Is there a better character actor in TV these days than Lance Reddick?

His steely presence as the ramrod-straight (well, almost) cop Cedric Daniels added so much to "The Wire," particularly in the final season that wrapped in March. He's creepy-beyond-freaky in his recurring role as the ultra-mysterious Matthew Abaddon in "Lost" this season (on that show, that's saying something). And he's sure to add gravitas to J.J. Abrams' latest small-screen adventure, "Fringe," on Fox in the fall. I probably should've known that he was cast in that pilot but it didn't register until I saw the cast shot this ayem when Fox announced its sked.

The Yale drama school-trained Reddick made his mark on the New York stage (that's clear from his distinctive intonation) and gradually moved into film and TV roles. (He's nothing if not versatile. His C.V. even includes a guest shot as a stage hand in a 1997 seg of "The Nanny.") A semi-regular role on HBO's "Oz" in 2000 and 2001 helped Reddick raise his profile, as did his role in the Emmy-winning HBO mini "The Corner," a precursor to "Wire." He's done guest shots on all three "Law & Order" shows, he's stopped in on "CSI: Miami," "The West Wing" and "Numbers," and been seen in features including "I Dreamed of Africa,' "Don't Say a Word," "Brother to Brother" and most recently, the Tribeca entry "Tennessee."

Here's hoping he gets a long steady gig on "Fringe." He appears to play one of the good guys, an FBI agent working with the femme hero (played by Aussie actress Anna Torv, pictured right with co-star Joshua Jackson) to help solve the mystery of why a plane load of people die grisly deaths on a commercial flight (Flight 627 -- what's the numerology there, I wonder?) into Boston. Their probe begins to uncover traces of a broader conspiracy...but you already suspected that.

Update: Reader AC brings up a good question: Will Reddick's role on "Fringe" prevent him from recurring on "Lost" next season and beyond? I'm thinking probably not, although it will probably take some advance planning on shooting dates, especially because "Lost" lenses in Hawaii. The fact that "Fringe" and "Lost" both hail from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot banner (albeit different studios in Warner Bros. and ABC Studios, respectively) doesn't hurt either -- both shows will (presumably) be more inclined to help each other make it work. Even if there was no such connection, Reddick's role on "Lost" can only raise his profile with the same demo that "Fringe" hopes to attract, so you gotta believe that the powers that be see Reddick doing double duty on both shows as a good thing all around. Of course this presumes that "Lost's" creative stewards see Reddick's character continuing in a significant way. You can never tell on "Lost," but they've certainly woven him into enough integral plot situations that it stands to reason we're going to see more of him.

Fox is giving "Fringe" everything it's got in the fall, moving "House" down to an 8 p.m. slot to give J.J. Abrams' new drama (pictured left) a strong sendoff on Tuesdays in the fall.

There was more shuffling than we expected on Fox's fall lineup. With going for laughs in the Wednesday 8-9 p.m. hour this fall, Fox has done a switcheroo and will slot drama "Bones" at 8 p.m. and its sitcom combo "Til Death" and "Do Not Disturb" (the working title for the newcomer formerly known as "The Inn") at 9 p.m.

Monday will remain home to "Prison Break" at 8 p.m. at 9 p.m., paired with season two of "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday are all unscripted, and Sunday remains animation central. Frosh toons "Sit Down, Shut Up" (which seems to have gone back to that title after switching to "Class Dismissed" earlier this week) and "Family Guy" spinoff "Cleveland" (pictured right) won't be ready until spring at the earliest.

Here's Fox's fall sked. Variety's marathon-man Michael Schneider has more details in this report. The January lineup and new show descriptions follow after the jump.

FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2008

(All Times ET/PT)

MONDAY

8:00-9:00 PM    TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
9:00-10:00 PM   PRISON BREAK            

TUESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM    HOUSE   
9:00-10:00 PM   FRINGE         

WEDNESDAY

8:00-9:00 PM    BONES          
9:00-9:30 PM    ‘TIL DEATH             
9:30-10:00 PM   DO NOT DISTURB (wt)            

THURSDAY

8:00-9:00 PM    THE MOMENT OF TRUTH            
9:00-10:00 PM   KITCHEN NIGHTMARES             

FRIDAY

8:00-9:00 PM    ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?             
9:00-10:00 PM   DON’T FORGET THE LYRICS!               

SATURDAY

8:00-8:30 PM    COPS   
8:30-9:00 PM    COPS   
9:00-10:00 PM   AMERICA’S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK      
11:00 PM-Midnight       MADtv   
Midnight-12:30 AM       TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN

SUNDAY

7:00-8:00 PM    THE OT (NFL post-game) 
8:00-8:30 PM    THE SIMPSONS   
8:30-9:00 PM    KING OF THE HILL       
9:00-9:30 PM    FAMILY GUY      
9:30-10:00 PM   AMERICAN DAD            

And now our attention turns to Fox, which wraps up upfront week on Thursday with its 4 p.m. presentation at Gotham's City Center.

Come to think of it, I wonder why Fox didn't go first this year? It's been the No. 1 network in 18-49 for the past four seasons, and in this strike-jumbled year it's going to close out the 2007-08 campaign as No. 1 in total viewers too.

So with NBC sitting out its usual Monday midday slot in this year in favor of the Jimi Hendrix version, Fox might've moved in and made a statement about how far its come since the days of "Mr. President" and "The Wilton North Report." What's the expression Rupert Murdoch is fond of citing -- "Fortune favors the brave" Oh well, maybe next year.

The time has come to get in touch with our inner Preston Beckman and figure out what moves Fox is going to make in the fall and in its January season. It doesn't take a Ph.D in skedding to figure out that the net is going to shine a spotlight on J.J. Abrams’ drama “Fringe” as its hot new prospect for the fall and Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” for midseason.

Speculation is that “Fringe” will land on Monday in the fall in tandem with “Prison Break” or “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” The betting is that Fox won’t want to mess with success on Tuesday and thus will keep its drama combo of “Bones” and “House” intact on the night for the fall.

Wednesday seems likely to remain Fox’s live-action comedy night, though the net may shuffle things in light of CBS’ decision to sked laffers in the 8-9 p.m. hour next season. Newcomer “The Inn,” starring Niecy Nash and Jerry O’Connell, is likely destined for a pairing with third-year sitcom “Til Death.” Wednesday 9 p.m. could go to “Sarah Connor” if “Fringe” winds up mated with “Prison Break on Monday.

In the fall, Thursday and Friday are expected to remain some combination of unscripted skeins. As ever, Fox has a strong reality bench that includes “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” “Moment of Truth” and “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader.”

Sunday is set to remain status quo with a stack of animated comedies. Newcomers “Class Dismissed” and “Family Guy” spinoff “Cleveland” won’t be ready to bow until first quarter at the earliest.

Meanwhile, given how much 20th Century Fox TV is investing in Whedon's latest TV effort, “Dollhouse” is sure to land a plum spot in January when “24” and “American Idol,” return to the lineup.

CBS has cozied up to the web heads behind "Lonelygirl15" and the popular Brit web serial "KateModern" to handle the online bells and whistles for its network programs.

The agreement calls for CBS to get a first-look peek at concepts developed by L.A.- and London-based Eqal. Eye and its new online friend are promising that Eqal's creatives will work closely with CBS' scribes and helmers to develop online narratives that tie in directly with the series ongoing storylines.

CBS must've been mightily impressed with Eqal's capabilities because under the deal, Eqal will "build and provide the entire technology infrastructure to host the online show components." That seems like a significant chunk of business to hand over to an outside company, but I suppose if they can do a better job, why not.

Maybe Eqal can help CBS to get its online vid player stop freezing up every few seconds when you're trying to web-stream an episode. It really screws up the timing on "The Big Bang Theory," that's for sure.

Unless Fox pulls out something at the last minute, it looks like CBS' "Eleventh Hour" wins the prize for the most exec producers on a new show this year.

The Jerry Bruckheimer Television/Warner Bros. TV drama, based on a British miniseries of the same name, has a whopping seven e.p.'s credited: Bruckheimer (natch), Jonathan Littman (head of Bruckheimer TV), Danny Cannon (who helmed the pilot), Cyrus Voris, Ethan Reiff, Mick Davis (who penned the pilot) and Paul Buccieri (head of programming for the U.S. arm of Granada, which produced the original Brit mini). NBC's Canadian import, "The Listener," set for a summer '09 run, is a close runner-up with six exec producers listed. Thursday ayem update: Fox also comes close with two series that have six exec producers: comedy "Do Not Disturb" and drama "Fringe."

Funnily enough, "Eleventh Hour" also boasts the smallest cast, at least at this point. CBS' press release info on the show only lists star Rufus Sewell. Sewell plays brilliant biophysicist and government advisor Jacob Hood, who's tasked with investigating "scientific crises and oddities" for the government. (Patrick Stewart tackled the role in the original version.) Hood's often called in "at the eleventh hour," hence the title.

Wonder if Hood will ever run in to the brilliant scientist and plucky FBI investigator from Fox's "Fringe," which mines a similar vein. The social circle for egghead gumshoes following in Scully and Mulder's footsteps can't be that big, can it?

Turner Entertainment boss Steve Koonin has caught the industry's attention this week by storming into broadcasters' upfront week with its programming presentation this ayem at Gotham's Hammerstein ballroom.

Now the Turner cablers have really caught the creative community's attention by unveiling a slew of new projects in development with such notables as George Clooney and Grant Heslov, Joel Surnow and Jon Avnet.

TNT has upped the ante in the cable vs. broadcast race by promising Madison Avenue that it will be all original in primetime Monday-Wednesday by 2010. Guided by Koonin (pictured right) and Michael Wright (pictured below right), programming chief for TNT, TBS and TCM, TNT already has three new skeins set to preem later this year and early next  -- Steven Bochco's "Raising the Bar," Dean Devlin's "Leverage" and Madison  Avenue drama "Truth in Advertising," starring Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanagh (pictured above) -- to augment its existing hits "The Closer" and "Saving Grace."

Here's the proof that TNT has a formidable development slate for next year and beyond.

DELTA BLUES (working title) tells the tale of an outstanding but unusual Memphis cop: an Elvis impersonator who lives at home with his mother. Delta Blues comes to TNT from Warner Horizon Television and SmokeHouse and is executive-produced by George Clooney (Michael Clayton), Grant Heslov (Good Night, and Good Luck), Abby Wolf-Weiss, Liz Garcia and Josh Horto. The series is written by Garcia and Horto.

MORSE CODE (working title) is a crime drama about a young war hero/Drug Enforcement Administration officer who works in his hometown of Boston.  The pilot is from Warner Horizon Television and is expected to star Donnie Wahlberg (Boomtown).  It will be produced by Wahlberg, Jon Avnet (Boomtown, The Starter Wife) and Walon Green (Law & Order, ER), with Green writing and Avnet anticipated to direct.

UNTITLED JOEL SURNOW PROJECT is a fast-paced, gritty drama about the life of an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. The pilot is being executive-produced and written by Joel Surnow (co-creator of 24) and Todd Robinson.

ANGEL CITY (working title) features six cops in three cars during one shift, in the spirit of such classic dramas as Adam-12 and Hill Street Blues. The show, conceived by Los Angeles police officer Will Beall, will be written by Beall and Barry Schindel (Law & Order) and directed by Steve Schill (Dexter). ANGEL CITY comes to TNT from Mandalay Television.

TOUGH TRADE is a dramatic but humorous look at the Nashville music scene. The show, which focuses on a family of country stars who live like the lyrics to a country song, comes to TNT from Lionsgate Television. It is written by novelist Chris Offutt and executive-produced by Offutt, Sean Furst and Bryan Furst.

UNTITLED ROB ULIN PROJECT is a quirky yet authentic family drama in the mold of Little Miss Sunshine. It is is executive-produced by Rob Ulin (Roseanne, Malcolm in the Middle).

TBS, meanwhile, announced a bunch of new comedy projects in the hopper:

UNTITLED WILLIAM H. MACY/STEVEN SCHACHTER PROJECT is a single-camera, half-hour comedy series that comes to TBS from Sony Pictures Television.  It is written and executive-produced by William H. Macy (Fargo, TNT’s Door to Door) and Steven Schachter (Door to Door).  Schachter will direct the pilot, while Macy will star.

UNTITLED HERVEY/SIMMONS PROJECT is a primetime, scripted comedy pilot, executive-produced by Russell Simmons (co-founder of Def Jam Recordings), Stan Lathan (The Steve Harvey Show) and Winifred Hervey (The Steve Harvey Show).  The series stars Joey “Run” Simmons (of Run-DMC), who also serves as a producer, and is written by Hervey.

NATIONAL BANANA ALREADY IN PROGRESS (working title) is a late-night comedy sketch show being executive-produced by Jerry Zucker (Airplane!, My Best Friend’s Wedding).

And for latenight on TBS:

UNTITLED BUNIM/MURRAY PROJECT is a late-night comedy/reality show that takes a group of middle-aged men back to their fraternity days.  It is executive-produced by Jonathan Murray (The Real World) and Gil Goldschein.

UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/MARCUS KING PROJECT is a late-night sketch and improvisational show executive-produced by Jamie Foxx (Ray, The Jamie Foxx Show) and his longtime collaborator, Marcus King.

TOP TEN (working title) is a late-night show that pits comedians against each other.  The show is executive-produced by Mad Cow Productions and Madeleine Smithberg (co-creator of The Daily Show).

CBS is looking for laughs next season, expanding its comedy presence to Wednesday nights with a new block anchored by "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and newcomer "Project Gary," starring Jay Mohr.

Eye's other new comedy pickup, "Worst Week" (pictured above), nabs the coveted post-"Two and a Half Men" launch pad Monday at 9:30 p.m. Overall, CBS has slotted five new skeins on its fall 2008, with murder mystery drama "Harper's Island" on the bench for midseason.

Beyond the comedies, the other big move on the fall sked is the slotting of new Jerry Bruckheimer drama "Eleventh Hour" into the post "CSI" slot on Thursday, while "Without a Trace" heads to Tuesday 10 p.m. Much talked-about new drama "The Ex List," (fka "Mythological Ex"), has landed on Friday in the 9 p.m. sandwich slot between "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numbers."

Variety's man at the upfronts, Michael Schneider, has all the details in this dispatch from CBS' ayem press briefing.

MONDAY:

8: The Big Bang Theory
8:30: How I Met Your Mother
9: Two and a Half Men
9:30: Worst Week (new)
10: CSI: Miami

TUESDAY:

8: NCIS
9: The Mentalist (new)
10: Without a Trace

WEDNESDAY:

8: The New Adventures of Old Christine
8:30: Project Gary (new) pictured above right
9: Criminal Minds
10: CSI: NY

THURSDAY:

8: Survivor
9: CSI
10: Eleventh Hour (new) pictured right

FRIDAY:

8: Ghost Whisperer
9: The Ex List (new) pictured below
10: Numbers

SATURDAY:

8: Drama repeats
9: Drama repeats
10: 48 Hours Mystery

SUNDAY:

7: 60 Minutes
8: The Amazing Race
9: Cold Case
10: The Unit

New show descriptions after the jump:

CBS believes it has found an opening in the comedy space, adding a new night of half-hours and broadening out its laffer roster.

Eye surprised some -- even inside Warner Bros. TV -- by ordering a full 22-episode season of "The New Adventures of Old Christine," a show that the network had appeared to have soured on not too long ago. But the laffer could suddenly play a major role in opening up Wednesday night, perhaps alongside either fellow Monday refugee "Rules of Engagement" or newcomer "Project Gary." (A "Christine"/"Gary" matchup would work well, as both shows deal with recent divorcees looking to reinvent their lives.)

On Mondays, net will likely bow newcomer "Worst Week" at 9:30 p.m., in the plum spot behind "Two and a Half Men." Eye execs are said to be extremely pleased with how "Worst Week" turned out. But even more interestingly, the show is single camera -- a departure for the net, which has mostly stuck with multi-cam laffers (to great success).

But with the other nets fairly limited in the kind of comedy they do, CBS believes it has an opening to capitalize on its Monday success by taking several more shots.

Meanwhile, another sweet slot in CBS' sked, Thursdays at 10 p.m., is likely to go to the new Jerry Bruckheimer thriller "Eleventh Hour." Eye has had success in the past with a "Bruckheimer into Bruckheimer" strategy, and may want to employ it again here.

Other holes in the sked include Tuesday at 10 p.m., where proven player "Without a Trace" can slide right in. Also, on Sundays, "Cold Case" is expected to move up to 10 p.m., leaving the 9 p.m. spot open (for "The Ex-List"?)

Frosh entries include dramas "Eleventh Hour," "The Mentalist" and "The Ex-List." Comedies are "Worst Week" and "Project Gary." Gone are "Cane," "Jericho," "Kid Nation," "Moonlight," "Shark," "Viva Laughlin" and "Welcome to the Captain."

Here's a stab in the dark at what a CBS schedule might look like Wednesday morning:

Mondays

8 – "Big Bang Theory"

8:30 – "How I Met Your Mother"

9 – "Two and a Half Men"

9:30 – "Worst Week" (new show)

10 – "CSI: Miami"

Tuesdays

8 – "NCIS"

9 – "The Unit"

10 – "Without A Trace"

Wednesdays

8 – "New Adventures of Old Christine"

8:30 – "Rules of Engagement" or "Project Gary" (new show)

9 – "Criminal Minds"

10 – "CSI: NY"

Thursdays

8 – "Survivor"

9 – "CSI"

10 – “11th Hour” (new show)

Fridays

8 – "Ghost Whisperer"

9 – "The Mentalist" (new show)

10 – "Numb3rs"

Saturdays

8, 9 - Drama repeats

10 - "48 Hours Mystery"

Sundays

7- "60 Minutes"

8 – "The Amazing Race"

9 – “The Ex-List” (new show)

10 – "Cold Case"

-- Michael Schneider

Bemoaning the collapse of network primetime ratings? ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel thinks the tide's about to turn.

"TV sets are bigger than ever, kids are fatter than ever and gas has never been more expensive," he told advertisers at the Alphabet net's upfront presentation Tuesday. "We have a whole country sitting on its couch right now. If we can't sell TV to them, we should be ashamed of ourselves."

Kimmel repped the one piece of entertainment in what was, by design, a bare-bones ABC presentation this year. No bands, no celebs and no party.

"ABC may be the worst date ever," Kimmel quipped to the media buyers in the aud. "We expect you to put out, and won't even buy you a drink."

Alphabet net took a few lumps, but Kimmel saved much of his more biting swipes for NBC. The Peacock dubbed its recent upfront presentation the "infront," he said, "because they're just in front of the CW."

Kimmel also referenced NBC's recent pledge to air a 52-week primetime sked.

"They may even have to go outside Ben Silverman's production company for some of them," he said. (A joke sure to resonate among rivals who've noted the number of Reveille projects on NBC's air.)

Kimmel even teased ABC for acquiring "Scrubs" after seven years on NBC. "It's always a good idea to borrow shows from the network in last place," he sniffed.

Kimmel also briefly referenced the upcoming late night upheaval, jokingly reading a letter from "Bob Iger," claiming Kimmel's safe from losing his slot to a rival talk show host. Earlier in the day, ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson didn't rule out recruiting Jay Leno for a show once he became available, but said Kimmel would be consulted and a part of the process if that were to happen.

-- Michael Schneider

ABC saved a few development tidbits for its upfront presentation at Avery Fisher Hall today. One that stood out was ABC Entertainment prexy Steve McPherson confirming that the net is developing an adaptation of the online serial "In the Motherhood," which stars Leah Remini (pictured left), Jenny McCarthy and Chelsea Handler (pictured right) as typically harried moms.

This is the first I've heard of this thing, but the Internet shorts are sponsored by Suave and Sprint and are hosted by MSN at www.inthemotherhood.com. And  it appears that each of the three- to four-minute shorts are inspired by stories sent in by bona fide harried moms from around the country. Production looks high-end, as these things go.

As as harried journo-mom myself, I've got no time right now, but I'll have to check 'em out when I'm off deadline -- and after a certain 7-year-old's bedtime.

Now it's really just down to the fate of "Moonlight," because CBS has made it official on pickups for drama "The Unit" and comedies "How I Met Your Mother" and "Rules of Engagement."

"Mother" renewal was never really in doubt, but "Unit" seemed very much on the bubble until the last 72 hours or so and "Rules" was not exactly a slam dunk. Second-year drama "Shark" was the other lingering hold out, but as of last week it was pretty clear that a renewal was not in the cards for James Woods and Co.

She made it! Word is that CBS has given a full-season pickup to Julia Louis-Dreyfus starrer "The New Adventures of Old Christine." Pickup of the Warner Bros. TV comedy for a fourth season lends more credence to the notion that the Eye intends to open up a new comedy block next season. The betting is on Tuesday or Wednesday nights from 8-9 p.m.

Meanwhile, another Warner Bros. TV show on the bubble at CBS, vampire drama "Moonlight," is still awaiting the final word on its primetime mortality.

Here we go with the first main event -- ABC unveiled its fall sked this ayem.

Lineup is mostly similar to what worked for the net last fall, before all hell broke loose with the strike. As predicted, new drama "Life on Mars" (pictured left) landed the plum post-"Grey's Anatomy" slot on Thursday. "Boston Legal" moves from Tuesday to Monday 10 p.m. to make room for "Eli Stone," which the net showed major faith in by picking up for a sophomore sesh.

Ashton Kutcher the producer scored by landing the Tuesday 8 p.m. berth on the fall sked for Katalyst's latest unscripted concoction, "Opportunity Knocks" (pictured right), plus Katalyst got a midseason order for a beauty pageant thing co-produced with Tyra Banks' shingle. So Katalyst is 2 for 1, because from the looks of ABC's release, doesn't seem like comedy "Miss Guided" is back, but we don't know that for sure yet.

I don't think I'm the only one who looks at this sked and thinks -- good grief, after May 29, we're gonna have to wait NINE LONG MONTHS before "Lost" comes back!?! Oh, the agony.

MONDAY:

8:00 p.m.  “Dancing with the Stars”
9:30 p.m. “Samantha Who?”
10:00 p.m. “Boston Legal”
 
TUESDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Opportunity Knocks”
9:00 p.m. “Dancing with the Stars the Results Show”
10:00 p.m. “Eli Stone”

WEDNESDAY:

8:00 p.m.  “Pushing Daisies”   
9:00 p.m. “Private Practice”
10:00 p.m. “Dirty Sexy Money”

THURSDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Ugly Betty”
9:00 p.m. “Grey’s Anatomy”
10:00 p.m. “Life on Mars”

FRIDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Wife Swap”
9:00 p.m. “Supernanny”
10:00 p.m. “20/20”
 
SATURDAY:

8:00 p.m. “Saturday Night College Football”

SUNDAY:

7:00 p.m. “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
8:00 p.m. “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
9:00 p.m. “Desperate Housewives”
10:00 p.m. “Brothers & Sisters”

NEW SHOW DESCRIPTIONS

“LIFE ON MARS”
“Life on Mars” is based on the BBC series created by Matthew Graham, Tony Jordan and Ashley Pharoah. The series revolves around Sam Tyler, a modern-day police detective who, after a car crash, mysteriously finds himself transported back to 1973 and still working as a detective.

“Life on Mars” stars Jason O’ Mara as Sam Tyler, Rachelle Lefevre as Annie Cartwright, Colm Meaney as Gene Hunt, Stephanie Jacobsen as Maya, Lenny Clarke as George Randall, Patrick Wenk-Wolff as Colin Raimes and Richard Benjamin as Milton Kornboll.

The series is produced by Twentieth Century Fox Television and ABC Studios. Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec, Scott Rosenberg, Jane Featherstone, Stephen Garrett and David E. Kelley are the executive producers. The pilot episode of “Life on Mars” was executive-produced by David E. Kelley, Tommy Schlamme, Bob Breech, Jane Featherstone and Stephen Garrett, and was produced by David E. Kelley Productions in association with 20th Century Fox Television.

“UNTITLED ASHTON KUTCHER/TYRA BANKS PROJECT”
A beauty pageant unlike any you’ve ever seen, from executive producers Ashton Kutcher and Tyra Banks.

“OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS”
“Opportunity Knocks” is a new show that breaks the mold of typical game and reality shows. We will be showing up on America’s doorstep and testing how well they know their family. Our mobile team will arrive at “Anywhere, America” in a semi-truck that is full of flat screen TVs, new furniture and big cash prizes that the family can win right there. We will take the action of a game show directly into our contestants’ homes, setting up shop in a family’s front lawn. The instant our host, JD Roth, knocks on the front door, the game will begin. Hollywood will invade a suburban neighborhood, and each week one lucky family will play the game of a lifetime in front of all their friends and neighbors.

The host poses trivia questions to family members based directly on their lives, each other and articles found in and around their home. If they’re able to prove they know their family inside and out, they’ll win the prizes of their dreams.

Executive producers for “Opportunity Knocks” are Ashton Kutcher, Jason Goldberg, Karey Burke, J.D. Roth and Todd A. Nelson. “Opportunity Knocks” is produced by Katalyst Films and 3 Ball Productions.

“THE GOODE FAMILY”
A new animated series from Mike Judge, creator of “King of the Hill.” “The Goode Family” is obsessed with doing the “right” thing, whether it’s environmentally, politically or socially. Unfortunately their efforts often have unintended comic consequences.

“The Goode Family” is voiced by Mike Judge as Gerald, Nancy Carell as Helen, Dave Herman as Ubuntu and Abby Elliot as Bliss. Executive producers for “The Goode Family” are Mike Judge, David Krinsky, John Altschuler, Michael Rotenberg and Tom Lassally. The series is produced by MRC and 3 Arts Entertainment.

Fox is sending millionaires down in the hole, as they say on "The Wire," for its latest reality venture.

"Secret Millionaire," which net announced today with a six-seg pickup, will send a group of rich folk into "some of America's most impoverished" neighborhoods to make new friends and figure out who's most deserving of a six-figure bit of philanthropic largess at the end of the series when they reveal their true identities.

"Secret Millionaire" hails from RDF USA and will be exec produced by Chris Coelen, Greg Goldman and Bruce Toms. It's based on an RDF show that was a hit on U.K.'s Channel 4. No air date has been set, per Fox.

There they were, just steps from each other: The man who moved "Project Runway" from Bravo to Lifetime, and the NBC Universal execs who are still none too happy about how it all went down.

According to eyewitnesses at Monday's William Morris Agency shindig (held indoors at the Museum of Modern Art), The Weinstein Co.'s Harvey Weinstein walked into the party -- and immediately into a gaggle of NBC Universal suits, including network/studio co-chairman Marc Graboff.

Weinstein gave Graboff a bear hug, the observers said, and strongly suggested that the two sides put their differences behind them.

That, of course, is a large order: Peacock last month filed suit in New York Supreme Court against "Project Runway" producer the Weinstein Co., asserting the shingle violated NBC and Bravo's right of first refusal.

Insiders say the Weinstein Co. would like to settle -- and is concerned that all of the press surrounding the dispute may have a negative impact on the franchise.

But that any settlement that NBC might sign off on probably wouldn't go over well at Lifetime, which signed a five-year deal to take over the show -- cable's top-rated reality skein -- effective November.

At the very least, NBC would want the Weinsteins to hold off on launching season six -- the first for Lifetime -- in the fall. Peacock execs believe that's cutting too close to the wrap of Bravo's fifth and final "Runway" edition. But Lifetime has already announced the November launch.

Another insider, however, pooh-poohed the notion that settlement talks could be in the offing. Both sides have made their positions clear in the past: Peacock claimed TWC didn't give NBC U proper notification that another party had made an offer for "Runway," and that as a result, the sale to Lifetime is invalid, while the Weinstein Co. has said that NBC, quite simply, didn't put out an aggressive bid and that the law suit is "sour grapes."

Ultimately, things remained civil at the party, but no hatchet was buried. NBC U topper Jeff Zucker did joke that he hadn't seen Weinstein driving his kids to school lately -- a reference to Weinstein's quip at the Lifetime upfronts that he'd start chauffeuring Zucker's household around town as a way to get back in his good graces.

-- Michael Schneider

This just in: It looks like CW's cult-fave drama "Reaper" is getting a last-minute reprieve, 13 segs for midseason. Also, I'm getting behind in reporting the good news. ABC's struggling midseasoner "Eli Stone" has also escaped the ax. Both dramas hail from ABC Studios. Coincidence? Hmmmm...