For almost 2 decades, Thursday has been THE must-see TV night on NBC. From Friends in the 90’s to The Office in the 2000’s, NBC has always plunked its prime comedy programming on Thursday nights, and a for a long time they dominated. But as the TV landscape has changed, with solid programming on cable and of course the advent of DVR (which makes it easy to transplant Thursday night to Saturday afternoon or any other time you’ve got free), they’ve struggled to find a combination that works. Throughout this season they’ve made changes seemingly monthly, making a DVR season pass pretty much a requirement if you don’t want to miss out on your favorite in its new timeslot, new night, or after its sudden return after months off.

After bumping Whitney to Wednesday nights and benching Community for half a season, NBC settled on 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, The Office and Up All Night. A night of solid comedy shows (even as The Office continues its downward spiral, it still has laughs), even without our precious Community. But next week Community is back to finish its season! But that means shows have to move time-slots and Parks and Recreation has to go away for over a month, completely killing the momentum of the big election storyline they are currently nearing the climax of. Then Parks and Recreation will return in April, with Up All Night dropping off the schedule. Though it seems the future of any of these shows is not certain, and when they actually air is even less certain, one thing is for sure: the schizophrenic Thursday schedule is not a good sign for a network that used to rule that day of the week and is already ranking last among the major networks. Seriously, those CBS sitcoms get better ratings than these shows? For shame…

But hey, lets not gloss over what’s really important here. Community returns next week! Watch the epic trailer for the return below.

Finally.

There’s a lot to complain about when it comes to TV. Bristol Palin getting a reality show. Jay Leno beating Letterman in ratings every night. The fact that there isn’t a 24 hour Pawn Stars network. But we can’t lose sight of why we love TV! Here are some of this week’s reasons:

-Community returns in 2 weeks! I don’t know about you, but even the return of 30 Rock hasn’t been able to fill the void that removing Community form NBC’s Thursday night line-up has left. But, after a few months of uncertainty, we have a solid return date: March 15th! If you haven’t ever watched Community, you’ve got 2 weeks to catch up and tune in live. If it’s going to return in the fall it could use all the help it can get.

-Urkel is joining Dancing with the Stars! This is beyond exciting for any kid who grew up in the 90’s, because it could finally lead to the Urkel career resurgence we’ve all been praying for. The last time I saw Jaleel White it was in a straight to DVD movie called Who Made the Potato Salad? (yes, this movie exists and yes I rented it based on that title alone), so he could use the paycheck. If he puts on those suspenders and glasses for a tango he can probably win the season.

-James Spader is leaving The Office! Sorry if there are any big Robert California fans out there (somehow I doubt it), but trying to fill the void left by Steve Carell with Spader’s odd, unsettling character did a whole lot to make this season feel even more of a miss, not to save it. The Office team seemed to forget that the British version made a name for itself with uncomfortable, awkward laughs, but unfortunately Spader’s character only nailed the first two…

-Gak is back! That green slime that any Nickelodeon kid should remember well is back on the shelves. I will gladly pay $4.99 for that little bottle of nostalgia.

CNN drops Elliot Spitzer TV talk show

In other news, Elliot Spitzer had a talk show on CNN. If this revelation comes as a surprise to you, well you are probably not alone. Since its debut in October 2010, Spitzer’s In The Arena has consistently been the lowest-rated primetime show on CNN. Who would have suspected that few people would be interested in hearing the opinions and thoughts of a disgraced politician? Not CNN, apparently, although they appear to be coming to their senses. Maybe they will fill the slot vacated by Spitzer with “The Rod Blagoyavich Prison Pow Wau”?

Eliot Spitzer describing the ratings of his erstwhile CNN Talk Show

Sheen in talks for new sitcom

Evidently it is no longer possible to be so inflammatory and outrageous that nobody in Hollywood will even consider working with you. By all accounts, no TV star has self-destructed more completely in the last year than Charlie Sheen. And yet, TMZ is reporting that Sheen is in talks with Lionsgate for a leading role in a new sitcom. Rumor has it that the show will be based on the 2003 Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson flick Anger Management and will feature Sheen as a former jock who helps people deal with their anger management issues. Personally, I wish they would have gone for the ultimate ironic victory and penned a show in which Sheen helps people struggling with substance abuse problems and megalomania.

James Spader officially joins The Office

Of all the celebrity cameos in the season finale of The Office, the funniest, most unsettling, and most evocative performance was that of James Spader. Everything about the way Spader’s character—Robert California—interacts with the cast of The Office and with his competition for the job was really well written and executed. This addition bodes well for the next season of The Office which, it must be said, could really stand for some rejuvenation after thankfully moving away from being the Jim-Pam Soap Opera it had become. There is one twist though, Spader will not be replacing the branch manager—Steve Carell—whom Spader was originally “interviewing” to replace. Rather, Spader will be replacing Kathy Bates as CEO of Dunder-Mifflin parent company Sabre. In a show that has constantly flirted with the risk of becoming stale, this could prove to be a welcome change that will inject new life into the tired sitcom.

Yes, Michael Scott, we’re all sad you’re leaving too.

30 Rock lives on? The Office getting another new boss? Paul Reiser’s show canceled? Wait, Paul Reiser had a show? Let’s take a look at what the best night of TV comedy might look like in the future!

First of all, it turns out I may have jumped the gun a bit when I wrote a Square Eyes post mourning the loss of 30 Rock after one more season. That info came from Alec Baldwin, and he quickly corrected it after the fan outcry, saying he was leaving the show after next season, not that it’s ending. That doesn’t make it any better Alec! 30 Rock without Jack Donaghy? That’s like The Office without Michael Scott! Oh…wait. But we’ll get back to that later. But according to Tracy Morgan 30 Rock is in fine shape, heading into syndication on a cable channel this fall and continuing on NBC into the foreseeable future. He claims he hasn’t even heard Alec Baldwin mention leaving. Then again this is Tracy Morgan, who regularly takes his shirt off during talk show interviews to show off his “pregnant belly” for no apparent reason, so his word might not be the most trustworthy.

As for The Office, it’s true: this is going to be Steve Carell’s last week on the show. And based on the already tear-inducing episode last week, it’s going to be the kind of emotional send-off that very few sitcom characters get. What can I say, I have a deep affection for Michael Scott! Of course that leaves one obvious question: what kind of A-list comedic talent are they going to get to replace Steve Carell? The answer: pretty much all of it. Will Ferrell wraps up his 4 episode arc a week after Carell’s departure, meaning the branch will have to interview for a new boss. Enter Ricky Gervais, Will Arnett, Ray Romano, James Spader, Catherine Tate and even Jim Carrey. More guest stars could be announced, proving that NBC is very desperate to remind people that just because Carell is leaving this week doesn’t mean it’s the finale. I still don’t see how The Office will work without Michael Scott, but with that kind of talent I’ll keep tuning in!

And finally, NBC has a big 8:30 problem. Since shuffling their schedule to accommodate 3 hours of prime-time comedy instead of two it’s been the 8:30 slot that’s proven hard to fill. They tried with Perfect Couples but it didn’t stick (maybe because it was really not good), so NBC just let the episodes they had play out while the rest of the Thursday line-up was on re-runs. Then along came The Paul Reiser Show, featuring the Mad About You star in an obvious Curb Your Enthusiasm rip-off. Turns out no one was too mad about it, and NBC has axed it after only 2 episodes. So what will fill the void? There’s plenty of talented comedic minds out there, NBC. Please give one of them a contract.

Showdown of the incompetent but amusing bosses

By now everyone knows that Michael Scott (the paper company manager played hilariously by Steve Carell) will be leaving The Office this season, but it seems another boss is headed to Scranton before a replacement. David Brent (the paper company manager played even more hilariously by Ricky Gervais on the original UK version of the hit show) will be stopping by The Office next week (Jan. 27) for a hush-hush cameo. Why exactly will Brent be crossing the pond from jolly ol England to Pennsylvania? We have no idea, but it should be awkward.

For those who have never seen an episode of the UK version of The Office, imagine the most awkward moments from the entire history of the US version. Ok, now make those twice as awkward and extend them to a half hour each. While the US version added lots of sweetness, slapstick humor and quirky characters to get the show to fit in with American sitcoms, the UK version reveled in the awkward, silent moments between jokes. And as bad a boss as Michael Scott is, he has nothing on the delusional, self-absorbed David Brent. Although we have no idea if it will be an episode long stint or just a walk-on cameo, as long as Gervais and Carell get to share some screen-time it will be fantastic.

Speaking of awkward, check out Khloe Kardashian on the cover of this month’s issue of YRB magazine. What in the heck is she wearing?! And why does she look so pale? Is Khloe trying out for a new version of Hellraiser? Or maybe a remake of The Man in the Iron Mask called The Reality Star in the Incredibly Bizarre Bondage/Gothic Beekeeper/We Really Have No Idea Mask? Either way it’s clear that Khloe is trying to define herself as the edgy Kardashian sister, so look forward to Khloe’s new E! program, Creeping Up with the Kardashians. I’m hoping this is from the Kardashian sisters’ new line at Sears! I’d love to pick one up next time I go vacuum shopping.

And keeping with this new edgy feel, the Kardashians have released another new product: Silly Bandz! Who wouldn’t want to wear entirely unrecognizable silhouettes of the Kardashian sisters on their wrists? Though if they are making weird fad wrist accessories based on reality shows, who not a slap-bracelet of Amber from Teen Mom? It would be fitting!

Because nothing says red carpet fashion like glorified rubber bands.

The pumpkin I carved this year. Because Lindsay’s year had to be commemorated in carved squash.

Growing up, Halloween week was probably my favorite time of year for sitcoms, because with great writers, costume designers and Hollywood budgets, sitcom characters could wear some pretty awesome Halloween get-up. But sadly, over the last few years that trend has dropped off a bit, with sitcoms being ousted that week by Halloween specials or simply ignoring the holiday altogether. Last year even The Office, known for it’s holiday episodes, dedicated only the cold open to Halloween and moved on to a normal episode for the remaining 20 minutes. But guess what? This year we got some good Halloween episodes!

My favorites were Modern Family, which focused on the extended family working through awkwardness to put on a haunted house; The Office, featuring a costume contest for a highly coveted Scranton coupon book ($15,000 dollars in savings!); and Community, which went all out with a zombie episode. All different sides of Halloween and all entertaining (but the zombie/horror nerd inside me definitely made Community my favorite). But the real question is: which character wore the best costume? Sorry Modern Family, as much as I loved seeing Ed O’Neil looking miserable dressed as a gargoyle, none of your costumes made the cut. Over on The Office, the stand-out was Kevin as Michael Moore. It was so good that it convinced me he should play Michael Moore in any future Michael Moore related parodies. Not that people seem to be in the Michael Moore frenzy they once were. Ah, the good old days! Now it’s all Glenn Beck this, tea party that. Anyway, on Community the best costumes were most definitely Abed as the Alien (you know, from Alien fame) and Troy in Ripley’s “Power Loader” robotic suit from Aliens. Even if the ladies at their college didn’t like it, I sure did. So who wins?

It’s an upset! Troy as “a sexy Dracula,” his make-shift costume after he ditched his nerdy one, wins it all! Sure, it was only cuffs made out of toilet paper and a collar made out of a toilet seat cover, but it made me laugh the most. Congrats!

And now, in honor of Halloween, I present my favorite Halloween TV clip ever! Last year, when the entire Today Show gang dressed up as Star Wars characters, they invited some little people dressed in authentic Ewok costumes to join the festivities. What they didn’t count on was them apparently getting drunk beforehand and interrupting a Halloween craft segment by fighting, throwing stuff, dancing and getting frisky with Al Roker’s leg. The real magic starts at the 3:50 mark when one starts moon-walking out of nowhere. Happy Halloween!

The Hoff: Man of dance. Man of Song. Man of fashion.

Sadly in a season filled with tabloid trash and unremarkable “stars,” it was actor, singer and national treasure David Hasselhoff who was voted off Dancing With The Stars in it’s first week of the season. What is wrong with this country?! Millions gladly watched Hasselhoff flop around the floor with no shirt on, trying to eat a hamburger while plastered, but nobody wants to watch the man dance? Come on, he’s been on Broadway, he’s got some moves! Ok, saying he has “moves” might be generous but he was bound to make some pretty hilarious faces on the dance floor! Shame on you America, I’m sure some famous for the sake of being famous no-talent like The Situation or Bristol Palin (who did a very bizarre dance dressed as her mom, clearly stepping into the “trying too hard for headlines” role Kate Gosselin filled last season) will win the season. Meanwhile poor David had to take the long, lonely ride home to eat his meals off the floor again. Actually it might not have been lonely, his cars tend to talk to him. Still, I’m sorry he was voted off. Or, in honor of the man, that he was voted Hoff.

But I didn’t lose much sleep over the Hoff, because last night was the first Thursday of the new TV season. You know what that means: new NBC comedies! Community kicked off the season resolving the drama from last season’s finale (clearly getting all the stuff out of the way so we can get to the big concept episodes later in the season, like a confirmed Apollo 13 parody episode), but it still had it’s fair share of laughs. Unfortunately none really came from guest star Betty White, who didn’t have much of a role and was apparently just stunt casting to ride the Betty White hype to higher season premiere numbers. Hey, if it helps Community get better ratings and stay on TV that’s fine with me. Bring the “Bed Intruder” internet sensation guy on next episode if you have to, just don’t let Community go anywhere. 30 Rock was joke-filled and funny as usual, and The Office was pretty good, although I was hoping for a stronger premiere for Steve Carell’s last season. Hopefully they’ve got some fantastic final Michael stories for the rest of the season. In short: NBC Thursday shows, oh how good it is to have you back old friends. Except, of course, that you forgot to bring someone along. Making me wait for Parks and Recreation until mid-season and cramming this terrible Outsourced in it’s place is disturbing.

Speaking of disturbing, Justin Bieber made his acting debut this week on CSI (because if tweens love two things, it’s Bieber and procedural police dramas), and boy was it an arresting performance. I say that only because he was arrested in the episode, otherwise he was lousy. Not that it’s his fault, it was the Biebs’ first acting gig, we can’t expect an Emmy win out of the box. I’m waiting for him to alter his hair style in just the slightest until I label him a committed actor. When he has the same painstakingly crafted hairdo in a prison cell, you know he has a “don’t touch the hair” clause in his contract. But here, for your enjoyment, are all 2 minutes of Justin Bieber’s screen-time on CSI:

Great Scott! We never wanted to imagine the Scranton Dunder Mifflin office without the incompetent Michael Scott (Steve Carell) leading his band of cubicled misfits, but it seems that time is near for The Office.

At this weekend’s movie premiere for the animated comedy, Despicable Me, Carell confirmed that he will likely leave the series after the coming seventh season, when his contract expires.

When asked why he’s considering the departure Carell replied, “I think it’s a good time to move on… [I] want to spend more time with my family.” Aw shucks, he’s so normal and likable, how can you be angry with him, or even consider lunging to grab his ankles screaming, “NO! NO! Don’t leave us, Steve!”?

You really can’t, and to be honest, it seems like a wise decision: The Office has admittedly lost its luster and meanwhile, Steve’s proven that he has what it takes to be a successful film star. After seven seasons of the same routine, who wouldn’t want to get paid more to take on bigger things? (That’s what she said)!

There’s just one issue: the fate of our Dunder Mifflin family! Who should be Michael Scott’s successor at the Scranton, PA branch? Cast your vote now!

Thursday night, regarded by most (including myself) to be the unchallenged best night in current TV comedy, will be seeing some new faces arriving soon, as well as a very familiar one departing.

First came news that Tina Fey would like to end her Emmy-darling show 30 Rock within the next 2 years. NBC can’t be too happy about that. Now it seems Steve Carell, who plays The Office’s resident boss who you can’t help but love/hate/pity simultaneously, Michael Scott, will be leaving Dunder Mifflin in the hands of a new leader in the not too distant future. In an interview with BBC Radio, when asked if he would renew his employment on the show after his contract expires next season, Carell responded, “I don’t think so. I think that will probably be my last year.” What will The Office be like after Carell leaves? Hopefully off the air, if you ask me. By that point The Office will have had a solid 7 year run, and as the quality has slipped in recent seasons, the departure of Michael Scott (who is both the central source of laughs and heart on the show) seems like a logical enough place as any to end the show. Introduce David Brent, Ricky Gervais’ bumbling boss from The Office (UK), as Michael’s replacement and leave the show on a high note.

In better news for the Thursday line-up, Parks and Recreation is about to get a whole lot more handsome (not that Nick Offerman’s epic mustache [pictured left] isn’t fantastic looking) when two new men join the cast: Adam Scott and Rob Lowe. The hilarious Adam Scott will be leaving the Starz series Party Down, a great show that has its best characters stolen by network sitcoms (Jane Lynch left after the first season to join Glee), to become a series regular on Parks. You may know Adam Scott as the obnoxious, pretentious guy from Step Brothers. Or maybe the obnoxious, pretentious guy from Eastbound & Down. He was also in Monster-in-Law, but I hope you didn’t see that. Rob Lowe will similarly be leaving his longstanding role on Brothers and Sisters and transition to the lighter, funnier fare in the parks department of Pawnee, lending the show some (hopefully ratings-boosting) star power. Check out the video introducing the new cast-members below.

Finally, in news that Square Eyes loves, Bret Michaels is apparently improving, with one doctor predicting he could make the late May live finale of Celebrity Apprentice. Also, Kate Gosselin’s new book bombed hard. Yay!

Everyone’s buzzing ’round the watercooler about the new romance on The Office between two Grade A dorks: salesman Andy “‘Nard Dog” Bernard and loopy receptionist Erin. Now that Jim & Pam’s relationship is squared away (married with child, snooze cruise), all eyes are on Andy & Erin to make us swoon.

Are you into this quirky couple? They’re sweet, but can they really top Jim & Pam… or even Phyllis & Bob Vance? Let’s put it to a vote: Which Office couple is your favorite?