With the season coming to a close, the networks are starting to look toward next season. In the case of 'Criminal Minds,' that includes exploring the possibility of a spin-off series. They ran an embedded pilot for it earlier this season, introducing the new cast, and they've already had tremendous success with both 'NCIS' and 'CSI' spin-offs. But whatever happened to the old-school way of creating spin-offs?

'Frasier' was a long-time cast member on 'Cheers' before he headed off to Seattle and sitcom super-stardom. 'The Jeffersons' spent time living next to the Bunkers ('All in the Family') before moving on up. Even as recently as 'Friends,' they spun series co-star 'Joey' off into his own series -- maybe that's when it all went so wrong.

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by emailing us at tvsquad at gmail dot com, or call and leave a message at (775) 640-8479. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: 'Bones,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Castle,' 'Chuck,' 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Eureka,' 'Fringe,' 'Glee,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'NCIS,' 'Private Practice,' 'Psych,' 'Smallville,' 'Supernatural,' and 'The Big Bang Theory.'

Family is really important, although these days on television, we're seeing more and more groups that are sort of like family, friends or office mates or co-workers that supply the support and love of a traditional clan, but don't have share any DNA with one another. But there's nothing quite as dysfunctional and compelling as a real family, the old-fashioned type with lots of siblings, some aunts and uncles, maybe even a set of grandparents.

Currently, there are four traditional families on TV that would be a lot of fun to hang out with. They're all different kinds of family, but they could all provide just the kind of craziness to create a really good time. Check it out:

'Brothers & Sisters' is one of those shows that can make you laugh hysterically and cry like a baby in the span of an hour. Judging from what I saw on set while they filmed their big two-hour flashback episode (airs Sun., April 11, 9PM ET on ABC), the Walkers have outdone themselves.

With Ken Olin directing, there was also a hoarde of young guest stars -- including Kay Panabaker (young Kitty), Anna Wood (young Sarah) and Kasey Campbell (young Kevin) -- drinking Tab, flaunting big '80s hair and pressing on their brightly colored nails.

Dave Annable of 'Brothers and Sisters' appeared on 'Good Morning America' (weekdays, 7AM ET on ABC) and announced that he became engaged to actress Odette Yustman over Valentine's Day weekend.

"It was a very special weekend. I had my parents there and her parents there with a surprise and we've been sort of riding this train ever since. I'm excited!" Annable said.

Watch the video after the jump.

Bones - Wednesday April 7, 8 pm, Global/Fox

For the 100th episode of 'Bones', David Boreanaz directs a backward-looking episode that recalls the early days of the Booth-Brennan relationship and how romance almost got in the way of the work. I too remember the early days of 'Bones' - the expensive 3-D technology they used to reconstruct a body, seeing Angel in a suit, the awkward dialogue of the overly-techy techies. I admit, I didn't think the show would make it this far. But there's no doubt Emily Deschanel and Boreanaz have great chemistry and that the show has grown and improved since those early days. Is it the new 'Moonlighting'? Not exactly, but it still deserves kudos.

According to the multiverse theories explored by the Fox sci-fi hit 'Fringe' every week, every possible action, no matter how unlikely, is guaranteed to occur in one reality or another. Proof of this assertion? The folks responsible for the weepy family drama 'Brothers & Sisters' are about to join 'Fringe' itself.

No, it's not a hoax, not a dream and not an imaginary story: According to The Hollywood Reporter, this surprise scenario is occurring right here in our own reality, as Monica Breen and Alison Schapker have left ABC's 'Brothers & Sisters' to assist J. J. Abrams and the mind-benders over on Fox.

(S01E04) If you are watching 'Parenthood' with the idea of learning anything about how to be a parent, you should consider finding another form of education. The Bravermans seem to be more about how not to parent or "how to get lucky and not screw up our children too much" school of learning. Every week is a lesson in how parents can really make a muddle of their parenting.

Adam and Kristina's attention this week shifted from Max to Haddie. Sarah's advice to Adam was so rigid -- practically lock up your daughter and don't let her out of the house. Considering Sarah's troubled relationship with Amber, why was Adam listening?

The powers that be at ABC have good reasons to be feeling good about the network's success. They've had a really good year developing some new shows, like 'Modern Family,' 'The Middle' and 'Cougar Town' -- all of which have been given a renewal for next season. And today an established drama, 'Brothers and Sisters,' was given a fifth season pickup. You know what that means, don't you? Pop the cork! Let the merlot and pinot grigio flow, the Walkers and Ojai Foods are going to continue on for another year of whining and wining.

Weeks ago when it was announced that Rob Lowe was leaving ABC's 'Brothers and Sisters,' the spin from ABC was that they desperately wanted to keep Rob in the fold and would be working to develop a new television project for him.

Guess what? That was all a lot of hooey. Or exaggeration to the point of sounding more optimistic than true. Today, Michael Ausiello of Entertainment Weekly reported that Rob Lowe will be joining the NBC sitcom, 'Parks and Recreation.' This is a great move by Rob, turning to comedy rather than jumping into another dramatic series. And if you think Rob's not good at comedy, you don't remember his letter-perfect imitation of Robert Wagner's character #2 -- as a younger man -- in 'Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a weekly column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by emailing us at tvsquad at gmail dot com, or call and leave a message at (775) 640-8479. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: '90210,' 'Bones,' 'Brothers & Sisters,' 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Lost,' 'Supernatural,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Ugly Betty' and 'V.'

Earlier this week, we informed you that 'Brothers & Sisters' was considering casting Joe Jonas to play a younger version of Tommy in a special two-hour episode filled with flashback sequences and set to air in April.

Fan reaction from the news differed a lot. Some fans were glad at the idea of one of the Jonas brothers to be part of the series as Joe not only shared physical features with actor Balthazar Getty, which would have helped making this younger version of Tommy be believable, but also because the Jonas Brothers' following could have tuned in the show and help boost the ratings.

Other fans were outraged at the idea that Joe Jonas could land the role. Comments ranged from fans claiming that Joe did not look like Getty at all to them wondering if Joe Jonas had the needed acting skills to play such a role.

No matter what's your opinion, Jonas did not get the part after all. A young actor from 'Make It or Break It' was offered the role instead.

Virginia Madsen is headed back to television following a recurring role on 'Monk.' The Oscar nominee will next star in the ABC dramedy 'Scoundrels,' playing a mom of a family of criminals who finally decides to clean up her act. The network has picked up eight episodes of the series, which will air in the summer. [Hollywood Reporter]

More casting news after the jump.

There's going to be an upcoming episode -- a two-parter -- on 'Brothers and Sisters' that will boldly go somewhere it hasn't gone before (at least not in any detail). And when they do, we may be seeing teen heart throb Joe Jonas on 'Brothers and Sisters' as Tommy Walker. That's the Balthazar Getty role.

ABC hasn't confirmed the Jonas casting, but it would make sense. Look at how much alike they are? But there's still a question about acting. Is Joe Jonas able to make us believe that he's a young Tommy Walker?

Ken Olin of 'Brothers & Sisters' (Sun., 10PM ET on ABC) stopped by 'The Bonnie Hunt Show' (weekdays, syndicated) today, and talked about Rob Lowe's decision to leave the show.

While Olin wasn't involved in the process, he says that both Lowe and ABC came to a decision about what was best for everyone involved.

Watch the video from TV's Top 5! after the jump.