Nancy O’Dell Abruptly Quits ‘Access Hollywood’

“Access Hollywood” co-host Nancy O’Dell is abruptly leaving the show at the end of this week, People reports.

She’s been at the syndicated entertainment news strip for all of its 13 years and had two years to run on her contract. A statement from her representative said she had chosen to leave, for “a new opportunity,” in broadcast entertainment journalism, which wasn’t specified.

But a source told People that O’Dell hasn’t been comfortable in recent months with what she feels is the show’s turn to a more sensational format.

--Elizabeth Jensen

Oprah's People Confirm They've Reached Out to Tiger Woods to Be on Her Show as the Internet Explodes with Seemingly Non-stop Rumors of a Tiger-Elin Divorce

Oprah Winfrey's Harpo Productions has confirmed that it is trying to get Tiger Woods to appear on Winfrey's talk show, the Chicago Tribune reports.

According to the article, " 'We have reached out to Tiger Woods' representatives, but nothing is confirmed,' a representative from Harpo Productions said Wednesday."

Meanwhile, rumors of Woods and his wife divorcing are all over the Internet. This Tribune article said, " 'Divorce is 100 percent,' one source told ABC News. 'She's [Elin] not rushing to divorce. ... She wants all the dirty laundry to be out on the table before she signs anything.' "

--Chuck Ross

Run-Off Election Set for Top ATAS Job

There will be a run-off election for the chairmanship of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, reports B&C .

Current chairman John Shaffner will be competing with second vice chairman Brian Seth Hurst and artists rep Peter Kwong. The Academy will hold the election Jan. 6.

-- Allison J. Waldman

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Tiger Woods and Sex and Advertising

In a controversial, thought-provoking entry, TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross tackles Tiger Woods and Sex and Advertising. Click here to read.

--Tom Gilbert 

Analyst: Comcast Could Be Sole NBCU Owner in Four Years

Comcast could be the sole owner of NBC Universal within four years, buying out General Electric Co.'s 49% interest in the joint venture for $17 billion, Citigroup media analyst Jason Bazinet writes in new research note, Multichannel News reports.

The deal gives GE up to seven years after the deal closes to gradually sell its stake to Comcast, if it chooses to do so, beginning at the three and a half-year mark. But Bazinet writes that it would make affordable sense for Comcast to buy out its partner early.

--Elizabeth Jensen

NATPE Sets Speaker Lineup

Speakers at the upcoming NATPE conference will include Discovery President and CEO David Zaslav, Shine Group Chairman and CEO Elisabeth Murdoch and Tornante CEO Michael Eisner, B&C reports.

The conference takes place in Las Vegas from Jan. 25-27.

Among the producers addressing the show will be Anthony Zuiker (“CSI”); David Shore, Katie Jacobs and Hugh Laurie (“House”); Bill Lawrence (“Cougartown” and “Scrubs”) and Steven Levitan (“Modern Family.”)

--Elizabeth Jensen

Video: Fun Tribute to Tim Conway, Who Turned 76 This Week

Our friends at fark.com reminded us of this video, a funny outtake from the 'Carol Burnett Show," with a great payoff at the end. It features the wonderful Tim Conway in a sketch with Burnett,  Harvey Corman and Vicki Lawrence as Burnett's mother.

They did this "family" kind of sketch a lot on the show. What's going on in the sketch is that Conway will not let the sketch continue until he finishes telling his "elephant story," and the rest of the cast are on the verge of laughing out loud. A tribute to TV great Conway, who turned 76 years old this week. Click here to watch .

Roy Disney, Walt's Nephew, Dead at 79; Played a Key Role in Eisner's Departure From Media Company

Roy Disney, nephew of entertainment giant Walt Disney, died today at the age of 79, succumbing to stomach cancer, according to the Huffington Post .

Disney was involved in the business operations for The Walt Disney Co., and his behind-the-scenes influence was instrumental in the departure of former Disney chief Michael Eisner in 2005.

"Roy's true passion and focus were preserving and building upon the amazing legacy of Disney animation that was started by his father and uncle," Disney Co. President and CEO Bob Iger said in a statement. "Roy's commitment to the art of animation was unparalleled and will always remain his personal legacy and one of his greatest contributions to Disney's past, present and future."

-- Allison J. Waldman

Harpo’s Show With Designer Nate Berkus Moves Forward

Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions and Sony Pictures Television will announce today that they are creating a daytime talk show for designer Nate Berkus, in the hopes of rolling it out to local stations next fall, The New York Times reports.

Berkus has appeared on Winfrey’s own talk show for six years. “When Nate appears with Oprah, the ratings spike,” said John Weiser, Sony’s president of distribution.

--Elizabeth Jensen

‘Real Housewives’ Cleared for Fall 2010 Syndication

NBC Universal cleared its “Real Housewives” in more than 85 percent of the country for fall 2010, B&C reports.

The off-Bravo show was picked up by NBC Local Media, Hearst Television, CBS, LIN, Media General, Post-Newsweek, Raycom and Sinclair stations.

--Elizabeth Jensen