January 2011

January 6, 2011

Bill O'Reilly will interview Obama for Fox's Super Bowl pregame show
The previous two Super Bowl pregames shows featured Obama being interviwed by Katie Couric (2010) and Matt Lauer (2009).


Piers Morgan lands Oprah as his 1st guest: Will he make her cry?

Morgan believes making Simon Cowell cry on his UK show "Piers Morgan Life Stories" got him the CNN job. Now he'll try to delve into the life of Oprah in an already-taped interview that lasted several hours. "She's one of two or three most brilliant gets in the world," says Morgan. PLUS: Madonna is still banned from Morgan's show.


Report: Bravo agrees to let Camille Grammer quit "Real Housewives"

Camille's contract didn't allow her to walk off the show, so she hired an attorney who argued that Bravo misrepresented how she would be portrayed. But according to TMZ, Camille won't actually quit the show until after the reunion episode.


Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance" plummets 25% on Night 2

Paula lost many of her coveted 18-49 viewers.


Reality TV's Rob Lowe begins filming in Washington, D.C.

Lowe was dressed in jeans and a sweater, drinking macchiatos, as his camera men filmed "Potomac Fever.


New "Charlie's Angels" will have a hunky Bosley

ABC remake will have a Bosley in his late 20s or early 30s who has "GQ looks" and a "Peter Pan" smile.


Japanese TV vying for a Guinness record with 168-hour "24" marathon

The first 7 seasons — comprising 168 hours — have been shown nostop on Japan's Fox network with the goal of setting the "longest uninterrupted transmission of a TV series." The current record-holder is a Germany pay-TV channel, which aired 118 hours of "Friends" in 2008.


TLC gives Ted Haggard his own reality special

The controversial pastor, who was caught having an affair with a male prostitute, willl star in "Ted Haggard: Scandalous," a special that could become a series.


Jason Lee lines up big names for his Adult Swim skateboard show

"Lost's" Malcolm David Kelley will join Kevin Pollak, Molly Sims and Faizon Love in "Shredd: The Jon Johnsenson Story."


"Jersey Shore's" newest cast member: "This is, like, an open door for me"

Deena Nicole Cortese is joining the "Jersey" gravy train with tonight's Season 3 premiere, and she's hoping that she, too, can make big bucks from her celebrity. "Right now I'm just fastening my seat belt and going for a ride … If people would learn to love me from the show, I could go on to bigger things," she says. PLUS: Play the Season 3 drinking game, JWoww in court over nude photos and see how repetitive The Situation is in his workout DVD.

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THURSDAY ODDS & ENDS

January 6, 2011

Check out Jamie Pressly's DUI mugshot

Report: "SNL" will definitely have Gwyneth & Cee Lo sing "Forget You" together

TLC orders "Extreme Couponing" to series

Kathie Lee & Hoda will do Friday's entire 4th-hour of "Today" on cardio machines

Anthony Stewart Head calls "Buffy" remake a "horrible idea"

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

January 6, 2011

Jimmy Fallon lands the 1st late-night interview with the golden-voiced homeless man
Ted Williams already appeared downstairs this morning on the "Today" show, which thwarted a reunion with his elderly mother. PLUS: Check out Williams' criminal past.


Turner CEO: "Modern Family's" overexposure has ruined its rerun value

Phil Kent, who oversees TBS, says the cable network pulled out of the bidding for "Modern Family" because he "thought it was a little too prevalent on the Internet."


Jaime Pressly busted for DUI

The former "My Name is Earl" star was arrested in Santa Monica late last night after cops spotted her committing a traffic violation.


Katy Perry signs on to play Ted's possible new "HIMYM" love interest

She'll play the cousin of Jennifer Morrison's Zoey.


Jason Alexander to play a Bernie Madoff-type on TNT

The former "Seinfeld" will guest on legal dramedy "Franklin & Bash," with Breckin Meyer and Mark-Paul Gosselaar.


ESPN will likely fork over nearly $2 billion/year for more "Monday Night Football"

The cable network intends to increase its annual rights fee for the broadcast 65% to 70%%, or $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion a year.


Suze Orman gets her own Oprah Winfrey Network show

She'll host "Money Class," a show that will help people transform their financial lives.


Piers Morgan will interview Susan Boyle on TV Guide Network, not CNN

That's because TV Guide has bought the rights to the British "Piers Morgan's Life Stories" episode on Susan Boyle, which will air one week before Morgan makes his formal CNN debut.


Snooki strikes licensing deal

The "Jersey Shore" star is set to become a big-time brand with her own jewelry, slippers, sunglasses and possibly bedding and beauty products. PLUS: Snooki meets her nerdy "twin" and a man gets a Snooki tattoo.


J.J. Abrams is working on "Pulp," a "Pulp Fiction"-like crime drama

The series, still in development, would take place in a heightened reality.


People's Choice Awards honors "$#*! My Dad Says"

It's the best new comedy, according to The People. Meanwhile, the Kardashians won for favorite guilty pleasure and Conan was honored as favorite talk show host.


NBC picks up 1960s Playboy bunnies drama

The "Mad Men"-like series is the first drama pilot order of the season for the Peacock.


"Hot in Cleveland" will reunite Betty White and Mary Tyler Moore in jail

We haven't worked together in 33 years, so it was great fun," Betty White says of the "Mary Tyler Moore" reunion. "Hot in Cleveland" is also planning a "One Day at a Time" reunion with Bonnie Franklin. PLUS: Jimmy Kimmel and Old Spice Guy are among "Cleveland" guest stars next season.


ABC picks up another Canadian drama: "Combat Hospital"

Expect the medical drama about a military hospital in Afghanistan to undergo a name-change before it airs this summer.

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January 5, 2011

"Hot in Cleveland" and "All My Children" are crossing over
Susan Lucci will play herself on the TV Land comedy, while Wendy Malick will play a bartender on "AMC" who was fired by Erica Cane.


E! gives "Khloé & Lamar" a reality show

Khloé Kardashian and Lamar Odom will star in the latest reality show from the Ryan Seacrest producing empire. "They are fascinating individuals in their own right, and together the duo are a powerhouse," says an E! executive. "They are funny, dramatic, opinionated, and we intend to capture all this, along with the unvarnished reality of their lives together and apart."


"Desperate" Kathryn Joosten will play herself on "The Bold and the Beautiful"

The two-time cancer survivor will help support the show's matriarch, Stephanie Forrester, as Forrester battles lung cancer.


TLC spinning off "Cake Boss" with "Kitchen Boss"

The daytime cooking show will focus on Buddy Valastro's traditional Italian dishes.


"Damages" will tackle the military with Blackwater-inspired storyline

Season 4, now on DirecTV, will be about "a wrongful-death suit filed against a military contractor over something that happened in a war zone," says exec producer Daniel Zelman.


Camille Grammer leaving "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills"

Kelsey Grammer's future ex-wife has been the most scrutinized member of the Bravo reality spin off, but it's unclear why she won't return if there's a Season 2. PLUS: "Housewives" dig up X-rated Camille photos. UPDATE: Upset over her portrayal, Camille has hired a lawyer to get out of her contract.


TV Land Awards to honor Bill Cosby and "Family Ties" — in NYC

The 9th TV Land Awards are moving to New York, where it will host a "Cosby Show" and "Family Ties" reunion.


Paula Abdul's "Live to Dance" is the most generic dance-reality show yet

"I'm not sure that I was able to identify a single original idea in it," says James Poniewozik. "There was the dance competition, of course, from So You Think You Can Dance. There were the three judges, with light-up podiums, from America's Got Talent (as well as the mix of young-adult competitors, spunky seniors and adorable kids). There was the garishly overlit, over-mirrored stage set, from most any primetime game show produced in the last decade."
10.2 million tuned in // "Live to Dance" was not only boring but sad
A "Cowell-Free Zone" // Where was the loopy Paula?: It's all about the niceness


NFL Films says homeless guy's golden radio voice is "a dime a dozen"

Nevertheless, NFL Films wants to hire Ted Williams because of the way he uses his voice. "It was when he started telling his life story, that’s when I said this guy has a voice. We have to give him a shot. He deserves a second chance," says NFL Films' director of post production. PLUS: "Today" brings Williams to NYC.


MTV's "Skins" can't be profane, and must show consequences for using drugs

While the UK version kicked off with dozens of F-bombs, cigarette smoking and drug use, the MTV version will have to abide by American TV standards. "Obviously, we cannot go as far as the U.K. version. I don’t think anyone in basic cable can," says MTV's David Janollari.

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WEDNESDAY ODDS & ENDS

January 5, 2011

"Modern Family's" Jesse Tyler Ferguson & Eric Stonestreet will co-host the WGA Awards

David Arquette is also Patricia Arquette's "Medium" brother

"Can anybody Really Be this Nice?": Jimmy Fallon gets Rolling Stone cover treatment

What's Jorge Garcia's reaction to "Lost" lottery numbers? // Carlton Cuse: Don't blame us!

"Gossip Girl" taps Illeana Douglas to play Lily's sister // A Dan-Blair romance!?

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

January 5, 2011

Homeless man with golden radio voice is getting many TV offers
MTV expressed interest in viral sensation Ted Williams, so has "Entertainment Tonight," which wants him to compete on "America's Next Voice." Plus, NFL Films wants to hire him for a voiceover job.


Hurley's "Lost" numbers wins $150 for thousands of lottery players

According to "Lost" co-creator Damon Lindelof, 9,078 people won when four of Hurley's numbers turned up on Mega Millions.


Jay Leno now has as many coveted 18-49 viewers as Conan O'Brien

But the new king of late night appears to be "Nightline," which is beating both Letterman and Leno.


"HIMYM" creator explains "Bad News" countdown

"We kind of built the whole season around" this week's final scene, says co-creator Carter Bays.


Watch Jim Carrey's "SNL" promos

And catch a glimpse of Carrey in the "SNL" wig-fitting room.


Alec Baldwin won't ditch his "30 Rock" contract to run for office in 2012

Despite being "very interested" in running for office, Baldwin isn't interested in running next year, when his contract with "30 Rock" ends.


The Vatican teams with Discovery Channel for "The Exorcist Files"

Producers will gain access to the Catholic Church's case files to recreate demonic possessions.


Why Kathy Griffin is ending "The D-List": She's tired of being a reality star

"Reality is great," she says, "but I really didn't set out to be a reality star. So now it's time to spread my wings and show that I'm a little different than Kate Gosselin."PLUS: Bravo orders 4 Kathy Griffin specials.


HBO adding "Muscle" with bodybuilding comedy

The series from "Blue Valentine" will delve into the world of professional bodybuilding.


"Sunday Night Football" ends its season as the No. 1 show on TV

According to NBC's ProFootballTalk.com, "It's the first time ever that a sports show has been the No. 1 show in television from the start of the television season through the end of the football season."


Gary Collins arrested for the 4th time

This time, for felony dine and dash.


Crystal Bowersox passes "Idol" champ Lee DeWyze in album sales

The "Idol" runner-up sold 11,000 albums last week.


Check out the final season "Big Love" trailers

"Nothing feels right anymore. Things have changed."

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January 4, 2011

Glenn Close "distraught" over her cameo in raunchy U.S. Navy video
"I am distraught that my image has been used to perpetuate something that I abhor," Close said through her spokesperson. "The cynical, unauthorized use of my image in this video is deeply offensive and insulting, and was the result of a seemingly innocent request of me during a visit to the aircraft carrier over four years ago."


"Idol" 2011: No gender parity? No music video? No web voting? Sudden death exit!

Entertainment Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter are offering differing takes on some of the changes we'll see next season, including faster eliminations and music released during the season.


"SVU" gets a cameo out of Debra Messing

The former "Will & Grace" star will return to NBC next month in a Nancy Grace-like role.


Mobile Apps get their own TV show

The syndicated "Mo Show" will introduce viewers to the newest smartphone and tablet apps, starting this week.


"TMZ" renewed for 3 more years

The Harvey Levin show will be around at least through 2014.


Sherri Shepherd gets engaged

"The View" star and TV writer Lamar Sally are set to wed in August.


CBS giving "Hawaii Five-O" an NFL boost

A new episode will air following the AFC Championship game on Sunday, Jan. 23.


Grant Show will be a big part of "Big Love's" final season

He'll play a spiritual marketing guru who first pops up in the season premiere.


PETA enlists "Glee's" Lea Michele in an anti-horse-drawn carriage campaign

"Help put horse-drawn carriages out to pasture," says her new PETA ad.


Contestants will play hide-and-seek around the world for Discovery reality show

In "Disappeared," contestants will go "off the grid" as a team including a psycholoigical profiler, a U.S. Marshal and a computer expert hunts them down.


"Pretty Little Liars" returns to really big ratings

The ABC Family series notched its best-ever numbers with last night's resumption of Season 1.

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January 4, 2011

A "Netflix Button" is coming to remote controls
Netflix has struck a deal with Sony, Sharp and Toshiba to put a Netflix button on the Internet-connected TV remotes. In addition, Samsung and Panasonic will put a Netflix button on the remotes that come with Blu-ray players.


Snooki's ghostwriter: We wrote most of her novel over the phone

Valerie Frankel, who's also ghostwritten for Joan Rivers, says most of the writing process for "A Shore Thing" took place while Snooki was filming Season 3 of "Jersey Shore," so she couldn't spend that much time with her in person.


Watch a preview of "Camelot"

The Starz series retells the tale of King Arthur with Joseph Fiennes, Eva Green and Claire Forlani.


How Jimmy Fallon became the best late-night musical guest booker

Musical acts on "Late Night," from Bruce Springsteen to Paul McCartney, get more leeway and more facetime than on any other late-night show. That's partly because the show's booker was hired directly from Billboard magazine. PLUS: Fallon & Gwyneth Paltrow duet.


Paula Abdul: "Live to Dance" has no mean auditions, no harsh judging

"It's not about being goofy or silly to get on television because that's not going to happen," Abdul says of her new show, premiering tonight. "It's okay to be eccentric but it better be backed up with dancing chops and technique." PLUS: "Live to Dance" contestant gets a bump on the head, and Paula talks "Idol" with Letterman.


WEtv jumps on the cake bandwagon, reveals a new slogan

The "Life As WE Know It" network has ordered "Staten Island Cakes," following a 21-year-old "pastry prodigy" named Vinny Buzzetta.


ESPN has a long history of demeaning female staffers

Does the sports network have a sexual harassment problem? UPDATE: ESPN fires announcer after "sweet baby" incident.


"V" promises more action as it returns for Season 2

"We're more active. Instead of talking about doing things, we're doing things," says Elizabeth Mitchell, who adds: "It's not really that much fun unless it's kind of an 'Independence Day.' We get our rear ends kicked pretty well, and then we do a little kicking back. I'd like to think at some point in time we might actually win." PLUS: "V" is stuck in the past — where's the shock and awe?


Ben McKenzie: Basic cable hurts and helps "Southland"

The former NBC series returns for Season 3 with its first TNT episodes, with some differences. "We are more 'Southland' than 'Southland,'" says McKenzie. "Some of that is how fast we have to shoot due to budget constraints. But a lot of it is the freedom, content-wise, to tell the stories we want to tell. What makes it different than most procedural cops shows on network TV is that we’re portraying a world that’s morally ambiguous."
Somehow, "Southland" doesn't suffer for cutting costs // It's a TV miracle!
Michael Cudlitz: Some "Southland" fans still don't believe my character is gay

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TUESDAY ODDS & ENDS

January 4, 2011

"Daily Show" boss departs to write an NBC sitcom

New "Smallville" poster teases Clark Kent in Superman costume

Kellie Pickler is now a married woman

Brad Womack delivers 2nd-lowest "Bachelor" ratings // Is he too media-trained this time?

James Van Der Beek mocks his facial expressions with JamesVanDerMemes.com

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

January 4, 2011

FCC's $1.21M "NYPD Blue" indecency fine tossed out
A federal appeals court tossed out the ruling against 44 ABC affiliates over this naked scene, citing last year's ruling describing the FCC's indecency policy as too vague.


"SNL" hooks up Gwyneth Paltrow and Cee Lo Green

Paltrow will host for the 3rd time on Jan. 15 (she last hosted in 2001 and 1999), but will she do a duet of "Forget You"?


"The X Factor" confirms Pepsi as its official drink

Fox says Pepsi is perfectly suited for the new Simon Cowell show: "Throughout its history, Pepsi has been known for being unique, fun and refreshing – and that is exactly the type of talent that 'The X Factor' celebrates."


Craig Ferguson finally allowed to show his "Doctor Who" cold open

Ferguson says he'll air the cold open, which was "leaked" to YouTube, on Thursday. PLUS: BBC launches a Classic "Doctor Who" channel, and David Tennant will marry ex-"Doctor Who's" daughter.


Jimmy Kimmel bubble wraps himself for Ellen

Watch as Ellen rolls and pops Kimmel. PLUS: Kimmel gets Josh Groban to sing Kanye's tweets.


Brad Womack won't file charges against "Bachelor" slapper

Brad insists he doesn't condone violence, but he says of last night's slap: "I think Chantal was just trying to make a statement about my past behavior and make a strong first impression, which she did." PLUS: Brad says he didn't have sex with any of the bachelorettes during filming, and Perez Hilton is "The Bachelor."


Roger Ebert names co-host for his new "At the Movies"

Russian-born Ignatiy Vishnevetsky, 24, replaces Elvis Mitchell, who departed the project last year.


"Spartacus" creates a Facebook game

The social media game will allow users to run their own gladiator school.


Jason Scwhartzman is a daddy

The "Bored to Death" star welcomed daughter Marlowe Rivers Schwartzman one month ago.


"Seinfeld's" grumpy old man dies

Bill Erwin, 96, played the old man Mr. Fields in two "Seinfeld" episodes.

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January 3, 2011

Oprah Winfrey Network: No mocking or cynicism allowed?
"OWN is a place where cynicism takes a holiday and mockery hasn’t yet been invented," says Alessandra Stanley, who adds: "The unveiling of her 24-hour cable network, OWN, which began at noon on New Year’s Day, was most striking for what it lacked: nowhere in that opening gush of feel-good highlight reels, self-improvement plans, spiritual quests, aha! moments, celebrity master classes, and people finding their truths and living their own best lives was there a snicker of malice or a hint of raillery. At times, it seemed almost like a comical conceit, like those movies that pivot on the sudden disappearance of a basic pillar of life, 'Death Takes a Holiday' or even 'The Invention of Lying.'"
Disappointing!: Where are the black males and females (besides Gayle King)?
OWN: A living monument to its creator's power // What does each OWN show mean?
OWN averages 1 million viewers — a 389% increase over Discovery Health


Brad Womack's 2nd "Bachelor" stint has too much soul-searching — and apologies

In fact, Brad doesn't get to meet his 30 bachelorettes until 45 minutes into tonight's season premiere. PLUS: Brad's alleged winner was encouraged by her dad to try out for "The Bachelor."


Did Usher rip off Homer Simpson?

His new song "OMG" sounds a lot like a song Homer sung on "The Simpsons" in 2003.


Sandra Lee is officially the "First Girlfriend" of New York state

The Food Network star has become the main attraction after her boyfriend, Andrew Cuomo, was sworn in as New York's governor.


"30 Rock" is TV's most unethical show; "Grey's Anatomy" 2nd

Thanks partly to Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock" racks up an average of 11 violations an episode, according to a study by Global Compliance. "Grey's Anatomy" had 7, while "CSI" and "House" had 6 violations per show.


Toni Braxton gets her own reality show: "Braxton Family Values"

The WE series will follow Braxton and her aspiring singer sisters — Traci, Towanda, Trina and Tamar.


Why was MTV's abortion special "buried" at 11:30 pm during the holidays?

MTV has no plans to repeat or extend the "shockingly good" special, which wasn't meant to be promoted in the first place, according to Lynn Harris.


"SpongeBob" renewed for Season 9

Nickelodeon's order of 26 more "SpongeBob SquarePants" episodes pushes the show above 200 episodes.


Alaskan officials upset over "Gold Rush" bear-killing

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources gave the Discovery Channel show a permit to shoot a black bear, but only in self defense, which doesn't appear to be the case.


"Pretty Little Liars" returns with "darker and edgier" episodes

Exec producer Marlene King also promises that the identity of "A" will be revealed by the 4th episode of the year. PLUS: Read a "PLL" primer.


PBS attempts tonight to examine the life of Robert E. Lee

But the "American Experience" documentary on the Confederate general's life offers nothing new. "Apparently not much new has happened to Lee's legacy while you and I were busy not paying attention to Civil War scholarship, at least judging from the content of 'Robert E. Lee," says Hank Stuever. "We're met with no biographical bombshells, undiscovered offspring or recently unearthed documents." PLUS: Ulysses S. Grant got better treatment.


Does "Men of a Certain Age" have a female sensibility?

With TNT series' "hormonal" moodswings, Ginia Bellafante says, "The suspicion festers because the sensibility of the show is so genetically female, so catered to how women think men ought to live." PLUS: Meet Manfro the Bookie.

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MONDAY ODDS & ENDS

January 3, 2011

Dick Clark & Ryan Seacrest were No. 1 on New Year's Eve

"I love my body, especially the badonk": Read an excerpt from Snooki's novel

Police accuse "American Pickers" fan of burglarizing a house featured on the show

What is Glenn Close doing in a raunchy U.S. Navy video?

Would MTV ever air a naked flying "Skins" trailer?

[Click to read the rest of Odds & Ends]

January 3, 2011

Nielson: Americans watched more TV than ever in 2010
The average viewer watched 34 hours of TV a week, a 1% increase.


"Idol" may downplay the band with new "arena" set

"American Idol" has a new bandleader, Ray Chew, who replaces Rickey Minor — but we might not see much of him.


Gordon Ramsay: I was held at gunpoint while filming "Gordon's Shark Bait"

The TV chef says he was in Costa Rica filming the British TV show when he was confronted by shark-hunting gangs.


"Curb Your Enthusiasm's" J.B. Smoove lands Fox comedy project

Smoove is set to play a divorced dad who lives in his parents' basement.


Happy 50th birthday, "90210's" Gabrielle Carteris!

Carteris is the first "Beverly Hills, 90210" teen star to enter her 50s. Ian Ziering turns 50 in three years.


"Dancing's" Cheryl Burke becomes an author

Her first book, "Dancing Lessons: How I Found Passion and Potential on the Dance Floor and in Life," is due out in February.


"Big Love" finale will bring back Amanda Seyfried & Aaron Paul

Their married-off characters will return for the series finale.


Olivia Munn chops off her hair

Will a shorter hairstyle hurt ratings for "Perfect Couples"?


Watch a preview of the Onion News Network

The IFC series debuts on January 22.

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January 3, 2011

Oprah fans upset that her network is on a more expensive cable tier
Some are fuming that they have to pay extra to watch OWN.


"Lost," "Heroes," "Dexter" were the most pirated TV shows of 2010

Also on the list are "The Big Bang Theory," "Glee" and "True Blood."


Discovery cancels UK airing of "Michael Jackson's Autopsy"

Discovery Channel decicded to shelve the British broadcast after objections from Jackson's estate.


MTV's Snooki ball drop forced to move to New Jersey

The folks who ran the real ball drop weren't happy with a competing Snooki Ball. (Watch the video) PLUS: Snooki kisses "Snooki."


Olympic gold medalist Rulon Gardner a "Biggest Loser"

The former wrestler is among a cast that features the heaviest "Loser" contestants yet.


"The Daily Show" and "Colbert Report" may return to Hulu

Comedy Central and Hulu are in talks to restore Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, and are said to be eager to make peace.


Valerie Bertinelli weds

The "Hot in Cleveland" star married her boyfriend of seven years, financial planner Tom Vitale, on Saturday night.


"WWE Tough Enough" making a comeback

The MTV competition that ended in 2003 is being resurrected by USA, which will pair it with "Monday Night Raw."


MTV pays the arrested "Teen Mom" Amber Portwood $280,000 a year

Portwood, who was released on $5,000 bail after being arrested for felony domestic battery, was forced by the judge to reveal her whopping salary.


Check out Steven Spielberg's alien miniseries starring Noah Wyle

TNT's "Falling Skies" debuts in June.

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