Michael Jackson Memorial Earns 31 Million Viewers & More TV News

Michael Jackson memorial draws 31.1 million viewers, 'Top Chef: Las Vegas' finds a premiere date, Terry Kinney books 'The Mentalist' and more of today's top TV headlines.An astounding 31.1 million people tuned in to watch Michael Jackson's live memorial service, held on Tuesday. That number nearly matched the 2004 burial of President Ronald Reagan, which drew in 35.1 million, and the funeral for Princess Diana (33.3 million) in 1997. [Live Feed]





Bravo has cooked up a premiere date for 'Top Chef' season 6. The 'Las Vegas' edition, featuring 17 new chefs, will premiere Aug. 26, following February's season 5 finale that averaged 4 million viewers. Expect just as many to watch what happens in Vegas. [Variety]





Terry Kinney will appear in "at least seven" episodes of 'The Mentalist''s upcoming second season. The former 'Unusuals' co-star will play the "deceptively sharp" Agent Sam Bosco, who joins forces with Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) in an attempt to hunt down the Red John serial killer. [Hollywood Reporter]

'Will & Grace' star Eric McCormack will guest on an upcoming episode of 'Law & Order: SVU.' The Emmy winner will play a "handsome (and straight) sugar daddy" in season 11's second episode, airing this fall. In other words: He's probably guilty. [Ausiello Files]


Oscar winner Robin Williams is bringing his stand-up back to HBO. The comic will star in 'Robin Williams: Weapons of Self-Destruction,' a new special set to tape this November in Washington, D.C. A premiere date is scheduled for the following month. [Variety]


'30 Rock' is officially headed for syndication. NBC has reportedly sold the rights to Fox Television and Turner Broadcasting, which will air the hit comedy series in cities like New York and Los Angeles beginning fall 2011. We want to go to there. [EW.com]


Lifetime will air reruns of CBS' Emmy-winning series 'The New Adventures of Old Christine.' The network will reportedly pay $350,000 an episode, with a launch on track for fall 2010. File this under another 'New Adventure' for Christine. [Variety]