Have you seen the new TV commercial for Cheer that features a soap opera-ish plot (a woman wakes from a coma and has to choose between her boyfriend and the hunky doc) and music? That's not just a one shot thing. Procter and Gamble have actually created an online soap called Brighten Bay, and they're holding a contest. The winner gets a walk-on role on CBS' As The World Turns.

Hey, maybe if the contest is a hit they'll reconsider canceling the show. (Note: not likely.)

[via BrandFreak]

Remember when the Miss America Pageant was a major event on the national television candle? The folks at TLC want it to be that kind of show again.

If you were born anywhere around the late 80s, you probably don't. But, throughout the 50s into the 80s, the annual televised event was more than just entertainment. It was news. And the winner, whether it was Lee Meriweather, Phyllis George or Vanessa Williams, had a shot at becoming a major celebrity.

But now? Name the current Miss America. Quickly. Don't look it up. Name last year's winner. Name any of the last five. Case closed. While it was once a proud contest/variety show, Miss America show is now overshadowed by other "rags to riches" battles like American Idol, America's Got Talent, etc. To get Miss America back on the pop culture map, the show's producers are mixing up the judges with a surreal mix of faces from through the media.

Do you just love it when life imitates art? It makes me wonder if art can legally sue for copyright infringement.

Fox wants Simpsons viewers to design a new character as part of a contest for a future episode at TheSimpsons.com. Aspiring character engineers have until Oct. 24 to submit their entry.

And here's the best part: you don't even have to know how to draw to enter. All you have to do is describe your character and the animators will draw it for you. That should come in handy for the next WGA Strike. I wonder if the winning character will go in a fire extinguisher case in case of contractual emergencies.

As part of the 20th anniversary celebrations, Fox is holding a contest in which fans can create a character online that will appear in an upcoming episode of The Simpsons. Entries can be submitted on The Simpsons website (although apparently not yet) and should include such information as name, age, appearance, occupation and catchphrase ("D'oh!").

I suspect that all entries will be the property of Fox upon submission. Since the show has been around for so long, it must be tough to invent new, unique and interesting characters so Fox is having the fans do it.

Of course, everyone could always just submit themselves as a candidate. It would be a little like that "Simpsonize yourself" craze from not too long ago. So many celebrities have made appearances on the show over the years, it would be nice if a non-celebrity, the sort that kept the show in business, would have a cameo.

For all you Sterling-Cooper fanatics that missed this one, you better hurry because there's only one week left.

Beginning back on July 21st, Banana Republic gave entry codes for the chance to win a Mad Men walk-on role. The catch? Well, first you have to actually go to a Banana Republic store to get one of the codes (can't get 'em online) and then you have to play dress-up -- as in, throw on the most Mad Men-ish clothes you got and snap some photos. Then submit the photos along with your code and wait patiently. Part of the contest is judged by the public, but Matthew Weiner makes the ultimate decision based on the semi-finalists.

(S04E01) "This place is absolutely barkin' mad." - Sharon about Seattle

This year's season premiere of America's Got Talent was about the same as last year's and the previous one: same montage of bad and good acts, instant reactions from the host backstage, the same type of comments from Piers, Sharon and the Hoff, and the last act being one where the contestants have a touching story and are great performers.

The main difference was the change in host -- Nick Cannon took over for Jerry Springer -- and the fact that a contestant, whose act was singing and playing guitar, decided to profess his love to The Hoff! That was probably the highlight of the entire two-hour premiere.

On this Tuesday afternoon, we've got two copies of Breaking Bad: The Complete First Season on DVD for two lucky, random commenters. The DVD is out in stores starting today.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, February 27 simply telling us why you'd like to own this DVD set. As always, we'll randomly choose two winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

Just when you thought everyone you knew, ever, had endured their 15 minutes on some reality show, you've been hoodwinked. It's no longer just the lady in accounts payable who you spotted on Cheaters or your brother's friend whose family appeared on Wife Swap. These days, it's low-profile celebs, too, who are seeking a 16th minute, and no longer exclusively via humiliation on VH1.

Do you have a flair for design? Do you like television? Would you like to use your talents to do something television-related that doesn't include you being a contestant on Project Runway, where you'll eventually start crying at some point? Well, NBC may be the right place for you! Because they're so strapped for cash right now they are looking to their viewers to help design some of their new merchandise.

Specifically, they are looking for some new T-shirts for The Office. All you have to do is download the T-shirt template that NBC is providing, select a shirt color, create and save the design as a photo, and upload it to the Office website by January 29th. Visitors to the Office website will judge your designs and pick twenty of the best. It will then be up to the producers of the show to pick the three winning designs.

(S02E08) "I declare an emotional snow day." -- Ned to Chuck

A really good episode of Pushing Daisies is something like a really good slice of pie: perfectly balanced in taste and consistency, not to sweet, not too tart, nicely flaky and completely satisfying the way comfort food should be. To some, every episode is a delight, but not every one is the perfect slice. This one, to me, had it all. There was something for every character, a goofy murder, complications galore and Kristen Chenoweth singing.

As the last of the Pushing Daisies play out -- with slim hopes of a TV life beyond this season -- I can't help but find myself savoring every show. But enough about the future, let's talk about this episode. It was great to see Olive, Ned, Chuck and Emerson separated into two teams; Ned and Olive went to the cook-off, while Chuck turned to Emerson after a highly traumatic development. More on that after the jump.

On this Tuesday morning, we've got three copies of A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD of the special, which aired this past Sunday, is out in stores starting today.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, November 28 simply telling us why you'd like to own this DVD set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

On this Tuesday morning, we've got an Apple iPod Nano and a Frank TV-branded talking bottle opener for one lucky, random commenter. The prize package comes courtesy of Frank TV, which airs Tuesdays at 11 PM ET on TBS.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, November 21 simply telling us why you'd like to own this prize package. As always, we'll randomly choose one winner amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

On this Tuesday morning, we've got a copy of The Cosby Show - 25th Anniversary box set on DVD for one lucky, random commenter. The DVD set -- with all eight seasons of the classic show -- is available in stores starting today.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, November 14 simply telling us why you'd like to own this DVD set. As always, we'll randomly choose one winner amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their latest musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:

• When I was younger, I went through weird movie phases. When I was about 10, I decided that I needed to see every single Friday the 13th movie; so I did. Suffice it to say, I'm psyched about An Obsessive-Compulsive's Guide to the Friday the 13th Movies.
• Am I the only one who feels like starring in a movie based on a video game is beneath Gerard Butler? Check out an early review of his upcoming movie, Game, and decide for yourself.
• The film, W., is obviously not a documentary, but while Oliver Stone took dramatic license with the material, he did do extensive research as well. Check out the fact guide for W.
• Do these Hollywood director attack ads make more fun of John McCain, or directors like John Woo and Wes Anderson? More importantly, are they funny?
• Cinematical wants to know what you're wearing. Enter their 4th annual Halloween costume contest, and win a crap-ton of DVDs!

Good morning, everyone! This time we've got three copies of Boston Legal - Season Four on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores starting tomorrow.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, September 26 simply telling us why you'd like to own this DVD set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.