Laurel’s TV Picks

Best Bets

New Jericho (CBS, 7pm)
New Bones (FOX, 7pm)
Fall season finale of Lost (ABC, 8pm - 9:02pm)
New The O.C. (FOX, 8pm)
New The Nine (ABC, 9:02pm)
Lots of interesting guests on late night talk shows (see below or follow link in sidebar to Sue’s listings)

News & Notes:

Check out TVTattle.com for links to TV commentary and news and such stuff.

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Primetime Grid

Primetime

Jake and Eric rush off to another town to get the medicine their Dad needs on Jericho (CBS, 7pm). While on the trip, they get to see a bit more of what the rest of the world looks like. Meanwhile, someone starts asking questions of the new-to-town (and up to something) Hawkins family. D. B. Sweeny guest stars. I could do with less drama with that “gang” that Jake was involved with years ago– I’m just saying, is all. Doesn’t sound like there’s much of that stuff in this episode.

The skeletal remains of a federal prosecutor (who disappeared years ago) are discovered in the desert outside Las Vegas on Bones (FOX, 7pm).

Gabrielle Reece shows up in “The Girl Who Wrecks The Car” episode of America’s Next Top Model (CW, 7pm; airs again at 8pm on Sunday). James St. James is a guest judge and NASCAR driver Stanton Barrett also makes an appearance.

NBA on ESPN.

The Pet Shop Boys perform on Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 7pm).

It’s the fall season finale of Lost (ABC, 8pm) so I’m guessing Lots Of Stuff Happens. I won’t spoil things by speculating or posting what bits I do know, though I will point out that Nathan Fillion guest stars (he was “Captain Mal Reynolds” on Firefly). After this episode, Lost goes on a long break and we’ll get 13 hours or so of Day Break in this timeslot starting next week with the outstanding two-hour series premiere. I’ll be writing more about Day Break next week– it’s the rare “substitute show” that is actually excellent (and maybe even as compelling as the show it’s replacing). Well, I have high hopes for it and sure hope it doesn’t disappoint. When Lost does return, we’ll get nothing but new episodes ’til the end of the season (that’s why the show is being pulled for a bit, because they only make so many episodes a season and having new episodes interrupted by reruns last year seemed to confuse people; this way we get nothing but new episodes when the show is on). DVR/VCR Alert: this episode runs at least two minutes long.

A serial bomber “terrorizes Seattle” on Criminal Minds (CBS, 8pm). JoBeth Williams guest stars. This show is now drawing the same number of viewers as Lost or even more (last week). Wow! I like both shows, but still find Lost (and Day Break) more compelling than Minds.

FOX has moved The O.C. (FOX, 8pm) from Thursdays (where it faced stiff competition) to Wednesdays– where it faces stiff competition. Sigh. Just a thought for FOX if they actually want the show to do well: why not run it at 7pm instead of 8pm (on either night)? Or perhaps keep it in one place? Or run it twice a week? (No, tonight’s new episode does not also air tomorrow). Anyway, tonight’s episode is excellent; in fact, I’ve seen the first four episodes of this season of the show and they all rock. Great stuff. Some of the best stuff the show has done since season one, in my humble opinion. It’s a pity so few people are watching. Anyway. Tonight Ryan learns that Volchek is in Mexico and sets out to find him; Seth, of course, tags along and before too long the whole Cohen clan is down in Mexico in this new episode. Meanwhile, the dean at the high school wants Julie Cooper to bond with her younger daughter by working on a clothing drive; I’m mostly puzzled by the fact that the dean is now played by Tia Carrere (when previously the dean was played by Rosalind Chao). Chris Pratt (”Bright” on Everwood) continues his fabulous guest stint on the show.

Egan plays a poker party and that seems like a very bad idea given his roommate’s gambling problem (but then Egan probably doesn’t know about that . . . yet) on The Nine (ABC, 9:02pm). And more stuff about the bank robbery is sure to be revealed even as the survivors try to move on with their lives. I know some folks gave up on this show after an episode or two, but I think it’s improved since the disappointing second episode. DVR/VCR Alert: starts at 9:02pm (’cuz Lost runs long).

A professional paintball player is killed on CSI: NY (CBS, 9pm). It had never occurred to me that there is such a thing as a “professional paintball player” but I guess it makes sense that such people exist (or at least would exist on TV).

Late Night

There’s a link in the sidebar (on the website) to Sue Trowbridge’s excellent late night talk show listings page, check it out for full listings.

Howard Dean on The Daily Show (Comedy, 10pm and midnight).

Dustin Hoffman, Jamie Oliver on Late Show with David Letterman (CBS, 10:35pm).

Ellen DeGeneres, Fred Willard, Tony Bennett on The Tonight Show (NBC, 10:35pm).

Will Ferrell, Death Cab for Cutie on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (NBC, 11:37pm).

Merv Griffin, Carrot Top, Joseph Arthur on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS, 11:37pm).