On that rare occasion when someone tells you there's nothing good on TV — but honestly, why would you be talking to people like that? — gently point them toward Tuesday nights at 10/9c, a time period that became ridiculously overstuffed this week thanks to some of cable's best and most entertaining dramas. (And let's pause to give thanks to cable replays, for those with limited DVR capability.)
THE TUESDAY LOGJAM: Let's start with FX's Justified, fresh as ever in its third season. Still recovering from last season's wounds, wry U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) may not be up to snuff just yet — as his boss taunts, "You can't run and you can't shoot, what good are you?" — but the show is so assured in its blend of barbed humor and deadly menace that you can always expect at least once per episode to be found laughing on the edge of your seat. Mags Bennett may be gone, and there's no replacing the great Margo Martindale, but icy-eyed Neal McDonough is giving it a robust go...
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If you were one of the many viewers who rewound your DVR multiple times to catch Claire Dunphy falling down over and over and over again after last week's Modern Family, you're not alone.
Homeland, Modern Family and The Artist top Golden Globes
Julie Bowen took physical comedy to new heights when her Family character slammed onto the ground after slipping on a dozen falling eggs that Luke (Nolan Gould) was using for a school project. How did Bowen make the fall so bone-crushingly realistic?
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Every week, editors Adam Bryant and Natalie Abrams satisfy your need for TV scoop. Please send all questions to mega_scoop@tvguide.com.
I am so sad to see Marg Helgenberger leave CSI. What can you say about Catherine's exit? — DeAnne
ADAM: I'd say it'll be pretty poetic, if you read between the lines — and I know you all do! While Catherine is working with the FBI on a case involving an old friend (guest star Annabeth Gish), she'll start to realize her value. "These FBI agents shine a mirror on how good she is at what she does," executive producer Carol Mendelsohn says. "I think Catherine is looking at the next job. As a woman, Catherine feels she's hit a glass ceiling at CSI. It's something that's been weighing on her, and she sees a door to a new life." But she could presumably come back to consult, right? "It's not a 'for always' goodbye," executive producer Don McGill says. "There's always an open door."
Got any scoop on Modern Family? — Jeremy
NATALIE: Remember how Claire mulled running for city council earlier this season?
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Whoopi Goldberg will guest-star on an upcoming episode of ABC's The Middle, the show's executive producer announced Wednesday at the winter TV previews.
Get more scoop on your favorite shows in our Winter TV preview
Goldberg will appear on the 21st episode as the guidance counselor of Sue (Eden Shur), executive producer Eileen Heisler said during a panel that also featured the showrunners of ABC's other Wednesday night comedies, Suburgatory, Modern Family and Happy Endings.
Also coming soon to visit the Heck family...
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Modern Family led the 18th annual Screen Actors Guild nominations Thursday with five mentions, as the sitcom's cast will look to defend its comedy ensemble crown.
The show will vie for ensemble honors against Glee, The Office, 30 Rock and The Big Bang Theory, which broke into the category for the first time.
Four Modern Family cast members — Sofia Vergara and Emmy winners ...
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