By Lisa de Moraes
Tuesday, June 24, 2008

TNT will debut a new crime thriller series from Dean Devlin ("Independence Day," "The Librarian") called "Blank Slate" on Sept. 9.

The next week, TNT will telecast the series finale.

It's a very, very short series.

As in: two minutes per episode.

Five of these episodes will air during TNT telecasts of "Law & Order" reruns on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. TNT has ordered 20 episodes.

Among the show's stars: two Acura cars, the TSX and the RL, which will be heavily featured in almost every episode. In promos, TNT will say things such as "stay tuned to 'Blank Slate' presented by Acura." The episodes of "Blank Slate Presented by Acura" will air during the commercial breaks in the "Law & Order" reruns, a network spokeswoman told The TV Column.

Where I come from, these are called "ads." "Fancy-schmancy ads" is the technical phrase, I think. Kind of like those old Taster's Choice commercials with the hot young coffee-craving chick and her hot young coffee-supplying guy neighbor (hot steamy relationship ensued). Except with a much bigger budget. And about 90-seconds longer per episode. And, of course, with two Acura cars. And no coffee.

Here's one bit of good news. You know those annoying pop-up ads that, um, pop up on the screen when you're trying to watch prime-time series on TNT? TNT will absolutely not clutter up episodes of "Blank Slate" with any stinkin' pop-up ads. Might block the view of the Acura TSX.

Acura couldn't be happier about the new "micro-series," noting the show's story line -- SPOILER ALERT-- "integrates the advanced intuitive technologies of the Acura TSX and RL, while showcasing the car's sleek and modern design," according to Susie Rossick, Acura advertising manager.

Written and directed by John Harrison of "Dune" and "Tales From the Crypt" fame, "Blank Slate" is about one Anne Huston, who wakes up in an "execution chamber" after being accused of killing a federal agent. She is suffering from amnesia, which makes her "the perfect candidate" to become the guinea pig for a new FBI program in which memories of recent murder victims are implanted into living people, who are then given Acura TSXes to drive -- RLs for the weekends. You and I know they'd save a lot of time and money if they just kidnapped Barry Sonnenfeld's pie-making guy, who can bring murder victims back to life temporarily and ask them whodunnit, but try explaining that to the FBI.

* * *

In their first broadcast since having Michelle Obama as guest co-host, The Ladies of "The View" made-for-TV-marveled over all the attention they received in the media from that visit with the wife of the Democratic presidential candidate.

"Everywhere you looked all weekend, up until really this morning, there was Michelle on our show," Whoopi Goldberg gushed faux incredulously.

Whoopi insisted the timing of Obama's visit had nothing to do with efforts to fix her public image, as some reporters suggested.

"It had nothing to do with changing over who she was. . . . We have been talking to this woman since December about coming on to 'The View,' " Whoopi said on yesterday's show.

"It happened also because it was just the time where there were all of these articles about 'Is she going to be a help?' 'Is she not?' 'What is she going to be like?' 'Do we really know her?' I mean, it just, it was the perfect timing," added sometime-journalist Barbara Walters, who showed up for the discussion on a purple bed, carried by four ginormous gladiators.

In fairness, the show was being broadcast live from Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

"And, don't forget, you know, Cindy McCain was our guest co-host in April," Whoopi added. "Now, did you guys think the media covered her period?"

"Her appearance?" Whoopi added, clarifying her double-entendre so as to avoid any pesky "Cindy McCain Menopausal, 'The View' Reveals" blogger headlines along the lines of those "Michelle Obama Says Her Husband Is 'Kind and Pathetic' " headlines that plagued the show after the wannabe first lady told The Ladies her husband is "kind, empathetic."

Too late.

"She doesn't have her period anymore," Joy Behar deadpanned in re the Republican candidate's wife.