'Reading Rainbow' Contract Expires Friday & More TV News

'Reading Rainbow''s contract expires Friday, 'American Idol' books Neil Patrick Harris, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return as CMA hosts and more of today's top TV headlines.This Friday, many public stations will close the book on the Emmy-winning children series 'Reading Rainbow,' hosted by LeVar Burton. 'Rainbow' -- which halted production in 2006 when funding ran out -- will officially end, 26 years after its 1983 premiere when its contract expires at the end of the week. [Cincinnati.com]

'American Idol' has booked Neil Patrick Harris for its next round of auditions. The Emmy host -- and nominee -- helped guest judge yesterday's audition round in Dallas, filling in for the recently departed Paula Abdul. Harris joins a long list of celebrity cameos this season, including Victoria Beckham, Shania Twain and Mary J. Blige. [E!]

Brad Paisley and 'American Idol''s Carrie Underwood will once again host this year's Country Music Association awards. The duo will re-team for the second year in a row when the telecast airs Wed., Nov. 11 on ABC. [PEOPLE]


A&E has confirmed that it is moving forward with a Jackson family reality series, tentatively titled 'Jackson Family Dynasty.' Scheduled to air this year, the show will follow the Jackson brothers in the aftermath of Michael Jackson's death. A&E also plans to air its original one-hour documentary as the show's inaugural episode, which was filmed before Michael's tragic death in June. Gives new meaning to "too soon." [Hollywood Reporter]

'Gossip Girl''s Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) is about to go gay. The suave character will reportedly lock lips with Josh Ellis (played by Neal Bledsoe), NYU's gay head of freshman affairs, in a manipulative ploy to help girlfriend Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) deliver a freshman class speech. Yeah, but who didn't experiment in college? [Ausiello Files]

CMT has renewed 'The Singing Bee' for a second season. The karaoke game show will return with 20 brand-new episodes after a solid ratings performance. Among the highlights: 'Bee''s June premiere, which went on to become CMT's most watched series premiere ever, with 1.5 million viewers. [Hollywood Reporter]

ALSO IN TV NEWS ...

All aboard: TV's 'Soul Train' is headed for the big screen. Malcolm Spellman will pen the Warner Bros. adaptation, about a dancer who attempts to leave the L.A. hood with the help of his gift for "popping." The film will reportedly be set in the '80s. [Variety]

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