Posted at 5 p.m. Friday, May 22

JANE LYNCH SERVES UP LAUGHS

Rob Thomas’ hilarious comedy “Party Down” wraps up its first season Friday, but its motley crew of cater-waiters isn’t serving its last laughs.

Starz has given the series a second season, which means Thomas and his co-creators—John Enbom, Dan Etheridge and Paul Rudd—are busy brainstorming 10 more events the Party Down team will cater. Nothing’s set in stone, Thomas told me last week, but it’s obvious these guys would make awesome party planners.

Posted at 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 19

NBC'S FALL SCHEDULE

NBC finally made the official announcement today: “Chuck” will be back next season, and Subway will be a major sponsor.

Go get a foot-long, people. Subway not only helped with the Twitter campaign to #savechuck, but the company has struck a deal with NBC to become a major sponsor, which means more Chuck, Sarah, Casey, Jeffster, Ellie and Awesome for all of us.

NBC says the show will return to its 7 p.m. Monday slot after the Winter Olympics. That's a long wait until next Spring.

Posted at 2 a.m. Tuesday, May 18

JANE LYNCH TALKS "GLEE"
"GLEE" WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY

After eight years of living in the dark, strange world of “Nip/Tuck,” Ryan Murphy was ready for something different.

Murphy came up with the optimistic, uplifting musical comedy, “Glee.” Fox has been so taken by the show that it’s airing a special preview after Tuesday’s “American Idol.”

“I wanted to do a show that has a bigger heart and is kinder,” Murphy told reporters last week. “But make no mistake. It still has an edge.”

It definitely has an edge, mixing “Mean Girls” with “Election” and the darkest parts of “Hairspray.” It captures high school life—losers versus popular kids—in an only slightly heightened manner. But it's heart is with those geeky types who populate the glee club, a group of underdogs Murphy thinks viewers will love.

"I didn’t want to do a show where [all the characters] were all sort of super glossy and fantastic," he said.

Murphy said his own experiences as a high school musical theater geek informed the story—especially how getting a theater part made people feel "optimism about what you can become.”

“It’s just about a belief in yourself,” said Murphy, who grew up in Indiana. "I remember that feeling, and it was very important to me. And that’s what I wanted the show to be about.”

Ryan had a lot more to say about the series, how he picked the songs and debuting after “Idol.”

Posted at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 19

JANE LYNCH TALKS "GLEE"
RYAN MURPHY FINDS "GLEE"

GLEE
8 p.m. (or after “American Idol”) Tuesday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.

Posted at 12:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 19

"GLEE" WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY
JANE LYNCH TALKS "PARTY DOWN"
RYAN MURPHY FINDS "GLEE"

Jane Lynch sets the tone for Fox’s wonderfully subversive new comedy, “Glee,” by shouting the show’s very first line.

“You think this is hard?” the Chicago native’s character, Sue, yells at the cheerleaders she’s coaching. “Try being water-boarded, that’s hard.”

In a high school full of mean girls, Sue, coach of the highly successful Cheerios, may be the meanest. Because of that, Lynch has many of the funniest lines in the show’s pilot, which Fox is giving a special preview Tuesday after “American Idol.” The show will return this fall.

Posted at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 18

THE SAGA OF 'CHUCK'

Vik Sahay loves “Chuck” fans.

Sahay, who plays nerdy Lester Patel on the NBC comedy, told me on Monday that he’s “blown away” by fan support that has saved the much-loved but low-rated show.

“I am so moved and overwhelmed and grateful,” he said. “I kind of can’t believe it, but it looks like [fan support] made a huge impact. ... I’m kind of speechless and blown away by it. And so appreciative and grateful.”

Posted at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17

'CHUCK' ALL THE TIME

Put the gun down, Zach, "Chuck" is coming back for a third season. NBC photo

Sometimes the good guys prevail. Fans of “Chuck,” you are the good guys.

NBC has renewed the spy comedy for at least 13 episodes next season, giving fans who have campaigned to save the show something to celebrate—a third season. We have to thank all the fans, critics and advertisers such as Subway and Nerds for never giving up on this awesome—yes, Captain, I said it—awesome show. We should also tip our hats to Chuck himself—Zachary Levi—who has been out there everywhere working for a renewal.

Posted at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE JUST SHORTS
8 p.m. Sunday, NBC

Who better than Andy Samberg to host this new special that NBC says will present the late-night comedy show’s “greatest short films from the past 34 years?” After all, he and his buddies from The Lonely Island, “SNL” writers Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, are responsible for several of them.

Their “SNL Digital Shorts” include “[Bleep] in a Box,” “[Bleep] in My Pants,” “Motherlover” and “Lazy Sunday.” Samberg will introduce plenty of older shorts too, including the Christopher Guest-directed “Synchronized Swimmers” with Martin Short, Robert Smigel’s “TV Funhouse,” “MacGruber,” “Deep Thoughts with Jack Handey,” “Mr. Bill” and others.

Posted at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 17

Will Ferrell—and a horde of other oldies—returned to the “Saturday Night Live” studio last night to make the season finale a fun reunion show.

Still, the finale didn’t outdo last week’s Justin Timberlake showcase.

Surprise appearances ruled the night. Besides Ferrell, “SNL” alums Norm Macdonald, Maya Rudolph, and Amy Poehler popped in. Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Moss and Artie Lange also showed up, along with musical guest Green Day and a few others I'm sure I missed.

Posted at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 15

FAMILY GUY
8 p.m. Sunday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.

A psychic tells Peter Griffin that in a past life he was a 17th Century English gentleman named Griffin Peterson, who founded the colony of Quahog in America after he was torn from his great love, Lady (Lois) Redbush, by the jealous—and short—King Stewart III. As if the time-traveling main plot isn’t funny enough, this season finale gets merrily sidetracked with appearances by Alan Rickman, Jason Segel, Neil Patrick Harris and Josh Radnor, who are mocked after lending their voices.

And don’t forget that Eminem and Stewie will introduce the entire Animation Domination line-up on Fox Sunday.

Posted at 5:15 p.m. Friday, May 15

JIM JEFFRIES - HBO Special preview - Sluts and Studs

JIM JEFFERIES: I SWEAR TO GOD
9 p.m. Saturday, HBO
Tune in or out? out of four.

The Australian comic alternately charms and offends the audience in his first full-length HBO special, railing against Pandas (“[Bleep] ’em. Let ’em die off.”), Christians (“You’re wrong.”) and people who don’t get drunk (“No one gives a [bleep] that your kids don’t have bruises!”). His assessment of terminology used for burn victims—“Burned beyond recognition? You ever seen a burn victim? The term should be ‘burned to recognition’”—is particularly cringe-inducing. With more jokes about AIDS, atheism and South African gay bars that always cross the line, Jefferies’ stand-up sermons are challenging. But once you forget political correctness, you’ll be a convert.

Posted at 12:15 p.m. Friday, May 15

Sign Mark-Paul Gosselaar up for that “Saved by the Bell” reunion Jimmy Fallon has been pushing.

Gosselaar, who played high school hunk Zack on the 1990s teen series, told RedEye on Friday that he and Fallon have “something good cooking.”

“I don’t want to give too much away but I’m doing his show June 8,” Gosselaar said. “I’m not going to do the standard interview, I’ll put it that way.”

Posted at 10:45 pm. Wednesday, May 13

THE OFFICE
8 p.m. Thursday, NBC

The comedy celebrates its fifth-season finale and 100th episode with the return of Amy Ryan as Holly Flax, Michael’s (Steve Carell) old flame. Michael’s plans to win Holly back at the annual Dunder Mifflin picnic go awry, as does Dwight’s (Rainn Wilson) plan to win the volleyball tournament.

30 ROCK
8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC

Jack Donaghy’s dad, Milton (Alan Alda), needs a new kidney, which gives Jack (Alec Baldwin) an idea that involves a ton of guest cameos (Sheryl Crow, Mary J. Blige, Elvis Costello, Adam Levine, Clay Aiken). Meanwhile, Liz (Tina Fey) gets some cred as a relationship expert and Kenneth (Jack McBrayer) helps Tracy (Tracy Morgan) overcome his fear of returning to his old high school.

Posted at 3:55 p.m. Wednesday, May 13

I love pop singer Adele, who is guest starring as herself on the latest episode of “Ugly Betty” airing at 7 p.m. Thursday on ABC. In the episode called “In the Stars,” the British chanteuse croons “Who Wants to be Right as Rain?” at a photo shoot planned by Betty, Marc and Matt (America Ferrera, Michael Urie and Daniel Eric Gold) that ends with a surprise wedding. Enjoy the song.

Posted at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 12

Showtime’s “Weeds” keeps making interesting casting choices for the fifth season that begins June 8.

Alanis Morissette (left) will join the cast for at least seven episodes. This follows the casting of Jennifer Jason Leigh (right) as Nancy’s sister, Jill. If you haven’t watched Season 4 yet, turn away! Spoilers ahead.

Posted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 12

Eminem and Stewie Griffin will, um, rap, during Sunday's Animation Domination. Fox photo

So Eminem does have a sense of humor—and a heart.

The rapper—who's been getting dissed by Mariah Carey’s hubby, Nick Cannon—will take on Stewie Griffin from “Family Guy” this Sunday. An animated Eminem will appear with the cartoon kid in segments throughout Fox’s Animation Domination line-up. (MySpace Music will make a special Eminem announcement Sunday.)

"It was a thrill to work with Stewie," Eminem said in a Fox press release. "I'm a big fan of talking babies and their humor."

Posted at 9:50 a.m. Monday, May 11

TBS has announced it’s bringing even more funny—and Martin Short—to Chicago this summer with the debut of the TBS Presents A “Very Funny” Festival.

Short has been added to the festival, which runs from June 17-21 in local theaters. He joins Ellen DeGeneres, David Alan Grier, Lisa Lampanelli, Jimmy Fallon and a ton of other comics who will perform throughout the city in June. (Find more info at this earlier post.)

Posted at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, May 10

Justin Timberlake was back on “Saturday Night Live” this weekend, bringing some great surprise guests, favorite old sketches and a digital short to rival “[Bleep] in a Box.”

In “Motherlover,” Timberlake and Andy Samberg—dressed in the Jodeci-like get-ups—picked up where “[Bleep] in a Box” left off. As their crass crooners leave a police station, they dump their gift boxes into a garbage bin.

When they realize it’s Mother’s Day, they concoct “the second best idea that we’ve ever had” by deciding to “[bleep] each other’s moms.”

“It would be my honor to be your new stepfather,” they sing to each other.

Added bonus for the boys? Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson play their mothers.

Posted at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, May 5

The season and possible series finale of “Scrubs” airs at 7 p.m. Wednesday on ABC, and it’s going to be packed with guest stars. More than 50 former guests—including Tom Cavanaugh and Amy Smart—return (see complete list below).

Only writer/director/creator Bill Lawrence could pull this off.

In “My Finale,” J.D. (Zach Braff) is leaving Sacred Heart Hospital to move closer to his son and Kim. But before he goes, he wants to get that hug from Dr. Cox (John C McGinley) and learn the Janitor’s (Neil Flynn) name. He’s also dealing with Elliot (Sarah Chalke), who pushed him to take their relationship to another level by moving her furniture into his apartment.

So the 50 guest stars? I bet Lawrence has another crazy fantasy sequence planned for viewers.

Lawrence might be in his own fantasyland if ABC picks up “Scrubs” for a ninth season. Everyone involved in the show thought this was it. But the show has garnered decent ratings for ABC, so Lawrence and the network are in talks to bring it back. The catch? Both Braff and Judy Reyes have said they are done with the series. And McGinley, Flynn and Donald Faison have done pilots that could get picked up as fall series.

Do you think “Scrubs” could work without Braff and the other stars we’ve come to love? Leave me a comment and enjoy these sneak peeks of the finale.

Posted at 6:15 p.m. Friday, May 1

Ellen Page of “Juno” fame guest stars on this Sunday’s “The Simpsons,” playing Alaska Nebraska, a young music sensation not unlike Hannah Montana. Well, I shouldn’t say that because I’ve never met Hannah Montana, or Miley Cyrus. She/they probably aren’t as mean as Alaska Nebraska is. Anyway, in this video from Fox, Page chats with the voice of Lisa Simpson, Yeardley Smith.

The new episode, called “Waverly Hills 9021-Do’h!,” airs at 7 p.m. Sunday on Fox.

Posted at 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 1

The Save “Chuck” campaigns got a big boost on Friday. Candy maker Wonka said it will deliver more than 1,000 packs of Nerds candy to NBC in support of the spy comedy.

According to Wonka, “Chuck” co-creator and producer Josh Schwartz came up with the idea when he was interviewed by The New York Times’ Dave Itzkoff. In the April 20 story, Schwartz said fans could send Nerds just as “Jericho” fans has sent CBS peanuts to save that show.

Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi, right), as fans know, is part of the Nerd Herd computer tech team at the Buy More.

You can send Nerds to NBC at the below addresses. Check my past “Chuck” posts for more ways to show support. NBC is likely to make an announcement on the show Monday, May 4.

NBC’s “Chuck”
Attn: Ben Silverman
3000 W Alameda Ave., Admin Bldg
Burbank, CA 91523

NBC’s “Chuck”
Attn: Angela Bromstad
100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg 1320E 4th Floor
Universal City, CA 91608

Posted at 9:20 a.m. Friday, May 1

Starz airs new episodes Friday of its extremely funny comedies “Head Case” and “Party Down” at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., but I can’t wait for you to see the, so here are some clips from the eps.

On “Head Case,” Dr. Goode (Alexandra Wentworth) works with Mario Batali, Kevin Nealon (above) and Sandra Bernhard.

The “Party Down” caterers work a corporate retreat where Casey (Lizzy Caplan) helps speaker Rick Fox, which gets Henry (Adam Scott) and Roman (Martin Starr) all riled up. Robb Corddry guest stars as well. You can watch more clips below, and on Starz’s YouTube page.

JANE LYNCH ON "PARTY DOWN"
THE WATCHER CHATS WITH "PARTY DOWN" CREATOR ROB THOMAS

Posted at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 29

President Obama discussed his first 100 days in office at 7 p.m. Wednesday, pre-empting shows on most of the networks.

The creator of ABC’s very funny "Better Off Ted," Victor Fresco, has something to say about that. Obama bumped the season finale of his sitcom, about the people who work at a morally-questionable corporation called Veridian Dynamics. So Fresco created this mock commercial from Veridian.

It’s pretty hilarious. ABC will air the show’s season finale, but the network has yet to decide the date.

READ MY REVIEW OF "BETTER OFF TED" HERE.

Posted at 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 29

READ MY REVIEW OF "KROD MANDOON ..."

Sean Maguire stars in Comedy Central's "Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire," which airs new episodes at 9 p.m. Thursdays. Comedy Central photos

Sean Maguire was suffering for his job one recent Friday.

“I got absolutely shit-faced last night,” the star of Comedy Central’s “Krod Mandoon and the Flaming Sword of Fire” said. “The phone was ringing and I was like, ‘That can’t be for me.’”

We connected the day after the debut of “Krod,” an off-the-wall, Monty Python-like spoof of sword-and-sorcery films that’s filled with juvenile sex and body-part jokes and a lot of sword-fighting. Maguire had attended the premiere party, a task he says he doesn’t enjoy, so he used his “go-to move”: “Get drunk and that way no one will be able to find you,” he said, joking about the thought process behind his getting blasted. “Nothing bad can happen if you’re boozed up.”

Maguire, who did a similar movie mockery in “Meet the Spartans,” pulled himself together and happily chatted about “Krod,” singing “Every Sperm is Sacred” in a Monty Python movie, being a “buff man” and his love of topless skateboarders. Believe me, this is a guy you want to hang out with.

Posted at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28

PULLING: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD set
$24.98 in stores from MPI Home Media
Tune in or out? out of four.

Many writers have compared this biting British comedy, which has aired on Sundance Channel in the U.S., to “Sex and the City,” but that does “Pulling” a great disservice. The humor is much darker in “Pulling” than in “Sex.” And Donna, Karen and Louise are anything but glamorous, which makes them much more relatable than the “Sex” gals.

Posted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 27

Everything I’ve ever written on “Chuck,” including an interview with Vik Sahay.

I’m going to work late today, because I’m watching yet again the phenomenal Season 2 finale of “Chuck,” which blew my mind Monday.

How many different ways can I express how many different kinds of awesome it was? Best … TV … season … finale … ever.

And I say “season” finale as opposed to “series” finale because NBC MUST bring it back after that beyond delightful, fully satisfying, unbelievably riotous hour.

NBC, can you be awesome? Save Chuck! I’ve recently come into a little bit of money … Will that help your decision?

I’m not going to do a blow-by-blow of the episode here. But I do want to share some of the best writing on TV ever. Below you’ll find some of the great lines from “Chuck Versus The Ring,” which was written by co-creator Chris Fedak and Ali Adler.

Posted at 10 p.m. Monday, April 27

Morgan (Joshua Gomez, center) introduces Lester (Vik Sahay, left) and Jeff (Scott Krinksy, right) as Jeffster makes a triumphant return to “Chuck” in the season finale Monday. NBC photo

”Chuck” closed out its second season with an incredible episode that, as creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak have said all along, was a “game-changer.”

Jeffster is a wedding band! And Lester is the wedding singer!

Oh, wait, maybe that's not the game-changer. Maybe it has to do with Chuck (Zachary Levi). (No worries, no spoilers here.)

Anyway, “Chuck” has deservedly earned a groundswell of support from a rabid fan base, several TV critics including this one, and secret agents all over the world. (They can’t be vocal because they are secret agents—but trust me.)

“Chuck” needs the love, as it is what they call a “bubble show.” NBC is deciding whether it should return next fall. All the networks are looking over schedules, ratings and the money machine to decide the fate of several bubble shows.

Zap2it asked visitors to its site to vote on which bubble shows should return and which should get canceled. People voted to save four of my fave comedies, including my beloved “Chuck,” the wonderful “Reaper,” “Better Off Ted” and “Samantha Who?”

Read the list and vote at Zap2it.com.

Posted at 3:55 p.m. Monday, April 27

LC TALKS ABOUT "FAMILY GUY"

Lauren Conrad told reporters last week that in the May 3 episode of Fox’s “Family Guy," “they basically make fun of me for being dumb."

And how. Here are a cpuple of clips from the episode, titled “We Love You Conrad,” in which "The Hills" star plays herself as a brainy target of Brian's affections. Read more of the Conrad interview here. The episode airs at 8 p.m. may 3 on Fox.

Posted at 12:25 a.m. Monday, July 27

Matthew Bomer (right) and Tim DeKay co-star in a new USA Network series tentatively called "White Collar." USA photo

Don’t panic, “Chuck” fans. Just because Matthew Bomer’s pilot for USA Network, “White Collar,” has been greenlit for a series doesn’t mean all hope is lost for “Chuck’s” renewal.

Bomer wasn’t a series regular on “Chuck,” where he occasionally played spy Bryce Larkin, Chuck’s former bud and Sarah’s former boyfriend. (He’s back for Monday's season finale, by the way.)

Posted at 7:55 p.m. Friday, April 24

An NBC rep for the series "Chuck" said rumors the the series has been renewed are not true.

"No decision will be made until early May," NBC's Jamie French wrote in an e-mail.

He was responding to a post on the Web site series.nu which said that the show has been given a 13-episode order for next year, citing a source at NBC.

"The NBC insider says that Chuck will get a third season of 13 episodes. But another insider at WB is telling its not 100% sure, but its looking very good for the show," the post stated.

WB is Warner Brothers, the studio that produces "Chuck," which airs its Season 2 finale at 7 p.m. Monday. (Be sure to watch and Save Chuck!) I was unable to track down a Warner Brothers rep.

"Chuck" has been ratings challenged during both its seasons, but it does have a rabid fan base and, simply because its so damn good, deserves to be renewed. Here's hoping that rumor turns into fact come May.

Posted at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 23

Here are several sneak peeks at the Season 2 finale of "Chuck," which airs at 7 p.m. Monday. It's going to be awesome!

Tune in, and don't forget the big Finale and a Footlong "Save Chuck" event going on. On Monday you should go to your local Subway, buy a footlong and leave a note in the suggestion box stating that NBC should SAVE CHUCK!

For more ways to save the show, including snail mailing NBC, go to this post.

Enjoy the clips below, and the finale.

Posted at 12:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 21

Cartman obviously reads the news. In the mid-season finale of “South Park,” he decides he’s going to run away from home to become a pirate.

Cartman doesn’t get it quite right, though, in "Fatbeard." He enlists Butters and others to join him on Skull Island, where they can hunt for buried treasure. He just has to figure out how to get to Somalia.

The episode airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central.

Posted at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, April 19

YouTuber Fridolizzer86 posted this "Chuck Versus the Cancellation" video Friday. Check out a big collection of Chuckness at ZacharyLevi.Net

Do Chuck and Sarah finally get things going on Monday’s “Chuck”? (Watch it! Watch t! Watch it!) The teaser below for “Chuck Versus the Colonel” kind of hints at that, as does NBC’s description of the episode below. DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING!

It’s the last episode before the April 27 season finale, called “Chuck Versus the Ring.” Be sure to watch both eps, write to NBC about why they should keep the show, and join all the “Save Chuck” campaigns around the world, some of which you can find in my previous plea and The Watcher Mo Ryan’s previous plea.

Also, enjoy my interview with Vik Sahay, who plays Lester, in anticipation of another appearance by the great song stylists Jeffster, coming before the end of the season.

Posted at 7 a.m. Friday, April 17

SIT DOWN, SHUT UP
7:30 p.m. Sunday, Fox
Tune in or out? out of four.

I like a good “nut sack” joke as much as the next guy, but when it’s coming from the minds and actors behind “Arrested Development,” it’s more than a little disappointing.

Posted at 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 15

YES, ROSE STARRED IN "FROM JUSTIN TO KELLY"

Anika Noni Rose stars in HBO's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." RedEye/Chase Agnello-Dean photo

You can't keep Anika Noni Rose down.

The actress has chosen to play characters that, although outwardly very different, share her obviously indomitable spirit.

"I grew up in a little town and I decided to do something that people automatically were like, 'Really? Good luck,'" Rose told me during an interview at the RedEye offices. "I know that feeling that you are bigger than the constraints around you."

Posted at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, April 15

We already have Ray Wise’s hilariously droll Satan on the CW’s funny “Reaper.” Now TBS is bringing us a whole family from hell.

The cable net has greenlit 10 episodes of a half-hour animated comedy called “Neighbors From Hell,” about a devilish family that moves into the suburbs. The Hellmans include dad Balthazor; his wife, Tina; their two children, Mandy and Josh; and their dog, Pazuzu. They have come to Earth to keep humans from going to hell.

Apparently their devil is nothing like the one Wise plays.

“South Park” writer-producer Pam Brady wrote the pilot and will exec produce with Mireille Soria. Fox TV Animation, DreamWorks Animation SKG and Jeffrey Katzenberg developed the series.

Posted at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, April 14

KATHY GRIFFIN: SHE’LL CUT A BITCH
8 p.m. Wednesday, Bravo
Tune in or out? out of four.

Oak Park native, self-proclaimed D-lister and “crazy bitch” (according to Cher) Kathy Griffin attacks the A-listers again in her new stand-up special, filmed last month in Portland. This time Griffin riotously recounts rubbing elbows with stars such as the Jonas Brothers (“I’m calling [BS] on their [bleeping] purity rings!”), Cher (“Who knew Cher’s real hair is Cher hair?”), the desperate housewives (“Marcia Cross’ face looks like a hockey rink”) and Mary Tyler Moore (“She said, ‘Thank you,” and walked away from the crazy lady”). Griffin gives us a bawdy backstage pass to her experiences at the Emmys, the Grammys and in Cher’s bedroom. If Griffin’s still a D-lister, I’ll wear Cher’s hair.

Posted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 14

Is “Saturday Night Live” turning to a new old friend to help close out its season? Unconfirmed reports say Justin Timberlake will host the May 9 episode and perform "Love Sex Magic" with musical guest Ciara. And he won’t do it in two minutes flat.

Posted at 8:15 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2009

Eric McCormack, Tom Cavanagh and “Trust Me” won’t be back on TNT. TNT photo

We saw the writing on the wall when Eric McCormack signed up to do a pilot for ABC. TNT isn’t bringing back McCormack’s “Trust Me” for a second season, the New York Times reported Friday. McCormack, Tom Cavanagh and Monica Potter starred in the comedy-drama about a Chicago advertising agency. TNT has three new dramas in the hopper—the Ray Romano series “Men of a Certain Age,” Jada Pinkett Smith’s “HawthoRNe,” and Dylan McDermott’s drama “Dark Blue.” (The show titles have apparently changed.)

Posted at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13

Stan’s dad really wants him to win the Pinewood Derby in the new episode of “South Park,” appropriately title “Pinewood Derby.” It airs at 9 p.m. Wednesday, April 15. Randy wants that win so badly he comes up with a questionable plan to assure the win.

Posted at 4:45 p.m. Sunday, Apirl 12

LESTER wants you to save "Chuck."

It’s Chuck Versus the Network Pick-Up time, people. The wonderfully fun NBC comedy “Chuck” has just three episodes left in its excellent, awesome, amazing sophomore season. And we want it to be renewed.

Vik Sahay, who plays Chuck’s duplicitous Buy More workmate Lester Patel, wouldn’t tell any secrets about the last three episodes, but he did say what’s coming is exciting.

“I had been hearing [creator] Josh Schwartz talk about a game-changer before I knew what was happening at the end of the season,” Sahay said. “I thought, ‘What could that be?’ When I read it and started shooting it, I thought, ‘Yes this is a game-changer.’”

Posted at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, April 12

"Chuck" returns at 7 p.m. Monday on NBC. HELP SAVE "CHUCK"

Fans of “Chuck” can expect a return engagement from the hilariously bad musical misfits Jeffster before Season 2 is over. Just don’t expect an EP from the two actors who play band members Jeff and Lester.

“As much as performing like that is terrifying for Lester, it’s 10 times as terrifying for one Vik Sahay,” Sahay told me during a recent phone interview. “That would just be an odd one.”

The Canadian actor, who plays Lester opposite Scott Krinsky’s Jeff on the NBC comedy, said neither of the actors has had musical training. Sahay doesn’t even play Rock Band in his spare time—or does he?

“I do many, many things in the privacy of my own home that I never intend to be public,” he joked. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Posted at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, April 12

Can’t get enough of Janeane Garofalo? Lucky you then—the comic actress is all over TV lately—and on two shows Monday night.

Posted at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 12

Zac Efron hosted “Saturday Night Live,” and it wasn’t awful. It also wasn’t great. The best skit featuring Efron was the post-“High School Musical” bit in the video above. Troy Bolton returned to high school after a year in college—disillusioned that not everyone in the world sings their feelings.

Posted at 4:50 p.m. Friday, April 10

.

TRACEY ULLMAN’S STATE OF THE UNION
9 p.m. Sunday, Showtime
Tune in or out? out of four.

Posted at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9

KROD MANDOON AND THE FLAMING SWORD OF FIRE
9 p.m. Thursday, Comedy Central
Tune in or out? out of four.

You have to love a show that offers rippling pecs, nubile women and flashing blades. I do, anyway.

Posted at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 9

PARKS AND RECREATION
7:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC
Tune in or out? out of four.

Posted at 11 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Amy Poehler comes to prime-time Thursday in "Parks and Recreation." NBC photos

After building on her “Saturday Night Live” popularity with a starring role in last year’s “Baby Mama,” Amy Poehler now stands among a group of funny gals who are fast becoming TV franchises. At 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Poehler’s new prime-time comedy, “Parks and Recreation,” debuts on NBC. Her fellow first ladies of laughs can be found all over the TV dial, and they’re hilarious. Keep reading for a rundown.

Posted at 10 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009

We haven’t seen the end of “Pushing Daisies,” "Eli Stone" and “Dirty Sexy Money." ABC says it will air the unseen episodes of the cancelled series on Saturdays over the summer.

The “Pushing Daisies” news actually made me smile today. I miss it. Here’s the schedule from an ABC press release: