LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- NBC will expand its freshman hit "American Gladiators" to 90 minutes starting February 4, the network's press materials confirmed today.

In addition, the show's two-hour finale has been set for Sunday, February 17 at 7:00/6:00c. Said event will serve as the lead-in to the two-hour backdoor pilot movie "Knight Rider" that same night at 9:00/8:00c.

As for specifics, both "Gladiators" and "Deal or No Deal" will offer up 90-minute installments on February 4 and 11 sending "Medium," which is also pre-empted on January 28 due to the President's State of the Union Address, to a brief hiatus.

"Medium" will then return on February 18 with the first of six new episodes.

Meanwhile, "Scrubs" still remains in limbo for the time being. The Peacock had toyed with running the series on Thursdays at 8:30/7:30c but instead will go with various specials, repeats and other stunts in the Thursday, 8:00/7:00c hour. Among the upcoming offerings: "Chuck" on January 24, "Most Romantic Moments On TV" on February 7 and "Deal or No Deal" on February 14.