Could "Big Bang" become No. 1 sitcom? (And why CBS rejected it the 1st time)
"The Big Bang Theory" already beats the No. 1 sitcom, "Two and a Half Men" in the all-important 18-49 demo, but it's inching closer to the ratings of the Charlie Sheen sitcom. “There’s a lot of ambivalence,” says Chuck Lorre, creator of both shows. “It’s ‘Yeah!’ then ‘Awww.’ But it’s all good. I can’t claim to understand how this works; I’m just thrilled that it’s working.” The ratings, though, aren't bad for a show that had to be retooled after CBS rejected it. The result was a much-improved Penny, and the casting of Kaley Cuoco to fill the roll, replacing another actress. PLUS: Howard & Raj get their epiosde tonight.

Arrest made in Atlanta "Real Housewives" death
The man who allegedly beat up Ashley "A.J." Jewell outside the strip club he co-owns is in the hospital.

Guests at Simon Cowell's 50th birthday bash were served Simon soup
Waiters wore Simon masks and a 30-foot high image of Cowell graced the $1.5 million party for Cowell, who turns the Big 5-0 on Wednesday.

Ricky Gervais: I'd like to revive "Extras"
"The reason I'd like to do 'Extras' again," he says, "is because whenever I go to an awards ceremony like the Golden Globes or the Emmys, just ridiculous people come up to me and say they'd like to do Extras and I phone up Steve (Merchant) and say, 'Oh man, you'll never guess who wants to be in Extras now.'"

Is reality TV in decline?
Reality shows aren't doing too well this fall, including "Dancing with the Stars," which was the only reality TV program to rank in the Top 20 in the key 18-49 demo during premiere week.

British government hires "The Simpsons" to promote healthy eating
The UK's Department of Health is spending $1 million on an ad campaign featuring Homer and his family eating junk food that morphs into something more healthy.

Showtime renews "Californication"
The David Duchovny series will return for a 4th season next year.

"Sherri" is reality TV for Sherri Shepherd
"This character is based on me and my stand-up," "The View" star says of her Lifetime sitcom, debuting tonight. "I look at it like I had lemons dumped in my lap and managed to make lemonade for everybody. There was infidelity in my marriage. The other woman got pregnant. I had to deal with it."
Sad part is it's based on real life // Shepherd deserves better

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