Xciting news?

Jacko's back … again. Producer Rodney Jerkins used vintage Michael Jackson vocals to cobble together the singer's second, yes, second posthumous album. "Xscape," set for release in May, gets its title track from recordings made during 2001's "Invincible" sessions.

Chew on this

Peter Mayhew will be back as Chewbacca, right, in "Star Wars: Episode VII." Word is that an extensive re-creation of Tatooine will be built in the Moroccan desert. … Director Richard Donner reveals there's a "Goonies 2" in the works. … Universal is developing a "Battlestar Galactica" movie. … Drew Goddard ("The Cabin in the Woods") will direct the "Spider-Man" villain spinoff "Sinister Six." … Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will bring their simpatico act to "The Nest," about adult sisters who throw a last bash in the family home. … Carrie Brownstein joins Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett in the 1950s drama "Carol."

Stark reality

The Season 4 premiere of "Game of Thrones" was the most-watched HBO show since the series finale of "The Sopranos" in 2007, inspiring the network to renew the series for Seasons 5 and 6. Get cracking, George! … A&E has renewed "Bates Motel" for a third season. … "Last Comic Standing" is returning after four years off the air; the top prize is a development deal with NBC. … TV Land is reviving "Candid Camera." In the wake of "Punk'd" and the NSA, this is something we need?

That's a lot of couch time

FXX, which paid $750 million to show "The Simpsons" in syndication, will broadcast a 12-day, 552-episode marathon of the show starting Aug. 21.

CYNTHIA DICKISON