CW-Time Warner update

Just spoke to a Cincinnati Time Warner executive, who was "really optimistic" that the biggest cable operator here would pick up WKRC-TV's new digital-spectrum CW station (Channel 12.2, or CinCW) before Monday’s premiere.
Says Pam McDonald, public affairs vice president for the Cincinnati office:
"I’m really optimistic that a decision will be rendered (by Time Warner corporate) between now and the end of the week, with the premiere scheduled for next Monday. We continue to be in really positive discussions. I’m optimistic," she says.
Channel 12’s owners want a basic cable channel for the CinCW, as it will be in Northern Kentucky on Insight Communications, so most people can see it. Insight is moving low-power WBQC-TV (Channel 38), which will have no network when UPN ceases operation this weekend, from Channel 25 to Channel 189 next week. CinCW will get Channel 25.
If Time Warner adds CinCW, don’t be surprised if WBQC gets knocked off basic too.
One more thing: No, the CinCW won't be in HDTV. Channel 12 folks say they can't do both Ch. 12 and CW in HD.
I’ll keep posting as I know more.

TV tonight
Jerry Springer make his dancing debut on the "Dancing with the Stars" season premiere today (8-10 p.m., Ch 9, 22). Both Springer and TV Guide predict he’ll be the first voted off Wednesday. But he could hang in there. Remember how bad Master P. was last winter? And how long he lasted? Springer told me last month: “The only way to keep me on is if everyone wants to see me suffer.”
btw: We’re doing a Springer poll on Cincinnati.com after the show tonight.

Men in Trees
ABC rolls out its first show after "DWTS," Anne Heche’s "Men in Trees" (10 pm). Think "Northern Exposure." Heche plays a widly successful relationship author whose personal life is a mess. Of course. She gets marooned in Alaska on a book tour, and decides to stay. (The title comes from a roadside work sign where a crew is trimming trees.) It’s OK as a pilot, but I doubt if the premise will hold up for 13 (or more) episodes.

TV Questions
Our list of returning shows Monday prompted several questions:
--Is "Medium" coming back?
Yes, it's in production for midseason on NBC.
--Is "Everwood" coming back?
No. It was canceled by the new CW in May.

This just in from "24"
James Cromwell ("Babe," "Six Feet Under") and Eddie Izzard ("Dress to Kill," "My Super Ex-Girlfriend") will join season six of "24" premiering in January on Fox. Cromwell will recur this season as Phillip Bauer, Jack's estranged dad. Izzard "will portray a villainous accomplice" named Darren McCarthy.
Also joining the cast: Harry Lennix ("Commander in Chief"), Kal Penn ("Harold & Kumar"), Marisol Nichols ("In Justice") and Alexander Siddig ("Syriana"). Eric Balfour and Carlo Rota will be back as CTU contractors.
"24" will pick up 20 months after the story line ended in May, when Bauer was captured by Chinese government agents.