TV

What did you think of "Cracking Up" and "Wonderfalls"? What are some of your favorite midseason replacements? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

TV Gal reader Kate let me know that Cress Williams, D'Shawn on "90210" and Jeannie's husband on "ER," was the foster father of a murdered boy on "Law & Order: SVU."

Lorraine Toussaint, Rene on "Any Day Now" and Elaine on "Crossing Jordan," was the nurse on "Frasier."

Doug Savant, Matt on "Melrose Place," is everywhere these days. He's certainly has had more lines in the last couple of weeks than he ever had on "Melrose." Matt was a gay character long before it was trendy. We just saw Savant as the head of hotel security on "24" and last week he was the husband of the rape victim on "NYPD Blue." Deirdre Lovejoy played Michelle Foster, the rape victim. She's Rhonda on "The Wire" and we also saw her last week as a Senator on "The West Wing."

Navi Rawat, who is currently playing Teresa on "The O.C.," was Dana a vampire slayer on the "Damage" episode of "Angel."

Nicki Aycox was Sean Astin's money grubbing wife on "Las Vegas." We last saw her as Carol's sister on "Ed."

Jane Lynch was the coupon-happy housewife on "Las Vegas." We also saw her as the person trying to get George Sr. to spill the beans on "Arrested Development." Last week she was the marriage therapist on "Monk" and the week before a famous photographer on "NYPD Blue." She was also Nurse Poole on last season's "MDs." Give this woman her own series.

Amber Benson, Tara on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," was the murdered woman on "Cold Case."

Quotes of the Week

"I thought this was a counseling session, not a dork-off." Donna on "That '70s Show" when she watches her minister and Eric debate the finer points of "Stars Wars." Thanks to TV Gal reader Susan for the quote.

"You are the mole on the backside of my success." Ray to his brother Robert on "Everybody Loves Raymond."

"I'm 65-years-old and my boyfriend's mother hates me." Maxine to Amy on "Judging Amy."

"As good as the rice is, it's terrible." Boston Rob on "Survivor: All-Stars."

"That's Courtney Love and Margot Kidder on a hike with Anne Heche," Will to Grace describing the money they are being offered as "crazy" on "Will & Grace."

"What is the 'F-bomb'?" Donald Trump on "The Apprentice."

"Unless you're a vampire -- or a ghost of one -- who saved the world, or Buffy," Angel and Spike on "Angel" describing how death is not always final in the world of Joss Whedon shows.

"Every British actor's dream is to play an authentic American hero," Colin Firth in a skit on "Saturday Night Live."

"It's my head and if I don't get some catered service real fast, I'm calling the president." Troy making fun of Omarosa on "The Apprentice." Thanks to TV Gal reader Jeff for the quote. Now I know we all weren't big fans of Omarosa, but you have to admit she made for great television. Who else could have driven Troy to such a snarky comment?

Seth Cohen Quote of the Week

"What's up with this AC? My Jew fro is frizzing out. I look like Screech." Seth to Ryan on "The O.C." Thanks to TV Gal reader Jennifer for the quote.

Highlights of the Week Ahead

Take that Ryan Seacrest. Brian Dunkleman and Lana Parrilla (Teresa on "Boomtown") guest star on "NYPD Blue" (Tuesday, ABC, 10 p.m. ET). This is also the episode that finds the ever-clueless Eddie Gibson back and running the squad.

"The Shield" returns for a third season Tuesday at 10 p.m. on FX. Remember when we last left Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) and crew, they were standing over a table full of money. Now there's money, money everywhere but there's not a drop available to them (spending the money will certainly cause suspicion). This season look for a competitor to the strike team in the form of the Decoy Squad. The Decoy Squad is headed by Walton Burke (Gareth Williams) and since this fact drove me crazy until I figured it out I'll save you some anguish and tell you that Williams played Joey's dad on "Dawson's Creek" (I know, I know the cross-section of television viewers who watch both "The Shield" and "Dawson's Creek" is small, but I'm always here to help). Another member of the Decoy Squad is Trish George (Nicki Micheaux). Since the cross-section of people who watch "The Shield" and "Six Feet Under" is probably infinitely higher, I tell you that Micheaux plays Keith's sister Karla on "Six Feet Under." Also new this season is Shane's new girlfriend Mara (Michele Hicks) who causes some dissension among the ranks. Although the plot lines can sometimes be too confusing for the show's own good, "The Shield" continues to thrive on positively riveting performances. We all know Chiklis is excellent, but so is Jay Karnes as smart but socially inept Dutch, Walton Goggins as the volatile Shane, Michael Jace as the repressed Julien and CCH Pounder as the savvy Claudette.

I don't know what to think about the fact that two people, for very different reasons, have quit "Survivor: All-Stars" (Thursday, CBS, 8 p.m. ET). But I can tell you that the finale will air live on Sunday, May 9 from Madison Square Garden.

Edie Falco and Chloe Sevigny guest star as lesbian apartment flippers on "Will & Grace" (Thursday, NBC, 8:30 p.m ET). Listen to me now and believe me later, if Edie and Chloe get to lock lips I will be furious. Jack still hasn't even been able to kiss Stuart, the most serious boyfriend he's had since the series began.

Nicholas Brendon, Majandra Delfino and Ethan Embry star in the new ABC Family movie "Celeste in the City" (Sunday at 8 p.m. ET). This won't come as any surprise to "Buffy" fans, but Brendon is terrific at comedy. I was also impressed by how there wasn't a trace of Xander in his character Dana. Journalist Celeste (Delfino of "Roswell" fame) moves to the Big Apple and is in desperate need of a makeover. Even before she goes from drab to dazzling, she's already caught the eye of her cute neighbor (an adorable Embry). Films where a pretty actress does everything to look unattractive aren't my favorite genre, but as usual, ABC Family has turned a clichi into a charming movie. Watch and see why I still heart ABC Family movies.

James Lipton guest stars as a warden on "Arrested Development" (Sunday, FOX, 9:30 p.m. ET). It's clear that folks in the business love this show. Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Henry Winkler and Amy Poehler all guest star in the coming weeks. And FOX is doing all they can to promote the show. On Wednesday, March 17, they'll air an episode after the live "American Idol" results show.

Seriously, are we supposed to believe that Vaughn couldn't recognize Lauren with the mask on when she has one of the most recognizable mouths in the business? I love that Lauren and Sark are quickly becoming the anti-Sydney and Vaughn. But I was so distracted by Dr. Barnett's chest (what did they do to Patricia Wettig's breasts?) that it was hard for me to concentrate on her exchange with Sloane. But I think we're getting much closer to my theory that Sloane discovered something that makes him invincible (he can't be drinking all that water just to hydrate). By the way, since we all miss Francie, don't forget that Merrin Dungey will star in The WB's upcoming series "Summerland" from executive producer Aaron Spelling.

Steve Buscemi makes his first appearance in this episode of "The Sopranos" (Sunday, HBO, 9 p.m.).

It's old home week on "The Practice" (Sunday, ABC, 10 p.m.). Kelli Williams, who up until last season played Lindsay on "The Practice," directs this week's episode and Marla Sokoloff reprises her role of Lucy Hatcher.

To the TV Gal Reader Belongs the Spoils

Remember don't read if you don't want to know.

This is seriously enough to get me watching "Tru Calling." Jason Priestley joins the cast on March 25. And Laura Leighton, who played Sydney on "Melrose Place" and who we saw this season on the quickly cancelled "Skin," plays Tru's father's new wife. Remember that Priestley is playing the new forensic attendant.

Dixon's children are kidnapped by Sark on "Alias." And Lauren's father, Senator Reed, will no longer let his daughter come to intelligence briefings, so the evil one will frame Sloane as the CIA mole.

Donna heads to Israel on "The West Wing" and her life is in danger when she gets caught in the crossfire of an attack. Let's hope this finally brings the Donna and Josh relationship to another level.

You can look for Jack Black, who stared in Mike White's movie "School of Rock," as a substance abuse counselor on "Cracking Up."

Gob will marry a woman (Amy Poehler) on a dare on "Arrested Development" and Michael will accidentally sleep with his father's prosecuting attorney (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).

Marge enters a rehab center on "The Simpsons."

Lois and Hal kick Reese out of the house on "Malcolm in the Middle" and only Francis seems to care.

Ryan tries to hide the fact that Julie and Luke are having an affair from Marissa on "The O.C."

That's all for today. I'll be back next Monday with reviews of new series "The D.A." (starring Bruno Campos sans accent) and "Century City" (starring Ioan Gruffudd and Nestor Carbonell sans accents). 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.