'Californication' gets a greenlight for season 3

Hank Moody will live to be restless another day.

Showtime has renewed the comedy "Californication," starring David Duchovny as a novelist with a weakness for "sex, drugs and rock 'n roll," for a third season.

Production on 12 new episodes will begin in the spring for a premiere in late 2009. Tom Kapinos executive produces.

"This unapologetic show, about a group of characters led by the inimitable David Duchovny, has quickly established itself as one of our signature comedy series," said Showtime programming president Robert Greenblatt. "Beneath its veneer of debauchery, however, is a complex take on love and adult relationships that surprisingly turns poetic and romantic just when you least expect it. "

Duchovny chimed in: "We [who work on the series] all have such creative freedom and support, it's been a peak experience, and I am so happy to be doing the show."

The second season finale airs Dec. 14.

-- Denise Martin

Related:
Complete "Californication" coverage.

Photo credit: Showtime

Updated: CNN lets go of Miles O'Brien after 16 years

Veteran CNN anchor and reporter Miles O’Brien, who led network’s coverage of space and aviation, is being let go after a 16-year tenure at the cable news channel.

His departure, confirmed by CNN today, comes as part of an effort to consolidate the network’s science and technology reporting into its Planet in Peril franchise, produced out of the “Anderson Cooper 360” show. Along with O’Brien, who served as CNN’s chief technology and environment correspondent, six producers who work in the science, environment and technology unit in Atlanta are leaving CNN.

“We want to integrate environmental, science and technology reporting into the general editorial structure rather than have a standalone unit,” said CNN spokeswoman Barbara Levin.

O’Brien, a skilled pilot, was CNN’s point person for coverage of aviation disasters and NASA. He also sought to be the first journalist in space, securing a deal with NASA that would have allowed him to fly on the space shuttle. The plan was scuttled, however, after the 2003 crash of the Columbia shuttle.

UPDATE: In a statement, the network said that O'Brien "has made many contributions to CNN over the years. He is a terrific reporter and we wish him all the best."

CNN also released a statement from O'Brien:

In television news, a nearly 17-year stint at one shop is more than just a good run -- it is an epoch. I can honestly say I have loved every minute of my time at CNN (well, maybe not the 2:45 AM alarm bell when I was anchoring "American Morning"). It has been my privilege to be surrounded by the most talented, dedicated and creative people in the business. Collaborating with them -- sharing many great adventures -- is what I will miss the most, but I leave with great memories and great friendships intact. I see a lot of exciting opportunities and I look forward to exploring what is on the horizon -- which, after all, has been my mission at CNN all these years.

-- Matea Gold

NBC close to announcing David Gregory as the next moderator of 'Meet the Press"

NBC executives appear to have settled on David Gregory to be the permanent successor to the late Tim Russert on the Sunday morning powerhouse “Meet the Press,” according to a source familiar with internal discussions.

During a period of intense deliberations in the last few weeks, the network considered various internal and external candidates, and even contemplated bringing in multiple anchors to moderate the 61-year-old program.

But in recent days, executives indicated that they are going with Gregory, according to the source, who declined to be named because of the sensitive nature of the discussions.

The chief White House correspondent has long been considered one of the top candidates for the post. It's unclear whether NBC will also name a permanent panel for the show that would include others who were on the short list, such as political director Chuck Todd, chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell or PBS anchor Gwen Ifill.

NBC officials declined to confirm Gregory’s selection, first reported Monday by the Huffington Post.

“We have nothing to announce,” said spokeswoman Allison Gollust.

But official word could come by Sunday, when interim moderator Tom Brokaw is expected to end his run on the program.

The decision about how to replace Russert, an outsized presence at the network, fell to NBC Universal Chief Executive Jeff Zucker and NBC News President Steve Capus. One of the factors that apparently influenced their decision was the concern that with few other plum jobs to offer Gregory, he could end up leaving the network. The 38-year-old, seen as one of NBC’s strongest talents, has frequently substituted for co-host Matt Lauer on “Today” and would be a desirable catch for the other morning shows.

The choice of Gregory effectively hands off “Meet the Press” to a new generation, a move that could ensure the program’s stability for years to come. But tapping the young political correspondent to follow veterans like Russert and Brokaw could also up-end the Sunday morning show competition, which has been dominated by the NBC program for the last decade.

It remains to be seen whether viewers will embrace Gregory, known for engaging in often contentious debates with White House officials. The lanky reporter, with his trademark shock of prematurely grey hair, drew both praise and criticism for his coverage of the Bush administration. While some viewers applauded his tough questioning, others complained he was peacocking for the cameras.

Gregory has racked up substantial experience in his 13 years with NBC News. He covered the 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns and traveled around the world with President Bush. He also reported on the O.J. Simpson trials, the impeachment of President Clinton and the death of Pope John Paul II.

A Los Angeles native, he will inherit the moderator seat at a time when “Meet the Press” has been riding high. During the recently concluded November sweeps period, the show averaged 4.49 million viewers, its best performance in four years, far outstripping ABC’s “This Week,” CBS’ “Face the Nation” and “Fox News Sunday.” With Brokaw at the helm, the program claimed major exclusives during this year’s presidential campaign, including a high-profile interview with former Secretary of State Colin Powell in which he endorsed Barack Obama. The president-elect himself is set to appear on the program this Sunday.

-- Matea Gold

(Photo courtesy NBC)

Huff Post reports David Gregory is the next 'Meet the Press' moderator

Speculation about who will be the next moderator of “Meet the Press” ratcheted up another level today as the Huffington Post reported that the job was going to NBC chief White House correspondent David Gregory, while the network maintained no announcement was imminent.

“We have nothing to announce,” said NBC News spokeswoman Allison Gollust.

The website, which did not cite the sources for its report, said that interim moderator Tom Brokaw will end his run on the program Sunday, when he interviews President-elect Barack Obama.

The Times reported last week that Brokaw’s last show would likely be Sunday because NBC executives were close to naming a permanent successor to longtime moderator Tim Russert, who died in June. 

Gregory has long been considered a front-runner for the post. A longtime political reporter, he became known for his dogged questioning of press officials while covering the Bush White House. The 38-year-old has a high profile at the network, serving as substitute for Matt Lauer on “Today” and guest moderating “Meet the Press.” Since March, he has had his own daily show on MSNBC, now called “1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.”

-- Matea Gold

(Photo courtesy Getty Images)

Ted Koppel leaves Discovery Channel before his contract is up

Veteran newsman Ted Koppel is leaving his perch at the Discovery Channel six months before his contract is due to expire in May, the network announced today. Discovery called his departure “amicable.”

Koppel, who joined the channel in 2006 to produce long-form news programs, said that new senior management at Discovery had less interest in the kinds of projects he was brought aboard to do.

“Producing our kind of news-related programs is an expensive proposition,” he said in a statement. “It has long been clear that neither of us is interested in an extension of the current contract. Discovery and I worked on terminating the contract a few months early under terms that both sides found acceptable. We leave with gratitude for the professional opportunities we've been given and for the generosity with which we've been treated."

Koppel did not immediately announce his future plans. While at Discovery, the longtime ABC anchor produced 15 hours of programming on a range of topics, including a four-hour series on China and a documentary and town hall meeting called “Living With Cancer,” inspired by his former executive producer Leroy Sievers, who died this summer after a three-year battle with cancer.   

“Ted and his dedicated team have delivered remarkable, in-depth and unflinching portraits of issues affecting our lives and our planet -- and for that we are proud and grateful," John Ford, president of Discovery Channel, said in a statement. "Ted and his colleagues are gifted storytellers who raise the journalistic bar for our entire industry. They will be missed at Discovery and we wish them the best in the future."

-- Matea Gold

(Photo by Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times)

After 12 years, Alan Colmes ends the Hannity-Colmes 'marriage'

Alan Colmes, who served as Sean Hannity’s liberal counterweight on their long-running Fox News program, announced today that he’s leaving at the end of the year.

The co-host of “Hannity and Colmes” said that after 12 years he’s ready for a new challenge. He will continue to serve as a commentator on Fox News and is developing a weekend program for the network.

“Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years,” Colmes said.

Hannity called Colmes “a remarkable co-host” and “a great friend,” adding: “I’ll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner.”

Executives have not yet decided how to replace him on the program. “Hannity & Colmes” is the second most-watched cable news show after “The O’Reilly Factor” and has been a fixture on the network since it launched in 1996.

“Alan is one of the key reasons why Fox News has been such a remarkable success,” said Chief Executive Roger Ailes. “We’re sad to see him leave the program, but we look forward to his ongoing contributions to the network.”

—Matea Gold

David Letterman's do-over interview with Katie Couric

Dave Letterman goofed. The CBS late-night comedian admitted on Thursday's "Late Show" that when he had Katie Couric on the program Wednesday, he had failed to ask the anchor about the much-chattered-about incident in September when Sen. John McCain stood Letterman up to race back to Washington deal with the financial crisis, only to appear on the “CBS Evening News” with Couric.

Letterman said he realized his mistake when he read a column in the New York Post scolding him for not raising the issue with Couric.

“Oh my God, he’s right,” the comedian said. “He’s absolutely right. I completely screwed that up.”

So Letterman got Couric on the phone to discuss exactly what went down.

“I read this article and I said, I’m the dumbest man alive,” he told her. “And you know, one more of these and I’m going to lose my talk show license.”

“You know, Dave, I was all prepped to chat with you about this,” she responded. “And you had like a brain synapse misfiring or something.”

Couric said she had no idea that McCain was supposed to appear on Letterman’s show until “you apparently had a little cow on the air.”

Watch the full exchange below.

-- Matea Gold

First Look: MTV's 'Britney: For the record'

Three months ago, filming began on a Britney Spears documentary in which she would open up about the troubles surrounding her celebrity, her failed marriage to Kevin Federline and the rebuilding of her career as a lead-up to the release of her upcoming album "Circus." The project was finished last week.

MTV along with Spears' longtime manager Larry Rudolph screened half an hour of footage from the special for the press Thursday night in Santa Monica. It's no "Chaotic."

The first scene took place on the day Spears' latest comeback began, the day she'd take home a trio of her first-ever VMA awards. That morning her dad, Jamie Spears, prepared her favorite breakfast, Velveeta cheese grits.

At one point, Spears is asked by the filmmaker if she thinks her life is weird. "Do I think my life is weird? (Laughs) It's all I've ever known. I don't see it as weird."

But at all hours the star is shown flanked by her team, which includes Rudolph, her father, another manager, her personal assistant, bodyguards and any number of various hangers-on. She entertains her entourage by doing impressions of her dad, and gets pumped while recording tracks for her album and shooting a music video.

Most of the time, however, Spears is shown looking sullen, quiet, even disconnected. On the way to the VMAs, she's concerned about whether MTV will show footage of last year's botched comeback (the network did not). She reveals to the filmmaker that her trust has been "battered" and that she's "grown up big time." Tears well up in her eyes when she talks about how feeling lonely led to poor decisions with major consequences. "I'm sad," she says finally before bursting into tears.

If the past two years revealed Britney as a star who had lost her footing, MTV’s documentary shows Spears as a mother of two working to find her way -- even while she talks about wanting a different life. Rudolph explained to us why she continues to pursue a career in the spotlight:

ABC delivers 'Pushing Daisies,' 'Dirty Sexy Money' and 'Eli Stone' bad news softly

It's a given: breaking up is hard to do, especially when it's not mutual.

But does it have to be this complicated? It's been one wacky afternoon in TV Land. ABC President of Entertainment Steve McPherson has been busy calling the executive producers of "Pushing Daisies," "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Eli Stone" to let them down gently about their shows coming to an end.

Except that McPherson didn't use the crass "You're canceled" terms and instead talked in soft, loving terms about his appreciation for the shows, despite the fact that he was not ordering more episodes. Other ABC officials said the door was left open for a possible reconciliation, but the producers clearly interpreted the conversations differently.

"He was very complimentary and thanked everyone for putting their first foot forward," "Daisies" creator Bryan Fuller said. "He never said we're canceled but that was the gist of it. He said they're proud of the show and not ordering episodes at this time. I could read between the lines and interpret that the door could be open in the future but I think that the gist of that is that we weren't going to be moving forward on ABC."

Greg Berlanti, who produces "Eli Stone" and "Dirty Sexy Money," who was not at the meeting, must have read his conversation with McPherson the same way because two other producers gathered the cast and crew to let them know they will need to find other jobs.  It was not clear if Berlanti, who could not be reached for comment immediately, had also informed the cast and crew of "Dirty Sexy Money."

ABC plans to run the 13 produced episodes of each series.

"No absolute finality was given but stranger things have happened because you see what happened with 'Jericho,'" Fuller said. (The CBS show was canceled after its first season and then renewed when fans bombarded CBS with peanuts as a sign of support. It was canceled again after its second season.)

Fuller acknowledge that everyone who worked on the show will begin looking for new jobs, which would make it hard for the "door to stay open." He already has his next gig lined up: returning to "Heroes," where he worked as a writer in the NBC show's first season. He also has begun thinking about turning his sweet fairy tale into a movie.

"It's hard not to be disappointed but I'm walking away with a stronger feeling of pride and gratitude," Fuller said.

--Maria Elena Fernandez

THIS JUST IN: An employee of "Dirty Sexy Money" has confirmed the show also will shut down after production is complete on its 13 episodes.

ABC cancels 'Eli Stone,' slates 'Scrubs' for Jan., shuffles schedule

The executive producers of ABC's "Eli Stone" had the sad task Thursday afternoon of informing the cast and crew that the show will not go on.

Executive producers Marc Guggenheim and David Petrarca gathered actors and crew members to let them know that they had been notified by ABC that the show will not continue. Production will end when it completes the network's 13-episode order, according to a source who attended the meeting.

The drama, which stars Jonny Lee Miller, joins the ranks of "My Own Worst Enemy," which NBC canceled last week. The networks are in the process of finalizing their midseason lineups after a very difficult fall.

An ABC spokesperson said the network could not confirm if the meeting between producers and the show's cast and crew had taken place or what producers had stated.

ABC officials also would not comment on the fate of "Dirty Sexy Money," which Greg Berlanti also produces. The dramedy, starring Peter Krause, has suffered from low ratings all season and is not expected to survive. Berlanti could not immediately be reached for comment.

Even though ABC was not willing to discuss shows it is removing from its schedule, executives offered some news in the way of additions.

"Scrubs," which ABC bought after NBC canceled it during what was supposed to be its last season, will premiere with back-to-back episodes on Jan. 6 and  Jan. 13 from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Then it will settle into its 9 pm slot on Jan. 20.

"Life on Mars" will move to Wednesday nights on Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. in the slot after "Lost." "Private Practice," will move to Thursdays beginning Jan. 8 at 10 p.m., airing after the show that gave it its life, "Grey's Anatomy."

--Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: ABC

Katie Couric takes YouTube viewers behind the scenes at Letterman

Katie Couric has posted another video to her YouTube channel: a glimpse of her preparations behind-the-scenes before she went on the "Late Show with David Letterman" Wednesday. Watch as the CBS anchor introduces her "posse" and practices her walk on stage:

Updated: Fox News chief Roger Ailes signs on for 5 more years, saying 'life is good'

Roger Ailes, the savvy and hard-charging television executive who transformed the Fox News Channel from an upstart enterprise to the top-rated cable news network, sealed a deal Wednesday to remain in his post for five more years.

Ailes’ new contract extends the key role he plays in News Corp. as chief executive of Fox News and chairman of the Fox Television Stations.

“Roger has done a remarkable job building Fox News into a force in journalism,” News Corp. Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch said in a statement.

Ailes is also in charge of the Fox Business Network, My Network TV and 20th Television.
In an interview, he said one of his top goals for the next five years is “to keep Fox News Channel No. 1.”

“I’ve got to build the business channel into a competitive force,” he added. “And at some point the advertising will come back on the station side. There’s plenty of work to do.”

Since 2002, Fox News has held the title of the most-watched cable news network, though CNN enjoyed some key rating victories during this year’s presidential campaign, including on election night.

“Democrats tend to go over there and watch,” Ailes said, then he paid his rival a rare compliment, noting its high-tech set: “I think CNN did a good job also. They bought enough equipment to outfit all the movie theaters in America.”

Still, he said he was confident that Fox News, sometimes criticized for having conservative commentators, would fare well in an Obama administration. While all the cable networks saw large audience dropoffs in the week after the election, Fox News retained 70% of its prime-time viewers while CNN held on to 42% and MSNBC kept 60%.

“If we keep doing what we’re doing, which is tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may, I think we’re going to be fine,” he said.