Alan Tudyk in 'Dollhouse'

‘Firefly’ and ‘Dollhouse’ alum Alan Tudyk is reportedly joining NBC’s reboot of ‘Rockford Files.’

Centred on Jim Rockford, a private investigator who investigates dangerous, quirky and unpredictable cases, the 1970s reboot is written by ‘House’ creator David Shore with Steve Carell as executive producer.

Tudyk will play LAPD sergeant Dennis Becker.

This follows the annoucement of Dermot Mulroney joining the cast as Jim Rockford.

Source: The Ausiello Files

'The Biggest Loser' moves to 7.30pm weeknights on Ten.

TV Tonight has your first look at Ten’s programming schedule for the first week of the rating season.

One the biggest changes over previous years include the shift to 7.30pm for ‘The Biggest Loser’, which will air weeknights following ‘The 7PM Project’. As a result some tent pole series will commence at 8pm while others at 8.30pm.

‘So You Think You Can Dance Australia’ will move to Wednesday night after its season premiere audition episode on Sunday, January 31.

‘Bondi Rescue’ rides into 8pm Tuesday, followed by an all new episode of ‘NCSI’ and a re-run of ‘NCIS: Los Angeles’.

‘Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation’ now slots into the new Sunday night line up, followed by ‘The Good Wife’ and the season premiere of ‘House’.

Finally, ‘The Simpsons’ has officially been dropped from the 6pm weeknight slot, replaced by summer comedy ‘Malcolm in the Middle’.

Here a full look at Ten’s week one schedule:

Sunday, February 7

8:00am Meet the Press. New Series
6:00pm The Simpsons Special: Access All Areas
6:30pm The Biggest Loser
7:30pm Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation. New Series.
8:30pm The Good Wife. Premiere
9:30pm House
10:30pm Avatar special
11:00pm Movie: The Thin Red Line

Monday, February 8

9:00am TEN News
10:00am NFL SuperBowl XLIV Live. (4.5 hrs)

6:00pm Malcolm in the Middle rpt
6:30pm Neighbours
7:00pm The 7PM Project.
7:30pm The Biggest Loser
8:30pm Good News Week
10:00pm Ross Noble’s Australian Trip

Tuesday, February 9

10:00am The Circle. Live. Premiere 2hrs

7:30pm The Biggest Loser
8:00pm Bondi Rescue. New Series
8:30pm NCIS. New Series
9:30pm NCIS: LA rpt
10:30pm TEN Late News with Sports Tonight
11:15pm The 7PM Project rpt
11:45pm The Late Show with David Letterman
12:30am Army Wives

Wednesday, February 10

7:30pm The Biggest Loser
8:00pm So You Think You Can Dance Australia. Top 20
10:00pm Burn Notice
11:00pm TEN Late News with Sports Tonight
11:45pm The 7PM Project rpt
12:15am The Late Show with David Letterman

Thursday, February 11

7:30pm The Biggest Loser
8:30pm Law and Orer: SVU. New Series
9:30pm Medium

Friday, February 12

7:30pm The Biggest Loser
9:00pm NCIS rpt
10:00pm The Good Wife rpt
11:00pm TEN Late News
11:30pm Sports Tonight
12:00am The 7PM Project rpt
12:30am The Late Show with David Letterman

Saturday, February 13

MEL:
6:00pm The Simpsons rpt (Mel)
6:30pm Malcolm in the Middle rpt (2 eps Mel / Ade / Per; one ep Syd / Bris)
7:30pm AFL: Haw v Richmond. NAB Cup. Live / Ade Live / Per) airs 10:45pm Syd / Bris
10:00pm Movie: The Fast and the Furious rpt
12:10am Hell’s Kitchen UK

ADE:
6:00pm Malcolm in the Middle rpt (2 eps)
7:00pm AFL: Haw v Richmond. NAB Cup. Live
9:30pm Movie: The Fast and the Furious rpt
11:40pm Hell’s Kitchen UK

PER:
6:00pm Malcolm in the Middle rpt
6:30pm AFL: Haw v Richmond. NAB Cup.
9:00pm Movie: The Fast and the Furious rpt
11:10pm Movie: Event Horizon rpt
1:05am Hell’s Kitchen UK

SYD / BRIS
6:00pm Malcolm in the Middle rpt
6:30pm Movie: Evolution rpt
8:30pm Movie: The Fast and the Furious
10:45pm AFL: Haw v Richmond. NAB Cup.
12:45am Hell’s Kitchen UK

Subject to change.

Source: TV Tonight

Monday

Monday, Jan. 4:
7:30 pm-CC ET – TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)

Monday, Jan. 18:
8:00-10:00 pm – 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 2)

Mondays, beginning Jan. 25:
8:00-9:00 pm – HOUSE
9:00-10:00 pm – 24 (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday

Tuesday, Jan. 5:
7:30 pm-CC ET – FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)

Tuesday, Jan. 12:
8:00-10:00 pm – AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 19:
8:00-9:00 pm – AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 pm – OUR LITTLE GENIUS (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesdays, beginning April 13:
8:00-9:00 pm – AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 pm – GLEE (Time Period Premiere)

Wednesday

Wednesday, Jan. 13:
8:00-9:00 pm – AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)
9:00-10:00 pm – OUR LITTLE GENIUS (Series Premiere)

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 pm – AMERICAN IDOL
9:00-10:00 pm – HUMAN TARGET (Series Premiere)

Thursday

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 14 (no change to lineup):
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES (All-New Episodes)
9:00-10:00 pm – FRINGE (All-New Episodes)

Thursday, Feb. 4:
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES
9:00-10:00 pm – FRINGE (Winter Finale)

Thursday, Feb. 11:
8:00-10:00 pm – PAST LIFE (Two-Hour Series Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning Feb. 18:
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES
9:00-10:00 pm – PAST LIFE (Time Period Premiere)

Thursdays, beginning April 1:
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES
9:00-10:00 pm – FRINGE (Time Period Premiere)

Friday

Friday, Jan. 1:
8:00 pm-CC ET – ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)

Fridays, beginning Jan. 8:
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 pm – DOLLHOUSE (All-New Episodes)

Friday, Jan. 22:
8:00-9:00 pm – BONES (Encore Episode)
9:00-10:00 pm – DOLLHOUSE (Series Finale)

Fridays, beginning Jan. 29:
8:00-9:00 pm – HOUSE (Encore Episodes)
9:00-10:00 pm – KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Season Premiere)

Saturday

Saturdays (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 pm – COPS
8:30-9:00 pm – COPS
9:00-10:00 pm – AMERICA’S MOST WANTED
11:00 pm-Midnight – THE WANDA SYKES SHOW
Midnight-12:30 am – SIT DOWN, SHUT UP

Sunday

Sunday, Jan. 10:
8:00-8:30 pm – THE SIMPSONS (450^th Milestone Episode)
8:30-9:30 pm – THE SIMPSONS 20^TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL: IN 3-D! ON ICE!
9:30-10:00 pm – THE CLEVELAND SHOW

Sunday, Jan. 17:
4:00 pm-CC ET – NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (LIVE)
8:00-9:00 pm – HUMAN TARGET (Series Preview)
9:00-11:00 pm – 24 (2-Night / 4-Hour Season Premiere, Part 1)

Sunday, Jan. 24:
6:00 pm-CC ET – NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GamE (LIVE)

Sundays, beginning Jan. 31 (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 pm – THE SIMPSONS (All-New Episodes)
8:30-9:00 pm – THE CLEVELAND SHOW (All-New Episodes)
9:00-9:30 pm – FAMILY GUY (All-New Episodes)
9:30-10:00 pm – AMERICAN DAD (All-New Episodes)

Sunday, March 14:
8:00-8:30 pm – THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 pm – SONS OF TUCSON (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 pm – FamILY GUY
9:30-10:00 pm – THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Time Period Premiere)

* All times ET/PT except as noted

Media Release

FOX ANNOUNCES 2009-2010 MIDSEASON SCHEDULE

FOX is announcing premiere dates of new and returning series as well as revisions to its 2009-2010 midseason schedule. FOX also has ordered a full season of the sophomore drama LIE TO ME.

January starts off on a high note when the ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL, television’s No. 1 series, begins with a two-night premiere Tuesday, Jan. 12 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Jan. 13 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Immediately following AMERICAN IDOL on Jan. 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), FOX unveils the not-to-be-missed series debut of OUR LITTLE GENIUS, a new unscripted series that features America’s most gifted kids as they are tested with some of the most challenging and difficult questions that only a remarkable little genius could answer.

A special extended primetime event on Sunday, Jan. 17 kicks off with the NFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF (4:00 PM-CC ET live/1:00 PM-CC PT live), which leads into the explosive series preview of HUMAN TARGET (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), the new full-throttle, action-packed drama about a unique private contractor (Mark Valley) who will stop at nothing – even if it means becoming a human target – to save his clients. The special primetime event concludes with the first installment of the pulse-pounding two-night, four-hour premiere of 24 (9:00-11:00 PM ET/PT). The season premiere of 24 clocks in for two more hours of action Monday, Jan. 18 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and the season premiere of HUMAN TARGET airs Wednesday, Jan. 20 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

On Sunday, Jan. 10, FOX presents a special SIMPSONS event beginning with the animated series’ milestone 450^th The Simpsons 20^th Anniversary Special: in 3-D! on Ice! (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT). The documentary special examines the global phenomenon that is THE SIMPSONS and serves as the momentous conclusion to the “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global celebration of THE SIMPSONS that launched in January 2009. episode, “Once Upon a Time in Springfield” (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), in which BART (Nancy Cartwright) and MILHOUSE (Pamela Hayden) try to help KRUSTY (Dan Castellaneta) regain his popularity after network executives force him to restructure the format of his television show by hiring a female sidekick, PRINCESS PENELOPE (guest voice Anne Hathaway). Then, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock (“Super Size Me,” “30 Days”) will present

Chef Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own kitchen to serve up a new season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES on Friday, Jan. 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Each week, Chef Ramsay will try to help turn around some of the most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants in New York, New Jersey, Florida and California on the verge of closing their doors forever.

PAST LIFE, a new drama series inspired by the book “The Reincarnationist” about detectives who investigate the world of the unexplained, will bow with a two-hour series premiere Thursday, Feb. 11 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and will make its time period premiere Thursday, Feb. 18 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

SONS OF TUCSON, the new family comedy from Emmy Award winner Todd Holland (“Wonderfalls”) about three young brothers who hire a charming, wayward schemer to stand in as their father when their real one goes to prison, debuts Sunday, March 14 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT).

AMERICAN IDOL sings on Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) when it makes its time period premiere Jan. 19 followed by the time period premiere of OUR LITTLE GENIUS (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and 24 syncs up for its time period premiere Monday, Jan. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

After its fall finale Wednesday, Dec. 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), GLEE returns from its interlude with a score of all-new episodes on a new night beginning Tuesday, April 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). FRINGE delves into its winter finale Thursday, Feb. 4 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) and then resurfaces with new cases beginning Thursday, April 1 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Joss Whedon’s DOLLHOUSE goes out with a bang with its series finale Friday, Jan. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Note: ‘Lie to Me’ and ”Til Death’will return return in Spring with return dates yet to be released. ‘The Cleveland Show’ will occupy the post ‘Family Guy’ slot.

Source: Fox Broadcasting Company

Ten hopes it'll be a good year, with 'The Good Wife' and 'Junior MasterChef'.

12 months paints quite a different picture for Network Ten, who this time last year boldly cancelled ‘Big Brother’ and announced plans to replace the reality series with a local version of UK cooking format ‘MasterChef’.

Just 9 months later, ‘MasterChef Australia’ is breaking records, becoming the highest rated non-sporting program on television.

But despite the success Ten saw earlier this year, as we head into 2010 it seems that the network’s brave risk taking attitude is no more.

Ten have revealed their plans for next year, with much of the same programming we saw in 2009.

What’s new in 2010? Just 3 new US series, 2 new local mini/tele dramas and 1 new local series.

Of course theres always the possibility that Ten might add additional programs to this list, but for now, here’s what you can expect to see next year.

New Local Series

• Junior MasterChef

New Local Drama

• Hawke (Telemovie)
• Offspring (Miniseries) – Potential series

New International Series

• The Cleveland Show
• The Good Wife
• Modern Family

Sporting Events

• 2010 Commonwealth Games

Returning Local Programs

• Australian Idol (TBC – See post)
• The Biggest Loser Australia
• Bondi Rescue
• Bondi Vet
• Good News Week
• MasterChef Australia
• Neighbours
• The Recruits
• Rove (See post)
• Rush
• So You Think You Can Dance Australia
• Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation
• Ten News
• The 7PM Project

Returning International Programs

• Burn Notice
• Californication
• Dexter
• Glee
• House
• Lie to Me
• Law and Order: SVU
• Law and Order: Criminal Intent
• Medium
• Merlin
• NCIS
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• Numb3rs
• The Simpsons
• Untitled Jamie Oliver Project

The network also have announced plans to launch a third digital channel in 2010, replacing their standard definition lineup One Digital on channel 12. No details on what this new channel will offer as of yet, as the network are still assessing their options.

So, I’m not really sure what this new promo is all about, but who am I to take issue with it?

Why can’t FOX hit the club, strip off some clothes and bust some sexy moves? The CW does it every other week.

Watch the promo:

Perhaps FOX should try a new tag line. “Just as sexy as The CW, but with Emmys!”

Oh no I didn’t!

'The Vampire Diaries' coming soon to The CW and GO!

The season will kick-off with The CW’s sophomore drama ‘90210’. You might remember that ‘90210’ premiered to The CW’s biggest numbers in history (4.65M, A18-49: 2.6/7) but those viewers abandoned it in droves with the finale only mustering a little more than half that audience (2.49M, A18-49: 1.3/3). This is a make or break season for the remake and if it continues to shed viewers it will not only damage The CW’s brand but will have a detrimental effect on the heavily promoted freshman drama ‘Melrose Place’ 2.0. The CW is pinning their hopes on ‘Melrose Place’ and their other fall freshman ‘The Vampire Diaries’, which was inexplicably added to their Thursday line-up at the expense of The CW’s highest rating drama ‘Smallville,’ which has now been bumped to Fridays. If both ‘Melrose’ and ‘Vampire’ fail, it may well be the final year for the struggling network as CBS and WB cannot continue to run a network at a loss in this sort of climate. Elsewhere, Tuesdays will be a little dull with procedurals occupying CBS and reality on ABC, NBC and Fox. However, recently the alphabet made a late change noticing a chance to pounce in that timeslot, by pushing mid season sci-fi drama ‘V’ forward for a November 3 start.

The following night sees the fall premiere of summer reality show, ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’  Fox’s decision to air a second cycle of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ was quite bizarre, the show captures a solid but not spectacular audience during the summer and who’s to say airing it twice a year won’t damage the franchise? Fall has always been the achilles heel for the News Corp. Network and no doubt ‘Dance’ will improve on past year offerings, but will viewers return for future seasons? The decision to move ‘Dance’ to fall was to provide some lead-in support for freshman drama ‘Glee,’ which squandered its ‘Idol’ lead in when Fox aired a sample episode behind one of Idol’s final 2009 episodes, in the ended it averaged only 9.62M, A18-49: 4.4/11.

The aforementioned ‘The Vampire Diaries’ has its series premiere on Thursday, September 10 and it will be partnered with The CW’s other sci-fi drama ‘Supernatural’. The CW greenlighting ‘Diaries’ was no surprise as they wanted to capitalise on the ‘Twilight’ and ‘True Blood’ hype. Even though ‘Diaries’ has generated a lot of negative press, initial sampling will be large but the million dollar question is how long will the audience give it? The following Thursday sees the return of JJ Abram’s latest demo hit ‘Fringe’. ‘Fringe’ will have its work cut out going up against heavyweights, ‘CSI’ and ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ which both return on September 24. ‘Fringe’s’ departure from a solid lead in indicates the confidence Fox has in the sophomore drama, however in comparison to Abram’s previous projects, ‘Fringe’ focuses less on mythology and more on individual episodes which should make it easier to follow but less intriguing to the dedicated fans. Another huge Thursday development is the movement of last year’s freshman hit ‘The Mentalist’ to 10/9c following CSI. CBS is grooming it as the next CSI, which I might add has lost a lot of steam since the departure of William Petersen, however the timeslot is somewhat of a bogey one for CBS as nothing has remained there for more than one year.

Thursdays also see the return of ‘Survivor’ for its 19th season, the 6th season of the Office, the 2nd season of ‘Parks and Recreation’ and the debut of critical darling ‘Community’ which all premiere on September 17. For those waiting for ’30 Rock’ it returns on October 15. The biggest premiere to Thursdays is ‘Flash Forward’, which is being promoted by ABC as the new ‘Lost.’  ‘Flash Forward’ looks to be the biggest show to come out of the states since ‘Lost’ and ‘Desperate Housewives’ and it comes with a lot of buzz. Just recently, the directors noted, they will need at least three seasons to complete the arc they have planned. In a nutshell, ‘Flash Forward’ follows the life of an FBI agent who investigates the reason for a mysterious event, which sees everyone blackout for two minutes and seventeen seconds, travelling six months into the future.

The following two Mondays see the return of ‘WTF’ (No, not What The Beep, but Watch This Fall) drama ‘Gossip Girl’ and veteran ‘One Tree Hill’. This fall, Dawn has decided to do a switcheroo with the two, moving her baby ‘Gossip’ to a higher household viewing time and avoiding direction competition with ‘House’. The aforementioned ‘House’ and the trouble ridden ‘Heroes’ both return with two hour premieres on September 21. It has been quite a steep fall for ‘Heroes’, if Kring can’t stop the bleeding, this might be the end of the one season wonder. The following Monday sees NBC launch their new high-octane medical drama ‘Trauma,’ a number of photos/clips for this show have being doing the rounds on the internet, so expect a large initial sampling. ‘Lie to Me’ will occupate the post ‘House’ slot as Fox tries to groom this as a replacement for ‘House’. Over at CBS, ‘How I Met Your Mother’ has been moved to 8/7c providing some lead in support for the dead on arrival ‘Accidently on Purpose’. ‘Two and a Half Men’ remains, but ‘The Big Bang Theory’ moves to the post ‘Men’ slot. ‘Bang’ was trialled in the slot late last year or early this year and maintained close to 100% retention, so look for ‘Bang’ to reach series highs again.

Wednesdays will be interesting for a number of reasons, ABC has a completely new line up with critical darlings ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Cougar Town’ occupying the key 9/8c and 9:30/8:30c timeslots. ‘Cougar Town’ follows Jules (Courtney Cox), a recently divorced single mother exploring honest truths about dating and aging in our beauty and youth obsessed culture, while ‘Modern Family’ explores the complications that come with being in a family in this day and age. The entrees ‘Hank’ and ‘The Middle’ debut the following week. ‘Eastwick’ a cross between ‘Valentine’ and ‘Sex and the City’ also debuts in the same week as ‘Modern Family’ and ‘Cougar Town’, but things don’t look good for the romantic drama.

The landscape for Fridays has completely changed; networks are finally getting aggressive with their programming. There is less reality from the other three networks which might finally give CBS’ combo of Ghost Whisperer, Cold Case and Numb3rs some headaches. Fox kicks off with a comedy hour with waiting to be cancelled ‘’Til Death’ and ‘Brothers’ followed by the ever improving and surprise renewal ‘Dollhouse’ which all premiere on September 25. The CW veteran ‘Smallville’ has been yanked to Thursdays along with the ever fading ‘Ugly Betty’.

Nothing much has changed on Sundays, with ABC’s ‘Desperate Housewives’ and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ starting on September 27. Fox has shuffled their line up knocking out the every reliable – ‘King of the Hill’, for Seth McFarland’s new, albeit belated project ‘The Cleveland Show’. ‘The Simpsons’, ‘Family Guy’ and ‘American Dad’ all return for their 21st, 8th and 5th season respectively. ‘The Cleveland Show’s’ pilot has been leaked for a while and it doesn’t look too different to ‘Family Guy’ or ‘American Dad’.

Finally, the biggest news this fall is Jay Leno moving to primetime, which begins daily from September 14, 10/9c. All eyes will be on the ratings for ‘The Jay Leno Show,’ but NBC isn’t expecting much, as long as it remains profitable, NBC will be satisfied. Jay Leno recently said he doesn’t expect his show to beat first run CSI, but hopes to push CSI repeats to the limit. The format of the show is: Leno will begin with a 10 second opening sequence which leads into a monologue. He will have at least one special guest a night and music will come from multiple acts. Jaywalking and newspaper headlines will be held until the end of the show to give News affiliates a strong lead in. Leno also gave us a snippet of the ‘Green Car Challenge’ where you can see, as Leno puts it, “who is faster, Shaquille O’Neal or Cameron Diaz.” There will be pre-recorded segments from D.L Hughley and Rachel Harris.As always, this is will be an interesting fall, with networks trying something different.

I hope everyone enjoys the fall TV season and wish for everyone’s favourite TV show to survive.

Premiere Dates

• ‘90210’ 2nd Season Premiere September 8
• ‘Melrose Place’ Series Premiere September 8
• ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Fall Premiere September 9
• ‘Glee’ Series Premiere September 9
• ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Series Premiere September 10
• ‘Supernatural’ 5th Season Premiere September 10
• ‘One Tree Hill’ 7th Season Premiere September 14
• ‘Gossip Girl’ 3rd Season Premiere September 14
• ‘The Jay Leno Show’ Series Premiere September 14
• ‘The Beautiful Life’ Series Premiere September 16
• ‘Bones’ 5th Season Premiere September 17
• ‘Survivor’ 19th Season Premiere September 17
• ‘Parks and Recreation’ 2nd Season Premiere September 17
• ‘Fringe’ 2nd Season Premiere September 17
• ‘The Office’ 6th Season Premiere September 17
• ‘Community’ Series Premiere September 17
• ‘Heroes’ 4th Season Premiere September 21
• ‘House’ 6th Season Premiere September 21
• ‘How I Met Your Mother’ 5th Season Premiere September 21
• ‘Accidently on Purpose’ Series Premiere September 21
• ‘Two and a Half Men’ 7th Season Premiere September 21
• ‘The Big Bang Theory’ 3rd Season Premiere September 21
• ‘Castle’ 2nd Season Premiere September 21
• ‘CSI: Miami’ 8th Season Premiere September 21
• ‘NCIS’ 7th Season Premiere September 22
• ‘The Goode Wife’ Series Premiere September 22
• ‘The Forgotten Series’ Premiere September 22
• ‘Mercy’ Series Premiere September 23
• ‘Criminal Minds’ 5th Season Premiere September 23
• ‘Modern Family’ Series Premiere September 23
• ‘Cougar Town’ Series Premiere September 23
• ‘Eastwick’ Series Premiere September 23
• ‘Flash Forward’ Series Premiere September 24
• ‘The Mentalist’ 2nd Season Premiere September 24
• ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ 6th Season Premiere September 24
• ‘Brothers’ Series Premiere September 25
• ‘Smallville’ 9th Season Premiere September 25
• ‘Dollhouse’ 2nd Season Premiere September 25
• ‘The Amazing Race’ 15th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘The Simpsons’ 21st Season Premiere September 27
• ‘The Cleveland Show’ Series Premiere September 27
• ‘Desperate Housewives’ 6th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘Brothers and Sisters’ 4th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘Family Guy’ 8th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘American Dad’ 5th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘Lie to Me’ 2nd Season Premiere September 28
• ‘Trauma’ Series Premiere September 28
• ‘Hank’ Series Premiere September 30
• ‘The Middle’ Series Premiere September 30
• ‘Private Practice’ 3rd Season Premiere October 1
• ‘Ugly Betty’ 4th Season Premiere October 9
• ‘30 Rock’ 4th Season Premiere October 15
• ‘V’ Series Premiere November 3
• Cable Premiere Dates
• ‘Dexter’ 4th Season Premiere September 27
• ‘Californication’ 3rd Season Premiere September 27
• ‘Stargate Universe’ Series Premiere October 2
• ‘Sanctuary’ 2nd Season Premiere October 9

Universal Studios Home Entertainment have announced the Region 1 DVD release of House Season 5 on 25th August 2009. Hugh Laurie is back for another 24 episodes of medical mysteries. Episodes are spread across five-discs.

Extras:

• House Meets a Milestone: The 100th Episode
• Locked In Commentary with Writer/Producer David Foster and Writers/Executive Producers Russel Friend & Garrett Lerner
• Keeping It Real: Accuracy in Writing
• Dr. Mom: Cuddy’s Storyline
• Anatomy of a Teaser
• House Guests: Casting the Show

Source: dvdtimes.co.uk

24

Returning for a remarkable eighth season, 24 is one of the most innovative, addictive and acclaimed dramas on television. The suspenseful series has been nominated for a total of 57 Emmy awards, winning for Outstanding Drama Series (2006) and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for star Kiefer Sutherland (2006). For each season, Sutherland has garnered an Emmy nomination and the Season Seven prequel, “24: Redemption,” earned him Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations.

Season Eight of 24 promises to combine the show’s unique and trend-setting format with compelling new elements. Each episode will again cover one hour of real time, as viewers follow JACK BAUER (Sutherland) through another astonishing day.

Amidst the shadows of the Statue of Liberty and the United Nations, Bauer will endure another unthinkable, nail-biting day in New York City. Steadfast PRESIDENT ALLISON TAYLOR (Cherry Jones) navigates the uncertain waters of foreign and domestic policy while quirky CHLOE O’BRIAN (Mary Lynn Rajskub) and FBI agent RENEE WALKER (Annie Wersching) return. Additionally, Bollywood icon Anil Kapoor (“Slumdog Millionaire”) will make his American TV debut as ARMAN HASHEMI, a Middle Eastern leader who comes to the U.S. on a peacemaking mission.

24, created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, is a production of 20th Century Fox Television in association with Imagine Television. Howard Gordon, Evan Katz, David Fury, Manny Coto, Brannon Braga, Brad Turner, Alex Ganza, Kiefer Sutherland and Brian Grazer are executive producers, while Chip Johannessen and Patrick Harbinson serve as co-executive producers.

American Dad

AMERICAN DAD, the animated series that follows die-hard Republican and card-carrying NRA member STAN SMITH (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family in Langley Falls, VA, is back to salute a fifth season of laughs.

Stan’s not-so-smart wife FRANCINE (Wendy Schaal) has an unfaltering loyalty that allows her to turn a blind eye toward Stan’s unabashed arrogance. Stan constantly butts heads with his 18-year-old daughter HAYLEY (Rachael MacFarlane), who knows just how to push her father’s buttons by being liberal in both her beliefs and in the amount of hippie boyfriends she chooses to date. Hayley’s 14-year-old brother is the geeky yet cocky STEVE (Scott Grimes), a kid who seems to be on the constant verge of puberty but can’t quite make sense of the opposite sex.

The Smith household is rounded out by two rather unconventional members. There’s the selfish and sarcastic space alien, ROGER (Seth MacFarlane), who lives in the attic and drinks like it’s always happy hour; and KLAUS (Dee Bradley Baker), an attention-starved goldfish with the brain of a German guy who is always willing to vocalize his opinions whether anyone is listening or not.

This eccentric family full of radically different personalities is just trying to find a way to love and trust each other during these increasingly unpredictable times. And with a guy like Stan in charge of our national security, it’s a hilarious ride.

The comedy continues this season as the series celebrates its 100th episode milestone, Steve accidentally launches a secret military drone, Roger impersonates the dictator of a tropical island and Francine and Stan renew their wedding vows.

AMERICAN DAD is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane, Mike Barker and Matt Weitzman serve as co-creators and executive producers, while Rick Wiener and Kenny Schwartz serve as executive producers.

American Idol

AMERICAN IDOL returns for its much-anticipated ninth season in January 2010. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, television’s No. 1 hit series empowers contestants and viewers to share their voice in deciding who will be America’s next singing superstar. This new season promises to deliver amazing, undiscovered talent with plenty of surprises along the way.

Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across the nation audition for a shot at stardom. The show’s judges – Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi – travel across the country in search of the next American Idol. They winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week for a studio audience and television viewers.

The judges have their say after every performance, but it’s the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text-messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night’s broadcast.

Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the AMERICAN IDOL title.

Past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook have become household names and have risen to the top of the recording industry.

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd. The series is executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America.

America’s Most Wanted

Approaching its 23rd season and 1000th milestone episode this fall, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED is one of network television’s longest-running series and continues to be the No. 1 show on Saturday nights. Lauded by law enforcement organizations nationwide and internationally, this hour hosted by John Walsh has changed the lives of thousands of crime victims – and has put more than 1,000 perpetrators behind bars. The show is a powerful voice for crime victims everywhere.

Among its many accomplishments, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED has helped capture more than 1,060 criminals, including 17 on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list. The series has also reunited 55 missing children with their families, which is Walsh’s proudest achievement.

In 2003, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED and John Walsh made national headlines for their determined efforts leading to the recovery of kidnapped teen Elizabeth Smart. Later that year, Walsh joined President George W. Bush in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House as the PROTECT Act of 2003, which expanded the use of Amber Alerts, was signed into law. AMW again broadcast from the White House on July 29, 2006, two days after another Rose Garden ceremony at which President Bush signed into law the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. The result of years of lobbying by Walsh and others, the new law – signed on the 25th anniversary of the abduction and murder of Walsh’s 6-year-old son, Adam – expands the National Sex Offender Registry and strengthens federal penalties for crimes against children. Additionally, Walsh continues his lobbying efforts pushing states to pass laws requiring the collection of a DNA sample from those arrested. So far, 18 states have passed such laws helping to populate the newly created National DNA Database.

Since its premiere in 1988, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED’s primary focus has been to profile dangerous fugitives, and with the help of viewers, assist law enforcement with their relentless pursuit of justice.

AMERICA’S MOST WANTED is produced by STF Productions, Inc. and 20th Century Fox Television. Lance Heflin serves as executive producer, and Steve Katz serves as co-executive producer.

Bones

From executive producers Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson and Stephen Nathan comes the fifth exciting season of BONES, a darkly amusing procedural with humor, heart and character, inspired by real-life forensic anthropologist and novelist Kathy Reichs.

DR. TEMPERANCE BRENNAN (Emily Deschanel) is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, DC, and writes novels as a sideline. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless – when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed – law enforcement calls in Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim’s bones.

Most law enforcement can’t handle Brennan’s intelligence, her drive for the truth, or the way she flings herself headlong into every investigation. SPECIAL AGENT SEELEY BOOTH (David Boreanaz) of the FBI’s Homicide Investigations Unit is the exception. A former Army sniper, Booth mistrusts science and scientists – the “squints,” as he calls them – who pore over the physical evidence of a crime. But even he cannot deny that the combination of his people-smarts and Brennan’s scientific acumen makes them a formidable team.

Aside from Booth, Brennan is most comfortable with her equally brilliant colleagues at the Jeffersonian’s Medico-Legal Lab. ANGELA MONTENEGRO (Michaela Conlin), an artist who specializes in reconstructing facial features and crime scenes, is Brennan’s earthy and bawdy best friend; “the bug guy,” conspiracy theorist DR. JACK HODGINS (TJ Thyne), is an expert on insects, spores and minerals; and DR. CAMILLE “CAM” SAROYAN (Tamara Taylor), the street-smart and centered coroner, must wrangle all the geniuses under her purview. Lending his professional expertise to Brennan and Booth is DR. LANCE SWEETS (John Francis Daley), a brilliant young FBI psychologist who is equally adept at profiling murderers and providing “couples therapy” to Booth and Brennan.

As Season Five of BONES begins, Booth and Brennan contend with the emotional fallout resulting from the sea-change in their relationship brought about by events at the end of Season Four. This includes Brennan’s request to have Booth father her child and the strange, profound, almost psychic link they shared during Booth’s coma, which left both of them wondering what thoughts and emotions the other is experiencing. While Booth endeavors to come to grips with these unleashed emotions, Brennan insists that, with the aid of her “squints” in the lab, the two of them focus their attention and energy on their main job – catching murderers that no one else can catch.

BONES is from Far Field Productions and Josephson Entertainment in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Hart Hanson, Barry Josephson and Stephen Nathan are executive producers.

Cops

Entering an amazing 22nd season, the groundbreaking series COPS – which was instrumental in launching the reality genre with its video vérité style – has penetrated the American psyche unlike any other show in television history.

Next season, the four-time Emmy Award-nominated program celebrates a remarkable milestone 800th episode, making it one of the longest-running primetime series currently airing on broadcast television. COPS continues to rank No. 1 in its time period among Adults 18-49 and key demographics.

COPS has profiled law enforcement agencies in over 140 United States cities and has also filmed in Hong Kong, London, Central and South America, Moscow and St. Petersburg. It was the first American television program to follow the police in the former Soviet Union. Next season, COPS will cover the U.S. from coast to coast, filming police activity in California, Florida, Texas, Ohio and Las Vegas.

John Langley is the creator and executive producer of COPS for Langley Productions, Inc. in association with Fox Television Studios. Doug Waterman serves as supervising producer, while Jimmy Langley and Morgan Langley serve as producers.

Dollhouse

CAROLINE (Dushku) – code name “Echo” – is an “Active,” a member of a highly illegal and underground group of individuals who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Hired by the wealthy, powerful and connected, the Actives don’t just perform their hired roles, they wholly become – with mind, personality and physiology – whomever the client wants or needs them to be. Whether imprinted to be a lover, an assassin, a corporate negotiator or a best friend, the Actives know no other life than the specific engagements they are in at that time.

Confined between missions to a secret facility known as the “Dollhouse,” Echo and the other Actives, including SIERRA (Dichen Lachman) and VICTOR (Enver Gjokaj), are assigned engagements by ADELLE DEWITT (Olivia Williams), one of the Dollhouse’s leaders. After each scenario, Echo, always under the watchful eye of her handler, turned head-of security, BOYD LANGTON (Harry Lennix), returns to the mysterious Dollhouse where her thoughts, feelings, experiences and knowledge are erased by TOPHER BRINK (Fran Kranz), the Dollhouse’s genius programmer. Echo enters the next scenario with no memory of before – or does she? – as she seemingly begins to remember her original memories and slowly pieces together her mysterious past.

Former FBI Agent PAUL BALLARD (Tahmoh Penikett) determined to solve the mystery of the DOLLHOUSE and find the missing Caroline, accomplished his goal in the first season finale and was convinced (or was it coerced?) to become Echo’s new handler. DOLLHOUSE revolves around Echo’s blossoming self-awareness and her desire to discover her true identity. But with each new engagement, comes a new memory and increased danger inside and outside the Dollhouse.

DOLLHOUSE is produced by 20th Century Fox Television. The series was created by Joss Whedon, who directed the pilot and serves as executive producer and writer. Liz Craft, Sarah Fain and David Solomon are co-executive producers, and Eliza Dushku serves as a producer.

Family Guy

Since its debut in 1999, the Emmy-nominated animated series FAMILY GUY has attracted an impressively loyal following of devoted fans and has sold over 18 million combined DVD units, making it the largest-selling TV series ever.

The show follows the adventures of lovable oaf PETER GRIFFIN (Seth MacFarlane) and his hilariously odd family of middle-class New Englanders. LOIS (Alex Borstein) is Peter’s loving wife, a former Miss Teen Rhode Island who rules the roost but is one step away from a nervous breakdown. Then there are their kids: frumpy, 16-year-old MEG (Mila Kunis), the family’s punching bag; 13-year-old CHRIS (Seth Green), a kid who doesn’t understand girls, much less the evil monkey hiding in his closet; and 1-year-old STEWIE (MacFarlane), a diabolically clever baby whose heterosexuality is hanging by a thread. Rounding out the Griffin household is BRIAN (MacFarlane), the family dog, a member of Mensa with a penchant for dry martinis and dumb blondes.

During the upcoming seventh season, Stewie and Brian travel through alternate universes in an homage to “Sliders,” spies Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase (guest-voicing as themselves) move into Cleveland’s old house and Stewie scores tickets to a Hannah Montana concert. Finally, the Griffin family will enter the “Star Wars” universe again with a parody of “The Empire Strikes Back.”

In addition to the regular cast, FAMILY GUY has featured guest voice appearances by a wide range of notables, including Drew Barrymore, Lauren Conrad, Robert Downey Jr., Rob Lowe, Hugh Hefner, Will Ferrell, Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel, Kiefer Sutherland, James Woods, New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and the legendary rock group KISS.

FAMILY GUY is a 20th Century Fox Television production. Seth MacFarlane is creator/executive producer, Mark Hentemann and Steve Callaghan are executive producers/show-runners and David A. Goodman, Chris Sheridan and Danny Smith are executive producers.

Fringe

Currently the No. 1 new series among Adults 18-49, FRINGE returns for a second thrilling season and will continue to explore the unexplained phenomena and terrifying occurrences linked throughout the world – known simply as “The Pattern” – in pursuit of a larger, more shocking truth.

Set in Boston, FRINGE formed when Special Agent OLIVIA DUNHAM (Anna Torv) enlisted the help of institutionalized “fringe” scientist WALTER BISHOP (John Noble) and his son, PETER (Joshua Jackson), to save her partner and lover from a mind-bending death. Proving that only they could conjure anomalous answers, the unlikely trio would be called upon as unbelievable events evolved, macabre crimes occurred and non-empirical mysteries threatened humanity. Through unconventional and unorthodox methods, the FRINGE team imagined and tested the impossibilities while investigating mystifying cases involving teleportation, reanimation, genetic mutation, precognition and artificial intelligence.

Agent PHILLIP BROYLES (Lance Reddick) guided the group, while by-the-book Agent CHARLIE FRANCIS (Kirk Acevedo) and Junior Agent ASTRID FARNSWORTH (Jasika Nicole) provided support and depth to the team. Underscoring the unfolding mysteries, enigmatic Massive Dynamic executive NINA SHARP (Blair Brown) proved the advancement of technology was changing the world of science, and conversely, the science of the world.

Season Two moves to uncover more about the larger threat of Z.F.T., a nontraditional terrorist cell, and the intensity accelerates as Olivia, now aware that as a child she was a test subject of Walter and Massive Dynamic founder WILLIAM BELL (guest star Leonard Nimoy), pursues information about her forgotten and perplexing past. While some questions will be answered, new ones will surface. Were Olivia, Walter and Peter brought together deliberately? By whom – and for what purpose? Meanwhile, will Walter continue to hide Peter’s otherworldly origins? As for The Observer – where and why will he (or they) appear again?

Created by J.J. Abrams & Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci, FRINGE is produced by Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Abrams, Bryan Burk, J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner serve as executive producers, while Kurtzman and Orci are consulting producers. Additionally, Pinkner and Wyman serve as the series’ show-runners.

Hell’s Kitchen

World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay is back for a sixth course of the sizzling unscripted series HELL’S KITCHEN. The show puts the chefs through a rigorous culinary boot camp as Ramsay searches for the one chef worthy of a life-changing grand prize.

The competing chefs have varying degrees of culinary experience, but all are incredibly passionate about food and cooking. Each week, they slice and dice for Ramsay’s attention. Demanding absolute perfection, Ramsay puts the chefs through various culinary challenges, testing them to see who will boil under the intense pressure. The competition begins when Ramsay splits the chefs into two teams that compete against each other in various dinner service challenges. These challenges test the chefs’ knowledge and experience in the kitchen, as they are asked to perform tasks such as prepare a signature dish in 30 minutes, compete in blind taste tests, feed a room of hungry firemen and sauté shrimp to perfection. While the challenges are grueling, the rewards are sweet as some winning teams enjoy seafood dinners on yachts, helicopter rides and trips to gourmet restaurants. The challenge losers do not go unpunished and are left behind to perform the mundane tasks of cleaning the dining room, ironing the linens, polishing the silver or prepping that night’s dinner service.

As the competition heats up, Ramsay winnows down the contestants and ultimately combines the teams into one. In this phase of the competition, the “steaks” are high as the chefs compete head-to-head for Ramsay’s approval. Both his sharp tongue and the contestants’ inexperience are often recipes for disaster in this pressure-cooker environment. Only one thing is certain: If the chefs can’t stand the heat, they’ll have to get out of HELL’S KITCHEN.

HELL’S KITCHEN is produced by Granada America in association with A. Smith & Co. Arthur Smith and Kent Weed serve as executive producers.

House

HOUSE, an innovative take on the medical drama, solves mysteries where the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients.

HOUSE, which celebrated its 100th episode milestone in February 2009, has been honored with three Emmy Awards and 17 Emmy Award nominations, including three for Outstanding Drama Series and three for Hugh Laurie; the 2006 Humanitas Prize and three Humanitas finalist honors; two Golden Globe Awards and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Laurie; a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series; two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Television Series, Drama; a Peabody Award; two People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV Drama; a People’s Choice Award for Hugh Laurie; the Writers Guild Award for Episodic Drama and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series. In addition, the show has been honored by the American Film Institute as one of the TV Programs of the Year.

DR. GREGORY HOUSE (Hugh Laurie), devoid of bedside manner and dealing with his own constant physical pain, uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. House shepherds an elite team of experts who help him unravel diagnostic mysteries including plastic surgeon DR. CHRIS TAUB (Peter Jacobson) and enigmatic “contestant” number Thirteen, DR. REMY HADLEY (Olivia Wilde). He has a good friend and confidant in oncology specialist DR. JAMES WILSON (Robert Sean Leonard), and maintains a somewhat volatile and undefined relationship with DR. LISA CUDDY (Lisa Edelstein), the Dean of Medicine and hospital administrator. Though the two are engaged in constant conflict over House’s duties and unconventional behavior, even she would admit that his brilliance is worth the trouble. Neurologist DR. ERIC FOREMAN (Omar Epps) serves as Cuddy’s eyes and ears on House while former team members and newlyweds, DR. ALLISON CAMERON (Jennifer Morrison) and DR. ROBERT CHASE (Jesse Spencer) no longer have to answer to House as Cameron heads up Emergency Medicine and Chase is working in Surgery.

In Season Five, after the shocking death of team member Dr. Lawrence Kutner, House’s life began to spin out of control, causing him to suffer from hallucinations and to lose faith in his own mental abilities. After a challenging and brief engagement, Cameron and Chase celebrated their wedding, Thirteen and Foreman continue their romantic relationship and new mother Cuddy is unaware that House hallucinated a physical relationship with her. When the season concluded, House was finally forced to admit that he had lost his grip on reality and could no longer practice medicine. Out of options, he finally checked himself into a psychiatric hospital.

HOUSE is from Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Katie Jacobs, David Shore, Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner and Thomas L. Moran are executive producers.

Kitchen Nightmares

Famed chef and Michelin Star winner Gordon Ramsay steps out of his own five-star establishments and into some of the country’s most unsanitary and unsuccessful restaurants to help them turn their businesses around or close their doors forever.

Each week, Chef Ramsay will attempt to turn one ordinary and empty restaurant into the most popular, sought-after venue in town. He reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of running a restaurant and wastes no time getting down to business – implementing signature menu items, modernizing décor and making the restaurant run as smoothly as possible. With his reputation on the line, Ramsay accepts nothing less than the best when it comes to the food, staff and customer service. While still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular confrontations familiar to fans, Ramsay reveals a sensitive and nurturing side as he coaches, cheers and challenges the restaurant staff, all the way from appetizers through dessert.

Will the restaurants follow Ramsay’s rules, or will they continue to stumble toward closure?

The second season of KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is a co-production of Granada America and Optomen in association with A. Smith & Co. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Patricia Llewellyn serve as executive producers.

Lie to Me

Entering its intriguing second season, LIE TO ME is the compelling drama series inspired by the scientific discoveries of Dr. Paul Ekman, a real-life specialist who can read clues embedded in the human face, body and voice to expose the truth and lies in criminal investigations.

DR. CAL LIGHTMAN (Tim Roth) is the world’s leading deception expert. If you lie to Lightman, he’ll know it. He’ll see it in your face, in your posture or hear it in your voice. If you shrug your shoulder, rotate your hand or even just slightly raise your lower lip, Lightman will know you’re lying. By analyzing facial expressions and involuntary body language, he can read feelings ranging from hidden resentment to sexual attraction to jealousy. But as Lightman well knows, his scientific ability is both a blessing and a curse in his personal life, where family and friends deceive each other as readily as criminals and strangers do.

Lightman heads a team of experts at The Lightman Group who assist federal law enforcement, government agencies and local police with their most difficult cases. DR. GILLIAN FOSTER (Kelli Williams) is a gifted psychologist and Lightman’s professional partner who brings balance to the partnership by looking at the bigger picture while Lightman focuses on the details. He needs her guidance and insight into human behavior, whether he knows it or not. ELI LOKER (Brendan Hines) is Lightman’s lead researcher. He is so uncomfortable with the human tendency to lie that he’s decided to practice what he calls “radical honesty.” He says everything on his mind and often pays the price. RIA TORRES (Monica Raymund) is the newest member of the agency, and one of the few “naturals” in the field of deception detection. Her raw, untrained ability to read people makes her a force to be reckoned with.

In the series’ first season, The Lightman Group worked on multiple cases from determining fault in a building collapse to solving the murder of a powerful judge’s teenage daughter to uncovering money hidden in a Ponzi scheme. An arson investigation reconnected Lightman and his ex-wife, Assistant U.S. Attorney ZOE LANDAU (guest star Jennifer Beals), while FBI Agent BEN REYNOLDS (guest star Mekhi Phifer) partnered with the team to track down an elusive serial rapist and to determine who was behind a rash of terrorist bombings in the Washington, DC area.

Brian Grazer, David Nevins, Sam Baum and Shawn Ryan serve as executive producers on the series, which is produced by Imagine Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

The Simpsons

Now the longest-running comedy in television history, THE SIMPSONS immediately struck a chord with viewers across the country as it poked fun of itself and everything in its wake. With its subversive humor and delightful wit, the series has made an indelible imprint on American pop culture, and the family members have become television icons.

January 14, 2009 kicked off “Best. 20 Years. Ever.,” a year-long global 20th anniversary celebration culminating on January 14, 2010, exactly 20 years to the date from the original series premiere. In May 2009, THE SIMPSONS were commemorated on 44-cent First-Class Mail stamps. Featuring images of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, the stamps were personally designed by creator and executive producer, Matt Groening.

The critically praised series has been bestowed with numerous honors, including a Peabody Award, 24 Emmy Awards, 23 Annie Awards, five Genesis Awards, nine International Monitor Awards and seven Environmental Media Awards. THE SIMPSONS holds the Guinness Book of World Records titles for Longest-Running Primetime Animated Television Series and Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series. Recognized as a pop culture icon, Homer Simpson’s annoyed grunt – “D’oh!” – is an official word in the Oxford English Dictionary, and THE SIMPSONS has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With record-breaking retail sales, THE SIMPSONS reigns as one the best-selling TV DVD properties of all time.

During the upcoming 21st season, HOMER (Dan Castellaneta) is cast as the lead in a new comic book feature film adaptation and hires fitness trainer LYLE MCCARTHY (guest voice Seth Rogen) to whip him into shape for the part, while BART (Nancy Cartwright) learns there is a better prankster in school and vows to take him down. In the annual “Treehouse of Horror” trilogy, the family fights to survive a zombie outbreak, Bart and LISA (Yeardley Smith) become entangled in a murder scheme and Homer’s blood becomes the secret ingredient in MOE’s (Hank Azaria) new beer.

Guest stars paying Springfield a visit next season include Seth Rogen (who also co-wrote the episode to which he lends his voice), Jonah Hill, Neve Campbell and Anne Hathaway. Additionally, Jackie Mason returns as RABBI KRUSTOFSKY, KRUSTY THE CLOWN’s (Castellaneta) father.

THE SIMPSONS is a Gracie Films production in association with 20th Century Fox Television. James L. Brooks, Matt Groening and Al Jean are the executive producers. Film Roman is the animation house.

So You Think You Can Dance

Celebrating its 100th episode milestone this summer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE continues to keep viewers amazed and inspired as talented dancers compete in everything from Hip-Hop, Krumping and Popping to Salsa, Jookin’ and Jive to be named America’s Favorite Dancer.

As revealed by host Cat Deeley, the Season Four champion, Joshua Allen, was voted America’s Favorite Dancer and danced off with the cash prize of $250,000. Following the season finale, the finalists from the past season embarked on a cross-country, 40-city performance tour.

For Seasons Five and Six, producers travel across the country in search of dancers who represent the rhythm of America. Those who spark the interest of judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy are invited to call-backs, where they will work with top choreographers, including Adam Shankman, Tyce Diorio, Mia Michaels, Tabitha Dumo and Napoleon Dumo, to learn and then be judged on a particular style of dance. During the call-back week, the judges choose the Top 20 dancers who will continue in the competition.

In the performance round, the 20 finalists dance for America’s votes, and each week the six contestants comprising the bottom three couples are given a chance to perform solo routines to encourage the judges to keep them on the show. The judges then decide which dancers stay in the competition and which male and female are eliminated. If a couple is split apart, the two individual dancers who remain become a couple the following week.

Once the series is down to the Top 10 finalists, the dancers switch partners and it’s solely up to America to decide who remains in the competition. Following the performance shows, viewers can vote for their favorite couples. The live results shows reveal who keeps dancing and who goes home.

Choreographers Mia Michaels and Wade Robson were honored with Emmy Awards in 2007 for their work on Season Two. Robson won the Emmy for Outstanding Choreography again the following year for his work on Season Three, while Shane Sparks and Mandy Moore earned nominations in the same category. In 2008, the make-up team was nominated for Outstanding Makeup for a Multi-Camera Series or Special (Non-Prosthetic).

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE was created by Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe and comes from 19 Entertainment, Ltd. and Dick Clark Productions, Inc. The Emmy-nominated series is executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe and Barry Adelman.

‘Til Death

‘TIL DEATH ‘TIL DEATH is a comedy about the triumphs and tribulations of marriage and friendship from very different perspectives. It’s about the funny – and annoying – things that happen between husbands, wives, parents, children, neighbors and friends day after day after day… EDDIE (Brad Garrett) and JOY STARK (Joely Fisher) are your typical long-time married couple: Eddie is the unemotional, cynical and tell-it-like-it-is husband while Joy is the caring, loving wife who on a daily basis has to put up with all things Eddie.

You could say Joy is the yin to Eddie’s yang. They’ve been through it all together – and actually survived. Joy and Eddie are the perfect fit, and as much as they gripe about their marriage, Eddie really does love Joy, and Joy, despite it all, loves Eddie for all his shortcomings.

Living in suburban Philadelphia, Eddie and Joy live somewhat idyllic lives – Eddie is a high school history teacher and Joy works in a travel agency. Their daughter, ALI, is in a long-term relationship with DOUG (Timm Sharp), whom Eddie and Joy consider unworthy of their princess. This season, Ali and Doug return from their trek in the Ecuadorian rainforest and set up camp in the Stark’s backyard.

Meanwhile, Eddie decides to write a book about the Hindenburg, and Joy comes to terms with the job market in the current economy. ‘TIL DEATH is executive-produced by Don Reo, Dean Lorey, Brad Garrett, Glenn Robbins and Doug Wald for Sony Pictures Television. The series was created by real-life husband-and-wife team Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa.

Daniel MacPherson will move to Los Angeles in September, when his contract with the Seven Network expires.

The Melbourne-based actor will depart Seven’s police drama ‘City Homicide’, but says he wants to continue working on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ by flying back and forth from LA.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, the 28 year old spoke of his wonderful relationship with Seven, “beyond September I’d like to think there’s more work between us.”

“One of my long-term goals has been to head to the States and my mantra has always been that I wouldn’t head over there until I’m 100 per cent ready,” MacPherson said.

Last year, MacPherson secured representation by Hollywood agency ICM, whilst visiting LA with manager Mark Morrissey.

MacPherson will join fellow Australian actors Chris Egan (‘Kings’, ‘Home and Away’), Chris Hemsworth (‘Star Trek’, ‘Home and Away’) and Jesse Spencer (‘House’, ‘Neighbours’), who’ve all found success while living in LA.

• The winter premiere of House netted season high figures with 14.87M, A18-49: 5.5/13 and A18-34: 4.8/13. This led into 24, which didn’t bleed many viewers from its premiere numbers, 12.04M, A18-49: 4.1/9 and A18-34: 3.3/9.

• Aided by a mammoth Idol lead in, Tuesday’s airing of Fringe received its highest viewership since its third episode (The premiere had no House lead in) with 12.093M, A18-49: 4.7/11 and A18-34: 4/10

• Lost’s season 5 premiere on Wednesday managed a healthy 11.66M, A18-49: 5.2/12 A18-34: 4.9/13 with the second hour pulling in 11.08M, A18-49: 5.0/13 A18-34: 4.6/12. The other big premiere was Fox’s Lie to Me, 13.19M, A18-49: 5.2/13 and A18-34: 5.1/13. However, the final numbers tell a different story with Lost winning in the key demos by .1 of a point.

• On Thursday, the long running battle between CSI and Grey’s Anatomy saw split leadership:
  CSI: 17.526M, A18-49: 5.0/12, A18-34: 3.2/8  
  Grey’s Anatomy: 14.251M, A18-49: 5.6/14, A18-34: 5.9/15
  But the real winner was Private Practice which continues to do a great job leading out of its sister show, 9.635M, A18-49: 3.6/10 and A18-34: 3.7/11. This is the only thing ABC has done well in the 2008/09 season.

• Finally, underrated cable show Burn Notice managed 5.1M and a 1.9 rating in the 18-49 demo. Perhaps NBC should consider moving it to their broadcast network

Source: Nielsen TV Ratings

What an interesting fall it has been, with a number of good performances from The Mentalist, Smallville, Supernatural and Gossip Girl to name a few and many casualties in My Own Worst Enemy, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Do Not Disturb, Lipstick Jungle, The Ex-List, Easy Money, Valentine, In Harm’s Way and Til Death. Here is how I rate each show.

Winners

The Simpsons: Back for its 20th season, The Simpsons has been Fox’s Sunday night stable mate pulling in an average of ~9M viewers this season. Couple this with the highest rating Treehouse of Horror episode in five years. Simpsons is definitely a winner for Fox even though the jokes seem to be recycled over and over again.

Family Guy: Has not dropped out of the weekly top 10 in the 18-49 bracket and dominates the 18-34 demo against the likes of Desperate Housewives and NFL. Has a number of years left in it.

Desperate Housewives: Now into its fifth season, the housewives seem to never age. Viewership has diminished due to a lacklustre third season (?), nevertheless it is Sunday’s night top scripted drama in total viewers and 18-49 demo.

Chuck: Against some tough opposition, Chuck managed to remain around the 6.5M mark and over the 2 rating in key demos in the fall.

Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother: Continually defies the critics, occasionally winning the timeslot in the key demos and has slowly built an audience over the fall season.

Two and a Half Men: Veteran CBS comedy which defies logic and reaps in excess of 14M viewers every week.

CSI: Miami and CSI: NY: The two spin-offs constantly pull in the masses and in Miami’s case building on its lead in.

Gossip Girl: Season 2 has been somewhat of a break through season for the teen drama, hitting series high numbers and providing a suitable and beneficial lead in for One Tree Hill.

One Tree Hill: After falling below the 3M mark during its 3rd, 4th and 5th seasons, One Tree Hill has bounced back nicely, regularly rating in the mid to low 3M range.

House: The move to 8/7c hasn’t helped its numbers, but it is taking one for the team as Fox continue to develop Fringe. Still pulls in massive demos for the news corp. network.

The Mentalist and NCIS: Against the House and Dancing juggernauts these two dramas have performed admirably, especially The Mentalist which does particularly well for the eye in the demos.

90210: Was off to a flying start, but numbers have settled around the 3M mark. Occasionally out-rates CW’s other teen dramas in One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl.

Criminal Minds: Behind the CSI franchise, it is CBS’s best rating demographic show amongst all the crime procedurals.

30 Rock: Has been nurtured nicely and off the back of the US election and Tina Fey’s extra exposure, numbers have soared to series highs.

The Office: The peacock’s best rating show in the fall, challenges the likes of Grey’s Anatomy, House and Desperate Housewives for the 18-49 crown.

ER: In its final season and still pulling in the viewers left, right and centre. Also defeats the likes of lead in assisted shows Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour in the key demos. One of NBC’s top rating shows of the fall.

CSI: Still pulling in the masses in its ninth season, also stays competitive in the demos against the demo king Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey’s Anatomy: Numbers have died down for the once ratings juggernaut, but it is still the week’s top rating demo show.

Supernatural and Smallville: Are up year-on-year and ratings can not be better with Supernatural soaring to series highs. Well deserved winners.

On the Bubble

King of the Hill: The recently cancelled animated comedy just misses out on the winners list. Regularly winning its timeslot in the 18-34 demo and hovering around the 6-7M mark week in week out. What were the execs at Fox smoking when they swung the axe?

American Dad: My favourite animated comedy of them all, does well in the demos but poor retention out of Family Guy has it a bee’s d**k away from a winner.

Amazing Race: Has slipped significantly in the demo, sometimes even dropping below the 2 rating in the 18-34 demo.

Cold Case: Solid numbers for veteran CBS, but its demos aren’t what CBS are looking for. If not for NFL overrun, CBS would be dead last in the demos on Sundays.

Brothers and Sisters: Averages 10M every week and a 4 rating in the demos, but losing a third of a compatible lead in is not good enough. Anymore it would’ve been a loser.

Heroes: Has lost a lot of steam, in previous seasons in has dominated the demos with nothing coming close to it, but this season Two and a Half Men constantly beats it in the key demos.

Prison Break: Has been stable across the fall season and regularly clears the 2 rating in the demos.

Old Christine and Gary Unmarried: Numbers for a relatively easy timeslot are soft, but CBS haven’t had another comedy block outside of Mondays, so this deserves a little credit, only just.

Samantha Who?: Just makes it into this list, retention out of Dancing with the Stars is a paltry 50 odd percent, but nothing else has done better out of Dancing. My judgement on Samantha Who? might change when the ratings for last night are released early tomorrow morning our time.

Boston Legal: After surviving the culling last year, Boston Legal continues to out perform a number of the alphabet’s other shows even though it is in its final season.

Fringe: Still a work in progress and if it weren’t for a House lead-in would be in the trash by now. Nevertheless, does well in the demos and is Fox’s best rating drama since House itself.

Law and Order SVU: Has tumbled to series low numbers, but still a consistent performer for an otherwise struggling network.

The Biggest Loser: Constantly slides under the radar for NBC, it is one of NBC’s best performers in demos.

America’s Next Top Model: Initially numbers were soft but has built as the season progressed, with the finale pulling in 4.8M and was the night’s top rating program amongst the 18-34 demo.

Private Practice: Best of a bad bunch on a Wednesday night, numbers will improve once it proceeds its sister show, Grey’s Anatomy.

Ugly Betty: Hasn’t reached the highs of its inaugural season, but still one of ABC’s better shows.

Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour: Poor retention out of lead in, but numbers have been acceptable.

Survivor: The reality veteran continues to kick off CBS’s Thursday night with a bang.

Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs: Solid but not spectacular Friday night performers.

Everybody Hates Chris and The Game: Numbers are down on Smackdown, but approx 1.5-2M isn’t a bad effort for The CW.

Losers

The Unit: Moving it from Tuesday night to Sundays has sugar coated some flaws but retention out of Cold Case is good, however demos are a worry.

In Harm’s Way, Easy Money and Valentine: all lasted less than 6 weeks, could only muster 1M or so viewers and couldn’t even crack a point in the demo.

My Own Worst Enemy: The recently cancelled drama had a lot of potential, but numbers just didn’t stack up.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Continues to bleed viewers from its series premiere, with its last airing netting less than 5M viewers. It might have a core fan base, but that is where it ends.

Privileged: Even though its one of my favourites of the new fall season, numbers have been poor out of a compatible 90210.

Eli Stone: Poor retention out of Dancing which eventually led to its cancellation.

Without A Trace: No longer appeals to the masses, but averages reasonable numbers for procedural kings CBS.

Pushing Daisies: Struggled in a relatively easy slot, with figures slipping below the 5.5M mark and 2 rating in the demo.

Dirty Sexy Money: Another sophomore drama culled due to ABC’s stupidity, however ratings were poor and cancellation was justified.

Stylista: What were The CW thinking here? Project Runway, Shear Genius to name a few.

Knight Rider: Exciting show which hasn’t caught on to the masses.

Life: Has lost its oomph factor from its freshman season and even with the shift to a more viewer friendly timeslot, numbers have been poor.

Lipstick Jungle: Numbers have headed south since its season two premiere.

Do Not Disturb and Til Death: Should have never green lit these two shows.

Deal or No Deal: Viewer fatigue has finally set in for this once stable performer.

My Name is Earl: Novelty is wearing off this once funny comedy.

Kath and Kim: Hasn’t worked out for NBC, but has the potential to be a good comedy.

Kitchen Nightmares and Hole in the Wall: Down year-on-year in that timeslot.

The Ex-List, Crusoe, Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader and Don’t Forget the Lyrics: Crusoe and Ex-List both couldn’t crack it on Friday, averaging ordinary numbers. The shift to Fridays for 5th Grader and Lyrics hasn’t worked out with both pulling less than its Thursday numbers.

Worst Week: Poor retention out of Two and a Half Men.

Tuesday night saw ABC dominate with the finale of Dancing with the Stars and the umpteenth repeat of A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, 20.58M; A18-49: 5.1 (rating)/14 (share); A18-34: 3.4/10 and 11.1M; A18-49: 3.5/9; A18-34: 2.6/8 respectively. What will the alphabet do now that Dancing with the Stars is finished? Their Mondays and Tuesdays will certainly collapse.

Fox were a close second in the 18-49 demo but took the crown in the 18-34 demo with House and Fringe (more House than Fringe). House finished with 12.49M; A18-49: 5.0/14 and A18-34: 4.9/15. While Fringe may be a work in progress, its numbers aren’t promising (8.73M; A18-49: 3.9/10; A18-34: 3.6/10) and loosing nearly 3M from its first half hour (first five minutes of the first half hour includes the last 5 minutes of House).

Over at CBS, NCIS managed 18.16M; A18-49: 3.7/10; A18-34: 2.1/6. The Mentalist which followed continues to be the highest rating freshman drama (15.91M; A18-49: 3.6; A18-34: 2.3/6) with Without a Trace completing the night, 10.37M; A18-49: 2.5; A18-34: 1.6/5. CBS’s Tuesday line-up has held up well against the Dancing with the Stars juggernaut and ratings are sure to improve once Dancing is out of the way.

Capping off the night, NBC had a two hour special of The Biggest Loser netting an unusually low 6.77M; A18-49: 2.6/7; A18-34: 2.2/7. Numbers might have been down last night but it deserves more credit for its 2008 performances given NBC’s troubles this year. However, Law and Order: SVU is loosing steam with a series low rating in the demos (8.55M, A18-49: 3.2/9; A18-34: 2.9/8)

Meanwhile on Cable:

Star Wars: Clone Wars (Cartoon Network, 9pm Friday) 2.775M
Sons of Anarchy (FX, 10pm Wednesday) 2.457M
Mythbusters (Discovery, 9pm Wednesday) 2.348M
South Park (Comedy Central, 10pm Thursday) 2.255M
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX, 10pm Thursday) 1.297M
True Blood (HBO, 9pm Sunday) 2.4M
Entourage (HBO, 10pm Sunday) 2M

Sorry no Summer Heights High numbers

Source: Nielsen TV Ratings

As TVAUS is down, here’s a special ratings report for those missing their daily ratings fix.

Wednesday Night finished as follows:

ABC: 18.4
Nine: 24.5
SBS: 4.4
Seven: 31.1
Ten: 21.5

It might have been a better performance by Network Ten but they still finished fourth behind the alphabet (19.1 to 21.1) in Sydney and were beaten by Network Seven in their coveted 18-49 demo. But the story of the night goes to Ten with their medical drama House picking up steam. House (Ten) managed 1.02M with 594k in the 25-54 bracket and a night topping 440k in the 16-39 demo. In comparison, Criminal Minds (Seven) netted 1.379M (A25-54: 625k; A16-39: 295k) and Christmas with the Kranks (Nine) pulling a paltry 692k* (A25-54: ~ 360k; A16-39: ~230k). So, you may ask, why the sudden spike in ratings for House? Here’s what I came up with:
i) The absence of Spicks and Specks and Nine’s poor attempt at scheduling (dumping The Mentalist even though they had an episode available)
ii) The special 65 minute episode

I would think the former was the reason for the sudden spike as last week House couldn’t even manage 900k with a 1.3M lead in.

The 9:30pm hour saw under-rated shows Life and The Unit pick up some ground. Here’s how that hour panned out:

Life (Ten): 889k; A25-54: 499k; A16-39: 324k
The Unit (Seven): 839k; A25-54: ~422k; A16-39: ~220k
Christmas with the Kranks (Nine): 692k*; A25-54: ~378k; A16-39: ~240k

Earlier in the night, Nine dominated the 7:30 hour, here’s the breakdown:

Two and a Half Men (Nine): 1.246M; A25-54: 641k; A16-39: 396k
Big Bang Theory (Nine): 1.001M; A25-54: 508k; A16-39: 353k
Air Crash Investigation (Seven): 1.14M; A25-54: 475k
Futurama (Ten) 1 hour average: 667k; A16-39 295k

Over on the ABC, The New Inventors finale garnered a respectable 1.01M with Summer Heights High averaging 449k.

Other notable figures include:

Prison Break (Seven): 446k
Newstopia (SBS): 142k
Late Show with David Letterman: 153k

*Two hour average for Christmas with the Kranks
Note: Some of my 16-39 and 25-54 figures are calculated

All data sourced from Oztam

Welcome to Australia, home of convicts, criminals and pirates. In honour of the release of Australia’s largest and most expensive film ever, go download this episode and spread the pirate cheer by sharing it on bittorrent. But only if you’re on iiNet, okay?

The trailer for the new “Star Trek” movie hits theatres this weekend in the US, infront of the new James Bond flick, “Quantum of Solace”.

It’s marks the eleventh feature film based on 60’s sci-fi series, but that’s not the only TV connection. The upcoming reboot for the “Star Trek” franchise was written and directed by TV mastermind J.J Abrams (Felicity, Alias, Lost, Fringe), and fellow scribes, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (Alias, Fringe).

It stars TV’s Zachary Quinto (Heroes), Simon Pegg (Spaced), Jennifer Morrison (House), Rachel Nichols (Alias),  John Cho (Ugly Betty, Kitchen Confidential), Anton Yelchin (Huff) and Australia’s Chris Hemsworth (Home and Away). Along with Chris Pine, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Winona Ryder, Australia’s Eric Bana and Star Trek’s original Spock, Leonard Nimoy.

“Star Trek” lands in theatres May 7, 2009 in Australia. Keep an eye out for the new trailer when it hits the web next Tuesday. We’ll post a link on our blog.

Friday, February 13th. No it’s not just black Friday, but it will be FOX’s Sci-Fi Friday. Tell your friends and family, jot it in your diary, do whatever you can to remember this date as this is the date FOX is set to premiere it’s much talked about sci-fi drama, Dollhouse. Given Dollhouse was supposed to be FOX’s silver bullet in terms of dramas, with the news corporation network having little success with dramas since Prison Break. The move to a usually low rating night is sure to anger fans of the show and Whedon who saw his previous project, Firefly fade away on the same night.

Also, recently renewed, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, has been bumped to Fridays providing the lead in to Dollhouse.

As previously reported, 24 will premiere on January 5th and from the 12th House will move into the 8pm slot with 24 proceeding. Does 24 really need the House lead in? Now I understand why FOX have little success with dramas, they just make one dumb decision after another.

FOX’s other new midseason drama Lie to Me, starring Tim Roth as a “human lie detector”, is set to lead out of American Idol on Wednesdays. Anyone else smell a Psych spin-off?

Still no news on Prison Break and the airdate for Seth McFarland’s new animated comedy The Cleveland Show. Watch this space for up to the date news for both shows.

Full FOX midseason schedule and premiere dates after the break.

MONDAY
Monday, Jan. 5:
7:30 PM-CC ET TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)

Monday, Jan. 12:
8:00-10:00 PM 24 (Season Premiere, Part 2)

Mondays, beginning Jan. 19:
8:00-9:00 PM HOUSE (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM 24 (Time Period Premiere)

TUESDAY
Tuesday, Jan. 13:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 20:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM FRINGE

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, Jan. 14:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Season Premiere, Part 2)

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 21:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME (Series Premiere)

THURSDAY
Thursday, Jan. 1:
7:30 PM-CC ET FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)

Thursday, Jan. 8:
7:30 PM-CC ET FEDEX BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (LIVE)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 15:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 29:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)

FRIDAY
Friday, Jan. 2:
7:30 PM-CC ET ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)

Friday, Jan. 9:
8:00-10:00 PM FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Fridays, beginning Jan. 16 (no change to lineup):
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?
9:00-10:00 PM DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!

Fridays, beginning Feb. 13:
8:00-9:00 PM TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
(Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM DOLLHOUSE (Series Premiere)

SATURDAY
Saturdays, beginning Jan. 3 (no change to lineup):
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-Midnight MADtv
Midnight-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY
Sunday, Jan. 11:
8:00-10:00 PM 24 (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Sundays, beginning Jan. 18:
7:00-7:30 PM HOLE IN THE WALL (Time Period Premiere)
7:30-8:00 PM HOLE IN THE WALL (Time Period Premiere)
8:00-10:00 PM ANIMATION DOMINATION
(THE SIMPSONS, KING OF THE HILL, FAMILY GUY and AMERICAN DAD)

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Week Three of the US television season has seen the turbulence of last week’s ratings begin to settle.

FOX’s hit medical drama House, returned with 14.77 million viewers, creating a strong lead in for the J.J. Abrams’ new sci-fi drama Fringe (up 59% to 13.27 million). Both shows dominated their time-slots and scored strong results in their key demographics.

Over at The CW Gossip Girl saw its highest ratings ever with 3.73 million, 22% increase in its target demographic. One Tree Hill saw its best figures since season four with 3.37 million viewers. Both 90210 and Privileged retained last weeks figures despite the heavy competition from House and Fringe.

Universal Studios today announced that they would be adding a large collection of their television series, including current NBC and Sci-Fi Channel shows to the Australian iTunes store. Their offerings include The Office, House, Battlestar Galactica, Monk, Psych, Law and Order SVU, Eureka, Sliders, Hercules, Xena, The Munsters, Miami Vice, Knight Rider, The A-Team and more.

Universal Studios are the third of the big six US television content producers to be added to the iTunes store, after Disney’s ABC Studios who currently offer hit series including Lost, Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy; and Viacom who offer shows from MTV, but currently no scripted drama or comedy content from its CBS Paramount subsidiary.

See entire the Universal catalogue on iTunes.

Last night saw the second episode of The CW’s 90210 and series premieres of Privileged and FOX’s new sci-fi drama Fringe. We’re only into the second week of the US ratings period, but already signs of declining viewership is starting to show. 

Fringe, which was one of the most anticipated new FOX dramas, may have won the night, but it failed to make a big impact on the ratings figures with just 9.13 million viewers. Considering J.J. Abrams’ other series, Lost scored a massive 18.6 million viewers during its premiere, it was a rather underwhelming result for the News Corp broadcaster. Although there is still a chance for the Abrams’ series to pick up extra eyeballs next week when House returns and becomes a solid lead in for sci-fi drama.

The CW’s figures also underwhelmed with 90210 dropping to just 3 million viewers. This is equal to the figures which were seen by the Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill combo on Monday night. 90210 lost the top spot once again in its core demographic to The Secret Life of the American Teenager on ABC Family.

Privileged started solidly with 2.64 million viewers, holding on to most of 90210’s audience but it failed to pick up any extra viewers.

Both Fringe and Privileged will be re-broadcast on Sunday night in the US.