Jeff Robinov’s new friends. Fox wants big bucks for ‘24’ return.

After the coffee. Before trying out a new dentist.

The Skinny: Another intense episode of “The Americans” on Wednesday night. It almost made me forget the 20 minutes of “Mixology” I forced myself to endure. Almost. Thursday’s roundup includes former Warner Bros. movie chief Jeff Robinov closing in on a new deal. Also, Fox is looking for big bucks from advertisers for commercials in “24” when it returns in May.

Daily Dose: The NBC publicity machine is going into high gear for “Girls” creator Lena Dunham’s hosting of “Saturday Night Live” this week. “Today” host Savannah Guthrie has an interview with Dunham on the “SNL” set airing on Friday’s show. While these sort of cross-promotion efforts have become commonplace -- particularly at the morning shows -- NBC has taken it to the next level. It even recently named an executive, Kathy Kelly-Brown, just to oversee “strategic, customized publicity opportunities” for the entertainment giant.

Who needs ethics? A spat has broken out between unions representing actors and talent managers over ethics. Earlier this week, the actor union SAG-AFTRA released a “Personal Manager Code of Ethics and Conduct” aimed at improving relationships with managers. But the Talent Managers Assn. is not a fan of some of aspects of voluntary code and is witholding endorsement. Details from the Los Angeles Times and Deadline Hollywood.

PHOTOS: Behind the scenes of movies and TV

Jeffrey’s new friends. Former Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group President Jeff Robinov is looking to start a production company with backing from Chinese firm Huayi Brothers Media Corp. Should the deal come together, Sony Pictures would likely handle distribution and marketing for Robinov’s company. China has become very aggressive with its investments in entertainment as of late. More from the Wall Street Journal.

Expensive mission. If Jack Bauer is going to come back to save the world one more time it is going to cost Madison Avenue some big bucks. “24,” the action-packed anti-terrorism drama, returns to Fox this May and the network is asking advertisers to pony up $500,000 for commercials in the first new episode, reports Variety. Ads in subsequent shows could run north of $300,000. No word on whether Fox will use Bauer’s enhanced interrogation techniques to try to squeeze advertisers if they resist.

All the news that’s fit to slant? Russia’s state-owned channels are being criticized in some quarters for their coverage of the Ukraine conflict. Even some journalists working for Russian media are accusing their bosses of one-sided coverage. One anchor -- Liz Wahl of Russia Today -- resigned on the air. The New York Times on concerns that much of Russian media is merely a mouthpiece for Vladimir Putin.

Inside the Los Angeles Times: Robert Lloyd on CNN’s “Chicagoland.” Mary McNamara on USA’s new sitcom “Sirens.”

Follow me on Twitter. I’m your inside man. @JBFlint.