TV Season Winding Down

Spoilers ahead! Be warned!

With the TV writers still out on strike shows have been winding down. On "Desperate Housewives" Andrew (Shawn Pyfrom) moved out of the house which can only mean we'll see even less of him than now I guess. In the tornado episode Bree didn't touch base and we didn't see the gay neighbors at all. Two die. "One loses a husband and everyone loses a friend." I don't know if the second part will actually show this month or if it's being held for the shows inevitable return.

"Heroes" wrapped the second Chapter on Monday and I think I've lost interest in the show. I think they've jumped the shark. If the season wasn't bad enough with the "wonder twins" and the lame diversions with Claire at school and the other story in NOLA. Really my favorite story was Hiro and then, maybe, the Peter mystery but it all came to mean nothing. We know immortality and resurrection exists now in the show's universe so just where's the risk? I've been skeptical since they let Sylar survive in last year's finale and this year proved my skepticism justified. Sad.

January sees the return of "Kyle XY" with the second half of the second season. I don't know when other shows return yet.

"SVU" got me excited last week with the "death" of Eliot's wife. Unfortunately she was alive at the end of the episode. I've never liked that character. "Criminal Intent" is on a slim budget with the four detectives, switching off weeks, and the Captain. No ADA now. I never did find out how or why Jamie Sheridan was replaced. I can't stand the hair on the his replacement.

"House" has his new team. I'll miss "Cut-Throat Bitch."

TV is barely interesting.

TV. Weak.

"House" was preempted (@*#%! baseball!) so we saved electricity Tuesday and took a nap insead.

Many folks complained about it but I thought "Heroes" was more entertaining than it's been all season. I still hate Micah but we learned about Parkman's dad, Molly's boogeyman and the 'wonder twins' found a familiar body in the middle of the road. Saints be praised, Kristen Bell ("Veronica Mars") joins the cast next week.

Wednesday has something for us to watch. Right? Riiight.

TV Wrap, Save Electricity Edition

"Heroes" was OK last week, nothing monumental. "House" held interest although I wasn't thrilled to see Cameron. House told her she looked like a hooker as a blond.

Dale, the resident gay, came in second at "Top Chef" although from the tasting panel comments I felt he had a real shot at winning. Unfortunately, it was pretty obvious over the weeks they were setting up Hung, the Ego, for the win. Only 20% of the poll voters wanted Hung to win. Most voted for Casey.

I was disappointed in Casey's dishes and I think she was also. Dale had one 'bad' dish--his lobster course. Hung had one great dish and went safe on his last by doing chocolate cake which didn't fit with his asian-inspired dishes at all. Wednesday is the postmortem reunion show. I'll probably tune in to see what Tre, Casey and Dale have been up to.

I'm trying to figure out why they had the "live" announcement in Chicago rather than Aspen where the finale took place or back in Miami where the season was centered.

Bored, I watched "Desperate Housewives" on Sunday. Even Bree breaking-and-entering to steal a pie recipe couldn't prop up a show so clearly past its prime. Listed as "Also Starring," Shawn Pyfrom hasn't appeared yet. I tried to stay tuned for "Brothers and Sisters" but the political manure was getting too deep. I hate that show although I've liked Bat Getty, Emily Van Camp ("Everwood") and Rob Lowe ("West Wing") in past roles.

Thanks to free downloads on iTunes I caught up to the pilot of "Gossip Girl" which features Kristen Bell as narrator. She was the highlight. I might watch this week. I also saw the vampire detective show "Moonlight" which has another "Veronica Mars" alum--"Logan." The show was painful and free was almost too heavy a price. I know "Piz" is on "Private Practice" but nothing short of a six-figure bribe will get me to watch.

New Seasons Begin

I watched the openers for "Prison Break" season 3 and "Heroes" season 2.

I hadn't seen the second season of "Prison Break" but did watch the finale. iTunes had the premier of season 3 as a free download. The scheme this season is this: there's someone in the Panamanian prison who wants Michael (Wentworth Miller) to break him out and apparently arranged for his capture and incarceration at that facility. They've taken Lincoln Jr. and Sarah hostage. I can't say I'm eager to see much more of this prison where the convicts run the show and settle disputes in fights to the death in the courtyard.

The opener for "Heroes" was a disappointment. Someone dies and pretty much everyone in the finale was seen except the annoying Sylar and DL-Nicki-Micha group. We were introduced to a few new characters including a brother and sister on the run to the U.S. from Latin America. The other character is someone from the "company" who recruits Mohinder. This fellow's power is one of Midas demonstrated when he turns ordinary tableware into gold. He looks like Microsoft CEO Steve Balmer but with many Bill Gates' affectations. It annoys me a bit. I've seen in him other shows and never been a fan of the actor.

I looked at a few seconds where and there for "Journeyman" but it held no interest and once I saw Reed Diamond, Mike Kellerman of "Homicide," I gave up completely. I've heard "Gossip Girls" was really bad but haven't see it for myself. I'll try-out "Bionic Woman" on Wednesday only so I can give an informed opinion. "CSI:Miami" has some new guy in it. The crime didn't hold my interest and I gave up better than half-way through.

So far the TV season is off-and-running with a dull thud. It's early yet. These days there's always film or YouTube alternatives. I was momentarily nauseated to realized I can vote in a presidential primary in just three or four months. All the major party candidates make me grit my teeth.

Leon is back from holiday in Japan. Vacationing Murray is still invading Europe.

I changed the litter box a little while ago so kitty can be pleased with me. I'll have to get her food at the store very soon. I think I'll get ice cream when I go.

Odd Stories, Finales, and Idol Pre-Game

Monday night was "Heroes" finale. It was good. I wasn't blown away (Oh! A shameless pun!) but it was good. They took a few too many liberties with who lives and who (maybe?) dies and the group confrontation with Sylar was very pedestrian. Still, it was worth a look and set up a very entertaining premise for next year.

I stayed around and watched the season finale of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" which had everyone except the intolerable D'Onofrio appearing. It focused primarily on Logan. This was the best finale I've seen this year. Unexpectedly the franchise finally referenced the passing of Jerry Orbach who played Logan's ex-partner "Lenny Briscoe." It was touching, not remotely out of place and just the perfect tribute.

The local news was depressing. A 15 yr old girl gets to bury her last brother. Her oldest brother died two-and-a-half years ago. He was beaten to death in the street at the age of 20. There was never a conviction. Her 18 yr old brother was just stabbed to death in the street after a party.

Beyonce may be headed to Broadway. I want to claw my eyes out. She may be taking the role of Maggie-the-Cat in Tennessee William's "Cat on the Hot Tin Roof." It's my favorite modern play. If you care, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is my other favorite play.

The finale of "Dancing With The Stars" is on Tuesday as well. Joey Fatone was in second place on the leader board behind Olympian Anton Ono. Lance Bass and Joey will not be doing the "Odd Couple" comedy series remake after all. Sure, he's made some appearances, but I'm not sure any of Lance's projects have come to fruition since 2000.

DNA shows one child, two dads match. They're identical twin brothers who both had sex with the child's baby mamma. The one she named on the birth certificate sued to avoid child support. The courts have decided he's on the hook anyway, essentially trusting the mother's testimony that she can narrow down the moment of conception. Truthfully, I agree with Dr. Bob Gaensslen a forensic scientist quoted in the article. He said both men played so they should both pay. Since neither can prove the other is the uncle in true fact, it should be a 50/50 split. They're a pair of morons and she's no saint.

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Tonight is the Idol final performances. Both are singing a song from the song-writing competition but also get to choose two others.

Blake has picked "You Give Love A Bad Name" which was exactly the right choice for him. I know some fans wanted "Time of the Season" instead but his Bon Jovi week performance was the one that rose above the pack and was a water cooler moment. He held nothing back. His new song is "She Will Be Loved" from Maroon 5, probably a good choice for him.

Jordin will torment me with "Broken Wing"--a song beaten to beath. As her final "new" songs Jordin picked "Fighter" by Aguilera. It's a song I don't know that well. Yet.

I've been listening to different studio recordings of Idol contestants and Jordin's vocals are just boring. There's no emotional content. Her age may be the cause but I can't let her off since knowing she's got touring and other experiences. Besides, season 3 finalist Diana DeGarmo was 16. I really like Lakisha's tone and Melinda is fabulous in the studio. Either of those ladies should be in Jordin's place.



I still suspect Jordin will win the title. TV Guide's cover has her in the middle done up in a very Diana Ross look flanked by Melinda who looks about to be nudged off the cover and Blake, unnecessarily partially covered by the magazine's logo, looking like the conniving manager. Notice the "Crazy! Sexy! Cool!" caption? Well, inside its Blake who gets the "Sexy" label, while Melinda is still "Cool."

It Was Only Monday?

I watched "Heroes." We got our two bodies.

I watched a bit of "Dancing with the Stars" and saw Lance Bass was again there with Alfonso Ribeiro to support Joey Fatone. Joey got a perfect 60/60 for his two semi-final performances. Last week he was top of the leader board but ended up bottom two with the voters. It's anyone's guess what will happen tomorrow. I'd like to see Apollo Anton Ono and Joey in the finals. I guess they do a final three. I don't like Ian from 90210. Mohammed Ali's daughter annoys me a bit. I'd probably rather have her there than Ian.

Monday was a very odd day. I took a nap this afternoon. But when I got up, I just haven't felt like eating. I don't feel bad, just not like eating. I feel peculiar. It wasn't the usual boiling emotions. I feel a little numb and disconnected today. My ears feel a bit constricted. Maybe I've got an illness coming on.

Kitty hung out with me on the sofa.

NBC announced it's schedule for the next season. "Heroes" stays on Mondays at 9pm and will get a six episode spin-off series during its hiatus called "Heroes: Origins" running during the usual hiatus periods. This is in hopes of avoiding viewer drop off that happened this season when the show was in repeats for weeks. Seems like a good idea.

The original "Law & Order" moves to Sundays from the Friday grave yard. It will return mid-season after football ends. SVU stays on Tuesday.

The other show, CI, appears off the schedule but I'm not ready to celebrate just yet because I saw an ad for the "season" (not *series*) finale.

I've seen the 1 minute preview of the "Bionic Woman" remake. It looks awful. "ER" returns although it should've been axed years ago.

NBC is a bad shape. I don't see next season being much of an improvement.

Idol Final Four and More

Rumors say Blake chose "This Is Where I Came In" (from the 2001 album of the same name) and "You Should Be Dancing" as his two Bee Gee songs. Rumor mill also says Barry Gibb was surprised he didn't pick "Jive Talking." I'm glad he didn't.

For Blake, "Jive Talking" would be clichè. In fact he avoided all the songs *NSYNC performed in their a capella Bee Gee medley which had Timberlake beat-boxing on "Jive Talking." Blake beat-boxed over that same song during the Hollywood group performance.

I'm a little worried about all the falsettos in Bee Gee songs. So we don't have a triopoly of style with the "Three Divas" I hope Blake can make it back to the Top 3.

From the previews, tonight on the Shield it looks like Vick becomes suspicious of Shane being involved in Lem's murder.

Last night I caught up on "The Black Donnellys" which is now only viewable online. I don't have a lot to say. Tommy gives up his dream of becoming a painter for a life of organized crime to protect his neighborhood. We find out who killed their dad and why he was in a place to be killed.

Heroes was OK last night. It's the first of the final three episodes. It wasted too much time on Jessica and DL. Hiro confronted Sylar and survived. His sword did not but he has two days before New York is nuked. Mohinder was conceived in hopes he might provide a cure for his sister. Yawn.