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SNL Rehired Chevy Chase 'For Scale' (FoxNews)
Before the writer's strike, Chevy Chase's return to Saturday Night Live segment "Weekend Update" was supposed to be a recurring role. "I met with Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers and they hired me," Chase said. "I told them I'd love to come in and do occasional pieces about politics. They're paying me scale, which is more than I was making when I did the show originally," he laughed.

NBC Goes Further Off Script (Hollywood Reporter)
With its scripted series running out of original episodes because of the writers strike, NBC is adding three more hours of reality programming in January for a schedule that will include at least six hours of unscripted fare. The network's updated version of American Gladiators will launch with a two-hour premiere Jan. 6 before moving into its regular Monday 8 p.m. time slot the next day.

O'Reilly to Debate Alf Tonight (HuffPo)
Danny Shea: No one ever said Bill O'Reilly wasn't crazy, but tonight he'll take his insanity to a new level when he debates 80's sitcom puppet Alf. They've been hyping the showdown for a few days on YouTube. What do you think O'Reilly and Alf will talk about? Who'll come out on top in the battle of bully versus puppet?

Middle Easterners Eye U.S. Media (The Street)
Middle Eastern investors are looking to break into the U.S. media arena, normally the domain of heavy hitters including Rupert Murdoch. Commercial real estate investment firm Blumberg Capital Partners is planning to launch its first fund to invest in U.S. media companies, and its investor base will consist of Middle East-based entities.

Science Fiction Writers of America Reinstates E-Piracy Committee (Boing Boing)
The Board of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America has reinstated Andrew Burt as chairman of its copyright committee, despite the recommendations of the group that was chartered to investigate SFWA's work on copyright in the wake of August's illegal and damaging campaign against the text-hosting site Scribd.

In Touch cites Text Message 'Proof' of Britney Pregnancy (HuffPo)
The rumor-fest around Britney Spears' possible pregnancy with music producer J.R. Rotem's baby has heated up. Usmagazine.com reported that the would-be father of Brit's baby issued a statement saying, "There is absolutely no truth" to the rumor. In Touch reported that Rotem confirmed the story to them, and today the magazine fights back, issuing a statement and photo evidence of J.R.'s text message confirmation.

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