Two Tivos To Paradise 05.01.09: We're Back!

Posted by Al Norton on 05.01.2009

Two Tivos To Paradise is back and Al Norton's got all the TV news you may have missed while he was away! Simon's Idol exit, ABC may give Scrubs another season, will SVU continue without its stars?, the return of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, a rundown of recent premieres & finales, raves for The # 1 Ladies Detective Agency, tons of news and notes, and more!

Hello Friends. Now where was I? I'd like to open by officially refuting the rumor that I have given up writing to become a Susan Boyle groupie. In actuality I was off dealing with some of the obstacles that life throws at you. Things are certainly more settled than they were three weeks ago and I want to thank everyone who sent emails letting me know they missed the column as those messages really meant a lot to me. My daughter is now back at home with us and is feeling much better, so the world feels a little more centered.

I've had lots of interviews running on the site since we last saw each other - Amy Brenneman, Amber Tamblyn, Jeremy Renner, James Marsters, Stacey Oristano, and Tabatha Coffey – all of which can be found via the links at the bottom of the column.

This week's edition of TTTP will be in a slightly different format as we attempt to catch up on the last month of headlines, with me giving you a little more news and a little less snark. Hey, it's only for a week and it's for your own good! Also, no room for an American Idol revue this week – too much stuff to catch up on – but it will return next week with a full rundown of the final four! FYI, I have become a big fan of Kris these last few weeks.

Always seems to me, sorry seems to be the hardest news.

Well Mama Said It's Just Make Believe, You Can't Believe Everything You See
Here are the headlines you may have missed while we were away…

*Simon Cowell told the UK newspaper The Daily Mirror that he could see himself giving up his American Idol hosting next year at the end of his current contract. Cowell, who makes $29 million per season as judge on the top rated show in the country, also works as a judge on Britain's Got Talent and The X Factor (both of which he also executive produces), which can lead to him taking up to three transatlantic flights per week. The actual quote he gave was the following; ""I can't imagine not doing Britain's Got Talent and I can't imagine not doing X-Factor. I guess America is more likely to go, because I have got one year {remaining on my) contract. Maybe that will be the end."

*Multiple sources are reporting that ABC is in talks to bring Scrubs back for a 9th season overall, second on the network. Despite this week's episode being written to serve as a series finale (for more see below) and none of the regulars being under contract, the network is interested in another season thanks to decent ratings and its ability to use the show to launch new series. Another factor is that ABC Studios is the production company, which means they may work out a low licensing fee with themselves. The most likely plan would be to bring back as many of the regular characters as possible for a small number of episodes, spacing their appearances out so as to keep things familiar to the audience while the focus transitions to the batch of interns and at the same time keep the budget low.

*ABC gave early 2009-2010 pick up's to a number of shows from their current line up, with Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, and Lost the scripted series getting the renewals. On the reality side were Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Dancing with the Stars, Wifeswap, SuperNanny, The Bachelor, and America's Funniest Home Videos. Series not picked up but still on the bubble include Samantha Who?, Cupid, and Castle. The Unusuals, In the Motherhood, Cupid, and Surviving Suburbia are thought to be done.

*Continuing on the run of ABC news bits, the network plans to use Saturday nights to burn off the final episodes of Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, and Eli Stone. Things start on May 30th at 10 pm with the kick off of Daisies last three outings, followed on June 20th with the first of 4 Stones, and then finishing up with the begining of the end of DSM on July 18th.

*NBC announced the participants in their upcoming I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here reality series, with the biggest rumored name not on the list. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was thought to be a lock but a Federal judge ruled that he could not leave the country while awaiting trial. Signed on are Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from The Hills, former NBA star and Fox sports host John Salley, Janice Dickinson, Sanjaya Malakar of American Idol fame, Stephen Baldwin, Torrie Wilson. Three more contestants will be announced, with Dog the Bounty Hunter and Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan rumored to be two of them. NBC clearly has high hopes for the show as it will debut on Monday June 1st, running four nights a week for the first three weeks and then three nights the week of the finale. MTV will run weekend marathons, with those episodes including new footage and commentary.

*Speaking of game shows with big summer run, ABC is bringing back Who Wants To Be A Millionaire for an two week, 11 night run to coincide with the series 10 year anniversary this August. Regis Philbin will be back as host and if the show does well they may do similar quick runs throughout the year. While there had been talk of this revival, it was the huge success of Slumdog Millionaire that put the project on the fast track.

*For the second year in a row ABC is making it known that they would be interested in picking up The New Adventures of Old Christine if CBS doesn't renew the series. It was thought by many that ABC's interest played a big role in CBS bringing the Julia Louis-Dryfuss sitcom back this year but as of now there is no real feel for what the network will do this time around.

*Along with the official word that Law and Order: SVU had been picked up for the 2009-2010 came unofficial word that negotiations with series leads Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni were expected to be heated, with the network sending messages that they would be willing to return in the fall without one, or both, of the stars. Now in its 11th season, SVU is NBC's highest rated scripted drama and has not had the revolving door cast that has been a hallmark of the Law and Order mothership. Each actor makes $350K per episode, - $7.7 million a season - putting them in the upper echelon of TV actors, and both are thought to be asking for raises and/or a piece of the syndication deal for the show.

*Original cast members Thomas Calabro (Michael) and Laura Leighton (Sydney) will reprise their characters on The CW's upcoming Melrose Place reboot.

*Showtime surprised many in the industry by passing on both the Matthew Perry/Peter Tolan (The End of Steve) and Tim Robbins (Side Effects) pilots they had in development. Both were considered high profile projects by the network and both are being shopped to other networks.

*HBO renewed Eastbound and Down for a second season. Despite mediocre reviews and ratings for the premiere, the show built a small but dedicated following by the end of its run, including fans from the sports world like Curt Schilling, although its renewal was still considered a bit of a surprise.

*Oxygen announced a new slate of programming, including renewing Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood for a fourth season as well as a new relationship improvement series – Mr. and Mrs. Makeover - that the couple will host and executive produce. Other reality shows set to debut this spring and summer Celeb-U-Moms (famous women with children), Kesiha and Keenan (following the lives of Cosby Show alum Keshia Knight Pullman and her live-in boyfriend Keenan Penn), Dance Your Ass Off (think The Biggest Loser meets Dance Fever) and Addicted to Beauty (a behind the scenes look at a real life plastic surgery practice.

*Continuing on the theme of cable network programming, VH-1 announced an eight episode order of Sex Rehab with Dr Drew. Included in the announcement were renewals of I Want To Work For Diddy, Brooke Knows Best, Gotti's Way 2, Tool Academy, and Celebrity Rehab with Dr Drew.

*MTV confirmed that the second half of the fifth season of The Hills (the first half is currently airing) would be on in the fall and that Lauren Conrad would not be a part of those episodes. The network also revealed plans for new programming, including Gone Too Far (an Intervention-style series hosted by recovering addict DJ AM), Stylist (Project Runway for stylists), and The Alexa Chung Show (a daily talk show hosted by the British model). Run's House, America's Next Dance Crew, and Nitro Circus will be back with new seasons.

You Say Yes, I Say No, You Say Stop, And I Say Go, Go, Go
The last few weeks have seen quite a few season/series finales as well as season/series premieres flash before our eyes so I thought I'd give a quick rundown of my take on them…

*ER (series finale)
I love the "another day in the life" choice for a finale, especially one that wasn't simply one person's story. It had some of the excesses that reminded me of why I gave up watching the show a few years back and at the same time used its trademark pacing to hold my interest the entire time. Fans who had been on board for the entire run of the show should have been very satisfied. Grade: A-

*Damages (season finale)
Solid. I was a much bigger fan of the second season of the FX drama than I was of the first but the trade off being we didn't get a particularly big cliff hanger of an ending, either. I don't mind loose ends since the show will be returning for a third batch of episodes but what wasn't clear at all was the point of Arthur Frobescher this season; he had a few good scenes but by the end he was window dressing at best. I still find evil-lawyer-super villain-Patty to be the least interesting part of the show and wish someone would simply bring her empire down by dumping a bucket of water on her. Grade: B

*Life on Mars (series finale)
While I don't agree with those who have called it the worst series finale of all time, it certainly didn't provide any payoff to those of us who had become emotionally invested in the lives of these characters. In fact, knowing that this was how it was going to end, I'm glad it got canceled after one season because had I found out it was all a "dream" by an astronaut on the way to Mars after giving two or three seasons of my life to the show, I would have been pissed. They did provide a slight save by using Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters – my favorite Elton John song – over the closing scenes, but it simply wasn't enough. Grade: D -

*Life (season finale)
The first of a number of shows that I am really hoping aren't gone for good, but if this was it for the series than it went out on a high note. Damian Lewis' cold-as-ice takeout of Garret Dillahunt's Roman was one for the TV ages, but it was the sense of contentment and purpose that Charlie found in the episodes closing moments that left me with the biggest smile. Grade: A-

*Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (season finale)
On a role of epic proportions for the finale four episodes of the season, T:TSCC ended by giving us a peek into a future we aren't familiar with, one where John Connor is apparently not the savior of the human race. At least not yet. The show gets points for killing off its characters with a cold heart the likes of which has not seen since Buffy, not to mention doing so in a way that fits in not only with the story but the tone of the series as well. Allow me to once again point out the sheer lunacy of Fox not bringing the show back to capitalize on what will surely be one of the biggest movies of the summer. Grade: A

*Friday Night Lights (season finale)
I think I was more excited for Tyra getting into college than I was for any of my friends back in the day, which is a testament to how well defined the characters on Friday Night Lights are. The plot twist of having Coach Taylor end up with the new East Dillon team is the perfect way to introduce a whole new set of characters next season, and those last two words are the best part; next season. We've got GUARANTEED seasons of Friday Night Lights in our future, and that makes the TV world a better place. Grade: A-

*Chuck (season finale)
Before I even get to the finale itself I should say that the episodes leading up to it, and in particular the episode right before it, were among the best in the show's two year history and demonstrated an ability to move the story along while still sticking to the framework they laid out back in the fall of 2007. Now on to the finale…which kicked all sorts of ass in ways that I hope are enough to guarantee a third season for this RAD (romantic-action-dramedy), a hybrid heretofore unseen on my TV screen. I mean, how many shows would pull a Mr. Roboto cover out of the jukebox and then use it to score a major action sequence? The twist at the end certainly opens the door for a whole bunch of new stories, and even more importantly, Chuck finally got paid! Grade: A

*Rescue Me (season premiere)
Season premieres for shows likes Rescue Me (as in, character dramas) are tough because they are less about big things happening and more about re-introducing you to the people who populate the series and reminding you where they all were in their lives when we last saw them. The premiere did that well, and now that I have seen the three episodes that followed it's difficult for me to separate my feelings for all of them except to say that they are off to a fantastic start, with Denis Leary doing the best acting of his career. Grade: B+

*The Unusuals (series premiere)
Great cast, lousy script. When the only buzz a show gets is Amber Tamblyn's enhanced cleavage in the opening segment, it's not a good sign. There were a couple of laughs, and it wasn't awful, but this group of actors deserves better. Just trying too hard to be different; I mean, a cop who owns a diner that only opens when he feels like it and doesn't serve people what they order but rather what he thinks they want? Really?!?! No matter how good the actors are, I can't watch a show where I can hear the writers straining to quirkify a character. Grade: C-

*Parks and Recreation (series premiere)
You can't watch a comedy expecting to be blown away as you are setting the bar way too high. That was something to keep in mind watching Parks and Recreation, a highly entertaining half hour of comedy if judged in its own right and not on the standard of an established sitcom like The Office. Interesting, distinct characters, some quality comic situations, and the bare bones of the show's on-going plot line (the quest to build the park) made for a nice introduction. Grade: B

Update: I am now three episodes in and while P & R has some great moments, it's just not clicking as a total package yet. They went to humiliating Amy Poheler's character way too early instead of getting you to root for her before she fell on her face. The supporting cast is great but the writers are letting everyone down.

*Harper's Island (series premiere)
This was indeed the TV version of a slasher film, right down to the bad acting and the gratuitous scenes of female characters in skimpy outfits. Better casting – like the kind that brought Harry Hamlin in to overact - might have helped the show reach the level of guilty pleasure instead of simply being notable for being the first primetime show to have one of its characters cut in half while hanging from a bridge. I may keep watching just to see if it gets any better, or for that matter, any worse. Grade: D+

Update: I didn't keep watching.

Update Harder: Apparently neither did anyone else as CBS is moving it to Saturdays starting this week, although the network is promising to air all the episodes.

*Sit Down, Shut Up (series premiere)
Never a good sign when jokes are based on characters names. Seriously, Miracle Grohe is one thing but Larry Littlejunk? What am I, 12? I wish I could say it got much better from there, especially considering the cast and production crew involved, but I can not. SDSU made American Dad look like Waiting For Godot. A serious and major disappointment. Grade: D-

Update: After just two airings Fox pulled the series from its post-Simpsons slot and will air it Sundays at 7, replacing it with King of the Hill.

*In Plain Sight (season premiere)
Season two of USA's witness relocation drama picked up literally hours after the finale finished, and while Mary McCormack was her excellent self, the hour of TV was just ok. It wasn't until week two, including a terrific guest turn by Kevin Rankin, that the show got its footing. Grade: C+

But You Were Up To Your Old Tricks In Chapters Four Five And Six
All you need to know about the Nielsen's for the past week (or so)…Last Thursday was simply not good for anyone, so I will simply list the shows and the amounts they were down from their last new episodes: Survivor, 250k; Bones, 500k; Parks and Recreation, 11%; CSI, 970k; Grey's Anatomy, 16%; Smallville, 19%, Supernatural, 16%; The Office & 30 Rock, 12%; Private Practice, 12%; Southland, 16%; and Harper's Island, 690k…The only show up on Thursday was My Name Is Earl, which jumped 220k. The total audience award for the evening was won by CSI with Grey's capturing the demo crown…Dancing with the Stars's Monday episode was down 6%, with 19.09 million stopping by to watch…6.11 million were front and center for the Chuck finale, an ever-so-slight increase from last week…Rules of Engagement was the exception on Monday, showing a 7% increase…To be fair, 24 also had a small gain…The Heroes finale audience of 6.39 million was just about even with last week…22.54 million watched the final five compete on American Idol on Tuesday, down 700K from last week…NCIS set up of their spin off series had 16.32 million tuning in…The Biggest Loser enjoyed its largest audience since February, averaging 9.43 million over the two hours…90210 was down 19% to a series low of 1.8 million…SVU had a strong Tuesday, finishing second to Without A Trace at 10:00 in total viewers and putting up its best 18-49 numbers since the first week in January (overall the second best demos of the season)…Both Lie to Me and ANTM, both airing opposite the President's address on Tuesday, put up pretty much the same numbers as last week...Lost's 10th episode was watched by 8.81 million, down 200K from two weeks ago...21.85 million tuned in to see Matt get voted off (for good) American Idol, down 6% from last week's elimination...Law and Order returned with it's biggest audience since the first week of February...

All The Young Dudes, Carry The News
Industry News, Notes, and Hot Rumors…ABC joined NBC and Fox this week in allowing their shows to be streamed on Hulu.com. This also means they (and Disney, their parent company) are now an equity owner of the site...NBC picked up a third season of Celebrity Apprentice, set to air in the spring of 2010…Showtime announced that it was renewing The Tudors for a 10 episode fourth – and final – season…TNT cancelled Trust Me less than two weeks after it completed its first season run…Anil Kapoor's first post-Slumdog Millionaire gig will be later on this season of 24…The producers of The Game are pitching The CW on changing the show from a half hour comedy to a one hour dramedy…Tahmoh Pennikett (Battlestar Galactica, Dollhouse) and Laura Vandervoot (Smallville) will star in the Sci-Fi mini-series/potential series pilot Riverworld. Alan Cumming will appear in the project as well but its not clear if he would continue if it went to series…Kathleen Turner, Peter Gallagher, and Diane Farr are all joining the cast of Californication for it's upcoming third season. Rick Springfield will also appear in at least four episodes playing (a fictionalized version of) himself…TV Land has picked up a third season of High School Reunion…After guest-starring in the pilot Lake Bell has been named the female lead for the upcoming HBO comedy How To Make It In America…Despite not getting official word from The CW, the producers, writers, and cast of Everybody Hates Chris are treating the upcoming season finale as a series finale…The US Navy is allowing Spike TV access to the USS San Antonio and the USS Boxer as they work to eliminate ship hijacking off the African coast. The series, tentatively titled Pirate Hunters: USN, follows the ships as they leave their base and patrol the Gulf of Aden…Bravo is moving forward on NYC Prep, a reality series being touted as the "real life Gossip Girl." The show will document the lives of six super rich Manhattan teenagers…Jeff Corwin, best known for his multiple series on Animal Planet, got an 8 episode order from the Food Network for Extreme Cuisine with Jeff Corwin. He also got a two hour MSNBC special – One Hundred Heartbeats – based on his upcoming book about species on the brink of extinction…Executive producer Ben Karlin (The Daily Show, The Colbert Report) and WGA winner Theresa Rebeck (NYBD Blue) are developing Women's Studies for HBO. The series would star Tony award winner Julie White as a former feminist "IT" girl who currently teaches at a small college… USA made White Collar an official series, giving it a 13 episode order. The new series finds a top level con artist forced to work with the head of the FBI's white collar crime unit…ESPN bought the TV rights for the new documentary The Lost Sons of Havana, documenting should-be Hall of Famer Luis Tiant's first trip back to Cuba in over 40 years. Narrated by Oscar winner Chris Cooper, the movie was produced by The Farrelly Brothers…Anthony Anderson will host Golf in America, a new hour long magazine series given a 10 episode order by the Golf Channel…Chefs vs. City is a new series from the Food Network where famous chefs Chris Cosentino and Aaron Sanchez travel from city to city taking on local chefs in cooking challenges…Project Runway's long delayed Lifetime network premiere will finally take place on August 20th…Evan Rachel Wood will do multiple episodes of True Blood's upcoming second season…Cloris Leachman will be doing an episode of the Jada Pinkett Smith medical drama for TNT. Also starring Michael Vartan, the show recently got a name change and is now known as HawthoRNe. Get it, she's a nurse?!?!... In a match made in Two Tivos heaven, Timothy Olyphant has been cast as the lead in the Fire in the Hole, an FX pilot based on an Elmore Leonard short story…Speaking of FX, Melora Hardin has been cast as the female lead in In the Cut…Pamela Adlon, a regular during the first two seasons of Californication, will star opposite Adam Carrola in the CBS pilot Ace in the Hole…Adult Swim has acquired the rights to the two seasons of The Office – the original BBC version – as well as the show's Christmas special…ABC Family has put Roommates out of its (and our) misery…Al Roker will host Wake Up with Al on The Weather Channel this summer, a live one hour show that will air at 6 am. Stephanie Abrams will co-host with Roker who will continue with his Today Show gig as well…

Turns Out Not Where But Who You're With That Really Matters
The top thing I watched since the last column went to press AKA The Best Of What's Around…Here are a few lessons other networks can take from HBO's The #1 Ladies Detective Agency: a) filming a show on location makes a huge difference b)setting a show somewhere we haven't seen before goes a long way towards holding our interest and c)someone should have cast Jill Scott in something a long time ago!

I was hooked in the first 30 minutes of the two hour pilot, beautifully directed by the late Anthony Minghella, and the four episodes since haven't done anything to change my mind on what is easily my favorite new show of the 2008-2009 season. Based on the very popular series of mystery novels by Alexander McCall Smith, the series is filmed entirely in Botswana, giving the audience a look at a country most of us have never seen before, making it look beautiful but at the same time not shying away from the disease and poverty that have ravaged many who live there.

The mysteries themselves are not so much an afterthought as a means to an end, giving these rich and full characters something to talk about. The fact that most of them are unknowns to us here in the US works in the series' favor as it lends an even greater feeling of authenticity. And I haven't even mentioned how funny, and moving, the show is, frequently from one beat to the next.

The best cinematography on TV aside, this is Scott's show all the way and she takes the role of the Precious Ramotse and runs with it, most likely all the way to the dais for her Norty acceptance speech. I have not been this charmed by a show in some time and, to paraphrase Tara, I am under its spell.

People Say I'm Crazy Doing What I'm Doing. Well, They Give Me All Kinds Of Warnings To Save Me From Ruin
What's flashed before my eyes the last seven days…I have to say that I really enjoyed the Michael Scott Paper Company arc of The Office over the last month. The low point was Michael crawling on the floor (pun intended) but it was great comedy from that point on, with Michael and Dwight's showdown episode being a real highlight. This may be the year Steve Carrell wins a Norty (and an Emmy) as he really got to show Michael's strong sales points over these episodes. Idris Elba's run was also highly effective as he brought a much needed face of reality to the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin, with real world reactions to the antics of the office workforce…I know my original review of Southland was mediocre but I have been won over these last three weeks. Yes, it still tries to hard but its earnestness has grown on me, as has the entire cast, especially Regina King (note to Law and Order: SVU producer Neal Baer – if Southland gets cancelled and Mariska Hargitay can't come to contract terms, Regina King should be your new lead.)…Better Of Ted has continued to make me smile and is a show I wish would get a second season and a better showcase…Lost has had more than its share of just ok episodes this season but the one that put the spotlight on Myles was a keeper, reminding me why I was so impressed with Ken Leung when he played Uncle Junior's mental institution roommate on the last season of The Sopranos. Some Like It Hoth was an instant classic to me…I am urging you to check out Starz' Party Down, a laugh out loud comedy that features a killer cast – including the always great Ken Marino – and quality writing as well…When Grey's Anatomy brings it's A game like it did last Thursday it is easily among the ten best dramas on television. Some may not care for the way it can veer from melodrama to soap a little too much but the cast in uniformly phenomenal. Chandra Wilson's lack of an Emmy is an injustice only equaled among current TV performers by Neil Patrick Harris…Loved the goodbye to Edie episode of Desperate Housewives, the second memorial-esque outing of the season that really shined…Brothers & Sisters is the definition of mediocre these days, the only real highlight being the growing Father-Daughter bond between Rebecca and David…Was I the only one shocked that Crabman was really going to kill Catalina last week on My Name Is Earl? I know he's got a dark past but that was totally out of character. I kept waiting for the scene where it showed he was only trying to teach Joy a lesson but it never came…Really enjoyed Jeff Goldblum's Law and Order: CI debut last week as he wasn't his usual over-the-top self but still was different enough to make it seem like he had wandered in off the set of another show, and I mean that in a good way…

TV Pick Of The Week
Despite word that perhaps this isn't going to be the last season of Scrubs, Wednesday's episode was written and performed as if it were the show's last goodbye. When Scrubs was at its best, it could make you laugh and cry in the same scenes, and while that may sound like a cliché, it's a claim few of its contemporaries can make. Fans of the show have their favorite half hours (from the musical episode to Brendan Frazier's memorable appearances to Laverne's death), this seasons second outing, where JD and Turk sit with a dying man and talk the night away will always be close to my heart. It may have gotten lost in silliness over the last few years but if this is indeed it, the show is going out on a high note.

Don't miss the season/series finale of Scrubs this Wednesday at 8 pm on ABC.

Hope You Need My Love, Babe, Just Like I Need You
Here is some other noteworthy programming of the next seven days…

*Numb3rs celebrates its 100th episode Friday at 10 pm on CBS.

*Time Magazine and Anderson Cooper 360 (CNN) have teamed up tonight to spotlight the magazine's annual 100 Most Influential People in the World Issue. George Clooney interviews Bono, Ted Turner sits down with T. Boone Pickins, and Suzy Welch talks with Suze Orman.

*There are very few truly American traditions like the Kentucky Derby. Coverage begins on Saturday at 4 pm on NBC.

*Expedition Grizzly (Sunday, 9 pm) is the latest documentary from our friends over at National Geographic, featuring Casey Anderson, a wildlife naturalist who has an 800 pound Grizzly Bear as his best friend. Don't believe me? The bear, named Brutus, was his best man when he married Missi Pyle one of Two Tivos favorite comedic actresses. Casey and Brutus spent a year examining the lives of the over 600 grizzlies who currently live in Yellowstone and how their existence is being threatened by a number of factors. Entertaining and informative is the balance that Nat Geo strikes better than just about anyone else so this promises to be well worth your time.

*Not only is Medium two hours on Monday night (9 pm, NBC) but Two Tivos favorite David Morse guests.

*For those of you who liked the old version of The Apprentice – as in, the one without the shrieking Rivers ladies – will want to check out the premiere of The Apprentice UK on BBC America Tuesday at 8 pm. The show features 14 business tycoon-wanna be's competing to work for Sir Alan Sugar.

*The Real Housewives of New York City closes out another season Tuesday at 10 pm on Bravo and to make watching just a little more interesting, the network is having its first virtual viewing party. For fans of the show who are big Facebook and Twitter users, go to www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-new-york-city/party and you can watch the show while chatting up with people from all around the country. To take part you've got to be "friends" with BravoTV but I am pretty sure you all know how to do that.

*The much discussed Bones-Family Guy crossover episode takes place Thursday at 8 pm on Fox. I am really curious to see how much of a train wreck this turns out to be.

*The Fashion Show – Bravo's way of replacing Project Runway – debuts Thursday at 10 pm. Isaac Mizrahi and Kelly Rowland host.

Two Tivos To Paradise
30 Days, 30 Rock, The Academy, American Idol, Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations, Antiques Roadshow, Best Day Ever, Best Week Ever, Better Off Ted, Big Love, Bones, Breaking Bad, Brothers And Sisters, Burn Notice, Celebrity Apprentice, Chocolate News, Chopped, The Chris Isaak Hour, Chuck, The Closer, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Daddy's Girls, Damages, The Deadliest Catch, Desperate Housewives, Destination Truth, Dirty Sexy Money, The Dish, Entourage, Eureka, Everybody Hates Chris, Flipping Out, Gary Unmarried, Ghost Hunters, Ghost Hunters International, Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, The Hills, House, How I Met Your Mother, Iron Chef America, Jon & Kate + Eight, Last Comic Standing, Last Restaurant Standing, Law And Order, Law And Order: Criminal Intent, Law And Order: Special Victims Unit, Life On Mars, Lost, Mad Men, Make Me A Supermodel, Man v. Food, Medium, The Middleman, My Name Is Earl, The New Adventures Of Old Christine, Next Food Network Star, Nip/Tuck, The Office, One Tree Hill, Paranormal State, Party Down, Private Practice, Project Runway, Pushing Daisies, Psych, Real Time With Bill Maher, Reaper, Rescue Me, Rules Of Engagement, Run's House, Samantha Who?, Sanctuary, The Sarah Jane Chronicles, Saturday Night Live, Scrubs, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Shear Genius, Skins, So You Think You Can Dance?, Sons of Anarchy, The Soup, Southland, Sports Soup, Step It Up and Dance, Supernatural, Table For 12, Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Top Chef, Top Design, Torchwood, True Blood, Trust Me, Ugly Betty, Will Work for Food

People Love You When They Know You're Leaving Soon
Here ends another edition of Two Tivos To Paradise. We'll be back next week – I promise – with all the news, including a rundown of the major network's fall schedules; check back here to find out which of your favorites made the cut and what pilots got picked up.

The countdown to the 150th edition of Two Tivos To Paradise is on – only nine weeks away. I'm not going to give away too much but can tell you that we've already got people from The Office and Chuck as well as the fabulous Andrew Zimmern taking part in the celebration.

Have a great week – see you next Friday (I promise!!!)!

Feedback is encouraged at [e-mail] as well via the comments section below.

Sources for this week's column include Daily Variety, Entertainment Weekly, TV Guide, and Hollywood Reporter (plus the web sites for those publications) as well as Aintit.cool.com.