TV FunHouse

CBS is preparing itself in case the writers' strike drags into 2008. CBS president LES MOONVES said yesterday that the network's spring schedule will feature programs from Showtime, in edited form. CBS and Showtime, the home of such shows as Weeds and Dexter, are both controlled by the same company...

According to The Hollywood Reporter, ABC has suspended pay for JIMMY KIMMEL and staff members of his late-night show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, in the wake of the writers' strike. Kimmel will now pay most of his employees himself, following the leads of other hosts such as DAVID LETTERMAN and CONAN O'BRIEN...

People magazine reports that actress JILL HENNESSY welcomed a son named GIANNI on November 21st. The baby is her second child with husband PAOLO MASTROPIETRO. Hennessy's credits include Crossing Jordan and Law & Order...

But...she's just a Whore!

If JULIA ROBERTS is bored tonight, she can turn on the TV and watch herself receive the 22nd American Cinematheque Award. She was actually presented the honor two months ago at a gala tribute featuring BRUCE WILLIS, TOM HANKS and other celebrities. The award is presented annually to an actor, director or writer who is, quote, "committed to making a significant contribution to the art of motion picture." The event airs on AMC tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

They are real...and they're spectacular!

skin care company says TERI HATCHER hasn't paid it enough lip service. Hydroderm filed a lawsuit against the Desperate Housewives star yesterday, alleging that Hatcher violated an endorsement deal when she promoted a competing lip plumper. The filing also alleges that she pushed other unspecified products, adding, quote, "Hatcher's name, image and likeness have been linked to so many competitors' products (at least 17!) that it is anyone's guess as to what product keeps her skin and lips youthful." Hydroderm wants Hatcher to fork over 2.4 million bucks, the value of her deal.

An attorney for the actress, who turns 43 this weekend, claims that Hatcher lived up to the 2005 agreement with Hydroderm and that she will recover, quote, "everything she is owed under her contract, as well as compensatory and punitive damages for Hydroderm's outrageous accusations."

Nielsen Ratings

ABC has reason to feel jolly this holiday season. The five highest-rated shows in last week's Nielsen ratings all aired on the alphabet network, led by the nearly 25 million people who watched HELIO CASTRONEVES win the finale of Dancing with the Stars. The performance show that aired the night before took second, while the holiday special Shrek the Halls nailed down the third spot. Another holiday special, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, finished fifth.

Other notes last from last week's Nielsens:*

Former Malcolm in the Middle star FRANKIE MUNIZ proved a boon to Criminal Minds. More than 16 million people watched the former child star's guest appearance, propelling the CBS show to eighth place -- its best numbers since airing after last February's Super Bowl.

Not even someone as strong as the Bionic Woman can stop the NBC drama's downward spiral. Last week's show tumbled to 74th place, with 5.9 million viewers.

The writers' strike can't end soon enough for JAY LENO. His Tonight Show, airing reruns from the '90s, pulled in an average of 4.1 million viewers -- that's a 13-percent decrease from what the program has averaged this year. Strangely, last week's reruns of DAVID LETTERMAN'S Late Show jumped eight percent from what it has averaged all season.

For the week, ABC was the top-rated network, followed by CBS, Fox, NBC, Univision, the CW, My Network TV and Telemundo.

Here's a look at the top 10 primetime programs for the week of Monday, November 26th-Sunday, December 2nd:

1. Dancing with the Stars (Tuesday), ABC, 24.9 million viewers.

2. Dancing with the Stars (Monday), ABC, 24.2 million viewers.

3. Shrek the Halls, ABC, 20.8 million viewers.

4. Desperate Housewives, ABC, 20.7 million viewers.

5. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ABC, 18.5 million viewers.

6. NCIS, CBS, 17 million viewers.

7. House, Fox, 16.97 million viewers.

8. Criminal Minds, CBS, 16.2 million viewers.

9. CSI: Miami, CBS, 15.6 million viewers.

10. Two and a Half Men, CBS, 15.3 million viewers

TV Tonight (12/4)

ABC: America's Funniest Home Vid's (repeat), According to Jim (1hr-repeat), Boston Legal (NEW)

CBS: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, NCIS (repeat), The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2007 (NEW)

NBC: The Biggest Loser (NEW), Law & Order: SVU (NEW)

FOX: Bones (repeat), House (repeat)

CW: Beauty and the Geek (NEW), Reaper (NEW)

Courtesy Dave Kent @ The New 93.9 KISS FM,
Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC!

Get your local listings HERE

Tina Fey...sharpen the claws!

The next time SIMON COWELL mixes it up with PAULA ABDUL, he may want to give TINA FEY a call. In an interview with Playboy magazine, Fey blasted Abdul for the job she did hosting Saturday Night Live back in 2005. Fey, who was still on the show at the time, said Abdul, quote, "was awful." Fey said she remembers thinking at the time, quote, "She's a disaster! I gotta prop this lady up and get her on TV." Fey also said Abdul made life difficult because she wouldn't play herself in an American Idol sketch, forcing AMY POEHLER to portray Abdul.

When speaking about her current show, 30 Rock, Fey said ALEC BALDWIN'S character is based on Saturday Night Live creator LORNE MICHAELS. She added, quote, "I may be the only SNL alumnus who has created a character based on Lorne who's not lying about it

TV Hullabloo

The writers' strike isn't stopping CBS. The eye network announced yesterday the second season of The New Adventures of Old Christine will premiere January 28th. CBS also revealed the next edition of Survivor -- the 16th overall -- will kick off February 7th, while Jericho will return for a second season February 12th. That same night, a new season of Big Brother will also begin. Combining these premieres with the writers' strike, CBS has decided to pull The Big Bang Theory, Rules of Engagement, Cane and The Unit from its schedule next month...

NBC announced yesterday Law & Order will return to the network's primetime schedule with a two-hour episode January 2nd...

According to a TV Guide poll, 89 percent of respondents gave a jeer to MARIE OSMOND'S recent wind-up doll performance on Dancing with the Stars, while nine percent cheered it. Another two percent felt that was the moment Osmond jumped the shark...