TV Squad

It's Tuesday night, and even with the World Series over, 'Glee' still won't be on tonight, which we're gonna go ahead and blame on the midterm elections. This election cycle has been filled with vitriol and nasty rhetoric, but tonight we have an attack ad that we think you might actually enjoy.

Pat Quinn, Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor has turned to 'Glee' for an original way to attack his GOP rival Bill Brady. Quinn's campaign produced a one minute and sixteen second assault on Brady, done in the upbeat fast-talking style of the "That's What You Missed on Glee" recap segment, which runs before the beginning of each episode of the musical comedy.

So far the video is a hit on YouTube, with 142,000 views. We give Quinn props for finding an innovative way to go negative while differentiating himself from the dismal chorus of super-serious monotone, voice-over style attack ads we've been subjected to this season. If you're going to sling mud, at least have the courtesy to do it creatively.

From Harvey: I was just wondering if you had any thoughts about 'Caprica' and the way the cancellation was handled. I can't remember ever being this [angry at] a network and I don't know if there's any point to even trying to save the show or if I should just move onto the boycott idea. ...Basically, what I'm asking is, do you think that there is any good will left at Syfy to wrap up the story (because we know that the season ends with a cliffhanger)?

Mo says: I got a lot of questions and tweets about 'Caprica' during the past week, some of which contained a certain amount of strong language.

I get it: I understand that it hurts when a show you really like gets canceled, and it's very rare for a cable show to get pulled from the schedule before it completes airing the episodes in its current season. I'm sure that for 'Caprica' fans, the sudden yanking of the show adds to the sting.

Today marks an important day in our nation's history.

No, forget that election stuff (well, actually, don't -- you should go vote!). We're talking about the McDonald's McRib sandwich, which is back on the menu nationwide for the first time since 1994. The BBQ sauce-slathered concoction features boneless pork pressed into a vaguely rib-like shape and topped with onions and pickles.

We know of at least one person who is genuinely psyched for the sandwich's return to McDonald's' lineup: Jack Osbourne. On his family's 2002-2005 reality series, the rock star offspring gasped when he spotted the McRib on a McD's menu. "McRib is back!"

Pretend you're one of the richest, most powerful people on television. And pretend you buy an entire network and you're going to create a new channel from scratch. What would you put on that channel?

You would think that if you were a very rich, very powerful person, adored by millions, that you'd put shows on that you might not be able do find on other channels. You'd want to make that network special, right? So you'd probably want to steer clear of reality shows, makeover shows, typical daytime fare and self-help, right?

Not if you own OWN.

Fans of the edgy British teen drama 'Skins,' which airs in the U.S. on BBC America and is also available on DVD, probably already know that the hit series is being adapted for American audiences by MTV and producer/creator Bryan Elsley.

But what even smug "original fans" may not know is that, like the U.S. version of 'The Office,' the U.S. edition of 'Skins' will not feature one-for-one copies of the U.K. show's cast or story lines.

We spoke to Elsley about what current devotees of 'Skins' should know before the MTV version premieres in 2011.

ABC and Salma Hayek are teaming up once again to develop an American version of a telenovela.

The network and Hayek were behind 'Ugly Betty' and have set their sights on adapting the Argentinian telenovela 'Los Roldan.' According to Variety, Veronica Becker and Sarah Kucserka, 'Ugly Betty' veterans, have been tapped to write and executive produce.

'Los Roldan' told the story of a working-class man who gets hired to run the company of the woman whose life he saved. Versions of the soap have been produced in Colombia, Mexico and Cyprus.

In other TV news ...

• 'Sex and the City' showrunner Michael Patrick King is shopping around a new series. King and his representatives are reportedly shopping the script around personally in an effort to keep it as secret as possible. [Vulture]

• 'Off the Map,' Shonda Rhimes' new medical drama, will premiere Wed., Jan. 12 at 10PM. 'Off the Map' will take the place of the legal drama 'The Whole Truth.' [Twitter]

• Keith Olbermann has suspended his "Worst Persons" segment. Olbermann has shelved the segment in the wake of Jon Stewart's speech at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. [Hollywood Reporter]

Last night, Conan O'Brien and his crew streamed what they called 'Show Zero,' which ended up being a rapid-fire version of what the new TBS show 'Conan' might look like when it debuts on Monday night.

Actually, it looked nothing like whatever Conan's new show might end up looking like, and that was a good thing. In a way, this quickie, made-on-the-cheap show was a perfect preview for 'Conan.' It showed a host that was relaxed, confident, and ready to roll. Couple this video with the interviews he's done to support the premiere, and it's starting to feel like the good ol' days of 'Late Night' ... but maybe with even more absurdity.

Video and more after the jump.

The reports have come in about the attendance for Saturday's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear led by Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Comedy Central's estimate immediately following the event was 250,000. CBS used aerial photography to put the number at 215,000.

So who were these people?

It's impossible to get a complete sense of a crowd that large (for a little more perspective, see Brian Joyce's video interviews for AOL TV).

Those soft-focus close-ups set to swelling, inspirational music are recognizable anywhere: 'American Idol' season 10 is nigh, and the first promos for the revamped reality series have hit the web.

The two spots -- one 30-second, one 60-second -- both focus on past winners like Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood, David Cook and Lee DeWyze. (Taylor Hicks, Kris Allen, Fantasia Barrino and Jordin Sparks pop up in the second, longer one.)

Are you ready for some 'Idol'?

This is Spoilers Anonymous In-Depth, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we discuss and give our two cents about recently released spoilers and how they may affect the storylines, shows and fans.

This in-depth version of the column goes hand in hand with our weekly spoilers column, in which we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air.

This week, we discuss spoilers recently released for the upcoming episodes of 'CSI,' 'CSI: New York,' and 'CSI: Miami.'

The contestants on 'The Biggest Loser' are getting special training tonight at 8PM on NBC: Marines.

It's off to Camp Pendleton where they'll live and train like Marines for a week. On tonight's episode, two Marines surprise the contestants and whisk them away to training. Look for the contestants to be faced with Marine challenges such as rifle exercises, very long hikes and more.

Check out the exclusive clip of the contestants boarding their very special mode of transportation.

Countdown to 'Conan': Get ready for Conan O'Brien's TBS talk show debut on Nov. 8

Is Conan O'Brien getting the last laugh? As fans await the debut of 'Conan' on TBS on Nov. 8, the pompadoured host's nemesis, Jay Leno, is struggling over at NBC. Bringing Leno back to 'The Tonight Show,' the move by NBC brass that led to O'Brien's departure last winter after only a few months in late-night's top job, was supposed to improve the legendary franchise's ratings, but Leno is proving less of a draw among young viewers than Conan was at this time a year ago.

Here's tonight's lineup of new shows and events (all times Eastern). Check your local TV listings for additional information.

* = Series/Season Premiere
** = Series/Season Finale
# = New Day/Time

We've finally reached the midterm elections, which means a change in the schedule for the major networks. All will be covering the election at some point during the evening. In addition, both 'The Daily Show' and 'The Colbert Report' will offer their live election specials. Finally, expect the cable news outlets to be wall-to-wall coverage.

8:00 to 9:00
ABC: 'Dancing With the Stars' -- (90 minutes)
CW: 'One Tree Hill'
NBC: 'The Biggest Loser' -- Only 1 hour
PBS: 'Nova'
Animal Planet: 'Lost Tapes' and 'Freak Encounters'
Cartoon Network: 'Tower Prep'
Discovery: 'Dirty Jobs: The Nitty Gritty'
DIY: 'Rescue Renovation' -- 8:30 start
ESPN: '30 for 30'

The rest of the schedule and the late night talk shows after the jump.

Scores don't always matter on 'Dancing With the Stars.' (Just ask Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolini, who, despite being ranked second from the top last week, got the boot.)

Still, with only six couples remaining in the competition, low-ranking teen activist Bristol Palin and partner Mark Ballas could exit the show tonight.

Ballas' father, Corky Ballas, who was paired with Florence Henderson this season, isn't surprised that his talented son has lasted this long in the competition. Sure, he's biased, but Corky knows Mark's a great teacher.

"Votes play a huge part on the show," Corky said. "Bristol has amazing flow and technical footwork. The voting's keeping her in there. She doesn't get emotional. She's cool as a cucumber."

Demi Lovato, the star of the Disney Channel's 'Sonny With a Chance' and 'Camp Rock' movies, left the concert tour she was on with the Jonas Brothers to enter a rehab center to get help for "emotional and physical issues," TMZ reports. Lovato entered the professional treatment center this past weekend.

TMZ.com reports the 18-year-old star is not seeking treatment for drug use.

Her rep released a statement saying, "Demi Lovato left her tour early this weekend in order to seek medical treatment for emotional and physical issues she has dealt with for some time.

"Demi has decided to take personal responsibility for her actions and seek help. She is doing just that," the statement reads. "[Demi] regrets not being able to finish her tour, but is looking forward to getting back to work in the near future."