American Horror Story: Coven - What You Need To Know

It might be two months away but at the Television Critics Association's summer press tour we got to find out some fascinating facts about American Horror Story: Coven from the cast and crew.

- First of all the titles for the first three episodes are Bitchcraft, Boy Parts and Replacements, The.
- The characters on the show will either be witches or historical characters. Which means the show will be flitting between eras throughout it's thirteen episodes.
- Jessica Lange is playing a witch named Fiona with Sarah Paulson playing her daughter, Cordelia.
- Kathy Bates will play historical personage Madame LaLurie, a Louisiana born socialite and serial killer who keeps slaves bound in her basement. She's one of two real persons being portrayed on the show this season.
- Angela Bassett is also playing a real person - Marie Laveau, a voodoo expert who along with her daughter had a multiracial following.

- Like Taissa Farmiga, Denis O'Hare and Alexandra Breckenridge will also be returning for American Horror Story: Coven, though the nature of their roles haven't been disclosed just yet.
- Emma Roberts is seemingly playing a character named Madison while Frances Conroy's character is called Ruth. If that's true, it's a nice nod to Six Feet Under, isn't it?
- This season will tackle oppression of all minorities as well as race and family issues, especially mother/daughter ones according to producer, Tim Minear. Apparently Cordelia will be in line with a certain Shakespearean character as well.
- Expect to see witches fleeing to the South and that there are two kinds of witches in this show. Minear also promised that this season will be more fun too.
- Most of the action will be set in New Orleans as well this season.

So, that's pretty tantalising, isn't it? I cannot wait to see this season and thankfully there's only two months before it airs and it definitely sounds like it's going to be the most female centred on television for the winter months again.

Season 3 Spoilers: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/american-horror-story-five-things-598826

American Horror Story: Coven will air Wednesdays at 10pm on FX from October 9th. FOX will air shortly afterwards for UK viewers.

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Calender Boys

And here's a look at some of the show I've been watching in recent weeks. Warning: Spoilers as per usual.

American Horror Story: What is it with this show and finales? The first one ended on a strangely bittersweet note but the second one managed to give us a final season that makes the whole season question worthy on itself? It was a rather ballsy move, unlike Lana pulling the trigger on her son, which I think we all saw coming, didn't we? I'm not gonna lie - I've enjoyed this second season more than it's first and I was pretty satisfied/intrigued with the respected endings given to Lana, Kit and Jude. I can't wait to see what the third season is going to give us. Easily one of the best show on television. Sorry, Homeland, but you've been beaten here.

Glee: It's interesting that I'm discussing three Ryan Murphy shows in one blog but chalk that up to timing rather than a calculated move on my part (no, honest). Anyways the recent two episodes of this show, while still burdened with the same narrative problems (such as out of nowhere crushes with Blaine/Sam/Tina), still managed to give us two interesting episodes. The Naked one in particular was nowhere near as gimmicky as it could've been and while I certainly didn't mind seeing the male cast as calender boys, I have to admit the other highlights have been English boy Adam, the girls belting out Locked Out Of Heaven as well as the Rachel/Santana/Quinn's version of Love Song. However the one thing I do find extremely surprisingly is how likeable Finn has been as well for the last while. Have the writers finally turned a corner with him, character wise?

Mrs Brown's Boys: And while my guilty pleasure show at the moment ends tonight on RTE1 (BBC1 on Monday), the last two episodes have continued to be a belly full of fun. Yes, this show can be crass and predictably at times, such as that vibrating phone, Rory being a dab hand with handcuffs and Cathy falsely assuming one of the family is adopted but it's still funnier than any other comedy on the BBC at the moment. I can't wait to see what the last episode will give us.

My Mad Fat Diary: Three episodes in and I'm still enjoying this show. The 90's nostalgia aside, it's just a well written and fantastically fun show to watch with a good blend of serious edges too. I liked that the last two episodes focused on explaining about Archie and Chloe (though the former's secret I think could be seen coming a mile off) and Rae's interactions with both her mother and shrink have certainly gotten more interesting to watch as well. This so far has been a wonderful homemade series for E4 and I do hope that there's going to be a second run of episodes for it. It's certainly deserving of it.

The New Normal: Okay, I'm still enjoying this show but I'll admit it's probably the weakest of Ryan Murphy's main three and like Glee at times, has a tendency to a little heavy handed with it's messages but at least Bryan and David continue to be a believable couple and it's hard to dislike Goldie/Shania and despite that Nana being a bit too cartoonish, Ellen Barkin is still easily the best performer in the show. It's just that we're not seeing more to our main players other than their desire to become fathers and I kind of wish we got a little more there.

Utopia: I like a good conspiracy/genre show as much as the next person and this one is definitely one of the most interesting things Channel 4 have produced in a while (along with My Mad Fat Diary) as a manuscripts seems to have changed the lives of several different people over the space of three episodes. The main characters are interesting and sympathetic enough and the main antagonists so far do seem to be a scary bunch but while the central story is fantastic, is it the type of show that should be just one series or is there really enough to make it go for another run? At the moment, it's a little hard to tell.

- In news that won't shock anyone, Lily Rabe will also be returning for the third season of American Horror Story. Also rumoured to be returning is Taissa Farmiga from the first season.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has labelled the characters on Girls as 'ignorant'. I guess it's not just me who has issues with this show then.
- Expect a massive death in an upcoming episode of Revenge. In fact, you can thank/blame the Daily Mail for spoiling who dies actually.
- Ellen Muth will be appearing in the upcoming Hannibal series, playing a character named Georgia, though not a Grim Reaper this time.
- Rosanne Barr is developing a sitcom for NBC.
- Angel Coulby and Keeley Hawes will be appearing in the SkyAtlantic version of The Bridge. HBO will also be doing their own version of the show and a second series of the original version will air this year too.
- The Syndicate will be remade for US television as well as Pulling. Both due to air on ABC.
- Jamie Dornan will be reappearing in Once Upon A Time, though when hasn't been specified.
- Felicia Day will be making another appearance on Supernatural. I guess the producers really do love her character.
- Californication, Shameless and House Of Lies have all been renewed for further seasons by Showtime.

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Tough Cookie

There's a lot of shows to cover and I will do so over the next week or two but for now, here are some of the ones I've seen recently ...

American Horror Story: Asylum: I'm still watching this show at UK pace, which means only being an episode behind on proceedings but this show certainly manages to achieve a lot in three episodes than others do in half a season. For instance, we've lost three prominent villainous characters, gained more insight into the present day activities of the disturbed Bloody Face Jr while having the entire hierarchy at Briarcliff take an interesting turn for the worst as well. And that's enough even going into the sheer inspired lunacy of The Name Game song as well. In a show as wonderfully strange as this one, that was the strangest thing yet. As for Kit, Lana and Jude - well, the last two episodes are going to be interesting for our three heroes.

Mrs Brown's Boys: My guilty pleasure series. It might not be the most sophisticated of comedies but it's an undeniably funny one, compared to some of the other offerings on telly at the moment. So far, the first half of the third series has been great fun with episode based on psychics, hypnotists and poor Granddad constantly living in fear of Agnes's wrath. I do find myself wondering how well Brendan O'Carroll continues to play this role and given that's he's been playing it for a long time in various mediums, I should be used to it by now.

My Mad Fat Diary: I have to admit, I did watch this show with a little trepidation. On the surface, it did seem like an attempt for E4 to have another Skins style success but if you didn't like that show, there's a chance you might still like this one. First of all, the action is set in 1996, based on the real life diary of Rae Earl (here ably played by Sharon Rooney), a girl whose recently come out of a mental institution and it's actually quite good. Rae is a likeable enough character and the new band people she seems to befriend almost instantly seem like an interesting bunch, though like Skins, it does have a tendency of writing the adult characters (Rae's promiscuous mother and her shrink) as caricatures but other than that, this along with Utopia (to be discussed in a later blog) are a welcome relief to the plethora of period stuff that BBC1 and ITV are throwing at us at the moment.

Once Upon A Time: I sometimes wonder if I should be reviewing this show episodically because the last two episodes have continued to support my theory that it's not suffering difficult second season syndrome. It's nice that in the space of showing up in Storybrooke that in the last two episodes, Hook and Cora have kidnapped Archie (while making everyone think Regina killed him) and managed to screw Gold over by messing with Belle big time. Plus, the actual antics in fairyland have been fun to watch as this show continues to convince us that Mulan is meant for female partners and that Regina's burning hatred for Snow really was unquenchable as well. I still wouldn't mind learning a bit more about how Emma can't have her heart removed but I suspect we're getting to that fairly soon.

The New Normal: So, Ryan Murphy is determined to take over every corner of television, right? I have to admit that while I'm still likely to prefer Glee and American Horror Story (and early seasons of Nip/Tuck), this is another hugely enjoyable show of his to watch. The premise is simple - gay couple Bryan and David want a kid, something which aspiring lawyer Goldie (who has her own daughter, the delightful Shania) is happy to help out with, and that's in spite of a feckless husband and a bigoted grandmother, superbly played by Ellen Barkin - a character so cartoonish she'd make early Sue Sylvester seem reserved by comparison. It might not be a show to everyone's taste but it's certain an interesting one and this is coming from a person who's grown tired of most baby plots on television shows.

- Evan Peters and Sarah Paulson will be returning for the third season of American Horror Story, which will be set in the present day. Clues for the theme behind the new season have featured in the most recent episodes.
- Fans of Kurt and Blaine should be delighted to know that the upcoming wedding episode of Glee will feature them on better terms with each other.
- Gina Torres has mentioned that the upcoming Hannibal series is chilling.
- Ron Moore is developing a new drama for SyFy called Helix, focusing on a team of scientists trying to save humanity from a disease outbreak at an Arctic research facility.
- Australia will air the final four episode of the recently cancelled 666 Park Avenue.
- SyFy have cancelled Alphas after two seasons.
- Downton Abbey's fourth season will see a lot of changes as Mary adjusts to life as a widow.
- RAW actress Amy Manson could be Wonder Woman, though the show will be called Amazon and will be tonally similar to Smallville.

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Slay Bells

Yes, this one is a little Christmas themed, but hey, appropriate given that we're a few days away from the big day itself.

American Horror Story: Asylum: I've been loving the sheer craziness of this season and with the Bloody Face reveals, the role reversal with Sister Jude as well as the deadly partnership with both Arden and Sister Mary Eunice but more importantly, Lana really is coming across as our main protagonist, especially with escaping the hands of a madman and even interacting with the angel of death (as did Grace and Jude) and the Christmas episode was certainly a joy to watch with Ian McShane as a deliciously twisted Santa in his own way. I can't wait to see where the last five episodes go.

Glee: Not the greatest selection of episodes. Even I am beginning to think that the show's balancing act between the newbies at McKinley and the old gang isn't working so well. Also, everytime we see someone like Santana, Quinn or Puck, I realise how much I miss them more as characters and it hasn't helped that Marley's eating disorder plotline hasn't been particularly well handled either. And did we really need something else for Kurt to be upset by? I really hope they don't get rid of Burt but I am glad that Blaine has taken a little backseat in the last few episodes.

Him & Her: I've been watching all of the third series (and am looking forward to the Christmas special on Sunday) and this show really has become a lot better than when it first began. Sure, Laura's nastiness has escalated since her pregnancy, Paul's suddenly got a secret life and Steve took a whole six episodes to actually propose to Becky but having the usually shy Shelley verbally annihilate Laura has been one of my favourite moments from the show so far. I don't know if this show will get picked up for a fourth series but I'm starting to hope it will now.

Misfits: This show really has improved. The last few episodes have been inspired and added a renewed sense of fun and mischief in the series, while neatly introducing Abbey who really does work a treat as a character. The finale did kill off Nadine a little too quickly for my liking and it might have been nice to have had more with the four cyclists of the apocalypse but they were better than the tedium of Jess/Alex/Finn and it's nice that Nadine managed to show a softer side to Rudy as well. Looking forward to seeing where this show goes next year.

The Vampire Diaries: I've enjoyed the last set of episodes, even to the point where the idea of an Elena/Damon relationship bothers me far less than it seems to with Stefan and Caroline. On the flip side, while it was nicely have a weirdly gory Christmas episode, would it hurt the show just once to actually have a scheme against Klaus succeed? And the fact that he decided to bump off Tyler's mother only makes me dislike him that tiny bit more but at least April and Hayley managed to get moments to surprise and I'm quite liking the Silas and Jeremy storylines this season as well.

- Rose McGowen has been cast as a younger version of Cora for an upcoming episode of Once Upon A Time.
- Chloe Bennett has become the final cast member added to Joss Whedon's upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. She'll play a superhero obsessed agent named, Skye.
- Showtime's The Vatican will explore the inner workings of the Catholic Church and it's pilot will be directed by Ridley Scott.
-The CW are doing a version of Robin Hood called Sherwood focusing on a female vigilante who teams up with Robin and his Merry Men.
- Fringe's series finale will be simulcast in the UK on Sky1 (1.10am) the same night US viewers can see it on FOX. It airs on January 19th.
- Davis Zayas will be appearing in the upcoming Kevin Bacon series, The Following as Tyson, a former operative who is friends with Bacon's character.
- Rosie O'Donnell will be making a cameo appearance in Smash.
- Oliver Kieron Jones will be playing a love interest for Kurt in the second half of Glee's fourth season. UK viewers can catch the new series at Sundays 8pm on Sky1 from January 6th.

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Spending A Storm Together

American Horror Story: Asylum: It's nice that we're not too far behind with US transmission with this show because the second season is pretty enjoyable so far. Narrative wise, I'm not sure where the logic is in having alien invasions, mutants, possessions, sadistic doctors in Arden (who keeps getting repugnant with each episode) and a crazed serial killer but it certainly makes sure the season isn't boring. I will admit though, I do think Jude's backstory was introduced a bit early than needed and the present day sequences add nothing to the show overall but the shocker of Shelly's fate was a moment I didn't see coming. Plus, kudos to Lily Rabe who is clearly having a ball as the possessed and homicidal, Sister Mary Eunice.

Arrow: It's been about five episodes into the series now and so far, it's still pretty in a similar format to Smallville. Not too challenging but amusing enough and I do continue to like Amell's portrayal of both Oliver and Green Arrow in equal measures. The arrival of John Barrowman as the mysterious Well Dressed Man as well in the most recent of episodes has been a good addition as well as the Deadshot storyline as well. Overall, a mostly good string of episodes from the new series.

Glee: Okay, the ratings for the fourth season haven't been great and while I think the idea of Finn running the Glee club is pretty ridiculous, the last two episodes have been entertaining enough, especially the one dedicated to Grease of things. The newbies may not have the same spark as our originals but I found Kitty's version of Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee amusing to the hilt and the return of Santana was a joy to be had as well. I could however do with less of Blaine and Marley feeling sorry for themselves and the forced Ryder/Marley/Jake/Kitty quadrangle and it would be nice if Cassandra's critiques of Rachel's abilities weren't marred with her unbridled hatred for the girl but overall, a good set of episodes.

Misfits: I have to admit as much as I like this show, this series isn't as fun as it used to be. So far, Jess seems to be the only bright spot and while the Lola plotline had some decent twists and turns, I was sad that it was used to write Curtis out in such a tragic way. I expected him to leave but not on such a downer though. It also doesn't help that I'm not really getting into the double act with Rudy and Finn as well. I don't know why but both of them are kind of annoying me this series. Hopefully we get more on the mysterious Alex though.

Some Girls: Ever watch a comedy and wonder how the hell it was commisioned in the first place? Watch five minutes of this show (or the first two episodes if you're a masochist) and you'll find yourself asking that question. An ill-conceived, broadly unfunny female version of The Inbetweeners, this witless sitcom is proof that at times BBC3 really do think their target audiences must be the biggest morons known to man. There aren't any characters in this one, just lazy caricatures with the four ladies - Viva, Saz, Holly and Amber who are just not strong enough leading ladies to make this comedy bearable. With any luck, this either improves or become a one series only show.

The Vampire Diaries: Why can't being a vampire make Elena into a stronger character and person? Six episodes into the fourth season, she's either been close to death or whinged a lot about being a member of the undead that the timely return of Katherine must have been a blessed relief for Nina Dobrev, who at least gets to have fun in that role. The fourth season itself has been okay enough so far but with Connor dead, only small morsels revealed about The Five and Klaus still be a pain in the ass, I can't help but think that this show does need to buck up it's ideas now.

- Both Last Resort and 666 Park Avenue have been cancelled by ABC and will end after 13 episodes each.
- Anna Chlumsky will make a guest appearance in the upcoming Hannibal series. Eddie Izzard will play a crazed inmate in the show as well
- Janina Gavankar has bagged a recurring role as a vice cop on Arrow.
- Lisa Kudrow's series, Web Therapy has been renewed for a third season by Showtime.
- Sky Atlantic will air the second season of Girls the day after HBO airs it. It returns in January 2013.
- Rebecca Mader will be appearing in one of 30 Rock's final episodes in it's last season.
- Amy Acker has expressed an interest in appearing in the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. series.
- Elementary has been awarded two more episodes by CBS, making 24 episodes for it's first season.

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Enter The Asylum

And here's the second TV jumble blog I promised ...

American Horror Story: Asylum: FXUK finally got around to premiering the second season of Ryan Murphy's eerily fucked up horror drama and going from a show about ghosts in a haunted house to a 1960's asylum with sadistic nuns and doctors, alien abductions and a plethora of interesting inmates and plot strands, this show hasn't lost it's edge. Already, I'm compelled by Bloody Face, rooting for our heroes in Kit and Lana, intrigued and horrified by Sister Jude (Jessica Lange on fine form again) and Dr Arden (James Cromwell exuding menace and then some) and being similarly grossed out during some of the more visceral scenes as well. Oh and poor present day couple in Leo and Theresa. One episode in and already they're regretting fooling around in Briarcliff.

Arrow: I just caught the pilot last week and I plan to try and watch the second episode tonight but so far, I am liking this series. If the CW wanted a natural successor to Smallville, they've got it with this show and Stephen Amell does make for a good Oliver Queen/Green Arrow as well. The backstory for Oliver does feel a little similar to what we've seen with Emily in Revenge but not by a whole lot. That being said, watching this opening episode, you can easily see why it's become a big hit for the CW.

Misfits: Like Being Human, I embrace the idea of a new cast and while both newcomers Finn and Jess seem like interesting characters, I really don't think they were well served in an episode like this. The whole plotline with the corrupting briefcase just felt unpleasant and I could've done without an infected Rudy getting hacksaw happy. Plus without Kelly, Seth really doesn't have a point on this show given that he really doesn't bond with either Curtis or Rudy. The new probation officer is interesting and the reveal with Finn at the end did raise an eyebrow from me. Overall, a disjointed opening episode but here's hoping it's a minor blip for the usually excellent show.

The Vampire Diaries: An interesting start to the fourth season. Hopefully though, as a vampire, Elena will eventually get into the groove of things because with the first three episodes, she's needed help and I don't want that to be a repeat plot thread. I do think there was a missed opportunity with the preacher from the first episode and while I still can't stand Klaus's continued presence on the show, at least we still have Rebekah and I'm intrigued by vampire hunter, Connor and The Five. So far, this year has started off rather well.

- Political Animals will not be returning for a second season.
- James D'Arcy and Chloe Sevigny will be appearing in the upcoming series, Those Who Kill.
- Brendan Fraser has quit his role in the upcoming Howard Gordon series, Legends.
- Stephen Merchant's series, Hello Ladies has been picked up for a full run on HBO.
- Michael Madsen and Jennifer Beals will both be appearing Mob Doctor.
- Both Scandal and The Neighbours have received full season orders from ABC.
- Grant Gustin will be reprising his role as Sebastian in a few episodes of Glee's fourth season.
- Hell On Wheels has been renewed for a third season but the creators won't be returning.

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American Horror Story - Season 2 Character Profiles

I saw this stuff the other day but got caught up with other things but now here's a rundown of the new characters on American Horror Story's second season.

Jessica Lange – Sister Jude, a nun who’s “more sadistic than saintly.”
Zachary Quinto – Dr. Thredson, a psychiatrist who butts heads with Sister Jude over his forward-thinking ways.
James Cromwell – Dr. Arden, a doctor whose sadistic experiments created a group of mutated humans known as the Raspers.
Lily Rabe – Sister Eunice, second-in-command to Sister Jude.
Joseph Fiennes – Monsignor Timothy O’Hara, Sister Jude’s superior and the object of her affections.
Adam Levine – Leo, one half of a newlywed couple visiting modern-day Briarcliff.

Jenna Dewan Tatum – Teresa, the bride of Adam Levine’s character.
Evan Peters – Kit, a new Briarcliff inmate who is accused of murdering his wife.
Sarah Paulson – Lana, a lesbian journalist who is committed by her girlfriend after she “nearly exposes Briarcliff’s darkest secrets.”
Chloe Sevigny – Shelley, a mysterious nymphomaniac.

FX have been continuing with the trailers, including two new ones with the cast members themselves. I have to admit, if anything, this actually sounds and looks better than the first season. Ryan Murphy may be a polarising producer for many a viewer but the man does make some damn interesting television. This is one asylum I plan to make a trip to next month.

Season 2 Trailers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1fKJAGvo_M&feature=player_embedded

American Horror Story's second season will air on FX from October 17th. An airdate for FXUK has yet to be confirmed.

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American Horror Story - Season 2: Asylum Preview

It won't be long until the second season of Ryan Murphy's popular series is back and it's certainly change all around. For the last few months, casting has been leaked for prominent roles and with the show now taking place in a 1960s asylum, it seems that Jessica Lange's character, Sister Jude may be a nicer one than Constance was but she'll also be a character with her own demons as well. This season is also boasting the likes of Joseph Fiennes, James Cromwell, Zachary Quinto, Lily Rabe, Sarah Paulson, Chloe Sevigny, Mark Consuelos and Clea Duvall to name a few.

Several teasers have been released for the upcoming season of American Horror Story involving roses, hydrobaths and ascending and each of them have teased a lot without revealing too much. However we do seem to know that Adam Levine and Jenna Dewan are playing a modern couple called The Lovers and that Evan Peters character in this season will be more heroic in comparison to his unhinged first season counterpart. After a rather chaotic first year, I can't wait to see if Asylum really will deliver. The trailers so far have managed to.

Season 2 Trailers: http://bestmoviesevernews.com/american-horror-story-asylum-teaser-ascends-expectations/

Season 2 airs on FX from October. A UK airdate has yet to be announced.

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Honourable Mentions Part 1

And here's the first of two Honourable Mentions list for some of my favourite TV characters. In order of show, alphabetically of course ...

Nora Montgomery (Lily Rabe) - American Horror Story

This show might not be teeming with sympathetic characters but apart from Moira, Nora is one of them that came pretty close to it. I might not have liked what her and husband were doing to make extra money but I did feel for her losing her child and she was one of the nicer ghosts on the show. Plus I'm pleased the show has secured the wonderful Lily Rabe for the second season, even if she'll be playing a different character.

Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) - Dexter

I could've kicked myself for not including Dexter in my 40 rundown, which is partly why I'm doing an Honourable Mentions list. How I love this complicated serial killer so much. Michael C. Hall certainly knows how to make Dexter both menacing and sympathetic in equal measure that you almost hope he would never get caught. Then the end of Season 6 happened.

Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) - Friends

Friends has always been a strange show for me because while I always/mostly watched it, I was never actually addicted to it. It was fun and had a great series finale but I never was that obsessed with it compared to a lot of shows. In terms of characters, I did find Chandler to be the most consistently amusing of the bunch so he makes the list here.

Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) - Grey's Anatomy

Yeah, the usual 'I have a love/hate dynamic with this show' spiel from me but the one consistency is that I love Callie and I've loved her evolution throughout the last few seasons. Plus her relationship with Arizona is wonderful to watch. Definitely one thing that Shonda Rimes has nailed perfectly with this show.

Ian Gallagher (Gerard Kearns) - Shameless

I'll admit it - with the exception of Frank and Monica, there isn't a Gallagher I dislike but Ian was wonderful for the seven series he was on the show. A wonderfully written, consistently interesting character not overdefined by his sexuality but neither was his sexuality underplayed either. We need more gay characters like Ian on UK telly right now.

Part 2 of the Honourable Lists will be up on Friday.

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Sexy And He Knows It

And here's another jumble of some of the stuff I've been watching over the last few weeks.

American Horror Story: Well, apart from the unsatisfying element of the babies adding nothing to the mix (wasn't one of them supposed to be the Antichrist?), the last two episodes of this show certainly found a novel way of writing out the Harmons, giving Constance another child whose life she can ruin and also promising that when the show returns for a second year, it'll be an entirely different creation. All this alone is making me curious for what lunacy Ryan Murphy has up his sleeve for the next year.

Desperate Housewives: Downward spirals, sex swings and more lame excuses for Susan to make an idiot of her herself courtesy of a new teacher she's desperate to impress. On the plus side, Carlos's increased drinking and the girls horrifying discovery on Halloween that someone else dug up Alejandro's body have certainly made the last few episodes more enjoyable. It's a shame though that this isn't being promoted half as much as it should be in it's final year because this is actually a real return to form, writing wise.

Glee: Is Ricky Martin the sexiest male guest star this show has ever cooked up? The jury might be out but he certainly made Sexy And I Know It fun as hell to watch and while the episode might not be regarded as a classic, I loved that Martin's character, David Martinez has the potential to return and that Santana took Will to task over his lax attitude towards teaching Spanish. The only thing I could've done without was Sue and her attempts to have a child. I'm pretty sure that asking kids for sperm is not the way to go about it, Sue. Even for this show, that was possibly a step too far.

Skins: You lose some characters and you gain at least one. Morocco made sure that Matty was on the run, that Grace died in the second episode and that Rich was also written off screen while also managing to make this viewer wish that Franky was written out too. On the plus side, I'm probably the only who doesn't hate Mini/Alo, thinks that Liv has improved quite a bit as a character, not too fussed with Nick and overall finding Alex a rather promising character as well. A mixed bag of episodes but nowhere as bad as the majority of the fourth series offered though.

The Vampire Diaries: With the way this show is so rapid fire, I'm surprised no-one on the writing staff has suffered from whiplash. The last three episodes have been particularly satisfying to watch (Caroline beating the crap out of Damon will never not be entertaining to watch), especially with the introduction of the rather strident Rebekah, Klaus discovering that Elena actually needs to be alive for hybrids to work (oops, Tyler), the arrival/exit of Bill and some vampire hunter fella named Michael. It almost makes Katherine's return and Stefan's continued fall to the dark side look pale by comparison.

- After eight seasons, Hugh Laurie's medical drama House will air it's final episode in April.
- Homeland has promoted both Navid Negahban and David Marciano to regular for the show's second year. Channel 4 will air the series from February 19th.
- John Stamos is confirmed for upcoming FOX series, Little Brother.
- Jessica Tuck will guest appear in Grimm, playing the mother of Claire Coffee's character, Adalind.
- Ellen Barkin will be appearing Ryan Murphy's upcoming NBC series, The New Normal, playing the mother of a surrogate a gay couple are using to have a child with.
- Matt Bomer will be playing Blaine's brother in the 15th episode of Glee's third season and they will be both singing songs from Duran Duran. The show returns to Sky1 on March 1st.
- A US version of Mistresses will air on ABC, due for a summer 2013 broadcast.
- Being Human US has been renewed for a third season, courtesy of SyFy.

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A Proposal Or Two

And here's my first TV jumble of 2012. I was meant to do this last week but things keps coming up, so here it is.

American Horror Story: Okay, an interesting selection of episodes here. I was certainly surprised with the reveal of what really happened to Violet more than I was about Tate being rubber man (I mean, who didn't see that coming?) but stories about Dahlias, Patrick/Chad's relationship and antichrist babies aside, what can the final two episodes really do to shock us all? Though, again in the unexpected category if this was Larry's last hurrah in the show, then it's been fun time.
Desperate Housewives: I've seen the first three episodes of the eighth and final season and I'm conflicted. On one hand, the majority of the storylines have been interesting and some of the side one have been less tedious than previous series but at the same time, watching these episodes has made me realise that it really is time for the show to end. It's amazing how Alejandro's death is affecting each of the characters but watching Renee's storyline sometimes feels like a different show, though I'm sure Ben has more to him than what we've seen so far. Oh and Bree's totally shot herself in the foot with Chuck, hasn't she?

Glee: It's been a month and while some fans seem to be wanting to abandon this show for Smash (which I will give a chance to), I enjoyed last night's episode. Who would've thought that Helen Mirren would be what Becky's mind sounds like? More importantly, the proposals in this episode certainly were interesting enough, though Finn's motives for popping the question seemed to make less sense compared to Will's though and even with the smallest amount of snark, Santana still had some wonderful moments in this episode and I enjoyed the swim team plot but not that coach. Oh and song wise - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Without You and We Found Love were the highlights.

Mrs Browns Boys: To be filed under 'extreme guilty pleasure' - I absolutely love this show. I don't think about the storylines, I don't overanalyse a thing about it. I sit back and listen to the jokes and while I know most of them from past DVDs and stuff, it's still great fun to watch. The second run of episodes have been every bit as funny as the first (organisms, lion attacks, robot babies, etc) and I'm pleased that UK viewers seem to be enjoying this show as much as I am. Brendan O'Carroll really does play Agnes Brown too well.

Shameless: It's the return of this show (and it's US version) and once again, it's a mixed bag. I enjoyed some of the moments but I do think it's gotten to a point now where this show needs to be put down for it's own good. Frank is even more pointless as a character and with the imminent departure of Carl in a few weeks time, there really won't be a just reason to keep him on board. Also, am I the only who doesn't care about Mimi and Billy? I can't be, surely - they're just embarrassingly bad to watch and the plot with Operation New Start fizzled out pretty sharpish. That being said, Gloria seems like an alright character and the handling of Kelly's miscarriage has been one of the better plots for the series.

The Vampire Diaries: Now that was excellent. Isn't this usually the time fans turn on shows like this and whinge on them for being stale/repetitive/etc? They better not with this show because if anything, the antics of Mystic Falls and beyond have gotten more and more interesting - Elena's crappy 18th birthday, Jeremy's new ability, the unusual Klaus/Stefan partnership and even Caroline/Tyler have made the first two episodes of the series an unbridled joy to watch. An excellent start to the opening of this year.

- Jeff Goldblum and Brian Stokes Mitchell have been cast as Rachel's dads, Hiram and LeRoy Berry for Glee's Valentine's Day episode. About bloody time. Samuel Larson will also debut in that episode too.
- CBS have commissioned a modern day version of Sherlock Holmes called Elementary. Er, why?
- Expect some violence at an upcoming Klaus dinner party in The Vampire Diaries.
- Grant Bowler will be playing a leading role in upcoming SyFy drama, Defiance.
- Jessica Lange is considering returning to American Horror Story, even though the second year will be radically different to the first one.
- Game Of Thrones second season will return on HBO April 1st and on SkyAtlantic April 2nd.

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