As a special treat to all of my regular Tuesday readers I’m writing this post from my Las Vegas hotel room. If you’re in the city stop by and say hi. I’ll be the guy sitting in the middle of Las Vegas Boulevard, head in my hands, trying to figure out how I ended up owing my next born child to Harrah’s.

• At 8 pm on CBS we have another rerun of NCIS. This week Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard (David McCallum) is stabbed at a crime scene. This wouldn’t have happened if he remained with U.N.C.L.E.
• Meanwhile, the gang from Beverly Hills is at it again on the CW’s 90210 (also at 8 pm). And, like last week’s episode, Naomi tries to reunite her parents. Just give it up, kid.
• No House again this week. Instead, FOX airs the highly anticipated Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde at 8 pm. This is for all of you who avoided it in the theaters when it was originally released.
• At 9 pm, a dazed girl can’t remember if she killed her best friend or not on The Mentalist.
• While Jane and the gang investigate that mystery, ABC airs repeats of Better off Ted (which is coming back next season) and Scrubs. Well, they were going to air these repeats. Now, it looks like an episode of 20/20 remembering Michael Jackson will air in its place.
• If none of this tickles your brain, perhaps a rebroadcast of PBS’ Nova, which examines the secrets of the Samurai sword, will stimulate your synapses.

Before the inevitable backlash from people whose favorite shows are hurting for respect and viewers, understand that I realize that the love is mostly in the ratings. I bled when The Wire got panned. I’m fully aware of how only now (if even) are people starting to really respect shows like The Office, 30 Rock, and How I Met Your Mother for the great work that they turn out. At the same time, how many articles have we all read about the lack of respect paid to the above mentioned shows? How many awards have these shows been nominated for at the Globes and the Emmys? Except for The Wire. (Damn it, how did they not get showered with gold statues?)

All the while, NCIS just keeps plodding along, racking up viewer wins Tuesday after Tuesday, earning them all of two Emmy noms, one for stunt coordination and the other for a guest spot. And, what’s that? It stars Mark Harmon? Then this can’t be right. Read the rest of this entry »

CBS

(Season 6, Episode 4)

“Gibbs has a father” – Ziva and McGee

We’ve waited five long years for this episode. Wasn’t it worth the wait? Even though I was spoiled about the episode and knew exactly who The Waltons‘ Ralph Waite was going to play, I found myself reacting like a school girl while watching the episode. I was as excited and giddy as DiNozzo was to find out that Gibbs didn’t just appear out of thin air! Sadly, for overexcited DiNozzo, we know more about Gibbs than he ever will… including who taught him “the rules.” Read the rest of this entry »

NBC

(Season 6, Episode 1 – Season Premiere)

A lot of NCIS fans were shocked and angry after watching last season’s finale in which the newly appointed Director Vance broke up the team. Personally, I don’t know why they felt so cheated because it was clear that Gibbs’ team would be reunited one way or another this fall. There was no news about a cast member wanting out or about a cast shakeup to revive the show (I don’t think the series needs reviving, thank you) and in none of the spoilers people heard about someone leaving the show (except for Lauren Holly). Therefore, it was clear everyone would be back.

Even if I was fine with the twist, I must admit that I was a bit sad to see the team broken up for a few episodes. NCIS ‘ strength is the team of characters working together. I was looking forward to seeing how Gibbs’ new team would do, what the old team was now up to and how they would be brought back together, and to learn why Vance broke them up.
Read the rest of this entry »