Welcome back to TV or Not TV where we realize that all good things must come to an end.
If you were thinking I’m meaning this column, that’s not what I’m talking about (or if you were hoping I was talking about this column I’m sorry to disappoint). What I’m meaning is the regular TV programming that is coming to a close during the December/January lull. This week there are plenty examples of that. In the realm of cable Dexter has come to a close, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of . Chuck, Heroes and the getting re-tooled again Knight Rider also won’t be back until next year. Fringe and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles have left the FOX airwaves until January as well. Even CBS leaves a hole with the conclusion of the fall season’s Survivor.
I don’t know about you but this lull is a welcome one for me because it means that there just isn’t that much TV to obsess about missing (sadly, yes, this is something I do). There is so much going on with the holidays and the new year that this break fits perfects. We’re shopping (sort of), travelling (maybe) and celebrating (mostly) so we aren’t sitting down to watch TV. This also gives the television industry time to let their shows catch up on their production schedules to give us a new year filled with new shows. So what is there to look forward to?
I can’t speak for everyone but I’m most excited about the final half of the final season of Battlestar Galactica. With the post-apocalyptic planet that the rag tag fugitive fleet seemed to find I’m overly-anxious to see where the show is going for the remaining 12 episodes. I’m also pleased to find out that the final episode of the series will be airing on my birthday, so thanks for a nice birthday gift Ron Moore.
I don’t know how FOX is going to be able to contain themselves in January with the returns of both 24 (which didn’t even have a 2007 season) and American Idol. This mix will be further expanded by the February’s premiere of the much anticipated and rumor filled Joss Whedon show Dollhouse, which is getting paired up on Friday nights with Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. They’re even brining in their new crime drama Lie to Me. Clearly FOX has a lot going for them.
I’m sure that our good friends at ABC are coming out with another edition of their own ratings powerhouse Dancing with the Stars, but since I’ve never seen it I’m not even motivated to do research (since I’m sure by now they’ve already announced who will be on it). As far as I’m concerned there is only one show that I’m waiting for to come on ABC and that is our old friend LOST. This season will be the next to last season so I’m sure we are going to get even more answers than questions and last season proved that with a known ending in sight the LOST team has really come in to their own.
NBC already has pretty much all that I think that they are going to have to offer to me. When Knight Rider returns the show will once again be completely reworked to try to get a ratings boost. I already wasn’t watching so now great loss there. What I hope they will be having is the seventh season of The Biggest Loser. There is something amazing about watching people lose weight (at least the way that this show does it) and the Tuesday night finale this week promises a preview of next season. I only hope that they got more likeable contestants on the show next season as this season was dominated by a lot of individuals that I just didn’t care for. I also have to warn you, if you haven’t watched The Biggest Loser and you start with season seven in the new year try not to watch when you have snacks in the house. Something about the show makes me want to start munching.
CBS will be bringing back last summers Flashpoint as well as the new show Harper’s Island. Harper’s Island is a murder-mystery / drama which has a 13 episode run where each week a person from a group of family and friends gets murdered.
That’s enough about what is to come in our not-so-distant future. Let’s focus now on what is to come in our immediate future with this week’s items.
MONDAY
ABC – 8:00 PM: I’d never heard of I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown! prior to writing this, but this 2003 special was actually scripted using the weekly Peanuts comics strip for source material. OK, I’m in.
FOX – 8:00 PM: The winter finale of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles happens tonight with a revisit of the three dots that are plaguing Sarah‘s mind. Who might have the answer? A BLOGGER! I thought blogs were only good for movie reviews and random uselessness. Who knew?
NBC – 9:00 PM: If you’ve been watching this season of Heroes and you’ve been wondering where that great show from season 1 was… well you’re still going to feel that way tonight. You are, however, going to get the finale to the Villians chapter of this season.
CBS – 9:00 PM: I’m a sucker for guest stars and tonight Emilio Estevez guest stars on tonight’s Two and a Half Men with real-life brother Charlie Sheen.
TUESDAY
NBC – 8:00 PM: The weight is over (and off) as three remaining contestants vie for $250,00 and the title of The Biggest Loser. I’m rooting for Michelle since the other players are just deplorable human beings in my opinion. Yeah, I said it.
ABC – 8:00 PM: Did you forget to set your DVR to record A Charlie Brown Christmas last week? Good news, here’s your second chance.
HBO – 8:00 PM: I’m not sure which is easier to believe in I Am Legend, that Will Smith is a scientist or that he’s seemingly the last man on Earth and able to fight of hordes of human/monster things every night. Either way, the book was better.
WEDNESDAY
NBC – 8:00 PM: How can you beat the great combination of a Christmas special and Muppets? The answer is you can’t! Watch A Muppet Christmas: Letters to Santa for some felt covered and foam formed fun.
TNT – 8:00 PM: Dr. Phil and wife Robin return to host the Christmas in Washington concert. The bigger treat is Patrick Stewart playing Scrooge in A Christmas Carol following at 9:00 PM.
ABC – 8:00 PM: I know I keep forcing Pushing Daisies down your throats but this week Orlando Jones plays the leader of a trio of Norwegian investigators. He had me at “Make 7… up yours!”
THURSDAY
CBS – 8:00 PM: Million Dollar Password fills the slot this week that Survivor has vacated until next year. Two words on why to watch? William Shatner.
AMC – 8:00 PM:If you want to see paradise, simply look around and view it (at 8 with the airing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory).
FOOD – 8:00 PM: Not sure what to do for your casual entertaining this holiday season? The Food Network stars share some tips in their Holiday Extravaganza. Whatever Paula Dean makes I assure you it will have way too much cream and butter.
FRIDAY
NBC – 8:00 PM: If you missed the Tuesday premiere of reality date show retread Momma’s Boys than you can catch a re-airing tonight. It sounds like such a train wreck of a concept it just might be entertaining.
COMEDY – 8:00 PM: My love of Muppets doesn’t necessarily spread to puppets, however you may find ventriloquist Jeff Dunham’s Very Special Christmas Special entertaining.
SATURDAY
FX – 8:00 PM: Nothing says Holiday Spirit like defending your home from robbers when you’ve been left behind by your family, like in Home Alone. Go ahead and watch… and keep the change, you filthy animal.
TLC – 8:00 PM: If you enjoyed (or missed) last week’s Crazy Christmas Lights you can watch it again tonight, followed by the appropriately titled More Crazy Christmas Lights.
CBS – 8:00 PM: I’ve already mentioned Elf in two other columns, and I’m going to mention it here to. The film, to me, is just brilliant. Where else can you hear, “You stink. You smell like beef and cheese. You don’t smell like Santa.”
SUNDAY
FOX – 8:00 PM: Had too much holiday spirit? Tune in to The Simpsons for tonight’s repeate of the Treehouse of Terror XIX.
FOOD – 8:00 PM: I don’t know why I’m such a sucker for these Food Network Challenges but I am. Tonight four cake makers face off to to create cakes depicting some of Pixar‘s most lovable characters.
E! – 8:00 PM: In an obvious attempt to get the tween audience tonight the E! True Hollywood Story takes a look at the new Young Hollywood including Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, and Zac Efron. Naturally I’ll be no where near this one.
– Will Wilkins wants to work in a shiney mail room.
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