Hyper-Hyped
The Rocky Horror Picture Show episode of Glee: The ubiquitous Fox hit will pay tribute to Dr. Frank N. Furter and The Rocky Horror Picture Show during their Halloween episode, meaning you can expect Glee-branded pieces of toast to be in stores for the holiday season. (Tuesday, Oct. 26)
Cameron and Mitchell kiss on Modern Family: After spending last season utterly chaste, Modern Family‘s happily married gay couple will finally lock lips to the consternation of Anita Bryants the world over. (Wednesday, Sept. 29)
Conan O’Brien’s Return to Television: Mark Nov. 8 on your Google Calendar, as that’s the night Conan O’Brien will launch Conan on TBS. Biggest question: Will Coco keep his unemployment beard? (Monday, Nov. 8)
30 Rock Live Episode: Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Alec Baldwin and whatever other major stars are in the neighborhood will stop by Studio 8H in Rockefeller Center to perform a live episode of 30 Rock. The 8:30 show will be slightly different than the 11:30 show, so fanatics will want to find a friend on the West Coast and Skype them. (Thursday, Oct. 14)
The Mad Men season finale: The good news: The best season yet of Mad Men will wrap up on Oct. 17. The bad news: The best season yet of Mad Men will wrap up on Oct. 14. (Sunday, Oct. 17)
Also on the Radar
Bored to Death: Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis make for one of televisions unlikeliest (but hilarious) trios in the second season of the HBO hipster comedy from author Jonathan Ames. With Party Down off the air, this is the funniest show you’re currently not watching. (Sundays at 10 p.m.)
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret: David Cross stars as Todd Margaret, an American energy drink salesman sent to Britain by his domineering boss (Will Arnett) in this new comedy series on IFC. If you’re still waiting for that Arrested Development movie and not satisfied with Cross and Arnett’s half-reunion in the Fox sitcom Running Wilde, this is the show for you. (Premieres Friday, Oct. 1)
The Promise: The Making of “Darkness on the Edge of Town”: Believe in a promised land. The Promise highlights the 1976-1978 recording sessions for Darkness on the Edge of Town, one of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s seminal albums. (Premieres Tuesday, Oct. 7, HBO)
Jon Hamm hosts Saturday Night Live: In what has become a yearly tradition, Mad Men star Jon Hamm will host Saturday Night Live. Considering the episode will air over Halloween weekend, let’s all hope Mr. Hamm gets to dust off his impeccable James Mason impression in another edition of “Vincent Price’s Halloween Special.” (Saturday, Oct. 30)
Friday Night Lights on DirecTV: The final season of the outstanding football drama won’t air on NBC until 2011, but if you know someone with DirecTV, you can watch them starting in October. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose! (Premieres Wednesday, Oct. 27)
