If when you arrive at the office this morning, you hear the word “lame” being bandied about, fear not, gentle reader. It’s likely that the water cooler talk is not about you, but about last night’s finale of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES.

Now, I’ll admit: I went into the last-ever outing with low expectations. After all, since airing one of the most brilliant pilots in recent television history, this show has rarely — if ever — managed to recreate the very elements that originally drew me in. Over the years, the series devolved into uninspired, overly-long “mysteries” (Betty Applewhite, anyone?) and the type of humor that one would expect to find in a Saturday morning cartoon as opposed to a Sunday night sudser. The childish bickering that ensued after Julie’s water broke on the way to Renee’s wedding was everything wrong with HOUSEWIVES. Time and again, we sat through scenes in which supposedly-grown women acted like children.

For me, one of the biggest problems with the series was that neither it nor the characters ever evolved. Who couldn’t have predicted (basically, from the moment they split) that Tom and Lynette would wind up together? In fact, the finale basically proved that over the years, absolutely nothing had changed for the women of Wisteria Lane. (Bree became a conservative legislator? How nice for her gay son.)

There were wonderfully sappy moments throughout the two hours, including Karen’s emotional testimony in which she took the blame for the death of Gaby’s stepfather… thereby basically showing that yet again, we wasted an entire season on a storyline that ultimately went nowhere. (I couldn’t help feeling that Karen’s speech about neighborhoods, community and family should have been far closer to the end as opposed to coming before the long slog’s halfway point.)

If it sounds as if I’m bitter about HOUSEWIVES, I suppose it’s because I am. Everything about this show had so much promise, from the premise to the cast, and yet all of it wound up feeling, year-in and year-out, like much ado about nothing. (Something tells me Vanessa Williams, whose Renee was without doubt the worst case of a fantastic actress in a thankless part on a show that had no shortages in that category, might agree.)

Ironically, what was long-missing from the show was desperation. Even the few times the series dared venture toward the dark side (Bree’s near suicide or Gaby’s abuse), it failed to play the consequences. For a few fantastic weeks, we actually saw grown in Gaby’s character and watched portrayer Eva Longoria sink her teeth into some deeply emotional material. And yet, somewhere along the line, that growth vanished and Gabi went right back to blithely plowing through life like the proverbial bull in a china shop.

I’d like to say that I’ll miss DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. After all, it’s been a part of my weekly viewing routine for eight seasons. But I can’t help suspecting that by the time the new season rolls out, I, like the ladies, will have moved on from Wisteria Lane.

Richard M. Simms is the executive editor of Soaps In Depth magazine and the author of Crimes Against Civility.

One of the few positives to knowing well in advance that a show such as DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES is coming to a close is that it affords a creator like Marc Cherry ample time to check off his bucket list. Case in point, the recent addition of Scott Bakula to Wisteria Lane as Bree’s defence attorney Trip Weston is a guest spot eight seasons in the making. At least according to Bakula, the affable actor who was only too happy to take some time during the show’s final week of shooting to tease what’s in store for his character’s relationship with Bree both in and outside the courtroom, what it’s like to be a part of such an iconic show’s closing chapter and what fans can expect from the upcoming series finale. See for yourself, after the jump.

Is an offer to guest star on the final five episodes of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES an automatic yes for an actor, or is it something you had to think about?
Scott Bakula: In this case it was easy because I’m a fan of the show. My wife and I got hooked from the beginning and have pretty much watched for eight years. I’ve bumped into Marc Cherry periodically over the years and he would say, “We gotta get you on the show,” and I would say, “You’re right!” yet it just never happened. And basically I had written off that it would ever happen so when they called and asked if I wanted to do the last five, it just sounded perfect. Plus, it was working with Marcia, who I had worked with when she was a baby, twenty years ago on QUANTUM LEAP, so it all seemed like it was meant to be.

If there is one thing we’ve learned having spent the better part of eight seasons watching DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES is that everyone who comes to the show brings with them a secret or two!
I think what’s fun about him [Bakula referring to his character of Trip] is that we don’t really know what his motives are and we’re not sure what he’s up to, so I kind of played that a little closer to the vest and hopefully some secrets will be revealed as we go along. I can tease that there’s going to be a relationship with Bree, but I don’t want to talk about what form it’s going to take. Rest assured, things get interesting there.

It has been said that guest starring on any show is the hardest job in Hollywood, very much akin to being the new kid at a new school. What was it like on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES?
It can be a challenge and it really depends on what the set is like and who you’re working with. I’ve had good experiences and not so good experiences and this one was just a joy because the set is a great set to work on. They’ve got a great crew there, there’s a great energy on the set and Marcia [Cross] was completely wide open and available to working with me. Either she was happy that I was there or she’s a good liar because we hit it off right from the beginning and that just makes all the difference in the world.

Was the tone on the set that much more special knowing that this was the end of the series?
The longest show I’ve ever done was four and a half years so I can only imagine what ending an eight year show is like. That family there, that group that they’ve lived with for almost more time than their real family for 8 years, there’s a huge history. Just with Marcia alone, what she has gone through, the explosion of her career, the fame of the show, her marriage, twins, just in her own private world… then multiply that by a couple of 100 people and it’s a huge deal. It’s just special to be a part of and to be around. It’s very emotional, and in this instance it’s in a good way. I’ve been around shows at the end where people are dying to get out of there and this isn’t that case.

Having been involved in quite a few series finales yourself, what do you think makes a good one and do you think DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES fans will be happy with how this one ends?
The end of shows are a nightmare for everybody because there is so much pressure to satisfy everyone which of course you can’t do. So I think what Marc has done, and I believe successfully, is that he has kind of gone back to his own inner muse and he’s writing what I think is going to be delightful to him. And since it’s his show and people loved it from the beginning, hopefully it will be delightful to a lot of people. Look, they’ve got five big storylines that they’re trying to wrap up, and five big storylines that they carry every week and that in and of itself is a huge challenge, but they’ve been up to the task or they would have been gone a long time ago.

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES airs Sunday at 9PM on ABC (CTV in Canada) and stars Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Vanessa Williams, Doug Savant, James Denton and Brenda Strong. Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Saddest Waste Of Time: The most-discussed nipple in recorded history went to the Supreme Court as the judges were asked to decide whether to strike down the fines against CBS. Seriously.
 
Worst Rerun Ever: Nicollette Sheridan’s wrongful termination suit against ABC Studios will start all over again on September 10. And with the show over by then, this time we can’t even look forward to any spoilers in the testimony.

Worst Timing: Jonathan Frid, aka the real Barnabas Collins, died just as the release of the big-screen version of DARK SHADOWS would no doubt have resulted in one last chance for him to bask in the spotlight.
 
Best RIP Tweet: “You may remember Dick Clark as the world’s oldest living teenager,” tweeted Danny Bonaduce. “I’ll remember him as the man who beat me in a pushup contest… he was 74.” 
 
And The End-Of-The-Road Award Goes To…: The Discovery channel, which this week announced that CASH CAB would no longer be filming new episodes.
 
Most-Needed Return: Having Mason Treadwell return to the REVENGE fold was brilliant. The guy’s snarky, slimy and downright devious. In other words, he fits right in!
 
Funniest Promo: In an advertisement for a special brawl-centric edition of DEADLIEST CATCH: AFTER THE CATCH, one of the participants referred to the cast as “The [REAL] HOUSEWIVES OF THE BERING SEA.”
 
Biggest Shake-Up: Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander are exiting AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL, which has suffered a massive ratings drop this season. With the show’s desperation clearly showing, whatcha wanna bet they bring back self-proclaimed first supermodel Janice Dickinson?
 
Title Most In Need Of Changing: Bravo announced that among its new unscripted shows is one called THE GOLD COAST about a group of over-the-top 20somethings who live with their parents. If you’re thinking the “gold coast” must be somewhere glam or at least sunny, think again: It’s Long Island.
 
Most Binge-Worthy News: Netflix announced that the new episodes of ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT will all hit the site at the same time, giving fans an excuse to call in sick and get their Bluth on in one fell swoop. The bad news? It won’t be until next year, so don’t start popping that corn just yet.
 
Worst Casting: Lindsay Lohan and Perez Hilton will be playing judges on GLEE. The idea of either judging the talent of others is sort of like suggesting that Richard Simmons should offer fashion critiques.
 
The “Ain’t-That-Precious” Award Goes To… : Network execs who, confronted with falling ratings, blamed everything from DVR’s to the weather rather than a glut of programming and shows that disappear for months on end.
 
Personal Philosophy We’d Most Like To Make Our Own: “I shouldn’t have to tell you to do things, you should just do them!” declared Sansa to her GAME OF THRONES chambermaid.
 
Oddest Dis: Alec Baldwin’s alleged stalker finally joined the modern age by getting a Twitter account… but she’s not following the object of her reported obsession.
 
Best Tag-line: In touting the highly-anticipated (if only by us) return of Matt LeBlanc’s EPISODES, Showtime released a poster featuring the star floating in a pool surrounded by his co-stars with the words “Who needs friends.” We’re so there.
 
Worst Parenting: TODDLERS & TIARAS mom Tricia stuffed herself into a thong and bra before dancing for her child. She added that it was fine for the 2-year-old to watch because the child “acts more like she’s a 17-year-old.” Coincidentally, the mom happens to be a model, making us think the performance was more for the camera than her seemingly-disinterested kid.
 
Best Save: Just when we were ready to write the post-Colton season of SURVIVOR off, along came Troyzan and his enemy-making rants to liven things up.
  
Most Likely To Censor: Once again, the Parents Television Council is urging folks to help have a show yanked from the airwaves (this time, it’s THE B—- IN APT. 23) rather than suggest people monitor what their kids are watching. Apparently, it’s not enough that they not watch… they don’t want you to be able to watch either.

Best Funeral: Sorry, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, but when it came to remembering a lost (fictional) loved one, the grieving of Robin Scorpio-Drake’s GENERAL HOSPITAL loved ones was far more moving than the service for Mike Delfino.
 
Best Funeral, Runner Up: Nope, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES didn’t come in second either, thanks to ONE TREE HILL baddie Dan Scott finally meeting his maker… and, in the afterlife, the brother he killed several seasons ago.

Most Fun Marathon: Logo will host a “24 Hour Salute To Great American Cinema” by running Showgirls on a 24-hour loop… on April Fool’s Day.
 
Coolest Show: Too bad Discovery didn’t save the incredible seven-part series FROZEN PLANET for summer. It’s icy locals might have helped cool us down during the hotter months!
 
Most Violently Blah Series: Sure, there’s tons of action and lots of chase sequences, but MISSING suffers from a severe case of “seen-it-all-before.” And sorry, but Ashley Judd’s Rebecca pales in (inevitable) comparison to Jennifer Garner’s Sydney (ALIAS).
 
Producers Most Likely To Be Freaking Out: SURVIVOR’s Colton was possibly racist, definitely annoying… and the only interesting thing about this season. With him gone, expect the ratings to tumble.
 
Show That Really Needs To Call It Quits: We’d suggest that THE OFFICE take a page from M*A*S*H and go out while it’s still on a creative high, but to do that, they’d have to go back in time a bit.
 
Most Shocking Reveal: THE WALKING DEAD lived up to its name by having Rick tell the other survivors that they are all infected with the zombification virus!
 
Nicest Touch: On a show that is anything but subtle, we can’t help but enjoy the fact that the chalkboard listing the daily specials on the diner CBS’ 2 BROKE GIRLS work at often contains misspelled words. It’s a little thing, but very real… ask anyone who’s ever been to a similar establishment!
 
Best Fake-Out: After establishing that cursed objects were killing people, SUPERNATURAL cut to a woman chopping vegetables and surrounded by various sharp implements… only to have her wind up burning herself to death via an antique tea kettle!
 
Least Shocking Revelation: JERSEY SHORE’s The Situation has a drug problem and possibly one with alcohol as well. While he spent the week denying he’s in rehab, the real question is why not.
  
Most Pampered Puss: Think that cat Cee Lo Green loves stroking on THE VOICE is his? Wrong. It’s a rental, and a pricy one at that, costing the show $350 a day. Seriously.
 
Biggest Bully: Clearly both unable to define irony or know it when he sees it, Donald Trump took to everything from Twitter to Fox News to crow about the cancellation of Rosie O’Donnell’s talk show, going so far as to call her a bully. Best of all, he went on to say that his nemesis “fails at everything”… apparently forgetting that whole “I’m hosting my own debate” fiasco that collapsed when candidates ran in the opposite direction (not to mention the fact that CELEBRITY APPRENTICE had just hit an all-time low in the all-important demos).

This long time FRIENDS fan is ridiculously excited for Matthew Perry’s appearance on Sunday’s episode. Any hints as to what he’s up to? — Rachelle
The TV Addict: Unfortunately for Alicia, when it comes to this Sunday’s episode, the good wife and great lawyer does not have a friend in Matthew Perry who as head of a blue ribbon commission tasked with getting to the bottom of a police shooting may not exactly have “finding the truth” at the top of his to-do list.

This GOOD WIFE obsessed fan cannot get enough of Dylan Baker’s uber-creepy client Colin Sweeney. Are there any plans to see him stir up trouble before this season comes to a close? — Brenda
The TV Addict: Not that we know of. But if it helps, Sunday’s episode does culminate with the surprise return of someone, that in our humble opinion, is far more dangerous than your run-of-the-mill convicted killer when it comes to Alicia’s well-being.

With all the hype surrounding BONES’ upcoming trip to Hollywood, I couldn’t help but notice that both the producers and cast were being relatively mum on what role — if any — Dr. Camille Saroyan plays in the episode? — Wilson
The TV Addict: If the producers and cast are being a little less than forthcoming with regards to what role — if any — Cam plays during the show’s much-anticipated trip to Hollywood that sees Booth and Brennan investigate a murder on the set of the film adaptation of Brennan’s book, it’s for good reason. And we say that as someone who was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of Cam’s costume courtesy of Tamara Taylor’s very own iPhone photo album that she was kind enough to show off during a recent one-on-one in Toronto. Suffice it to say, a completely different side of the good doctor doesn’t begin to describe things. So stay tuned!

Any idea how THE SECRET CIRCLE plans on closing out the season? — Justine
The TV Addict: Murder? Magic? Can you tell that we haven’t exactly been keeping up with THE SECRET CIRCLE? If so, we hope this bit of intel will make up for our general lack of interest. Producers are currently on the look out for a twenty-something actress who bares a striking resemblance to Cassie’s mother Amelia for a pivotal flashback that will see her facing a life and/or death decision.

Are we to assume that Becki Newton’s Quinn is the lucky lady Barney is set to walk down the aisle with during the upcoming season finale of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER? — Lisa
The TV Addict: This being HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, we’re going to go ahead and say that it’s not safe to assume anything. That said, thanks to a just obtained press release from CBS, we can promise you that you’ll find out the identity of Barney’s bride-to-be during the May 14th one-hour season finale that doesn’t just revolve around Barney’s big day, but also involves the gang reminiscing about the time they encouraged Ted to follow his heart and go after the one that got away. Read into that what you will.

Any clues as to what Percy has up his sleeve now that he’s escaped DIvision’s lurches on NIKITA. — Mike
The TV Addict: When it comes to Percy, we’ve got tons of ideas. Of course, the only one you really need to be concerned with is what is going down in the explosive season finale that involves a threat to the President of the United States and a finger on a certain button that may-or-may-not activate what we hear is one helluva explosive device.

Did your fabulous West Coast Correspondent TIffany Vogt happen to snag any scoop with regards to what Henry Ian Cusick and Georgina High are doing during FRINGE’s nineteenth episode of the season? — Ricky
The TV Addict: As luck would have it she did. “What we can tell you is that Henry Ian Cusick and Georgina Haig are spectacular,” teased a fairly coy FRINGE executive producer J.H. Wyman during this past weekends WonderCon in Anaheim California. “We can’t reveal anything sadly about the role they play or their story function, just don’t assume that reports that they play Agents is necessarily accurate.” Concurred partner in crime executive producer Jeff Pinkner, “[Episode] 19 is traditionally a deviation, so that’s a hint.”

While I’m fairly certain the answer is “not well,” this longtime DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE fan has to ask if you have any insight on how Susan’s going to deal with Mike’s death? — Allie
The TV Addict: As a long time fan of Mike Delfino you will be happy to learn that while, everybody’s favorite plumber is most definitely not forgotten. Particularly after a secret he’s been hiding from Susan for years comes finally comes to light.

Any HART OF DIXIE scoop? — Rachel
The TV Addict: Since production insists on being all secretive surrounding what we sure as heck hope is a fantastic first season finale for this delightful freshman series, all we’ve got to offer today is a first look at Zoe’s not-so-paternal-pop Dr. Evan Hart (Gary Cole), who finds his way down to Bluebell at the request of Zoe to help George’s father through surgery.

Any scoop about the serial killer that has arrived in Mystic Falls? Vampire, human or spirit? — Abby
The TV Addict: Since narrowing it down would ruin all the fun for you VAMPIRE DIARIES fans, you’re going to have to trust us when we say that the Mystic Falls Murderer (Trademark, theTVaddict.com) is absolutely the last person you would suspect. No word of a lie, our head is still ringing from the chorus of “Nooooooooooos” that emanated from last week’s PaleyFest panel celebrating the hit CW series!

Any chance Castle and Beckett will step-it-up during Monday’s episode involving a murder during a DANCING WITH THE STARS-esque competition? — Madison
The TV Addict: As much as we’re rooting for both Castle and Beckett to do the mambo of both the actual and the horizontal variety, both Castle and Beckett’s feet remain planted squarely on the floor during Monday’s episode. That said, if it’s any consolation, the March 19th episode does pay homage to one of our favorite syfy sci-fi shows, thanks to a mysterious murder that will have you wondering if you’ve accidentally stepped into an alternate universe.
 
Based on the previews for BONES much anticipated return, it looks as though Brennan may be giving birth in prison. Please tell me this blessed event doesn’t take place behind bars?! — Lisa
The TV Addict: Never fear! Despite what the promos might have you believe, the smarter-than-your-average-showrunners have whipped up a far more tender and touching scene for the birth of Booth and Brennan’s bundle of joy that we can pretty much guarantee will have you reaching for that box of kleenex that you keep next to your couch for very-special-episodes like this. And speaking of behind-bars…

REVENGE’s Josh Bowman is far too pretty to be denied bail. How long is poor Daniel going to be kept in the clink for?
The TV Addict: If you think Victoria Grayson is going to allow her pride and joy to be locked up for more than an episode, well then you really haven’t been paying attention to REVENGE have you. Of course, her obligatory evil scheme to keep son Daniel out of harm’s way may make you question her sanity. Worse still, it may also serve as the proverbial straw that breaks the camels back in terms of Daniel’s already strained relationship with mommy-dearest. Suffice it to say, prison will be a cake-walk compared to wha’t Victoria has in up her sleeve for son Daniel.

Absolutely obsessed with the photos you posted earlier in the week of Sebastian Stan’s upcoming guest appearance on ONCE UPON A TIME. Any chance you care to share some more intel on his role? — Jeff
The TV Addict: As much as we could very easily answer your question, we’d be mad (Trust me, that will be hilarious in a sentence or two!), if we didn’t allow ONCE co-creators Edward Kitsis and Adam Horotwitz to pinch-hit for us after fielding that very question at a recent press event attended by theTVaddict.com’s very own West Coast Correspondent extraordinaire Tiffany Vogt.

ADAM:  Sebastian is another amazing actor we were very lucky to get who is going to be in Episode 17.
EDDY:  It’s one of our favorite episodes.  It’s been reported that we go to Wonderland and his role is definitely one of those — I don’t know if it’s been said or not.
ADAM:  It’s definitely.
EDDY: Shall we say?  Okay, he plays the Mad Hatter.  So in that episode we find out how the Mad Hatter became “mad” and we are also excited that the hookah-smoking caterpillar will be voiced by Roger Daltry of The Who.  When Roger agreed to do the voice, we geeked out.  But Sebastian Stan is so good in this role and really he’s brilliant.

Any clues as to what HAVEN has in store for fans come season 3? — Bill
The TV Addict: Well, it would appear that after two seasons of increasingly bizarre happenings, the not-so-sleepy town of Haven will finally be getting some help. Specifically in the form of new series regular Katherine “Kat” Davis who returns to her hometown — following the tragedy involving one of her patients — to open up much-needed psychiatry practice in town. One that will just so happen to be getting a lot of business thrown at it by new bestie Audrey Parker, who will be making use of Kat’s skills as a psychiatrist to help the troubled town deal with their issues.

SHAMELESS scoop please! — Mike
The TV Addict: Note to those involved in both Emmy and Golden Globe voting. Expect Sunday’s fantastic performance to serve as Emmy Rossum’s “For Your Consideration” episode. That’s the good news. With the bad news being that it will also serve as the introduction to Mandy Milkovich’s babydaddy, which in a word we can sum up as “Ewwwwwwwwww.”

After seven plus seasons of watching, Sunday’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES death absolutely crushed me! Any word on what happens next? — Rachel
The TV Addict: Sadly, a trip down memory lane, with this Sunday’s episode revolving around the day of the funeral as each of the ladies thinking back on how Mike affected their lives. Oh, and just to give you an idea as to how much more kleenex you’ll need at the ready we’ve handily posted a first look photo for you below.

(Additional Reporting By Tiffany Vogt)

Best Reason For Soap Fans To Not Give Up Hope: Not only were GENERAL HOSPITAL’s ratings up under new headwriter Ron Carlivati, but sources told TV Guide that Katie Couric was hoping THE REVOLUTION would get axed rather than the sudser. Why? Hey, the lady ain’t dumb: Fans of the canceled ONE LIFE TO LIVE boycotted its replacement… and she’d like very much to avoid that same fate!
 
Evidence Most Likely To Become A DVD Extra: To refute Nicollette Sheridan’s charge that her character’s demise was written out of spite, defendant Marc Cherry’s lawyers showed jurors a video titled “Deaths On Wisteria Lane” that featured each of the Grim Reaper’s visits to DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. And speaking of the most interesting thing to happen to DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES in seven seasons…

Biggest Headscratcher: Was it really integral to ABC’s defense to SPOIL the only interesting plot point to come out of Wisteria Lane in years?
 
Least Likely Conversation Starter: Who knew that THE WALKING DEAD — a show about zombies — would offer this country’s smartest debate on the death penalty?
 
Proof We’re Way Smarter Than The Folks At Entertainment Weekly: Last week, we called “balderdash!” at the magazine’s insistence that AMERICAN HORROR STORY couldn’t possibly be considering bringing back such past cast members as Evan Peters because their characters were dead. And, exactly as we suggested, Peters (as well as Zacharay Quinto, another season one ghost) will be featured in season two. Because that’s what anthology series’ do.
 
Most Entertaining Gay Dude On A Reality Series: He’s lean, he’s mean and he’s obnoxious as heck… in a good way. He’s RUPAUL DRAG RACE’s Willem Belli.
 
Least Entertaining Gay Dude On A Reality Series: How did someone as dumb, irritating and downright unlikeable as Colton Crumbie wind up controlling the game of SURVIVOR?
 
Biggest Disappointment: There was nothing funny about THE MIDDLE’s Patricia Heaton trash-talking Sandra Fluke (whom she dubbed G-Town Gal) after the law student was attacked by blowhard Rush Limbaugh.
 
Best Pitch: No doubt knowing that her new show, THE CLIENT LIST, already has a built-in female audience thanks to its airing on Lifetime, Jennifer Love Hewitt went after the male audience by telling Maxim magazine that “It’s a very lingerie-heavy show every episode, for my character in particular.”
 
Most Shocking News: It wasn’t that Steven Segal’s reality show was sued by someone claiming it had staged an unlawful raid, but rather that Steven Segal has a reality show at all.
 
Trend That Needs To Stop: ABC has ordered a new singing competition called DUETS. Because America needs another singing competition like it needs a more drawn-out election cycle.
 
Creepiest Photoshoot: The girls of AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL posed as toddlers with momager Kris Jenner. Apparently, pimping out her own children isn’t enough for the Kardashian matriarch.

Good News: The massively miscast James Spader is not returning to THE OFFICE next season. Bad News: Based on this train-wreck of a Steve Carell free-season, neither are we. [Source]

Good News: The CW has found its young Carrie Bradshaw. Bad News: Unless we’re mistaken, AnnaSophia Robb is not a former DEGRASSI star! Which raises the slightly awkward albeit painfully obvious question as to which television showrunner currently in the process of casting their pilot is going to continue Hollywood’s streak of taking a dip in the DEGRASSI talent pool? [Source]

Good News: With its series finale just around the corner, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES is finally getting back in the habit of generating juicy headlines. Bad News: Off screen that is, with Nicollette Sheridan’s wrongful termination and battery trial against creator Marc Cherry kicking off today in Los Angeles. [Source]

Cannot wait for Sunday’s return of THE GOOD WIFE. Now that Will Gardner’s legal career seems to be back on track is there any hope at all for a rekindling of his relationship with Alicia? — Brandon
The TV Addict: We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but at what point exactly did it become clear that Will’s professional problems are over? Oh sure, Wendy Scott Carr’s witch-hunt may have wrapped up, but as this Sunday’s episode clearly illustrates, Will isn’t quite out of the woods just yet. What’s more, fans can expect the fiasco that was the failure of Wendy Scott Carr’s investigation to have serious repercussions for both Lockhart Gardner and Peter Florrick’s State Attorney’s Office in terms of personal. Seriously surprising ones that we did not in a million years see coming.

I miss the old Alicia and Kalinda. Do you think there is any chance my two favorite female friends will ever be able to look past the ugliness of the first half of this season? — Amy
The TV Addict: Oddly enough, we’ve got some good news on the Alicia and Kalinda front. It would appear that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Or at least that’s our prediction based on a case that Alicia has been asked to handle that seems to set the table for a frenaissance in a future episode. Stay tuned.

DEGRASSI scoop please. — Lindsey
The TV Addict: As we are wont to do anytime we get a plea for intel on what trials and tribulations those maniacal DEGRASSI writers plan on putting your favorite student body through when the hit Canadian export returns next Friday February 24th, we sent out a quick feeler to our source on the set. Their response, “Expect a life-changing accident!” Read into that what you will.

More excited for the CW’s SEX AND THE CITY prequel that I probably care to admit. Any idea as to the type of besties the writers plan on surrounding a high school aged Carrie with? — Vanessa
The TV Addict: Quick! What is the one thing every wannabe fashion-icon needs growing up? Answer: No, not a Gucci purse or pair of Manolo Blahniks (Okay, that helps) but rather a gay best friend! As such, producers are currently on the look out for Walt, who is described as a handsome, preppy, smart, stylish and funny best friend with one teensy little catch. Unlike Willie Garson’s Stanford Blatch, he may-or-may-not exactly have come to terms with sexuality just yet.

In accordance with Sunday’s off-the-hook episode of ONCE UPON A TIME, I have one quick question in the form of three simple words: WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! — Dillon
The TV Addict: A whole heck of a lot! But rather than spoil all of the fun, let’s just say that Storybooke Maine is very quickly giving Wisteria Lane’s Fairview a run for its money in the most dangerous town to live in department. Case in point, the upcoming March 4th episode of ONCE that will see Sheriff Emma’s case-of-the-week involve the mysterious disappearance of David’s wife Kathryn. Fingers crossed Mary Margaret has a good alibi!

Emilie de Ravin was pretty much the perfect casting choice to play Belle on ONCE UPON A TIME. That being said, curious as to what familiar fairytale faces we can expect to see next? — Jay
The TV Addict: Seven or eight little ones in the form of Grumpy, Doc, Sneezy, Sleepy, Dopey, Happy, Bashful, Bossy, Watchy. And no, we didn’t just make that last one up in an attempt to turn one of Disney’s iconic dwarfs into a TV Addict. We swear.

Any SUPERNATURAL scoop? — Jess
The TV Addict: Entitled “Of Grave Importance,” SUPERNATURAL’s 19th episode of the season will introduce an attractive old flame of Sam and Dean’s who in typical scary fashion is a hunter of sorts.

A recent tweet of yours left me with the sneaking suspicion that you know the identity of Julie’s baby-daddy on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. Spill! — Willa
The TV Addict: Seeing as though we hate to be the guy who spoils all of the surprises those hardworking scribes over at DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES have up their sleeves, we’ll simply leave it at this: The lucky (or is it unlucky?) baby-daddy-to-be lives — as luck would have it — across the street from Susan. Which, if we remember our Wisteria Lane geography, would plant him firmly in Lynette’s already over-crowded house.

Any word in how 90210 plans on ending the season? — Candice
The TV Addict: Since we’re not even going to pretend we’re still watching a series that has sullied the good memories of an original series responsible for our TV Addiction, all we feel comfortable doing is painting you a somewhat ambiguous picture of what will go down in the upcoming season (series?) finale by sharing this little bit of scoop. Producers are currently casting for a cop, investor, a nurse, a photographer and a nun for what promises to be a truly bizarre end to the season.

As a staunch supporter on “Team Karen” I simply must know what is to happen to poor Katharine McPhee now that Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) has been cast as Marilyn on SMASH? — Lisa
The TV Addict: Good News: Katharine McPhee’s Karen isn’t going anywhere. Well actually, she is, but it’s at the behest of the show’s Producers who decide to reward Karen for all of her hard work with a consolation role in the ensemble. Bad News: The ensemble, who have so clearly been on “Team Ivy” from day one do not take kindly to newcomers. Worse News: You’ll have to wait until SMASH’s fantastic fourth episode of the season to see how all of this plays out.