Heather Locklear's debut on the new "Melrose Place" attracted just 1.54 million people, according to the preliminary Nielsens, but according to the ever-positive CW, which is touting its numbers among women 18-34 and 18-40 - the show's best since Oct. 6 - that's 20 percent up from last week.

Cooking with Gordon

You, too, can slice and dice with Fox's foulmouthed Scottish chef, as the network presents a one-hour special, "Gordon Ramsay's Cookalong Live," on Dec. 15 in which Ramsay will take viewers through the preparation of a three-course meal.

If you'd like to be filmed at your home as you're cooking along, you can download an application at fox.com/casting.

'Earl' moving on

Jason Lee ("My Name Is Earl") has been cast in a new pilot for TNT, "Delta Blues," in which he'll play a Memphis police officer who moonlights as an Elvis impersonator.

'Secret Life' returning

ABC Family's hit "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" will return on Jan. 4, along with new episodes of "Make It or Break It."

8th season for Maher

HBO has renewed "Real Time with Bill Maher" for an eighth season. *