Programming

Former campaign manager Joe Trippi made the jump from Howard Dean-wrangler to pundit Tues, joining MSNBC’s election team for the latest round of primaries and caucuses. Trippi left the Dean camp last week, after the Dem candidate flopped in IA and NH. — PAX TV began production on "Speed Dating," a prime time reality series that brings together singles for a breakneck round of frenzied matchmaking. Pax busts out the egg timers in March. — A memo from Viacom’s [VIA] Mel Karmazin is making rounds on the Web, with Mel assuring employees that no one at CBS, MTV or Viacom knew of the bodice-ripping plans of Janet and Justin at the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, a WSJ op/ed piece called for MTV Nets head Judy McGrath to step down. — BET and GM will honor 4 African-Americans as part of its "History Makers in The Making" series and will present them with awards Feb 26 in Detroit. — MTV included a nice tribute to "Real World" co-creator Mary-Ellis Bunim at the conclusion of Tues’ night’s Real World episode. MTV News correspondent John Norris narrated a look back at Bunim’s life and work. A memorial will be held for Bunim in L.A. Sat. — In honor of Black History Month, Showtime is re-running content that received NAACP Image awards last year, starting Tues, 8pm, with "Deacons for the Defense." Showtime’s 16 Images were the most for any net last year.