Couch potato supreme Walt Belcher keeps you updated on what's happening in the world of television, from the hot new shows to the ones that shouldn't stick around for another season. Please email your own thoughts, ideas, comments and questions to Walt. Just click here.

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Chris Footnotes

In the news conference today, Daughtry also said that his good friend Ace Young called him to offer sympathy. He said Ace was "like a brother."

He declined to say anything bad or good about the three remaining contestants but he wished them the best of luck.

He also noted that "it was really cool" being able meet and work with Rod Stewart.

When the word came down that he was out, he said he was shocked, Katharine McPhee was shocked and America was shocked.

He also thanked all his family and friends who have been supportive.

Comment On American Idol

Reportedly, Chris Daughtry will get an offer tonight on the syndicated gossip show "Extra" but it may just be a big publicity stunt.

A band (whose name begins with an "F") will make the pitch. Daughtry can't do much now because he is obligated to "American Idol" after the finale.

Just minutes ago, Daughtry said he still isn't over the unexpected loss on "Idol" last night.

He said the other contests were speechless; Paula Abdul was crying; Randy Jackson was supportive and Simon Cowell was in shock, too.

He thought Katherine McPhee was going home.

"I think people didn't vote because they thought I was a shoo-in and that was my downfall," he told TV writers in a national telephone conference. He said he expected his wife, who is working two jobs so he can compete, to be out of control but she comforted him.

Daughtry, who has never received vocal training, has dreamed of a music career since age 16. But living in a rural Southern town with a family and a job, he only has performed sporadically with his rock band Absent Element at small local bars.

He certainly seemed like the favorite until last night.

"I thought I had some strong momentum,'' he said. "I have no regrets. I gave every performance like it was going to be my last."

Chris Daughtry, the 26-year-old rocker from McLeansville, is still reeling from the shocker last night. "It was gut-wrenching, totally unexpected," he told TV writers in phone conference that started at 1:15 p.m. " I was shocked. It was totally unexpected," he said.| Chris said ""Maybe people thought I was safe and didn't vote as much. I'm trying to see the bigger picture and things are lined up and I;'m going to fish for everything." Long considered the front-runner, Chris says he is considering numerous offers. ""I can't talk about them," he said. Daughtry is obligated to "American Idol" for three months after the finale. Reportedly, some well-known bands are going to make him an offer. He said he is going to wait and see what happens before deciding on a solo career or joining a band. He said is was a real downer because for weeks everyone had been telling him that he was going to win.

Coming up in just a few minutes: I am talking to poor Chris who was booted from "American Idol" last night. The Fox conference call is getting underway....

This just in from overnights: "Deal or No Deal" "American Idol," "Lost," "Law & Order," "Criminal Minds," "CSI: NY" )

Misses: "Alias," "The Bedford Diaries," "Invasion," and "Girlfriends"

"American Idol" remained huge with 27.8 million viewers, giving Fox a first-place finish in the overnights, total viewers and adults 18-49.

"Lost" had 15.71 million viewers. But "Alias" which preceded it had 6 million while "Invasion" which followed had 8.6 million. |

"Deal or No Deal" won the 8 p.m. hour with nearly 16 million. The aging "Law & Order" had a respectable 12.6 million, winning the 10 p.m. hour. ""Dateline" at 9 did OK against "Idol."

Over on lowly UPN, "America's Next Top Model" did decent ratings for that network.

Blog reader Robert Browne notes:

Re: your blog on ratings for Tuesday don't you mean Boston Legal instead of Boston Public? ....

(A mistake I might have made... We loved the show!)

On another subject has Narissa Prest found a new spot? We miss her humor on the weekend Channel 8 newscasts.

Bob

Ouch! I guess I was having a David E. Kelley flashback. Boston Legal? Boston Public? Boston Baked Beans?

Got a nice e-mail from Narissa. Looks like she is still looking for work.

Roger Valligny of Spring Hill has a complaint:

Read your column everyday and have a suggestion. Rather than use almost the space that the paper allows you for comments on just a SMALL number of shows,usually watched by a small number of viewers ( my opinion ) why don't you allow some space to comment about such shows as are offered on Discovery, Nat. Geo. Learning, Law & Order, 48 hours, Dateline, etc.

Many of us don't watch OR care about The Office, My Name is Earl, and too many others like them.

Perhaps if our "future leaders" God forbid watched something other than the stupid sit coms they would know the name of the current Vice Pres and where some of the mid east countries where the war is active are located I "might" have some hope for our country.

My answer: The ratings for Learning, National Geographic and History are pretty small compared to The Office and Earl.

But I do try to write abut them when they have something interesting...

"Law & Order" is an odd choice to put in the mix of programs that children might need to keep from being dumb voters.

Anyway, I have devoted many inches of column space to L&O over the years including a couple of entire columns this season.

The May Sweeps aren't over but we can still look ahead to summer:

Here's what's coming up: Here's a sample of the summer highlights: • "Windfall," June 8, 10 p.m., NBC. Twenty winners share a huge lottery jackpot. How will the cash influence their lives? Some become losers. Luke Perry, Jason Gedrick, Sarah Wynter and Lana Parrilla are in the cast. • "Deadwood," June 11, 9 p.m., HBO. The four-letter words fly when Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) returns to the corrupt old West town of Deadwood, S.D. • "Entourage," June 11, 10 p.m., HBO. Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his hangers-on are back. But we'll be looking for sleazy hustler Ari (Jeremy Piven. • "Lucky Louie," June 11, 10:30 p.m., HBO. Comedian Louis C.K. stars as an auto mechanic emasculated by his primary breadwinner wife (Pamela Adlon). • "The 4400," June 11, 9 p.m., USA. The science-fiction drama about thousands (4,400, to be exact) of humans formerly abducted Earthlings returns. Tippi Hedren joins the cast. • "The Closer," June 12, 9 p.m., TNT. Kyra Sedgwick returns as Southern belle Brenda Johnson who brings down bad boys in LA. • "Saved," June 12, 10 p.m., TNT. Tom Everett Scott is a med school droput and gambler who works as a paramedic. • "The Dead Zone," June 18, 10 p.m., USA. Anthony Michael Hall returns as a former coma patient with psychic powers in the fifth season of this supernatural series. • "Blade," June 28, 10 p.m., Spike. Kirk "Sticky" Jones stars as Marvel comics' good vampire. Jill Wagner is a military veteran who needs his help. • "Monk," July 7, 9 p.m., USA. Tony Shalhoub is back as the obcessive P.I. • "Psych," July 7, 10 p.m., USA. A guy who pretends to have psychic powers helps the police solve crimes in this satire on psychic shows. Dule Hill ("The West Wing") plays his best friend and Corbin Bernsen is his father. • "Brotherhood," July 9, 10 p.m., Showtime. The Irish mob in Rhode Island is the focus here. Jason Clarke and Jason Isaacs play brothers. One is an honest politician. The other is a former mobster who may ne trying to right past wrongs. • "Weeds," August, Showtime. Golden Globe winner Mary-Louise Parker returns as suburbia's pot-dealing single mom.

Tuesday night (May 9)

Hits: American Idol, House Law & Order: SVU

Doing OK: NCIS, Gilmore Girls, The Unit, Boston Public.

Stinking up the place: Most Outrageous Moments; Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America; Scrubs; Pepper Dennis.

Big disappointment: Veronica Mars. Ratings were bad and the season finale sucked.

ABC just now announced that on Monday, May 15, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” will devote a full hour to honor ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy."

His guests will be Katherine Heigl, James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson.

Also, Ben Lee will perform the hits “Catch My Disease” and “Gamble Everything for Love” off the “Grey’s Anatomy” soundtrack.

In addition to visiting Jimmy as celebrity guests, Grey’s doctors will be put to the test to see if they have what it takes to keep Kimmel alive.

Pull the plug, pull it now. Just kidding. Love that Jimmy. He used to work at a Tampa radio station. He's cool.

Bravo announced today that on May 23 it will launch rilliantButCancelled.com, a new broadband service that celebrates the small screen's best-loved but short-lived series.

This carries on a series that aired on the now-departed TRIO network.

BrilliantButCancelled.com will be anchored by a critically-acclaimed line-up of some of television's most daring programs.

Those that were "too smart, too edgy or too hip for TV" when they hit the airwaves.

Included are some of the cancelled-before-it-ever-aired series.

Among the offerings: "The Jake Effect" (starring Jason Bateman in a role that foreshadowed his character on "Arrested Development"); "EZ Streets" (starring Ken Olin in Paul Haggis' hard-hitting series about as an honest detective battling to save his job and reputation); and "Johnny Staccato" (featuring John Cassavetes as a jazz musician moonlighting as a private detective).

Also on BrilliantButCancelled.com will be: "Delvecchio," the predecessor to Steven Bochco's "Hill Street Blues" starring Judd Hirsch; "Gideon Oliver," starring Lou Gossett, Jr. as a Columbia professor obsessed with crime; and "Touching Evil," the story of a detective who returns to work after a bullet passes through his head.

NBC-owned USA Network is planning movies that are compatible with the WWE wrestling franchise.

USA has done so well with the WWE's return of MONDAY NIGHT RAW that the network plans to develop and produce action movies aimed at the WWE audience, according to Bonnie Hammer, president, USA Network.

"We're looking forward to building and expanding on our audience as well as the RAW fan base with high impact, adrenaline-fueled, larger-than-life action - just like they'll find in the ring," Hammer said Tuesday.

Currently in the works are three projects:

HUNTING RABBETS

This movie follows Jack and Bobby Rabbet, hard luck brothers who operate a failing repossession business.

When Bobby neglects to pay their taxes, a secret government agency confronts the Rabbets with an ultimatum: go to prison, or work off the debt.

Now, as unofficial government employees, Jack and Bobby must use their repo skills to search America for classified items the government cannot admit it has lost.

CRUSH

Bodyguards have to be tough, and Able "Crush" Cross was one of the toughest. But the business of protection is a hard one.

Forced out for not being a team player, Crush makes a living as bouncer at Los Angeles hot spots. However, Crush is pulled back into the bodyguard business when he is hired by a wealthy CEO who fears for the life of his daughter.

Now, Crush and his computer genius brother (who is inconveniently under house arrest!) must untangle a web of deceit and murder.

THE LAST TOUGH GUY

Jack Cooper is one of the best stunt men in Hollywood. Unfortunately, his hard-drinking lifestyle and gruff demeanor have left him with few jobs and fewer friends.

When Jack witnesses the death of his former mentor, producer Rudy Solomon, he goes to the police, who prove uncooperative.

Reconnecting with his former flame (who happens to be Rudy's estranged daughter), Jack decides to take matters into his own hands.

These films will be coming up in the 2006-2007 season. Look for WWE personalities to bed cast in key roles.

Whatever happened to Henderson? Where did he go?

This episode has plenty of filler and not much of Chloe. There's Logan. Don't let him shoot the First Lady.

She's cutting him down. It's over. He's going to end it. It's a bit much. Rather see him brought to justice and made to face it. Wait, one more damn phone call. Logan can't resist. Thank God, it looked a jump the shark moment, President Commits Suicide!

I told Jack not to relax. Miles and Logan meet on the phone. Two weasels that we hate worse than the terrorists. Miles is such a rat.

Ah, there's the Chloe snarl. If only she would slap Miles up the side of his head. Maybe next week.

Jack got away. Prez Loco can't believe it. Logan may go off the deep end. He's heading for a major crack-up. Or he may get a gun and hunt down Jack himself.

Jack is back at CTU. Oh no, they could still lose the tape. I knew it. William Devane is still alive. Jack is getting too confident. He's stil got three hours to go.

A mushy moment with Audrey. Jack can't have romance. No time for that. He doesn't eat or sleep or use the restroom.

Logan has now spent half the night with a phone in his ear. Logan won't rat out the bad guys. He's going to shoot himself or the first lady.

How long was that last break? I almost dozed off. Too many commercials.

This show couldn't exist without cell phones. Every scene needs a cell phone conversation to lay pipe (plot exposition).

It's been a half hour and no one has been killed yet.

Who is the bigger creep? Miles or Logan?

Logan, I guess, because he has let people die. But Miles is ... well, I can't say it here. Whoops, Miles is working his evil ways. He's in on the Save Jack plan. Don't trust him. Don't we all know jerks like Miles?

The Russian terrorist is going to get away. Another mole, a driver, will help him. CTU has some serious problems screening the help.

Nearly 40 minutes and no one killed yet. No gunfire.

There's Chloe. Can't wait until she shoots down that jerk from Homeland Security. Jack needs Chloe. He can't do much without her.

Good thing those jet fighters are so slow. Gives Jack time to get the plane down. Landing on the freeway, sounds like a car alarm went off. Landing on an LA freeway. Logan may have to blow up Los Angeles.

Plane just stopped before hitting an overpass, thereby saving producers cost of special effects.

So far, they just had to shake the cameras and make a lot of cuts from the plane to Jack to Logan to CTU.

Watching "24" tonight. Right now. Prez Logan is such a weasel. How did this guy get elected?

All that high tech equipment and Jack can't down load that stupid recording of Logan's confession.

Who are those guys giving Logan instructions?

Prez Loco is going to let them shoot down a plane just to get Jack. We know Jack can't die. But how will he get out of it?

Never notice how all the women automatically trust and defend Jack?

Jack's gonna get the plane down on a freeway...Damn. Got to first break and no Chloe. I need her scowl.

Talking to Mike Judge today about the 200th episode of "King of the Hill" coming up Sunday.

He revealed that he is a big "American Idol" fan.

Judge said he was rooting for Paris Bennett and would have bought anything she recorded.

He forgot Taylor Hicks name. But said that Fox would never have allowed "that guy with the gray hair" on TV.

He said that having the public vote is great because the public has kept Hicks on.

Judge is working on 21 more episodes of "King of the Hill."

A series finale that was to have aired this month will be saved until May 2007 (unless Fox gives them another year).

Judge who does the voice of Hank Hill is ready to let the characters go.

Fans of Fox series "Malcolm in the Middle" and "That '70s Show" have an opportunity to own a piece of television history with props from both sets up for auction on eBay for charity.

Viewers can log on to www.ebay.com/70sandmalcolm to bid on the Formans’ living room couch, where Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) proposed to Jackie (Mila Kunis), and Malcolm’s (Frankie Muniz) kitchen table, where his dysfunctional family gathered to eat dinner for seven seasons. Many other collectible items also are part of the charity auction, which will run through Wednesday, May 17 (9:00 PM EST). The proceeds will benefit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and the Young Storytellers Foundation.

Once again technical difficulties have prevented me from posting items from home. The crack Tech team here is on the case.

Anyway, as promised: News on "The Prisoner."

The British satellite channel Sky One plans to remake of the cult-classic which aired as a summer series back in the 1960s.

The original, created by Patrick MacGhoon (who also starred as No. 6), only ran for 14 episodes.

The remake will start with six episodes (love how the British make 'em short).

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the original series.

Reportedly, actor Christopher Eccleston is in line to play No. 6. Eccleston can be seen as The Doctor in the new series of "Doctor Who" episodes on the Sci-Fi Channel.

The remake of "The Prisoner" follow a government agent who is drugged, kidnapped and wakes up on a mysterious island.

He is given a comfortable home on an island of former spies but a mysterius No. 1 wants to control his mind and actions.

The Prisoner cannot escape but never stops trying.

CBS plans a summer series, "Gameshow Marathon" with Ricki Lake has host.

Six celebrities (Tim Meadows, Leslie Nielsen, Paige Davis, Lance Bass, Kathy Najimy and Brande Roderick) will compete in a different classic game show each week.

The games include "The Price Is Right," "Let's Make a Deal," "Beat the Clock," "Press Your Luck," "Card Sharks," "Match Game" and "Family Feud."

It debuts Wednesday, May 31 at 8 p.m.

Scratch that previous rumor. Apparently the sources are misinformed. "7th Heaven" is dead and going to rerun heaven.

Oxygen, the network loaded with estrogen, announced its plans for 2007.

I'm not sure we can wait for these:

Pilot orders include "Once More With Feeling", a half-hour reality show that takes aging life announcement, a pregnancy for example, and turns it into a musical production number.

"Capitol Hill Girls" will be a half-hour reality "docu-soap" that tracks a mix of Republican and Democratic women who storm the Hill to "promote a bipartisan cause."

"Tease", yet another half-hour reality show, is a sort of Iron Coiffe, a hair-dryers-at-20-paces showdown in which four established stylists take on "talented challengers."

Script deals include: "Angry Little Girls", an animated comedy from Jennifer Love Hewitt's Lovespell and Alex Borstein (Family Guy).

"Bastards!" a scripted comedy about the headmistress of an elite academy (Fox TV Studios).

"Identical", another half-hour comedy about identical twins different as night and day.

"Nicky Velvet", an hour action drama about a thief-for-hire; Robin Hudson Mysteries, an hour scripted mystery drama about a hapless cable news reporter with a "hap" for solving crimes (based on the books by Sparkle Hayter).

"Serial", an hour limited drama about a sheriff's daughter who helps protect a town from a serial killer.

"Sexy Justice", billed as "Cagney & Lacey meets Austin Powers"; and two original films, "The Pact", a murder mystery, and thriller "Blindsided." Welcome, Guest. Subscribe/ Log in for complete access. Home | Advertise | Contact Us | Subscriptions © 2006 Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Use of this web site is subject to its Terms and Conditions of Use. View our Privacy Policy.

I wake up Friday to the rumor from reliable sources that NBC will renew "Scrubs" and The CW will renew "7th Heaven" which is supposed to say goodbye on Monday night.

Another good "24" this week but I'm wondering why Jack doesn't download that recording of President Logan into something. He should be able to patch it through to Chloe.

Another thing troubling me this season is what happened to JoBeth Williams. She only in one episode as Henderson's wife. Jack shot her in the leg and she disappeared. Seems like a waste of a talented actor for just that little bit of screen time.

On Friday night (May 5) I will tear myself away from the couch to host the Fri Extra Concert.

These free live musical events at Lowry Park are a lot of fun.

I will be introducing the Stacey Knights Jazz Group (jazz)and Gumbi Ortiz and the Latino Projekt (Afro-Cuban Timba Street Party).

If you can't make it, the events are taped and repeated often on the Tampa city government channel.

More secrets: Today I am visiting the set of a CBS reality series that will take place in Tampa. Can't say much more until CBS announces it. Comic Brett Butler is involved and Jay McGraw, son of Dr. Phil, is the producer. That's all I know.

The finales are piling up. Fox send a couple -- "That '70s Show" and "Prison Break" -- with strict rules not to reveal certain things.

I am so full of secrets. There's really only one good moment to the finale of ""That '70s Show."

The rest is just filler. I think I'm save in saying that Jackie ends up with Fez, and we never really learn where Fez comes from.

Justin Long, who was so great as nervous high school student Warren Cheswick on "ED", guest stars as a Fez's best friend from whatever. Long fakes a British accent and is dressed like a 1960s British rocker.

Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) looks like he's 30 as does most of this cast.

There's a lot of lame jokes. Red (Kurtwood Smith) giveshis 100th foot in the butt threat.

Does anyone buy that Jackie and Fez would bumbled off into the sunset together?

This show is as stale as day old marijuana smoke.

Tina Pipp of Tampa was the first to respond with correct answers to trivia. Last Hurrah director: Tim Matheson Also played former Vice-President John Hoynes Break out movie: He was Otter on Animal House Other correct answers came (just a little late) from Pam Monahan, Ken Darst, Thomas Collins.

"Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar" at 10 tonight opens with Joan Collins arriving at the Carrington estate in a Rolls.

At 72 she looks smashing. Somewhere there is a portrait of her rotting away.

Just the sight of those legs, that Rolls, the Nolan Miller outfits (with shoulder pads to die for) and the Carrington estate brings back so many "I Love the '80s" memories.

"Dynasty," a tribute to excessive wealth, power and trophy wives with big hair, was a big hit when I was a fledgling TV critic.

It was trashy-fun, a campy, over-the-top soap that some say was inspired by the Ronald Reagan's happy-days-are-here style. Originally titled "Oil,'" it also was ABC's answer to CBS's "Dallas."

CBS gets revenge tonight by airing the reunion special. Collins makes nice with co-star Linda Evans, 63, on this clip-filled tussle down memory lane.

Collins played Alexis, the aging man-hunter and nemesis to Evan's good-gal Krystal.

Alexis was the first wife of Denver oil tycoon Blake Carrington (John Forsythe). Krystal was the second wife.

The introduction of Collins in the second season saved the show. Her Alexis was darker, meaner and older than Krystal. Their famous catfights, including the thriller in the lily pond, will be recalled tonight.

The series debuted in January 1981, a few months before I took this job. And it ran until 1989 and was a top 10 hit from '82 to '86.

On one of my annual summer trips to the Television Critics Association's preview tour, I went to a media party at Arden Villa, the 20,000 square-foot mansion in Pasadena, Calif. that was used for the "Dynasty" garden and pool shots.

I stood at the edge of the cement pond where Alexis and Krystal slugged it out. There were no skid marks.

Viewers didn't know it, but pond is only two-feet deep so the actors had to fight on their knees. Now that's acting. At least, it was for Evans. A stunt double filled in for Collins.

Tonight's special also brings back some unpleasant and shameful scenes of bigotry from the first season: Blake is outraged when he learned that his son, Steven, is a homosexual. He mockingly offers to start The Carrington Institute for the Treatment of Faggotry.

That is so jarring because Forsythe is such a gentleman and kind soul in real life. At 88, he is frail but still dapper. He makes only a brief appearance tonight.

Missing is Heather Locklear who was a young starlet when she played Steven's socially challenged trashy wife, Sammy Jo.

I meant to post this last night but I am experiencing technical difficulties:

Trivia question to win Vinick for President coffee mug and campaign button:

The director of Sunday's episode "The Last Hurrah" has another connection to "The West Wing."

Name him. Name the character he played and the 1970s comedy film role that put him on the map.

First to e-mail answer to wbelcher@tampatrib.com wins.

Good luck

Dr. Phil stole Paula Abdul's brain.

That's right. Apparently the last time Ms. Forever Girl was coherent was during the Dr. Phil-of-it special on which he played love doctor.

Anyone who saw that mess (the show, not Phil-o-Buster) knows poor Paula is love-staved and very, very needy.

People watching "American Idol" are wondering if she's "on" something. Drugs? Anti-depressants?

She seems to be a fog sometimes. Other times she is giddy silly. Last episode, she blubbered. She always gushes over the contestants no matter how bad they are.

This lack of focus has been seized upon by the media. There is much speculation on the Internet.

One blogger suggested it might be a menopausal meltdown. Others have said it might be an act, designed to generate buzz.

"American Idol" can't go a week without some kind of meaningless controversay popping up. This gives radio talk show yappers something to talk about.

If Paula is losing it, she's cracking up all the way to the bank. Not only has Fox renewed her contract for three years, but she's in talks with CBS for a possible syndicated series.

On Monday of this week, an apparently sane Paula appeared on QVC to launch herline of custom jewelry in a two-hour live show.

Nearly 34,000 units of the jewelry collection were sold when she was on in front of a live studio audience. Without Simon around she seems to be just fine.

She's in control enough to design an an eclectic mix of necklaces, charms, bracelets and earrings that feature different metals, textures and finishes.

But she gets a little flakey when she says her designs feature meaningful messages and symbols that inspire a positive attitude. Prices range in price from approximately $20 to $90.

Did anyone see Dr. Phil standing behind a curtain at QVC? He could be playing her like a puppet.

Great. One of the most annoyingly mean-spirited people on the planet, Rosie O'Donnell, is joining "The View."

Rosie can be funny. But only in small doses. Extended exposure can cause brain damage.

Can't wait for Star Jones to jump out of her seat and go for Rosie's throat. The Rose Burger said some nasty things abut Jones' getting a by-pass to lose weight.

It won't last. Rosie can't work with other people for very long.

At last our prayers have been answered. Kellie Pickler has been bounced from "American Idol."

Some think that the North Carolina babe was really as dumb as she seemed. Frankly, her Beverly Hillbillies act looked like a put-on to me.

She should have been sent home weeks ago instead of Tampa's Melissa McGhee.

These things often sound better on paper than what we finally see:

SCI FI Channel today (Wednesday) announced a batch of new series that are in the works for the future.

CAPRICA

From executive producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick (Battlestar Galactica), writer Remi Aubuchon (24) and NBC Universal Television Studio, this new series is set over a half a century before the events that play out in Battlestar Galactica. The people of the Twelve Colonies are at peace and living in a society not unlike our own.

A startling breakthrough in robotics is about to occur, one that will bring to life the age-old dream of marrying artificial intelligence with a mechanical body to create the first living robot - a Cylon.

SNAP From Alias and Lost producer Jesse Alexander, Snap is a one-hour Hitchcockian thriller about a Federal agent who uncovers a deep-seated and seemingly unstoppable conspiracy.

The Internet has secretly become sentient, infiltrated every aspect of our lives, and is surreptitiously manipulating human beings towards some larger unknown agenda.

PERSONS UNKNOWN

From Academy Award-winning writer Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), who executive produces with Heather McQuarrie, Persons Unknown is a surreal mind-game of a series centering on a group of strangers who awaken in a deserted town with no memory of how they arrived, only to realize that there is no escape.

Watched by omnipresent security cameras, their every attempt at leaving the town's borders is thwarted by mysterious forces.

THE BISHOP

From executive producers and writers Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Conrad Jackson, this one-hour drama revolves around a young slacker whose charmed life is disrupted when he discovers that he has a supernatural gift.

Initially rejecting the responsibility that comes with his newfound power, he soon realizes that the mystery surrounding his gift is rooted in his lineage, and in the father he never knew. BLINK From executive producers Eric McCormack (Will & Grace) and Michael Forman, and writer Irving Belateche, this thought-provoking series asks the question: what would happen if you could freeze that moment in time when something you do or a decision you make changes your life forever?

A group of Afterlife investigators try to help those about to make the wrong choice, in the blink of an eye before destiny is sealed forever. And for Sci Fi Late Night:

GROUND CONTROL

From Carson Daly Productions, this half-hour late night strip focuses on a wide-range of human interest and news topics relating to science fiction and the world of the supernatural, the paranormal, and the unexplained.

With a fast-paced news/talk format including spirited debates and celebrity/expert guests, this will be a hallmark show for the network - a homebase for the expanding sci-fi genre. Fresh, innovative, and even irreverent, Ground Control will be the kind of program that offers something for everyone.

UNTITLED MINISTRY OF UNKNOWN SCIENCE SKETCH COMEDY SERIES

A half-hour, hybrid sketch comedy, Ministry of Unknown Science uses the classic "PBS" science news magazine show format as a launching point into mockumentary segments, sketches, commercial parodies, field tests, interviews and other stream-of-consciousness insanity. The content of the show seems remotely real, but is, of course, totally unreal and always hilarious.

Features "The Ministry of Unknown Science" sketch comics Jason Berlin, Tim Walker, Rico Gagliano and Eric Truheart.

WSTR/Star 94, at the age of 16. Initially he was turned down, but Ryan submitted a demo tape to the station's program director that was impressive. Ryan was offered the job as an on-air personality and eventually was given the 7 PM to Midnight shift. The show became one of the highest rated for the station and, all along, Ryan kept up his school work and even made time to play on his high school football team (he is a Falcon fan!)

According to Ryan Seacrest's biography he attended the University of Georgia and majored in journalism.

He didn't finish, dropping out to pursue a radio career which is not exactly journalism. Perhaps he learned what journalists make and opted to go for real money.

Being a UGA grad myself, I will cut Seacrest some slack because he might still root for the Dawgs.

Anyway, the "American Idol" host supposedly is feuding with Judge Paula Abdul or Not!

People magazine reported they aren't speaking. But she has said that's not true. But I think these things are cooked up to keep the judges in the news during the sweeps.

Not speaking? Why would you want to talk to either of them? He continued at Star 94 throughout high school and while attending the University of Georgia. During his freshman year in college, Ryan was offered his first television show hosting the daily sports game show Radical Outdoor Challenge for ESPN, which he did during the weekends while still attending college. In 1995, Ryan moved to LA to

Series that I will cancel when I am king of the universe: "The Apprentice," "Survivior," "Wife Swap," "The Nanny," "America's Next Top Model," "According to Jim," and "The War at Home."

NBC is offering me a chance to interview Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Arquette on Friday.

They want to pump up interest in the May 1 episode:

"Death Takes a Policy"

While investigating the death of a local physician, an ominous man claiming to be "Death" (special guest-star and Executive Producer of "Medium" Kelsey Grammer) starts appearing to Allison (Emmy-winner Patricia Arquette) in her visions, causing her to worry that she might be living on borrowed time.

Coming up on May 20, "Cops" celebrates its 650th episode.

Oh my. It seems like only yesterday that we saw the first chase down a back alley.

Currently in its 18th season, the four-time Emmy Award-nominated series is one of the longest-running entertainment shows on television.

The all-new 650th episode will feature sure-to-be-classic “Coast to Coast” segments featuring a high-speed chase, heroin hidden in unexpected places and a naked burglary bust.

Country Music Television just now announced that it has signed Jeff Foxworthy to a 12 episode series, FOXWORTHY’S BIG NIGHT OUT.

Taped in Atlanta, it will feature Foxworthy performing stand-up and sketch comedy, and live musical performances from country music’s brightest stars.

It will debut in September but taping begins in June.

“I loved working with CMT on the award show,” says Foxworthy. “This new project is a chance to bring something new to CMT and give the audience a show that they will love. I am very excited to be a part of the CMT family.”

Taped in front of a live studio audience in Atlanta’s Alliance Theater, FOXWORTHY’S BIG NIGHT OUT will begin production in June.

A cast of comedic talents, special guests, and country artists will join Foxworthy in comedy sketches and each episode will feature country stars performing their latest hits on the show which is geared for the whole family.

Jeff Foxworthy is the largest selling comedy recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy Award nominee, and the best selling author of 19 books.

A CBS reality show that hasn't even been announced will be filming in Tampa next week. I've been invited to attend a taping and talk with the host, a famous comic. But I've already said too much because it's all hush-hush until the series is ready to roll.

"Malcolm in the Middle" creator Linwood Boomer revealed Monday (in a news conference with TV critics) that the only argument he ever had with Fox was over the theme song.

The theme is by the group "They Might Be Giants"

The group whipped up the music and lyrics "You're not the boss of me" after reading the first script.

Boomer was a Giants fan and contacted them about performing a theme. "They sent in this raw, rough demo and it was so good that we decided to go with that instead of having them go into a studio and create something else."

But Fox officials didn't like it. It did not test very well with sample audiences.

After seven years, "Malcolm" ends on May 14.

We know them as Hal, Lois, Malcolm, Dewey, Reece and Francis.

But do they have a last name?

No. But they almost where the Wilkersons, according to series creator Linwood Boomer.

In a telephone news conference Monday, Boomer said in the first episode he wrote a joke that was cut because the pilot ran long.

The cut scene involved a little kid running up to Malcolm to ask him his last name.

"Wilkerson," he said. "Why?"

"Well who are The Pariahs," the boy replied (referring to Malcolm's nutty family).

Boomer said it was a good joke but he's glad it got cut because having no last name, no ethnic identity, no specific town freed them to be like anyone, anywhere.

Jane Kaczmarek broke down in tears today during a telephone news conference to talk about the finale of "Malcolm in the Middle."

It was a very touching moment for all those (myself included) who were on the line.

Kaczmark, who plays Malcolm mom Lois, said she gets "choked up" just thinking about the final night of shooting the Fox comdey.

Knowing that thing was the last - the last script, the last rehearsal, the last scene, was bittersweet for the whole cast.

The last scene had the cast covered in sticky brown "gunk" (don't ask) and when it came to hugs and goodbyes, the mess made it all the more endearing and "so Malcolm," she said.

Kaczmarek's Lois will be long remembered as one of TV's greatest characters and the TV Mom of our era.

I'll have more to say on this in a future TV column. "Malcolm" ends May 14.

Insiders say NBC's "Surface" will not be renewed for a second season.

The Sci-Fi thriller about a news underwater species had a loyal following but it wasn't big enough to make it a hit.

That's bad news for teen Carter Jenkins, the former Tampa residen, who had a co-starring role on the series.

Jenkins' family relocated from Tampa to Sherman Oaks, Calif. after he landed the role.

The Learning Channel has renewed its documentary series "LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD" for a second season, the network announced today (Monday).

There will be 14 more half-hour episodes, tentatively scheduled to air in late 2006.

"LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD" follows the extraordinary Roloff family: Matt and Amy and their three average height children -- Jeremy, Molly and Jacob -- and little person son Zach.

Be still my heart, NBC is taking orders for the Dwight Schrute bobblehead doll.

No office should be without this item from "The Office."

The doll made its debut appearance on the Valentine’s Day episode of “The Office”.

Upon finding Angela’s gift on his desk (a bobblehead made in his likeness) he exclaimed, “It's me! I'm the bobblehead! Yes!” Her gift really “rocked the house.”

Check out the item ($15) at http://www.nbcuniversalstore.com

The popular WB series "Gilmore Girls" is losing the the husband-and-wife team that has been its creative force since the beginning.

Amy Sherman-Palladino and Dan Palladino said Thursday they will leave as executive producers following the end of this season, its sixth.

The show's production company said "Gilmore Girls" will continue next season with Dave Rosenthal, who has been a writer-producer there, running things.

The WB is closing up shop this fall, but "Gilmore Girls" is expected to move to the new CW network, which is a combination of the current WB and UPN networks.

Holy frying pan, Batman. NBC yanked off "Celebrity Cooking Showdown" last night.

The new series was supposed to air every night this week. But it was doing so badly in the ratings that it disappeared by Thursday night.

It got off to a sluggish start Monday at 9 with a 2.8 rating/7 share in the 18-49 demo at 9-10.

Matters got worse for the show when it aired Tuesday night at 8 against "American Idol" and averaged just a 1.1/3 in the demo.

Wednesday's numbers were just 1.5/5. Each rating point is roughly 1 million homes.

NBC says it will make the final two episodes available online at NBC.com.

I'm thinking Patti LaBelle probably wins it all.

A "Dynasty" runion, a magic show and a show surprise series endings are in CBS's plans for the May sweeps.

The network announced today the following highlights:

The finales of SURVIVOR and THE AMAZING RACE, and specials, including the 41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, KEITH BARRY: EXTRAORDINARY, featuring the magician and illusionist in his first network special, DYNASTY REUNION: CATFIGHTS & CAVIAR and A DR. PHIL PRIMETIME SPECIAL: ESCAPING DANGER.

Among the season finales, Charlie and Mia plan their wedding on TWO AND A HALF MEN; the life of a CSI team member hangs in the balance while a colleague is put in charge of their fate on CSI; a suspect opens fire at the FBI offices on WITHOUT A TRACE; who is leaving the "NCIS" team?; Horatio Caine gets married on CSI: MIAMI.

Also,a psychopath uses riddles and clues to baffle the behavioral analysis team on CRIMINAL MINDS; Melinda battles an evil force who is trying to keep plane crash victims from crossing over on GHOST WHISPERER; and Ted makes one last attempt to win over Robin while Marshall and Lily's relationship is jeopardized on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER.

Even though "Dynasty" originally aired on ABC, CBS plans DYNASTY: CATFIGHTS & CAVIAR, which reunites the stars of the long-running primetime soap as they celebrate one of the most popular series in television history.

And Tom Selleck reprises his role of Jesse Stone in JESSE STONE: DEATH IN PARADISE, the third movie based on the best-selling books by Robert B. Parker. CBS's May Sweep Highlights:

Friday, April 28

GHOST WHISPERER -- In an eerie twist of intuitionMelinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) realizes that a jetliner with 200 passengers is going to crash when she is contacted by its pilot before the incident occurs. Part one of the season finale cliffhanger.

Sunday, April 30

JESSE STONE: DEATH IN PARADISE -- Tom Selleck ("Magnum, P.I.") reprises his role as Jesse Stone in the third movie based on the best-selling books by Robert B. Parker. The police chief of a small New England town, Stone becomes obsessed with the death of a teenage girl whose body is found floating in a local lake.

Monday, May 1

CSI: MIAMI -- The team investigates a double homicide aboard a cruise ship docked in Miami. Meanwhile, Horatio (David Caruso) takes his relationship with Marisol (Alana de la Garza) to the next level. Magician Keith Barry guest stars.

Tuesday, May 2

DYNASTY REUNION: CATFIGHTS & CAVIAR -- Original series stars Joan Collins, Linda Evans and John Forsythe pay tribute and celebrate the long-running series "Dynasty" (1981-1989), one of television's most popular series. The cast gathers at the Filoli Mansion in Northern California, which was the television home of the show's billionaire hero, Blake Carrington and his family. Al Corley, Pamela Sue Martin, Catherine Oxenberg and Gordon Thomson also return as cast members reminisce about their time making the show and the scenes they most treasure.

Friday, May 5

GHOST WHISPERER -- In the conclusion of the two-part finale, Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) tries to help the hundreds of confused and dead passengers crossover, but encounters a familiar evil force who is working against her to keep the spirits earthbound (Season finale).

Tuesday, May 9

NCIS -- In part one of a two-part season finale, Gibbs (Mark Harmon) is severely injured in a terrorist explosion and, while recovering, he is flooded with memories of his past that he has long suppressed.

Wednesday, May 10

CRIMINAL MINDS -- The Behavioral Analysis Unit is drawn into the elaborate fantasy game of a psychopathic suspect who challenges them to solves murders with coded clues and riddles and ultimately lures one team member into a deadly confrontation (Season finale).

Thursday, May 11

CSI -- The life of a CSI team member is imperiled when a man accused of murdering his wife and co-workers takes a hostage and barricades himself in a casino hotel room. First in a two-part season finale.

Friday, May 12

KEITH BARRY: EXTRAORDINARY -- Magician and psychological illusionist Keith Barry displays his vast array of magic skills on celebrities such as Jessica Simpson, Matthew McConaughey, Elijah Wood, Nicollette Sheridan, David Krumholtz, Rachel Hunter and others. Barry performs such outrageous stunts as the $1 Million Card Challenge, mind control effects, hypnosis and In Beyond Belief, a death defying public hanging.

Sunday, May 14

SURVIVOR: PANAMA -- EXILE ISLAND -- The ltimate survivor will be revealed live from the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. Jeff Probst hosts (Season finale).

Monday, May 15

TWO AND A HALF MEN -- Charlie's (Charlie Sheen) ex-girlfriend, Mia (Emmanuelle Vaugier, "Saw II"), comes back in town with an unexpected request, which Charlie follows with an unexpected question of his own, on part one of a two-part season finale.

Tuesday, May 16

NCIS -- Someone leaves the "NCIS" team (Season finale). Tuesday, May 16

THE UNIT -- Jonas (Dennis Haysbert) and his team assist the U.N. in arresting a Bosnian general who is also a war criminal. But when the criminal escapes U.N. custody, the unsuspecting Unit find their lives at risk (Season finale).

Wednesday, May 17

THE AMAZING RACE 9 season finale.

Wednesday, May 17

CSI: NY -- The team faces their toughest challenge yet when bombs triggered by cell phones threaten the city. After a member of the team is seriously injured during one of the explosions, the CSIs work to locate the bomber before he strikes again (Season finale).

Thursday, May 18

CSI -- In the gripping sixth season finale, a CSI member's life hangs in the balance. Meanwhile, the CSIs investigate a dead man's bizarre lifestyle choice of routinely wearing corsets to alter his appearance (Season finale).

Thursday, May 18 WITHOUT A TRACE -- While investigating the disappearance of a young female former assistant district attorney, Jack (Anthony LaPaglia) and the rest of the team are blindsided when the woman's former boyfriend (guest star Jason Priestley), suddenly pummels Jack, grabs his gun and bolts out of the FBI building while firing a hail of bullets. (Season finale).

Friday, May 19

DR. PHIL PRIMETIME SPECIAL: ESCAPING DANGER -- A young mother turns to Dr. Phil for help when she wants to leave her abusive husband.

Monday, May 22

KING OF QUEENS After Arthur (Jerry Stiller) sets the basement on fire, Carrie (Leah Remini) considers moving him into a retirement home. (Season finale).

Monday, May 22

TWO AND A HALF MEN -- Charlie (Charlie Sheen) and Mia (Emmanuel Vaugier) plan their wedding with complications on both sides of their families (Season finale).

Monday, May 22

CSI: MIAMI -- As Horatio mourns the murder of someone close to him, he and the team go on a manhunt to find the killer. Meanwhile, the lab's future is put in jeopardy when the mole is finally revealed (Season finale).

Tuesday, May 23

41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS -- Country music's top performers and hottest emerging talent are honored in a three-hour live event from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Brad Paisley leads with six nominations, followed by Brooks & Dunn and Sugarland with five nominations each.

Reba McEntire hosts for an unprecedented eighth time.

Ashley Judd, the best-looking, most talented of the Judd clan, will make an appearance on the upcoming "Nashville Star."

Also on the Tuesday show Hank Williams, Jr. will sing his current hit "That's How They Do It In Dixie," while rock icons Scott Weiland and Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver sit in as guest judges.

Award-winning actress Ashley Judd will also make a special appearance to honor her sister and Nashville Star host Wynonna with a career achievement award recognizing an important career milestone and total album sales.

Coming up May 6 is another Hallmark Channel movie geared toward Mother's Day.

"Where There's A Will" stars one America’s most beloved moms, Marion Ross stars as an ailing senior who reluctantly agrees to be looked after by her long-lost grandson – a con artist who only has his eye on her assets.

Frank Whaley co-stars as the wayward grandson. Not to worry, this is a Hallmark movie so look for the happy ending.

HBO has picked up "Big Love" for a second season. The polygamy dramedy premiered March 12 to an audience of some 4.6 million, holding onto about half of its Sopranos lead-in.

The bets thing about that show is Jeanne Tripplehorn as the oldest wife (but she's still a hottie).

Robin Guess, whose contract was not renewed last year at WFTS, Channel 28, has won three Green Eyeshade Awards.

This has nothing to do with green eyeshadow. The awards are named for the little green visors that newspaper editors used to wear.

Nice old stereotype. But it's better than calling it the Fedora With "Press" in the Hat Band Awards.

The Society of Professional Journalists give the awards. Guess and WFTS staffers Matt McGlashen and Aaron Wische share the awards.

Guess won a FIRST PLACE Green Eyeshade Award in the category of TV Feature for “FEMA, Fair?”

The trio also won SECOND PLACE Green Eyeshade Award in the category of TV Investigative Reporting for “Risky Sheriffs Administrator”

(They exposed the risk management officer for taking long lunches that involved alcoholic beverages).

They also won a THIRD PLACE Green Eyeshade Award in the category of TV Investigative Reporting for “Missing Boy Scouts” Matt McGlashen, Aaron Wische and Robin Guess have been awarded a THIRD PLACE Green Eyeshade Award in the category of TV Investigative Reporting for “Missing Boy Scouts”

Foxbids farewell to one of its longest-running series with the retrospective special "THAT ‘70s SHOW: THE FINAL GOODBYE" on Thursday, May 11 (8:37-10:00 p.m..

The series finale, however, airs May 18.

The special celebrates 200 episodes and eight seasons by taking a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the show.

Included are nterviews with all the cast members and director, as well as past guest stars such as Brooke Shields, Bruce Willis, Luke Wilson, Lindsay Lohan and The Rock. It will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and up-close-and-personal segments taped with many of the cast.

Additionally, the special will include outtakes from classic episodes and never-before-seen clips rescued from the editing room floor. The special will also give viewers an inside look at the final week of taping the show, including some of the funniest and most touching moments as the cast brings their eight-year journey to a close.

Just in from Nielsen overnights: NBC's "Deal or No Deal" won the 8 to 9 p.m. hour (with 15 million total viewers).

ABC's "Prison Break" logged 8 million at 8.

At 9, Fox's "24' (13.1 million viewers) was the winner over CBS's "Two and a Half Men" and "The New Adventures of Old Christine."

NBC's newcomer "Celebrity Cooking Showdown" at 9 was a weak third.

ABC's "What About Brian" was just so-so against NBC's "Medium" and CBS's "CSI: Miami."

Coming up Sunday night on CBS: another family friendly, warm-your-heart, old-fashioned made for TV movie.

Marcia Gay Harden stars in a Hallmark Hall of Fame film, "In From the Night."

Harden plays Vicki Miller, a succeesful writer who is satisfied with her neat, safe and orderly life.

Her world changes when she relunctantly takes in her 16-year-old nephew, Bobby (Taylor Handley). His father is Vicki's mentally challenged brother.

The story is based on a book by Marsha Recknagel about the author's real-life challenges with her own nephew.

Bobby, recovering from life in an abusive home, needs love. Vicki needs love, too, but she doesn't realize it yet. She's busy working on a book and doesn't want to be bothered by this needy teen.

Eventually, both learn from each other although you can see it coming from the get-go.

The cast includes Thomas Gibson (as Vicki's potential love interest), as well as Marian Seldes, Regina Taylor, Mackenzie Astin, Roxanne Hart, and Broadway and film veteran Kate Nelligan as Vicki's mother.

Frankly, these Hallmark movies seem flat and listless to me. They get talented actors and a promising premise but the results are often as dull as dry toast.

Don't get me wrong. I do NOT believe that a movie has to have sex, violence and strong language to be entertaining.

But not having sex, violence and strong language isn't enough. The opposite of any R-rated film should not be BORING.

Fox is asking for mucho dollars to advertise on the "American Idol" May 24 season finale. Reportedly, it will cost sponsors $1.3 million for a 30-second spot during the live 8-to-10 p.m. telecast, according to AdAge.com.

Only the Super Bowl ($2.5 million) and the Oscars ($1.6 million) command a higher price.

Last year's finale drew 29.4 million viewers.

Online gaming site Pinnacle Sports has Chris Daughtry as the odds-on favorite to win, followed by Taylor Hicks.

Dennis Quaid, who does a hilarious pardoy of a doofus President in the new "American Dreams" movie, is Jon Stewart's guest on "The Daily Show" Wednesday night.

Sen.Ted Kennedy is scheduled for Thursday night on the Comedy Central faux news show.

If anyone cares, ABC has set the season finale for "According to Jim" for May 2.

Program highlights: When an ecstatic Ryan (Mitch Rouse) announces that Dana is pregnant, Jim advises him on how to avoid the pitfalls of Dana’s upcoming fluctuating hormones. Then Jim dreams that he is pregnant.

A pregnant Jim Belushi? Is this turning into a horror show?

CBS Reports that:

Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney and Sugarland are set to perform, along with previously announced performers Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts, on the 41ST ANNUAL ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS, hosted by Reba McEntire, to be broadcast live from Las Vegas' MGM Grand, Tuesday, May 23 (8:00-11:00 p.m.) on the CBS.

Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw, as well as "Cold Case" star Kathryn Morris, are set to present. The event honors country music's top talent as well as the industry's hottest emerging talent.

Last night (Sunday) on "The Next Food Network Star," the field was narrowed the down to two: Guy Fieri and Reggie Southerland.

America will now decide the winner by voting online at http://www.foodnetwork.com

Viewers will be able to place their votes until Thursday, April 20 at 9 a.m.

The winner of "The Next Food Network Star" will be announced during the hour long finale on Sunday, April 21 at 11 p.m.

Winner gets a six-episode contract to film his own show, which will premiere in June 2006.

In their first joint prime-time interview, country music’s superstar couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw will appear on CNN’s Larry King Live on Friday, April 21, at 9 p.m. (ET).

Hill and McGraw will join King from the launch of their Soul2Soul tour. The couple plays Tampa on June 2.

They will discuss their recording and acting careers, their upcoming projects, how they live their family life in the spotlight and their on-going efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

ESPN2 will begin airing domino tournaments in June.

The game is extremely popular among the Hispanic and Caribbean communities.

Just as televised poker has fueled interest in the game, dominoes could be next.

Reportedly, there are thousands of players nationwide.

ESPN's Spanish-language outlet is already airing tournaments at 9 p.m. Tuesdays.

Can't wait for the "Celebrity Dominoes" show. Dominos

This season we have a large number of TV series that are coming to an end.

Here's the latest list: Say goodbye to these favorites:

7th Heaven, May 8

West Wing, May 14

Malcolm in the Middle, May 14

Will & Grace, May 18. Charmed, May 21

Alias, May 22.

On a somewhat slow moving and uneventful "Lost" Wednesday night, one of the themes was love and devotion (represented by Bernard and Rose) and a great Otis Redding song "These Arms of Mine."

At the close of the episode we saw various love-starved cast members as Redding's soulful song played:

These arms of mine They are lonely, lonely and feeling blue These arms of mine They are yearning, yearning from wanting you

And if you would let them hold you Oh, how grateful I will be

These arms of mine They are burning, burning from wanting you These arms of mine They are wanting, wanting to hold you

And if you would let them hold you Oh, how grateful I will be

Come on, come on baby Just be my little woman, just be my lover, oh I need me somebody, somebody to treat me right, oh I need your woman's loving arms to hold me tight And I...I...I need...I need your...I need your tender lips

Just featuring this song is almost enough to make us forgive them for an epsiode that just dragged along.

Rose's desire to stay on the Island because her terminal illness has been cured looks like another clue about this being a magical, mystical place.

To promotethe May 5 release of "Mission: Impossible III" and the 40th anniversary of Caesars Palace this August, ESPN and ESPN HD will showcase in a live telecast X Games gold medalist Mike Metzger as he attempts to set a world record and become the first rider to successfully perform a backflip over the fountains at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The fountains at Caesars Palace are famous for the legendary motorcycle jump attempted in 1968 by Evel Knievel. “The Impossible Jump presented by Mission: Impossible III” will be produced under the ESPN Original Entertainment banner and air live on ESPN and ESPN HD, May 4 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The world record attempt will also be shown live on ESPN International Networks to more than 33 million homes across the globe. The event is free to the public.

MTV announced today the greenlight of "Rob & Big Black," a reality buddy comedy starring professional street skateboarder, Rob Dyrdek and his bodyguard and best friend, Christopher "Big Black" Boykin.

The series is scheduled to premiere Fall 2006 with 8 episodes.

From Jeff Tremaine, the executive producer of "Jackass" and "WildBoyz," this new reality series will introduce America to its newest "odd couple."

After years of being hassled by cops and security guards for riding in the streets, Rob Dyrdek, a pro skateboarder who has been at it since he was 12-years-old, hired Big Black to act as his own security guard so that he can skateboard freely.

This unlikely twosome became instant friends and now live together in Rob's Hollywood Hills home where they deal with the inanities of domestic life and the inevitable craziness of living with a roommate.

MTV officials say "Skateboarding is huge with our core demo, and we're excited to bring a different side of this unique culture to our viewers."

TNT has annouced that "The Closer: will return on June 13.

""The Closer'' is TNT’s original series about a female police detective who moves from Atlanta to Los Angeles to head up a special unit of the LAPD charged with investigating high-profile crimes.

Kyra Sedgwick (Mrs. Kevin Bacon) stars.

PinnacleSports.com, which takes bets on "American Idol" has Chris Daughtry as the odds-on favorite to become the next American Idol at 13/10; followed by Katharine McPhee at 3/1.

PinnacleSports.com then lists grey-haired Taylor Hicks at 7/2 to win the recording contract, while Kellie Pickler rounds out the top four at 7/1.

Today is Lyle Waggoner's 71st birthday. Wonder if he celebrates by watching "Wonder Woman" reruns?

NBC's biggest hit so far this season is ""Deal or No Deal" which says something about the viewers (lack of taste) and the network (lack of creativity).

"American Idol" and "House" continue to rule on Tuesday nights.

Wednesday night ratings losers tyhis week include: "The Loop" (Fox), "Freddie" (ABC), "Heist" (NBC), "Unam1mous" (Fox), "The Bedford Diaries" (WB), and "The Evidence" (ABC).

ABC aired the original "Dynasty" but CBS is airing ""Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar,'' on May 2.

Cast members from the 1980s soap will recall the past glory that was "Dynasty."

Coming back are John Forsythe, Linda Evans, Joan Collins, Gordon Thomson and Pamela Sue Martin and Emma Samms.

Robert Wagner will guest-star on the May 16, two-hour season finale of ABC's Boston Legal, playing Ashley Goldman, senior partner at the L.A. office of Crane, Poole & Schmidt.

Molly Ringwald will make her first TV appearance in four years on the May 1 episode of NBC's Medium, playing a woman in danger.

Robert Wagner will guest-star on the May 16, two-hour season finale of ABC's Boston Legal, playing Ashley Goldman, senior partner at the L.A. office of Crane, Poole & Schmidt.

Molly Ringwald will make her first TV appearance in four years on the May 1 episode of NBC's Medium, playing a woman in danger.

What was Jess wearing last night on "Gilmore Girls" ?

It appeared to be a white T-shirt with a large face that looked like Rory.

But apparently it was from the band, Dinosaur Jr., Green Mind.

What was Jess wearing last night on "Gilmore Girls" ?

It appeared to be a white T-shirt with a large face that looked like Rory.

But apparently it was from the band, Dinosaur Jr., Green Mind.

Nielsen Media Research reported today that in the nine major markets measured by Nielsen’s Local People Meters (LPMs), men represented nearly two-thirds of the audience watching the Women’s “March Madness” College Basketball final.

My guess is guys will watch anything involving a ball.

Michael Ciadella of New Port Richey, Fla. received third prize in C-SPAN’s “StudentCam,” a national competition that invited middle and high school students to produce a documentary exploring a current political topic using C-SPAN programming.

The competition was sponsored by C-SPAN Classroom, www.c-spanclassroom.org a free membership service dedicated to support educators’ use of C-SPAN programming in their classes or for research.

Ciadella, a 12th grade student from J.W. Mitchell High School, produced “Young America: The Power to Vote,” and received a $500 cash award. The award-winning video is available online at www.c-span.org.

The videos were judged by a panel of C-SPAN representatives and evaluated based on the thoughtful examination of the contest theme, quality of expression, adherence to the 10-minute time limit, the balance of views presented and use of C-SPAN programming.

USA is gooding for a few good colorful characters.

Competitors can enter by logging on to www.showusyourcharacter.com to demonstrate, via video and photos, why they are unique by revealing personality, talents, distinctive ideas, wittiness, style, silliness, outrageousness, whatever.

Submissions may be made until April 28 and will be reviewed by a casting agency that will narrow the field to 30 finalists.

The Grand Prize winner - America's No. 1 character - will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of NBC Universal executives.

The Grand Prize winner will be seen in a national on-air campaign on the network; featured on the silver screen on AMC, on Cinemark and Regal Entertainment Group's FirstLook movie pre-show and will get an exclusive Web series of his or her own, which will live on showusyourcharacter.com.

It seems like "The Sopranos" just debuted a new season and I've already received a press release about the season finale on April 30.

The first four have aired. We only have a few Sundays to go.

Coming up Friday (April 7) is "Can't Get a Date!," on VH1.

New series plays at midnight. Each episode focuses on the romantically challenged.

Folks with all kinds of problems, from smelly feet to fear of talking to the opposite sex, get coached by a mysterious off-camera voice.

The "HOST" is like a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac (wonder how many VH1 viewers even know who Cyrano was).

The poor saps also get makeovers and even hypnosis to help them become Don Juans (another reference that may go over some people's heads).

Ouch! I just saw myself on Tampa City Television's taped coverage of the Friday Extra Concert.

I was the host at last week's event in Lowry Park. I look like Jabba the Hut. Note to self. Start dieting before you turn into Steve Otto.

The bands, 360 and Johnny G. Lyons were great. It was a blast under the trees. The concerts continue through May.

Johnny G has been rocking Tampa Bay for more than 20 years. It's old school rock and roll. These concerts reply all year long on the city cable channels. Look for them and see what you missed.

I'm back May 12 as host for another rocking night.

FX would like to think that its new thriller "Thief" is in the same league as "Rescue Me" and "The Shield."

Wrong.

It's a sad, slow, murky drama about a thug (Andre Braugher) who is trying to run his gang and be a father to his troubled teenage step-daughter.

It wants to be like "The Sopranos" but it lacks the colorful Italian mob connection.

Braugher is good even with so-so material but its hard to get attached to his Nick Atwater character.

Nick's classic auto showroom is a cover for his real job, running a burglary gang by night.

In the opening episode, he has work-related issues (one of his gang-members is an unstable druggie who has to be rubbed out after a botched robbery ticks off the Chinese mob).

He also has troubles at home. His interracial marriage has problems because his teenage step-daugther has never accepted him.

Something happens that throws the closer together but the relationships here are the made-for-TV kind.

Fox has renewed "Bones" for a second season.

The forensics drama, loosely based on a real-life North Carolina forensic expert, stars David Boreanaz ("Angel," "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") and Emily Deschael.

David plays FBI Agent Seeley Booth, a non-scientist crime fighter who works with uptight forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan (Deschanel).

There's romantic tension but the two are a long way from becoming an item.

The series struggled on Tuesday nights but has held its own on Wednesdays.

Apparentley the state of Massachusetts has gone ga-ga over ''American Idol'' contestant Ayla Brown because she is the daughter of Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, R-Wrentham.

Her influential father is using his political clout to get friends, relatives and fellow politicians to vote for her.

Also because of his media contacts, Ayla is getting huge coverage in the Massachusetts media.

Some Massachusetts newspapers are in Los Angeles covering her progress. Some Boston TV reporters at Fox stations have been urging viewers to vote and are getting involved by casting multiple votes themselves.

I guess there is no objective journalism when you work at a Fox station and have to plug the product line.

Oh yeah, they are just rooting for the hometown girl, and scoring points with a politician, too.

Massachusetts state Rep. James Vallee, D-Franklin told the media that he has the 17-year-old’s ''Idol'' contestant number on speed dial and has easily lost track of how many votes he’s cast.

The anchors and reporters at WCVB-TV are bragging about voting.

Shouldn't real journalists stay on the sidelines and cover the action, not be a part of it?

An award is an award - even when it comes from New Jersey, the former home of Miss America and current setting for "The Sopranos."

NBC News and MSNBC received nine 2006 National Headliner Awards, sponsored by the Press Club of Atlantic City, N.J.

"NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" was honored with eight National Headliner Awards, the program's best showing and more than any other network evening newscast. The categories in which "Nightly News" received the awards are: Best Newscast, Hurricane Katrina Coverage (2), Continuing Coverage (2), Coverage of a Major News Event (2), and Investigative Reporting.

MSNBC was honored with one National Headliner Awards in the category of Documentary or Series of Reports.

First Place, Best Newscast, "Hurricane Katrina: New Orleans in Turmoil" (Sept. 1 broadcast) "NBC Nightly News" staff

HURRICANE KATRINA COVERAGE: First Place, Hurricane Katrina Coverage, "After the Storm: The Long Road Back" "NBC Nightly News" staff

Third Place, Hurricane Katrina Coverage, September 2, 2005 broadcast. "NBC Nightly News" staff

CONTINUING COVERAGE:

First Place, Continuing Coverage, "Tsunami: A Disaster Unfolds" "NBC Nightly News" staff

Second Place, Continuing Coverage, "The Pakistan Earthquake" "NBC Nightly News" staff

COVERAGE OF A MAJOR NEWS EVENT: Second Place, Coverage of a Major News Event, "London Terror Bombings" "NBC Nightly News" staff

Third Place, Coverage of a Major News Event "The Death of Pope John Paul II" "NBC Nightly News" staff

INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING: Second Place, Investigative Reporting, "The Terror Money Trail"

Lisa Myers, "NBC Nightly News" Senior Investigative Correspondent Jim Popkin, Senior Producer, NBC News Investigative Unit Producers: Adam Ciralsky, Rich Gardella, Aram Roston and Doug Pasternak

Brian Williams is the anchor and managing editor of "NBC Nightly News." John Reiss and Steve Capus were Executive Producers of "NBC Nightly News" during this time.

DOCUMENTARY OR SERIES OF REPORTS: Second Place, MSNBC "Coming Home" Scott Hooker, Executive Producer Elise Warner, Senior Producer

"American Idol" is rigged. It's obvious now that the producers are stacking the cards against those they have picked as favorites.

Tampa's Melissa McGhee has been doomed from the start. She's received less air time and build-up while less talented singers like Pickler have been given build-ups.

Pickler's Ellie May Clampett act seems like a put-on. She's playing Jessica Simpson.

Even Simon has praised her personality without praising her singing.

Meanhile, Melissa can't get a kind word from him. He cut her down again Tuesday. He almost asked viewers to vote her off.

McGhee sang "What About Love" by Heart. It worked for her. She has an interesting voice and if she had been on last season she would be in the top five.

She gave a good performance but it might not be enough to overcome Simon's influence on the voters.

Melissa can only home that viewers realize that he plays favorites.