Laurel’s TV Picks

Picks for Wednesday will be online later today; there’s a list of ways to be notified when this page is updated in the sidebar.

Veronica Mars (UPN, 8pm)
House (FOX, 8pm)
The Amazing Race 7 (CBS, 8pm)
Scrubs (NBC, 8pm)
Blind Justice (ABC, 9pm)
The Shield (FX, 9pm, 10pm, midnight, 1am)
Kristen Bell (of Veronica Mars), Duran Duran on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm)

Veronica Mars (UPN, 8pm).

One of the great stories of this TV season is that some very talented TV showrunners, whose previous series didn’t last long, have had both critical and ratings success with their new shows. Glenn Gordon Caron created the wonderful Now and Again for CBS, only to have it cancelled after a single season; his series Medium for NBC has already been picked up for a second season. Paul Attanasio’s series Gideon’s Crossing only lasted a single season, but House has been picked up for a second season. And Rob Thomas, who created the utterly charming (but shortlived) series Cupid, is now over-the-moon that his show Veronica Mars will be back for a second season.

People who work on Veronica Mars are far from the only ones who are thrilled at this news; lots of die-hard fans of the show are thrilled, too. I’m elated because Veronica Mars may very well be my favorite new show of this season. The series is well-written, with a story arc that (unlike many) actually seems to have been plotted out in advance. The actors are superb, the series looks and sounds great. A series about a high school student who moonlights as a detective may not sound like much, but this show is not easily pidgeonholed. It’s noir in sunny California with teenagers and movie stars and biker gangs.

Tonight’s new episode is stellar. There are major developments in the personal lives of characters, and in the ongoing mystery of who killed Lilly Kane, and at school. As is often the case with this series, Veronica works a case while also following a lead relating to the death of her best friend; all while also handling high school and a social life. She tries to find out who is behind bomb threats at the school as part of an assignment for the school paper.

Who’d've thought a noir series would work where the major players are high school students in California? But then Buffy the Vampire Slayer sounded like a weird idea, too.

Joey Lauren Adams, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Erica Gimpel, and Tina Majorino guest star.

The “Weapons of Class Destruction” episode of Veronica Mars airs tonight at 8pm on UPN. There are only four more new episodes of this season after this one and the truth about who killed Lilly Kane is supposed to be revealed in the season finale on May 10th. I can’t wait! And I’m so very glad this show will be back for a second season.

The Harvey Birdman, Attorney At Law DVD set hits stores today and it’s a whole lot of fun, if you like this sort of thing. Many of the shows that are in Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim lineup are shows that aren’t for everybody, but if they are for you– you’ll find them hilarious. Sometimes it takes time, too. I know the first few times I watched this show or Space Ghost Coast to Coast, I didn’t really “get it”. Now I find them hilarious. The set contains season 1, plus some of the more recent episodes. Includes some commentary tracks and other extras.

I spent a lot of time yesterday watching the Space Ghost Coast to Coast Volume 3 DVD set. It covers season 4 of the show, from 1997, which is the longest season of the show thus far. There are 24 “extended” episodes on this set, five with commentary tracks. Plus a few other short extras and odditities. If you’re already a Space Ghost Coast to Coast fan, this set is a must because it contains so many of the best episodes; if you’re new to the series, this is a pretty great place to start (as it contains some of the best episodes). I think this show is one of the funniest series ever, but it’s certainly not for everyone. Don’t expect it to really be much of a talk show, watch because it isn’t. The set hits stores today; you can also purchase volumes 1-3 together.

Teen Titans Volume 2 includes episodes from the second half of the first season of this fine animated series. The episodes are “Switched,” “Deep Six,” “Masks,” “Mad Mod,” “Car Trouble,” and parts 1 & 2 of “The Apprentice.” Special features include a performance of the series theme song by Puffy Ami Yumi and little else, alas (Volume 1 has better extras). While Volume 1 may have the better extras, Volume 2 has better episodes of this teen superhero show. The set is due out today.

You can read about Tuesday daytime TV in the tomorrow section of yesterday’s picks.

The NCIS team investigates when a Petty Officer commits suicide after being institutionalized for a nervous breakdown on NCIS (CBS, 7pm). Joe Spano guest stars.

The finalists compete on American Idol (FOX, 7pm). You know the drill.

Rerun of the crucial “Wedding Bell Blues” episode of Gilmore Girls (WB, 7pm). It’s the show’s 100th episode, wherein Richard and Emily renew their wedding vows.

Eva La Rue (of All My Children) guest stars as the sister of George Lopez (ABC, 7:30pm). George considers taking bribes from folks who want to date his sister.

An excellent new episode of Veronica Mars (UPN, 8pm) which is my “featured pick” today (see above).

Joe Morton guest stars as a Senator who hopes to run for President and who (naturally) falls ill and is treated by doctor House (FOX, 8pm). Chi McBride continues his guest stint on the show. House tries to keep his team together.

The pressure continues to get to some of the teams on The Amazing Race 7 (CBS, 8pm) in an episode titled “Mow ‘Em Down Like Grass.” (I mention the episode titles of series where I think it’s of interest; especially of this show where the title is taken from a line uttered in the episode itself).

Turk deals with what his wife and best friend did last week, Dr. Cox seeks help from Elliott, and the Janitor wants a new uniform on Scrubs (NBC, 8pm).

NFL players compete in Battle of the Gridiron Stars (ESPN, 8pm and midnight).

Michael (Steve Carrell) throws an office birthday party, even though no one has a birthday for at least a month, in an attempt to boost morale on The Office (NBC, 8:30pm). And co-workers try to form alliances in hopes of not getting downsized. I’ve warmed to this odd show, because it is pretty funny, and yet given the time I spent in offices– I still find it painful to watch.

Just as Rodney (ABC, 8:30pm) starts to get some gigs doing stand-up, his wife loses her job so he has to take another job to help make ends meet. This makes it hard for him to stay awake to do late night comedy gigs. Jane Lynch guest stars.

Claudette may lose a bit of faith in Dutch (oh no!) in a new episode of The Shield (FX, 9pm, 10pm, midnight, 1am). Glenn Close works with Vic and clashes with David.

I’ve talked to a number of people who are surprised by how much they like Blind Justice (ABC, 9pm); I’m very happy that the show is well-liked by those who’ve seen it because I’m enjoying it a lot. In tonight’s episode, Detective Dunbar feels pretty bad when a suspect in a murder runs right past him; I’m guessing his fellow detectives aren’t too pleased about this either.

Mary Stuart Masterson and Amanda Plummer guest star on a rerun of Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 9pm; airs again on USA). A man preys on vulnerable women, including a schizophrenic woman.

Nashville Star (USA, 9pm and midnight).

Knievel’s Wild Ride (A&E, 9pm and 1am).

The court case du jour on Judging Amy (CBS, 9pm) involves a teenage boy accused of beating his mother. My Dad tells me that he’s thrilled that my Mom likes Blind Justice because that means he can steer her towards watching it and maybe then they can start skipping Judging Amy which he doesn’t much like (I don’t much like it anymore either).

Senator Bob Dole on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).

Mickey Rourke, Jason Randal on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Pamela Anderson, Tim Russert, Il Divo on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).

Kristen Bell (of Veronica Mars), Duran Duran on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm).

Sean Astin, Garcelle Beauvais-Nilon, Frankie J on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC, check your local listings).

Eric Idle, Olympic wrestling star Rulon Gardner, Mike Birbiglia on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, check your local listings).

Kristin Chenoweth, Kevin Millar, Lifehouse on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).

I’m still pulling together picks for Wednesday; should have them online later today (Wednesday).

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