united states of tara

Cable television made a name for itself the home of edgy fare, but some of the edges have worn off over time, especially on Showtime.

By this point in its history, 'Dexter,' a show with a very provocative premise, appears to be firmly committed to telling essentially the same story every season. It's hard to care much about Dexter's various predicaments when, at the end of the season, he'll wriggle out of the problems he faces, just like he always does.

A similar entropy has enveloped two of Showtime's flagship "women in distress" shows. 'Nurse Jackie' and 'The United States of Tara' seem content to go nowhere fast in their third seasons, which begin at 10PM and 10:30PM Monday.

As these new seasons begin, very little feels new. Both shows try to give the illusion of progress in their lead characters' lives, but most developments in the new seasons are painfully incremental or easily undone.

Fall is always crazy in the TV realm, but the middle of the current season has been just as bananas.

As soon as 2011 rolled around, the networks unleashed a bumper crop of new and returning shows, and only in the past couple of weeks did the relentless pace of premieres and returns simmer down to a manageable level.

We can't get complacent, however, because in the next few weeks, cable and broadcast networks will release yet another barrage of notable new shows, from 'Game of Thrones' to 'The Killing' to 'The Borgias.'

To make sure you don't miss anything, here's a handy list of 19 notable March and April programs. I've put a * next to new programs I've seen at least one episode of. Look for full reviews of most of these programs on TV Squad in coming weeks.

Tara Gregson is heading back to school when the Showtime hit 'United States of Tara' premieres its third season on March 28 ... and so are T and Alice and Buck and ... you get the drift.

Showtime just released the first trailer for season 3, and it features plenty of alter action, Tara going back to school and Eddie Izzard being a badass (like always). One thing it doesn't feature: enough of the rest of the family. Where's Marshall? And where's Frances Conroy as Max's mother?

Regardless, we're excited for the show to return. Watch the trailer after the jump.

Good news: David Duchovny will continue to seduce women on your TV screens for another season.

At Showtime's Television Critics Association panel this afternoon, Entertainment President David Nevins announced that the network has renewed 'Californication' for a fifth season. The comedy's fourth season, which chronicles the attempt of Duchovny's womanizing Hank Moody to stay out of jail after some ill-advised sexual adventures, premiered on Sunday night to its highest-rated telecast ever.

Also at the panel, Nevins officially announced a new reality series that will follow the San Francisco Giants as they defend their World Series title in the 2011 season. The show doesn't yet have a title, but it will likely air during this year's baseball season, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

How to dress up like Tara's six alters from 'United States of Tara' for Halloween

The Costume: Tara's (Toni Collette) six alters from 'United States of Tara.' Put these costumes together as a group or choose your favorite one for yourself.

What You'll Need: This show offers a wealth of costume possibilities, but beer-guzzling biker Buck is the most recognizable if you're going solo and has the most potential for fun. When Tara transitions into this profane troublemaker, she always wears a trucker cap, extra large metal-framed glasses, sleeveless flannel shirt, faded tank-top, old acid-washed jeans and big black biker boots. The colors and logos change slightly. While picking items, just ask yourself if a drunken Vietnam War veteran would wear them.

British comedian Eddie Izzard has booked a major recurring role on the third season of Showtime's dark comedy 'United States of Tara.'

According to Deadline Hollywood, Izzard will play a psychology professor who becomes fascinated with Tara (Emmy-winner Toni Collette) and her Dissociative Identity Disorder. At first he is skeptic about Tara's condition, but later becomes a believer.

With the Emmy awards less than a week away, I'm continuing to pick who I think should and who I think will win the major awards.

Yesterday, I discussed the Best Lead Actor in a Drama category. Today we look at the comedy side of the ledger and the Best Lead Actress in a Comedy category.

Nominees:
Toni Collette, 'United States of Tara'
Edie Falco, 'Nurse Jackie'
Tina Fey, '30 Rock'
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, 'The New Adventures of Old Christine'
Lea Michele, 'Glee'
Amy Poehler, 'Parks and Recreation'

Who will win: When I saw that Edie Falco had submitted the pilot for 'Nurse Jackie,' it hit me that she didn't get nominated for the show last year. Since the pilot aired about a week after the 2010 eligibility period started, the Academy has had well over a year to ruminate over Falco's strong out-of-the-gate performance in that pilot, where the entire web of lies Jackie has set up get revealed in a quick 30 minutes. Considering her Emmy history -- seven nominations, three wins -- it's very easy to see Falco standing on stage with the Emmy this year.

A dinner out is not a simple everyday event on 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM ET on SHO). At a restaurant, Tara has turned into her 5-year-old alter personality, happily coloring and wearing the kids-menu paper crown.

Her sister Charmaine is not amused. "What do I do if Tara doesn't come back before the wedding? I'm going to have a giant 4-year-old swimming in my chocolate fountain."

But the waitress thinks she's adorable, paying particular attention to Tara when she brings their orders. "My aunt has a special-needs child," she explains. She thinks Tara is "precious."

Living with Tara and her alters does not seem easy, that's for sure. But, Max has to put up with the brunt of the problems on 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM ET on SHO), and like any human, he can only handle so much.

[Possible spoilers ahead]

Tara's wacky multiple personalities have the worst (but most entertaining) timing. On 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM ET on SHO),

Max Gregson prepared the house and kids for a visit from social services, sent to check on his and Tara's parenting skills.

When a tornado came through town on 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM ET on SHO), the Gregson family huddled together in their basement -- only to witness wife and mother Tara shift through all her multiple personalities, making a crowded room more uncomfortable.

Watch the video after the jump.

Last week on 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM on SHO), Max told Tara she needed to find a new therapist and that's what Tara did. However, there's a problem. This week we learned the therapist is a new alter, Shoshana.

Thing haven't been easy for Max this season, what with Buck having an affair with a bartender, so when he meets Shoshana, he's not too pleased.

"OK, who are you?" Max asked Shoshana. "I'm Shoshana Schoenbaum, Tara's new therapist," Tara -- um -- Shoshana said.

Tara seems to be making progress with her new therapist, but there's no telling how long that will last.

Watch the video after the jump.

(S02E05) There's something very comforting about the massive dysfunction among Tara and her family, especially since they have such a way of not letting the craziness really get to them. It's almost as if Tara's condition has prepared those around her to accept whatever slings and arrows get tossed their way. More on the latest patient of Dr. Shoshona Schoenbaum and Neil's hairy back patch after the jump.

On 'United States of Tara' (Mon., 10:30PM on SHO), Marshall's sexuality has always been sort of an unspoken truth. However, last night, the words were spoken.

Last week, the confused Marshall started fooling around with a female classmate, but this week he finally accepted the truth. When Max, his dad, asked him how things were going with Courtney, Marshall struggled with his words before he finally blurted out: "I'm gay." Max's response? "Good."

Watch the video after the jump.

(S02E04) Wow, just when you think you've seen it all from Tara, something happens and you're left with your jaw dropping to the floor. Creator Diablo Cody has clearly decided that Tara's psyche is not just split, it's a frigging kaleidoscope.

Last season, there was the animal creation that came out of nowhere, and in this episode, yet another variation on the theme. However, if you saw this one coming, you're better than me, 'cause I was stunned. And surprisingly excited, too. For more on Tara, Max, Marshall and Princess Valhalla, keep reading after the jump.