Ox Notes: June 20, 2008

Studios are preparing one final offer to present to SAG before ending negotiations with the actors union. SAG is reluctant to make any moves before AFTRA announces on July 8 whether its members have approved their new contract.

Jim Carrey is producing a new show for HBO starring one of my favorite comics, Lisa Lampanelli.

Several other noteworthy comedians have signed on for TBS's revival of Match Game, including Sarah Silverman, Norm MacDonald, and Super Dave Osborne.

Reality show has-beens are getting a few more fleeting minutes of fame courtesy of two new shows in the works. Fox Reality Channel is producing Gimme My Reality Show!, in which contestants the likes of Project Runway's Santino Rice will compete in challenges. And VH1 is bringing back losers from the shows Flavor of Love, Rock of Love, and I Love New York to compete for cash on a show called I Love Money.

Weekend dance party Soul Train is getting new owners who hope to expand the brand and reach a younger audience.

Next season, Smallville will introduce the villain Doomsday as a "charismatic paramedic," according to TV Guide.

E! explains why stars insist on driving themselves and treating their vehicles like Bumper Cars, instead of just hiring a driver.

Jason Taylor will guest star on Sesame Street when its new season kicks off on August 11.

Mario Lopez's Broadway run in A Chorus Line has been cut short because a bigger star -- Katie Holmes -- needs the theater. According to the MSNBC report, Mario is pissed: "Let's face it, he doesn't have much going on right now."

Mario's ex, Karina Smirnoff, is accepting resumes from "single, good guys" who would like to be her boyfriend, she told Us magazine.