Last night's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" -- which you can see in full above -- may not have brought us any closer to discovering the identity of Ted's future bride and the titular mother of his children, but it provided something equally important: the chance for us to see former "American Idol" victor Carrie Underwood in an acting role. But Underwood is just the latest famous lady to grace the show with her presence, so we decided to figure out where she belongs on the spectrum. After the jump, five "How I Met Your Mother" guest stars who were better than Underwood -- and five who were worse.

This is exciting! Steve Carell, who proved his virtuosity in the '70s pastiche when he played Brick Tamland in "Anchorman," is producing a remake of "The Rockford Files," the beloved '70s detective series starring James Garner. Carell is partnering with David Shore, the man behind "House," to create a pilot for NBC -- a network which, if you haven't heard, is looking to fill the void left in the wake of "The Jay Leno Show" experiment with scripted dramas. No word on who will play Jim Rockford, the Malibu ex-con who, in the show's first incarnation, solved crimes out of his mobile home and was preternaturally fond of beige. But if "Rockford 2.0" gets picked up and David Chase decides to write another installation, maybe it would feel so good to reunite him with James Gandolfini? Just brainstorming here. But a guy named "James" worked the first time. Sit down, Franco! We'll call you when we decide to bring back "McMillan and Wife."

When the trailers started hitting the media and the details of James Cameron's long-gestating "Avatar" started to emerge, there were plenty of skeptics who doubted that the movie would ever make back its reported $500 million budget. (For instance: this guy at Slate.) But even though the film will need to make EVEN MORE money than this to be profitable, it has met one impressive-sounding benchmark by grossing $1 blillion, as Reuters reports above.

And for those who've seen and loved the movie, the fun's not over: extend your "Avatar" experience after the jump.

Our friends over at Fox really know how to grab our attention.  They've released a new redband trailer, a mashup of characters from "House," "Bones," "Fringe," and "Dollhouse," using actual footage from the shows, made to look like they're all hanging out in a strip club. Saucy! Love "Fringe"'s Anna Torv, ever-unflappable in the face of a dancing lady.  We even get a few glimpses of a barely-dressed Eliza Dushku in some of her best acting on "Dollhouse" since the dominatrix episode (see above).

Bummer! EW's Michael Ausiello is reporting that original "House" team member and fan-favorite Jennifer Morrison (pictured above, in happier times), is leaving the show. Apparently, her character Cameron won't be killed off like Obama staffer Kal Penn was, and may be back for a few guest appearances.

But why the departure, when "House" creator David Shore had previously promised more screen time for Morrison? Shelley Long syndrome? Caruso-itis? Or a just bad attack of showrunner fever? I'm not really qualified to make a diagnosis, but I wish Morrison -- and her worried supporters -- a speedy recovery.

4:36:50 PM Tara Ariano: It's all led up to this: the final Emmy category (of the ones we decided to cover). The nominees for Outstanding Drama Series are "Big Love," "Breaking Bad," "Damages," "Dexter," "House," "Lost," and "Mad Men." Here's an interesting note: seven nominees; only two network series.
4:37:26 PM Will Edmondson: Here's another interesting note: If there's any justice in the world, six of them have absolutely no shot at winning.

Back when Barack Obama could still walk around his neighborhood alone without it being a national security concern, he and his family lived in a house in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood near the University of Chicago. "60 Minutes" showed off the digs near the end of the clip above, and it's a very nice house in a very nice neighborhood. We'd all be lucky to live there. Well, today is our lucky day, America, because the house next door to the Obama's is for sale! But like all good things, there's a catch (or three):

The President's old block on South Greenwood Avenue is currently closed off to nonresidents by the Secret Service, and any potential homeowners are subject to extensive background checks by the President's humorless bodyguards. The home is also being listed without a price, hoping that the "Obama effect" will entice buyers above the going rate (homes in the neighborhood sell for between $1 million and $2.5 million). And GOP members need not apply, as the owner said he'd only sell to a Republican "if push came to shove." So it'll cost you if you want to stalk the President...in a friendly way of course.

On the plus side, even though Americans said they'd rather live next to Sarah Palin, Chicago sure beats Wasilla, Alaska. If you're interested in putting in a bid, or just want to creep out the elderly empty-nesters who live next door to the President's old house, the house has its own website, here.

2:17:03 PM Tara Ariano: After dealing with the dramatic ladies yesterday, now it's time for the gentlemen. Nominees for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series are Simon Baker of "The Mentalist," Gabriel Byrne of "In Treatment," Bryan Cranston of "Breaking Bad," Michael C. Hall of "Dexter," Jon Hamm of "Mad Men," and Hugh Laurie of "House."
2:18:15 PM Will Edmondson: And, as Simon Baker already knows -- he is a "Mentalist" -- it's not his year.
2:18:45 PM Tara Ariano: No. I think this might be a case where a guy gets nominated because his show is big: "The Mentalist" was the top-rated new drama last season.
2:19:09 PM Will Edmondson: Yeah, and he probably already pieced together his fate from three cocktail napkins and the reflection in his watch.
2:20:06 PM Tara Ariano: And maybe a sound in the background on a voicemail message.

Variety has some remake news, and it's potentially welcome (for once): NBC is going to revive the great '70s detective show, "The Rockford Files."

Ah, yes. The dilapidated trailer in Malibu, the tacky blazers, the sublime James Garner, the second-best TV theme song of all time. (First is "Sanford and Son," by the way.) But can we trust the new "Rockford" crew to get it right?

Well, Steve Carell's Carousel Television is involved, which is a good sign that all the comedic elements will come together. Also, "House" creator David Shore is going to run the show. So all we need now is a promise from the new talent not to alter the traditional answering-machine cold open, and we're good.

The Style Network's "Dress My Nest with Thom Filicia" is a goldmine. Not only do we get some perspective when we see flawlessly put-together celebrities struggle to decorate their homes, but we get to admire ex-"Queer Eye" decorator Thom Filicia's effortless approach to style.

In this clip from last night's episode (above), Audrina Patridge from "The Hills" enlists the decorator to help her transform her outdoor patio. Filicia asks Patridge to provide him with three personal items and three style items to ensure his design matches the reality star's taste. But, Filicia forgets to remind Patridge that her outdoor patio might be best served with weatherproof items. Try to guess what happens next.