Village Vidiot: TV

According to the trade paper, NBC picked up 16 episodes for next season and likely will premiere it sometime midseason.

Still up in the air is the spin-off "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," which the network said the show could continue, even if it doesn't keep stars Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni.

Broadcasting & Cable has heard of four dramas, a comedy and a reality show that will be on CBS' slate.

According to the site:

"The Good Wife" stars "ER" alum Julianne Margulies as a politician's wife who becomes a lawyer.

There's the often-stated "NCIS" spin-off.

A medical drama called "Miami Trauma" and another drama named "Three Rivers."

The comedy is "Accidentally on Purpose," starring Jenna Elfman as a movie critic who learns she's pregnant from a one-night stand (at least that is what the book the show is based on is about).

The reality show is "Undercover Boss," apparently about company executives who work menial jobs in disguise at their place of work. You heard right.

The sitcom "Samantha Who?" starring Christina Applegate was canceled by the Alphabet Network after two seasons. It seems, according to Variety, that the sitcom just couldn't slash its budget enough to stay alive.

Belt-tightening is the new buzz word at the networks as many series have been asked to cut their costs in order to stay alive for another season.

"Glee" - a comedy drama about a high school glee club. A sneak preview airs Tuesday (May 19). Click here for my review of this fun new show.

"Human Target" (pictured) - an action drama by director McG ("Terminator: Salvation") based on a comic about contractor who is willing to make himself a human target for his clients.

"Past Life" - a crime drama about a psychologist and a former detective who solve cases involving the past and the present.

"The Cleveland Show" - a spinoff of "Family Guy" that originally was supposed to premiere this past mid-season.

"Brothers" - a comedy about a former NFL player who returns home to his mother's to get his life back together.

"The Wanda Sykes Show" (working title) - the caustic but very funny comic gets her own late night show on Saturday nights.

Finally, returning shows include: AMERICAN DAD, AMERICAN IDOL, AMERICA’S MOST WANTED, BONES, COPS, DOLLHOUSE, FAMILY GUY, FRINGE, HELL’S KITCHEN, HOUSE, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, LIE TO ME, THE SIMPSONS and ‘TIL DEATH.

But that's what The Hollywood Reporter did with their list of movers and shakers in the unscripted world.

And No. 1 is. . .

That's right, Simon Cowell of "American Idol" fame. Was there any doubt?

The list is populated with mostly executives you've never heard of. Personalities you may know about include Ryan Seacrest, chef Gordon Ramsey and "Idol" judge Randy Jackson (what, no Paula Abdul???).

Check here for the rest of the list.

 The comedy/thriller is coming back for another season. The caveat: So far, it's only scheduled for 13 episodes, and at a tighter budget, according to Variety.

The trade paper says the deal was made Sunday night just as the network is about to announce it's full and final schedule (NBC announced its slate of new shows a couple of weeks ago but didn't say what was getting renewed. It will do that later this week).

The show, which has a cult following among the geeky was the one big question mark in NBC's schedule for next season.

Unfortunately, a lot of shows are coming back with reduced budgets thanks to the dark economy (ABC's "Samantha Who?" is likely to come back with a smaller budget).

Looks like it's just going to be bagels and orange juice at the snack tables in the studios.

This week, the networks will meet with advertisers with their final fall schedules. First up is Fox, which has renewed all of its new series from last fall and midseason.

Yes, Joss Whedon fans (the creator of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Firefly"), that means "Dollhouse" too. Apparently, the science fiction series got an 11th hour pickup from the network, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

One of the shows that definitely will be on the fall schedule is the charming "Glee," a comedy/musical about a high school glee club that's a little bit of a satirical version of "High School Musical."

Here's a video preview of the show.

I liked it a lot, which is having a sneak preview Tuesday night after the final performance episode of "American Idol" (you can't beat that kind of lead in).

Click here to read my review of "Glee" that ran Friday.

Meanwhile, I'll keep you abreast on the upfronts as the schedules are unveiled this week. Keep coming back here for the latest updates.

Dramas include a crime drama from the Jerry Bruckheimer factory called "The Forgotten," the legal drama "The Deep End," and another mystery drama called "Happy Town." Then there's the much-reported remake of the wickedly funny "Witches of Eastwick" that will simply be called "Eastwick." Finally, there is the remake of the science fiction cornball classic "V," about an alien invasion by lizard creatures.

Meanwhile, "Flash Forward," an action thriller, will debut as well, a successor to the outgoing "Lost."

For comedy, there are two new family sitcoms, "Hank," starring Kelsey Grammer, and "The Middle," starring Patricia Heaton, whom both starred together in Fox's now-defunct comedy, "Back to You."

They are joined by comedies, "Modern Family," and "Cougar Town," starring "Friends" co-star Courtney Cox.

In addition to "Better Off Ted," "Scrubs" will return for another since more co-stars are signing on, including star Zach Braff.

Read all the details at The Hollywood Reporter.