The Show Girl

'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Private Practice' boss lady Shonda Rhimes is one of my favorite people to follow on Twitter (hi @shondarhimes!). She answers fan questions in what can only be called entertaining bursts of rapid-fire tweeting, then often puts an abrupt end to things when she's sick of answering the same "when will AddiSam happen for real?" question over and over agian.

While we all know the 'Grey's' cast is pretty anti-Twitter, the gang over at 'Private Practice' is much more tech-savvy and loving the instant connection with the fans. I hit the 'Private Practice' set -- a full set visit video is coming closer to premiere -- and the amount of Twitter talk warranted its own post.


Kate Walsh (@k8_walsh) says she treats it like her diary, while Tim Daly (@TimmyDaly) says he can't stand people who do that. Amy Brenneman (@TheAmyBrenneman) gives us the real reason Taye Diggs won't tweet, while Taye just tries to come to terms with the word tweet. And Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) reminds us that sometimes there's more to the oft-maligned social media tool than meets the eye.

Also of note: Caterina Scorsone (@caterinatweets), a.k.a. Amelia Shepherd, is also on. And since my visit, KaDee Strickland (@KaDeeStrick) has joined the ranks as well. I'm not taking credit or anything, but ... well, you're welcome. Enjoy!

'Sons of Anarchy' is one of those shows that always leaves me with a pit in my stomach ... and that, Kurt Sutter, is a huge compliment.

After the gut-wrenching attacks on the motorcycle club in season 2 -- including the finale's cliffhanger kidnapping -- they're picking right back up with Gemma and Clay, Jax and Tara and the gang, and the aftermath is sure to be emotional, explosive and incredibly violent.

I caught up with stars Katey Sagal, Ron Perlman, Charlie Hunnam and Maggie Siff to hear all about the characters being more proactive and where we'll find matriarch Gemma this season (premieres Tues., Sept. 7, 10PM ET on FX). They also talked about the amazing guest stars we'll see (including Titus Welliver, Hal Holbrook and Paula Malcomson) and how the IRA will give SAMCRO a run for their money.

If TV critics were children, Fall TV would be the equivalent of back to school time -- a lot of work to do, but so much excitement. And there's always a little disappointment as you say goodbye to summer freedom, or in our case, to our happy vacation moods.

Of course the school of TV-watching is year-round, but fall is truly the time when the networks pull out all the stops (hopefully) and show us what they've got.



So sharpen your pencils, TV fans, because class is now in session: AOL TV Editor Kelly Woo and our newest addition, Lead Critic Mo Ryan, joined me to break down all the new fall network shows. Good ("it's sexy, it's fun") or bad ("I've fallen asleep three times trying to watch this pilot"), we were brutally honest because we want this to be your go-to guide for what to watch, what to skip and those shows that fall somewhere in between.

What new fall shows are you most excited for? Sound off in the comments.

'V' had one of those first seasons that most shows can't quite recover from -- wonky scheduling, showrunner shuffling, the works -- but by finale time, with an entire future generation of Vs wiped out and the sky turning red, the show had found its footing and earned a second season.

With the season 2 premiere (November on ABC) comes an explanation of the bloody atmosphere and the introduction of a few new characters, including Bret Harrison as evolutionary biologist Dr. Sidney Miller and Anna's mother, Diana, who'll be played by the original Diana from the early '80s mini-series and show, Jane Badler.

I caught up with stars Elizabeth Mitchell, Morena Baccarin, Scott Wolf, Joel Gretsch, Morris Chestnut and Laura Vandervoort and boss man Skeeter Rosenbaum to hear all about what comes next.

It feels like Rob Morrow and Maura Tierney have both been on TV for ages, and they've both tackled comedy and drama with equal success -- he on 'Northern Exposure' and 'Numb3rs,' and she on 'NewsRadio' and 'ER.'

That's just one reason why their pairing on 'The Whole Truth' feels like a match made in heaven. Playing two opposing legal sides in a courtroom, both lawyers are sharp, witty and obviously share an interesting past. (The same couldn't be said for the original pilot, which had 'Nip/Tuck' alum Joely Richardson in the female lead role. So happy Maura was available and healthy enough to step in!)

I caught up with Rob and Maura to get their take on this not-always-dramatic legal drama, why it's good that the bad guys sometimes get off, how 'My Cousin Vinny' might help them prep and their phenomenal wishlists for dream guest stars.

As Sookie Stackhouse's best friend Tara on 'True Blood,' Rutina Wesley has seen it all -- her alcoholic mom losing her mind, her pal falling for a vampire, the love of her life getting killed while the whole town was under the influence of a crazy maenad. You know, the usual.

With only two episodes left in this third rollercoaster of a season, Wesley laughed about Tara's situation -- "she's been sort of out of her mind!" -- but agrees with fans that it'd be nice for Tara to get stronger, and maybe even find love again. So what did she dish about the big season finale? "Fun" and "bloody" were two adjectives, if that gives you any indication.

We also talked all about the Emmys, the show's Best Drama nomination and the "artistic" dress she's wearing. Then she dished about HBO's Luxury Lounge where stars can go to get pampered and showered with fabulous freebies before the big night.

That beats almost getting turned by the blood-sucking undead any day.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Show Girl programming to bring you this very special, glitzy, glamorous edition: The Show Girl's 11 Things to Know About Fall TV.

Now before you watch and start listing all the things I missed in the comments, just know that there are countless things to know about the TV season to come. These just happen to be some of my favorites, like my #1 new show, the series that's being compared to 'Lost' and another surefire hit for HBO. There are also some trends that are tough to ignore, like the crazy amount of cops and lawyers on new shows (is it that easy? did I choose the wrong job?) and the notion that Friday night may no longer be a TV graveyard.

Got more questions about any of these shows, or any that I missed? It's my job to answer them for you, so email me or tweet me and I just might answer your TV question on the show.

Now that we've all been entertained by the screenwriting talents of Charlie and Mac, witnessed Dennis and Dee explore the worst parts of dating with the D.E.N.N.I.S. System and seen Frank's naked body, what's next for the 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' gang?

Two words: Tom Sizemore.

I caught up with Glenn Howerton, Danny DeVito, Kaitlin Olson and Rob McElhenney to find out about the new season (premieres Thurs., Sept. 16, 10PM ET on FX) and got an earful about Hollywood bad boy Sizemore and his awesomely twisted turn on the show.

We also talked babies (Olson and McElhenney are expecting their first child, a girl, any day now) and, of course, the best ways to get them tanned and camera-ready (see "The Gang Finds a Dumpster Baby" if you don't get the joke). Then we touched on what's got DeVito's balls on fire, how many more seasons the show will go and why we do or don't -- there are conflicting opinions on this -- want to see a 50-year-old Sweet Dee.

The biggest question of the fall TV season: What is the event?

I have absolutely no idea, but that's why 'The Event' is so intriguing. Mixing elements of hit sci-fi shows like 'Lost' with the addictive serialized nature of a '24,' the new NBC series (premieres Mon., Sept. 20, 9PM ET) follows a number of intriguing characters on all sides of a mysterious, possibly supernatural occurrence.

The stars of the show -- including Jason Ritter, Laura Innes, Blair Underwood, Scott Patterson and Zeljko Ivanek -- can't say too much for fear of network snipers, but I tried to get as much out of them as I could. The result? Even more intrigue, I think -- are you excited to watch?

The Jonas Brothers! And Demi Lovato! (Shhh ... if you're quiet, you can hear the wild screams of tween fans around the world.)

'Camp Rock' was such a sensational hit for the Disney Channel, they smartly decided to get the gang back together for 'Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam' (premieres Fri., Sept. 3, 8PM ET). But something's standing in the way of Mitchie and the boys having a rockin' summer: rival Camp Star across the lake. The whole thing ends in a musical battle to end all battles, deciding which is the better camp.

I caught up with Nick, Joe, Kevin and Demi to hear all about the sequel, some new characters and some that've grown up since the first film and if there are more 'Camp Rock' movies in their future.

We know and love Kari Byron from 'MythBusters,' and now she's taking her enthusiasm and curiosity about all things science to a new after-school show aimed at middle school-aged kids.

'Head Rush' takes all the best bits of researching and testing hypotheses from 'MB' and walks its viewers through the process step by step. Encouraging kids to follow along at home or in the classroom, the show is conveniently commercial-free for totally uninterrupted experimentation.

I caught up with Kari to hear more about her new show, getting interactive with viewers, juggling both shows with having a new baby and her own unlikely path to TV science expert hall of fame.

Love 'MythBusters'? Can't get enough of Kari Byron's endearing fearlessness? Then definitely check out her new show, 'Head Rush.' Yes, the after-school science show isn't exactly made for adults, but whose physics and biology knowledge couldn't use a little brushing up?

I also preview Jackie Warner's new weight loss show 'Thintervention,' which she says is designed to target her clients' bodies, minds and souls. So which celeb does she want to help rehab? I see a spinoff, Bravo! Then I catch up with the Kids In the Hall to talk about their new murder mystery miniseries 'Death Comes to Town' ... and squishing heads.

Got questions? E-mail me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com and I'll try to get you answers on the show. -- By Maggie Furlong

Unless you like dating, designing or dieting in front of millions of viewers, reality TV has always kind of been a participation-free zone. Until now.

Bear Grylls, the tireless host of 'Man vs. Wild' (Wednesdays, 9PM ET on Discovery), treated two lucky viewers to a Fan vs. Wild adventure this season, giving them a story to tell for the rest of their lives ... assuming they made it out OK.

I caught up with Grylls to hear about their journey, then got scoop on the show's new video game and the realities of getting injured on the job.

'Fringe' is one of those shows that's managed to change things for its characters dramatically, not once but several times. Season 1 ended with a cliffhanger many fans thought they'd never top ... then came the jaw-dropping season 2 finale.

I caught up with stars Lance Reddick and Jasika Nicole to hear all about what's planned for season 3, and they both agree that the premiere episode will be yet another game changer.

Check out the interview to hear what else they had to say about possibly meeting their alternate selves, the eventual battle between both universes and who'll realize first that -- spoiler alert! -- they've got the wrong Olivia.

Hollywood tends to turn even the nicest people into divas. That is so not the case with 'BBQ Pitmasters'' resident king of the 'cue Myron Mixon.

Case in point: While taping the show's second season in L.A., I was invited to hang out with Myron ... at Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles of all places. With the scent of maple syrup wafting through the air, a table full of fried meats and livers and all the fixings and, of course, a camera, I got the scoop on this season's competition (Thursdays, 10PM ET on TLC) and big $100,000 prize.

Myron has turned in his tongs for a seat at the judges' table this year alongside chef Art Smith and Warren Sapp. He's also on Twitter (@Lord_of_Q -- you can blame the sporadic tweets on my less than stellar training session), but don't think that means he's any less bleep-filled here ... and that's just the way we love him.