Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth. Remember the name. If the quickly rising career arc of the Oklahoma-born musical theater singing star is any indication, she will be around for some time to come. In fact, NBC has already earmarked "Kristin," a sitcom in which she plays a small-town Oklahoma girl pursuing Broadway stardom, to premiere this spring.

Despite expectations that broadcast series, interrupted by the writers strike, might suffer at Emmy time, two ABC series appeared to overcome that handicap. "Pushing Daisies" landed a dozen Emmy nominations on Thursday, including acting, writing and art direction nods. The network's "Samantha Who?" was also nominated twice, for lead and supporting actresses in a comedy series. While most basic cable shows, the major force in this year's nominations, were able to finish their full seasons before the writers strike began in November, many series on broadcast TV were truncated when the strike put casts and crews out of work.

Bradley Cooper could go against type for a Broadway revival of "The Elephant Man. " "We're going to try to do it on Broadway next fall," Cooper told E! News. "We're going to try to nail it down and do a limited run. " Cooper shaved and twisted his body this summer to play Joseph Merrick, a man who suffered from severe deformities during Victorian-era London, at the Williamstown Theater Festival in Massachusetts. The play, which ran from July 25 to Aug. 5, earned Cooper and co-star Patricia Clarkson local critical praise.

It's hard to punch a timecard when you're Rapture ready. Salvation can't come fast enough in “A Bright New Boise,” Samuel D. Hunter's anxious, funny look at the messianic and the mundane in America, now receiving a solid West Coast premiere by Rogue Machine Theatre. After fleeing a scandal at his evangelical church, mild-mannered Will (Matthew Elkins) takes a minimum-wage job at Hobby Lobby, a big-box craft store managed by Pauline (Betsy Zajko). In the break room, Will's co-workers Alex (Erik Odom)

SERIES NCIS: Tony (Michael Weatherly) recalls his past — and his very first encounter with Gibbs (Mark Harmon) — on a new episode of the hit action-drama (8 p.m. CBS). The Biggest Loser: Pop music's OneRepublic performs on a new episode of the weight-loss competition (8 p.m. NBC). Glee: Kristin Chenoweth reprises her guest role on a new episode of the musical series (8 p.m. Fox). The Looney Tunes Show: Bugs Bunny and company are what's up, doc, in this new animated series (8 p.m. Cartoon Network)

Adorable is OK. And perky can have its moments. But an artist who embodies both always runs the risk of turning in performances just this side of a root canal. Why, then, was Kristin Chenoweth's concert Sunday at the Greek Theatre such an exquisite experience? She is adorable and perky. And she, herself, has referred to her "Betty Boop" sound. The answer stems from her extraordinary musicality, commanding stage presence, remarkably pliable voice and irresistible likability.

Of course we're talking about: Kristin Chenoweth's return to "Glee ." Not since "Ugly Betty's" Claire Meade has TV been blessed with such a lovable drunk. When last we saw Chenoweth's former glee clubber April Rhodes, she had gotten sloshed and booted from the McKinley High group. Now she's back — whew! — and she'll be belting out a couple of classics, including "One Less Bell to Answer." Aaaah, show-tune shivers.... (Tuesday) We want to talk about: "A Nightmare on Elm Street" with Jackie Earle Haley . Why?

Click here to download TV listings for the week Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 in PDF format This week's TV Movies     CBS This Morning New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; Stephen Elop; Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo; Anthony Bourdain. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Professor Brene Brown; Julia Moskin and Kim Severson. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC Live With Kelly and Michael Don Cheadle; Reba McEntire. (N) 9 a.m. KABC The View Rachel Held Evans.

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Aug. 5 - 11 in PDF format This week's TV Movies CBS This Morning Entrepreneur Tyler Brûlé; Steve Carell. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS Today Reports from the Olympics. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA Good Morning America Chris Rock; Liz Vaccariello; Cat Cora prepares a recipe. (N) 7 a.m. KABC Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV Live With Kelly In Hawaii; Patricia Heaton; Carson Kressley; co-host Carrie Ann Inaba.

Sean Hayes, who'll be hosting the 64th annual Tony Awards on Sunday night, has been at the center of a controversy fueled by a Newsweek writer who criticized the actor's performance because he's a gay man playing it straight on Broadway in "Promises, Promises." But no amount of nudging could get Hayes to address the whole hubbub — Newsweek's Ramin Setoodeh said Hayes turned the play into "unintentional camp" — during a call with reporters Wednesday morning. This is as close as he came as he talked about his stage costar Kristin Chenoweth: "She's an extraordinary talent and an amazing human being who's been such a huge support system for me," he said.