macbook pro and external display

[Gman]

i'm connecting my macbook pro to a 42" hdtv to play some hd content. how do I go about setting the macbooks display so I can close the lid without it putting the machine into standby ?

or make it so the macbooks screen turns off while using the external display ?

 

[Gman]

is the lid closing still an issue with the new macbook pros ?

thanks all for the answers

 

[Gman]

thanks guys working perfectly now