Russell Swan, a former Pittsburgher, said being on the next edition of "Survivor" was a useful way to channel his energy.

"I am an only child and I was one of those kids that had a lot of energy," said Swan, who grew up in Homewood and now lives in Glenside near Philadelphia. He'll be one of 20 contestants on "Survivor: Samoa" (8 p.m. Sept. 17, KDKA-TV).

CBS announced the reality show's latest cast yesterday morning, and that was the first time Swan could tell his mother, Pittsburgher Diane Swan, about his recently completed adventure. (He's sworn to secrecy about the outcome and anything that happened during taping.)

"She's ecstatic because she knows how crazy I am and she knows this foots the bills and hopefully simmers me down a little and stops me bouncing off the wall," Swan said in a phone interview.

Swan, 42, was born in Germany (his father was in the military) but moved to Pittsburgh at age 2. He attended Pittsburgh Allderdice High School and then entered a boarding school program and graduated from a high school in Philadelphia in 1985. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1989 and works as a lawyer for the Environmental Protection Agency.

"I wanted to represent my home town, P-G-H," Swan said of his "Survivor" sojourn. "That will always be home." (Rob Owen, Post-Gazette TV editor)

MTV announced Monday that it had won a bidding war to produce a U.S. version of "Skins," the popular, controversial television show about the lives of a group of British teens.

"I've been pursuing this project for two years, and we're planning to set our show in Baltimore," said Liz Gateley, senior vice president of series development for MTV. And, as is true of the original series, now in its third season, Gateley said, "we want to join together unknown teenagers to write the story lines and star in the pilot, though we'll also combine those performers with more seasoned faces."

So far, MTV has committed to shooting just a pilot, which is expected to air in 2010. If all goes well, Gateley hopes the cable channel will commit to broadcasting a full series.

Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain, the father-son team that created "Skins" in 2007, will put together the U.S. show.

"The creators already have done focus groups in Baltimore," Gateley said.

"They've met with kids here and found out what they're experiencing, where they go to school, and where they hang out. They wanted to set the show someplace that is a good cross-section of the country. I think they chose Baltimore because it has diverse ethnic groups and socioeconomic levels and urban and suburban areas."

"Skins" currently is broadcast in the U.S. on BBC America. Although some parents have been horrified at the frank depiction of casual sex and rampant drug use, "Skins" has been a hit among British teens and young adults. It's the third-highest-rated show on the E4 network, reaching an estimated 1.2 million viewers -- including 61 percent of those age 16 to 34, according to MTV.

The show has skateboarded some relatively unknown actors and bands to success. In Britain, "Skins" is appreciated for its edgy, original soundtrack, with each season including an estimated 150 songs, primarily from previously undiscovered musical acts.

Actor Dev Patel might be the show's best-known success story. He was plucked from the cast of "Skins" to star in "Slumdog Millionaire," the independent film that won the 2008 Oscar for Best Picture.(Mary Carole McCauley, The Baltimore Sun)

A&E Television Networks says it is acquiring Lifetime Entertainment Services, bringing the home of "Project Runway" into a stable of channels that includes A&E and the History channel.

Terms of the deal, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year, were not disclosed.

A&E Television Networks is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Co., Hearst Corp. and General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal. Lifetime is already owned 50-50 by Disney and Hearst.

Under the terms of the deal, NBC Universal may elect or be required to exit the venture within 15 years, which would make Disney and Hearst 50-50 partners in the larger group. (Associated Press)

Beyonce is set to give a dreamy performance at the MTV Video Music Awards.

MTV announced yesterday that the superstar singer will sing her latest hit, "Sweet Dreams," at the Sept. 13 event. Beyonce is nominated for nine trophies, tying Lady Gaga for the most nominations.

Rapper Wale is also set to perform with the band UCB as the official "house band" at the VMAs.

Among the performers already announced are Jay-Z, Green Day, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga. (AP)

ABC says Rod Blagojevich, the indicted former governor of Illinois, will be a guest next month on "The View." He'll be joined by his wife, Patti.

The joint appearance is set for Sept. 9.

Blagojevich, who first appeared on the daytime talk show last January, will be promoting his new book, "The Governor."

Earlier this summer, Patti Blagojevich was a contestant on the NBC reality show "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!" (AP)