BIG BROTHER SEASON PREMIERE: For those who love to watch, BIG BROTHER returns tonight to start another season at 9pm on CBS. It’s sure to be a house full of mentally questionable and/or unstable men and women who are chosen simply for their ability to annoy/belittle/seduce each other. Showtime is also continuing with their BIG BROTHER AFTER DARK series on SHO2, every night at 12midnight.
WHITE COLLAR: I think last week’s episode about Mozzie’s childhood is my favorite but this week’s episode that had Neal and Peter going undercover at a bachelor auction was also very strong. Madchen Amick guested as the suspected black widow who was killing her wealthy lovers/husbands. In a nice twist, Neal didn’t get bid on at the auction and Peter was the big ticket item. Jim Campolongo wrote the episode and I love how he worked Peter’s wife Elizabeth into the story as she “helped” Peter and the black widow plan their wedding. I also loved seeing Neal’s walk-in closet and finding out that the space where Neal lives at June’s house used to be a speakeasy.
NECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Callie Thorne pushes too hard when she’s playing the mom side of this role. As therapist Dr. Dani, she’s calmer and much more believable. It’s like watching two different actresses. The writing is pat and predictable and I don’t see how they’re going to stretch the football player story over most, or even half, the season. My fervent wish: more Marc Blucas and more Scott Cohen; I like those two characters and would love to see them incorporated into the stories more heavily.
MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE season finale: I love this show so much, I wanna marry it. My only complaint is the seasons are too short. Happily, the finale did decently in the ratings so I’m hoping TNT will pick it up for another season. The Joe story led the way as he played in the qualifying round for the Senior PGA Tour, with son Albert caddying for him and his daughter cheering him on. Terry decided to make a career change which came as a shock to girlfriend Erin, who just moved in with him. And Owen found himself at odds with his father yet again as his father tried to sell the dealership to their main competitor Scarpulla without consulting Owen. Ray Romano and Andre Braugher scored big points again in this episode; Romano for his moments of anguish on the golf course, then the small victory of calling Dory, the dental hygenist he had an awful first date with, and wound up seeing again when he lost a tooth after a disagreement with his bookie. Braugher nailed every angry and sad moment he was given, always tempering it with the emotion Owen felt for his aging father (played by Richard Gant). I also love that no matter how mad or frustrated Owen is, he always calls his father “Daddy” even in front of his staff — a nice character note. Scott Bakula is very good as Terry and when Terry told Erin he wanted to try for a career as a director, it made me think of the old joke, “But what I really want to do is direct.” I hope you’re been watching MOACA; if you haven’t, Netflix it. The show is wonderfully subtle, wry and smart and it’s filled with good actors.
ROYAL PAINS: I loved last night’s episode that had Divya very sad and out of sorts about being cut off by her parents. She connected with a patient because of that sadness. Also good: the return of Michael B. Silver as Ken Keller, one of Hank’s classmates from high school and the rivalry between the two men is still alive and well. Their story evolved into a common bond about fathers which was a surprising but nice turn. Finally, I’m very curious to know what Paige’s secret is. My brain went immediately to “Is she pregnant?” but it’s got to be something different, if only because that’s so obvious. Very curious to see next week’s episode to see if we’ll find out what’s bothering her.
FALLING SKIES got a renewal for another season from TNT. I have not been watching the alien invasion show but many of my sci-fi fan friends are liking it.
THE OFFICE: The official word was announced this week: James Spader is signing onto the show; he’s not the new Michael Scott, he’s more of a replacement for Kathy Bates’ character. Whatever the case, I think the show will benefit from his offbeat energy.
CASEY ANTHONY TRIAL: I didn’t watch the trial. I watched the reading of the verdict and the sentencing. I have my thoughts about Ms. Anthony but I just wanted to share this because it’s the most interesting thing I’ve seen since the verdict: an interview with one of the jurors on last night’s ABC News special: http://abcnews.go.com/US/casey_anthony_trial/casey-anthony-juror-jury-sick-stomach-guilty-verdict/story?id=14005609
This just in: Deadline.com reports Paradigm signed Anthony’s attorney Jose Baez. If you watch that entire ABC News Special, you can watch Barbara Walters’ interview with him. I think the guy comes off like a used car salesman but watch it and see for yourself.
TODAY’S SURF WRITTEN WHILE LISTENING TO: Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JzGJkmoREs
Tonight’s rundown:
ABC: 8:00 p.m. Wipeout 9:00 p.m. Expedition Impossible 10:00 p.m. Rookie Blue
CBS: 8:00 p.m. The Big Bang Theory (R) 8:30 p.m. Rules of Engagement (R) 9:00 p.m. Big Brother (season premiere) 10:00 p.m. The Mentalist (R)
NBC: 8:00 p.m. Community (R) 8:30 p.m. Parks and Recreation (R, new time period) 9:00 p.m. The Office (R) 9:30 p.m. 30 Rock (R, new time period) 10:00 p.m. Love Bites
Fox: 8:00 p.m. So You Think You Can Dance Results Show 9:00 p.m. Glee (R)
THE CW: 8:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries (R) 9:00 p.m. Nikita (R)
BRAVO: 10pm: Real Housewives of New York City
Sonja throws a burlesque-theme party and performs at it. Simon talks to Jill about cyber-bullying. Oh no, more MEANTWEETING!
Cartoon Network: 12midnight: Children’s Hospital
Comedy Central: 10pm: Futurama, 1030pm: Ugly Americans
FX: 10PM: Wilfred, 1030pm: Louie
I’m still loving both of these shows. Dark comedy at its best.
Ethan Suplee guests on WILFRED as Ryan’s not so nice neighbor.
On LOUIE: Louie looks for a new home.
TLC: 10pm: NY Ink
USA: 9pm: Burn Notice, 10pm: Suits
Michael’s brother Nate returns in tonight’s episode of BURN NOTICE.
On SUITS: Harvey goes rogue. Mike helps plan the dinner for the firm’s rookies.
That’s a wrap for now.
