wednesday
Smallville (WB, 7pm)
Alias (ABC, 8:01pm – 9:02pm)
Series premiere of Revelations (NBC, 8pm; airs again lots on cable)
Law & Order (NBC, 9pm) crossover with Law & Order: Trial By Jury (NBC, 9pm Friday)
David Duchovny, Zooey Deschanel, Ray Lamontagne on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm)
Jimmy Fallon, Lewis Black on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm)
Part 1 (of 6) of Revelations (NBC, 8pm; airs again lots on cable). This new “limited run” series (which seems to be what it’s cool to call miniseries these days) debuts tonight.
Bill Pullman stars as a Harvard astrophysicist who is still reeling from the murder of his 12-year-old daughter. Natasha McElhone stars as Sister Josepha Montafiore, a nun who has some interesting ideas about the End Times. Together, they fight crime! Their paths do eventually cross as odd events, which some might call signs and portents, occur.
The first episode is gorgeous to look at, and jumps from place to place a whole bunch so you’ve got to pay attention. It’s rather slow-moving, but I think they’re really working to build up a mood and atmosphere for the series and these characters. I’m guessing the pace will pick up in future episodes as the scientist and the nun start investigating signs (that the end is near) together.
One storyline involves a character who is in “a persistent vegetative state,” in another story line “papal rule” is mentioned and the fact that what this particular nun does is not approved of by the Pope. Of course one can’t help but think of recent events as these things play out on screen. (I think I’ve had my review copy of this since before the Shiavo case became so widely covered and definitely before the Pope died; so I suppose it’s possible changes have been made since the cut I saw was put together).
The scientist’s daughter was killed by a Satanist and the guy who plays this character is sufficiently creepy that one doesn’t think him a joke. The Book of Revelation is mentioned in the episode a number of times, so the title of the series is likely not meant to refer directly to that book of the Bible, but possibly to actual revelations in the series (though, of course, the book of the Bible is brought to mind). I mention this, ‘cuz I’m the sort of person who gets cranky whenever people refer to the book of the Bible as “Revelations” when it’s actually “Revelation.” I’m pleased that the people who work on this series seem to know the difference.
I couldn’t help but be reminded of Millennium as I watched this, especially since they use onscreen quotes throughout the episode. The subject reminds one of the series, but also some of the imagery and music. Bill Pullman is no Lance Hendrickson, but I liked him in this.
John Rhys-Davies, Fred Durst, Martin Starr, and Michael Massee also star. The series was written by David Seltzer, who also penned The Omen. And directed by David Semel (who has directed some excellent TV) and Lili Fini Zanuck (who has mostly produced things, though she did direct an installment of From Earth To The Moon).
I found the first episode to be interesting, if slow-moving, I’m curious to see where they’re going with this. It could very easily turn into something quite bad, depending on where the story goes. Speaking as someone who attended Lutheran schools for much of her life, I didn’t find anything here likely to offend the Christians that I know, at least not in this episode (like I said, we don’t know where this is going). It’s not meant to be something that holds true to the Bible, that’s for sure, but I don’t think anyone would expect a miniseries on NBC to do that.
I say give the first episode a look and see what you think of it. The series premiere of Revelations airs tonight at 8pm on NBC; it will also be rebroadcast at tomorrow on CNBC and a few times on Bravo and a couple times on the SciFi channel (so there’s no need to miss Alias or American Idol to see it, if you’re a fan of those shows). I’ll be sure to mention a few of the other airings in my picks.
Alfre Woodard will join the cast of Desperate Housewives next season.
Two different endings were shot for this season’s finale of American Dreams, some are taking it as a positive sign that NBC decided to air the cliffhanger ending. So maybe Dreams will be back next season; there’s still been no official word one way or another.
Starting next week, we’ll be having some (more) TV DVD giveaways on the site. I’m also working on some long overdue updates to the TV on DVD page, including putting together a section for reviews of TV DVDs where y’all will be able to add your own comments and such. I hope you’ll find it useful.
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Wed
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7:00
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7:30
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8:00
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8:30
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9:00
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9:30
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ABC
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Lost (Rerun, runs ’til 8:01pm) | Alias (starts at 8:01pm, runs ’til 9:02pm) |
Eyes (starts at 9:02pm) | |||
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CBS
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60 Minutes | King of Queens | Yes, Dear |
CSI: NY | ||
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NBC
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Dateline NBC | Revelations (Series premiere, part 1 of 6; airs again lots on cable) | Law & Order (part 1 of 2, concludes in an episode of Law & Order: Trial By Jury that airs on Friday) | |||
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FOX
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The Simple Life: Interns | Stacked (Series premiere) | American Idol (Live) |
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WB
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Smallville | Jack & Bobby (airs again on Sunday) | ||||
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UPN
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America’s Next Top Model (airs again on Friday) | Kevin Hill | ||||
ESPN2 has a couple of MLB baseball games, while ESPN has a couple of NBA basketball games.
I found the “Special” episode of Lost (ABC, 7pm – 8:01pm) to be one of the first truly surprising episodes of this show. It was written by David Fury and focuses on the background of Michael and Walt (and their dog). Rerun, that aired originally on January 19th.
A kryptonite explosion splits Lex in two on Smallville (WB, 7pm). The Evil Lex goes on a rampage in this new episode written by Steven S. DeKnight.
Tyra loses her cool for the first time on this show in “The Girl Who Pushes Tyra Over the Edge” episode of America’s Next Top Model (UPN, 7pm; airs again on Friday).
A look at abuse inside the Florida foster care system on 60 Minutes (CBS, 7pm).
Pamela Anderson stars in the series premiere of Stacked (FOX, 7:30pm). FOX didn’t have the pilot episode ready in time (due to some recasting) to send it to TV critics. Hmph. I can tell you that Christopher Lloyd plays a retired rocket scientist. And that the series is set at a bookstore. Other castmembers include Marissa Jaret Winokur (of the musical Hairspray), Elon Gold, and Brian Scolaro. Paget Brewster appears in this episode; Tony Hale (of Arrested Development) guest stars in the second episode.
Isabella Rossellini and Joel Grey guest star on Alias (ABC, 8:01pm). Rossellini returns as Katya Derevko, who is the sister of Syd’s mother (in case you’re new to the show or had forgotten). Vaughn is off being a rogue agent and trying to find out more about his father. Syd’s father has a secret that only Marshall knows.
Series premiere of Revelations (NBC, 8pm; airs again on cable a lot). Part 1 of 6. Is today’s featured pick (you can read more about it earlier on this page).
Jack finds out that Bobby secretly tried out for the track team on Jack & Bobby (WB, 8pm; airs again on Sunday). Jack also finds out some things that make him less-than-happy regarding his girlfriend and some other friends of his.
Dame (Jon Seda) asks for help from his buddy Kevin Hill (UPN, 8pm) when he tries his first criminal case. Jessie (Michael Michelle) defends a paralyzed boy who is suing his hospital. And nanny George decides to look for work elsewhere (oh no!).
Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Holiday (TCM, 8pm).
Wind-borne man, radar-busting tricks in the “Beat The Radar Detector” episode of MythBusters (Discovery, 8pm and 11pm).
A promiscuous young lawyer is found bludgeoned to death in her office on Law & Order (NBC, 9pm). This is part 1 of a 2-part crossover episode that concludes on Law & Order: Trial By Jury (NBC, 9pm Friday).
The jury is still out on the new series Eyes (ABC, 9pm): what do you think of it? In tonight’s episode (titled “Wings,” oddly enough), they look into the theft of a jet prototype. If only Tony Shalhoub were a guest star.
Mac and Stella investigate the death of a woman who appears to have been murdered at a laundromat on CSI: NY (CBS, 9pm). The trail somehow leads to an upscale hotel that caters to diplomats. The other case involves a dead guy who is dressed like a statue.
Butters thinks he can communicate with the dead in a new episode of South Park (Comedy Central, 9pm and 11pm) titled “The Death of Eric Cartman.”
Two people undergo reassignment surgery; this special is about the aftermath: Switching Sexes: The Aftermath (Discovery Health Channel, 9pm and midnight).
Another airing of REAL Sports With Bryant Gumbel: 10th Anniversary Special (HBO, 9pm).
John P. Avlon on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).
Katharine Hepburn must choose between Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, and some other guy in The Philadelphia Story (TCM, 10pm). One of my favorite movies of all time.
David Duchovny, Zooey Deschanel, Ray Lamontagne on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).
Christiane Amanpour, Jarod Miller, Russ Meneve on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).
Jimmy Fallon, Lewis Black on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:35pm).
Anthony Anderson, David Krumholtz (of Numb3rs), Hall & Oates on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC, check your local listings).
Sara Rue (of Less Than Perfect), Matthew Polly, Aqualung on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, check your local listings).
David Cross (of Arrested Development), Patton Oswalt, Akon on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).
Maggie faces some of her demons on her 30th birthday on Northern Exposure (Hallmark, 1am).
“Fool For Love” and “Shadow” episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (FX, 6am, 7am).
“Redefinition” episode of Angel (TNT, 7am).
Sci-Fi mini-marathon du jour: Incredible Hulk (Sci-Fi, 7am – 3pm).
Keith Urban performs, author Karen Stabiner, author Tim Sanders on Today (NBC, 7am – 10am).
Steve Zahn, Ellen Barkin on Good Morning, America (ABC, 7am – 9am).
Anthony LaPaglia (of Without A Trace) The Early Show (CBS, 7am – 9am).
“Ex Marks The Spot” episode of Chicago Hope (Discovery Health Channel, 8am and 3am).
Duchovny Alert! David Duchovny (of The X-Files), financial advisers Ken and Daria Dolan on Live with Regis and Kelly (syndicated, check your local listings).
Jessica Lange, and guest co-host Anna Kournikova on The View (ABC, check your local listings).
“I Can’t Get Started” episode of Gilmore Girls (ABC Family, 10am). Season 2 finale, featuring Sookie’s wedding.
Ed (TBS, 11am).
“Listening To Fear” episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (FX, 1pm).
Best Bet: Matthew McConaughey, Maura Tierney (of ER, NewsRadio) on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated, check your local listings).
Stamos Alert! John Stamos, Rebecca Cole, Lisa Ling, Suzanne Somers on The Tony Danza Show (syndicated, check your local listings).
“Diabetes” on The Jane Pauley Show (syndicated, check your local listings).
“Stories of Survival” on Dr. Phil (syndicated, check your local listings).
Rerun of Oprah’s exclusive interview with the cast of Everybody Loves Raymond on Oprah (syndicated, check your local listings).
“Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days” episode of Gilmore Girls (ABC Family, 4pm). Season 3 premiere.
“I Will Remember You” episode of Angel (TNT, 4pm). Buffy visits Angel in L.A.
“Ancient History” and “The Depths” episodes of Felicity (We, 5pm, 6pm). J.J. Abrams other show.
“Mandatory Minimums” episode of The West Wing (Bravo, 6pm).
“Going Bananas” episode of Good Eats (Food Network, 6pm).
Hot Stuff Unwrapped (Food Network, 6:30pm).
New episodes of The Apprentice, Blue Collar TV, CSI, Extreme Makeover, Jack In Progress, The OC, Survivor: Palau, Tru Calling, Without A Trace, and WWE Smackdown.
I’ll have full coverage of these shows and more in my picks for Thursday.
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