NBC is fond of 'Miss Universe' and 'Miss USA': The network has struck a new three-year deal with the Miss Universe Organization and Donald Trump to continue to broadcast the pageants, beginning in 2011, according to a report in Entertainment Weekly.

Last year's 'Miss USA' averaged around 5 million viewers, a record low for the pageant, but scored high on the buzz meter because of Carrie Prejean (Miss California) and her comments on gay marriage. The 2009 'Miss Universe' contest pulled in 5.9 million viewers, an improvement over previous outings.

Jay Leno's sit-down with Chris Rock on Thursday's show felt like it didn't really need Jay. Chris was just doing his act, which is fine since he's a comedian. If Joe the Plumber was just doing his stand-up act on Jay's chairs, that would be another story, and quite possibly another universe.

But as another great talk show producer once said, "A host with less talent would have interrupted him."

Rock's comedy was on the money, an expected bit of entertainment from a man who knows more about comedy and writing than you or I ever will. His bit about recently arrested film director Roman Polanski was particularly funny, especially since it's starting to become "The Michael Jackson Death Coverage 2: Electric Bugaloo" on the press. That's what late night is supposed to do: soften the blows the real world brings.

'Sit Down, Shut Up'
(Sun., 8:30PM, Fox) series premiere
It's not the return of 'Arrested Development,' but there are plenty of familiar voices in this new 'toon from 'Arrested' creator Mitch Hurwitz.

The show revolves around the wacky faculty members of Knob Haven High, a northeast high school with money issues, ornery students and teachers with plenty of angst of their own.

Among them: Will Arnett as bodybuilder/English teacher Ennis Hofftard, Jason Bateman as gym teacher Larry Littlejunk, Kenan Thompson as Principal Sue Sezno (who always "says no"), Will Forte as Vice Principal Proszakian, who uses the drugs he confiscates from students' lockers, and Henry Winkler as suicidal German teacher Mr. Deutschebog.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today: on TV Squad Daily:

• Making our country proud: it's Miss USA vs. Katie Couric.
  
• Simon Cowell's criticism saves lives!
  
• China is cracking down even more on TV content, including banning provocative noises.
  

The video's embedded below, or you can subscribe to this podcast via our feed. Plus, you can also download the file directly.

We've been getting a lot of wisdom and insight from our beauty pageant contestants lately. First was the solution to our lack of maps/Africa/the Iraq situation uttered so eloquently by Miss Teen South Carolina, and now we have Miss USA Rachel Smith, who explained what she wants to do with her career in front of the Women In Entertainment Empowerment Network (WEEN?):

"I always wanted to be a reporter - maybe some TV. Who knows? Some serious news - but some modeling, too...I just don't want to end up like Katie Couric. I want people to take me seriously."

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• Chris Sligh was so like-able until he got eliminated this week on American Idol.
  
• One is staying and one is going. But what's really the difference between Miss USA and Miss America?
  
• Frankie Muniz is desperate to be known for something other than "Malcolm in the Middle," but I'm not sure if a Mohawk makes me believe him as a race car driver.
  

The video's embedded below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this podcast via our feed.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are soon to be "fat camp" counselors in the new season of The Simple Life.
  
• It's time to choose a new Miss USA, but not before wallowing in Tara Connor's guilt one last time.
  
• So much responsibility! The writers at Days of Our Lives are letting you choose Sami's wedding presents.
  

The video's embedded below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this podcast via our feed.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• Miss USA will continue her reign - from rehab.
  
• Ruben Studdard wants to help Alabama lose weight.
  
• Michael Jackson participating in a reality show? He really needs the money.
  

The video's embedded after the jump below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this vodcast via our feed.

Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.

Today on TV Squad Daily:

• You'll always remember where you were when you heard the news: Miss USA may be dethroned.
• The downside of being A-list: Jennifer Aniston and Ben Stiller were both denied guest roles on 24.
• Just like Dustin Diamond will always be Screech to me, Lucy Lawless will always be Xena. But she's trying to turn her new love of singing into a career in music.
  

The video's embedded after the jump below, or you can download the file directly (Quicktime required). You can also subscribe to this vodcast via our feed.