In case you missed it - the week in TV buzz:

The nation's television critics have spent a generation - or two, if you count the DVD and VCR as representing separate epochs - watching pilots, those first episodes of the shows that broadcast network executives have convinced themselves will be welcomed with open arms by a grateful public next season.

Q: I purchased DVDs of the first four seasons of "Soap." It left Jessica facing a firing squad, Chester about to shoot Danny, Burt entering a trap set up by the mob and Jodie in a past life as an old Jewish man. Any more seasons or did they just end there?

Paula Abdul says she has been invited to remain as an "American Idol" judge and that she's optimistic that she'll be able to negotiate a new contract.

GLENDALE, Calif. - Standup comedian Margaret Cho was never the polite, little Asian girl who covered her mouth when she laughed and made straight As. In fact, she was always the opposite.

TOLUCA LAKE, Calif. - Consider this television paradox: Sterling Knight stars on a TV show millions watch but his character headlines a TV show no one's seen.

In a July 4 story about various television networks' coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial service, The Associated Press reported that Fox News Channel had not announced its plans. Fox communicated its plans Friday to several news organizations, not including the AP. The story should have noted that no public announcement of Fox's plans could be found, and that messages left with network representatives were not immediately returned.

Even President Barack Obama, a gleam in his eye as he talked at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner two weeks ago, seemed to recognize the special relationship he's forged with TV networks in the opening months of his administration.

DON'T MISS:

Roland Martin will anchor a new Sunday public affairs show aimed at a black audience that will debut in September on the TV One network.

NBC executives changed their minds Sunday and decided to join other networks that will televise Michael Jackson's memorial service live this week.

Roland Martin will anchor a new Sunday public affairs show aimed at a black audience that will debut in September on the TV One network.

I get the e-mails all the time: "Dave, you handsome devil, what do think are the best TV shows of all time?"

Television's squeezing every ounce of entertainment it can from the nation's obesity epidemic, though most of us would be better off walking than watching. Here's how some of the competition sizes up:

PHILADELPHIA - Everyone seems to love a weight-loss story, and the Style Network's "Ruby" does not disappoint.