ER - The End

ER - Life is Good, And in the End... - Eps. 1521-1522 - Series Finale

So as I've said before, I've stopped watching ER a long time ago, but I would pop in occasionally. The series is a far cry from being the ratings powerhouse it once was, but even in the final years, it may have all been a retread, but it was still a solid drama until the end.

It's great to see the huge roster of actors all come back in the final episodes. Self-indulgent? Maybe, but who cares. This show has every right to it in its final episodes. It's lasted 15 years. I was still in grade school when it started!

Okay, so by the end, even though I actually do love the replacement casts, things got repetitive, but then again, isn't life? The show had William H. Macy far before he was cool and a name. It gave chronic character actors Paul McCrane and Laura Innes actual lead roles on a hit TV show!

I enjoyed seeing Thandie Newton and Alex Kingston's Corday come back. I loved the full circle with Dr. Mark Green's daughter Rachel as a new candidate for an internship at County General Hospital. There's another full circle with naive newbie Rory Gilmore/ Alexis Bledel (okay, her character was Dr. Julia Wise, but really, it was Rory Gilmore) join the hospital on the last episode as what would have been the new John Carter for the next generation. And it was nice to see Eriq LaSalle, Laura Innes, Sherry Stringfield and of course Noah Wylie back as Benton, Weaver, Lewis and Carter.

It was nice to have a bit of a nostalgic reunion and some closure. All while attempting to play out a regular episode at the same time with the current cast. Say what you will but I've gotta give respect to Scott Grimes and Linda Cardellini. Loved the second-to-last episode when Morris and Samantha were running that kids camp in the gym.

And there have been a LOT of good actors that moved on to bigger things, and I'm not just talking George Clooney or anybody from the original cast.

I'm talking Maria Bello, Jorja Fox (before CSI), Khandi Alexander (before Newsradio), CCH Pounder (before The Shield), Goran Visnjic, Mekhi Phifer, Elizabeth Mitchell (before Lost), Mariska Hargitay (before SVU). (And the list goes on and on and on. My gawd, who HASN'T worked on this show?)

... and Maura Tierney (after Newsradio), John Stamos (after Uncle Jesse), Parminder Nagra (after Bend It Like Beckham), Shane West (after Once and Again).

The movie stars "slumming it" to join the ER crew like Angela Bassett, Stanley Tucci and John Leguizamo.

And remember Erik Palladino? Kellie Martin? Busy Phillips? Michael Michelle? Sharrif Atkins? Ming Na?

Then of course there's always the constance of the nursing staff and ER aids! Lydia (Ellen Crawford)! Jerry (Abraham Benrubi)! Haleh (Yvette Freeman)! Chuny (Laura Cerón)! Malik (Deezer D)!

And I must say, it was a perfect way to end the series with that last scene when the new batch of doctors, including Rory Gilmore, along with Morris, Angela Bassett and the current cast waiting upon a new batch of patients. It was a nice touch to have Carter call upon Mark Greene's daughter Rachel to join them in the ER. And then the final play of the ER theme song as we finally get to see what County General looks in the Chicago landscape!

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Well I'm Watching - Kings, Better Off Ted, Lost, and More

Apparently I'm on a different wavelength than the rest of America, because I'm still loving Lost and Ugly Betty yet the numbers keep dropping. Meanwhile, I REALLY enjoyed new shows Kings and Better Off Ted yet they basically tanked in the ratings on their first outing. Seriously, where did everybody go?

Better Off Ted - Pilot - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere

In case you didn't watch, and according to the overnight ratings, no one really did, the show is like another unwatched show Andy Richter Controls the Universe without Andy Richter. Which means nothing to most of you but it should. It means it's a fast paced zippy absurd and outlandish workplace comedy that skewers corporate America. And now couldn't be a better time to make fun of the inanities of evil immoral corporations.

Luckily we have the lovable and moral Ted (Jay Harrington (Desperate Housewives, Couling US) guiding us through the offices and labs of Veridian Dynamics as the head of Research and Development. His boss is the humourless Veronica (Portia de Rossi, Arrested Development, Mrs. Ellen deGeneres), his loyal underlings in the lab are Lem (Malcolm Barrett) and Phil (Jonathan Slavin, Andy Richter Controls the Universe). Meanwhile, Linda (Andrea Anders (Joey) is in charge of testing the crazy products Veridian, via Veronica via Ted, comes up with, as it hints as a possible romantic interest. It's cute but the show is so fast that it doesn't let it become cloying.

Seriously, loved the show which like Portia's previous show Arrested Development, has the same absurdities that make it so funny and fresh, but this one, despite the crazy inventions and ideas thrown around Veridian, seems a bit more grounded and plausible. At this point, the pilot was so good that I'm giving it ****1/2 stars out of 5 already.

(More cast photos here)


Kings - Goliath - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere

Kings is a big and ambitious drama in a modernized version of David vs. Goliath with a New York City currently being controlled by King Silas Benjamin (Ian McShane, Deadwood). The vision and scope of the show seems more cable fare (one would have expected this on HBO or AMC, not NBC) since it tries for lots of allegory and intelligent plotting, but at its heart, it's still one big ole melodrama. The show probably isn't as smart as it thinks it is but it still works and was far more entertaining than it originally looked. Plus, you know, the David they have to fight the powers that be is a cutie (Christopher Egan, Eragon).

Of course, it helps that Ian McShane plays the King. The KING! And Susanna Thompson (oh how I missed you!, from Once add Again) plays wife Rose Benjamin. They have two kids, Michelle (Allison Miller) and Jack (Sebastian Stan, above with Thompson). And then there's Dylan Baker (below with Thompson) as Benjamin Cross, one of the kings' men.

I'm loving the intrigue and all the different sides. At this point I'm giving the show ***1/2 out of 5 but it could easily lean towards a 4/5 but I'll where they take this show (if it lasts).

More on Ugly Betty, Lost, 30 Rock, The Office, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Castle, ER, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice:

Ugly Betty - The Sex Issue - Ep. 319

"What Is it with white people and Taye Diggs?" - Wilhelmina to Marc

So true. So true.

Sex is the issue (on the cover of Mode) and sex is the issue with everyone AT Mode. Betty wants it from Matt but Matt won't give it. Wilhelmina wants it from her hot new manny but he won't give it. And Hilda doesn't want it from Archie (Ralph Macchio looking better than ever these days) and, well, then his ex shows up and she does.

So many laugh out loud moments, though I think my favorite might have been the quickest throwaway one when Marc and Amanda walked by Betty in the background leaving her in the dust after she gets caught by Matt for following him!

So apparently Matt was a slut (um, I think I love him even MORE) which is why he pulls away from Betty (in a matter of speaking).


Lost - Namaste - Ep. 509

The time traveling is on pause and the Dharma LaFleur/Sawyer and Juliet and Milo reunite with new "recruits" Jack, Kate and Hurley. Loved the episode that amped up the explanations and returned back to the characters. It helped that my brain didn't hurt as much from all the time travel spinning anymore and we got to finally fill in some of the blanks.

Even better? Sawyer/LaFleur is now the thinker. WHA!? And poor Sayid! I wonder if Sawyer is still angry at Sayid for torturing him for the pills way back when they first crashed on the island (the 1st time).

Oh, and what's the deal with Sun and Frank seeing Jack's father at the Dharma camp?
Okay, it still hurts my brain but in a good way.


30 Rock - The Bubble - Ep. 315
The Office - New Boss - Ep. 518
The New Adventures of Old Christine - A Change of Heart/Pants - Ep. 418
Gary Unmarried - Gary Uses His Veto - Ep. 116
The Big Bang Theory - The Work Song Nanocluster - Ep. 218
How I Met Your Mother - The Front Porch - Ep. 417

Jon Hamm returned as perfect Drew on 30 Rock and it was Liz's job to break his beautiful bubble! And it was Kenneth's job to lure Tracy back to show after he quits (from Jack's horrible negotiating skills). Oh, and Jenna was getting her hair cut. Maybe because I was lured in by Hamm's beauty as well, but the guy needs to do comedy more. His blankness is the perfect foil to all of Liz's neuroses and watching Jon Hamm play bad tennis might have been trumped all the twists on Mad Men (and I loved that show).

Charles Minor (The Wire's Idris Elba) is the new boss at The Office. One that Michael can no longer sleep with (like Jan) or avoid (like Ryan). At least this time, when Michael becomes childishly embarrassing, the entire office looks on in horror. And considering all the baffoonery, one wonders how Michael has managed to stay on for 15 years at the job. Still, it was probably a bigger shock that he quit and wasn't fired. Loved the new twist.

Loved Jim's James Bond look. And that he was supremely embarrassed by his monkey suit on the first day with the new boss.

Old Christine is suckered into helping Marly and Lindsay as they're having their babies, which of course means she ropes in Richard and Matthew. Gary tries to find Allison a new boyfriend. You know? Neither are exactly the most sophisticated comedies (then again, neither is 30 Rock or The Office if you really think about it) but I'm still enjoying them. Richard and Matthew are ALWAYS funny and the snarky Marly and Lindsay are perfect in small doses. Meanwhile, the two kids (and the funniest part of Gary) weren't really on this week but nonetheless, I still laughed at Gary and Allison's antics.

Now is it me or has The Big Bang Theory become way more clever than we ever would have imagined? They are on a roll this season and I can't stop laughing. I was surprised at how far they took Penny's little flower cluster clips project. The plot seemed simple enough, and just putting Sheldon with Penny to help with her was enough, but to add Raj, Howard and Leonard, a website, an order from a gay group, and Sheldon on coffee? Hysterical!

I kept having to rewind How I Met Your Mother not because I wanted to catch the little details on the background, but because I was CONCENTRATING on the TV in the background where Robin was saving lives, delivering babies and putting out fires on her morning show. So I missed the huge fight between Ted and Lily when he found out Lily had sabotaged all his relationships (which is pretty funny in the first place). At least Prepon is gone.


Bones - The Salt in the Wounds - Ep. 417
Castle - Nanny McDead - Ep. 102

Spencer Breslin (now grown up as a teenager and looking a bit like Michael Cera), Monique Coleman (High School Musical) and Amy Pietz (who should have WON an Emmy for Aliens in America) all guest this week! Kudos to the casting agent!

This week, the new "Zack" is Arastoo Vaziri (Pej Vahdat) who is Muslim and takes 5 prayer breaks, much to Bones' annoyance. Angela breaks up with Roxy, and sleeps with Hodgins. Sweets tells Angela she must stop the sex for 6 months. She and Matt should really get together.

Love the characters. So cute. Especially when Sweets and Angela had to pretend to be married as they investigate a chiropractor.

Sadly, the second episode of Castle only proved further that the best part of the show is simply Nathan Fillion and the rest of it around him is filler. I had far less fun this second go around and found myself zoning out anytime Fillion wasn't on screen. And of course, THIS new show is getting pretty darned good ratings, thanks to its lead in DWTS.


ER - Shifting Equilibrium - Ep. 1520
Grey's Anatomy - Stand By Me - Ep. 517
Private Practice - What Women Want - Ep. 218

In the 3rd last ER, it's time to send off Neela, who I thought was the new heart and soul of the show and sort of a new Carter for the second half of the series. Love Parminder Nagra. And Abby makes a cameo and after a long goodbye, Neela returns to Ray. RAY! (Shane West, another alum from Once and Again). I haven't been really following the show lately and don't even know why Ray left (I actually thought he died), but I still loved it. And I also loved the new batch like Andrew (Julian Morris) who would have been great for the next batch if the show were to have continued.

Grey's Anatomy isn't spectacular anymore but at least it's back on track and mildly entertaining again. Plus Emily Kuroda!!! Mrs. Kim!!! (Gilmore Girls) and Larry Sullivan (Leon on The Secret Life of The American Teenager, CSI, The Trip) as patients! Despite the fact that Larry is a total hottie, he played Dave, a disfigured man waiting for a face transplant, yet I love that his voice is so spirited that he definitely emanates a good man.

I was really taken with Dave's story and the parallels with Izzie and her cancer, with Christina fighting vehemontly for her sake. I even was quit taken with Derek's showdown with Richard (and the "captured" Owen and Callie who end up drinking along with the depressed Derek.

Apparently I watched Private Practice but I think I tuned out half of it. Except when Amanda Foreman showed up as a patient, and when Dell's baby mommy disappeared. Oh, and Josh Hopkins. That's probably when I started my daze and went off in my own fantasy world...

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Full Circle - ER, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock and More

ER - In Times of Old - Ep. 1519

It's the countdown to the series finale and I'm totally suckered back into watching (and have been since Noah Wylie came back). I mean, it started when I was in HIGH SCHOOL. Like before university. Before all my jobs. And that was a LONG TIME AGO. (Sadly, I had pimples then, and I still have pimples now. WTF?) So I think everyone had a mid 90's flashback when Carol and Doug, Benton and Carter are mixing it up with Neela and Morris. Plus was anyone thrown off for a second when you realized John Stamos is technically the replacement to George Clooney? I mean, love Stamos but really? Then again, Clooney wasn't Clooney until this show. Before that, he was just that dude with the big chin and big hair from The Facts of Life. Hmm.. maybe the similarities aren't so different after all. The Facts of Life = Full House.

Anyways, George Clooney, Noah Wylie, Julianna Margulies and Eriq La Salle's returns were nicely done, without any huge RETURN blinking over their heads. Even Susan Sarandon's guest spot seemed subdued. It was all very smoothly integrated into the current show. Though I'm sure we were all waiting for Doug and Carol to figure out that the organs were being donated to Carter but it never happened which was a nice touch for quality but not for wish fulfillment.

And while I stopped watching regularly and I know people say its not the same, I still like the current cast.

But man, just thinking back, a LOT of people have passed through the halls of County.


More on Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, The Office, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, Survivor: Tocantins, The Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Brothers & Sisters, The Mentalist, Lie To Me, Bones, Castle, America's Best Dance Crew, The Secret Life of The American Teenager:

Ugly Betty - A Mother Of A Problem - Ep. 318
30 Rock - The Funcooker - Ep. 314

Is it me or does Ugly Betty and 30 Rock seem more compatible than what their respective networks have given them? Between the real New York City setting, the zaniness of it all, and sharing Broadway guest stars (with Patti LuPone as both Frank's mom and Marc's mom), these shows really should be on the same network.

This week Christine Byranski is Matt's mom (when she isn't Leonard's mom and singing with Sheldon) and gives an even BETTER case for Matt to stick around. Because is beady-eyed cutie Matt is still around in Betty's life, so will Byranski's rich bitch mom to be a thorn in Betty's back.

Liz has to get out of jury duty but her crazy tricks (getting all Star Wars freakish) don't work in New York. Jenna goes crazy. Tracy goes crazy. Business as usual!


The Office - Golden Ticket - Ep. 517
The New Adventures of Old Christine - Too Close For Christine - Eps. 417
Gary Unmarried - Gary Uses His Veto - Eps. 116

Top respected comedies The Office and The New Adventures of Old Christine were good but... um... I think I laughed the loudest at Gary Unmarried this week. What's happening to me?

I mean, I still don't get the opener and closer at Dundler Mifflin (with the Knock Knock jokes and all) but the Golden Ticket was amusing with a great outcome. And Kristen Johnston guesting as a fellow parent of Richie's new friend (so awkwardly nerdy it's like they were being groomed to be future Dwight's) and who is simply as crazy as Christine.

But when Gary uses his veto power to stop his daughter Louise from taking chinese lessons, and then tries to sneak her to golf lessons, I couldn't stop laughing. Granted, as I keep saying, the two kids (Ryan Malgarini and Kathryn Newton) have amazing comedic timing and very showy but yet doesn't have that creepy kid-actors vibe.


The Amazing Race - She's a Little Scared of Stick, But I Think She'll Be OK - Ep. 1405
Survivor: Tocantins - You're Going to Want that Tooth - Eps. 1805

That snow machine in Siberia looks far more complicated than it has to be. But it kinda looks cool. And scary. I'm not sure what the last challenge's point was, other than to show gratuitous skin despite the cold weather.

Meanwhile, lots of gratuitous skin shots on Survivor. Duh, the main reason I still watch this show! Well, that and the blindsides. Anyways, while team hidden rainbow is leading the pack on The Amazing Race, with Luke (who isn't actually out on the show from what we know) lands in first place with his mom again, in-the-closet-on-the-island Spencer is out. Of the island that is. So much for that. Oh well, I like Brendan and Stephen and even farmboy JT more anyways.

I gotta say though, I still don't know which team to root for cause I kinda like most people on both teams. Well, except Coach. But who doesn't.


Desperate Housewives - The Story of Lucy and Jessie - Ep. 517

And again, Gabi is making me laugh. A lot. From her infinite smile at the funeral where Carlos finds out he's getting his dead boss' position. To telling Lynette that she's flattered but not interested after already having kissed Susan to prove her lesbian point? Hilarious! Then she's okay with Carlos' VP and ex-girlfriend? And she's Lesley Boone from Ed!?!? Awesome!

And then Swoosie Kurtz (from the sadly departed Pushing Daisies) is the lesbian after Susan's heart? Doubly awesome!


The Mentalist - Crimson Casanova, Scarlett Fever, Bloodshot - Eps. 114-116
Bones - The Bones That Foam - Ep. 415
Lie To Me - Love Always - Ep. 105
Castle - Pilot - Ep. 101 - Series Premiere

This week, The Mentalist Patrick Jane goes blind after someone sets off a bomb in the parking lot but he's still seems to see things better than everyone else does. Yet again, there's an easy red herring and the whole episode slyly leads us through the mystery, subconsciously guiding us along to think we're two steps ahead, and yet it's still really fun to watch. It helps that they are slowly fleshing out the gang now so that they can actually use Owain Yeoman, Amanda Righetti, and Tim Kang's acting abilities. Still, this is Simon Baker's show and he's having a ball and it's a lot of fun to watch him bounce off of Robin Tunney's Lisbon.

Lie To Me is Tim Roth's show though I do like his little lie-detector entourage and the little facts about lying and facial ticks are fun, I find myself half tuning out now.
Fellow FOX show Bones is still the gold standard of procedurals that goes beyond procedurals and adds heart, warmth, romance and humour to the genre. Plus I'm still enjoying the rotating replacements for Zack. (It was Brit Mr. Nigel-Murray, the one who spews facts and sounds arrogant but is actually just a ball of nerves). No procedural manages to balance all the elements well enough together like Bones (and this week directed by David Boreanaz himself!)

Meanwhile, ABC seems to recognize this and is trying their hand at it with Castle and it's all forced and jumbled but yet I found myself highly entertained because their lead, Richard Castle, is played by Nathan Fillion (Desperate Housewives, Firefly, Dr. Horrible). His charm is enough to fill a show full of stereotypes and cliches and make up for the lack of chemistry with his "partner". Bones and Booth they ain't.


Grey's Anatomy - I Will Follow You Into the Dark - Ep. 516
Private Practice - Finishing - Ep. 217
Brothers & Sisters - Spring Broken - Eps. 319

Amber Benson!?!? On Private Practice? You gotta admit that while the show has been nowhere near as good as we hoped, they were do cast well. First Emma Caulfield, now Amber Benson!!! Where's Xander?

Actually, both Grey's and Private seemed better this week. I was actually enthralled and entertained. Except for that whole Derek is down bit. It's a downer and Mer and Der have teetered on intolerability lately and this doesn't help, even if Derek batting away the wedding ring in front of Mer was a nice dramatic moment. I'm not sure it was worth it all just for that scene.

And while overwhelmed new mother Kitty and sick Robert are downers on Brothers & Sisters, at least they're smart enough to get Kitty to drive all the way back from Santa Barbara to escape and of course, land at Nora's door. And to meet Ryan for the first time!

While the brothers Kevin, Justin and Tommy go on a trip to Baja (because that's the first thing you do when you're about to go to jail) where it's Spring Break Bitches!

And as much as I don't want to, I'm loving Ryan (Luke Grimes).


The Secret Life of The American Teenager - Whoomp! (There It Is) - Eps. 121

The baby is coming the baby is coming!!! Just in time for Amy to miss the incredibly painful baby shower Adrian (yes, Adrian) and Grace (by default) was throwing for her. With guests like Mr. Molina's pregnant wife (is that Constance Marie? Who deserves better especially after The George Lopez Show).

And Jack kisses Grace? Ashley will move out with George? Adrian gets caught having sex with her step-brother by her FATHER? OMG. LOVE THIS SHOW!


America's Best Dance Crew - Season 3 Finale

I forgot to comment on this last week because I meant to put it in my "Battle of the Sexes" post. But by the end of the season, I kinda wanted the all-girls group Beat Freaks to beat the all-boys group Quest Crew. I mean, I LOVE Quest Crew but they've kinda been the front runner all season long, plus they had the advantage of a built in fanbase from So You Think You Can Dance thanks to DTrix, Hok and Ryan. But the girls in Beat Freaks were pretty awesome themselves and I thought they had a better final performance on top of all that.

But the two final teams were definitely the two best. Though while I liked Fly Khicks, I thought they kicked off Dynamic Edition too early just to get a semi finals with boys vs. girls. It seemed a bit too convenient.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

er, I Watched ER Again...

Who was that new guy on ER? He's like a cross between James Franco, Bryan Greenberg and Milo Ventimiglia.

Damn. I thought I'd finally quit ER but I got suckered in. AGAIN. For like the 9th time.And he's only an INTERN and not even on the main cast.

Love Angela Bassett and Shiri Appleby (Roswell) but Julian Morris (above) as Andrew Wade (playing Shiri's character's husband) got me to stay past the 15 minute point in tonight's episode.

I do have to say, considering how re-hashed it all is, and how many different characters and actors have passed through Cook County Hospital, I still do love Linda Cardinelli, Scott Grimes, Parminder Nagra and Maura Tierney.

And John Stamos. But Gates is now with Sam now?

I also just realized that there are teenagers that are younger than this show now. Scary.

More After the Jump...

Fall TV Preview - What's Tapeworthy on Thursdays

As always, Thursdays is jam packed with GREAT TV and even the lesser TV is nonetheless addictive. If Tuesdays in Canada and Wednesdays in the States is the best night for new series, Thursday is the best night for returning faves. In fact its so jammed back, I'm going to have to do a little Tetris game to manoeuvre the schedule so I can watch as much of my favorites on this night and it won't be possible to watch all the shows I want to watch live despite my best efforts. Seriously, this is quite horrendous in my world!


Here's the Fall TV Preview for Thursdays:

All times Eastern based on current scheduled times and all times pm. Green = New Show, Blue = Returning Show, Red = Must Watch Live

Everybody's a winner on Thursdays. Except Fox. Sorry, you may actually win some ratings with lameass reality gameshows but no one under 65 is going to be watching your network for once.

All night is going to be a toss up between what to watch, and what to tape for later, and the hour longs will probably win over the half hour comedies only for the sake of not breaking up the hour time slots. (ie. 30Rocks 4.5 Stars plus Earl's 3 stars averages to 3.75 Stars which Ugly Betty beats out with its 5 stars. So Ugly Betty wins.

8:00 - 9:00

Ugly Betty - ABC/City 8:00 - 9:00 - *****WATCH LIVE - IMO, I think Ugly Betty got to the perfect mixture of outrageous campy comedy, soapy drama and heartwarming fairytale. America Ferrera at this point has been hailed enough as carrying this show, all deservedly, because a lesser actress would not carry though the confidence and bumblings with equal weight, and Betty would have remained a character forever. Still, the supporting cast is just jammed full of AWESOME characters, that almost each one could take a spinoff on their own, including Vanessa Williams' Wilhelmina, Michael Urie's Marc, Becky Newton's Amanda, Christopher Gorham's Henry, Ashley Jensen's Christina (who really needs more lines this year! Did anybody see Ashley with Orlando Bloom in Extras? Hilarious!), and Judith Light as Claire Meade. This is not to lessen the excellent Eric Mabius, Rebecca Romijn or Anna Ortiz, and of course, Mark Indelicato's Justin, who doesn't deserve his own spinoff, he deserves his own variety series.

Survivor: China - CBS/Global 8:00 - 9:00 - *1/2 FLIP BY - Since last season sucked, that probably means this season will be awesome again and as much as I say I'm never going to watch again, I always flip by and do.



My Name is Earl - NBC 8:00 - 8:30 - ***TAPE - I don't think it went through the sophomore slump everyone said it did last year but I think the original set up limits the height this show can go. It's still pleasurable viewing, comfort television with a slight edge, and the wonderful Jaime Pressly (who was nicely awarded at the Emmy's this year, who would have thought THAT 4 years ago?) and Jason Lee and their quirky guest stars have a nice zing to it.


30 Rock - NBC 8:30 - 9:00 - ****1/2 WATCH LIVE (or TAPE for LATER IN THE NIGHT)- It won the Emmy! Woo! I actually think it was the 4th best comedy on TV still (after Ugly Betty and The Office and How I Met Your Mother) but I'm still happy about the win since it was improving so fast that if it weren't for the slow start in season 1, it would have been almost a perfect season. I hope Alec Baldwin doesn't threaten to back out again for personal troubles (and I hope Tracy Morgan doesn't get arrested or get in trouble again) because we need them in this hilarious comedy, not that Tina Fey and Jack McBrayer isn't enough, but put it all together and you have comic gold for the dozens of us that enjoy it!

9:00 - 10:00

The Office - NBC/Global 9:00 - 9:30 - ***** WATCH LIVE (or TAPE for LATER IN THE NIGHT)- I know Steve Carell is the star but even the background ensemble came into their own, from Creed to Angela to Kevin to Phyllis to Kelly to Toby to Oscar to Meredith. The fact that Pam and Jim's flirtation dance can still continue to feel real and ring true, while still being hilarious and heartbreaking is a testament to the show. Dwight can be a little much, and slightly overrated but that's peanuts to the excellency of this show in its entirety.









Grey's Anatomy - ABC/CTV 9:00 - 10:00 - *** WATCH - Season 3 dovetailed from its season 2 high, and it's THIS close to being put in the corner on the bad mat, but they got rid of Isaiah Washington and supposedly the set atmosphere has freed up so much which I will assume clogged up much of Shondra's thoughts last year. With mistakes being re-corrected (Gizzie, Isaiah), I'm hoping this can rebounce to the frothy melodrama it was so good at being at.

Supernatural - The CW/City 9:00 - 10:00 - ***1/2 TAPE - I know, it scores higher than Grey's Anatomy, because at this point, it's a better show, but I'll probably continue to tape it and catch up in large marathons because I'm just used to doing it that way (plus I'd rather be scared all at once instead of strung throughout weeks). Plus, everyone will be talking about Gizzie the day after. Which is not to say the Winchesters are not gossip worthy, especially with some girls added to the mix this year, but really, its more droolworthy on this show than anything else.

Scrubs - NBC 9:30 - 10:00 - *** TAPE - It's not as good as it used to be but still enjoyable and I'd like to complete it by watching this last season (or so they say).








My Name is Earl - IN CANADA ONLY Global 9:30 - 10:00 - ***TAPE - Crab man is great too! Randy still makes me laugh but I worry sometimes that Ethan Suplee isn't actually acting.








10:00 - 11:00

Big Shots - NBC/CTV 10:00 - 11:00 - **1/2 TAPE - I didn't love the pilot at all but it's Michael Vartan and Nia Long. I know, I'm too easy. I keep flipping back from being completely offended by this show and wanting to see more Vartan...







Shows I Like In Theory But Don't Watch Anymore: Without a Trace.

Shows I Just Gave Up On But Might Get Sucked Back In. Maybe: ER.

Shows I Just Gave Up On: Smallville, CSI.

Shows I Didn't Realise Still Existed: Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, Don't Forget The Lyrics.


For the Fall TV Preview for the rest of the week:
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Sundays

See Sidebar for Pilot Reviews

More After the Jump...

Cleaning the TV Slate

Okay, between attending weddings (2 down, 11 more to go. Who am I? Bobby bubbi Robert darling Bobby?), vacations (or a partial of it before I got called back for my next listing:), and re-starting a new season of a job, I've been slacking on my TV watching and have been playing catch-up for the past month, but in a way, thank goodness for American Idol which has scared away most new episodes in programming for me to not fall TOO far behind.

The New Adventures of Old Christine - Sleepless in Mar Vista, Undercover Brother
Okay. Loved that Burton was back, though too bad it was new delirious Burton and not the one we loved before (that Christine apparently didn't and thus broke his heart, leading him to therapy and prescription drugs). Also loved how they dealt with Richard's gay brother and yet made it all on Christine losing her mojo. New Christine is also getting funnier and funnier with her little quips, and love that the son isn't the brightest thing in the room.

Hereos - Parasite
Yes, I'm THAT behind. I can't believe I didn't hear any of the spoilers yet. Not that there was THAT much to spoil. I guess thinking it was the "spring finale", I didn't think there was THAT much of a cliffhanger, though I did gasp at Peter being cut up by Sylar. Still, I thought there was more. I realised I actually LIKE Ali Larter and I buy that she plays two versions of herself, but I' still bored with Jessica's/Niki's storyline. Ando RAWKS!

Lost - Enter 77, Par Avion
It's probably the first time I've left episodes of Lost waiting to be seen. Is that a bad sign? I still enjoy it immensely when I do, but I'm so confused as to this point that I almost dread watching it (though again, I'm glad when I do because I still love the Losties). Still, Locke is mystifying me right now.

Ugly Betty - Icing on the Cake
I CAN have my cake and EAT it too, if the cake was called Ugly Betty! (Though speaking of which, I need to get back to the gym since I'm no longer offically on vacation anymore. dangit). Last weeks ep was another perfect example of how this show has perfected the campy, emotional, hilarious mix, throwing each characters just enough meat to chew on, with zingers from every which way, and even guest stars who don't overtake the show and actually kinda fit in (Lucy Liu, Judith Light, Jesse Tyler Ferguson). I must say though, seeing Amanda in "The Amanda" was probably one of the funniest moments on television this season.

Grey's Anatomy - Scars and Souvenirs
Meanwhile, while Grey's Anatomy returned to regular programming (sans doing fake threats of killing the main character, yawn), I just couldn't get back into it. I LOVE this show and the characters but the spinoff gossip seems more interesting at this point. I also DO NOT BUY that Izzie and George would sleep together. Ew. They are like brothers and sisters. They had BETTER NOT GO THERE.

Boston Legal - Fat Burner, The Good Lawyer
For all the shenanigans this show is throwing around, and the fact that none of the main cast seems to be having any sort of real storyline (with the exception of the new baby for Denise which I'm not sure I like yet), they sure do give good scripts to the newbies like Clarence (Gary Anthony Williams who did just get upgraded to main cast member, though in this show, that still doesn't guarantee anything unless you are older than 50) and Bethany. At least they employed Debra Mooney (Everwood) as a judge though I wish they gave her more to do. I also liked the new Jerry but was sad to see him revert back to the old (and getting annoying fast) Jerry (for goodness sake, give Christian Clemenson some room for growth please, cause he can totally do it).

ER
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this AGAIN for the 18th time.

House
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this because there are only so many strange cases that House miraculously figures out around the 52 minute on the hour that I can take. Still, Hugh Laurie rocks the roll! I'm just needing more and the Chase/Cameron thing isn't enough (since it's just playing out real life stuff), and Cuddy and Wilson's tug-of-war relationships with House is getting a little slow.

Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip
Um, it was on in the background but I got all facebook addicted again, so I think I'm dropping this though it may never be on again anyways. Which is too bad since it seemed to enjoy employing Canadians (Kari Matchett, Mark McKinney) who deserve shows but aren't on one this year.

Corner Gas - Happy Campers, Seeing Things
OMG, the "Good Hair Day" thing made my laugh out loud everytime. This might be too Canadian in humour but I still enjoy it immensely. Loved that Karen secretly admitted that her and Davis really do nothing on the job.

Gilmore Girls - Will You Be My Lorelai Gilmore?, Gilmore Girls Only
Now that it's ending, the Lane baby shower finally felt like an old episode that we all loved. Though why are they making us hate the boyfriends (Logan, Christopher) so much? If it's not one, it's the other.

Desperate Housewives - The Little Things You Do Together, My Husband, The Pig
hmm. I know I watched it but what happened again? I know they resolved the whole Orson thing and the pizza joint finally opened, but what happened to the DH resurgence that was happening in the fall? It's gotten awfully boring again awfully fast. I would probably drop it if it weren't between The Amazing Race and Brothers & Sisters.

The Winner
Didn't this show just start? Now it's over already? When is Fox going to bring back The Loop? (June actually)

Brothers & Sisters - The Other Walker
Emily Vancamp + Brothers & Sisters = AWESOME!

More After the Jump...

Wedding Wars - When McSteamy Met McStamos

So last night, I watched A&E's Wedding Wars, which has ER/Full House (I'll never let him live Uncle Jesse down) star John Stamos as Shel, who is hired to plan his brothers wedding to the daughter of a campaigning senator. When the Senator publicly announces his opposition to gay marriage, a speech written directly by Shel's straight brother Ben (played by Grey's Anatomy's McSteamy. er... Eric Dane), Shel decides to go on strike, supported by Ben's fiance (Bonnie Sommerville of Kitchen Confidential, Grosse Pointe and Friends) but not by his boyfriend (Sean Maher of Firefly). Soon, his lone campaign escalates and more gays join in the strike in support of gay marriage.

The movie panders perfectly to liberal minded people (like me), with all the perfect clichés of liberal activism. It's a romcom within the political spewing, which works perfectly fine for me. It was nice to see a male on male kiss between Stamos and Maher with no big brouhaha and Stamos does and excellent and likeable job as Shel. I mean, the whole thing was cornball to the country fair yet I laughed a lot more than I thought I would for a TV movie on A&E.

It's hard to know if it'll make a difference changing people's minds, because it's doubtful the movie will attract viewers not already okay with the idea, or in love with Eric Dane or Stamos. Still, baby steps and one has to give credit for the makers to make this piece of political fluff somewhat realistic (no big changes are made in the end still but at least the debate continues) and incredibly fun to watch (the fight between McStamos and McSteamy is worth it alone!). Add Bonnie Sommerville as the understading bride-to-be, who, as is from Grosse Pointe, I will always follow, and Sean Maher as Shel's not as understanding boyfriend, and it rounds out a really likeable cast. Even Mr. Barbra Streisand (James Brolin) as the Senator made for a nice nemesis who was still not completely unlikable or cartoonish.

Wedding Wars repeats again several more times (it IS A&E you know) at:

Friday, December 15 8:00am EST
Friday, December 15 2:00pm EST
Saturday, December 16 10:00pm EST
Sunday, December 17 12:00pm EST
Sunday, December 17 2:00am EST

More After the Jump...

Rest of the Week before the Oscars

This will be short since... tada... the Oscars will be on tonight and I've finally seen all the movies in 14 categories (damn Syriana, or else it would have been 2 more).

Courting Alex - Dumping Alex. I know. I stayed in the relationship longer than I should have, but as charming as Josh Randall may be, and as much as I want to see Hugh Bonneville again, I must purge the bad dates and move on.

Scrubs - I now have the nightmare of seeing The Todd and his green glow after being in "chinatown", and poor Michael Learned... to be continued...

Boston Legal - Finally after a full season and a half, the producers got rid of all the superfluous characters (see ya wallpaper Ryan Michelle Bathe and Justin Mentell, we hardly knew you) and we are down to the amazing core cast. Thank god. Like they didn't realise this last season when they fired Monica Potter, Lake Bell and Rhona Mitra already? I mean, if you didn't know what to do with Rhona Mitra, what are you going to do with even less famous actors?

Free Ride - There's Arrested Development, and then there are these type of One-Camera shows. So much potential but somehow just don't live up? (see M.Y.O.B. with pre-Gilmore Girls Lauren Graham, The Opposite Sex with pre-Gilmore Girls Milo Ventilmiglia, Maybe It's Me although that was kinda kooky and Fred Willard made it pretty good) Somehow they are shot in the real world but feel clausterphobic as hell (and not in the AD good surreal way). Maybe cause the lead is too cute and "acting"?

ER - Noah Wylie was back. Guess he had nothing to do...

More After the Jump...