Click here for a behind-the-scenes look at Nurse Jackie, narrated by and featuring Falco.

Edie Falco first caught my eye when she was a corrections officer on HBO’s Oz during the late 1990′s; it was obvious prior to her many intense confrontations with Tony Soprano that she could more than hold her own among and against the tough guys.

Falco deserves every accolade and award earned as Carmela Soprano (3 Emmys, 2 Golden Globes, 3 SAG Awards), and was the first actress to receive all three of those major television awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series back in 2000.

In addition to being one of television’s top talents, Falco battled and recovered from breast cancer four years ago. Her courage and strength on screen and off is inspiring. I will always tune in to whatever project she’s attached to, and look forward to seeing her again every week.

Are you one of those people who are online (via cell or computer) during most waking hours? Do you ever wonder what some of your friends and family are up to, or where they are, but don’t feel like calling or emailing to find out?  If so, I highly recommend that you either sign up for a free Twitter account or find out which of your loved ones and buddies already use the service so you can follow them.

I casually refer to Twitter as ‘cyber-stalking with permission,’ but in reality it is a quick social networking message system. When you have an account, you have up to 140 characters to answer the question, “What are you doing?” in real-time, as often as you like. Some people offer very specific and personal details, while others are purposefully mysterious or controversial. You also have the option to reply to someone’s update, often resulting in a tweetversation.

Here are just a few favorites from the hundreds I follow:

Whitney Matheson: USA Today columnist (Pop Candy)
Greg Grunberg & Brea Grant: Heroes actors
J.R. Orci: writer/producer, Fringe
Jesse Alexander: writer/producer, Alias/Lost/Heroes
Mo Ryan: Chicago Tribune columnist (The Watcher)
TheODI, DocArzt & DarkUFO & Ryan from The Transmission: Lost scoop
DuckyDoesTV, GiveMeMyRemote, Ramblings of a TV Whore, theTVaddict: TV bloggers
SlashFilm, FirstShowing, Cinematical, AintItCool: movie news, interviews
Brill, Hanh, Rick, Andy, Sarah, Ryan, Korbi:  Zap2It TV team

You have the option to link Twitter to your Facebook status updates, but I’m not a fan of that particular option for my page (I update far less on Facebook). On my iPhone, I use the free application Twitteriffic to catch up and post new updates on the go. 

If you’re interested in following me, feel free to bookmark my Twitter profile: http://twitter.com/jopinionated. If you already have an account or create a new one, make sure to click ‘follow’ under my LOST icon (and I will follow you in return).

When in doubt, exercise caution before drunk-tweeting or sharing specific work and life details via Twitter. Before I post anything, I keep in mind that my mom follows me; it can be a tad disconcerting to receive calls from her with a specific question about or statement regarding something I forgot that I had posted on Twitter…but it is one of the many ways for her to keep in touch and involved from across the country.

So…do you tweet, and if so – who do you enjoy following on Twitter?

I have seen every episode of Heroes thus far, and while I enjoyed the first episode of this third season – I’m not in love with the current story lines. That being said, I stand by my initial assessment of the first season…that it was one of the most stellar and compelling debuts in recent television history. 

Before creating the fan favorite series Heroes, the Emmy-nominated Kring (Outstanding Drama Series; Heroes in 2007, Chicago Hope in 1997) created, produced and wrote for Crossing Jordan.  Prior to that, Kring wrote and produced episodes of Providence and Chicago Hope.  Kring’s first foray into writing for series television, however, was an episode of the original Knight Rider in 1982, followed by several made-for-TV movies. Entertaining career note: in 1987, he and former Heroes/Lost producer Jeph Loeb co-wrote the film Teen Wolf Too (the sequel with Jason Bateman replacing Michael J. Fox).

When the interview begins, we are introduced to Kring’s office space on the studio lot. In addition to a smattering of awards statues around the room, there is original art from Heroes artist Tim Sale framed along the walls. [Personal aside: I had the opportunity to meet Sale earlier this year in person, and he sketched a custom print of cheerleader Claire for me in 10 minutes; it was a very cool pop culture moment, and he was quietly polite and charming while I secretly geeked out.]

Kring discusses both his film influences and film school experience, as well as his work behind the scenes in TV production before becoming a writer. He elaborates about the development of plot vs. characters, and the collaboration in the writers room that is essential in serialized television.

I was particularly interested to hear Kring’s response to interviewer Jeff Berman’s question about whether or not Heroes has an ‘end game.’  And, of course, his thoughts about how Lost paved the way for a show like Heroes to achieve success (large ensemble cast, more questions than answers, etc.).

For all of the recent controversy surrounding Kring’s statements about the Heroes audience (followed by his published apology), I will say this for the man…he genuinely cares about the relationship between the show and those who are dedicated to watching and writing about it.  Kring really seems to appreciate the cross-pollination that occurs between the series and the fans. While the audience may not dictate the final direction of the show, I truly believe that Kring listens to the voices of both discord and delight.

I still have great faith in Heroes, even though I remain puzzled by the dismissal of Loeb and Jesse Alexander.  Why, you might ask? Because of the passion displayed at the Heroes panel at Comic-Con a few months ago and also during Kring’s interview on this DVD, and because I look forward to being baffled and entertained every Monday night by a cast of characters that I’ve grown attached to. Not convinced? Get a copy of this DVD for yourself, and let me know what you think.

I hope you all enjoyed a nice holiday and weekend. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for my previews of The Write Environment interviews with Doug Ellin (Entourage) and Sam Simon (The Simpsons)!