Television News

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Meryl Streep's daughter Grace Gummer is set to star in a television drama about the chaotic life of being a Hollywood "It" kid, marking Gummer's first big break into the acting industry.

NEW YORK - ABC has booked a prime-time interview with pop star Janet Jackson, expected to be her first lengthy television interview since her brother Michael's death.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - FX is saddling up for "Reconstruction," a period Western inspired by harsh modern-day realities.

NEW YORK - Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has some new people to yell at. The verbally abusive star of Fox's "Hell's Kitchen" has signed a deal with Fox for a second show. Tentatively called "Masterchef," it will feature Ramsay trying to turn people who have no experience in the food industry into expert cooks. Not surprisingly, producers say Ramsay won't be afraid to tell the would-be cooks the cold, hard truth about their work.

LOS ANGELES - John Lithgow was going to pass on the chance to play serial killer vs. serial killer on "Dexter," with an Italian vacation, cruise and his son's wedding awaiting him.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - A new reality show from E! and Ryan Seacrest's production company gives ordinary people the chance to plead for money from rich celebrities and moguls.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - CMT wants to bring back the traditional family sitcom -- and add a few gators.

LOS ANGELES - Here comes Mario Lopez as the Miss America pageant host.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In a move that puts him at the cutting edge of sport sponsorships, comedian Stephen Colbert and his fans will back the U.S. Speedskating team at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, the talk show host said.

LOS ANGELES - Michael Irvin and Mark Dacascos have been booted from the ballroom.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kirstie Alley is to parlay her lengthy weight-loss battle into a U.S. TV series for what the actress called in a Tuesday Twitter message a "very funny docu about me losing weight, raising unpretentious kids, and biz."

LOS ANGELES - Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are taking on the Oscars.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "Flight of the Conchords" star Jemaine Clement has said his offbeat HBO comedy series may not continue for a third season because it requires so much work, but a final decision will be made within a month.

LOS ANGELES - The legal war between former Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant organizers is over.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Foodies, get ready for a culinary "American Idol."

LOS ANGELES - Kirstie Alley is going to star in a new A&E reality "docu-series" about her life as a single mom and her efforts to lose weight. The network has ordered 10 half-hour episodes of the untitled series from "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia North America. The show will follow the actress at home with her teenage children, at work and as she launches a new weight-loss program.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - No longer will American TV audiences be asking doctor who?

LOS ANGELES - A man arrested outside Ryan Seacrest's workplace has pleaded not guilty to a felony stalking charge.

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by The Nielsen Co., for Oct. 26-Nov. 1. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Best Buy Co Inc plans to start an online service that allows consumers to buy, rent and download movies and television shows, the electronics retailer said on Tuesday.

NEW YORK - The World Series gave the Fox network world-class ratings last week as the New York Yankees squared off against the Philadelphia Phillies in four much-watched games.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Jerry Seinfeld has found his "Marriage Ref."

LOS ANGELES - When Adam Arkin signed on for "Sons of Anarchy," he didn't have reservations about his role as a slick white separatist or the FX drama's dark heart.

LOS ANGELES (Mediaweek) - While USA Network returned to its customary perch atop the cable ratings heap last week, averaging 3.5 million viewers in primetime, the cable network couldn't hold off ESPN in the core demos.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - A Connecticut judge has ordered CBS sportscaster Jim Nantz to pay his ex-wife $916,000 a year in alimony and child support.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Jay Leno has shrugged off low ratings for his new prime-time nightly TV talk show, saying NBC is making money with his switch from late night to earlier and he enjoys being an underdog in the race to get viewers.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The rise and fall of the U.S. record industry could be the subject of an HBO film.

NEW YORK - Of the many countries participating at the Vancouver Olympics, add Colbert Nation to the list.

HONG KONG - One of America's best-known entertainment news shows is launching an Asian edition.

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - TNT has rescued the acclaimed cop drama "Southland," which was recently canceled by NBC in part because of its violence.