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Like a cat play-swatting at an injured bird, Fox has been taking its sweet time waffling over where to put American Idol on its midseason schedule, leaving a very flinchy NBC hanging and nervous. The trades report today that the network has made its mildly sadistic albeit hilariously satisfying decision: it wasn't changing a thing.

Fox's plans for "Idol," which this week announced a new long-term deal with judge Simon Cowell, are said to have influenced NBC's plans for its midseason schedule overhaul, which is expected to be unveiled today. There has been much speculation about NBC moving its hot new comedy "My Name Is Earl," starring Jason Lee as a petty thief who decides to go straight, from its home on Tuesday to Thursday. NBC on Wednesday declined comment on any scheduling matters.

No sooner had the Hollywood Reporter run that story, a second story dated December 2 appeared directly beneath it on their website, announcing NBC's all new reshuffled Thursday primetime lineup. We wish the ailing network the best of luck; no matter where you hide your little Earl soldier, he will never prove a match for Paula Abdul's irresistible visegrip of weepy, sedated charms.