Tuning In

’Park’s’ on a roll

While most programs go out of their way to dodge incendiary issues, the potty-mouthed “South Park” clan is knee-deep in politically incorrect humor.

It’ll be hard to top last week’s segment featuring a high-voiced recluse who sounded suspiciously like Michael Jackson, but tonight’s show — which tackles illegal immigration head-on — might come pretty close.

The episode finds a group of time travelers from the year 4035 arriving in South Park to a chilly reception. The visitors are taking all the menial jobs that South Park residents don’t want for little pay, leaving Stan, Cartman and the gang unable to find part-time work.

The new installment airs at 10 tonight on Comedy Central.

Brooke battles blues

Actress Brooke Shields is putting pen to paper to share her battle with postpartum depression, the Associated Press reports.

The “Suddenly Susan” star and mother of a nearly 1-year-old daughter, is working on “Down Came the Rain” with Hyperion Books. The tome is expected to be released next spring.

“By sharing my experience, I hope to shed light on a real, yet often hidden or ignored problem that affects women of all walks of life in varying degrees,” the 38-year-old actress says.

“I also hope that by being honest about the fear, shock and shame I felt, it will help others avoid the pitfall of postpartum depression and open up a community of support,” she says.

Miss Shields, who is married to writer-producer Chris Henchy, gave birth last May to a baby girl, Rowan Francis.

The actress, who began modeling as a toddler, has appeared in dozens of films, including “Pretty Baby,” “The Blue Lagoon” and “Endless Love.” Her NBC sitcom, “Suddenly Susan,” ended in 2000 after a four-year run.

The current ABC sitcom, “I’m With Her,” was created by Miss Shields’ husband, based loosely on their courtship.

Rocky reborn

Who better to find the next unknown boxing champion than Rocky Balboa?

Nearly 30 years after introducing the underdog pugilist, “Rocky” star Sylvester Stallone is stepping into the ring once more as executive producer of “The Contender,” the upcoming reality show dedicated to finding and grooming would-be boxers.

“All these 16 fighters must have a very good story and an interesting background,” Mr. Stallone told Associated Press at a fitness fair in Germany. “You’ll get to know their wives and children, their mothers. It’s very emotional.”

The actor says he wants the show to appeal to more than just macho male viewers.

“What I really want is for people, especially women, who don’t like boxing to watch this show because it’s a drama,” he said.

The winner of the NBC series will receive $1 million and the chance to become a professional prizefighter. The boxers will fight one another in a weekly elimination process similar to those of other reality shows.

Mr. Stallone, in Essen to promote his nutritional products company, Instone, said he likely would no longer be tempted by a major movie role that would take him away from his family for months.

Not that the studios still have him on speed dial.

“I had my high point 30 years ago,” he said. “I had a very unusual career. It was too good; how do you top that?”

Reality TV might be his best chance to be a contender himself once more.

More ’24,’ ’O.C.’

Fans of Fox’s “24” can breathe easier. Fox will bring back the tension-packed show, along with teen sensation “The O.C.” next season, E! Online reports.

Fox also is keeping “The Bernie Mac Show” and “Malcolm in the Middle” in the fold as well as a whopping three more seasons of “MadTV.”

Gail Berman, the network’s president of entertainment, told E! Online that the latest pickups “will remain a vital part of our year-round programming mix.”

She said the series are “the backbone of Fox’s scripted programming,” which also includes three other established hits, “That ’70s Show,” “King of the Hill” and “The Simpsons.” Those three already had their 2004-05 season tickets punched.

“The O.C.,” which debuted last summer before the rest of the pack, attracts 9.6 million viewers a week and is considered the “Beverly Hills, 90210” for today’s teen crowd.

“Malcolm in the Middle,” starring “Agent Cody Banks” star Frankie Muniz, enters its sixth season next year.

The lowest-rated show among the returnees is “Bernie Mac,” which survived the departure of show creator Larry Wilmore this season. It averages just 7.7 million viewers per episode.

It remains to be seen, though, whether Fox will be as kind to another poorly rated program, the critical darling “Arrested Development.” The comedy wrapped its first season on Sunday and faces an uncertain future.

Fox announces its full schedule May 20 in New York.

Compiled by Christian Toto from staff and wire reports.