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Fox won't renew 'King of the Hill' Final 13 episodes are wrapping production Thirteen has proven not-so-lucky for Fox's veteran animated comedy "King of the Hill." After several previous brushes with cancellation, the network has opted not to renew the series beyond its current 13th season. In April, Fox picked up 13 more episodes from the 20th Century Fox TV-produced show, which are wrapping production. A lot has changed since "King of the Hill" premiered in 1997. Its creators Greg Daniels and Mike Judge have moved on to other projects -- Daniels developed and is running NBC's "The Office," and Judge has a new animated series, "The Goode Family," launching on ABC in midseason. Judge had continued to voice the central character on the toon comedy, alongside voiceover cast members Kathy Najimy, Pamela Adlon, Brittany Murphy, Tom Petty, Johnny Hardwick and Stephen Root. "Hill" has been exec produced by Judge, Daniels, John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky, Michael Rotenberg, Howard Klein, Jim Dauterive and Garland Testa. Fox is introducing two new animated series in midseason, Mitch Hurwitz's "Sit Down, Shut Up" and the "Family Guy" spinoff "The Cleveland Show." _____________________________________________________________ 'Kath & Kim' gets full-season pickup Order follows uptick in the ratings NBC handed out a full-season pickup to freshman comedy "Kath & Kim" late Friday. The back-nine order for the UMS/Reveille-produced comedy, an U.S. version of the hit Australian half-hour, follows a Nielsen uptick Thursday night when "Kath" drew 5.5 million viewers, 2.3 ratings in 18-49. While it has slipped following its strong premiere, "Kath & Kim" has consistently retained all of its "My Name Is Earl" lead-in among adults 18-49. In its four airings to date, "Kath" has averaged 2.6/ 6 in 18-49 and 6.0 million viewers overall. "'Kath & Kim' is a show we love and believe in," NBC's exec vp Teri Weinberg said. "We have incredible confidence in the creative auspices of this show and we believe it's a perfect fit with our Thursday-night comedies." "Kath" stars Molly Shannon and Selma Blair as an iconoclastic mother-daughter duo. Michelle Nader, who adapted the Australian format, is exec producing with the original series creators and stars Gina Riley and Jane Turner along with Rick McKenna and Howard T. Owens.

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NBC Unhappy With Sagging ‘Heroes’ Ratings. Fires Producers Big shakeup on the staff of NBC's "Heroes" came down on Sunday with the axing of co-exec producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb. Both scribe-producers had been with the show since its first season and were known to have led the day-to-day production operation under the direction of creator/exec producer Tim Kring. "Heroes," produced by Universal Media Studios, has struggled in the ratings its third season. It's understood that Alexander and Loeb were let go because of Peacock execs' frustration with the creative direction of the show. The show is also said to have been grappling with hefty budget overruns this season, that are going well beyond its already sizable $4 million per-seg pricetag.

Die zijn gek.. 4 miljoen per afl. Krijgen ze dat nog terug

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24 to return to four-hour premiere Two-night season opener Fox has set a premiere day for the return of "24," planning a two-night, four-hour event in January. The seventh season debut will air on Sunday, Jan. 11 and Monday, Jan 12 at 8 p.m. The network used a similar rollout plan for 2007's sixth season premiere. Delayed due to the writers strike, the premiere is the first new regular episode of "24" in nearly two years. "Day Seven" opens with CTU dismantled and Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on trial. Bauer's day takes an unexpected turn when former colleague Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) returns after being presumed dead. Two-hour prequel movie "24: Redemption" will give viewers a head start on the season when it airs Sunday, Nov. 23.

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SCI FI USA set january bows; LOS ANGELES -- Sci Fi and USA will once again open the new year with new episodes of their signature series, network sources confirmed to the site exclusively today. Here's a breakdown of each network's plans: -- USA's "Monk" and "Psych" will resume their new seasons on Friday, January 9 at 9:00/8:00c and 10:00/9:00c, respectively. -- "Burn Notice" will likewise rejoin USA's schedule on Thursday, January 22 at 10:00/9:00c. -- Over on Sci Fi, "Ghost Hunters International" returns with new episodes on Wednesday, January 7 at 9:00/8:00c. -- "Stargate Atlantis" then will close its run on Friday, January 9 at 9:00/8:00c followed by the season finale of "Sanctuary" at 10:00/9:00c. -- As previously announced, "Battlestar Galactica" will begin its swan song on Friday, January 16 at 10:00/9:00c. Also keep an eye out for "BSG: Essential Elements," a half-hour special on Sunday, January 11 at 11:00/10:00c. And if that wasn't enough "Galactica," it's understood the latest wave of webisodes for the series will be broadcast during the network's January 15 presentation of "Pitch Black." -- The following week on Friday, January 23, Sci Fi will add repeats of the short-lived dramas "Invasion" and "Moonlight" at 8:00/7:00c and 9:00/8:00c, respectively, leading into "Galactica" at 10:00/9:00c. -- And finally, there's a special "Super Bowl"-themed episode of the original "Ghost Hunters" set for Wednesday, January 28 at 9:00/8:00c.

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Change we can believe in. Not when it comes to FOXs just released 2008-2009 midseason schedule. For every bit of good news, like the highly anticipated return of 24 (January 11), the series premiere of the intriguing new Tim Roth vehicle LIE TO ME (January 21) and FRINGE scaring up the coveted post-IDOL time-slot (January 20). There is an equal amount of bad news. Namely the relegation of Joss Whedons DOLLHOUSE and TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES to Fridays, the inconspicuous absence of PRISON BREAK and THE CLEVELAND SHOW, not to mention the moving of consistent time-slot winner BONES to the coveted Thursday at 8PM slot. Sunday, Jan. 11: 8:00-10:00 PM 24 (Season Premiere, Part 1) Monday, Jan. 12: 8:00-10:00 PM 24 (Season Premiere, Part 2) Mondays, beginning Jan. 19: 8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM 24 (Time Period Premiere) Wednesday, Jan. 14: 8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2) Thursdays, beginning Jan. 15: 8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 20: 8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 21: 8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME (Series Premiere) Thursdays, beginning Jan. 29: 9:00-10:00 PM HELLS KITCHEN (Season Premiere) Fridays, beginning Feb. 13: 8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES 9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE (Series Premiere) [EDITORS NOTE: PRISON BREAK and TIL DEATH will return to the schedule at a later date.]

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NBC orders full-season of 'Life' Cop drama hopes Wednesday slot pays off NBC has faith in "Life." Peacock on Friday gave the struggling Universal Media Studios sophomore drama a full-season pickup. The gumshoe skein starring Damian Lewis moved out of exile of Friday night last week to the Wednesday 9 p.m. slot It didn't exactly light up the night for NBC, running fourth in the time period with an average 2.0 rating/5 share in adults 18-49 and 5.9 million viewers. But it did manage to improve on its weak "Knight Rider" lead-in (5.1 mil, 1.6/4), which was probably enough of a glimmer of promise for the show to secure the back-nine order. "Life" is one of a number of sophomore skeins to fighting an uphill ratings battle this fall after being off the sked for more than nine months as a result of the writers strike. Series was created by Rand Ravich and is exec produced by Ravich, Dan Sackheim and Far Shariat.

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New 'Lost' season premieres Jan. 21 Fifth season moving to Wednesdays at 9 ABC is back in the "Lost" biz as of Wednesday, Jan. 21. The fifth season of the fantasy-mystery skein will air Wednesdays at 9 p.m., after airing in the Thursday 10 p.m. slot last season. The current occupant of the Wednesday 9 p.m. berth, ABC's sophomore season drama "Private Practice," will be relocated after "Lost" returns, ABC said Friday. It's expected that ABC will make more skedding changes on Wednesday in the near future, given the weak perf of 8 p.m.'s "Pushing Daisies" and 10 p.m.'s "Dirty Sexy Money" this fall. "Private Practice," on the other hand, has been given a full-season order. "Lost" will bow Jan. 21 with two back to back segs from 9-11 p.m., preceded at 8 p.m. by a clip recap show.

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'Knight Rider' goes back to its roots Retooling finds three regulars without renewed options KITT is getting a tune-up. NBC's freshman drama "Knight Rider" is undergoing a major retooling, bringing it closer to the original 1980s series. Among the changes, the options of three regulars on the show -- Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Yancey Arias and Bruce Davison -- were not picked up beyond the initial 13-episode order. "It's a reboot," "Knight" executive producer/showrunner Gary Scott Thompson said. "We're moving away from the terrorist-of-the-week formula and closer to the original, making it a show about a man and his car going out and helping more regular people, everymen." Such a change would make "Knight" a better fit into NBC's newly rebranded crime drama Wednesday lineup alongside "Life" and "Law & Order." The revamped "Knight" will kick off with the two-part Episodes 10-11. NBC is planning a major push, including possibly airing Episode 10 on Sunday after an NFL football game in January, with the conclusion airing the following Wednesday. Such a move would bring "Knight" back to Sunday night, where the two-hour movie/backdoor pilot drew big ratings in February. The series it spawned has been struggling in the Wednesday 8 p.m. slot, dropping last week to a season-low 5.1 million viewers and a 1.6 rating/4 share in adults 18-49. The retooling had been put in motion long before the full-season order for "Knight" three weeks ago. The UMS/Dutch Oven series is now filming Episode 15. There are no immediate plans to add new regulars to the show, which will focus on the five remaining characters: Mike (Justin Bruening), Sarah (Deanna Russo), Billy (Paul Campbell), Zoe (Smith Cho) and KITT. The producers also are looking to do stunt guest castings. Thompson stressed that the decision to let the castmembers go was a difficult one tied to the show's change in direction and had nothing to do with the actors.

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ABC doctors its schedule 'Practice' behind 'Grey's'; 'Mars' to follow 'Lost' ABC has some intriguing scheduling experiments planned for early next year. Sources say "Private Practice" will get a chance to shine at 10 p.m Thursdays behind the "Grey's Anatomy" mothership. And the slightly trippy, time-traveling new drama "Life on Mars" will get a trial behind the seriously trippy, and possibly time-traveling, drama "Lost" at 10 p.m. Wednesdays. When "Practice" was first announced, most assumed it would launch behind "Grey's." But the network wanted to try and spread the powerhouse brand to another night, and some suspected two hours from the same dramatic universe on Thursday might be a bit trying for fans. Plus, it kept the post-"Grey's" slot free to try and launch other new shows with less brand recognition. Now, with "Practice" having eroded in the ratings somewhat midweek and the two medical dramas planning multiepisode crossover story lines for the February sweep, pairing the two shows for a Seattle Grace alums block makes more sense. "Mars" and "Lost" also seem like a potentially satisfied couple. "Life" is the more down-to-earth of the pair, yet the two have enough mutual fantastical elements. (As previously announced, "Lost" is going into "Practice's" 9 p.m. Wednesday slot in January). No word when this will be announced or whether the scheduling will be billed as a temporary trial for the shows or as their new regular time periods. ABC has made some bold scheduling moves in the recent past. The network successfully launched three new dramas on Wednesday night last year and put "Grey's Anatomy" against titan "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

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Sci Fi renews 'Sanctuary' More than 3 million viewers watched premiere Sci Fi Channel has renewed "Sanctuary" for a second season, ordering 13 new hourlong episodes. "Sanctuary," the first TV series to use live-action actors against virtual sets, is set to go into production in Vancouver early next year for a 2009 premiere. The show follows the adventures of the beautiful, enigmatic Dr. Helen Magnus (Amanda Tapping), a brilliant scientist who holds the secrets of a clandestine population. More than 3 million viewers watched the Oct. 3 premiere, making it Sci Fi's highest-rated original series debut since "Eureka" in July 2006. "Sci Fi will continue to trail blaze the television landscape by further exploring the many worlds of 'Sanctuary' through its unique green-screen environments," said Mark Stern, executive vp original programming at Sci Fi and co-head of original programming at Universal Cable Prods. Robin Dunne, Ryan Robbins, Emilie Ullerup and Christopher Heyerdahl also star in the series, created by Damian Kindler. Kindler and Tapping will exec produce Season 2 with Martin Wood, Keith Beedie and N. John Smith.

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NBC Cancels 'Enemy,' Jungle' Both series dropped to new ratings lows in recent weeks NBC has pulled the plug on freshman tentpole drama "My Own Worst Enemy" and returning sophomore series "Lipstick Jungle," sources said Wednesday. The cancellations come after both shows dropped to new ratings lows in recent weeks, with the Christian Slater action series sinking to a 1.8 among adults 18-49 (4.3 million viewers) on Monday and "Jungle" falling to a 1.2 (3.3 million viewers) on Friday. Although the "Jungle" number was an improvement on the previous week, the show's ratings have been below the line for a while and sunk into the red zone after being moved to Fridays. NBC's expectation for the return of "Jungle" was modest, but "Enemy" was considered an important show. A spy thriller with a grown-up budget inspired by the "Bourne" movies, "Enemy" received NBC's coveted post-"Heroes" time period. That valuable Monday hour of scheduling real estate has become less worthwhile in recent weeks, however, as "Heroes" shed viewers -- weakening the lead-in for "Enemy" and hastening its decline. No word whether Monday's episode will be yanked from the schedule, if the show will solider on for a few more weeks or what program will take its place. "Enemy" is now shooting its ninth -- and final -- episode. "Lipstick" has shot all 13 of its initial order. Both are produced by Universal Media Studios; NBC had no comment.

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'Prison' break may be on the way Speculation surrounds two additional episodes The end could be near for "Prison Break. The actors on the Fox drama have been notified by 20th TV that the filming schedule might be extended to accommodate production of two additional episodes. "Prison" writers are yet to pitch ideas about the extra hours, but speculation is that they might serve as a conclusion to the four-year series. If the two episodes are made, their fate is unclear as the network has not committed yet to air them, though conversations with the studio are under way. Fox might run the bonus material as two additional episodes in the spring, though that is considered unlikely because "Prison" has struggled in the ratings this fall and the remaining six episodes of its original 22-show order weren't on the network's recently released midseason schedule. A more plausible scenario has Fox airing the two episodes as a two-hour "event" next season, not unlike the "24" prequel this fall. Or the episodes might end up on the "Prison Break" DVD.

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Monk Detects Final Season USA Networks Monk will solve his last case next year, as the award-winning series will end at the close of its eighth, 16-episode season, the network announced today. The final season is scheduled to begin airing in the summer of 2009. “We want to build to a spectacular conclusion for this wonderful show. By many measures, ‘Monk’ is the most successful series in the history of basic-cable television, and it was certainly the original tentpole of our ‘Character’ brand,” said Jeff Wachtel, executive vice president of original programming with USA Network/co-head of original content with Universal Cable Productions. “Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and season eight should prove to be a very satisfying reward,” he said. The show hit series ratings highs in February with its largest audience of adults in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic (2.98 million) and total viewers with 7.55 million. “Monk” star Tony Shalhoub has been nominated for the Emmys’ lead actor in a comedy series for six consecutive years, winning in 2003, 2005 and 2006. Executive producers of "Monk" are David Hoberman, Andy Breckman, Tony Shalhoub, Randy Zisk and Tom Scharpling. David Breckman and Jack Bernstein are co-executive producers. The series is from Universal Cable Productions in association with Mandeville Films and ABC Studios.

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NBC Orders Six More Episodes of 'Medium' NBC executives apparently forsee a bright future for “Medium.” According to people familiar with the situation, the network today ordered six more episodes of the CBS Paramount Network Television-produced drama. “Medium” was given a 13-episode midseason order last spring, and now NBC has decided to expand its total commitment to the show to 19 episodes. There’s still no official word on when the show will return on to what timeslot. The network had planned to air the show on Sundays starting in January, according to a schedule released last spring. But there’s been some talk that the show could end up Mondays at 10 p.m., behind “Heroes.” While “Medium” hasn’t made NBC’s fall schedule the last few years, the show has been a reliable ratings performer for the network. Glenn Gordon Caron is the executive producer on “Medium.” An NBC spokeswoman declined comment.

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CBS extends Gary Unmarried & Worst Week CBS is sticking with its freshman comedies "Gary Unmarried" and "Worst Week," ordering additional episodes of each today. "Gary" has been given the go ahead for seven additional episodes plus two scripts. Said order brings its season total to at least 20 installments. "Week" then has been picked up for three more episodes, bringing its total to 16. Both comedies, as is custom, opened the season with 13-episode commitments. The Eye laid the track for the additional orders last month when it asked for four more scripts of each show. The Jay Mohr-led "Gary" drew a 2.1 rating among adults 18-49 on Wednesday, once again building off its lead-in "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (2.0 rating). As for "Week," the show's most recent broadcast on Monday drew a 2.9 rating in the key demographic, well short of its lead-in "Two and a Half Men" (4.9 rating). It's believed that the shortened commitment to "Week" is designed to make room for the return of "Rules of Engagement" at midseason.

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ABC orders four more 'Life on Mars' episodes Busy, busy day at ABC. The has ordered four more episodes of time-traveling cop drama "Life on Mars" from 20th Century Fox and ABC Studios. That makes 17 episodes for "Mars" this season. Though shy of a full pickup, the move helps shore up the network's plan to package "Mars" with "Lost" next year. With "Mars" going on hiatus next month, the network should have roughly 10 episodes ready to run alongside "Lost" starting Jan. 28.

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'Eli Stone,' 'Dirty Sexy' may be axed ABC dramas likely won't be renewed ABC sophomore dramas "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Eli Stone" are expected to sign off for good soon. ABC and ABC Studios declined comment Thursday about the fate of "Dirty Sexy" and "Eli," but word is they will not be renewed after finishing their 13-seg orders for this season. That's the same fate that awaits another struggling ABC sophomore, "Pushing Daisies" (Daily Variety, Nov. 14). In their most recent airings, "Dirty Sexy" and "Eli" both garnered less than a 2.0 rating in the adults 18-49 demo.More than one option(Co) "Private Practice," on the other hand, is a spinoff of "Anatomy." It will air in reruns in its new timeslot starting next month, with original segs bowing Jan. 8. "Practice" has been airing in the Wednesday 9 p.m. slot that "Lost" will take over in January. On Tuesday, ABC is making way for the return of "Scrubs." The veteran laffer, which was picked up by ABC after NBC passed on an eighth-season renewal, will air back-to-back segs from 9-10 p.m. on Jan. 6 and 13. "Scrubs" will settle into a single airing on Jan. 20 in the 9 p.m. berth against "American Idol," the same spot it held on the Peacock in recent seasons. It's expected that "According to Jim" will move into the 9:30 p.m. slot on that night.

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Exclusive: CBS eyes 'NCIS' spin-off In a move that will surprise only the brainless, NCIS' odds-defying ratings surge this season has prompted CBS to quietly begin developing a spin-off, sources confirm to me exclusively. Although a spokesperson for the hit procedural declined to comment, my industry moles reveal that a new crop of naval sleuths will likely be introduced in an episode of NCIS later this season and launched into their own show as early as next fall. "It's still in the early stages," maintains an insider, who says no final decisions have been made about the premise or the setting. The NCIS offshoot will likely put on hold CBS' long-gestating Criminal Minds spin-off. For more on NCIS' franchise expansion, pick up next week's issue of EW, on sale this Friday. In the meantime, initial reactions are being accepted in the comments section below!

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Sci Fi greenlights ‘Battlestar’ prequel Sci Fi Channel has greenlit “Caprica,” the much-anticipated prequel to hit series “Battlestar Galactica.” “Caprica” will star Eric Stoltz, Esai Morales, Paula Malcomson and Polly Walker, and will be set 50 years prior to “Galactica’s” seminal attack on human civilization by those dreaded ‘droids the Cylons. Family-drama-themed series will focus on the Earthlike planet of Caprica as two rival families deal with, among other topical issues, the broader implications of their society’s emerging artificial intelligence technology sector. Produced by Universal Cable Prods., “Caprica” will be exec produced by “Galactica” masterminds Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, along with Remi Aubuchon (”24″). The pilot was co-written by Aubuchon and Moore and directed by Jeffrey Reiner (”Friday Night Lights.”) Having already produced a two-hour backdoor pilot, Sci Fi is aiming for an early 2010 bow for the series, with production starting around the middle of next year, probably in Vancouver, where both “Galactica” and the spinoff’s pilot were shot. ” ‘Battlestar Galactica’ was absolutely our flagship show. It put us on the map and helped transform the perception of the network,” said Sci Fi prexy Dave Howe, noting that the cabler hopes to draw a broader audience to a series it sees as more compelling family drama than “space opera.” “We want people to come to this who have never heard of ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ ” he added. “I think, because (’Galactica’s’) backdrop was space and spaceships, there was a barrier to entry for some viewers. ‘Caprica’ has none of that. It’s an intense family drama set on an Earthlike planet, in the near future, speaking to a lot of the ethical dilemmas that we as a human race are going to have to face very shortly.” “Galactica” has had its fourth and final season in the can for several months, with the final 10 episodes culminating their run March 20. A two-hour movie adaptation, “Battlestar Galactica: The Plan,” is slated for early summer. Mark Stern, original programming topper for Sci Fi and Universal Cable Prods., says waiting until 2010 to bow the prequel will give the producers time to regroup the core of “Galactica’s” writing staff, which has largely scattered to other shows. “One of the other things we have going for is, this is one of the first shows we’ve done in conjunction with our new cable studio,” Stern added. “There will be a lot of coordination between the studio and the network, not just on production, but how the series is launched, as well.”

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CBS picks up five episodes of 'Eleventh Hour' CBS has picked up Jerry Bruckheimer's procedural thriller "Eleventh Hour" for five more episodes, the network confirmed. The Warner Bros. series has averaged 12 million viewers on Thursday nights this season -- the second-most-watched new show behind CBS' "The Mentalist." In the adult demo, "Hour" has averaged a 3.3 rating. As with comedy "Gary Unmarried," CBS has opted for a pickup that totals less than a full season. CBS presumably plans to try another program in the show's valuable post-"CSI" time period before the end of the year. Possible contenders include "Harper's Island" or shifting Wednesday night's "The Mentalist." "Hour" has struggled to retain its hefty "CSI" lead in yet has rated a consistent adult demo second-place in its 10 p.m. slot behind NBC's "ER" (which is in its final season) and ahead of ABC's fellow freshman drama "Life on Mars" (which shifts to Wednesday nights next year). Though broadcast ratings woes have impacted all the networks, CBS has only had to cancel one new show this year -- Friday night's "The Ex-List."

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CBS ANNOUNCES MID-SEASON PROGRAMMING PLANS "Flashpoint," Last Summer's Top Original Scripted Series, Returns Friday, Jan. 9, 9:00-10:00 PM "Harper's Island," a 13-Episode Mystery Event, Premieres Thursday, April 9, 10:00-11:00 PM and Concludes Thursday, July 2 "Game Show in My Head," a New Game Show from Ashton Kutcher, Premieres Saturday, Jan. 3, 8:00-9:00 PM "Survivor" Returns Thursday, Feb. 12, 8:00-9:00 PM The 14th Edition of "The Amazing Race" Premieres Sunday, Feb. 15, 8:00-9:00 PM CBS today announced mid-season schedule changes that include the return of the drama FLASHPOINT, the premiere of the mystery event HARPER'S ISLAND, the debut of the new game show GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD and the returns of the Network's reality hits SURVIVOR and THE AMAZING RACE. FLASHPOINT, last summer's top original scripted series, premieres Friday, Jan. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). FLASHPOINT, starring Enrico Colantoni, Hu gh Dillon, Amy Jo Johnson, David Paetkau, Michael Cram, Sergio Di Zio, Ruth Marshall and Mark Taylor, depicts the emotional journey into the tough, risk-filled lives of a group of cops in the Strategic Response Unit (inspired by Toronto's Emergency Task Force). FLASHPOINT is produced by Pink Sky Entertainment in association with CBS Paramount Network Television. Bill Mustos and Anne Marie La Traverse are executive producers. HARPER'S ISLAND, a 13-episode mystery event, premieres Thursday, April 9 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and concludes Thursday, July 2 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). HARPER'S ISLAND is about a group of family and friends who travel to a secluded island for a destination wedding. They've come to laugh... to love... and, though they don't know it... to die. As the wedding festivities begin, friendships are tested and secrets exposed as a murderer claims victims, one by one, transforming the wedding week of fun and celebration into a terrifying struggle for survival. In every episode, someone is killed and every person is a suspect, from the wedding party to the island locals. By the end of the 13 episodes, all questions will be answered, the killer will be revealed and only a few will survive. Jon Turteltaub ("Jericho" and Jeffrey Bell ("Alias," "Angel," "The X-Files" are executive producers for CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Junction Entertainment. Karim Zreik ("Jericho", Dan Shotz ("Jericho" and Tyler Bensinger ("Cold Case" are co-executive producers and Ari Schlossberg ("Hide and Seek" is co-executive producer and creator. GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD, a hidden camera game show from Ashton Kutcher, premieres Saturday, Jan. 3 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). Ordinary people must perform extraordinary tasks on an unsuspecting public to win up to $50,000. Under the watchful eye of host Joe Rogan, each contestant performs five outrageous, embarrassing and hilarious tasks worth $5,000 each. In a no-holds-barred bonus round, each contestant has the chance to double their money up to $50,000. GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD is from fox21, produced by Hat Trick Productions and Katalyst Films. Executive producers are Jimmy Mulville & Leon Wilde and Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke and Michael Binkow. The 18th edition of SURVIVOR premieres Thursday, Feb. 12 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) while THE AMAZING RACE returns with its 14th edition on Sunday, Feb. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). Saturday, Effective Jan. 3 8:00-8:30 PM GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD (Premiere) 8:30-9:00 PM GAME SHOW IN MY HEAD (Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM CRIMETIME SATURDAY 10:00-11:00 PM 48 HOURS MYSTERY Friday, Effective Jan. 9 8:00-9:00 PM GHOST WHISPERER 9:00-10:00 PM FLASHPOINT (Premiere) 10:00-11:00 PM NUMB3RS Thursday, Effective Feb. 12 8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR 18 (Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM CSI 10:00-11:00 PM ELEVENTH HOUR Sunday, Effective Feb. 15 7:00-8:00 PM 60 MINUTES 8:00-9:00 PM THE AMAZING RACE 14 (Premiere) 9:00-10:00 PM COLD CASE 10:00-11:00 PM THE UNIT Thursday, Effective April 9 8:00-9:00 PM SURVIVOR 9:00-10:00 PM CSI 10:00-11:00 PM HARPER'S ISLAND (Series Debut)

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Showtime adds more 'Californication' Showtime has picked up a third season of "Californication." Golden Globe-winning series, which stars David Duchovny as a hedonistic, sexually obsessed novelist struggling to fix his family life and career, will resume production in the spring with 12 episodes slated. Premiere of the third season is set for later in 2009. Series creator and exec producer Tom Kapinos helms a production that also stars Natascha McElhone and Evan Handler. Pay cabler will wrap up season two of "Californication" on Dec. 14. Through nine season-two episodes, the series has averaged 2.2 million viewers, factoring in repeat airings and DVR viewing seven days after original air date. That's 16% off the pace "Californication" set in its frosh campaign, but that benchmark was set when the series ran behind "Weeds." Pickup of "Californication" caps a string of recent renewals for Showtime, with "Dexter," "Weeds" and "The Tudors" all slated to return in 2009.

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'Office' scores post-Super Bowl slot NBC sets 'ER' finale, cuts 'Knight Rider' order An hourlong episode of 'The Office' will lead out of NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLIII on Feb. 1. "ER" will conclude its 15-season run with a two-hour finale in the middle of March sweeps, while "The Office" has secured the plum post-Super Bowl slot. Those are among the latest scheduling moves announced by NBC, which revealed the rest of its midseason plans Wednesday. Net also quietly cut its episodic order on "Knight Rider," which will end the season early -- on Feb. 25. NBC had picked up a full season of "Knight Rider," but the show's ratings haven't improved. As a result, the Peacock's "Knight Rider" season order has been trimmed from 22 to 17 episodes. Net stresses that "Knight Rider" isn't canceled -- but the downsized order isn't a good sign for the remake. Meanwhile, with "ER" retiring, NBC has given the 10 p.m. slot to newcomer "Kings." "ER" will say farewell with a two-hour sendoff on March 12 at 9 p.m. "It made sense to end the show in sweeps, and establish a great transition for 'Kings,' " said NBC scheduling chief Mitch Metcalf. "It's tough to replace a show like 'ER,' but 'Kings' has the quality that the Thursday at 10 p.m. time period demands." The Peacock will premiere "Kings," a modern-day sudser loosely based on the story of King David and starring Ian McShane, with a two-hour episode March 19. Series will start regular runs at 10 p.m. Thursdays starting March 26. NBC also has skedded its four-hour event mini "XIII" for Feb. 8 and Feb. 15. Mini stars Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff. Meanwhile, the network announced "Medium" will see its season bow on Feb. 2. It will run at 10 p.m. Mondays, as expected, following "Chuck" and "Heroes." Latter two skeins will return Feb. 2 with original episodes. Original episodes of "Life," meanwhile, will return Feb. 4 in the Wednesday 9 p.m. slot. NBC additionally announced a March 1 return date for "Celebrity Apprentice," which will kick off with a two-hour Sunday night special. "The two-hour 'Apprentice' allows us to establish a toehold on the night," Metcalf said. "It's historically difficult to program a night in the winter and spring after football. This run of 'Apprentice' fits perfectly after we get out of January and February, and serves what's traditionally a tough night to program." Metcalf said it wasn't hard to convince "Apprentice" producers Mark Burnett and Donald Trump to expand the show -- "We have a lot of great material that ends up on the cutting room floor," Metcalf noted. NBC will air two-hour episodes of "Dateline NBC" on Sundays at 7 p.m. for the time being, although there's a chance that a reality show may wind up in the 8 p.m. slot. Peacock is also still waiting to announce its plans in the Wednesday at 8 p.m. slot post-"Knight Rider." Not scheduled were the bows of the "Untitled Amy Poehler Project" and "The Philanthropist." Metcalf said NBC is still giving both shows time to percolate, and that both could still wind up on the sked this season. As for "The Office's" post-Super Bowl berth, decision supersedes the original plan to pair both "The Office" and its then-planned spinoff in the slot. Instead, "The Office" will simply air by itself for an hour. "This will enable us to take the show to the next level," Metcalf said. "It's doing incredibly well, but we hope a whole new audience can find it. Comedy has a pretty good track record after the Super Bowl." NBC, which last aired the Super Bowl in 1998, previously skedded special episodes of laffers such as "3rd Rock From the Sun" and "Friends" in the spot. But nets have gone more dramatic with the slot in recent years, as Fox aired "House" in the slot this past year, while CBS programmed "Criminal Minds" there in 2007.

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The CW's midseason schedule The CW unveiled its midseason lineup Wednesday, including a premiere date for its horror-reality series "13 -- Fear Is Real." The schedule is pretty much unchanged from fall, with most shows returning the week of Jan. 5. The most interesting item broke yesterday, with "Reaper" returning to Tuesday nights, now paired with "90210." Full schedule below: Monday 8-9 p.m. “GOSSIP GIRL” (New episodes begin January 5) 9-10 p.m. “ONE TREE HILL” (New episodes begin January 5) Tuesday 8-9 p.m. “90210” (New episodes begin January 6) 9-10 p.m. “PRIVILEGED” (New episodes begin January 6) Wednesday 8-9 p.m. “13 -- FEAR IS REAL” (Series premiere January 7) 9-10 p.m. “90210” (Encore Episodes Begin January 7) Thursday 8-9 p.m. “SMALLVILLE” (New episodes begin January 15) 9-10 p.m. “SUPERNATURAL” (New episodes begin January 15) Friday 8-8:30 p.m. “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” (New episodes begin January 9) 8:30-9 p.m. “THE GAME” (New episodes begin January 9) 9-10 p.m. “13 – FEAR IS REAL” (Encore episodes begin January 9) Tuesday (Beginning March 17) 8-9 p.m. “90210” 9-10 p.m. “REAPER”

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CW looking to spin off 'Gossip Girl' No details imminent for possible new show NEW YORK -- The CW confirmed Thursday that it's looking at ways to spin off its hit "Gossip Girl" for next season. CW entertainment president Dawn Ostroff told The Hollywood Reporter that the network is in discussions with the producers of the WBTV/Alloy-produced show as to how a new series could be done. But Ostroff said that nothing has been finalized and there's no imminent announcement. "Nothing really tangible yet, but we're talking about it," Ostroff said after her speech at the WWD Style + Media conference in Manhattan. The network is in constant contact with executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, whom Ostroff praised. "If it's the right idea, we'd all embrace it and be enthusiastic," Ostroff said. "But nobody more than Josh and Stephanie want to make sure there's the right idea that they can wrap their arms around and really be excited about." Meanwhile, Ostroff said it's still to be decided what would happen with the Sunday primetime block after the removal of the Media Rights Capital programming. "We did better this past week than we did with the MRC programming," Ostroff said. "We're programming a movie. Obviously it's only a week later, but we're going to look at Sunday night." The movies are going to stay on the schedule for the time being. "We're going to look at what the options are," she said. "It's a very competitive night." Ostroff said the network was doing as much as it could early in advance of a possible SAG strike. The CW has picked up for a pilot order "Light Years" and is going to shoot the pilot right away, she said. Some other scripts are coming in early, but much depends on the development process. "We'll do as much as we can as early as we can," Ostroff said, "but we're all holding out hope that there won't be a strike."

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December 03, 2008 'Knight Rider' to halt production early Rider The cast and crew of NBC's "Knight Rider" were informed Wednesday that the show's 17th episode will be its last for the season, sources say. In NBC's midseason announcement today, "Rider" is listed to have its season finale on Feb. 25. The network has recently said it plans to overhaul the show to function as more of a crime-of-the-week procedural. The format changes are still going to air in the coming weeks, but the cutback suggests there is little expectation that a revamp will reverse the action-drama's ratings decline. This episode reduction likely spells the beginning of the end of the show, since "Rider" ratings have been abysmal. Unless there's marked improvement between now and the finale, it's tough to see NBC paying to bring back "Rider" next fall. Still, as with "Lipstick Jungle" -- which the network has not ordered new episodes for, but has also not pulled from its lineup -- NBC sources say they do not consider the show canceled. NBC picked up "Rider" for a full season in late October, relatively early in the show's run. Though modestly rated, the numbers had seemed to level off. After the pickup, "Rider" declined -- and kept declining -- with the most recent episode watched by 5.2 million viewers and earning a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49.

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Reaper return reported CW's devilishly funny show comes back for season two this spring; postbreak returns of current lineup also revealed. Sam and Sock servin' Satan! High on our list of last year's best new shows, the CW's Reaper nearly made us renounce our faith in Satan when the show was in danger of being canceled. But The CW came to its senses and saved Reaper's soul by renewing the program for a second season at the last second, allowing the TV.com offices to let out a collective sigh of relief. And now we know when we can see more... The CW has scheduled the premiere of Reaper's second season for Tuesday nights beginning March 17. The 13-episode season (which could be extended) will be paired with one of the network's most popular shows, 90210. The last episode of Reaper aired in late May. And while some will argue that the pairing doesn't quite make sense, it's the belief of this writer that Reaper just needs to be seen to be loved and hope is being held for it to flourish in that time slot. Reaper stars Bret Harrison as a 20-something guy who reluctantly works as a bounty hunter for the Devil after his parents sell his soul. The supernatural-tinged mix of comedy and drama also stars Ray Wise, Tyler Labine, and Missy Peregrym. The CW also reiterated the return dates of the rest of its lineup after a December hibernation. Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill come back with all new episodes January 5, 90210 and Privileged do the same on January 6, and Smallville and Supernatural return with new segs January 15. Also announced was the premiere of 13 - Fear is Real on January 7. The reality competition program throws a baker's dozen people into a house and scares them out one by one. It's been a long time, but Reaper is finally coming back! Are you as excited as we are?

"You just can\'t resist bringing up the fact that I once accidentally destroyed a couple of planets, can you?"

BBC ORDERS 2ND SEASON MERLIN

second season of fantasy drama "Merlin" -- bought by NBC in the U.S. -- has been greenlit as it emerged that 112 territories have acquired the show.
"Merlin" is funded by U.K. shingle Shine, the BBC and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises.

FME recently closed deals for "Merlin" in Germany (RTL), France (Canal Plus), South Africa (Mnet) and Japan (MICO), with more anticipated soon. Italian rights are held by Mediaset, which is already airing the show.

"Merlin" bowed on the BBC in the U.K. in September as a 13-part series and achieved an average audience of 6.2 million and an impressive 28% share.

Unusually, NBC committed to the skein during the early stages of production.

"Merlin" was created by Elisabeth Murdoch's Shine Television, known primarily for factual entertainment and reality.

Show stars Colin Morgan and Bradley James as boy wizard Merlin and Arthur respectively, with John Hurt and Anthony Head in supporting roles.

The Cleaner Picked up for a 2nd season

A&E Network said it has picked up a second season of original drama "The Cleaner" starring Benjamin Bratt.

"The Cleaner" is the network's first scripted series in six years. Production on season two's 13 episodes is scheduled to start soon and begin airing next year.

"'The Cleaner' has garnered critical acclaim and a loyal audience in its first season," said Bob DeBitetto, president of A&E. "Its authentic, dramatic storytelling, combined with superb acting, led by an exceptional performance by Benjamin Bratt, has struck a chord with A&E viewers. It is exactly the sort of high-quality, engaging programming that our fans have come to expect."

"The Cleaner" is produced by CBS Paramount Television in association with Once a Frog Productions for A&E Network. The series was created and is executive produced by Jonathan Prince and Robert Munic. Jay Silverman and Warren Boyd are co-executive producers.

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Survivors recommissioned for second series on BBC One Survivors, Adrian Hodges' (Ruby In The Smoke, Shadow In The North, Charles II and Primeval) post-apocalyptic character-based adventure series for BBC One produced by BBC Drama Production has been recommissioned for a second series it was announced today. The drama, with a series average of 5.9 million viewers and 23.1% audience share, has been given the green light for another six episodes to broadcast next year. The final episode in the current run will broadcast on Tuesday 23 December on BBC One at 9.00pm. Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning: "I am delighted Survivors will be returning in 2009 with Adrian Hodges at the helm – it's been a thrilling and emotional journey, and I look forward to more twists and turns in series two."

Breaking: Fox cancels 'Prison Break'

Big news from Fox's portion of winter press tour! The net just announced that Prison Break would be coming to an end this season. Oh, did I say big news? I meant news we all saw coming a mile away.

The final string of episodes will kick off April 17, but exactly how many episodes there will be is an open question. "We've got our remaining batch of four episodes and then there are a couple more we're contemplating," says network prez Kevin Reilly, adding that Prison has simply run its course. "The show is played out."

'Kyle XY' Cancelled

ABC Family has set up its new lineup.

Following the success of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," the cable network has picked up three new female-oriented series, comedies "Ruby and the Rockits" and "10 Things I Hate About You" and drama "Perfect 10." All three have received 10-episode orders.

Additionally, ABC Family has renewed college dramedy "Greek" for a third season and black family drama "Lincoln Heights" for a fourth season with 10-episode pickups, while canceling 3-year-old sci-fi mystery "Kyle XY."

Pending is the renewal of smash hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," the size of whose order is still being determined.

Based on the feature of the same name, "10 Things I Hate About You" is a single-camera comedy about the Stratford sisters -- the strong-willed Kat (Lindsey Shaw) and social butterfly Bianca (Meaghan Jette Martin).

Carter Covington penned and exec produces the series, whose pilot was directed by the film's helmer, Gil Junger.

"Ruby and the Rockits," from ABC Studios, is a multicamera comedy from the Cassidy brothers: David, Shaun and Patrick. It stars Patrick Cassidy as a former teen idol who has chosen to lead a quiet life with his wife and two sons. But when his former Rockits bandmate and brother (David Cassidy) shows up unexpectedly with his newfound teenage daughter (Alexa Vega) in tow, the family's life becomes anything but normal.

"Invasion" creator Shaun Cassidy and Marsh McCall exec produce.

Set in the world of competitive gymnastics, "Perfect 10" stars "Frasier" alumna Peri Gilpin and follows a group of teen Olympic hopefuls as they train and prepare for their day in the spotlight. The hourlong drama was written by Holly Sorensen, who exec produces.


TNT orders Season 2 of Leverage

Drama averages 3.2 mil viewers since December debut

TNT has decided it wants more "Leverage."

The network announced Monday that it has renewed the caper drama for a second season of 15 episodes, which will start this year.

The drama has averaged 3.2 million viewers since its premiere Dec. 7. It airs at 10 p.m. Tuesdays. Its Dec. 7 premiere averaged 5.6 million viewers, and has done well in time-shifting as well. It's part of the network's continued push into original scripted series.

"Leverage," starring Timothy Hutton and Gina Bellman, is produced by Electric Entertainment, with executive producers Dean Devlin, John Rogers and Chris Downey.


Chris O Donnell, LL Cool J eye NCIS spinoff

Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J are in talks to star in CBS' "NCIS" spinoff.

The pilot for an offshoot from the hit procedural will air as an episode of "NCIS" this spring, just as the pilot for "NCIS" aired as an episode of "JAG."

O'Donnell would play Callen, an average guy born to do undercover work as the ultimate chameleon, taking on different identities.

LL Cool J is eyed for the role of Sam Hannah, a former U.S. Navy Seal who is tough but charming.

CBS has been hot on LL Cool J. In 2006, the network signed the actor-rapper to a rich development deal, which led to him starring in the 2007 CBS pilot "The Man."

Meanwhile, "Pushing Daisies" star Anna Friel has emerged as the most sought-after actress this pilot season. She has three offers to choose from: ABC dramas "I, Claudia" and "Eastwick" and CBS drama "House Rules." Friel's "Daisies" co-star Lee Pace was offered a pilot but passed.


HBO renews Big Love

HBO has given a fourth-season pickup to relationship drama "Big Love," from executive producers Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman.

"The stellar reviews and solid viewership this season confirm that this is a signature series for HBO," said Michael Lombardo, president of programming at HBO. "The series keeps getting better and better."

Although "Love" got off to a sluggish start in the ratings this season, each episode has added viewers. Sunday's outing drew 1.5 million viewers, up 29% from its January season premiere despite competition from the Super Bowl. Combined with encore episodes, the series averages about 5 million viewers.

Also, critics have been effusive about this season, which is always a factor for a subscription service like HBO that relies on generating a public perception of exclusive, high-quality content.

Production will begin later this year for a 2010 release. The show is executive produced by Playtone's Hanks and Goetzman and series creators Mark V. Olsen and Will Scheffer.