Television News

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "American Idol" appears on course for a wholesale make-over after the abrupt departure of Ellen DeGeneres left the aging singing contest with two holes to fill as it seeks to retain its crown as the most-watched show on U.S. television. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Former "Fly Girl" Jennifer Lopez is poised to return to television — this time as a judge on "American Idol." Full Story »

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - As the lead singer of Twisted Sister, the costumed makeup-wearing heavy metal band, Dee Snider has spent most of his 34 years as a rock star all fired up. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Having set the bar high with "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad," AMC introduces its third original series on Sunday. Full Story »

WASHINGTON - It isn't much of a stretch for Jill Biden when she takes an acting turn in an episode of Lifetime network's "Army Wives." Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The trailer for Showtime's "The Big C" makes the show look just about as appealing as a comedy about a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer is likely to be. Full Story »

Jon Hamm of TV's "Mad Men," Patricia Kalember of "Sisters," Tony Award nominee John Ellison Conlee of The Full Monty, Ken Olin of "thirtysomething" and Megan McGinnis of Broadway's Little Women are among performers helping new dramatic works grow in Poughkeepsie, NY, July 29-Aug. 1. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Carnie Wilson wants some extra money for the hours spent toiling on her new reality show. The Wilson Phillips songstress on Thursday sued Game Show Network seeking $277,500 in additional pay for her services on the unfortunately titled GSN series "Unstapled." Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Everybody Loves Raymond" veteran Doris Roberts is starring in the Hallmark Channel original movie "Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle," a sequel to last year's top-rated "Mrs. Miracle." Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Back Stage) - Jared Harris has played a mad scientist ("Fringe"), a salty sea captain ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), and Andy Warhol ("I Shot Andy Warhol"). Full Story »

WASHINGTON - Actor Andy Griffith has a new role: pitching President Barack Obama's health care law to seniors in a cable television ad paid for by Medicare. Full Story »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama tried to revive his common touch on Thursday with a mainly light-hearted appearance on daytime television where five women hosts grilled him about his Blackberry, Lindsay Lohan and the Afghan war. Full Story »

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Gabourey Sidibe (GA'-buh-ray SIH'-dee-bay) is pinching herself over her unexpected life, which includes an Oscar nomination and a new TV series. Full Story »

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he didn't make the guest list for Chelsea Clinton's wedding. Full Story »

RICHMOND, Va. - Convicted DC sniper Lee Boyd Malvo tells actor William Shatner on a cable TV special that he and his partner tried to recruit fellow shooters for their 2002 spree and that his accomplice killed one man for backing out, according to the program set for airing Thursday. Full Story »

NEW YORK - Former "Friends" star Lisa Kudrow is making herself laugh. Full Story »

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Sara Gilbert, producer and co-host of the new CBS daytime show "The Talk," said she will share her life as a lesbian partner and mom on the air when it seems right. Full Story »

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Matt LeBlanc is heading back to TV after a four-year absence, playing a version of his old "Friends" character in a satire on U.S. network television. Full Story »