Tuning In

O’Donnell returns

Actor Chris O’Donnell hasn’t had it easy of late.

The boyishly handsome star of “Scent of a Woman” failed to get his 2004 CBS pilot “The Amazing Westermans” off the ground, and there’s no need for his Robin services in the upcoming “Batman Begins.”

Now the actor is getting a second chance at TV stardom with a new Fox drama, Reuters News Agency reports.

The untitled drama pilot finds Mr. O’Donnell playing Jason Payne, a successful lawyer who has a nervous breakdown and teams with a mentally disturbed lawyer with an anger managementproblem.

Together, the two represent people with all kinds of issues, not just legal ones.

Mr. O’Donnell, 34, was last seen on the big screen in a supporting role in “Kinsey.”

Poker and priesthood

NBC is counting on a pair of potentially contentious subjects — gambling and religion — to anchor two new shows in development.

Aidan Quinn will star in the offbeat NBC pilot “Book of Daniel,” according to Reuters, a drama about a priest who is addicted to prescription drugs and talks to a modern-looking Jesus.

Mr. Quinn last year starred in several episodes of NBC’s “Third Watch.” He is nominated at next month’s Independent Spirit Awards for his supporting role in “Cavedweller.”

NBC also handed out a cast-contingent order last week to “All In.” The poker-themed comedy is based on real-life poker champion Annie Duke, a single mom of four who is adept at exposing tells and bluffs at the poker table but still has a few tricks to learn at home with her kids. Former “Friend” Lisa Kudrow will serve as an executive producer.

Grammy meets J-Lo

Jennifer Lopez will sing her first public duet with new husband Marc Anthony as part of this weekend’s 47th annual Grammy Awards telecast.

The show, which airs at 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS, promises our first peek at the blushing newlyweds whose marriage already has lasted longer than anyone predicted.

Mr. Anthony might pick up a Grammy before the night’s through as well. He is up for Best Latin Pop Album (“Amar Sin Mentiras”) and Best Salsa/Merengue Album (“Valio La Pena”).

The show’s lineup of stars includes performances by Green Day, Alicia Keys, Tim McGraw, and U2, along with special segments with Kanye West, featuring John Legend, Mavis Staples, and the Blind Boys Of Alabama.

Also planned for the Sunday telecast is a tribute to Ray Charles featuring Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston as well as a salute to Southern rock featuring Tim McGraw, Gretchen Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dickie Betts, and Elvin Bishop.

Reagan gets ’Connected’

MSNBC is cranking up a new left/right talk show featuring Ron Reagan, Reuters reports.

Mr. Reagan, son of the late president and conservative hero Ronald Reagan and a frequent critic of the current Bush administration, will co-host “Connected: Coast to Coast” from MSNBC.com headquarters in Redmond, Wash.

The show, which will air twice daily, will base its other host — conservative-leaning Monica Crowley, a former Richard Nixon aide and Fox News analyst — at MSNBC headquarters in New Jersey.

Mr. Reagan drew attention last year when he gave a fiery eulogy at his father’s funeral condemning politicians for using their religion for political gain and for a speech on stem-cell research at the Democratic National Convention.

The show will premiere on Tuesday. The early broadcast will present developing news, while the later show promises more analysis and debate.

• Compiled by Christian Toto from staff and wire reports.