NEW YORK A CNN reporter who left Myanmar Friday was chased by authorities as he reported on the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis but escaped primarily because of the incompetence of the people after him.

What could you learn about reality while immersing yourself for months in virtual reality?

Everywhere they go, "American Idol" contestants attract a crowd of admirers, well-wishers, gushy handmade signs and screams fit for a vintage Beatle. But when it comes to feting finalists, home is where the "I (heart) you" is.

If you're an "American Idol" viewer like me, you're probably feeling a bit taken for granted right about now.

CBS provided the big TV event of the week by having the producers of its biggest sitcom, "Two and A Half Men," trade places with the producers of its biggest drama, "CSI." I'm just curious: who was the genius at the network who thought this sounded like a good idea?

I wouldn't want to be a TV executive next week, as broadcasters meet with advertisers in New York to talk about the fall season, make the case that network television's still the place to put their ads and try to explain, yet again, where all those missing viewers have gone.

LOS ANGELES She's not just fast. She's very fast.

NEW YORK After all this time, you don't associate Jeff Probst with traffic gridlock, yowling sirens, or office towers crowding the sky.

LOS ANGELES Not every one of these Mother's Day celebrants is really a mom - but they play one on TV.

Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of April 28-May 4. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:

NEW YORK A journalism think tank studying "The Daily Show" doesn't believe many people get their news from Jon Stewart - because otherwise they wouldn't get the jokes.

God bless Amanda Lorber, a senior at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Fla., who says "Journalists are the most important part of the world."

NEW YORK Simon Cowell once told Jason Castro that his face would save him from elimination. Not this time. The dreadlocked heartthrob was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday as the show narrowed the competition to three finalists: David Cook, David Archuleta and Syesha Mercado.

Starting next week, the broadcast networks will announce their fall season lineups, and can't you just feel the excitement? Me, I'm all tingly.

NEW YORK Cablevision Systems Corp. is buying the Sundance Channel, a cable network founded by Robert Redford, for $496 million, the New York-area cable TV company announced Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES It was the 100th episode of "Dancing With the Stars" - but the last for Mario.

NEW YORK "American Idol" hopeful Jason Castro became at least the third contestant this season to flub lyrics to a song.

NEW YORK The May "sweeps" is precisely the wrong time to hit low marks in the ratings. But several big shows did last week.

NEW YORK Sunday night is getting less steamy.