Illuminating day at TCA

So much to glean from Week 3 of the Television Critics Association tour. Like this stuff from the General Electric TV Empire:

• NBC's resident party boy/entertainment chief Ben Silverman blames the Lakers for his network's sucky summer, never mind the sucky programming.

• Leno pulls a Kimmel while showing he's A-OK with shoving off next May. Who believes this?

• There's something called a "creative greenhouse" around "The Office," along with a spinoff and don't-call-it-a-spinoff.

• The Olympics opening ceremony could be off the chain, thanks to legendary Hong Kong filmmaker Zhang Yimou; the world's elite athletes will try to cheer without coughing up a lung.

• There will be a "bad-ass" shower fight between Nicole Richie and some "Chuck" cast member, but not a "Gossip Girl." Really?

• Chicks in the South still really love them some big hair (as evidenced by a cast member from the upcoming Bravo spin-off "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" -- pictured).

• THR's television team, led by truth-teller blogger James Hibberd, is working its arse off. Carry on!