In a showdown between President Obama and a reality TV dancing competition, the dancers won.

Fox announced yesterday that it will not carry Obama's joint address to Congress scheduled for 8 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, a speech that has been billed as the White House's last and best chance to regain the upper hand in the roiling health care debate. Instead, the network will proceed with the season premiere of "So You Think You Can Dance," followed by the debut of its dramedy "Glee" at 9 p.m.

Fox will direct viewers interested in Obama's address to its sister cable network, Fox News.

In July, the network also opted to air "So You Think You Can Dance" instead of a prime-time news conference Obama held on health care reform.

AFTER ADDING TO CAST, 'SNL' CUTS BACK

"Saturday Night Live" has cut a cast member just a day after word of two new hires became public.

Michaela Watkins' publicist confirmed yesterday that Watkins' contract was not renewed by the sketch comedy show. NBC would not comment.

The news was first reported by the Web site Comic's Comic. The site also said cast member Casey Wilson had been cut from the show, though her manager and agent didn't return calls and e-mails for comment.

Watkins and Wilson both joined the program last year.

On Thursday, a person close to the show confirmed that comedians Jenny Slate and Nasim Pedrad have joined the show.

PERRY TO BRING 1975 PLAY TO SILVER SCREEN

Tyler Perry, who often appears in drag as the gun-toting grandmother Madea in his movies, will adapt the 1975 groundbreaking play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf" for the big screen.

Perry will produce, write and direct the film for Lionsgate, which plans to release the movie next year.

The Obie-winning play by Ntozake Shange is structured as a series of poems spoken by female characters, addressing issues of love, abandonment, rape and abortion.

PETTY PLEADS NO CONTEST TO DRIVING DRUNK

Lori Petty will serve five years' probation after pleading no contest yesterday to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.

City Attorney's spokesman Frank Mateljan said Petty, 45, entered the plea through her attorney and has already completed some of the terms of her sentence, which include alcohol abuse counseling.

Petty was arrested May 30 after a skateboarder was hit with a car in the Venice Beach area, authorities said. The actress, who appeared in "Point Break and "A League of Their Own," did not have to appear in court.