Another reality-show winner is facing a harsh reality away from the cameras.

Adam Jasinski of Delray Beach collected $500,000 for winning CBS' "Big Brother" last year.

Now he has collected something else: a drug-dealing charge, possession of oxycodone pills with intent to distribute.

He had nearly 2,000 of the pills when he was arrested Saturday night by the DEA in North Reading, Mass. He could face up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

So what was the point of winning "Big Brother"?

Authorities said Jasinski told them he used his prize money to set up a drug-dealing business on the East Coast.

Jasinksi is shown with Sheila Kennedy. The photo is courtesy of CBS.

Jason Guy, who officially starts as a WESH-Channel 2 morning anchor Monday, took an unusual path to television journalism.

Guy, who is 32, started in television and radio as a teen in his hometown of Mobile, Ala. A stint as a house guest on the third season of CBS' "Big Brother" — he finished third — led to jobs in casting reality series, such as "The Amazing Race" and "The Biggest Loser." From reality casting he jumped to a job as a traffic reporter at WRIC in Richmond, Va. (WESH supplied this photo of Guy.)

 "Jason is a natural communicator," WESH news director Bob Longo said. "He is very easy to understand  when he's telling you a story as a reporter and an anchor. He's a very likable person. Those two things together on an anchor desk are powerful things."

Guy will anchor with Syan Rhodes from 5 to 7 a.m. weekdays on WESH and from 7 to 9 a.m. on
sister station WKCF-Channel 18. Here's an edited version of my interview with Guy:

Q. Do most people bring up "Big Brother" first?

A. "Yes and no. It's one of those great experiences that I sort of shared with all of America. It's certainly something that's part of who I am, but it doesn't shape all that I am. It did help move me on a career path I am on."

Continue reading WESH’s Jason Guy: He came to news via ‘Big Brother,’ reality TV »

Toward the end of "Big Brother," Julie Chen looked as if she might deliver on the set. Now wouldn't that have been a plot twist on one of those live shows?

But the "Early Show" host waited till today to give birth to Charlie Moonves. Dad is CBS Corp. President/CEO Leslie Moonves. (Chen and Moonves are pictured.)

CBS says the baby arrived this morning in Los Angeles and that mother and child are doing well.  

Other TV stars have given birth recently:

*** "Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo had a girl on Sept. 15. It's the first child for Pompeo and husband Chris Ivery, who's a record producer. They named their child Stella Luna Pompeo Ivery. How will Stella shorten that name if she becomes an actress? "Grey's Anatomy" has a two-hour season premiere at 9 tonight on ABC.

*** Sarah Michelle Gellar, a TV favorite for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," gave birth Saturday to a daughter. Dad is Freddie Prinze Jr. Their baby has the lovely name Charlotte Grace Prinze.

Congratulations to them all.

Jay Leno had a big dropoff on night two. He pulled in 18.4 million for the Monday premiere of "The Jay Leno Show." His audience last night was 11.1 million, according to updated ratings released this afternoon.

"The Biggest Loser" started a new season with two hours that drew 9.9 million to NBC.

NBC won Tuesday night in total viewers and in the 18-to-49 age group. The strongest competition came from CBS. At 8, a repeat of "NCIS" bagged 12.4 million fans. The
two-hour "Big Brother" finale averaged 7.8 million viewers. Jordan won
the $500,000.

NBC won prime time with an average 10.3 million viewers. Here's how other broadcast networks fared: CBS with 9.4 million, ABC with 4.6 million, Fox with 4.2 million for two hours of "More to Love," The CW with 2.1 million and MyNetworkTV with 1.6 million.

The CW had new fare: "90210" with 2.3 million viewers and "Melrose Place" with 1.8 million, a discouraging number.

Disney-owned ABC had a weak night with "Shark Tank" (3.2 million), "Shaq VS" (4.4 million) and a Barbara Walters special on Patrick Swayze (6.2 million).

Summer's end means favorite summer series are wrapping up.

"America's Got Talent," America's most popular summer series, offers a two-hour finale at 8 tonight on NBC.  Susan Boyle will sing. But the main business is declaring a winner. Judge Sharon Osbourne told "Today" that you can't say who will win. But the strongest acts seem to be the singers: Barbara Padilla, Kevin Skinner and the Texas Tenors.

I predict Padilla. What do you say?

"Big Brother" wrapped up with two hours last night on CBS. And I'm going to discuss that finale, so there's a warning …

Jeff was named America's favorite player — no surprise there — and I think fans would have preferred to see him win.

But his main ally, Jordan, pulled it together, won crucial contests and charmed most of the jury. Her victory was the next best thing to seeing Jeff win. The good news: the annoying Natalie didn't triumph. Most of her fellow players seemed maddened by her lies.

Will Jeff and Jordan have a romance? I'm thinking no. What do you think?

HBO's hugely entertaining "True Blood" completed its second season Sunday night. That finale drew an impressive 5.1 million viewers and offered some harrowing images to end a nightmare that had consumed the town.

And what about that upsetting cliffhanger? "True Blood" had a great season, and I predict it will grow into a bigger hit next season. What do you think?

The week’s most-anticipated arrival is “The Jay Leno Show.” Can Leno make it in prime time, bolster NBC and change television as we know it? It’s a tall order for the former “Tonight Show” host. His fans will be happy for some sharp Leno jokes to send everyone to bed with a smile.

NBC is stripping “The Jay Leno Show” at 10 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Jerry Seinfeld is the first guest on Monday. The premiere also features a performance bringing together Jay-Z, Kanye West and Rihanna.

Leno is arriving a week ahead of the official start of the new television season. Some summer favorites will wrap up: “Big Brother” names a winner in a two-hour finale at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS, and “America’s Got Talent” announces its victor at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The reality premieres start as well. “Survivor” returns with an edition set in Samoa at 8 p.m. Thursday on CBS. “The Biggest Loser” starts the weight-loss contest all over again at 8 p.m. Tuesday on NBC.

In scripted programming, Fox on Thursday brings back “Bones” at 8 p.m. and “Fringe” at 9 p.m.

Continue reading This week: ‘Jay Leno Show’ starts; ‘Survivor,’ ‘The Office’ return; ‘Guiding Light,’ ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘Big Brother’ end »

The Pittsburgh Steelers' victory over the Tennessee Titans was a blockbuster for NBC Thursday night. The Steelers won, 13-10, in overtime.

NBC averaged 20.9 million viewers in prime time, according to updated ratings released this afternoon. NBC said it was the highest-rated NFL Kickoff Game ever since the Thursday night opener started.

CBS ran second through the night with "Big Brother" (7.4 million), "CSI" (7.6 million) and "The Mentalist" (8.3 million).

NBC averaged 18.5 million in prime time (the kickoff concert at 8 had 9.2 million viewers). Here's how other broadcasters fared: CBS with 7.8 million, The CW with 4.2 million, ABC with 3.9 million, Fox with 3.8 million and MyNetworkTV with 1.2 million.

There was great news for The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" debuted to 4.9 million viewers. The CW said it was the network's best series premiere yet. The audience for the season premiere of "Supernatural" dipped to 3.4 million. But it was impressive for The CW to outpace ABC and Fox.

NBC easily won the 18-to-49 age group. CBS was a distant second, edging The CW.

Lots of sports this weekend, from the NFL to NASCAR to tennis at the U.S. Open.

On the entertainment front, the big news is the season finale of "True Blood." Maryann (Michelle Forbes) is staging a sacrifice, Sookie (Anna Paquin) is dressed as a bride, and it all looks mighty scary. The summer's most thrilling series ends its second season at 9 p.m. Sunday on HBO.

"Mad Men" showcases January Jones (pictured) in its episode at 10 p.m. Sunday on AMC. Jones, who has the cool beauty of Grace Kelly in her prime, excels as distant Betty Draper in this strange, disconcerting episode. The year is 1963, and the advertising agency's new owner is fretting over expenses. The civil-rights movement is unfolding in the background, on television. The episode also draws power from exploring race relations and equal pay.

"King of the Hill" concludes its run on Fox at 8 p.m. Sunday. A 13-year run — now that's impressive.

"Big Brother" brings back all the house guests for Sunday's episode at 8 p.m. Have you been missing Jeff? The two-hour finale will be at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS.

CBS' "60 Minutes" interviews President Barack Obama and salutes "Guiding Light," which ends its 72-year run next week. The time: 7 p.m. Sunday.

Tonight's schedule features new episodes on USA of "Monk" at 9 and "Psych" at 10. Also at 10 on ABC News' "20/20," Barbara Walters interviews La Toya Jackson about brother Michael's death and the future of his children.

Not surprisingly, La Toya praises the King of Pop. "I don't think we'll find a person as talented, a person who thought the way he thought. A person with the heart that Michael had," La Toya says. "People aren't that way anymore. He was special. He wasn't God, but he was certainly God-like. He was the closest thing to a god that I knew."

Take that snippet as a preview and a warning.

'Big Brother' has a two-hour finale at 9 p.m. Tuesday on CBS. But that won't be the end: CBS announced today that it has ordered another edition of the social experiment for next summer.

Why, oh why, many of you will ask? Ratings are up — across many platforms.

The three-times-a-week show is averaging 7.1 million viewers, an increase of 7 percent from last summer, and the 18-to-49 age group is up 4 percent from last summer. CBS said "Big Brother" is also its top show on CBS.com and that video streams have climbed 94 percent from last summer.

Who wins the $500,000 grand prize next week? Jordan, Kevin or Natalie? I sure don't want Natalie. Who's your favorite?

"America's Got Talent" held the top two positions in the weekly ratings race — and a healthy lead over No. 3 finisher "NCIS."

CBS won the week, when ratings were mighty depressed. CBS averaged 5.9 million viewers to NBC's 5.7 million. Here's how the other broadcasters fared: ABC with 4.7 million, Fox with 3.8 million, MyNetworkTV with 1.4 million and The CW with 990,000.

But Disney-owned ABC squeaked out a victory in the 18-to-49 age group. CBS, NBC and Fox tied for second in that county.

Here are the most-watched series for the week:

1. "America's Got Talent" Tuesday, NBC, 12.8 million

2. "America's Got Talent" Wednesday, NBC, 12.4 million

Continue reading ‘America’s Got Talent’ still No. 1 (and 2), but ABC scores a weekly win »

CBS' "Big Brother" pulled in 8.1 million viewers Tuesday, and the network said that Michele's ejection brought in the biggest audience yet this summer.

But CBS finished second for the night in total viewers and third in the 18-to-49 age group.

NBC had the most viewers, thanks to "America's Got Talent." Fox had the most viewers in the 18-to-49 age group, thanks to "Hell's Kitchen." NBC was second in that count.

At 8 p.m., CBS' "NCIS" pulled in 10.7 million viewers. "Hell's Kitchen" wasn't too hot for 7.6 million. A "Talent" rerun drew 6.8 million to NBC.

At 9, "Talent" moved to the front with 11.2 million viewers for the two-hour show. "Big Brother" ran second.

At 10, a rerun of "The Mentalist" attracted 6.4 million to CBS. Could Jon Gosselin be losing his must-see status? Just 5.7 million tuned in to hear him on ABC's "Primetime: Family Secrets."

For the night, NBC averaged 10.1 million viewers in prime time. I have preliminary numbers for these broadcasters: CBS with 8.4 million, Fox with 6 million, ABC with 4.3 million and The CW with 2.4 million. The CW offered season premieres of "90210" (with 2.6 million viewers) and the updated "Melrose Place" (with 2.3 million).

The best television on Labor Day may come Melanie Oudin.

The 5-foot-6 American, who is just 17, has electrified the tennis world at the United States Open. Did you catch her thrilling upset of Maria Sharapova on Saturday? Oudin has a gutsy, stick-with-it-style, and she takes on Nadia Petrova today. Oudin could be a much-needed new star for tennis.

CBS' coverage starts at 11 a.m. on WKMG-Channel 6. World No. 1 Roger Federer also plays today; his opponent is Tommy Robredo.

The Open has produced some thrilling matches so far: Oudin overtaking Elena Dementieva. Oudin beating Sharapova. John Isner ousting Andy Roddick. Kim Clijsters showing her old form and stopping Venus Williams. Sports is the best form of reality television.

For a different kind of reality television, there is "Big Brother." I've never been a big fan of this CBS social experiment, and this year's casting process produced some real loons. Chima was so awful that producers ejected her.

Continue reading ‘Big Brother’ to Melanie Oudin, reality television delivers thrillers »

The fall television season doesn't officially begin until Sept. 21. But The CW starts unveiling new fare this week to get the jump on competitors, and favorite reality series move toward their finales.

The week's biggest arrival, to these eyes, is "The Vampire Diaries." This stylish melodrama pits vampire brothers against each other over a lovely girl, who is mourning the deaths of her parents in a car accident. The show is based on books by L.J. Smith, and they form a strong foundation. The premiere builds on that foundation, offering rousing entertainment, compelling performers and nifty special effects. This show should do wonders for The CW's ratings. "The Vampire Diaries" debuts at 8 p.m. Thursday.

An updated "Melrose Place," also on The CW, is no reason for celebration. This recycled trash lacks the kick of the Fox original. Come back, Heather Locklear, come back! The new and not-improved "Melrose" bows at 9 p.m. Tuesday.

The CW also starts new seasons of "90210" at 8 p.m. Tuesday and "Supernatural" at 9 p.m. Thursday. "America's Next Top Model" starts its search for a petite model — 5-foot-7 or shorter — with a two-hour season premiere at 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Continue reading This week: ‘America’s Next Top Model,’ ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘Big Brother,’ ‘Melrose Place’ and ‘The Vampire Diaries’ »

CBS had the biggest shows in broadcasting Thursday night.

"Big Brother," "CSI" and "The Mentalist" handily won their time slots. Football played in many markets on the broadcast networks, so some networks' numbers were depressed.

At 8 p.m., 6.8 million tuned in "Big Brother" to see Jeff's ejection. Fox ran second with a "Bones" rerun that entertained 4.6 million.

At 9, "CSI" attracted 6.8 million. At 10, "The Mentalist" pulled in 7.7 million for CBS.

Here are the prime-time averages: CBS with 7.1 million, Fox with 3.8 million, Disney-owned ABC with 3 million, NBC with 2.9 million, MyNetworkTV with 1.1 million and The CW with 980,000.

CBS also easily won the 18-to-49 age group.

Surprise-filled reality and first-class drama are two attractions on a slow Labor Day Weekend.

CBS' "Big Brother" is down to four players after the ejection last night of Jeff, the most appealing contestant. Do you have any doubt that he'll be viewers' favorite? Host Julie Chen was struck by the studio audience's standing ovation for Jeff when he left the house.

The next installment airs at 8 p.m. Sunday. The action in the jury house, where Jeff is headed, could be more interesting than what's happening in the Big Brother house. The very annoying Natalie – what a grating voice — is head of household. Michele and Jordan will probably be put up for ejection. And Kevin revealed his skill in double-crossing Jeff. What happens next? I think Jordan is likely to be voted out next. The eventual winner? I'll go with Michele. Who's your pick?

"Mad Men" is offering a new episode at 10 p.m. Sunday — and the recurring theme is the conflict between parents and children. The acting, writing and photography are wonderfully subtle. The production values can be absorbing, too. Pay attention to the swank restaurant where Don Draper (Jon Hamm) takes a client.

HBO won't offer a new "True Blood" this weekend, but the channel will repeat the past three episodes. The horrifying fun starts at 9 p.m. Sunday. The season finale will be next weekend.

Continue reading This weekend: ‘Big Brother,’ ‘Mad Men,’ football, ‘The Guns of Navarone’ »

Central Florida performers Arcadian Broad and Drew Thomas played to the biggest audience Tuesday night. They received unfavorable reviews from mean judge Piers Morgan on "America's Got Talent," but they also gained exposure to an audience of 12.8 million.

NBC won Tuesday night in total viewers and tied with Fox for the lead in the 18-to-49 age group, according to updated ratings released this afternoon.

Here are the prime-time averages for the broadcast networks: NBC with 10.5 million, CBS with 8.5 million, Fox with 5.8 million, ABC with 3.2 million, MyNetworkTV with 1.3 million and The CW with 860,000.

At 8, CBS' "NCIS" was the big winner with 10.1 million viewers for the first half of a two-parter. Fox ran second with "Hell's Kitchen" pulling in 7.6 million. But "Hell's Kitchen" was very popular with the 18-to-49 age group. A repeat of "America's Got Talent" attracted nearly 6 million to NBC. ABC's "Crash Course" crashed — just 2.7 million tuned in.

At 9, "Talent" was out in front. CBS' "Big Brother" pulled in 7.8 million. "More to Love" charmed just 3.8 million for Fox. ABC's "Shaq VS" didn't put up much of a ratings fight: Just 3.3 million followed the basketball star.

At 10, the second part of "NCIS" held on to 7.4 million — maybe it wasn't such a good idea to split up that two-parter. ABC's "Primetime" had 3.7 million admirers.

"America's Got Talent" on NBC continued as the country's favorite series last week. NBC and CBS tied as the favorite network with the 18-to-49 age group, which is most important to advertisers.

And "America's Got Talent" has local interest. Two Central Florida acts perform at 9 tonight on WESH-Channel 2: Orlando dancer Arcadian Broad and St. Cloud illusionist Drew Thomas.

But CBS had the most overall viewers. Here's how the networks fared in prime-time averages: CBS with 6.6 million, NBC with 6.4 million, Fox with 4.8 million, ABC with 3.8 million, MyNetworkTV with 1.5 million and The CW with 1.3 million.

Here are the week's most popular series:

1. "America's Got Talent" Tuesday, NBC, 11.5 million

2. "America's Got Talent" Wednesday, NBC, 11.2 million

Continue reading ‘America’s Got Talent’ atop ratings as CBS, NBC share weekly win »

Football triumphed in the ratings this past weekend.

NBC was the clear winner Sunday with the NFL. CBS squeaked out victories with preseason games on Friday and Saturday.

The ratings for the live sporting events will be updated later, but here are some preliminary numbers.

On Sunday, NBC averaged 8.8 million viewers in prime time. The Denver-Chicago game averaged 9.9 million viewers in prime time, according to these preliminary numbers.

I have early numbers on these broadcast networks: CBS with 6.5 million, ABC with 4.9 million, Fox with 4 million and The CW with 2.2 million. NBC also easily won the 18-to-49 age group.

Other programs of note Sunday night: CBS' "60 Minutes" with 9.4 million viewers and CBS' "Big Brother" with 7.4 million.

On Saturday, CBS aired the San Diego-Atlanta game and averaged 5.6 million in prime time. Here's how other broadcasters fared: Fox with 4.9 million, NBC with 4.5 million and ABC with 3.4 million. CBS won the 18-to-49 age group. Other programs of note: NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" with 5.6 million viewers and Fox's "America's Most Wanted" with 5.4 million.

On Friday, CBS pulled in 6.3 million viewers with the New England-Washington game, according to updated ratings released this afternoon. Here's how other broadcasters did: NBC with 5.6 million, Fox with 4.4 million, The CW and ABC with 3.1 million apiece and The CW with 1.3 million. CBS won the 18-to-49 age group. Program of note: "Dateline NBC" with 6.6 million for a two-hour edition.

Fox had the most young adults with football Thursday night, but CBS had the most viewers with "Big Brother," "CSI" and "The Mentalist."

The Miami-Tampa game on Fox averaged 5.8 million viewers and ended at 11:12 p.m, according to updated ratings released this afternoon. Fox noted that the game was interrupted by a rain delay.

At 8, "Big Brother" dispatched the combustible Russell. Nearly 7.8 million viewers watched. 

At 9, a "CSI" rerun pulled in 8.4 million.

At 10, "The Mentalist" was the favorite of 8.1 million.

CBS averaged 8.1 million in prime time. The football game on Fox averaged 6.4 million in prime time. Here's how other broadcast networks fared: NBC with 3.6 million, ABC with 3.2 million, The CW with 1.6 million and MyNetworkTV with 1.1 million. CBS placed second to Fox in the 18-to-49 age group.

NBC and Fox were both winners Tuesday night.

Fox drew the most young adults, thanks to a strong showing by "Hell's Kitchen." But NBC had the most viewers overall with "America's Got Talent."

"Talent" averaged 11.5 million viewers with a two-hour performance show and dominated the 9 to 11 p.m. time slots, according to updated ratings released this afternoon. At 9, CBS ran second with "Big Brother," which brought in 7.3 million viewers. At 10, CBS was second with a repeat of "The Mentalist" drawing 7.6 million.

CBS was on top at 8 p.m. with "NCIS" entertaining 10.1 million. "Hell's Kitchen" was the spot for 7.8 million — but it was the night's most popular show with young adults. A repeat of "Talent" pulled 5.9 million to NBC in that hour.

And what of Shaquille O'Neal? A repeat of his "Shaq VS" attracted 3.1 million to ABC at 8 p.m. A new hour at 9 was the choice of 4.1 million. Also at 9, Fox's "More to Love" pulled in 4 million viewers.

For the night, NBC averaged 9.6 million in prime time. Here's how the broadcast competition fared: CBS with 8.3 million, Fox with 5.9 million, Disney-owned ABC with 3.5 million, MyNetworkTV with 1.3 million and The CW with 660,000. NBC was a close second to Fox in the 18-to-49 age group.