A man who tried to extort Atlanta resident, UGA grad and former Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward will get two years probation that will keep him out of prison, according to TMZ.

I reached out to Ward's agent/publicist Andrew Ree for a comment. No response.

A bit from TMZ:

Josh Van Auker pled guilty today to first degree misdemeanor attempted extortion ... after allegedly threatening to release evidence that the former Pittsburgh Steelers superstar paid women for sex. Van Auker allegedly demanded $15,000 for his silence.

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"Duck Dynasty" on A&E is a phenomenon, likes of which have not been seen on basic cable since "Jersey Shore." In fact, the season finale Wednesday night drew 9.6 million viewers, more than any "Jersey Shore" episode. The only reality show on basic cable to draw more? That "Jon & Kate Make Eight" reality show on TLC in 2009 when the pair were breaking up. I know, I tried to forget that too. But "Duck Dynasty" is so powerful among 18-49 (4.3 rating), that it beat all broadcast networks that night, including the fast diminishing "Idol" (3.2).

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href="http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/hln-planning-evening-express-replacement-with-new-pilot/">Deadline.com also reports that Atlanta-based HLN is considering dumping its year-old "Evening Express" featuring Ryan Smith and consumer advocate Clark Howard. It has already tried out a newsmagazine out of Atlanta as a possible replacement featuring "Weekend Express' anchor Natasha Curry, 'Morning Express' sports anchor Carlos Diaz and former V-103 jock and current 11Alive morning traffic reporter Elle Duncan.

Howard, in a quick interview, said he likes both Diaz and Curry but doesn't know Duncan.

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"Idol" ratings fell back down this week, with a mere 2.7 18-49 rating and 11 million viewers last night, based on early results. If the 2.7 holds, that would be the lowest 18-49 rating in the show's 12-year history.

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Atlanta-based TBS host Conan O'Brien is hosting the White House Correspondents Dinner this Saturday. CNN will air the dinner live.

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"The Vampire Diaries" aired a "spinoff pilot" last night called "The Originals," which will be based out of New Orleans but I presume will be shot in Atlanta. I'd say making Atlanta look like New Orleans could be quite a stretch but what do I know? And Louisiana has tax incentives comparable to Georgia. I hear that the CW is likely to give the spinoff a shot.