TLC claims ‘Miss America’
Barely five months after she was jilted, Miss America is hooking up with a new cable TV outlet.
TLC, best known for reality shows such as “Trading Spaces” and “What Not to Wear,” has agreed to air the pageant for the next three years.
As part of the deal, TLC announced a reality show about Miss America, culminating with the finals on Jan. 26 in Las Vegas.
Miss America, once a staple of life in Atlantic City and prime-time network television every September, has struggled to stay relevant in a world where reality shows dominate television and where there are plenty of places to see young women in bathing suits – or less.
Two years ago, the pageant lost its broadcast deal with ABC and ran off to Las Vegas.
In 2006 and this year, the pageant was telecast on Country Music Television.
But in March, the Nashville-based cable channel dumped the competition even though it had broadcast rights until 2011.
‘Today’ grows longer
NBC’s “Today” show will expand to a fourth hour starting Sept. 10.
The new hour will be co-hosted by “Today” news anchor Ann Curry, national correspondent Natalie Morales and correspondent Hoda Kotb.
Locally, Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show will move from 10 to 11 a.m. on KHQ-6 to make way for the extra hour.
After decades as a two-hour program, the highly profitable, ratings-leading “Today” expanded to three hours in 2000.
Mantegna to ‘Minds’
Joe Mantegna is joining the cast of CBS’ “Criminal Minds,” filling the gap left by Mandy Patinkin’s abrupt departure from the drama last month.
Mantegna will play retired FBI special agent David Rossi, an original member of the Behavioral Analysis Unit who took early retirement and has volunteered to return to the unit.
He is slated to make his first appearance in the fifth episode of the new season.
Mantegna is nominated for an Emmy Award for his role in USA’s miniseries “The Starter Wife.” His TV credits also include “Joan of Arcadia.”
Patinkin asked to be released from his role as FBI profiler Jason Gideon, citing creative differences.