Clooney to be honored

Good news for George Clooney as the 2006 movie awards begin in January. Augusta’s favorite son will receive the “Freedom Award” at the 11th annual “Critics Choice Awards” on Jan. 9 on WB (8 p.m., Ch. 64) for producing, directing and co-writing “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
The Broadcasting Film Critics Association presents the award to individuals “for illuminating our shared values of freedom, tolerance and democracy,” the WB says.
“Good Night” dramatizes CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow’s 1954 showdown with anti-communist zealot Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

WLW auditions
WLW-AM hands over the airwaves to the “Big One Talk Radio Idol” contest finalists – Suzi Blair from Fort Mitchell and J. Todd Smith from Germantown – at 2:30 p.m. today, for the final half-hour of Bill Cunningham’s show. Expect them to be grilled by Willie. Voting on www.700wlw.com ends at 5 p.m. Friday. The winner gets $700 and a one-time three-hour weekend talk host gig sometime early next year.

Fox news
Just what we were hoping for: “Prison Break” fans won’t have to wait until May! Fox says “Prison Break” will resume on March 20.
Other Fox news: “American Idol” returns Tuesday Jan. 17. The results show will expand to an hour 8-9 Wednesday. “That 70s Show” and “Stacked” move to 9 p.m. Thursdays, giving viewers a 9-10 comedy block (but it’s against top-rated “CSI”). “Killer Instinct” will be canceled after Friday’s telecast; “Reunion” ends Feb. 2.

Kiese watching
After years of begging, Oprah finally does Dave! Don’t miss her on Letterman tonight (11:35 p.m., Ch. 12).