NBC renews Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants

NBC renews pageants

The TV problems afflicting the Miss America pageant do not extend to Miss Universe and Miss USA.

NBC announced Monday that it has signed on to broadcast the two beauty pageants for three more years after the Miss USA event airing May 16 in Las Vegas. The network called them “a viable series of competitive programming specials that continue to be a popular source of entertainment.”

Someone should tell the Miss America folks. They’re searching for a TV home after the TLC cable channel last week became the third outlet to drop the onetime ratings powerhouse in the past six years.

-- Lee Margulies

Osmond’s son memorialized

Marie Osmond’s 18-year-old son was remembered at a funeral service in Provo, Utah, on Monday with fond words, laughter and music from his famous singing family.

Michael Bryan’s uncle Donny Osmond also appealed to God in an opening prayer.

“Bless my sister,” he said, breaking into tears. “Bless my sister and her family.”

Bryan was then memorialized by six of his seven siblings as a lighthearted person and a deep thinker who had a brilliant sense of humor and a kind, generous heart.

Police in Los Angeles have said Bryan died Feb. 26 from an apparent suicide after jumping from the eighth floor of the Metropolitan apartment building.

-- associated press

Brooke Burke joins ‘Stars’

TV personality and Season 7 champion Brooke Burke will report for duty alongside Tom Bergeron as the new co-host of “Dancing With the Stars” when Season 10 premieres March 22, ABC said Monday.

Burke takes over the co-hosting gig from Samantha Harris, who stepped down from the show in January to focus on other gigs. A mother of four, Burke is no stranger to hosting: She has hosted E!’s “Wild On!” series, “Rock Star: INXS” and, most recently, TV Land’s “She’s Got the Look.”

-- Allyssa Lee

Domingo rests after surgery

Plácido Domingo was recuperating in New York City on Monday after successfully undergoing laparoscopic surgery to remove a localized malignant polyp in his colon, said his representative, Nancy Seltzer.

The 69-year-old tenor and general director of Los Angeles Opera is expected to make a full recovery.

Per doctor’s orders, Domingo will rest for six weeks. His return to performing engagements will depend on how quickly he heals and returns to full strength, Seltzer said.

It is anticipated, she said, that his first singing performance will be in “Simon Boccanegra” at La Scala in Milan, Italy, on April 16. He also is set to perform in “Die Walküre” as part of L.A. Opera’s “Ring” cycle starting May 30.

-- Sherry Stern

Seinfeld sets Saban date

Jerry Seinfeld will perform an evening of stand-up comedy to benefit the Reprise Theatre Company, where his former “Seinfeld” costar Jason Alexander is artistic director.

“Jerry Seinfeld Live!” will be hosted by Alexander April 8 at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills.

Since it was founded in 1997, Reprise has revived Broadway musicals at the Freud Playhouse at UCLA. Proceeds from tickets, which go on sale Monday, will benefit Reprise and its efforts to provide arts education programs for underserved communities.

-- Karen Wada

Texas wins Wallace trove

The archive of writer David Foster Wallace, best known for his 1996 novel “Infinite Jest,” has been acquired by the Harry Ransom Center library and museum at the University of Texas, the center said Monday.

Hailed as a visionary of his literary generation, Wallace suffered from depression and committed suicide in 2008 at age 46. His archive includes handwritten notes and drafts of “Infinite Jest” and other works, poems written as a child, his personal library and writings from college.

-- associated press

Finally

More to come: Fox has renewed “Fringe” for another season.