SPRING 2014: 'ONCE UPON A TIME' PLANNING TO KILL OFF A SERIES REGULAR

ABC's Once Upon a Time is enjoying a lengthy winter break (new episodes return March 9) but that hasn't stopped the show's creators from dropping hints on the season finale.

Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis have revealed that a major character will be killed off during the second half of this season. Now before you say to yourself "Oh they always kill off a character who comes back to life thanks to magic," let us say clearly that this character will be dead and done. According to the creators, the upcoming death will result in the exit of a series regular and right now everyone is a candidate.

Personally, Stay Tuned believes that the character to bite the dust will be Neal/Baelfire since the show has little to lose writing him off. A part of us, however, is pulling for Henry to be the victim. It would definitely spark a new conflict between the recently peaceful group of frenemies, and let's be honest, Henry Jared Gilmore is getting older and awkward and that just isn't cute when a tween fantasizes about fairy tales.

We'll just have to wait and see...Stay Tuned!

WINTER 2014: 'ONCE UPON A TIME' CASTS 'LOST' STAR AS OZ'S WICKED WITCH OF THE WEST

Several weeks ago, news broke that former Lost star Rebecca Mader was joining the fantasy drama, Once Upon a Time. Well the preview at the end of last night's fall finale gave us a glimpse of her character.

Now that the Peter Pan saga of the first half of the season has come to a close (for now), the show will shift focus to a new baddie for the second half. Apart from dealing with the heartbreaking farewells and the inevitable time jump...c'mon now let's face it, you had to know that it was coming! Walt Henry isn't a little kid anymore and they need something to accommodate Jared Gilmore's aging...the Storybrooke bunch will have to deal with the Wicked Witch of the West. Yes, that Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz.

Once Upon a Time hinted upon a connection to the world of Oz waaaaay back in the first season's Mad Hatter episode, "Hat Trick." The green curtain with the patent initials of Oz was seen in the lobby of portals. No details have been given about the character but we'll bet that she'll give Regina, the Evil Queen, a run for her money.

The ABC drama returns March 9, and interestingly the March 16 episode is aptly titled "Witch Hunt."

WINTER 2014: 'ONCE UPON A TIME' CASTS RAPUNZEL

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair" is probably the most remembered line from the fairy tale. And now, Once Upon a Time is bringing the character to Storybrooke.

The ABC fantasy drama has cast Alexandra Metz as the long-haired maiden locked away in a tower. Metz was recently seen in a short arc on The CW's The Originals as Katie the witch. Rapunzel is scheduled to appear in the 14th episode, which most likely will air in March when the show returns from its winter break.

FALL 2013: COMING TO TV TONIGHT (9/29)! SO LONG 'BREAKING BAD'...

Well the last Sunday in September has arrived and for many fans, this is THE night for premieres and goodbyes. Breaking Bad rides off into the sunset while Homeland begins another season of thrilling suspense.

New and Returning Premieres

Once Upon a Time starts off its third season right where it left viewers last spring. The core gang is aboard Hook's ship traveling to Neverland. Their mission to rescue a kidnapped Henry is interrupted however by several vicious mermaids (Is one them a red-head that lives under the sea?) and a malicious Peter Pan. This isn't the Neverland that we have always read about. 8 pm on ABC.

The Amazing Race returns for another 'round the world contest. It's 23rd season kicks off in arid Iquique, Chile (Shout out to Chile...woot woot!). 8 pm on CBS.

Long-running animated comedy The Simpsons begins its silver anniversary season (that's 25 y'all) with a Homeland-esque parody when Lisa believes Homer has been turned after returning from a nuclear plant operators convention. SNL vet Kristen Wiig guest voices as a Claire Danes-like character. 8 pm on FOX.

Bob's Burgers premieres its fourth season with a camping trip for Bob and family. Unfortunately for Bob, something he eats doesn't agree with him. Cue hilarity. 8:30 pm on FOX.

The third season of Revenge has been promised to be a return to its original premise. No more Initiative, no more complicated storylines. Right off the bat, Emily is shot. But don't fret, it's a flashforward to build up the mystery of why Ems was shot on a boat. Victoria's long-lost son makes his first appearance and get ready for Conrad to collapse...literally. 9 pm on ABC.

The Good Wife returns for a fifth season with Alicia doing double duty. First she must prevent the execution of a convicted murderer, then she must continue her plan to exit the firm with Cary. We think the latter will be much harder than freeing a murderer. 9 pm on CBS.

Family Guy begins a 12th season with typically Peter Griffin silliness. Peter becomes convinced that a restaurant placemat is actually a treasure map, and creates a scavanger hunt through Quahog. Hilarity ensues. 9 pm on FOX.

The ninth season of American Dad begins in the midst of prom season. Steve and Snot use the CIA's cloning machine to create two dates for the high school dance. More hilarity ensues. 9:30 pm on FOX.

While viewers may be losing Breaking Bad after tonight's series finale, at least they have the return of Showtime's Homeland. The drama begins its third season with recently shaved Brody still at large, Carrie under fire by a Senate committee, Saul planning a pretty bad counterstrike, and Jessica dealing with the fallout. 9 pm on SHO.

New drama Betrayal lands the coveted post-Revenge time slot and based on the premise and pilot episode, it should fit right in. Sara has an affair with an attorney but unfortunately for her the sex isn't just clean cut. She learns that her husband, who is also an attorney, will be facing off against her sidepiece in a big murder case. We're tempted to watch this one just to see the big reveal. 10 pm on ABC.

The Mentalist returns for its sixth season in hot pursuit of Red John as Jane and Lisbon continue to narrow down the list of suspects. 10 pm on CBS.

Series Finales

After five seasons, the world finally says goodbye to Walter White and Breaking Bad. Tonight's final episode will run for 75 minutes followed by an hour-long Talking Bad wrap-up. Execs have been tight-lipped about the finale and all that was given was this phrase..."The story concludes." 9 pm on AMC.

So many shows, so little DVR space! Are you looking forward to a particular show tonight?

FALL 2013: IGGY POP SIGNS UP FOR 'OUAT: WONDERLAND'

ABC's fantasy spin-off Once Upon a Time in Wonderland has recast a pivotal role in the realm of Wonderland.

The voice of the hookah-smoking Caterpillar has been recast for the spin-off Wonderland version. Fans may recall that Once Upon a Time traveled to Wonderland and came across The Caterpillar, who was voiced by The Who's Roger Daltrey. Well due to scheduling conflicts and unavailability, Daltrey is out as the voice of the blue caterpillar. His replacement comes in the form of another musical icon, punk rocker Iggy Pop.

No word on when Iggy Pop begins his run on the fantasy drama. Once Upon a Time in Wonderland is set to premiere on October 10.

IT'S NEW RELEASE TUESDAY! HELLO DR. 'MINDY' LAHIRI, GOOD-BYE KEATON 'FAMILY'

It's yet another New Release Tuesday and we have quite a number of picks this week from the TV-on-DVD aisle. As summer starts to wind down and networks prepare for the upcoming fall season, many releases from last TV season are hitting the shelves. It's a good chance to play catch-up on your favorite shows.

Comedy Pick-of-the-Week

The Mindy Project - The First Season

Mindy Kaling's freshman comedy hits the shelves today and we can't wait to pick up our copy. In fact, our copy is actually in a delivery truck right now and will be in our hands COB today. The Mindy Project had a rough start in its debut season. There were several modifications and retooling in the storylines and characters of the show. Some cast departures were necessary to introduce more interesting characters (Paging Morgan Tookers!). Ike Barinholtz's integration into the cast (and writing talent as well) brought much needed comedy relief in what was a stuffy, flatlining office environment. As the season progressed with its changes, the dynamic and chemistry between Kaling and Chris Messina's characters became the center of the show and has triggered the often used "will they or won't they" storyline. Get caught up before the second season premieres on FOX.

Blu-ray Pick-of-the-Week

Once Upon a Time - The Second Season

Once Upon a Time's second season makes its way to DVD/Blu-ray this week and picks up right where the first season ended. The integration of magic in the world of Storybrooke as well as the revelation of survivors in Fairytale land drove the majority of the sophmore season's storyline. Though there were a few missteps, Once kept the interest and fantasy going with its new characters and revival of the eternal fairy tale feud between good and evil.

Retro Comedy Pick-of-the-Week

Family Ties - The Seventh and Final Season

The Keaton clan's seventh and final season is finally released on DVD today. As the children continue to grow up and encounter various social situations, the parents confront their own fears of growing older and mortality (Steven's heart attack and surgery in a gut-wrenching three-parter change the Keatons forever). The series finale sees Alex P. Keaton realize his goals and obtain his dream job in New York, and the reactions and emotions in the household are exactly why it was ranked #24 in TV's Most Unforgettable Finales.

Retro Drama Pick-of-the-Week

Eight is Enough - The Fourth Season

Exclusively released through Warner Archive's manufacture-on-demand (MOD) site, the fourth season of the family drama continues the trials and adventures of the large Bradford family. The show welcomes the '80s with many changes in the household including several engagements, pregnancy, confronting death, and reconciling estranged relationships. Patriarch Tom Bradford continues balancing his work as a newspaper columnist with his ever-bubbling home life, and coming to terms with his maturing children. Eight is Enough was good, clean fun and worth a trip down memory lane...even for just an episode or two.

Cancelled Too Soon Pick-of-the-Week

Southland - The Fifth and Final Season

The fifth and final season of TNT's critically-acclaimed, gritty police drama follows the lives of several LAPD officers. The challenges associated with the job and piecing together the various crimes were the norm, and the second half of the season was dedicated to a major storyline focusing on Cooper that ended with a shocking bang. Unfortunately for viewers, the cliffhanger would remain unresolved due to the show's abrupt cancellation.

We Still Don't Get It Pick-of-the-Week

Girls - The Second Season

HBO's hyper-sexual dramedy releases its second season on DVD/Blu-ray. We still don't see the appeal of Lena Dunham or Girls, but the show has found a loyal audience and the network continues to hedge its bets.


Well that about wraps up our New Release Tuesday picks. What releases are you looking forward to this week? Share with us and comment below.

Don't forget to tune in next week for another selection of newly released TV-on-DVD, and keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television.

WACKY WEDNESDAY: 'ONCE UPON A TIME' RECASTS ROLE

Once Upon a Time is recasting a role for its upcoming third season. The character Robin Hood was briefly introduced in the second season where, naturally, his storyline crossed paths with Rumplestiltskin and Belle. Brit Tom Ellis originated the role of the Prince of Thieves, however scheduling conflicts has prevented him from reprising the role. Another Brit actor, Sean Maguire, will take over the role this fall. No specifics have been revealed about how Robin Hood will factor in the show's third season.

 
Maguire isn't a stranger to television but he's had limited American series roles on Eve and The Class, while having a greater presence on English serials. He is most recognizable from the 300 movie parody, Meet the Spartans.

Once Upon a Time returns for its third season on September 29.

THE LITTLE MERMAID COMES TO 'ONCE UPON A TIME'

During the panel session at Comic-Con, Once Upon a Time producers offered details of what will be coming up the pike in the show's third season. The not-so-secret integration of Peter Pan and the world of Neverland was at the top of the list. Producers emphasized that this characterization of Peter Pan will take a darker form, possibly evil. The surprising news, however, was the revelation that another Disney princess would be making her debut in the new season. This time it's Ariel, the little mermaid's turn which was pretty much confirmed with this sneak peek video release. Check it out below.

Once Upon a Time returns Sunday, September 29 on ABC.