Laurel’s TV Picks

Best Bets

Season premiere of Gilmore Girls (CW, 7pm)
New House (FOX, 7pm)
New The Unit (CBS, 8pm)
Julianne Nicholson joins Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC, 8pm)
New Eureka (Sci-Fi, 8pm and 11pm)
New Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 9pm)
Craig Bierko joins Boston Legal (ABC, 9pm)
New Nip/Tuck (FX, 9pm, 10:06pm, runs 66 minutes)

News & Notes

I’m working on a list of shows that will be available online and on cable after their initial airings on the networks; if you have info and links to contribute, drop me a line (using the contact form).

Yesterday was a very hard day for me as I learned that my friend Mike, one of my favorite people in the world, was dead. In addition to being one of my favorite people to talk with about movies, TV, pop culture, and pretty much everything– he was also one of my favorite writers (quite possibly my favorite writer). You may know him as John M. Ford and if you don’t– take the time to pick up one of his books some time. Or read some of his words online (many are linked to from the post about his passing over at the weblog Making Light).

The day had a happy ending for me, albeit a very muted one, when I attended the Twins game and saw them clinch a playoff spot. Was a happy night at the Dome on an otherwise very sad day.

Times listed on this page are for the Central time zone, please add an hour for Eastern/Pacific.

Primetime Grid

Featured Pick

Season premiere of Gilmore Girls (CW, 7pm).

It’s hard to believe that Gilmore Girls is entering a seventh season already– my how time flies! I remember featuring early episodes in these picks and hoping desperately that people would find the show and that it might make it for another season or two. I’ve worked hard to explain this show and that it’s not just for girls or women, but can appeal to anybody, really– that it’s fun and light and quirky and cool. And it’s got more words per minute that Sports Night or The West Wing ever had. Sure, the show has had its share of ups and downs over the years, but I’ve hung in there with it and I’m so glad I have. Even when it wasn’t quite working, there have usually been enough great lines or scenes to make it worthwhile to me and there was always hope for better stuff to come.

I, like many, have been frustrated as contrived obstacles have been thrown up to keep Luke and Lorelai apart or to keep things tense in the Gilmore clan. But I also understand that’s how things work in television so very much of the time and if it serves the story well or makes for good drama, I’ll forgive contrivance. But like many, last season drove me nuts as characters felt pushed around to create situations and that those situations didn’t necessarily flow from the characters I know and love.

And then word came at the end of last season that series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Daniel Palladino were leaving the show. Nevermind whose fault that was– theirs or the studio or network or so– it was a scary proposition. If ever there was a series whose voice seemed to be that of its creator, this was it. And yet . . . maybe Sherman-Palladino and her husband were a bit burnt out, perhaps a fresh take on this town and these characters could do some good. It’s so hard to say.

I’m pleased to report that I’ve seen this episode and I liked it a lot. There’s funny stuff, there’s stuff that rings very true to these characters, and there’s heartbreaking stuff too. There had to be heartbreaking stuff given where these people were left at the end of last season, but I’m encouraged by how it all played out in this episode. This is good drama, these are the characters I know and love, the show seems to be doing the best it can given what went before.

My only complaint about the season premiere (”The Long Morrow”) is that we don’t see Emily and Richard or Lane or . . . well, everyone. But there’s no way you can squeeze every character into an episode and do ‘em justice. I’m hopeful that we’ll get good stuff with the elder Gilmores and with Lane and everyone in later episodes.

This show is not all sweetness and light as Lorelai and Rory learn some tough lessons and both experience growing pains. Much as I love these two, they’ve always been smarter when it came to book learning and work and pop culture than when it came to love or relationships (with anyone but each other). I want to see them get it together, but understand it takes time. I’m willing to continue on this journey with these fine folks for another season– in fact, I can’t wait.

The season premiere of Gilmore Girls airs tonight on the CW at 7pm.

Primetime

Season premiere of Gilmore Girls (CW, 7pm). My featured pick for tonight (see above).

A 10-year-old autistic boy can’t stop screaming and House is on the case on a new episode of House (FOX, 7pm). When planning your Tuesday night viewing, you might want to keep in mind that House and Standoff swap timeslots after tonight– House will air at 8pm and Standoff at 7pm. Both will be off the air for a couple of weeks for baseball playoffs.

An escaped convict threatens a teammember so (of course) Gibbs has to return (again) to help out on a new NCIS (CBS, 7pm).

Rerun of the first episode of Heroes (NBC, 7pm; airs again at 6pm on Friday on Sci-Fi and 10:05pm on Monday on USA). I’ve seen the first three episodes of this new series and I like it quite a bit, though I would caution you that it’s off the charts as far as “The Ick Factor” goes– definitely would earn a PG-13 or R rating in my book (the first episode isn’t quite as gruesome as later episodes). This isn’t light superhero fare for the kids, but a dark tale of people who develop powers and someone or something nasty who is murdering them in gruesome ways and trying to avert big disasters. Or something. I like later episodes better than the first one, despite the gory bits (possibly in part because Greg Grunberg joins the cast in episode two). Science fiction fan Tadao Tomomatsu has a small part in the second episode (TV fans may know him best as “Mr. Shake Hands Man” from Banzai).

The season premiere of Veronica Mars airs next Tuesday at 8pm on the CW; I’ll be featuring it next week (I’ve seen the first two episodes of this coming season and they rock).

Are you hooked on The Unit (CBS, 8pm) yet? Give it a chance if you haven’t, though Tuesday nights are crazy busy and once Veronica Mars debuts next week, I’ll understand if you have to give it a pass. Dennis Haysbert and Scott Foley star in this show from David Mamet and Shawn Ryan (of The Shield) about an elite (and secret) military unit.

Julianne Nicholson joins the cast of Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC, 8pm) as Det. Mike Logan’s new partner. Nicholson portrayed “Christina” on Conviction last season and also had a memorable stint as “Jenny” on Ally McBeal near the end of that show’s run. I like Nicholson a lot, though I have a hard time picturing her as a police detective. Dick Wolf appears to be all about having new young detectives on the Law & Order shows be portrayed by young female actors from his now-dead show Conviction. I hope that it works out.

Rerun of the series premiere of Runaway (CW, 8pm). The show’s regular timeslot is Mondays at 8pm. Check out fellow Vidiot Jason Snell’s capsule review of the pilot. My take: it’s a slightly above average show, but nothing remarkable so far. Worth a look if you aren’t hooked on anything that airs opposite it or are looking for another show to watch this season, but given there are so many other more interesting shows out there, I’m not sure it’s a keeper.

A serial bank robber takes Emily hostage and (of course) the personal relationship between her and her partner causes problems on Standoff (FOX, 8pm).

The smart house on Eureka (Sci-Fi, 8pm, 10pm) goes rogue in tonight’s new episode– you knew that had to happen sometime, right? This show is a breath of fresh air; I was watching a bunch of rather dark shows involving crimes the other day and was very pleased to take a break and watch lighter fare (this show and Men in Trees).

Ted Danson stars as a therapist who could use some therapy himself in the series premiere of Help Me Help You (ABC, 8:30pm). It follows him and his patients. Jane Kaczmarek (of Malcolm in the Middle) guest stars as Danson’s soon-to-be ex-wife. I laughed at a few things in the pilot, but given the stiff competition it faces, I can’t imagine anyone bothering with this. (I suppose if you’re already watching Dancing with the Stars, it’s worth sticking around to watch this to see what you think). It’s an average sitcom or slightly above average.

Connie Nielsen joins the cast of Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 9pm) for six episodes as Det. Olivia Benson’s replacement while she’s away (Emmy winner Mariska Hargitay is taking family leave to spend time with her newborn). In tonight’s new episode, high school students may fake a kidnapping.

The fabulous Craig Bierko joins the cast of Boston Legal (ABC, 9pm) in this new episode. Bierko is sporting distracting Joe Mauer sideburns for some inexplicable reason (everyone wants to be like Joe?). This is a strange quirky David E. Kelley show (but I repeat myself). This episode was written by Kelley and directed by Bill D’Elia. James Spader, William Shatner, Candice Bergen, Julie Bowen (of Ed), Mark Valley (of Keen Eddie), and Rene Auberjonois (of Deep Space Nine and Benson) star. Guest stars include: Katey Sagal (of Futurama), Constance Zimmer (of InJustice), Anthony Heald (of Boston Public), Armin Shimerman (of Deep Space Nine), Tyler Labine, and Ashton Holmes.

Jeffrey Coho: “We’re the new guys.”
Denny Crane: “Oh please, if there were new guys, they’d've shown up in the season premiere.”
  from Boston Legal

There’s a second job on the second episode of Smith (CBS, 9pm). Go figure, eh? Bobby’s wife continues to give him knowing looks as she suspects he was involved with the museum job. I wanted to like this show, but Thief did this kind of angst better and lots of other movies and shows have done more entertaining heists. I’ll probably check out another couple of episodes because that’s my job, after all, to keep track of shows and let you know if they’re worth a look.

Christian has Liz take him to a lesbian bar on a new Nip/Tuck (FX, 9pm, 10:06pm; also airs on Friday and Sunday). DVR/VCR Alert: episode runs 66 minutes.

Queer Eye (Bravo, 9pm; also airs a few more times this week).

Late Night:

“The Art of Darkness” (chocolate) episode of Good Eats (Food, 10pm and 1am).

President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central, 10pm and midnight).

Ted Danson on The Colbert Report (Comedy Central, 10:30pm and 12:30am).

Billy Bob Thornton, Sean Lennon on The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Adrien Brody, chef G. Garvin, Alan Jackson on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC, 10:35pm).

Rebroadcast of last night’s new episode of Weeds (Showtime, 11pm).

Michael Clarke Duncan, Scissor Sisters on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm).

Marie Osmond, Jacinda Barrett, Mitch Albom on the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, 11:37pm).

George Lopez, Clay Aiken on Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC, check your local listings).

Jet Li, Hoobastank on Last Call with Carson Daly (NBC, check your local listings).

Wednesday Daytime

Billy Bob Thornton, Christine Schwab, Barney on Live with Regis and Kelly (syndicated, check your local listings).

Victor Garber, Carnie Wilson, Tina Yothers, Natalie Cole on The View (ABC, check your local listings).

Robert Downey Jr, Sting on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated, check your local listings).

Elizabeth Edwards and Sen. John Edwards on Oprah (syndicated, check your local listings).

Julio Iglesias on Martha (syndicated, check your local listings).

George Lopez, Jennifer Finnigan (of Close To Home) on The Megan Mullaly Show (syndicated, check your local listings).

Emmitt Smith, a woman who lost 70lbs while eating Rachael’s recipes, what to do with the last bits of condiments on The Rachael Ray Show (syndicated, check your local listings).

“Adult virginity” and the first person eliminated from the latest round of America’s Next Top Model on The Tyra Banks Show (syndicated, check your local listings).

“Gen Rx” on Dr. Phil (syndicated, check your local listings).

“Tie the Knot . . . or Not” on The Greg Behrendt Show (syndicated, check your local listings).

“Will She Choose to Live or Die?” (anorexia) on The Dr. Keith Ablow Show (syndicated, check your local listings).