“The Walking Dead” is definitely not a reliable medical reference. In its November 20 episode, the show features Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) taking morning-after pills to try induce abortion before throwing them up. The scene sparked a criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), not because of Lori’s move, but because of the incorrect use of prescription medication.

Morning-after pill is actually designed to prevent a pregnancy from occurring when taken in the days following unprotected sex, and not for use several weeks into a pregnancy like Lori’s condition. Responding to the outcry, producer Glen Mazzara stated that “the producers and writers of ‘The Walking Dead’ are fully aware that the morning-after pill would not induce an abortion or miscarriage.”

Mazzara, who replaces Frank Darabont as a showrunner in the second season of the horror series, went on defending themselves, “We exercised our artistic creative license to explore a storyline with one of our characters, not to make any pro-life or pro-choice political statement. We sincerely hope that people are not turning to the fictional world of ‘The Walking Dead’ for accurate medical information.”

Sounding off the abortion outcry, ACLU previously wrote in its blog, “There is considerable confusion about the difference between medication abortion and emergency contraception, and it was distressing to see this misunderstanding further spread by a show like ‘The Walking Dead’.”

“Aren’t they supposed to have fact checkers to catch this kind of thing? Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and is especially useful in cases of unanticipated sexual activity, contraceptive failure, or sexual assault,” the non-profit organization added. ” ‘The Walking Dead’, is not doing its fans or themselves any favors by promoting false information.”

Talking about the abortion storyline, “Walking Dead” producer Robert Kirkman pointed out another thing that he thinks need to be argued about. “If there’s ever been an argument for abortion I think the thought of bringing a child into a world infested with zombies is definitely something that at least warrants a discussion,” he said.

“Because it is a horrific world that they’ve been living in and they have been watching people die left and right. After everything that Carl has been going through and losing Sophia – I mean this has been very definitively been proven to be a world that is not fit for children. So that is an issue that’s going to come up.”

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FOX OFFERS SEASON’S GREETINGS WITH A FESTIVE FEAST OF NEW AND RETURNING HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Baby, it’s cold outside. So, this season, FOX is decking the halls with holiday-themed programming that is sure to warm the hearts of kids from one to ninety two. First, gobble up all-new animated specials ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) and HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT) Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 24. The merriment continues Sunday, Dec. 11 with a night of all-new holiday-themed animation including The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT), THE Simpsons (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT), Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and American Dad (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), as well as the season finale of Allen Gregory (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT). On Tuesday, Dec. 13, celebrate Christmas early with all-new holiday installments of Glee (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT), New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) and Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT).

And stay up late with FOX to watch the ball drop New Year’s Eve on NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11, Saturday, Dec. 31 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed).

Make your winter a wonderland with the following holiday-themed programs on FOX:

Tuesday, Nov. 15

New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving” (all-new)
Jess (Zooey Deschanel) invites Paul (guest star Justin Long), a music teacher at her school on whom she always has had a crush, over to the loft for Thanksgiving. But dinner goes awry when Jess tries to cook, and Schmidt (Max Greenfield) and Cece (Hannah Simone) pitch in.

Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Burt’s Parents” (all-new)
Jimmy (Lucas Neff), Virginia (Martha Plimpton), Burt (Garret Dillahunt), Sabrina (Shannon Woodward), Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman) and Hope (Baylie and Rylie Cregut) borrow a house to impress Burt’s wealthy parents (guest stars Lee Majors and Shirley Jones) who have decided at the last minute to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. Things get interesting when the real homeowners return early, and Burt’s folks get a taste of what life is really like for Burt and Virginia.

Sunday, Nov. 20

The Cleveland Show (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) – “Another Bad Thanksgiving”
In an encore episode, Donna’s (Sanaa Lathan) sister Janet (guest voice Niecy Nash), and her unruly children come to town to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Browns. But when Janet falls for Holt (Jason Sudeikis), and they run away to elope in Las Vegas, Cleveland (Mike Henry), the Brown-Tubbs clan, and Janet’s kids follow.

The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) – “A General Thanksgiving Episode” (all-new)
Will Arnett guest-voices on an all-new Thanksgiving-themed episode that also features an original song performed by Rallo (Mike Henry) and Holt. When Holt misses his plane to Florida for Thanksgiving, he reveals that he wasn’t even invited to his estranged family’s holiday dinner. To help him get over his Thanksgiving blues, Rallo invites Holt’s father (guest voice Arnett) over for the holidays which ends up making Holt’s family relationship worse. Meanwhile, Cleveland tries to open an airport bar but ends up drunk and flying a stolen airplane.

Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Thanksgiving” (all-new)
Lois (Alex Borstein) cooks a big Thanksgiving meal and invites the whole crew over for dinner, and Joe (guest voice Patrick Warburton) is shocked when his formerly M.I.A. son, Kevin Swanson (guest voice Scott Grimes), returns from Iraq.

Thursday, Nov. 24

After the last bit of pumpkin pie is gone, sit down with the family for two all-new animated specials including:

ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) (all-new)

America’s favorite arctic herd is busy decorating for the holiday season. In his rush to help, Sid (John Leguizamo) destroys Manny’s (Ray Romano) favorite decorations. Manny is so upset he convinces Sid he is now on Santa’s naughty list. Sid, Crash (Seann William Scott), Eddie (Josh Peck) and Peaches (Ciara Bravo) take off for the North Pole to plead their case to Santa (Billy Gardell). Meanwhile, Manny, Ellie (Queen Latifah) and Diego (Denis Leary), worry over Peaches’ safety and race to find her. Back at the North Pole, Sid and his crew accidentally destroy Santa’s Workshop on Christmas Eve, and it’s up to these newfound friends to orchestrate a Christmas miracle. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 16 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).

HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (8:30-9:30 PM ET/PT) (all-new)

The Peanuts gang is back and ready to help Linus (Austin Lux) break away from his childhood security blanket. The stakes are high as Linus learns his grandmother is coming to visit, and he must decide whether or not to dispose of his most cherished possession. In an effort to help Linus kick his habit, Charlie Brown (Trenton Rogers), Lucy (Grace Rolek) and even Snoopy pitch in to help. Lucy is quick to attempt her amateur psychiatric skills, while Snoopy employs the age old drag-and-run method. Despite all attempts, Linus eventually learns that security is a valuable quality in life and everyone is entitled to their own version of a security blanket. An encore airs Friday, Dec. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

THE Simpsons (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “The Fight Before Christmas”
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Springfield. But while Marge (Julie Kavner) gets in the holiday spirit, it’s bah humbug for Homer (Dan Castellaneta) and the rest of the family. So Marge sends a letter to Martha Claus (guest voice Martha Stewart) to help her save the family Christmas. Also, the Simpsons get ready to sneak away for a tropical holiday vacation in Hawaii, but surprise visitors Mr. Burns (Harry Shearer) and Moe’s (Hank Azaria) new friend, Katy Perry (guest-starring as herself in a special live-action sequence) delay their getaway.

Friday, Nov. 25

FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: IRON MAN (8:00-10:30 PM ET/PT)

Grab some Thanksgiving leftovers and watch the network premiere of IRON MAN, in which Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, an affluent playboy who happens to be a prodigy in engineering. After a near-fatal experience in Afghanistan, Stark is forced to build an armored suit to protect himself against his abductors. When he returns home to the U.S., he finds out that his second-in-command at Stark industries, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), has been peddling weapons to the insurgents. So he uses the technology from his new suit to return to Afghanistan to get rid of the arms and fight against evil.

Saturday, Dec. 10

COPS (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #9″ (all-new)

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sets up an undercover operation in which a police officer posing as a taxi cab driver searches for prostitutes working in the city. Then, officers of the Amarillo Police Department in Amarillo, TX, pull over a car that is stopped suspiciously. When police approach the car, they discover the driver and a woman in a compromising position. Finally, back in Las Vegas, the police department works on a reverse prostitution case where undercover officers pose as prostitutes to arrest people soliciting.

COPS (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #8″

When an officer from the Amarillo Police Department in Texas approaches a woman on the street about her suspicious late-night behavior, the interaction turns into a chase on foot. Meanwhile, in Hillsborough County, FL, officers on late-night patrol team up to respond to a call regarding an unseemly transaction at a local motel, in an encore episode.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Animation Domination rules the holidays with a night of seasonally-themed programming and the season finale of Allen Gregory:

The Cleveland Show (7:00-7:30 PM ET/PT) – “A Murray Christmas”

Rallo’s teacher forces him to spend the weekend at a retirement home, where he meets Murray (guest voice Carl Reiner), who opens his eyes to the holiday of Hanukkah.

The Cleveland Show (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) – “Die Semi-Hard” (all-new)

To help pass time while posing in a holiday nativity scene, Cleveland tells his family his own version of one of his favorite holiday stories, “Die Hard.” In Cleveland’s version, when Waterman Cable Company is taken hostage on Christmas Eve by a group of terrorists, including Tim the Bear (Seth MacFarlane), Lester (Kevin Michael Richardson), Federline (Jamie Kennedy) and Kendra (Aseem Batra), a barefoot Cleveland – wearing a tank-top much like the one Bruce Willis wore in the movie – must endure window-shattering shoot-outs and fist fights with his friends to save his wig-wearing wife, Donna, in a parody of the greatest holiday-themed blockbuster movie ever told. Don’t miss an encore Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT).

THE Simpsons (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT) – “Holidays of Future Passed” (all-new)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and THE Simpsons flash-forward thirty years to find themselves in a tech-savvy, futuristic Springfield. Bart (Nancy Cartwright) and Lisa (Yeardley Smith) have children of their own and decide to spend the holidays as one big family at Homer and Marge’s house. Lisa and Bart turn to Homer and Marge for parenting advice and begin to realize that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Don’t miss encores Friday, Dec. 16 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) and Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT).

Allen Gregory (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) – “Van Moon Rising” (season finale)

In the season finale, the persistent and pompous Allen Gregory (Jonah Hill) bribes Principal Gottlieb (Renee Taylor) into a romantic situation in hopes of bringing them closer together. Meanwhile, Richard (French Stewart) uses Julie (Joy Osmanski) in an attempt to compete with his frenemy’s adopted child.

Family Guy (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) – “Grumpy Old Man” (all-new)

It’s winter in Quahog, and Lois’ (Alex Borstein) parents, Carter (Seth MacFarlane) and Babs (Borstein), take Stewie (MacFarlane) away on a trip. But when Carter falls asleep at the wheel, the family decides it might be time for him to retire. Peter (MacFarlane) and Lois take the clan to Florida to check out some fine retirement communities, but Carter refuses to go down without a fight. Don’t miss an encore Christmas night, Sunday, Dec. 25 (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT).

American Dad (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Season’s Beatings” (all-new)

Father Donovan (guest voice Martin Mull) holds a Christmas play at the mall and casts Stan (Seth MacFarlane) as Santa Claus and Roger (MacFarlane) as Jesus. But after the two get in a fight and cause a scene, Stan is kicked out of the church. Meanwhile, Hayley (Rachael MacFarlane) and Jeff (guest voice Jeff Fischer) adopt a child who turns out to be possessed.

Tuesday, Dec. 13

Glee, New Girl and Raising Hope offer all-new holiday episodes including:

Glee (8:00-9:01 PM ET/PT) – To Be Announced (all-new)

McKinley High’s Glee club is in the holiday spirit and ready to ring in the New Year.

New Girl (9:01-9:31 PM ET/PT) – “Christmas” (all-new)

The gang attends Schmidt’s holiday office party and Jess frets when she receives an expensive gift from Paul (guest star Justin Long).

Raising Hope (9:31-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “It’s a Hopeful Life” (all-new)

In a nod to the holiday classic “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the Chances go to the movies and are surprised when they discover that the film they’re watching is strikingly similar to their own family life. Meanwhile, Jimmy is transported into a cinematic dreamlike state and experiences the world as though he never met Hope’s serial killer mom Lucy (guest star Bijou Phillips). But when he returns to reality, he soon realizes that life without Hope would not be nearly as sweet.

Sunday, Dec. 18

Family Guy (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) – “Road to the North Pole”

It’s a fairly well-known fact that Stewie loves Christmas almost as much as he loves his teddy bear, Rupert. So, when he hears that Santa Claus is making an appearance at the local mall, he’s got to go.

Saturday, Dec. 31

NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11 (11:00 PM-12:30 AM ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) (all-new)

Count down the final moments of 2011 while watching the ultimate year-end bash, set to feature the year’s chart-topping musical guests. As 2012 nears, FOX cameras will capture every electrifying moment both from Las Vegas and the heart of New York City as the world-famous New Year’s Eve Ball makes its descent into Times Square. NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE is executive-produced by Bob Bain, produced by Paul Flattery and directed by Michael Dempsey.

FOX 2011 HOLIDAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE

(All times ET/PT except as noted)

Tuesday, Nov. 15
9:01-9:31 PM New Girl – “Thanksgiving”
9:31-10:00 PM Raising Hope – “Burt’s Parents”

Sunday, Nov. 20
7:00-7:30 PM The Cleveland Show – “Another Bad Thanksgiving” (encore)
7:30-8:00 PM The Cleveland Show – “A General Thanksgiving Episode”
9:00-9:30 PM Family Guy – “Thanksgiving”

Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 24
8:00-8:30 PM ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS
8:30-9:30 PM HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN
9:30-10:00 PM THE Simpsons – “The Fight Before Christmas” (encore)

Friday, Nov. 25
8:00-10:30 PM FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: IRON MAN

Saturday, Dec. 10
8:00-8:30 PM COPS – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #9″
8:30-9:00 PM COPS – “Ho! Ho! Ho! #8″ (encore)

Sunday, Dec. 11
7:00-7:30 PM The Cleveland Show – “A Murray Christmas” (encore)
7:30-8:00 PM The Cleveland Show – “Die Semi-Hard”
8:00-8:30 PM THE Simpsons – “Holidays of Future Passed”
8:30-9:00 PM Allen Gregory – “Van Moon Rising” (season finale)
9:00-9:30 PM Family Guy – “Grumpy Old Man”
9:30-10:00 PM American Dad – “Season’s Beatings”

Tuesday, Dec. 13
8:00-9:01 PM Glee – To Be Announced
9:01-9:31 PM New Girl – “Christmas”
9:31-10:00 PM Raising Hope – “It’s a Hopeful Life”

Friday, Dec. 16
8:00-9:00 PM HAPPINESS IS A WARM BLANKET, CHARLIE BROWN (encore)
9:00-9:30 PM ICE AGE: A MAMMOTH CHRISTMAS (encore)
9:30-10:00 PM THE Simpsons – “Holidays of Future Passed” (encore)

Sunday, Dec. 18
9:00-10:00 PM Family Guy – “Road to the North Pole” (encore)

Saturday, Dec. 31
11:00 PM-12:30 AM NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE ’11

“The Voice” season 2 is going to make the most of what distincts itself from other talent shows. Speaking at a press junket on Friday, October 28, executive producer Mark Burnett promises there will be longer blind audition rounds.

In the first season, the blind auditions were featured in two episodes and Burnett said they received many complaints from viewers who thought that the first rounds ended so early. He went on explaining that they will be able to give what fans want now that they have more time to produce them.

Not only will the blind auditions last longer, but also each of the coaches’ teams will grow bigger. While in last season Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee-Lo Green and Blake Shelton picked 8 contestants from the blind auditions for the battle rounds, they will coach 12 aspiring singers apiece next year.

Gushing on the blind audition process which has been filmed, Christina said the contestants are savvier than ever when it comes to picking whom they want to work with. “Now, they’re all like, ‘What can you do for me?’ ” she shared, adding that “they know how it works” when more than one of the coaches want in. Adam then chimed in, “All of a sudden, we’re the ones pitching ourselves.”

Christina additionally promised that she and her fellow coaches will open the new season, which premieres on February 2012 after the Super Bowl, with a “kickass” group performance, but she refused to give the details.

There is no word on how many episodes the blind auditions will run as NBC has not finalized an exact episode order for the reality show in its sophomore year. Meanwhile, host Carson Daly will be credited as a producer in the second season.

NBC has set a premiere date for “Fear Factor“. Years after it was canceled, the reality game show will return on the peacock on Monday, December 12 with a two-hour premiere, taking over “The Sing Off” slot after the singing competition show wraps its latest season on December 5.

NBC has additionally given a first taste of the challenging stunts by releasing first pictures of the revamped show. Making their way out via Entertainment Weekly, the photos give a sneak peek at some explosive stunts and a challenge involving black goo and scorpions. Some other stunts, which contestants have to get through to win a $50,000 prize, include the ones called “Towering Inferno” and the “Helicopter TNT Crash”.

“We have taken the groundbreaking Fear Factor franchise that many fans remember fondly and have ramped it up to make it even more challenging and competitive than ever before,” Paul Telegdy, NBC’s president of alternative and late night programming, gushes about the show. “The fans of the original show are not going to be disappointed and [host Joe] Rogan is exactly the same – it’s classic, it looks amazing.”

Producers have previously said that they will make use of the evolved technologies to present the show, which now can also be enjoyed in HD. However, Telegdy noted at that time, “We don’t necessarily need to do the stuff with maximum shock value.”

Showtime has made sure that Cathy Jamison will stay alive at least for another season by ordering the third season of “The Big C“. The drama comedy series revolving around Laura Linney’s cancer-striken character has received ten episode order for the next chapter.

“We love working together and we’re excited to keep exploring where Cathy’s going,” showrunner Jenny Bicks said of the renewal. “We’ve all become, as many shows do, we’ve all become a family, and it’s a terrific place to be so we’re excited to keep going for as long as Cathy can keep going.”

The production for the third season is expected to kick off in early next year for a premiere in the second quarter of 2012. The show, which helped lead actress Linney land a Golden Globe Award, will wrap up its second season on September 26.

TNT Announces Fall/Winter Schedule, Including Return of The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles, Leverage and Southland, Plus Launch of TNT Mystery Movie Night

After scoring its most successful summer of original programming ever, including the launch of mega-hit Falling Skies, TNT is set to heat up the fall and winter with a terrific lineup of popular and acclaimed original series and a showcase of new original movies. The drama network’s slate includes the return of basic cable’s top two series of all time, The Closer, starring 2010 Emmy® winner Kyra Sedgwick, and Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; all-new episodes of the hit caper series Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; and a new season of the critically acclaimed Southland.

TNT has also unveiled the slate for The TNT Mystery Movie Night, a new showcase of contemporary procedural dramas set to launch Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). The showcase will kick off with Scott Turow’s Innocent, starring Bill Pullman (Independence Day, Torchwood), Marcia Gay Harden (Pollack, Damages) and Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2, Law & Order: LA).

The TNT Mystery Movie Night will also star Kathy Najimy (Sister Act, TNT’s Franklin & Bash), Scottie Thompson (Star Trek, Skyline) and Jane Alexander (Testament, Warm Springs) in Deck the Halls, based on the book by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark. John Corbett (Sex and the City, Northern Exposure), Julie Benz (Dexter), Kelly Overton (The Ring Two) and Gary Cole (Midnight Caller, TNT’s Wanted) have been cast in Ricochet, based on the bestseller by Sandra Brown.

In addition, Catherine Bell (JAG, Army Wives) is set to star in Good Morning, Killer, which is being adapted by April Smith from her own novel. Dermot Mulroney (Zodiak, Copycat) and Michael Cudlitz (TNT’s Southland) will star in Silent Witness, based on the book by Richard North Patterson. And Hide, based on a book by Lisa Gardner, will star Carla Gugino (Californication, Entourage), Mark-Paul Gosselaar (TNT’s Franklin & Bash, NYPD Blue) and Kevin Alejandro (True Blood, TNT’s Southland).

Among other programming highlights, TNT will present the 30th annual Christmas in Washington concert in December and will once again team up with TBS on the live simulcast of the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® in January.

TNT’s fall-winter slate will follow on the heels of a hugely successful summer for the network. Among TNT’s summer victories, Rizzoli & Isles and The Closer are leading the pack as basic cable’s #1 and #2 dramas among total viewers, while new international hit Falling Skies ranks as basic cable’s #1 drama among key adult demos and the top new series in total viewers. TNT has also garnered remarkable success this summer with Leverage, which is enjoying its best season ever, and freshman legal drama Franklin & Bash, which ranks as one of basic cable’s Top 5 new series of the summer.

Below is a complete rundown of TNT’s original programming highlights for fall and winter. Artwork for TNT’s original programming can be accessed through the following link: http://on.tnt.tv/3KTSdW.

TNT Original Series

Leverage – Season 4 returns Sunday, Nov. 27 – Season 4 Winter 2011: 8 Episodes
Television’s coolest gang of thieves, grifters and con artists are ready to freeze out the bad guys this winter as this fast-paced, light-hearted caper series returns to wrap up its fourth exciting season. Academy Award® winner Timothy Hutton stars, along with Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Beth Riesgraf and Aldis Hodge. Leverage premiered in 2008 and is currently averaging more than 4.8 million viewers in its fourth season, up 10% over last season.

The Closer – Season 7 returns Monday, Nov. 28, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 7 Winter 2011: 5 Episodes
TNT’s The Closer, starring Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, will be back this winter as the blockbuster series’ seventh and final season continues. This year, Mary McDonnell has joined the cast of The Closer as Capt. Sharon Raydor, the role she will continue to play in TNT’s upcoming new series Major Crimes. In its seventh season, The Closer has averaged 8.6 million viewers, while its performance among key adult demos are up significantly over last season. The Closer will return to wrap up its seven-season run with six episodes in summer 2012, followed by the premiere of Major Crimes.

Rizzoli & Isles – Season 2 returns Monday, Nov. 28, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 2 Winter 2011: 5 Episodes
Topping the charts for the second consecutive year as basic cable’s most-watched drama, Rizzoli & Isles will return this winter with Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander as Boston’s top crime-solving duo. Developed for television by executive producer Janet Tamaro and based on characters created by best-selling crime novelist Tess Gerritsen, Rizzoli & Isles is currently averaging 8.8 million viewers for its second season.

Southland – Season 4 premieres Jan. 17, 2012, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) – Season 4: 10 Episodes
This critically acclaimed drama series takes viewers directly to the streets of LA to present an intensely personal, first-person look at cops and detectives on the beat. The extraordinary show – starring Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie – has redefined the police drama genre with a raw, authentic look at the lives and work of detectives and beat cops. Special guest star Lucy Liu will appear throughout the season as a member of the LAPD. In its third season, Southland grew its audience by 8% over the second season.

TNT Mystery Movie Night

Scott Turow’s Innocent – Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Bill Pullman stars as Rusty Sabich, a judge charged with the murder of his wife, a situation that comes 20 years after he was cleared in the death of his mistress. During this latest trial, a secret affair from Rusty’s recent past threatens to hamper his defense and fracture his relationship with his son. Oscar® winner Marcia Gay Harden plays Rusty’s wife, while Alfred Molina is his friend and defense attorney. Emmy® winner Richard Schiff (The West Wing, The Lost World: Jurassic Park), Callard Harris (TBS’s Glory Daze, Intermedio) and Mariana Klaveno (True Blood, While the Children Sleep) also star. Scott Turow’s Innocent is a sequel to Turow’s bestseller Presumed Innocent. The movie is written and directed by Mike Robe (TNT’s HawthoRNe, Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King), with Robe and Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice) serving as executive producers.

Ricochet – Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Two homicide detectives find their careers – and lives – on the line when they get caught up in a case of murder and betrayal in high-society Savannah. Emmy nominee John Corbett is set to star in this atmospheric tale based on the book by #1 New York Times best-selling author Sandra Brown. Corbett plays Det. Sgt. Duncan Hatcher, who is investigating a corrupt judge (Gary Cole) while also becoming romantically involved with his wife (Julie Benz). Kelly Overton plays Det. Deedee Bowen, Hatcher’s blue-collar partner; Kadeem Hardison (Panther, Made of Honor) is Detective Bob Worley; and Haaz Sleiman (The Visitor, Nurse Jackie) is drug dealer Robert Savich. Nick Gomez (Dexter, Drowning Mona) is directing Ricochet from a script by Donald Martin (The Craigslist Killer). Howard Braunstein (The Informant!) and Jim Head (On Strike for Christmas) serve as executive producers.

Hide – Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
In this movie based on Lisa Gardner’s book, Carla Gugino plays Boston Police Detective D.D. Warren, who is called to the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital where a buried chamber is discovered. Inside are the mummified remains of six young women, who have all been missing for years. The case leads D.D. to Annabelle, a young woman who spent her childhood moving from city to city, from identity to identity, hiding from someone or something totally unknown to her. D.D. uses clues from Annabelle’s secret past to unravel the mystery behind her twisted family history. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Kevin Alejandro also star. Hide is written by Janet Brownell (Eloise at the Plaza), directed by John Gray (Ghost Whisperer, Helter Skelter) and executive-produced by Stephanie Germain (The Day After Tomorrow).

Silent Witness – Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
This legal drama based on Richard North Patterson’s novel stars Dermot Mulroney as prominent defense attorney Tony Lord, who returns to his hometown to defend an old friend, played by Michael Cudlitz. The friend is a teacher accused of murdering one of his students, and the case re-opens the heartache from Tony’s own high school days, when he was a student falsely accused of murdering his first love. Lizzie Friedman and Greg Little, the team behind One Lucky Elephant, Whiz Kids and Sex and Death 101, serve as executive producers along with Howard Braunstein (The Informant!). Peter Markle (Bat*21, Flight 93) is set to direct from a script by Thomas Michael Donnelly (Our Fathers).

Good Morning, Killer – Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Adapted by April Smith from her own novel, this thriller stars Catherine Bell as FBI Special Agent Ana Gray, an undercover operative tracking down a serial kidnapper. As Ana develops a rapport with the kidnapper’s latest victim, the suspect suddenly changes his pattern. Now Ana must race to find him before he strikes again. Cole Hauser (Chase, K-Ville) co-stars as Detective Andrew Berringer. In addition to writing the screenplay, Smith is set to executive-produce Good Morning, Killer with Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice). Maggie Greenwald (Songcatcher, The Ballad of Little Jo) will direct.

Deck the Halls – Tuesday, Dec. 20, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT)
Based on the first book in Mary Higgins Clark and daughter Carol Higgins Clark’s series of holiday mystery novels, this warm-hearted story brings together two of the authors’ most popular characters: Cleaning-woman-turned-private-eye Alvirah Meegan (Kathy Najimy) and Detective Regan Reilly (Scottie Thompson). The women investigate the kidnapping of Regan’s father and a young female driver just before the holidays. The race is on to rescue the pair and get them home in time for Christmas. Two-time Emmy® winner Jane Alexander plays Regan’s mother, famed mystery writer Nora Regan Reilly. Ron Underwood (Tremors, City Slickers) will direct from a script by Howard Burkons (John Q, TNT’s The Ron Clark Story), who also serves as executive producer with Brenda Friend (Joan of Arc, TNT’s The Ron Clark Story) and Frank von Zerneck (We Were the Mulvaneys, Miracle on Ice).

TNT Specials

Christmas in Washington – Annual special airing Friday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2011, this holiday concert is a star-studded musical celebration benefiting the Children’s National Medical Center. Annually attended by the President and First Lady and other Washington VIPs, the spectacular concert takes place at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. This marks TNT’s 13th year presenting Christmas in Washington.

18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® – Live simulcast with TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
One of the industry’s most respected award presentations, this prestigious industry event honors performances in five film categories and eight television categories, including the unique Ensemble Award and an award for stunt performers.

Jennifer Behm ended season 2 of “MasterChef” with a victory on her part. The former real estate agent won in the Tuesday (August 16) finale which left Adrien Nieto and Christian Collins as the other remaining finalists.

Collins was kicked out early in the episode after he failed to impress judges in the last elimination test. For the challenge, they were required to make a dish with Joe Bastiani’s favorite ingredients, but Collins forgot to get one ingredient for his menu of Veal, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

In the last step to win $250,000 and a cookbook contract, Behm and Nieto had to make an appetizer, entree and dessert that embodied them as chefs and as human beings. Former Miss Delaware Behm served scallops and quail egg with pea puree, a stuffed quail with potato mash and a poached pear dessert for her “restaurant-style” dishes.

Meanwhile, Nieto opted to make dishes he learned to cook at home. The passionate waiter served a prawn taquitos, beer braised short ribs with a cauliflower and parsnip puree, and a chocolate cake infused with blood oranges.

The judges decided to grant the winner title to Behm after a long debate. While the pre-taped finale was aired on FOX, the founder of a catering company, Pink Martini, was watching the show at a viewing party at the Columbus Inn.

As it was anticipated, MTV officially renewed comedy series “Awkward” for season 2. The network has ordered 12 episodes for the new chapter which is slated to debut in early 2012. “We love the show and Awkward’s comedic voice really shines through in such a brilliant way in these episodes,” MTV head of programming David Janollari gushed about the show.

The news comes on the heels of a high rating for the teen series. It drew 1.9 million viewers on Tuesday, August 9, up from the 1.7 million who tuned in the July 19 series premiere. Last week’s episode also drew 2.0 rating, up 21 percent from the week before.

“Awkward” is created by Lauren Iungerich, whom Janollari praised for her voice which is “incredibly resonant” with MTV’s core young audience. The network will also produce a new pilot from Iungerich titled “Dumb Girls”.

Starring Ashley Rickards as main character Jenna Hamilton, “Awkward” airs every Tuesday at 11 P.M. There are seven episodes left from the first season.

MTV has previously renewed another freshman “Teen Wolf“, but decided not to move forward with its sophomore “The Hard Times of Rj Berger“.

“Breaking Bad” will bid farewell after another season. It has just been reported that AMC has ordered 16 episodes for the fifth season, which will also be the final season of the Emmy-winning series.

AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement on Sunday, August 14, “While it is sad to even contemplate the end of the series, we are so happy to have had the chance to go on this ride, and truly look forward to presenting the rest of this amazing story.”

“It’s a funny irony – I’d hate to know the date of my own last day on earth, but I’m delighted to know what Walter White’s will be,” creator Vince Gilligan chimed in. He also promised to write “a satisfying conclusion”, adding that “if we don’t manage to pull that off, we’ve got no one to blame but ourselves.”

The decision was made after alleged “tense talks” between the network and Sony regarding the fate of the show. It was previously rumored that “Breaking Bad” was shopped around amid contract battles between the studio and network.

The fifth season of the crime drama series will start production in early 2012. The currently airing fourth season continues delivering strong ratings for AMC, averaging 4.3 million viewers so far.

There won’t be a wedding for Bert and Ernie from “Sesame Street” despite an online petition urging producers to let the two characters get married. Sesame Workshop has stated that Bert and Ernie are not gay, insisting that they are only “best friends”.

“They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves,” so the workshop said in a statement. “Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits and characteristics (as most Sesame Street Muppets do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.”

Jimmy Kimmel, meanwhile, had his own way to explain why Bert and Ernie would not get married. Wearing a cowboy costume during his “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show, he got on his high horse to tell people that Bert and Ernie, as puppets, do not have genitals.

Giving another evidence that they are not gay, Kimmel pointed out about Burt’s distinctive eyebrow, “No self-respecting homosexual would leave a unibrow like that unplucked.” When addressing Bert and Ernie bathing together, he joked, “What roommates don’t?… It’s okay to wash your friends.” In a more serious note, the funnyman reminded people that the characters are still six years old.

The online petition, which has been signed by more than 3,000 people, ask producers to let Bert and Ernie marry “in a tasteful way” to teach tolerance to young children. However, some others argue that to identify the characters with a sexual orientation serves only to infuse “the passions of adults” into what is a show for young children.