Tuning In to TV

‘Jericho’ star returns

“Jericho” star Skeet Ulrich has been tapped as the lead in the pilot of the CBS drama “Back,” the Hollywood Reporter says.

“Back,” from CBS Paramount, centers on a man (Mr. Ulrich) who returns home to discover he was reported missing eight years earlier, after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He must reconnect with his family and a world that has moved on without him.

Mr. Ulrich was involved in the successful grass-roots campaign to save the cult drama “Jericho” when CBS canceled it after one season. In a rare reversal, the network brought the show back for a second season.

In addition to his starring role on “Jericho,” now airing on the CW, Mr. Ulrich also appeared in the TNT miniseries “Into the West.”

Montel’s transition

Longtime television talk show host Montel Williams is getting his own national radio show through a multiyear deal with Air America Radio, MediaWeek.com reports.

The program, “Montel Across America,” will be heard weekdays from 9 a.m. until noon.

Mr. Williams’ new show will take the time period currently occupied by “The Lionel Show.” A new show hosted by Lionel, aka Michael Lebron, is in development.

For 17 years, Mr. Williams, 52, was host and executive producer of “The Montel Williams Show,” one of daytime TV’s longest-running talk shows. The Baltimore native is launching a multimedia business based on his “Living Well With Montel” brand and also has published eight best-selling books.

“After being on television for more than 17 years, I’m looking forward to engaging in lively conversations and interacting with the American public,” Mr. Williams said.

Cook special planned

Comedy Central will give a multiplatform push to “Isolated Incident,” the upcoming special from comedian Dane Cook, Variety reports.

The cable network has secured broadcast rights to the show, which opens May 17 at the Hollywood Laugh Factory. The CD release is slated for May 19, with a DVD bow targeted for summer or fall, Variety says.

Mr. Cook’s previous audio releases through Comedy Central have sold briskly. His “Harmful If Swallowed” was certified platinum, and “Retaliation” reached double platinum status. A third CD, “Rough Around the Edges,” was certified gold.

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