TV

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - NBC promises a "season of change" on "The West Wing" (premiering Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC). They probably wish they could promise a "season of excellent ratings." The former jewel of the peacock network now limps into its sixth season, a mere shadow of its former self. I've long contended it is much worse when a good show goes mediocre than when a bad show stays awful. (For instance, I'm not losing any sleep over the current state "One Tree Hill") "West Wing" did for politics what "ER" did for medicine and was full of quip lines and a mishmash of imperfect but compelling characters. Sure creator/writer Aaron Sorkin could get a little too schmaltzy, but he gave us a President we could all vote for. No recount necessary. But gone are the days of witty dialogue, fascinating plot lines and intriguing characters.

Sorkin developed a pesky habit of introducing characters who mysteriously disappeared (I mean did we ever seen Evan Handler again) or died an untimely death (poor Mark Harmon). The show couldn't shake Amy (Mary Louise Parker) or even decide what kind of character she was supposed to be. Sodapop left the Oval Office and Aaron Sorkin left the series. The once great show became trite, confusing (can anyone understand what happened to C.J. last season?), and predictable. And it decided to try to solve every societal and political issue in 44 minutes.

Now Jimmy Smits joins the cast as a three-time Democratic Congressman from Houston and Alan Alda drops by as a Republican Senator who also has designs on the Oval Office. Will they revitalize this once great series? Perhaps. Stranger things have happened. I mean did you ever expect Anne Heche to be so good on "Everwood"?

How do you think "The West Wing" will fare this season? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"Superhero and journalist. What are the odds?" Chloe to Clark on "Smallville." Thanks to TV Gal reader Robbob and DarkKnight for the quote.

"Oh what do we have here? One jack, three queens and an old maid. I don't know what game we're playing, but deal me in." Jack upon arriving at Will's birthday party on "Will & Grace." Thanks to TV Gal readers John and Jeff for the quote.

"I think I'm in love with somebody else." Nina to Jake on "Everwood." Well, we all could have told you that Nina.

"Well, well, well Hoss returns." Paris to Rory when she finds out Rory and Dean are back together on "Gilmore Girls."

"Well, let's see: I can crack open your chest, re-inflate your lung and squeeze your heart back to life." Neela to a job placement specialist when asked what she can do on "ER."

"Lousy conversation, but the sex was fantastic." Veronica when her dad asks how her date was on "Veronica Mars."

"For what it's worth -- wow." Mike after seeing Susan naked on "Desperate Housewives." How much do we love Jamie Denton?

"That was some of the worst paddling I've ever seen," Jeff Probst after the Yasur tribe loses the immunity challenge on "Survivor." I must admit I kind of like it when Probst gets so cranky. Perhaps the air conditioner in his bungalow broke.

"She's pregnant." Tommy on the season finale of "Rescue Me" about why he can't stop seeing Sheila.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Allyce Beasley, Agnes Dipesto on "Moonlighting," was cat-lady God on "Joan of Arcadia."

Bob Odenkirk was Brian Michael David Scott, Joey's acting nemesis on "Joey." He, of course, was the star of "Mr. Show" with David Cross (Tobias on "Arrested Development.) Last season he played Dr. Gunty on "Arrested Development."

It was, as TV Gal reader Cathy pointed out, a busy week for Melissa Leo, Detective Kay Howard on "Homicide." She was the father who became a woman on "Veronica Mars" and the mother of the missing girl who was a donor to her sick brother on "CSI."

Aisha Tyler, Charlie on "Friends" and the maimed Somalian woman this season on "Nip/Tuck," is Greg's replacement in the lab on "CSI." America Ferrera, the star of "Real Women Have Curves" and "Gotta Kick It Up," was the sister of the missing girl. TV Gal reader Toliver was first of many to catch D.B. Woodside, Principal Wood on "Buffy," Henry on "Once and Again," and Wayne last season on "24," as the sex offender framed for the missing girl's murder on "CSI."

Richard Burgi is an expert at playing jerky ex-husbands. He plays Michael, Amy's ex on "Judging Amy" and he's currently playing Karl, Susan's ex on "Desperate Housewives." Also you might remember him from the first season of "24." He pretended to be Alan York, the father of Kim's friend but was really bad guy Kevin Carroll. He was also the gay action star on FOX's short-lived sitcom "Action!"

TV Gal reader David caught Navi Rawat, Teresa on "The O.C." and the star of "Thoughtcrimes," as the prostitute who was friends with the missing X-ray technician Teddy on "Without a Trace." Teddy was, of course, played by David Eigenberg, Steve on "Sex and the City" and seen recently on "The 4400." Raphael Sbarge, Jake on "The Guardian," was Teddy's cousin.

TV Gal reader Ken caught Josh Randall, Mike on "Ed," as Gina's boyfriend Roger on "Joey."

TV Gal reader Hammertime was the first to let me know that Maggie Grace, Shannon on "Lost," was the rape victim on "Law & Order: SVU."

TV Gal reader Michelle caught James Avery, Uncle Phil on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and Kelso's training Officer Kennedy on "That '70s Show," as the construction foreman forced to hire an ex-con to keep his nephew safe on "NYPD Blue."

TV Gal reader Kim recognized Kate Mara, Vanessa on "Nip/Tuck" and Kate the first season of "Everwood," as the dean's daughter who accidentally committed murder on "CSI: Miami."

My friend Michelle gets such bonus points for recognizing Teal Redmann, Louise on "Gilmore Girls," as the brunette prep school drug addict on "CSI: Miami."

Alas, my dear readers, this is so not a good sign. Paula Marshall, who is a fine actress but seems doomed when it comes to success on television, is Veronica's guidance counselor on "Veronica Mars." TV Gal readers Selina and Ted recognized her as the star of the defunct "Cupid," "Snoops," "Cursed," "Chicago Sons" and "Hidden Hills." Let the record reflect that she also guest-stared on "Miss Match" before it was cancelled last season. She also played Nina's daughter on "Just Shoot Me," which, of course, also starred Enrico Colantoni, who now plays Veronica's father.

Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Time for Oct. 18 to 24

Since Caroline Rhea is involved, I'm desperately clinging to the hope that "The Biggest Loser" (Tuesday, NBC, 8 p.m.) will actually be a somewhat thoughtful reality show about how difficult it is to lose weight. We'll soon find out if I'm right.

Seriously, if you lived in "Smallville" (Wednesday, WB, 8 p.m.) would you ever drink a glowing green beverage? Will these kids never learn?

Now everyone I've heard from loves "Veronica Mars" (Tuesday, UPN, 9 p.m.) as much as I do. If you aren't watching (and don't think I won't find out, I have my ways. I have my connections.), you are definitely missing out.

Veronica Hamel guest stars as Jack's mother on "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 8 p.m.) as we learn exactly what turned Charlie Salinger into an island hero.

No more empty threats, CBS claims that this time they really mean it. They are finally premiering "Center of the Universe" (Wednesday, CBS, 9:30 p.m.) The delay does not change the fact that the series is easily the worst new sitcom of the season.

Now don't get upset but I'm a little worried about our pal "Joey" (Thursday, NBC, 8 p.m.). Our friend's world remains too small (it's not a good sign that Alex wasn't even in last week's episode) and the joke about Gina being an extremely over-protective mother is getting old fast. The writing isn't matching the talents of the cast. This week Alex's husband comes home and he's played by Matt Letscher, Gavin on "Good Morning Miami."

Now do you think Andy's mother knows he's on "The Apprentice" (Thursday, NBC, 9 p.m.), or is she's at home worrying about why he's missed his curfew?

Mike Erwin, Colin on "Everwood," guest stars on "Joan of Arcadia" (Friday, CBS, 8 p.m.).

To the TV Gal Reader Belongs the Spoils

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

This is not good. Eliot will start dating again on "Scrubs." The only problem is she will start dating J.D.'s brother Dan. Who knew Ed would cheat on Carol so quickly?

Lindsay Lohan will guest star on "That '70s Show" as Danielle, a girl who catches the eye of both Fez (Wilmer Valderrama, Lohan's real life boyfriend) and Kelso.

Ephram applies to a safety college in Colorado when he fears he won't get into Julliard (meanwhile I fear he will and that would seriously change the show next season) and Amy won't apply to Princeton because it's too far away from Ephram. Irv will lose his job causing problems in his marriage to Edna.

Christopher returns to Stars Hollow on Oct. 26 causing some trouble for Lorelai and Luke's romance (boo Christopher, boo). It seems that Sherry has left him to raise their baby all by himself (remember that Madchen Amick will pop up in this week's "ER") and he wants Lorelai's help on "Gilmore Girls." Meanwhile Norman Mailer is eating at the Dragonfly Inn and Sookie finds out she's pregnant again.

It's a freaky Wednesday when Clark and Lionel Luthor trade bodies on "Smallville."

It's no surprise that Neela will return to the "ER." Look for hotshot Ray to make a big mistake. And look for Abby to get a little lovin' when Eion Bailey guest stars as a medical student interested in our Abby.

Dana Delany and Brian Kerwin (last seen as C.J.'s old boyfriend in a plot that never quite made sense on "West Wing") will guest star on "Boston Legal." Kerwin will play a mayoral candidate and Delany will play his wife. Surprise, surprise it turns out that Delany's character is an old friend of Alan Shore. Friends who commit crimes or are in legal trouble is my number two sure sign that a David E. Kelley show has taken a turn for the worse.

Could there be better news than the fact that Chris Carmack, Luke, will guest star on the season premiere of "The O.C"? Also look for Ryan and Theresa to be living together while Ryan works construction and Marissa to once again turn to destructive ways to mask her pain.

Roxanne and Luke will move in together on "American Dreams" and the Pryor family will learn that J.J. is MIA in Vietnam.

Whose ever stalking Andy takes it up a notch. He'll be shot while helping Clark home from a bar on "NYPD Blue" and he'll find out someone has been bugging his car. Also look for Samaire Armstrong, Anna on "The O.C." and we just saw her on "Entourage," to guest star.

Kelly Preston will play an old high school friend of Gina's on "Joey." When Joey finds out she's getting divorced, he decides to make his move.

That's all for today. I'll be back next Monday with thoughts on the new faces in old places (Bailey is in "Everwood," Jess is living the "American Dreams," Eli checked into the "ER" and I love that Lois Lane) 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.