As we ultimately saw on 'Family Guy.' McFarlane peeled back some of the mystery surrounding Ernie the Giant Chicken, as we discovered that Dr. Hartman may have created him. It also turns out that the Griffin family are Hartman's last patients, which isn't much of a surprise when you consider he suggested Brian donate both of his kidneys to replace Peter's failing ones.But, and I feel almost odd in saying this, the funniest moments of the episode had limited connection to the main storylines. It was the random humor that has long been a staple of 'Family Guy,' but had become underplayed since about midway through Season 8.Regardless, the sequence with Peter on Red Bull that opened the episode had the most laugh-out-loud moments of the episode. When he busted in the house, flipped Meg and the couch over and then proceeded to speed bounce Stewie, I was dying laughing. Then, he appeared on 'The Price Is Right,' with Drew Carey, and even though I should have seen it coming, the crazy spin he gave the giant wheel sent it flying through the crowd.

'Criminal Minds' has had more than its fair share of drama off-screen in the last year or so. Cast members have been demoted, or promoted then axed, or fired and then rehired. Now comes news that star Thomas Gibson is still between contracts.According to Deadline.com negotiations have stalled between Gibson and CBS with only one month to go before production gets underway on the upcoming Season 7. While he is expected to sign a new deal to stay with the show the uncertainty is making life hard for the writers.They have already started to map out next season and write scripts. Gibson's character, Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner, has been key to the show's storylines, so it would be hard to plot the season without knowing if he will be back.However, after cancelling the spin-off series, 'Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior' the network may have more cash to spread around, and it's said to want to bring the focus back to what's happening on-screen, not behind the scenes. Gibson's co-stars Paget Brewster and A.J. Cook have both been rehired for Season 7 and recent addition Rachel Nichols has been let go. Executive producers and showrunners Ed Bernero and Simon Mirren have also both left the series.

It seems as though behind-the-scenes contract wrangling is continuing to dog ABC medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy.'Earlier this summer Patrick Dempsey seemed confused as to whether McDreamy's coming or going, and now Ellen Pompeo says she could be persuaded to stay on after the upcoming season 8.Pompeo told TV Guide that she's open to the idea of continuing to play Meredith, but that her contract will soon expire and no one's actually asked her to stay on. "I would love the opportunity to discuss it," she says."I would never turn up my nose at 'Grey's.' ... If I hear from the fans that they want us to keep going, then I would continue because we owe them everything."She added that "I know Shonda Rhimes has said the show will continue, but I wouldn't presume that they want to continue with me. You don't get dressed for the party if you don't have an invitation."
Several members of the 'Grey's' cast -- including Sandra Oh -- have contracts expiring at the end of Season 8 and right now it's all still up in the air. It's possible that there could be a mass exodus, but it's also possible that some of them will be renewed. It's also possible that creator Rimes could call time on the drama.