"Up All Night" is one of the funniest -- and surprisingly realistic -- comedies to hit the small screen in a long while. And while the new parents played by Christina Applegate and Will Arnett get to have most of the fun on the show, this week Maya Rudolph’s needy talk show host, Ava, gets in on the action, too, because she finally scores a real love interest. Jason Lee -- he of “My Name Is Earl” and the recently slaughtered “Memphis Beat” – is swinging by tonight to kick off a guest stint as a sweet guy next door type who steals her heart. And he’s already signed on for three episodes and counting, so you haven’t seen the last of Lee. We caught up with him to talk improv, “Earl” and parenting, on set and off!

MSN TV: How did the “Up All Night” gig come about?

Jason Lee: It had been a while since I had done any kind of comedy on television, so it was really, really cool to come back and work on a great show. And so, they keep having me back, which is great.

Bing: More "Up All Night"

 

Fortunately, they're all very cool people. As a guest star, you hope for that – you want to be able to just blend right in and have fun and have it feel comfortable. With Maya, I think there's great chemistry there. She is very playful. There's a lot of improv and goofing off. There was definitely some laughing with me and Maya messing up lines and goofing off and adding things that make the other person kind of chuckle. That's the fun of working on a comedy, you get to play like that. I feel right at home.

 

Tell us a bit about your character Kevin. How does he compare to Earl?

 

Oh, man. He's way more straight-laced, a bit more clean-cut, and he doesn't have an awesome mustache, unfortunately. This is sort of me kind of playing it straight. It's nice that it's just this sweet kind of guy from next door who sort of grounds Maya's character.

And I like that, you know, I get to be funny, but it's also a little bit sweet. Going from Earl which was kind of outlandish at times, and certainly a blast to do, it's nice just to see what it feels like to play it straighter, you know?

Ava’s the diva, and Kevin’s the down-to-earth type. How do the two characters fit?

It’s a reflection of, ultimately, who she is. Eva is very likable, sweet, innocent, you know, and she brings out -- he brings that out in her. And I like that she's not afraid to be that way around this guy. She's still very kind of smart-assy and jokey. It brings out a cool side of her, and it certainly allows me to kind of do something a little different which is very cool – playing it a little straighter and be a little bit more, I guess you could say, leading man, or whatever the term is. Or just kind of "the guy," you know, which I've never really done, coming from Earl and things like that.

 

You’re a dad yourself. Can you relate to the show?

Oh, my gosh, totally. I'm a father twice over. So, yes, absolutely. And, you know, it also helps playing a dad on the show, because I can totally relate and, you know, identify with that energy of being a father. And, you know, so, hopefully, that translates well. The - my character's daughter on the show is - I think she's, like, maybe 11 or something. So, it seems to be a good fit anyway. And it's also cool that every single cast member is a parent. Like, we all have kids. So, that's really cool.

You’ve gone from Kevin Smith movies to “Alvin and the Chipmunks.” Does that surprise you?

 

I just like the idea of working, you know. I used to not want to do cheesy and, you know, maybe not do certain types of movies. But things change all the time. Like, you have kids, and you think, “Wow, I have kids now, and gee. And oh, wow, I'm getting offered this ‘Alvin’ movie. I bet my son would like that.” And I don't know if that's something I would've done when I was 25-years-old, doing the Kevin Smith stuff.

 

Everything just kind of happens as it happens and unfolds over time as you grow and life changes. And then you find that you're just really happy to be a working actor and getting, hopefully, decent work and expanding and broadening your horizons and all of that stuff.

 

Here's a sneak peek:

"Up All Night" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.  

 

What would you do if the person you're called to protect is someone who's done you and your loved ones harm? That's precisely the predicament that Nick (David Giuntoli) faces in this Friday's episode of "Grimm."

 

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In this week's episode ("Beeware"), Nick and Hank (Russell Hornsby) are called to a case where an innocent flash mob results in a gruesome homicide. As Nick delves further into the investigation, he learns more about his unique family history and finds himself in the proverbial pickle when he and Hank are assigned to protect a dark character (make that Hexenbiest) from his recent past. Where's Monroe when you need him?

 

Bing: More about "Grimm" | Video: Watch full episodes and clips

 

Check out this exclusive sneak peek, where Nick challenges the supposed victim of his next case to reveal her true identity. Tell us what you think (and why Captain Renard is so chummy with her).

 

"Grimm" airs Fridays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

 

The "Days of Our Lives" cast met up with fans from around to country for some face time, photos and autographs at Universal City Walk in Los Angeles on Saturday. Everyone on hand was also treated to a concert, with Patrick Muldoon, Wally Kurth, Eric Martsolf, Matthew Ashford, Molly Burnett, Joshua Taylor, Bill Hayes and backup singers Deidre Hall and Kate Mansi taking the stage to show their musical sides. The big "Day of Days" event fell just shy of the "Days of Our Lives" Nov. 8 anniversary, so they also celebrated 46 years with a rockin' rendition of The Beatles' "Birthday," with help from alum Kyle Lowder.

Bing:More on "Days of Our Lives" | Watch full episodes and clips

Check out the live performance (above) and stay tuned for election talk with James Scott (EJ) and James Reynolds (Abe), Chandler Massey on his character Chad's coming out as gay and Galen Gering on the future of Rafe and Sami.

"Days of our Lives" airs weekdays on NBC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Allison McDowell-Enstrom

Special to MSN TV

 

Doesn’t it really just make you roll your eyes? The Duggars are having another baby. Number 20, in case you’ve lost count. They announced it this morning on “The TODAY Show” because, after all, who doesn’t announce news like that on a nationally televised news program? Michelle and Jim Bob seem blissfully oblivious of the firestorm of criticism they ignite with each new pregnancy. They sound and look and answer Ann Curry’s questions as if we all should be as delighted as they are. I find the announcement of Baby #20 to be sad and wrong and maddening. Let me explain why.

 

Bing: More about '19 Kids and Counting' | Watch episodes and clips

 

I’ve written about this family before and gotten plenty of blowback for criticizing the way they go about single-handedly over-populating the world. It’s easy to pile on mega-mom Michelle Duggar because of her advanced maternal age (she’s 45). It’s even easier to knock the obscure branch of Christianity the Duggars practice (the Quiverfull Movement whose intention is to take “be fruitful and multiply” to the nth degree!). Those are obvious targets for criticism and I’ve launched my fair share of grenades at them. But I’m irritated by a couple other factors at hand, not the least of which is the severe medical challenges their 19th baby, Josie, had to face. Is the same thing in store for Baby No. 20?

 

Josie was extremely premature which hit a nerve for me since I had my own micro-preemie born just two weeks later and two ounces bigger than Josie. My husband and I always said if our preemie had been our first baby, we never would have had a second – it was the hardest, scariest experience of our lives. Josie Duggar, herself, had a very difficult entry into the world spending her first six months in the NICU, leaving the hospital only to be rushed back (while mom and dad were out of the country, no less!), and finally returning home with supplemental oxygen she needed through her first birthday. There is no shortage of medical drama for preemies and their parents. Every day there’s something new and serious and immediate to worry about: bowel perforations, brain bleeds, apnea and bradycardia, infections from all the tubes that go in and out of their bodies (even a minor infection can be fatal), daily blood transfusions, future diseases they may get from blood transfusions. And that’s the tip of the iceberg. Complications related to extreme prematurity are endless so it’s not just worry at the hospital. Those concerns last for years, sometimes for life. And that is what the Duggars want a repeat performance of? I find it offensive. Are they thinking not about the possible compromised health of the next baby they bring into the world, but instead the importance of adding to their quiver? What happens to one person in a family, happens to everyone in the family so on that note do the Duggars not worry about the impact this has on the rest of their kids? Hours, days, weeks at the hospital with a preemie is that much less time at home with the others. And while no one talks about cost when having a baby, preemies are expensive! Maybe cost isn’t an issue for them, but I’d be willing to bet any money used on the medical care of a special needs baby (or child) would be much appreciated in 19 other kids college funds!

 

 

The skeptic in me (which admittedly is a substantial part of my personality) wonders if TLC ratings were starting to sag and the Duggars needed a fresh new twist for “19 Kids and Counting…” It smacks a little of the Kardashian philosophy: when attention starts waning, do something dramatic. So this is the next problem I have with the announcement of Baby No. 20. Is it for ratings? Is it for money? Is it a stunt to get on magazine covers, to get paid interviews, to get paid for the first pictures? The decision to add to a family is generally between a mom and dad, it shouldn’t be paraded along to a national audience, yet that’s what they do with each new pregnancy. The entire Duggar family was on “The TODAY Show” to announce the news which will clearly be controversial among the public (not that Jim Bob and Michelle noticed!). Besides their TLC television program, they have a continually updated official family website. They have books (and book tours), well-publicized missions, speaking engagements and personal appearances. In addition to the official Duggar family Facebook page, there are tons of fan (and otherwise) pages devoted to them. This is not a family who is living a quiet life in their Arkansas country mansion and shying away from the publicity. Instead, for good or for bad, they embrace it. And as such, they’re getting unbridled criticism.

 

I’m an anti-fan of the Duggars but for Baby No. 20’s sake, I hope that s/he has a good healthy ride and entry into this world. Lord knows that baby, along with the other 19 kids, is going to need some guidance dealing with life having come from the freak show of a TV family Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar have created. Now… any guesses on what "J" name Baby No. 20 will end up with?

 

The season finale of "19 Kids & Counting" airs Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TLC.

 

In tonight's "Two and a Half Men," Jon Cryer becomes his dead brother, Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen).

You see, Cryer's Alan Harper hasn't truly dealt with the death, and the break (spoiler alert) will eventually lead to a mental institution where his roommate will be Gary Busey (playing himself!).

"The only reason people are worried about me is because they can't wrap their heads around how cool I am," Cryer's character says in a familiar voice, according to footage obtained by Entertainment Weekly.

Kutcher's character responds: "Yeah no, I don't think that's it."

Cryer then announces he has tiger's blood, is addicted to winning and does a drug called Charlie Sheen.

Just kidding, of course. However, in addition to a break with reality, wouldn't a break with the fourth wall like that be a better reward for the legions who tune into the revamped series due to the ghost of a Charlie whose last name isn't Harper?

 

"Two and a Half Men" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

 

With Twi-hards gearing up for "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1" Nov. 18 premiere, Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson are heading to daytime this week, but Kristen Stewart isn't on anyone's schedule. Adam Sandler and Katie Holmes will also be working the circuit to promote "Jack & Jill," while "Today" host Matt Lauer is on the road for his tenth annual "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?" week. Plus, don't miss folks like 50 Cent, David Arquette, Kate Walsh, Caterina Scorsone, Christina Applegate and Kelly Monaco and performances from Daughtry, Il Divo and David Crosby and Graham Nash.

Bing: Watch clips and episodes of 'The View'                                             

Schedules subject to change

"Anderson"
Mon: Gloria Vanderbilt
Tues: David Arquette & Padma Lakshmi
Wed: the Bengals Cheerleader who won a $11M slander case
Thurs: Toni Braxton
Fri: Hallie and Hillary Adams, “America’s Supernanny” Deborah Tillman

"Live! With Kelly"
Mon: Joan Rivers, Michael Buble

Tue: Katie Holmes, Peter Facinelli

Wed: Taylor Lautner

Thurs: Robert Pattinson

Fri: Adam Sandler

Bing: Watch clips and episodes of 'Ellen'

"The Ellen DeGeneres Show"
Mon: Kate Walsh, Freida Pinto
Tues: Kirsten Dunst
Wed: Taye Diggs, Kermit the Frog
Thurs: Melissa McCarthy, Armie Hammer, Luke Bryan
Fri: Katy Perry

"The Rachael Ray Show"
Mon: Joy Behar; Guy Fieri co-hosts
Tues: no celebs announced yet
Wed: no celebs announced yet
Thurs: 50 Cent
Fri: Adam Sandler and Katie Holmes

"The Talk"
Mon: Billy Gardell, Jack Osbourne
Tues: Kate Walsh; Nestor Carbonell
Wed: Dermot Mulroney, Il Divo performs
Thurs: Ellen Barkin; Kelly Monaco
Fri: Book Buzz: author Iris Krasnow talks "The Secret Lives of Wives"

"Today"
Mon: (7-9 a.m.): Christina Applegate (9-11 a.m.): Laura, Jenna and Barbara Bush, Aiden Quinn
Tues (7-9 a.m.): The Duggar family, Stephen King
Wed (7-9 a.m.): Taylor Lautner, Daughtry performs
Thurs (7-9 a.m.): Robert Pattinson (10-11 a.m.):  Il Divo performs. 
Fri (7-9 a.m.): Adam Sandler (10-11 a.m.): Philip Galanes (“Social Q’s: How to Survive the Quirks, Quandaries and Quagmires of Today")

"The View"
Mon: Christina Applegate, Robin Roberts
Tues: Darrell Hammond
Wed: Caterina Scorsone, Ricardo Antonio Chavira
Thurs: Couple eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars," Chris Matthews ("Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero")
Fri: Tom Selleck; David Crosby and Graham Nash perform

"The Wendy Williams Show"
Mon: Kris Jenner, Lamman Rucker
Tues: The latest "Biggest Loser" castoff
Wed: The Braxton family, Kevin Clash
Thurs: Lisa Vanderpump, Randy Fenoli
Fri: Debbie Allen              

 

 

A heavy hitter on the big screen and small, Queen Latifah is no stranger to hosting a talk show, and now she's preparing to do her thing in daytime again. Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment has teamed up with Latifah's Flavor Unit Entertainment and Sony to bring the queen of hip hop back to daytime in 2013.

The recently announced deal was driven by Latifah's Flavor Unit co-founder Shakim Compere and Overbrook’s Miguel Melendez, who will serve as executive producers of the upcoming syndicated talker, along with Latifah and Overbrook's James Lassiter, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Bing:More about Queen Latifah

“Here at Overbrook, we have known and admired Latifah for over twenty years: dating back to our music days, to her first television role on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ and years later when she worked with Jada on the film 'Set it Off," Melendez said. "This forum is the perfect place to showcase Latifah’s tremendous range of talents & unique ability to connect & inspire people.”

Latifah is one of many names trying to "connect" with Oprah Winfrey's former daytime fan base. She'll find the daytime market quite congested when she arrives, unless new and up and upcoming talkers like "Anderson," "The Chew," "Dr. Drew's LifeChangers," "The Revolution," "Steve Harvey" and "Katie" have already failed by the time she kicks off in 2013.

Like Katie Couric, Latifah does have and advantage over the competition: This isn't her first run as a daytime hosts. Her syndicated talker "The Queen Latifah Show" ran from September 1999 until August 2001 and welcomed some of the biggest names in hip hop, while also taking on every day issues. Here's a look back at a clip about racial profiling.
 

 

Ava ... babysits?

 

When Reagan (Christina Applegate) and Chris (Will Arnett) have a romantic night away to reignite the spark in their relationship, who steps in for baby duty with Amy? That's right. It's Reagan's boss, Ava (Maya Rudolph), who ends up connecting with a single dad (guest star Jason Lee) along the way. Catch this new episode on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

 

Bing: More about "Up All Night"

 

In the meantime, watch as Reagan tries to convince Chris that leaving Ava in charge is a good idea ... on their first night away from baby Amy. What do you think?

 

"Up All Night" airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.