Glee (Tuesday, 8/7c, Fox)
Too much isn't always a good thing for this erratic yet always exuberant series, but with Lady Gaga music as the hook (including "Born This Way," which doubles as an episode title), this week's outing expands to 90 minutes. With prom looming, Quinn aims her sights on the title of queen — but so does the super-sized Lauren. Meanwhile, Mr. Shue is using the Gaga playlist to teach the glee club more musical life lessons in self-acceptance and embracing what makes each of them special.
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Sometimes it's not just about the ratings. And sometimes it is. That's the takeaway from an eventful week in the win-some/lose-some sweepstakes we call TV programming.
On the plus side: TNT's renewal of Southland, the latest lifeline for the gritty police drama that NBC ditched during that misbegotten period when Jay Leno put the 10 pm drama on the endangered species list. It will never be as popular as the network's signature shows like The Closer and Rizzoli & Isles (which got a funny shout out from 30 Rock's Liz Lemon this week), but Southland's uncompromising integrity helps give credence to TNT's "We Know Drama" credo.
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Dancing With the Stars (Monday, 8/7c, ABC)
Here we go again. Time to strap on the heels, attach the sequins and apply the spray tan. TV's giddiest dance competition returns for a new season, with the outrageous Kirstie Alley (paired with fan fave Maks) the highest-profile celeb in the cast. Her competition includes the usual suspects: athletes (Hines Ward, Sugar Ray Leonard), C-list performers (Ralph Macchio) a rapper (Romeo), a reality "star" (Kendra Wilkinson), a flamboyant talk-show host (Wendy Williams), a supermodel (Petra Nemcova) and a Disney personality few of the target audience will ever have heard of (Chelsea Kane). The mirrorball isn't the real prize for most of the contestants. Instant (if sometimes fleeting) stardom comes with the flashy territory.
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In this sneak peek image, Michael Scott (Steve Carell) gets some much-needed advice from co-workers on how to pop the big question. "He's paralyzed by wanting it to be the perfect proposal — and perfect in a 'Michael Scott' way," executive producer Paul Lieberstein tells TV Guide Magazine. "Pam catches him in one of his early attempts, which is to...
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As Michael Scott nears his Dunder Mifflin exit, Steve Carell is also preparing to say goodbye to The Office castmates he's come to know and love for the past seven years.
"It's bittersweet," Carell tells TVGuide.com. "I'm excited about the prospect to be able to spend more time with my family, but...
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