New Thunderbirds series pushes ahead

Gerry Anderson's Thunderbirds are set for a 2015 return to ITV, courtesy of The Lord Of The Rings' Weta workshop...

Almost two years ago to the day, we first heard talk of Gerry Anderson's plan to revive Thunderbirds for ITV, and now comes confirmation that the project is pushing ahead. Six weeks after Anderson passed away, ITV has officially announced pre-production on Thunderbirds Are Go! (a working title, but a good'un).

Anderson's promise that the revival would use "all mod-cons" is being kept to, thanks to the involvement of New Zealand's Weta Workshop, which is to collaborate with ITV Studios to produce the twenty-six-episode series. The Tracy brothers will be brought back to life using a combination of live-action models and CGI animation, in an alternative to the CGI and motion-capture techniques used to produce New Captain Scarlet. So that'll be super-hyper-marionation then?

ITV's Thunderbirds Are Go! press release has plenty of respectful references to retaining heritage and paying tribute to legacy while bringing the much-loved property to a new audience (of toy-buying tweens and nostalgic adults).

Just as long as the new take is miles from the 2004 live-action film, we'll be happy to see its return.

Is HBO planning a Game Of Thrones prequel?

HBO has signed a two-year deal with Game Of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, sparking rumours that a prequel is under consideration...

A Song of Ice and Fire creator George R.R. Martin has recently signed with HBO for a further two years, news that cements the idea of there being no end in sight for the network's superb adaptation.

With the forthcoming season three covering events from the first half of A Storm of Swords (the third book in Martin's planned seven-novel series), there's plenty of scope for seasons four, five, six, seven and beyond, should HBO choose to make them. Good news, we're sure you'll agree.

What's of interest about Martin's recent deal with HBO though, is its explicit reference to his developing and producing "new series projects for the network". Not a continuation mind, but new projects.

One project that Martin's manager Vince Geradis has confirmed was raised in past discussions but shelved for a couple of years at least, is an adaptation of Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire prequel novellas: Tales of Dunk and Egg. Set in Westeros ninety years before the events of the main saga, the series follows the exploits of Ser Duncan and Aegon Targaryen.

With up to twelve Dunk and Egg novellas promised by Martin, any potential adaptation could be as long-running as Game of Thrones.

Of course, HBO and Martin may well have non-Westeros projects in mind, and with his previous experience on geek-favourites The Twilight Zone and the original Beauty and the Beast, we'd bet that anything stemming from a collaboration of his imagination and HBO's production values will be worth getting excited about.

Theo Paphitis to leave 'Dragons' Den': "Thank you Auntie, I'm out"

Theo Paphitis has confirmed that he is leaving Dragons' Den.

The entrepreneur, investor and former chairman of Millwall Football Club is leaving to spend more time working on his retail chains, including recent acquisition Robert Dyas.

"After nine intense and fun packed series working with the BBC and the Dragons' Den team, sadly it's time for me to say for the final time, 'I am out'," said Paphitis in a statement issued on Thursday morning (February 7).

"This has not been an easy decision or one that I have taken lightly, but with the workload involved in growing my exciting, successful new lingerie brand Boux Avenue both in the UK and internationally, along with my recent purchase of the Robert Dyas retail chain and the running of the 240 Ryman stationery shops, the time felt right to give up my seat, stop breathing fire and allow someone else to enjoy the wonderful experience of being a Dragon on the BBC hit TV show, Dragons' Den.

"So, it just leaves it for me to say thank you to all past and present Dragons, the brilliant production teams that made the show what it is and of course the BBC for allowing me to participate in the first place.

"Thank you Auntie. I am out. P.S: A big 'good luck' to the new Dragons!"

Paphitis has been with the BBC Manchester-produced show since its second series launched in November 2005.

His departure leaves Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne as the longest-standing Dragons, and the only two to have served on all ten series of the show.

The news appears to have come as a surprise to Bannatyne, who tweeted: "Theo I don't believe you are leaving & have not told me. Ten yrs together & u divorce me on Twitter!!!!"

Hilary Devey also left the show recently after two series. Her replacement has not yet been announced.

'CSI' Creator Anthony Zuiker Lands Murder Reality Series With ABC

Anthony Zuiker is about to get real.

The "CSI" creator has landed a nine-episode order at ABC for his maiden journey into unscripted television, a murder-themed offering called "Whodunnit?"

The series will feature contestants using crime scene investigation techniques to find out who among them is a killer, with a $250,000 prize at stake. As with other reality series such as "Survivor," alliances will be formed. The players will receive a new murder to solve every week, with players meeting their demise if they fail to crack the case.

Finally, with the contestant pool narrowed down to three, one player will unmask the killer and receive the prize.

The series will air in the summer.

Zuiker will executive produce the series with 51 Minds' Cris Abrego ("The Surreal Life). Zuiker's Dare to Pass is producing the series with 51 Minds. Dare to Pass' president Matt Weinberg will also produce.

“I’ve built a career telling crime stories, and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned, especially from ‘CSI,’ it’s that the audience loves to solve the mystery,” Zuiker said Wednesday. “‘Whodunnit?’ allows everyday fans to be in the show themselves and get the chance every week to do what they love best, which is ultimately solve the case.”

In addition to "Whodunnit?" Zuiker is also working on the ABC pilot "Wonderland," based on the Lewis Carroll classic "Alice in Wonderland."

'Top Chef' Renewed for 11th Season; Casting Kicks Off Feb. 11

Time to sharpen the knives, for both culinary endeavors and back-stabbing purposes -- "Top Chef" has been renewed for an 11th season, Bravo said Wednesday.

The hit cooking competition will also begin casting for the upcoming season on Feb. 11 in Austin, Tex. before moving on to casting calls in Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. (Click here for full casting details, if you think you can cut the mustard along with your competitors' throats.)

The series, which is hosted by Padma Lakshmi, is produced by Magical Elves, with Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz serving as executive producers.

The current tenth season airs its newest episode Wednesday at 10 p.m., with the contestants trying their hand on King Crab in Juneau, Ala.

Rita Ora turns down 'X Factor' judging role: "There were talks"

Rita Ora has revealed that she has turned down a chance to judge this year's X Factor.

The 'RIP' singer has said that she will "never say never" to the idea, but that it is a "no" for the time being.

"There were talks," Ora told The Mirror. "But if I were to take on that role, it would have to be at a point when I could give it my full attention.

"I have so much to accomplish first and it's kind of a full-time job being on X Factor. It's not like a nine to five. It's constant, for months."

Ora appeared as a guest judge on the show in the 2012 series, and has reportedly been negotiating a full-time role over the past few months.

"Not that I have anything against it," Ora added. "I love it, but if I was to take on a full-time role it would be at a point when I'm loads of albums in.

"Being a guest is easier – you can say, 'Yes' to people and not have to mentor them."

Ora's negotiations to become a new judge could indicate that at least one of the current panel will be leaving the show in 2013.

Tulisa Contostavlos recently dismissed claims that she had quit The X Factor upon hearing that Nicole Scherzinger had already been asked to return.

Sharon Osbourne was also recently rumoured to be making a return, while Gary Barlow has hinted that he wants to focus on Take That.

Lance Armstrong Facing $12M Lawsuit Over Doping Admission

The truth will set you free? Maybe not in Lance Armstrong's case.

Disgraced bicyclist Lance Armstrong, who admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career in an interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, is now facing a lawsuit that could cost him at least $12 million.

SCA Promotions, which paid Armstrong big bonuses for winning three Tour de France races, plans to sue Armstrong for its money back, the company's attorney, Jeffrey Tillotson, told Ashleigh Banfield on "CNN Newsroom" on Wednesday.

Also read: Lance Armstrong Confession: Did Anyone Actually Believe Him?

Tillotson, who told Banfield that the suit could be filed as early as Wednesday, said that the company will try to retrieve its $12 million in bonuses, and with interest and legal fees the damages could reach "close to $15 million."

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year after he decided not to fight the allegations from the U.S. Anti Doping Agency against him.

Tillotson said that the decision to sue came after Armstrong ignored SCA's demand that he pay the money back.

"We've made our demand for the return of the money we gave him," the attorney said. "Mr. Armstrong and his legal team have not complied with that demand, and have publicly said he's not going to return with prize money. So we're left with little choice but to institute legal proceedings, which my client plans to do."

The back-and-forth extends beyond that; Tillotson told Banfield that Armstrong sued SCA after the company questioned whether it should pay Armstrong the bonuses, in light of the doping allegations, and that Armstrong received a settlement from that suit.

At the time of that suit, Tillotson said, Armstrong and his lawyers "almost taunted us, saying, 'If we're ever stripped of those titles, we'll give you the money back.' I think at that time Mr. Armstrong thought that he'd never be caught."

Obviously, a lot's changed since then.

'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' Actor Robin Sachs Dead at 61

Robin Sachs, the British actor who portrayed the evil Ethan Raynes in Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" TV series, has died in Los Angeles. He was 61.

Details surrounding his sudden passing are scarce, his representative told TheWrap on Wednesday that Sachs was in good health and that no cause of death has been identified.

His official website first reported the  news on Tuesday.

"It is with great sadness that we have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Robin Sachs," the message reads. "Please join us in raising a glass to Robin -- goodbye, dear friend. Thank you for all the laughter and the cookies. We will miss you so very much."

Sachs was born in London, England on February 5, 1951 and went on to act in a number of television, movie and video game titles over the course of his 40-year career.

Although he only appeared in four episodes of "Vampire Slayer," his character was memorable for fans, as he was Rupert Giles' (Anthony Stewart Head) friend-turned-foe.

Sachs' other roles include General Roth'h'ar Sarris, the big green villain in 1999's "Galaxy Quest," along with several on the "Babylon 5" television series. He also voiced Zaeed Massani in video games "Mass Effect 2" and "Mass Effect 3."

Most recently, he voiced a Russian character in the CG-animated video game adaptation, "Resident Evil: Damnation."

A memorial service in Los Angeles is being planned.

Nick Grimshaw, The Saturdays' Rochelle for new BBC Three panel show

Nick Grimshaw has been revealed as the host of new BBC Three panel show Don't Sweat The Small Stuff.

The series, which will feature Kiss FM DJs Rickie and Melvin as team captains, will star Grimshaw sharing his "daily, fickle obsessions" and talking about the "really important matters in life" via a series of games and questions.

The Saturdays popstar Rochelle Humes will be a regular guest on the show.

"I'm really excited about my new show!" said Grimshaw.

"Being the host of a panel show is what self-centred dreams are made of and I can't wait to show off on both the radio and now, primetime television!"

BBC Three boss Zai Bennett said: "Sweat The Small Stuff has been built around the annoyingly talented Nick Grimshaw. We can't wait for Nick to show off and have fun with our brilliant team captains Melvin and Rickie and find out what guests like our regular panellist, pop sensation Rochelle Humes, have been sweating about.

"Sweat The Small Stuff promises to be quick-witted, topical and silly, but most of all very, very funny."

Producers Talkback added: "We are delighted to have secured such outstanding talent on Sweat The Small Stuff. Grimmy is a fantastically exciting broadcaster who is both very funny and a brilliant raconteur.

"Rickie and Melvin bring a huge audience with them from Kiss FM and their rivalry will be a key part of the show. And Rochelle is such a talented young woman who, unfortunately for Rickie and Melvin, is not afraid to speak her mind!"

'Bollywood Live' BBC Three show coming to Bradford

BBC Three has confirmed details for its Bollywood Live project, which will take place in Bradford later this year.

Following the success of similar projects in Leeds and Manchester (Frankenstein's Wedding and Manchester Passion), the new show will be a Bollywood-style production of the opera Carmen.

The story will follow a girl in Bradford called Karmen, who is bored of her receptionist job and who dreams of movie fame. She believes her time has come when an Indian film crew comes to Bradford to make a movie of Carmen.

It will feature an original score by Kuljit Bhamra, who previously worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Bombay Dreams.

The production will take place in Bradford's City Park on June 9.

"We are delighted to be able to bring the excitement and glamour of Bollywood in this unique way to our viewers," said BBC Three boss Zai Bennett.

BBC Three is celebrating its 10th birthday this weekend.

Fox News Most -- And Least -- Trusted Network, Says Poll

Fox News has the most trustworthy television news reporters.

Or --depending on whom you ask -- the least trustworthy television reporters.

Public Policy Polling's annual survey of TV news found that when asked which network they trusted and mistrusted the most, a plurality of people answered Fox News for both categories

"When it comes to asking Americans which single outlet they trust the most and least out of the ones we polled on, Fox News once again wins both honors," PPP said in its report. “Forty-one percent of voters trust it to 46 percent who do not. To put those numbers into some perspective the first time we did this poll, in 2010, 49 percent of voters trusted it to 37 percent who did not.”

Asked which outlet they trusted the most, the 800 surveyed over the last month ranked Fox at 34 percent with PBS next at 13 percent, CNN at 12 percent, ABC at 11 percent, MSNBC at eight percent, CBS at six percent and Comedy Central and NBC at five percent each.

But even more Americans identify Fox as the outlet they trust the least -- 39 percent give its that designation with 14 percent for MSNBC, 13 percent for CNN, 12 percent for Comedy Central, five percent for ABC and CBS, three percent for NBC, and one percent for PBS.

But Fox's rankings also have the whiff of partisanship.

Democrats, unsurprisingly, tend to believe every network except Fox; Republicans don't trust anything as much as they do Fox.

“We continue to find that Democrats trust most TV news sources other than Fox, while Republicans don’t trust anything except Fox,” Dean Debnam, president of the polling group, said in a statement. “News preferences are very polarizing along party lines."

Who's Watching 'House of Cards'? (And Why It Really Matters)

It's possible that up to 2.7 million people watched at least one episode of the new Netflix drama "House of Cards" the day after its release.

But we really can't say.

Such an audience would rival that of some premium cable dramas, but not most network shows.

If that's the actual audience, that is.

We'd like to provide you with more than a speculative figure, but we can't. Netflix isn't releasing any numbers, and has no immediate plans to. So we're relying on some clever analysis from the broadband firm Procera, which monitored some of the country's largest cable and DSL networks on Saturday to extrapolate that between 1.5 million and 2.7 million people watched one or more episodes.

Netflix declined to comment.

Why won't Netflix share its actual numbers? Precisely to avoid articles like this one, which -- with solid numbers -- might gauge Netflix's early success against that of broadcast and cable networks.

With that apples-to-apples comparison, we could tell you with some degree of certainly who should be worried about Netflix's huge gamble on the Kevin Spacey-David Fincher political saga: Broadcasters? HBO? Showtime?

But no one outside of Netflix knows anything. And for TV executives, that might be the scariest scenario of all.

The Internet has wounded or killed many brick-and-mortal entertainment outlets -- music stores, book stores, movie theaters -- because it can provide an entertainment experience that doesn't require consumers to leave home.

Television has fared better than other media, in part because it is arguably as convenient as the Internet -- and had a half-century head start on creating entertainment. TV and the Internet are closely interwoven, with networks and studios providing previously-aired shows for services like Netflix.

Also read: Netflix Raising $400M in Debt to Fund New Shows

Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes brushed off attempts to pit Netflix against his company's HBO in an earnings call Wednesday. He noted that many Warner Bros. shows are available to Netflix subscribers -- even as he stressed that his company is far ahead of Netflix in creating originals.

Bewkes said HBO now has 114 million subscribers -- nearly four times as many as Netflix does. He said HBO has offered original shows for 25 years, adding: "It takes a while to get it up to scale."

But that isn't the only reason Netflix has no obvious competitor. There's also the fact that Netflix is doing something no one has done before.

The video-on-demand service is pouring millions of dollars into a high-quality TV show that isn't actually on TV. It is also offering all 13 episodes of the first season at once, like chapters in a book or songs in an album, instead of demanding that viewers tune in at a certain time.

The question now is whether other online outlets can -- will you indulge us one card joke? -- follow suit. One advantage of not sharing its viewership is that Netflix gets to give "House of Cards" time to thrive before networks or ratings-obsessed reports can dismiss it.

"House of Cards" cost Netflix an estimated $100 million for its first two seasons, as much as the most expensive prestige dramas. It will have to turn a profit for Netflix, by drawing in and keeping subscribers, for the streaming service or other Internet outlets to take similar risks.

Last year, Netflix aired the original drama "Lilyhammer," which also aired on Norwegian TV. In May, it will offer new installments of "Arrested Development," which aired for three seasons on Fox.

If enough other online outlets can produce original content -- profitably -- the day may someday come when we can't remember why we ever left scripted shows to networks.

Broadcast television could become the domain of live singing shows and football games -- which, by the way, are currently the highest-rated programs on television, in part because viewers must watch them live if they don't want to be behind their friends.

For the time being, though, Netflix can't compete with networks that produce dozens of shows each year and offer original programming almost around the clock.

"Netflix can't launch a full slate of TV shows like CBS and NBC can, but they can pick up certain properties that will be critically acclaimed to get some response for them," said Cam Cullen, the Procera analyst who estimated that 1.5 million to 2.7 million people watched at least one episode of the 13-episode season Saturday, the day after its release. (He said at least 500,000 watched the last episode, suggesting they had also watched the ones that led up to it.)

If Netflix isn't close to rivaling networks yet in terms of quantity, its best bet is to try to match premium cable outlets like HBO and Showtime in terms of quality. "House of Cards," like HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" and Showtime's "Homeland," has received glowing reviews.

It is also getting good word of mouth.

Because of the Super Bowl -- and because Friday and Saturday nights are in large part TV dead zones -- there were few new shows to compare with "House of Cards" over the weekend in terms of social networking mentions.

PBS did bravely air a new episode of the critically praised "Downton Abbey" on Sunday -- and "Cards" received more Twitter mentions than it did. At the high point for "Downton" Sunday, it had about 17,000 mentions -- 5,000 fewer than "Cards," according to the analytics site Topsy.

Twitter mentions don't always translate to TV ratings. Just ask NBC's "Community," an Internet darling that is always close to cancelation.

But "House of Cards" isn't a TV show.

It's an Internet show.

Dave On Demand app hits iPad and iPhone

Dave, the entertainment channel operated by UKTV, has today (February 7) launched a new app enabling users to watch shows such as Suits and Red Dwarf X on an iPhone or iPad.

Available to download now from iTunes, the Dave on Demand iOS app offers catch-up and on-demand access to Dave shows.

The app is based on the Dave On Demand video on-demand player that was launched on PC last year, alongside similar services for UKTV channels Really and Yesterday.

The Dave player has been adapted for iPads and iPhones, and this is the first time that UKTV has made its programming specifically available to viewers via iOS devices.

Ben Hine, UKTV's director of operations, technology and innovation, said that the firm is also working on iOS apps for Really and Yesterday.

"With the 12 million tablets currently in use in the UK increasingly becoming a primary device for viewing content, the Dave app makes our great programmes conveniently accessible to even more viewers," he said.

"Dave is the first of our free-to-air channels to have an iOS app and over the coming months we will be working towards rolling out apps for Yesterday and Really."

After launching its digital services on PC, BT Vision and Sky On Demand in 2012, UKTV reported more than 3 million views of its digital content across the year.

'Being Human' to end after current series

Being Human will come to an end after this series, BBC Three has confirmed.

The channel announced today that the supernatural drama will come to a close in the next few episodes as Tom, Alex and Hal are forced to face the Devil.

Michael Socha and Damien Molony are in their second run of Being Human while Kate Bracken has graduated to a lead role in the show, after original cast members Aiden Turner, Lenora Crichlow and Russell Tovey left the series in previous episodes.

"Working on Being Human has been a truly great experience," executive producer Rob Pursey said. "From the first one hour pilot all the way through to this climactic series, we've been given real creative freedom and encouragement. It's a credit to BBC Three that such an unusual idea has been allowed to flourish and evolve in its own unique way."

Pursey praised writer Toby Whithouse and added: "Being Human has also opened the door to new acting talent, including some incredibly exciting younger actors, which is a legacy we all feel proud of. We will miss Being Human, but feel inspired that there is a place for series like this on British television."

Meanwhile, BBC Three's controller Zai Bennett described the show as a "fantastic and faithful friend" to the channel, saying: "It's featured some truly exceptional actors and storylines through the years and I'd like to thank Toby and the production team for their vision and passion.

"However, all good things come to an end and at BBC Three we're committed to breaking new shows and new talent, and who better to pass that baton on than Toby."

TV Tonight 7th of February 2013

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

1600 Penn S01E05: "Frosting/Nixon"
Agent Anna S01E02: "Swimming with Sharks"
American Idol S12E08: "Hollywood Round (2)"
Anderson Live S02E102: "Co-Host Stacy London | Allison Williams"
Anger Management S02E05: "Charlie & Jen Together Again"
Antiques Road Trip S06E24: "Series 6, Episode 24"
Archer (2009) S04E04: "Midnight Ron"
Beauty and the Beast (2012) S01E12: "Cold Turkey"
Bellator MMA Live S01E04: "TBA"
Boku wa Tomodachi ga Sukunai S02E05:
Brand X With Russell Brand S01E14: "Episode 14"
Bravest Warriors S01E09: "Cereal Master"
Buck Wild S01E11: "Fast & the Curious"
Buck Wild S01E12: "Ramped Up"
Buck Wild S01E00: "Bucking Unseen Moments"
Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe S01E02: "Episode 2"
Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell S02E02: "Sunset Strip Icon"
Chelsea Lately S07E20
Come Dine With Me S20E106: "Series 20, Episode 84"
Community S04E01: "History 101"
Conan S03E43: "Chris Tucker, Darryl Lenox"
Dangerous Drivers' School S02E02: "Series 2, Episode 2"
Daybreak S03E107: "February 7, 2013"
Days of our Lives S48E62: "Ep. #12018"
Deadliest Space Weather S01E06: "Ice Moons"
Deal Or No Deal (UK) S08E154: "Episode 2147"
Do No Harm S01E02: "Don't Answer The Phone"
Doctors S14E186: "A Night Like This"
EastEnders S29E23: "February 7, 2013"
Elementary S01E15: "A Giant Gun, Filled with Drugs"
Emmerdale S42E32: "February 7, 2013 [Episode 2]"
Emmerdale S42E31: "February 7, 2013"
Face the Clock S01E24: "Episode 24"
Four In A Bed S04E24: "Series 4, Episode 24"
General Hospital (US) S50E213: "#12741"
GJ-bu S01E05: "Double Fantasy"
Glee S04E13: "Diva"
Golden Goal S14E02: "Season 14, Episode 2"
Got to Dance S04E33: "Series 4, Episode 33"
Great British Menu S08E09: "Series 8, Episode 9"
Great British Railway Journeys S04E24
Grey's Anatomy S09E14: "The Face Of Change"
Het Spiegelpaleis S01E23: "Season 1, Episode 23"
Hollyoaks S19E27: "February 7, 2013"
Home and Away (AU) S26E14: "Episode 5674"
Horsepower With Martin Clunes S01E03: "Heavy Horse Power"
Hotel cæsar S29E120: "Season 29, Episode 120"
House Hunters S51E28
House Hunters International S35E20: "Peaceful in Puerto Pe?asco"
How To Build... S03E01: "A Bionic Man"
Impact Wrestling S08E123: "Season 8, Epixsode 123"
Impractical Jokers S02E13: "TBA"
Jimmy Kimmel Live S11E24: "Dr. Phil McGraw, Jim Jefferies, Tim McGraw"
Jo S01E04: "Les Invalides"
Judge Judy S17E134: "The Bitter End | Drinking and Skateboarding"
Judge Judy S17E133: "Not So Sweet 16 | Breast Cancer Faker!"
Junior Doctors – Your Life In Their Hands S03E04: "Work / Life Balance"
Kathy S02E05: "TBA"
King of the Nerds S01E04: "Supernerds"
Last Call with Carson Daly S10E108
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S04E22: "Joel McHale, Al Roker, Matt Pond"
Late Show with David Letterman S20E81
Legit S01E04: "TBA"
Location Location Location S16E06: "Series 16, Episode 6"
Loose Women S17E97: "Series 17, Show 97"
Mary Mary S02E10: "TBA"
My Kitchen Rules S04E07: "Season 4, Episode 7"
Naruto: Shippuuden S13E24: "The Ones Who Are Acknowledged"
Neighbours S29E24: "Episode 6574"
Newsreaders S01E04: "CC SI: Boston"
North Woods Law S01E09: "Harvest Time"
Parks and Recreation S05E12: "Ann's Decision"
Person of Interest S02E14: "One Percent"
Pointless S08E27: "Series 8, Episode 27"
Polar Bear Cafe S01E43
Project Runway S11E03: "Surprise Me"
Property Wars S02E07: "Bed Bugs"
Question Time S33E17: "Stirling"
Rehab Addict S03E05: "TBA"
Salatut elämät S15E103: "Katariina ja hunkkiniemen kreivi"
Scandal S02E13: "Nobody Likes Babies"
Scheire en de Schepping S02E02: "Season 2, Episode 2"
Selling New York S06E08
Silent Witness S16E09: "Greater Love (1)"
Suits S02E14: "He's back"
Tamako Market S01E05: "Spent A Night Together"
Tegen de Sterren op S03E09: "Season 3, Episode 9"
The Big Bang Theory S06E15: "The Spoiler Alert Segmentation"
The Block S06E03: "All Stars Day 3 - LOL Moment"
The Bold and the Beautiful S26E221: "Ep. #6505"
The Chase (2009) S06E67: "Series 6, Episode 67"
The Chew S02E107: "Episode 345"
The Colbert Report S09E20: "Behn Zeitlin"
The Daily Show S18E58: "Neil Barofsky"
The Ellen DeGeneres Show S10E99: "Eric Stonestreet, Emeli Sande"
The First 48 S12E36: "The Good Mother"
The Genius of Invention S01E03: "Communication"
The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange S01E23
The Jeremy Kyle Show (UK) S08E102: "February 7, 2013"
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S09E19
The Office (US) S09E15: "Couples Discount"
The Planners S01E02: "Episode 2"
The Project S05E28: "Season 5, Episode 28"
The Spa S01E01: "High Anxiety"
The Talk S03E101: "Billy Baldwin, Guy Fieri"
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S21E37
The Vampire Diaries S04E13: "Into the Wild"
The View S16E100: "Joel McHale, Kendall & Kylie Jenner"
The Young and the Restless S40E222: "Ep. #10091"
This Week (2003) S11E18: "February 7, 2013"
Thuis S18E119: "Season 18, Episode 119"
Tipping Point S02E27: "Series 2, Episode 27"
Tonight S15E06: "How To Save A Life?"
Two and a Half Men S10E15: "Paint It, Pierce It or Plug It"
Undercover Boss (CA) S02E14: "Beck Taxi"
Wanted Down Under S07E27: "Wanted Down Under Revisited 7"
Waterloo Road S08E16: "Series 8, Episode 16"
Way To Go S01E04: "The Bitter End"
Wereld draait door, De S08E94: "Season 8, Episode 94"
What Not To Wear (US) S10E06: "Casey D."
Wie is... de Mol? S13E06: "Season 13, Episode 6"
Winter Road Rescue S02E02: "Series 2, Episode 2"
Светофор S05E04: "Сезон 5, Эпизод 4"

'Game of Thrones' Writer George R.R. Martin Lands Overall Deal With HBO

There just might be a lot more dragons and swords in HBO's future.

George R.R. Martin, whose "A Song of Ice and Fire" fantasy novel series served as the basis for HBO's hit drama "Game of Thrones," has entered an overall deal with the network.

The two-year agreement will retain Martin as a co-executive producer of the series, which begins its third season March 31, but will also have him developing and producing series for the network.

In addition to "Game of Thrones" -- which he's written a few episodes for -- Martin served as a producer and writer on the 1980s series "Beauty and the Beast," and penned a handful of episodes for the 1980s revival of "The Twilight Zone."

The Wanted Land E! Reality Show

Pop band The Wanted, known for hits including "Glad You Came," will star in a Ryan Seacrest-produced reality show for E!, the network announced Wednesday.

In a not-at-all stagey setup, the band (pictured) will live together in the Hollywood Hills as they record their third album, plan for a new U.S. and European tour, and maybe, just maybe, juggle friendships and relationships with their musical careers.

Produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions, SB Productions and Global TV UK, the new half-hour series premieres in the U.S. in June and around the world this fall.

"The rock star lifestyle is something that everyone has fantasized about and The Wanted are giving viewers total access into their world as they live out this dream,” said E! president Suzanne Kolb. "This series is a perfect blend of music, bromance and superstardom chronicling the lives of one of music's biggest groups as they continue to make their mark on the global stage."

“America has a long history of falling for British bad boy musicians, so it’s no surprise that The Wanted are already beloved by legions of fans far and wide,” said Seacrest. “This talented and outspoken English-Irish band are setting their own course to fame and this journey is the foundation of the series. It’s a road that’s bound to include irresistible pop tracks along with plenty of humor, antics and drama behind-the-scenes, which I believe will further ignite fascination and even obsession with these guys.”

Is Outgoing 'Walking Dead' Boss Under a 'Gag Order'?

Is AMC trying to keep Glen Mazzara from talking about his exit from "The Walking Dead"?

Mazzara's publicist says no -- even if Mazzara isn't going into details about his departure. The showrunner has spoken to several outlets, including TheWrap, about the show returning Sunday for the remainder of its third season.

But Mazzara was a no-show Tuesday at a Television Academy panel about the series, which prompted speculation that he has been silenced.

"AMC's initiated a gag order," said a Wednesday tweet from "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter, who worked with Mazzara on FX's "The Shield."

Sutter added: "Removing mazzara from press for fear his firing will pull focus & he may tell the truth."

In fact, Mazzara spoke to TheWrap  just hours before the panel Tuesday. The New York Times and New Yorker's Vulture have also posted interviews with the showrunner.

"There is no gag order from AMC," Mazzara's publicist told TheWrap. "They are very supportive of him doing press for the remainder of Season 3, just as they have up to this point."

What Mazzara isn't doing, however, is going into specifics about why he is leaving TV's top-rated drama. Speaking to TheWrap, he addressed it only in general terms. He also talked briefly about his replacement, Scott Gimple.

"It's fine. I'm happy with the show and delivering my season and I'm just going to go on and do my own thing now," Mazzara said. "It's actually a pretty good, productive time for me."

Notably, Mazzara said he has not offered any advice to Gimple, previously one of his top writers on "The Walking Dead."

"I, you know, have been focused on delivering the end of my season and working on my own material," Mazzara said. "I haven't spoken with him."

Read into that what you will. (And look for the full interview later this week.)

In its announcement last month that Mazzara would leave "The Walking Dead," AMC cited "a difference of opinion about where the show should go." The disagreement involved the fourth season and beyond.

Just two months prior to the announcement that he would leave the show, Mazzara told TheWrap he would love to remain with "The Walking Dead" until the end, "if AMC and the fans would have me."

AMC did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on Sutter's tweet. Network representatives have also decline to comment on why, exactly, Mazzara is leaving.

Even if Mazzara isn't talking about the reasons either, he has a vested interest in promoting the show any way he can.

At this point in the season, "The Walking Dead" is the top-rated drama on any network, cable or broadcast. Mazzara would like his show to end the season with that distinction, which no other cable series has earned. The season's sucess is a testament to Mazzara's fast-paced, more horrific vision of the show.

Sutter has previously weighed in on AMC's disputes with its showrunners, including "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner.

In August 2011, Sutter said the network fired the original "Walking Dead" showrunner, Frank Darabont, and entered into tense negotiation with "Breaking Bad" creator Vince Gilligan because Weiner had "held AMC hostage, broke their bank, budgets were slashed, s--- rolled down hill onto gilligan and frank."

BBC TV Centre to feature hotel, cinema, flats and offices

BBC Television Centre is to be redeveloped with a hotel, flats, a cinema and offices by its new owner, although the BBC will still use parts of the West London complex.

Property developer Stanhope and the BBC today jointly unveiled plans to redevelop Television Centre into a mixed-use facility, including the famous forecourt being open to the public for the first time.

The Grade II listed main circular building, known as "the doughnut", will be transformed into a hotel and apartments. It will be remodelled but the forecourt and famous frontage of Television Centre on Wood Lane will be retained

BBC Studio 1 will be re-fitted, along with Studio 2 and 3. The BBC will still use parts of the site, while commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, will take offices there.

Stanhope plc chief executive David Camp said in a statement: "The BBC will continue to have a significant presence at Television Centre and we will be bringing new life into the site with new public routes, spaces and uses.

"We will be introducing a vibrant and exciting mix of new retail, leisure, office and residential uses whilst keeping and enhancing the famous original BBC buildings and retaining key operational BBC studio and office facilities on site. Television Centre will be a great place to live, work and visit."

Under the plans, the current 'Stage 4 and 5' buildings at Television Centre will be refurbished to provide office space, targeted at new media or creative businesses in the area.

The 'Drama Block', 'Restaurant Block' and Multi Storey Car Park on Wood Lane will be replaced by residential buildings and townhouses.

The East Tower will be replaced "with a more slender and appropriately positioned residential building".

There will be approximately 1,000 new residential units and townhouses in total at the 14-acre site, including a 'Village Green' of town houses for families with private rear gardens, and affordable housing.

Also at the redeveloped site will be a cinema, health club, restaurants and cafes.

Television Centre was built for the BBC on the former site of the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition. The West London site, which looks like a question mark from the air, officially opened in June 1960 and was designed by the architects Norman and Dawbarn.

Programmes recorded at Television Centre include Monty Python's Flying Circus, Fawlty Towers, Blue Peter, Strictly Come Dancing and Doctor Who.

But the BBC sold the site to Stanhope plc in July 2012 for a sum in the region of £200 million, as it looked to cut costs and shift operations to the refurbished Broadcasting House in central London and BBC North in Salford.

Stanhope has hired RIBA award-winning practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris as lead architects on the redevelopment project, supported by Macreanor Lavington and Duggan Morris.

The BBC and Stanhope hope that building work can start at the site in 2015.

Sky dominance challenged by Liberty-owned Virgin

Liberty Global's deal to buy UK cable TV giant Virgin Media is expected to provide the sternest challenge yet to the dominance of Sky, as well as restart hostilities between two billionaires.

Virgin Media has been acquired by Liberty Global - chaired by John Malone - in a $16bn (£10.22bn) deal. The US firm will use cash and stock for the deal, and pay $47.87 per Virgin Media share, representing a 24% premium on Monday's closing price.

Liberty Global, which owns a range of international TV and broadband operations, including Irish cable operator UPC and content distributor Chellomedia, will continue to use the Virgin Media brand in the UK.

Founder of the Virgin Group, Sir Richard Branson, said: "This deal is good news for the company, its customers and our people. Together, Liberty Global and Virgin Media are in a great position to shake up the industry and bring the full power of digital technology to UK consumers."

Virgin Media closed 2012 with 4.9 million customers for its services, but main rival Sky has over double that, at 10.7m customers.

Satellite TV giant Sky has Rupert Murdoch's News Corp as its biggest single shareholder, with a 39.1% stake. The firm has experienced huge growth over the years and recently snapped up a new deal to the lucrative Premier League rights.

However, a Liberty-owned Virgin Media could provide a sterner challenge for Sky in the pay-TV market.

Following the takeover, Liberty Global will become the world's leading broadband communications company, with a network covering 47 million homes. Its companies will have 25 million customers in 14 countries.

As Liberty already has a significant presence in Europe and cable networks, the deal will create instant synergy across 'triple play' products - TV, voice and broadband. It will also bring significant potential for cost savings across the combined group.

Liberty Global chief executive Mike Fries said that the group will be able to secure around $180m per year of cost savings due to the takeover. This is mostly by pooling purchasing across cable equipment and set top boxes.

The combined company will focus on the "strongest and most strategic markets in Europe", with 80% of its revenue to come from the UK, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Liberty Global will also benefit from Virgin's presence in mobile and business-to-business communications.

Virgin Media chief executive Neil Berkett said: "Virgin Media and Liberty Global have a shared ambition, focus on operational excellence and commitment to driving shareholder value.

"The combined company will be able to grow faster and deliver enhanced returns by capitalising on the exciting opportunities that the digital revolution presents, both in the UK and across Europe."

The takeover renews rivalries between Liberty's John Malone and Rupert Murdoch, the chief executive of News Corp.

The billionaire unsettled Murdoch in 2004 by amassing a 17% stake in News Corp, challenging the Murdoch family's grip over the company.

The dispute was eventually ended after News Corp agreed to sell its stake in US satellite TV broadcaster DirecTV to Malone, who in turn offloaded his News Corp shares.

Malone has eyed a move into the UK for some time, and built up a 25% stake in Telewest before it merged with NTL. The group later joined with Virgin Communications to form Virgin Media.

He can now use Virgin Media and its ready-made customer base and considerable network assets to challenge the dominance of Murdoch's Sky in the lucrative UK market.

But Fries played down expectations that Virgin would compete with Sky for prestige content rights, such as live football.

He told the Financial Times: "I do not see us doing anything in this market that's meaningfully different from what Virgin's been doing with respect to premium content."

Twitter goes big for social TV with Bluefin Labs deal

Twitter is betting big on the emerging social television space, after it acquired Massachusetts-based social TV analytics firm Bluefin Labs.

Twitter said that buying Bluefin Labs will help the firm "create innovative new ad products and consumer experiences in the exciting intersection of Twitter and TV".

Bluefin Labs was created by Michael Fleischman and Deb Roy as an "academic pursuit" at MIT, but has since grown into an analytics platform that links social media commentary with TV shows and commercials at scale.

The company now works with various major brands, advertisers and TV networks, including P&G, PepsiCo, CBS, Turner Broadcasting, FOX Broadcasting and Discovery Communications.

Bluefin said that whilst it draws data from various social media services, it feels that Twitter "is the platform where the overwhelming majority ­- about 95% - of public real-time engagement with TV happens".

"Our work in social TV measurement and analytics to date have meant that Bluefin Labs has necessarily taken an objective, but passive, role in the evolution of social TV," Bluefin said in a blog post.

"Now as part of Twitter, we look forward to working closely with Nielsen, TV networks, advertisers, agencies, and the rest of the TV ecosystem to help shape the future of social TV."

Brands and businesses are increasingly trying to harness activity on Twitter via their advertising.

During the Super Bowl at the weekend, around half the national broadcast ads had Twitter hashtags included in them, up from one in five last year.

In a separate blog post, Twitter chief operating officer Ali Rowghani said that the Bluefin acquisition "reflects our commitment to the social TV market".

He said that it also builds on Twitter's exclusive partnership agreed with TV ratings body Nielsen, which led to the development of the Nielsen-Twitter social TV measurement tool.

"We plan to collaborate closely with Nielsen and SocialGuide on product development and research to help brands, agencies, and networks fully understand the combined value of Twitter and TV," Rowghani added.

"As millions of people around the world experienced during Sunday's Super Bowl broadcast, Twitter is an amazing complement to live television viewing.

"We look forward to working with Bluefin and our partners in the television industry to make the experience of Twitter and television even better."

Rowghani confirmed that Bluefin would honour its existing customer contracts, but the firm will not sell any further products as it integrates with the Twitter operation.

The Bluefin Labs team will remain based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sky to run first 3D coverage of Formula One

Sky has confirmed plans to broadcast its first ever live Formula One in 3D ahead of the 2013 season.

Viewers will be able to watch the third test session from the Circuit de Catalunya on Sky 3D, as Sky experiments with 3D coverage of the sport.

All four days of the session from February 28 to March 3 will be shown on Sky 3D, as well as simulcast in standard and high definition on Sky Sports F1.

Sky's F1 commentator Martin Brundle said: "This is a special moment for Formula 1 fans and exactly the kind of innovation and access that Sky Sports F1 promised.

"3D will show us the real challenges of the race track with added depth and perspective. It will be a new, immersive experience for viewers and I can't wait to see what F1 action in 3D will reveal."

Sky Sports F1 executive producer Martin Turner said that the 3D broadcast will be "ground-breaking".

"We're as excited as the next fan to see what Formula 1 will look like in 3D. It's uncharted territory, but this is a big opportunity to experiment and innovate, and we're grateful to Formula One Management for working with us on this," he said.

"Sky is a world-leader in the field of 3D broadcasting, so in partnership with Formula 1 we're in the best position to answer public appetite and take up the challenge of bringing live F1 in 3D for the first time."

Sky describes the broadcast as "one-off 3D coverage" and has not indicated whether it could be extended to a full practice, qualifying or race session in the 2013 season.

However, Sky prides itself on being at the forefront of 3D sports production and F1 becomes the 14th sport that it has broadcast in 3D.

Sky's director of 3D John Cassy said: "[3D has] proved a huge success with other sports, and now for the first time ever, 3D will bring TV viewers a new perspective on Formula 1.

"This cements our commitment to innovation and investment in 3D, and it's the latest first by Sky following our recent work on Galapagos with Sir David Attenborough. As the leading 3D pioneer, Sky is delighted to be able to bring this entirely new experience to Sky 3D viewers and F1 fans."

James Caan to Star in ABC's Cullen Brothers Comedy

James Caan is reuniting with the Cullen Brothers.

The "Godfather" actor has been cast to star in ABC's untitled comedy from "Las Vegas" producers Mark and Robb Cullen.

The series revolves around recently divorced single mother Terry Gannon, who temporarily moves in with her estranged father -- a beer-swilling former baseball player. In her new situation, Gannon reluctantly decides to coach her son's underdog little-league team, drawing her back into the world of sports that she vowed to leave behind.

Caan will play Terry Sr. in the single-camera project.

The Cullens will write the the comedy, while Aaron Kaplan ("The Inbetweeners," "The Neighbors") is attached to executive produce the project, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television.

Caan also has a recurring role in the upcoming second season of the Starz drama "Magic City," as Chicago mob boss Sy Berman.

AMC, Double Feature Films Enter First-Look Deal

Cable network AMC and Double Feature Films, the production company behind "Django Unchained" and "Contagion," among others, have entered a first-look deal for television projects, the companies said Monday.

Under the two-year agreement, Double Feature will develop and produce scripted TV projects for AMC, marking the first time that Double Feature has entered such a pact with a cable network.  Double Feature partners Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg were executive producers on "Reno 911," which ran for six seasons on Comedy Central.

AMC's executive vice president of original programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman touted Sher and Shamberg's "Reno 911" experience in announcing the deal.

“Stacey and Michael are outstanding producers who have made an incredible range of films; along with an iconic, out of the box, television series that is still talked about today," Stillerman said. "What's clear from looking at their body of work is that they are driven by great material, great ideas, and great talent; and they know how to put those things together. We truly look forward to collaborating with them."

"We watch the great shows on AMC all the time so we love the idea that we can see our own productions on the network. What AMC does so well is to tell great stories with fresh characters and their series truly feel like films," Sher and Shamberg added. "This gives us the opportunity to take what we are so drawn to from the film side and make our own productions on the TV side.”

Shamberg and Sher are currently in post-production on the Justin Timberlake/Ben Affleck film “Runner Runner” and “Get a Job,” featuring Miles Teller and Bryan Cranston, the star of AMC's drama series "Breaking Bad."

'Dancing on Ice': Ashley Roberts "really emotional" over Shayne exit

Dancing on Ice judge Ashley Roberts has admitted that she got "really emotional" over Shayne Ward's exit from the reality show last weekend.

Ward was controversially eliminated from the ITV series on Sunday (February 3) after losing a skate-off to soap star Matt Lapinskas.

Commenting on the X Factor singer's exit, Roberts told Daybreak: "I was really emotional, I didn't expect to feel that because we didn't think they would be in the bottom two.

"We were in total shock and [Shayne] was just starting to get it. He was in it, he was having fun, he was giving us that fire - and then we had to let him go. So I was pretty upset about it. Matt even stumbled [in the skate-off], but he was the stronger performer."

Speaking about how she's coping with her first series as a judge, the Pussycat Doll star added: "It's colourful... It's fun. It's interesting - it keeps you on your toes, that's for sure. I think I've officially become the buffer - that's what the media has called me - in between Jason [Gardiner] and Karen [Barber].

"I'm not on the ice every day but it's giving me that itch to get out there. I just see them out there performing and I'm like, 'I want to get out there and do a performance'."

Olly Murs: 'Simon Cowell might persuade me to return to Xtra Factor'

Olly Murs has revealed that it is not "definite" that he will not return to the The Xtra Factor.

The singer recently said that it was "unlikely" that he will continue to host the spin-off show with Caroline Flack.

"I've never said it was definite that I wasn't going back, just that it was unlikely due to my music," he told The Sun.

"I've enjoyed The Xtra Factor, it's been a great part of my career."

However, he said that he would like to continue working with Flack on future projects.

"We've taken Xtra Factor back up to having millions of viewers, and Caroline and I have a lot of fans," Murs continued.

"It's been brilliant working with her, too. We have such a good relationship on screen. It's always fun and I'd love to do something else with her."

Murs added: "But music is where I want to focus at the moment – but you never know in this game.

"Simon Cowell has a very good way of persuading people to do things. I might yet be back on Xtra Factor."

Freeview could get ten more HD channels under Ofcom proposal

Freeview could get up to ten more high-definition channels under a proposal put forward by Ofcom to reuse existing radio spectrum.

The regulator said that the 600 Mhz band freed up by the analogue TV switchover could be temporarily used to enable two new digital terrestrial television (DTT) multiplexes.

According to Ofcom, this would allow the 600 MHz band to "be used to provide around ten HD channels" on Freeview HD.

The proposal is part of Ofcom's preparations for the potential move of DTT services from the 700 MHz to the 600 MHz band in the future. This would enable the 700 MHz band to be used for mobile broadband.

Ofcom said that this shift could go ahead by the end of 2018, but there is a short window from now until then in which the 600 MHz spectrum could be used for another purpose.

Ofcom feels the "most appropriate" use of the band would be for establishing temporary UK-wide DTT multiplexes, potentially opening up more efficient operation of the DVB-T2 technology used for Freeview HD.

"For example, the 600 MHz band could be used to provide around ten HD channels using DVB-T2 and MPEG4 if two multiplexes were deployed," Ofcom said.

The watchdog feels that such a move could help drive consumer take-up of Freeview HD receiver equipment.

Currently there are only four HD networks on Freeview - BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD (S4C HD in Wales has been taken over by Channel 4 HD).

There is scope for another HD channel to launch, but Channel 5 has ruled out introducing Channel 5 HD, so the BBC is currently deciding where the spectrum should go.

Bandwidth on DTT is a rare and valuable commodity, so if Ofcom was able to increase the allocation of HD channels on Freeview, even just temporarily, that could boost the subscription-free platform.

Ofcom says that any spectrum licences granted would most likely run until December 31, 2018, and it would be made clear up front to licence holders "that the spectrum may need to be vacated at that time".

As there is only a temporary window for the spectrum, licensees would be required to launch their service within 12 months of it bring granted. They would also have to reach 50% UK coverage within two years, including 25% coverage each in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The 600 MHz spectrum covers the range 550 to 606 MHz, comprising seven 8 MHz channels. It was cleared of analogue TV on a region-by-region basis during the UK's digital TV switchover, which completed last year.

The other band formerly used for analogue TV, called the 800 MHz band, is currently being auctioned for new 4G mobile services.

Ofcom has said that the new temporary HD DTT multiplexes would operate in the 600 MHz band alongside next-generation wireless microphones and so-called white space devices, which can wirelessly transfer data.

Bear Grylls Returns to Discovery With 'Ultimate Survivors' Series

Bear Grylls has apparently made up with the Discovery Channel, perhaps over a refreshing meal of urine and larva.

The former "Man vs. Wild" host, who experienced a contentious split with Discovery last March, is returning to the company with a new series, "Bear Grylls: Ultimate Survivors," which will air internationally on Discovery in 217 markets across the globe.

The series, which will consist of six hour-long episodes, will feature Grylls recounting stories of ordinary people caught in devastatingly dire situations in far-flung regions of the globe, then re-recreating the situations with himself at the center of danger to demonstrate the survival skills that were required to make it back to civilization.

“I am super excited to be working with Discovery again – the channel where the 'Man vs. Wild' journey began,” Grylls said of the new collaboration.  “'Bear Grylls: Ultimate Survivors,' and any future endeavors, will be intense—but that’s where the fun is!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Bear back to the Discovery fold,” added Luis Silberwasser chief content officer and executive vice president of Discovery Networks International. “He is a true game-changer in the survival genre, integral in shaping it into the programming powerhouse that it is today. We are now poised to push the limits even further for our international audience.”

"Ultimate Survivors" is being produced by betty TV ("Promzillas," "The Joy of Teen Sex") for Discovery Networks International. Neil Smith is executive producing for betty, while Sarah Davies is executive producing for Discovery Networks International.

The new project heals a rift between Grylls and Discovery that opened up last March, when Discovery dropped "Man vs. Wild" over what the network described as a contract dispute. A spokeswoman for Grylls told TheWrap at the time that the British adventurer disagreed with Discovery's decision.

"Bear's goal has always been to make life-empowering shows for his many fans around the globe, and he has taken great risks to bring Discovery such award-winning programming over seven seasons," the spokeswoman said in a statement at the time. "Unfortunately, Bear and Discovery have not been able to come to mutual agreement on new programming, and he disagrees with Discovery's decision to terminate current productions."

TV Tonight 6th of February 2013

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

A Question of Sport S44E12: "February 6, 2013"
Africa S01E06: "Africa: The Future"
American Idol S12E07: "Hollywood Round (1)"
Anderson Live S02E101: "Co-Host Tiffani Thiessen | Rashida Jones"
Antiques Road Trip S06E23: "Series 6, Episode 23"
Arctic Air S02E05: "Old Wounds"
Arrow S01E13: "Betrayal"
Art Mann Presents S09E03: "A Crazy Bike Party"
Aspe S09E02: "Romeo & Julia"
Auction Hunters S04E03: "It's Raining Ton"
Barter Kings S02E05: "TBA"
Black Gold S05E08: "Season 5, Episode 8"
Bob Servant, Independent S01E03: "Women and God"
Bomb Girls S02E06: "Where There's Smoke"
Chelsea Lately S07E19
Chicago Fire S01E14: "A Little Taste"
Come Dine With Me S20E105: "Series 20, Episode 83"
Conan S03E42: "Rooney Mara, Jeff Ross, Dirty Projectors"
Coronation Street S54E26: "Wed Feb 6, 2013"
Criminal Minds S08E14: "All That Remains"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation S13E13: "In Vino Veritas"
Daybreak S03E106: "February 6, 2013"
Days of our Lives S48E61: "Ep. #12017"
Deal Or No Deal (UK) S08E153: "Episode 2146"
Derek S01E02: "Episode 2"
Doctors S14E185: "Saving Irene"
Dragons: Riders of Berk S01E14: "What Flies Beneath"
Face the Clock S01E23: "Episode 23"
Four In A Bed S04E23: "Series 4, Episode 23"
General Hospital (US) S50E212: "#12740"
Ghost Hunters S09E04: "Permanent Residents"
Ghost Mine S01E04: "TBA"
Got to Dance S04E32: "Series 4, Episode 32"
Great British Menu S08E08: "Series 8, Episode 8"
Great British Railway Journeys S04E23
Guys With Kids S01E14: "The Will"
Happily Divorced S02E23: "Sleeping With The Enemy"
Het Spiegelpaleis S01E22: "Season 1, Episode 22"
Hollyoaks S19E26: "February 6, 2013"
Home and Away (AU) S26E13: "Episode 5673"
Hot In Cleveland S04E11: "Fast and Furious"
Hotel cæsar S29E119: "Season 29, Episode 119"
House Hunters S51E27
House Hunters International S35E19: "Leaving Los Angeles for Tahiti"
Ice Pilots S04E13: "Turkey or Bust"
Idol (Norway) S07E08: "Audition i Oslo - del 2"
Inside the NFL S36E22: "Week 22"
Jimmy Kimmel Live S11E23: "Ewan McGregor, Julianne Hough, Gary Clark Jr."
Judge Judy S17E132: "Booze, Boys and Boats | Drug Money and Damages"
Judge Judy S17E131
Kroll Show S01E04: "Too Much Tuna"
Last Call with Carson Daly S10E107
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon S04E21
Late Show with David Letterman S20E80
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit S14E13: "Monster’s Legacy"
Loose Women S17E96: "Series 17, Show 96"
Love You, Mean It With Whitney Cummings S01E11: "Season 1, Episode 11"
Making Mr. Right S01E05: "Mother Knows Best"
Modern Family S04E14: "A Slight at the Opera"
Moonshiners S02E13: "Secret Summit Part 1"
Mr. D S02E05: "The Crush"
My Kitchen Rules S04E06: "Season 4, Episode 6"
Nashville (2012) S01E12: "I've Been Down That Road Before"
Nature S31E07: "Attenborough’s Life Stories, Part 3 of 3"
Necessary Roughness S02E14: "The Fall Guy"
Neighbours S29E23: "Episode 6573"
NFL Turning Point S02E22: "Week 22"
NOVA S40E10: "Building Pharaoh’s Chariot"
One Born Every Minute S04E06: "Series 4, Episode 6"
Pointless S08E26: "Series 8, Episode 26"
Salatut elämät S15E102: "Hölkynkölkyn, Severi Sievinen"
Senyuu S01E05: "Season 1, Episode 5"
Suburgatory S02E12: "Body Talk"
Supernatural S08E13: "Everybody Hates Hitler"
The Americans (2013) S01E02: "The Clock"
The Bold and the Beautiful S26E220: "Ep. #6504"
The Chase (2009) S06E66: "Series 6, Episode 66"
The Chew S02E106: "Episode 344"
The Colbert Report S09E19: "Lawrence Wright"
The Culture Show S18E03: "Series 18, Episode 3"
The Daily Show S18E57: "Ed Whitacre"
The Ellen DeGeneres Show S10E98: "Melissa McCarthy, Jacki Weaver"
The Jeremy Kyle Show (UK) S08E101: "February 6, 2013"
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson S09E18: "Emmy Rossum, Jon Ronson"
The Middle S04E14: "The Smile"
The Neighbors (2012) S01E15: "Space Invaders"
The Project S05E27: "Season 5, Episode 27"
The Soup S09E58: "February 6"
The Talk S03E100: "Lady Antebellum, Perez Hilton"
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno S21E36: "Tim McGraw, Bar Refaeli"
The View S16E99: "Hunter Hayes"
The Young and the Restless S40E221: "Ep. #10090"
Thuis S18E118: "Season 18, Episode 118"
Tipping Point S02E26: "Series 2, Episode 26"
Top Chef S10E14: "Kings Of Alaska"
Tunnelbanan S02E04: "TBA"
Wanted Down Under S07E26: "Wanted Down Under Revisited 6"
Washington Heights S01E06: "Season 1, Episode 6"
Wereld draait door, De S08E93: "Season 8, Episode 93"
Whitney S02E08: "Space Invaders"
Workaholics S03E14: "Fourth and Inches"
Светофор S05E03: "Сезон 5, Эпизод 3"

Development Update: The 5th of February

ALL DRESSED UP AND EVERYWHERE TO GO (HBO, New!) - The life of Betty Halbreich is set to be the focus of a potential comedy at the pay channel from "Girls" executive producers Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner. Said effort, based on Halbreich's upcoming memoir of the same name, will track her Bergdorf-based personal shopping service, where she has spent decades working with the rich and famous. No other details were given. (Deadline.com)

ALPHA HOUSE (Amazon) - John Goodman is the first to be cast in the comedy pilot, about four senators who live together in a rented house in Washington, D.C. He'll play North Carolina Senator Gil John Biggs, "a large man with large appetites. His cranky sense of entitlement comes from years of being revered as a successful basketball coach, but when the Duke basketball coach decides to run against him, he finds his Senate seat in jeopardy." Garry Trudeau is behind the half-hour, which will be produced by Amazon Studios. (Deadline.com)

DADS (FOX) - Brenda Song ("New Girl") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about two successful video game developers - family man Warner and perpetually single Eli - who have their lives turned upside down when their nightmare dads unexpectedly move in with them. She'll play their assistant Veronica, who has an odd and entitled sensibility. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the multi-camera project with Alec Sulkin, Seth MacFarlane and Wellesley Wild executive producing. (Deadline.com)

LUCKY 7 (ABC, New!) - The Alphabet has added a 12th drama to its pilot roster, this time an import of Kay Mellor's U.K. series "The Syndicate." The domestic take, from David Zabel and Jason Richman, will revolve around "seven employees of a service station in Queens whose lives are changed in many unexpected ways when they win a lottery jackpot." ABC Studios and Amblin Television are behind the hour with Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey executive producing alongside said duo as well as Mellor through her company Rollem. (Deadline.com)

CRAZY ONES, THE (CBS) - The David E. Kelley-penned, Robin Williams-led comedy - about a brilliant ad executive working alongside his daughter - is on track for a pilot order at the Eye. Said development comes as Jason Winer ("1600 Penn") has joined the project as a director and executive producer. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the hour, which Kelley will likewise executive produce alongside Bill D'Elia. (Deadline.com)

DIVORCE: A LOVE STORY (A.K.A. LIFE ISN'T EVERYTHING) (ABC) - Mike Sikowitz and Daniel Lappin's comedy - about "a recently divorced couple, who were bad together but discover they're even worse apart and can't seem to stay out of each others' lives" - has found a new home at the Alphabet, which has given the project a pilot order. The multi-camera half-hour, originally set up at CBS, is based on the Israeli format "Life Isn't Everything." Sony Pictures Television and ABC Studios will co-produce with Reshet's Noa Tishby executive producing alongside said duo. (Deadline.com)

GABRIELS, THE (FOX) - Rob Riggle ("NTSF:SD:SUV") is in final negotiations to star in the single-camera comedy pilot, about a neurotic family with contempt for all things normal that tries their best to fit into their small Midwest town where everyone knows each other and politeness reigns. He'll play Ken, the Gabriels' patriarch who has a "child-like, devilish energy." Riggle's participation reportedly will also include a producing/development component. Andrew Gurland and Justin Hurwitz are behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based project, which has likewise tapped Jason Winer ("1600 Penn") to direct and executive produce. (Deadline.com)

GATES (NBC) - Greg Germann ("House of Lies") and Echo Kellum ("Ben & Kate") have both joined the comedy pilot, about the hijinks that ensue when parents drop off and pick up their kids at school each day. Germann will play Trevor Palmer, a super-driven, successful dad with a neglected, needy, insecure stay-at-home wife (Christina Kirk). Kellum then is set as Rav Mukherjee, a "manny" who serves as a confidant to another one of the dads, Mark (Ken Marino). Germann and Kellum replace Aasif Mandvi and Justin Chon, respectively, following the show's table read. Director Marc Buckland and writers Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith are behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which also stars Diana Maria Riva, John Grisetti and Kathleen Rose Perkins. (Deadline.com)

MOM (CBS) - Blake Garrett Rosenthal ("The Farm") has scored a role on the comedy pilot, about Christy (Anna Faris), a newly sober single mom who tries to pull her life together in Napa Valley. He's on board as Roscoe, Christy's nine-year-old son. Allison Janney also stars in the Warner Bros. Television-based half-hour, from co-creators Chuck Lorre, Eddie Gorodetsky and Gemma Baker. (Deadline.com)

ORIGINALS, THE (The CW) - Daniella Pineda ("The Fitzgerald Family Christmas") has been cast in the proposed "Vampire Diaries" spin-off, which "centers on the Original family of vampires, as Klaus (Joseph Morgan) returns to the supernatural melting pot that is the French Quarter of New Orleans, a town he helped build centuries ago." She'll play Sophie, "a witch whose magic has been silenced but not snuffed. A leader and a sexy, sharp-tongued social force, she is quietly sowing the seeds of a revolution amongst her peers." Daniel Gillies and Phoebe Tonkin also star in the project, reprising their roles from the parent series. (Deadline.com)

SECOND SIGHT (CBS) - Michael Cuesta and Carol Mendelsohn's drama - "a gothic psychological thriller about a detective who is suddenly afflicted with an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious" - is the latest to land a pilot order at the network. Said hour, from CBS Television Studios, is based on the 2000 U.K. series of the same name starring Clive Owen. Cuesta will also direct the project and executive produce alongside Mendelsohn, Julie Weitz, Paula Milne and Nick Reed with Gerald Cuesta and Phil Goldfine serving as co-executive producers. (Deadline.com)

SILICON VALLEY (HBO) - Josh Brener ("Glory Daze") and Lindsey Broad ("The Office") have both been cast in the comedy pilot, "set in the high tech gold rush of modern Silicon Valley, where the people most qualified to succeed are the least capable of handling success." The former will play Big Head, the best friend of Thomas Middleditch's Thomas, while Broad is set as Tandy, who "looks likes she could be a model, but probably just swimsuit or lingerie." T.J. Miller also stars in the project, which Mike Judge is directing from a script he co-wrote with Dave Krinsky and John Altschuler. (Deadline.com)

TRUE DETECTIVE (HBO) - Kevin Dunn ("Luck") is the latest to board the upcoming drama, about two detectives, Rust Cohle (McConaughey) and Martin Hart (Harrelson), whose lives collide and entwine during a 17-year hunt for a serial killer in Louisiana. He'll play their boss, "the fair but tough 3rd Squad Homicide Commander Maj. Ken Quesada." Alexandra Daddario, Brad Carter, Elizabeth Reaser, Jay O. Sanders, Lili Simmons, Michael Potts, Michelle Monaghan and Wood Harris also star in the eight-episode project, from Cary Fukunaga and Nic Pizzolatto. (Deadline.com)

ANATOMY OF VIOLENCE, THE (CBS) - The Eye has given a pilot order to the drama, about " a criminal psychologist with an expertise in sociopaths who partners with a young female detective with whom he shares a conflicted past." Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and Alex Cary are behind the 20th Century Fox Television-based hour, which is based on Adrian Raine's book of the same name. The aforementiond trio penned the script and will serve as executive producers with Teakwood Lake's Hugh Fitzpatrick as a co-executive producer. (Deadline.com)

CRAZY ONES, THE (CBS) - David E. Kelley's comedy - which stars Robin Williams as a brilliant ad executive working alongside his daughter - has formally been ordered to pilot. Jason Winer is helming the single-camera project, which is set up at 20th Century Fox Television. Bill D'Elia, Dean Lorey, John Montgomery and Mark Teitelbaum are also executive producing alongside Kelley and Winer. (Deadline.com)

DRACULA (NBC) - Irish actress Victoria Smurfit is the latest to board the upcoming drama, which introduces Dracula (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) as he arrives in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who maintains that he wants to bring modern science to Victorian society but in reality hopes to wreak revenge on the people who ruined his life centuries earlier. She'll play "the lithe and beautiful Lady Jayne who is instantly attracted to [Dracula] and pursues him." Jessica de Gouw, Katie McGrath and Nonso Anozie also star in the hour, from Carnival Films & Television, Flame Ventures, Playground and Universal Television. (Deadline.com)

HAPPINESS (NBC) - Linda Lavin has been cast in the multi-camera comedy pilot, about a man (Sean Hayes) who must figure out how to parent his 14-year-old daughter, who just moved in, while navigating a temperamental new boss at work. She'll play his mother Lorna, who's "tough, assertive, at times unreasonable, and always longed for her son to have those same qualities." James Burrows is helming the Universal Television-based project from a script by Victor Fresco. (Deadline.com)

INTELLIGENCE (CBS) - Michael Seitzman's drama - about a man gifted and cursed with a top-secret experimental microchip implanted in his brain that makes him computer-like in the way he sees and processes information - is the latest to receive a pilot order at the Eye. David Semel is on board to direct and executive produce the hour, which is set up at ABC Studios and based on John Dixon's unpublished book "Dissident." Tripp Vinson likewise is executive producing. (Deadline.com)

IRONSIDE (NBC) - Blair Underwood ("The Event") is set to star in the Peacock's proposed reboot of the 1960s drama, about "a tough, sexy and acerbic police detective relegated to a wheelchair after a shooting who is hardly limited by his disability as he pushes and prods his hand-picked team to solve the most difficult cases in the city." Universal Television is behind the hour, which has a pilot commitment. Mike Caleo penned the project and is executive producing alongside Teri Weinberg of Yellow Brick Road and John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment. Director David Semel however is no longer attached. (Deadline.com)

ONION PRESENTS, THE: THE NEWS (Amazon) - Jeffrey Tambor ("Bent") is the first to board the comedy pilot, "a smart, fast-paced scripted comedy set behind the scenes of The Onion News Network that shows just how far journalists will go to stay at the top of their game." He'll play David Everett, "ONN's oldest and most respected news anchor." Todd Strauss-Schulson is helming the project off a script by Will Graham and Dan Mirk for Amazon Studios. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED CULLEN BROTHERS PILOT (ABC) - Griffin Gluck ("Private Practice") has been cast in the comedy pilot, about Terry Gannon, Jr., "a recently divorced single mother who temporarily moves in with her estranged father (James Caan), a beer-swilling former baseball player." He'll play her son Danny, whose underdog Little League team she reluctantly starts coaching. 20th Century Fox Television is behind the single-camera project, from co-creators Mark and Robb Cullen. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED JOHN LEGUIZAMO PROJECT (ABC) - The John Leguizamo-led comedy - based on his life as a husband, father and fish out of water on the upper West Side of New York - has snagged a pilot order from the Alphabet. Leguizamo co-wrote the multi-camera project alongside Chris Sheridan for ABC Studios. They'll also executive produce alongside The Collective's Jeff Golenberg and Sam Maydew as well as Mandeville Films and Television's David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Maria Crenna. (Deadline.com)

UNTITLED NCIS: LOS ANGELES SPIN-OFF PROJECT (CBS) - Edwin Hodge ("Cougar Town") is the first to be cast in the backdoor pilot, which tracks "a mobile team of agents who are forced to live and work together as they crisscross the country solving crimes." He'll play Kai Ashe, "the incredibly bright, witty and likable technical assistant, an all-round tech savvy computer guy and expert on everything." CBS Television Studios is behind the hour, which will air as an episode of the parent series later this year. (Deadline.com)

WILSONS, THE (MTV, New!) - Comedian Cy Amundson has booked a pilot order from the cable channel for a partially scripted comedy about "a family in the vein of the Kardashians with a pinch of the Bluths from Arrested Development and the Pritchetts from Modern Family." Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh are executive producing the half-hour for RelativityReal with Joel Hokestra and Generate's Samantha Saifer serving as co-executive producers alongside Amundson. (Deadline.com)

'Downton Abbey' Comes in Second to Super Bowl

Talk about your counter-programming: PBS's "Downton Abbey" was second only to the Super Bowl in Sunday night primetime.

A distant second, but still.

The decision to air a new episode of "Downton" -- even as other broadcasters opted for repeats -- paid off for PBS. Sunday's episode averaged 6.6 million viewers, just a hair below the 108.4 million viewers who tuned in for the game.

If just a few of those discriminating "Downton" viewers had deigned to watch football instead, the Super Bowl might have managed to break the record set by last year's game and become the most-watched U.S. TV broadcast ever. Instead, it had to settle for third, behind the 2011 and 2011 games.

An episode of "Elementary" that aired after the Super Bowl -- and well after the conclusion of "Downton" -- had 20.8 million total viewers.

NBCU's Bonnie Hammer to Run Cable; Joe Uva to Run Telemundo

NBC Universal's executive lineup underwent a shift of responsibilities on Monday, with Bonnie Hammer, NBCU's chairman of cable entertainment and cable studios, taking control of NBC Universal's full cable portfolio, and executive Lauren Zalaznick being promoted to a new role, and former Univision president and CEO Joe Uva taking over NBCU's Spanish-language network Telemundo.

Under her new expanded duties, Hammer (pictured) will oversee Bravo, Oxygen, Style, Sprout and TV One adding to her existing duties of overseeing USA Network, SyFy, E!, G4, Cloo, Chiller and other properties. The newly consolidated collection of networks will be renamed Cable Entertainment Group.

Zalaznick, who has been serving as chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment & Digital Networks and Integrated media, has been promoted to the new position of EVP NBCUniversal, where she'll focus on "innovation, digital, monetization and emerging technology across the company," NBC Universal CEO Steve Burke told employees in an internal email.

Uva, meanwhile, has been tapped for the newly created position of NBCU's chairman of Hispanic Enterprises and Content, a position that will include running the company's Spanish language networks Telemundo and mun2. Uva stepped down as president and CEO of Univsion in June 2011,

Hammer and Zalaznick will assume their new responsibilities immediately, while Uva will come aboard April 3.

Burke, who's enacted similar restructurings for NBCU's sports and news divisions, said that the restructuring will help streamline things while allowing for better exploitation of the company's assets.

"Our business is more dynamic and challenging than at any point in its history," Burke wrote in a memo to his staff. "Now, more than ever, we need to simplify our organization and take advantage of the breadth of our assets. At the same time, we need to focus more on innovation and emerging technologies. These organization changes are designed to do just that,” Burke wrote.

'Splash!': Tom Daley reality show to return for second series in 2014

Splash! will return in 2014 with a second series.

British and Olympic diving champion and bronze medallist Tom Daley will return to host the show next year.

"I am over the moon to hear Splash! will run for a second season," Daley said.

"It's a dream come true for me to be involved in an entertainment show which has been so successful and also fits so well around my training schedule."

He added: "Splash! has put diving on primetime TV and diving clubs all across the country have kept telling me that they now have waiting lists, following the popularity of the show.

"That in itself is an incredible achievement and I'm very excited to be part of it."

ITV's director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell added: "Splash! has proved itself by building a big, enthusiastic, primetime family audience.

"We've seen some quite incredible bravery from our celebrities this series, and the scale of the dives they were achieving is in no small part down to their mentor, and the star of our show, Tom Daley.

"We're looking forward to even more Saturday night spectacle, and sparkle, with the second series."

Splash! was ITV's highest-rating new entertainment series for five years and the first run was won by Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards on Saturday.

CBS Orders Pilots For 'Homeland' Team Drama, Robin Williams/David E. Kelley Comedy

CBS has ordered a crime drama from "Homeland" team Howard Gordon, Alex Gansa and Alex Cary, as well as a comedy from David E. Kelly that will star Robin Williams.

"Anatomy of Violence," which will be written by "Homeland" vets Gordon (pictured), Gansa and Cary, will follow a criminal psychologist with an expertise in sociopaths who partners with a young female detective with whom he shares a conflicted past.

Teakwood Lane is producing the project along with 20th Century Fox Television.

"Crazy Ones," meanwhile, will be written and executive produced by David E. Kelley, with Robin Williams in the starring role. The single-camera, father/daughter workplace comedy is set in the world of advertising.

Dean Lorey, Bill D’Elia, John Montgomery, Mark Teitelbaum and Jason Winer are also executive producing, with Winer ("Arthur") directing.

The network has also ordered a pilot for the drama "Intelligence," which is centered at US Cyber Command, and focuses on a unit that has been created around one agent with a very special gift  -- a microchip that has been implanted in his brain that allows him to access the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

Michael Seitzman ("Americana") is writing and executive producing, with David Semel ("American Horror Story: Asylum") directing and executive producing. Tripp Vinson ("Red Dawn," "The Number 23") also on board to executive produce the ABC Studios project.

Last week, CBS ordered the drama pilot "Second Sight," about a detective who is suddenly afflicted with  an autoimmune virus that causes hallucinations reflective of his subconscious from "Homeland" executive producer Michael Cuesta. The network's pilot orders also include a small-screen reboot of the "Beverly Hills" cops franchise, as well as a drama about the U.S. Surgeon General from "Lie to Me" creator Samuel Baum.

'The Ricki Lake Show' Canceled

Ricki Lake's return to daytime talk television is no more.

Twentieth Television announced Monday that "The Ricki Lake Show," which premiered in September, will not continue into the 2013-2014 season.

Declaring herself "so proud" of the series, Lake said that she will "continue to be an active and passionate voice for subjects that are close to my heart through a variety of platforms."

Lake also said that she will re-focus on making documentaries with Abby Epstein, with whom she partnered on the documentary "The Business of Being Born."

"I am so proud of the shows we completed this season, sparking important conversations about everything from raising children to mental illness to suicide prevention to coming out," Lake said. "I will continue to be an active and passionate voice for subjects that are close to my heart through a variety of platforms -- and a return to my documentary filmmaking work with Abby Epstein.  I am excited to create meaningful and provocative films similar to our 2007 project, 'The Business of Being Born.'"

Stephen Brown, executive vice president of programming and development at Twentieth Television, said that, while "we are all proud of the topics the program tackled," they were nonetheless "not able to to break through the crowded talk show marketplace.”

Though Lake, who hosted a popular talk show from 1994 to 2003, brought experience as well as familiarity to the new gig, she re-entered the arena at a time that saw considerable competition from new talk shows hosted by the likes of Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper and Jeff Probst. Cooper's show, "Anderson Live," will end its run after its current second season.