NEW YORK — The Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift and Lionel Richie will ring in 2009 from Times Square on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve."

They will perform live during the ABC broadcast, joining Clark in New York along with his co-host Ryan Seacrest, the network announced.

Kellie Pickler also will be on hand in Times Square with live reports on the festivities.

As previously announced, Natasha Bedingfield, Fall Out Boy, Jesse McCartney, Ne-Yo, Pussycat Dolls, Solange and Robin Thicke will perform during the Hollywood Party segments, which will be hosted by Fergie.

A New Year's Eve tradition, the show will begin at 10 p.m. Dec. 31.

NEW YORK — A person with direct knowledge of the situation has confirmed that T.R. Knight has asked to be released from his contract with "Grey's Anatomy."The actor, who plays Dr. George O'Malley, has asked to leave the ABC medical drama because he is unhappy with his storyline, the person said. Knight has three years left on his contract and the network has indicated it will release him, the insider said.

HOLLYWOOD — Mac Taylor is going to have one more reason to lose sleep at night.Craig T. Nelson will guest star for three episodes of CBS' "CSI: NY," according to The Hollywood Reporter.In the guest arc, the Emmy winner will play Robert Parker, a successful NYC publishing mogul who also happens to be the nemesis to CSI leader and frequent insomniac Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise).It's unclear from reports if the "nemesis" nature of their relationship is personal or business.Nelson, 64, won an Emmy for starring in the comedy "Coach."From wire reports