Musical Mondays: Game shows kick the week off on Fox
Niecy Nash hosts "Don't Forget the Lyrics!"
Q: How do TV shows decide what order the cast is named in? Some shows change it up by season but others are always the same.
I've got a disappointing answer for you: Credit order on TV is the result of nothing more — and nothing less — than constant, painstaking negotiation between producers, actors and, of course, their agents.
"You would be stunned by how many hours I spend arguing about things like this," one anonymous agent said in an article for Backstage magazine.
United States of Al, on CBS
Riley (Parker Young) comes clean to Freddy (Brian Thomas Smith) about his relationship with Vanessa (Kelli Goss) after he learns that Freddy proposed to her in this new episode. Cindy (Jayma Mays) becomes increasingly possessive of Al (Adhir Kalyan).
Home Economics, on ABC
Three economically diverse siblings - played by Topher Grace, Caitlin McGee and Jimmy Tatro - navigate their adult lives and try to maintain a bond despite their status differences. In a new episode, the siblings grapple with a $1-million ticket to space.
Q: Do contestants on "Let's Make a Deal" get to keep Zonk prizes, or are they just for display?
Technically, neither.
Zonks are pitfalls built into the game — comically bad prizes contestants get when they're hoping for good ones. They're items like goats, trips to places that don't exist, or cars that have gone through trash compactors. But even if the contestant wants what they "won," they can't have it. This is generally for practical purposes. For example, it would be more expensive to ship a goat to someone than it would be to give them a real, flashy prize.
Q: Do contestants on "Let's Make a Deal" get to keep Zonk prizes, or are they just for display?
Technically, neither.
Zonks are pitfalls built into the game — comically bad prizes contestants get when they're hoping for good ones. They're items like goats, trips to places that don't exist, or cars that have gone through trash compactors. But even if the contestant wants what they "won," they can't have it. This is generally for practical purposes. For example, it would be more expensive to ship a goat to someone than it would be to give them a real, flashy prize.
Welcome to Plathville, on TLC
Season 4 of this family-focused reality show begins tonight. Olivia and Ethan experience relationship troubles, as do Moriah and Max, this season, but one couple will not survive the strain. Meanwhile, the rest of the family struggles to remain neutral.
Q: I saw Hugh Grant wearing a New York Yankees cap once. Is he a fan?
I couldn't find British rom-com legend Hugh Grant ("Love Actually," 2003) on the record anywhere saying he even likes baseball, let alone the New York Yankees in particular. It's more likely he was wearing it the way millions of people all over the world do: as a fashion item.
Downton Abbey, on NBC
In this film based on the iconic series, the Crawleys prepare for a visit from the king and queen of England, but Downton's future is threatened when the royal visit leads to scandal. Hugh Bonneville, Maggie Smith, Jim Carter and Michelle Dockery star.
Q: I saw Hugh Grant wearing a New York Yankees cap once. Is he a fan?
I couldn't find British rom-com legend Hugh Grant ("Love Actually," 2003) on the record anywhere saying he even likes baseball, let alone the New York Yankees in particular. It's more likely he was wearing it the way millions of people all over the world do: as a fashion item.