http://www.newser.com/2008 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorThu, 28 Aug 2008 7:41:02 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/36000/phelps-to-kick-off-snl-opener.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSuper swimmer Michael Phelps will be trying his hand at making comedy gold as host of the season premier of Saturday Night Live , E! Online reports. The 23-year-old Olympic champ will be making his acting debut when the program's 34th season kicks off September 13. The swimmer will be joined by musical guest Lil' Wayne.http://www.newser.com/story/36000/phelps-to-kick-off-snl-opener.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThu, 28 Aug 2008 1:35:54 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35800/judge-dioguardi-is-just-what-idol-needs.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe addition of hit songwriter-producer Kara DioGuardi as a fourth judge on American Idol is a much better fix for flagging ratings than simply sending irrelevant judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson packing, writes Andy Dehnart for MSNBC. While guest judges in the past haven't had much effect, DioGuardi will bring youth and relevancy to an aging and increasingly pedestrian panel, he predicts.http://www.newser.com/story/35800/judge-dioguardi-is-just-what-idol-needs.html?refid=rss_all_defaultTue, 26 Aug 2008 2:17:42 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35768/bass-braxton-join-dancing-with-the-stars.html?refid=rss_all_defaultDancing With the Stars ' seventh season will be a record-breaker, ABC News reports. Thirteen celebrities will vie for victory, including the show’s youngest- and oldest-ever contestants. A few more familiar faces to expect: Lance Bass: The former 'N Sync heartthrob and wannabe astronaut’s dancing experience should give him an edge over the competition. Toni Braxton: This Grammy-Award winning legend boasts the second-biggest song in history from a female artist, “Un-Break My Heart.” Susan Lucci: The soap star is finally making the move to prime time—but will her moves make the grade?http://www.newser.com/story/35768/bass-braxton-join-dancing-with-the-stars.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 25 Aug 2008 14:45:13 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35747/american-idol-adds-fourth-judge.html?refid=rss_all_defaultAmerican Idol is getting a fourth judge this season, marking what the New York Post calls the biggest change TV’s top show has ever undergone. Songwriter Kara DioGuardi will join Simon, Paula, and Randy, in a move producers say they always intended. All of Idol’ s international counterparts feature four judges. “Having a fourth judge creates a dynamic that benefits both the contestants and viewers,” said the executive producer.http://www.newser.com/story/35747/american-idol-adds-fourth-judge.html?refid=rss_all_defaultMon, 25 Aug 2008 10:38:12 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35629/wire-s-snoop-released-from-jail-after-arrest.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThe Wire actress Felicia “Snoop” Pearson was briefly detained this week by Baltimore police in connection with a murder trial, the Baltimore Sun reports. Pearson, who herself served time for second-degree murder as a juvenile, is thought to have witnessed a knife attack that left one man dead in 2005. Though she previously cooperated with prosecutors, they had not been able to locate or communicate with the potential witness since April.http://www.newser.com/story/35629/wire-s-snoop-released-from-jail-after-arrest.html?refid=rss_all_defaultSat, 23 Aug 2008 11:07:23 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35502/the-office-jinx-strikes-again.html?refid=rss_all_defaultDo The Rocker 's poor reviews and sagging ticket sales prove there's an Office curse? Office stars can't replicate that show's success on the big screen, Dan Kois writes in New York , and the evidence backs him up: After The 40-Year-Old Virgin , Steve Carell starred in a series of mostly forgettable flops, and his co-stars haven't fared any better.http://www.newser.com/story/35502/the-office-jinx-strikes-again.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 22 Aug 2008 10:40:35 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35538/at-840m-viewers-china-tv-wins-global-attention.html?refid=rss_all_defaultThis year's Olympic opening ceremonies, perhaps the most watched television event in history, were a huge programming coup for CCTV, one of the main propaganda conduits for the Chinese government. CCTV has a larger audience than every major TV station in the US and Europe combined, writes the New York Times . And global companies seeking Chinese customers are beginning to take notice.http://www.newser.com/story/35538/at-840m-viewers-china-tv-wins-global-attention.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 22 Aug 2008 5:56:33 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35520/maddow-helps-msnbc-make-left-turn.html?refid=rss_all_defaultRachel Maddow's promotion to prime-time at MSNBC more clearly draws the partisan lines among the cable networks, writes Brian Stelter of the New York Times : MSNBC on the left, Fox on the right, and CNN claiming middle ground. Now the big question: Will the Maddow move translate into more ads? It seems likely. Viewers seems drawn to outspoken views, and, in fact, Fox now brings in more ad revenue than CNN. MSNBC is in a distant third.http://www.newser.com/story/35520/maddow-helps-msnbc-make-left-turn.html?refid=rss_all_defaultFri, 22 Aug 2008 1:42:35 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/35355/nbcs-olympic-ratings-gold.html?refid=rss_all_defaultNBC’s Olympic coverage smashed the competition last week, in what Variety suggests could be the most decisive rout in television history. Viewership was buoyed by Michael Phelps’ record-breaking gold-medal performance Saturday; in addition, NBC’s various networks reached a staggering 83% of the US. The margins were the biggest in Nielsen ratings history.http://www.newser.com/story/35355/nbcs-olympic-ratings-gold.html?refid=rss_all_defaultWed, 20 Aug 2008 12:00:54 CDT