TV

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) You know it's one thing when Maria verbally attacks Wes on "The Apprentice." (Clearly, Wes learned all his management skills from Kwame). And sure it's uncomfortable when the bachelorettes spat, the top models cat fight or the survivors bicker. But I'm always somewhat comforted by the fact that these people didn't know each other before they entered the wacky world of reality TV.

But "Amazing Race" is a whole other story. On the Emmy-award winning reality series, these teams of two have some long-standing connection to each other. And I have to tell you I found last week's episode stomach turning. Jonathan constantly berating his weary wife Victoria drained the joy right out of the game for me. You know I love this show but I fail to see why the producers would knowingly select a couple like this. Watching Colin last season was hard enough. But it's like producers saw how much viewers loved to hate Colin and then set out to find someone who was Colin to the 10th degree.

I was sad for Victoria to be in this seemingly unhealthy marriage and appalled that she has probably put up with this treatment for years. And Lori was not much nicer to poor Bolo. Yes we're only getting a glimpse of these people. We don't know what came before their participation in the game and we don't know what will come after. But if this is how they behave when the cameras are on, how do they act when no one is looking? Sure we all lose our temper and behave in ways we shouldn't, but it seems pretty obvious that this is how Jonathan and Victoria relate to each other on a daily basis.

I'm tired of reality TV giving people in dysfunctional relationships a platform to showcase and celebrate their troubles. We should not get our entertainment from other people's unhappiness, even if they are willing participants. And I especially don't want to see this on my favorite reality show.

What do you think? Could a couple like Jonathan and Victoria take the fun out of "The Amazing Race?" Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"I have to ask Nat, the owner," Alex to Seth about the owner of the Bait Shop on "The O.C." This quote made me immensely happy and it's a mandatory deduction if you don't know why.

"You are never closer to God then when you are on television," Karen to Victor Garber on "Will & Grace." Thanks to TV Gal reader Diane B. for the quote.

"I would have at least liked my own cab," Wes after being fired along with Maria on "The Apprentice." Thanks to TV Gal readers Jackie and Kathie for the quote.

"Lots of people believe in God who are not crazy. Isaac Newton ... Bono ... pretty much anyone who wins an award," Joan to her therapist on "Joan of Arcadia." Thanks to TV Gal reader Garland for the quote.

"You guys ever see 'The Godfather'?" Ed on "Las Vegas." Thanks to TV Gal reader Rob for this quote.

"The important thing is you guys don't lose focus on yourself." Maeby to her parents on "Arrested Development."

"Mr. Young, sometimes evil drives a minivan." Mr. Shaw to Paul on "Desperate Housewives." Thanks to TV Gal reader Jeff M. for the quote.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Everyone wrote to tell me that Tom Lenk, Andrew on "Buffy," played the Northwestern student Joey was supposed to interview on "Joey."

Lindsay Crouse was the doctor practicing illegal sex change operations on "CSI." She was Professor Maggie Walsh on "Buffy." TV Gal reader Dyan recognized Raphael Sbarge, Jake on "The Guardian" and seen this season on "Without a Trace" and "Crossing Jordan," was the fiance of the murdered woman.

Kate Walsh, Drew's one time fiancee Nicki on "The Drew Carey Show," was everywhere last week. She was Maggie, the woman Nick dated on "The Complete Savages" and Mimosa, the friend of the murdered Wendy on "CSI."

Bruno Campos, Dr. Corday's married boyfriend on "ER," Diego on "Jesse" and seen last season on "The D.A.," was Mark the assistant district attorney on "Boston Legal."

It was something of an "Ed" reunion on "Cold Case." Josh Randall (Mike) played the murdered school teacher. We just saw Randall as the guy Gina was dating on "Joey." Nicki Aycox who played Carol's wayward sister is now playing Lilly's wayward sister.

Malik Yoba, J.C. on "New York Undercover," was the bounty hunter Ice on "Arrested Development."

TV Gal reader Mat reported some familiar faces on "Medical Investigations." Paul Schulze, the doomed Ryan Chappelle on "24" and Carmela's priest on "The Sopranos," was the husband of the sick suburban woman. Michael Ironside, currently playing General Sam Lane on "Smallville," was the father of the ill porn star. Among his many roles, Ironside also played Dr. Swift on "ER." Rosalind Chao was the doctor on "Medical Investigations." She was Dr. Kim on "The O.C." and Keiko O'Brien on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

TV Gal reader Jane caught a slew of familiar faces on "Jack & Bobby." Shonda Farr, the robot Warren created on "Buffy" and Eli's girlfriend on "Once and Again," is Staci, the girl that Jack's friend, Matt, went out with. James Eckhouse, Papa Walsh on "90210," was Matt's father and Jayne Brook, Jamie on "John Doe," the Deputy Mayor on "The District" and Diane on "Chicago Hope," was Matt's mother. We also just saw Brook on "CSI: Miami."

TV Gal reader BJ was the first of many to recognize that Mira Furlan, Delenn on "Babylon 5," was the French woman who held Sayid captive on "Lost."

TV Gal reader Louis reports that Nick Wechsler, Kyle on "Roswell," played Justin on "North Shore."

All this week's bonus points go to TV Gal reader Michelle for recognizing that Deborah Van Valkenburgh, eldest daughter Jackie on "Too Close for Comfort," played the woman who was raped on "ER."

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for Nov. 22 to 28

You know I really couldn't love "Everwood" (Monday, WB, 9 p.m.) more. They've tested the limits of my affection twice this season. First with the addition of Anne Heche and then by openly mocking country music. But Heche has turned out to be fantastic and, well, country music is an acquired taste. "Everwood" remains the perfect fusion of good writing, surprising plots, great acting and compelling characters who are allowed to make mistakes and often do things we don't like. And it's simply not fair that the show is continually ignored by the Emmys and the Golden Globes. This week Amy and Ephram consider sleeping together.

Bravo kicks off its tribute to the "100 Greatest TV Characters" Monday at 9 p.m.

If you tell anyone I'll deny it, but I cried at the end of "Samantha: An American Girl Holiday" (Tuesday, WB, 8 p.m.).

"Veronica Mars" (Tuesday, UPN, 9 p.m.) is back this week. Veronica recently realized that there was no way Lilly's shoes could have been in Abel Koontz's possession. This week she goes to visit Lilly's confessed killer in prison.

Matthew Perry guest stars and directs this episode of "Scrubs" (Tuesday, NBC, 9:30 p.m.). His real life dad John Bennett Perry guest stars as his dad. Now we need to get Perry back on "The West Wing."

After too long an absence, "Judging Amy" (Tuesday, CBS, 10 p.m.) returns this week. (Call me uncool, but I can't help but watch this show every week). Amy leans on Bruce for support much to David's dismay. Now I think it's high time Bruce got a good story line, don't you? All he's done this season is react to Amy's antics.

"90210" alert, part one. Jason Priestley guest stars on "Quintuplets" (Wednesday, FOX, 8:30 p.m.) as the kid's uncle.

I'm still waiting for that Nelly/Tim McGraw music video. But you'll finally get the chance to see a performance of "Over and Over" when Nelly joins Mr. Faith Hill in "Tim McGraw: Here and Now" (Wednesday, NBC, 8 p.m.). Here's hoping Tim sings one of my all time favorite songs "Something Like That." See how close we are? Truly I keep nothing from you.

Nothing says Thanksgiving more than a television marathon. Court TV celebrates "NYPD Blue," a show I'm so not ready to stay goodbye to, beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

In this week's hour-long "Will & Grace" (Thursday, NBC, 8 p.m.), we meet Vince's parents and hey if we're lucky maybe Will and Vince will get to kiss again. A girl can dream.

Shelly Long, Mel Gibson and June Lockhart all guest star on "Complete Savages" (Friday, ABC, 8:30 p.m.).

"90210" alert, part two. Brian Austin Green guest stars on "Hope & Faith" (Friday, ABC, 9 p.m.) when the sisters flashback to a Thanksgiving a decade ago. Cheryl Ladd also guest stars as their mom.

As promised, someone will not live to tell the tale on "Desperate Housewives" (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.).

To the TV Gal Reader Belongs the Spoils

You know the rules. Don't read if you don't want to know.

Matt and Missy decide to have sex on "Jack & Bobby" (this story line is spreading like a virus through the WB). Grace thinks Missy is not the right girl for her son. Bobby gets a new girlfriend and Grace kicks Jimmy out. The worst news is that the WB is benching "Jack & Bobby" until late January so it could be awhile until we see this story line. But this respite might give Christine Lahti some time to take her performance down a few notches.

Penn and Teller will burn the American flag on an upcoming episode of "The West Wing." MS will become a much bigger problem for the president and Josh may run the vice president's campaign.

Carter and the new social worker will kiss on "ER." (Shocking I know.) And can we talk about how Madchen Amick always looks like as if she came from her day of beauty before rushing to the newest hospital crisis. Seriously, shouldn't her lipstick be a little smudged? Oh and we will see Kem at least one more time this season.

Blythe Danner will be back as Will's mom on "Will & Grace." And Hallee Hirsh, Mark's daughter Rachel on "ER," will play Karen's step daughter.

If you think Edie sent the note on "Desperate Housewives," I would say that's too simple of an explanation.

Ed O'Neill will reunite with Katey Sagal when he plays a long lost boyfriend of Cate's on "8 Simple Rules" and "Live with Regis and Kelly" producer Michael Gelman will play Hal, Jr. son of Regis Philbin's Hal in a February episode of "Hope & Faith."

Just a reminder that Michael's father will be found dead on "NYPD Blue" and you all know who they will like as the prep. That's all for today. Have a very happy Thanksgiving. And remember this is a time for families to come together and bridge the gaps that divide us. So if your uncle's favorite show is "Fear Factor" and your mom declares "Arrested Development" to be stupid, that's okay. This is why we have each other. And I will be back next Monday and Thursday to wrap up November sweeps and to talk about "The O.C." (red hair does not diversity make), "Gilmore Girls," "Lost" (and the beginnings of another great TV debate Jack vs. Sawyer) and "much much more. And don't forget coming in December it's my annual "Best" columns -- the best quotes, the best characters, the best shows and the best of everything television. Have question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.