"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" earned an estimated $22.2 million for its 3,003 midnight screenings, beating the $18.5 million midnight runs by the studio's own "The Dark Knight" and the $16.9 million earned by "Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith". The film will expand to 4,350 theaters on Friday.

• Former "Blossom" star Mayim Bialik is back on television after time off for college and motherhood. Mayim holds a Ph.D in neuroscience and has 2 sons. She'll have a recurring role as a quirky guidance counselor on The Secret Life of the American Teenager this fall.

• According to the Daily Mail, Simon Cowell, supermodel Kate Moss and Sir Philip Green, a billionaire retailer, will join forces to create "a global entertainment super- company to rival Disney." The plan would have the new company "own all the rights and content of the TV programmes Cowell produces, including 'Britain's Got Talent,' 'The X Factor' and 'America's Got Talent.'"

• "The Listener" will no longer be heard from on NBC after this month with 5 episodes in the can. Peacock says the drama will leave the air to make way for "Law and Order" repeats. Low ratings were to blame.

• Working Title has confirmed that it is developing a third installment of the "Bridget Jones" series starring Renée Zellweger. The still untitled film, which is still in its early stages and probably won't go into production until the end of next year.

• Natalie Portman has joined the cast of Marvel & director Kenneth Branagh's "Thor". The actress will play an updated version of the Jane Foster character, a nurse who becomes Thor's first love, says Variety. Chris Hemsworth ("Star Trek") plays the hammer-swinging superhero.