Alec Baldwin isn’t nervous about next year’s Academy Awards. The 30 Rock star is co-hosting next year’s ceremony with Steve Martin and believes there are higher expectations on the comic actor.

“It is all on Steve. Steve Martin has done this before, while for me it is the first time. All the pressure is on Steve Martin,” he quipped.

Despite his confidence, the actor is still amazed he was given the job and keeps waiting for someone to cancel his booking. “I am doing it until they change their mind. I do have some preparations, but it is a secret,” Alec joked.

Steve – who fronted the 73rd and 75th Academy Awards - and Alec are the first people to co-host the ceremony since the first Oscars show in 1929.

The 82nd Academy Awards take place on March 7 at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

This is how you make an anti-climatic statement.

After waiting until the very end of today’s broadcast to formally announce her already-leaked decision, Oprah Winfrey offered very little to her audience (aside from tears) that we haven’t already heard. Although she said she wanted to the viewers to hear the message “directly” from her, she never once did end the “conjecture” or “speculation” about her future.

Is it possible the talk show has no idea what she’ll be doing two years from now? Is she simply going to take a break and just go with the flow? Well, considering she’s in the process of starting OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network, that’s highly doubtful. Besides—who’s going to keep Gayle King employed?

You can read Oprah’s full statement after the jump.

Read More | TMZ

Sorry, Kelsey - but you were just replaced by a repeat. A repeat (Modern Family) that did better than your last appearance. A repeat that helped its lead-out (The Middle) pick up an additional 1 million over its previous outing.

8pm

• Mercy (7.8 million, 2.0/6 in 18-49) took in another million.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (7.5 million, 2.2/7) did about the same; Gary Unmarried (7.2 million, 2.5/7) lost 500,000.
• A Modern Family* repeat (6.2 million, 1.9/6) did 900,000 better than Hank; The Middle (7.1 million, 2.4/7) was helped by its new lead-in.
• Dancing with the Stars (5.7 million, 2.1/6) picked up 200,000.
• Approximately 3.7 million caught the America’s Next Top Model finale (1.7/5).

Read More | Variety

Christmas may end on December 26th, but we still have things to look forward to in early 2010.

Shortly after New Year’s, Chuck will make its return to NBC. The show - which was recently saved by a strong fan base - will kick off with a two-hour premiere on Sunday, January 10. It will then slide into its normal Monday/8:00 time slot the very next day (January 11). This assignment means Heroes will then be pushed into the 9:00 position.

Less than a month later, Lost will debut its final season. The ABC drama will have a three-hour event on Tuesday, February 2nd before settling into its Tuesday/9:00 time slot on February 9.

(To get a look at TV Envy’s Programming Schedule, click here.)

Read More | TV Guide

Here’s an update on the shows you will and won’t be seeing in the months to come:

EXTENSIONS

• Trauma (NBC) - Three more episodes ordered. (This will not change cancellation status.)

RENEWALS

• The Millionaire Matchmaker (Bravo) - Season 3
• Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO) - Season 8
• Scream Queens (VH1) - Season 2
• The Wendy Williams Show (Syndication) - Renewed through 2011-12.

(Make sure to check out TV Envy’s Programming Schedule.)

Read More | Futon Critic

It looks as if 25 will be Oprah Winfrey’s lucky number.

In a meeting with her staff members today, Winfrey officially announced that her daytime talk show will turn off the lights in two years. That same news will be delivered on her program tomorrow. The 2011 end date means The Oprah Winfrey Show will close after celebrating its silver anniversary.

This decision comes after weeks of increased speculation about her future. It has been rumored for some time that Oprah would simply take the show out of syndication and bring in to OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network.

Read More | Hollywood Reporter

Playing a super wealthy socialite on TV has both pros and cons, says Gossip Girl star Blake Lively.

Lively, who portrays Serena van der Woodsen, admits that when it comes to their closets, the two girls are strikingly similar: “I own half her wardrobe, so it’s far too similar to the way I dress.” Who could turn those clothes away!

On the other hand, Lively points out how crazy it is to portray the character at times: “I feel ridiculous at times with her, because I’m, you know, killing someone or marrying someone, but I look like me. I’m like, ‘Oh, this is absurd.’”

With that, she also added that she tends to feel her characters’ pain so much that it physically harms her. “I feel a lot. I get really bad stomachaches all the time. So I went to a doctor, and he said, ‘You’re a feeler.’ I take on people’s pain a little too much.” While I’m unsure as to whether that’s an act, I can say that it sounds like Lively takes method acting to a whole other level.

Read More | MTV

Didn’t know Heather Locklear was moving back to Melrose Place? Apparently you weren’t the only who missed that invite. Locklear’s return to the famous address hardly raised an eyebrow last night. The CW program still pulled in under a 1.0 in the rating and trailed behind its lead-in.

8pm

• NCIS (20.2 million, 4.1/11 in 18-49) remained steady.
• V (9.3 million, 3.1/8) let another 1.4 million escape.
• The Biggest Loser (9.4 million, 3.7/10) lost 300,000.
• NBC’s Merry Madagascar (2.9/8) entertained 5 million.
• So You Think You Can Dance (6 million, 2.4/7) raised 200,000.
• 90210 (2.1 million, 1.1/3) did the same as last week.

Read More | Broadcasting & Cable

Hell’s Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay will be hosting a new special on FOX. Set to air December 15, Gordon Ramsay: Cookalong Live will teach viewers how to create a three-course meal for four - in one hour.

The live broadcast will air at 9pm EST, pretty late for dinner time. The menu includes angel hair pasta, steak Diane and tiramisu to finish. Ramsay is known for his sharp tongue in the kitchen, but he’s also world-renown for his delectable dishes.

Read More | LA Times

The decision to eliminate Jackie, Kelly Taylor and Erin Silver’s mother, is one that resounds strongly with many fans of the original Beverly Hills, 90210. In recent 90210 episodes, Jackie revealed she’s suffering from inoperable cancer. The character seems to be on a collision course with death, not the first to be featured on the current season of the show.

And that’s not even the only thing happening in the Hills. Naomi is being played by her own sister, conned and re-conned out of money, boyfriend, even self-respect. Adrianna has climbed back on the wagon, again abusing drugs. And Annie has committed vehicular homicide (unbeknownst to anyone but her) and hooked up with Ade’s drug dealer - who seems to be a few cards short of a full deck, if you take my meaning.

Read More | LA Times

The Hills stars Heidi and Spencer Pratt recently announced that they’d like to do their own reality show, one which focuses on them alone. They’re currently shopping the idea around to see if any networks are interested. The pair previously appeared on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. They left that series early - multiple times.

“You don’t get to see our everyday lives and what we do,” Heidi said, explaining why their current reality situation just won’t do. However, the two don’t plan on leaving The Hills - they want both. So far, MTV has declined to comment.

Read More | Yahoo! News

Is Alex O’Loughlin headed for another CBS cancellation, or will the former Moonlight star live to see another season? The answer might not be so clear right now. Last night’s Three Rivers with guest star Mandy Patinkin reached its best demos to date.

8pm

• Approximately 19.1 million watched the Colts beat the Patriots on Sunday Night Football (7.5/18 in 18-49).
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (11.6 million, 3.6/9) nailed down 1.2 million more.
• The Amazing Race (11.6 million, 3.2/8) added on 1.1 million.
• The Simpsons (9 million, 4.2/10) did 1.6 million better than last week’s Family Guy; The Cleveland Show (7 million, 3.3/8) hit a demo low.

Read More | Variety

Justin Theroux, who has been seen in the past on Sex and the City, The District and Ally McBeal, will soon be playing a recurring role on Parks and Recreation. The series, headlined by Amy Poehler, is one of the funniest on television. Theroux’s involvement speaks well for the future of the show.

According to gossip, he’ll appear on episodes which air in 2010, and potentially become a love interest for Poehler.

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

Taylor Lautner has just earned himself a spot on This Week in Unnecessary Censorship.

During a pre-taped interview for Jimmy Kimmel Live, the werewolf - who was joined by an animated (huh??) Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson - revealed the biggest hurdle in his quest for six-pack abs. It surprisingly had nothing to do with crunches. (At least, not that kind.)

You can see the full chat this Friday night after watching the premiere of New Moon.

Read More | TV Guide

Here are some of the TV on DVD options available this Tuesday.

• 7th Heaven (Season 9)
• Andy Barker, P.I. (Complete Series)
• Ben 10: Alien Force (Vol. 5)
• Drawn Together (Complete Series)
• Farscape (Seasons 1-4, Complete Series)
• It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: It’s a Very Sunny Christmas
• Monk: Best of Monk
• Rome (Complete Series)
• The Sopranos (Complete Series)
• Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best Of (Volume 2)
• Wagon Train (Season 1)

Make sure to also check out the DVD and Blu-ray film options for this week.

Read More | Amazon

We may have seen the last of Gilles Marini on Sex and the City, but that doesn’t mean we’ll be seeing less of the French hunk. (Well - if you take into consideration clothing, we will.)

Although Marini is currently playing Rachel’s boyfriend on Brothers & Sisters, he’s also moonlighting as the husband of Erica Noughton (Vanessa Redgrave) on Nip/Tuck. (You know—the show that likes a lot of skin.) Later this week, Gilles will begin a two-episode arc as the FX program’s latest bad boy.

Read More | Entertainment Weekly

An evening without a Rihanna-esque interview is just your typical boring Friday night. CBS’ lineup easily held off its contenders to win both the viewers and the demos.

8pm

• Ghost Whisperer (8 million, 2.0/7 in 18-48) was on par with last week.
• Law & Order (7.5 million, 1.7/6) dipped by a 1/2 milion.
• Supernanny (5 million, 1.4/5) raised another 200,000.
• House* (3.5 million, 1.1/4) was off by 400,000.
• Smallville (2.7 million, 1.2/4) lost 100,000.

Read More | TV by the Numbers

(Make sure to check out TV Envy’s Programming Schedule.)

MONDAY (11/16)

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8pm):  “Barney and Robin break up, and Barney gets serious about dating again by consulting his playbook containing all of his greatest techniques.” If Brett Favre can come out of semi-retirement, so can Barney Stinson.
• Castle (ABC, 9pm):  “The investigation into an ADA’s murder is threatened by Castle’s eagerness to help a call girl involved in the case.” Every John started as someone who simply wanted to help.
• Cake Boss (TLC, 10pm):  “Buddy constructs a cage-fighting cake.” The final creation involved blood, sweat and tears.

Who better to turn a dying show around than a skilled publicist?

In just three days, Heather Locklear will attempt to do what Laura Leighton, Thomas Calabro, Josie Bissett and Daphne Zuniga couldn’t: bring Melrose Place ratings.

Will Amanda Woodward make audiences stand at attention like the staffers at WPK? Or will she be put in her place like that other blonde (Katie Cassidy). We’ll know soon enough.

You can watch Locklear’s return on Tuesday, November 17.

Read More | The Live Feed

There’s nothing like a good sweeps stunt to get viewers tuned in. What happened to Kate Walsh in that sliding car? Over 10 million watched Private Practice to find out. How did CSI end its crossover event? Nearly 17 million now know.

8pm

• Survivor: Samoa (13.2 million, 4.0/11 in 18-49) was up by 500,000.
• Bones (9.8 million, 2.9/8) added on 1.3 million.
• FlashForward (8.3 million, 2.6/7) lost 200,000.
• Community (5.4 million, 2.1/6) and Parks and Recreation (4.7 million, 2.1/6) tied in the demos.
• The Vampire Diaries (4.3 million, 2.0/5) did about the same.

Read More | Variety