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Bones returns to FOX tonight at 8 p.m. ET for its two-hour season premiere. I’ve seen the episode and you don’t want to miss it. Angela’s husband returns! (Hello, hottie!) And Booth and Brennan head across the pond to London to solve a case. It’s a good start to kick off the new season.
There are some hilarious moments involving Booth and a rental car that made me laugh out loud. And as always, the chemistry between Booth and Brennan is overflowing. My only complaint, and I know it will be yours, too, so I’m trying to head it off before the onslaught of e-mails start, is the lack of Zack follow up. I know you’re still ticked, Tubers, about how it all played out last season, if the comments and e-mails I’ve received are any indication. I’m sorry. Hopefully, as the season progresses we’ll see more of the Zack fallout.
Yesterday, I had the chance to join in a conference call with “Booth” himself, David Boreanaz, as he talked about the new season and the premiere. Here are some minor spoilers, so stop reading now if you want to remain blissfully spoiler free.
Those of you clamoring for the romance between Booth and Brennan to kick up a notch, you’re going to get your wish. It appears the two will be in bed together, however, it will be a fantasy sequence, Boreanaz said. Zack will also get out of prison, temporarily, to help solve a case, and Booth will be getting more action sequences, much to Boreanaz’ liking.
OK, that’s it. I’ve teased you enough. Go. Watch. Enjoy!
As the summer winds down and the new fall TV season is beginning to start, (yay!) this tube junkie is not complaining at all. The first two weeks of September are already looking better than a shirtless Sawyer. OK, so maybe I’m exaggerating a little, but the new season looks extremely promising with some returning favorites. Here are my choices for must-see-fall TV.
One Tree Hill Season Premiere date: September 1. This time last year I was concerned for this show’s future. I wasn’t sure they were going to be able to pull off the four-year jump into the future. But they did, and now they’re back for season six. I know the big question on every fan’s mind is, ‘Who did Lucas call?’ I’m wondering that myself. My guess is Peyton, but I could be wrong. Place your bets in the comments! Check back next week with my review of the premiere to see if you were right. Plus, did Dan die after he was hit by the car? Stay tuned.
America’s Next Top Model Season Premiere date: September 3. I have to admit that this show keeps me hooked every season. It’s definitely a guilty pleasure that has just the right amount of fun and fashion with occasional model drama thrown in. Last season, or cycle, was exciting because my pick actually won the competition. Whitney became the first plus-size model to win this show. It was about time! This season promises to be interesting with the first transgender model to enter the competition. The girls are also headed back to L.A. and leaving New York City. Hopefully, with the city change they will also change the Tyra Mail back to its original form. The new version was really annoying.
Prison Break Season Premiere date: September 1. If you were like me and dropped this show like a hot potato last season after they killed off Dr. Sara, then you might want to reconsider. Trust me. This show is pulling me back into it for a second chance. I hope it doesn’t disappoint. It seems like this season is focusing more on staying out of prison rather than breaking out. I think that’s going to be a good change in dynamic for the show.
Gossip Girl Season Premiere date: September 1. (Editor’s note from Jennifer: Ashley didn’t include this in her list, so I’m adding it so you won’t miss it!) I’ve seen the first three episodes of the new season, and you MUST watch. Period. The gang kicks off the season in The Hamptons, and it’s as beautiful as it is entertaining. It reminded me of Gatsby. The people are beautiful and the plot is delicious. And I absolutely fell in love with the souvenir Blair brought home. (Think tall, dark and handsome with a wicked accent.) I wasn’t exactly Gossip Girl’s biggest cheerleader last year. I watched, mostly to hear Kristen Bell’s snarky Gossip Girl comments, but it wasn’t must-see for me. This year, however, I’m hooked. The show has upped its game and by extension my interest.
Bones Season Premiere date: September 3. (Editor’s note from Jennifer: Ashley didn’t include this in her list, so I’m adding it so you won’t miss it!) Last season, the revelation that Zack was a psychopath shocked even the savviest TV junkie (myself included.) I’m still steamed that sweet Zack won’t be in the lab with the gang this year. But, the two-hour season premiere may go a long way in assuaging my anger. Bones and Booth travel to London and team up with Scotland Yard to solve a case, as Angela’s husband finally surfaces back in D.C.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Season Premiere date: September 8. I absolutely love this show. It only had nine episodes to make up its first season but it was enough to make me want to watch season two. I’m dying to find out what happened to Cameron after the explosion. Will Cromartie find John? For my birthday last week I received the complete first season on DVD. I highly recommend adding it to your collection. It’s a couple of hours of amazing television. Here’s a sneak peek at the season premiere. Check it out.
Commentary with a Co-Ed is a weekly column at Tube Talk new every Friday
Excuse me a moment while I pick my jaw off the floor.
In last night’s season finale of Bones, it was revealed that one of the main characters we’ve grown to love, lab genius Zack Eddy, was a killer involved in the ongoing serial killer/cannibal storyline from last season.
I know. I still can’t believe it either. In fact, I don’t care what we watched onscreen, I still CANNOT conceive that the character we’ve watched grow for years and bond with his super-smart friends is an apprentice to a psychotic cannibal. It’s rubbish.
This shocking plot twist came out of left field and is so ridiculously preposterous I can’t believe the show actually went through with it. The better choice would have been Dr. Sweets, the new guy, despite that I love what he brings to the show.
Here’s a note to the Bones producers and writers: you don’t mess with core characters. You just don’t do it. What’s next, Booth is a rapist during his evenings off?
If my overflowing e-mail inbox is any indication, fans of the show are furious at this move. And they should be. Zack has been a vital part of the chemistry in the technical lab scenes. His humorous relationship with fellow lab squint Hodgins has been one of the highlights of the show in past seasons.
I know many of you have said you won’t watch any more Bones episodes because of this crazy plot twist. For that, I’m sorry. With declining ratings for scripted shows in primetime across the board, we can’t afford to lose viewers because of what seems to be an ill-thought-out plot device contrived for shock value.
The only way I see to salvage this mess is for the next episode to show Booth in the hospital, in a coma, still healing from being shot in the chest last week, and this last episode took place entirely in his mind. Yes, I want it to be a dream. That makes more sense than Booth healing from a gunshot wound virtually in days and Zack turning into a cold-blooded killer.
Last week, I was invited to do a phone interview with Bones star David Boreanaz to talk about the return of the show tonight. Cool, right?
Well, it was cool, despite the fact that I didn’t get a chance to actually ask my questions. The call time was limited to only 25 minutes, and there were a large number of journalists on the conference call. Despite that I hit the proper keys to get in the queue early to ask my questions, I apparently didn’t get in the queue early enough. So, I didn’t get the chance to talk to him. But, the other journalists asked plenty of intriguing questions, and I’m happy to share his answers with you.
At one point, the interview got tense, as one reporter made the mistake of calling Bones a “bubble” show (meaning it’s “on the bubble” or not a definite lock for the network to return next season.) Boreanaz vehemently refuted that Bones is a “bubble show” and began drilling the reporter to cite the source where he had read that news. When the reporter couldn’t quote the source, well, let’s just say it got a little ugly. Keep reading for the completely awkward exchange and Boreanaz’ defense of the show.
Q: Does he believe Booth and Bones should get together?
Boreanaz: I mean, I think they already are. I don’t think that they necessarily were ever apart. The function of the relationship really is the function of the show in a lot of ways. These two characters drive these plot lines; they drive these shows. They put them in circumstances or in areas that they not necessarily wouldn’t think they would be in and it brings them closer together as characters or it pulls them apart. You know, the kiss, for example, on Christmas. It was a dare and they both knew it was coming and it brought them closer. Obviously, it won’t affect them greatly, but they know that the kiss happened, and I think it happened smartly the way they did it. I think, though, we’ll start putting ourselves into those situations and those areas, but we’re not going to go to a place where it’s completely hole nine; we’ll keep teasing and flirting with the audience. I don’t think that’s a problem at all.
Q: Have you liked this story line this season of the serial killer?
Boreanaz: No, not at all. For me, I’ve always maintained that the show is the relationship, maintained that the show is about the characters and I maintain that the show is about the two of us learning through the crimes and that journey that we take. That, to me, is the most important part.
Q: How much of Booth is your doing and how much of the character were you given?
Boreanaz: Well, I was given the pilot. I read the pilot and I created everything that you’re seeing on screen as far as that character is concerned, what you see physically. And it can’t happen without the words, obviously, but as far as the physicalities and as far as the belt buckle, all the stuff that you see is stuff that I brought to that character.
Q: What kind of research did you do to find out about FBI agents and their personalities and qualifications and things?
Boreanaz: Everything that they told me about the FBI I threw out the door in a lot of ways. I respected it. I went through the idea of it. I took the approach of the military aspect of the guy working for the FBI rather than a guy who came right out of Harvard and he’s a penny loafer and pencil pusher guy who gets kicked around and who is afraid to get his feet wet. For me, it was more interesting from that angle with the military guy who was a blue-collar guy. And from there, everything exploded. So, you know, I highly, highly respect what they do. When it comes to using any kind of firearms or entries into buildings, I don’t mess around with. I do it as cleanly and as professionally as I can the way they would do it. I work with a great guy, Mike Grasso on the show who is with the LAPD who is fantastic so for me, that is very, very authentic to a T, but there is stuff, character stuff that I like to bring.
Q: And are there moments where you’re squeamish about the actual bones, the actual gross bodies?
Boreanaz: No, not me. I kind of know, because I’m so tuned into my relationship with her and so tuned in to the character work, that I sometimes forget about where I’m standing over, to be quite honest with you. Obviously, Booth’s perspective is that he’s squeamish to begin with so that helps when I have to go there, so it does work.
Q: The dialogue between you and Emily, is it ad-libbed at all?
Boreanaz: We work on every episode on the weekends with Ivana Chubbuck, who is an acting coach out here. Her credits are huge and very respected and she helps us find a lot of those moments. So we work on the scripts on the weekends for every scene, every moment during the week. So we come in pretty much with an improvisational arc, knowing where we are going to add stuff, where we’re going to take things. So, by the time we show up and rehearse, we throw that down so when we’re shooting we just, we kind of throw it all out on the table. All this stuff comes out, but I think that’s the beauty of our relationship and our chemistry is really solid and it’s only getting better. We did a scene yesterday, which was just so much fun. We really started pushing each other’s buttons and it was fun to have the ability to go there with a co-star who does that with you and also being in the freedom zone of a third season instead of thinking, oh, well, you know, this show has got x amount of years left so I don’t have to really work hard because it’s just a show. Well, it’s quite the opposite because now you have the beauty and the freedom to do stuff as a producer to allow yourself to go to those places that you weren’t allowed to in the first season, which makes the show even better.
Q: Is the therapy with Dr. Lance Sweets going to continue throughout all the rest of the episodes? Boreanaz: Yes, I think having that other perspective, that third eye, that point on the two counterpoints works in a show like this and he fills that void perfectly. We tried it before with a couple of other characters that just didn’t really sing as hard as they could have been maybe. There was a love interest of the past and they had just gone on and focused on their characters, where they are. But I think with Lance Sweets, he fits perfectly; a) physically; b) what he brings to the table and how it affects their relationship and I think that’s a stronghold, to go through therapy and help bring us together. I think it’s a great idea.
Q: Is Booth mocking Dr. Sweet’s age and everything you or is that something that’s scripted?
Boreanaz: That’s me. It’s funny because we’ll do a lot of improvisation when I’m in that therapy session they’ll be you’ve got to just do one that’s scripted maybe a little bit. Because it just becomes, it’s just so great to be part of and you’re having so much fun so, yes, a lot of those young comments, I’ve got to come up with some new stuff. Some new arsenal is coming out soon. Q: Which has been your favorite Bones episode to work on so far?
Boreanaz: I really enjoy anything I do with Emily, obviously, any scenes. As far as one complete episode is concerned I like the Halloween episode this year. It was a lot of fun. I got to play a Nerd. That was fun. I also liked the season opener of season two, which was a lot of fun. I loved the pilot. I mean, that’s the pilot, really; you have to go back to the pilot because that’s fresh, new, the possibilities are endless, you know what I’m saying? So, it’s kind of hard to always answer those kinds of questions.
Q: With the show being in yet another time slot and being considered by some people as a bubble show, is that something that worries the cast and the crew?
Boreanaz: I’m sorry; you say our show is on the bubble?
Reply: I’m not, but I’ve read a few things, I don’t know.
Boreanaz: Where did you read that?
Reply: I don’t remember.
Boreanaz: Well, you can’t say something if you; if you’re saying our show is on the bubble, I’d love to know the source of that one. I mean you can’t just say to me that the show is on the bubble and you said you read it and you don’t know where it came from?
Reply: Well, I mean I read a lot of different sources.
Boreanaz: Well, I mean it’s a pretty big source to say to an actor on a show, or for me to say your column is being cancelled and then you ask me where I read that and I say I read a lot of things. I don’t get that question. But, I mean to answer your question, I don’t think the show is on the bubble. It’s a very successful show. We’re a different show; we’re a cult show that strives itself on relationship and we’ve proven if we’re on Wednesday or Tuesday or Friday or even Monday that our fans will follow us. And we pride ourselves on the relationship with this show and we pride ourselves that we’re with a great network and studio with Fox. If I hear any different, like you’re telling me, then I’d have to investigate that, but I’ve never heard that.
Reply: Okay, my apologies.
Boreanaz: No, don’t worry about it. I just had an interview with Dave Schultz. I’m a little fired up right now.
Reply: Okay, well that’s basically what I wanted to know, the show moving around (and how it will affect the audience.)
Boreanaz: Yes, it’s difficult. We were also the show put after Idol and we did better before Idol than we did after Idol. I don’t place the show or tell you where the show should be placed. That’s not my job. My job as an actor is to come in and portray a character and do the best that I can. I can’t get caught up in what time slot it’s at or where they’re moving it to or who it’s paired with. I do know that the shows are of the best quality and I think the best on television as far as a relationship show is concerned I think it’s the best. And if you take these two, the new shows that are coming out, especially these new fresh six shows that are coming and you’ll see the relationship just take off. Unfortunately, we had a writers’ strike that kind of intercepted what I thought was the start of a great, great third season and we’ll finish off a fantastic third season, which we believe there are just unbelievable shows that are going to just expand these characters and this relationship. There is no show out there that has a therapist that has to deal with a couple’s counseling for them to deal with each other in the work force. That’s not on television.
We haven’t seen a new episode of Bones since November, and I’m beyond excited that tonight, the show is back.
I’m not so excited that the show is now airing on Mondays at 8 p.m.
The Monday 8 p.m. hour is already overcrowded. And by overcrowded, I mean viewers without multiple TVs may have to choose between Bones, ratings juggernaut Dancing With the Stars on ABC, guilty pleasure Gossip Girl on the CW, and one of my favorite sitcoms, How I Met Your Mother on CBS. Crazy, right? There are plenty of other nights with nothing on but reality fare. Yet, here we are forced to choose between four quality shows. I hope Bones makes your cut.
There is a special treat in tonight’s episode for Booth and Brennan fans: they go on a double date with their therapist, the adorable Dr. Sweets. I can’t wait to see that unfold!
Here’s the rest of the official episode description from FOX:
When a young couple decides to go skinny-dipping in a hot spring, their spontaneity is ruined when they find the remains of a skeleton in the mud. Brennan and Booth soon discover the skeleton is that of Tripp Goddard, a professional motorcycle racer who just won the Super Grand Prix. The team immediately suspects Danny Fitz, the runner-up in the race and Tripp’s main rival, to be the murderer. But just when Brennan and Booth think they have it solved, a fiery motorcycle crash claims another victim, and the circumstances seem far from accidental. Meanwhile, Dr. Lance Sweets forces Brennan and Booth to join him on a double-date in an effort to encourage them to interact in a social setting, away from any of their cases.
TV Guide is reporting that the annual Paley Television Festival has just added 11 more TV panels to its already fantastic 2008 lineup.
Bones, Moonlight, The View, Kyle XY, Greek, and The Young and the Restless are just a few of the shows joining a second part of the festival, kicking off on March 28, according to the TV Guide Web site. The first part of the festival runs March 14-27.
This is the best lineup I’ve ever seen for Paley Festival. Can you imagine any other event where the casts of Friday Night Lights, (yes, even my beloved Kyle Chandler), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (my beloved Sarah Michelle Gellar and James Marsters) and the casts of Bones, Moonlight and Pushing Daisies all come together? And that’s not even the half of it.
After seeing this breaking news about the addition of Bones, I couldn’t help but wonder now if David Boreanaz will join the Buffy reunion. It was previously reported that Boreanaz could not join his former cast mates due to a family commitment, but was planning a taped message. Now that his new show, Bones, is included in a panel, perhaps he’ll show up with the rest of the Scoobies to reminisce about all things Buffy? Hey, a girl can dream right?
If you don’t already have a ticket to the Buffy panel, good luck in getting one. It’s sold out. So is the Pushing Daisies panel. I’m hoping (OK praying and considering bribing someone) to post the Buffy, Friday Night Lights, Bones, Moonlight, and Pushing Daisies panels on You Tube for all of us who cannot attend.
Tickets for the second part of the festival featuring Bones, Moonlight, and more go on sale March 14.
For more information and a complete lineup of shows and casts attending, visit the Paley Festival site.
Those of you who couldn’t wait to see the kiss between Brennan and Booth on Bones, consider this an early Christmas present.
Here is some behind-the-scenes footage of David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel before, after, and during the kiss. This is a longer version that actually aired. (In other word, I counted to at least nine steamboats.)
Bones fans, the moment you all have been waiting for is here. It’s an early Christmas present.
Booth and Brennan are going to get all smoochy under the mistletoe in tonight’s episode of Bones. It’s not clear yet whether eggnog is involved.
This Christmas-themed episode looks fun. The gang investigates the death of a Santa impersonator named Kristopher Kringle. The fun starts at 8 p.m. on FOX.
To see what David Boreanaz and Emily Deschanel thought of the kiss, click here.
Brothers and Sisters I’m about to make a bold statement. Brothers and Sisters is the best drama on television right now. Last night’s intervention episode showed just how compelling television can be when all the pieces fall in place. And by all the pieces I mean tight, top-notch writing and superb acting. Dave Annable and Sally Field made me cry. And that’s hard to do during the weekend! The beauty of Brothers and Sisters is the creative balance of humor and drama. Even in the midst of a heart-wrenching drug intervention, the Walkers can still make me smile with a one-liner or a sarcastic barb. If you’re not watching this show, do yourself a favor and tune in. If nothing else, it will make your family holiday dinners seem much less dysfunctional.
Grey’s Anatomy Can we please stop with all the George and Izzie booty calls? I think I speak for most of us when I say, “Ewwww!” And what was the deal with the fantasy and the tub? On second thought, I don’t want to know. My jaw hit the floor when Izzie called George the best sex she’d ever had. Huh? Did she forget about all those smoking hot encounters with Alex? I’m begging here, Grey’s honchos, please stop this madness. As for Meredith, I didn’t think it was possible to dislike her character more than I already did, but well done, writers; mission accomplished. Meredith’s constant verbal abuse of Lexie is working my last nerve. I was cheering when Lexie finally broke and screamed, “Screw you!” You go, Lexie. And can we all do a happy dance for Bailey, that she finally got the job she deserved all along. Although, that strange crying outburst with the chief, after he told her, seemed a little out of character for tough-as-nails Bailey. Finally, Mr. Man Tart, Mark Sloan, is adorable. But, I think his attempts to flirt with Hahn are futile. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t play for his team.
Back to You I love it when TV shows pay tribute to other TV shows, and Back to You tipped its hat to Buffy the Vampire Slayer this week. Former Buffystar Charisma Carpenter guest starred on this week’s episode of Back to You, and her son was named - wait for it - Zander. Hysterical!
The Office Jim Halpert, my heart aches for you. (Not the way you’re thinking, Tubers!) On Thursday, it appeared that Jim was facing the sad realization that he could easily become Michael, if he stayed at Scranton for the foreseeable future. The camera caught his look of utter devastation, and it was heartbreaking. Don’t worry, Jim. There is no way you could ever become as silly as Michael. His over-the-top antics are getting more and more ridiculous. A nature retreat man vs. wild? Come on.
Men in Trees What is it about women on ABC shows waxing their own eyebrows before their weddings? It never ends well. It was a disaster for Grey’s AnatomyCristina and the same thing happened to poor Annie on Men in Trees. Ladies, it’s like $15-$20 to have a professional cosmetologist wax your eyebrows. I’m just saying. This episode was laugh-out-loud funny, as wedding preparations got underway. And in true Elmo fashion, chaos ensued. The minister quit, the reception hall closed down, the mothers were feuding, the cat lost the rings, and the location was a bust. If that weren’t enough, scary wild wolves descended on the town and cornered poor Marin in a to-die-for cliffhanger. I don’t know about anyone else, but that scene gave me a flashback to my youth when I watched a similar episode of Little House on the Prairie featuring an angry wild pack of wolves that scarred me for life.
Bones I know I’m in the minority here, but I love Booth and Cam. Their pretense of a relationship to fool her family had me in stitches. Bones didn’t seem quite so happy about it, though, did she? Oh well, maybe she and Booth can talk about it at couples therapy. Also, I can’t wait to see Angela’s husband. I haven’t seen so much build up for an off-screen character since the days of Cheers’Norm and his often-mentioned wife. And did you guys recognize Sam Jones, formerly Pete on Smallville, as the gay scientist? Little Pete is all grown up now.
Ugly Betty Matron of honor Posh Spice was campy, and in perfect Ugly Betty fashion, so was the wedding of Willie and Bradford. Amanda entertained the packed church of uptight society folks with her version of “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.” Yes, it was as funny as it sounds. Marc’s shaggy boyfriend finally embraced his inner metrosexual and got a shave, a haircut and wardrobe to die for. But, that wasn’t the biggest shock of the night. That honor went to Bradford, collapsing with a heart attack during the ceremony, after Daniel told him that his Wilhemena was cheating. In an episode so packed with humor, drama and camp, it seemed there was room for little else but wedding details, but wrong. Daniel found out Betty had known about Willie’s boy toy all along, and fired Betty for not telling. Yes, it got ugly. With so many surprises in this episode, I can’t imagine what’s left for next week. But knowing the Ugly Betty folks, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed.
Smallville OK, I’m just going to say it. The opening scenes of newly super-empowered Lana and Clark having such “super” sex that it literally shattered the Earth and caused seismic tremors all over Smallville was groan-worthy. On the plus side, Clark finally got some, which apparently has been a problem in the past due to his super strength and Lana’s mere mortal abilities. Yeah, I didn’t want to think about it either, so thanks Smallville writers for going there. I always enjoy badass Lana, when she morphs into Lana Fu and kicks butt. But I really enjoy the Lana and Lex interaction. Those two are hot. Their kiss had more chemistry going on than one of Lex’s secret laboratories. What a shame Smallville has wasted all these years with Lana and Clark, when she and Lex are downright combustible. I find Lana bearable when she’s sparring with Lex or about to electrocute him. As for Chloe, it’s clear that Jimmy is moving on with Kara. I say good riddance. Chloe needs to find a man worthy of her, someone who isn’t a geek or a meteor freak. Oliver is headed back to town and now that Lois is macking on her new boss, I think Chloe could use a little comforting from the Emerald Archer. And one more thing, Smallville hair people, please stop cutting Chloe’s hair!
Nip/Tuck Christian Troy, you’ve been a bad, bad boy. Jealousy doesn’t suit Christian. His hilarious attempt to garner some attention was one of the funniest scenes on the tube this week, as he posed nude for a girly magazine and his body suffered a little, how should I put this? stage fright? Thank goodness his publicist was off camera and willing to do her part to “inflate” his… ego. In a surprising twist, Julia came to visit and dropped the news that she is now a lesbian. At least the boys can finally stop fighting over her, since she no longer plays for their team. But poor Sean, this is going to eat away at his confidence as a man. First, Julia cheated on him with a midget and now she’s sleeping with a woman. Ouch.
I’m hoping you chose treat, because I have a yummy one for you. Bones’Emily Deschanel dressed in a Wonder Woman costume. The girl is rocking that red corset and those boots.
“Bones” and the rest of the “squints” are trading in their lab attire for Halloween costumes on this week’s episode. Zach is a cow; Angela is Cher and Camille is Cat Woman. I’m not sure who or what Hodgins is supposed to be, but it doesn’t matter because this episode looks like more fun than a plastic pumpkin full of candy.
At first, I thought Booth was dressed as Clark Kent, to Bones’Wonder Woman, but it appears that he, in fact, is going to the Halloween party as a nerd. (I like my idea better.)
For those of you who can’t wait until Tuesday at 8 p.m. on FOX to see the Halloween-themed episode, I’ve got clips here and here. (I’m hoping “Bones” does the Wonder Woman spin because that would be cool.) And does anyone know where I can get that Wonder Woman costume? (Hanging head in shame.) Yes, I have a thing for Wonder Woman; Deal with it. My Wonder Woman costume from third grade just doesn’t fit anymore, despite my feeble attempts to make it. The bulletproof bracelets and magic lasso are still rockin’ on though. So bad guys, beware.
Despite the rumor, Smallville’sTom Welling will not play Superman in the big-screen Justice League film, according to Smallville executive producer Al Gough. Gough answered that and other fan questions at TV Guide.
Seth Green has signed on for two episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Buffy fans, I have a feeling Oz is all grown up now.
Life is Wild star D.W. Moffetstopped by Tube Talk to weigh in on my review of the show. Cool, huh?
Former Freaks and Geeks star John Francis Daley has landed the role of Booth and Brennan’s therapist on the FOX show Bones. Is he old enough to be a therapist? No matter. The trials and tribulations his character suffered through on Freaks and Geeks, including that dodge ball episode, have entitled him to many years on the sofa.
One of my TV boyfriends, Eddie Cibrian, has landed upcoming guest roles on ABC’s Samantha Who and Dirty Sexy Money. Someone at ABC loves Cibrian as much as I do.
Actor Steven Weber is headed to Brothers & Sisters as a love interest for Sarah, according to TV Guide. I guess that means Joe had better step it up. In other Brothers & Sisters news, Chevy Chase is scheduled to star as a love interest for Sally Field’s character.
ABC is resurrecting the short-lived 1998-99 series Cupid. Cupid’s creator, Rob Thomas, is developing the new version of the show. The new pilot will move its setting from Chicago to Los Angeles. The original Cupid starred Jeremy Piven, but this one won’t.
There are a few days left to register to win the hot new Nip/Tuckposters we’re giving away here at Tube Talk. The contest ends Monday. Good luck.
FOX has the one-two punch of Bones and House tonight, one of my favorite combos. We’ll also find out tonight if ABC’s ratings success of the dreadful one-two punch of Cavemen and Carpoolers was based on curiosity, or if America really will embrace these lame shows. Here’s what looks good to me tonight.
8 p.m. Bones on FOX
9 p.m. House on FOX, Dancing With the Stars on ABC, Reaper on the CW
10 p.m. Cane on CBS, Boston Legal on ABC
To watch a clip of tonight’s Bones, where Brennan learns she needs to work on the cop talk, click here.
To see House deliver his warm and fuzzy bedside manner on tonight’s show, click here.
I’ve seen the season premiere episode of Bones, and I’m so excited about the show’s return that I wanted to share. (Warning: a couple light spoilers are included below.)
Here’s why you shouldn’t miss Bones when it returns on Tuesday.
Humor. Check. Sexual tension. Check Disgusting “bones” case involving cannibals. Check.
Yes, I said cannibals. Chew on that piece of juicy info. The gang is back together again to catch a sick killer.
Here’s some scoop on the season premiere. Hodgins is rocking a shocking new hairstyle, and so is another character, which I won’t divulge or FOX may never send me another screener again. Angela is trying to track down her husband, so she can get a divorce. It turns out her husband is black, extremely tall and, of course, smoking hot. Hodgins humorously refers to him as a "Titan, half God, half man."(Casting, may I suggest Henry Simmons for the role? He’s off-the-charts tall and beyond beautiful. Loved him on NYPD Blue.)
On the Booth/Brennan front, Brennan is acting awkward around her co-worker. Rumor has it the two may be headed to couples therapy, and we all know how much Booth loves therapy.
Bones returns this Tuesday, September 25, at 8 p.m. on FOX.
Remember the FOX show Vanished from last season that was cancelled before the mystery of Sara Collins’ kidnapping was solved?
Well, apparently the folks at FOX haven’t forgotten it either.
According to E!Online, the Bones characters will tackle the case this season in a cool crossover. I actually watched Vanished, so I’m looking forward to seeing the mystery finally resolved. With Booth and Brennan on the case, I’m sure we’ll get some closure.
In other Bones news, apparently Zach will be back from Iraq, and Booth and Brennan will still be dodging the sexual tension.
Bones star David Boreanaz is taking a break from the tough FBI character he plays on TV to try his hand at Broadway.
June 6-10,Boreanaz is starring in Spalding Gray: Stories Left to Tell at the Minetta Lane Theater in New York. He was orignally scheduled May 22-27.
The play is about “Spalding Gray's legendary stories and monologues, interwoven with previously unpublished letters and entries from his personal journals,” according to the Broadway Web site.
Boreanaz will join the core cast of four performers to perform the monologues.
I know what you’re thinking: Can the former vampire from Angel and the tough guy from Bones actually pull this off?
I say, absolutely. Boreanaz has a knack for comedy, and anyone who ever watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer knows that he excels at melodrama, too.
FOX revealed its fall schedule this week, and it includes four new dramas, three new comedies, and three unscripted series.
Shows returning to FOX include: 24, American Dad, American Idol, America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back, Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?, Bones, Cops, Family Guy, House, King Of The Hill, Madtv, Prison Break, The Simpsons, Talkshow With Spike Feresten, and Til Death.
Here is the fall schedule. As always, new shows are in bold. A brief description of each new show is included at the end of the post. Enjoy!
FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: FALL 2007 (All Times ET/PT)
MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM PRISON BREAK
9:00-10:00 PM K-VILLE
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE
WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30 PM BACK TO YOU
8:30-9:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
9:00-10:00 PM BONES
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?
9:00-10:00 PM KITCHEN NIGHTMARES
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00 PM THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND (working title)
9:00-10:00 PM NASHVILLE (working title)
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-MIDNIGHT MADtv
MIDNIGHT-12:30 AM TALK SHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN
SUNDAY
7:00-8:00 PM THE OT (NFL post-game)
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM KING OF THE HILL
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY
9:30-10:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE: BEGINNING JANUARY 2008 (All Times ET/PT)
8:30-9:00 PM THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (working title)
9:00-9:30 PM AMERICAN IDOL Results Show
9:30-10:00 PM 'TIL DEATH
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM ARE YOU SMARTER THAN A 5th GRADER?
9:00-10:00 PM CANTERBURY'S LAW
FRIDAY
(Spring)8:00-9:00 PM BONES
9:00-10:00 PM NEW AMSTERDAM
SATURDAY
8:00-8:30 PM COPS
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S MOST WANTED: AMERICA FIGHTS BACK
11:00 PM-MIDNIGHT MADtv
MIDNIGHT-12:30 AM TALKSHOW WITH SPIKE FERESTEN
SUNDAY
(Spring)7:00-7:30 PM KING OF THE HILL
7:30-8:00 PM AMERICAN DAD
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS
8:30-9:00 PM FAMILY GUY
9:00-10:00 PM THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
2007-2008 FOX PRIMETIME SCHEDULE NEW SERIES SYNOPSES New Fall Dramas: K-VILLE (Mondays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): From writer and executive producer Jonathan Lisco ("NYPD Blue," "The District") comes a heroic police drama set in New Orleans. Two years after Katrina, the city is still in chaos. Many cops have quit, and the jails, police stations and crime labs still haven't been properly rebuilt. But the cops who remain have courage to burn and a passion to reclaim and rebuild their city. MARLIN BOULET (Anthony Anderson, "The Departed," "The Shield") is a brash, funny, in-your-face veteran of the NOPD's Felony Action Squad, the specialized unit that targets the most-wanted criminals. Even when his partner deserted him during the storm, Boulet held his post, spending days in the water saving lives and keeping order. Now he's unapologetic about bending the rules when it comes to collaring bad guys. Boulet's new partner, TREVOR COBB (Cole Hauser, "The Break-Up," "ER"), was a soldier in Afghanistan before joining the NOPD. He's tough and committed, but if he's less than comfortable with Boulet's methods, it's because he's harboring a dark secret. Cobb has come to New Orleans seeking redemption, but redemption can be dangerous. Will Boulet be able to trust him? Will Cobb's past endanger them both? Rounding out the crew of cops are hotheaded BILLY "K-9" FAUST (Maximiliano Hernndez, "Law & Order," "Shark"), who often speaks before thinking; wisecracking JEFF "GLUE BOY" GOODEN (Blake Shields, "Sleeper Cell," "Veronica Mars"), the team's comic relief; tough-as-nails GINGER "LOVE TAP" LeBEAU (Tawny Cypress, "Heroes"), the only female on the squad, who gives as good as she gets; and CAPTAIN JAMES EMBRY (John Carroll Lynch, "Zodiac," "The Drew Carey Show"), who wrangles the eclectic personalities of his squad with equal parts humor and tenacity.
NEW AMSTERDAM (Wednesdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Directed and executive-produced by visionary Lasse Hallstrm ("My Life As a Dog," "The Cider House Rules," "Chocolat," "The Hoax") and written by Allan Loeb ("Things We Lost in the Fire," "21") and Christian Taylor ("Showboy," "Six Feet Under"), NEW AMSTERDAM is the story of a New York homicide detective unlike any other. He is brilliant, mysterious, reckless, magnetic, unknowable. And he has a profound secret he is immortal. In 1642, JOHN AMSTERDAM (Nikolaj Coster Waldau, "Kingdom of Heaven"), then a Dutch solider in the colony of New Amsterdam later to become New York City stepped in front of a sword to save the life of a Native Indian girl during a massacre of her indigenous tribe. The girl in turn rescued Amsterdam, weaving an ancient spell that conferred immortality upon him. Amsterdam will not age, she told him, until he finds his one true love. Only then will he become whole and ready for mortality. But Amsterdam has found this to be a mixed blessing. Over the course of three centuries, he's experienced endless adventure and honed his many talents. But everyone Amsterdam meets must leave him in time; lovers and children die while he remains young. His sole confidant and current lifelong friend is the sage jazz club owner OMAR (Stephen Henderson, "Law & Order: SVU"), the keeper of Amsterdam's secret, as well as a few of his own. As the exhilaration of eternal life has given way to emotional isolation and bitter loneliness, Amsterdam discovers the blessing has become a curse. Bringing to bear the unorthodox techniques and unique knowledge gained from his vast life experience, Amsterdam today is one of the NYPD's best homicide detectives, sparring with his vibrant, strong-willed partner EVA MARQUEZ (Zuleikha Robinson, "Rome," "The Lone Gunmen") as they solve difficult murder cases. But when Amsterdam suffers and then recovers from what appears to be a massive heart attack while chasing a suspect, and DR. SARA DILLANE (Alexie Gilmore, "Find Love") pronounces him dead in the ER, he realizes that the Indian girl's prophesy may have come true he felt the pain in his heart that she had foretold so long ago. His soul mate must have been nearby. As he works to find a killer on the streets of New York, Amsterdam understands that his own life and possibly his death have changed forever. New Fall Comedy BACK TO YOU (Tuesdays, 8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT): In the 90s, the local TV news scene in Pittsburgh was dominated by one team: CHUCK DARLING (Kelsey Grammer, "Frasier," "Cheers") and KELLY CARR (Patricia Heaton, "Everybody Loves Raymond"). They had that elusive quality all news teams need: chemistry ... at least on-screen. Off-screen, Chuck was a bit of a self-centered womanizer, Kelly a bit of an uptight know-it-all. So when Chuck got the call to move up to a larger market, no tears were shed. But after an embarrassing on-air tirade ended up on the Internet, Chuck found himself on the downswing career-wise. He even questioned whether his lifestyle of chasing women and living in hotels was as exciting as it used to be. So when he got the call to return to Pittsburgh, to reunite with Kelly and try to take the newscast back to No. 1, it was an offer he couldn't refuse. Back in Pittsburgh, Chuck has a new coworker in RYAN CHURCH (Josh Gad, "Mary and Joe"), the overstressed news director. There are also familiar faces like MARSH McGINLEY (Fred Willard, "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy," "Best in Show"), the affable, endlessly inappropriate sports anchor, and GARY CREZYZEWSKI, pronounced Kre-shoov-ski (Ty Burrell, "In Good Company," "Out of Practice"), the perennially put-upon field reporter who always seems to get left out in the snow. But, mostly, there's Kelly, now a single mom to 10-year-old GRACIE (Laura Marano, "Without a Trace"). There was magic between them once. Can they find it again?
New Fall Unscripted Series KITCHEN NIGHTMARES (Thursdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Hell hath no fury like an angry chef, and no chef has a sharper temper than Gordon Ramsay when things go wrong in the kitchen. The star of the highly rated culinary boot camp "Hell's Kitchen" returns to FOX with another sizzling unscripted series. This time, Chef Ramsay hits the road in each episode, tackling a restaurant in crisis and exposing the stressful realities of trying to run a successful food business. Inspired by one of the UK's biggest hits, KITCHEN NIGHTMARES is seen in more than 50 territories around the globe, and the series reveals a whole new side to Ramsay. He's still prone to the explosive outbursts and spectacular confrontations familiar to fans of "Hell's Kitchen," but he also shows his sensitive and nurturing side a unique blend of fury, passion, inspirational leadership and tough love that can coax a small spark of talent into a roaring flame. There's no time for polite small talk as Ramsay embarks on his mission to turn things around. If the wine waiter's service isn't up to par, he'll be out the door before he can say "merlot." If the head chef doesn't match up to Ramsay's expectations, Ramsay will hammer him into shape, and if he can't stand the heat, he may quit the kitchen. Ramsay's reputation is on the line, so there's bound to be high blood pressure, raised voices and serious clashes as he attempts to do the impossible: turn a deserted dining room into the most sought-after venue in town in just a week.
THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND (working title) (Fridays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT): What "American Idol" did for individuals, THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND is going to do for musical groups. The producers of "American Idol" will conduct the ultimate search for an undiscovered band. THE SEARCH FOR THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND is scouring the country, seeking groups from all musical genres who think they have what it takes to make it big. Judges will narrow down bands from all walks of life musicians of different ages, family acts, garage bands, etc. to 10 semi-finalists, who will perform in front of a live studio audience. Viewers then will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite bands. The final three acts will compete for a major recording contract and the chance to become music superstars.
NASHVILLE (working title) (Fridays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): From the creative minds behind the hit series "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" comes NASHVILLE, a high-stakes, high-drama docu-soap set in "the biggest small town in America." The show focuses on the dreamers and dream-makers in the music industry, as well as those trying to make their mark on Nashville's big business and high society. The series features a diverse, vibrant young cast perched on the cusp of achieving their greatest successes in a town that can make you or break you. Talent, power, drive, love and hope are the fuel that makes Nashville burn bright and makes this unique place the true embodiment of the American Dream. Behind every song there's a story waiting to be told, and there are many such stories in NASHVILLE.
New Dramas to launch in January CANTERBURY'S LAW (Thursdays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): From executive producers Denis Leary and Jim Serpico ("Rescue Me," "The Job") and writer Dave Erickson ("Murder in Greenwich") comes CANTERBURY'S LAW, a courtroom drama about a rebellious female defense attorney who's willing to bend the law in order to protect the wrongfully accused. ELIZABETH CANTERBURY (Julianna Margulies, "ER") is a force of nature. An attorney on the rise, she puts her career on the line to take on risky and unpopular cases, even when they take a toll on her personal life. Elizabeth and her law professor husband MATTHEW CANTERBURY (Linus Roache, "Batman Begins," "The Chronicles of Riddick"), haunted by the disappearance of their young son, have settled in Providence, Rhode Island, in an attempt to distance themselves from the tragedy and put their relationship back together. But those goals become elusive whenever Elizabeth's work provides a stark reminder of the justice absent in their own lives. At the office, Canterbury has surrounded herself with a brilliant but motley crew of attorneys. RUSSELL CROSS (Ben Shenkman, "Pi," "Angels in America") was forced out of the Providence District Attorney's Office when he went toe-to-toe with his morally bankrupt boss, D.A. Zach Williams. His reputation tarnished, Russell turned to Canterbury, the only attorney willing to take him in. Now Russell provides a much-needed voice of reason for Canterbury even when she doesn't want to hear it, his position of influence well-earned by their years of friendship. CHESTER FIELDS (Jocko Sims, "Dreamgirls," "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation") and MOLLY McCONNELL (Trieste Dunn, "United 93") are the associates rounding out Canterbury's legal crew. Chester is a blue-blooded congressman's son who is embarrassed by his privileged upbringing and has turned his back on politics. Molly, in contrast, is headstrong, passionate and quick to take sides even if she finds herself in the opposite corner from Canterbury.
THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (Sundays, 9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT): Executive producers Josh Friedman ("War of the Worlds"), David Nutter ("Supernatural," "Smallville") and C-2 Pictures ("Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines") bring to television an intense new drama based on the celebrated heroine of the "Terminator" movies: Sarah Connor. At the end of "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," Sarah vanquished the liquid metal Terminator sent from the future to kill her teenage son, John. Sarah and John now find themselves alone in a very dangerous, complicated world. Fugitives from the law, they are confronted with the reality that still more enemies from the future, and the present, could attack at any moment. THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES reveals what happens when SARAH (Lena Headey, "The Brothers Grimm," "300") stops running and goes on the offensive against an ever-evolving technological enemy bent on destroying her life, and perhaps the world. Her son, 15-year-old JOHN CONNOR (Thomas Dekker, "Heroes"), knows that he may be the future savior of mankind, but is not yet ready to take on the mantle of leadership that he's told is his destiny. John finds himself inextricably drawn to CAMERON (Summer Glau, "Serenity," "The Unit"), an enigmatic and otherworldly student at his high school, who soon proves to be much more than his confidante she assumes the role of Sarah and John's fearless protector. On their trail are not only threats from the future, but an intelligent and tough FBI agent, JAMES ELLISON (Richard T. Jones, "Judging Amy"), who soon becomes a powerful ally. Directed by David Nutter and produced by Warner Bros. Television and C-2 Pictures, THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES represents an exciting reinvention of the "Terminator" franchise, in which the strong and intrepid Sarah discovers that protecting her son and stopping the rise of the machines is more difficult than she had ever imagined.
New comedy to launch in January THE RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES (working title) (Wednesdays, 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT): Can two estranged sisters, polar opposites, live together when one agrees to carry the other's baby? SARAH THOMKINS (Parker Posey, "For Your Consideration," "Best in Show") is a bright, optimistic, determined woman who seems to have it all a great job as a children's book editor, an eager-to-please assistant, BUDDY (Michael Arden), who helps keep her life together, and a no-strings-attached personal relationship with successful businessman MARCUS SONTI (Scott Cohen, "Kissing Jessica Stein"). Nevertheless, as her father, RONALD (Ron McLarty, "Law & Order"), is constantly pointing out, something is missing from Sarah's life. Her hard work may garner accolades, but when she goes home at night, she is very much alone. All too aware that she isn't getting any younger, Sarah decides to have a baby on her own and gets the shock of her life when the doctor tells her she can't get pregnant. Having no concept of the term "can't," Sarah wills herself to execute a plan. With nowhere else to turn, Sarah sets up a meeting with her quirky younger sister, COCO (Lauren Ambrose, "Six Feet Under"), and proposes a plan for Coco to carry her baby. They haven't seen each other in a while, and Coco refuses to go along with such a huge favor. But something happens when Sarah mentions that she's turned Coco's imaginary childhood friend, Jezebel James, into a children's book. Even though she doesn't say so out loud, Coco is clearly touched, and, realizing that her current living situation sharing a couch with her friend's sick dog isn't working out, Coco decides that this just might be worth a try. New comedy slated for a spring THE RULES FOR STARTING OVER (working title) (Date and Time TBA): From the creatively fruitful minds of the Farrelly Brothers comes a single camera comedy, set in Boston, about a group of newly single friends learning the painful lessons of starting over in their 30s. They'd all love to get remarried, if they could just find their true loves. JACK "GATOR" GATELY (Craig Bierko, "Cinderella Man," "Boston Legal") is a charismatic, optimistic leader who never expected to be single again. But now that he is, he's determined to make the best of it. He's going to sift through all the bruised, damaged, occasionally psychotic fruit until he finds "the one." Joining Gator in bachelorhood redux is his thrice-divorced best friend TOMMY (Johnny Sneed, "The Guardian," "Fever Pitch"). The founder and brewmaster of an upstart microbrewery, Tommy has a voracious appetite for food, beer and women. He falls in love easily and always disastrously, yet truly hopes his fourth starter marriage will be "the one." DR. FREDDY SAHGAL (Shaun Majumder, "24," "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle") has seen some pretty strange stuff during his years as a successful surgeon, but he's never seen any of it through the eyes of a single man. Probably the least equipped of the group to handle this unexpected life change is Dr. Freddy, who can execute a triple bypass in his sleep, but is all thumbs when it comes to the opposite sex. Rounding out the group is KATE (Rashida Jones, "The Office"), a smart, successful attorney who handled all three of the boys' divorces. Having just turned 30, Kate finds herself dumped after a seven-year engagement. She reluctantly joins the guys in negotiating the treacherous waters of dating. Kate owns the brownstone next to Gator's. Over time, this pair may find that "the one" is just a brick wall away.
The new unscripted series scheduled to premiere this summer: ANCHORWOMAN (Date and Time TBA): PHIL HURLEY is the owner of a tiny Texas news station, KYTX Channel 19, and he is desperate to turn the tide of his mediocre ratings, or even just compete with a rival channel. Phil has shocked the station and town of Tyler, Texas, by bringing in a gorgeous model and ex-WWE diva with no previous news experience to be his next ANCHORWOMAN all in hopes of reinventing the look of Channel 19 and overhauling its below-average 6 share to a number more like his competitor's dominating 36. Former Miss New York and ber-vixen LAUREN JONES packs up her Versace dresses and heads to the middle of nowhere to start a new career. Can this bombshell cut it as a serious reporter? Will she save KYTX, or make it the laughingstock of the Lone Star State? Lauren wants to show everyone she's no airhead, and this is her big chance to prove she's more than just a pretty face. The entire newsroom thinks the boss has made a giant mistake. Reigning anchor ANNALISA PETRAGLIA is not about to lose her Queen Bee status to some L.A. hottie. News Director DAN DELGADO is fit to be tied as his beloved journalistic standards go out the window. MICHELLE REESE, a hard-nosed reporter bound for CNN, will take no prisoners. Lauren will struggle not only with the news team and an unfamiliar town, but also with the not-so-Hollywood news stories covering bake sales, cowpie-tossing contests and county fairs like they were Watergate. News anchor or dead weight? Only the ratings will tell, so stay tuned for the next ANCHORWOMAN: Lauren Jones. .
Goodbye Gilmore Girls The CW just announced that Gilmore Girls has been cancelled. The series finale airs May 15. Sorry Gilmore Girls fans. But, this may be good news for Veronica Mars. The network has to have something to bring back next year.
CHiPs feature film The television show CHiPs that chronicled the adventures of two California Highway Patrol motorcycle officers is headed to the big screen. Wilmer Valderrama, of That ‘70s Show, is on board to play Ponch. No word yet on who will fill John’s motorcycle seat.
Stop One Show campaign winner announced Our friends at Buzz Sugar tallied the votes for the Stop One Show campaign and the winner has been announced: CSI: Miami. The site also has a hilarious video clip featuring the show’s star David Caruso.
Bones, One Tree Hill and Lost all get ratings boosts Several of my favorite shows saw ratings gains this week. Bones was up to 10.41 million viewers, Lost bumped up to 12.1 million and thankfully, One Tree Hill bested ratings for the Pussycat Dolls finale by 400,000 viewers, earning One Tree Hill a decent 3.27 million viewers.
Actor Tom Poston dead at 85 Actor Tom Poston passed away on April 30 after a brief illness. Poston was best known for his role as George Utley on Newhart. Poston also starred in The Steve Allen Show, Mork and Mindy, and Coach.
Elisabeth Hasselbeck pregnant The View’s co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck announced this week that she’s three months pregnant. That could explain a lot. The past few months, Hasselbeck and fellow View co-host Rosie O’Donnell have clashed onscreen politically. Perhaps hormones are to blame. O’Donnell has said more than once that she’s in the throes of menopause. And now Hasslebeck is with child, so maybe hormones have been making the two overly argumentative about their war stances. Or, maybe they’re just passionate debaters when it comes to the war.
FOX renews Bones and House for next season Booth, “Bones” and Dr. House will all be back next season. FOX picked up Bones for a third season and House for a fourth season. Bones hit a ratings-high recently, and House has consistently performed as one of FOX’s highest rated shows. This goes a long way in helping assuage my disappointment about The O.C. ending so soon.
Keri Russell weds Felicity star Keri Russell tied the knot on Valentine’s Day in New York City, according to TV Guide.Russell wed beau Shane Deary at a restaurant in the city. The two are expecting a child. Congratulations to the couple!
Wonder Woman headed to Smallville If you’re a spoiler freak, stop reading now. You’ve been warned! In Al Gough’s most recent Q&A at TV Guide, Goughtalks about the character of Wonder Woman visiting Smallville. Then, he goes on to confirm that the real Wonder Woman herself, Lynda Carter, will guest star as Chloe’s mother. Brilliant! I can’t think of anyone better to play our favorite reporter’s mother. Do you think she’ll bring the magic lasso?
The Todd Time on Scrubs Those of you who watched Scrubs last night, couldn’t help but notice Todd’s t-shirt with the web address http://www.thetoddtime.com/. Turns out it’s actually a real Web site that had garnered more than 35,500 hits by 2 p.m. EST Friday. The site features, well, Todd, of course. If you’re idea of fun is a grown man in a leopard-print Speedo, posing like a body builder and grunting, then you should check it out. It’s Todd, people. What did you expect, Shakespeare recitations? The site also has links to the Scrubs podcasts and other fun Scrubs info. Warning: Todd’s grunting is really loud, so turn down your volume a little before visiting the site.
CW boys give interviews The boys of The CW have been busy with press lately. If you’re a Smallville, One Tree Hill or Veronica Mars fan, check out these interviews:
Brothers and Sisters I can’t stop gushing about this dysfunctional-family ABC drama. The Valentine’s Day episode was laugh-out-loud funny and, perhaps, the best episode of the series so far. I love Justin, Kevin, Kitty and the entire Walker clan. The addition of Rob Lowe, as a senator en route to the White House, has given new electricity to an already brilliant show. His line to Kitty about Demi Moore was one of the funniest inside jokes ever. “I always had a thing for her,” Lowe deadpanned. (For those of you who missed the ‘80s, check out St. Elmo’s Fire or Google “Brat Pack” to get the joke.) Lowe wasn’t the only highlight. Where else could you see SallyField and Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) smoking a joint and getting busted by the cops? Only on ABC, folks. If you haven’t already, add this show to your DVR. You won’t be sorry. For more insight, check out the Brothers and Sisters writers blog at ABC, aptly titled Bloggers and Sisters.
The O.C. This is not a good omen: Ryan finally told Taylor he loved her, and the Earth began shaking violently in a devastating earthquake. This is Marissa’s doing. I just know it. With only two episodes left with our “Cal-if-or-nia” friends, each week that passes makes me sadder. And if the Cohen mansion is devastated in this mess, I will be, too. That house is quite possibly the coolest of all TV pads.
The Office Phyllis and Bob Vance tied the knot, while Pam watched in horror as all of her own wedding ideas, flowers, music and decorations were on display, even down to the “P&R” floral arrangement. (R is for Robert Vance, apparently, but to Pam it stood for Roy.) Michael was, as usual, so over-the-top it was difficult not to fast-forward his scenes. The best scene of the night was Karen joining the band to sing, “Every Little Thing You Do is Magic” as Jim whipped out his cell phone to wave in the air. Pam, after shooting some meaningful looks at Jim, left with Roy, who looks as if he’d hit the Mystic Tan and the gym. Does Pam even deserve our Jim, if she’s too stubborn to tell him how she feels? I just don’t get her. It’s like she went to the Michael Scott School of Love.
One Tree Hill This week’s episode was so good and emotionally creative that it forced me into a place I don’t like to go: reminiscing about high school. It was a little bit Breakfast Club meets Beverly Hills 90210, as our favorite Tree Hillers were paired up with a classmate to get to know them before graduation. The exercise said a lot about high-school/society hierarchy and impressions. In a nutshell, the teacher said that high schoolers label all their classmates by one of five words: geek, jock, loner, prom queen, and “friendly” i.e. slut. It’s sad, but true, as I thought back to my days as a teen. This episode also made a statement about changing that image, as teens leave school and head into adulthood. This show was beautifully written and the end photos were a nice touch. I especially loved Nathan posing, arms spread, in front of the Eagle wings, painted on the wall, and Brooke’s pose in front of the over-head machine with the slurs written across her face, arms and torso. “Serious” critics can mock this show all they want. They were probably all “jocks” and “prom queens” in high school, who don’t take time to appreciate the great little moments on TV that this show consistently delivers.
Bones Hello Sully! Bones got a new partner this week, in the form of actor Eddie McClintock. Apparently, you liked him as much as I did. Ratings for Bones hit an all-time high this week. Sully was introduced as an F.B.I. agent working with Bones, while Booth was dealing with his anger issues. (Shooting an ice-cream truck is generally frowned upon.) I’m sure this is a love triangle in the making. I wouldn’t count out Sully. The last time a hot TV “Sully” was on my radar was during Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and we all know how that turned out.
Friday Night Lights I love Landry. “Who is Landry,” you ask. Well, he’s Matt’s goofy friend with the crazy band and the charming southern drawl. He’s a scene-stealer, and this week during the Powder Puff game, he did it again. As Coach Taylor made his way onto the field to cheer on his quarterbacking daughter, Landry kept daring Taylor to cross the line. Priceless. The show ended in a shocking cliffhanger, as racial tensions mounted and half of the football team walked off the field. Whether this show is dealing with family dysfunction, small-town life or bigger issues, it scores every week.
Grey’s Anatomy Is Meredith Grey swimming with the fishing permanently? I wouldn’t worry, Tubers. The show is named after her, despite that show creator Shonda Rhimes wrote this in her blog:
“But you all know Meredith’s been doing a dance with death for some time. Y’all know that if you’ve been watching. She’s dark, our girl. She’s dark and twisty. And I worry about her. Now, I’m really worried about her because she’s in the water and I want to be clear with you: I don’t put people in the water for no reason. Meredith’s got issues, she’s got serious Mommy issues and she’s broken and she’s in the water. I’m not entirely playing by the rules of TV here. I killed Denny. I blew up Dylan."
(Gulp.) OK, maybe we should be worried.
On a lighter note, I loved the B storyline of Richard dying his hair, and Addison’s defense of him to McDreamy, Burke and the “man whore.” Hilarious.
As for that lost little girl permanently attached to Meredith, Mr. Tube Talk thinks she’s a ghost or a death angel. That observation gave me chills. I’m not convinced, however, but wouldn’t that be a cool twist? But if we have to have a ghost helping out at the ferryboat disaster, may I suggest Dylan the bomb guy? I'm just saying.
Regular Tube Talk readers know I usually do The Week in Review at the end of the week. But, since DVR entered my life, I’ve lost the ability to actually watch a show at its appropriate time and (sometimes) night. Therefore, I hope you’ll forgive me for the lateness of this wrap-up. My remote, and I, submit ourselves to your mercy.
Smallville Clark Kent, you’ve been a bad, bad boy. “Red-rock Clark” (that’s Clark on Red Kryptonite, for those of you who aren’t regular viewers) is always a treat for viewers, as the innocent farm boy loses his inhibitions and goes on his own “Girls Gone Wild” tour. I loved this episode, and it wasn’t because of Lois’ hooker-boot-mini-skirt combo that so many male viewers wrote to me about to praise. Clark finally admitted that he’d thought about a relationship with Chloe. (Yay!) And we found out that baby Luthor isn’t normal. (Whatever that means. Like you expected “normal” from Lex’s swimmers?) Two things continue to perplex me with this show. First, why is the Kent’s refrigerator the size of an Easy Bake Oven? Martha Kent is a senator, for Pete's sake. Surely, she could afford a side-by-side number with an icemaker. And finally, why can’t Clark get over Lana? I thought we were done with this already. I can only hope that Clark will listen to his mother’s wise advice about Lana and, “Leave her alone!” Preach it, Mama Kent! Amen.
Boston Legal How can you not love a show where conservative-gun-toting-Republican Denny Crane battles Homeland Security and then dresses in costume as Dick Cheney? Simply put, you can’t. The highlight of this week’s episode was a costume party to help improve employee morale. The folks from Crane, Poole and Schmidt were supposed to dress up as someone they admired and who inspired values. Alan came as Shirley Schmidt. Shirley came as Diane Sawyer. Brad and Jeff both came as Buzz Lightyear. But, it was Crane, in his Cheney costume, who stole the show. The final signature scene of Boston Legal, usually features Denny and Alan drinking scotch and smoking cigars on the balcony. This week, they slow danced. Yes, together. They wisecracked (beautifully breaking the third wall,) that their neighbors, i.e. “regular viewers” shouldn’t be shocked at anything that goes on at Crane, Poole and Schmidt. Hilarious! Boston Legal may be considered a drama, but trust me, it’s one of the funniest comedies on the tube.
Veronica Mars…pregnant? I’m still picking my jaw off the floor after the previews at the end of Veronica Mars where she said the “p” word. Are we to believe that the savviest teen to grace the small screen is not smart enough to use birth control? I’m not buying it. We all know the CW promo machine is misleading sometimes, and I’m betting this is one of those times. So, in response to your e-mails, “No. I don’t think she’s got a bun in the oven.” Meanwhile, I’m going to hire Veronica to find Wallace. Don’t mock. Someone needs to do something. He’s been missing since fall. And finally, don’t send hate mail because I really do love Jason Dohring, but lately I can’t tell what the hell he’s saying. Jason, can you please enunciate? (Not that I mind rewinding your shirtless scenes 15 times to try and decipher your dialogue, but, my rewind button is getting a little ticked.)
The O.C. Julie Cooper Nichol Roberts shot down the Bullit. Pun intended. Team Frank prevailed over Team Bullit, and it seems Ryan’s daddy and Marissa’s mommy are destined for a love connection. I love the Bullit, but I can’t blame Julie for choosing hunky Frank. After all, he looks an awful lot like Hercules. (Sorry. I couldn’t resist.)
Friday Night Lights Why aren’t you watching this show, people? I’m afraid if viewership doesn’t increase, we’re going to have to do a Hail Mary to save this show. Tubers, you know I’m no fan of football, and even I’ve been sucked into this drama. This is great story telling. If you haven’t watched before, you can still jump in. The episodes work as stand alones, so you won’t be lost. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton steal the show. Yes, I said Kyle Chandler. That Kyle Chandler.Grey’s Anatomy fans who loved him as “bomb squad guy who was blown up at Seattle Grace,” check him out as a football coach on Friday Night Lights. He’s much better at his job here.
Bones Creepy-killer Epps is finally finished. Booth and Bones put an end to his torturous ways. Of course, Cam breathed a mouthful of poison and almost headed to the science lab in the sky, before Epps was busted. This show gets better each week, and yes, that’s coming from someone who hates procedural crime dramas. But, Bones knows its niche isn’t just the crime cases, but the characters and relationships. That’s why Booth left us with his new nugget of wisdom that people who work together can’t have personal relationships. Cue another season of sexual tension between the F.B.I. agent and the scientist. I’m in.
by Jennifer Squires Biller
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