Spike’s late-night show will focus on extraordinary deeds

The Spike cable network is looking to get into late-night television, but Conan O’Brien need not apply.

The network geared to young men said Thursday it was developing a new late-night talk and comedy show with Thom Beers, who helps make the network’s “1000 Ways to Die” series.

Sharon Levy, head of programming for Spike, said the network will seek out ordinary people doing extraordinary things, like a convenience store clerk who faced down robbers or a stockbroker who quit his job to fight in Afghanistan.

The show has no air date, host or even title. It will air once a week at first, although Levy said that if things go right, it could become a daily.

Levy said she loves O’Brien – he’s particularly popular with the demographic that Spike is seeking – but the network isn’t planning to go after him.

“We’re looking for unknowns,” she said, explaining Spike wants to “create our own faces and start from scratch to build something.”

Some justice for Conan?

NBC says it has a deal with Conan O’Brien to produce a possible series, only days after his rancorous exit as host of the network’s “Tonight Show.”

The network is picking up a pilot from O’Brien’s production company, Conaco, as a possible fall series.

The drama, as yet untitled, focuses on a Supreme Court justice who leaves the bench to start his own practice.

Past series produced by Conaco include the comedy “Andy Barker, P.I.,” which featured O’Brien’s longtime talk-show sidekick Andy Richter.

Not pretty for ‘Betty’

It’s ugly news for fans of “Ugly Betty”: ABC says the series will be canceled after this season.

A critical and popular success with its premiere in fall 2006, “Ugly Betty” has struggled in recent years with audience erosion.

Based on a Colombian telenovela, the warmhearted dramedy stars America Ferrera as an ambitious but style-challenged young woman out to build a future at a New York fashion magazine.

J.Lo meets ‘Mother’

Jennifer Lopez will play a self-help expert on an episode of the CBS comedy “How I Met Your Mother” in March.

The actress-singer will portray a no-nonsense author who tries to “train” men into better behavior in relationships. Her target is Neil Patrick Harris’ playboy-bachelor character, Barney.

Jokes co-creator Carter Bays: “We’re looking forward to a week of revealing outfits and sexy dance moves the likes of which this show hasn’t seen since Regis Philbin guest-starred.”