We all know that TV is built on illusions: The interiors of buildings are on a sound stage, the exteriors are facades, the blood's not real. But acting without pants? Now that's really magical. On 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show' (weekdays, syndicated), Ben McKenzie revealed that -- since he was being filmed from the waist up -- he decided to go pantless for a scene in an upcoming episode of 'Southland.' The only problem? His red boxer briefs didn't exactly go with his pale legs.

Watch the video after the jump.

The whole Jay Leno/Conan O'Brien shakeup may have the rest of the world crying like jilted prom queens, but it's got one man grinning from ear to ear. And no, it's not Jeff Zucker. That would be more of a giant, belly shaking James Bond villain laugh.

Ben McKenzie, the man who tore into Jay Leno and his former network for pushing his cop drama Southland out of its time slot when Jay moved into primetime, has said he's happy The Jay Leno Show is going out of commission.

While he says that Leno is a "great guy," it still doesn't change his sentiments that he's "glad it failed...Things have worked out in a good way."

I'm sure Conan seconds those thoughts. That should make his first interview on Fox's Up Late at Night with Conan O'Brien especially awkward when he goes on it to promote Southland on TNT.

You've got questions? I've got answers. I'm The Show Girl!

This week, I sit down and get personal with 'The Mentalist' star Simon Baker in a very special interview, even getting him to answer a fan question from the live audience, and open up about being a dad.

And, for you 'Fringe' fans out there, I have scoop straight from Joshua Jackson on everyone's favorite bald man of mystery, The Observer. (Don't you want to know why he puts Tobasco on everything?) I also get 'Southland' star Ben McKenzie to promise he'll finally get on Twitter ... if fans of his do one little thing.

Want more? Email me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com -- who knows, I might just give you an answer on the show. Now watch, enjoy and come back next week for more. Until then, happy TV watching! -- By Maggie Furlong

In the settling dust of the 'Southland' cancellation scandal, star Ben McKenzie has an amazing attitude about the whole ordeal -- especially considering he's having to do interviews when he's technically on a break from working, and also under the weather. "This is not work ... no, no, no. I don't consider this work, I consider this a pleasure," he insisted. (Yeah, I'm blushing, too.)

But with continuing chatter about what TNT's 'Southland' pickup means for the show, its stars and its rabid fan base, there are certainly a few things to clear up, and McKenzie was happy to help us do just that.

Like the fact that 'Southland' will be premiering commercial-free, and with some never-before-seen footgage, on TNT Tues., Jan. 12, at 10pm ET. Fans will get to re-watch the show's first seven episodes -- which also gives new viewers a chance to catch up -- before brand new episodes premiere Tues., March 2.

Even though we chatted with Michael Cudlitz recently as well -- "'Southland'-o-rama, I love it!," McKenzie celebrated. "A 'Southland' sandwich!" -- there was still more to discuss, including new episodes, bleeping, "kissy-kiss scenes" and Canadian tuxedos. Get all this dish and more -- like McKenzie's well-wishes for former 'O.C.' costar Mischa Barton, whose cancelled show 'The Beautiful Life' will never be rescued by a cable network -- right here.

Oh, bad boys, what would we do without you? While in real life you're more trouble than you're worth, on screen your sulky swaggering, tough talk and icy eyes almost always belie a tender heart beneath the bravado. And that's where you're best enjoyed -- from a safe distance.

Here's a look at the TV desperados who made our hearts melt, in our countdown of TV's Top 20 Bad Boys. -- By Liane Bonin

Southland, the gritty new police drama from film producer Ann Biderman, puts the spotlight on the dark and grimy corners of Los Angeles as seen through the eyes of uniformed cops and plainclothes detectives. Unfortunately, the series premiere is mired in cop show clichés and forgets to deliver anything we haven't seen before.

The first episode – stream it now or watch it below, a week before it debuts on NBC – owes a lot to NYPD Blue, Homicide: Life on the Street and countless other cop shows that came before it. It's a procedural with a large cast about cops struggling to balance "the job" with their personal lives.

FOX has an interesting promo running in hopes that we'll all scurry to watch the season finale of The O.C. on Thursday night. It shows the main characters and tells us that one of them won't survive the night. The characters it shows are: Seth, Summer, Marissa, Ryan, Kirsten, Julie Cooper, and Sandy.

I think I have a pretty good idea of who it's going to be, but my official vote is for the untimely demise of Marissa.

(S03E23)  What has happened to our wonderful little group of four? Remember back in the day when everybody got along? Yeah, I think there was one episode where that happened way back in Season One. They were on a beach or something.

This week it's all about Senior Prom and, quite frankly, I have given up trying to suspend my disbelief that any of these characters remotely looks like they're in high school. The characters seemed really subdued to me this week. I guess that's because they're all bummed out about their respective situations. Ryan isn't with Marissa but he does know that Kevin is cheating on her. Seth can't find a way to explain to Summer that there's nothing between him and Anna. And, Kirsten and Sandy are moping about because he's turning into her father and she's turning back to the bottle.