Today's TV Newsy Bits - Feb. 13, 2006

Lots o' bits! Tons o' bits! Bits for you, right here! I'm talking television/entertainment related newsy bits links. What kind of bits did you think? Harumph!

• TMZ.com: News - Simon Upset with 'A.I.' Producers
• TMZ.com: News - Chris Penn Died Accidentally From Enlarged Heart, Medicine Mix
• 24's CLOCK RACES ON WITH THE RETURN OF ELISHA CUTHBERT AND WILLIAM DEVANE AND THE ADDITION OF RAY WISE AND C. THOMAS HOWELL
• Matt & Suzy From The Biggest Loser to Appear on NBC "Passions" Show
• ABC Announces Return of Commander in Chief April 18th
• Grey's Tops Housewives For First Time - 2/13/2006 1:17:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable - CA6307225
• Variety.com - 'Power' play in serial bowl - New Dick Wolf Series
• Kutcher, Katalyst Producing AOL Series - 2/13/2006 12:08:00 PM - Broadcasting & Cable - CA6307154
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: CBC axes 'Davinci's,' 'Wonderland'

'The Apprentice' Cast Announced - Going International?

I think what I'm most pleased about is the change to Monday nights at 9 PM. The Thursday night slot meant that it got taped in other seasons. At this time, there's nothing on at 9 PM on Mondays which thrills me, so I'm sure to be watching (and blogging) the show. The premiere is February 27th. We can expect Don Trump, Jr., and his sister Ivanka in the boardroom this season. That will be different, I guess. It doesn't sound like they'll be there for every episoded.

This site - NBC Announces 18 New Candidates for Season 5 of The Apprentice - seems to have the most information on the new cast that I could find.

In other 'Apprentice' news, you might want to check these out:
Baver up for 'Apprentice' spot
Zap2it - TV news - 'Apprentice' Goes Global for Season Five
Zap2it - TV news - 'Apprentice' Reserves Spot for Olympian

"Survivor: Panama - Exile Island' Schtuff

Well, they won't spoil them for me, but you've been warned -- if you want 'Survivor: Panama - Exile Island' spoilers/photos/videos for the show which airs February 16th, check out TDT.com Survivor 12: Panama - Exile Island Spoilers

The Survivor Fever site has the transcript of Tampa Bay 10's Melinda Boot interview here. Their spoilers can be found at Survivor Fever - Survivor: Panama - Spoilers

The Survivor Sucks site has their transcripts of the Survivor Insider videos from the CBS website up at Survivor Panama Insider: Episode 02 - www.ezboard.com -- these are a blessing when you can't get the videos to play right. Um... yeah, I'm talking about me. I can never get them to play right. They also have web clues up for the next episode here --> Episode 3 Web Clues - www.ezboard.com

This Thursday night's show is titled "Crazy Nights, Snake Dinners."

Wanda's Take on the latest can be found at Reality Shack - Articles. Oh, you remember Wanda Shirk. I'm sure you do. Wanda of 'Survivor: The Musical' fame!

New 'The Amazing Race 9' Cast: A Closer Look at Wanda Lopez-Rochford & Desiree Cifre

This is the last team in my "A Closer Look at..." series for the upcoming 'Amazing Race 9' which premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in a two hour special -- 9 PM - 11 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas. You can find the entire series listed on my 'Amazing Race 9' Blog Entries page.

Wanda Lopez-Rochford is a 44 year old corporate trainer who calls Smyrna, Georgia her hometown these days. Her daughter, Desiree Cifre, is a 24 year old writer living in New York City. Obviously, we're talking the MOTHER/DAUGHTER team of the race.

Here's what I learned about them (and why they're in the Race) from their official CBS show bio:

They believe they have a great sense of humor and both enjoy traveling, shopping and cooking. (Whoa... women ChaChas!) Wanda is fluent in Spanish and has lived in both New York City and Puerto Rico. While raising Desiree she earned two college degrees. Desiree is an NYU grad who works as a writer (but does she make a living at it?). She's in a steady relationship and considers herself passionate and artistic. She thinks her mother tends to be overprotective of her. While they both want to win the race, they're also looking forward to experience other cultures while seeing the world.

On the web:
NYU > Athletics - Apparently Desiree is a great fencer. Swordplay may come in handy on 'The Amazing Race' -- you never know!

I think I'm going to like these two. How 'bout you?

TV Newsy Bits - Weekend Edition (2/11-12/06)

Frosty bits! Snowy bits! Get yer bits hot from the oven on a cold, wintry day! (Hey, I'm snowbound... what can I say?) Here's the television and entertainment newsy bits links I found exploring the web over the weekend --

• Preview Clips for "24" February 13th Episode
• Preview Clips for February 14th Episode of "House"
• NBC Olympic Opening Ceremony’s Ratings Drop
• Television with a twist - baltimoresun.com
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: Conan wants sauna inspector post
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: NBC apes Eurovision Song Contest
• TV's "Project Runway" wraps at Fashion Week show
• Philadelphia Inquirer 02/12/2006 Newsmakers Local 'American Idol' contestant's shoplifting rap plays on Web site
• It took years, but Idol's' Bice finds music magic before 30
• TMZ.com: News - 'Idol' Cher Impersonator Sings to TMZ