TVSquad

There's going to be a new lady swinging down Wisteria Lane this spring. Entertainment Tonight reported that Justine Bateman has signed onto Desperate Housewives for a few episodes. The actress, who will forever be remembered for playing Alex P. Keaton -- Michael J. Fox's -- sister Mallory on Family Ties, will be playing "a hip artist living with Gabby and Carlos."

Hmm...knowing Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry's penchant for using Stephen Sondheim songs as episode titles, I think the song "There's Always A Woman" might be a good one to describe Justine's role, assuming she's there to muck up the Solis' reconciliation.

It wouldn't be the first time Justine's played the other woman. Last season on another ABC dramedy, Men In Trees, she was Lynn, Jack's long-lost love who showed up out of nowhere -- just as Jack and Marin were ready to commit to their relationship. Lynn was preggers -- by another guy -- and stuck around long enough to be a bother.

Desperate Housewives will be back with new episodes on April 13. The date for the Bateman arc has yet to be announced.