Debra Messing to Guest on 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Pretty Little Liars' Debuts Big and More

Debra Messing is heading to 'Law & Order: SVU' for a February sweeps episode.

According to TV Guide, the 'Will & Grace' star will play a Nancy Grace-esque TV journalist who sets up stings to catch pedophiles. Messing's character meets Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) after becoming the target of a stalker Benson may have busted.

"We're lucky to have her," 'SVU' executive producer Neal Baer said.

In other TV news ...

• Discovery Channel has greenlit a new pilot that sends contestants off the grid. In 'Disappeared,' contestants try to hide around the world from a team of investigators. [Entertainment Weekly]

• 'Pretty Little Liars' premiered to a series high of 4.2 million viewers. The ABC Family drama was up from its previous premiere by close to 2 million viewers. [Deadline Hollywood]

• Laurieann Gibson, the choreographer known for her work with Lady Gaga, has a new a reality series at E!. Ryan Seacrest is producing the eight-episode half-hour "docusoap" that follows Gibson training dancers to work with artists. [EW]

• Ignatiy Vishnevetsky has been named co-host of 'Ebert Presents At the Movies.' Vishnevetsky will serve alongside Associated Press film critic Christy Lemire in the TV show, set to premiere Jan. 21 on public TV. [New York Times]

• 'TMZ' is sticking around for three more years. Of all syndicated newsmagazine shows, 'TMZ' ranks No. 2 among adults 18-49. [EW]

• CBS will air an episode of 'Hawaii Five-0' following the AFC Championship on Jan. 23. Last year's game was watched by 46.9 million viewers, making it the second-highest rated program of the year on CBS, behind the Super Bowl. [Variety]

• George Dzundza and Utkarsh Ambudkar have joined The CW's 'Danni Lowinski.' Dzundza will play the main character's alcoholic widower father, and Ambudkar will play a tech worker by day, novelist by night. [Deadline Hollywood]