tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57 2009-01-16T00:09:04Z The Television Critics Association Press Tour is going to be crawling with TVWeek staffers. Check this space for observations from the presentations, hallway chatter and the dope on who was misbehaving at the parties. TVWeek’s Jon Lafayette, Josef Adalian, Andrew Krukowski, Sergio Ibarra and Vlada Gelman all will post as they scour the scene for news. Movable Type 3.33 tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48770 2009-01-16T00:07:38Z 2009-01-16T00:09:04Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com "Lipstick Jungle" still has a pulse. But barely. NBC has never officially canceled the Brooke Shields soap opera. There were rumors of its demise last month, but the network was careful to say it wanted to see how the show... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48769 2009-01-16T00:04:09Z 2009-01-16T00:09:15Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Could there be yet another series coming from "The Office" brain trust? Maybe. Talking up his new Amy Poehler project at the TCA's Winter Press Tour, "Office" showrunner Greg Daniels said he is working on an idea for another series.... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48768 2009-01-16T00:00:20Z 2009-01-16T00:01:41Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com MSNBC's spilt personality could become a bit more cohesive in 2009. That's the word from MNSBC President Phil Griffin, who said the network is looking to tweak its weekend documentary programming. Currently, much of the network's Saturday and Sunday schedule... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48709 2009-01-15T01:00:19Z 2009-01-15T01:03:12Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Premium cable is home to all sorts of nudity and naughty language. But the producers of Showtime's "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" are offering a promise to potential viewers about content. "You won't see any lady gardens," promised producer... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48692 2009-01-14T22:34:13Z 2009-01-14T22:35:19Z

Vlada Gelman http://www.tvweek.com Showtime chiefs Matt Blank and Bob Greenblatt touted another strong year for the premium cable service Wednesday, hyping across-the-board gains in subscribers and revenue. Mr. Blank said Showtime added 1 million subscribers in 2008, ending the year with 16.5 million... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48686 2009-01-14T21:14:08Z 2009-01-14T21:16:51Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Looks like NBC isn't wasting any time beginning the promotion for its just-ordered John Wells police drama. Just days after the network officially picked up the project to series, NBC has scheduled a panel for the show Thursday at its... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48629 2009-01-13T23:02:57Z 2009-01-13T23:08:30Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Sharon Osbourne used to appear as a judge on the British show "The X Factor" (it's sort of like "American Idol"). She'll soon be seen on Fox via "Osbournes Reloaded." So TVWeek asked: Would Ms. Osbourne ever want to appear... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48625 2009-01-13T22:24:36Z 2009-01-13T23:48:24Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Put Mitch Hurwitz, Jason Batemen and Will Arnett together in a room of reporters, and you're bound to get a question or two about an "Arrested Development" movie. Even if the session is supposed to be about "Sit Down, Shut... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48615 2009-01-13T17:45:42Z 2009-01-13T23:09:33Z

Vlada Gelman http://www.tvweek.com Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly kicked off the Fox portion of TCA with what just might be the line of the day. "NBC for me is like the crazy ex-wife I can't get away from," he told reporters. He... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48528 2009-01-11T00:50:11Z 2009-01-11T00:52:19Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com At least one of the actors in “Party Down,” the new comedy from Starz, really was a “cater waiter” while waiting for her big break. During a Saturday panel at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour about the series,... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48527 2009-01-10T22:22:56Z 2009-01-11T00:53:06Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com The election of Barack Obama is very much on the minds of the people at BET and its viewers. “This is a historic time,” said BET CEO Debra Lee, speaking at a Saturday session of the Television Critics Association's Winter... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48526 2009-01-10T18:03:55Z 2009-01-10T22:47:56Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com After it shows the crowning of a new Miss America, TLC plans to introduce the country to the women involved in a different type of competition. “With the record ratings of ‘Miss America’ last year, we think of that timeslot... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48498 2009-01-09T20:13:34Z 2009-01-09T20:15:09Z

Patrick Swayze, star of A&E's new series "The Beast," checked himself into a hospital Friday morning and was unable to attend a session on the show at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour in Los Angeles. Mr. Swayze has been battling pancreatic cancer during the filming of the show. "Patrick has checked himself into the hospital. He asked us to go forward with the panel. A&E networks wishes him the best with his recovery," said Abbe Raven, CEO of A&E Television Networks. Mr. Swayze went into the hospital for observation because of pneumonia brought on by chemotherapy, added Bob DeBitetto, president of A&E Network. He said Mr. Swayze plans to resume promoting the show as soon as he's back on his feet.

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Patrick Swayze, star of A&E's new series "The Beast," checked himself into a hospital Friday morning and was unable to attend a session on the show at the Television Critics Association's Winter Press Tour in Los Angeles. Mr. Swayze has... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48490 2009-01-09T19:14:26Z 2009-01-09T19:15:49Z

Lisa Horowitz tvweek.com Jon Stewart is a producer of Comedy Central’s new show “Important Things With Demetri Martin,” but he didn’t come to the Television Critics Association’s Winter Press Tour in person. Instead, he sent a tape. “You’re thinking, ‘He thinks he’s too... tag:www.tvweek.com,2009://57.48486 2009-01-09T18:07:14Z 2009-01-09T22:23:20Z

Good things kids probably haven’t heard the old expression "Don’t trust anybody over 30." Nickelodeon will be marking its 30th year on the air this year and the 10th anniversary of “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Nick President Cyma Zarghami said Mr. SquarePants will be celebrated with 20 new episodes, a TV movie, a documentary, a vertical Web site and a live touring performance by the show’s cast. Johnny Depp will join the celebration, providing the voice of a surfing god during one special episode of the show coming up. Working in partnership with DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon in March will be launching “Penguins of Madagascar,” a cartoon spinoff of the hit animated “Madagascar” films. Ms. Zarghami said Nick has ordered 26 more episodes of the show, bringing the total to 52. She said Nick also is working with DreamWorks on a TV version of “Kung Fu Panda.” Ms. Zarghami also announced that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be the host of this year’s Kids Choice Awards.

Vlada Gelman http://www.tvweek.com Good things kids probably haven’t heard the old expression "Don’t trust anybody over 30." Nickelodeon will be marking its 30th year on the air this year and the 10th anniversary of “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Nick President Cyma Zarghami said Mr. SquarePants...