News Brief

Contactmusic: Former "Passions" and "Desperate Housewives" star Jesse Metcalfe is facing criminal charges after being accused of punching a photographer outside a London nightclub. The actor was leaving exclusive nightspot Studio Valbonne in Soho on Saturday night (01Dec07) when he reportedly launched an unprovoked attack on the snapper, leaving him with a bloody nose. The photographer involved, Rowan Lawrence, reported the incident to Charing Cross police station and is asking for charges to be brought against the 28-year-old star. Lawrence says, "He (Metcalfe) was coming out of the club and walking towards his taxi. But he kept walking past the vehicle. I was walking backwards away from him and he kept walking towards me. He then raised his fist and punched me in the face." Metcalfe, who is currently dating on-off girlfriend Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, spent the rest of the evening partying at the Astoria venue's famous G-A-Y event to celebrate World AIDS Day.

Deadline Hollywood: Nikki Finke on the strike: I'm told the TV showrunners are meeting in small groups today, tomorrow and next week to discuss the WGA strike. Here's my account of the their big confab that took place earlier. 'Tomorrow is one of many small meetings to give access and succor to and from the negotiating committee,' a showrunner tells me. 'Resolve is still strong, but no more large group free-for-alls. These have the illusion of being discreet and private.'"

Liverpool Echo: Liverpool looks set to miss out on the chance to stage a new soap to replace BBC1’s "Neighbours." Film producer Colin McKeown (pictured) who worked on "Coronation Street" and was one of the original creators of Channel 4’s "Brookside," was in detailed talks with the BBC about a pilot series for a new soap, to be shot on location at his Kirkdale base. But it now appears that the hole left by the long-running Ramsey Street favourite will in fact be filled by another Aussie soap.

Independent: It seems fitting that Lowculture.co.uk, the cult website which has become required reading for those obsessed with television and pop culture, was conceived during an episode of the ill-fated soap Crossroads in January 2003. "As I was watching Jane Asher, I thought, 'This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen, but I love it; there must be other people out there who feel the same'."

Showbiz Spy: TV viewers were gripped by the latest episode of "Desperate Housewives" with its killer cliffhanger ending.

Robert Reid Live: Audio: Rob interviews "Snark" from the Snark Weighs In blog.