TV Tidbits: Notes of Interest

Cartoon Network is broadening its horizons with orders for two live action one-hour dramas -- Tower Prep and Unnatural History. Tower Prep tells the story of a rebellious teen who finds himself trapped at a mysterious prep school. Unnatural History is a mystery series focusing on a teenager with exceptional skills acquired through years of traveling with his anthropologist parents. Production is slated to begin in January 2010 for 13 episodes each.

-Showtime Series Return Dates:

Showtime scripted half-hours Nurse Jackie and The United States of Tara will return for their second seasons on Monday, March 22. Nurse Jackie will air at 10 p.m. ET, followed by The United States of Tara at 10:30 p.m. ET. The forth season of drama The Tudors, meanwhile, will begin on Sunday, April 11 at 9 p.m. ET.

-The Doctors Get a Special Call:

That "Funny Lady," Barbra Streisand, will be placing a call to CBS Television Distribution talker The Doctors to discuss heart health for women on Monday, Nov. 16. Appearing on the panel alongside The Doctors during the conversation is Dr. C. Noel Bairey Merz, the Director of Women's Health at Cedars Sinai.

-The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty on A&E:

Cable net A&E will introduce The Jacksons: A Real Life Dynasty, a reality series chronicling the personal and professional lives of Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito as they prepare for a Jackson Five reunion while coping with the passing of brother Michael. It kicks-off on Sunday, Dec. 13 with back-to-back one-hour episodes beginning at 9 p.m. ET. One week later The Jacksons: A Real Life Dynasty airs in its regularly scheduled time period, Sunday at 10 p.m. ET.

-The Goode Family Heads to Comedy Central:

Repeats of short-lived ABC animated sitcom The Goode Family, from King of the Hill creator Mike Judge, will air on Comedy Central beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010 at 10:30 p.m. ET.

-Curb Your Enthusiasm Sold to Basic Cable:

Emmy nominated HBO sitcom Curb Your Enthusiasm, headlined by Larry David, has been sold to both TV Land and TV Guide Network. The run on TV Guide Network begins first, in February 2010, while TV Land could begin airing the series as early as 2013 immediately following its departure on TV Guide Network.

-- Marc Berman