Tuning in to TV

Comedian George Lopez has new show in the works

Comedian George Lopez said he is creating a family-orientated sitcom where he will play a father and husband, vowing to return to television less than two months after TBS canceled his late-night show “Lopez Tonight.”

Mr. Lopez told the Associated Press that his show, now untitled, “will be the opposite” of “George Lopez,” the syndicated television sitcom that aired on ABC from 2002 to 2007 and made him a household name.

He also plans to star in his third live HBO stand-up special next year, his first since 2009.

Viewership for his late-night show on TBS declined heavily in its second year. He said the show suffered after he lost his 11 p.m. time slot to Conan O'Brien. He said TBS’ plan was for Mr. Lopez to go on after Mr. O'Brien at midnight and win over Mr. O'Brien’s young viewers.

Instead, Mr. Lopez’s total viewership dropped 40 percent in its second year, from an average of 910,000 nightly viewers to 543,000. By August, the audience had dropped to 391,000.

The comedian said it is unfortunate his show was canceled because few minority hosts are on late-night television.

Mr. Lopez, who often lampoons his Mexican heritage and upbringing, said there will not be a grandmother figure on his new show. On “George Lopez,” Mr. Lopez often verbally sparred with the actress who played his mother. He promised that he would tease all of his co-workers if the show is picked up for TV next fall.

“Whoever is my relative, I will not be nice to them,” he said.

'E! News' co-host Rancic reveals cancer diagnosis

“E! News” co-host Giuliana Rancic said she is in the early stages of breast cancer, the Associated Press reports. The 37-year-old made the announcement Monday on NBC’s “Today” show.

Mrs. Rancic said the cancer was discovered during a mammogram while she was undergoing a third round of in-vitro fertilization in an effort to get pregnant.

Mrs. Rancic said she will have surgery this week, followed by 6 1/2 weeks of radiation therapy.

She is married to Bill Rancic, winner of the first season of “The Apprentice.”

Mrs. Rancic said she still wants to get pregnant because “this baby will have saved my life.”

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