Some comments about the ousted, shout-outs to Heart, Eric Carmen and Ray Charles, and more.

Here's the word from Fox:

Next week, the Top 8 guys (David Archuleta, Jason Castro, David Cook, Chikezie, David Hernandez, Michael Johns, Luke Menard, Danny Noriega) will take the stage once again, singing hits from the ‘80s for America on Tuesday, March 4 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Then it’s the ladies’ turn, as the Top 8 girls (Kristy Lee Cook, Asia’h Epperson, Kady Malloy, Ramiele Malubay, Syesha Mercado, Amanda Overmyer, Carly Smithson and Brooke White) perform in hopes of winning America’s vote on Wednesday, March 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Tune in the following night to see who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who goes home. Another two guys and two girls will be eliminated and the Top 12 finalists are announced on the live results show Thursday, March 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

It's getting late and I'm not going to go into a lot of detail. But the night's spoiler and a few words after the jump ...

One of those episodes that will have me plowing back through DVDs of the previous seasons. Spoilers after the jump ...

In progress post and spoilers after the jump ...

Yes, I am in the cult of the movie "Slap Shot" (and old enough to have seen it in a theater). So this item from ESPN was impossible to ignore:

SportsCenter’s featured piece Sunday, March 2, will profile Christian Hanson, a junior center on Notre Dame’s ice hockey team, and his father, Dave Hanson, who played one of the brutal-yet-beloved “Hanson Brothers” in the 1977 classic Slap Shot. Dave describes his life-changing role as Slap Shot’s Jack Hanson, who made his way to the highest levels of professional hockey as an enforcer, while Christian, who has devoted a large part of his life to the sport, never saw his father’s movie until he was a teenager. Reporter Chris Connelly interviewed Dave, now a manager of the Robert Morris University Island Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, at the Cambria County War Memorial Auditorium in Johnstown, Pa., where Slap Shot was filmed.

Is this enough to get you through until the show comes back in the fall? No. But it sounds interesting -- lots of Wendy & Lisa, Iggy, Dylan, Jesus and Mary Chain. Full announcement after the jump.

(LA Times photo, Buddy Miles in the early '70s)

The famous drummer and singer has died. You may think he's getting a place in this space because, as the obit notes, he was the lead voice of the California Raisins. Not really. I'm just a fan, and I'm not even thinking of the Hendrix stuff. He's here because he did a thunderous version of "Don't Mess With Cupid," back in the day and because "Them Changes" is one of those songs that will always be in my head (it's on the needing-an-update "Songs in the Key of My Life" list with this blog).

Live posts while the show is in progress, after the jump ...

Of the presidential debate. "Moment of Truth," "Las Vegas," a field trip and other topics. ...

A little late getting started tonight but I should catch up with some fast-forwarding during commercials. Comments on tonight's show after the jump ...

Here's the announcement:

MyNetworkTV and World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE) have announced a new broadcast television home for “WWE SmackDown,” scheduled to debut in Fall 2008. The announcement was jointly made by MyNetworkTV President, Greg Meidel and WWE Chairman of the Board, Vincent K. McMahon.

The new production, which aired last night on ABC, will be on DVD in May. Details after the jump ...

The epic miniseries -- which ran longer than a lot of regular TV series -- has been one of the most-asked-about DVD titles from readers, but still one only available on bootlegs. Now TV Shows on DVD has reported that it may at last be making a move to disc in July. Detailed report here.

Well, Oscar night also meant the debut of Jimmy Kimmel's answer to the video by his girlfriend, Sarah Silverman. Here's one link to it. (Some adult content.)

Well, I was off writing for the paper during the last big wave of Oscar winners, filing after Day-Lewis and then again with a revision following 'No Country" getting best picture.

A few thoughts:

Cameron Diaz for cinematography, a word that she has trouble saying..

More stuff, after the jump, and after I finish gagging over Marion Cotillard's win ...

Another parade of previous-winner clips. Forest Whitaker presents.

Marion Cotillard wins. Ick. Yuck. As I have said before, I would give this to anyone else in the category, including Laura Linney, and I haven't even seen her performance. Cotillard is way excited. "Thank you, life, thank you, love. It is true there are angels in this city."

Jessica Alba and more after the jump ...

Clips from previous winners. Alan Arkin to present.

Tilda Swinton wins. Akh. She's in some Harry Potter-ish dress. As you know from my "Oscar Watch" posts, she's not my choice. Not even close. I've got some people I would have nominated before her. And among the nominees, I would have gone with two or three before her. Fun acceptance speech, though.

Back to the show. Stewart jokes about Bardem's Spanish. Intros a montage we might have seen if the writers strike continued ...

Clips of former winners, capped by Cuba Gooding Jr. shouting off his finish-up music.
Presenter: Jennifer Hudson. Reads her lines with little emotion.

Clips of nominees. Hal Holbrook is killing me in his clip.

It's 8:30 and we're in the fancy opening, ...

Here's how it will work tonight: I'll be posting notes here while the Oscars telecasts are in progress. I'll take a break around 11 to write something for tomorrow's Beacon Journal, then return here until the telecast is over, when I'll have to write an update for the paper. Then I'll sum up here. So follow along, if you want, after the jump. ...

I expect to write steadily here at 8 p.m. when the official pre-show begins, and have been taking care of some other business and other TV since. (Tiger Woods strikes again!) Besides, the early coverage is so excruciating. Ryan Seacrest, dressed like hip young priest who talks to youth, talking about rain and another red-carpet denizen leaning into him. Barbara Walters, seeming soooooooo old and stuffy and out of it. (I don't care whether she gets the Moldy Peaches, and I don't want to hear her singing with Ellen Page.) Back for serious business in a few.

The previous link changed to a different item. Here's a different link:

I knew the show had roped me in again when, this morning, I was replaying scenes to make sure I had caught some details. ...

Got through "Lost," which I'd give a Hurley-level "Whoaaaa," but the brain has stopped functioning. Will do some catch-up posting tomorrow.

Live post after the jump ...

Variety says Jesse L. Martin is leaving, with Anthony Anderson coming in. Full story is here.

Martin has been a steady presence on the show, but he has also been there since 1999, a long run for a role that infrequently asks a lot from the actor. It will be interesting to see how long Anderson lasts. He's one of those guys who has real star power -- and was amazing on "The Shield" -- and I could see him getting restless rather quickly. On the other hand, it's a regular paycheck, and those aren't always easy to come by. Witness the rocky road for "K-Ville," Anderson's most recent series.

Live post after the jump while the show is in progress ...

From the network today:

“Samantha Who?” returns Monday, April 7 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) with six original episodes.

“Boston Legal” returns Tuesday, April 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) with six original episodes.

Live posts during the telecast, after the jump....

Announcement as follows:

TLC’s hit series LITTLE PEOPLE, BIG WORLD returns on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 8 PM and 8:30 PM ET/PT with 20 brand-new episodes that kicks off with a three episode arc taking viewers inside the courtroom as the family faces Matt’s DUI trial. Other episodes this season focus on Matt and Amy’s 20th wedding anniversary, Zach’s new average-height girlfriend, and Matt and Amy’s cruise during the start of the farm’s critical pumpkin season. (More after the jump.) ...

Fox is notorious for a maddening number of schedule changes. But after the jump is what the network is saying now ...

The pro football player and University of Akron was in the announcement for the sixth-season cast tonight. Full press release after the jump. ...

Overview: One nomination, best song for "Falling Slowly."

The red cup, the rise of professionals and Malcolm's thoughts about Bryan Adams songs...

Three nominations: Best actress (Marion Cotillard, above), costume design, makeup.

Some thoughts after the jump, with spoilers ...

Meant to post last night about this and "Lost" but surrendered to weariness instead. Make-ups this morning, starting with the perils of overthinking ...

I have things to say about last night's "Survivor" and "Lost" but ran out of steam. Hope to post later today. ....

From the network tonight (and I have no idea what this means for the shows not on this list):

CBS has renewed 11 series for next season in a move that will return 10 hours of the Network's primetime schedule and eight of the top 20 scripted series on television.

After the jump, the short takes on the contestants from Fox. Still playing games, mentioning people's bands but not TV-show experience..
Also, pictures and biographical tidbits are here.

Meet AMERICAN IDOL Top Semifinalists:

Live posting as the contestants are announced tonight ...

Several reports that the CW comedy is done, including one here, although there are efforts afoot to at least get a series finale made.

It's a shame. "Girlfriends" was a solid comedy, well cast and well executed. There were a number of years when a great Monday comedy hour was "Everybody Loves Raymond" on CBS followed by "Girlfriends" on UPN (later CW). It was a show of some ambition, dealing with issues like the n-word in interesting ways. And, frankly, it had some of the most beautiful women in television.

On the heels of CBS's announcement, here's NBC's. Also, the network has renewed "Chuck," "Life" and "Heroes" for 2008-2009.

NBC will resume the broadcast of many of its scripted series in April with new original episodes following the settlement of the Writers Guild of America strike, including "The Office," "30 Rock," "My Name Is Earl," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," among other programs, it was announced by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios, and Marc Graboff, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

Here's a nice list the network put together of its current shows and what you can look forward to:

SERIES
ANTICIPATED RETURN
EXPECTED # OF NEW EPISODES

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
March 17
9


THE BIG BANG THEORY
March 17
9


TWO AND A HALF MEN
March 17
9


CSI: MIAMI
March 24
8


COLD CASE
March 30
5

CRIMINAL MINDS
April 2
7

CSI: NY
April 2
7

CSI
April 3
6

WITHOUT A TRACE
April 3
6

GHOST WHISPERER
April 4
6

NUMB3RS
April 4
6

NCIS
April 8
7

MOONLIGHT
April 11
4

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
April 14
6

SHARK
TBA
4

* THE UNIT, CANE and SHARK are on previously announced hiatus to
accommodate the mid-season launches of BIG BROTHER, JERICHO and DEXTER.

"Saturday Night Live" will reportedly resume new broadcasts on Feb. 23. Before then, though, it will rerun the show with LeBron James hosting and Kanye West as the musical guest on Feb. 16. The show first aired on Sept. 24. You can read my comments from its original telecast here.

Notes after the jump ...

Here's today's announcement:

After months of speculation throughout the television industry, Turner Broadcasting has landed the broadcast rights to the highly-sought-after CG-animated series, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS, from creator George Lucas. A new era of Stars Wars entertainment begins this fall when the television series premieres on Cartoon Network, followed by airings on TNT. The series will premiere following the North American theatrical release Friday, August 15, from Warner Bros. Pictures. Details regarding international television broadcasts will be announced shortly.
Produced by Lucasfilm Animation, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS takes audiences on incredible new Star Wars adventures, combining the legendary storytelling of Lucasfilm with an eye-popping, signature animation style.
“I felt there were a lot more Star Wars stories left to tell,” said George Lucas, executive producer of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. “I was eager to start telling some of them through animation and, at the same time, push the art of animation forward.”
“Nothing like this has ever been produced for television,” said Stuart Snyder, President/COO Turner Animation,Young Adults & Kids Media. “For 30 years, Star Wars has shown that it appeals to a huge breadth of fans. STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS on Cartoon Network will be appointment television for everyone in the family. We’re thrilled to be working with Lucasfilm again and very excited to be playing a role in bringing this remarkable adventure to viewers.”
STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS showcases an entirely new look and feel to the galaxy far, far away, combining the expansive scope of the Star Wars saga with state-of-the-art computer-generated animation. Each week, viewers will see a thrilling, 30-minute “mini-movie” created by the talented artists at Lucasfilm Animation.
On the front lines of an intergalactic struggle between good and evil, fans young and old will join such favorite characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Padmé Amidala, along with brand-new heroes like Anakin’s padawan learner, Ahsoka. Sinister villains—led by Palpatine, Count Dooku and General Grievous—are poised to rule the galaxy. Stakes are high, and the fate of the Star Wars universe rests in the hands of the daring Jedi Knights. Their exploits lead to the action-packed battles and astonishing new revelations that fill STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.
With a new story each week, STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS continues the tradition of thrilling stories, astonishing visuals and extraordinary music that have always been the hallmarks of the Star Wars saga.
Lucasfilm Animation, which is based in Marin County, Calif., with a studio in Singapore, has produced more than 30 all-new episodes of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS.
The first in a planned series of Web-only documentaries that chronicle the development of STAR WARS: THE CLONE WARS debuts online today, and can be found at http://www.starwars.com.

Same title, kind of a different show ...

Roy Scheider in "All That Jazz"

As you probably know by now, the actor has died. He had a career that could fairly be called spotty, and his big foray into television -- the "SeaQuest" series -- was not a bright spot.

(Photo from Variety)

Overview: Two nominations, for cinematography and for best supporting actor (Casey Affleck as Robert Ford).

Overview: Its only nomination is for best actor, for Tommy Lee Jones. But what a great actor he is ...

A veteran director of televised productions, including "Live From Lincoln Center," Browning has died at the age of 86. I have posted the Lincoln Center notice after the jump, and after my recollections of Kirk.

Back in the early '90s, I was working on my first book, "Television's Greatest Year: 1954." Someone -- it may have been Fred Rogers -- recommended that I talk to Kirk. I telephoned him, and he invited me to his home to chat. ...

Full announcement after the jump.

Announcement from ABC:

Today ABC Entertainment announced pickups for nine of its most popular shows, returning broadcast television’s most successful fall series. ABC Entertainment ordered episodes of “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Pushing Daisies,” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty.”

Coming April 8. Full announcement after the jump.

This from NBC today:

NBC Universal has added Oxygen, the newly acquired female-targeted network, as an additional Olympic platform to provide significant weekday coverage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The announcement was made today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics and Lauren Zalaznick, President, Oxygen and Bravo Media.

"We're thrilled to be able to bring the Olympics to Oxygen's loyal audience," said Ebersol. "This provides yet another platform for NBC Universal's unprecedented coverage of the most anticipated event of the decade, the Beijing Games."

The fake music-biopic starring John C. Reilly was a box-office dud, but maybe people will rediscover it on DVD on April 8. And I had a good time when the promotional tour came to the Rock Hall in Cleveland. (Photo above from that gig.) Full announcement of the DVD after the jump ...

(Photo from Los Angeles Times)

Well, I have had "Jungle Love" stuck in my head all morning ...

"Atonement," Daniel Day-Lewis, Marion Cotillard are among the winners. Complete list here.

Malcolm and I talk about "American Idol" Week 4 and what lies ahead. Now with a prop!

Late Thursday the WWE issued the following announcement:

“After a successful decade of SmackDown on both UPN and The CW, World Wrestling Entertainment and The CW have agreed to conclude our partnership. Since CW's exclusive negotiation period ran out as of last Thursday, January 31, we have been contacted and have been in negotiations with other networks. WWE SmackDown will continue to air on The CW until the conclusion of the 2007-08 broadcast season. We are grateful to Les Moonves, Dawn Ostroff, and their entire organization for bringing WWE SmackDown to millions of viewers for so many years.”

Bits of this and that ...

-- You may have seen the report of Randy Quaid's bad behavior. Considering all the stories told over the years about stars acting up, I've wondered how far someone would have to go to be punished. I guess we now have some idea of how far that is. And it's pretty freakin' far.

If you head over to here, you can find e-valentines tied to the the CBS drama, which begins its second season on Feb. 12.

A few words, with spoilers. after the jump ...

A most excellent start tonight, as explained with spoilers after the jump. ...

From Nickelodeon:

Slime recipient/movie star/funnyman Jack Black (DreamWorks’ upcoming animated feature Kung Fu Panda) will host Nickelodeon’s 21st Annual Kids’ Choice Awards, Saturday, March 29 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) – “where Hollywood meets the slime”-- live from UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. Black, who helmed in 2006 and was doused then with the green goo, reclaims the reins at the 2008 “mini-Oscars” event where kids honor their favorites from the worlds of film, music, sports and television in a star-studded live telecast (tape delayed for West Coast).

It's coming March 18 on standard DVD and Blu-ray. (Details from the announcement after the jump.) There will also be a combo with the regular and HD DVD, but not until April 8. So Warner Home Video is keeping a hand in HD DVD, but obviously giving priority to Blu-ray.

And, of course, I just bought an HD DVD player...

This from Gospel Music Channel:

New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, whose touchdown catch and spectacular final drive-saving grab helped lead the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII, and Super Bowl opponent Benjamin Watson of the New England Patriots, will join forces to make their national television singing debuts this Sunday on the Gospel Music Channel television network as members of the first-ever NFL Players All- Star Choir. The choir's debut was one of the highlights of the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration 2008 concert event, which will world premiere exclusively on Gospel Music Channel this Saturday night, Feb. 9 at 9:00 p.m. (ET/PT). ...

End of auditions! On to Hollywood! (Three hours of drama next week.) This last show, as is typical of the final audition show, was a grab-bag of good and bad ...

Columbus appears to be a hotbed of "Brother"-hood (even if its contestants are transplants from Bowling Green and New Philadelphia). And considering that this season has an all-single cast, pairing of contestants and more players than ever, CBS is obviously hoping for some hot beds. Announcement and list after the jump. More details about the contestants, including photos, at CBS.com ...

Here is today's announcement:

For the past 31 years, HBO Sports has aired INSIDE THE NFL, establishing it as one of the premier football studio programs on television.

From NBC:

NBC has announced a series pickup of the American adaptation of the Australian hit comedy series "Kath & Kim," starring Molly Shannon (NBC's "Saturday Night Live") and Selma Blair ("Legally Blonde"). The pickup was announced today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.

"This hilarious new series exemplifies how we are changing the pilot process by ordering shows that we believe in and green-lighting them straight to series," said Silverman. "We are confident that this proven international hit will effortlessly translate to American audiences and we couldn't be more excited that Molly and Selma will be playing the leads."

"Kath & Kim," a series adapted from Australia's hit comedy of the same title, is a look into the minutiae of middle-class suburbia that digs deep into the daily lives of Kath, a cheerful, forty-something divorcee, and her self-absorbed daughter, Kim. It's the love and hate, push and pull, of the dysfunctional relationship only a mother and daughter could share.

Michelle Nader ("King of Queens") will serve as executive producer and writer of the series. Original series creators and stars Gina Riley and Jane Turner will serve as executive producers of the series along with Nader, original series executive producer Rick McKenna and Paul Feig (who is directing the first episode). The series is a production from Reveille for Universal Media Studios.

A few notes about tonight's show, after the jump ...

I used my theoretical day off to squeeze in the one best-picture nominee I had not seen. Thoughts after the jump (including some spoilers if you have not seen it).

Interesting announcement in today's e-mail. after the jump ...

I did squeeze in a viewing of "Atonement" this afternoon completing my circuit of Oscar's best-picture nominees. I've already started an "Oscar Watch" post about it, but first let me give you the 17 reasons ...

Thought about turning it off when New England went ahead in the fourth. Glad I didn't. Considering how bad the first half had been, that was a fabulous finish. Terry Bradshaw was so hoarse after the game, I have to wonder if he was screaming nonstop at the TV in the final four minutes. I admit to a big shout when the Giants got that winning score. And, as if Bill Belichick hadn't already proven how lacking he is in class, add to the evidence his departing the field when there was still an official second left on the clock.

Some game. Some game.

Overview: Four nominations: best picture, director (Jason Reitman), lead actress (Ellen Page), original screenplay (Diablo Cody). Comments after the jump.

The last few days have included a fair number of household chores and some movie viewing. I finally got to "Juno" yesterday and am pondering whether Ellen Page has jumped to the top of my best-actress list. She's good, and the movie's terrific. I hope to post an "Oscar watch" on it later, as well as on "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," which I watched on DVD and liked considerably better than I expected. Am also pondering where Casey Affleck fits in my best-supporting-actor rankings. Also watched part of "Ratatouille" (Oscar-watchable as best-animated-movie nominee) Saturday; cute, unbelievably good animation but the end-of-the-day weariness kept me finishing it. Maybe tomorrow.

If the Super Bowl gets to be a snore, I may do some movie posting while watching. I'm just watching as a fan tonight, and didn't even turn to the pregame until after 5:30.

Here's an item from E! Online that hit my e-mail tonight:

"Arrested Development" fans may be in for a treat. Star Jason Bateman confirmed to E! Online's "Watch With Kristin" columnist Kristin Dos Santos today that the creative geniuses behind "Arrested Development" have put the wheels in motion toward a major motion picture of the Fox comedy. Bateman and other cast members received calls recently from Arrested producers gauging their interest in the project.

Notes on tonight's episode, after the jump ...

Some technical challenges making this one. But we were happy to have the table instead of perching on the stools. And you get to see my chins in profile.

You can find my rant about Disney's marketing of the "Hannah Montana" movie here. I wrote it on the run. With more consideration, I might have rethought the line about "devil spawn."

No, "devil spawn" seems about right.