Royal mess: Rupe bans Middleton paparazzi shots
Perhaps worried about the potential for a tragedy mirroring Princess Diana's death, Rupert Murdoch's News International has banned the appearance of paparazzi photos of Prince William paramour Kate Middleton in its U.K. tabloids. The ban comes after months of complaints about paparazzi stalking from Middleton and her family. News International owns several of the most-read U.K. tabloids, including the Sun and the News of the World. On Tuesday, her 25th birthday, Middleton found more than 20 photographers and five TV crews on the doorstep of her London home. Some of the paparazzi chased after her, while others tried to photograph her through the windows of her car as she quickly drove away. Her lawyers are considering filing legal charges over the growing horde of photographers stalking her. Public interest in Middleton has soared during the past few weeks amid talk that the prince will propose marriage. All the paparazzi hubbub has brought to mind a previous princess. Princess Diana infamously died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when, its been alleged, her driver was trying to escape the paparazzi. A ban on paparazzi photos was enacted in the UK shortly thereafter, but it did not last.

Berman bummer: Former Fox whiz out at Paramount
Two years after her abrupt departure from Fox, Gail Bermans tenure at Paramount Pictures is over. She resigned Tuesday after months of conflict with Paramount chairman Brad Grey, prompting a reorganization of the studios production team. Berman started the job in 2005 after a successful run as Fox Entertainment president. She quickly found the job as Grey's chief creative decision maker involved making fewer actual decisions than shed expected. Berman had thrived in the quick-turnaround world of television. Working with movie producers used to a longer leash, Berman struggled with their desire for slower turnaround and their bristling reaction to her criticism, according to Hollywood buzz. During Bermans run at Fox, American Idol, "House" and 24 blossomed into hits, helping the network rise to No. 1 in adults 18-49 for the first time. What makes Bermans sudden unemployment slightly more interesting is that media buyers and planners have predicted that Fox will see an executive shakeup should it struggle this spring after a terrible development slate last fall. Meanwhile, as part of the Paramount reorganization, Brad Weston, co-president for production, will see his responsibilities increased, while his partner, Allison Shearmur, is out. Weston will report to Grey.

Police mull drug motive in PC World editor's shooting
After a 59-year-old senior editor for PC World Magazine was shot and killed at his house earlier this week, police have begun investigating not just his cause of death but whether he and his wife were involved in the possession or distribution of illegal drugs. His son says no way. Rex Farrance was killed in his suburban San Francisco home Tuesday night in what authorities called a drug-related attack. Four masked men allegedly broke into the house of Farrance and his wife, Lenore, a registered nurse. They pistol-whipped her, and she then called 911, but the alleged killers escaped before police came. A police inspector said his colleagues believe that the couple were involved somehow in the drug trade, prompting the couples son to heatedly deny the allegation. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that he has a prescription for medical marijuana, which he grew legally at home with his parents' permission. "I have a prescription. I'm a patient. It was medical," Sterling Farrance told the San Francisco Chronicle. "This one officer I remember at the house, he had this predisposition to think it was all illegal." The police haven't made any arrests in the case.

Rosie's final razzie: 'View' puts Trump feud to rest
The gals of The View have closed the book on their feud with real estate mogul Donald Trump, but not before Rosie ODonnell tossed the book at him. A day after the Donald sent a letter to ODonnell delivered by the press, alleging that View creator and host Barbara Walters had called the comedienne a pig, Babs and ODonnell presented a united front. They too had been rumored to be squabbling behind the scenes after Trumps allegations that Walters was unhappy with ODonnell and said her hiring was a big mistake. Yesterday Walters called Trump that poor, pathetic man as the show began, while ODonnell high-fived her co-hosts after both women agreed that the show was moving on. Trump later said he stood by his statements, but the lesson here may be not to mess with Walters, who prefers to stand above such frays. Walters proved willing to stand behind ODonnell and against Trump, no doubt because ODonnell has pushed The View to an impressive ratings surge this year. Meanwhile, Trumps premiere of The Apprentice nearly tied last years series low among 18-49s. Still, ODonnell had to get in the last word. The man is obsessed with me, and I'm happy to say, his show tanked, ODonnell told the audience to enthusiastic response.

Programming notes: NBC Universal eyes talk show
The pre-National Association of Television Programming Executives buzz is picking up, and the latest rumor is that Jerry Springer security head Steve Wilkos is getting his own talk show. NBC Universal, which recently dumped The Megan Mullally Show, is reportedly eyeing the bald bodyguard to host a syndicated program that it could push as a companion to Springer and even film in the same studio. NBCU has not commented on the rumor, first reported by Broadcasting & Cable. Meanwhile, in other programming, Discovery Channel is launching a high-definition series entitled Planet Earth on March 25, narrated by Sigourney Weaver. It also plans a night of programming about living with cancer on April 29. Disney Channel has renewed Handy Manny for a second season. Sci Fi has ordered six episodes of Destination Truth, about a world traveler. Adult Swim has ordered a pilot for a show about a man who gets sucked into his computer, based on the online series Gemberling. And finally, Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross, who is expecting twins, has been placed on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. ABC is attempting to shoot her final appearances of the season at her house.