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Emmy ruler "Mad Men" is facing a threat from the mobsters and crooked politicos of "Boardwalk Empire."

Republican presidential contender Michele Bachmann, whose gaffes have made her a favorite punching bag for Jay Leno and other late-night comedians, paid Leno a visit Friday. In her first appearance on "The Tonight Show," Bachmann tried to show her lighter side — even making a joke about Christian anti-gay therapy, but Leno challenged her on gay rights, the HPV vaccine, her opposition to raising the federal debt ceiling and other conservative positions.

And this season's winner of "America's Got Talent" is ... Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. Just as most of us had predicted, the corn-rowed crooner with a knack for Sinatra carried the day, nabbing not only bragging rights -- though he doesn't really seem the type to brag -- but also, as we were frequently reminded, $1 million and a stint headlining a show in Las Vegas.

Rachel Reilly doesn't have a reason to pout.

Jack Black, Conan O'Brien and Larry King will honor Will Ferrell with the nation's top humor prize, along with Maya Rudolph and Molly Shannon from his "Saturday Night Live" days. On Wednesday, the Kennedy Center in Washington announced a lineup of star comedians who will perform in Ferrell's honor for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. They'll salute him Oct. 23 in a performance taped for broadcast Oct. 31 on PBS stations nationwide.

The fall 2011 TV season is upon us, and that means it's time to welcome back old favorites and discover something new. Paranormal and fantasy shows are hot tickets this year.

Andy Whitfield, the 39-year-old star of the cable series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," has died. "On a beautiful sunny Sydney spring morning, surrounded by his family, in the arms of his loving wife, our beautiful young warrior Andy Whitfield lost his 18 month battle with lymphoma cancer," Whitfield's wife Vashti said in a statement. "He passed peacefully surrounded by love. Thank you to all his fans whose love and support have help carry him to this point. He will be remembered as the inspiring, courageous and gentle man, father and husband he was."

The TV season is kicking in, and this week, two major reality shows return. "Survivor South Pacific" will have some familiar elements. It's shot again in Samoa, and Ben "Coach" Wade and Ozzy Lusth, both former contestants, will be competing along with 16 newbies. (Premieres Sept. 14, 8 p.m., CBS.)

Each fall we return to our beloved TVs, ready for the favorites to ease into an autumnal slump while new series fight for a spot on our DVR.

Aaron Sorkin is back with another series set in the television world — HBO announced Thursday it has ordered his new hour-long pilot, about the adventures of a cable news show, to series.
This time, Sorkin’s story is centered around a cable news anchor, played by Jeff Daniels, as well as his staff and new executive producer. Emily Mortimer stars as the EP, and Sam Waterston returns after his long “Law and Order” stint to play their boss.