Dick Wolf and Mark Burnett team up for new NBC reality series

Two of TV's elite producers — Dick Wolf and Mark Burnett — are joining forces for a new NBC reality show revolving around military veterans and active-duty servicemen and servicewomen training celebrities.

Wolf ("Law & Order," "Law & Order: SVU") and Burnett ("Survivor," "The Voice"), will be executive producers of the show, which has the working title "Stars Earn Stripes."

In the series, nine celebrities will gather at a top-notch, secret training facility. Each will be paired with a trainer assigned to prepare his or her celebrity for the weekly challenge. Those challenges will be adapted from real exercises drawn from all five branches of the armed services, as well as joint ops and Special Forces.

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— Greg Braxton

Photo: Dick Wolf. Credit: Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times

Taiwanese animators give McDonald's Channel something to chew on

The McDonald's Channel, the digital network offering exclusive programming for dine-in customers at the global fast-food chain, is not fully up and running yet in Southern and Central California, but the Taiwanese animators who have parodied Tiger Woods and Charlie Sheen already have a few satirical ideas about what the channel should show "if it were being honest."

McDonald's honchos may not find the short computer-animated video by Next Media Animation very amusing -- one scene shows a man munching a hamburger in a hospital bed, and he suddenly suffers a heart attack. 

The channel, which will officially launch early next year, is scheduled to show a variety of programming provided by several producers, including Mark Burnett ("Survivor"), BBC America and KABC Eyewitness News.

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-- Greg Braxton

Photo: A still from the a computer-animated video by Next Media Animation.

'Boardwalk Empire' scores big at Creative Arts Emmys

Someone get Nucky Johnson a stiff drink: HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” reigned supreme at this year’s Creative Arts Emmys.

The period drama -- set in 1920 Atlantic City as the dawn of Prohibition begins to shift the landscape for mobsters, politicians and the like -- received seven awards, including casting for a drama and cinematography for a drama, during Saturday’s ceremony, which was held at the Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.

"Boardwalk's" big night helped its home base, HBO, in nabbing a total of 15 trophies, including three for "Mildred Pierce."

Held before next week’s Primetime Emmy Awards, the majority of statuettes are presented during the Creative Arts ceremony -- with technical categories the primary focus, and guest actors and reality recognitions also awarded.

PHOTOS: Creative Arts Emmys red carpet

Reality series "Deadliest Catch," which airs on Discovery Channel, held its own, taking home four trophies, including noncompetition reality program. And veteran "Survivor" host Jeff Probst earned his fourth win as reality host.

Stars with multi-talents also proved to be advantageous: Gwyneth Paltrow was awarded guest actress for her three-episode arc on Fox’s comedy "Glee" and singer-turned-actor Justin Timberlake scored a double Emmy win for guest actor in a comedy series and one for original music and lyrics or his "Justin Timberlake monologue" -- both related to his hosting duties on "Saturday Night Live." The late-night sketch show has been fruitful for the "Social Network" star, who took home outstanding original music lyrics for "D**k in a Box" in 2007.

Other winners included "Glee" for comedy casting and "The Walking Dead" for prosthetic makeup. In addition, "Futurama" was crowned top animated series while the "64th Annual Tony Awards" won in the special class category.

Second to HBO, PBS scored 10 wins, including costumes for a miniseries, movie or special ("Downton Abbey") and writing for nonfiction programming ("Freedom Writers").

The Creative Arts Emmys will air Sept. 17 on Reelz.  

Emmys in the remaining 25 categories will be presented during the 2011 Primetime Emmy Awards telecast Sept. 18 on Fox. 

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Photo: Steve Buscemi as Enoch "Nucky" Thompson in HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." Credit: HBO

Cast for 'The Amazing Race' Season 19 announced

This post has been corrected. See note at the bottom for details.

Southern California mariner Zac Sunderland, the youngest person to ever sail around the world alone, will be among the participants when the 19th season of CBS' "The Amazing Race" premieres Sept. 25.

The 19-year-old Sunderland, who was 17 when he completed his 13-month quest to sail around the world alone in 2009, will be paired with his father, yacht manager Laurence Sunderland. That's the Thousand Oaks duo on the top row, far left, in the photo above.

The show will spotlight 11 new teams racing around the globe, including first-time visits to Indonesia, Malawi, Belgium and Denmark. The teams will travel through four continents and 20 cities and cover nearly 40,000 miles.

One team will feature Andy Finch and Tommy Czeschin, who are Olympic snowboarders. Former NFL player and coach Marcus Pollard will be paired with his wife and business owner Amani Pollard. 'Survivor' winners Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca will comprise another team.

[For the Record, 5:26 p.m. Aug. 31: Earlier versions of this post conflated the number of years and seasons that “The Amazing Race” has been on television. The cycle of shows beginning Sept. 25 will be the 19th season of the series, which is marking 10 years since it debuted.]

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Photo: Cast of "The Amazing Race." Credit: CBS

CBS releases fall premiere dates

Viewers waiting to see how Charlie Harper’s (Charlie Sheen) absence will be explained on “Two and a Half Men,” mark your calendars: The big reveal will come Sept. 19.  CBS released its fall premiere dates Wednesday, and its beleaguered comedy will finally make its comeback with new cast member Ashton Kutcher.

But they're not the only ones. The network is ushering in the fall season with new shows and double doses of some of its big comedies — “How I Met Your Mother” and “The Big Bang Theory” will air back-to-back episodes.

Making its debut Sept. 19 with “Two and a Half Men” as a springboard is female buddy comedy “2 Broke Girls” before it settles into its regular time slot on Mondays at 8:30 p.m.  New drama “Person of Interest” will likely benefit from  its “The Big Bang Theory”  lead-in on Sept. 22

“Unforgettable” will premiere Tuesday, Sept. 20, after “NCIS: Los Angeles,” and “A Gifted Man” kicks off the night of Friday dramas — “CSI: NY” and “Blue Bloods” — on  Sept. 23.

One of the shows not partaking in the Sept. 19-25 premiere week  is “Survivor: South Pacific." The longrunning competition series will make its comeback Sept. 14, getting a one-week head start on Fox's "The X Factor," which launches its two-night premiere Sept. 21. "Mike & Molly" will make its sophomore return in its old time slot (Mondays at 9:30) on Sept. 26. And  newbie comedy "How to be a Gentleman" will premiere Sept. 29 after "The Big Bang Theory."

The full list of CBS premiere dates after the jump

Jeff Probst to host a talk show on CBS

Oprah. Oprah. Oprah. You leave the land of daytime TV and all the wannabe talk-show hosts come out from hiding! (Anderson Cooper, we’re looking at you. You, too,  Bethenny Frankel.)

Now comes word that "Survivor" host Jeff Probst has signed on to host a one-hour daytime talk show on CBS that will premiere in fall 2012.

“I’m fascinated with human nature and thrilled that this show will allow me the opportunity to connect with real people and explore their stories on a personal level,” Probst said in a statement. “As I continue with "Survivor," I am excited to extend my relationship with CBS with this new adventure in the world of daytime.”

The three-time Emmy winner will cover everything from newsmakers to individuals confronting challenges on the new show.  And though he's made a name for himself as host of the long-running CBS competition series, Probst isn't totally green to the talk show scene -- he's subbed for Larry King on “Larry King Live” and Regis Philbin on “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

But will that leave time for his hosting duties on “Survivor” or will he leave the island?

Show Trackers, what do you think of Probst as talk-show host?

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Photo: TV host Jeff Probst attends Malaria No More's "Hollywood Bites Back!" event at Club Nokia at L.A. Live on April 16, 2011 in Los Angeles. Credit:  David Livingston / Getty Images

Mark Burnett brings 'The Bible' to the History channel

Behold, the man who brought you "Survivor," "The Voice," and "Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" has found religion: executive producer Mark Burnett is bringing the new docudrama "The Bible" to the History channel, the network announced Tuesday. The five-part, 10-hour series will cover the Good Book from Genesis to Revelation, using CGI to re-create famous stories including Noah's Ark and the Resurrection of Jesus. Also, he'll pit the Bible's most famous characters against each other to see who can walk on water faster and who can sing Lady Gaga songs best.

Only kidding about that last part. But maybe it's no coincidence that so many "Survivor" contestants claimed to have Jesus watching over them this season. We're pretty sure Jesus is more of a "Voice" fan, but we'd love to see Jeff Probst snuff out Sodom and Gomorrah's torch, declaring, "Your tribe has spoken."

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'Survivor' post-game: Matt Elrod talks about 'Avatar'-like swims

-- Melissa Maerz

Photo: King James Bibles. Credit: Azusa Pacific University

'Survivor' post-game: Matt Elrod talks about 'Avatar'-like swims and possibly returning to the game

He's admitted that the game was "far more difficult" than he expected it to be, but that doesn't mean that Matt Elrod didn't give it his all on "Survivor: Redemption Island."

To recap his crazy journey, Matt was the second person voted out of the game, but he survived over at Redemption Island long enough to return to the game when the tribes merged. But his blind faith got him sent right back, and although he lasted until the final RI duel of the season, he fell to both Mike and Andrea. Still, a castaway voted out in the second episode wasn't completely out of it until the finale.

I emailed Matt some questions on what his experience was like, given that he was by himself for a lot of the time, and what he plans to do now.

Were you always as outspoken with your faith? Besides submitting to God's will, what were the most memorable lessons you took away from the experience?

I mentioned this in the finale, but following your heart doesn't mean it's necessary to ignore reason and logic. If I hadn't blindly followed much of what I felt, it could have been a different game.

Most reality TV participants have funny, interesting stories about all the stuff that didn't air. You were by your lonesome for most of your game, but what unseen memories do you have that you're willing to share?

One night, Mike and myself looked out and saw the ocean lit up with phosphorescence.  Neither of us had ever seen it so bright, so we swam in it, and it was like "Avatar"! I was surrounded by neon blue water that almost looked like I was on fire with it while swimming. That was easily the most visually stunning thing I have experienced.

'Survivor' post-game: Phillip talks insanity, Natalie defends her strategy

They’re this season’s “Survivor” runner-ups, but did anyone think they really had a chance at besting Boston Rob? They certainly did.

Phillip Sheppard and Natalie Tenerelli, both living in Southern California, outwit, outplayed and outlasted 15 other castaways, placing second and third, respectively (second place on “Survivor” still gets you $100,000, while third and every rank down from there gets an unreleased amount that drops with each position). A lot of fans have been vocal about Phillip and Natalie having played horribly, and I’ve said my piece before, but the two players shared their side during a joint conference call with me.

Phillip has said before how he had a perfect strategy going into the game that had to be completely reworked once he saw Boston Rob get off of the helicopter. He backed off of it being perfect, but illustrated said plan for me.

“It was having a better understanding of ‘Survivor’ by someone who’d never really been into it, playing with others who hadn’t either,” Phillip said. He read executive producer Mark Burnett’s book, “Survivor” fan books, everything he could devour, all while reflecting on his growing up in the outdoors, in the Army.

'Survivor' post-game: Rob elaborates on his difficult path to victory

Have you had your fill of “Survivor” post-show interviews yet? No? Good, because I’ve got plenty on the way.

“Boston Rob” Mariano did what seemed so unlikely at first: He won “Survivor: Redemption Island.” I thought everyone would wise up at some point and vote him out like they did the other veteran, hated Russell Hantz.

On the reunion show Sunday night and in other interviews, Rob maintained that it wasn’t as easy as it looked. So during his conference call Monday afternoon, I asked him what in particular, besides the immunity challenges that almost made him pass out, was hard.

“It wasn’t really the physical aspect,” he said. “It never has been for me. And having done it more and more over the years, it’s gotten easier because you know what to expect. The difficult part was the constant checking on the strategizing. ... I’d give them a tidbit that had no impact on the game whatsoever –- the sun’s rising in the east today –- and time and time again, they came back to me with critical information.”

'Survivor' reunion recap: Love! Valor! Resentment!

There wasn’t a lot of earth-shattering information revealed in this season’s “Survivor” reunion, but it was par for the course. Boston Rob, the winner, reviewed his strategy, which we’d all followed for the last few months. It may be hard, but remember when just the thought of Rob going all the way, let alone getting any jury votes or winning, seemed absolutely ridiculous?

That was a neat strategy for the returning player. The fact that enough of his competition bought it and failed to gather the gumption to stop it made it awesome. Rob’s victory was made even more impressive after Ashley revealed that he told her and Natalie that he had the immunity idol. They never thought to try to flush it out before it was too late?

She went on to say that, when Andrea returned from Redemption Island, that was “a pivotal moment” when they more seriously considered flipping on Rob. But Natalie said they couldn’t, because they knew he had the idol, and it being the last time he could use it, he would.

But wait! What’s that I hear? It’s Rob’s kids interrupting the proceedings, and host Jeff Probst acknowledging them and not-so-subtly telling Rob’s wife, Amber, to get them out of there.

'Survivor' recap: And the winner of 'Survivor' is ... Boston Rob

Even with me putting off writing down the winner of this season’s “Survivor,” it should be more than obvious who did. There was nothing the others could do -- besides, you know, kicking butt when it mattered -- and as predictable the outcome was, it wasn’t undeserved.

I mean, you can have a season like the last one, where anyone can win in the end, but most of you loathed Nicaragua. We can’t say the producers responded to that, since this season and the last were both taped last summer, but there were a bunch of great elements together. Two former players, in two separate tribes, treated in two completely different ways, plus a big twist to the game.

But look at me, I’m blabbing on like a jury member who doesn’t care to hear what you have to say. Let’s recount the evidence and go over the verdict.