Preview

Billy Dec tweets. A lot. The CEO of Rockit Ranch has become nearly as well-known for his constant Twitter use as for the company's Asian restaurant Sunda and two locations of Rockit Bar & Grill. But what he discovered on social media about one of his own businesses ended up surprising him. A decade ago, Rockit Ranch opened Rockit Bar & Grill in River North, and three years ago, it opened a second location in Lakeview just steps from Wrigley Field (3700 N. Clark St. 773-645-4400)

With Oktoberfest in Munich in full swing, Chicago got some beer-tastic news of its own last week: A group of chefs from an award-winning restaurant announced plans to open a Bavarian-style beer hall in the spring or early summe rin Logan Square or Lincoln Park. The team behind the project includes Nathan Sears, chef de cuisine at Paul Virant's acclaimed restaurant in southwest-suburban Western Springs, and Adam Hebert, who has also worked at Vie. Virant is also on board as a consultant and partner.

Between Dale Levitski's Frog N Snail and Chuy Valencia's former restaurant Chilam Balam, Broadway in East Lakeview already is something of a "Top Chef" hot spot. With the opening of Bar Pastoral lead by "Top Chef: Seattle" cheftestant Chrissy Camba, it's gaining even more attention from fans of the Bravo show, now in its 10th season. Here are five things you should know about the first restaurant from the owners of gourmet shop Pastoral Artisan Cheese, Bread & Wine, due to open Nov. 12 at 2947 N. Broadway.

This Sunday is the Oscars, and in preperation you should listen to my appearance on "The Winners and Losers Podcast" with Chicago comedians Hank Thompson and Jeff Steinbrunner right here .  We talk "Django," "Zero Dark," "Argo," "Silver Linings," "Beasts," and all the rest. We make predictions and bitch about what deserves to win. Offensive comments are made. Larger social and political contexts are explored. Everyone gets laid at the end. Also, if you're watching the broadcast on Sunday and have the Twitter nearby, I will be making numerous snarky "twits" intended for entertainment purposes.

"Merlin" stars Katie McGrath and Angel Coulby haven't had a lot of screen time together since Season 2 of the international hit, but that changes in the next episode. "The Dark Tower," premiering at 9 p.m. CT Feb. 8 on Syfy, gave the actresses a chance to act opposite each other again. In the episode, Morgana (McGrath) kidnaps her one-time servant, now Queen Guinivere (Coulby), in order to draw King Arthur (Bradley James) into a reckless rescue attempt. Morgana covets the throne of Camelot, and will do whatever it takes to get it. "We've always said we wanted to work more together, and finally they've given us the chance," Coulby said.

King Arthur's father would be turning over in his grave--if he were still in it. Arthur can't resist using magic to summon his father, Uther, back to Camelot in "The Death Song of Uther Pendragon," airing at 9 p.m. CT Jan. 18 on Syfy. When he was alive and king of Camelot, Uther banned magic from the kingdom. That's the reason Merlin hides his powers from Arthur to this day. Uther feared magic and believed that know good could come from its use. Maybe he was right. After Arthur seizes the chance to speak to the person he misses most he learns that the spirit world is indeed a dark and dangerous place.

"Submarine. Lots of soldiers and Ice Warriors. " That's how "Doctor Who" star Jenna-Louise Coleman summed up "Cold War" episode. In the episode debuting at 7 p.m. CT April 13 on BBC America, the Doctor (Matt Smith) and Clara (Coleman) land the TARDIS in 1983 and inside a Russian nuclear submarine whose captain (played by "Games of Thrones" actor Liam Cunningham) is already dealing with another surprise guest--an Ice Warrior. Fans haven't seen the classic "Doctor Who" foes that first appeard in 1967 to fight Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor since the 1970s.

Clone troopers go rogue in "Plan of Dissent," the upcoming episode of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" that continues the battle for Umbara story. After the Republic conquers an Umbaran airbase, General Krell orders Rex and his men on toward the heavily fortified capital. Realizing there's a better plan, several clone troopers disobey orders to carry out a covert operation. "Plan of Dissent" premieres at 7 p.m. Nov. 11 on Cartoon Network. Track the entire season of "Star Wars: The Clone Wars": R2-D2 & C-3PO are back "Shadow Warrior" "Prisoners" "Water War" Season 4 preview

Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka go undercover on the planet Zygerria in the second chapter of the current three-part arc on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars. " In "Slaves of the Republic,” airing at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 on Cartoon Network, Anakin, Obi-Wan and Ahsoka attempt to locate missing colonists amongst the slavers on Zygerria. Anakin struggles with his emotions as a wily Zygerrian queen forces him to take questionable actions in order to carry out his mission. Watch two clips from the episode in the player above and tune in Friday night.