TV Gossiper

(Credit: NBC/Mitchell Haaseth )

We've got not one, but two items about threesomes in this week's TV gossip. That's 40 percent, folks. If Columbus had only known what his discovery would reap...

5. Cancellations and Pickups Galore
Now we're getting somewhere. The not-so-new season already has some winners and losers, and the reward for success is a full season pick-up. "The Good Wife," "NCIS: Los Angeles," "Modern Family," "Cougar Town" and "The Middle" join "Glee" as freshmen series sticking around for at least 22 episodes. Not even appearing on the tube this season will be NBC's late season entry from earlier this year "Southland." After postponing the season premiere by almost a month, the network announced last week that it was unceremoniously scrapping the show. Blame Jay Leno, blame Ben McKenzie's boyish good looks, but whatever you do don't blame "Southland" co-star Michael Cuflitz. Word of the series' cancellation prompted him to pen an expletive-laden Twitter storm, the likes of which we've never seen.

4. Tim Gunn to Work Magic on "Mother"
It's true, we report far too much on the stunt casting circus that is "How I Met Your Mother," but ignoring a Tim Gunn jump to scripted programming would be TV sacrilege. If you don't believe us, just listen to the character description from co-creator Craig Thomas. The "Project Runway" star will be playing a "personal tailor/fashion consultant as Barney tries to fix a major league 'Suit Catastrophe.'" This sartorial storyline will somehow fit into the much-hyped 100th episode that already includes a musical number and a possible mom-revealing cameo by Rachel Bilson.

3. Lesbian Kiss Pushes "Heroes" Even Further Over That Shark
It's been a while since we spoke about actual plot points on "Heroes"—backstage drama seems to eclipse stories—but aggressively silly stunts need to be mentioned. Content with saving the world several times now, the cheerleader is at college and about to get experimental with a female classmate. NBC released a photo of Hayden Panettiere and Madeline Zima pulling a poor man's "Cruel Intentions," and now there's word that there's even an off-camera fellow involved. Which brings us to...

2. "Gossip Girl" on Girl on Boy
Building on what already promises to be a sexually adventurous season, "Gossip Girl" moles reveal that Chuck Bass's big gay kiss will be followed by a threesome containing nothing but series regulars. (So no Chuck + twins redux.) We don't know when it's happening or have any idea of who's in the trio, but we thought you'd want to know.

1."Parenthood" Vacancy Filled By "Gilmore Girls" Vet
On-the-mend Maura Tierney may be out of the picture for midseason's "Parenthood," but the series is still going ahead full steam now that they've found an actress to fill her shoes. The rumor mill placed Helen Hunt as the favorite for weeks, but apparently the former Mrs. Jamie Buchman is a bit too pricey. Someone who's just as talented and half as expensive is "Gilmore Girls" star Lauren Graham, and after looking for a new TV gig for years, it looks like she signed up to take over Maura's role.