TVSquad

It seems that more and more cable networks want to get into the drama game. FX has certainly been on a roll with it. TNT and Brenda Leigh Johnson have shown that they know drama. And that whole Mad Men deal they have running over at AMC is a winner. The folks at Spike TV have made runs at it before, with Blade and The Kill Point, but it just never really caught on. Despite those attempts, the network is largely regarded as the Maxim of cable.

Well, they're trying it again. The network has ordered a two hour pilot, and this time the subject matter is the Irish mob. After the boss leaves his position, a battle commences for control of the streets. The interesting twist to the story isn't on the screen though, it's behind the scenes. The show is being produced by Dana White. Those of you that have ever even mistakenly clicked by Spike have probably seen his work. As the president of the UFC, White is responsible for approximately 87 percent of Spike's programming at the moment, or so it often seems. Needless to say, the success they've had with the UFC has given him some freedom with the network.

It looks like we have a potential candidate for the B.A. Baracus role in the movie adaptation of the 80's television show The A-Team. UFC fighter Quinton Rampage Jackson mentioned on The Jimmy Kimmel Show that he was in the running for the role made famous by Mr. T.

Looking at the photo, it's easy to see why he's in the running. He's already got the pecks and the chain. If you check out the video after the link, he's even got the attitude. Just give him a mohawk and he'll be set.

The planned release for the feature film is June 12, 2009. It will be produced by 20th Century Fox and Universal Studios and is to be directed by John Singleton (Boyz In The Hood, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious).

The question is: can the UFC fighter act? And if he can't act, then can he at least act like Mr. T.?

[Thanks, Ryan!]

Good news: your chances of seeing men pound the living crap out of one another on television have just increased. The Ultimate Fighting Championship will be syndicated in late 2007 as UFC Wired, hosted by Joe Rogan, who has already appeared on UFC pay-per-view events and on UFC coverage on Spike TV.

UFC Wired will pit the top UFC champs against one another. This isn't really my cup of tea, but then I've always been missing whatever male gene makes one drink heavily, pick fights, slap puppies and fix tractor engines. Oh why did I have to be born handsome instead of strong?

Anyway, the new series will run for twenty-two episodes, so keep an eye out to see if it plays in your neck o' the woods.

• At 8, ABC has a new Wife Swap, followed by the premiere of The Bachelor: Rome.
• CBS has new episodes of The Class, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, Old Christine, and CSI: Miami, starting at 8.
• NBC has a new Deal Or No Deal at 8, followed by new eps of Heroes and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
• FOX has a new Prison Break at 8, then a new Vanished.
• There's a new 7th Heaven on The CW at 8, followed by a new Runaway.
• Food Network has a new Emeril Live ("Home Ec 101") at 8, followed by a new Unwrapped, focusing on "Shakes."
• At 9, USA has a new Monday Night RAW.
• IFC has The Tao of Steve at 9.
• At 10, Food Network has a new The Secret Life Of..., about quick and easy meals.
• Showtime has a new Weeds at 10.
• Also at 10: Spike has something called UFC Octagon Girl Search. I have no idea what that is.