Christina Aguilera to Coach on NBC's The Voice

Christina Aguilera is putting that voice to good use.

The Grammy winner has just been named as a musician coach on NBC's new musical competition series The Voice, which premiers April 26th.

"I am so excited to be part of such a wonderful project that celebrates music and the talent behind it," Aguilera, who joins coaches Cee Lo Green and Maroon 5's Adam Levine, said of the role. "To be given the opportunity to help shape new artists' careers and mentor them to see their dreams come to fruition is a task I welcome with open arms."

NBC executives say the singer's talent was what caught their eye. "Christina has a once in a generation talent – her voice is phenomenally distinctive and instantly recognizable," Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President of Alternative Programming at NBC and Universal Media Studios said of the appointment. "Her journey as an artist, who started so young in the music business, will be an inspiration to the talent she coaches on the show."

The news comes on the heels of a challenging week for the singer. She was jailed by police for public intoxication early Tuesday morning before later being released, while her boyfriend, Matt Rutler, was also arrested for investigation of DUI.

Adam Levine & Cee Lo Green to Join NBC's 'Idol' Rival, The Voice

Mark Burnett and NBC pulled it off: Cee Lo Green and Adam Levine have signed to join the singing competition series The Voice.

The pop star duo will give NBC a chance to steal some thunder from Fox’s American Idol when the new series debuts this April. “I am so happy that Adam Levine and Cee Lo Green have joined the coach panel for The Voice,” executive producer Mark Burnett tells Entertainment Weekly. “Aside from being incredible voices, they bring years of experience in the music industry and a really cool vibe that has never been seen before on a music competition series.”

“We want The Voice to be a search by relevant artists for relevant artists,” added NBC’s Executive VP of Alternative Programming Paul Telegdy. “Every person who sits on our panel can do what it is that they’re judging.”

NBC has also set a premiere date for the show: Tuesday, April 26th at 9:00 pm (ET), in a two-hour debut. The show will shift to its regular time period on May 10th at 8:00 pm (ET).

Entertainment Weekly first reported that the singers were in negotiations for the gig last week. There’s still two seats left to fill, and that judge/coach may be the most intriguing of all: Christina Aguilera remains in talks to join the show.

Telegdy says he was impressed with Levine after seeing the Maroon 5 singer visit Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. “His voice and versatility was incredible, and he had a great sense of humor and interplay with Jimmy,” Telegdy says.

“I was absolutely thrilled to be invited by Mark Burnett to join The Voice as a coach,” said Adam Levine in a statement. “I look forward to working with these singers and helping them push forward throughout the competition to make their musical dreams become a reality.”

Cee Lo has been an impressive media presence in recent months, with Telegdy citing the artist’s “willingness and braveness to do so many things, and his DNA at moment includes all sorts of people who are relevant to the music industry.”

“It’s an honor for me to be able to help mold a malleable and new talent in such a fashion as The Voice,” said Cee Lo Green in a statement. “Being a coach on The Voice is a substantial responsibility, and I take it with sincerity and distinction.”

NBC’s overall goal with The Voice is to sign big-name performers who are also popular music fans and a bit more youthful than, say, Steven Tyler. “Not to diminish other people on other shows, but it’s a different job to break through the clutter now than it was 10, 15, 20 years ago,” Telegdy says.

While taking a break from his work on Gnarls Barkley, Cee Lo has been on a star-making run with his hit single “F**k You” and his Grammy performance with Gwyneth Paltrow (during which he was dressed, appropriately enough for a man judging a show on NBC, as a peacock). Meanwhile, the L.A.-based band Maroon 5 released their most recent album last fall and played Fox’s Super Bowl pre-game earlier this month.

The Voice is based on a Dutch hit in which contestants audition while judges face the other direction, unable to see the contestants. The judges make their verdicts based on the singer’s vocal talent alone rather than being influenced by the contestant’s physical appearance. After the audition rounds, the judges will coach the contestants. The Voice will debut sometime this spring.

Cee-Lo Green & Adam Levine May Host Mark Burnett's Singing Competition Show "The Voice"

Grammy scene-stealer Cee-Lo Green and Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine are in serious discussions to join Mark Burnett’s singing competition The Voice for NBC.

Producers also considered Lenny Kravitz, Roger Daltrey, Mary J. Blige, John Legend and Enrique Iglesias about occupying a judging seat on the show. Plus, there’s a major-name female star who’s in talks to join as well, but is not yet close to a deal (according to two unconfirmed sources, it’s Christina Aguilera, which would obviously be an enormous name for any talent show).

Deals are not signed and things could still change. But NBC hopes to close deals with the male singers within the next few days, and then sign another judge sometime next week. While taking a break from his work on Gnarls Barkley, Cee-Lo has been on a star-making run with his hit single “F-You” and Grammy performance with Gwyneth Paltrow (during which he was dressed, appropriately enough for a man who may judge a show on NBC, as a peacock). Meanwhile, the LA-based band Maroon 5 released their most recent album last fall and played Fox’s Super Bowl pre-game earlier this month.

As Fox discovered last year when trying to fill spots on Idol, securing high-profile judges can be difficult as pop stars tend to come with prior commitments. Signing with a network for a TV show often means canceling other obligations, sometimes at a price.

Clearly NBC is going after pop stars instead of record label suits for their judges spots, and is hoping to land current and relevant artists. If hired, Cee Lo and Levine, along with the third judge, should lend some name recognition and industry experience to the show, as well as generate press interest.

The Voice seeks to gain market share when it launches this spring in the toughest of reality genres just as Idol is ramping up for its Top 12. It’s a high stakes plan, especially since Idol has already bested one competitor this season, CBS’ performance series Live to Dance starring former Idol judge Paula Abdul. But NBC has proven it can draw a good ratings with a singing competition with its winter a cappella competition The Sing Off.

The Voice is based on a Dutch hit where contestants audition while judges face the other direction, unable to see the contestants. The Susan Boyle-friendly format has judges making their verdicts based on the singer’s vocal talent alone rather than being influenced by the contestant’s physical appearance. Once they hit a button deciding whether to accept the performance, their chairs swivel around. Unlike Idol, contestants will not be sequestered during the competition, but will be free to interact with fans and perform on their own (such as doing club dates) while trying to build their fan base.

Last week NBC announced The Voice will take the unique step of opening its audition process to any singer with a web cam.

Carson Daly will host.

Is NBC's Smash the Next Glee?

No doubt hoping to capitalize on Glee mania, NBC has ordered an hour-long musical pilot that follows a diverse cast of characters who come together to stage a Broadway show.

Titled Smash, the project boasts an impressive pedigree. Producers include Steven Spielberg, Chicago duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, and Hairspray songwriters Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.

Spring Awakening‘s Michael Mayer is in talks to direct, which pretty much guarantees that there’s a role in this for Lea Michele’s former Spring leading man (and ex-Glee costar) Jonathan Groff.

Elsewhere on the pilot front, NBC has greenlit I Hate That I Love You, a “twisty” single-camera comedy from Will & Grace scribe Jhoni Marchinko about a straight couple that set up two lesbian friends on a blind date, resulting in both an instant attraction and a pregnancy.

Wonder Woman Project Finds a Home at NBC

The ol’ girl may fly this fall after all: NBC has picked up the Wonder Woman pilot from David E. Kelley. Ironically, NBC was the final network to pass on bringing back the superhero over a week ago, but that was before the new regime was officially in place in light of the impending Comcast takeover. Robert Greenblatt is now spearheading primetime as chairman. (On Thursday, head of programming Angela Bromstad announced she was leaving).

The pilot’s cost may not be a concern to Greenblatt, the wunderkind who revitalized Showtime with critical faves like Dexter and Weeds. One factor that seemed to have sunk the Wonder Woman project the first time around was the price of rebooting the series, with the studio requiring a rich license fee to bring the iconic character back to life. But then, NBC has been down this road before: It rebooted Bionic Woman. Kelley’s take incorporated the superhero’s signature lasso, cuffs, and plane in the script, and insiders said it was a serious, non-campy take on the DC Comics character. For years, various writers and producers (including Joss Whedon) have tried to bring back Wonder Woman, but the character has proved difficult to resurrect.

Kelley is already executive producing Harry’s Law for NBC, the new drama starring Kathy Bates. The pilot, like all the others ordered by NBC during the current development season, will have to pass the final smell test this spring before its ordered to series in May.

In other business Friday, NBC also ordered a drama pilot from Michael Patrick King (Sex and the City), dubbed Mann’s World. It chronicles a celebrity hair stylist in Los Angeles.

NBC Develops Singing Competition for Spring 2011

Let the inevitable comparisons to American Idol begin!

NBC announced today that it is developing a singing competition dubbed The Voice of America for spring 2011. The show, from uber-reality producers John de Mol (Big Brother) and Mark Burnett (Survivor) is based on De Mol’s successful Dutch format The Voice of Holland that just launched in September. Viewers will have a say in determining finalists, who will compete for a recording contract. Four celebrity artists will head up teams of singers and provide coaching and mentoring throughout the competition.

Participants are eliminated until each celeb has only one team member left who will compete in the finals, when a winner will be named “The Voice of America.” To guarantee that participants are judged on their talent only, the celebs will have their backs turned during the initial auditions. In all, the show features three stages of competition – the blind audition, the battle phase, and the live performance shows.

There have been numerous attempts by competing networks over the years to steal some of Idol’s thunder. (Remember The One, Nashville Star, Rock Star and Duets?) But no competition show has managed to last as long as the Fox juggernaut. Still, NBC is bullish about its new show because of the success of all music-based programs – not just Idol. “There seems to be a real demand for music, between Glee, The Sing Off and Idol,” Paul Telegdy, NBC’s executive VP, alternative programming, tells EW. “People are consuming more music than ever before. There is room for all the shows.”

And Telegdy insists that Voice is a far different format from Idol or even The X-Factor. Unlike those two shows that go out on the road to find good, bad and – yes, even ugly – talent, Voice will recruit budding singers from talent schools, clubs, colleges – you name it. As for the mentors, Telegdy said “household name” recording artists are used in Holland, and that American audiences will be “pleasantly surprised” by who NBC selects to serve. The gig will require a huge time commitment, given the amount of mentoring that’s required for the show.

'Heroes' Zachary Quinto is Bummed About Cancelled Wrap-up Movie

Heroes fans aren’t the only folks miffed by NBC’s decision not to move forward with plans for a wrap-up movie. The show’s brain-eating baddie Zachary Quinto is also disheartened that closure won’t come to the Heroesverse.

“It’s disappointing that there was such a lack of resolution,” sighs the actor. “But unfortunately that’s just the nature of network television….Nothing really surprises me in terms of network and studio bureaucracy. It’s the way it goes.

“If it was in their best interest I’m sure they would have done it,” he adds. “And for whatever reason, they didn’t think it was. So that’s a bummer. But we have to just accept it and move on.”

Quinto—who’s currently headlining an Off-Broadway revival of Angels in America—isn’t allowing the show’s unhappy ending to taint an otherwise “phenomenal” experience. “I have nothing but fond memories and fondness for the people who gave me that opportunity,” he says. “I miss everybody, but I’m also glad to know that everybody is moving forward with as much momentum as possible.”

NBC's Today Show to Gays: We'll Recognize Your Marriages

Score one for the gays! After a call to action by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, NBC’s Today show has announced that it will officially allow gay couples to enter its annual “Modern Day Wedding” contest, which each year features one couple getting hitched on live television, after voting by the show’s viewers. GLAAD reached out after it discovered that Today hadn’t been allowing same-sex couples into the competition. And what a lovely surprise: NBC listened.

Apparently relations with the gay and lesbian community are important to the network and the show. “Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive to all couples,” NBC said in a statement. The network had initially argued that it excluded gays and lesbians because “the couple must be able to be legally married in New York, which is where the wedding will take place.” The smarties at GLAAD, however, pointed out that New York legally recognizes same-sex marriages that are licensed in other states.

“We’re thrilled that Today Show’s ‘Modern Wedding Contest’ now recognizes what most fair-minded Americans have already concluded—a wedding celebrates love and commitment, whether the spouses are straight or gay,” said Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD. “NBC heard GLAAD and the thousands of viewers who contacted them. And they have moved to make their contest a truly modern wedding where any couple can share their story … we encourage qualified same-sex couples to submit their applications.”

And the network responded: “Our intent was not to be discriminatory or exclusive,” the network said. “In 2005 when the wedding took place outside of New York, the application process was open to same-sex couples. We have listened to every voicemail and read every email. We take this feedback seriously, and we will change our application process. Moving forward, we ensure that our future wedding contests will be inclusive of all couples.”

How refreshing is this news? I’m loving it, not that I ever have any intention to get married on live television. But if my fellow gays want to do it, more power to them! Why shouldn’t they be able to get married with Meredith Vieira, Al Roker, and Matt Lauer standing nearby?

The Hot Old Spice Guy is at it Again

The hot and hilarious Old Spice guy Isaiah Mustafa is back — and he’s not on a boat. Or in the shower. Or on a horse.

Instead, he’s balancing on a log in a lake, swan diving down a rocky waterfall and taking a dip in a hot tub — on a motorcycle. Following the tone of the original spot that went viral after airing during the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl, Mustafa has a few questions for the ladies.

“Do you like the smell of adventure?” he asks in the ad. “Do you want a man who smells like he could bake you a gourmet cake in the dream kitchen he built for you with his own hands?”

Earlier this month, Mustafa signed a talent deal with NBC.

Steve Carell Says ‘It’s Time’ to Leave The Office

It looks like Dunder Mifflin may soon have to hire a new boss for its Scranton branch.

After more than half a dozen seasons on The Office, Steve Carell hints to E! News that he may not be returning to the hit NBC comedy after its seventh season wraps next year.

“I just think it’s time,” he said at the premiere of his new movie, Despicable Me, Sunday in L.A. “When I first signed on I had a contract for seven seasons, and this coming year is my seventh. I just thought it was time for my character to go.”

But Carell, 47, who plays regional manager Michael Scott on the show, says fans shouldn’t get too worried -– the show will do just fine, maybe even better than before.

“[This might] add some new life and some new energy to the show,” he says about leaving a role that earned him multiple Emmy nominations. “I certainly didn’t anticipate any hubbub over it. I didn’t see it as a huge deal.”

“[The writers],” he adds, “have incorporated so many new characters and so many new, great storylines that I have no doubt it’ll continue as strong if not stronger than ever.”

When reached, NBC had no comment.

Old Spice Guy Isaiah Mustafa Scores TV Deal

Anything is possible when you smell like Old Spice and not a lady. Just ask Old Spice guy Isaiah Mustafa, who has signed a talent deal with NBC.

“We felt he was a piece of talent worth developing. He’s an attractive guy who’s just as funny and charming,” NBC Universal casting executive VP Grace Wu tells Variety.

Mustafa’s Old Spice commercial has attracted more than 10.5 million views since it first launched on YouTube — and even snagged airtime during the Super Bowl.

Mustafa, known as “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like,” will audition for several current NBC shows, as well as new ones. According to Variety, he’ll take a first crack at sitcoms, although he may make his way to other shows like Chuck or the upcoming Love Bites.

“I grew up in that Cosby Show, Family Ties era, and kept that going even through college with Seinfeld and Friends,” he says. “To me, they controlled comedy and dictated my life on Thursday nights. And I think that’s my strength — doing comedy.”

The former NFL player previously appeared on Ugly Betty, Days of Our Lives and Castle.

NBC Unveils 2010-11 Primetime Schedule

NBC announced today its 2010-11 primetime schedule that is highlighted by five new comedies, seven new drama series and one new alternative program, including shows from such innovative hit-makers as J.J. Abrams, Jerry Bruckheimer and David E. Kelley, among others.

The high-quality series include new comedies such as "Outsourced," Love Bites," "Perfect Couples," "Friends With Benefits" and "The Paul Reiser Show." The new dramas are "The Cape," "Harry's Law," "Outlaw," "Undercovers," "The Event," "Chase" and "Law & Order: Los Angeles."

The schedule features all-drama lineups on Mondays and Wednesdays and five comedies on Thursdays. Tuesdays will continue to combine the similar appeal of "The Biggest Loser" with "Parenthood," and Fridays will team "Who Do You Think You Are?" and the new series "School Pride" with "Dateline NBC" and the new legal drama "Outlaw."

NBC will also broadcast a 35th anniversary "Saturday Night Live" special that will celebrate the iconic late-night series' long and eventful run on NBC since 1975.

The announcements were made by Jeff Gaspin, Chairman, NBC Universal Television Entertainment, and Angela Bromstad, President, Primetime Entertainment, NBC and Universal Media Studios.

"This new schedule brings NBC back to basics with its commitment to quality scripted programming," said Gaspin. "Our new shows are distinctive and feature a combination of the biggest talent, the brightest new stars and the strongest auspices in television. With this new schedule, we're poised to take the next step toward our long-term goals with a lineup that has stabilized and has been building solid momentum through the second half of the season."

"Our team has been working tirelessly to achieve our ambitious goals and we are so pleased to see that these new series demonstrate tremendous upside for NBC," said Bromstad. "We feel that this development season introduces shows that will become part of the great programming legacy of our network."

On Mondays (all times ET), NBC leads off with "Chuck" from 8-9 p.m., followed by two new and intense hour-long dramas - "The Event" (9-10 p.m.) and "Chase" (10-11 p.m.). Then on Tuesdays, NBC returns with its powerful stories from the hit alternative series "The Biggest Loser" (8-10 p.m.) and finishes the night with the acclaimed family drama "Parenthood" (10-11 p.m.).

NBC's Wednesday night features three hours of drama programming beginning with the new series "Undercovers" from J.J. Abrams (8-9 p.m.), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (9-10 p.m.) and the new "Law & Order: Los Angeles" at 10-11 p.m. concludes the night.

Primetime Thursdays feature wall-to-wall comedy as this season's freshman sensation "Community" continues at 8-8:30 p.m. followed by the Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock" (8:30-9 p.m.). The Emmy-winning "The Office" continues 9-9:30 p.m. and will be followed by the new comedy "Outsourced" (9:30-10 p.m.). Now NBC's comedy fans get an extra round of laughs when the new, hour-long comedy "Love Bites" debuts at 10-11 p.m. "Parks and Recreation" will return to Thursdays later in the season to give the night more original programming.

Fridays come alive with a fresh mix of reality, news and a new scripted drama as the popular "Who Do You Think You Are?" returns at 8-9 p.m. where it shares the time period with "School Pride" -- a new, proactive and inspiring series about rebuilding a community's schools. "Dateline NBC" continues at 9-10 p.m. with its compelling personal stories. The workweek ends with "Outlaw," a new courtroom drama featuring Emmy winner Jimmy Smits as a former U.S. Supreme Court justice.

The wildly successful "NBC Sunday Night Football" reigns supreme again on Sundays (8:15-11:30 p.m.) preceded by "Football Night in America" (7-8:15 p.m.).

Sundays beginning March 2011, the popular competition series "Minute to Win It" returns (8-9 p.m.) followed by "The Celebrity Apprentice" (9-11 p.m.)

The new series "The Cape," "Friends With Benefits," "Perfect Couples," "Harry's Law" and "The Paul Reiser Show" will premiere later in the season along with a new version of "The Apprentice" "The Marriage Ref" and the new series "America's Next Great Restaurant" -- starring acclaimed celebrity chef/restaurateur Bobby Flay.

To make room for all of the new shows, NBC cancelled the 20-year old Law & Order, plus Mercy, Trauma, and Heroes.

See the schedule, watch exclusive video, and explore NBC's upcoming shows on NBC.com: http://www.nbc.com/upcoming-shows/.

FOX will be releasing their new Fall line-up later today, followed by ABC, CBS and The CW later this week. Stay tuned for full coverage.

NBC Cancels Heroes

It's official. NBC has cancelled "Heroes ."

The network seriously mulled bringing back "Heroes" for a shortened final season to wrap up the serialized show.

In the end, given the fairly high cost of the drama, the show's consistently declining ratings and the number of new hour-longs coming to NBC next season, the network decided the UMS-produced series wasn't worth an additional season. Sources say the network is still leaving the door open to conclude the show with a special or movie.

The show has long had a rocky relationship with its fans. Out of the gate, "Heroes" was a big hit for the network -- an ethnically diverse big-concept ensemble that performed well overseas. It was NBC's "Lost."

But the show's writers struggled to keep the show's twisting narrative on track. Characters were killed off and resurrected with regularity. Narrative threads were started, then abandoned. Unlike "Lost," there didn't seem to be series-long central questions driving the show that needed to be resolved with a final season.

Among NBC's new shows, there's several entries aimed at genre fans that the network hopes will rekindle its audience -- superhero drama "The Cape," "24"-style conspiracy thriller "The Event" and J.J. Abrams' light-hearted spy drama "Undercovers." Also, of course, "Chuck" is coming back.

The new 2010/2011 Fall TV Season will be revealed this week. NBC will release there's later today.

Conan O'Brien Taking Late-Night Show to Cable

Conan O'Brien has emerged from the late-night war with Jay Leno at NBC with a new show beginning in November on TBS.

“In three months I’ve gone from network television to Twitter to performing live in theaters, and now I’m headed to basic cable. My plan is working perfectly," O'Brien said in a statement.

On his Twitter page, he joked: "The good news: I will be doing a show on TBS starting in November! The bad news: I'll be playing Rudy on the all new Cosby Show."

His new show will air Monday through Thursday at 11:00 pm (ET), taking the current slot of George Lopez's show Lopez Tonight, which will then move to midnight.

According to TBS, O’Brien began talks in earnest with the network last week after Lopez personally called him to recruit him. “I can’t think of anything better than doing my show with Conan as my lead-in,” Lopez said. “It’s the beginning of a new era in late-night comedy.”

The comedian begins his 30-city North American comedy tour – dubbed the The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television Tour – Monday night in Eugene, Oregon.

Nelly Furtado & Sarah McLachlan Likely at WInter Olympics Opening

The 2010 Winter Olympics may be lacking snow, but that hasn't stopped the leaks.

The first names of likely opening-ceremony performers have filtered out, thanks to spies at the rehearsals and a commercial for the Vancouver Games that aired during Saturday Night Live.

Canadians Nelly Furtado, Sarah McLachlan and Bryan Adams all seem a lock for tonight's opening ceremony. Best bets are also rockers Rush and jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky, also both Canadians. The '80s band Devo will be among the bands performing at the Games' medal ceremonies.

So far no word on Shania Twain nor other Canadian faves Avril Lavigne or Celine Dionl.

The new all-star "We Are the World" video for Haiti earthquake relief will also air during Friday's Olympic coverage.

The Winter Olympics opening ceremony will be televised tonight starting at 7:30 pm (ET) on NBC.

Nate Berkus Get's His Own Daytime Show

Like Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz before him, Nate Berkus is the latest Oprah Winfrey protege to get his own syndicated show.

The best part is that he’s the first openly gay man in the bunch!

The Nate Berkus Show will debut in first-run syndication in the fall according to an announcement made by Sheri Salata and Erik Logan, presidents of Winfrey’s Harpo Productions.

“We are pleased to partner with NBC stations to launch ‘The Nate Berkus Show,’” Logan said in a statement. “Combined with Harpo’s legacy of success in daytime, and our strong partnership with Sony, NBC’s commitment and support offers the perfect platform to launch syndication’s next breakout series.”

Nate is a designer who has been a regular on Oprah’s show for several years giving design advice to viewers. His partner was killed in Sri Lanka when the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit. He is currently in a relationship with shoe designer Brian Atwood.

Busy Friday for ABC, NBC and Fox

Fox, NBC and ABC went on a Friday frenzy, picking up several more pilots.

Fox greenlighted the procedural drama "Breakout Kings," the laffer "Most Likely to Succeed," and the comedy "Traffic Light," while ABC's latest pilot is the drama "Edgar Floats." At NBC, the network added the offbeat family comedies "This Little Piggy" and "Nathan vs. Nurture."

Separately, Fox also announced that new mystery series "Past Life" will get a nice primetime boost -- airing on Tuesday, February 9th behind "American Idol."

"Breakout Kings" is a procedural about marshals who pair up with ex-cons to find criminals who have broken out of prison.

Show comes from Matt Olmstead and Nick Santora, who know a thing or two about prison breaks -- having been on "Prison Break." Olmstead and Santora, whose credits also include "Lie to Me," will serve as writers/exec producers.

Also attached is Gavin Hood ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine"), who will direct. 20th Century Fox TV is the studio.

Also at Fox, "Most Likely to Succeed" centers on a group of friends who were superstars growing up and are now dealing with the reality of adulthood.

Dave Walpert ("Scrubs") is exec producing the comedy, which comes from 20th Century Fox TV and Imagine TV. Imagine's David Nevins and Brian Grazer are also EPs.

Then there's "Traffic Light," which is based on an Israeli TV format.

Project, adapted for U.S. auds by scribe Bob Fisher, centers on three male friends in different stages of relationships. 20th Century Fox TV is the studio.

Fisher will exec produce, along with Avi Nir, Ran Telem, Adir Miller and Elad Kuperman. Miller created the Israeli series, which has scored the highest sitcom ratings in that country's history.

Over at ABC, "Edgar Floats" comes from Rand Ravich and Far Shariat, who were previously behind NBC's "Life."

"Edgar Floats" centers on the world of a police psychologist who becomes a bounty hunter. Warner Bros. TV is the studio.

Peacock's pilot stable now includes "This Little Piggy," from "Scrubs" scribes Stephen Cragg and Brian Bradley.

Laffer centers on a married man whose family life is upended when his siblings move in.

Cragg and Bradley are EPs on the comedy, which comes from ABC Studios.

Also, NBC greenlighted "Nathan vs. Nurture," from Moses Port and David Guarascio ("Aliens in America").

Comedy follows Griffin Birk, a heart surgeon who reunites with his birth father and slacker brothers, 35 years after being given up for adoption.

Sony Pictures TV is behind the sitcom.

As for "Past Life," the show will now benefit by Fox's and Mark Burnett's decision to yank "Our Little Genius" from airing.

With that Tuesday, post- "Idol" slot open, Fox has opted to give "Past Life" a preview on February 9th. The show then moves to its regular Thursday 9:00 pm (ET) slot later that week, on February 11th.

Fox had originally planned to launch "Past Life" with a two-hour episode on February 11th. With that first hour now moving to Tuesday, the net will air a repeat "Bones" at 8:00 pm on February 11th instead.

The Richard Schiff starrer, from David Hudgins and Lou Pitt, is based on MJ Rose's novel "The Reincarnationist," about investigators who study past lives to solve crimes.

Fox said it's still mulling what to air in the Tuesday 9:00 pm slot on February 16th and March 9th. Two-hour "Idol" episodes will air on other weeks. "Past Life" will also get several more "Idol" boosts, as special editions of the talent competish are set to expand to Thursdays for a few weeks in February and March.

Conan O'Brien & NBC Seal the Deal for His Exit

Amid confirmed reports that Conan O'Brien will pocket $45 million to leave his 7-month gig as Tonight Show star, NBC on Thursday morning said that it and the red-haired host have reached an agreement for him to exit the late-night franchise – permitting Jay Leno to return to the 11:35 pm program he hosted for 17 years.

Conan's final show will air tonight, with Tom Hanks scheduled to appear as well as Will Ferrell (who was O'Brien's first Tonight guest last June) and musician Neil Young.

The "new" Leno incarnation of Tonight will debut March 1st, and NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon will continue to air from 12:35 to 1:35 am. NBC aIso confirmed that O'Brien is clear to appear on another network as of September 1st.

The bad news: Triumph the Insult Dog will have to remain behind on NBC.

Conan O'Brien Reportedly Leaving NBC Next Week

Conan O'Brien's last night as host of 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' will likely be next Friday, January 22nd, a source close to O'Brien told the media. "Conan does not currently plan on doing any more new shows after next week," says the source.

To add to rumbles, NBC released its post-Winter Olympics schedule -- which did not include the 'Tonight Show.' Though his departure is looking increasingly likely, NBC is insisting a departure date is not yet set.

But if January 22nd is indeed O'Brien's final broadcast, the show will have ended two weeks before NBC's scheduled preemption for its 2010 Winter Olympics coverage. Meanwhile, TMZ is reporting that Jay Leno has made a new deal with NBC, which gives him 'The Tonight Show' from 11:35 pm - 12:35 am.

On Tuesday, the host released a statement saying that he would not go along with NBC's plan for him to host a relocated Tonight Show at 12:05 am, following The Jay Leno Show at 11:35 pm.

"I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is [The Tonight Show's] destruction," said O'Brien.

In his statement, O'Brien expresses deep respect for the 'Tonight Show' legacy, which includes such icons as Johnny Carson and Jack Paar, and flatly states he cannot participate in what he believes is the franchise's systematic dismantling.

"My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction."

It's Official: NBC Canceling Jay Leno's Prime-Time Show

Jay's walking off prime time.

Confirming days of rumors, Jeff Gaspin, the chairman of NBC Universal Entertainment, on Sunday announced that starting February 12th, The Jay Leno Show will no longer air at 10 p.m. but that the network hoped to keep Leno for an 11:35 pm show, Conan O'Brien for 12:05 am and then Jimmy Fallon after that.

But, Gaspin adds, "It's not a done deal yet."

Gaspin admits that The Jay Leno Show "did not meet affiliate needs" but that through it all, Leno and O'Brien have been "incredibly gracious and professional."

"Beyond that is a private conversation and when it all settles, you can talk to them about that," Gaspin says. "We're back in conversation tomorrow."

When asked why O'Brien would choose to remain at NBC with other networks interested in him, Gaspin says, "Conan's motivation will become more clear as time goes on. We gave something important to him, which was The Tonight Show, made it clear that it was moving with him. Conan wanted the franchise of The Tonight Show; Jay wanted to tell jokes at 11:30. Still things [need] to be worked out."