NBC: The A-2 version

    “The West Wing” is history.

    NBC entertainment president Kevin Reilly announced the show’s cancellation to television critics Sunday. He praised the work of the series this season, when it moved to Sunday nights, adding, “I just wish more people had seen it.”

    Reilly said the decision to cancel “The West Wing” was “kind of determined” before the death of one of its stars, John Spencer. The finale airs May 14.
    About another low-rated show, Reilly conceded that the controversial “Book of Daniel” has had a hard time finding sponsors. “Advertisers take a cautious approach to risky shows,” he said.
    NBC is renewing two comedies, “My Name Is Earl” and “The Office,” for the 2006-2007 season, and is putting “The Black Donnellys,” a new series from “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby” writer Paul Haggis, on its fall 2006 schedule, Reilly said.

• In March, NBC will move “Las Vegas” to Friday nights at 8 (times are Central). “The Apprentice” will move to 8 p.m. Mondays, following “Deal or No Deal,” the Howie Mandel-hosted game show. “Dateline” will move to Saturdays at 7. And “The Office” will end for the season in March so that Steve Carell can make a movie.
• Two NBC series debuting in March are “Conviction,” a character-driven crime drama from “Law & Order” producer Dick Wolf, Fridays at 9; and “Heist,” a darkly comedic crime series that will air 9 p.m. Wednesdays. “Law & Order” will move back one hour (opposite “Lost”) for the time being so that NBC can launch “Heist.” In April, “The Office” will be replaced by “Teachers,” a sitcom from “Scrubs” writer Matt Tarses.
• NBC is scheduling additional hours for its Winter Olympics coverage based on the competitive strength of the U.S. team, said its executive producer, Dick Ebersol. CNBC, MSNBC and USA will air 233 hours from Torino, and for the first time the Olympics will be simulcast in HDTV, though snowboarding and other events will not air in true high definition.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m looking forward to our upcoming feature on the Shroud of Torino.” - announcer Bob Costas, poking fun at NBC’s decision to go with the alternate pronunciation for Turin, Italy, in its Olympics coverage