It’s been a whole minute since we left our favorite resident troublemaker wide receiver Terrence “TK” King joining a rehab facility on USA Network’s hit show ‘Necessary Roughness’, and the wait has been long and gruesome, but he is finally back! And I have the scoop on what’s ahead for him from the man himself. I mean, from Mehcad Brooks, whose great talent and handsomeness bring TK to life on screen.

TK will grace our screens again on Jan. 23 in the winter premiere of ‘Necessary Roughness’, at 10 p.m. EST/ 9 C on USA Network. Write it down and don’t say I didn’t tell you on time. Now, as usual, what follows is a whole round of TK and Mehcad awesomeness from the man himself, that also includes a heavy dosage of SPOILERS.

So, beware: if you do not want to know whether TK pulls off a full “I will behave and sit down and talk like in a James Ivory movie” moment, or what lies ahead for the “loveable asshole” (copyright Mehcad Brooks), stop right here and now. And miss out on all the goodies. You have been warned. TK will hit you like he does the touchdown area if you go on reading and complain about spoilers. ‘nuff said.

Just to quickly recap the situation, we left: Dr. D (the great Callie Thorne) in one hell of a personal and business mess after kissing Nico (the uber charming Scott Cohen) in what Ms. Thorne herself called “a terrible situation” (no kidding), TK re-joining rehab after escaping and seeing a friend die in his own apartment, Matty D. (the handsomely talented Marc Blucas) having a hot chick to handle as he tries to (uselessly) move on from his love for Dr. D., and Ray J. (Patrick Johnson) being busted with about a whole field of marijuana plants in his car. I’d say none of them wastes time when trouble comes a-knockin’? So, time to fix it, and TK is smack at the center of the whole mess too, as usual. But that’s why we love him, isn’t it?

“Ho, ho, ho, bitches!” . That’s TK’s locker room comeback line for you. You know I’m telling the truth, because you can immediately picture him with a little Santa hat as he enters and high fives team mates, ready to get back to practice. But is it that simple? Of course not. And let’s hear what’s ahead for TK in both the terrific winter premiere and the rest of the ‘Necessary Roughness’ season from Mr. Brooks himself. (Who was so incredibly nice as to talk to us all despite a bad cold/flu, that we hope goes away ASAP. TK doesn’t do colds now, does he?!).

Alessandra: “In the winter premiere episode, TK has many great scenes with Matty D. — as he calls him — one of which prompts him to actually be the one dispensing advice for once, rather than receiving it. While it happens in a humorous way, it could be a sign of an attitude change in sight for TK. Are we going to see more of that in the final upcoming episodes, and if so, how would you as an actor like to see that factor in next season?”

Mehcad Brooks: “When we first met TK, he had a lot of growth to do and he had to face a lot of trouble. He begins to grow up a little bit and I think that becomes very apparent after going to rehab, there’s a lot of growth that is coming up with him and as an actor that is interesting to play, because even in life we have relapses when it comes to responsibilities and new challenges, and it’s all about going through that and then make a change, so it’s interesting to have a chance to play that part.
It has to be “where does it go from here”, he has to begin putting his life together on top of his career, so yes, I think we’re going to see that next season, too.”

As far as what specifically awaits TK in the winter premiere, the bumpy road is always ahead, and new rivals are lining up.

Mehcad Brooks: “Let’s imagine the NY Hawks have hired a star wide receiver just in case TK can’t pull the car up the hill, and TK is kinda burning inside and wanting to get back on the field… but he’s lost a little bit of his touch, he’s been in rehab, and he really hasn’t been training the way he normally does, so it’s a really big transition, and I’d like to say he prevails, but you’ll have to wait and see.”

What a tease. Except, yours truly has seen the premiere and can share the following: I may or may not have decided that this new wide receiver is atop my list of “characters I would like to kick. Right there.” Make of it what you will. What, I can’t spoil the details, I need you all to tune in to watch the episode. This is one of my favorite shows, and I have zero intention of going through another nerve-wrecking “will it be renewed or will it bite the dust” month or two next season. You better get those remotes working to switch the channel to USA Network on Jan. 23 at 10 p.m., ok? You don’t want a raging Italian after you now, do you? TK’s wrath has nothing on me, I swear! Now y’all will picture me as the green-eyed monster. Oh, well.

Alessandra: “TK is never going to read nearly as much Shakespeare as you do in real life, BUT he may turn all “I’m a gentleman and I will behave and sit straight and talk right out of a James Ivory movie” in an upcoming episode. How’s that going to work out for him? Or how is that not going to work out for him? Is he really going to try and be someone else?”

Mehcad Brooks: “TK is always trying, but at the same time there’s the difference between trying and believing and doing. He learns a lesson between trying to do something and actually saying “You know what, here are my actual limitations, and this is reality and this is what I can do and how I’m going to do it.”. He’s always going to try and to do, it’s what he’s done with his career. He started, and he tried and he got where he is.

Same way you guys tried and you did it with journalism, we all understand the difference between trying and doing, and so far TK has tried but he has failed. But he hasn’t stopped and he keeps trying. It’s the difference between being child-LIKE and being child-ISH. Being childlike is not taking no for an answer and doing and doing and doing, while being child-ish is “well I’m gonna try!” and that’s it.

But, to satisfy your question, he does have a very, very selfless moment coming up in the finale.”

I will add that TK shows definite signs of change in the winter premiere, too, courtesy of a much-needed pep talk from the one and only Matty D., who gives TK love and understanding, but also tough love and ass-kicking, a language TK seems to comprehend better. And very à propos of that language… guess who’s coming back to take (or not take) the reins of daddy’s football kingdom? You guessed it, Juliette (the lovely Danielle Panabaker).

Mehcad Brooks: “They [TK and Juliette] kind of bond over the fact she kinda had an addiction too, and some other things. They just start hanging out a little bit, and one thing leads to another and then there’s an opportunity, you know, for TK to cross the line and I’m not gonna say what he does! It’s definitely a good career move for him if he does, but I think we will also be able to see how much he’s changed thanks to this storyline. And I had a great time working with Danielle, she was great!”

Well, knowing Juliette, she’d be able to make TK catch up on one month of missed debauchery in a half day, so TK better be the super improved version of himself around her, or disaster will knock on the door faster than ours truly can catch a pass. Ahem.

Alessandra: “How are TK’s relationships within the team going to change as the season progresses? We see in the winter premiere that TK finally opens up more with Matt and has more scenes with him, is that going to happen with Nico, with coach, and is there a change in TK’s relationship with his team mates?”

Mehcad Brooks: “We will see a change in that, yes. He is shown an example of bravery by one of his team mates when he comes out of the closet and TK shows him who he is as well, so he does open up a little bit, and starts to become more open about who he is.”

As far as the ever-adorable relationship between TK and Dr. D. , fear not. It is as messy and loving as usual.

Mehcad Brooks: “TK and Dani… it’s almost that buddy cop relationship between them. I think it’s a familiar relationship that people understand and want to see. You’re gonna see TK struggling with his sobriety, Dani helping him with that, Dani sort of figuring out her love life and her professional life, and TK making that MORE difficult, like only TK can do, you know.” (He laughs).

I will add, to complete the upcoming episodes picture, that there are some really great guest stars coming up. Peter Mac Nichols is going to play Dr. D.’s therapist, and he is nothing short of brilliantly sassy. If you remember him from his “Ally McBeal” days, you will see some of that weird humor come up again here. Not that he dances to Barry White or anything, but the character is incredibly insightful and entertaining. And he (figuratively) kicks Dr. D.’s ass! Which is not something we’re used to, as she’s the one who has “kicking my patients’ butts” in her resume.

Also, my Broadway crush Will Chase (whom you may have seen last season on NBC’s hit show “Smash”) is guest starring, and guess what? ROCKING, as Mr. Chase himself confirmed to me via his Twitter, complete with photo tease! https://twitter.com/WillChaseMe/status/288350024407060482

In short, a great group of episodes to wrap the season is ahead, and it’s truly worthy of your TV time. So tune in and watch, especially because after the show has been renewed for a season 3, I’d really like to see a season 4 as well, without all this “will they or won’t they renew it” drama, that even gave the cast, including Mr. Brooks, quite a fright.

Mehcad Brooks: “The biggest life lesson I’ve learnt is probably also the biggest career lesson I’ve learnt, in that no matter what it is you’re doing, and no matter how it is you may feel day to day, never take something that you love for granted. I love the show, but when you’re in the middle of things and putting in 14-hour days you kind of start taking it for granted. We had a little scare because we didn’t know whether the show would be coming back or not, and that was hard on me, and I think I just really learnt, just don’t take it for granted.”

You heard it from the man himself: you better tune in! And yours truly will be forever grateful for your help in keeping up with her need for a weekly fix of ridiculous handsomeness, courtesy of Mr. Brooks, Mr. Blucas and Mr. Cohen. And don’t even pretend you don’t see it. I know you do. I knew when nobody filed any complaint after that “like mama made him” TK appearance in the season premiere!

Well lovelies, it’s been swell. This is all for now, but fear not, I’ll be back soon with more hotness. I mean scoop! Meantime, you know what to do. Watch the Necessary Roughness winter premiere on USA Network on Jan. 23 at 10 p.m. EST!