[Breaking News] The FOR THE RECORD IDOL CONTRACTS UPDATE • Paula Abdul has almost finalized Future her deal to return to American Idol next season. "They're getting closer,' an insider close to contract negotia- of tions tells TV GUIDEMAGAZINE. Meanwhile, judge Kara DioGuardi NBC has reportedly signed her contract to return to the Fox hit. NBC has been on the CUSTODY DECIDED ratings skids for a • Michael Jackson's exact cause of while now, but death may still be a mystery, but his its parent com- children's custody is settled. The pany's cable singer's mother, Katherine, will get networks full custody of his three kids, as was (USA, Bravo stipulated in Jackson's will. His ex-wift and Syfy, to Debbie Rowe will receive visitation name just a few) are doing great. So NBC have to be more clearly defined-kind of rights with her two biological children Universal's cable chief, Jeff Gaspin, has been like a cable network. "I don't think you can Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11. promoted to head up the broadcast network's be all things to all people anymore," he says. Meanwhile, Michael's father, Joe entertainment division as Ben Silverman, its Going into the fall, Gaspin is optimistic about Jackson, confirmed that Omer Bhatti cochairman since 2007, exits. As a cable pro- NBC's chances with former Tonight Show 25, is also the singer's son. grammer, Gaspin put the iconic Behind the host Jay Leno's transition to prime time (his 1 Music on VH1 and reinvented Bravo with nightly show will air at 10/9c). "We've seen Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. What will it no real hits emerge at 10 o'clock," he says. take to restore the Peacock network's luster? "A lot of people are going to their digital "We just have to pick better shows," he tells video recorders and a lot of people are going TV GUIDEMAGAZINE."I don't think it's anything to cable. We finally have a broadcaster more than that." Gaspin adds that broadcasters offering something different to the viewer. can't be too broad these days when viewers I think that's going to be good for all of have so many choices, so NBC's mission will broadcasting, not just NBC."

NEW GIGS • Actress Alfre Woodard is joining CBS' new fall medical drama Three Rivers. The four-time Emmy winner replaces Julia Ormond as the hospi- tal's head of surgery. "I heard so much about [star] Alex [o'Loughlin] what a lovely man he is, besides being a really good actor," she tells TV GUIDEMAGAZINEof one of the reasons she signed on. • SNL vet Amy Poehler will join Sett Meyers at the news desk on NBC's 'Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday on September 17 and 24. The show will lead in to Poehler's sitcom, Parks and Recreation. MOVING ON • Bree Van de Kamp's family just got a little smaller. Though he ·will make a number of guest appear- ances, Shawn Pyfrom (Bree's son, Andrew) will not be a regular cast member on Desperate Housewives this season.