Emmys nominations 2009: Well done!

Photo: Emmy nominee Simon Baker of the CBS drama "The Mentalist"



by Jennifer Squires Biller


If you haven’t heard, the Emmy nominations were announced on Thursday.

We have to wait until September 20 to see who takes home the naked statues known as Emmys and who shows up with their mother as their date, but meanwhile, here’s a look at the nominees.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this year’s list. (No, I haven’t been drinking.) It seems Emmy voters may finally be getting that there is more to television than HBO.

I’m absolutely over-the-moon that Pushing Daisies’ Kristin Chenoweth, How I Met Your Mother’s Neil Patrick Harris, and The Mentalist’s Simon Baker scored nominations. Also, a great big high five for Boston Legal - which delivered some Emmy-worthy television in its final episodes - and for Vanessa Williams, who is always downright delicious playing a devilish diva on Ugly Betty. And I’m hoping that this is the year Chandra Wilson gets her well-deserved Emmy for her work on Grey’s Anatomy.

Oh sure, there were several snubs, but not like we usually see. Most notably, where was Josh Holloway of Lost? He has done excellent work and should be recognized. Also, there is no excuse for the complete shut out of Friday Night Lights. It’s one of the best dramas on TV! Just as disappointing, was the lack of love for Psych and its stars. Dule Hill and James Roday make me laugh out loud every week.

That’s my opinion. What do you think of this year’s nominees?

Best Series, Drama
'Big Love'
'Breaking Bad'
'Damages'
'Dexter'
'House'
'Lost'
'Mad Men'

Best Series, Comedy
'30 Rock'
'Entourage'
'Family Guy'
'Flight Of The Conchords'
'How I Met Your Mother'
'The Office'
'Weeds'

Best Actor, Drama
Bryan Cranston 'Breaking Bad'
Michael C. Hall 'Dexter'
Hugh Laurie 'House'
Gabriel Byrne 'In Treatment'
Jon Hamm 'Mad Men'
Simon Baker 'The Mentalist'

Best Actor, Comedy
Alec Baldwin '30 Rock'
Tony Shalhoub 'Monk'
Jim Parsons 'The Big Bang Theory'
Steve Carell 'The Office'
Charlie Sheen 'Two And A Half Men'
Jemaine Clement 'Flight Of The Conchords'

Best Actress, Drama
Sally Field 'Brothers & Sisters'
Glenn Close 'Damages'
Mariska Hargitay 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Holly Hunter 'Saving Grace'
Kyra Sedgwick 'The Closer'
Elisabeth Moss 'Mad Men'

Best Actress, Comedy
Tina Fey '30 Rock'
Christina Applegate 'Samantha Who?'
Julia Louis-Dreyfus 'The New Adventures Of Old Christine'
Sarah Silverman 'The Sarah Silverman Program'
Mary-Louise Parker 'Weeds'
Toni Collette 'United States Of Tara'

Best Supporting Actor, Drama Series
William Shatner 'Boston Legal'
Christian Clemenson 'Boston Legal'
Aaron Paul 'Breaking Bad'
Michael Emerson 'Lost'
John Slattery 'Mad Men'
William Hurt 'Damages'

Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series
Rose Byrne 'Damages'
Hope Davis 'In Treatment'
Chandra Wilson 'Grey's Anatomy'
Sandra Oh 'Grey's Anatomy'
Dianne Wiest 'In Treatment'
Cherry Jones '24'

Best Supporting Actor, Comedy Series
Kevin Dillon 'Entourage'
Tracy Morgan '30 Rock'
Neil Patrick Harris 'How I Met Your Mother'
Rainn Wilson 'The Office'
Jon Cryer 'Two And A Half Men'
Jack McBrayer '30 Rock'

Best Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
Kristin Chenoweth 'Pushing Daisies'
Kristen Wiig 'Saturday Night Live'
Amy Poehler 'Saturday Night Live'
Jane Krakowski '30 Rock'
Vanessa Williams 'Ugly Betty'
Elizabeth Perkins 'Weeds'

Best Reality-Competition Program'American Idol'
'Dancing With The Stars'
'Project Runway'
'The Amazing Race'
'Top Chef'

Best Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program
Ryan Seacrest 'American Idol'
Tom Bergeron 'Dancing With the Stars'
Phil Keoghan 'The Amazing Race'
Heidi Klum 'Project Runway'
Jeff Probst 'Survivor'
Padma Lakshmi and Tom Colicchio 'Top Chef'

Best Variety, Music or Comedy Series
'Late Show With David Letterman'
'Real Time With Bill Maher'
'Saturday Night Live'
'The Colbert Report'
'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart'

Best Guest Actor In A Drama Series
Edward Asner 'CSI: NY'
Ted Danson 'Damages'
Jimmy Smits 'Dexter'
Ernest Borgnine 'ER'
Michael J. Fox 'Rescue Me'

Best Guest Actress In A Drama Series
Sharon Lawrence 'Grey's Anatomy'
Ellen Burstyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Brenda Blethyn 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
Carol Burnett 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'
CCH Pounder 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'

Best Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
Beau Bridges 'Desperate Housewives'
Justin Timberlake 'Saturday Night Live'
Steve Martin '30 Rock'
Jon Hamm '30 Rock'
Alan Alda '30 Rock'

Best Guest Actress In A Comedy Series
Christine Baranski 'The Big Bang Theory'
Gena Rowlands 'Monk'
Betty White 'My Name Is Earl'
Tina Fey 'Saturday Night Live'
Jennifer Aniston '30 Rock'
Elaine Stritch '30 Rock'

Best Miniseries
'Generation Kill'
'Little Dorritt'

Best Lead Actor, Miniseries or Movie
Kevin Kline 'Cyrano de Bergerac'
Brendan Gleeson 'Into The Storm'
Sir Ian McKellen 'King Lear'
Kevin Bacon 'Taking Chance'
Kiefer Sutherland '24: Redemption'
Kenneth Branagh 'Wallander: One Step Behind'

Best Lead Actress, Miniseries or Movie
Chandra Wilson 'Accidental Friendship'
Shirley MacLaine 'Coco Chanel'
Drew Barrymore 'Grey Gardens'Jessica Lange 'Grey Gardens'
Sigourney Weaver 'Prayers For Bobby'

Subscribe by RSS

Lost’s Sawyer is “bad to the bone”

I’ve always had a thing for bad boys. (On TV, that is.) My list is long: Spike, Angel, Pacey, Lex, Maverick, Joey Tribiani, Magnum, and, of course, my Sawyer.

In this brilliant promo for the new season of Lost, the folks at ABC have captured one of the best reasons to watch Lost: Sawyer. (Or James Ford as some of you may know him.) They’ve strung together Sawyer’s unique nicknames for his fellow castmates and have even managed to showcase Hurley getting in a dig of his own.

If you haven’t seen this video yet, then hit play immediately. If you’ve never watched Lost, don’t be deterred from watching, especially if you enjoy bad boys. Did I mention that Sawyer is shirtless in a couple scenes?

I promise you’ll enjoy it. Who doesn’t love a little George Thorogood?

Subscribe by RSS

Emmy nominations announced

by Jennifer Squires Biller

I’m still picking my jaw off the floor after this morning’s shocking Emmy announcements (No Lost or Veronica Mars, are you kidding me?), so pardon me if I seem a little stunned. The new voting process did change things apparently, but I don’t think it’s for the better. Sorry, but I can’t get behind a system that nominated Kevin James (The King of Queens) for an Emmy but not Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars.) It’s madness people. Madness. Here’s the list of nominees. My comments are at the end of each category. Feel free to leave yours in the comments section, if you think they got it right or wrong.


Outstanding Drama Series
Grey's Anatomy
House
The Sopranos
24
The West Wing

**Tough category, but Lost should have been here instead of The West Wing. I'm stunned at its omission. Yay for Grey's Anatomy and House, but Veronica Mars should have joined the group, too. My pick: Grey's Anatomy.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Christopher Meloni, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Denis Leary, Rescue Me
Peter Krause, Six Feet Under
Kiefer Sutherland, 24
Martin Sheen, The West Wing

**Big woo-hoo for Denis Leary. Finally! But Martin Sheen? Come on. As much as I love President Bartlet, I didn't think he had enough screen time this year to warrant a nomination. My pick: Leary, all the way!

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Geena Davis, Commander In Chief
Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Frances Conroy, Six Feet Under
Allison Janney, The West Wing

**The fact that Kristen Bell and Lauren Graham aren't on this list confirms my suspicion that Emmy voters don't watch The WB or UPN. It's the only plausible explanation for this craziness. Their names should have been on the list instead of Allison Janney (although I love her) and Geena Davis. Bell not only deserves to be on the nominee list, but she should have taken home the gold for her work this year. My pick: The only one of these I watch is The West Wing, so I can't objectively choose.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
William Shatner, Boston Legal
Oliver Platt, Huff
Michael Imperioli, The Sopranos
Gregory Itzin, 24
Alan Alda, The West Wing

**Once again, Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum is not among the nominees. It's wrong, people. His complex portrayal of Lex Luthor is so enigmatic it makes viewers empathize with Lex and dare I say it, root for him at times. Also, none of the Lost boys are on this list? At the very least, Josh Holloway or Terry O'Quinn deserved a nod. Shatner is my pick in this category. Love him.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Candice Bergen, Boston Legal
Sandra Oh, Grey's Anatomy
Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
Blythe Danner, Huff
Jean Smart, 24

**This is the best represented category in my opinion. I Love Bergen, Oh, and Wilson equally. (I don't watch Huff or 24.) Tough choice! My pick: Chandra Wilson. Dr. Bailey rules.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
Michael J. Fox, Boston Legal
Christian Clemenson, Boston Legal
James Woods, ER
Kyle Chandler, Grey's Anatomy
Henry Ian Cusick, Lost

**Regular readers you already know my thoughts on Chandler's amazing performance as bomb guy, in my "They Killed Kyle: Those Bastards" post. And as much as I enjoy Cusick's Desmond on Lost, I can't vote for him in good conscience when none of the other Lost boys even got noms. My pick: Chandler, of course.

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series
Kate Burton, Grey's Anatomy
Christina Ricci, Grey's Anatomy
Swoosie Kurtz, Huff
Patricia Clarkson, Six Feet Under
Joanna Cassidy, Six Feet Under

**My pick: I have to go with Ricci on this one.

Outstanding Comedy Series
Arrested Development
Curb Your Enthusiasm
The Office
Scrubs
Two and a Half Men

**Yay for Scrubs and The Office! But My Name is Earl should have been there instead of Two and a Half Men. My pick: Scrubs, baby!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Larry David, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Kevin James, The King of Queens
Tony Shalhoub, Monk
Steve Carell, The Office
Charlie Sheen, Two and a Half Men

**I'm so stunned I don't even know what to say about this. Zach Braff (Scrubs) should have been on this list along with Jason Lee (My Name is Earl.) My pick: Steve Carell or Tony Shalhoub.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback
Jane Kaczmarek, Malcolm in the Middle
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, The New Adventures of Old Christine
Stockard Channing, Out of Practice
Debra Messing, Will & Grace

**Same familiar names here. Nothing new. I don't even have a pick, as I don't watch any of these shows.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Will Arnett, Arrested Development
Jeremy Piven, Entourage
Bryan Cranston, Malcolm in the Middle
Jon Cryer, Two and a Half Men
Sean Hayes, Will & Grace

**Did they not see Donald Faison (Scrubs) do that airband performance? He's been consistent all year and it's ridiculous he isn't on this list instead of Hayes. Shame on you Emmy voters. My pick: Pivs all the way.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Cheryl Hines, Curb Your Enthusiasm
Alfre Woodard, Desperate Housewives
Jaime Pressly, My Name Is Earl
Elizabeth Perkins, Weeds
Megan Mullally, Will & Grace

**Yay for Jaime Pressly! Her Joy brings me joy on a weekly basis. My pick: Yep, Earl's sassy, trashy wife as portrayed by Pressly.

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Patrick Stewart, Extras
Ben Stiller, Extras
Martin Sheen, Two and a Half Men
Alec Baldwin, Will & Grace
Leslie Jordan, Will & Grace

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series
Shirley Knight, Desperate Housewives
Kate Winslet, Extras
Cloris Leachman, Malcolm in the Middle
Laurie Metcalf, Monk
Blythe Danner, Will & Grace

Outstanding Reality Program
Antiques Roadshow
The Dog Whisperer
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List
Penn & Teller: Bullsh-t

Outstanding Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race
American Idol
Dancing with the Stars
Project Runway
Survivor

Outstanding Miniseries
Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre)
Elizabeth I
Into the West
Sleeper Cell

Outstanding Made for Television Movie
Flight 93The Flight That Fought Back
The Girl in the Café
Mrs. Harris
Yesterday

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie
Charles Dance, Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre)
Donald Sutherland, Human Trafficking
Ben Kingsley, Mrs. Harris
Jon Voight, Pope John Paul II
Andre Braugher, Thief

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
Kathy Bates, Ambulance Girl
Gillian Anderson, Bleak House (Masterpiece Theatre)
Helen Mirren, Elizabeth I
Judy Davis, A Little Thing Called Murder
Annette Bening, Mrs. Harris RSS
CUSTOMER SERVICE

Subscribe by RSS

"Lost" season finale

by Jennifer Squires Biller

After watching the crazy Lost finale, I’m sure you’re busy dissecting the complex plot points and deciphering the significance of numerous props. I, however, have one concern. Why is it that my Sawyer ends up at the end of a gun barrel at the end of every season?

Last year he took a bullet to the shoulder and a header into shark-infested waters, and this year he’s bound and gagged with a shotgun pointed in his back. Clearly The Others missed his “There’s a new sheriff in town” speech, or those beard-wearing freaks would be quaking in their…wait, they don’t actually wear shoes, do they? Nevermind.

Never — and I repeat — never have I been so disgruntled by a television show as I currently am Lost. Not when the Dawson’s Creek kids went away to college and temporarily lost their minds, not when Ally McBeal’s Billy bleached his hair blonde and started hanging out with Robert-Palmer girls and not when Buffy spent more time preaching to future slayers than staking vampires. All of that pales in comparison to the frustration I experienced during the Lost season finale.

I like to think I’m a patient gal, but guess what? I’m all out of patience for this island of misfits. Tonight’s preview touted that “The answers you’ve been waiting for are here.” Umm…not so much. Only a few answers were given. We found out what happens when the numbers aren't entered. We found out the plane crashed because the magnetic energy sucked it into the ocean in 2004 and that the bright light Locke saw in the hatch last year was courtesy of Desmond. And we found out that perhaps “Henry Gale” is “Him,” whatever that means.

We still know little about The Others. We don’t know what’s up with Walt’s powers. We don’t know about the voices, the Polar bear, the monster, the island's healing powers, the ghosts, the numbers, the injections, that creepy Owl, Frenchie, the black rock, the radio transmissions, the food replenishment and Marvin Candle’s hand. The one thing we do know is that if you’re a single woman even thinking about having sex on that island, you’ll be pushing up sand-fleas soon. (Note to Kate: no matter how sexy Jack and Sawyer look in the jungle, don’t go there, girl.)

I was hoping the finale would explain some of the mysteries from season one. Call me crazy, but I think two years is a long time to ask viewers to try and remember plot details that may or may not be meaningless. (Polar bear, monster and Watership Down anyone?) Yes, we got a few answers, but not enough to satisfy this loyal Lost viewer.

I realize I’m probably in the minority with this less-than-glowing review of the finale. My friend Anthony, who has analyzed Lost with me from its debut, loved it. He hated last year’s ender, but thought this one gave him just enough answers. It left him wanting more, he said. It left me reaching for a bottle of aspirin. Sorry buddy.

I’m with Sawyer, I think aliens are behind this whole crazy mess. I’m guessing aliens with four toes, considering that weird statue. I’m joking, people. I’ve given up trying to figure out this show, and that saddens me. I don’t know if it was all the stops and starts in the Lost schedule or the myriad plot threads and prop symbols that overwhelmed me, but somewhere along the way I’ve lost my addiction to Lost. Yes, I still watch, but not with the anticipation and fervor I once did.

I did enjoy seeing The O.C.’s Caleb Nichol in the Desmond flashback. And I couldn’t help but chuckle that Desmond’s choice of what to read on his deathbed is Charles Dickens. But it’s the little things that bug me, like why Claire is fine with injecting her baby with an unknown drug she knows nothing about, and why the island folks aren’t knocking each other down to get to that sailboat and head for civilization.

As we head into the summer to contemplate the Lost adventure, I leave you with these thoughts. Is it a coincidence that Desmond looks like Jesus? (You know you were thinking it, too, “brother.”) Are Eko and Locke dead? Did Libby kill her husband? Are Michael and Walt in Fiji sipping Shirley Temples? And will Sawyer get to use his guns again? (Not those guns, sickos, his weapons.) Wait. His firearms.

Kudos to whomever named this show. I can’t think of a better title than Lost, considering that’s exactly how I feel when I watch it.

Subscribe by RSS

Lost: There's a new sheriff in town

February 9, 2006

Sawyer’s back. And he has guns.

Uh-oh.

With guns blazing and his cocky sneer firmly in place, Sawyer told Jack and the rest of the Lost gang that he won’t be ignored on the island of misfits.

“There’s a new sheriff in town, boys,” Sawyer declared. His “long con” to get the guns duped Jack, Locke and Kate, not an easy feat. Well done, James.

I couldn’t help but chuckle that Sawyer seemed more ticked that people took his shaving cream, batteries and beer, while he was trying to get help, than the fact that he isn’t considered the alpha-male leader of the group. “You took my stuff,” he sniffed, sounding more like a kid on the playground than a grown man. Priceless.

Sawyer is a delicious bad boy and an even better con. I can’t help but wonder if perhaps he’s somehow connected to the other deceptive con artist we’ve seen: Locke’s father. Is it possible Locke’s dad is the guy who swindled James’ mother? Could Locke’s father be the real “Sawyer?”

Not buying it?

OK, do you have a better theory? We all know these Losties are connected one way or another.

Tube talk girl can be reached by e-mail at jennifer@tube-talk.com.

Subscribe by RSS

Emmy nominations 2005

July 20, 2005

Ladies and gentleman, the impossible has happened for the cast of Scrubs. After years of being ignored by Emmy voters, the show was finally nominated last week for Best Comedy. No joke.

Scrubs finally got some love from Emmy voters. I know. It seems about as likely as actress Sandra Bullock marrying a mechanic named Jesse James. But sometimes, Tubers, the unthinkable happens.

Not only did Scrubs get nominated, so did the show’s lead actor, Zach Braff, for Best Actor in a Comedy. While I couldn’t be more pleased for Braff, I’m just as ticked that John C. McGinley, cranky Dr. Cox, was once again snubbed. Instead of McGinley, the same familiar names of Brad Garrett, Ray Romano, and Peter Boyle, of Everybody Loves Raymond, and Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack of Will & Grace, were among those nominated in the male comedy acting categories.

The biggest problem with Emmy nominations each year seems to be that the same shows and actors are nominated, even when they’ve had bad years. Yes, Will & Grace I’m talking to you. It’s still my contention that the Emmy nomination process needs overhauled. It seems that Emmy voters vote for names they recognize, which is why we see the same folks over and over again.

Or it could be bribery. Yes, that could explain it.

What they did wrong:

• Will & Grace got 15 nominations. I’m sorry, but when a show resorts to big-name guest stars in most of the episodes, it shouldn’t even be eligible for an Emmy. The guest-star casting sends the message that the core characters and stories aren’t interesting enough to stand on their own.
• The biggest Emmy snub was the complete shut out of UPN’s Veronica Mars and its star Kristen Bell. I’m convinced Emmy voters aren’t even watching the shows/actors they are nominating. There is no other explanation for this ridiculous oversight. Every TV critic in the free world and thousands of fans have been singing the praises of Veronica this year. The reason: it’s quality television.
• If you want to win an Emmy, you’d better pray your show isn't on The WB or UPN networks. Other egregious omissions are that of Gilmore Girls and its lead actress Lauren Graham from the comedy category, as well as Jack & Bobby actors Matt Long and Christine Lahti from the drama category.
• Desperate Housewives Eva Longoria wasn’t named a nominee in the supporting actor comedy category. She’s the most desperate of all the housewives and just as deserving as her cast mates. And she can mow a lawn in an evening gown and stilettos. Impressive, right?
• Stockard Channing of The West Wing was nominated for her supporting role in a drama. Huh? She was on screen for about two minutes the entire season. Again, I think name recognition is the explanation for this wackiness. Everyone knows Ms. Channing as a theater and award-winning actress, not to mention for her role as Rizzo in Grease. I love Rizzo as much as the next gal, but come on.
• Matthew Fox and Josh Holloway of Lost were not among the supporting actors in the drama category. Tell me how that island would be bearable without Jack and Sawyer to mix it up.
• Nip/Tuck wasn’t nominated for anything. Yes, this show is graphic and sometimes hard to watch, but you won’t see better acting anywhere on television than that of Julian McMahon and Joely Richardson. They deserved acting nominations.
  
  What they did right:
  
• This year, Emmy voters did take some chances and invited some new folks to the party. Good for them. I’m most pleased about these wonderful actors’ nominations: Naveen Andrews and Terry O’Quinn of Lost and Sandra Oh of Grey’s Anatomy as supporting actors, and Hugh Laurie of House and Patricia Arquette of Medium as lead actors.
• The unique drama Lost earned 12 nominations. It’s nice to see creativity rewarded.
• Desperate Housewives earned 15 nominations. This show has a fabulous ensemble cast, and I’m happy Emmy voters noticed.
• Denis Leary was nominated for writing the pilot episode of Rescue Me. The pilot was fabulous. However, a jeer within a cheer for omitting Leary from the lead actor category. His portrayal of veteran firefighter Tommy Gavin is brilliant.
• The always enigmatic James Spader and William Shatner of Boston Legal were nominated, despite the show being replaced at the end of the season by Grey’s Anatomy.
• Scrubs actually got on the Emmy ballot this year. With some luck, and perhaps a small bribe, it will take home the award for Best Comedy.

Originally published 7/20/05 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.

Subscribe by RSS

Fantastic finales and Veronica Mars reruns

June 1, 2005

Lost fans, I’m forming a search party to look for Sawyer. Who’s with me?

Sure, I should be more worried about adolescent Walt, who was snatched by the scary “others” on Lost. But, Sawyer getting shot and taking a header into the ocean, in the dark of night, has me more concerned. He could be bleeding. And there are sharks out there, or worse, considering the island’s “monster” history.

Besides, Walt has proven he can take care of himself. So, let’s hope that Jin dove in the water in time to save Sawyer. And by some miracle, the trio will somehow make it back 15 miles to shore, on that pile of splinters formerly known as their raft.The Lost ending was spine-tingling, jaw-dropping TV at its best. And it wasn’t alone.

The conclusion of this year’s television season gave us some of the best finales I’ve seen in years. Take Grey’s Anatomy. I’m not sure who was more stunned - me, or Meredith Grey - to find out that Dr. Shepherd is married. Apparently, the sexy doc is as good at lying, as he is at brain surgery.

And how about One Tree Hill? The finale paved the way for a summer-long water cooler discussion about who poisoned and torched Dan. He ticked off everyone in Tree Hill, including his wife, brother, son and former coach. My money is on professor Andy or Jules as the culprit.

Desperate Housewives wrapped up by solving its season-long mystery, by revealing that Mary Alice was a murderer. And you can add Mike Delfino to the list of characters I’m worried about not returning next season. He walked into his house, where his girlfriend was being held at gunpoint by Zack-I’m wacked-Young, who may or may not be Mike’s son. And as if things weren’t stressful enough on Wisteria Lane, Rex died. Tom quit his job. And lawn boy John confessed to client Carlos that it was his wife, not the lawn, that needed attention three times a week.

Then, there was Las Vegas, which literally blew up The Montecito at its conclusion. Viewers were left wondering who bought the place, if Sam will get her job back, if Nessa is safe on that plane, and if Mary will return with her billionaire boyfriend. And poor Danny. There is no one left in his life to kill, now that he’s lost his mom, dad, and pal Luis.

Over in Smallville things didn’t end much better. Add the entire town to my worry list. I’m not sure who survived that meteor shower, or if Clark will escape the North Pole, or whatever weird, snow universe he morphed into.

Overall, this was a great TV season, the best for scripted shows in years. And it ended on a high note. I know I should enjoy summer, but I won’t be sad to see fall coming. For no other reason than, we will get answers to the aforementioned cliffhanger stories.

Meanwhile, my search party for Sawyer sets off tonight.

Veronica Mars - Catch it in reruns! It’s June, which means there is little on the tube, unless you’re gearing up for reality TV’s latest offering of Britney and Kevin's Chaotic or Ashton Kutcher’s Beauty and the Geek. So, for those of you looking for a fabulous, scripted new show to watch, you can check out Veronica Mars from the beginning. UPN is re-running the series this summer, starting June 14. You’ll thank me. It's one of my top two favorite shows this season. Veronica is quite possibly the coolest chick on TV. With her super sleuthing skills and witty one-liners, an hour with Veronica is the most fun you’ll have all week.

Originally published 6/1/05 in The Exponent Telegram newspaper.

Subscribe by RSS