This season, some of TV's heaviest hitters have resurfaced with new roles and new shows. How will it pan out for our small-screen darlings? Will it be a full-fledged comeback (Alec Baldwin), a nice way to make a living for a few seasons (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) or a mere blip (Matthew Perry)? Here's my handicap.


Patricia Heaton returns in 'The Middle'
(Premieres Wednesday September 30th, 8:30 pm, ABC)

Type Cast? Heaton plays a flustered, harried mom in small town America, with a husband who helps out mostly with cutting remarks. And yet, this role is a big improvement over Debra on 'Raymond'.

In her TCA session to promote her new CBS show The Good Wife, about the wife of a state attorney who tries to build her life and career after her husband has a Spitzer/Sanford/Edwards kind of downfall, Julianna Margulies was asked if she thought Rod Blagojevich should count in the pantheon of "Good Wives."

She said that Mrs. Blago's situation was different because her husband cheated on the people of his state, not on his wife. "Then she goes on a reality show. I mean... god..."

OK, so Mrs. Blago doesn't belong in the same company as Silda Spitzer and Elizabeth Edwards. Would any of them be willing to give her advice on how to play the role of a wronged political wife? "I think all those women are too classy to grumble about anything."

This Wednesday, CBS will make its official announcement for the 2008-09 season, but word has already leaked out that there will be three new drama series in CBS's new schedule. The NCIS spinoff, which I would have nixed, is in there, as well as a Julianna Margulies show called The Good Wife, and an Alex O'Loughlin vehicle set in the medical field and dealing with organ donors called Three Rivers. The latter may not have the sex appeal of Moonlight, but how much you want to bet the O'Loughlin fans will be tuning in?

All three of these shows are one-hour dramas, so that means the rumors about Without A Trace, Cold Case and The Unit all being on the bubble were true. Cold Case had a strong finish with a two-parter that performed very well in the ratings, so it could be safe, but the other two are likely to be ending their runs.

...Yes!

Entertainment Tonight is reporting that George Clooney will indeed come back to ER in this final season. In fact, he's filming his secret scenes later this week.

The on again, off again dance between Clooney and John Wells is on again, after rumors that he was coming back to the show one final time in this last season, then he wasn't, then he was, then he might, then he was too busy and handsome, etc.

No word yet on whether or not Juliana Margulies, Clooney's significant other on the show, will make a return with Clooney. Well, actually, there is word, and the word from Margulies is no. But that was Clooney's word, too, until he decided to come back.

Juliana, if you're reading this, please come back, so they don't have to come up with some excuse (divorce, death) as to why Carol isn't with Doug when he visits County General.

Reports of Katherine Heigl's exit from Grey's Anatomy have been greatly exaggerated, and that comes straight from the actress's mouth. Heigl's staying on Grey's Anatomy for the foreseeable future.

In recent weeks, since choosing not to submit her name for Emmy consideration because she was critical of the material she had this past season, speculation has been that the star wants out of the show. Fueling the fire is the fact that in the past year, thanks to Knocked Up (and a lot less to 27 Dresses), Ms. Heigl's getting many, many offers to jump to the big screen full time.

Life & Style caught up with her last week at L.A.'s Hotel Cafe, where she was watching her husband Josh Kelly, performing. When asked if she would be on Grey's this season, she said, "Of course, absolutely. Those people are like my family." She described the set as a happy, joyful place where there's lots of laughter despite the serious storylines they're playing.

Aidan Quinn, who was last seen in the anti-7th Heaven drama Book of Daniel, has joined the cast of FOX's Canterbury's Law, which stars Juliana Margulies. He will have a recurring role as Matt Furey, husband to Marguiles' character. Elizabeth Canterbury.

Now, if you have seen a preview of the show on the FOX website you're probably saying to yourself 'Wait, doesn't she have a husband already?'. Well, yes. It's Matthew Canterbury, played by Linus Roache. Only Linus, the show's producers and FOX broadcasting know the reasons for the re-casting. So goes television.