UGLY BETTY: The show looks even more candy-coated than it did last season and Vanessa Williams is still divine as the wonderfully evil Wilhemina. I also like the change of Daniel now running PLAYER magazine – that actually added some funny to the show.
GREY’S ANATOMY: Hand me an Alka-Seltzer because I can’t believe I watched the WHOLE thing. Of course the best moment was when Yang told Meredith to “JUST SHUT UP” about Derek. I’m betting a lot of people cheered that moment. Conversely, I cringed at the flash forward to when Meredith and Yang were old women – I know they did it because of the story of the three women in the episode but it fell flat. I also laughed at the actions of the Chief because any Chief of Medicine who let a doctor perform an experimental procedure without checking if they knew what they were doing first would be a)sued and b) not remain Chief for much longer. Not that I expect GREY’S to be at all realistic but that whole story about the hospital being #12 in the rankings and the Chief’s renewed determination to elevate them, at the cost of human lives!, got to be silly after awhile. The only sensible moment was when the Chief offered military surgeon Officer Hunt (I mistakenly thought the character was a paramedic) a job at Seattle Grace. He’s JUST what this hospital needs: another recklessly brave doctor who likes to make out with other doctors in the hospital and doesn’t care TOO much when a patient dies because that mistake means the NEXT guy will live. Hmm, how’s that for medical logic? Wouldn’t it be great if every patient Hunt treats wears a nametag that says, “Hello, my name is NEXT guy.”
THE OFFICE: The “Weight Loss” episode was a really fine, super fun start to the new season. Amy Ryan is an amazing addition to the show as Holly. The Michael/Holly story has given Michael some human qualities again which were sorely needed. It was funny to see Ryan return – in his original role as a temp. I actually enjoyed the Dwight of it too even though I still maintain a little Dwight goes a long way. It was good to be back with Angela, Creed, Phyllis (gotta love her), Stanley (I think I might be turning into Stanley at work) and of course, the adorable Jim. Loved the Jim/Pam moment toward the end – in case people haven’t seen it, I’ll talk more about that next week. I also liked Pam’s new classmate played by Rich Sommer, who is so good on MAD MEN as Harry Crane, the new head of Sterling Cooper’s TV department. He was also good in THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA as a metrosexual friend of Andi (Anne Hathaway). What a relief to see THE OFFICE get its mojo back. I hope it continues all season long.
LITTLE BRITAIN USA: This sketch show is based on the Brit hit of the same name. I think I’ve only seen one or two Brit episodes so I’ll sample this one to see what they’re up to.
THE LIFE & TIMES OF TIM: HBO PR sez: “Everybody makes mistakes, but for Tim – a self-conscious young guy living in New York – just getting out of bed in the morning could be the worst decision he makes all day. No matter the situation, life’s little challenges always manage to demand the most offensive solutions, which wouldn’t be such a problem if he weren’t continually caught red-handed. The show was created by Steve Dildarian – the Clio-winning ad man behind Budweiser’s famous ‘Lizards’ campaign – ‘The Life and Times of Tim’ follows this everyday working guy from one scandalous crisis to the next.” THE SURF REPORT will be talking to Mike Clements, one of the show’s exec producers, in the very near future. Look for that interview coming soon.
CALIFORNICATION & DEXTER: I watched the season premieres of CALIFORNICATION and DEXTER online because I just couldn’t wait! I’m a fan of both shows and I’m happy to report both season openers are strong. CALIFORNICATION resumes with Hank and his ex-wife Karen reunited and just waiting to screw up their relationship again but trying not to for the sake of their daughter. DEXTER adds Jimmy Smits to the cast as an Assistant D.A. who loses a family member in the season opener and that puts him at odds – unwittingly – with Dexter.
Time for your weekend rundown: note: the Presidential Debate airs at 6pm PDT.
Friday 9/26
ABC: 20/20, Presidential Debate
CBS: The Mentalist (r), Presidential Debate
NBC: America’s Toughest Jobs, Presidential Debate
FOX: Are You Smarter Than 5th Grader?, Presidential Debate
CW: WWE Smackdown!
MyNetworkTV: 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars, Celebrity Expose (r)
Disney: Suite Life on Deck
E!: 10pm: The Soup
HBO: 11pm: Real Time with Bill Maher
This week, Bill welcomes actor Tim Daly, presidential candidate Ralph Nader and commentator Lisa Schiffren. Plus, via satellite, comedian Chris Rock and journalist Ron Suskind. Can’t wait to hear what Bill says about the debate!
SciFi: Stargate Atlantis
Saturday 9/27
ABC: College Football
CBS: CSI: Miami (r), Criminal Minds (r), 48 Hours Mystery
NBC: Heroes (r) Law & Order: CI (r)
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: Anna Faris (THE HOUSE BUNNY and ENTOURAGE) hosts with musical guest Duffy (“Mercy”)
FOX: Cops, Cops (r), America’s Most Wanted
MyNetworkTV: Movie: Guarding Tess
FOX Reality: Long Way Down continues
HBO: 9pm ET / 10pm PT: Chris Rock: Kill the Messenger comedy special
Sunday 9/28
ABC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2 hour season premiere), Desperate Housewives (season premiere), Brothers & Sisters (season premiere)
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES: The show is flashing forward to five years in the future as we rejoin the gals on Wisteria Lane.
BROTHERS & SISTERS: Rumor has it Jason Ritter will turn up as Ryan Walker, the sibling discovered at the end of last season.
CBS: 60 Minutes (season premiere), Amazing Race 13 (season premiere), Cold Case (season premiere), The Unit (season premiere)
AMAZING RACE 13: the best produced reality series returns to kick off a new cycle with the usual mix of eccentric teammates and locations.
NBC: Football Night in America
FOX: NFL OT, Simpsons (season premiere), King of the Hill (season premiere), Family Guy (season premiere), American Dad (season premiere)
CW: One Tree Hill (r), Privileged (r), America’s Next Top Model (r)
E!: Sunset Ten
HBO: True Blood, Entourage, Little Britain (series debut), The Life & Times of Tim (series debut)
Hist: Sandhogs
Showtime: 9pm: Dexter (season premiere), 10pm: Californication (season premiere)
That’s a wrap for this week.
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Hey, I love shows, I don’t even know how many tv series I follow. Anyway thanks alot for a awesome blog, I will try to read it daily.Have a nice day.
Hi good blog yea nice work. I did not expect this on a Wednesday. This is a great story. Thanks!
Hi,season 4 has ended strange because Rita is dead and I’m waiting for season 5.I think season 5 will be the best of the seasons.
The nicest serial of 2009 in my opinion is FlashForward because you are held in suspense every episode