TV on HuffingtonPost.com

GIFS: 10 TV Housekeepers That Ran The Show

2013-05-21T21:31:31Z

Lurch, Mr. Belvedere and Tony from "Who's The Boss?" are just a few of our favorite TV housekeepers. They put up with so much from these crazy families and very rarely did they get any r-e-s-p-e-c-t. So, today we're honoring the most loved characters with this list of the funniest, smartest and sassiest maids and butlers (we're looking at you, Geoffrey).

Scroll through our list and let us know who's missing!

Florence, "The Jeffersons"

Rosario, "Will & Grace"

Niles, "The Nanny"

Geoffrey, "The Fresh Prince Of Bell Air"

Lurch, "The Addams Family"

Consuela, "Family Guy"

Mr. Belvedere, "Mr. Belvedere"

Tony, "Who's The Boss"

Alice, "The Brady Bunch"

Berta, "Two and a Half Men"

Click through our slideshow to see the worst television neighbors.

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Do you have a home story idea or tip? Email us at homesubmissions@huffingtonpost.com. (PR pitches sent to this address will be ignored.)

Megan Smolenyak: Celebrity Roots Series "Who Do You Think You Are?" Returns

2013-05-21T21:24:10Z

Good news for all those who mourned the cancellation of the American version of Who Do You Think You Are?, the popular celebrity roots series that's enjoyed success around the globe. It's coming back!

TLC picked up the show and has announced its relaunch on July 23rd. Among those slated for this season are lots of talented women, including Christina Applegate, Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Chelsea Handler, and Kelly Clarkson.

Those needing a family history fix in the interim can't go wrong with HBO's hilarious Family Tree, a gem of a show that lovingly mocks all that's weird and wonderful about the quirky genealogical world.

This Is Going To Be AMAZING

2013-05-21T21:11:17Z

Jimmy Fallon has been teasing us all week with instagrams from "Late Night's" Game Of Desks shoot, the first episode of which debuts on Friday. Until then, here are the just released portraits of the main characters.

Friday can't come fast enough!

'Dexter' Behind The Scenes: 'Anyone Can Die'

2013-05-21T20:57:48Z

A new "Dexter" Season 8 behind-the-scenes video goes in depth into some of the developments we saw in the intense full-length "Dexter" trailer Showtime released last week.

The new footage offers glimpses of new scenes from "Dexter's" upcoming final season and one major component of Season 8 will be Deb's struggle to come to terms with La Guerta's murder in last season's finale. "Dexter never meant to back her into choosing her brother over La Guerta," Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan) says in the video above. "I think she's going to be questioning whether she killed the right person probably for the remainder of her days," James Remar (Harry Morgan) adds.

"Deborah is hitting a low point, searching for her bottom," Jennifer Carpenter (Deborah Morgan) says in the video. The trailer showed Deb strung out on drugs, sleeping with a man who appears to be her dealer, getting arrested for a DUI and showing up at the police station, slurring that she "want[s] to make an official statement."

"I don't think Dexter spends a lot of time thinking about La Guerta's murder. He's confused by Deborah's reaction to it and her inability to move past it," Carpenter continues.

The new season starts six months after last season left off, the video reveals. "We find Dexter, on the one hand, telling himself that things are good, but there are a lot of problems, and the subterranean stuff is starting to bubble up," Hall says, as a scene of Dexter yelling at Harrison plays. Later, he chokes a guy sitting in his car in broad daylight.

"Anything goes this season. There's no safe zone. Anyone can die, and anything can happen," Aimee Garcia (Jamie Batista) says, as footage plays of Dexter, with a bloody hand, searching for a missing Harrison.

When it comes to the series' end-game, the cast keeps it vague. "What's gonna happen with Deb and Dexter? Is anyone else in the department going to find out about Dexter's secret? Could it be Quinn? Batista? Maybe all of us, or maybe none of us," C.S. Lee (Vince Masuka) teases.

Michael C. Hall closes the video by waxing philosophical about the ending. "This season is about what Dexter is going to leave behind. I have no idea how fans will react, hopefully they'll be leaning forward, and compelled by the story, but I imagine there will be a spectrum of experience," he teases.

"Dexter" Season 8 premieres Sunday, June 30 at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.

WATCH: Bill Maher's New Rule For LinkedIn

2013-05-21T20:23:11Z

Now that LinkedIn has banned prostitutes and escorts from using the social networking site, Bill Maher thinks they might want to revise their slogan.

Watch an exclusive "New Rule" from Maher above. "Real Time" airs Fridays at 10:00 p.m. EST on HBO.

Troy Campbell: The Office Finale's 'Miraculous' Quote -- The Scientific Truth Behind It

2013-05-21T19:53:25Z

The Office finale gave us a bounty of amazing quotes such as Andy's "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them" and Pam's perfect ending quote, "There's a lot of beauty in ordinary things."

However, potentially the best and definitely the most psychologically interesting quote came from Creed:

"No matter how you get there or where you end up, human beings have this miraculous gift to make that place home."

Creed captured a sentiment we have all felt and psychologists have been examining for decades: the fascinating and wonderful way people can show up to an office, college, or yoga class and immediately convert it into a home, feel love, and pledge allegiance to a group.

People are "groupish," and we tend to form groups automatically. Some have argued that this is due in large part to humans' tribal past and evolutionary development. Regardless of why we are this way, the descriptive truth is that this is how we are.

To study humans' "groupish" tendencies, social psychologists use the "minimal group paradigm".

In this paradigm, scientists put people into groups based on meaningless information, e.g. eye color or completely randomly. Interestingly, although the group formation is meaningless, people immediately imbue meaning into their group. They develop structure within their groups and favoritism for their own group.

The Office reminds us that the workplace is a group that can become home. For many people, losing a job hurts most not because they lose money, but because they lose a home. After being let go, many psychologists advise people to immediately become part of something bigger than yourself, whether that is a volunteer project, a sports team, or yoga class. People often do not realize how much social support they get from their jobs.

Michael Scott also reminds us that the workplace should be more like a home. The original office boss, Michael Scott (actor Steve Carrel) tried to make his office a warm and entertaining environment. Most people spend the near majority of their week at work. Thus, a significant way to improve the happiness of Americans is to improve the happiness of their jobs -- not necessarily their paycheck. Benevolent bosses should try and make employees happy. And bosses should know that in most cases happy employees are also better employees.

Sometimes homes will form automatically, others times they will not. Creed would have never called his office a home, if it weren't for the attempts of Michael Scott to make it more like a home. Social norms, awkwardness, and work place competition can get in the way of group formation. Michael Scott provided both inspirations of love and at times a common enemy for the office to come together over.

In the modern world, people often do not stay in one place for a long time. People may move often and cross cultural lines. Some might claim such movement ruins life and makes happiness near impossible. For instance, it is often difficult to break into an established group and community.

However, people have the adaptive potential to quickly become part of new homes and become part of new groups, if the situation permits. Integration often fails not because it's impossible, but because it is not made easy.

Anyone who has moved to a new city without friends knows how difficult integration can be. However, moving to college without friends is much less difficult. Colleges spend time in the first few weeks trying to integrate the freshman. This is often at the expense of the students' studies. But colleges know that is a sacrifice worth making as happy kids with social networks unified under one mascot will lead to better outcomes. Communities and workplaces should follow the example of colleges and work harder to integrate people.

The Office taught us that an office is not always just an office, it can be a home. And just like any home, you don't have to like or agree with everyone in the home. You might play harsh pranks on each other, get in fights, and lose faith in one another. However, humans' groupish tendencies can triumph over all the differences. Under the right circumstances we can make a home of anywhere and that truly is "miraculous."

Will The 'Buffy' Cast Take Over 'S.H.I.E.L.D'?

2013-05-21T19:51:37Z

Will the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" cast invade "Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D." this fall?

"That's never crossed my mind," Whedon told HuffPost TV when asked if he would be populating "S.H.I.E.L.D." with "Buffy" players. "But now that you've said it, the idea was totally mine."

It wouldn't be a huge surprise if Whedon rounded up the gang: J. August Richards, who appeared on the "Buffy" spinoff "Angel," has already been cast in "S.H.I.E.L.D."

And 10 years after the "Buffy" series finale, fans haven't gone anywhere.

"I'm incredibly proud of that show -- proud of everybody on it, of what we did ... You can't be prouder of that show. It still holds up in reruns and I'm blessed every day ... I've been pretty lucky," "Buffy" star Sarah Michelle Gellar told The Huffington Post at the CBS 2013 upfront in New York.

In case you missed it, check out the "S.H.I.E.L.D." trailer below.

"Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D." will air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET this fall on ABC.

'Girls' Adds To Season 3 Cast

2013-05-21T19:49:08Z

Jennifer Westfeldt has joined the cast of "Girls."

The "Kissing Jessica Stein" writer and star was spotted filming a funeral scene of "Girls" Season 3 with Adam Driver in New York City.

HBO confirmed that Westfeldt will appear in an upcoming episode of "Girls," but did not reveal details about her new role.

Westfeldt, who has been with "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm since 1997, has multiple TV credits to her name, including "24," "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" and "Grey's Anatomy." She wrote, starred in and directed the 2011 flick "Friends With Kids."

Check out the full photo of Westfeldt on the "Girls" set below:

12 Things That Will Probably Happen On 'The Bachelorette'

2013-05-21T19:48:26Z

Season 9 of ABC's "The Bachelorette" premieres this Monday, but we've seen enough of the "Bachelor" franchise to have a pretty good idea of what will transpire. Here are our predictions.

Someone will get honest.

Someone will be in it to win it.

There will be some bold assertions.

Friendships will develop.

But not everyone will be there to make friends.

Someone will get really overzealous.

And come up with some creative ways to say he's feeling amorous.

But someone won't be having it.

Things will get ugly.

There will be heartbreak.

Things will become overwhelming.

But love will conquer all.

WATCH: 'Jersey Shore' Castmember Weds 'Starter Wives' Star In New Music Video

2013-05-21T19:34:56Z

"Jersey Shore" castmember Angelina Pivarnick ties the knot with Cheryl Caruso of TLC's "Starter Wives" in a new music video.

The video for "Serendipity," shows Pivarnick and pop artist Adam Barta cavorting through New York before tying the knot with respective same-sex partners in the heart of Times Square in Manhattan in a double wedding. While Pivarnick exchanges vows with Caruso, Barta follows suit with model Thomas Cole.

Pivarnick, who once referred to herself as the "Kim Kardashian of Staten Island," teamed up for Barta for the infectious dance-pop single, which originally dropped in December 2012.

Fans may recall that Pivarnick, who starred in the first two seasons of the hit MTV reality series, engaged in a controversial, expletive-ridden exchange on the topic of same-sex marriage with Barta, who is openly gay, last year. She hopes "Serendipity," which also features The Majik Boys, will "show the true Angelina."

"I'm excited about it for my gay fans," she said.

Louis Virtel: Weeklings!: Judging the American Idol Judges (VIDEO)

2013-05-21T19:08:49Z

Candice Glover is the undisputed champ of American Idol's 12th season, and I think she'd want us to celebrate that.

Well, I have an idea: Now that Season 12 is over, let's judge Idol's judges, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, Randy Jackson and Mariah Carey, for all they're worth -- and, hell, Seacrest too. Frankly, they all deserve it.

Dim the lights, Kieran. Let's do this.

WATCH:

You can find previous Weeklings! episodes here.

WATCH: Amy Schumer Spoofs Funny Fashion 'Compliments'

2013-05-21T18:58:52Z

Amy Schumer has distinguished herself as one to watch among the up-and-coming comedian set, female or otherwise. Her sketch show, "Inside Amy Schumer," has been heralded as "the best thing to hit the airwaves since 'The Golden Girls,'" and it's easy to see why in last week's "Compliments" sketch.

The video, which you can watch below, spoofs the all-too-familiar fact that women can't take a compliment. Schumer pokes fun at the unending self deprecation as each friend one-ups (one-unders?) the others in a series of hilarious sarcastic comparisons.

We can totally relate. You may think your new sneaker wedges are totally cutting-edge, but suddenly your friend walks into the room with flatforms and you're hiding your feet under the table in shame. And how many times have you responded to an outfit compliment with an offhand, "Oh, this old thing...?"

Yeah, these women take sartorial insecurity to a whole new level. Behold, the ladies' silliest shrug-offs:

"I'm like, a size 100 now."

"I look like a whore locked out of her apartment."

"Are you drunk? I look like an Armenian man."

"F**k you, I'm a f**king cow. Indian people are trying to worship me. I sleep standing up in a field."

"Of COURSE I see everyone when I look like Susan Boyle's toothbrush."

"Your t*ts make Katy Perry's look like the Holocaust."

Watch what happens when a woman responds with a simple "Thank you!" in the video below!

More women who have us in stitches:

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Mark Boslough: The 'Amy's Baking Company' Episode of Kitchen Nightmares Was (Probably) Staged

2013-05-21T18:38:51Z

First of all, television is always staged. Everyone knows that sitcoms, dramas and variety shows have scripts and use actors. Some programs include improvisational material, but they are no less staged. Many reality shows are like professional wrestling -- the stars are not professional actors. Producers of these shows are in cahoots with the subjects, who are rewarded for good performances with publicity and money. There is a wink to the audience, most of whom know that it's all a setup, but are never sure where the boundary is between real and fake.

"I am going to really hurt somebody."

News programs and documentaries are pitched as being real, but elements of them are no less phony. A colleague recently told me of his experience as a student activist at MIT during the Vietnam-era. He was with a group of students who were asking people to sign petitions in a Congressional district in Boston.

After canvassing a low-income African American part of the city, they returned to their headquarters where a CBS Evening News crew was waiting for someone to interview. They invited the students to go back in the field, but the newsmen took them to a different (whiter and wealthier) neighborhood. They knocked on the door of a big house, and the woman who answered said she was completely on their side, but that they were in the wrong district. Then she saw the cameras and microphones, and decided to go along with it, pretending to be signing the petition that would go to her Representative. CBS got the footage they needed to appeal to their demographic, the woman and the activists got their political message out. Everybody was happy. But it was fake.

That's the way it worked in the 1960s, and that's the way it works now. Even scientific documentaries are not above coaching subjects and contriving scenes. One of the first times I participated in such a production, I was surprised to see the director carrying a script. She already knew what she wanted us to say. During one of the first scenes we filmed, the dialogue went something like this:

Director: Tell us about the enormity of the explosion.
Me: There was a really big explosion here.

Director: Okay, but tell us how enormous it was.

Me: There was a really huge explosion here.

Director: That's better, but try to emphasize how enormous it was.

Me: There was a really enormous explosion here.

Director: Perfect.

I would never say something on a documentary that wasn't scientifically accurate to the best of my knowledge. But I have learned how to use the words the interviewers prefer, and to recognize when they telegraph how they want me to say things so we don't have to do multiple takes.

Back to Kitchen Nightmares: Amy's Baking Company. It's performance art. There were three or four cameras running for some scenes (look at the camera angles). There were fixed cameras, cameras on booms, handheld cameras and special lighting. At least five of the subjects/actors were wired for sound. That takes a huge crew. Those kinds of scenes require choreography to keep technicians, other cameras and equipment from appearing onscreen. They also require multiple re-takes.

The editing makes it all appear seamless, but you don't have to look very hard for clues that it's rigged. For example, when Gordon shows up and can't open the door, he appears to be surprised and angry that it was locked. The scene was filmed from both outside and inside the restaurant. How did the camera crew get inside? Why didn't Gordon just ask them to let him in?

Katy and Miranda, the servers, are both pretty and poised. They have great lines, great smiles, and great delivery. Why would the likes of them be working for a notoriously bad employer? Would a production company be willing and able to get their own actors or shills hired by a high-turnover business? Just asking.

The staging is inspired. My favorite scene comes at the beginning and appears to foreshadow what might follow. Standing next to a rack of very sharp knives, Amy declares, "I am going to really hurt somebody." After that, it's hard not to worry about a slasher scene every time she wigs out.

There is tension whenever Amy approaches the knife rack. But the coming and going of knives give more evidence for multiple takes and heavy editing without regard for continuity. How do knives disappear and reappear within a few seconds without being used?

Amy's Palinesque personality and diction are perfect for the part, and it's fun to imagine how the filming might have gone:

Director: Tell us what you think of Katy.
Amy: She's a terrible employee.

Director: Okay but tell us about how poisonous she is.

Amy: She's poisonous.

Director: One more take. Is she like a viper?

Amy: She's a poisonous little viper.

Director: Perfect.

Why would Amy be willing to go along with this? Different people have different motivations for wanting to be on TV. Even in science documentaries, there are examples of individuals who will break the rules in exchange for such a gig. According to one blogger, the researcher who prepared samples for the climactic (and staged) scene of NOVA's "Megabeasts Sudden Death" would appear to be "...a liar salting his samples at his own expense to get on TV." (full disclosure: I also appeared in that program, as a skeptic).

As a result of Kitchen Nightmares, Amy's Baking Company has hired a new kitchen staff and the grand opening is already sold out. Amy has discovered the reality-show niche pioneered by professional wrestling villains. All she has to do now is show up every night and play a witch. The customers will love it -- as long as she stays out of the kitchen, the food is good and the service isn't too slow.

Wayne Anderson: It's Raining Unique: Alex Newell and Martha Wash

2013-05-21T18:37:22Z

I got up early on Sunday morning and ventured out into the rain to catch the opening ceremony for the New York AIDS Walk 2013. I was rewarded for my effort with these fabulous performances by Alex Newell ("Unique" on the television show Glee), singing "I Know Where I've Been" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" by legendary vocalist Martha Wash. Newell definitely lives up to his "unique" billing and even gets a standing ovation from Miss "It's Raining Men" herself. And be sure to listen to Wash's absolutely beautiful solo rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the closing of the ceremony.

WATCH:

Denette Wilford: 'Nashville' Hits All The Right Notes

2013-05-21T18:33:26Z

Beware: Some Spoilers Ahead!

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about Glee and Smash and the death of the TV musical. Soon after it was published, I realized I hadn't mentioned Nashville. Then it dawned of me that that's because I don't consider it a musical; it's a drama, in the most dramatic way possible, with some music -- albeit, fantastic -- thrown in.

While it's (obviously) centred on the music business, it's about so much more. In fact, I find the music as more of a backdrop. The show's great heart lies in its characters, flaws and all, and their stories. Whether I'm rooting for Rayna (Connie Britton) and Deacon (Charles Esten) to just be together already (because I don't know anyone who wants her with Eric Close's Teddy), whether or not I hate Juliette (because that's how fabulous Hayden Panettiere is; you want to scratch out her eyes one minute, then give her a big old hug the next), or trying to decide if I want Scarlett (Clare Bowen) with Gunnar (Sam Palladio) together -- personally and professionally -- or, as last week's show hinted at, reuniting with Avery (Jonathan Jackson), there's a lot happening with a lot of different people. But it's one of the few shows where that's OK.

Despite all that goes on, Nashville never gets muddled. It doesn't become too much and it all just melds together perfectly. The show has evolved from its simple-yet-flashy beginnings -- a country music queen feels like she's being replaced by a hot young thang -- to a fully fleshed-out drama. Don't get me wrong, I don't care too much about the mayoral stuff but that might have something to do with bland, tiresome Teddy (which I hate because I loved Close on Now And Again and Without A Trace, but here he's as vanilla as Once Upon a Time's Charming). Same goes for Rayna's sister, Tandy (Judith Hoag), whose attempts at taking over the family business were thwarted when Lamar (Powers Boothe) recovered quicker than she had hoped. Wyatt no longer being the evil moustache-twirling villain and his growing closeness with Rayna have been nice to see.

Surprisingly, as someone who doesn't like change, I can't help but be charmed by third wheel Will (Chris Carmack), but I'm still trying to figure out if he truly is as nice as he seems and just lucked out by moving in near Scarlett and Gunnar, or if his ambition is going to bring out his bigger, badder, "Welcome to Nashville, bitch!" side.

I also kind of loved Deacon with Stacy the vet (Susan Misner) but he and Rayna are clearly the end game. And hopefully, there'll be some sort of truce later down the road between Rayna and Juliette. Their tour was a perfect way of bringing both their worlds together, and while I appreciate the bitter, teeth-gritting rivalry, I hope that one day soon, the two will eventually find a begrudging respect for one another. But not yet.

Brad Paisley guest-stars in this week's finale, "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," but, to be honest, who cares? It's his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, who returns as that harlot Peggy with a secret (ugh, baby?) that will undoubtedly turn the James-Conrad house upside-down. Speaking of upside-down, it's also the night of the Country Music Awards, and it's not going to be as wonderful as Rayna hopes since her eldest daughter Maddie (Lennon Stella) confronts Deacon about the series' worst-kept secret -- that he, not Teddy, is her dad. And Juliette has to deal with the aftermath of Jolene's (Sylvia Jefferies) death, her mom's final way of trying to make up for her crappy childhood. It's going to be one messy, tear-filled hour. I can't wait.

Nashville's Season 1 finale airs Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on CTV and ABC.