The TV Zone

Beverly Hills - Feed the Beast and the Beast is happy. Don't feed the Beast - the Beast That Covers Television - and the Beast is not happy.

So on that score, NBC gets high marks as it kicks off the Big Network portion of the biannual press tour. The new bosses were trotted out this morning, Ben Silverman, and Marc Graboff (or should it be Marc Graboff and Ben Silverman? More on that later) and to artfully obscure the fact that they abruptly replaced a successful and competent executive, Kevin Reilly, in a putsch that seemed to happen just days ago, they announced a whole slew of news. And without further ado, let's go straight to the slew...

Isaiah Washington: Silgrab confirmed this morning's USA Today scoop, that the deposed, angry, outspoken, accused (but not convicted) reputed homophobe has found a home on new show, "Bionic Woman." He'll guest-star in a five episode arc and play (per the press release) a "mysterious person who is brought into the enigmatic scientific organization that is responsible for creating the bionics..."

"The Apprentice:" The low-rated nearly forgotten former Pillar of Thursday will return mid-season in an all-celebrity edition. (Paris, call your agent, if you've got one...) Silgrab didn't give a lot of details except to say that celebs will come from areas like sports, and the like, and that winnings go to charity. They also said they'd be very pleased to have appear a certain former co-host of "The View" named...

Rosie O'Donnell: Yes! Rosie doesn't even have to be here (she's not) and she can still make news. Silgrab said - almost in unison, it seemed - that they'd LOVE to see her on the celebrity edition, and that they've "had conversations" with her - as have the other nets - about a range of ideas, including a primetime vehicle. The discussions were described as "general." Translation: Nothing imminent and Ro wants too much money.

Norman Lear: Yes, Silgrab reached waaay back to the prehistoric past of network TV to sign up King Lear for a new show, described as an hour-long dramedy based (per presser) "on a single mother's battle of the sexes on Wall Street." King Lear won't actually write, per se, but will mostly consult, etc. Show is described as a "dramedy series based on single mother's battle of the sexes on Wall Street..." No details on casting, though Silgrab said they were looking for an a-list talent actor/actress.

Jay Leno: "We LOVE Jay Leno," said Silgrab (definitely in unison) several times, when asked about Mr. Tonight Show. Yeah, there's been much press speculation (fueled doubtless by the Chinned One himself) that he's unhappy that he'll be dumped off the show that he lives for in a couple of years for Conan. Silverman: "We're actively trying to come up with ideas that will make him [Jay] happy." Graboff: "Primetime is definitely an alternative, yes - something we're talking about. There are a whole number of ideas." But Silgrab added in no uncertain terms: Conan O will take over "Tonight" as planned.

"The Singing Bee:" And...the little show where people sing out of tune got a berth on the fall schedule. It'll lead out of a 90-minute "Biggest Loser" block on Tuesdays.