TVtattle.com notes that NBC.com has posted a return date for "Studio 60": May 24. Tattle notes that's the day after the May sweeps end. It's also after NBC announces its schedule for Fall 2007. Bad signs all around.

Of course, the show's fans will be happy. But if NBC was interested in making fans of dead shows happy, it could get those unaired "E-Ring" episodes off the shelf. And that "American Dreams" finale.

Yes, I've seen it. Some notes (and possible spoilers) follow...

A long weekend winds down, after the jump ...

No podcast tonight. As for the show, not an auspicious start ...

I've written a brief report for my newspaper's Web site about Rosie O'Donnell leaving the view, and a longer one for tomorrow's Beacon Journal, and, well, I'm nearly typed out on this one.

But not quite. Let me just admit that I've watched "The View" more in the past nine months than I did in several years preceding.

Last night it seemed as if the judges are giving Billy Ray Cyrus and Heather Mills a lot of slack, while pushing John Ratzenberger out the door. Let's see how it ends up, after the jump ...

Live blog during the pretaped show, after the jump ...

The official word, after the jump ...

His Top 10 list for Dave, from tonight's show, after the jump ...

In the previous post, I admitted to a Crankypants moment. Easing it considerably is my review copy of "Kitchen Confidential." ...

I loved "Cagney & Lacey" in its prime-time heyday, and it's nice to see a DVD box coming May 8 ...

Paulie's shoes, Junior's schemes, after the jump ...

Tonight's final four results, after the jump ...

I've been flipping through "All Those Moments," a new autobiography by actor Rutger Hauer ("Blade Runner," "Batman Begins") but was dismayed by this passage:

I remember (Daryl Hannah) was doing a scene with Sebastian, played by William Sanderson, who became famous for his funny portrayal of a country bumpkin on the "Newhart" show. Few people can forget his signature line on that show -- "I'm Clarence, this is my brother Darrell, and this is my other brother Darrell. ...

A curious comment from David Broder, after the jump ...

In case you didn't already know, with "Idol Gives Back" next week, the song theme is '' 'life anthem' songs about compassion and hope." Hear Malcolm Abram lament on the podcast.

Podcast links:

Kitty Carlisle Hart, an actress also known for her appearances on game shows, has died. GSN is paying tribute in a very odd way. See after the jump ...

Simon explains himself to E!, and producer Ken Warwick weighs in, after the jump ...

After the jump, info about a new CD in the works ...

Tonight's stuff, after the jump (which does not, by the way, include a "stumble") ...

The dreaded annual spectacle of country-music night, Simon and Ryan battle about Sanjaya, and more, after the jump ...

About tonight's two-hour premiere, after the jump ...

For your consideration and argument, after you've seen tonight's episode, and after the jump ...

Just got off the phone with Robert Vaughn ...

I still have some of the old paperbacks. The Sirens of Titan. Cat's Cradle. Slaughterhouse-Five. ...

CBS Radio drops him, too. Announcement in full after the jump ...

As was mentioned in the podcast, next week is country week, with Martina McBride. The official Fox announcement is after the jump ...

The weekly podcast with Malcolm X Abram is done, and here's the info:
Link: http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/american_idol/20070411.mp3

RSS FEED: http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/RSS/idol.xml

After the jump, the live posting during the show itself ...

This from NBC today:

Effective immediately, MSNBC will no longer simulcast the "Imus in the Morning" radio program. This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees. What matters to us most is that the men and women of NBC Universal have confidence in the values we have set for this company. This is the only decision that makes that possible. Once again, we apologize to the women of the Rutgers basketball team and to our viewers. We deeply regret the pain this incident has caused.

For reading after you've watched, since mega spoilers follow the jump. ...

I'm pretty well convinced now that the best way to watch "Lost" is about once a month ...

Hello to all my West Coast friends. Stuff after the jump...

Details as the show is in progress, after the jump ...

CBS and NBC statements about Don Imus, after the jump. As you read them, you should also take a look at Gwen Ifill's take on all this. I found that on Jim Romenesko's site where you can also find links to some especially craven remarks by a couple of journalists kissing up to Imus.

"Sopranos," "Amazing Race," "Friday Night Lights," after the jump ...

If you head over to Ohio.com, you should be able to find my what-ifs about "The Sopranos," a review of tonight's telecast, some thoughts about Halle Berry, this week's DVD column, a HeldenFiles (with trivia question) and a Channels cover piece on "Thank God You're Here."

Not long ago, I had a post about the great sports movies, both someone else's list and some movies I thought should have been included. And somehow, to my great shame, I didn't think about "Major League." Someone else mentioned it in a comment on that post -- but I had even forgotten that when I started this post.

Here's the official word on next week's "Idol" theme (which already has my podcast cohort Malcolm X Abram dismayed) with a few thoughts about song selections at the end:

Superstar Jennifer Lopez will work with the Top 8 finalists next week on a Latin-themed AMERICAN IDOL Tuesday, April 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), and will perform her new single “Qué Hiciste” on the AMERICAN IDOL results show Wednesday, April 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX. .

Podcast info:
LINk: http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/american_idol/20070404.mp3

RSS FEED: http://www.ohiomm.com/podcasts/RSS/idol.xml

Didn't I WARN you that it would be late?

If, like many people, you believe that "A Christmas Story" is the best Christmas movie ever, then today brought bad news ...

Winners include "Friday Night Lights," "Scrubs," "Brotherhood," "Baghdad ER," "Boondocks," "Ugly Betty," more ...

NBC picks up "30 Rock" for next season!

TV Land is adding a movie night, and not even for TV-movies ...

I'll be at a screening of "Grindhouse" tonight, so my "Idol"
notes will be late.

Who survived the first night of "The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman," after the jump...

Catching up with the best new show of the season ...

Sorry, Team Guido, but you were doomed ...