TVSquad

When it was revealed to the media recently that actress Christina Applegate had cancer, it was a shock. She is only 36 years old, but as anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, this disease touches the young and the old and everyone in between.

Today, the star of ABC's Samantha Who? was on Good Morning, America to explain what's happening with her, and Christina declared that she is now cancer-free. "Absolutely 100 percent clear and clean. It did not spread. They got everything out, so I'm definitely not going to die from breast cancer."

In an exclusive, candid interview, she revealed that three weeks ago she had a double mastectomy to remove all traces of breast cancer. She will have reconstructive surgery over the next eight months to replace her breasts.

I really admire Christina Applegate. I've liked her a lot on Samantha Who?, but to do what she did today makes me like her even more. She didn't have to face the media and talk about her cancer. It takes courage to share your story.

And having a positive diagnosis, to be able to say you're cancer-free, doesn't make it any easier to talk about the fear you face when you were told that you have cancer and must undergo a difficult surgery or chemotherapy or radiation.

Christina Applegate, star of ABC's Samantha Who?, is battling breast cancer. According to a statement released by her rep, the cancer was detected early and is not life-threatening. "Christina is following the recommended treatment of her doctors and will have a full recovery," Ame Van Iden said.

The news comes just weeks after Applegate earned an Emmy nomination for her work as an amnesiac trying to undo her past misdeeds on Samantha Who?. In addition to continuing to work on her series, Applegate is also scheduled to appear on the Stand Up To Cancer telethon on September 5th. The telethon, which will be simultaneously aired on CBS, NBC and ABC, will also feature Meryl Streep, Sally Field and Jennifer Aniston, among others.

Since the cancer was detected early through a doctor-ordered MRI and Applegate is continuing her work schedule, hopefully the cancer will be easily beat. Here's to a full and speedy recovery.

As the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences tries to whittle the submissions down to actual nominees, it's interesting to take a look at who has made it to the semifinals. It's not a nomination, but it's one step away. Today comes word of the finalists for best comedy actress and best supporting drama actor. There are some surprises.

Chief among those for me is Sarah Silverman. I honestly hadn't even considered her in the running. I'm not much of a fan, but I do like that she is being considered for the simple fact that the base the nominees are drawn from can always use some expansion. And if she is the most surprising inclusion, the most surprising snub just might be Teri Hatcher. Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross, and Felicity Huffman all made the cut, but not Hatcher. Ouch. The rest of the finalists, and the supporting actors from a drama, after the jump.

Fans of Full House mark your calendars! Famous twin Mary-Kate Olsen, who recently appeared in a few episodes of Showtime's Weeds, will guest star on ABC's hit sitcom Samantha Who?

The 22-year-old actress will appear in one episode of the good-versus-evil series starring Christina Applegate this fall. Right now, there are no plans to have the actress return for more episodes.

Slight spoilers about Mary-Kate's role on SW? coming up!

Even if he is taking time off between his past TV Guide gig and his new job at Entertainment Weekly, gossip columnist Michael Ausiello took a few minutes to post a little casting scoop on his personal website. According to his trusted sources, cutie Men in Trees actor James Tupper will continue to charm the ladies during the next TV season; fans of the actor will be able to see him in at least three episodes of ABC's hit comedy Samantha Who?

Slight spoilers about the role coming up!

(S01E15) "It's my birthday?" - Sam

Even if it wasn't an earth-shattering or intense episode, Samantha Who?'s season finale was satisfying. The episode wrapped up the Chloe/Todd relationship, clarified where Sam and Todd stand, and gave Sam another clean slate (she got the first one after when she woke up from the coma with amnesia). It also marked the first time that all series regulars shared a scene together.

(S01E14) "My mother is having an affair." - Samantha

How fun is it to watch the Newlys interact? I enjoyed this week's episode because it mainly focused on the weird trio that Samantha forms with her parents. Those of you who've been reading my Samantha Who? reviews regularly know how my I love Regina because of her snarky lines and craziness. After "The Affair," Howard is definitely growing on me.

(S01E13) "I can get a guy by tomorrow." - Samantha

This line may not have been the funniest one of the episode but it had major implications for both Sam and Todd. What if she hadn't been able to find a date for the gallery show? What if she found a guy who turned out to be prince charming and not a mugger? Those two possibilities could have totally changed the ending of the episode, meaning that Todd could still be thinking of Chloe instead of Sam. Luckily for us, Sam found Jerry O'Connell, who was trying to get in his car using a hanger since his Carpoolers friends left him on the curb, and he turned out to not be the guy for our Sam.

(S01E12) "Your friend. I want her. Make it happen." - Chapman

If ABC hadn't decided to air 15 episodes of Samantha Who? this season, this episode could have served as a season finale. It not only sent Sam in the unknown (she quit her job at the end of the episode) but the episode also ended with an important kiss that could have Todd rethink his decision to give Chloe a chance and have us wonder for months what his decision would be. But, thanks to SW? being popular, we will get answers to these questions before the season ends and will get a new set of questions to ponder on all summer long.

(S01E11) "Marry me." - Winston Funk to Sam

This week's episode of Samantha Who? ended up being quite satisfying and I'm not just saying that because the stable boy kissed the amnesiac heroine (which surely pleased the 52.5% of people who voted for "Sam & Todd forever" in our last poll). We were treated with crazy Regina, romance novelist wannabe Dena, teenager with a huge crush Andrea, and smitten with a potential son-in-law Howard. What more can we ask for? Especially after that "look at what you made me do" kiss!

(S01E10) "I love you." - Todd to Chloe

First, I must thank ABC for the fun Samantha Who? marketing campaign they did these past two weeks or so. I know that the fun ads during which Samantha and her mother talked about a song that meant a lot to Regina, or during which Samantha presented her boyfriend, er, ex-boyfriend, Todd, had an effect on some non-watchers (a few of my friends asked me what the show was about and planned on watching the show this week). Let's hope more join the fun.

Secondly, our favorite amnesiac is back on TV! Yay! This cutesy series is definitely one I enjoy watching a lot thanks to Samantha's duality (evil-Sam versus good-Sam), very well played by Christina Applegate, and thanks to Jean Smart and the devilish Andrea, played by Jennifer Esposito.

That said, let's get to the important part of this post: the review.

It's a shame that the Golden Globes ceremony was cancelled in a year when so many talented comedic actresses received nominations. For the first time since 2004, the category of Best Actress in a Television Musical or Comedy includes none of the Desperate Housewives cast. The housewives have dominated the category over the past few years, and their absence has made room for some fresh faces in 2008.

I couldn't be happier that this category looks more competitive than ever. The fact that I had so much trouble predicting a winner is a very good sign. I'm also pleased that each nominee represents a different style of comedy--and there's not a cranky suburban wife or over-the-top diva to be found. The five characters that these ladies play are likeable, genuine, and hilarious.

(S01E09) "Without you, I would be nothing." - Sam to Regina
"You wouldn't be nothing; you'd just be less." - Regina

This week's episode was important in Samantha's life: she slept with a man (thus ending her "virgin" status), she learned to express her feelings and said "I love you," she suffered her first post-accident break up and she learned to be a better boss.

AOL TV has finally released their top ten of the Top 50 Sexiest Women. This list spans many decades of television, so you can see how the old school hotties paved the way for the next generation of actresses. It also includes women who because they have parlayed their careers to the big screen, I don't even think of them as television actresses anymore (i.e. Katie Holmes, Jessica Alba, and Jennifer Aniston). Okay, I take that last one back -- I will always think of Jen as Rachel.

I'm not going to reveal who's in the top ten but I will share some of my favorites from the list (#50-11). Please feel free to share your favorites in the comments. As for me, my favorites are all funny blondes -- maybe blondes do have more fun (at least these ones do).

(S01E08) "Having amnesia is like an obstacle course." - Samantha

I never suffered from amnesia but from what we've been seeing for now eight episodes, amnesia does seem to be like an obstacle course or, as the cast picture on the right shows, a maze. Samantha has to overcome obstacles put in her path because she doesn't fully know herself or the world she lives in. She must make her way through life without having a map to guide her. It's trial and error. This week, Samantha had to decide between lying and telling the truth and how it would affect her father.