Tonight is the night.

Needham's Aly Raisman will compete with partner Mark Ballas for the coveted mirror ball trophy on the "Dancing With the Stars" season 16 finale and we can't wait to see what the gymnast will bring to the table.

We've kept track of her performances throughout the season and rounded up her top four performances in terms of the judges' scores for you to relive before the episode which starts at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Enjoy!

1. Week No. 9: Rumba to "When I Was Your Man," 30 points

2. Week No. 9: Afro jazz to "Azumba," 29 points

2. Week No. 8: Argentine tango to "Reflejo de Luna," 29 points

2. Week No. 7: Salsa to "Echa Pa'lla," 29 points

Which of the four is your favorite? Do you plan to watch tonight? Let us know in the comments!

Tony Goldwyn is turning 53 today, so we are celebrating him as the man that brings us Fitzgerald Grant on "Scandal." ABC's smash Thursday-night drama continued to grow in popularity this year thanks in part to Goldwyn's riveting performances, and wrapped its second season last week.

Take a look at one of our favorite scenes from the show below, from the episode "Happy Birthday, Mr. President." Fans of the torrid affair between Fitz and Liv will surely remember this moment where the president of the free world professes his undeniably passionate love to his mistress in the rose garden.

You are me. You control me. I belong to you. You think I don't want to be a better man? You think I don't want to dedicate myself to my marriage? You don't think I want to be honorable to be the man that you voted for? I love you. I'm in love with you. You're the love of my life. My every feeling is controlled by the look on your face. I can't breathe without you. I can't sleep without you. I wait for you. I watch for you. I exist for you. If I could escape all of this and run away with you... There's no Sally or Thomas here. You're nobody's victim Liv. I belong to you. We're in this together.

What's your favorite Fitz scene? Let us know in the comments.

A preview of this week's episode, "The Crash."

Season 6 of “Mad Men” continues to reflect the spirit of the times far better than previous seasons. I’m not referring to people thinking cigarettes aren’t unhealthy or the sexism that was commonplace in this era. The spirit -- the chaos, the overindulgence, the sense of instability -- are impressively captured this season.

Last week’s episode was a display of each character’s attempt of control, from Don’s attempt to play power games with Sylvia, to Ted and Don’s back and forth power struggles, and finally Pete’s problems with his mother and her dementia. In the last few moments of the episode, we learn of the assassination of Bobby Kennedy. And in this week’s “The Crash,” we see the aftermath.

“Mad Men” has explored drug use before, but never in this surreal, hour-long experience. It starts with seeing Don pace outside his former lover’s apartment, and then telling her in a phone conversation that he’s “experiencing a lot of emotions.” If we thought that would be the height of seeing Don’s vulnerability (when has he ever admitted to having feelings?), we were wrong.

From the very first terrifying scene of Ken Cosgrove having no control over the group he’s driving with to Grandma Ida’s visit, we see our characters descend to a state of pure chaos. Time is lost; it’s hard to differentiate between the days and nights, both for the characters and the viewers.

We see Stan dealing with grief and he tries to hook up with Peggy, sparked by his cousin’s death in Vietnam. We see Sally and Bobby deal with a thief in their house, and Sally's defense of mistaking a woman for her grandmother: "I realized I don’t know anything about you."

And Don. I’m not a huge fan of his flashbacks -- they seem so disconnected from that past. But, they do shed some light onto the elusive Draper. We see how Don lost his virginity, and a partial explanation of his love of secrecy. What happened between him and the prostitute was his secret, until it was discovered. She not only was the first woman who was intimate with him, but possibly the first woman who was kind to him.

Don goes from a shattered mess to spending three days high thinking of Sylvia. Finally, with the realization that his actions (leaving the back door open) could have seriously harmed his children jolting him back to his unemotional self, followed by the longest elevator ride, ever. It also leads to his refusal to continue with Chevy’s ad campaign. “Everytime we get a car, this place turns into a whorehouse.”

Bobby Kennedy’s passing wasn’t mentioned in this episode, but the sense of uncertainty, the continuing themes of death, and the disjointed storytelling quality captured the times extremely well. When Peggy talks about loss and says you have to feel it -- “you can’t dampen it with drugs or sex” -- it seems like she’s talking to a whole generation of people.

Plus, Woodstock is only a year away. It was about time we saw these characters get high, and it was very comical.

Some additional thoughts:

“Chevy is spelled wrong!” Awesome.

Betty’s back and gives us a few great lines. She asks Sally where she got money for the skirt, and when Sally says it’s from working, Betty asks, “on what street corner?” She tells Megan she was hanging out on a casting couch, and randomly mentions her husband’s campaign in the middle of a police scene in Don’s apartment. And wait, she’s blonde again?

Bobby. “Are we negroes?”

“I hate how dying makes saints out of people.” Although Gleason was discussed here, it’s hard not to think of the famous deaths that happened in 1968.

“I could be dying in Vietnam and I can’t have a car?” Love Ginsberg. Leave it to him to give a reminder of the cushy lives being lived in the Time-Life building.

This week’s favorite scene: Ken Cosgrove tap dancing (of course).

Sally is reading “Rosemary’s Baby.” Um.

Moles. Sylvia has one, the prostitute had one, and so did that woman in the ad about soup Don made years ago. Weird.

It’s the '60s. A druggy, dream-like episode was expected, and finally, we got it. What did you think of Grandma Ida? Of Don’s way of dealing with loss? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Just in case you hadn't heard the squealing of fans eager for the return of "Arrested Development" seven years after it was pulled from the air by FOX, the revamped series returns with all 15 episodes released simultaneously on Netflix on May 26. While Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert has shared his skepticism about the series' return, he and Sarah Rodman are ready to discuss what they expect from the new "Arrested Development." Check out their thoughts below and tell us what you think.

NBC's American version of "The Office" ended its run of nine seasons last night, with the wedding of odd couple Dwight and Angela and an emotional return by ex-boss Michael Scott (Steve Carell). Dwight even got to shoot a bazooka.

Did you watch the finale? Was it a fitting farewell? What was your favorite part?

South Carolina's Candice Glover took home the title of Season 12 champion on "American Idol" tonight after a hard-fought battle against Texas-turned-Tennessee country girl Kree Harrison.

Check out highlights from both girls' performances on Wednesday night below.

The finale show was packed with stellar moments, including duets by competitor Angie Miller, who made it to the show's top three. She performed alongside "Idol" runner-up Adam Lambert and her personal idol, Jessie J. After the performance, Jessie J invited Beverly's Miller to join her in a concert in the UK in the near future. Why, you may ask?

Well, according to Jessie J, Miller gave up the chance to perform her single "You Set Me Free" during the finale so that she could sing Jessie J's hit "Domino," and her idol wanted to make it up to her.

Other fun moments: Harrison joined judges Randy Jackson and Keith Urban, and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker on stage for a rendition of Urban's "Where the Blacktop Ends." Then top five girls performed with Aretha Franklin who was live via video from the east coast, and Glover brought down the house alongside "Idol" alum, Jennifer Hudson, when they sang "Inseparable."

Amber Holcomb was joined by Emeli Sande for a performance of Sande's "Next to You," and Janelle Arthur sang "Done" with The Band Perry to open the show.

Outside of contestants' performances, the show welcomed back former judge Jennifer Lopez who sang her new single with Pitbull, "Live It Up." There are rumors swirling that Lopez will join the panel of judges again next season. Think it was a sign of things to come?

In other judges news, Mariah Carey performed a medley of her hits, and Ryan Seacrest formally announced that Randy Jackson wouldn't be coming back to the show. Jackson thanked the fans of the show for their support throughout the years.

Do you think the right person won? Are you disappointed that Harrison lost? Let us know how you feel in the comments.

Globe critic Sarah Rodman kept up with "American Idol" throughout the season, chatted one last time about the show's finale. Check out how the discussion went below.

"The Office" is over, but we don't want it to be, so we're reliving our favorite pranks that were pulled on the show over the past eight years. If we were as clever as the writers, or as daring, we might have tried these on our co-workers.

1. Jim as Dwight

Jim mocking Dwight all the time is hilarious, but Jim mimicking Dwight, dressed as Dwight, is gut-bustingly funny.

2. Wrapping paper desk

It's a bird, it's a plane. No, it's none of those. And it wasn't really a desk either. Jim gave Dwight's desk a special treatment for Christmas.

3. Dwight's being recruited by the CIA

What's funnier than Jim convincing Dwight he's being recruited by the CIA? Jim convincing Dwight he's being recruited by the CIA a second time.

4. Jim puts Dwight's stuff in Jell-O

Another desk-related stunt. Equally funny.

5. Benjamin Franklin

What's better than a stripper at Phyllis' bridal show? A Benjamin Franklin impersonator, that's what. Bow chicka wow.

On May 17, Globe TV critic Matthew Gilbert chatted about series finales, season finales, and the return of fan favorites like "Arrested Development," which comes back May 26.

Beverly native Angie Miller was eliminated from Fox's "American Idol" last week, so it's now between Texas's Kree Harrison and South Carolina's Candice Glover in a country versus soul showdown. Both contestants delivered solid performances during Wednesday night's show, so who should win in what appears a close contest at this point? The season finale where one is crowned the winner takes place Thursday, May 16, at 8 p.m.

"Dude, this is so close right now. Everybody go and vote," judge Randy Jackson said at the end of the show. "Amazing performances."

Follow Twitter reaction, tell us who should win in the comments, and vote in our poll:

Although Cambridge’s Mindy Kaling is no longer on “The Office,” her one-liners as Kelly Kapoor remain totally, awesomely memorable (that’s Kelly-speak).

With the show airing its final episode on Thursday, here is our ode to the writer and occasional director, but most importantly, to Kelly Kapoor.

1. She may be the best cheerleader ... ever?

2. She goes to any means to keep her man ... even if it’s telling him she’s pregnant.

3. She does all she can to get what she wants. (In this case, to fit into a size 2 bikini.)

Even if it means swallowing a tape worm.

4. She’ll insert herself in every situation, because, why not? (1 minute and 23 seconds in)


“Ryan used me as an object.”

5. She knows how to be a mean girl.

Even to teenagers.

This girl was really rude to me at the mall, so I created a fake IM account from a hot guy at her high school, and now I'm trying to make her anorexic.

6. And knows how to trash talk. Oh, sorry -- smack talk.

7. And loves rivalries.

I love rivalries. Michael or Jim. Paris or Nicole. Heidi or LC. It's so much fun. But, I guess if I'm really thinking about it and answering your question honestly, I'd have to go with LC. Heidi's a bad friend. And her skin is terrible.

8. Just don’t cross her.

And that's how it's done. After a weak beginning, "The Mindy Project" showed us how off-beat, smart comedies can deliver. "Mindy" sure did. (Both literally and figuratively. The main characters are gynecologists!)

After watching a sub-par "New Girl" finale, I didn't know if "The Mindy Project," although steadily rising in quality unlike its lead-in show, would be able to keep up with the momentum it has gained as the season progressed. And it sure did. There were the trademark Kaling one-liners, smart dialogue, hilarious side characters, recurring cameos of our favorite characters (Mark Duplass, B.J. Novak!), and even a proposal.

And of course, there was the possibility of the kiss between the Ross and Rachel of the show. Danny and Kelly's chemistry and near kiss was so perfectly captured, that as someone weary of the on-again-off-again nature of these sitcom relationships, I'm actually looking forward to the tension between these two characters continuing in the next season.

Another success: I liked that the side characters that are irritating (most of the clerical staff, except Morgan) were sidelined. One thing "New Girl" had that "The Mindy Project" didn't was a strong supporting cast. That criticism wasn't there to make in this finale.

Most of all, the writing was incredibly strong. I laughed out loud. I gasped. And it was awesome.

Here are my favorite moments from the episode:

-- Of course, one of the climatic moments of the finale was a Mindy with short hair. I loved everything about that.

-- There was an allusion to the pilot episode, with a return to a doctors-getting-ready-for-surgery montage with M.I.A.'s "Bad Girls" in the background. A nice shoutout to how it all started.

-- Mindy jokingly lied about getting pregnant. It reminded me of Kelly Kapoor, and since "The Office" is ending, had to throw this in here.

My favorite quotes from the episode:

-- "i just had a rap sesh with notorious G.O.D."-- Casey, the minister.

-- "“You are the last person i dated before i found my true love.” -- Jaime, the ex.

And from Mindy:

-- "I would be a fantastic sex slave.”

--“I am so the kind of person that a gypsey gets a vendetta against.”

For those of you on the fence, it's time to give "Mindy" a chance. It may have been the show's best episode this season, and it makes me antsy for the next season to start. If that's the point of a season finale, it did not disappoint.

What were your thoughts on the episode? Any surprises? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman might just win herself another kind of medal: the Mirror Ball trophy on "Dancing With the Stars." The Needham native, who tied in first place Monday night with NFL star Jacoby Jones after dancing a sensual rumba and a fierce African-jazz routine, will dance in the final next week with Jones, country singer Kellie Pickler, and teen Disney star Zendaya. The show's soap star wasn't so lucky during this ninth week of competition. Ingo Rademacher, who plays Jasper "Jax" Jacks on "General Hospital," came in last place with 51 points during this week's performance round and his fans couldn't save him with their votes. Zendaya was also "in jeopardy" this week, so we'll have to see who ends up on top in the final.

"This has been an amazing experience because I thought I'd be done after like two weeks," Rademacher said. After thanking his partner Kym Johnson, he also said he wants to see the remaining contestants battle it out because he thinks it's a really close competition.

Finally: Cece's wedding is here. Would her wedding take place? Would she and Schmidt get back together? What of Jess and Nick?

After some amazing episodes this season, (the return of True American, their made-up game show, and the first Jess-Nick kiss as the peak), this show has lost some of its spark. It's still fun and enjoyable, but I'm getting a little tired of Nick and Jess's Daddy issues, and Cece and Nick's back and forth. This show was at once a breath of fresh air. Now, with a love triangle, a wedding finale, and a big guest appearance, it feels more of the same.

Highlights were:

-- Winston. He was awesome. His love for pranks is hilarious.
-- Cece and Shivrang drama finally ending.
-- Nick and Jess together (well, we'll see).
-- Nick and Jess's chemistry. It's uncanny how good it is.
-- "Cotton Eyed Joe."
-- Taylor Swift mocking her own songs. Cool.

Disappointments:

-- Indian weddings are full of traditions, music, dancing, and fun. Trust me, I've been to many. After hyping up Cece's Indian heritage this season, the event could have been a great spectacle. Sadly, it was the opposite.
-- Schmidt not being able to make up his mind. Pick a girl. Stop being annoying.
-- The reemergence of NIck and Jess doubts, hours after they proclaimed their fondness for each other. Their waffling is getting old.

The finale wasn't horrible, but it wasn't even one of the top five best episodes this season. Still, "New Girl" is a great show, and I'm hoping it will bring back more of its original charm next season.

What did you think of the finale? Were you surprised? Did you enjoy it? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Can anyone find a reason why Cece and Shivrang should not be wed? Perhaps Taylor's Swift's character can.

Tonight's episode and season 2 finale, titled "Elaine's Big Day," is allegedly going to feature Tay as Shivrang's wedding-crashing ex, who interrupts Cece and Shivrang's vows on their big day.

Sound familiar? Tay tells an eerily similar story in her song "Speak Now," off her third studio album, with these lyrics:

"I am not the kind of girl, who should be rudely barging in on a white veil occasion. But you are not the kind of boy who should be marrying the wrong girl."

Will Taylor/Elaine get her man? Are Schmidt and Cece destined for each other? Will Jess and Nick finally end up together? Let us know what you think!

Olympian turned "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Aly Raisman went from soft and romantic to wild and fierce during Monday night's semifinals. The Needham native danced a sensual rumba with partner Mark Ballas before stomping her way through a powerful African-jazz routine that showed off her athleticism and endurance. She earned a perfect score of 30 from the judges for her first number, and 29 points for the latter. Her total score of 59 points tied her in first place with NFL player Jacoby Jones and partner Karina Smirnoff, followed by country singer Kellie Pickler and partner Derek Hough with 58 points.

"Aly, way to go," judge Carrie Ann Inaba said of her first dance. "The rumba is all about being woman and you were all woman out there."

Judge Bruno Tonioli told Raisman her transformation is complete, noting she did it "perfectly."

And judge Len Goodman said it was done beautifully. "It had romance, but it wasn’t raunchy," he said.

As for Raisman, she told host Brooke Burke that she feels like she’s grown up a lot. "It's been such an awesome experience," she said of being on the show. "I'm having so much fun."

Raisman’s second dance also earned her praise.

Bring on the juice. After various stills, a clip, and much hoopla, the season 4 preview for "Arrested Development" is out, and indeed, it is not an illusion.

The minute-and-a-half clip is rife with some classic Arrested Development themes we love. Here is a breakdown of the preview and the past "AD" moments we remembered:

10 seconds in: "Mother of God." Every damn time: The Cornballer returns.

20 seconds in: Les Cousins Dangereux: "There is kind of a girl here. Didn't say it was your cousin." Our favorite kind-of-incestuous couple. (Definitely beats "Game of Thrones" couple Jaime and Cersei.)

38 seconds in: Tobias tells Linsdsay she needs to take acting classes. Maybe his Blue Man Group stint took off.

40 seconds in: Gob's incomptence. 1. Is he drinking Mike's Hard Lemonade? 2. We see birds, so we assume they have to do with Gob.

1 minute and 6 seconds in: "It's the final countdown."

1 minute and 14 seconds in:
Buster didn't really say anything comprehensible. Which is fine. Maybe they skipped nap time.

1 minute and 18 seconds in: Stair car puns. Need we say more?

1 minute 30 seconds: Uh oh. Buster found the juice.

We can't wait for the new season to begin. Can you? What was your favorite moment from the clip? From the show? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

And in the last two minutes of the episode, it finally happened.

Just before I watched "Mad Men" last night, a friend said she was eager to watch the Robert Kennedy assassination episode. We knew it was coming-- and we predicted a momentous episode, similar to the ones when our "Mad Men" friends dealt with President Kennedy's death (at Roger Sterling's daughter's wedding) or Martin Luther King's assassination (at an award show dinner).

We have heard Bobby Kennedy's name mentioned numerous times over these last episodes this season, and every time, I feel a pang of devastation for these characters. A drunken Ted Chaough mentioned Bobby's name again, but I didn't think the deed would be done in this hour-long episode. And then, I was wrong.

After an episode full of Don's mind games, a romance ending (Don and Sylvia, finally), a potential new one starting (Joan and Bob), of Pete's struggles with his mother, and of Peggy's return to her old stomping grounds, I didn't think this would be the RFK assassination episode. Alas, it was. In the last two minutes, we see Pete's mother and Megan take in the event. We see a crying Megan and a Don who doesn't even attempt to comfort his wife, but takes a seat far away from her on the other end of the bed.

In many ways, it was perfect. It was creator Matthew Weiner saying: This is how America felt. Mere months after the Martin Luther King tragedy comes another. After a year of devastating violence in Vietnam comes more bad news. After some hope, as Ted dismissed Nixon, we saw a candidate who represented the future fall. Again. And with each passing tragedy, our characters grow more unsettled, disillusioned, and lost.

And no character is more lost than the "mysterious" Don Draper. Is anyone else getting tired of how much these episodes this season revolve around this man? If he isn't on screen, he's being discussed-- this time by Ted and Frank Gleason. Where is Betty? And his daughter Sally? And after last week's healthy dose of Roger Sterling, can we have some more? Getting a little tired of droopy Don Draper.

In the opening segment of the episode, we see Don hear his lover Sylvia's argument with her husband. Don couldn't get away faster. And with that, we knew the end of Don-Sylvia was near. Don's disturbing segments with Sylvia, his mind games and his power plays, may have been his attempt to push her so far that she would end the union. Or maybe he knew she was all he had, at the moment, and wanted to take complete advantage of that. He was no doubt devastated when she ended things-- it's been a long while since we've seen Don Draper that shaken and vulnerable. But he must have known this was coming. If anything, he made it happen.

I'm glad that's over. Draper vs. Chaough is far more interesting.

And with that, here are my other thoughts:

Peggy, you are awesome. She knows what Don is up to, and she let him know. She's right-- despite Don's hurt when Peggy left, he never really tried to win her back. But now, she's back.

Where are you, Dawn? Although I love her character, I was glad she was absent for the moment when Don's phone rang and Peggy asked (sarcastically) if she should pick it up. It reminded us how far Peggy had come on her own merit. Get it, girl.

"I'm glad you're here." "Well, I'm glad you're here!" Peggy and Joanie, BFFs. This segment takes my "favorite moment of the episode" prize.

Ted Chaough's gallantry. The meeting sequence, where we see Ted's show of "gallantry," as Roger put it, gave us another look into this newish character. In the past, he failed to impress me, with his Peggy kiss and all. But he's growing on me. His way of handling Don's immature move of getting him wasted, maybe by taking him in a tiny plane, was brilliant. I agree with Peggy-- here's hoping he rubs off on Don, who is getting more unbearable by every episode.

Groovy. Ted used the word. And when we thought he couldn't get cooler.

Speaking of groovy. How groovy is Roger's office? Very, very groovy.

Joan and Bob. Ok, I guess this is the episode when you start liking characters you may not have before (Ted, Bob). I'm not sure if I completely trust his actions yet, but Joanie is awesome. He better not mess with her.

Betty. Sally. Bobby. Where are you? Give us a break from Don's ridiculousness, please.

There you have it. What did you think of the episode? Were you surprised by the RFK death at the end? What are your thought's on Don's further plunge into darkness? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

While the world celebrates the Boston Police Department's heroism during the Marathon bombings, TNT has renewed executive producer Donnie Wahlberg's passion project, "Boston's Finest."

The unscripted series, a personal but respectful look at individual men and women in the BPD, will be back for a second season early next year. Wahlberg provides the matter-of-fact narration on the show, as we follow patrol officers, detectives, and gang unit and SWAT Team members both on and off the clock. 

The creatively strong and non-stagey eight-episode first season brought in an average of 1.3 million viewers a week, not a particularly good number for TNT. But the show's prestige, especially after Boston has been in the national news in recent weeks, has proven irresistible. Also, the network is only ordering six episodes this time around and, as part of the deal, CNN, which is one of TNT's sister channels, will get to encore the episodes each week.

So far, "Boston's Finest" is the only one of the three 2013 Boston-based reality series to get any love. The spectacularly awful "Wicked Single" on VH1 and the even worse "Southie Rules" on A&E have been ratings flops and renewal is unlikely. And I don't think Bostonians will be mounting social media campaigns to save them.