Verdict: ‘Jury’ wins

The newest “Law & Order” spinoff, “Law & Order: Trial By Jury,” got off to a fast start last Thursday night, snaring 17.1 million viewers to win its 10 p.m. timeslot – and was up 4 percent in view ers over what “ER” is averag ing in that slot.

The se ries, star ring Bebe Neuwirth, the late Jerry Or bach (who appeared in the first two epi sodes), Fred Dal ton Thompson, Amy Carlson and Kirk Acevedo, moved to its regular slot last Friday (10 p.m./Ch. 4).

This is shaping up as a busy week for Tavis Smiley. Sources say the PBS host (“Tavis Smiley”) will be mak ing a big announcement re garding his return to public radio, having left NPR late last year (he was replaced by Ed Gordon).

Smiley is also about to ex pand his role on his PBS show – and will be written into an upcoming episode of Nickelodeon’s animated se ries, “Fatherhood.”

Last, but not least: Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is inter viewed by Sean Hannity on tonight’s “Hannity & Colmes” (9 p.m./FNC).

To night: Phil Collins visits George Taylor’s “Artist Confidential” (6 p.m./XM Satellite Radio).

Tomorrow at noon: Mon tel Williams holds an online discussion about his battle with MS on chatwithmon tel.com. It’s hosted by WebMD Health.

Producers for a new PBS reality show, “Texas Ranch House,” will be casting here Wednesday (11 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Ch. 13’s studios (450 W. 33rd). Applicants need photo ID for check-in. Info: Pbs.org/ ranchhouse.

Comedian Christian Fin- negan’s first nationally televised special airs on Comedy Central this Friday (10 p.m.). Finnegan wrote for “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn.”

“Nashville Star,” with host LeAnn Rimes, has moved to Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on USA.

Richie Ornstein is talk ing to several local stations about repackaging Joe Franklin’s old TV shows as hour-long specials.