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A 'good' man: David Hyde Pierce returns to TV in 'The Good Wife'

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Author: 
Andrew Warren / TV Media
Julianna Margulies stars in “The Good Wife”

Julianna Margulies stars in “The Good Wife”

A 'good' man: Premiere season is in full swing with our old standbys and new favorites hitting the TV screen night by night. CBS has its own fair share of hits, but it's never one to rest on its laurels: guest stars and new characters abound in its packed stable of prime-time fare.

"The Good Wife" definitely stands out from the crowd. The show's a smart and sharp political drama that premieres its sixth season Sunday, Sept. 21, on CBS. Success is not going to its figurative head, though, and the Golden Globe Award-winning show is bringing back a beloved actor who hasn't been seen in a TV role in a decade.

David Hyde Pierce will be playing a major role in season 6, and the return to the small screen will be something of a homecoming. Pierce co-starred alongside Kelsey Grammer ("Cheers") and Jane Leeves ("Hot in Cleveland") in "Frasier," one of the iconic comedies of the 1990s.

Pierce has been a big draw on Broadway, and, thanks to his distinctive voice, is well known for his voice acting -- "The Simpsons," "A Bug's Life" (1998) and "Treasure Planet" (2002) being a few of his credits.

Rumored to be coming aboard for the season's seventh episode, Pierce will be joining an accomplished and diverse cast that includes Julianna Margulies ("ER"), Matt Czuchry ("Gilmore Girls"), Christine Baranski ("Cybill"), Archie Panjabi ("The Constant Gardener," 2005) and Alan Cumming ("GoldenEye," 1995).

Already a big hit with critics and audiences alike, "The Good Wife" certainly didn't need to hook a catch as big as Pierce, but its quality writing and topical plot lines must make the drama as appealing to actors as it does to viewers. Don't miss season 6's premiere Sunday, Sept. 21, on CBS, and watch for David Hyde Pierce to show up later in the season.

 

Basket case: Zach Galifianakis is a hot commodity these days, and it's no surprise that FX wasn't clowning around when it snatched up his latest project.

"Baskets," from Galifianakis and Louis C.K. ("Louis"), has been ordered by the network after a successful pilot, with eyes set on a 2016 release date.

"Baskets" is a comedy that follows a man (Galifianakis) with a dream -- a dream to be taken seriously as a professional clown. When he's denied enrollment at a school for clowns in Paris, though, he's forced to take a job at a local rodeo.

Galifianakis has been active on the comedy scene for years, with small roles in "Bubble Boy" (2001), "Into the Wild" (2007) and "The Muppets" (2011). His casting as one of the leads in "The Hangover" (2009), though, really put him on people's radar. He's gone on to star in its two sequels (in 2011 and 2013), "Due Date" (2010) and "The Campaign" (2012).

His Internet show "Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis" has also drawn attention, especially after President Obama appeared on it earlier this year. The bare-bones interview show has drawn critical acclaim, a virtual revolving door of big-name guests and even earned itself an Emmy Award.

With Galifianakis on the screen, and both him and Louis C.K. working behind the camera, "Baskets" has two comedy titans in its corner, and that bodes well for audiences. Watch for "Baskets" some time in 2016.

 

True TV love: True love may be fleeting, but it sometimes seems like it's even less common on TV.

With 18 seasons behind it, ABC's "The Bachelor" has seen only 10 marriage proposals come about at the conclusion of the glorified group date, and even fewer pairings end in happily-ever-afters. That hasn't stopped romantic hopefuls from trying, though, and it certainly hasn't stopped audiences from tuning in.

Season 19 of "The Bachelor" isn't due to premiere until January, but the leading man looking for love has already been announced. As has become tradition, one of the contestants who failed to win the lady's heart in the previous season of "The Bachelorette" will be taking the spotlight, while another bevy of beauties will be competing to woo and romance the eligible single.

Chris Soules made it all the way to the final three before getting the cut in the middle of a date by "The Bachelorette's" Andi Dorfman in a July episode. He hasn't let the rejection keep him down, though. The Iowa farmer told ABC's "Good Morning America" that he's "humbled, flattered, grateful" to be given another opportunity to find true love.

A fan favorite who won the hearts of viewers on "The Bachelorette," Soules' selection is sure to get ladies' hearts all aflutter, both on and off the screen. The next season of "The Bachelor," starring this tractor-driving hunk, premieres in January 2015.