TV

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) We're always searching for the next big thing. Here are some of my predictions:

The Next "Seinfeld": "Arrested Development." No one watched "Seinfeld" its first season either, and it soon became not only the iconic comedy of the 1990s, but a show that is still a hit in syndication. "Seinfeld" was a hip, elite show which hit the mainstream and still maintained its cool quotient even when it was the No. 1 series on TV. Fans of the brilliant FOX comedy already discuss the hilarious minutiae of every episode (I had a 30-minute conversation with my friend exclusively on the "Hermano" episode), and my hope is the rest of the world soon catches on to what we've been going on and on about.

The next Sarah Michelle Gellar: Kristen Bell. Since Buffy walked off into the sunset and out of Sunnydale, we've needed another flippant, cool heroine. One that always has a quip reply ready, but is smarter than most, braver than many, and yet ultimately very human. As with Buffy, we wouldn't believe Veronica Mars' world if we didn't believe in Bell's Mars. The best news is that the show was just picked up for a full season.

The next George Clooney: James Denton. Back in 1994, George Clooney got a career IV push when he played the sexy cad Dr. Doug Ross on "ER," an instant hit for NBC. Suddenly viewers everywhere thought, "Who is that guy?," and Clooney was propelled into stardom. Of course, we already knew Clooney as the handyman George on "Facts of Life" and Sela Ward's boyfriend Falconer on "Sisters." James Denton, the hunky neighbor Mike on "Desperate Housewives," is poised for the same success. Lucky viewers already knew him as the smoldering Judge Ripley on "Philly" and the nefarious Mr. Lyle on "The Pretender." With the dearth of leading men over 35 on TV, Denton, so good at playing the good guy who might be bad, is exactly what we and Wisteria Lane needed.

The next Marcia Cross: Marcia Cross. Cross permanently moved out of "Melrose Place" in 1997, but fans of the defining '90s soap are still crazy about her diabolical Dr. Kimberly Shaw (The return from the dead! The ridiculous wig! That heinous scar!). Has Cross missed a beat since she vacated television's most famous apartment complex? I think not. She still looks exactly the same (I so need to know what moisturizer she uses), and after a short and enjoyable detour to "Everwood," Cross is back to the genre that first brought her fame.

Who and what do you think are the next big things? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"No one is that sweet and nice. She's like a Stepford hag." Grace about Vince's Grace (Kristin Davis) on "Will & Grace."

"So Robin, what's your number now that I can talk to you?" Raj to Donald Trump's receptionist after he had been fired (sniff) on "The Apprentice."

"The more time I spend with Zach, the less time I have to think about -- God, what's his face, built like a beanpole, curly hair, runs away like a bitch on a sailboat, leaving nothing but a note for his girlfriend, who cried and cried over him until the Fourth of July when she decided she doesn't cry over bitches on boats." Summer to Marissa on "The O.C." Thanks to TV Gal reader Jeff for the quote.

"I'm afraid I just blue myself." Tobias, after painting himself blue in an effort to become part of the Blue Man Group, on "Arrested Development."

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

There was a little bit of a "Freaks and Geeks" reunion on "life as we know it." Samm Levine, Neal on the beloved but too short-lived NBC show, was the director of the play, and Becky Ann Baker, Lindsay and Sam's mom, was Ben's mom.

That was Sara Gilbert as the new intern on "ER." Gilbert, of course, was the ever-fabulous Darlene on "Roseanne," a Barry Manilow fan on "Will & Grace," and the doomed Paula during the second season of "24."

Riddle me this: What show hasn't Evan Handler been on? Handler, probably best known as Charlotte's hubby Harry on "Sex and the City," was the lawyer Kevin wanted to hire on "Joan of Arcadia." This season alone we've seen Handler on "Jack & Bobby" and "Without a Trace." But he also was Shrug on "It's Like, You Know ...," the president's campaign advisor on "The West Wing," a guy Ed defended on "Ed" and a lawyer on "The Guardian."

TV Gal reader Landshark recognized that Zachary Quinto, public TV God on "Joan of Arcadia," was Adam last season on "24."

TV Gal reader Mat knew that was Harriet Sansom Harris, who we all loved as Frasier's agent Bebe on "Frasier" and Audrey on last season's "It's All Relative," who played the college employee who called Grissom on "CSI." TV Gal readers Diane and William recognized Summer Glau, River on "Firefly," as the roommate of the dead college student.

TV Gal reader Joy was the first of many to remind me that Jason Beghe, Anne Heche's husband on "Everwood," is also currently playing JJ's platoon sergeant on "American Dreams."

TV Gal reader Jennifer reminded me that Trent Ford, last week's telepathic villain on "Smallville," was Zoey's French boyfriend on "The West Wing" and the star of the Mandy Moore tour-de-force "How to Deal."

Highlights of the Week Ahead, Part 1
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Nov. 8-10

A lot has been made of UPN's network rehabilitation this season (as part of its 12-step program, it's going door-to-door and begging forgiveness for "The Mullets, "Shasta McNasty" and, lest we forget, "Homeboys in Outer Space"), but since 2000, UPN has had a quality show in "Girlfriends," which marks its 100th episode at 9 p.m. Monday. If you've never watched the show, now would be a perfect time to start.

Camryn Manheim guest stars as Berta's sister on "Two and a Half Men" (CBS, 9 p.m. Monday -- a half-hour earlier than usual) and a tidal wave hits "CSI: Miami" (9:30 p.m.). Remember we're getting less of "Everybody Loves Raymond" in its final season, so other CBS shows are stepping up.

Whether it was your job at the mall when you were in high school or your current 9-to-6 drag, all of us, at one point or another, have dreamed of quitting our job and pursuing our dream. "I Hate My Job" (Spike TV, 9 p.m. Tuesday) taps into those emotions with eight guys worth rooting for, even if achieving their dream career seems like an unattainable goal. Three and a half stars.

Sir Richard Branson is much better at playing Sir Richard Branson than Donald Trump is at playing Donald Trump. He's in the thick of it with his executive wannabes on "The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best" (FOX, 8 p.m. Tuesday). In this week's premiere, those who want a piece of the Virgin pie (little do they know that the real prize is running the entire Virgin Group) walk between two hot-air balloons. Do you have to be a crazy daredevil to run one of the world's largest corporations? Maybe, maybe not. But even with the stunts, Branson seems less capricious than The Donald with his elimination decisions. Plus Branson does have much better hair. Three and a half stars. Julianna Margulies (check out her bangs) plays a malpractice attorney and Richard Kind returns to "Scrubs" (NBC, 9:30 p.m. Tuesday).

Charisma Carpenter (who, come to think of it, could be the next Heather Locklear) guest stars as Harley's younger sister on "LAX" (NBC, 8 p.m. Wednesday). My hope was always that this ratings-challenged series would stay on the air long enough for this episode to air.

It's all Jimmy Smits, all the time, this week. First he reprises his role of Bobby Simone, Andy's best partner on "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 10 p.m. Tuesday), then he meets Josh as a congressman from Houston on "The West Wing" (NBC, 9 p.m. Wednesday).

By now most of you should be well aware of my love of country music. So yes, I will be here for the party known as the "CMA Awards" (CBS, 8 p.m. Tuesday). Especially because there will be a performance from the fantastic Keith Urban.

You know how on "Alias" we kind of just ignore all the Rimbaldi stuff because, well, we don't really understand it? That's kind of how I feel with what Sayid is up to on "Lost" (ABC, 8 p.m. Wednesday). I don't really get why three people had to set off flares at the same time, but I don't really need to understand it now, do I? This week, we should learn more about bad boy Sawyer, and I've already officially decided that both Terry O'Quinn and Dominic Monaghan deserve Emmy nominations.

Not many shows could get away with jokes about abusive relationships and chronic overeating, but "King of Queens" (CBS, 9 p.m. Wednesday) manages to pull it off. This episode had me laughing out loud.

To the TV Gal Reader Belong the Spoils

This is the best news. Nick Warnock, whom I inexplicably rooted for last season on "The Apprentice" (please note the pattern -- Boston Rob, Nick, Raj), will guest star on "American Dreams" Sunday, Nov. 21. This episode will also air commercial-free as J.J. fights for his life in the jungle.

Lynette will become addicted to Ritalin and the girls will find out about Gabrielle's affair on "Desperate Housewives." Also, a woman from Mike's past will cause trouble with his relationship with Susan. She knows what Mike is up to and could spill the beans to Wisteria Lane.

Jamie-Lynn DiScala will play Vince's sister on "Will & Grace."

Sayid will figure out the source of the French transmission on "Lost."

That's all for today. But don't forget that during November sweeps you get two TV Gal columns for the price of one. So I'll be back Thursday to discuss the inevitable "O.C." backlash (we love to build shows up only to tear them down), ask whether "Joey" can be saved 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.