NBC signs a deal for new docu-drama series'

NBC signs a deal for new docu-drama series' The producer of the surprise cable hit "Ice Road Truckers" is bringing its brand of reality TV to network TV.

NBC has bought a package deal of three original unscripted series from Original Productions, which produces docu-series like the History Channel's "Ice Road Truckers" and Discovery's "Deadliest Catch." The deal includes at least a 10-episode order for all three shows and a commitment to run at least two of the three shows in a prime-time programming block.

Networks occasionally hand out series commitments without seeing a pilot, but making a deal for three series, and agreeing to program them together, is new. The deal includes pilot orders for three future series from Original, run by Thom Beers, and BermanBraun, the production company run by former network chiefs Gail Berman and Lloyd Braun.

"Ice Road Truckers" became an out-of-left-field hit for the History Channel this year, regularly drawing more than 3 million viewers (the finale scored close to 5 million viewers). "Deadliest Catch" is also a strong draw for Discovery, ranking as the channel's highest-rated series in 2006.

Beers, who also created "Monster Garage" for Discovery, is currently working with NBC to settle on subjects for the three shows.

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'Law & Order,' 'Law & Order Criminal Intent' return "Law & Order" is settling back into its longtime Wednesday home next month, paired with sister series "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," NBC announced.

"I'm delighted to be back in the time slot where 'Law & Order' was the only show to watch for 15 years," said series creator and executive producer Dick Wolf.

Earlier, NBC had said "Law & Order" would return at midseason on Sunday nights, following the network's NFL telecasts. Last season, it was aired on Fridays.

With a screenwriters strike, and with networks running through their stock of completed dramas and comedies, "Law & Order" represents a bonanza of unaired hours for NBC.

So does "Criminal Intent," which started showing earlier this season on USA Network, an NBC Universal cable channel, before beginning its broadcasting run.

Wolf declined to comment on how many scripts were completed before the walkout. But if the strike is not protracted, he said, he's optimistic the series will fulfill its 22-episode orders.

McCoy is taking over from the D.A. played by Fred Thompson. The former U.S. senator asked to be released from the drama to pursue his bid for the Republican nomination for president.

The D.A.'s role, which usually called for brief appearances by Thompson, will be expanded with Waterston, Wolf said.

Maggie Rodriguez to join CBS 'Early Show' Maggie Rodriguez, co-anchor of CBS News' "The Saturday Early Show," is moving to weekdays as co-anchor of "The Early Show."

The network recently announced that she will join Harry Smith and Julie Chen on the broadcast, as well as news anchor Russ Mitchell and weatherman Dave Price, beginning Jan. 7.

She succeeds Hannah Storm, whose departure from "The Early Show" for other duties at the network also was recently announced.

Before joining CBS News, Rodriguez was an evening news anchor at CBS-owned WFOR-TV in Miami. She also anchored and reported at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.