Pelley to Interview Pres. Obama During Superbowl Pre-Game

CBS EVENING NEWS Anchor and Managing Editor Scott Pelley will interview President Barack Obama live from the White House at 4:30 PM, ET on THE SUPER BOWL TODAY on Sunday, Feb. 3 during CBS Sports’ pre-game coverage of Super Bowl XLVII. The interview will air on CBS.

Katie Renewed by ABC

Katie, Katie /Couric's freshman talk show syndicated by Disney/ABC has been renewed for its second season.

"Hosting, producing and launching a show from scratch has been challenging but very rewarding," said Couric.

"I'm looking forward to working with our terrific team to build on the success of our first season, and continuing to share compelling stories, explore important topics, and create entertaining television for our audience."




Katie has been doing well in the ratings; it's number one in the crowded talk show heap and launched with a pretty large group of competing talkers from the likes of Jeff Probst, Ricki Lake, Steve Harvey and Trisha Goddard.

Barbra Streisand to Perform at the Oscars

Move over Adele.  Two-time Academy Award® winner Barbra Streisand, who has sung on the Oscars® only once before, will perform on ABC's upcoming Oscar telecast on February 24. Streisand last sang the love theme from "A Star Is Born" on the March 28, 1977 show, winning the Best Original Song Oscar for "Evergreen" that same night.

"In an evening that celebrates the artistry of movies and music," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, "how could the telecast be complete without Barbra Streisand? We are honored that she has agreed to do a very special performance on this year's Oscars, her first time singing on the show in 36 years."

Streisand won her first Oscar for Best Actress in "Funny Girl" (1968), and was nominated again in 1973 for her lead performance in "The Way We Were." She was also nominated for producing the Best Picture nominee, "The Prince of Tides" (1991), which she also directed, and for co-writing the original song, "I Finally Found Someone," from "The Mirror Has Two Faces" (1996). 

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide. 

Christopher Waltz to Make Saturday Night Live Debut

Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe winner (“Django Unchained”) Christoph Waltz makes will make his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on February 16. Waltz received an Oscar, SAG and Golden Globe award, among many others, for his performance in “Inglorious Basterds” in 2009.

Joining Waltz is Alabama Shakes, making their musical guest debut. The rock band recently received three 2013 Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist, for their critically acclaimed album “Boys & Girls.”

SNL returns on February 9 with Justin Bieber pulling double duty as host and musical guest for his first time.

Hillary Clinton's Interview with Andrea Mitchell

In an interview with NBC News Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell, outgoing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said her recent health concerns would not “factor in at all” if she ever decides to run for president, but insisted she does not “have any decisions made” at this time.

Mitchell sat down with Clinton at the State Department yesterday to discuss the retiring Secretary’s legacy, the major events of her tenure, and her plans for both the immediate future and the 2016 presidential race.

Here's an extended clip on the situation in the Middle East:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A segment aired last night on “NBC Nightly News” and an extended version aired earlier today on “Andrea Mitchell Reports” on MSNBC.  The entire interview is available at NBCNews.com.

CBS Renews its Entire Daytime Lineup

CBS, top-rated network in daytime, has renewed its entire daytime schedule for the 2013-2014 season.

Shows include THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, THE TALK, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, the longest running game show in the history of TV, LET’S MAKE A DEAL and THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, the #1 daytime drama for more than 24 years, celebrating 40 years on the air.

"Over the past few years, we have successfully transitioned our daytime schedule to a balance of program genres with new creative energy, while maintaining our ratings leadership," said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. "We are proud of CBS's history of quality and leadership in Daytime, thrilled with our current success and we look forward to more great things ahead from the outstanding creative talent in place at each of the shows."

“I am excited and energized by the pickup of our lineup for next season, which features a balanced mix of talk, game shows and drama,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior VP, Daytime, CBS Entertainment. "We have been #1 for over two decades, and our goal is to challenge ourselves to make our successful schedule even stronger.”

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, which will celebrate its 26th anniversary on March 23, is averaging 3.44 million viewers, up +6% from last season. It is also up +14% in women 25-54 (1.6/09 from 1.4/08) and +10% in women 18-49 (1.1/07 from 1.0/06). In 2011, it received its third consecutive Emmy® Award for "Outstanding Daytime Drama Series."

This season, THE TALK is averaging 2.35 million viewers, up +11% from last year, 1.0/06 in women 25-54 and 0.7/04 in women 18-49. In the week ending Jan. 13, THE TALK delivered its largest weekly audience ever while matching "The View" in women 25-54 and women 18-49 for the first time this season in a week of regularly scheduled broadcasts. In 2012, THE TALK was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT, daytime television’s most-watched program, hosted by Drew Carey, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. THE PRICE IS RIGHT 1 is averaging 4.30 million viewers, 1.2/07 in women 25-54, up +9% and 0.8/06 in women 18-49. PRICE IS RIGHT 2 is averaging 5.17 million viewers, up +1%, 1.4/09 in women 25-54, up +8% and 1.0/06 in women 18-49.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL, with host Wayne Brady, will return for season five. LET'S MAKE A DEAL 1 is averaging 2.53 million viewers, up +9%, 0.8/05 in women 25-54, up +14% and 0.6/04 in women 18-49. LET'S MAKE A DEAL 2 is averaging 2.94 million viewers, up +9%, 0.9/05 in women 25-54, up +13% and 0.7/05 in women 18-49, up +17%.

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, which has been the #1 daytime drama for more than 1,255 consecutive weeks – or 24 years – will celebrate 40 years on the air on Tuesday, March 26. It is averaging 4.74 million viewers, 2.1/13 in women 25-54 and 1.4/09 in women 18-49.

MSNBC's Ratings are Up for the Year

MSNBC is continuing the ratings momentum with a strong January 2013, posting year-over-year growth in all key dayparts, according to data from Nielsen.

The cable news outlet ranked #2 in Total Day (M-Su 6a-6a) for the month with 491,000 total viewers and 160,000 A25-54. MSNBC grew in audience, while the other three cable news nets combined were down– compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC is up 20% with A25-54 and 9% with total viewers. Fox News had the lowest total day delivery among A25-54 (209,000) since July 2008.

In Sales Day (M-Su 6a-2a), MSNBC ranked #2 with 543,000 total viewers and 171,000 A25-54. Compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC is up 16% with A25-54 and 8% in total viewers, more growth than all cable news channels combined.

In Sales Prime (M-Su 7p-2a), MSNBC ranked #2 topping CNN by 21% among A25-54 (202,000 vs. 167,000) and by 19% among total viewers (616,000 vs. 518,000) for the month. MSNBC is up 4% with A25-54 compared to Jan. 12, while both CNN and Fox News are down. January 2013 marked Fox News Channel’s lowest A25-54 delivery (226,000) in Sales Prime since August 2001.

MSNBC weekday primetime (M-F 8p-11p) ranked #2 in January with 949,000 total viewers and 247,000 A25-54. MSNBC was up 11% in the demo A25-54 from Jan. 2012, while the combined audience of the other three cable news nets was down.

Following are MSNBC’s morning and primetime ratings highlights for January 2013:

· “Way Too Early” (5:30-6:00 a.m. ET) ranked #2 in total viewers and A25-54 for the 7^th consecutive month. “Way Too Early” is up 10% with A25-54 and 10% with total viewers compared to Jan. 2012.

· “Morning Joe” (6:00-9:00 a.m. ET) beat CNN by 92% among A25-54 (177,000 vs. 92,000) and by 96% among total viewers (468,000 vs. 239,000). This is the 22^nd consecutive month “Morning Joe” has topped CNN among total viewers and A25-54. Compared to Jan. 2012, “Morning Joe” is up 27% in A25-54 and 10% in total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the time period combined.

· “Hardball with Chris Matthews” at 5 p.m. ranked #2 in total viewers (965,000 vs. 741,000) and A25-54 (235,000 vs. 180,000) for the 16th consecutive month. “Hardball” is up 62% in A25-54 from Jan. 2012, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined and up 21% in total viewers compared to the same time last year.

· “PoliticsNation” with Al Sharpton at 6 p.m. ranked #2 for the month topping CNN among A25-54 (216,000 vs.174,000) and total viewers (836,000 vs. 599,000) . “PoliticsNation” is up 32% among A25-54 from Jan. 2012, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· At 7 p.m. “Hardball with Chris Matthews” beat CNN for the 18^th consecutive month in total viewers (850,000 vs. 506,000) and among A25-54 (220, 000 vs. 163,000). “Hardball” at 7 p.m. is up 15% in A25-54 and 6% in total viewers compared to Jan. 2012.

· “The Ed Show” at 8 p.m. topped CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” for the 15^th straight month among A25-54 (226,000 vs. 183,000) and the 18^th consecutive month among total viewers (988,000 vs. 604,000). This marks the 59^th consecutive month MSNBC has beaten CNN at 8 p.m in total viewers. Compared to Jan. 2012, “The Ed Show” is up 23% with A25-54, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· “The Rachel Maddow Show” at 9 p.m. ranked #2 topping CNN’s “Piers Morgan Tonight” by 84% among A25-54 (308,000 vs. 167,000) and by 70% among total viewers (1.09 million vs. 639,000). “Maddow” was also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34. “Maddow” is up 32% in A25-54, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined, and up 11% in total viewers compared to Jan. 2012.

· “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell” (M-Th) ranked #2 at 10 p.m. beating CNN in A25-54 (238,000 vs. 207,000) and total viewers (888,000 vs. 615,000). MSNBC increased 31% with A25-54 from Jan. 2012, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined. “The Last Word” also increased 9% with total viewers from Jan. 2012, more growth than all cable news programs combined. January 2013 was the worst month ever for FNC’s “On the Record w/ Greta VanSusteren” among A25-54 and FNC’s lowest total viewer delivery at 10 p.m. since July 2008.

· MSNBC is #1 in delivering African American viewers among cable news channels for the 36^th consecutive month in M-Su Primetime.

MSNBC’s daytime program highlights include:

· MSNBC Daytime (M-F 9a-5p) ranked #2 among A25-54 for the month. Compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC Daytime is up 88% with A25-54, 38% with total viewers and 81% with A18-34, more growth in the daypart than all cable news nets combined.

· “The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd” at 9 a.m. ranked #2 with a 32% advantage over CNN in A25-54 (152,000 vs. 115,000) and a 28% lead among total viewers (496,000 vs. 387,000). “The Daily Rundown” was up 46% with A25-54 from Jan. 2012, posting the only cable news program growth in the hour. “Rundown” also ranked #1 among 18-34 for the month.

· “Jansing and Company” at 10 a.m. ranked #2 among both total viewers and A25-54 (139,000 vs. CNN’s 121,000) for the month. “Jansing” also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34. Compared to Jan. 2012, “Jansing” was up 60% in A25-54, posting the only cable news program growth in the hour.

· “MSNBC Live” with Thomas Roberts at 11 a.m. ranked #2 among A25-54 with a 16% advantage over CNN (136,000 vs. 116, 000) and also ranked #1 among the younger demo of A18-34. Compared to Jan. 2012, “MSNBC Live” is up 74% in A25-54, more growth than any other cable news program and up 32% in total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· At noon, “NOW with Alex Wagner” ranked #2 in total viewers and had a 32% advantage over CNN among A25-54 (164,000 vs. 124,000). Compared to Jan. 2012, “NOW” is up 116% in A25-54 and 46% in total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· “Andrea Mitchell Reports” at 1 p.m. ET ranked #2 in A25-54 with a 21% advantage over CNN (150,000 vs. 124,000) and ranked #1 with the younger demo of A18-34. Compared to Jan. 2012, “Mitchell” is up 100% with A25-54 and 38% in total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· At 2 p.m., “NewsNation with Tamron Hall” ranked #2 in A25-54 (141,000 vs. 132,000). “NewsNation” is up 78% with A25-54 and 23% with total viewers compared to Jan. 2012, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· “The Cycle” at 3 p.m. ranked #2 among A25-54 with a 56% advantage over CNN (140,000 vs. 134,000). Compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC was up 56% with A25-54 and 7% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

· “Martin Bashir” at 4 p.m. ranked #2 with Total Viewers. Compared to Jan. 2012, MSNBC was up 102% with A25-54 and 41% with total viewers, more growth than all cable news programs in the hour combined.

Days of Our Lives Ratings Up

It's been a good week for the soaps.

NBC reported today that Days of our Lives delivered a 21-week high in the key daytime demographic of women 18-49, matching its highest rating in that measure in nearly 14 months, according to “live plus same day” ratings results for the week of January 14-18 from Nielsen Media Research. In total viewers, "Days" reached an average of 2.8 million viewers last week, its biggest weeklong overall audience in nearly two years.

For the week of January 14-18, "Days of our Lives" (1.0 rating, 6 share among women 18-49, 0.6 rating among women 18-34) tied for #3 among network daytime series in both the women 18-49 and women 18-34 demographics.

"Days" delivered its highest women 18-49 rating since the week of August 20-24, 2012 (1.0) and equaled its highest women 18-49 result since the week of November 21-25, 2011 (1.1). Among women 18-34, “Days” delivered its highest rating in seven weeks (since the week of November 26-30, 2012, 0.6) and matched its highest women 18-34 rating in nearly 14 months (since November 21-25, 2011, 0.8).

In total viewers, the 2.774 million average for "Days of our Lives" last week was its biggest since the week of January 31-February 4, 2011 (3.030 million).

Versus the same week last year, “Days” was up 6 percent among women 18-49 (with 634,000 viewers versus the year-ago 597,000), up 18 percent in women 18-34 (194,000 vs. 165,000) and up 10 percent in total viewers (2.774 million vs. 2.528 million).

Season to date, "Days of our Lives" is tied for #4 in both the women 18-49 category and the women 18-34 demo. Season to date, “Days” is up 0.5 percent in total viewers (2.644 million vs. 2.631 million).

Ratings reflect “live plus same day” data from Nielsen Media Research unless otherwise noted. Season-to-date figures are averages of “live plus seven day” data except for the two most recent weeks, which are “live plus same day.”

Hulu Deal for All My Children and One Life to Live

This should be considered big news for fans of All My Children and One Life to Live.  In a groundbreaking move that brings premium first-run, broadcast-quality programming to a mass-market audience via the internet, Prospect Park’s The Online Network (TOLN) announced today that the Company has reached an agreement with Hulu and the iTunes Store to distribute all-new episodes of  the programs scrubbed last year by ABC.

These deals should allow Prospect Park to sign more actors and to be able to afford production costs.

Through the Hulu distribution agreement, the hugely popular daily dramas will reach tens of millions of fans via the freeHulu.com service, as well as millions of Hulu Plus subscribers watching on connected TVs, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. iTunes customers can enjoy viewing on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV and their Mac or PC. The announcement was made today by Prospect Park Chairman and CEO, Jeff Kwatinetz.

“I believe that both Hulu and iTunes have the vision, the reach and the technology to help us launch TOLN in a significant way,” Kwatinetz said. “We think these platforms are part of history, helping us to transform distribution. Hulu’s reach, platform and advertising prowess are best in class, and iTunes provides an incredible way to buy TV shows that is second to none. Through both of these partners, we hope daytime drama fans are absolutely delighted to be able to watch their favorite programs in a broadcast-quality HD format wherever and whenever they want.”

Separately, Prospect Park has closed its financing with ABRY Partners, one of the most experienced and successful media-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since 1989, ABRY has completed over $36 billion in leveraged transactions and other private equity investments involving approximately 450 properties.

Brent Stone, a partner at ABRY Partners, stated, “We are excited to be partnering with Jeff Kwatinetz and the rest of the team at Prospect Park, and we strongly believe that they will continue to be a leader in their innovative approach to content creation.”

Kwatinetz continued, “We are privileged to the have the backing and partnership with Brent and his team at ABRY, who are proven, brilliant investors, and will help us reach our ultimate goals.”

Starting this spring, viewers can stream the beloved serial dramas “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” on the free Hulu.com service and the Hulu Plus subscription service. New 30-minute episodes of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” will be introduced each weekday. This innovative content deal will re-introduce these venerable daytime hits in a new format perfect for the viewing habits of the digital generation. Prospect Park and TOLN plan to blend new themes, fresh stars and youthful energy with the familiar actors and writers who made these shows must-watch afternoon viewing for legions of loyal fans.

The agreement with Hulu also allows brands and marketers to connect with a highly desirable and engaged audience. Hulu will manage the advertising sales for both shows, and package integrated sponsorship opportunities. TOLN will also offer ecommerce and other digital marketing programs to brands and entities looking to tap into Hulu’s mass market demographic. Additionally, Hulu will promote both series across its subscription and free-to-view platforms.

Under the leadership of Kwatinetz and Rich Frank, Prospect Park in 2011 forged a multi-year, multi-platform licensing agreement with Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group to continue production of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” Prospect Park has also entered into a consulting agreement with Agnes Nixon, the creator of both series, guaranteeing her active involvement in their continued production. “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” ended their runs on ABC Television in September, 2011 and January, 2012, respectively.

Earlier in this month, Prospect Park announced guild agreements with Hollywood’s major labor groups, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Directors Guild of America. The company also finalized a deal with the Writer’s Guild of America.

About Prospect Park

Prospect Park is a media and production company founded in 2009 by entertainment industry veterans Jeffrey Kwatinetz and former Disney Studios head Rich Frank. Along with successful film and music divisions, the company’s television group has numerous shows in development and breakout network hits airing including “Royal Pains” and “Wilfred.”

More information about TOLN series will soon be available at www.TOLN.com andwww.theonlinenetwork.com.

Inside Oscar Balloting at Oscar.com

For Oscar fans who just can't seem to win their Oscar ballot pool because of that one craft category, Oscar.com today launched "Behind The Ballot," a six-part video series exploring how Academy members view and ultimately determine who'll win Oscars for Production Design, Cinematography, Makeup & Hairstyling, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing and Costume Design. 

Hosted by Entertainment Weekly's Geoff Boucher, Anthony Breznican and Adam Vary, each episode, shot in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Margaret Herrick Library, features a panel of experts discussing what it takes to be a strong contender in each category. A new video will debut each week for the next five weeks on www.oscar.com, as well as on the official Oscars app for iPhone, iPad, Android and Kindle Fire devices. Link to embeddable video file:

http://oscar.go.com/video/PL55161146/_m_VD55266156

EXPERT PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE: 

Production Design:

Scott Chambliss, "Cowboys & Aliens," "Star Trek," "Mission: Impossible III"

Alex McDowell, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "Minority Report," "Fight Club"

Jeannine Oppewall, "Catch Me If You Can," "Pleasantville," "L.A. Confidential"

Bo Welch, "Men in Black," "Batman Returns," "Edward Scissorhands"

Makeup and Hairstyling:

Cydney Cornell, "The Artist," "The Aviator," "American Beauty"

Mike Elizalde, "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," "Fantastic Four," "Men in Black"

Beth Miller, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "The Nutty Professor," "Dances with Wolves,"

Christien Tinsley, "No Country for Old Men," "The Passion of the Christ," "Ocean's Eleven"

Film Editing:

Mark Goldblatt, "X-Men The Last Stand," "Armageddon," "The Terminator"

Virginia Katz, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1," "Dreamgirls," "Kinsey"

Lynzee Klingman, "Man on the Moon," "City of Angels," "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest"

Pamela Martin, "Hitchcock," "The Fighter," "Little Miss Sunshine"

Cinematography:

Daryn Okada, "American Reunion," "Baby Mama," "Mean Girls"

Theo van de Sande, "Cruel Intentions," "Blade," "Wayne's World"

Mandy Walker, "Red Riding Hood," "Australia," "Shattered Glass"

Costume Design:

Jeffrey Kurland, "Inception," "Ocean's Eleven," "Erin Brockovich"

Isis Mussenden, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader," "Shrek 2," 

"American Psycho" 

Arianne Phillips, "W.E.," "3:10 to Yuma," "Walk the Line"

Mary Zophres, "True Grit," "No Country for Old Men," "The Big Lebowski"

Sound Editing and Sound Mixing:

Willie D. Burton, "Dreamgirls," "Panic Room," "The Shawshank Redemption"

Steve Cantamessa, "Tropic Thunder," "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Ray"

Aaron Glascock, "The Town," "Good Night, and Good Luck.," "Ocean's Eleven"

Mark Mangini, "Warrior," "The Fifth Element," "Die Hard with a Vengeance" 

Dean Zupancic, "Tangled," "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," 

"Pulp Fiction"

Developed by The Academy and Disney/ABC Television Group's Digital Media Team, Oscar.com and the official Oscars app provide unparalleled access to the Oscars before, during and after the show. Fans can go behind the scenes with show host Seth MacFarlane and the producers as they prepare for the show, as well as find out more about the nominees, access rare exclusive images from The Academy's archives, and start filling out their My Picks interactive ballot. Friends can view and share the ballot on Facebook, which will update in real time on Oscar Night®, ensuring that the most competitive Oscars handicappers are instantly aware of their ranking among friends. 

On Oscar Sunday, February 24, Oscar.com and the official Oscars app will launch Backstage Pass, giving fans unprecedented access to the show. Sponsored by Samsung, Backstage Pass is designed to be the ultimate complement to the live telecast, giving fans premier access to the most memorable moments of the night through over a dozen exclusive live cameras strategically placed on the Red Carpet and throughout the Dolby Theatre™. Special cameras include the Thank You Cam - offering winners an extended opportunity to thank their supporters; Backstage Cam - capturing sound bites, backstage action, short interviews and behind-the-scenes footage; Control Room Cam - allowing users to watch the show's director in action; and Press Room Cam - featuring moments of winners interacting with the world's media moments after leaving the stage. It will also feature real-time highlights from the show itself, which promises many surprises on Hollywood's biggest night.

Next Amazing Race Cast Announced.

CBS announced today the 11 teams that will embark on a sprint around the globe for $1 million dollars on the new season of THE AMAZING RACE, premiering Sunday, Feb. 17 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Emmy Award nominee Phil Keoghan (@philkeoghan) is the host.

THE AMAZING RACE has won the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Reality-Competition Program” nine times in the past 10 years.

This season, which marks the 22nd race around the world for the series, will introduce a new twist to the game in which the first Team to check in at the first pit stop will earn two “Express Passes” – one to keep for themselves and one that must be given to another Team by the end of the fourth leg of the Race.

Teams will travel more than 30,000 miles, over five continents and through nine countries as they skydive from 10,000 feet in Bora Bora, participate in a Shemozzle race in New Zealand, hunt for scorpions with the Bushmen of Botswana and scale the treacherous north face of the Eiger Mountain in Switzerland.

This season’s diverse cast includes twin brothers who are both OB/GYNs, father/son cancer survivors, Southern firefighters, roller derby moms and female country singers.

Following are the 11 teams, listed in no particular order:

Name: Idries Abdur-Rahman

Age: 36

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

Current occupation: OB/GYN Physician

Name: Jamil Abdur-Rahman

Age: 36

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

Current occupation: OB/GYN Physician

Connection: Twin Doctors

Name: Max Bichler

Age: 30

Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.

Current occupation: Cigar Sales

Name: Katie Bichler

Age: 24

Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.

Current occupation: Pharmacist

Connection: Newlyweds

Name: Mona Egender

Age: 33

Hometown: Castle Pines, Colo.

Current occupation: Captioner/Roller Derby Player

Name: Beth Bandimere

Age: 36

Hometown: Arvada, Colo.

Current occupation: Tech Support/Roller Derby Player

Connection: Roller Derby Moms  

_________________________________________________________________________

Name: Bates Battaglia

Age: 36

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

Current occupation: Former Professional Hockey Player

(Played for the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs)

Name: Anthony Battaglia

Age: 33

Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.

Current occupation: Professional Hockey Player

(Currently plays for the Huntsville Havoc)

Connection: Hockey Brothers

Name: Chuck McCall

Age: 46

Hometown: Daphne, Ala.

Current occupation: Retail Manager/Taxidermist

Name: Wynona McCall

Age:  49

Hometown: Daphne, Ala.

Current occupation: Cosmetologist/Hairstylist

Connection: Married

Name: David O’Leary

Age: 58

Hometown: Salt Lake City  

Current occupation: Investment Properties

Name: Connor O’Leary

Age: 21

Hometown:  Salt Lake City

Current occupation: Professional Cyclist

Connection: Father/Son (Both Cancer Survivors)

________________________________________________________________________

Name: Caroline Cutbirth

Age: 29

Hometown: Austin, Texas

Current occupation: Singer/Songwriter (Band Member of “Stealing Angels”)

*Caroline is a direct descendant of Daniel Boone

Name: Jennifer Kuhle

Age: 30

Hometown: Nashville

Current occupation: Songwriter (Band Member of “Stealing Angels”)

*Jennifer is the granddaughter of John Wayne  

Connection: Friends/Country Singers

_________________________________________________________________________

Name: Joey Graceffa

Age: 21

Hometown: Los Angeles   

Current occupation: YouTube Host 

Internet Personality Joey's YouTube Channel

Name: Meghan Camarena

Age: 25

Hometown: Los Angeles  

Current occupation: YouTube Host

Internet Personality Meghan's YouTube Channel

Connection: Friends/YouTube Hosts

_________________________________________________________________________

Name: Pamela Chien

Age: 29

Hometown: Los Angeles

Current occupation: Art Director and Fitness Instructor

Name: Winnie Sung

Age: 29

Hometown: Los Angeles

Current occupation: Senior Project Manager

Connection: Best Friends

_________________________________________________________________________

Name: Jessica Hoel

Age: 26

Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Current occupation: Account Manager

Name: John Erck

Age: 27

Hometown: Huntington Beach, Calif.

Current Occupation: Entrepreneur/Computer Programmer

Connection: Dating

_________________________________________________________________________

Name: Matthew Davis

Age: 25

Hometown: Gaffney, S.C.

Current occupation: Firefighter

Name: Daniel Moss

Age: 24

Hometown: Gaffney, S.C.  

Current occupation: Firefighter

Connection:  Best Friends/Firefighters

THE AMAZING RACE sends 11 teams on a trek around the world. Each Team is comprised of two people who have a pre-existing relationship with one another. At every destination, each Team competes in a series of challenges — some mental and some physical — and when the tasks have been completed, they learn their next destination. Teams who are farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning at least $1 million.

Jerry Bruckheimer, Bertram van Munster, Jonathan Littman, Elise Doganieri and Mark Vertullo are the executive producers for Jerry Bruckheimer Television and Earthview Inc. in association with ABC Studios and Amazing Race Productions. THE AMAZING RACE was created by Bertram van Munster and Elise Doganieri.

Adele to Perform at the Oscars

Multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Adele will perform the Oscar®-nominated theme song from the latest James Bond movie at the 85th Academy Awards®, the show's producers have announced.

 

"Skyfall," from the film of the same name, was announced as a nominee for Original Song at the Academy’s Nominations Announcement on January 10. The song, written by Adele and Paul Epworth, is the first Bond theme ever to debut in Billboard's Top 10 and the first to be nominated for an Oscar since "For Your Eyes Only" in 1981.

Adele's exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time she will have performed "Skyfall" anywhere live and will also mark her first U.S. television performance since the Grammys® last year.

"It's an honour to be nominated and terrifyingly wonderful to be singing in front of people who have captured my imagination over and over again,” said Adele. “It's something I've never experienced and probably only ever will once!"

"We have enormous respect for Adele's unique artistry as a songwriter and a singer," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of this year's Academy Awards show. "She is currently one of the most successful recording artists in the world, and we believe that her performance of 'Skyfall' will be an exciting Oscar moment for audiences watching at the Dolby Theatre™ and on television screens around the world."

Oscar.com celebrates Adele's performance with a special gallery of some of the most memorable James Bond theme songs through the years:

Visit the Music of James Bond Photo Gallery

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

View the Nominees.

Join the conversation #Oscars.

NBC Takes Inaugural Day Ratings

NBC News was the most-watched broadcast or cable television network for coverage of the 2013 Presidential Inauguration.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the 10am - 4:30pm ET broadcast anchored by Brian Williams drew an average of 5.081 million viewers and 1.652 million viewers aged 25-54.  NBC had 38% more viewers  (+1,410,000) than CBS’s 3.671 million and 30% more (+1,159,000) than ABC’s 3.922 million (10am - 4:35pm ET).

ABC's coverage was anchored by Diane Sawyer and George Stephanopoulos.  At CBS, Scott Pelley was the anchor.

*Note: These are fast national program ratings and are subject to change. All ratings exclude sustaining portions.

FOX Replaces Ben & Kate, Revises Tuesday Night Line-up

FOX announced today that Ben and Kate will go on hiatus and made other revisions to its Tuesday night lineup. It also announced the season premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN on Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

On Tuesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Tuesday, Feb. 5 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Tuesday, Feb. 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), FOX will air all-new one-hour episodes of RAISING HOPE, followed by all-new episodes of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) in their regularly scheduled time periods. On Tuesday, Feb. 12, as previously announced, encore episodes of RAISING HOPE (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) and NEW GIRL (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) will air, followed by the STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS (9:00-10:30 PM ET/live in all time zones). On Tuesday, Feb. 19 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), an all-new episode of RAISING HOPE leads off the night, followed by an encore of NEW GIRL (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT), and all-new installments of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30 PM ET/PT).

In the special one-hour episode of RAISING HOPE airing Tuesday, Jan. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), Jimmy (Lucas Neff) and Sabrina (Shannon Woodward) tie the knot. Then, as a wedding gift from Barney (Gregg Binkley), the Chance family heads off to Los Angeles to watch the taping of Hope’s (Baylie and Rylie Cregut) favorite TV show. On an all-new episode of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT), Schmidt (Max Greenfield) falls for a beautiful woman (guest star Brooklyn Decker), while Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Nick’s (Jake Johnson) relationship takes a surprising turn. On a brand-new episode of THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), Mindy (Mindy Kaling) finally thinks she’s met the perfect guy (guest star BJ Novak).

Tuesday nights heat up this spring when Chef Gordon Ramsay returns for the Season 11 premiere of HELL’S KITCHEN on Tuesday, March 12 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), followed by all-new episodes of NEW GIRL (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE MINDY PROJECT (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).

On HELL’S KITCHEN, the contestants  brave Chef Ramsay and his fiery command in the kitchen as they compete in rigorous culinary challenges and dinner services. In each episode, the losing team will put two contestants on the chopping block, and Ramsay will eliminate one chef. Only those who can handle the heat in the kitchen will earn a coveted black jacket and continue to compete for the ultimate prize. HELL’S KITCHEN is produced by ITV Studios America in association with A. Smith & Co. Productions. Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Gordon Ramsay serve as executive producers.

The one-hour season finale of RAISING HOPE will air on a special night Thursday, March 28 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following AMERICAN IDOL (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

FOX’s upcoming Tuesday night schedule, plus the special Thursday night season finale of RAISING HOPE is as follows (all times are ET/PT except where noted):

Tuesday, Jan. 29
8:00-9:00 PM RAISING HOPE (Special One-Hour Episode)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

Tuesday, Feb. 5
8:00-9:00 PM RAISING HOPE (Special One-Hour Episode)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

Tuesday, Feb. 12
8:00-8:30 PM RAISING HOPE (encore)
8:30-9:00 PM NEW GIRL (encore)
9:00-10:30 PM STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS (ET/live in all time zones)

Tuesday, Feb. 19
8:00-8:30 PM RAISING HOPE
8:30-9:00 PM NEW GIRL (encore)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

Tuesday, Feb. 26
8:00-9:00 PM RAISING HOPE (Special One-Hour Episode)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

Tuesday, March 5
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (ET Live/PT tape-delayed; Special Night)

Tuesdays, beginning March 12
8:00-9:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT

Thursday, March 28
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL (ET Live/PT tape-delayed)
9:00-10:00 PM RAISING HOPE (One-Hour Season Finale)

Greg Kinnear to Return to TV

You may remember that Academy Award-nominated actor Greg Kinnear started his TV career as host of the original "Talk Soup" on the E! Entertainment network.  Kinnear is now set to turn to TV.

Kicking off its drama pilot orders, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has given a pilot order to RAKE, a character-driven comedic drama by Peter Duncan (creator of the original Australian series) and executive-produced by Peter Tolan (“Rescue Me,” “Analyze This”) and Michael Wimer (“2012”).  Kinnear (“Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Kennedys”) has been cast in the lead role of KEEGAN JOYE, a brilliant, but self-destructive criminal defense lawyer. Kinnear also will co-executive-produce.

                                                                  

Based on the Australian AACTA nominee for Best Television Drama Series, RAKE follows the chaotic and comedic life of criminal defense lawyer KEEGAN JOYE (Kinnear). Brilliant, frustratingly charming, and with zero filter, Keegan is one of life's great addicts. His staggering lack of discretion and inability to self-censor land him the cases that nobody else wants, but behind that lies a resolute optimism and belief in justice that fuel his dogged determination to defend those who seem beyond redemption. In addition to Keegan’s cases within the justice system, the show follows his personal trials and tribulations, including his ongoing battle against the IRS, his mounting debt to his bookie, overlapping affairs and liaisons with women, a hormonal son, an exhausted ex-wife and the evolving relationship between his two married best friends, Ben and Scarlett.

Greg Kinnear received an Academy Award nomination for his work in the 1997 film “As Good as It Gets.” His recent role on “Modern Family” earned him a 2012 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. For his performance as John F. Kennedy in the cable miniseries “The Kennedys,” he was nominated for 2011 Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie. In 1995, Kinnear and the producers of cable’s “Talk Soup” won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Program.

In 2006, Kinnear starred in the Academy Award-nominated film “Little Miss Sunshine.” Other film credits include “Thin Ice,” “Green Zone,” “Flash of Genius,” “Ghost Town,” “Baby Mama,” “Feast of Love,” Invincible,” “Fast Food Nation,” “Bad News Bears,” “Stuck On You,” “Auto Focus,” “The Gift,” “Nurse Betty” and “You’ve Got Mail.” He will next be seen in Josh Boone’s “Writers,” co-starring Jennifer Connelly, Kristen Bell and Lily Collins. The film premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival. He also has completed production on Craig Zisk’s “The English Teacher,” co-starring Julianne Moore, Lily Collins and Nathan Lane. RAKE is Kinnear’s first network drama pilot.

RAKE is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Fedora Entertainment and Essential Media & Entertainment Pty Ltd. The pilot is created and written by Peter Duncan. The pilot is executive-produced by Duncan, Peter Tolan, Michael Wimer, Richard Roxburgh (“Rake,” “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole”) and Ian Collie (“Rake”). 

Barbara Walters Still in Hospital; Whoopi Reads Statement on The View

As you may know, Barbara Walters fell and hit her head at the British Ambassador's residence during Inaugural festivities Saturday night.  Walters remains in a Washington hospital.  Today on The View, Whoopi Goldberg read the following statement from Walters:

“First and foremost I want to thank all of the people who’ve called, written and been concerned about me. I’m most appreciative. I’m running a low grade fever and the doctors are keeping me in the hospital until my temperature is normal. I’m pleased to say that it is going in the right direction and I will be home soon.”

Added fellow The View cast member, Joy Behar, “Barbara, we miss you and lay off Grey Goose, okay, babe?  She tripped on the same stairs she once had sex with Churchill.”

CBS Announces Summer 2013 Schedule

CBS announced today summer premiere dates for two original scripted dramas, a new alternative series and an expanded season of BIG BROTHER.

A new reality competition series based on the hit UK format "The Great British Bake Off," premieres Wednesday, May 29 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT). The series features skilled amateur Americans competing in baking challenges with one ultimately to be named the winner.

UNDER THE DOME, a new 13-episode serialized drama based on Stephen King's best-selling novel and produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, opens Monday, June 24 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT).  HAWAII FIVE-0 will move to Friday (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) during the summer.

UNDER THE DOME is the story of a small town that is suddenly and inexplicably sealed off from the rest of the world by an enormous transparent dome. The town’s inhabitants must deal with surviving the post-apocalyptic conditions while searching for answers to what this barrier is, where it came from and if and when it will go away.

The summer reality hit BIG BROTHER will have a longer edition this summer, premiering two weeks earlier than previous years on Wednesday, June 26 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

BIG BROTHER will be broadcast three nights weekly — Tuesdays (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT, beginning July 2), the LIVE eviction show hosted by Julie Chen will be broadcast on Wednesdays (9:00-10:00 PM live ET/delayed PT, beginning July 3) and Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT, beginning June 30). The Wednesday live eviction show will move to 8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT on July 17 after the reality baking series completes its season order.

NCIS: LOS ANGELES will move to Tuesday (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) beginning July 2.

UNFORGETTABLE, starring Poppy Montgomery as a police detective with a rare condition that makes her memory so flawless that everything is embedded in her mind, and Dylan Walsh as her ex-boyfriend and partner, returns for its second season on Sunday, July 28 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT).

UNFORGETTABLE replaces summer rebroadcasts of THE GOOD WIFE.
CBS Wednesday, Effective May 29
8:00-9:00 PM              UNTITLED BAKING SERIES (Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

CBS Monday, Effective June 24
8:00-8:30 PM              HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER
8:30-9:00 PM              RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
9:00-9:30 PM              2 BROKE GIRLS
9:30-10:00 PM            MIKE & MOLLY
10:00-11:00 PM          UNDER THE DOME (Premiere)

CBS Wednesday, Effective June 26
8:00-9:00 PM              UNTITLED BAKING SERIES
9:00-10:00 PM            BIG BROTHER (Season Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

CBS Sunday, Effective June 30
7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER (Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM            THE GOOD WIFE
10:00-11:00 PM          THE MENTALIST

CBS Tuesday, Effective July 2
8:00-9:00 PM              NCIS
9:00-10:00 PM            BIG BROTHER (Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM          NCIS: LOS ANGELES

CBS Wednesday, Effective July 17
8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER (New Time Period)
9:00-10:00 PM            CRIMINAL MINDS
10:00-11:00 PM          CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION

CBS Sunday, Effective July 28
7:00-8:00 PM              60 MINUTES
8:00-9:00 PM              BIG BROTHER
9:00-10:00 PM            UNFORGETTABLE (Premiere)
10:00-11:00 PM          THE MENTALIST

More Cast Members Added to One Life to Live and All My Children Online

It's getting more and more real, the prospect that Prospect Park will actually get Once Life to Live and All My Children into production as online TV shows.

The production company announced today that it had closed more deals with actors and production team members for each program to be shown on The Online Network.  The list includes some big names, such as Erika Slezak, Robin Strasser, Tuc Watkins, Hillary B. Smith, Darnell Williams, Debbi Morgan and even Thorsten Kaye, seen last season on SMASH as a love interest for Angelica Huston.

Here's the entire list of those announced today.  First, for One Life to Live: 

Cast:

Erika Slezak as Victoria Lord Buchanan

Robin Strasser as Dorian Lord

Tuc Watkins as David Vickers

Robert S. Woods as Bo Buchanan

Kassie DePaiva as Blair Cramer

Jerry verDorn as Clint Buchanan

Florencia Lozano as Tea Delgado

Melissa Archer as Natalie Buchanan Banks

Hillary B. Smith as Nora Buchanan

Kelley Missal as Danielle Manning

Josh Kelly as Cutter Wentworth

Andrew Trischitta as Jack Manning

Recurring Cast:

Sean Ringgold as Shaun Evans

Shenaz Treasury Rama Patel

Nick Choksi as Vimal Patel

Co–Head Writers:
Susie Bedsow Horgan (“As The World Turns” Head Writer, “One Life to Live” Breakdown Writer)
Thom Racina (“General Hospital” Head Writer, Best-selling author of Snow Angel and Hidden Agenda)

Writers:

Jessica Klein (“As The World Turns” Head Writer, “Beverly Hills, 90210” Executive Producer)
Alex Douglas (USA Network's “Royal Pains” Writer)
Jeff Wilber

Production:

Carole Shure, Production Executive for TOLN

Chris Savage, Unit Production Manager/Line Producer for “All My Children” and “One Life to Live”

For All My Children:

Cast:

Darnell Williams as Jesse Hubbard

Debbi Morgan as Dr. Angela Hubbard

Vincent Irizarry as Dr. David Hayward (previously announced)

Lindsay Hartley as Cara Martin (previously announced)

Jordi Vilasuso as Griffin Castillo

Jill Larson as Opal Cortlandt

Thorsten Kaye as Zach Slater

Production:

Carole Shure, Production Executive for TOLN

Chris Savage, Unit Production Manager/Line Producer for “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” 

About Prospect Park
Prospect Park is a media and production company founded in 2009 by entertainment industry veterans Jeffrey Kwatinetz and former Disney Studios head Rich Frank.  Along with successful film and music divisions, the company’s television group has numerous shows in development and breakout network hits airing including “Royal Pains” and “Wilfred.”

Oprah and Lance Armstrong Get 3.2 Million Viewers

According to MediaBistro, 3.2 million people watched Oprah Winfrey interview Lance Armstrong on a special edition of “Oprah’s Next Chapter” last night on OWN, according to preliminary numbers from Nielsen. It drew an additional 1.2 million viewers in its re-air at 10:30 p.m.

The interview did not break records, however.  The highest-rated program in OWN’s history was the interview with Whitney Houston‘s daughter Bobbi Kristina and other family members, which drew 3.5 million viewers in March, 2012. In August of 2012, an interview with singer Rihanna had 2.5 million viewers.

As noted by MediaBistro, the OWN interview was also available via online streaming and Oprah's old syndicated show regularly drew 10 million viewers.