Additionally, Sunday night’s episode of Bravo’s interactive late night talk show “Watch What Happens Live” with guests Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann delivered 1.6 million total viewers, marking a season high among all key demos.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta — Season:4 — Pictured: (l-r) Kim Zolciak, NeNe Leakes, Phaedra Parks, Sheree Whitfield, Cynthia Bailey, Kandi Burruss — Photo by Quantrell Colbert/Bravo

Harris-Perry, a long-standing political analyst and contributor to MSNBC, is a frequent guest of “PoliticsNation” with Rev. Al Sharpton, and also serves as occasional host of “The Rachel Maddow Show” and “The Last Word.” A highly accomplished author, scholar and speaker, Harris-Perry’s new program will continue MSNBC’s trend of bringing intelligent, informed voices to the cable channel’s weekend programming.

In addition to her role at MSNBC, Melissa Harris-Perry is also columnist for The Nation magazine, and will continue to write her monthly column, titled Sister Citizen. Harris-Perry is also a Professor of Political Science at Tulane University, where she will continue to teach, and is the Founding Director of the Anna Julia Cooper Project on Gender, Race, and Politics in the South, housed at the university’s Newcomb College Institute.

A celebrated author, Harris-Perry recently published her second book, Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America (Yale 2011), which examines the effects of persistent harmful stereotypes on black women’s politics. Her first book, Barbershops, Bibles, and BET: Everyday Talk and Black Political Thought, won the 2005 W. E. B. Du Bois Book Award and 2005 Best Book Award from the Race and Ethnic Politics Section of the American Political Science Association.

UNCF An Evening of Stars first aired in 1979, and since that time has become one of the longest running and most successful televised events in U.S. history.

The organization has raised more than $200 million that has helped hundreds of thousands of students attend college and graduate.

“This year’s event is filled with high energy performances, combining the hottest talent with inspirational stories of young students who are beating the odds because they can receive a good education,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF president and CEO. “We are grateful for the support of all our celebrities, sponsors and contributors, who understand the importance of ‘Educating our Future’ and giving students the opportunity to earn college degrees that will enable them to lead successful and fulfilling lives.”

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country by advocating for the importance of minority education.

UNCF An Evening of Stars will air on Saturday, January 28th and January 29th and on BET Networks at 11 p.m. EST/PST and 10 p.m. CST on Sunday, January 29th.

Bailey, for the one or two people who still haven’t seen the classic Frank Capra film “It’s A Wonderful Life,” is a man driven to the brink of suicide when he comes to believe his life never really mattered.

It’s up to his quirky guardian angel Clarence to set him straight by showing Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, what the world would have been like without him.

In honor of the film’s 65th anniversary, the City Council declared Friday “It’s A Wonderful Life Day” in Los Angeles.

To get people in the spirit, Councilman Tom LaBonge, several members of Capra’s family and a few others gathered at the director’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on a sunny holiday morning.

The section of the walk, it turns out, is one filled with cheesy souvenir shops and sex toy emporiums. They give it more the look of Pottersville, the disreputable place in the film that the evil banker Mr. Potter turns bucolic Bedford Falls into when Bailey isn’t there to stop him.

That didn’t dampen Friday’s celebration, however, which included Jimmy Hawkins, the actor who played Bailey’s 5-year-old son, Tommy.

As one of the last surviving cast members, the 70-year-old actor-producer said he considers it an honor to introduce new audiences to the movie.

When it debuted in theaters in 1946, “It’s A Wonderful Life” was actually a commercial and critical flop. But if that bothered Capra, he never let it show.

“My father always said that `It’s A Wonderful Life’ was the best movie that he ever made,” Tom Capra said. “As a matter of fact, he said it was the best movie ever made.”

The film, whose story takes place at Christmas, became a holiday classic with the dawn of television, when families began to gather each holiday season to watch it.

It airs again Saturday night on NBC.

“It carried with it the message that you can find in each of my dad’s films. The message of hope,” Capra said. “Maybe like George Bailey, we should pause for a brief moment and examine our lives and see if we can make a difference as long as we never give up.”

According to the Forbes magazine, Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and has held the number one position for many years. His audacious mission to put ‘a computer on every desk and in every home’ is now close to a description of modern life. In building his multi-billion dollar company, Gates made himself the richest man in the world, but he has also been dogged by controversy, as his ruthless leadership contributed to Microsoft being sued by the U.S. government.

“Bill Gates: How a Geek Changed the World” is the definitive profile of this living legend, capturing the man, the businessman, and the philanthropist through exclusive interviews with Gates himself, and with his famous friends, colleagues, and rivals.

Actors Taraji P. Henson and Taylor Lautner are the latest presenters added to the one-hour special, which takes place live on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the Nokia Theater L.A. LIVE. The show, which will also announce nominations in several categories as well as feature performances by past Grammy winners and/or nominees, will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 10 – 11 p.m. ET/PT.

Other previously announced performers are Jason Aldean, Lady Gaga, Ludacris, Rihanna, Valerie Simpson, Mike Stoller, Sugarland, The Band Perry, and Usher. Previously announced presenters are Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry.

They’re young, they’re hot, they’re single – they’re Dallas’ Most Eligible. From beauty queens to pro-football players, this group of Texas socialites proves that everything’s bigger in Texas – including the drama. Some are looking for true love while others have perfected the art of the one-night stand, and somehow their love lives have all crossed paths at one time or another. Dallas serves as the sexy backdrop for this jaw-dropping series that follows a group of successful friends living it up in the lone star state.

The series is produced by Pink Sneakers for Bravo. Executive Producers are Kimberly Belcher Cowin and John Ehrhard.

Bravo is a program service of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Bravo has been an NBCUniversal cable network since December 2002 and was the first television service dedicated to film and the performing arts when it launched in December 1980.

Pictured: (L-R) Beth Ezzo, Chris Zaffis, John Zaffis, Brian Cano, Amy Zaffis. Photo by Michelle McLoughlin/Syfy

Along with his son Chris, daughter Aimee, and paranormal investigators Beth Ezzo and Brian Cano, Zaffis, author of the book ‘Shadows of the Dark,’ tracks down haunted items ranging from Civil War era weapons to strange antiques and unusual toys.

Zaffis and his team employ a number of different hi-tech gear to capture paranormal energy/activity, from video and audio recorders and EMF (Electro-Magnetic Field) meters to FLIR cameras which measure temperature fluctuations to a tenth of a degree.

‘Haunted Collector’ premieres June 1, at 9PM (ET/PT) on Syfy

Rosario Dawson: Photo by Shola Orol/Royalty Image

Currently starring in the feature film “Unstoppable,” Rosario Dawson announced the nominations for this year’s SAG Awards along with Angie Harmon.

Four-time Actor® nominee Angie Harmon currently stars in TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles.” Harmon also announced the nominations for this year’s SAG Awards along with Rosario Dawson.

Eva Longoria is a two-time Actor recipient and five-time SAG Awards nominee for her performances on ABC’s long-running hit “Desperate Housewives.”

Actor recipient and five-time SAG Award nominee Hilary Swank is currently nominated for her lead role as Betty Anne Waters in “Conviction.” Swank will next appear in “The Resident,” co-starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Christopher Lee.

2009 Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement-honoree Betty White is celebrating two Actor nods this year for her lead role and ensemble performance in the TV Land comedy series “Hot In Cleveland.” She will next be seen starring with Jennifer Love Hewitt in “The Lost Valentine” for Hallmark Hall of Fame.

The 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony will be simulcast live coast-to-coast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 at 8 p.m. (ET), 7 p.m. (CT), 6 p.m. (MT) and 5 p.m. (PT) from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles and is produced by Jeff Margolis Productions in association with Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Lady Gaga: Photo by Shola Orol/Royalty Image

Arcade Fire and Miranda Lambert will perform on the Grammy telecast for the first time, while Eminem, Cee Lo Green, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry are returning to the Grammy stage.

Eleven-time Grammy winner Eminem leads the 53rd Grammys,  which is considered as the music industry’s premier event.

Two-time Grammy winner Lady Gaga has six nods: Album Of The Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for “The Fame Monster,” Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Short Form Music Video for “Bad Romance”; Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals for “Telephone” (with Beyoncé); and Best Dance Recording for “Dance In The Dark” while Green and Perry each are up for four awards.

The Grammy Awards will take place live on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in  on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

In the big budget sci-fi, action thriller “Battle Los Angeles,” about a Marine platoon that faces off against an alien invasion in Los Angeles, Hardrict plays a Marine soldier called Corporal Lockett. Directed by Jonathan Liebesman, the movie also stars Michelle Rodriguez, NeYo, and Aaron Eckhart and will be released nationwide in March.

In addition to a lead role in “Battle,” Hardrict, a talented performer, just wrapped another lead role in director Doug Aarniokoski’s independent thriller entitled “The Day,” a new indie action thriller described as an apocalyptic siege warfare film.

“James Franco and Anne Hathaway personify the next generation of Hollywood icons— fresh, exciting and multi-talented. We hope to create an Oscar broadcast that will both showcase their incredible talents and entertain the world on February 27,” said Cohen and Mischer. “We are completely thrilled that James and Anne will be joining forces with our brilliant creative team to do just that.

Franco, who currently can be seen in “127 Hours,” will be making his second appearance on an Oscar telecast. His other film credits include “Eat, Love, Pray,” “Date Night,” “Milk” and “Pineapple Express.” Franco is also known for his portrayals of Harry Osborn in the “Spider-Man” trilogy.

Hathaway will be making her fifth appearance on an Academy Awards telecast. She was recently seen in “Alice in Wonderland” and currently can be seen in “Love and Other Drugs.” Hathaway’s other film credits include “Bride Wars,” “Becoming Jane,” “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Princess Diaries.” She was nominated for an Oscar in 2008 for her lead performance in “Rachel Getting Married.”

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

The singer, songwriter also performed “Love The Way You Lie, Part 2″ at the annual award show, which was broadcast live on ABC and held at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles.

Other winners at this prestigious event included Taylor Swift for Country Female Artist, Shakira for Latin Music Artist with Justin Bieber taking home multiple awards for Breakthrough Artist, Favorite Pop/Rock Artist, Favorite Album of the Year for “My World 2.0,” and Artist of the Year.

Bieber became the youngest performer ever to win artist of the year at the AMAs.

No, not Sarah _ though he hopes the former vice presidential candidate will be the next president. He means daughter Bristol, on TV’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

The 20-year-old Palin’s improbable run to next week’s finals _ championed by websites like DuJan’s Hillbuzz.org _ has led to such an uproar that conspiracy theories are floating, some fans are insisting they’ll never watch again, and one man actually shot up his television, apparently in disgust over Palin’s dancing.

“There’s been more angst over this than over the 2000 election,” quips media industry analyst Shari Anne Brill, only slightly kidding.

The real winner? ABC, of course. The always-popular “Dancing with the Stars” is enjoying a ratings boost, undoubtedly due to the novel casting.

For those whose television tastes tend toward shows less awash in sequins, mirrors, feathers and fishnets, a brief recap: Many were surprised when the shy Bristol, once America’s best-known teen mom, became a contestant on the hit show, where judges’ scores are combined with public votes to determine the winners.

But no matter: Bristol, paired with professional partner Mark Ballas, put on her game face and started, well, learning to dance. Her effort was clear; so was her lack of skill and experience.

Flash forward to this week’s results show, with the four remaining couples vying for three spots in the finals. First “Dirty Dancing” star Jennifer Grey was declared safe, then Disney Channel’s Kyle Massey.

It came down to Palin and singer Brandy, who had wowed the judges with her sultry tango, earning a perfect score. When Palin was declared safe, Brandy was speechless, and the jaw of Grey’s partner, Derek Hough, quite literally dropped.

The next morning, “Dancing” fan Kimberly Fishman arrived at her job at a northern California bank. She was furious at the result, and so were co-workers.

Fishman, who identifies herself as a liberal, has resolved not to watch next week. “I’m done,” she says. “No one could say Bristol is the better dancer.” And yet, she adds, she herself didn’t vote.

That’s a key point, media analyst Brill says. “A lot of people out there are watching but not voting.”

So who does vote? Obviously, people who really, really care. Like DuJan, the conservative activist. A former Democrat, he turned into a major Sarah Palin fan after Hillary Rodham Clinton lost the Democratic nomination in 2008.

“Are you planning on hosting a Team Bristol Monday Night Dancing Watch party?” reads a post on his website. “You … can actually vote together and send Bristol over the top … while sending Leftist heads into meltdown.”

In an interview, DuJan said the public support for Palin was a sign of real affection and a desire to reward her after her ordeal under the harsh media spotlight _ both as an unmarried pregnant teen, and now with the snide comments about her dancing.

“Think of all the things they’ve said about Bristol,” he said. “This would never be allowed to happen to Chelsea Clinton, or the Gore daughters, or God forbid the Obama daughters. Support for her is real.”

And besides, “I think she’s a marvelous dancer. She’s the only one whose performances have improved every single week.”

DuJan defends a tactic that has gotten some critics angry: The use of fake e-mail addresses and multiple phone numbers to let people exceed their vote limit.

People can vote by phone, text or online _ with the first two methods possible for 30 minutes after the show and online voting until 11 a.m. the next day.

At this point in the season, there’s a limit of five votes per phone number and e-mail address. While people must register their e-mail address with ABC.com, if one uses fake addresses, the possibilities are endless.

Which is great, says DuJan, who has sat for hours into the night, voting.

“If people want to have pajama-jammy-jams all night, having pillow fights and roasting marshmallows and voting, then why not?” he says. “Isn’t the winner supposed to be the one who has the most passion behind them? Well, this is passion.”

On his website, DuJan recently put it this way: “Start calling the moment the show starts … After that, use someone else’s phone to call the maximum times. Then … randomly knock on neighbors’ doors and use their phones to call, call, call, and then call some more.”

In an interview with the Associated Press, “Dancing” executive producer Conrad Green acknowledged that using fake e-mails was possible, but he said security checks are in place to detect abnormal activity.

Still, he doubted many people were doing it _ and said that, anyway, fans of any dancer could do the same. “I don’t think there’s any reason to believe our voting system is unfair,” Green said after Tuesday’s show. “If someone really wants to sign up for a million e-mail addresses … well, so be it. But they could be doing that for Jennifer, they could be doing that for Kyle, they could be doing that for anyone.”

He added that Bristol has earned the right to be where she is.

“This girl, she’s got this sort of everywoman quality,” Green says. “She’s come from no background in performance of any sort … and she’s technically pretty good.”

Television analyst Steve Sternberg says people shouldn’t be so surprised at the results.

“If you only want the most talented and best to be picked, don’t allow the general public to vote,” Sternberg says. “I think this controversy is actually helping ratings.”

Indeed. According to ABC, “Dancing,” now in its 11th season, is up substantially over last year, drawing an additional 3.3 million viewers (20.9 million vs. 17.6 million). It’s up 18 percent among adults 18-49. According to Nielsen, 65 percent of the overall audience is viewers over 50.

Certainly next week’s finale _ with Palin alive and kicking, so to speak _ should be a huge ratings draw.

One person who won’t be watching is Mickey Meader, 63, who works the night shift at a shipyard in Maine. Despite his schedule, he has followed the controversy and caught up with video clips here and there.

“Honestly, this is just people who don’t like Sarah Palin, and all this stuff gets carried over into the show,” Meader says. “If you look at websites on the right, you’d think she’s the greatest dancer since sliced bread. If you look at the left-leaning sites, she couldn’t dance if she was on a pedestal that was spinning by itself.”

Two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J once again is set to host the one-hour special, which takes place live on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

The show will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 10 – 11 p.m. ET/PT and marks the third time nominations for the annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Last year’s airing of the nominations special reached more than 7 million viewers and led to double-digit percentage increases in all key demos for the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards telecast earlier this year, delivering the show’s best ratings in all key measures since 2004 and the biggest year-over-year increase in more than 20 years.