ninth season

"Real Time With Bill Maher " is in its ninth season on HBO , the political satirist's happy home since ABC canceled "Politically Incorrect" - a fluffier more-celebrity oriented version of Maher's show featuring panelists tackling the day's topics.

Lee DeWyze, a paint store clerk who overcame his shyness to impress "American Idol" judges and viewers with his spirit and soulful voice, triumphed Wednesday over bluesy musician Crystal Bowersox in the contest's ninth season.

The credits have rolled on "American Idol" finalist Michael Lynche. The 26-year-old personal trainer from Queens, N.Y., was cut from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition Wednesday.

The 26-year-old personal trainer from Queens, N.Y., was cut from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition

Lacey Brown is down and out on "American Idol." The 24-year-old event coordinator from Amarillo, Texas, was the first finalist eliminated from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition Wednesday.

The first four "American Idol" semifinalists have been sent packing. "Idol" contestants Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady were revealed Thursday to be the two female and male semifinalists with the fewest viewer votes, leaving 20 singers to compete in the popular Fox singing competition's ninth season.

Donny Osmond danced his way to victory, winning the ninth season of the hit ABC television show Dancing With the Stars after wowing the judges with his irrepressible determination and final tango.

The ninth-season winner of reality TV show "Big Brother" has confessed to using his $500,000 prize to buy thousands of oxycodone pills and resell them, authorities said.

Sources say Law & Order stars Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe and Eric Bogosian are expected to be phased out at various points during the series' upcoming ninth season.

Talk show host Ellen DeGeneres will join the judges' panel on "American Idol" for the show's ninth season beginning in 2010. "Getting this job is a dream come true," she said.