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FX has detailed its strategy for returning two of its hottest original series, “Nip/Tuck” and “Damages,” to its schedule next year. “Nip/Tuck” will begin its fifth season Jan. 6 and is planning a star-studded lineup of guest actors, while “Damages” kicks off Season 2 on Jan. 7 with two new cast members. TVWeek.com (11/12)

At the end of this season, FOX is shuttering its Saturday late-night comedy sketch show Mad TV after 14 seasons. Mad TV originally launched in 1995 to go head-to-head with NBC’s SNL and presently two Mad TV alums star in their own cable shows: Nicole Sullivan in Lifetime’s Rita Rocks and Frank Caliendo in TBS’ Frank TV. (Cynopsis 10/13)

NBC made a commitment with Sony Pictures Television to keep 43-year old daytime soap Days of Our Lives on the air for another 18 months, reports Variety. NBC’s production agreement for Days was due to expire next March and with this new extension the soap will air through September 2010 with another year tacked on if certain perimeters on the show are met taking it to September 2011. The previous production contract between Sony and Corday Productions was for five years and the new shorter time frame points to NBC’s possible reluctance to keep funding the daytime drama which reportedly costs $1.7-$1.8 million per week. (Cynopsis 10/13)

MTV’s “TRL” comes to an end Sunday night when the cable network brings down the curtain with “Total Finale Live,” a special paying tribute to the music television series, which began in 1997. The Internet helped kill off the show, according to observers. “TRL” “lost its ability to be unique.” (Iwantmedia 11/13, http://www.nypost.com/seven/11132008/tv/trl_had_to_die_138415.htm 11/13)

The CW wants more of its freshman drama Privileged, ordering five additional episodes taking the season to 18 total. The network will encourage sampling by airing new Privileged episodes consecutively on December 1 and 8 following Gossip Girl, then those episodes will be repeated in the show’s regular time slot on Tuesdays after 90210. (Cynopsis 10/13)

HBO has a sizzling project from Red Hot Chili Peppers lead Anthony Kiedis, cites Variety. Kiedis is developing a series tentatively titled Scar Tissue about his unusual, rock ‘n roll childhood growing up in West Hollywood in the 1970s. (Cynopsis 10/13)

At $8.61 a share, Time Warner has a stock-market value of $30.9 billion. Yet, according to the media giant’s balance sheet, just one of its assets, goodwill, by itself is worth $42.5 billion. “Those asset values can’t be right,” said one observer. “Time Warner execs just won’t admit it.” (Iwantmedia 11/13, http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_weil&sid=aqn9JQA5yHLY 11/13)

When the MLB Network launches in 2009, the Major League Baseball-owned channel will present 1,400 hours of live programming, most notably “MLB Tonight,” which will be telecast every night for six to seven hours during the season. Another show in the on-deck circle is “30 Clubs in 30 Days,” a special that will feature a different team each day during spring training. Broadcasting & Cable (11/12)

Disney’s ESPN reportedly has bid $125 million for broadcast rights to college football’s Bowl Championship Series beginning in 2010, according to this article. In a second potential coup, ESPN may also get the rights to all four rounds of the British Open in 2010. Variety (11/12)

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