Photo by Danny Feld – © NBC Universal, Inc.

Today is Tuesday, folks, and that means a few indisputable facts. Firstly, we are no longer being slapped and throttled back into the week (my words, not yours–telling). Second, tonight will bring about a new fantastic episode of NBC’s “Parenthood,” with an absolutely believable (truly the best accolade for an actor, so I’ll stop there) cast, headed up by the sublime Ms. P., as in Monica Potter.

There is no shortage of fantastic actors here: Peter Krause (“Six Feet Under”), Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”), Craig T. Nelson (“Coach”), Minka Kelly (“Friday Night Lights” and new “Charlie’s Angels”), Dax Shepard (“Punk’d”)–trust me here. Shepard has got mad skills, which honestly, were on full improv display for MTV fans.

Does anyone else feel old just thinking about it? Have no fear! The ‘Music Television’ network is bringing “Punk’d” back, with a new host for a new generation. That would be Justin Bieber.

Now do you feel old? Sheesh.

Back to the ‘hood. “Parenthood,” that is. Potter is perfection as a mother (Kristina Braverman) sometimes crippled with fear and guilt, but who ultimately always makes the unselfish choice. Like, always. Particularly tough parenting hurdles? Daughter Hattie’s falling in love with a slightly older guy with a heart of gold, who’s also a recovering alcoholic.

What’s a Mama to do? But wait! Potter’s Kristina and her delightful hubby Adam (Krause, also Graham’s real-life boyfriend, but they’re siblings on the show–keep up!) have an autistic son Max, and parenting him is no small order. Max is a great kid, but his special needs as a kid with Asberger’s syndrome are needs a plenty, indeed.

Take last week’s episode, “The Amazing Andy,” which saw the Braverman clan celebrating Max’s birthday with his special needs classmates, each with their own special dietary needs, like the elimination of gluten. Oh, and there was an insect specialist, Andy, played by “Lost” star Michael Emerson (Tear. Sniff. Sniff. Moment of silence…), who is also autistic and offers his clients giant stuffed insects as gifts. A puzzled Potter could be seen petting that stuffed insect throughout the scene pictured above. You do that sort of thing when parenting–pet insects and their stuffed counterparts.

Because I so love Potter on this show, and because I am, at times, carried away by my adoration of someone’s talents (the Don), it’s easy for me to imagine myself swapping parenting tips and gluten free recipes for, say, gluten free cupcakes. When Max’s aunts and uncles taste Kristina’s they are less than impressed, and I just want to say, “Monica! Kristina! I know the secret to a really tasty gluten free cupcake. It’s coconut oil, and I know this because THE Erin McKenna of Babycakes NYC says so (There’s a new Babycakes Covers the Classics Cookbook coming, too. Eek!). And I’ve tried it, and those cupcakes are divine! Divine, I tell you!”

“Coconut oil, you say?” Monica/Kristina.

“Yes! So moist. The downside is you can no longer use GF baked goods as weapons by hurling them at the people who say they’re too hard to eat, but the upside is they can actually be consumed!” Overly enthusiastic Me.

“Cool. Thanks.” Monica/Kristina.

“So, wanna swap war stories sometime? Monica/Kristina?”

Yeah, there may be something a little “off” about me, but my ability to make an fantastic gluten free cupcake is not one of them. In fact, I’d bet mine could rival your “regular” cupcakes any day. Okay, I’m not really down with that kind of confidence, but I stand by my cupcakes, Peeps. (They’re also vegan, but don’t hold that against them.)