'So You Think You Can Dance' Hoofs It Into a 10th Season

Put on your dancing shoes; "So You Think You Can Dance" has been given a 10th season, Fox said Thursday. Auditions for the upcoming season will begin January 18 in Austin, Texas, before moving on to Detroit, Boston, Los Angeles and Memphis. Fox's president of alternative programming Mike Darnell praised "SYTYCD" creator Nigel Lythgoe in announcing the renewal. "I couldn't be more proud of the amazing work that Nigel and the entire 'So You Think You Can Dance' team has done over the past nine seasons," Darnell said. "This show is truly one of the most compelling series on television and I can't wait to bring it back for Season 10." Last season, the series underwent a format shakeup after Fox cut the show from two nights a week to one, eliminating the results shows.

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Martha Raddatz, Hot Off Debate Performance, Promoted at ABC News

Martha Raddatz, widely praised for her moderation of the vice presidential debate in October, has been given an expanded role as ABC News' chief global affairs correspondent. Jonathan Karl, meanwhile, will become the network's new chief White House correspondent, filling the void left by Jake Tapper's exit to CNN. Raddatz will replace Tapper as the primary substitute for George Stephanopoulos on "This Week" and will contribute regularly to the Sunday morning show's roundtable. Karl will also serve as a substitute and regularly appear on the roundtable. Tapper departed ABC in part because he has long been interested in hosting "This Week" full-time, but Stephanopoulos has no plans to give up the hosting job, a person familiar with the situation told TheWrap. ABC News President Ben Sherwood announced the new assignments for Raddatz and Karl on Thursday, soon after CNN announced Tapper's hiring. Karl has investigated wasteful federal spending, covered elections, and served as the network's senior national security correspondent. Raddatz has reported from the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House, and from conflict zones worldwide, including Afghanistan and Iraq. But she has been perhaps most celebrated for keeping the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan on course after the moderator of the first presidential debate, Jim Lehrer, was accused of letting the candidates run amok.

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Alan Ball's 'Banshee' Screeches Onto Cinemax in January

True Blood" creator Alan Ball's new television series "Banshee" will premiere January 11 at 10 p.m. on Cinemax, the network said Thursday. The drama, which is executive-produced by Ball and "House M.D." executive producer Greg Yaitanes, centers on ex-con and master thief Lucas Hood (played by "Rush" star Anthony Starr), who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal ways while being hunted by a team of gangsters from his past. Ivana Milicevic ("Charlie's Angels") and Ulrich Thomsen ("The Celebration") also star. Series writers Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler also executive-produce, along with Peter Macdissi. The pilot episode will re-air at 11:05 p.m. and 12:10 a.m., with additional re-airings on January 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 30.

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Ridley Scott, Paul Attanasio Working on "Vatican" Pilot for Showtime

Showtime is once again preparing to go papal. The network, which already has a Pope-centric hit in the form of "The Borgias," has given the green light to pilot tentatively titled "The Vatican," from Ridley Scott and Paul Attanasio, Showtime said Thursday. A contemporary exploration of the politics and power plays within the Catholic church, "The Vatican" will be written by Attanasio and directed by Scott, marking the first pilot that Scott has directed. "The Vatican" is described as "a provocative contemporary genre thriller about spirituality, power and politics - set against the modern-day political machinations within the Catholic church" that will "explore the relationships and rivalries as well as the mysteries and miracles behind one of the world's most hidden institutions." Production on "The Vatican," which is being produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Showtime, will begin next year.

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'Walking Dead' Showrunner Glen Mazzara Leaving

Glen Mazzara, who led AMC's "The Walking Dead" to ratings highs after the exit of Frank Darabont, is leaving the show. The announcement came with the unsurprising news of a fourth-season pickup for the series. It continues AMC's rocky record with its showrunners, but the network said the decision was mutual. While AMC has clashed with showrunners before over money, a person familiar with the situation told TheWrap that this time the issue is "100 percent not about money or contracts." Rather, it is about a difference of opinion over where the show should go in the fourth season and beyond. It involves AMC, Mazzara and the show's writers and producers, who include Robert Kirkman, creator of the comics that provide the basis of the series. Kirkman might be the fans' choice to take over as showrunner, given that most of its characters were born on his pages. But he also has a busy career writing comics and novels. In a statement, Kirkman said he believes Mazzara and AMC came to the decision "in the best interest of the future of the show." In an interview with TheWrap in October, Mazzara said he would love to remain with the show until the end, "if AMC and the fans would have me." "I would love to be the guy shutting the lights off," he said at the time. It didn't work out that way, even though Mazzara has made "The Walking Dead" this season's top-rated drama -- even beating network shows. It also has a legitimate shot at ending the season as TV's top scripted show overall. "Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways," AMC said in a statement. AMC also said the decision is "amicable" and that Mazzara will remain showrunner for the remainder of the third season, which resumes airing in February. The episodes have already been filmed, and Mazzara will oversee postproduction. He is also looking for his next project. "My time as showrunner on 'The Walking Dead' has been an amazing experience, but after I finish season 3, it's time to move on," said Mazzara. "I have told the stories I wanted to tell and connected with our fans on a level that I never imagined. It doesn't get much better than that. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey." Mazzara took over the show after Darabont parted ways with it after its first season. Darabont was just one of several showrunners to have issues with AMC. Jason Horwitch left "Rubicon" during its lone season. The third season of "Hell on Wheels" was briefly put on hold last month when showrunner John Shiban left. "Mad Men" creator Matthew Weiner nearly walked from the show during a contract dispute last year. And "Breaking Bad" briefly looked into leaving AMC before creator Vince Gilligan's contract was renewed. Kirkman's full statement included his thanks to Mazzara and the show's fans. "I am in full support of both AMC and Glen Mazzara in the decision they have come to and believe the parties came to this decision in the best interest of the future of the show," Kirkman said. "I thank Glen for his hard work and appreciate his many contributions to 'The Walking Dead' and look forward to working with him as we complete post production on Season 3. I am also excited to begin work on another spectacular season of this show that I know means so much to so many people. This show has always been the result of a wide range of extremely talented men and women working tirelessly to produce their best work collectively. I believe the future is bright for 'The Walking Dead.' Thank you to the fans for your continued support." Executive producer Gale Anne Hurd also expressed her thanks. "I am appreciative and grateful to Glen for his hard work on ‘The Walking Dead,'" she wrote. "I am supportive of AMC and Glen's decision and know that the series is in great hands with one of the most talented and dedicated casts and crews in the business. I look forward to the show's continued success."

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