Ellen in for 3 on 4
Fans of Ellen DeGeneres can count on seeing her show at least through the 2009-10 season – under a new deal that will keep “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” produced by Warner Bros., on NBCowned stations (including Ch. 4) for another three years. The show moves to 4 p.m. this fall, where it will battle “Oprah.” “Ellen” has snared three Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Talk Show since its 2003 premiere.
Elsewhere in the talk show arena – or, in this case, the faux talk show arena-that’s former “Talk Soup” host John Henson who’s been popping up on MSNBC recently to discuss all things pop culture.
And what was with Q104’s interview yesterday with Matt Dillon, who’s shilling his new movie, “Factotum”? Fans of “The Q” tune in for classic rock. Let NPR handle the deep discussions about Charles Bukowski (upon whose novel the movie is based).
Last, but not least:
* Sean Hannity interviews Condoleeza Rice tonight (9 p.m./FNC).
* Tomorrow: Ch. 2’s Hazel Sanchez emcees the Miss PhilippinesUSA 2006 Beauty Pageant (Elizabeth, N.J.).
* The History Channel en espanol is now available on Cablevision’s iO en espanol (Ch. 207); Ch. 41’s Denisse Oller, Antonio Martinez and Merijoel Duran will be at Sunday’s Dominican Parade.
* Virginia Moseley has been named senior political editor at ABC News.
* Obnoxious PR campaign of the week: Showtime’s endless shilling for “Weeds,” which included delivering huge flower pots and a “special scent strip” ad (smelling like marijuana) to the office here. Please go away.
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* Africa is considering setting up a 123 24-hour news channel modeled on the Arabic channel Al-Jazeera, according to reports. A production company in Kenya is organizing it and trying to raise $75 million in start-up costs. It could be on the air as soon as late next year.
* The new crew of celebrity hoofers on the upcoming edition of “Dancing with the Stars” will be officially unveiled on “Good Morning America” Monday. Some names have already leaked, including Harry Hamlin, former running back Emmitt Smith and foxy Vivica A. Fox (right).