"HIMYM": Who is the Father of Robin's Baby?

 minor spoilers

Who's the father of Robin's baby? And what's the bad thing that's happening to her that "How I Met Your Mother" co-creator Craig Thomas dropped hints about? I know the answer to at least one of those questions, and I'll speculate on the other.

Craig Thomas (co-creator of "HIMYM") has dropped hints about the episode, including the fact that Robin gets bad news. I'm concerned that she'll have a miscarriage, and think it's a possibility that the writers might have decided to go that direction because: a) Lily is also trying to have a baby, and having two characters pregnant at the same time can really complicate story-lines b) "HIMYM" seems to be way more of a drama-comedy recently (the horrendous Barney/Nora break-up, Barney/Robin will-they-won't they, no she'll choose Kevin scenario comes to mind) then a true comedy. But I really, truly hope that that doesn't happen.

Other 'bad things' that could happen? Robin clearly has a lot of unresolved issues with her father, so perhaps she has to deal with him having an illness, or even dying (although that seems unlikely since we already dealt with the death of a parent last season). Or, Kevin could break-up with Robin right when she's about to tell him she's pregnant (or worse, after she tells him she's pregnant). Or, Barney could say something horrible to Robin about her pregnancy (this seems highly unlikely, but you never know). Craig Thomas has promised that the show won't deal with abortion (at least in this particular situation), so at least we know it's not going that route.

The episode will pick-up exactly where the last episode left off, and the father of the baby will be revealed very early. Want to know who it is? Watch the clip:

if you watch this it's a major spoiler

"HIMYM" and "Castle" Are All New

The hiatus is over! Tonight both "HIMYM" and "Castle" are all new, and both shows are much anticipated; "HIMYM" because of Robin's surprise announcement at the end of the last episode ("Barney, I'm pregnant"!), and "Castle" because we've been promised an hour of Castle and Beckett trapped in a room together, handcuffed.

I've dealt with "HIMYM" here (the post even includes a clip that reveals who the baby's father is!), so now it's time to talk about "Castle".

What we know for sure is that Beckett and Castle are going to wake up together in an empty room, and they're going the be handcuffed. The whole episode will revolve around them trying to escape the room, the rest of the precinct trying to find them, and presumably some sort of relationship discussion. I mean, they're literally trapped together, so there's no way for them to run away from any conversations (or fights!) that might start.

Thanks to TV Guide for the following clip:

"How I Met Your Mother" airs on Mondays on CBS at 7/8C.
This is the last "Castle" episode until January, so hopefully it will be a good one!
Watch "Castle" on ABC at 9/10C.

Tina Fey/Liz Lemon's Hair

Since apparently I'm on a roll (hair-wise), I've also been thinking about the evolution of Tina Fey's hair. Actually, no, let me rephrase: I've been thinking about the evolution of Liz Lemon's hair (Fey's character on '30 Rock').

Fey's hairstyle has also gone through some pretty major changes (if you need confirmation of this, just check out her first appearance on Weekend Update on 'SNL'), but that's an issue for another day.

Liz Lemon's hair in the pilot episode

By the 3rd episode of Season 1 someone decided to style her hair

By Season 2 they were placing far more effort into her hair than Liz Lemon ever would

By Season 3 someone was going a little crazy with a curling iron

By Season 5 the curls were far far less

Liz Lemon's hair = major evolution. I would say that this evolution is about character development ("Liz is becoming more comfortable in her career/life and her own personality is shining through, as evidenced by her suddenly luxurious locks!"), but I think it's more likely that the network told their hair stylists that Liz needed to be more attractive so that people would "like looking at her more" or something. Ugh. I would argue with them on this point, except that I think in many ways they are right. Americans are not used to watching 'normal looking' people on television (and by that I mean people who look like us). British television is much more grounded in reality, their ordinary characters look like ordinary people, and even their scenes are less strategically lit, and the footage is less edited (more on that next time). And every time I try to get my friends to watch a British television show with me they scoff at the 'ugly people'.

The Hair Trend

Has anyone else noticed the new trend among 'hot' women'* on television?

They all have long, wavy hair. And it's rarely natural.

Case in point:


1. Sasha Alexander (Maura Isles), 'Rizzoli & Isles'


2. Angie Harmon (Jane Rizzoli), 'Rizzoli & Isles'
3. Zooey Deschanel (Jess), 'New Girl'

*I'm not contesting the fact that they are hot, but rather the fact that 'hot' is the main descriptive word we use to explain who we're talking about, which I find a little sad.

Zooey Deschanel on 'Conan'!

Zooey Deschanel appeared on 'Conan' yesterday. They barely talked about her show ('New Girl') at all, but they did touch on her recent party at the American Girl Store, childhood memories, eating raw hot dogs, and her Grammy nomination.

In related news, apparently Deschanel had at least two American Girl dolls growing up; Molly and Samantha. She doesn't mention Samantha by name, but sadly I immediately knew which doll she was referencing.

Watch her appearance on 'Conan':

Christmas Music!

I typically hum Christmas music year round, which rather obviously annoys a lot of people. Luckily, it's December 1st today, which means that Christmas music is once again appropriate! Apparently the media agrees with me. Ellen's 12 days of giveaways started today (if you were in the audience, I'm jealous!) and She & Him performed a song from their new-ish Christmas album.
There is a video, just give it a minute and it will appear.

They're back!

I hate mid-season hiatuses. Really, truly hate them. Mainly because each network seems to abide by a slightly different schedule, and that makes it almost impossible to keep track of when new episodes are airing.

Luckily, I know one thing:

Tonight there are all new episodes of 'Community', 'Parks and Rec', 'The Office', and 'Bones' (and 'Whitney' too, but that's barely worth mentioning). Thank you NBC and FOX! Other channels are airing repeats.

On 'Community' (NBC, 8/7C) it's an episode that's all about Foosball and lying. Sounds like a great combination to me.

Next is 'Parks and Rec' (NBC, 8:30/7:30C) where Leslie goes on trial--my guess is it has something to do with that kissing that happened with Ben last week.

Wrapping up Thursday's comedy line-up is 'The Office' (NBC, 9/8C) which is introducing Maura Tierney as a minor supporting character, in the role of Robert California's wife. I've loved Tierney ever since I first saw 'NewsRadio' so I'm super excited about her return to comedy.

Since I think 'Bones' works best when as little is known about the episode as possible (and I haven't seen it, so I don't want to ruin it for myself by reading an episode description or spoilers) suffice to say that it will probably deal more with Brennan's pregnancy, that pesky house Booth and Brennan are trying to agree on, and a murder. Definitely a murder.

please, please watch this show

Nathan Fillion on 'Conan'

I know what you crazy kids like: Nathan Fillion.

If you don't know who I'm talking about (or you don't agree) you don't know what you're missing (a soul?).

He was brilliant in 'Firefly', but personally I enjoy 'Castle' even more (I'll probably get hate mail now. I said I like 'Firefly', okay?).

Anyway, 'Castle' was a repeat this week (see my rant about midseason hiatus if you're unsure how I felt about that), but Nathan Fillion did make an appearance on 'Conan' and 'Good Morning America'. For those of you who missed it, enjoy:

'Rizzoli and Isles' Returns!

'Rizzoli & Isles' is all new tomorrow!

Monday, November 28th at 10/9 C.