Tuning In to TV

‘Iron Chef’ at WH

Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden is about to become a culinary battlefield.

The Food Network announced Wednesday that an episode of “Iron Chef America” will be taped at the White House featuring Mario Batali, Bobby Flay and Emeril Lagasse, Associated Press reports.

The three chefs, joined by White House chef Cristeta Comerford, will be welcomed by the first lady and allowed to use anything found in the garden to help create their meals.

The competition will then move back to the network’s Kitchen Stadium in New York, where Mr. Flay and Miss Comerford will face off against Mr. Batali and Mr. Lagasse to produce five dishes showcasing the ingredients.

The judges will include chef Nigella Lawson, Olympic gold medalist Natalie Coughlin and actress Jane Seymour.

The episode airs Jan. 3.

Kirstie gets a series

Kirstie Alley is returning to television - this time as the star of an A&E reality “docu-series” about her life as a single mom and her efforts to lose weight.

According to Associated Press, the cable network has ordered 10 half-hour episodes of the untitled series from “American Idol” producer FremantleMedia North America. The show will follow the actress at home with her teenage children, at work and as she launches a new weight-loss program.

Miss Alley, 58, who starred in the sitcoms “Veronica’s Closet” and “Cheers,” appeared in the 2005 Showtime comedy series “Fat Actress.” She played a version of herself coping with Hollywood’s fixation on thinness.

She also has been a spokeswoman for the Jenny Craig diet program.

The A&E series is set to air next year, AP says.

PTC targets ‘Gossip’

The Parents Television Council has sent letters to CW affiliates - about 120 in all - asking them to pre-empt Monday’s episode of “Gossip Girl,” Broadcastingcable.com reports.

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