Retiring NFL linebacker Ray Lewis is close to joining ESPN for next season, according to SI.com, where he would have a significant role on “Monday Night Countdown.” Lewis would also appear on other shows across the network, as well as on ESPN Radio. The linebacker said earlier this week that this will be his final season, meaning his last game will come if and when his Baltimore Ravens are knocked out of the playoffs.

IFC has added Fred Armisen and Megan Mullally to the cast of “Out There,” an animated series premiering on Feb. 22. Linda Cardinelli and the show’s creator Ryan Quincy will also voice characters on the show.

Optimedia has named Jason Hoffman senior vice president of digital, a new position reporting to digital managing director Adam Seymour. Hoffman was previously head of U.S. digital media and strategy at OMD.

Jonathan Landman, culture editor at The New York Times, is leaving the paper after 26 years after accepting a buyout. In an email obtained by Poynter, Landman wrote, “We all know that the newsroom has to reduce its costs. No less urgent is its responsibility to cultivate a new generation of leaders. My continued presence would help accomplish neither. So it’s time to go.”

Jim Davenport, a reporter for the Associated Press who covered government and politics in South Carolina, died earlier this week ate age 54 after battling cancer. Davenport had been with the AP for 13 years.

Scott Grunther has been named senior vice president and general manager at Bluefin Labs, a social TV analytics company. Grunther had been senior vice president at Nielsen IAG.

Maroon 5 singer and “The Voice” coach Adam Levine has signed on to host NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” appearing on the Jan. 26 episode. Levine will be joined on the episode by musical guest Kendrick Lamar.

Late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien is producing Fox’s upcoming comedy “Bob’s New Heart Show,” through his company Conaco. O’Brien will serve as an executive producer alongside David Kissinger and Jeff Ross.

Actor and director Jon Favreau will direct an episode of NBC’s “The Office” later this season, although it’s not clear which episode. The “Iron Man” director is no stranger to TV, previously directing an episode of Fox’s “Undeclared” and the pilot of NBC’s “Revolution.”

Richard “Dick” Weinstein, a former chief executive and executive director of the Media Rating Council, died last weekend at age 70. No cause was given. Weinstein led the MRC until 1999, when he was succeeded by current chief executive George Ivie.

National Public Radio has made a few moves, including bringing back Michele Norris from a leave of absence as host and special correspondent beginning in February. Also at NPR, Audie Cornish will remain co-host of “All Things Considered” and Rachel Martin will remain anchor at “Weekend Edition Sunday,” after they previously served as interim hosts.

Tags: Adam Levine, Audie Cornish, George Ivie, Jon Favreau, Kendrick Lamar, Linda Cardinelli, Michele Norris, Ray Lewis, Scott Grunther