It’s hard to believe that a show that arrived in the fall with as much buzz and anticipation as Aaron Sorkin’s “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip” would end up finishing its season in the summer wasteland. But that’s just what happened tonight when “Studio 60″ signed off for good. It was a bittersweet farewell especially since these last few episodes were a vast improvement over earlier ones. Thankfully, the show tied up all its loose ends — Matt and Harriett reunited, Jordan and baby survived, and Tom’s brother was rescued from Afghanistan — a tidy, happy ending for us fans who stuck with it through the end.

“Studio 60″ was not without its problems. The show was literate and ambitious, but it was way too preachy and focused on the nonfunny show within a show. And let’s not forget about Danny’s creepy courtship of Jordan. But there was something about its fast-talking dialogue and rose-colored view of TV that drew me in week after week.

I’m glad I got to visit “Studio 60’s” world, even if it was only for a little while.

Freelance anchor Mika Brzezinski’s take on what (or rather who) should and what shouldn’t be news enlivened MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show Tuesday. The YouTube video’s above, but MSNBC Video has it too. Check out Mediabistro.com’s wrap-up and E! Online message boards for a sampling of viewers’ opinion.

CNN

I have never been able to figure out what exactly it is about Paris Hilton that entrances people. To quote the overquoted Gertrude Stein, “there’s no there there.” (Now that’s an interesting juxtaposition: Paris Hilton and Gertrude Stein). …

Still, I sat down last night to experience all the televisual grandeur and cerebral sustenance of Larry King’s hour-long interview with the hotel heiress as she discussed her nightmarish 23-day stay in the pokey. Why? Well, because it seemed like the thing to do and I know you expect the TV Freak to be all over it.

And I must say that, even though I’m a battle-tested TV viewer who has taken on his fair share of prime-time shrapnel, it was a major challenge to endure Hilton’s ceaseless barrage of trite self-realizations (”I have a new outlook on life.” … “I feel like I started my journey.”), the dreadfully dull pace and King’s monotonous questions without waving the white flag of surrender.

And through it all, I kept thinking: “Thank God she didn’t get paid for this.”

However, I did find some parts pretty amusing. At one point Paris, dressed in demure lace, said she’s not much of a drinker and I had an immediate flashback to a Fox network party where I spotted Paris by the bar (no lie) with a martini in one hand and a cosmo in the other. And I watched in horror as she alternately guzzled from both glasses while taking drags on a cigarette in between.

I also had to laugh when King got on the subject of strip searches (”The most humiliating experience of my life,” she said) and awkwardly dwelled on it for a bit too long.

“Was it as gross as we might think it is?” he wondered … “Do you understand why they do it?” I’d like to hope that ol’ Larry wasn’t getting aroused, but …

Then again, we probably shouldn’t make fun of Hilton’s jail sentence. It was, after all, a “really scary” ordeal filled with nightmares (”I hate to be alone”), claustrophobia (an 8×12 cell) and “horrible jail-slop” food (Bologna sandwiches? Eeek!).

She struggled through, however, and passed away the time by writing in her journal and voraciously reading the Bible. Oh, and when Larry asked Paris to name her favorite Bible passage, she hesitated and then smiled and looked away.

“I don’t have a favorite,” she said.

Oops.

ABC

In a surprise move, ABC has resurrected “According to Jim.” One question: Just who is watching this show? (This will be it’s 7th season!) I’ve never met anyone who’s claimed to be a fan or anyone who’s said they’ve even seen an episode.

ABC has a shot at a comedy gold this fall with “Samantha Be Good” and the off-key “Pushing Daisies” (one of those hybrid comedy-drama types) which makes this renewal more and more curious.

Then again…”Jim” is one of those dying breeds of family, traditionally-shot comedies. Not many of those left, which could be its draw.

So If you’re a fan, please come out and tell us about the joys of “Jim.” Seriously.

Barney … But not Chuck Barney

OK, I know you’re out there: Truly devoted, deranged and delirious fans of “The Simpsons.” I need to talk to you.

Yes, I’m preparing to do a story to preview next month’s “Simpsons” movie and I really want to rely on some local fans for my sources — people who have followed Homer, Marge and company through the years and are rabidly awaiting their big-screen premiere.

If you fit this description — or know anybody who does — please get ahold of me via e-mail at cbarney@cctimes.com (”Simpsons” collectors are highly welcome).

Anyone who has seen “Dreamgirls” on screen and/or on stage has spent some time pondering how Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson’s powerhouse rendition of “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going)” stacks up next to the amazing original performed by Jennifer Holiday. Well, last night the BET Awards gave us a sampler when the two women opened the show with a soul-stirring, earth-quaking, wall-rattling duet of the song.

What an amazing thing to witness — a Diva Duel, of sorts, with Hudson and Holiday going face-to-face, toe-to-toe and voice-to-voice after Hudson graciously introduced Holiday as “the true Dreamgirl.” They threw so much vocal power and emotional oomph into it, you wonder if they’ll need a week or two to recover. Watch it here

Normally, such a performance would stand out as an untouchable highlight, but the program was teeming with remarkable moments, including a classy homage to Lifetime Achievement winner Diana Ross, a tearful all-star tribute to R&B crooner Gerald Levert, who died last year, and a rock-the-house performance by Public Enemy of “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” to honor James Brown’s contributions to the civil-rights movement.

It was enough to almost make you forget who won the actual awards. But if you want a list, they’ve got one at BET.com.

Apparently not wanting to appear as if he was glorifying a murderer, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will apologize for the three-hour USA Network tribute to pro wrestler Chris Benoit that aired Monday night, sources told TV Week.

It’s a wise decision, despite the fact that many wrestling fans have commented online that no apology is needed. They argue that Benoit’s stage persona and his out-of-the-ring life should be kept separate. That’s a weak, misguided stance.

The WWE and USA Network have received complaints about the tribute, which was hastily produced after Mr. Benoit, his wife and their son were found dead in their Georgia home Monday afternoon.

Authorities said Tuesday that Mr. Benoit strangled his wife and suffocated his son, then took his own life. But WWE and network officials were unaware of the circumstances of Mr. Benoit’s death when the tribute was assembled, says the TV Week report.

The WWE canceled its regularly scheduled “Monday Night RAW” event on USA Network Monday night and aired the tribute in its place.

Mr. McMahon will address wrestling fans tonight on Sci Fi Channel’s live Extreme Championship Wrestling event. He also reportedly plans to address speculation that Mr. Benoit’s actions stemmed from steroid use.

First off, props to Ina Chang, who won the snazzy Season 1 “Saturday Night Live” DVD set. She was one of many entrants who answered correctly that Will Forte is our local Acalanes High rep on the current “SNL” cast. And she snagged the set by winning the drawing. It was that easy, folks. Come on and play along.

Now, on to this week’s question:

To celebrate Bruce Willis’ return to the theaters this week — and for the Season 1-2 set (it’’s a combo) of “Moonlighting,” tell me: What was the name of the Shakespeare play that the show spoofed in Season 3?

You know the drill. Click “Comments” to post your answer. You have through the end of the work week to play. Past winners are eligible.

Fox on Monday announced the audition cities for Season 7 of “American Idol,” and for the second straight year the Bay Area is not on the agenda.

Still, a chance to try out is just a short plane trip or a manageable car drive away as the auditions begin July 30 in San Diego at at Qualcomm Stadium.

Six other cities are on the “Idol” tour, including Dallas (Aug. 6, Texas Stadium), Omaha, NE (Aug. 10, Qwest Center), Atlanta (Aug. 14, TBA), Charleston, SC (Aug. 18, North Charleston Coliseum), Miami (Aug. 22, American Airlines Arena) and Philadelphia (Aug. 27, Wachovia Center). … Notice that they’re not going anywahere near Seattle!

For the San Diego auditions, wristbands will be given out from Saturday, July 30 (starting time TBA), until 8 a.m. on Monday, July 30. Auditioners will not be permitted to camp out; therefore, once they obtain their wristbands, they will be asked to return to Qualcomm Stadium on Monday, July 30. Additional information is available at www.Americanidol.com.

Now just one request (from us, not Fox): If you’re planning to try out, please make sure you at least have a modicum of talent. This is Season 7, after all, and we’re really fed up with seeing all the camera-hogging gimmickery and sad, delusional wannabes. Thank you,

Do we have any volunteers out there? Who wants to interview the blonde jailbird when she gets sprung?

Apparently Barbara Walters doesn’t. According to the Los Angeles Times, the grande dame of ABC News declined a chance to interview Hilton after a flurry of phone negotiations in the middle of the night led nowhere. That news came after NBC’s “Today” show reportedly turned Paris down.

Now Hilton’s people fear that they’ll get no major network platform for their naughty gal, who obviously wants to follow the rote celebrity playbook and make some kind of tearful mea culpa for all the masses to see (and perhaps pick up some cash in the process). Oh, how sad.

Doesn’t anyone want to talk to Paris?