"American Idol" Season 3 runner up Diana DeGarmo is coming to "The Young and the Restless" this Halloween, Oct. 31, and her new character Angelina will be packing tons of tricks and treats for Genoa City locals. The young songstress may even prove there's something more dangerous than a mob wife or a "Jersey Shore" diva: a mob daughter! MSN TV caught up with DeGarmo, who dished on her new character, and also reflected on the "American Idol" judge she could have done without.

Bing: Watch episodes and clips of 'The Young and the Restless'

MSN TV: Is your new gig at "Y&R" a cameo or a legit role?

Diana DeGarmo: Angelina is going to make her mark in Genoa City, don't you worry. I am the weekly pot stirrer. She's spicing things up. You're not going to see me all time, so you're not going to get sick of me, but I'm recurring.

What's your character's story?
She comes with her dad, Angelo, a local mob boss. He's been out of town and is back visiting Genoa City. Angelina's is tagging along, but slowly but surely, she's taking over the scene. She's is a hoot and a half. She's a little over the top, but she's definitely got her real moments, which I love to be able to sneak in there and catch people off guard with.

Bing: More about Diana DiGarmo

Does she know her dad is in the mob boss?

Oh, she knows exactly what's going on and she doesn't mind. She likes throwing around her weight at any time. She loves the perks of being a mob boss's daughter. She lives for it. 

As a Jersey mob girl, is her wardrobe over the top, as well?

I come in [to wardrobe] and I just laugh as soon as I see where the outfit is going. It's like having a fashion show every morning. She has all the money in the world, but she thinks she needs to show it at all times. There are some things that I, Diana, would be too terrified to walk out of the house wearing, but Angelina is not afraid.

Once I'm transformed from head to toe, Angelina comes out so easily. I love watching the other characters react to her because she is such a surprise. She's so different from everyone else.

Who have you gotten to work with, so far?

I've had the great pleasure sharing the screen with Mr. Greg Rikaart. Angelina gets a little bit of a crush on Kevin, and she's not afraid not to show it. It's a blast, because she makes him incredibly nervous. We have to try so hard not to laugh when we're shooting because she is, of course, very zealous and Kevin is not so much when it comes to the female department. The sparks that fly on screen are just hilarious. It's wonderful to be a part of.

Word is Angelina is a horrible singer but still wants to go pro?

That was one of the things that casting was a nervous I would be afraid of, but I was gung ho about singing badly. It was fantastic and hilarious. Angelina thinks she is hot stuff, from head to toe, but has no idea that she sounds like a cat in heat when she sings, and neither does her dad. Angelo, who is played by the absolutely lovely Mike Starr, thinks his daughter is the cat's meow. The magic of Angelina's voice is its own storyline. It's going to lead to some exciting and fun moments in weeks to come.

Are you flattered that you were brought on for your acting, and not so you can belt out a song at Jimmy's every week?

I'm just excited that somebody's giving me a chance. Being on "Idol" is a double edge sword. There are so many Idols out there that are still trying so hard to get past the idea that we're only reality TV personalities, but I've been able to do that in the theater community. It's great that, finally, somebody believes I am more than just that. I'm really being supported and they're letting me create this fantastic character.

Are you in contact with any former "American Idol" contestants?

A few, actually. A lot of my "Idol" friends think what I'm doing is quite hilarious, but they're super proud. Eight years ago, I used to go to the CBS lot to film "American Idol," and now I go to the CBS lot, but to the other side of the building for "Young and the Restless." It's so mind boggling. It makes me realize how far I've come.

'Fess up: Are you jealous you didn't get to audition with the new "AI" judges?

Totally. I love the originals, but at the same time I love Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler. They've been fantastic additions to the show. I appreciate their critiques, because they are performers. Paula is definitely a performer and she can give a critique without ripping your soul apart, but sometimes, it comes from somebody where you're like, "And what do you do again? You've never sung in your life…" That can be daunting. I feel like they can come from a whole new perspective, but that one particular judge couldn't, if you get my drift.

"The Young and the Restless" airs weekdays on CBS.

Fan remember Crystal Bowersox as one of the true breakout stars from Season 9 of "American Idol," where she very publicly overcame complications from her diabetes in the early rounds to become a judges' and fan favorite. Her folksy, down to earth style and her no-nonsense sound (no doubt honed at many an open mic night in Chicago, to where she moved as a teenager) made her an instant frontrunner and ultimately landed her in the finals, where she finished second to Lee DeWyze.

Bing:More about Crystal Bowersox | ABC's "Body of Proof"

Now, the singer-songwriter, who released her debut album last fall, is set to guest star on ABC's "Body of Proof," where she plays one tough mother. Her guest appearance on "Body of Proof" airs Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. We caught up with Bowersox to chat about her guest spot, her musical plans and her thoughts on a return to reality TV.

MSN TV: How did you get hooked up with "Body of Proof"?

Crystal Bowersox: The producers came to me and actually asked if I'd be willing and wanting to do this role of Zoe Brant, an incarcerated female who's a young mother and who's gone on the wrong track in life.  I said, "Yeah, sure." I've never done any kind of professional acting before.  But I've always been interested. So, I gave it a shot!

Is this the type of role you imagined for your first real acting job?

I didn't really have a role in mind. It's something that I've always wanted to do but never actively pursued. Once I read this script and got to know the character, I thought I could really empathize with it. So I took it on.

Tell us a little more about your character Zoe Brant and the episode you'll be appearing in.

There's some horse riding in the script. I grew up with a horse and a pony, so I know a little bit about that. It was sad that I didn't actually get to ride a horse for filming. My character was incarcerated for beating up her drug dealer-slash-whateve​r he was to her. The character can't see her daughter. As a mom, I can't imagine being put away for a mistake and not being able to see my own son. That made my cry a lot, thinking about that. I just kind of put that into my character.

You're not singing in this episode, then.

No. There's no singing. It's all acting. And I'm happy for that.

What about future acting gigs?

Yeah, if there's someone who thinks I'd be good for something. I don't live in L.A. So, you know, I can't get around and do a ton of auditions when I'm focusing on music. But I'd love to do it again. It was great. I learned a lot from Dana [Delaney] and John [Carroll Lynch] and everbody on the set.

What was it like working in scenes with those two?

I know it was acting. But in the script, I was being interrogated. And I felt guilty [in  the scene] the whole time. I really did! I really felt like I had to defend myself. It was a very real emotion. My reactions were scripted, but it was real to me. They are intense. They are very intense actors. They're very good at what they do.

Having been on "Idol," you must know the value of getting things right in one take.

I know, right? This was definitely different than "Idol." There was more pressure on "Idol" -- because it's live, it's uncut and because I wasn't acting as anybody. I was being myself. That is maybe a more vulnerable feeling than pretending to be something else.

Do you have plans to put out another album anytime soon?

I'm in the process of writing. I have a list of songs that I need to weed through, and new ones come up in that process. I just need to pick the next batch of songs for the next album. I'll record sometime in the fall or winter for a spring or maybe summer release.

Getting back to TV, what shows do you like to watch with your son?

My son is really into "Bubble Guppies" on Nickelodeon. They're little fish people. He also loves "Sesame Street." But we're really into doing arts and crafts. I come up with weird stuff to do here at home. And he's the smartest, handsomest kid in the world. That's from my husband.

Will you sit down and watch your episode as family?

My husband is going to DVR it and force me to watch it.  

Any chance you'd ever return to reality TV?

If it were documentary-style. Not competition reality. I don't think I'd do that again. It was good to me this time around. Maybe if Ken Burns was doing something on a topic that I'd know anything about, it'd be great …

Crystal Bowersox guest stars on "Body of Proof" Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

"It's nature correcting her self, restoring some balance." – Herschel

Opening with a flashback to ostensibly happier times, tonight's "The Walking Dead" did a very effective job of balancing some glimpses of hope with the relentless gloom. The man who accidently shot Carl while stalking the deer turns out to be Otis, a member of a small group on a nearby farm, which includes folks with medical knowledge – enough to at least treat and save the boy for the present time. But this means the group is even more fractured than before, with Rick and Lori by their son's side, Shane off with Otis to try to collect more supplies while dodging a horde of walkers, and the rest of the folks weakened, confused and still without Sophia. I'll admit, I was worried that there wouldn't be many opportunities for variety in this type of story, but I am glad to be proven wrong.

Of course, that does raise the question of which storyline you prefer and which you can do without. Currently, pretty much everything has enough suspense, action and/or deeply felt emotion to satisfy viewers, although I am partial to the Sophia search group. They have the most potential for different types of conflict, whether it is Andrea's stoicism, Dale philosophizing, or the welcome comic relief of Darryl and his crossbow (best moment: his vaguely irritated "Shut up" right before he shoots the walker in the head). On the other hand, Andrew Lincoln is acting up a storm as Rick becomes more like a zombie than a human; he seems to be on the verge of a nervous breakdown all the time, and his physical and mental pain are palpable to the audience. Hopefully, the new characters will not devolve into a bunch of disposable redshirts (particularly the always welcome Pruitt Taylor Vince as Otis), and we can keep enjoying the delicate negotiations amongst an expanded band of survivors. So far, the creators of "The Walking Dead" are on the right path.

• I sincerely hope they are stockpiling sunscreen from all those abandoned cars.
• Jeffrey DeMunn brings something so unique to his characterization of Dale – he's just a fully lived-in presence, someone who seems to have reserves of strength while at the same time making the wrong move a lot of the time.
• I see Daryl's brother has been a customer of Los Pollos Hermanos.
• The meta-comment on T-Dog being the only black guy and what that means in every sense was pretty amusing.
• Another brilliant cliffhanger, as we watch the lock on the gate ominously shimmy around.

"You think I can't play this game?" – Jimmy Darmody

"I don't think you even know the rules." – Nucky Thompson 

In keeping with the title of tonight's episode, which alternated between scenes of quiet contemplation and brutal violence, there was a strong running theme of insincerity and outright lying. Jimmy and Gillian are still fibbing to everyone about the extent of the Commodore's incapacitation, Nucky is in cahoots with Attorney General Shooter McGavin in order to get his election fraud charges dropped, and everyone is mouthing platitudes about Memorial Day while inwardly questioning their belief in the worth of their daily lives. All of this hypocrisy and inward conflict plays out most thrillingly with Richard Harrow and Eli Thompson.

Eli's life is pretty much in shambles, after he cut all ties with Nucky and threw in his lot with Jimmy. As we might say nowadays, "So, how's that working out for you?" It was clear from the beginning that nobody in his new crew had any respect for him, and now it is clear that his big brother will prove an implacable foe. That knock down schoolyard fight in Nucky's greenhouse was the bursting dam of many years of deep-seated sibling resentment. And now Eli has spontaneously murdered an (relatively) innocent bystander. Shea Wigham keeps finding new and original ways to play the many shades of this erstwhile police chief's petulance, bitterness and anger, while somehow keeping him from being completely off-putting. It's a great balance by a talented actor.

But then, "Boardwalk Empire" is full of exceptional performers, and one of the MVPs has got to be Jack Huston as the mysterious Richard Harrow. Following his dark day of the soul had as many suspenseful moments as any action sequence, and he conveyed every subtle shift of emotion, while at the same time remaining essentially enigmatic. We see him being gently counseled by the hunters in the New Jersey forest following his interrupted suicide attempt ("These woods are for living. Understand me there?") and we hope that this will give him a new attitude about life. But Richard is driven by understandable needs – for love, for approval, for a feeling of being needed and appreciated by others -  that have twisted themselves into a knot of pain and loneliness so deep that he allows himself to be used for increasingly savage "jobs" for his one true friend Jimmy Darmody.  He is trapped in a seemingly endless loop of glimmers of hope and long stretches of despair, and all the empty speeches of the day don't mean as much as knowing there is someone who will fight for him, "down to the last bullet."

This all does seem to be leading up to a final confrontation between Nucky and Jimmy, since Nucky will be able to make short work of pretty much everyone else one way or another. However, as we can see in that awful scalping scene, Jimmy is ready to take any measures to win the day.

"Sacrifice, service and loyalty". Boy, Nucky sure does know how to twist the knife.

This strange gang of bewhiskered men doesn't seem to have individual personalities yet, but I have a feeling they are no match for the Darmody clan.

On a lighter note, our little maid seems to be having a fine old time with Owen the Irish charmer. Any bets on whether he actually doesn't get her "in trouble"?

"You're an easily bamboozled individual."

New York newbie Margot Robbie can certainly relate to her character Laura Cameron, a wide-eyed, rookie stewardess, on ABC's new '60s-centered hit "Pan Am."

Bing: More about Margot Robbie | More about ABC's "Pan Am"

After all, the Australian actress touched down in the States just a few months before landing the coveted role. We caught up with the actress to chat about the '60s, her New York adventure and why viewers should get on board with "Pan Am." "Pan Am" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. 

MSN TV: How much did you know about Pan Am and that high-flying culture before you got the part?

Margot Robbie: Very little. I didn't know very much about it at all because Pan Am is very much an American company, and they didn't fly to Australia very often. So there, it's not the icon it is in America. I knew it was an international airline that went under, but I had no idea about the crazy culture, what the stewardess and pilots did, all it represented. But I loved researching it. The '60s are my favorite decade -- with the Cold War, the women’s movement. And then there's the music, the fashion, the clothes, the hair. It's just so crazy and amazing.

Runaway bride Laura is the innocent of the group, so to speak.

It's really easy for me to relate to my character -- because I'm new to the job, I'm new to the country, I'm new to New York. I've been working in Australia, of course, but I'd never been to America and New York City. I got here when we shot the pilot.

Where have you guys been shooting?

It's fascinating to see how versatile New York City is. It lends itself to being so many different places! We shot the last episodes -- Jakarta stuff in Brooklyn -- at a Buddhist temple down the street from the studio! I can hardly believe it myself when I watch it on TV, because it looks incredible. It looks like we were there. And the special effects -- you'll see a lot more of that upcoming this season -- they're just amazing. But New York is amazing. If we're in London, we'e shooting on the Upper East Side. You add fog machines, a little bit of rain and maybe a double-decker, and you've got London. It's just crazy. We'll go to Long Island and use these amazing mansions and old houses, and we recreated Berlin there. And Brooklyn is just brilliant: It can go Caribbean. We can make it look like anywhere.

Has New York been a bit of culture shock for you personally?

For sure! I remember when I was in the cab on the way from the airport. I was just craning my neck, looking up and thinking "Oh, my God. This really is a concrete jungle." There’s really nowhere like it. And I'm used to growing up on acreage, and my family has a farm -- just endless space. So, it's so different. In Australia, everyone's cruisy and casual. And you get here, and everyone's just racing around. The city has this real, palpable energy to it. I love it. It's so exhilarating. It's a fantastic place to live, especially at 21. I'm just having a ball.

Most of the show's viewers wouldn't realize you're Australian. On the show, you do a flawless American accent.

Honestly, that’s the highest compliment I get, when I run into someone and they're like, "You're Australian?!" Even members of the crew will come up and be like, 'Wait, wait! Where are you from?' It's a credit to my dialect coach, but I've been studying for two years. But now that I'm surrounded by Americans, it's getting easier and easier every day. I hear myself saying things differently. I'll get teased about that when I get back to Australia. But if you knew me a few years ago, you wouldn’t understand what I was saying, because I grew up in Queensland, which is like the equivalent South here. The accent is really nasal and broad. When I started on "Neighbours" in Australia, they got me a coach because they said I sounded too nasal and too Australian!

On the show, you've done London, Rangoon, Berlin. What can we expect next?

Oh, it's so exciting! There's a storyline where Laura has a love interest who's an African American sailor -- which, in the '60s, was really controversial. In '63, before the Civil Rights movement, everything was sort of at a boiling point. Everyone was on the brink. You've got Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech incorporated into that episode. The first few episodes, everything was approached pretty delicately, but we're straight into it now, no holding back. It was just such a different world. I have to keep reminding myself: I can't be shocked by it, because, for my character, that's just the way things are. In the script I just read, we go to Haiti, and it's insane. It's like an action flick, like a war zone, with people dying. The historical stuff is just so interesting and the stakes are so high. It's really, really high drama. And it was all real. That's the way things were then.

What is it about the '60s that makes it so popular today?

Certainly there's a huge appeal to the '60s, because it was such a big turning point to everyone. It was the era of change, the boiling point. People rebelled against things -- the hippies, the feminists, the protesters. All these things just built up and boiled over. I think people can relate to that today.

"Pan Am" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Last week on "Vampire Diaries," Katherine and Jeremy discovered the infamous Michael, a long-dormant vampire who kills vampires – who was chasing down Klaus and his sister before someone put him in a box.

But despite the fact that they pulled the knife out of his heart, Michael was uninterested in being revived. As Katherine found, he just wouldn't eat, so she forced some blood down his throat.

Elena, still smarting from a harsh bite from a transformed Stefan, got some training from Alaric on how to kill a vampire. But she's a light-weight. Still, Alaric was confident. "I think that you can do pretty much anything," he reminded her.

After training, Elena and the gang started their senior year at Mystic Falls high. Elena told them it was her anniversary – she'd met Stefan on the first day of school last year. Ouch.

Damon was irritated by the new Stefan's messy ways – dead bodies scattered throughout the hall. And a new, unexpected house guest: Klaus's sister, Rebecca. Yup, Klaus left her there. And she wasn't happy about it.

Bonnie had a chat with Jeremy about the fact that their relationship was now a square, since she was sharing him with the ghosts of vampire exes Anna and Vicki.

Vicki, meanwhile, was busy haunting her brother Matt. In fact, Tyler caught him talking to himself. Vicki told him that he could help her come back – a witch on the other side could push her over. But Jeremy overheard that, and Anna warned him that Vicki was bad news. "There's dark energy all around her," she said. But Matt was moving full speed ahead.

Later, Tyler kissed Caroline – and she found blood on his shirt – from a "blood bag" Rebecca gave him. Yes, Rebecca, who was assigned to keep watch over him. "I'm his first vampire-werewolf hybrid," he said. "Don’t you think that's just the tiniest bit awesome?"

Elena was still mopey, but then Stefan showed up at school and gave her a good scare. He had to watch over her, after all, because she was another one  of Klaus's assets. Fun times when Stefan and Rebecca both showed up for Alaric's history class.

And then Rebecca showed up to cheer practice, threatening to take over Caroline's life, right before her football star hybrid boyfriend used his newfound vampire powers to make his coach cancel practice.

On the track, Stefan stalked Elena, calling her a human blood bag. So she started plotting again, with Damon's help. The whole gang met up to figure out how to lock the new Stefan – and Rebecca – up. But when Tyler showed up, he wasn't down with the plan. In fact, he was looking out for Klaus's best interests.

"He's been sired," Damon explained. "He feels loyal to Klaus because Klaus's blood created him."

So Caroline told Tyler they were over if he didn't stop being Klaus's minion. "I'm not anyone's pet, Caroline," he said. "No one controls me. But everything I like about me is you."

Matt, meanwhile, was busy cutting himself for the spell to bring Vicki back. And Bonnie was pissed because Jeremy went to Anna, not her.

Once Vicki was back, she told Matt she had a mission – she had to kill Elena so Klaus couldn't create more hybrids. So she knocked Matt out – with a wrench!

Damon distracted Rebecca with roasted marshmallows and smores: "I can be mean, if that's what you're into," he said, right before she stabbed him with a tree branch.

Elena argued with Stefan about whether she was jealous, then stormed off. Of course, Stefan followed her. Later, she pretended to be drunk and fall of a bleacher. "I knew you’d catch me," she said, right before Alaric shot him with a bunch of wooden bullets. They hauled Stefan into Alaric's truck, which suddenly caught aflame, because Vicky set it on fire. A wounded Stefan kicked the trunk open so they could escape, right before the flames consumed the vehicle.

Meanwhile, Bonnie was doing a spell to make Vicki go away. But Matt was holding her there with his mind. He had to say goodbye.

Back at the Salvatore house, Damon dressed Elena's wounds, sexual tension abounding, naturally.

Right after Caroline left – "You have to earn the overnighter," she explained – Rebecca brought Tyler a midnight snack. "My brother would like you to indulge in everything life has to offer," she said. He couldn't resist.

Katherine chatted with the now awake Michael, who told her he could kill Klaus, he just had to be released. So she released him, offering him more human blood. "I don’t feed on living things," he said, before attacking Katherine.

Stefan confronted Damon and Elena about their plan. Elena told him she wasn’t giving up. "Elena, do you have any idea how pathetic that makes you?" he asked. So she stabbed him and said, "No, that makes me strong."

Jeremy called Bonnie to apologize again, but he was still haunted by Anna – and discovered that he could touch her.

Damon was pissed by the continued destruction of his house, which he blamed on Stefan. But this time it wasn't him. It was Tyler's long-dead werewolf uncle, Mason Lockwood. Yup, he was back, too. Because really, Damon, there is no rest for the wicked.

Here's a sneak peek of next week's episode: