Lifetime's 'Project Runway' finale hits season high

Lifetime's "Project Runway" concluded on a high note Thursday evening, averaging 4.3 million viewers.

That's 40% lower, however, than the fifth season finale that aired last year on Bravo.

Oprah: 'Here is the real reason' (video)

Oprah tells her studio audience she's ending her daytime syndicated talk show ...

Oprah sets OWN launch date

Oprah's cable network has a launch date.

Thursday shows slump as TV usage declines

With a holiday week approaching, plenty of sports competition on cable and sweeps stunts winding down, most broadcast shows declined Thursday evening as CBS resumed control of the board. Overall TV usage slipped 4% from last week, which accounts for some of the loss.

CBS claimed the adult demo trophy this round and continued lead among total viewers. The network aired "Survivor" (12.3 million viewers, 3.7), down 5% and a post-crossover "CSI" (15 million, 3.5), dropping 15%. But even with the reduced lead-in, "The Mentalist" (15.8 million, 3.7) was up a tenth for a suspenseful Red John episode -- the only broadcast show to post a gain last night and hitting its second-highest rating for the season. 

ABC's "FlashForward" (8 million, 2.4) fell again, down 8% to a new low. "Grey's Anatomy" (14 million, 5.0) was down 11% and "Private Practice" (9 million, 3.1) dropped a dramatic 21% to a season low (hmm, Lifetime's "Project Runway" finale? "New Moon" opening?).

'Oprah' exit leaves huge void

By Elizabeth Guider

The most telling indication that Oprah Winfrey was about to make the big decision was the cover of last month's "O" magazine. To actually share space with Ellen DeGeneres (who, after all, fronts a rival afternoon talk show) and later have her on "Oprah" as the main guest was a subtle if unconscious anointing of one queen of talk by another.

Oprah announces end of syndicated talk show

UPDATE: Oprah Winfrey will end her syndicated daytime talk show in 2011.

The top-rated talk show host told her staff Thursday that she will conclude her show on Sept. 9, 2011 -- when her current contract expires. The announcement will air during Friday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."   

Oprah draws about seven million viewers a day and her departure was first reported a couple weeks ago. After the show concludes, she plans to focus on her cable network, OWN.

Here's a statement from her distributor, CBS TV Distribution:

Resurrection: NBC orders more ‘Trauma'

It’s alive!

A few weeks after NBC confirmed it would not order any more episodes of “Trauma,” the network has ordered more episodes of “Trauma.” Three hours, to be exact. This is a similar "we canceled it, wait, maybe we didn't" fun the network had with "Lipstick Jungle" last year. Only that time, after some wavering, the show stayed dead.

So why order more episodes? Have its ratings improved?

NBC sets 'Chuck' premiere date (video)

UPDATED: NBC's "Chuck" will return Sunday, Jan. 10, before moving to Mondays at 8 p.m. starting the next night.

Guest stars will include Angie Harmon, Brandon Routh, Kristin Kreuk, Armand Assante, Steve Austin, Robert Patrick and Vinnie Jones.

Also, a two-hour "Heroes" will air Monday, Jan. 4 before the show shifts back to its former 9 p.m. time period.

Also, here's a just-released preview of season three:

ABC moves 'Lost,' books premiere date

ABC will launch the final season of "Lost" on Feb. 2.

The show is moving to Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. for its last season.

The return event will include a recap episode followed by a two-hour premiere.

ABC has been keeping a tight lid on preview footage at the behest of producers and so far has only shown this as a trailer.

Curtis Granderson reality show being pitched

MLB All-Star Curtis Granderson is shopping a reality series with production company Authentic Entertainment (Food Network’s “Ace of Cakes,” Bravo’s “Flipping Out”).

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' season finale preview (video)

Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld give Jason Alexander a hard time in this clip from Sunday's season finale of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" ...

'Old Christine,' 'Gary Unmarried' match season highs

UPDATED: CBS landed on top Wednesday evening with "New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Gary Unmarried" matching season highs and winning their time period.

"Christine" (7.3 million viewers, 2.2 adults 18-49) and "Gary" (7 million, 2.5) matched their previous top number this season -- despite the return this week of ABC comedies to the 8 p.m. hour. "Criminal Minds" (13.7 million 3.7) was up 9% and "CSI: NY" (13.6 million, 3.2) fell 16% from last week's crossover episode.

Fox placed second with "SYTYCD" (5.7 million, 2.1) and "Glee" (7.4 million, 3.3) ebbing slightly. ABC was close behind with a repeat of "Modern Family" (6.1 million, 1.9) doing better than "Hank" to lead off its evening. "The Middle" (7.1 million, 2.4) sure benefited from a stronger lead in, rising 26%. An original "Modern Family" (9.2 million, 3.7) and "Cougar Town" (7.9 million, 3.2) were up 6% and 14%, respectively, from their previous season-low performances. A special, "In the Spotlight with Janet Jackson" (6.6 million, 2.3) performed solid at 10 p.m.

Jeff Zucker: 'Quality content wins out'

By Georg Szalai

"There is not a lot to say," NBC Universal president and CEO Jeff Zucker said here Thursday when asked about the potential sale of a 51% stake in his company to cable giant Comcast Corp.

"I'm incredibly interested to see what will happen...Time will tell."

He made his comments in a chat with CNBC anchor Erin Burnett at the Paley Center Thursday morning after several moments of laughter and silence on his part in reaction to the interviewer's opening question. She had asked whether he was enjoying his last few days reporting to a guy named Jeff, namely GE chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt.

NBC's new reality series gives away a restaurant chain

NBC has ordered an ambitious culinary competition series with a prize that is among the biggest in reality show history.

The network has greenlighted a program from “Top Chef” producers Magical Elves in which the grand-prize winner will launch his or her own chain of restaurants. The show’s working title is -- and this is catchy -- “United Plates of America.”

A group of would-be restaurateurs will compete to impress a panel of wealthy investors from the cooking and business world. Challenges will test competitors’ savvy on such subjects as their restaurant’s concept, menu and marketability and their ability to manage staff.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the culinary space, but there’s a lot more to this subject than just cooking, and we’re excited about expanding our creative energy,” executive producer Jane Lipsitz said.