‘Suits’ Promo Teases the Return of Hardman

The legal eagles of Suits are suiting up for another battle.

In a new promo for the mid-season premiere of USA’s criminally underrated Suits, exiled former managing partner Daniel Hardman (played to slimy perfection by David Costabile) returns to square off against Jessica (Gina Torres), Harvey (Gabriel Macht), and Mike (Patrick J. Adams).

When we last checked in on Pearson Hardman, Jessica wrested control of the firm from Hardman after Mike figured out that he had framed Harvey for burying evidence.

Also in the promo: brief shots of Mike and Rachel (Meghan Markle) getting it on, Louis (Rick Hoffman) sitting behind bars, and Donna (Sarah Raffery) finally giving Hardman what’s coming to him.

Suits, how I’ve missed you.

You can catch an all-new episode of Suits on USA one month from today, on January 17, 2013.  

‘Arrow’ Nabs Colton Haynes For Iconic Role

Arrow has Colton Haynes in its crosshairs.

It looks like Teen Wolf‘s loss is Arrow‘s gain, as the superhero drama has booked the chiseled star for a major recurring arc, to begin when the series returns in early 2013.

Haynes, who announced in October he would not be returning to Teen Wolf for its upcoming third season, will play Roy Harper, a love interest for Oliver’s (Stephen Amell) sister, Mia (Willa Holland). I brushed up on my DC mythology (so you don’t have to!), and apparently the character assumes the role of Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy, as well as the Justice League’s Red Arrow.

A bright spot in The CW’s freshman line-up, Arrow is averaging over 3 million viewers each week.

Are you excited for Colton’s return to TV?

‘New Girl’ Lands Brooklyn Decker For Guest Spot

Los Angeles is about to get a little taste of Brooklyn.

Entertainment Weekly confirms that Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model Brooklyn Decker is slated to appear on an episode of the hit FOX sitcom New Girl. The ep, titled “The Cooler,” will air in early 2013. And yes, that clicking you is hear is the collective sound of guys everywhere setting their DVRs.

According to reports, when Decker’s Holly walks into Nick’s (Jake Johnson) bar, the cynical bartender catches her eye, much to the dismay of roommates Winston (Lamorne Morris) and Schmidt (Max Greenfield).

Brooklyn has previously guested on Chuck, Royal Pains, and Ugly Betty. Since making her film debut in Just Go With It, the 25-year-old has appeared in Battleship and What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

Will you tune in to New Girl to see Mrs. Andy Roddick flex her comedic chops?

‘Girls’ Season 2 Promo Debuts

Let’s hear it for the funny Girls.

A little over a month before comedienne and multitasker extraordinare Lena Dunham’s Girls returns to HBO, a new promo featuring Ellie Goulding’s “Anything Can Happen” has been released. I, for one, couldn’t be more excited. (I quickly became obsessed with the NYC-based dramedy after watching all ten episodes in one afternoon during my summer vacation.)

Picking up where the critically acclaimed first season left off, season 2 will find Dunham’s Hannah contending with a heartbroken (and possibly probably “murdery”) Adam, Marnie (Allison Williams) questioning her future, Jessa (Jemima Kirke) adjusting to married life, and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) dealing with the aftermath of losing her V-Card.

The second season of Girls debuts January 13 on HBO. That gives all you Girls virgins plenty of time to get caught up!

Elementary Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot (Oh, And I’m Back!)

CBS is getting a clue.

The network has given Elementary a giant vote of confidence by choosing to air a special episode of the freshman drama right after the Super Bowl. Typically, shows leading out of the Super Bowl enjoy a huge ratings boost. Last year, the second season of NBC’s The Voice premiered to 37 million viewers following the Giants’ win over the Patriots. Not bad for a show that was averaging about 12 million viewers in its first season!

Despite being one of the more hyped new shows this season, Elementary — a reimagining of Sherlock Holmes in 21st century New York City — has only been a modest ratings success. I’m really enjoying the series so far, so here’s hoping the coveted post-Super Bowl timeslot will get more people to tune in!

Are you happy with the Eye’s decision?

Best Served Hot

If you’re not watching Revenge, then something is missing from your life, and you don’t even know it.

I already discussed ABC’s breakout hit in October, albeit briefly, but I just can’t help raving about this series. Then again, I’m hardly the only one. The freshman drama is one of the fall’s most buzzed-about new shows, landing on several lists of the year’s best shows, and garnering a Golden Globe nomination for Madeleine Stowe.

From the very first episode, I was drawn in to Revenge’s world of secrets and lies. So much so, in fact, that I watched the first episode twice. The series, a throwback to evening sudsers like Dynasty, is just that good! A little over-the-top at times, sure, but never boring, and always lots of fun!

The premise is simple enough: Emily VanCamp’s Amanda Clark returns to the Hamptons with a new look and a new name, determined to take down everyone who had a hand in framing her father for a terrorist act years earlier. Her primary target? Stowe’s Victoria Grayson, the woman who loved him, only to betray him. You won’t believe how easily VanCamp sheds her good-girl image for her role as the revenge-bent Amanda. Stowe, meanwhile, delivers an incredibly layered performance as the icy Victoria. Rounding out the main cast are Joshua Bowman as Victoria’s son, Nick Wechsler as Amanda’s childhood friend, and Gabriel Mann as Amanda’s unlikely ally.

Bolstered by terrific storytelling, Revenge is not to be missed. The writers do a wonderful job moving the story along, deftly answering old questions and asking new ones. You’ll also be left wondering who you’re meant to be rooting for, which makes for great television.

If you’re not yet convinced about Revenge, then watch the series trailer below. After that, have a look at the promo for the next new episode. That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you make a bleepin’ promo. It says so much, yet gives away so little. And the use of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata? Genius.

Revenge returns all new on Wednesday, January 4 at 10 p.m. on ABC. That gives you plenty of time to catch up on all the juicy drama!

 

Do I Know You?

“You and I have a great [connection]!” exclaims Phoebe.

“It’s not the best!” counters Ross.

This classic exchange is from one of my all-time favorite episodes of Friends, in which Ross is shocked to learn that the huge dude (read: 14-year-old girl) who mugged him when he was little was actually Phoebe.

Just last week, another NBC Thursday-night sitcom featured a similar storyline with equally hilarious and heartwarming results. On the most recent episode of Community, easily one of the best of the season, Jeff is horrified when he realizes that Shirley (or, should I say, Big Cheddar) humiliated him at foosball as a kid. If that weren’t enough, she made him pee his pants, earning him the nickname Tinkletown. By episode’s end, Jeff and Shirley face off, make up, and take down some Germans. In the process, their portrayers, Joel McHale and Yvette Nicole Brown, deliver Emmy-worthy performances.

The Jeff/Shirley-centric episode also featured a better-than-average subplot about Annie trying to cover up her part in breaking Abed’s limited edition Dark Knight Blu-ray. When Annie’s heinous crime prompts the long-overdue return of Abed as Batman, hilarity ensues.

For one reason or another, Community, one of the freshest, boldest, and funniest comedies on TV right now, has been struggling in the ratings department. Despite having a fiercely loyal (and vocal!) fanbase, the sitcom is facing cancellation. Last month, the suits at NBC decided to pull Community from its midseason schedule in order to make room for 30 Rock. The show will remain sidelined for an undisclosed time. Tonight is your last chance to tune in to the series before Greendale closes its doors. Community’s Christmas-themed episode, the final episode before the forced hiatus, airs tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC. Seriously, though, you should all be watching this show. Besides, what kind of monster wouldn’t root for these guys?

SAVE GREENDALE!

Express Yourself

NBC and the NFL are opening their hearts to Madonna.

As per the rumors, the Queen of Pop has officially signed on to perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XLVI, scheduled to air on the Peacock on February 5. If you can believe it, this will be the first time Madonna has graced the stage at the Super Bowl. The news was confirmed during tonight’s game between the Lions and the Saints.

Not to be outdone by such previous big-name acts as the Black Eyed Peas, the Who, and Bruce Springsteen, the pop music icon is pulling out all the stops for her performance, even teaming with Cirque du Soleil. One thing’s for sure, she’s certainly not holding back! Would you expect anything less from the Material Girl?

Madge is gearing up for a busy winter. Apart from her Super Bowl performance, she also has two other projects in the works. Her film W.E., which recently premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, is also opening in February, just days before the Super Bowl. Madge both co-wrote and directed the period piece. She’s also busy in the recording studio working on her next album, which is due out in stores sometime next year.

Am I the only one who was shocked to learn that Madonna has never been given the honor of headlining the Super Bowl halftime show? I mean, come on! This is only Madonna we’re talking about, arguably the biggest solo act in the world. I would think that her name would have come up at some point during the last, say, twenty years or so. Now that she’s finally going to be taking the stage at the biggest televised event of the year, I’m looking forward to catching her performance. She might not sound like she used to, but the woman sure knows how to put on a good show.

Are you excited to see Madonna perform at the Super Bowl, or would you rather the spotlight shine on someone else on February 5?

Spanish 101

You might spot a familiar face at McKinley High when classes resume in the New Year.

Ricky Martin is reportedly being wooed by series creator Ryan Murphy to guest star on an episode of Glee scheduled to air in January. The Latin superstar would be playing – wait for it – a gorgeous Spanish teacher with a killer voice to match. What could this mean for Will, McKinley High’s resident Spanish teacher? Well, the show choir director shouldn’t be too worried, considering Martin would be joining the show for only one episode. Then again, Gwyneth Paltrow parlayed her guest appearance as substitute teacher Holly Holiday into a three-episode arc on the hit series. (That same role won Paltrow an Emmy for Best Guest Actress in a Comedy earlier this year.)

I’m still waiting for (the newly engaged!) Anne Hathaway to make her debut as Kurt’s aunt, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Ricky Martin tear up the stage at McKinley High in the meantime. The “Livin’ La Vida Loca” singer is certainly an inspired choice for the role. Whether or not Martin impresses, you can bet your bon-bon that people will tune in to watch him shake his.

Are you feeling good about this news? Would you rather see someone else as McKinley High’s new Spanish teacher? Who else would you like to see join the McKinley High faculty?

Tickle Me Katy

Katy Perry and her infamous bust are making their triumphant return to Studio 8H on December 10. The twist? The pop singer, who’s been riding a wave of hit singles ever since “California Gurls” crashed the charts last summer, will not be performing on the acclaimed late-night sketch comedy series. Instead, she’ll be handling hosting duties, while her recent tourmate, Swedish popstar Robyn, rocks the Saturday Night Live stage.

I’m still a little skeptical, but I can get on board with this decision. Perry is, after all, no stranger to comedy. She previously guest-starred on an episode of How I Met Your Mother, and her husband is British comedian Russell Brand. She’s also proved that she’s a good sport by mocking her controversial appearance on Sesame Street when she was a musical guest on SNL last season. In the sketch, Perry donned a cleavage-bearing top with a smiling Elmo on the front.

Are you excited to see Katy Perry host Saturday Night Live? Are you disappointed that she won’t be performing?