SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2013 The Mentalist Two and a Half Men Rhyming, Crossovers and Something ‘Breaking Bad’ 17 of the Best in November Sweeps TV ovember sweeps is here and that means all the broadcast net- will play her in flashbacks starting with Thursday’s episode! The parent from J.J. Abrams and J.H. Wyman, “Almost Human,” on Nov. 17 and works are pulling out their biggest tricks in order to bring in reveal, by the way, is an age-old sweeps gimmick. 18. The series was originally supposed to debut Monday, but Fox Nthe most eyeballs to their programming for the highest possi- pushed it back two weeks to take advantage of a football lead-in ble advertising rates. Even lay television watchers know when sweeps Sex and the Crossover Sunday night. Another “Fringe” connection here as Wyman served as is upon them. It’s marked by an array of outrageous stunt castings, “The Carrie Diaries,” Fridays at 8/7c on The CW showrunner on both. But it won’t be dark like “Fringe,” Wyman told pivotal storylines, crossover episodes, returning characters and special It’s a crossover that also introduces more sex talk into the ratings- TheWrap; the 8 o’clock futuristic Monday show is very family-friendly. themes, such as a much-hyped musical or animated episode. challenged prequel series: Always risque Samantha (Lindsey Gort) This season has it all. From “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s” enters the 80s - funny, because we wondered if she ever left the Cote de Pablo who? crossover with feature film “Thor: The Dark World” to requisite decade while watching “Sex and the City.” “NCIS,” Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8/7c on CBS “Breaking Bad” guest star on “How I Met Your Mother” to the mother Fans mourning the departure of Cote de Pablo on the CBS drama of all reveals on ABC’s “Scandal.” “HIMYM” serves up a rhyming Dude, it’s Wonder Woman will have a chance to gain a new favorite character on Nov. 19, when episode and CW’s “The Originals” throws in a surprise crossover with “Two and a Half Men,” Thursday, Nov. 7 at 9:30/8:30c on CBS “NCIS” introduces its new regular character Ellie Bishop. Played by “I “The Vampire Diaries.” Everything and anything goes during Alan Harper (Jon Cryer) gets a chance to hook up with his crush Am Number Four” actress Emily Wickersham, Bishop is described as “a November sweeps. TheWrap scanned ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and The when former “Wonder Woman” star Lynda Carter, who plays an mysterious mixture of analytic brilliance, fierce determination and ide- CW’s offerings and assembled the following list of the good, the deli- acquaintance of Walden Schmidt (Ashton Kutcher), drops in on the alism who specializes in international threat assessment and global ciously bad, and the “let’s just throw this on the wall and see if it sticks” show Nov. 7. The following week, “Survivor” honcho Jeff Probst preparation.” of November sweeps episodes: appears on the show, presumably as someone that Alan doesn’t try to hit on. Rough S-E-X and Nia Vardalos! “Fringe” with benefits “Law & Order: SVU,” Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 9/8c on NBC “Sleepy Hollow,” Mondays at 9/8c on Fox We’re Not Buying It “SVU” is rolling rough sex, murder and guest star, the always-lov- Fox kicked off its November sweeps week Monday with the net- “The Neighbors,” Friday, Nov. 8 at 8:30/7:30c on ABC able Nia Vardalos, all into one episode titled, wait for it, “Rapist work return of “Fringe” fan-favorite John Noble on its new hit, “Sleepy How’s this for a crossover? the stars of “Shark Tank” stop by their Anonymous.” Hollow.” Noble’s recurring character, the Sin Eater, plays heavily into Friday night lead-in “The Neighbors.” Not too much? At least the the series and its characters’ lives because of his powers, showrunner show’s producers and writers are in on the joke. The episode is titled, With some Luck Mark Goffman told TheWrap. His powers? Yeah, he literally eats your “We Jumped the Shark (Tank).” “Parks and Recreation,” Thursday, Nov. 21 at 8/7c on NBC sins. Football has certainly helped NBC reach No. 1 in the ratings this Who’s on top? season, so the comedy brings back Andrew Luck and several of his “America’s Next Top Model,” Friday, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15 at 9/8c NFL friends to help Leslie (Amy Poehler) complete one of her biggest Woof! There really is no better use of sweeps than to actually land your city council goals with an “NFL Play 60” event with the Indianapolis “The Originals,” Tuesdays at 8/9c on The CW finale during the period - a naturally highly rated episode. But, this is Colts. That’s some slick cross-promotion. There was a fair amount of denying any sort of crossover episode the finale of the first co-ed season. Will a guy win the first “ANTM” between “The Originals” and “The Vampire Diaries” on the part of ever? Oh, and why not milk it a bit? It’s a two-part finale! showrunner Julie Plec over the summer. But, that all changed when Winning and Singing she told reporters on Tuesday that Tyler (Michael Trevino) puts the “S.H.I.E.L.D.” gets hammered “Parenthood,” Thursday, Nov. 21 at 10/9c on NBC woof back in werewolf when he appears on an episode airing in late- “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8/7c on ABC The campaign trail ends on this episode for Kristina (Monica November. Brace yourself for a pretty epic show of Marvel’s might. There will Potter). Will she be the next mayor of Berkeley? Oh, and Amber be a crossover episode between feature “Thor: The Dark World” and (Mae Whitman) might sing. I’m black! “S.H.I.E.L.D.” Fanboys are already wondering just how this will alter “New Girl,” Tuesdays at 9/8c on Fox their universe. Whodunnit? Damon Wayans Jr.’s character “Coach” returned to “New Girl” on “The Mentalist,” Sunday, Nov. 24 at 10/9c on CBS Tuesday. Wayans, who originally starred on the pilot but left for ABC’s Something “Breaking Bad” Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) takes one step closer to tracking down “Happy Endings,” will be back for the entire season. No word yet on “How I Met Your Mother,” Monday, Nov. 11 at 8/7c his serial-killer quarry, when the identity of Red John is finally revealed where this leaves his replacement, Winston (Lamorne Morris). Fresh off of his career-making run as chemistry teacher-turned- on the drama’s Nov. 24 episode. Might as well get the office pool on meth baron Walter White, Bryan Cranston will return to the comedy whom it turns out to be going now. Mama, is that you? “How I Met Your Mother,” reprising his role as Ted’s former boss-from- “Scandal,” Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC hell Hammond Druthers, who tries to lure Ted into his latest business A poem for “HIMYM” We thought that casting “Friends” star Lisa Kudrow was the venture. If it involves a certain blue substance that keeps people up “How I Met Your Mother,” Monday, Nov. 25 at 8/7c on CBS November sweeps gimmick. Then, we thought that the surprise late into the night, Ted would be wise to decline. “How I Met Your Mother” thinks it is time/To put on a show that’s reveal that President Grant (Tony Goldwyn) had possibly piloted a presented in rhyme/The name of the episode, “Bedtime Stories”/The plane that shot down the plane carrying Olivia’s (Kerry Washington) A Hail Mary goal of this exercise?/November sweeps glory!/Nov. mom was the big one. We were wrong on both counts. Creator “Almost Human,” Sunday, Nov. 17 and Monday Nov. 18 at 8/7c on 25 is the date of this thing/That will play on the air with a rhyme Shonda Rhimes had another trick up her sleeve: We’re finally going to Fox and a ring/Between you and me, if you’re Neil Patrick. — Reuters meet Olivia’s late mother. HBO’s “Treme” actress Khandi Alexander Fox is banking heavily on its two-night premiere of the new drama.