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Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Seriously, where would this section of my column be without procedural dramas? TV Gal readers Landshark and Marie were the first one to recognize Oksana Babiy, Tony's girlfriend Irina on "The Sopranos," as Nina the woman who was being held against her will and whose fiance was killed on "CSI: Miami." TV Gal reader Robin caught Emilie de Ravin, the despised Tess on "Roswell" and currently seen as the very pregnant Claire on "Lost," as the party girl who declared everything to be "hot." Paul Wasilewski, Amy's bad boyfriend Tommy on "Everwood," Tommy on "American Dreams," Donnie on "The O.C." and Damian on "8 Simple Rules," was the guy who was going to lose his trust fund if he was caught drinking.

TV Gal reader Michelle gets this week's bonus points for recognizing Jonathan Scarfe, Carter's drug-addicted cousin Chase on "ER," as the club owner on "CSI: Miami."

TV Gal reader Jason caught a bevy of familiar faces on "Without a Trace." Of course Chad Lowe, Jesse on "Life Goes On," George on "ER" and Luke on "Popular," was the father of the missing baby. Susan Floyd, who we just saw on "Boston Legal" as the woman suing for sexual harassment was the baby's mother. Floyd was also the star of the short-lived ABC comedy "Then Came You." Patricia Belcher, who was a judge on that same episode of "Boston Legal," was the maid. TV Gal reader Doug was the first of many to catch David Anders, the nefarious Sark on "Alias," as the lab technician on "CSI." It might sound so funny to hear him without an accent but remember that Anders is actually from Oregon. TV Gal reader Dyan recognized Jayne Brook, Diane on "Chicago Hope," the deputy mayor on "The District," and Jamie on "John Doe," as the head of the liquor board.

Dr. Mike Burton was always one of my favorite television characters, so I was delighted to once again see Josh Randall, who played Ed's best friend on "Ed," as the owner of a matchmaking company on "Kevin Hill." Don't forget we just saw Randall as Gina's boyfriend on "Joey." Thanks to TV Gal reader Peter for catching this familiar face.

TV Gal reader Mat recognized John DeLancie as the father of the allegedly kidnapped son on "NYPD Blue." He played the Elder wanting to close the magic school on "Charmed" and Q on "Star Trek: The Next Generation." And I might as well confess I know him as Eugene Bradford on "Days of Our Lives."

Jeri Ryan, Ronnie on "Boston Public" and Seven of Nine on "Star Trek: Voyager," played Charlie's girlfriend on "Two and a Half Men."

Kyla Pratt is Georgia on "Veronica Mars." She's the voice of Penny on "The Proud Family" and stars as Breanna on "One on One." Adam Wylie, who I'll always remember as cute little Zack on "Picket Fences," was Grrannt the college kid swindling people out of money. He was also Brad on "Gilmore Girls."

Rocky Carroll, Carl on "The Agency," Dr. Keith Wilkes on "Chicago Hope," and Joey on "Roc," is the Reverend on "American Dreams."

Richard Roundtree, the original Shaft and seen last season as Brill on "Alias," was the detective hired by creepy Paul to see who sent the note to his wife on "Desperate Housewives."

Best News of the Week

"The 4400" will return next summer for a 13-episode run on USA.

"Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" have been picked up for the full season. Of course this is wonderful news, but it does strand Sydney Bristow temporarily without a home on ABC. Don't forget that "Alias" was supposed to take over the Sunday at 9 p.m. slot in January. My guess is the show may find a home on Monday nights once football ends, but I fear that then "Alias" and "24" could air in the same time slot and that may send me and my TiVo over the edge.

Quotes of the Week

"So, you fly half way around the world at a moment's notice to rush to a woman's bedside when the White House is facing a biblical apocalypse?" Colin to Josh on "The West Wing."

"Oh Susan, being coy is a strategy best employed by virgins at their first dance," Mrs. Huber to Susan on "Desperate Housewives."

"If X equals lame, that guy is four times X." Ray about Ally's math teacher on "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"You want to de-Mensa that reference?" Lorelai to Rory on "Gilmore Girls."

"Britney Spears Federline -- a gym," Jack finding a new way to express shock on "Will & Grace."

"Let's see if you're faster than a speeding bullet." The Flash to Clark Kent on "Smallville."

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for the week of Oct. 25 to Oct. 31

Paula Marshall is back as Veronica's guidance counselor on "Veronica Mars" (Tuesday, UPN, 9 p.m.).

Does anyone else get completely confused by the fact that Matthew Fox's character is named Jack on "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 8 p.m.) and yet there is a character named Charlie?

Granted there are a lot of things that need fixing on "The West Wing" (Wednesday, NBC, 9 p.m.), but my suggestion is that we start with Mary McCormack's bangs.

"Jack & Bobby" moves to Wednesday night this week (WB, 9 p.m.) to get out of the way of those desperate housewives but pitting the show against the equally political "The West Wing."

"Joey" (Thursday, NBC, 8 p.m.) is going to have to do a lot more to convince me that Joey and Alex should be together. The problem with any star-crossed television couple situation is that the chemistry has to be there and viewers have to buy in from episode one. From the beginning we wanted Rachel and Ross together (until, of course, we were sick of them) and I simply don't think it's there between Alex and Joey. Plus, I'm not so keen on seeing out pal Joey break up a marriage.

Brent Spiner, Data on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," begins his three-episode guest star stint on "Star Trek: Enterprise" (Friday, UPN, 8 p.m.).

To the TV Gal Reader Belongs the Spoils

This is the best news. Charisma Carpenter will guest star on "LAX" as Heather Locklear's little sister.

Here's the deal. I'm kind of with Colin on this one. If Josh is going to keep vigil at Donna's bedside on "The West Wing" then I need him to announce that he has been and is currently in love with her when she wakes up. I may get my wish with all the job swapping that will soon be happening in the Oval Office. After Leo's heart attack, C.J. will become Chief of Staff and Josh will leave the White House staff to start working for another candidate (paging Jimmy Smits). So I'm thinking if Josh is no longer Donna's boss than they can finally get together. What I don't want is for this to become another Arnie/Roxanne of "L.A. Law" situation. By the time that series put those two characters together, it was way too late.

Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna will play Logan's parents on "Veronica Mars."

Okay, I've seen the first two episodes of the second season of "The O.C.," but Josh Schwartz, the creator and executive producer, asked us very nicely not to reveal the juicy secrets. So, I will only tell you that the gang will be hanging at a new club called "The Bait," that we will see Peter Gallagher sing this season, that Marissa's sister Caitlin is being shipped off to boarding school (I'm just glad they remembered she exists), that Mischa Barton will make a joke about how skinny she is (take that, tabloids) and that Ryan will be revealed to be super-smart. I'll also tell you I thought the first two episodes were highly entertaining full of what we've come to expect from "The O.C." -- humor, drama, snappy dialogue and our collective increasing love for Seth Cohen.

Simon will get kicked out of his dorm room after a female student spends the night with him on "7th Heaven." But, simmer down, even though Simon has been a little randy lately, this is a very special episode about becoming a foster parent.

Henry Winkler is back and Gob is still running the company on "Arrested Development." It seems that the police will arrest George Sr.'s twin brother Oscar. Lindsay and her never-nude hubby Tobias will pursue an open relationship and Tobias will audition for Blue Man Group.

Hyde will open a store with the money he inherited from his father on "That '70s Show."

Emily will find out Luke and Lorelai are a couple on "Gilmore Girls." This means the feuding elder Gilmore's will vie for Luke's affections. Meanwhile Rory will go out with Logan.

"Crossing Jordan" and "Las Vegas" will cross over in November.

Richard Kind will be back on "Scrubs.

Nicki Aycox, who played Carol's sister on "Ed," will soon show up on "Cold Case" as Lilly's sister.

Grace and Tom will be caught smoking pot on "Jack & Bobby." Jack will break up Bobby and Dex.

That's all for today. I'll be back next Monday with a preview of November sweeps and much much more. 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.