Blog Posts by Maya Salam

Want to get the serious TV fan in your life the most memorable and thoughtful birthday gift ever? Well, whatever you come up with, it's probably not going to be much better than this.

Graphic artist Leigh Lahav surprised her husband, Oren Mendezitsky, with a video re-creation of his favorite shows' opening credits with Mendezitsky and his friends and family in place of the characters. The result, which she uploaded on YouTube, is a wickedly creative and heartwarming montage titled "TV Bday PALOOZA." And she didn't miss an opportunity to squeeze in a TV reference, from HBO's opening static (Sillyface Entertainment, in this case) to the medley of reimagined intros, such as "Mad Men" ("Mad Oren"), "The Office" ("The Laser Club"), and "Adventure Time" ("Birthday Time").

What was Lahav's motivation? Outdoing the birthday gift he gave her last year, of course. He wrote a comic book for her and had close friends illustrate it, she told HuffPost Weddings. (This couple sets the bar high!)

Why

Kathie Lee Gifford is known for belting out big notes (and for co-hosting "Live!" with Regis Philbin back in the day), but "The Today Show" host is slipping into her dancing shoes and a blond Marilyn Monroe-inspired wig to shake her stuff on NBC's musical-drama "Smash."

In this exclusive sneak peek at Saturday's episode, "The Producers," Gifford is playing herself in a faux "Today" segment about musical-theater students visiting the "Bombshell" cast for a master class in the 20th Century Fox mambo.

[Related: Megan Hilty Smashes out of Her Comfort Zone]

It's a good thing that Gifford is no stranger to musical theater; she's contributed to several productions, including "Saving Aimee" and "Key Pin It Real."Alongside an exhausted Ivy (Megan Hilty) -- who's been on a press tour for the play -- Gifford and the cast put on a show for the kids (and the "Today" audience) that involves dips, spins, and a few rolly chairs.

On the other side of the camera, "Bombshell" producer Eileen (Anjelica

Romantic relationships that form in the "Real World" house always turn out great, right? Well, it's not impossible (Judd and Pam from Season 3 are still together!), but it's definitely rare. Averey and Johnny are trying their hand at a reality-TV love connection in Season 28, Portland, but can it survive a boys' night out? "Go! Be a boy. Do boy things," Averey says in this exclusive sneak peek at Wednesday's episode. "You're gonna be such a good wife," roommate Nia tells her.

But once the girlfriend's away, the boys will play -- kind of. While they're out partying, a fellow clubgoer in some tiny white shorts makes a beeline for Johnny, then starts dancing on him (if you want to call that dancing). At first he lets it happen, but then he comes to his senses and walks away. "Johnny knows what he has at home. Bro, quality over quantity," says buddy/roommate Jordan.

[Related: Nia Opens Up About Sexual Assault on 'The Real World: Portland']

Outside the club, Johnny resists her advances, so

It's ketchup versus mustard on Wednesday night's "My Crazy Obsession." And the men obsessed with these two condiments aren't just dressing up a hot dog; they have massive collections worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Ketchup-paraphernalia fanatic Ralph Finch is also an aspiring standup comedian, but his condiment-based jokes clearly leave the audience with a bad taste in their mouth. (Maybe it's his dry delivery?) "Knock, knock. Who's there? Ketchup. Ketchup who? Ketchup with me, and I'll tell you," Finch says into the mike. "Tough crowd."

[Related: Celebrity Stalker 'Goes After Whoever, Whenever' on 'My Crazy Obsession']

When he's not telling one of his 300 ketchup jokes, he's tending to his collection of ketchup jars, blankets, pillows, posters, and more -- which he's been amassing for 44 years. "It's given me pleasure; it takes a fair chunk of my life," he says of his hobby gone wild. This "ketchup king" even cashed in his life insurance policy to fund the purchase

Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" Season 9 is finally underway, and Captain Johnathan Hillstrand of the Time Bandit and Captain Scott Campbell Jr. of the Seabrooke made it onto dry land to chat with Michael Yo about what fans can expect as the crews navigate the violent Bering Sea once again in hopes of bringing home the biggest catch -- and just a warning, there will be injuries.

[Related: The Most Seaworthy Superstitions, Rituals on 'Deadliest Catch']

In fact, every boat has an injury, a breakdown, and fighting crew members this season, according to the captains. It is the world's most dangerous profession, after all. This week's episode, "Dagger in the Back," is no exception to the hazards: Johnathan's brother and co-captain, Andy Hillstrand, smashes his finger onboard and requires impromptu surgery at sea. "There are all kinds of ways to get hurt on a crab boat," Johnathan says. "Can't even put them on a piece of paper."

The worst injury Campbell has ever seen: a guy with a

Starz is set to brave the swarmy high seas in its new drama "Black Sails," whose executive producer is action-film aficionado Michael Bay ("Transformers"). The eight-episode series will not air until 2014, but we already have a sneak peek for you scallywags, and by the looks of it, we're in for a wild ride in rough waters.

"There's a war coming. When the king brands his pirates, he doesn't mean to make us adversaries, he means to make us monsters. If we survive, we must unite behind our own king," says Captain Flint (Toby Stephens) -- the most feared pirate captain of his time -- in an opening montage of bloody fights and Jolly Rogers flying. When he is confronted by a picaroon who says, "We have no kings here," Flint responds, "I am your king."

[Related: Leonardo da Vinci Gets 'Batman' Treatment on Starz]

The first season of "Black Flags" takes place 20 years before Robert Louis Stevenson's classic pirate adventure, "Treasure Island," and centers on Captain Flint and his crew. This

Breckin Meyer's dude-centric TBS comedy, "Men at Work," is about to get an executive dose of reality in the upcoming episode "The New Boss." And the new boss is played by the one-and-only Peri Gilpin ("Frasier's" Roz Doyle).

In this exclusive sneak peek at Thursday's episode, the guys of Full Steam Magazine -- Milo (Danny Masterson), Tyler (Michael Cassidy), Neal (Adam Busch), and Gibbs (James Lesure) -- get word from Full Steam exec P.J. (J.K Simmons) that the competing magazine Icon has not only beat them out for a Best Magazine award, but Icon owner Lindsey Tucker (John Michael Higgins) is flashing the "loser" sign all over the place.

[Related: TBS renews 'Cougar Town' for Season 5]

"That's what you are, P.J., a loser," Tucker digs before introducing the Full Steam crew to his "ace in the hole" editor, Alex Turner (Gilpin). "That woman right there is the reason you will never ever beat me," Tucker tells P.J.

No so fast, Tucker. Looks like P.J. is about to poach Turner right out

It's so happening: The Muppets are taking Disney by musical storm for the "Good Luck Charlie" Season 4 premiere! Miss Piggy, Kermit the Frog, Fozzie Bear, Animal, and, yes, the chickens are popping up in Teddy's (Bridgit Mendler) dreams for a full-on song-and-dance number -- complete with feather boas and jazz hands. There's also some playful competition between the head diva, Miss Piggy, and Teddy's mom, Amy (Leigh-Allyn Baker).

This exclusive sneak peek at the musical number from the upcoming episode, "Duncan Dream House," also features interviews with Miss Piggy, Kermit, Mendler, and Baker. Speaking of dreams, having the Muppets on set is a dream for the cast -- particularly in Miss Piggy's opinion: "It was fabulous. Everyone was so warm and friendly. And naturally, everyone was absolutely thrilled to meet moi."

[Related: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey to Join the Muppets in Crime Comedy Caper]

If you'll remember from the Season 3 finale, the Duncan house was in shambles following a