I’ve been out and about this week and I’ve got some shows to catch up on this weekend: the second episode of MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE, this week’s LIE TO ME, and this week’s BETTER OFF TED.  After some holiday shmoozing last night, all I could handle was the vapidity of JERSEY SHORE.  The Shore kids have been making the talk show rounds and if you saw Snooki, Mike and Pauly on Jay Leno this week, you know they demonstrated just how ignorant they really are.  I don’t think that was scripted; I believe they’re that dumb.  I know we’re all pointing and laughing at them for entertainment value but after I laugh, I think “these are the future cashiers and car mechanics of America.”

I’m loving the DOLLHOUSE episodes that are airing now but after the January finale, there are no more episodes so it’s making me a little sad too.  They’re really going out with a bang.

A quick note: I won’t be writing every day during the next two weeks as I’ll be trying to recharge my batteries and prep some good stuff for the new year.

EARLY HEADS UP FOR NEXT WEDNESDAY: Darlene Love makes her annual holiday appearance on THE LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN.  I believe she always sings “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” and she’s always incredible!  It’s definitely one of the TV holiday highlights.

JANUARY TV: There’s a whole lotta great TV coming up in the new year!

TCM CELEBRATES ELVIS January 8: Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate what would have been the 75th birthday of Elvis Presley with a 20-hour movie marathon on Friday, Jan. 8. The schedule kicks off with 1965’s Harum Scarum at 6amET, followed by Kissin’ Cousins (1964), Spinout (1966), Roustabout (1964), Girl Happy (1965), Speedway (1968), Blue Hawaii (1961), Viva Las Vegas (1964), documentaries Elvis on Tour and Elvis: That’s the Way It Is Special Edition, and 1957’s Jailhouse Rock at midnight. Priscilla Presley, longtime friend Jerry Schilling and TCM host Robert Osborne will provide wrap-around commentary.

Jan. 10: “Chuck” returns on NBC – part 2 of the season premiere airs Monday Jan. 11. “Big Love” season premiere on HBO.

Jan. 11: “Chuck” premiere continues. “House” returns.

Jan. 12: “Southland” begins its run on TNT; the TNT run will begin with the Season 1 episodes that previously aired on NBC in the spring. New episodes made for the show’s second season will commence airing in a few weeks. “American Idol” has a two-night premiere starting tonight on FOX.

Jan. 13: Part 2 of “American Idol” premiere.

Jan. 14: “Archer,” a new animated comedy, on debuts on FX. “Project Runway” starts a new season on Lifetime – the Runway crew is back in NYC this season.

Jan. 17: “Human Target,” a new series starring Mark Valley, Jackie Earle Haley and Chi McBride, debuts on Fox. Also, a new season of “24″ begins. The Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Ricky Gervais, air on NBC.

Jan. 18: The new CW drama, “Life Unexpected,” premieres; Shiri Appleby and Kris Polaha star.

Jan. 19: “White Collar” returns on USA

Jan. 21: “Supernatural” returns. “Burn Notice” returns on USA.  “The Deep End” premieres on ABC.

Jan. 22: The premieres of “Caprica” on Syfy and “Spartacus” on Starz.

Jan. 25: “Damages” season premiere on FX. Campbell Scott and Martin Short join in the corporate malfeasance this season.

TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: “How Do You Spell Channukkahh?” by The LeeVees:

http://theleevees.com/

Be sure to click the link below the latke picture and listen to more cuts!

Tonight Friday 12/18

ABC: 8:00 p.m. Supernanny, 9:00 p.m. 20/20, 10:00 p.m. 20/20

CBS: 8:00 p.m. Frosty the Snowman (R), 8:30 p.m. Frosty Returns (R), 9:00 p.m. Medium(R), 10:00 p.m. Numbers (R)

NBC: 8:00 p.m. Law & Order (R), 9:00 p.m. Dateline, 10:00 p.m. The Jay Leno Show

FOX: 8:00 p.m. Dollhouse, 9:00 p.m. Dollhouse

THE CW: 8:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries (R), 9:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries (R)

AMC: 8pm: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

BBCAMERICA: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross

ESPN: NBA Basketball: Bucks at Cavaliers

TLC: Say Yes to the Dress

Saturday 12/19/09

ABC 8:00 p.m. Movie: The Santa Claus (R), 10:00 p.m. Castle (R)

CBS 8:00 p.m. Movie: Elf (R), 10:00 p.m. 48 Hours Mystery

NBC: 8:00 p.m. A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (R), 9:00 p.m. WWE Salute to the Troops, 10:00pm Law & Order: SVU (R)

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE: James Franco hosts with musical guest Muse.

FOX: 8:00 p.m. Cops, 9:00 p.m. America’s Most Wanted

BBCAMERICA: 8PM & 9PM: DR. WHO: THE WATERS OF MARS

This is the first of the final three specials starring David Tennant as The Doctor.

Sunday 12/20/09

ABC: 7:00 p.m. America’s Funniest Home Videos, 8:00 p.m. Movie: The Santa Clause 3:The Escape Clause, 10:00 p.m. Desperate Housewives (R)

CBS: 7:00 p.m. 60 Minutes, 8:00 p.m. Survivor: Samoa (season finale, two hours), 10:00 p.m. Survivor: Samoa Reunion

NBC: 7:00 p.m. Football Night in America, 8:00 p.m. Sunday Night Football: Minnesota at Carolina

FOX: 7:00 p.m. Football overrun, 7:30 p.m. The OT, 8:00 p.m. The Simpsons (R), 8:30 p.m. The Cleveland Show (R), 9:00 p.m. Family Guy (R), 9:30 p.m. American Dad (R)

SUNDANCE: 9pm: Spectacle with Elvis Costello: Sheryl Crow, Neko Case, Ron Sexsmith & Jesse Winchester

TNT: 8pm: Christmas In Washington

George Lopez hosts the show with performers Mary J. Blige, teen crooner Justin Bieber, Neil Diamond, Usher, Rob Thomas and Sugarland.

VH1: 9pm: Tough Love 2, 10pm: Sex Rehab with Dr. Drew

Steve confronts the ladies with their past crimes against love on this week’s TOUGH LOVE.

That’s a wrap for this week.