Journalist Killed in Syria, Hours After Reporting on CNN About the Dangerous Situation in That Country

Just hours after appearing on CNN's "AC360" to talk about the dangerous situation in Syria, Sunday Times reporter Marie Colvin was killed Tuesday, reports TVNewser.com.

The Long Island native had appeared on CNN telling the story of a little boy who had been killed in Syria, one of many deaths she witnessed while working in that part of the world. French photographer Remi Ochlik was also killed Tuesday in the region.

“Syria is quickly becoming one of the most dangerous assignments for foreign journalists, in some respects even more dangerous than Iraq and Afghanistan were,” the story reports.

Here’s a video of Colvin’s final report on CNN:

Sitcom Star Says He Snorted Coke at the White House

An actor known for his work in television sitcoms has admitted that he snorted cocaine at a White House dinner, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

David Cross, known for his role on Fox's "Arrested Development" and currently the star of IFC's comedy "The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret," said the incident happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2009, the story reports.

Cross was apparently trying to be outrageous and contends that the amount of coke was tiny, but he did make sure that someone witnessed his stunt, which occurred under a table and within 65 feet of President Obama. He shared the story in the March issue of Playboy.

Cross explained, "It was just about being able to say that I did it, that I did cocaine in the same room as the president."

Cross said he was not "ashamed" of his actions, but did regret embarrassing Amber Tamblyn, his fiancee, who received the invitation to the White House. "I was her date, her plus-one, and she got dragged through the mud because of what I did. She had nothing to do with it. And because of that she’ll never be invited to the White House again. That’s not cool."

As previously reported, Cross was in the news last month for poorly received comments about Jews as he recounted his experience working on the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked.” Click here to see the video of his controversial appearance on “Conan.”

Comcast Sets Sights on Netflix as Online Video Wars Heat Up; New Service Undercuts Netflix on Price

Comcast is rolling out a new video-on-demand service that could pose problems for Netflix, as competition for digital consumers heats up, Time reports.

Time reports: “The new service, called Xfinity Streampix, will be available to over 20 million Comcast subscribers, and will feature programs from the company’s NBCUniversal subsidiary, as well as other media giants. Comcast’s new service, which launches this week, significantly deepens the company’s library of popular older titles at a time when consumers are increasingly demanding video choices on their own schedule.”

Licensing agreements with Disney-ABC Television Group, Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. will contribute to content for the new service, the story notes.

The report adds: “Comcast said the new service will be available for free to Comcast customers who subscribe to many of the company’s triple-play internet-phone-cable packages, and will cost $4.99 per month for customers who subscribe to more basic plans. At that price point, Comcast is undercutting Netflix’s $7.99 streaming-only plan.”

Comcast isn’t the only media company taking aim at Netflix. The story notes: “Comcast’s move to bolster its on-demand offering comes as various large players are jockeying for position to try to take a shot at Netflix, the streaming video leader, with some 22 million subscribers. Amazon is moving into the space with its Prime streaming product, and Verizon recently announced a partnership with Redbox to create a new streaming offering.”

Nickelodeon Confirms Signing 'X Factor' Youngster to Star in Comedy Series; 14-Year-Old Also Lands Record Deal

Nickelodeon has confirmed that it signed a 14-year-old singing sensation who broke out thanks to an appearance on “The X Factor.” We reported earlier that Rachel Crow was closing in on a deal with the network.

Paula Kaplan, Nickelodeon’s Executive Vice President, Talent Strategy and West Coast Operations, announced the overall talent deal with Crow.

Crow also signed a recording contract with Columbia Records/Syco.

Nickelodeon is developing a comedy series as a vehicle for Crow.

Said Crow: “It’s such an honor to be signed to Columbia Records. To think that I am signed to the same label as my idols is a dream come true. I can’t wait to get in the studio and start making music. And I am so excited to now be a part of the Nickelodeon family. I grew up watching Nick, and I’m a huge fan.”

“X Factor’s” Simon Cowell, who mentored Crow during her time on the show, said, “I am incredibly happy for Rachel. This girl has it. We saw her potential at the first audition and Nickelodeon and Columbia are the right homes for her.”

Added Kaplan: “Rachel is an original. She’s funny, genuine and has raw talent and a passion for performing. We’re delighted to be home to her first acting project and think she is poised to join the ranks of our next generation of Nick stars.”

Five-Time Emmy Winner Leaves Millions to UCLA

A five-time Emmy winner who died last year bequeathed a large scholarship fund to the University of California, Los Angeles, reports the AP.

UCLA announced that the $3 million from the late Peter Falk will be used to create the Shera and Peter Falk Lt. Columbo Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Falk won four Emmys for his portrayal of Columbo in the long-running detective series. His first Emmy came in 1962, for “The Dick Powell Theatre.” He died in June 2011 at the age of 83.

The UCLA awards will be given out starting in fall 2012. The scholarship’s focus will be on aiding undergraduates in the field of music, and on students with disabilities and military veterans.

NBC's 'Biggest Loser' Suspends Production After Contestants Walk Off the Set

The remaining contestants on NBC's "Biggest Loser" have reportedly walked off the show and are threatening to quit, reports TMZ.com.

The mutiny happened this week when the contestants learned that the producers were considering bringing back previous contestants to compete, the story notes. The current contestants, to protest that decision, decided together to walk off the show in the middle of shooting an episode, the story says.

The show has shut down production for at least a week, the piece adds. NBC and "The Biggest Loser" didn't immediately respond, the story says.

'Amazing Race' Producer Poisoned to Death

A producer for CBS's "The Amazing Race" was found dead in his hotel room, the apparent victim of a poisoning, reports the Daily Mail.

Jeff Rice was a freelance producer who worked on creating challenges for the CBS show in Africa. His female assistant was also poisoned, and was hospitalized in a coma. The incident took place in Uganda.

Rice and his aide, who were not working for "The Amazing Race" at the time, had apparently had an encounter with local thugs in which Rice refused to give up their belongings.

FoxNews.com reports that Uganda police are still investigating the case.

Rice was an experienced TV producer, having worked on Animal Planet's "Whale Wars" and the South African version of "The Biggest Loser." The current season of "The Amazing Race," which began airing Sunday, included Rice's work.

CBS has not commented on Rice's death. Jerry Bruckheimer Films, which produces "The Amazing Race," told the newspaper it had no knowledge of the incident.

Report: Whitney Houston Had Deadly Drug Cocktail in Her System

The late Whitney Houston had a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol in her system when she died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the New York Post reports. The drugs included Valium and Xanax, according to the report.

The coroner is awaiting final toxicology reports to find out which of the three substances was the major contributing factor in her death, the story notes. While she was found submerged in a bathtub at the hotel, it's believed that her heart stopped beating because of the sedatives and alcohol, not from drowning, the piece adds.

Final results should be available in the next few weeks, according to the article.

Late-Night Talk Show Host Gets Contract Extension

A popular late-night talk show host has had his contract extended until 2014.

A press announcement today said, "TBS has extended the popular late-night series 'Conan' through April 2014, demonstrating the network's solid commitment to the Emmy-nominated show and its host, Conan O'Brien."

The release added, " 'Conan' has enjoyed three consecutive months of audience growth. In January 2012, the show was up 27% in total viewers compared to October 2011, while adults 18-34 were up 18% and adults 18-49 up 21%. Already in February, 'Conan' is showing an additional 12% growth among adults 18-34, 11% among adults 18-49 and 8% among total viewers. In 2012, 'Conan' has averaged 1.1 million viewers, with 407,000 adults 18-34 and 702,000 adults 18-49."

In a statement, O'Brien said, “I am excited to continue my run with TBS because they have been fantastic partners. This means I’ll be taping episodes of 'Conan' well into the Ron Paul presidency.”

The press announcement adds that O'Brien "has amassed 5,020,000 followers on Twitter, more than any other late-night host. Video clips from 'Conan' presented through TeamCoco.com, viral players and YouTube attracted more than 83 million video views in 2011. And the Team Coco Facebook page has drawn more than 1.8 million fans, nearly doubling the page's January 2011 figures."

Oscar Hopeful's Very Special Mentor, and the Best Saturday Afternoon Ever

This story -- which you can read if you click on this sentence -- is told by TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross, and it's most likely not what you expect.