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A potpourri of happenings on TV

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Walt Belcher

wbelcher@tampatrib.com

Published: May 10, 2011

As we plod through the May sweeps waiting to see what will get renewed or canceled, here are some extended vidbits from TV land:

BOOK IT: A film crew from C-SPAN kicked off an eight-city tour Monday in Tampa. They plan to spend a week in the area getting footage for the network's book-themed programming on C-SPAN2's "BookTV" and C-SPAN3's "American History."

The visit, coordinated by Bright House Networks, will include stops at Haslam's Books in St. Petersburg, Inkwood Books in Tampa and the Tampa Bay History Center.

The network will also record interviews about the city's plans for the 2012 Republican national convention. C-SPAN will do likewise during a visit to Charlotte, N.C., site of the 2012 Democratic national convention.

The Tampa visit will air on the weekend of May 28-29.

SUSAN LUCCI: ABC's "All My Children" will end its long run in September with a bang for star Susan Lucci. For the first time in her 41 years on the show, Lucci will tackle a dual role that begins Thursday.

Lucci will be playing Erica Kane and Jane Campbell, a doppelganger out to take over Erica's life. The current storyline involves Erica being kidnapped on her wedding day. Viewers will learn that Jane is behind the abduction.

COURIC TO ABC: Apparently every move Katie Couric makes gets leaked. Word is now that the departing CBS News anchor may land at ABC.

Apparently a deal is pending for Couric to host a daytime talk show that would replace "General Hospital." She also would do news specials and fill-in work for the news division. Could she be the next Barbara Walters?

BIGGEST WINNER: Celebrity fitness trainer Jillian Michaels is joining the syndicated series "The Doctors" when she leaves NBC's "Biggest Loser."

The 37-year-old announced months ago that this would be her last season. Michaels, who has built an endorsement and merchandising empire, will also contribute to the "Dr. Phil" show. She's been on "The Biggest Loser" for 11 seasons.

She told Us Weekly that "The Doctors" is "literally the most informative show in daytime, and it allows me to continue to educate people on how to make powerful health choices enabling them to take control of not only their physical well-being, but every facet of their lives."

STORM RELIEF: CMT plans a live, 90-minute concert special at 9 p.m. Thursday to raise money for victims of killer storms that ripped through six southern states. Hank Williams, Jr., Alabama, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans and Tim McGraw are among the performers. All money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.

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