NATIONAL NOTES: NBC leading the network sweeps!?

We're two weeks into the February sweeps, and it seems almost unbelievable, but NBC (!) is on top in the network race.

Media Life reports that, on the strength of Super Bowl XLVI, NBC holds a comfortable ratings lead over second-place CBS (which jumped into that spot thanks to the Grammy Awards), FOX, ABC, Univision and The CW.

NBC finds itself in an unusual spot here; so much of its other programming barely registers with viewers that a lead on anything but Sunday nights during football season is very, very rare. And it'll likely be the last time it happens for a while.

Here's a little bit of what's happening elsewhere in the country:

KING DETHRONED:  Larry King and CNN have officially parted ways. A little more than a year after ending his long-running chat show, King (who later hosted four specials for CNN) is leaving permanently.  King, who is 78, says "I'm looking forward to all the wonderful business opportunities that I will now dedicate my full time to." [The Hollywood Reporter]

Whitney Houston, 1963-2012

HOUSTON'S FUNERAL TO AIR ON BOUNCE:  Bounce TV, the new broadcast TV network for African Americans, will carry the funeral of Whitney Houston live, uninterrupted and commercial-free this Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. CT.  Bounce TV said its airing of the service is expected to be the only broadcast television network coverage of the funeral live, in its entirety and without interruption. [Press Release]

Stephen Colbert

COLBERT SUSPENDS SHOW:  Taping of Comedy Central's The Colbert Report was unexpectedly put on hiatus on Wednesday.  No reason was initially given, leading to rampant speculation about the show's future, but on Thursday, it was reported that host Stephen Colbert took time off to deal with a family emergency. [Mediaite]