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."