the new incarnation, which will be set in California's Napa Valley. Warner Bros. Television-based Berlanti Television is behind the hour with Donaghy and Greg Berlanti serving as executive producers and Melissa Kellner Berman as a co-executive producer. (THR.com)

SOLVE FOR X (CBS, New!) - "The L Word" creator Ilene Chaiken has sold a potential drama to the Eye about "a young game developer at a social gaming company in San Francisco who agrees to consult for an anti-crime task force." CBS Television Studios is behind the hour with The Tannenbaum Company's Eric and Kim Tannenbaum executive producing alongside Chaiken. (THR.com)

TROUPE STARS (ABC, New!) - 5 Streams Global Entertainment has booked an eight-episode order from the Alphabet billed as "a military singing reality show where current and former soldiers will show off their performance skills." No auspices were given for the project, which has been given the blessing of the U.S. military however the government is not involved in the series. (EW.com)

UNTITLED ANDREW MILLER PROJECT (FOX, New!) - Andrew Miller ("The Secret Circle") has sold a potential drama set in the world of Texas ranches and rodeos to the network described as "a soap exploring two families on either side of the American dream and their fight for love, respect and glory." 20th Century Fox Television is behind the hour with Miller writing and executive producing alongside Ruben Fleischer ("Gangster Squad"). (THR.com)

UNTITLED HOLLY SORENSEN PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "Make It or Break It" creator Holly Sorensen has sold a new drama to the Alphabet about "three very average girls who break into New York's beauty industry with a product that holds a wicked secret." Sorensen conceived the hour alongside Irish actress Victoria Smurfit and will pen the script for the ABC Studios-based The Mark Gordon Company. Gordon, Sorensen and Nick Pepper are the executive producers. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED MATTHEW MILLER PROJECT (ABC, New!) - "Chuck" alum Matthew Miller has set up a potential drama at the Alphabet about "two bright young lawyers who struggle to enter a depleted job market [and] are left with no other choice but to work for an ambulance chaser whose smiling, mustachioed face is regularly advertised on public buses." He'll write and executive produce the Warner Bros. Television-based hour with Fake Empire's Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage and Len Goldstein also serving as executive producers. (THR.com)

WITCHES OF EAST END (Lifetime) - Nicholas Gonzalez ("Off the Map") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, about a mother (Julia Ormond) and her two adult daughters (Jenna Dewan, Rachel Boston) - both of whom unknowingly are their family's next generation of witches - who lead seemingly quiet, uneventful modern day lives in Long Island's secluded seaside town of North Hampton. He'll play Matthew, "a good-natured local cop who is dating a ditzy co-worker of Ingrid's (Boston) [who] becomes very busy at work when a series of murders and strange deaths bedevil his previously placid township." Killian Gardiner and Patrick Heusinger also star in the Fox 21-based hour, from writer Maggie Friedman and based on the book by Melissa de la Cruz. (Deadline.com)

WRONGFUL DEATH (ABC, New!) - Donald Todd ("Hart of Dixie") has sold a new drama to the Alphabet about "a former cop-turned-felon-turned Tampa insurance adjuster reluctantly teams with an energetic but unpolished millennial at a private investigation firm to investigate wrongful deaths." Warner Bros. Television-based Fake Empire is behind the project, which has a penalty attached. Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage and Len Goldstein then will executive produce alongside Todd. (THR.com)

DASH FOR CASH (A&E, New!) - "The Amazing Race" executive producers Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri have snagged a pilot order from the cable channel for a new competition series in which two couples compete against each other in a variety of challenges for a shot at $50,000. The show - which involves traveling from small town to small town around the country - would be close-ended, with new contestants each week. No other details were given. (TVGuide.com)

FAMILY TREE (HBO) - Christopher Guest mainstays Fred Willard, Michael McKean and Ed Begley Jr. have all landed roles on the filmmaker's upcoming series for the pay channel, about the recently unemployed and single Tom Chadwick (Chris O'Dowd) who looks into his ancestry after suffering an identity crisis. Begley will play Tom's Uncle Andy with Willard as Andy's neighbor, Mike, and McKean as Tom's father, Keith. Also on board is Don Lake as a friend of Tom's cousin. Guest himself and fellow executive producer Jim Piddock also star in the series, from Lucky Giant Productions and NBCUniversal International Television. (THR.com)

FEYNMAN AND THE CHALLENGER (Science) - Oscar-winner William Hurt ("Kiss of the Spider Woman") is set to star in the network's docudrama, about one American physicist's determination to reveal the truth behind the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. He'll play said fellow, Richard Feynman, in the project, which James Hawes is directing from a script by Kate Gartside. The film will be executive produced by Mark Hedgecoe for BBC Scotland and Cassian Harrison for the BBC. Production begins next month for a 2013 broadcast premiere on BBC2 and Science. (THR.com)

THE ELEVENTH COMMANDMENT (NBC, New!) - Patrick Harbinson ("Person of Interest") has booked a small screen take on Jeffrey Archer's 1998 novel about Connor Fitzgerald, "who has been leading a secret life as the CIA's most deadly assassin when he decides to pull back to spend more time with his wife and family. But his worlds are about to collide when he is set up by someone within the CIA for an assassination he didn't commit." Universal Cable Productions, Valhalla Entertainment and New Franchise Media are behind the hour, with Gale Anne Hurd and Jeffrey Steiner executive producing alongside Harbinson. (Deadline.com)

MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN (CBS, New!) - "Medium" creator Glenn Gordon Caron has landed a new drama at the Eye about "ambitious rookie defense lawyer Issabella Bright, who lands her first big case but is forced to team up with Darren Fletcher, a hardened and reckless lawyer who's fallen from success and now runs his practice out of a booth in a bar." Said effort is based on Jonathan Wakins's book of the same name. Richard Shepard, Sean Furst and Bryan Furst are also on board to executive produce the CBS Television Studios-based hour via their Olé banner with Caron writing and executive producing through his Picturemaker Productions. (Deadline.com)

NEAR DEAD (CBS, New!) - Glenn Gordon Caron ("Medium") has likewise sold a second hour to the Eye about an NYPD detective who "experiences a near-death experience and may have witnessed his wife's murder while 'under' [and] re-enters the force with a new perspective on how to close those cases he wrote off as unsolvable; all the while pursuing answers to who may have killed his wife and why." Caron will write and executive produce via his CBS Television Studios-based Picturemaker Productions with Ridley Scott and David W. Zucker of Scott Free Productions also serving as executive producing. (Deadline.com)

ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK (Netflix) - Kate Mulgrew ("Star Trek: Voyager") has joined the cast of the Jenji Kohan-produced drama, about "an engaged Brooklynite (Taylor Schilling) whose decade-old relationship with a drug-runner (Laura Prepon) in college results in her arrest and multi-year detention in a federal penitentiary." She'll play Red, "a Russian prisoner who runs the kitchen and serves as a mother figurehead for the women." Jason Biggs and Yael Stone also star in the Lionsgate Television-based hour, which is based on the book by Piper Kerman. (Deadline.com)

PAGING DR. FREED (USA) - Justina Machado ("Three Rivers") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about two gynecologist brothers (Kyle Howard, Joel David Moore) who inherit their father's thriving medical practice after he suffers a heart attack during an attempt at "playing" doctor with his young secretary. She'll play "the no-nonsense office manager and gatekeeper at the practice who acts as the brothers' tough-loving figure at the workplace." Annie Potts, Dorian Missick and Leslie Grossman also star in the Fox 21-based project, which Marc Buckland is directing from a script by Michael Feldman. (Deadline.com)

SECRET LIVES OF HUSBANDS AND WIVES (NBC) - Nicole Ari Parker ("The Deep End") has joined the cast of the drama pilot, based on Josie Brown's book about "a murder and the secrets and lies within a tightly woven group of three suburban couples and their families exposed in its aftermath." She'll play Paula, "a tough and strikingly beautiful trophy wife who, after 12 years of a troubled marriage, questions whether to stay with her husband because of love or respect... all while having no idea that he is financially ruined." Perrey Reeves also stars in the project, from the Warner Bros. Television-based Jerry Bruckheimer Television, director Mark Pellington and writer Sascha Penn. (Deadline.com)

SECRET LIVES OF WIVES (Lifetime) - Amber Clayton ("Three Rivers") has joined Salli Richardson-Whitfield on the drama pilot, about the unvarnished truth behind the marriages of four different women, breaking down the creative ways each close friend nurtures, maintains and endures what many see as an impossible convention of modern life. She'll play Keaton, "an aspiring fashion designer who was a virgin until she married the love of her life." Jill Gordon penned the Warner Horizon Television-based hour, which is inspired by Iris Krasnow's book of the same name. (Variety.com)

THE SWAMP (NBC, New!) - Tom Brady (MTV's "Good Vibes") has sold a single-camera comedy to the Peacock about "a scramble-style college marching band and its unlikeliest of mentors" in musically rich New Orleans. Werner Entertainment's Tom Werner and Mike Clements will executive produce the half-hour alongside Brady for Warner Bros. Television. (Deadline.com)

THIS THING CALLED LOVE (NBC, New!) - Marc Buckland ("Grimm") has sold a new dramedy to the Peacock described as "a comedic documentary that explores the minutiae of modern relationships through the eyes of several very disparate couples." He'll write, direct and executive produce the potential hour for Universal Television, home to his recently signed overall deal. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED DAVID SHORE/PETER TOLAN PROJECT (FOX, New!) - David Shore ("House") and Peter Tolan ("Rescue Me") have teamed for a potential new drama at the network about Mike and John, "who believe they are the best partners the Boston Police Department has ever seen despite one of them getting fired and replaced by a young female cop with issues of her own." Sony Pictures Television, home to their respective overall deals, is behind the hour, which has a penalty attached. Shore and Tolan then will executive produce alongside Michael Wimer, the latter's producing partner at Fedora Entertainment. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED LAGRAVENESE & GOLDWYN PROJECT (AMC) - Seth Gilliam ("Teen Wolf") has scored a role on the drama pilot, about a District Attorney (Damon Gupton) who uncovers new evidence that prompts the reinvestigation of a sensational murder case. He'll play his younger brother, a handsome uniformed cop. Aunjanue Ellis, Joe Anderson, Marin Ireland and Paul Schneider also star in the AMC Studios-based hour, from director Tony Goldwyn and writer Richard LaGravenese. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED EVAN KATZ/CHRIS MORGAN PROJECT (ABC, New!) - Evan Katz ("Body of Proof") is set to team with feature writer Chris Morgan ("Fast Five") for a potential drama at the Alphabet about "a former army special forces team who are betrayed, and decide to become thieves, in order to go after the people who are responsible for the deaths of their friends." ABC Studios-based Temple Hill Entertainment is behind the hour with the company's Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey executive producing alongside Katz and Morgan. (Deadline.com)

YOUR MEDICAL MIND (CBS, New!) - Neal Baer ("A Gifted Man") and "Reaper" creators Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters have sold a potential drama to the Eye inspired by husband and wife doctors Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband's book about "how their unique approaches to medicine - and different ways of dealing with tough ethical issues - lead them to examine the state of their own marriage." CBS Television Studios is behind the hour with James Mangold and Cathy Konrad also on board to executive produce via their Treeline Film banner. Fazekas and Butters will pen the teleplay off a story they conceived with Baer. Groopman's previous book "The Measure of Our Days" served as the basis for ABC's short-lived drama "Gideon's Crossing" starring Andre Braugher. (Deadline.com)

Olly Murs: 'Simon Cowell wants X Factor to breed international stars'

Olly Murs has revealed that Simon Cowell wants The X Factor to produce international stars.

Following the worldwide successes of Leona Lewis, One Direction and Cher Lloyd, the music mogul is keen for contestants from the show to impact on an international scale.

Murs - who came second on the 2009 series of the show - is the latest act to have received an official launch Stateside.

"I mean, to be honest, I did The X Factor three years ago in the UK, and it's been a real building process for me in the UK; so, I never really expected to sort of like come to America this soon," he told MTV.

"I'm really happy that it's happened. So, yeah, it's great. That's what Simon's vision is: he wants The X Factor to breed stars that are gonna go across the world.

"It's been good so far. I'm sure there's going to be more heard in America soon."

Simon Cowell The 'X Factor' Season Two Premiere Screening and Handprint Ceremony held at Grauman's Chinese Theater Los Angeles, California - 11.09.12 Mandatory Credit: RHS/WENN.com

Murs added: "I think it's the perfect time for British music to come over here. The Americans, you guys have really warmed to us, which is great, and you're liking our music which is cool.

"Obviously the success of the likes of One Direction and The Wanted and obviously Cher Lloyd, a few of them, Adele, Coldplay... to come over here off the back of that hopefully they'll like what I'm doing."

Murs released 'Heart Skips a Beat' in the US earlier this year and plans to follow the track with upcoming single 'Troublemaker' featuring Flo Rida by the end of 2012.

Meanwhile, the new single will feature as the lead cut from his third studio album Right Place Right Time in the UK, which is released on November 26.

NBC Top-Rated, CBS Most-Watched in Premiere Week

NBC had quite the premiere week: The third-place network landed in first place outright for the first time in nine years and was the only broadcaster to gain in both ratings and total viewers since last year. Most-watched network CBS, meanwhile, stayed true to form, but total viewership was down significantly.

NBC scored a 2.9 in the key 18-49 demo, besting Fox, which had a 2.6. NBC was in fourth place in last season's premiere week. (This premiere week was NBC's first outright in nine years because NBC and ABC tied for No. 1 in 2007.)

CBS, which came in third in premiere-week ratings with a 2.4, was easily first in total viewers, averaging 10.7 million. ABC was second, with 8.3 million, and NBC third, with 8.2 million.

NBC was the only network to gain in ratings and total viewers. ABC, CBS and Fox were all down in both categories by double digit percentages.

NBC espeically benefitted this time around from "Sunday Night Football," which was the top-rated show of last season. But it also got a boost from "The Voice," which didn't air last fall, and the new drama "Revolution," which follows it. The Matthew Perry comedy "Go On" has also scored.

On Tuesday, NBC rewarded "Revolution" and "Go On" by ordering both for the full season -- as well as the lower-rated "The New Normal."

'Strictly' Brendan Cole: 'Victoria Pendleton leaves me for dead'

Brendan Cole has revealed that he is having to treat his Strictly Come Dancing partner Victoria Pendleton "with little gloves" during the opening training sessions for the show.

The pro dancer and Olympic cyclist will perform their first routine together on this weekend's double header of live shows.

Speaking to The Telegraph about knowledge of Pendleton's Olympic achievements, he said: "I had a tear in my eye when she won that gold. What a feat.

"She is a very deep character and it will be interesting to see that on the show.

"It makes me a bit nervous, to be honest, and I am handling her with little gloves at the moment because I am not sure how far to push."

Explaining how Pendleton's sporting background might actually be a hindrance on the dancefloor, he added: "Her sport is power-based. It is all explosive energy. But it is one dimensional as opposed to being three dimensional like dancing.

"If I work out with her in the gym, she is so intense and focused and powerful - she leaves me for dead.

"Yet put her in my world and it is completely the opposite of what she is used to."

Pendleton commented: "I have spent my whole life since I was a child trying to be strong and rigid and powerful. Everything had to be very linear. Your core needs to be strong and stable, you are not wasting any energy on lateral movement because you don't want that.

"So everything I have tried to train out of myself, I am now trying to train back in. It is going to take time."

Strictly kicks off this weekend with a double header of live shows on Friday and Saturday.

Tulisa accused of abandoning 'X Factor' acts for Ibiza

Tulisa Contostavlos has been accused of abandoning her X Factor acts the week before the first Live Shows.

The popstar and reality TV judge has been pictured in the press partying with friends in Ibiza, while other judges such as Gary Barlow have been working alongside their acts.

Tulisa insisted on Twitter that she isn't neglecting her duties on the show, campaigning for her wildcard act Amy Mottram.

"I'm raving in Ibiza but I still have X Factor on the mind. Lemme just say it again VOTE AMY!" she wrote.

However, some fans have claimed that she isn't offering the same support to her acts that Gary Barlow is giving the Overs category.

Overs wildcard Christopher Maloney revealed this week that he had been taken out for dinner by Barlow and that he felt the Take That star was 100% rooting for him on the show.

"I'm in his top four. He's taken me out for dinner. He's really hands-on," said Maloney.

"He's arranging the music, arranging the songs. He's doing a lot for me. He wants me to go through. We're on a bit of a public campaign this week."

Tulisa is mentoring the Girls category this year and is hoping to secure a second win on the bounce with Ella Henderson, Lucy Spraggan or Jade Ellis.

The X Factor Live Shows start this weekend on ITV1.

NBC Hopes to Climb Out of the Cellar With Must-See TV - Again

Can the once-proud peacock network restore some of the luster to its feathers after a distressing period of languishing in fourth place among the networks?

And can it do it with shows that, unlike the roster of critical favorites like "Parks and Recreation" and "Community," are aimed at more mass appeal?

Indeed Robert Greenblatt, chairman of NBC entertainment, caught some flak at the Television Critics Association gathering in July, when he announced the intention to "broaden" the network's comedy lineup.

Those were the questions Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment and Universal Television, and Paul Telegdy, president of NBC Alternative and Late-Night Programming, tried to address at TheWrap's annual entertainment-industry conference The Grill on Tuesday.

The panel had fortuitous timing for NBC -- as moderator Sharon Waxman noted at the beginning of the sit-down: The network recently took the top slot for the fall season premiere week, thanks in part to shows like the extremely popular "The Voice."

But both Salke and Telegdy admitted that the network is still in flux.

"What we're trying to do is bring quality, must-see TV back," Salke said, hearkening back to NBC's '90s heyday, when shows like "Seinfeld," "Frasier" and "Friends" dominated the national conversation.

Salke noted that when Greenblatt came aboard from Showtime in January 2011, he had his work cut out for him.

"When Bob came in, there was a selection of shows that he had to work with," Salke noted. And the Thursday-night lineup, once NBC's crowning jewel, contained series such as "Community" and "Parks and Recreation" that "don't translate to an audience on our schedule," Salke noted. ("Community" has since been moved to a Friday night timeslot.)

"I think we're going to transition with our comedy programs and try to broaden the audience," Greenblatt said. "Those Thursday comedies, which the critics love and we love, tend to be a bit more narrow than we want going forward."

Salke and Telegdy addressed Greenblatt's statement, with Salke noting that the key is balancing edginess with content that's relevant to the largest possible audience.

"In order to have hits you have to create buzz, [and] in order to create buzz you have to have controversy," Salke noted. The goal, she said, is to get "to a place where you're inviting as many people under the tent" while still offering something risky.

"Let's say, the easiest way to redefine 'broad' is, lots of people [are] watching it," Telegdy added.

As examples, Salke cited the new Ryan Murphy offering "The New Normal" and the J.J. Abrams drama "Revolution," which envisions a world where all forms of electricity cease to exist.

"Revolution" has performed well since its premiere last month, while "The New Normal" is both "generating a buzz" and "hanging onto a number that, coming from where we were, is amazing," Salke offered.

Ironically, they, along with the Matthew Perry comedy "Go On" were given full-season pickups on Tuesday morning, just before the panel convened.

Salke and Telegdy also addressed the challenges of working in an advertiser-driven environment in an age when people aren't necessarily consuming their TV entertainment during airtime.

"Of course, we still need to be in the business of live TV," Telegdy said, stressing the need to emphasize programs that people need to watch as they air, whether because it's a live sporting event or for other compelling reasons. "It's the challenge of broadcast to create scarcity and reward expectation, which flies in the face of technology."

Telegdy touts the growing influence of the second-screen viewing experience as a way to both keep viewers glued to the set while the shows actually air, and to provide additional opportunities for advertisers.

"I think that's something that we're going to embrace," Telegdy said. "This is a way that we can create a really great interactive, chewy, sticky relationship."

And of course, the network can point to the success of "The Voice," which became a hit -- and remains one -- at a time when the network was badly in need of one.

Bottom line? "Printing the 'We Suck' T-shirts is something we no longer feel the need to do at NBC," Telegdy cracked.