In Globe critic Matthew Gilbert's review of the new HBO Liberace biopic "Behind the Candelabra," he praises star Michael Douglas for nailing the tough role.

"As Liberace, Michael Douglas brings an enormous amount of commitment, dignity, and dimension to “Behind the Candelabra,” creating a complicated man who is loving but narcissistic, exceedingly generous but controlling and predatory, painfully insecure but as loud and brassy as a Las Vegas marquee. It’s a seamless turn, as he thoroughly merges with the role."

Watch Gilbert and fellow critic Sarah Rodman discuss the movie below.

Do you have your juiceboxes, hot ham water, and frozen bananas ready for Sunday's release of "Arrested Development?" If you need a refresher, pointers on how to throw a viewing party, or just generally want to gush about the show's return, plant yourself (like Ann) and read the chat with Boston.com's Glenn Yoder and Swati Sharma (her?) below.

If you haven't caught the trailer yet, here it is.

On May 26, "Arrested Development" season 4 premieres on Netflix, seven years after the series was canceled by FOX. The streaming service will release all 15 episodes simultaneously, which is perfect if you desire to throw an all-night viewing party with your fellow fans.

Didn't get an invite to the watch party hosted by "Arrested Development" cast member Justin Wade -- ahem, STEVE HOLT? Fear not. Here are some ideas for throwing your own Bluth-style viewing session. Just remember to get some balloons and to hang a banner for your guests.

As "Arrested Development" is finally making its return on Netflix on Sunday, May 26, we take a look at our favorite analrapist (that's analyst-therapist)/aspiring actor/never-nude. Before we see how Tobias Funke's acting career is going (we're sure Carl Weathers's classes helped), here are our favorite Tobias Funke roles.

Don't forget to:

Chat with us Thursday at 1 p.m.

Prepare your viewing party

Watch the season 4 promo

Check out readers talking about "The Office" finale, or the return of "Arrested Development," or anything TV-ish. 

Aly Raisman won gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics, but it wasn't her night for victory on "Dancing With the stars." The Needham native was the first contestant to be eliminated on Tuesday night's finale, ranking fourth place among the remaining dancers.

Raisman pulled off a routine Monday night that judge Carrie Ann Inaba said was one of the best she's ever seen on the ABC show, but the futuristic super-sized freestyle routine ultimately wasn't enough to win her the Mirror Ball trophy. She also danced an improved samba over one she did with partner Mark Ballas earlier this season.

"This has been the best experience of my life. Thank you 'Dancing With the Stars'," Raisman said after she was voted off, wishing the final contestants good luck.

Will Smith gave us a bit of a break from the norm last night.

The rapper-turned-actor spit a couple of lines from his hit "Summertime" on "The Late Show" with David Letterman.

Smith was there to talk about his upcoming movie, "After Earth," which hits theaters May 31, but couldn't resist throwing it back to the '90s when Paul Shaffer and the "Late Show" band started playing his hit song as he walked on stage.

Thanks for the mini show, Will. Now we're ready to put our cars on cruise and lay back, 'cuz it's almost summertime.

Check out more highlights from his interview below.

Needham native Aly Raisman, one of four finalists on "Dancing With the Stars," demonstrated her growth through the season along with her Olympic strength during Monday night's performance round. The gold medalist set out to show the judges her improved samba skills since she first performed the dance with partner Mark Ballas earlier in the season. While her scores weren't perfect, she still received high marks.

"There's no stopping you now," judge Bruno Tonioli said. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman both commented on her forward momentum. "You are on the way up. That was terrific," Goodman said.

When asked about getting back into her life as a gymnast, Raisman said she can't wait to focus not only on tumbling, but also on dance.

It was Raisman's super-sized freestyle routine later in the night that wowed the judges and earned her the perfect score of 30. Ballas's goal with choreographing this routine was to enable Raisman to use her gymnastic skills in a non-traditional way, he said.

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.