Decadeworthy - Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders

With the last 10 years of television emerging as the Golden Age of television, there is just so much to pick, but a few great shows slipped past the general public consciousness and got cancelled within one season. Here's the best 25 TV shows from the decade that never made it past season 1 (some officially had a season 2 but still had less than a typical 22 episode season so I'm counting it here). Comedic satires tend to fill the list, which I guess means there were a lot of great comedic satires, very few of which became popular. Dramas rarely made it here, probably because it tends to take longer to develop them into fantastic shows.

Interesting note. Some actors seem to just keep showing up on these great but cancelled shows. John Francis Daley, Bonnie Sommerville, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Russell Hornsby, Christopher Wiehl, and Irene Malloy.

Some of the shows listed weren't perfect per se, but had some strong bones to develop into great show, but sadly never got the chance. As I've said, Sex and The City, Seinfeld, Friends, Everybody Loves Raymond etc were never great in their first seasons and had room to grow, but in the last decade, shows seem to get the chop faster than ever. If only these 25 shows had more time to develop:

1. Aliens in America (The CW 2007-2008)

Amy Pietz and Scott Patterson (nicely obliterating their previous images from Caroline and the City and Gilmore Girls respectively) played parents in middle America who agree to take on an exchange student. They expect a Swedish blonde, instead, they get Adhir Kalyan's Raja, a nice Muslim teen. Hilarity ensues as the town reacts unpolitcally correctly while Raja's new household tries hard (but often failing) to stay politically correct. Nerdy son Dan Byrd (so wonderful now on Cougar Town) befriends Raja while cool sister Lindsey Shaw (so wonderful now on 10 Things I Hate About You remains annoyed, and the show grew consistently more bold and confident in its witty political satire that of course, meant the show was too smart to remain on The CW anymore.


2. Andy Richter Controls the Universe (FOX 2002-2003)
Officially 2 seasons but only 19 episodes in less than a year so I'm counting it.

Before The Office and Arrested Development, there was Andy Richter's own show Andy Richter Controls The Universe, a zany satire on the workplace that would later continue on Better Off Ted (though that isn't doing that great in the ratings either right now).


3. (Tie) Freaks and Geeks (NBC 1999-2000) / Undeclared (FOX 2001-2003)

From the same Judd Apatow crew came two great series about the fringe folks in school. One in High School, one at College, and with a casts that would spurn Jay Baruchel (Million Dollar Baby), Linda Cardellini (Brokeback Mountain), James Franco (Milk), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up), Jason Segel (How I Met Your Mother), John Francis Daley (Bones), Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy) amongst others, it turned the plight of growing up into something funny and oddly touching, if painfully reminiscent of those awkward years.


5. Now & Again (CBS 1999-2000)

John Goodman dies and government agent Dennis Haysbert (before he was 24 President) revives him into a super-robot that happens to look like the hunky Eric Close (Without A Trace). The government has bigger plans for the new hunky robo but all he wants to do is return to his family (a luminescent Margaret Colin, Gossip Girl, the always droll Heather Matarazzo, Welcome to the Dollhouse). What should have come off as a hokey sci-fi story was brilliantly directed into a plausible family drama and spy thriller actioner.


6. Privileged (The CW 2008-2009)

JoAnna Garcia lighted up the show about a regular girl hired to tudor spoiled twins while living off the fringe benefits of the rich. A delightful fantasy show with a huge heart, a terrific cast (including Anne Archer, Lucy Hale, Ashley Newbrough, Allan Louis, Michael Cassidy and Brian Hallisay) and a smarter-than-you-think-a-show-like-this-deserves writing, turning this fluffy soap into an intelligent dramedy.


7. Wonderfalls (FOX 2004)

Before Lee Pace was on Pushing Daisies, he was on another Bryan Fuller show called Wonderfalls. This one about a smart girl (Caroline Dhavernas, who should be more famous than she is right now) who takes a dumb job at a souvenir shop in Niagara Falls so that she doesn't have to deal with any great expectations from her family (including Pace, William Sadler and Katie Finneran). Instead, she starts hearing objects speak to her, giving her instructions, just as a romance may be blooming with her crush Tyron Leitso (Being Erica). The show was quirky, weird and wonderful! And another 1 season wonder.


8. Jack & Bobby (The WB 2004-2005)

A show about 2 brothers (Matt Long (upcoming show The Deep End) and Logan Lerman) with a strong domineering mother (Christine Lahti) living in a college town, where 1 brother will become President of the United States in 2041. Heavy political stuff mixed with family drama, the Greg Berlanti (Everwood, Brothers & Sisters) show wasn't always perfect and sometimes heavy-handed, but when it hit its mark, it was powerful and moving. Fun fact: One brother was Bobby McCalister, or as in Robert McCalister, the character played by Rob Lowe on B&S now.


9. Worst Week (CBS 2008-2009)

Based on the British show The Worst Week of My Life, the show is based on 1 joke that should have run out of steam by the second episode, yet seeing Sam Briggs (an adorable Kyle Bornheimer) trying to impress his fiance (Erinn Hayes) and her parents (the always reliable Nancy Leneham and Kurtwood Smith (That 70's Show) and falling under Murphy's Law, the show managed to make every episode strangely plausible and oh-no-they-didn't funny, as Bornheimer sold every accident upon accident to its full delight (or horror, depending on how you look at it).


10. Gideon's Crossing (ABC 2000-2001)

Before Grey's Anatomy, Eric Dane was on a smarter and better medical drama with young hot doctors. The Andre Braugher led medical show in the anti-House. A great doctor who was great with patience and great with his students. The Paul Attanasio (Homicide: Life on the Street) show didn't need many gimmicks but maintained some great drama and intelligence while trotting out a bit of soapy melodrama between the students (who included Rhona Mitra, Hamish Linklater (New/Old Christine), Ravi Kapoor (Crossing Jordan), Russell Hornsby (In Treatment) and Dane).


11. Love Monkey (CBS/VH1 2006)

A romantic comedy drama with music, it was a fresh and fun look at dating in the new century with a spectacular ensemble of Tom Cavanagh (Ed), Judy Greer (Arrested Development), Jason Priestly (Beverly Hills 90210), Larenz Tate (Rescue Me), Ivana Milicevic (Casino Royale), Christopher Wiehl (Jericho) and Katherine LaNasa (Big Love). It had all the pieces being set to be a great dramedy but it didn't fit in with the CBS lineup and they pulled the plug (relegating the remaining filmed episodes to VH1). This would have been great on ABC. I'm still brokenhearted about this one.


12. Firefly (FOX 2002-2003)

A cowboy space adventure. Even this was going to be an extra hard sell for Joss Whedon and FOX. As a devoted Buffy and Angel fan, I was automatically in, but even I had trouble getting into the groove of things, but with a little patience, and a lot of love for the cast that included Nathan Fillion (Castle), Alan Tudyk and Morena Baccarin (both V), Gina Torres (Alias), and Adam Baldwin (Chuck), the adventures of this ragtag crew in space became a lot of fun and quite fascinating (leading into a fun, if forgettable movie Serenity).


13. Kitchen Confidential (FOX 2005-2006)

Before he had a hangover, Bradley Cooper (Alias) got drunk with all his fellow chefs on this comedy loosely based on famous chef Anthony Bourdain (who has multiple shows of his own on the Food Network). It was fast, it was furious and it was funny and just starting to sizzle at the right temperature when FOX pulled this off the stoves. Again, another show that had a terrific cast, including John Cho (Harold and Kumar), Owain Yeoman (The Mentalist), Bonnie Somerville (Friends), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy), John Francis Daley (Bones) and Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon). The right ingredients were there, it just needed more cooking time.


14. Grosse Pointe (The WB 2000-2001)

Another spitting comedic satire, this time an easy target of the backstage drama behind a TV teen soap called "Grosse Pointe". But somehow it stayed fresh and frantic with a great cast including Bonnie Somerville (again), Irene Malloy (also in Andy Richter Controls The Universe), Kyle Howard (My Boys), and Lindsay Sloane (Bring It On!). This should not have worked and it should have been lazy and lame, instead, it was right on target and zippy fun and smarter than you would think. Which of course means The WB cancelled it after one season.


15. The Loop (FOX 2006-2007)
Officially 2 seasons but only 17 episodes in just over a year so I'm counting it.

Stealthy Phillip Baker Hall and vixen Mimi Rogers decide to hire young upstart Bret Harrison as an exec for their airline and while the show started off trying to play off Harrison's new serious job with his 20's homelife (with crazy roomates and all), it worked best when it satirized big business in the workplace half of the show, including an all-too-meta poke at product placements introducing Stride Gum, which I will forever still think of as a prop from the show that became real.


16. The Job (ABC 2001-2002)
Officially 2 seasons but only 19 episodes in just over a year so I'm counting it.

Before Denis Leary got mean and nasty in the firehall on Rescue Me, he was mean and nasty and very funny in a police station with a great cast including Lenny Clarke (Rescue Me), Diane Farr (Californication), Bill Nunn (Spider-Man 1,2,3) and Adam Ferrara (Definitely Maybe) in a sarcastic twist on the cop show.


17. The Tick (FOX 2001-2002)

And the twists keep going with another show that spoofed Comic strips with a large Patrick Warburton (Seinfeld) and David Burke (Brothers & Sisters) dressed up in big bug superhero costumes to save the day. It was odd and comical and odd, but funny and different and thus too weird for FOX.


18. Watching Ellie (NBC 2002-2003)
Officially 2 seasons but only 19 episodes in just over a year so I'm counting it.

In the post Seinfeld drought, I actually enjoyed Julia Louis-Dreyfuss' first attempt (before she succeeded in breaking the curse with New/Old Christine) at her own sitcom with a part improvised show that luckily got rid of the real-time clock gimmick so that the cast (that included a pre-Office/ 40-Year Old Virgin Steve Carrell) could riff funny on Ellie's pathetic life.


19. Life As We Know It (ABC 2004-2005)

A hot cast including Jon Foster (Accidentally On Purpose), Chris Lowell (Private Practice), Sean Faris (currently on the cover of Men's Health!), Missy Peregrym (in the upcoming Copper), Jessica Lucas (Melrose Place 2.0) and Kelly Osbourne in her attempt at acting, filled this teen high school drama that somehow felt wet and real (possibly from the Vancouver location shoots) and felt like a grounded teen melodrama.


20. Miss Match (NBC 2003)

Alicia Silverstone never had much of a chance but she was perfectly adorable here playing a match maker/divorce lawyer in this romantic comedy, all while she remains single despite the hot men in her life, including James Roday (Psyche) and David Conrad (Ghost Whisperer).


21. Miss/Guided (ABC 2008)

I love me some Judy Greer (Arrested Development, 13 Going on 30) and here she plays a guidance counselor who could use some guidance herself. Simple concept, zany delivery, and throw in a cast that included always likable Kristoffer Polaha (the upcoming Life Unexpected), the weird Chris Parnell, and the pretty Brooke Burns, and it had the right stuff for an enjoyable comedy. It wasn't quite there yet, but it had potential, but alas, in the end, it just didn't make the grade. (Badaboom. I've got more. See below)


22. Notes From the Underbelly (ABC 2007-2008)
Officially 2 seasons, but with only 22 episodes with 1 year, I'm counting thing here.

It sounded like a one note show, about a couple's pregnancy and how it affected their relationships and their friends but Peter Cambor and Jennifer Westfeldt made it grounded and heartfelt while Michael Weaver and Rachael Harris as zany friends made it very very funny. In fact, the show hit all the right notes but the concept was never a big seller and even though the writers found a way to inject new humour into an old topic, ABC cut its life short.


23. Playmakers (ESPN 2003)

ESPN attempted to get into the edgy drama cable-TV game with this show looking deep into a professional football team and while a lot of it started off as cliches, they started inverting it all as the show got deeper into the characters (including the token in-the-closet-gay football player) but sadly the show ended just as it was getting really interesting. One of these days Russell Hornsby and Christopher Wiehl will get a show that lasts and that showcase their talents.


24. Clone High (MTV 2002-2003)

Legendary historical figures (like Gandhi, Cleopatra, Ab Lincoln etc) are brought back to life and go to high school together. Simple concept, hilarious results (from a cast and crew that shuffled over from Scrubs).


25. Out of Practice (CBS 2005-2006)

An old fashioned 4-camera sitcom about an over-achieving family of doctors and their youngest son who is ONLY a therapist doctor. With a cast including Henry Winkler (Arrested Development) and Stockard Channing (The West Wing) as the parents and Christopher Gorham (Ugly Betty), Paula Marshall (Gary: Unmarried) and Ty Burrell (Modern Family) as the grown doctor children, it managed to take the now-old-fashioned style family sitcom and make it fun, comforting yet still new.

Wow, so there you have it. 25 shows that were great in their short run. I didn't even need to put Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model (Bravo). I'm kidding... Maybe.


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Decadeworthy - The Best of 2000-2009 Lists: Coming soon
SYTYCDworthy (w/ Videos) - List Format
Theatre of the Decade
Best Films of the Decade
Favorite Films of the Decade
Television of the Decade
Television of the Decade - 1 Season Wonders

Best of 2009 Lists: Coming soon
Best of Music 2009
Best of Television 2009
Best of Stage 2009
Best of Movies 2009

Previous Best-of Lists:
Best of 2008 Lists:
Best of Music 2008
Best of Television 2008
Best of Stage 2008
Best of Movies 2008
Best of Television Fall '07 - Winter '08 List

Best of 2007 Lists:
Best of Music 2007
Best of Television 2007
Best of Movies 2007
Best of Stage 2007
Best of 2007 (The Final Wrap Up)
Best of Television Fall '06 - Winter '07 List

Best of 2006 Lists:
Best of Music 2006
Best of Television 2006
Best of Movies 2006
Best of 2006
Best of Television Fall '05 - Winter '06 List

Best of 2005 Lists:
Best of Television 2005
Best of Movies 2005

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

It's Been A Privilege To Watch - Privileged and Leverage

Barack was on TV but I didn't need to watch because a) I already believe, b) I'm already very smart with my money (aka, I'm cheap and a saver already and am very conscious about where I spend) and c) I think that the world is still going to implode economically some more before it's going to better so you better bunker down on your couch and ride it out in front of the TV to avoid going out for the next 2 years.

Now let's hope two terrific new shows this season, Privileged and Leverage will be back for more, because they are sure darned entertaining with a feelgood fantasy appeal that still hints of the hardships of realities. Just perfect for this economy! It's feelgood with intelligence!

Privileged - All About a Brand New You! - Eps. 118 - Season Finale

How awesome was the season finale!? (And let's hope not the series finale). While the Keith (David Monahan) and Marco (Allan Louis) intro, break up, make up and now wedding in the finale seemed a bit rushed, I guess Rina Mimoun wanted to make sure it got into the series. And love her for that!

But not only that, loved that they brought in the whole gay marriage debate into the mix and it wasn't all just perfect and fairytale like (which is what this show does best). Sage (Ashley Newbrough, one of this seasons best new discoveries) discovers that boyfriend Louis (Ignacio Serricchio) is NOT okay with Marco and Keith's wedding. Luis bows out of attending while Sage is intent on discussing the issues at hand. It was smart, genuine and Louis didn't seem totally villainous (despite Sage being SO right!).

Sage: "Most of the country thinks it's okay to wear miniskirts with cowboy boots but they're wrong" in response to Luis who thinks most of the country are against gay marriage like he is.

Plus, LOVED that Kathy Griffin played the wedding coordinator and brought her usual sass and snide to the role. She may be a redhead that loves the gays but she was taking no bull from the two bickering soon-to-be-married couple.

Meanwhile, while it's seems WAY too convenient that Megan's hot neighbour and now boyfriend Will (Brian Hallisay who has totally grown on me through the season) is so hot, her best friend Charlie was so hot (Michael Cassidy, though sadly no longer on the show), and now Will's editor boss David (Robert Buckley, adorable here playing it slightly nerdy and square) is so hot, it sure does make for an entirely enjoyable show, smart script or not!

Of course, how convenient that just after Megan (JoAnna Garcia, the heart and soul of this or any show she's on) breaks up with Will (who is working way too hard under perfectionist David), she meets a way-too-cute British random boy at the wedding and hooks up with him? Are there ANY ugly people in Megan's life? Love the "oh crap" that ends the season (in a "to be continued" screenflash). Just the way Megan says it was hilarious and I can't wait for next season!

So while Sage is debating with Louis over gay rights and the right thing to do and Sage learns a thing or two about standing up for herself, Rose is going camping. Zach (Dave Franco, here in his first show where I didn't want to stab him, and in fact here I want to hug him) is supportive but going number 2 in the forest is just not his thing. Still, the changes Rose has made in the past weeks (and in this first season) has been huge and she recognizes the journey she needs to take for herself. Love the empowerment of it all!

Oh, and Megan shows Laurel the first 100 pages of her biography and Laurel loves it!

So the fairytale continues but I so want to see what happens next! PLEASE let there be a season 2.


Leverage - The First David Job, the Second David Job - Eps. 112, 113 - Season Finale

I haven't seen every episode since my new cable doesn't get TNT, but they've been kind enough to send me some screeners with a few episodes and I've loved every one of them. Luckily they sent it to me too because I totally dismissed this show at first, but when I finally bunkered down to watch a couple of eps, I was totally surprised at how smart and clever the show was and how joyous and fun the premise of theives, stealing from baddies for the good poor people (like a modern day Robin Hood where the corporate world is now the bad guys (hence, totally perfect feelgood fodder for this economy))

Again, the fantastic cast of Timothy Hutton (Ordinary People), Gina Bellman (UK Coupling), Christian Kane (Angel), Beth Riesgraf (Without a Trace) and Aldis Hodge (Friday Night Lights) play the ragtag team of theives and the two-part finale finishes up with the overarching story of Hutton's Nathan Ford and his long running alcoholism due to the insurance company (and former employer) that screwed him over which killed his son.

Kari Matchett (Invasion) guests as Ford's ex-wife and the entanglements between Bellman's Sophie and Ford's past (both sexually and thievery) all come to fruition when the Leverage gang decide it's finally time to pull the ultimate revenge on the evil insurance company and their minions and it was convoluted and fantastic, all using an art heist at its core. There are probably far too many contrivances and convenient coincidences but the show is so zippy that it's all quite believable and fun to watch.

Like early Alias without the darkness and a slightly clearer evil nemesis. Such a fun show but thankfully, it has been renewed for a 2nd season already (with an order of 15 more episodes) and I can't wait!

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

More After the Jump...

Swimming In The Shallow End - The Big Bang Theory, 90210, Privileged, Friday Night Lights and More

Matt Lanter, David Monaghan, Robert Buckley. Not household names but hotties I've been following and all were showing up on TV this week! I know. I'm shallow. But by now, you MUST know I totally am and that it influences my TV watching. Come on, it's probably the sole reason I get sucked into The Bachelor and the "bad" reality shows!

The Big Bang Theory - The Maternal Capacitance - Ep. 215

Christine Baranski is Mrs. Hofstadter. Leonard's mom. And she's exactly as nerdy and unemotional and odd as Sheldon. Man, that was one of the funniest episodes to date! Between Penny and Leonard bonding over their lack of parental bonding and almost sleeping with each other, and Mrs. Hofstadter's analysis of the homoerotic bond Howard and Rajnesh have built to simulate intimacy, and Jim Parson's Sheldon and Christine Baranski as the mother of all nerds was hysterical. Loved how Mrs. Hofstadter basically dismissed everyone into the shallow end of the gene pool. And that includes her own son. Yet it didn't feel particularly mean!


90210 - Of Heartbreaks and Hotels - Ep. 116

Finally a reason to watch 90210! My favorite contestant from Manhunt: The Search for America's Most Gorgeous Male Model (oh yes!) Matt Lanter (Commander in Chief) plays Liam, a bartender (even though he looks barely legal, though is 25 in real life) who sadly doesn't appear shirtless on this show so far. But at leaves gives Naomi's storyline something of interest! FINALLY!

Plus a second appearance by Friday Night Light's Aimee Teegarden who right off the bat, tells Ethan that she's tricked him.... and the drama continues to deflate by the second. Why must this show make everything so nice? TOO nice? Let Privileged do that (and yet that show STILL has more drama per hour than we've seen all season here so far).

Plus is it sad that Navid is not even more annoying than his drug addict pregnant not-girlfriend? And I had so much hope for him. And Silver too. Cause there's NO WAY she would have gotten a tattoo of "Dixon". She's too smart, cynical and smart for that. I'd say it would be out of character but I'm asking too much from this show aren't I?

I've update on American Idol in my Handicapping the Top 36 post (SPOILERS BEWARE)

More on Privileged, Friday Night Lights, Scrubs, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, The Bachelor, Degrassi:TNG, Flashpoint, Ghost Whisperer, Leverage, Project Runway Canada:

Privileged - All About Confessions, All About Betrayal - Eps. 116, 117

You know this show is a fairytale fantasy when Megan gets a heartfelt confession of love (and a kiss) from Charlie (Michael Cassidy) before he splits for San Diego, breaks up with Will (Brian Hallisay) and then ends up in a world where the editor of Will's new magazine looks like Robert Buckley (above, Lipstick Jungle). Ah, and what a fairytale fantasy it is!

Okay, I'm still mad that Charlie is gone because sparks like Cassidy and JoAnna Garcia do not just happen everyday, but Buckley sure softens the blow. Though the fact that he's supposed to be a Harvard grad who got published in the New Yorker before 22, AND still looks like the way he does, seems a leeeeeeeettle far fetched. Plus, I guess there's really no logical way to get a magazine editor into his underwear, is there?

(By the way, if you're that young, that smart, and that handsome, and that successful, I then officially hate you. Do you want to go out on a date?)

The secret is out and Laurel knows that the girls know (about their real grandfather) but the twins finally decide to split up as roomates when Rose decides to grow up and rely on Sage less for support (since Sage has kept the secret of thinking she's killed their parents this whole time). Meanwhile, Grandpa's real daughter wants to sue Laurel.

Marco tries to woo Keith (David Monahan) back, while he's trying to have a baby with his faghag (the always loopy but hilarious Jennifer Elise Cox). Only this show can somehow play that storyline straight, dramatic and heartwarming, ending off with the ultimate fairytale when Marco proposes to Keith!!!


Friday Night Lights - How the Other Half Live, Hello, Goodbye - Eps. 303, 304

Seriously, how good is the Smash storyline? (And how good has Gaius Charles been? Amazing and Emmy worthy!). I think I'm going to cry just thinking about it all.

J.D. has become such a great foil for Matt Saracen, as the new star quarterback showing up in town (with aggressive parents in tow). Love that J.D. himself is not so much the enemy as it is the system they've created, with Buddy and the boosters (who are creating a nice big headache for Tami as well) having more control over everything than poor Coach Taylor it seems.

And just as Tyra was getting her life back in gear, the handsome and convincing Cash shows up and whisks her away. Hell, if someone like that showed up on my doorstep, I'd follow him anywhere too!

And oh, just you all wait to see where the show continues further on this season! It just gets better and better! Oh, and you'd better keep those kleenexes out!


Scrubs - My Absence, My Comedy Show - Ep. 809, 810

And so it begins. Zach Braff gets time off and doesn't appear in the episode because he's trying to move on with his life and try to be a movie star (or so I assume) and strangely, for a show that's centered around JD, I didn't really miss him. Again, which proves that Elliot and Carla are the true heart and soul of the show now (and kind of always actually).

Okay, and now that Aziz Ansari is gone, I'm getting to like the new interns more like Sunny Day (!?!), know-it-all Denise and that funny looking cute in the geeky way with the super low voice guy. (I know. Most people loved Aziz, but I think he would have worked better on another show. He was just plain annoying here. I could totally understand what Dr. Cox was feeling).

Meanwhile, I'm loving touchy feely Jimmy, even before his impression of Dane Cook at the talent show. (His other impressions were so so but the Dane Cook dig made up for it all). Plus, he's Taran Killam in real life. As in, Cobie Smulder's baby daddy in real life. So THAT'S who he is!

And maybe because we had a slight reprieve from Braff in the first half hour, I enjoyed having him back and all his bromance with Turk glory again. Plus, I almost forgot that Carla and Turk had a baby already. Just like Turk. It's getting a little deja vu but I guess that's the point that they so cleverly point out and run with.


Fringe - The Transformation, Ability - Eps. 113, 114

I still never feel compelled to watch this show, but then I catch up with it and love it again. After being totally grossed out of course. Ugh, seriously, totally grossed out. First those nasty slugs last week, this week the melty face thing. I have got to get my Joshua Jackson fix another way, preferably without the sci-fi scariness. Yet there's just enough humour to hold me in.

I partly still love the conspiracy arc but in the same breathe, I'm so confused and lost track of who is who and who is bad and what not that I've kind of given up on it too and just enjoying the show for what it is.


Desperate Housewives - Mama Spent Money When She Had None - Ep. 514

I enjoyed Dave's little reassurance to Edie that their marriage was "real". Real because he doesn't have fairytale expectations. LOVED her face. Loved Susan making a fool of herself trying to keep MJ in private school (though when was keeping a kid in private school a right? No wonder yuppies are spending beyond their means and no wonder the public school system is failing).


Brothers & Sisters - Owning It - Ep. 314

The gays have taken over! Finally!

Now if only they can take over Ojai or whatever is left of that company.

But was I the only one creeped out by the site of John Glover as Saul's new boyfriend Henry? Not because they are an older gay couple to balance off Kevin and Scotty. No, I was creeped out because I still think of him as Lionel Luther from Smallville.


The Bachelor - Jason Mesnick - Ep. 1306

I've got to champion Gillian since she's the Canadian girl but I'm not really sure Jason is all into her. I think Jason thought Gillian was crazy when she started telling him about Ogopogo.

But not as crazy as meeting Naomi's family. Man, Jason should be given the Emmy Award just for keeping a straight face during that whole ordeal.


Degrassi: The Next Generation - Causing a Commotion - Eps. 811

Finally, a revolt against The Shep. I mean, who was this principal Shep anyways and how could he have gotten the Best Principal award after only a few months? So yay Claire (along with Alli and K.C. above) for stepping up against the douchebag! Especially when The Shep was being a tool against Connor, who apparently now has aspergers, the new go-to-disease for TV shows it seems.


Flashpoint - Ep. 107

I don't even know what the episode was called last week but the two brothers, particularly the "good" one with the deep blue eyes and dark hair was enough to help convey pity. I'd give him a hug! (Hey, the title of the post says it all man. I'm totally shallow).


Ghost Whisperer - Slow Burn - Ep. 414

I think it was the first time I watched a full episode of this show. And you know what? It wasn't that bad. I was actually entertained and I almost cried. ALMOST I SAID. I DIDN'T. Okay, but seriously, I was intrigued by the promos that had been running all week and decided to catch the Love -Hewitt show and a) forgot that Jamie Kennedy AND Cameron Manheim were on the show now and wondering... b) what happened to Aisha Tyler and didn't Jay Mohr join the cast at some point? c) Kenneth Mitchell is in this show now? (As the guy whose body David Conrad spiritually took over). and d) it's only in season 4? It feels like its been on forever. You mean I've only dismissed the show for 4 years? That's it?

Things that surprised me: 1. JLoveHewitt didn't bug me at all. I didn't hate her (like I did on Party of Five), 2. David Conrad (above) is still hot. Man Miss Match should have taken off. 3. I actually really enjoyed the mystery and the sappiness of the mystery.

Also to note, the actor playing the troubled youth who Gretchen Egolf (Journeyman) was trying to haunt, Will Rothhaar, has this really nice intensity and handsomeness that I think will get him far. I'm just saying, I saw him first.


Leverage - The Juror #6 Job - Ep. 111

Data and Lauren Holly! It's like the early 90's revived all over again! Loved the new twists and turns of 12 angry jurors. Totally preposterous but boy was it fun to watch Lauren Holly get screwed over (and I'm talking in a non-sexual, karma's a bitch cause she's a bad person kind of way... you know, just to clarify).


Project Runway Canada - Claim to Fame, Colour Me Right - Eps. 202, 203

Week 2 (which apparently you can now watch on youtube, so catch it while you still can) had Elisha Cuthbert as the BIG CELEBRITY GUEST. I guess Celine was busy. It's Canadian TV. It's about all we can get. I was half waiting for a cougar print as part of the challenge.

I like Jessica's personality at this point, but Sunny is probably the strongest designer here. His L.A. party dress for Elisha was GORGEOUS because it was so subtle (and the pic doesn't do it justice since you can't see the rays stitching on the blue dress). I think it should have won, but Jason's dress was pretty nice too and it was nice to see him go from bottom 2 to winner.

In Week 3, it's the first team challenge and Sunny and Baylor team up. Of course. Two of the stronger designers that are Asianish. (Well, Baylor is Venezuelan but he looks Asian to me). Seriously, I just wrote the previous sentence at the start of the show and since, every other designer has been like "omg, Baylor and Sunny together? I'm scared to see what I have to compete with" or something like that. And they don't disappoint. Especially Sunny, whose green tule outer shell over a basic dress is STUNNING. Holy cow, I don't think I've ever seen tule constructed like that. I usually find designers on this show use tule the wrong way and end up in the bottom but as Shawn notes, Sunny is someone to contend with. At episode 3, does Sunny have it in the bag?

Vancouverite Christie doesn't measure out. Basically because she's terrible when she isn't already spazzing out with the workload (uh, hello, welcome to the rest of the world where people work past 5pm to actually earn a living).

I get what Jeff's trying to do but he needs to get moving. Adejoke is good but keeping quiet. Baylor is good but just not as good as Sunny. Kim and Gen haven't been very convincing or even noticeable until this week but they came up with pretty good dresses. But I barely remember them and on this show, being normal and nice wins you no airtime.

Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com

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