HEROES VS. VILLAINS
CBS has finalized the castaway lineup for its upcoming Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains competition. The 20th instalment of the Emmy-winning reality series will reunite some of the most memorable contestants from previous Survivor campaigns. Filmed on the island of Samoa, the talent roster will be comprised of two tribes of 10 people deemed to be the best heroes and biggest villains ever to play the game. On the Heroes tribe: Rupert Boneham, James Clement, Colby Donaldson, Cirie Fields, Stephanie LaGrossa, James "JT" Thomas Jr., Tom Westman, Candice Woodcock and fan favourite Jessica "Sugar" Kiper. For the Villains team: Tyson Apostol, Randy Bailey, Danielle Dilorenzo, Russell Hantz, Jerri Manthey, Robert Mariano, Parvati Shallow, Sandra Diaz-Twine, Courtney Yates and Benjamin "Coach" Wade. The 20th season of Survivor will air on CBS and Global and kicks off with a two-hour episode on Feb. 11.
THE HOFF IS OFF
David Hasselhoff is bidding adieu to America's Got Talent for greener TV pastures. The former Baywatch star, who's served as a judge on NBC's popular summer series for four seasons, has announced he's leaving the talent-search contest in order to do a TV project of his own. "It's been a rewarding experience and now I'm thrilled to be able to follow my dream to do my own TV show, which will be announced very shortly," the 57-year-old actor told People magazine. Hasselhoff's fellow America's Got Talent judges Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne are scheduled to return to the show next summer. NBC is expected to announce Hasselhoff's replacement in the coming weeks. Paula Abdul, anyone?
AT THE POST
Deadwood creator David Milch will return to television with another offbeat HBO drama. The iconoclastic TV producer, who last created the bizarre surf-soap series John from Cincinnati for the U.S. cable channel, has teamed with director Michael Mann for a new drama set in the world of horse racing. Titled Luck, the new show is described as a provocative look at horse racing and professional gambling as experienced by a diverse group of hard-luck characters at a racetrack. Milch has written the pilot episode, which will be directed by Mann. No casting decisions have been announced. Luck is expected to join HBO's lineup next fall.