News Round-up

Transition to Digital TV Will be Delayed
The House voted today for a one-time delay of the scheduled February 17 transition to digital television broadcasting until June 12. Having now cleared the House and Senate, the bill will be sent to the President's desk for his signature.

90210 had 2.4 million viewers last night
CW enjoyed its best Tuesday since AMERICAN IDOL arrived on the scene, as both 90210 (1.3/3 in 18-49, 2.4 million viewers overall) and PRIVILEGED (0.8/2 in 18-49, 1.7 million viewers overall) perked up, with the latter seeing its best scores in key female demos since November.

Christine Baranski joins the cast of UGLY BETTY
The Emmy winner will play the high society mother of Betty's new love interest, Matt (Daniel Eric Gold), in a minimum of three episodes.

EASTENDERS dog Gumbo prompts cries of hypocrisy by the BBC
Large, slobbering and cuddly – Gumbo the St Bernard has made a big impression on Albert Square. But the introduction of EASTENDERS’ newest star has prompted cries of hypocrisy by the BBC after it emerged that the 200lb dog is in fact the son of two former Crufts champions.

The corporation scrapped its broadcast from Crufts this year after the Kennel Club, the organizer, refused to drop from the show 14 controversial breeds linked to genetic disease, including the St Bernard.

Antonio Sabato Jr. on his new VH1 reality show
"This is a great opportunity to open myself up to the world, tell them who I am," said Sabato Jr. during a phone interview. "I am coming from an open place and I am ready to find someone."

"This is a positive show. It's not trashy. It is classy, compelling and treats people with dignity," said Sabato Jr., who was born and raised in Rome, Italy until moving to Los Angeles at the age of 12. "It's not about people making fools out of themselves. I am setting the bar high. I am looking for class. This is not about putting people down, but about lifting them up. This is no joke. I'm not interested in a person who's on the show to be famous. I am looking for a person who will go the distance, enjoy the high-paced lifestyle that I live. No drinking, no smoking, I live a clean life and I'm looking for the ultimate person."

Disney/ABC announces 2009 Writing Fellowship participants
On Tuesday, Disney/ABC Television Group in partnership with the Writers Guild of America-West named eight new fellows for the 19th annual Writing Fellowship Program. The intensive training program also is set up to provide each of the writing fellows with the opportunity to be staffed on a Disney/ABC Television Group series during the term of the fellowship. In 2008, writing fellows was staffed on such series as ABC's BROTHERS & SISTERS, UGLY BETTY and SAMANTHA WHO?, ABC Family's GREEK and Disney Channel's ZEKE & LUTHER.

Soap Opera Digest's Danielle McClure on GL's Beth/Coop/Alan
"Uh-oh! The cat's finally out of the bag for GL's Beth and Coop — and boy, was Alan's reaction nasty! Spaulding's confrontation with Beth today was icy cold after he spied the trysting couple doing it on the floor of Company (totally gross, by the way). I can't wait to watch the heads roll."

On the Soap Shrink’s Couch: ALL MY CHILDREN’s Annie Lavery
Damon L. Jacobs writes: "2008 was a rough year for the residents of Pine Valley. Murderers ran loose, tornadoes crashed through homes, but nothing or no one had an impact quite like hurricane Annie herself."
Catherine Hickland on the late Clint Ritchie
"Many people, including the producer at the time told me that I brought out the best in Clint. The truth is, he brought out the best in me. He made my fun side come out to play when we worked together. He challenged me in my patience and taught me tolerance. He made me laugh. He made me learn how to be 'one of the guys' and I loved it. I was an honorary cowgirl-dude, and he loved it."