DOWNEY RETURNS TO ALLY

Robert Downey Jr. reported back to work at Ally McBeal on Tuesday following his weekend arrest in Palm Springs on drug charges. The Oscar nominee — who signed on for 10 episodes — has two episodes left to shoot. During a conference call with reporters yesterday, Sandy Grushow, chairman of the Fox Entertainment Television Group, said the door has been left open for Downey's return at some point, but added that "right now we don't have a deal with him." Meanwhile, the "mystery woman" who reportedly spent Thanksgiving with the actor told Access Hollywood that Downey was depressed that he wasn't spending the holiday with his family, especially his seven-year-old son, Indio. "He was really down most of the time," said the woman, who identified herself as Laura Burnett. "He was a little upset [about] the holidays and not being with his family."