On ‘Idol,’ a picky Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey as boring as Britney

LORI RACKL: As “American Idol” kicks off its 12th season Wednesday with a two-night premiere, the judges’ panel is new but not necessarily improved, bigger but not necessarily better.

St. Charles actor Ethan Cutkowsky returns for season 3 of ‘Shameless’

LORI RACKL: St. Charles teen Ethan Cutkosky gets up to no good in Showtime’s dark, irreverent comedy “Shameless,” starting its third season at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Wednesday’s talk shows

“Windy City Live” (9 a.m., Channel 7): Sex therapist Dr. Laura Berman; chef Homaro Cantu; comedian Drew Carey. “Live With Kelly and Michael” (9 a.m., Channel 9): TV host Ryan Seacrest. “The View” (10 a.m., Channel 7): Journalist Gayle King; actress Clare Bowen. “The Talk” …

VoteForTheWorst.com to shut down after this season of “Idol.”

This season of “American Idol” will be the last — for VoteForTheWorst.com. Started in 2004, the website is aimed at rallying people to vote for contestants thought to be the ones the show’s producers and public don’t want to win. The site will shut down …

Tuesday’s talk shows

“Live With Kelly and Michael” (9 a.m., Channel 9): Actor Mark Wahlberg; reality TV stars Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. “The View” (10 a.m., Channel 7): Actress Emmy Rossum. “The Wendy Williams Show” (10 a.m., Channel 32): “The Real Husbands of Hollywood” stars Kevin Hart and …

Robin Roberts says she’s heading back to ‘GMA’

NEW YORK — Robin Roberts says her road to recovery will bring her back to the “Good Morning America” anchor desk soon. Appearing from her home on “Good Morning America” on Monday, Roberts wore a broad smile as she announced that her most recent bone …

‘The Carrie Diaries’ on CW follows the teen before ‘Sex and the City’

AnnaSophia Robb plays Carrie Bradshaw at age 16 in 1984 on the new TV prequel, but don’t look for young Miranda. Says the producer, “This show is about how earlier friendships and relationships are very different from the ones you have as an adult and yet kind of shape [who] you’ll be.”

Chicago designer will compete on ‘Project Runway’

The next round of “Project Runway” is all about teamwork, which might not bode well for the season’s lone Chicago contestant. Bridal specialist Katelyn Pankoke, 23, is one of 16 designers who came to New York to impress Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn and the rest. …

Monday’s talk shows

“Windy City Live” (9 a.m., Channel 7): Dr. Ian Smith; Dr. Lauren Streicher. “Live With Kelly and Michael” (9 a.m., Channel 9): Actor Chris Colfer; actress AnnaSophia Robb. “The View” (10 a.m., Channel 7): Miss America Mallory Hagan. “The Talk” (1 p.m., Channel 2): Actress …

Picking with a higher purpose at Randolph Street Market on ‘Market Warriors’

Chicago’s monthly Randolph Street Market is the latest fertile hunting ground for the motley crew of antiquing professionals featured on the Monday’s episode of the PBS reality show “Market Warriors.”

On ‘1600 Penn,’ not-so-prodigal son returns to the White House

LORI RACKL: NBC’s new comedy “1600 Penn” is more of a family comedy than a political laffer, and co-producer Josh Gad shines as the president’s man-child son.

Friday’s talk shows

“Windy City Live” (9 a.m., Channel 7): Actress Emma Stone; musician Ne-Yo. “Live With Kelly and Michael” (9 a.m., Channel 9): Actress Ginnifer Goodwin; musician Nas. “The View” (10 a.m., Channel 7): Guest co-host Gilles Marini; actress Laura Dern; actor Jason Clarke. “The Talk” (1 …

Known for drama, cable’s USA Network ready to tackle comedy with ‘Sirens’

USA Network is branching out into comedy, and “Sirens,” a Chicago-based show about self-destructive EMTs could shape up to be a key part of the cable network’s plans.

Cyndi Lauper finds reality to her liking

Emmy- and Grammy-winner Cyndi Lauper, of 1980s pop music fame, has published her memoirs, which recount the ups and downs of her life. Lauper, 59, from Queens, N.Y., had 10 top 40 hits including “Time After Time,” “True Colors” and “Girls Just Want to Have …

Thursday’s talk shows

“Windy City Live” (9 a.m., Channel 7): Fashion designer Jason Wu; actor Anthony Mackie.

“Live With Kelly and Michael” (9 a.m., Channel 9): Actor William H. Macy; actress Jenna Elfman.

“The View” (10 a.m., Channel 7): Actor Rob Lowe; “Portlandia” stars Fred Armisen and Carrie …