Tuning In

’Today’ gets Gifford

“Today” welcomed Kathie Lee Gifford back to morning television yesterday with the on-air announcement that she will join Hoda Kotb as the co-host of the NBC show’s fourth hour next Monday, April 7, TVWeek.com reports.

The show airs weekdays from 7 to 11 a.m.

“She is a morning television icon and is on a short list of personalities known by her first name alone,” “Today” executive producer Jim Bell said. “We are looking forward to her signature warmth and sense of humor in the fourth hour. Her addition to the ’Today’ family makes us stronger than ever, and she and Hoda will continue the ’Today’ tradition of smart, topical and fun morning television.”

It was during her 15 years as Regis Philbin’s chatty and often controversial co-host of the syndicated hit “Live With Regis and Kathie Lee” that Miss Gifford became a household name and an 11-time Emmy nominee. She struck out on her own in 2000 and has since written musicals, tended her charitable causes and served a stint as a contributor to “The Insider.”

“I am truly honored to join the ’Today’ show family, many of whom have been friends and colleagues of mine for years,” Miss Gifford said. “And I’m especially looking forward to working with Hoda, a bright and beautiful woman I admire very much. Together I hope we will bring a fresh and fun perspective to the topics that affect all of our daily lives.”

“Today” spun off the fourth hour of the No. 1 morning franchise in September 2007 with Miss Kotb joining Ann Curry and Natalie Morales as co-hosts of discussions that revolve around issues considered of particular interest to women, such as aging, dieting, cooking, shopping and fashion.

Miss Curry will continue her other “Today” assignments, including co-hosting the third hour with Al Roker and, now, Miss Morales, who also will remain a national correspondent.

McShane back on TV

From an outlaw to royalty: “Deadwood’s” Ian McShane is returning to episodic television as the star of NBC’s drama pilot “Kings.”

“Kings” is among a quartet of dramas expected to take center stage at NBC’s upfront presentation tomorrow, along with “Knight Rider,” “My Worst Enemy” and “The Philanthropist,” Zap2it.com reports.

’Mole’ in one for Kelley

The identity of “The Mole” is still a secret, but the name of the show’s new host can be revealed: Jon Kelley.

According to Variety, Mr. Kelley, a former weekend anchor for “Extra,” replaces original “Mole” man Anderson Cooper. Mr. Cooper, an unknown at the time of the show’s 2001 debut, is now a key CNN prime-time anchor.

ABC may air the new “Mole” Mondays at 10 p.m., starting May 26, Variety said. The series will likely be paired with another Alphabet reality revival, “The Bachelorette,” which is being eyed for a possible May 19 debut.

ABC wasn’t talking about its summer schedule plans on Friday, though it’s expected the network could announce its intentions within the next few days. Like its rivals, ABC has been stocking up on nonscripted summer shows, with as many as eight series expected to roll out during the third quarter.

Among those contending for a summer berth: “Wanna Bet?,” a quiz show hosted by the British TV duo Ant & Dec; the stunt-focused “Wipe Out” and the competition series “Big in Japan.”

“The Mole” has been on an extended hiatus since 2004. ABC aired four editions of the paranoia-themed competition, including two featuring celebrity casts. Later editions were hosted by Ahmad Rashad.

In addition to his multiyear stint on “Extra,” Mr. Kelley’s credits include a gig as lead anchor for Fox Sports Net’s “The National Sports Report” and “Baseball Today,” Variety said.

Laila Ali with child

Boxing champ, ballroom dancer, TV personality. Now Laila Ali will soon be able to add “mother” to her list of roles.

The “American Gladiators” co-host and her husband, retired NFL star Curtis Conway, are expecting their first child together, reports Essence magazine.

The boxing champ, 30, and Mr. Conway, 36, wed in July 2007. Mr. Conway already has three children: daughter Leilani, 9, and twin sons Kelton and Cameron, 13.

Talkin’ trash

In the new documentary “Garbage Warrior,” Taos-based architect Michael Reynolds — who was stripped of his license in the U.S. for building off-the-grid Earthship communities out of recycled tires, bottles, and beer cans — asks the New Mexico state Legislature to donate a bit of land for testing sustainable housing methods. Their response: Much filibustering, and even a little sleeping, notes GQ.com — all of which is deftly juxtaposed with Mr. Reynolds taking his team to India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands to teach tsunami victims how to build eco-friendly (and storm-resistant) homes. The film kicks off the second season of the Sundance Channel’s The Green series starting at 9:40 tonight on the cable network.

Compiled by Robyn-Denise Yourse from Web and wire reports