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What to Watch on Friday: ABC burns off some 'Happy Endings'

NCAA Basketball Tournament (CBS) - The madness continues with the Sweet Sixteen round. Of local interest, Duke plays Michigan State at 9:30 p.m. For more information on all game times and networks, check out our NCAA Tournament channel guide, which has a link to schedules.

Happy Endings (8pm, ABC) - Really, ABC? You're giving "Happy Endings" the old Friday Night Burn-off Treatment? Sigh. Well, two new episodes of "Happy Endings" air tonight. Doubt we're getting another season of this one...

Grimm (9pm, NBC) - Nick and Hank wage a cyber war against at Wesen killer, and Juliette starts to make sense of her hallucinations.

Shark Tank (9pm, ABC) - Pitches include shrink-wrap gift bags and an item that keeps objects from getting lost between the seat and console of your car.

American Masters: Philip Roth - Unmasked (9:30pm, UNC-TV) - a profile of literary lion Philip Roth, interviewed at his New York City apartment and his Connecticut farmhouse. Roth reflects on his New Jersey upbringing, writing process and psychoanalysis, as well as the inspiration behind his most famous characters.

Giveaway: Three new 'Doctor Who' novels

It doesn't seem possible, but the sci-fi franchise "Doctor Who" has been around for fifty years -- and it has never been more popular.

There's some big "Doctor Who" stuff going on in the next few days: The second half of the current Matt Smith-helmed (for now) series returns to BBC America on March 30 with brand new episodes. Then, on April 2, the three "Doctor Who" novels you see pictured here -- "Shroud of Sorrow," "The Dalek Generation" and "Plague of the Cybermen" -- are released.

We can't give away Matt Smith (even though this is rumored to be his last run as the Doctor), but we can give you those books.

If you're interested, send me an email by midnight on Monday, April 1, and include your mailing address. The winner will be picked randomly and notified on Tuesday.

Good luck!

What to Watch on Thursday: Season finale of 'Raising Hope'

NCAA Basketball Tournament (CBS) - The madness continues. For more information on games and networks (all games will air on truTV, TNT, TBS and CBS), check out our NCAA Tournament channel guide, which has a link to schedules.

The Vampire Diaries (8pm, CW) - Elena meets Elijah when she searches for Katherine in a small Pennsylvania town. Meanwhile, Stefan reveals his surprising plan for the future, and Klaus gains a new appreciation for Silas' powers.

Fall to Grace (8pm, HBO) - A short profile of former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, who resigned from office in 2004 after announcing he was gay, but started a new life by studying to become an Episcopal priest and offering spiritual guidance to women in prison. Adrienne has a review.

Raising Hope (9pm, Fox) - In the first part of the Season 3 finale, Burt (Garret Dillahunt, right)learns he's Jewish during a visit from his folks, so he uses music to get acquainted with his heritage and prepare for his bar mitzvah. Later, Burt and Barney visit Maw Maw's childhood home and discover that their mother may still be alive. Shirley Jones guest stars.

Project Runway (9pm, Lifetime) - Artwork at the Guggenheim inspires the designers to create their own print textiles. Designers Tracy Reese and Rachel Roy are guest judges.

North Carolina Weekend (9pm, UNC-TV) - The magazine show looks at Durham's Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Taverna Agora restaurant in Raleigh.

Scandal (10pm, ABC) - Hollis seeks Olivia's help when his daughter is abducted. Also, David remains in peril, finding safety at Pope and Associates.

Comic Book Men (10pm, AMC) - The guys play charades with a comic book theme, while Walt seizes an opportunity to purchase original artwork from a favorite artist.

"Fall to Grace" shows the power of living an authentic life

The phrase 'The truth will set you free' comes vividly to life in "Fall to Grace," (8 tonight, HBO), a documentary exploring the ever-after of Jim McGreevey. That's the New Jersey governor who announced his resignation from office in 2004 because of a scandal, and then, with his wife at his side, declared himself 'a gay American.'

So what ever happened to him? After hitting rock bottom, McGreevey realized he was addicted to the power and perks of being an up-and-comer in Democratic circles. Now he lives a simpler life (although in a grand house), serving as a spiritual advisor to female inmates and studying to become an Episcopal priest.

We all learn at some point (if we're lucky) that lies are traps but seeing that wisdom through McGreevey's life is inspirational and powerful. He was good as a politician -- you can see that in the way former constituents warmly greet him -- but he's even better as an advisor. Caring, patient, persistent, it's clear the inmates love him and want to please him. And they can feel his love and care as well. He can speak to them because he's had his own redemption song to sing, and he can speak to them honestly because he's not pretending anymore.

The film is directed by Alexandra Pelosi, who has an easy, conversational style that fits the film, which is only about 45 minutes.

It's lovely to see in "Fall to Grace," a fallen politician get up and serve not himself or his bank account, but the public. These days, Jim McGreevey is truly a public servant doing important work.

Other airdates: April 2 (5:30 p.m., midnight), 6 (10:00 a.m.), 10 (3:00 p.m.), 14 (5:00 p.m.), 19 (6:10 a.m.) and 23 (9:00 a.m.)

Cate Edwards gives exclusive interview to NBC News

Cate Edwards, the oldest daughter of John and Elizabeth Edwards, has given a "candid" interview to Savannah Guthrie of the "Today" show. The interview will air on Friday, March 29, on "Today" (7 a.m.) and on "Rock Center with Brian Williams" (10 p.m.). Both of those shows air locally on WNCN, NBC-17.

According to an NBC news release, Cate Edwards talks to Guthrie about losing her mother to breast cancer, about her father's affair with Rielle Hunter, and about the baby her father had with Hunter -- Cate's half-sister Quinn.

Below is an excerpt from the interview, as provided by NBC.

DWTS: Josh Groban and an unexpected exit

Our "Dancing with the Stars" correspondent Lenni G. has a recap of the season's first elimination show.

SPOILERS AHEAD

Results night was going pretty much as usual - We had the encore dance from Zendaya and Val, entertainment from Icona Pop and Josh Groban, as well as lots of dancing from the pros and the troupe. In between all this stuff, we learned which couples were safe and which couples were in jeopardy.

First couple safe - Ingo and Kym, followed by Sean and Peta, Wynonna and Tony, Aly and Mark, D. L.(!) and Cheryl, Zendaya and Val, Kellie and Derek, Jacoby and Karina and Dorothy and Tristen.

That left three couples in jeopardy - Victor and Lindsay, Lisa and Gleb, and Andy and Sharna.

After the break, Andy and Sharna were declared safe. That meant that Victor and Lindsay, and Lisa and Gleb were the bottom two after the judges' scores and audience votes were counted.

And then the unexpected happened. Tom Bergeron asked Dorothy and Tristen to come to the stage. Sadly, Dorothy had to tell us that, on the advice of her spine surgeon, she would have to withdraw from the competition. As she said, "I wish I could give my all but I can't." That meant that thanks to her selfless gesture, the bottom two would be safe to dance again next week.

I'm thinking next week's theme, "Prom Night," should result in some really interesting routines. See y'all then!

One final thought - Huge props to Dorothy for showing all of us what "classy" really means. Our thoughts and wishes are with you for a long and healthy life.

Lenni G

What to Watch on Wednesday: Season finales for 'Whitney' and 'The Neighbors'

Whitney (8pm, NBC) - Two back-to-back episodes close out Season 2 tonight. In the first episode, Whitney asks Alex to be Lily's male pal. In the season finale, Whitney catches sight of her psychiatrist frantically eating a birthday cake by herself, and confronts her.

The Neighbors (8:30pm, ABC) - In the Season 1 finale, the Weavers take the Bird-Kersees to Atlantic City, where Marty is amazed to find out that Larry Bird can count -- and see through -- cards, and Jackie expresses a desire for a human wedding. Meanwhile, back home, Dick Butkus gets an ominous call from his grandfather, played by George Takei, left. Will the Zabvronians have to go back home? (Please, no.) "The Middle," "Modern Family" and "Suburgatory" are all new tonight.

Nova: Meteor Strike (9pm, UNC-TV) - "Nova" crews and impact scientists head to Siberia to search for debris from the Feb. 15, 2013 meteor strike in order to ascertain the meteor's origin and makeup.

Nashville (10pm, ABC) - Rayna appears on Katie Couric's talk show to discuss her failed marriage. Meanwhile, Deacon becomes enamored with his dog's veterinarian.

Southland (10pm, TNT) - John desperately tries to save Hicks while facing dark truths from his own past. Also, Sammy is haunted by a lie he told, Lydia and Ruben search for a John Doe, and Ben takes his relationship with Elena to the next level (which I can only assume means he breaks up with his girlfriend so that he's not two-timing both women).

For the kiddies (or maybe not): Free 'Peter Cottontail' on DVD

To get everyone in the mood for Easter, CW is airing the classic cartoon "Here Comes Peter Cottontail" tonight at 8. Don't miss it.

It's narrated by Danny Kaye (who also sings) and tells the story of the time Peter Cottontail overslept and didn't deliver goodies to children on time. Vincent Price lends voice to Peter's arch nemesis, Evil Irontail. You'll also recognize the voice of Casey Kasem.

If you can't watch it tonight, or if you'd just like to watch it over and over forever and ever, I may be able to help you out.

We're giving away a DVD of the 1971 cartoon, remastered in high-definition in 2010.

Just send me an email BY MIDNIGHT TONIGHT and I'll get the DVD out to the lucky random winner first thing tomorrow. That way you should have it in time for Easter. Please include your mailing address to expedite things.

DWTS: Kellie Pickler amazes judges with modern jazz dance

Our "Dancing with the Stars" correspondent Lenni G has a recap of last night's episode.

I know, it's always a good idea to save the best for last and the DWTS's producers did just that. However, I just can't wait to tell y'all about the show-closing performance from our North Carolina girl, Kellie Pickler, and her partner, Derek Hough. It was all about jazz, people, modern jazz. Carrie Ann gave Kellie a standing "O", calling her, "Freaking amazing." I would go one step further by saying she was "Fan-Freaking-Tastic." Len pointed out how the routine captured all the elements of modern jazz - mood, atmosphere, chemistry and emotion. Bruno said it was modern jazz at it's most effective - technically superb and "visually arresting." As Randy Jackson would say, it's clear our girl is, "In it to win it." I am very happy this morning, y'all. Judges scores - 9's from Carrie Ann and Bruno, 8 from Len for a total of 26 for the night, and a grand total of 47 out of 60 for the first two weeks. Moving on in order -

What to Watch on Tuesday: Will Kellie Pickler be sent home on DWTS? Nah!

180 Days: A Year Inside an American High School (9pm, UNC-TV) - The conclusion of the two-part documentary chronicling a year at Washington Metropolitan High School in Washington, D.C.

Dancing with the Stars (9pm, ABC) - The first results show of the new season means the first celebrity will get the sequin-studded boot tonight. We're pretty confident it won't be our Kellie Pickler.

The Mindy Project (9:30pm, Fox) - Mindy's new neighbor may turn out to be Josh's ex-girlfriend Heather -- the woman who ruined her Christmas party -- but not if Mindy can successfully sabotage her rental application.

The New Normal (9:30pm, NBC) - David chaperones a Boy Scout and gains the respect of other scouts and their fathers, with the exception of one dad whose disapproval leads to complications.

Justified (10pm, FX) - Raylan tries to restore order to the Drew Thompson case. Next week's episode is the season finale.

Oprah: Where Are They Now? (10pm, OWN) - Tonight's installment features "disgraced Olympian Marion Jones" (quote from OWN). Also, Sinbad discusses marriage, bankruptcy and his time on "Celebrity Apprentice."

Golden Boy (10pm, CBS) - A wealthy philanthropist is found dead in her apartment. As Clark and Owen investigate, they discover she was a recovering addict with a shady past.