Tuning In to TV

‘Who’ star in pilot

Popular British actor David Tennant, best known for playing the title role in the BBC’s long-running science-fiction series “Doctor Who,” is set to make his American television debut as the title character in NBC’s hourlong pilot “Rex Is Not Your Lawyer,” notes the Hollywood Reporter.

Written by Andrew Leeds and David Lampson, “Rex” centers on Rex Alexander (Mr. Tennant), a top Chicago litigator who begins suffering panic attacks and takes up coaching clients to represent themselves in court.

David Semel, who directed the pilots for “Heroes” and “Life,” has come onboard to helm the comedic legal drama.

NBC approved the “Rex” project in August, about two years after it was first developed, and had been trying to find a lead actor for several months until Mr. Tennant came along and nailed the part, THR notes.

Mr. Tennant, a theater and television actor, rose to fame playing the mysterious alien time traveler at the center of “Doctor Who” for the past five years. His performance as the Doctor has been often rated as the top in the franchise’s 46-year history.

His casting is reminiscent of the tapping of another established British TV actor with virtually no American TV experience, Hugh Laurie, as the lead on Fox’s medical drama “House.”

Mr. Tennant also co-starred in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.”

Janet talks

ABC’s prime-time interview with pop star Janet Jackson is expected to be her first lengthy television interview since her brother Michael’s death.

According to Associated Press, ABC’s Robin Roberts will interview Miss Jackson at her California home for an hourlong special scheduled to air Nov. 18. Miss Jackson is promoting a greatest-hits CD that is coming out for the holiday season.

The network says it’s the first time Miss Jackson has allowed television cameras into her Malibu home.

She paid tribute to her late brother in September at MTV’s Video Music Awards. Miss Jackson danced to a recording of their duet “Scream” and did not address the audience.

Palin blitz is on

Barbara Walters will sit down with former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and ABC News will dole out the interview over five parts, beginning Nov. 17 on “Good Morning America,” continuing that evening on “Nightline,” Nov. 18 on “GMA” and Nov. 20 on “20/20.”

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