Back in November (that seems so long ago now that it’s 2012), NBC put its stellar comedy, Community, on an indefinite hiatus. Fans were outraged and many have been campaigning to “Save Community” since the announcement. The fate of the show has been extremely unclear since NBC execs are ignoring the situation.

Well, you’ve been waiting, and it’s finally happening! Community is officially coming back to your television this spring, according to NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt. Don’t get too excited though because there’s no news yet of a fourth season. While Community’s fanbase is dedicated, it doesn’t pull in the big numbers like NBC’s other shows. Community was pulled to make room for NBC favorite 30 Rock.

If you’ve ever seen the show, you know it’s smart and requires viewers to think. Why is this a problem? People just don’t like to think while they’re watching TV. It reminds me a lot of Arrested Development’s demise. That was the smartest show on television at the time, and its fans were die hard. But people didn’t get it so it got the boot. It seems the same thing is happening here with Community’s strange plots and alternate timelines.

With all of the drama surrounding the hiatus, I think fans will rally and bump up the ratings upon its return. Chuck fans saved their beloved characters from cancellation multiple times and got the show a goodbye season. The same could definitely happen here.

Do you watch Community? Do you think it will get renewed for another season?

Caitlin is a senior at the University of Alabama who has an obsession with cupcakes, coffee, and Harry Potter. She always has random fun facts on reserve and aspires to be a professional blogger, social media bug, and/or James Franco’s assistant. Follow her fabulous life @caitlincorsetti. You’re welcome!

Just like we can’t get enough of this show. It’s got all the makings of a great reality show (the characters, the challenges, the dramatic music, the alliances) paired with the happy ending of a Disney movie (and sexy bodies of a GQ shoot). And who can ignore all those tear jerking moments or the always-exciting Makeover Week?
The Biggest Loser to us is what football is to our guy friends.

We know every player, we know every challenge, we know the exact moment there is gonna be Ziploc bags/Yoplait Yogurt product placement. The only thing we don’t know is what life is really like on the Biggest Loser ranch. Well, not anymore. I sat down with this season’s most-talked-about player, Frado, to get a behind the scenes look at life on the Biggest Loser. From workouts to scheming to all that grunting, Frado explained it all.
CC: So, Mr. Frado, why did you decide to apply for The Biggest Loser? Was it your choice? Your family’s urging? A deep desire to have your butt kicked by Bob and Jillian?

Frado: Honestly, I did it to change my life and it’s really done that.  I wanted to do this to save my life; I did it for my kids, I did it for my wife, and those are honestly the reasons I did it.  I wanted to my kids to be healthier; I wanted to lead by example. They gave me a shot and I’m grateful for that.

CC: Yeah, the changes we’ve see on you so far have been incredible. How do you think you got to the point and weight you were at when you applied for the show?

Frado: You know I had stopped working out. When I started on Wall Street I had two or three jobs on the side.  I used to run but I stopped doing that [because I was too busy] and my caloric intake stayed the same until I was, like, 300 pounds.  I went from 210 to 300 in a year or two and that’s only because I didn’t adjust my caloric intake the way I needed to because I wasn’t working out anymore.

CC: Yeah, I remember when I stopped working out my freshman year of college. It’s amazing how quickly weight can come back. Freshman 15? Try Freshman 30. Anyways…I’ve been a big fan of the show for many years and I always wonder what life is really like on the ranch. So what is it like? What is something that happens there that the viewers don’t know?

Frado:  Honestly, a lot of the work is tough to do.  The trainers come and train you as much as they can, but a lot of it is up to you on your own time.  There’s a lot of filming involved, it’s 8 or 9 hours a day.  There’s this interview process that goes on, there’s a lot involved and you’ve got to find your way around to get your workouts in when the trainers aren’t coming.  We did a challenge once where we had to carry sugar cubes back and forth.  I thought it was ridiculous; it was one of the stupidest challenges I’ve seen.  But that being said, I carried them for an hour and a half, I ran back and forth 30-40 yards.  I got my workout in even there wasn’t a scheduled workout that day.  You’ve got to figure it out, you’ve got to do the work anyway.  Some people figured it out, some people didn’t figure it out.

CC: Right, so do you do anything besides work out?  Do you ever take a day off? Do you ever relax?
Frado: There’s people who take days off. There are dark days with nothing going on, there’s no filming. There are two or three off days a week, depending on the week.  Um, those few days you could do what you want, you could not work out, eat how much food you want.  The food’s all there, it’s totally up to the person on the ranch and the lifestyle they want.

CC:  Wow, so it really is up to each individual. I guess that’s better, though. It teaches you the tools for success much more quickly. What is the one biggest thing you learned during your time on the ranch that viewers should incorporate into their own diets?

Frado: The one thing that I think is to count your calories as far as what your body needs to burn with regards to your metabolic rate.  It really is calories in and calories out. Calories are calories. You can eat 1000 calories a day and be full.  Eat the right food.  If you eat 2,400 calories of good nutritious food or if you eat 2,400 calories of crap it makes a big difference.

CC: And how are you incorporating that into your life now that you’re home and back in the real world?
Frado: I mean I’m going to have pizza again. I’ll be a regular human being.  I love pizza; everyone loves pizza.  I’m going to have a slice but I’m not going to at a pie, you know what I’m saying?  Make those changes. Some people can eat a pie and not gain a pound.  I’m not that person.  You can have pizza once a week, twice a week, not seven times a day.

CC: What would you say to somebody who just doesn’t think that they can work out?

Frado: You’ve got to do it for yourself.

CC: That’s a great lesson for people to take with them. You can’t diet for someone else. You have to want it. I like that. OK, tell me – what was your favorite challenge that you’ve participated in?

Frado: The tennis challenge with Anna Kournakova.

CC: Ah, of course. Is it because she’s such a smokeshow??

Frado: [No,] because I won it and won immunity. And I needed to win it because I was already injured my second week on the ranch.  I had pulled a hamstring. I don’t know if you could see that on TV, [but] I thought I was going home after I fell of the treadmill.

CC: So that win couldn’t have come at a better time in terms of the game. Speaking of the game, it seems that this season is a lot more game playing than in seasons past. That everyone is very strategic and smart with their every move.  Were you surprised by that?

Frado: It’s like that every season, it’s just what the producers want to show.  Every season is the same.

CC: So how do you feel about your role as the “villain” of the season?

Frado: It’s okay. It’s perception. I’m going to take the bumps and bruises that come along with being on the show and having this chance.  You know what I’m saying?   Would I have been happy to be the golden child like some of the others?  Yeah, [but] I know who I am, people [I know] know who I am.  I do good things and I feel sorry for people who can’t handle that.

CC: I don’t mind you being a villain, but I do wonder about all that grunting and screaming in the gym. Does that make the workouts more effective? Help you drop the weight faster?

Frado: Well, honestly I was injured so that’s where a lot of the grunting came from.

CC: Ah, that makes a lot more sense. I’d probably be screaming if I had to work out with Bob and Jill with an injury. Actually, I’d probably be crying even without an injury. Anyways, we viewers don’t really know what you look like or how much you weigh at this moment, but now that you’ve lost all this weight, what is your new favorite thing about this new person that you’ve become? The way you feel, the way you look, shopping for clothes?

Frado: It’s not vanity, it’s really not.  The best thing is my health. I can run 15 miles now.  I’m back to where I was in my Marine Corps days.  I can go to the gym with my wife, work out with my kids, I play basketball with my son.  Those are the things I cherish the most.  And buying a pair of jeans off the rack doesn’t hurt.

If fantasy football is a good enough reason for guys to disappear for days on end, then I hereby give you permission to set aside the textbooks and turn off your cell phone for what is going to be the greatest (and most stressful) week of TV all year. It seems like every. freaking. show. on TV is premiering this week. Not sure how you’re going to fit it all in??

Brace yourselves, I’m about to outline the next five days’ worth of what to watch, what to TiVo, and what to skip altogether.  Oh, and all new shows are linked to their previews so you can decide for yourself!

Good luck. And thank god for Hulu.

Monday, September 20

8:00

Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
Is it even possible not to watch this season’s train wreck assembly of contestants foxtrot their way to faux-fame?  TiVo so you can skip the commercials!
House (Fox)
Chuck (NBC)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
If you’re like me and have been going through Barney Stinson withdrawal through the whole, long summer then be sure to watch HIMYM live.

8:30

Rules of Engagement (CBS)

9:00

Lone Star (Fox) New Show (and uber hottie) Alert!
The Event (NBC) New Show Alert!
Looks like this is going to be the new trendy conspiracy show of the season.  Watch it live so you’re up on all the plot twists in case everyone’s talking about this one come Tuesday.
Two and a Half Men (CBS)
Charlie Sheen, go home.  Skip this one, in the name of wife-beaters everywhere!

9:30

Mike & Molly (CBS) New Show Alert!

10:00

Castle (ABC)
Chase (NBC) New Show Alert!
If you like cop dramas and girl power, hit record on this new show featuring a badass assortment of U.S. Marshals…and Jesse Metcalfe.
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) New Show Alert!

Tuesday, September 21

8:00

Glee (Fox)
If you don’t watch this one live, I can’t even speak to you.  Grab a big bowl of popcorn and get ready to sing your heart out.  Glee’s back!!
The Biggest Loser (NBC)
NCIS (CBS)

9:00

Raising Hope (Fox) New Show Alert!
There’s a cute baby, so isn’t that an instant reason to TiVo?
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS)

9:30

Running Wilde (Fox) New Show Alert!
Since I love Keri Russell, I want to like this show.  But it looks a little stupid.  Set to record and watch it when you’re bored/hungover.

10:00

Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC) New Show Alert!
It’s about time for a cop show outside of NY/Miami/LA. And who needs cops more than Detroit? This is the perfect option to fill the void left by the original Law and Order. <Moment of silence>

Wednesday, September 22

8:00

Hell’s Kitchen (Fox)
The Middle (ABC)
Undercovers (NBC) New Show Alert!
Seemingly normal couple revert back to their previous lifestyle as undercover agents.  They then coin the term “sexspionage”.  Eh, I’d watch it.

8:30

Better With You (ABC) New Show Alert!
TiVo because the mom from That 70s Show has finally found a new home on TV!

9:00

Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
Criminal Minds (CBS)
Modern Family (ABC)
Yes, yes, yes.  I know, it’s brilliant and funny.  Watch it live for sure.

9:30

Cougar Town (ABC)
Totally underrated. Yeah, I said it. Plus, Jennifer Aniston is guest starring. Record it for those mid-afternoon breaks when the only thing on TV is old episodes of Gilmore Girls…which you’ve already seen 3 times.

10:00

The Whole Truth (ABC) New Show Alert!
The Defenders (CBS) New Show Alert!

Thursday, September 23

8:00

My Generation (ABC) New Show Alert!
This one looks like it could either be really great or really horrible.  Set it to record and make up your mind later.
Bones (Fox)
Community (NBC)
It’s baaaaack!  One to watch live, for sure.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

8:30

30 Rock (NBC)
S#*! My Dad Says (CBS) New Show Alert!
I for one am totally dying to know what kind of S#*! is going to go down on this sure-to-be-hysterical show.  If you loved the original Twitter account of the same name, this is one to record.

9:00

Fringe (Fox)
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)
With last season’s crazy finale, do you really want to take your chances on the TiVo malfunctioning and not watch the new Grey’s live?  Or worse, saving it for later and having it all ruined for you by your status-happy girlfriend? Get real.
The Office (NBC)
CSI (CBS)

9:30

Outsourced (NBC) New Show Alert!

10:00

Private Practice (ABC)
The Mentalist (CBS)

Friday, September 24

8:00

Smallville (CW)
Medium (CBS)

9:00

The Good Guys (Fox)
Supernatural (CW)
Dateline (NBC)
CSI: NY (CBS)

10:00

20/20 (ABC)
Blue Bloods (CBS) New Show Alert!
Tom Selleck, for the win.  If you’ve got nothing else to do than marvel at a glorious mustache and take in yet another cop drama, then by all means.  But really, I’d advise just leaving a little earlier for the frat parties.  Nothing you need to see here.

Just hours after Conan O’Brien announced he had signed a deal with TBS for his new late-night TV gig, he kicked off his nationwide tour and brought the crowd of Eugene, Oregon to its feet, AP reports. “This is the first time anyone has paid to see me. They’ve paid me to go away,” O’Brien told Monday’s audience of more than 2,500, an obvious reference to the former ‘Tonight Show’ host’s $32 million exit deal with NBC in January. During ‘The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV Tour,’ O’Brien worked the stage hard, joking, dancing and even making costume changes that, at one point, included a pink leather outfit.

Warning that “lawyers are watching,” O’Brien told the crowd that he was barred from performing on TV, radio or online for the near future and that ownership of some of his bits was in question. That didn’t stop him from including a Triumph routine or bringing out the Masturbating Bear, who with a small costume adjustment became the Self-Pleasuring Panda.

Read more about Conan’s latest gigs at PopEater.com.

Even though we had Monday off, it seemed as though this week would never end. But it finally did and now it’s time to party with some of the greatest artists of our time.

Before we grab our wallets and help out those in need in Haiti, though, let’s take a look back at the week that was:

- The celebs wowed us on the Golden Globes Red Carpet.

- Ke$ha, who we’ll never understand, came out with a new album.

- Guys continued to wear questionable (and totally unacceptable) attire to the gym.

- We said goodbye to our favorite Guidos at The Shore.

- Cosmo taught us what our guys are saying…while they’re asleep.

- And The Dude taught us what guys look for in a girl.

- John Mayer revealed his inner A-hole to Rolling Stone.

- Conan O’Brien showed NBC who’s boss.

- We learned a few life lessons from our favorite TV shows, while a new show reminded us to live life to its fullest.

- We debated the ups and downs of the infamous bottomless purse.

Whew! What a freaking week. This girl needs a nap, stat.

But surprisingly, that someone is not Conan O’Brien.
In fact, it looks like Mr. O’Brien might actually be doing better than ever.

While Conan may be totally getting the bad end of the deal with NBC, a bright hue of spotlight has been pointed directly in his path.  The publicity of The Tonight Show has been higher than ever, crushing his opponents, Letterman and Leno, in ratings.

But beyond simply tuning in to see what Conan has to say about the sitch (which, I admit, is the reason I started watching him), this entire debacle has given Mr. O’Brien tons of high-larious new material for the show. Seriously, the Tonight Show has never been better. Tell me you didn’t LOL when Conan went against the rules of bad-mouthing NBC by doing it in Spanish. “NBC is run by brainless sons of goats who eat money and crap trouble.” It’s Conan at his best.

And let’s be honest – America loves a good underdog story and Conan is most definitely the (insulting) underdog in this situation. He got Kanye’d and, much like Taylor Swift, now he’s got millions of people fighting for him across the country (there’s even an entire Facebook movement in support of him!) Sure, he had a strong fanbase before, but this has taken him to a level of fame he’s never seen until now.

It’s unfortunate that Conan is being pushed out of NBC, but with $45 million in his pocket and a whole slew of new super fans, getting the shaft might be the best thing that ever happened to this guy’s career. NBC, on the other hand, well their just effed.

You go, CoCo!

There are some things you learn in life (and in textbooks) that you never forget.

We went to the moon in 1969.
Plants live by converting sunlight into energy through the process of photosynthesis.
Cows have four stomachs.

All of those things are important to know if you want to pass that middle school test, but when it comes to the real stuff – the life lessons – textbooks don’t hold a candle to TV. Yes, I’m serious.

TV – even the crappiest of the crappy reality shows – has taught me some invaluable lessons about life and the world. Things you can’t get from a 2 hour Intro to Biology lecture or a 4-credit History of English course. Below are a few of the greatest lessons I’ve learned from my nights spent on the couch, chips and salsa in hand.

One Tree Hill taught me: Never get married at 16, never shoot your brother, and never hire a hot nanny.

The Office taught me: Sometimes our superiors are inferior and we just have to deal with it.

One Big Happy Family taught me: It’s possible to be fat and happy, as long as you don’t mind breaking a chair on national television.

Teen Mom taught me: Use condoms. DUH.

The OC taught me: To give Jewish boys a chance.

Lost taught me: When you encounter a hatch, creepy cabin, or force field, do not go inside.

Friday Night Lights taught me: Explosions In The Sky always sets the mood… for football games, and for, uh, other things as well.

The Bachelor taught me: Pretty girls are crazy.

Desperate Housewives taught me: No one is off limits; not even your plumber, ex-husband, or neighbor.

How I Met Your Mother taught me: Awesome X Awesome = Awesome Squared.

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson taught me: Things always sound dirtier when you say them in a British accent. “Would you like a banana?” (See??)

Late Show with David Letterman taught me: Never sleep with someone you work with… unless you’re a late night talk show host.

The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien taught me: NBC sucks.

Real World taught me: Being a stereotype will actually get you far in life. If being on a reality show is considered “far.”

Friends taught me: “We were on a break” is not a valid excuse for anything.

Thank you, cable television, for guiding me through life. I don’t know where I’d be without you. And after watching Lost, I don’t even want to think about it.

When it came to the fashion choices last night, the celebs pulled out all the stops…and hairspray, as they had to brave the showers to make an appearance on the red carpet.  Of course, despite the rain, they all (well, almost all) looked amazing (I’m looking at you Mariah Carey!). And the fact that they could look so beautiful while showing support for Haiti just made the couture dresses all the more fabulous in my little eyes.

There was a whole lot of awesome on the Red Carpet. From Jane Krakowski’s gorgeous purple frock to Courtney Cox workin’ it in basic black, it really was hard to find a dress I didn’t like. But, as always, the beauty is really in the details, and there were some really breathtaking details on display. Below are a few of my favorite bits and pieces from the Golden Globes Red Carpet. Click on the picture to see the deets at work in the overall look!

Conan and Jay turn on each other.

Zac and Vanessa are growing up.

9 guys everyone should avoid.

Vacancies at the Playboy mansion.

Disturbing things we do for beauty.

It’s time to start lifting weights, ladies!

Even if, at the time, I didn’t know what was going on, I came to develop a passion (shared with me by my grandmother and father) for late night. I’ve seen dozens of episodes of Johnny Carson, while my peers barely know his name, and hundreds upon hundreds of episodes of Letterman. They were beloved figures in my household. As I grew up, I became partial to Conan during high school. I would stay up past my bedtime with my sister, skimming right over Leno to catch me some Conan O’Brien.

As time went on, the natural progression of things began to unfold. Leno’s time was coming to a close and he turned the coveted 11:35 spot over to Conan. However, instead of bowing out gracefully, NBC decided to cut their high-budget dramas at 10:00 and replace it with “The Leno Show.” Um, okay…?

And now, after only giving Conan a few months in this new time slot and after altering the nighttime lineup, they’re making an executive decision to move “The Jay Leno Show” to 11:35 and bump “The Tonight Show” to 12:05.

And this is pissing a lot of people off. Namely, ME.

First of all, “The Tonight Show” does not belong in that time slot and never has. It’s always been at 11:35 and shouldn’t be moved just to appease some old guy with a big chin. And let’s take a moment to note that Conan was never even given a fair chance with his “Tonight Show” gig due to the nighttime lineup changing to FIT LENO AT A 10 PM TIMESLOT. Leno should’ve retired and truly handed the reins to Conan. Who does he think he is? Brett Favre?

Leno and NBC both have screwed up the natural progression of the “Tonight Show.” The whole thing is so effed at this point that perhaps it would be better to focus on Letterman’s “Late Show” which is better anyway. Conan can leave NBC, collect his cool 50 million and in a few years, Letterman does what is right and passes the “Late Show” onto Conan while Leno crashes and burns when all his fans kick it due to health complications after all the KFC and Domino’s they’ve been eating in their trailer parks (or wherever Leno fans exist… I’m a little unclear on this).

[Breathe]

Last night I was venting my frustrations to one of my best friends. She doesn’t even own a television and cringes whenever I bring up Jersey Shore or any other pop culture phenomenons. She couldn’t quite wrap her head around it all, particularly NBC’s loyalty to Leno. So I explained it to her the only way I knew how. By relating it all to relationships, sex and some mild alcohol abuse.

NBC falls into a relationship (“Tonight Show”) with Leno. Perhaps Leno wooed NBC with his chin or fancy cars, but whatever the case may be, NBC and Leno are a pretty serious item. Years later Leno and NBC break up and NBC starts a relationship with Conan O’Brien, that lovable awkward redhead. However, NBC is still sleeping with their ex on the side. You know, maybe Leno’s getting drunk and feeding NBC lines like, “I love you and I love BEING with you, I just really don’t want a relationship right now.” NBC keeps dating Conan, but, hark, overhears that Leno might want a relationship AGAIN, if given a second chance (“Oh babe, we can try and make this work!”). And NBC goes back to him, thus leaving Conan alone to eat brownie batter out of a bowl while watching The Notebook.

Hitting a little closer to home to anyone?

It’s sad to think that the “Tonight Show” has been to reduced to “The Jay Leno and Corporate NBC Show” and subsequently lost all the credibility that Carson gave to it. I’m not really sure what’s going to happen now (rumor has it even Jay is gonna bounce on NBC. Boo hoo), but I know for sure that no matter what happens, I would rather watch reruns of Real World on MTV than get my late night fix from Jimmy Fallon.