With the Emmys and the plethora of new shows clogging your TIVO this week, I'm focusing on the best and the worst of what this week has to offer.
You are Required to Watch:"Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 8 p.m. ET): We can all agree that this show sounds downright silly. But, let's remember, so did a show about a super-spy double agent fond of going undercover in revealing leather. In this week's series premiere, a plane crashes in the South Pacific and 48 survivors are trapped on a (seemingly) deserted island. Executive producer J.J. Abrams ("Alias," "Felicity") knows a thing or two about weaving a clever tale and he's backed by a fantastic cast, including Matthew Fox (who I almost didn't recognize), Daniel Dae Kim, Harold Perrineau ("Oz"), Terry O'Quinn ("Alias") and newcomer Evangeline Lilly. The two-hour pilot (the first half airs this week) introduces the sprawling 14-person core cast and is downright scary in that old-fashioned thriller kind of way. The mix of flashbacks with current action leads to two parallel story lines that eventually intersect in surprising ways. Abrams has a knack for discovering unknown female talent and writing strong female characters. Abrams turned Keri Russell into a star on "Felicity" and plucked Jennifer Garner from television obscurity with "Alias." Former model Lilly, who is also beautiful in that girl-next-door kind of way, is his latest find. Kate is part heroine, part romantic lead and all mystery. Just as Garner brings emotional gravity to a show that could come off as an over-the-top cartoon, Lilly makes the monsters of "Lost" seem palpably real. Four stars.
"Veronica Mars" (Tuesday, UPN, 9 p.m. ET): Success with one-hour dramas has long eluded the sixth-place network. That should change with "Veronica Mars," a quirky show about a sassy, scrappy high school student who helps her dad run a detective agency while defending her fellow high school outcasts. Bell, last seen playing Flora Anderson on HBO's "Deadwood," is not your typical teen star and "Veronica Mars" is not your typical show. As with series such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the success of "Veronica Mars" lies solely on Bell's shoulders. If viewers don't believe her, they won't believe the series. Thankfully Bell is up to the task. Four stars.
Watch at Your own Risk:"Complete Savages"(Friday, ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET): If you like jokes about overweight teenage girls and incontinent senior citizens, then this is the show for you. Single dad Nick (Keith Carradine) raises five stereotypical sons with the help of his brother Jimmy (Vincent Ventresca). The boys grunt and groan their way through a dreadful half-hour. One star.
"The Mountain" (Wednesday, WB, 9 p.m. ET): In theory, "The Mountain" has all the makings of a great soap -- dastardly villains, mysterious matriarchs and tortured love triangles. In practice, however, not so much. The WB seems determined to make Oliver Hudson a star, but a pretty face does not a series make. And some conspiracy theorist should try to explain why The WB has saddled Pileggi (Skinner on "The X-Files"), who co-starred in last season's "Tarzan," with another dud of a series. One star.
After you watch this week's new shows, talk about them on the TV Gal Message Board.
The EmmysSo, I only predicted 50 percent of the winners correctly. But I am so okay with being wrong when "Arrested Development" wins for outstanding comedy series. I've been on this show's bandwagon (or banana stand, as the case may be) since I first saw the pilot, and after rooting for so many underdogs over the years ("Sports Night," "Once and Again," "Buffy") that were continually ignored, well I'm happier than a TiVo at the start of the fall season that the Bluth family received the recognition it deserved.
E!'s Emmy Pre-Show: Um, I'm not sure, but I think Star Jones is getting married soon. If I had sashayed down the red carpet Sunday night, I probably would have been invited to her upcoming nuptials. Now I will fully admit that if I had celebrity after celebrity stopping to talk to me, I probably would be a gushing sycophant too. But that doesn't mean it's entertaining to watch. Star really didn't ask anybody anything. But she looked fabulous, and I'll give her two snaps way up for sneaking in a costume change. But I missed Joan and her trusty sidekick Melissa.
The Emmy Show: I have to confess that I kind of loved the Emmys "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach to reality television. That is up until the point when they brought two real people out to present awards. And I'm not so sure that Garry Shandling should be joking about having an extreme makeover. But the show, for the most part, did follow my basic rule that presenting pairs should have some obvious connection to each other. The music cue to stop the acceptance speeches came way too soon, but really why quibble at one of the most entertaining Emmy Awards we've had in quite some time?
Now for some awards of my own:
Biggest Disappointment: I wasn't that surprised, but it still hurt when the ceremony saluted shows that had their final season and left "Angel" off the list. It was more than a little ridiculous. When the announcer introduced Treat Williams, he didn't say that Williams was from "Everwood." The WB gets no respect, no respect at all.
Best Looking Presenters: Heather Locklear and Blair Underwood.
Worst Dressed: Sharon Stone.
Best Dressed: Mariska Hargitay.
Worst Acceptance Speech: I agree with Allison Janney that it's a little preposterous that she won again (especially considering the downward spiral her character took last season), but my feeling is if you put your name in and you're nominated and then you win, you cannot act humbly aghast and invite your other nominees up on stage with you. I believe the moment was genuine on Janney's part, but it played a little patronizing when she called all the losers up to the podium.
Funniest Moment Jeffrey Tambor saying "Hey now" after Garry Shandling introduced Mischa Barton.
Most Improved Hair: Please, Kathryn Morris, why can't Lilly wear her hair the way you did at the Emmys?
Best Dressed, Male: Boy, that Kiefer Sutherland cleans up nice.
Best Acceptance Speech: Sarah Jessica Parker. Sure it was gushy and over-the-top, but it beats her ads for The Gap, and she seemed truly delighted.
Most Funny Acceptance Speech: Elaine Stritch. Anyone who stands on the podium and announces without apology they don't like someone is okay by me.
That's my wrapup. What's yours? Talk about it on the TV Gal Message Board.
Quotes of the Week"I'd be willing to waive my exemption." Bradford to Donald Trump on "The Apprentice."
"That lawyer logic isn't going to work with me -- or any other kind of logic, for that matter." Joey to Alex on "Joey." Thanks to TV Gal reader Sean for the quote.
"You're the one I admire most in this world ... Next to Jennifer Garner on 'Alias.'" Barbara Jean to Reba on "Reba." Thanks to TV Gal reader Treesia for the quote.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?Did you catch a brunette James Badge Dale, Chase last season on "24," as the cop who told Tommy who started the fire on "Rescue Me"?
Eric Dane was Leo the new employee on "Las Vegas." He was Phoebe's boyfriend on "Charmed." Michael DeLuise was one of the not-so-dumb criminals. We just saw him as T.J. on "Gilmore Girls," but I will always remember him as Andy Jr. on "NYPD Blue." Thanks to TV Gal reader Mat for recognizing these familiar faces.
Diane Farr is the new female firefighter on "Rescue Me." She was on "The Job" with Denis Leary and Maria's mom in "Roswell." Last season we saw her on The WB's "Like Family."
And TV Gal reader Michelle gets such bonus points for recognizing that Clare Carey, Kelly Fox on "Coach," played Stephen's ex-wife on "Medical Investigation." Mark Derwin, Bonnie's husband on the dear-departed "Life with Bonnie," played one of the fathers of the sick girls.
Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for the week of Sept. 20 to 26Shannen Doherty hits the "North Shore" beach this Monday at 8 p.m. on FOX.
Jason Alexander will not break the "Seinfeld" curse with "Listen Up" (Monday, CBS, 8:30 p.m.). Two stars.
Real-life couple Nicole Parker and Boris Kodjoe star in "Second Time Around" (Monday, UPN, 9:30 p.m.). It's great to see both actors leaving the weepy melodrama of "Soul Food" behind for comedy. And it's even better to see a UPN comedy that doesn't play to the lowest common denominator. If only the results were more funny. Two and a half stars.
Curses on that pesky non-elimination round. We were so close to getting rid of Colin and Christie. The season finale of "Amazing Race" is Tuesday at 9 p.m. on CBS.
Currie Graham and Bonnie Somerville join the cast as "NYPD Blue" begins its final season this Tuesday at 10 p.m. on ABC.
You know what? I'm done with "Nip/Tuck" (Tuesday, FX, 10 p.m.). There are some things I simply don't need to see on television, and a mother who has an affair with her teenage son is one of them. It is profoundly disturbing, and the storyline, which only peripherally involves the main characters, truly serves no purpose. It's shocking for shock value's sake and "Nip/Tuck" crossed a line.
"CSI" (Thursday, CBS, 9 p.m.) returns with (thankfully) Nick and Sara. And Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle on "24") is one of many familiar faces. Also keep an ear out for some familiar theme music.
Jack is a backup dancer for Janet Jackson on "Will & Grace" (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m.) Yes, Ms. Jackson will be on the episode, but I'm more excited about Will Arnett (who is so my new secret boyfriend) and Bobby Cannavale, who returns as Will's boyfriend. I will now commence with my one-woman crusade to have Will kiss another man this season.
Now I'm not sure how this is possible, but I'm here to tell you that Enrique Murciano and Eric Close actually got better-looking over the summer. And I think you are all going to be surprised by the steamy opening scene of "Without a Trace" (Thursday, CBS, 10 p.m.).
Shane West joins the cast of "ER" (Thursday, NBC, 10 p.m.) and Thandie Newton (who I loved but many of you didn't) returns as Carter's girlfriend Kem.
Is "dr. vegas" (Friday, CBS, 10 p.m.) so bad, it's bad or so bad, it's good? After seeing two episodes, I think it's more the latter. Plus, in addition to Rob Lowe, Joe Pantoliano and Tom Siezmore, there's Sarah Lancaster (Madison on "Everwood"), who I've officially decided has one of the best smiles in the business. Two and a half stars.
Fake baseball teams, hokey sentimentality and, I hate to be harsh on kids, so suffice to say star Jeremy Sumpter isn't the best actor for the role. "Clubhouse" (special preview Sunday on CBS at 8 p.m.) was not for me, and it's from executive producer Aaron Spelling, so you know that's saying a lot. Two stars.
To the TV Gal Reader Belong the SpoilsLorelai will give Dean a letter from Rory on "Gilmore Girls." There's only one problem -- his wife, Lindsay, finds the letter and kicks Dean out of the house. When Rory returns from Europe, she'll run into Lindsay and her mother. And Lorelai and Luke will try to pick up where they left off when he returns from helping his sister with the Renaissance Fair.
Now you know Edna and her son won't be able to work together for long on "Everwood." Take a guess on which doctor's office Edna will join.
So I already told you that Sipowicz will have a stalker on "NYPD Blue." Now I'm going to tell you that Scott William Winters returns as Detective Stan Hatcher.
That's all for today. I'll be back next Monday with reviews of "Desperate Housewives" (love it, love everything about it), "Kevin Hill," and much, much more. Have a 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.
