News

With Smash done, it's time for the backwards glances. First EW talks with showrunner Josh Safran who discusses the plan for season three, which would have followed the creation of a movie musical with Patrick (Luke MacFarlane) producing.

Meanwhile, composer Marc Shaiman comments on the showtunes he helped compose for the drama. Even he doesn't sound happy, "the greatest frustration Scott (Whitman) & I felt were how the actual moments in Marilyn Monroe's life that led us to write our songs were almost never explained in the episodes, which was a shame for it would have enriched the storylines of Tom & Julia and made many of our choices clearer and maybe made our songs more meaningful."

In happier news, Comedy Central has ordered a second season of sketch comedy series Inside Amy Schumer. I've mentioned before, I'm enjoying Schumer's show (except for the time I made the mistake of watching an episode while trying to eat dinner) though I'm always bracing myself for the moment when her comedy goes from viciously undermining the status quo to reaffirming one set of bigotries to challenge another.

Inside Amy Schumer

Has TV overtaken movies in depicting sexuality? Indiewire argues that it has, since viewers spend more time with TV characters than a movie. That gives viewers a chance to watch the characters' relationships develop slowly over time.

Like many series from the era, China Beach took a while to get a DVD release because of the difficulty of clearing the music rights. The DVD set to finally arrive was able to get most of a music but is missing a few songs. As Dana Delany tells TV Guide, "one that really makes me laugh is, we had Jimi Hendrix doing 'All Along the Watchtower,' and the Hendrix estate is very tough about its music and they wouldn't let us have it. But a lot of people don't remember that Bob Dylan wrote that song. And [he] said, 'Sure, you can have my version.' And that just makes me smile because Bob Dylan for years wouldn't let anybody use his music. ... So I just love the fact that he's now come around and we're using his version of 'All Along the Watchtower.'"

Thankfully, we can take one off the list of shows that shouldn't be lost to music rights issues.

Expect more crazy in the second season of Bates Motel. Producer Carton Cuse tells TV Guide that we'll be meeting more members of the Bates family. That might include Norma's brother who was at the center of the finale's bombshell revelation.

If you heard a squee coming from my part of the country, that's because Matthew Rhys is going to play Fitzwilliam Darcy. Okay, he's not in a new production of Pride & Prejudice, he'll play Mr. Darcy in a BBC adaptaton of the Jane Austen homage mystery, Death Comes to Pemberley. Matthew Goode will co-star as George Wickham and Bleak House's Anna Maxwell Martin will pick up the role of Elizabeth Bennett.

From bad hairpieces attached with super wig glue to the Regency Era.

The rumors about creator Dan Harmon returning to Community continue to build. According to a report by Hollywookie.com, Harmon mentioned that he had been invited back to the show in a recording of the Harmontown podcast.

Speaking of Community, it's been a year since a group of fans worked on making "Journey to the Center of Hawkthorne" into a full game. The project is much bigger now with what sounds like a lot of gameplay to explore, though the game is not complete.

Listings

Days of Our Lives (NBC) Check local listings

Okay, since someone somewhere in the NBC/Comcast family was confused about the existence of Memorial Day*, the Sonny and Nick scenes I mentioned yesterday are happening tomorrow. Today, instead, has Gabi worried about her baby, which might still end up including someone from the whole babydrama saga.

* Really. My cable guide still had NBC Universal programming set as usual for Monday late Sunday night as if it were a surprise that Thomas Roberts wouldn't be there in his usual time slot on a holiday.

Jeanne Cooper (with Beau Kayser) in the early days of The Young and the Restless.

So early it was before you could get anyone to wince by mentioning Joanne Curtis.

The Young and the Restless (CBS) Check local listings

What can make the residents of Genoa City give up on the drama for a day? Taking the time to honor Emmy-winner Jeanne Cooper, who played the formidable Katherine Chancellor for almost the entirety of the series (she joined the show about six months in to help boost ratings). Cooper was a beloved icon of soaps and her presence will be sorely missed.

Reaper Reunion (FEARnet) 9:00 PM ET

When it originally ran, I kept wanting Reaper to become the great show it could be, but it didn't find the right mix of comedy and horror until the series was nearly over. (Why do I feel like we'll be saying similar things about Smash in a few years?) Still, there were plenty of glimpses of potential greatness and FEARnet is going to revisit those glimmers by adding Reaper to its schedule. The channel kicks it off by reuniting the cast. That includes series stars Bret Harrison, Tyler Labune, Rick Gonzalez and Ray Wise. They're also including two of the people that kept me watching, Christine Willes, who played "DMV Demon" Gladys and Ken Marino, who was half of the gay demon couple who had a big role in a couple of Reaper's big story arcs.

I'd still watch a spin-off about demon Tony.

Awkward. (MTV) 10:00 PM ET

Jenna is assigned to do a public reading (I'm guessing this is an assignment from the Creative Writing class with the cruel teacher) but considering some of the things she reveals, she's working to keep Jake and Matty from attending.

Chopped (Food Network) 10:00 PM ET

It's Army vs. Navy for this battle that includes a "freeze-dried surprise" in the appetizer round and a "tough candy" in the entree...

What will you be watching tonight? Please share in the comments!

Tomorrow's Preview

The Rachael Ray Show (syndicated) Check local listings

Tim Gunn is visiting Rachael tomorrow.

Days of Our Lives (NBC) Check local listings

Yep, Sonny and Nick in a scene that doesn't sound contentious.