End in sight for USA Network's 'Monk'
NEW YORK, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The USA Network has confirmed its mainstay TV series "Monk" will soon be entering its final season on the U.S. cable network.
The Hollywood Reporter said Friday the cable network has ordered a final 16 episodes of the detective series that will mark the eighth and final season for the series.
"Monk" follows a former police detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder who uses his unusual eye for details to solve crimes.
The decision to conclude the long-running series featuring Tony Shalhoub as private investigator Adrian Monk was a mutual decision for all involved parties, sources say.
The Reporter said while "Monk" has enjoyed strong ratings, an average 5 million viewers through 2008, the show now has substantial costs that may have been related to the network's decision.
Jeff Wachtel, USA Network executive vice president of original programming, said in a statement that the eighth season, set to debut next summer, should be a "satisfying" conclusion for "Monk" fans.
"Our fans have been extremely dedicated, and Season 8 should prove to be a very satisfying reward," he said.
E! star Matenopoulos facing divorce
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- The husband of Debbie Matenopoulos, host of the "Daily 10" on the E! cable network, has filed for divorce, court papers filed in Los Angeles show.
People magazine reported Friday that, according to court records, music executive Jay Faires cited irreconcilable differences in filing for divorce from Matenopoulos.
In his legal filing, Faires said the couple's property rights had yet to be determined and asked that Matenopoulos not receive spousal support.
Wednesday's documents detailed the couple's marriage in 2003 and their official separation this March, People said.
The 33-year-old E! host, who has been nominated for two Emmy Awards during her career, had no children with Faires during their marriage.
'Doctor Who' preview answers no questions
LONDON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- A preview of a "Doctor Who" TV special offered no definitive answer as to who will be the next star of the British series, The Daily Telegraph says.
The newspaper reported Saturday that the sneak preview of the upcoming "Dr. Who" Christmas special shown during Friday's Children in Need show showed two successor possibilities to current "Doctor Who" star David Tennant.
The preview showed actor David Morrissey in an apparent act of heroism indicative of a "Doctor Who" star, but also featured another man who identified himself as the Time Lord.
"Doctor," a mainstay on British television since 1963, follows a character known as the Doctor as he travels through time along with a rotating cast of companions.
A total of 10 actors have played the lead role in the science-fiction series with Tennant serving as the most recent incarnation.
The Telegraph said the charitable event during which the highly anticipated preview debuted raised more than $31 million.
Colbert, Norton square off at event
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Delegate to the U.S. Congress Eleanor Holmes Norton and comedian Stephen Colbert jokingly criticized one another at a Washington fundraiser.
They appeared on stage together at the 20th Annual Roast for Spina Bifida Friday night and immediately the joking insults began to fly, The Washington Post reported Saturday.
After a few initial pokes at one another, Norton offered the first true comedic slam by saying "The Colbert Report" is inferior to its fellow Comedy Central series "The Daily Show."
"Let's see how tough you are without your writers," Norton said. "What do we call 'The Colbert Report' with funnier material? 'The Daily Show,' sir!"
The Times said with the audience cheering on the two political rivals at the Hilton Washington, Colbert offered his take on Norton's role as a non-voting District of Columbia delegate in Congress.
"Like in Congress, what you said was duly noted and had no effect whatsoever," the comedian quipped. "Do you ever dream of having a position with more power -- like student body president?"
