PHASERS ON STUN (Items on Clint Black, Charlie Daniels, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sheryl Crow)

"This killin' time is killin' me," Clint Black once sang. But it's also the tune TV network honchos have been crooning as they try to fill in programming gaps created by the recent writer's guild strike and figure out a way to develop their own "American Idol."
The new CBS reality show, "Secret Talents of the Stars," attempts to fill both holes for the Eyeball network (Warning: There will be juggling).
And the contest will feature not one, but two, country singers...sort of. Clint Black himself is onboard the menagerie of the famous trying out a new talent. In Clint's case that means trying to make it as a stand up comedian. But dig, captain! Former "Star Trek" dude George Takei will do his darndest to make it as a country singer!
The whole deal debuts April 8 and each week four celebs will appear with viewers voting for the best act performing outside of their milieu, while a to-be-anounced judging panel critiques their acts. Then the final four will compete in the finale on May 22.
Before all of that, Clint is set to debut a set of what he does best on CMT.com's "Unplugged at Studio 330" tonight.

Volunteer Jams: Can you believe Charlie Daniels is marking 50 years in the business of show? As a result, he's been piling up justified accolades this year and was just inducted into The Grand Ole Opry. Here's a swell piece on the man that includes this nugget: His first song to be recorded was the flip side of Elvis Presley's "Kissin' Cousins" 45.

It's Your Vote: Are Tim McGraw and Faith Hill gonna headline an enviromental concert to kick off the Democratic Convention in Denver in August (with Sheryl Crow and others)? Maybe.