Hanging (with) Chad

Now we know how Chad Johnson is spending part of bye week – hanging out with Bob Costas. The Bengals wide receiver participates in the a roundtable discussion with Costas on HBO's “Costas Now” at 9 p.m. Friday from HBO studios in NY. Costas also chats with Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.

Garth is back?
Could Garth Brooks be itching to come out of retirement? Brooks, 43, chats with Bill Whyte around 7:30 a.m. or so Friday on WUBE-FM (105.1) to promote his new single, “Good Ride Cowboy. Brooks, who stopped performing four years ago, also sings “Good Ride Cowboy” at the “Country Music Association Awards” Tuesday (8-11 p.m., Ch 12).

Kiese watching:
Mayor Luken reflects on his legacy – and talks about challenges for Mayor Mallory and the new council – today on CET’s “Focus” (7:30 p.m., Ch 48).
Gordon Clapp (“NYPD Blue”) plays a man who disappears after his daughter’s death on “Without A Trace” (10 p.m., Ch 12).
John Stamos guest stars on “ER” (10 p.m., Ch 5), which was supposed to be a permanent gig until ABC renewed his “Jake In Progress” for midseason.