Television is attracting more and more big-name stars, but this week's TV Guide Magazine points out that it's probably more of a fiscally sound decision for the actors than we realize.

While the most elite A-Listers make millions in movies, it's much less lucrative for everyone else. TV, on the other hand, offers a steady paycheck. Six-digit paydays add up when you take a 22- or 13-episode season into account.

It probably won't surprise you to know that Ashton Kutcher, who is filling Charlie Sheen's shoes on 'Two and a Half Men,' tops the comedy list with a salary of $700,000 per episode -- half a million dollars less than what Sheen was making. 'House' star Hugh Laurie makes the same $700,000 for every hourlong episode of the Fox medical drama.

Just because celebrities are on TV doesn't mean they don't love watching TV just as much as the rest of us.

With Max Adler's busy shooting schedule on 'Glee,' he told AOL TV recently that aside from his cable favorites ('The Walking Dead,' 'Game of Thrones,' 'Entourage,' 'Hung,' 'Californication,' 'Dexter'), he often goes for "cheesy mindless entertainment."

"I've gotten into the reality stuff -- I even watch 'The Bachelor' sometimes, or 'The Celebrity Apprentice' and things like that just to decompress," he admitted.

So, who's he rooting for on tonight's finale?

"I think I'm going to go with John Rich. He's just a strong player and a good, honest guy. I didn't really know much about him before the show, but now I've got a lot of respect for him so I hope he goes all the way."

It was an eerily accurate prediction, considering we spoke to Adler way back in April, when he also told us he was rooting for Marlee Matlin from the women's team.

Just as the calendar turned from 2010 to 2011, the number-crunching folks at Nielsen released their year-end assessment of the television landscape. Their conclusion? We're watching more television than ever.

According to their numbers, Nielsen measured that television watching inched up by about one percent compared to 2009, with each American averaging 34 hours per week. Of course, the eyeballs are spread pretty far and wide, with people watching everything from hight quality shows like 'Mad Men' to entertaining reality like 'Pawn Stars' to zone-out TV like 'Bridalplasty.'

It's not hard to figure out why Americans are watching more TV than ever. There are the obvious ones: more people have big hi-def TVs, there are so many choices, people are staying home due to the economy, etc. But there are a number of not-so-obvious reasons why people are hunkering down in front of their flat screens more than ever:

If you ask me, the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve is the best week of the year -- and probably not for the reasons you're thinking. Yes, most of us are still reveling in a post-holiday food/present/unresolved family tension coma in preparation for the new year, and I'm here to recommend embracing it: Turn it into a shrine to lethargy and sloth that would make Homer Simpson blush.

There's no other time during the year when you are expected to do less, so what better way to celebrate this time of lowered expectations than by hunkering down, bunker-style, armed with only Cool Ranch Doritos, a remote control, a helper monkey, and a bunch of complete seasons on DVD?

There is no better way, and there's no better time. People will be disappointed if you don't celebrate this period of unbridled self-indulgence. Here are some picks to get you started with what is soon to become tradition. Pass it on.

Regardless of what I just said in that headline, let me assure you: I love my remote control! It's the device that tells me "you don't have to just sit there and watch what's on. You have options!" It's perfect for someone who watches a lot of television, vital for someone who writes about television, and it really is the can opener of the living room. It's the tool you absolutely need.

Having said all that, there are several problems I see with having something so convenient at your fingertips as you watch the tube.

If you're not familiar with the cable channel Current TV (the one started by Al Gore), you're probably not familiar with the show 'InfoMania'. I would describe it this way: it's 'The Daily Show' meets 'The Soup,' with a dash of 'Best Week Ever.' I know, I know, you're saying to yourself, why do I need to watch yet another show that takes news and entertainment clips and gives them a snarky spin?

Well, that's a great question, person who says things to themselves. You need to watch this because it's a one-stop for all of the things you don't have the time or energy to keep track of and watch.

Goodbye Broadway, hello television. Tony-award winning Matthew Broderick has decided to do a television series as the next iteration of his multifaceted career. Considering his success in most every endeavor, there's little reason to doubt that he's going to do pretty well.

Remember, this is the guy who was Ferris Bueller. He played Leo Bloom in 'The Producers' and, hell, he's the voice of Simba, 'The Lion King.'

NBC has lined up Broderick to star in a comedy pilot called 'Beach Lane.' The show has already been greenlighted, in part because of Broderick's attachment and Lorne Michaels' producing.

Be warned - I'm starting the New Year with a cold. A cold that prevented me from properly introducing 2010 to my friend Stella Artois, and a cold that prevented me from enjoying my favourite Christmas gift - a trip to the big city to see the ballet - and it is a cold that is even now preventing me from breathing, speaking and sleeping peacefully.

Which basically means I am one cranky TV columnist.

My intention this week is to discuss the TV-related New Year's Resolution. For some it is a 'more-and-bigger' proposition, like my neighbours, who scoured the Boxing Day sales for a massive flat-screen to replace their large flat-screen. But for most of us, it is a 'less-and-better' motive that drives us to promise ourselves that this year we will watch only quality programming, and only for two hours a week, and only one night a week, because we'll join a book club, a gym, an internet dating service, whatever.

What I've been thinking about is this: what is good television?

As a fan of music from the 80's and the early 90's, I didn't believe it at first when one of my friends told me that Michael Jackson died. Since TVs were rare where I was at the time, my first instinct was to check CNN.com. As soon as I got confirmation, I found a TV and was glued to one of the news-only channels to get all the latest updates on the death of one of my music idols.

TV coverage of Michael Jackson's death was worldwide and every source of media. The news of his death, the coroner's investigation, the rumors that his death may have been faked (see the video after the jump), the news of where he would be buried, the details of the various tributes, as well as coverage of the special funeral ceremony, etc., made Michael Jackson's death one of the 2009 events that got the most air time around the world. Even as huge an MJ fan I am -- I do have about 30 of his hits on my MP3 -- I can admit that this event got too much air time.

Since the end of September, the "Ask TV Squad" column offers you answers to your TV-related questions such as information about actors, titles of songs played in episodes, DVD availability, status of shows, returning dates, props, etc. Anything goes as long as it's related to television or to TVSquad.com.

There will be no columns today and next week due to the Holidays. However, look for a fresh "Ask TV Squad" on January 6.

In the meantime, I invite you to send us all your TV questions at asktvsquad@gmail.com or by leaving a comment to the present post. We will do our best to find the answers you seek and provide the info in an upcoming column or in a TV Squad podcast. So don't be shy and ask away!

If you need inspiration, here is a collection of the questions we've answered so far.

More and more of your favorite shows are premiering midseason these days than ever. But with the upcoming run of the 2010 Winter Olympics from Feb. 12-28 on NBC and its subsidiary channels, the rest of the network and cable pack will have to vie for the attention of viewers already glued to their seats watching the peacock network -- hoping to catch a glimpse at the next Michelle Kwan or Apolo Anton Ohno.

Below you'll find the majority of premiere dates for returning and new network and cable shows airing throughout the midseason TV schedule of Dec. 2009 - Mar. 2010. Check back regularly for updates.

You may think the soap world has thrown in the the towel because 72-year-old Guiding Light has been canceled, but think again. Daytime TV is buzzing along as usual, and that includes The Bold & the Beautiful snagging three-time Emmy winner Rick Hearst from General Hospital.

Hearst, who was facing the prospect of a demotion to recurring status (as opposed to a contract player), will return to B&B as Whip Jones, a character he introduced and played for a brief stint in 2002.

The success of Slumdog Millionaire and Frost/Nixon recently inspired me to assess the ten best movies about television. TV has been a fertile source of entertainment for filmmakers. The TV turf is also a popular setting for TV shows, and there have been some all-time great shows about the tube. Here are nine that I think warrant special recognition -- in no special order.

1. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
It all started at WJM-TV in Minneapolis. The Mary Tyler Moore Show was the perfect sitcom blend of home and work, and work happened to be the local TV news team. As Mary Richards, the associate producer, Mary Tyler Moore was the single girl America loved because she was real, funny, gorgeous and lovable. At work, the news was mangled nightly by Ted Baxter, the quintessential news reader anchorman who loved every dulcet tone of his voice and had no idea what he was reporting. In perfect irony, when the show came to an end, most everyone at WJM -- Lou Grant, Murray Slaughter, Sue Anne Nivens, Mary -- were fired. Only Ted was spared!

You've seen the countless ads with the dire warnings: switch to digital TV by February 17 or you won't be able to watch any of your favorite shows and you'll have to read a book or play with your kids. And I bet your local news stations have been running various tests and a crawl at the bottom of the screen to remind you about the transition. Now it looks like it might not happen when it's supposed to..

The Obama transition team is asking Congress to extend the deadline because the way the transition has been handled hasn't been the smoothest: there's been a problem with the coupons that the government is giving out so people can get a converter box, the education on the new technology has been inadequate, and the government doesn't have the funds to make the current date a reality. Consumers unions are also asking for the date to be extended.

My sister asked me if I was ready for the digital transition, and I told her that I've been ready for years. Then I met someone last week who says she still has a small portable TV with rabbit ears. Are you ready for the change?