‘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?

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?

Mom’s the Word

It looks like Rachel Berry has some unresolved mommy issues.

According to TVLine, Tony Award-winning actress Idina Menzel is in final talks to reprise her role as Shelby Corcoran, Rachel’s biological mother, next season on Glee. Word is the Broadway vet has been tapped for a 10 to 12 episode arc. 

Last we saw of Shelby, she had stepped down as coach of Vocal Adrenaline and adopted Quinn and Puck’s newborn baby daughter, Beth. Her sudden and unexpected return is likely to cause quite a stir at McKinley High, especially for Rachel, Mr. Schuester, and Quinn.

If I’m being honest, I have mixed feelings about this piece of casting news. Don’t get me wrong, I love Idina Menzel, but I never quite warmed up to her Glee character. I understood why Shelby was looking for a fresh start, but I just didn’t get why she didn’t want/couldn’t have a relationship with Rachel. And yet, to quote Parks and Recreation’s Chris Traeger, I could listen to this woman sing, literally, all day long. Even after a year, I still can’t get enough of her duet of Lady GaGa’s Poker Face with Lea Michele. That said, here’s hoping we get a satisfying resolution, not to mention some great music, out of this deal.

Allow me to turn the question over to you, Gleeks. Are you excited for Menzel’s return, if only to watch her belt out a good tune?