Random happenings in TV land today …

- Since the "Nip/Tuck" finale aired late last night, I won't discuss the episode yet, for those who haven't had a chance to see it. If you did watch, and you already the identity of The Carver … whoa! Right? For those who just want the spoiler, read the Zap2It.com re-cap … whoa! Right?

- Broadway vets Jayne Atkinson and Stephen Spinella are among the ever-growing list of new cast members on the new season of "24." Even bigger "24" news: A two-minute season-five preview clip!

- EW.com's Top 5 TV Catchphrases of 2005. "Narm" … not sure that "Six Feet Under" line is one of the "best," but it's definitely the most haunting.

- "Donkey," actor Mark Wahlberg's pal and the real-life inspiration for "Entourage's" Turtle, died in Boston this week.

- In case you missed it, Randal, Rebecca and The Donald hashed out "The Apprentice" finale controversy on "Larry King Live," and the transcript is here.

- Nothing Martha and co. will do can possibly top the controversy sparked by her pal Donald's shenanigans on last week's "Apprentice" finale, but Martha Stewart does finally pick a "winner" from her rather meager pool of candidates on tonight's season (and series) finale (NBC, 9 p.m. ET) of "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart."

- Is there anything happier than "A Betty White Christmas"? The Game Show Network doesn't think so.

- Seacrest out … and about, as "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest gets big bucks to become the new host of E!'s daily "E! News."

- USA Today has an interesting article on how some of TV's hottest couples are interracial couples, and how those pairings, unlike in years in the not-so-distant past, don't raise an eyebrow any longer. I particularly love the mention of "Lost's" Rose and Bernard, which is definitely one of the sweetest storylines on that show.

- posted by Kim