NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- With Ted Koppel leaving "Nightline" in December, ABC now must decide not only who but what takes over the slot.

ABC, which toyed over the years with going to an entertainment format like NBC and CBS, an idea deflected by network executives so far, now has an opportunity for a full-scale change of direction, the New York Times said Friday.

Reportedly, few believe the 11:35 p.m. time slot will still belong to the news division after Koppel's departure. Most appear to believe to do so, ABC would be leaving too much potential money on the table -- an estimated $100 million or more a year, the Times said.

The feeling among many is that the network has to be thinking of finding some star or stars who could compete with competing mainstays Jay Leno and David Letterman. Among those mentioned were Jon Stewart, Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen DeGeneres.

From Casanova to Doctor Who

LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Scottish actor David Tennant goes from BBC's "Casanova" to "Doctor Who," 10th holder of that role after the sudden departure of Christopher Eccleston.

Tennant, 33, played the lothario in the BBC drama written by Russell T. Davies, who is also lead writer on the acclaimed new "Doctor Who."

"Tennant was the only name in the frame to take over. It is a matter of agreeing terms with his agent at this stage," a BBC insider told the Times of London.

The BBC wants Tennant in place to shoot a "regeneration" scene at the climax of the 13th and final episode of the revived science fiction classic. He is then expected to make his first appearance as the Doctor in a Christmas special.

The BBC wants to secure Tennant for the high-profile role before his film career takes off. He is playing the part of Barty Crouch Jr in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

Munroe to write, direct TMNT

LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- Animation veteran Kevin Munroe has been selected to give the next "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" feature its cowabunga, Zap2it.com reports.

Munroe, who will write and direct the feature, has worked on a number of animated projects including "Hey Arnold" and "Donner." Imagi Services plans to release the new adventures of Leonardo, Rafael, Michelangelo and Donatello in spring 2007.

The turtles have enjoyed a renaissance in recent years from a new syndicated serie

Original Anthrax lineup to rock again

NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- The original lineup of the U.S. hard rock group Anthrax is reuniting for the first time since 1982.

The quintet, a hard-hitting outfit that formed in Brooklyn and helped to pioneer the rap-rock sub genre, plans to start a world tour beginning April 25 and 26 in Chicago. The group will spend most of the spring and summer in Europe and Australia before returning to North America in the fall.

"We had been thinking about ideas to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the band, which was actually last year," guitarist Scott Ian said. "Everyone was really stoked to do it. There was never any bad blood between any of us. This was just the first time everyone was on the same page to get together."

Ian says this version of Anthrax -- which considered changing its name after the 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. -- has not yet decided whether it will work on a new album.