Cougars and Bad News Bears on "30 Rock"

I think it's safe to say that, until 30 Rock came along, a comedy hasn't managed to perfectly capture my absurd sense of humor, love for Tivo-friendly sight gags, and tendency to fall madly in love with non-sequiturs since Arrested Development. And to think that the Emmy winner for Best Comedy was nearly canceled during its freshman season after just a handful of episodes. Where would we be today without the comedic genius that is 30 Rock?

Thursday nights can become a bit of a drag when it's populated by nothing but repeats. Fortunately, 30 Rock was there to lift my spirits last night with a hysterical brand new episode ("Cougars") by co-executive producer John Riggi that ranks up there with some of the series' very best and had me rolling on the floor with laughter.

This week's installment juggled several storylines flawlessly, including Liz's doomed affair with much-younger-man Jamie, Tracy's war with Jack over an underdog little league team from Knuckle Beach; and Frank's sudden man-crush on Liz's little coffee boy. All this AND homemade bacon and mint-flavored country gum from Kenneth. Does it get any better?

So what did I love so much about this week's episode? (Well, everything.) But to pick some gems, it had to be Liz's reaction to her new "Zac Efron" lookalike boytoy Jamie, who thought that Liz was 29. (She didn't do much to correct him on this front.) And when she finally did come clean at the club, she uttered a phrase that many New Yorkers are repeating today: "I'm 37, don't make me go to Brooklyn!" Still, I did kind of like Liz and Jamie together; Liz has been a mess since she ended her relationship with Floyd at the end of last season: ordering meatball subs with extra bread and watching Top Chef on TiVo by herself on Friday nights. (Can I say how much I loved Jack's mean-spirited spoiler that Casey was booted off that week? Awesome.) Now, she's going up on her roof with abandon, dating a guy with whom she shares a 17-year age difference, and partying at the same hotspots as Cirie. That's got to amount to progress, right?

It all came together when Liz picked up Jamie at his place, which he shares with his mom, only being 20. (Glad that they addressed the relative splendor of his apartment, unlike most NYC-set series which have their young protagonists living in all sorts of unrealistically luxurious places.) Loved the sight gag of Jamie's mom looking exactly like Liz Lemon. Fitting, hysterical, and heartbreaking all rolled into one, uncomfortable and squeamish ball. (Kinda like Jenna dating that 13-year-old guy with the wheelie sneakers and penchant for soda.)

Meanwhile, I absolutely loved the Tracy, Jack, and Kenneth storyline that had Tracy coaching a disadvantaged little league team from one of the city's roughest neighborhoods after his motorcycle ran over a police horse. (Only on this series would that sentence even remotely make sense.) The kids' dream-little life plans were hysterical ("One day I'll have an office like this... to clean!") as was their belief that Jack Donaghy was some sort of "king." Loved the Sheinhardt Wig Company uniforms, the "Fun Accomplished" banner, Jack's salute to General MacArthur, and the park's namesake statue of Jefferson Davis which the kids pulled down in a blatant shout-out to Iraq.

And the storyline in which Frank went gay for Jamie (but only Jamie) was also mordantly funny as he repeatedly found ways to touch Jamie (and then grossly smelled his fingers), bought the coffee boy a sweater (not on sale, he insisted), and presented him with a painting he made of a one-armed unicorn mermaid with Bigfoot. But the visuals of seeing Frank Rossitano (Judah Friedlander) in a red-and-white striped tank with a Freddy-from-Scooby Doo kerchief? Classic.

All in all, another brilliant episode of 30 Rock that delivered on every level and cheered me up immensely. I'm curious to know from you guys what you thought. Were you as enamored of this episode as I was?

Next week on 30 Rock ("Secrets and Lies"), Jack and C.C. face a crisis when she suggests they take their relationship public, while Liz attempts to satisfy the diva-like needs of her two stars, Tracy and Jenna.

Family Secrets and Lies: The Darlings Reveal Both on "Dirty Sexy Money"

There's a certain vindication in being right that just can't be beat.

I'm talking, among other things, about this week's episode of Dirty Sexy Money ("The Watch"), which I devoured last night. It was another brilliant installment of this fast, slick, soapy drama and, this week, presented an equal amount of over-the-top fun (Jeremy faking being a struggling artist in order to keep Sofia) along with a complex emotional story that painted in some of the backstory between Letitia and Dutch, along with the reveal about which Darling scion wasn't Tripp's biological child.

Sure enough, my hypotheses so far this season about Brian being Dutch's child--which, yes, would make him Nick's brother--proved to be right on the money. It's only ironic that the hateful, spiteful Brian, who lived his entire life trying to drag Nick into misery and despair and who painted Dutch as a beggar at the feast, would in the end not even be a Darling. It's only fitting, given that the first time we met Brian he was refusing to accept Brian Jr. as his son and a Darling heir, a revelation which now seems foolish as neither of them have any real claim to the Darling name or fortune.

It was heartbreaking that Letitia kept the truth from Dutch as well as Brian, truly believing that she was doing both of them a favor by leaving them in the dark as to their real relationship. Instead, Brian felt alienated and cast out from his own family and never felt as though he fit in. The revelation of Brian's true parentage has also cast a pall over Tripp as well; despite his claims that the knowledge hasn't tainted his love for Brian, it's clear that it has. Whereas he would have rushed to help Patrick or Karen if they were in the same predicament, he insisted that they let the law handle the matter of Brian's custody claim as well as his possible prison sentence for attempting to bribe that arbitrator.

I never thought I'd come to feel sympathy for Brian, but this week's episode definitely managed to do just that. The scene at the church between Nick and Brian was one of my favorite of the series so far as it was so fraught with emotion and the unsaid between them. It also had its own morbid levity as Brian once again told Nick that he hated him, only to finally accept Dutch's watch, which Nick tried to give to him. The scene that followed, in which Brian said his goodbyes to Brian Jr. (a.k.a. Gustav) was heartbreaking, as the emotionally crippled Brian couldn't bring himself to tell his son that he loved him, instead giving him the watch (continuing its generational path) and telling him to keep it set to New York time.

Sigh.

Next week on Dirty Sexy Money ("The Nutcracker"), Nick uncovers Karen's tryst with Simon Elders, which threatens to derail a Darling family tradition and unsettles Nick more than he can admit; Brian tells Tripp he wants to leave the ministry and work for him instead; Juliet falls for her visitor from the Seychelles; Carmelita is convinced she's being followed; and Lisa helps Jeremy impress Sofia with his art, but was that them locking lips in the promo? I can't wait!

StrikeWatch: Day 26

Welcome to the 26th day of the WGA strike here in Hollywood. I had hoped better news would spill out of the talks held this week between the WGA and the AMPTP but, now that the media blackout has been lifted and the AMPTP's "groundbreaking" proposal has seen the light of day, it's not at all what anyone supporting the writers had hoped for.

The AMPTP offered the following official statement:

"The AMPTP today unveiled a New Economic Partnership to the WGA, which includes groundbreaking moves in several areas of new media, including streaming, content made for new media and programming delivered over digital broadcast channels. The entire value of the New Economic Partnership will deliver more than $130 million in additional compensation above and beyond the more than $1.3 billion writers already receive each year. In response, the WGA has asked for time to study the proposals. While we strongly preferred to continue discussions, we respect and understand the WGA's desire to review the proposals. We look forward to resuming talks on Tuesday, December 4.

We continue to believe that there is common ground to be found between the two sides, and that our proposal for a New Economic Partnership offers the best chance to find it."

The proposal on offer would deliver more than $130 million in compensation to writers over three years. However, the WGA, looking at the numbers involved, have countered by saying that the proposal is a "massive rollback" and a "bad deal." It should be noted that the proposal amounts to a mere 3% increase in earnings.

The WGA countered with its own statement, the full text of which can be read here.

According to Variety, the three key issues are:

"-For streaming television episodes, the companies proposed a residual structure of a single fixed payment, based on 1.2% of producers' receipts after a six-week promo window, amounting about $250 for a year's reuse of an hour-long program.
-For made-for-Internet material, they offered minimums starting at $800 for five minutes up to $1,300 for 15 minutes and granted jurisdiction on derivative material.
-No change in the Internet download formula, currently paid at the DVD rate."

Meanwhile, United Hollywood reacted to the AMPTP's proposal in their own way, via a tersely-worded statement that belied their frustration with the rollbacks:

"Turns out their exciting, groundbreaking proposal is... a residual rollback. And not just any rollback, one of the biggest in the history of the Guild. Then, stunningly, the companies have the balls to say their plan gives us more compensation. Well, I'm sorry, but If you take away a dollar and give me a nickel, the nickel ain't a raise. Somewhere, Nick Counter's first-grade math teacher is embarrassed.

So we decided to do some math of our own: We broke out the cost of the WGA's current proposal to the conglomerates into yearly figures. We found that the TOTAL payment yearly -- the total that ALL the companies would make under our proposals -- is $50.54 million. And that, we realized, is about one-third the budget of TRANSFORMERS. We are asking IN TOTAL, for the equivalent of the cost overrun on a summer event movie."

Sigh.

Anyone hoping that the talks this week would lead to a fair and equitable contract between the AMPTP and the WGA is sorely disappointed. So much for those "groundbreaking" proposals that the studios hinted at.

One positive sign: the disastrous offer didn't end the talks between the two parties (as I feared it might); instead they'll reconvene on Tuesday to continue negotiations.

Meanwhile, picketing continues at the studios, which are hard pressed at debating whether or not to go ahead with planned holiday parties this season, just a day after another WGA picketer was struck by a car. Hmm, maybe those party-planning budgets could be better spent by paying salaries and benefits below-the-line staffers who lost their jobs during the strike without so much as severance during the holiday season. Just a thought.

Earlier this week, many showrunners returned to work to focus on performing non-writing services, such as editing and supervising post-production. One report claims that one studio exec claimed that half of his series' showrunners were back at work. Over at Disney/ABC Television that group included Lost's Carlton Cuse, who returned to work following an agreement in place to return to his duties once talks restarted again.

Stay tuned.

Dragons and Lions, Oh My: Heather Kicked Off of "Top Model"

A day later and I am still bummed that Heather was booted from America's Next Top Model.

I was really hoping that Asperger's Syndrome-sufferer Heather would at least make it to the final two. I mean who else gets voted the Cover Girl Model of the Week every single week she's been on the reality competition series?

I do think that Heather takes some of the very best photos we've seen this season on Top Model... when she doesn't second guess herself. The dragon photo shoot this week presented its own complications, what with having to stand out amid the color and chaos going on around, but Heather managed to do just that even as she kept slipping out of masterful poses. Despite her inability to hold her own glorious poses this week, she has this amazing ability to be captured by the camera as though she is living in the moment. No overly forced "model" poses, no slutty movements. Instead, each of her photos offers an intense gaze, a slickly high fashion look, and a stunning face that screams out for model representation.

Like a good mannequin, she takes direction easily, even if her awkward runway walk needs massive work. I ultimately think that, with some more instruction and a little bit of help, she could be a very successful print model. I do understand that the lack of eye contact for which Heather was called out this week by the Chinese guest judge is a symptom of her condition and I think it can be worked around more by focusing on print rather than runway.

It was absolutely depressing to see Heather aimlessly wandering around the streets of Shanghai during the go-sees; without anyone to help her or point her in the right direction, Heather could only get it together to make it to one designer and still made it back to the agency over 40 minutes late. My heart absolutely broke watching her struggling to find her cab, knowing that she would likely be eliminated this week, yet she still turned out another absolutely stunning photograph.

Four girls remain and I have to say that none of them are as interesting, charismatic, or compelling as Heather and I wish her the very best of luck. Hopefully we'll see her again in a fashion editorial... or--dare I wish it--on an all-star edition of Top Model?

Next week on America's Next Top Model ("The Girls Go to the Great Wall"), the girls get a Chinese history lesson from J. Alexander and soon-to-be-gone Twiggy while they move into their new home in Beijing; later, they face a challenge in which they must transform some traditional Chinese garb into their own inimitable style, one girl gives another bad advice, and they participate in a warrior-themed photo shoot at the Great Wall.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Ghost Whisperer (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC); Friday Night SmackDown (CW; 8-10 pm); Men in Trees (ABC); Next Great American Band (FOX)

9 pm: Moonlight (CBS); Friday Night Lights (NBC); Women's Murder Club (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: NUMB3RS (CBS); Las Vegas (NBC); 20/20 (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8-11 pm: BBC America.

If you happen to be staying in after a long work week, why not do it in true Anglophile style with back-to-back episodes of The Office, Coupling, Catherine Tate Show, and Mighty Boosh?

"Truth Isn't Like Puppies": A Bittersweet "Pushing Daisies"

Is it just me or does ABC's deliriously deliciously drama Pushing Daisies have the best guest stars this side of 30 Rock?

Last night's episode of Pushing Daisies ("Bitter Sweets") was no exception, giving us a boffo appearance by Molly Shannon as taffy emporium proprietor Dilly Balsam and Mike White as brother Billy Balsam. If that's not outrageous stunt casting along the lines of Paul Reubens playing a scent-obsessed utilities worker, I don't know what is.

Shannon was pitch-perfect as Dilly, a conniving, mercenary of a business owner who proved that she's willing to break any rule in pursuit of running the competition out of business, whether that's pretending to have a stutter, that she's legally blind, or calling in the health inspector to the Pie Hole. (Hell, she even messed with their neon sign to read The Pie Ho. Classic.) Still, I am not sure how Ned explained to Olive the entire room filled to the ceiling with rotten fruit. What possible explanation is there for that?

Loved Billy Balsam's "Some Guy" routine as well as his dullard's gaze. While the promos for this week's episode revealed that Billy was going to kick the bucket, I had no idea he'd end up drowning in a vat of pink taffy after biting off his killer's finger. I was a little sad to see him offed in his first PD outing. Still, there's a least a guarantee that Dilly will stick around as (1) Shannon is booked for a multi-episode arc and (2) no one, not even the nefarious Dilly Balsam, gets away with murder on Pushing Daisies. I was utterly shocked that Dilly was a murderess, even if it was revenge-based for the killing of her brother. Did anyone else absolutely howl with Dilly's motorboat trip whilst being attacked by those Hitchcockian birds? I think we need a recurring character who is absolutely evil and hell-bent on destroying Ned and the gang.

This week's installment found Ned still guiltily harboring his secret that one of the first manifestations of his power, you know, inadvertently killed her father when they were children. I am sure that Ned felt a crushing guilt over his role in the death of Mr. Charles as a child at the boarding school, but his feelings must be compounded by the fact that he recently resurrected Chuck after she was felled by a murderer. Still, I can't say that any of us can fathom how Chuck now feels after learning that the love of her life killed her beloved father, a look of such shock and horror that it had to be juxtaposed with a sweeping, aerial view of the city as the camera swooped out of Chuck and Ned's bedroom into the cold winter night. Hmmm. Any takers on how long it will take before Chuck decides to take matters into her own hands and force Ned to resurrect her father?

Happy to see the return of Alfredo Aldarisio (Raul Esparza) to the Pushing Daisies mythos, especially as he has a thing for our oblivious Olive Snook. I was so depressed that Olive wouldn't even give him the time of day, especially as it's become clear that there's no hope of a future with Ned. Still, she finally realized that she might just have feelings for the espresso-machine fixing homeopathic anti-depressant salesman, thanks to her surprising fantasy in which he swept in after leaving his little espresso cup and enveloped Olive in his arms. But is it too late for the two of them?

It was also fantastic to see Chuck and Olive get along as they united against the common enemy of Dilly and her Bitter Sweets, especially garbed as cat burglars. It was sheer bliss seeing a goggled Olive run straight through a plate-glass window into the Balsams' shop, where they promptly released a whole host of vermin.

Best line of the night: “Don’t mess with the Pie Ho's.”

And was anyone else seriously creeped out by Sheila, the human-sized doll girlfriend of Burly Bruce Carter? A little too Lars and the Real Girl for my tastes.

My only complaint: what is going on with Chuck's wardrobe? For the first few episodes of this series, Anna Friel was outfitted in the most gorgeous 1950s-inspired ensembles that recalled both Douglas Sirk and Edith Head while being utterly stylish and completely wearable. Lately, however, Chuck has been wearing these odd, 1960s hippie clothes that are completely unflattering and just outright weird. This week's atrocious outfits compel me to speak out; what is happening to our gorgeous mannequin that these sartorial injuries are being forced on her? Is it a stylistic decision or a creative one in which Chuck subconsciously moves from Great Generation to Free Love via her clothes over the course of a handful of episodes? You decide.

In two weeks on Pushing Daisies ("Corpiscle"), Ned tries to heal the rift between him and Chuck while Emerson tries to get him to focus on their latest case involving a frozen insurance adjustor and scent expert Oscar Vibenius returns to discover what makes Chuck and Digby so utterly different. Uh-oh.

Well-Suited: The Designers Try Their Hands at Menswear on "Project Runway"

After four seasons, it's hard to get the designers on Bravo's addictively compelling design challenge Project Runway all flustered during a challenge.

This group, especially seems completely jaded and underwhelmed by everything they encounter. And yet, last night's challenge--a first for Project Runway--had each of the designers floundering as they were forced to adapt while designing an ensemble for a TV personality.

Just what was so unexpected and difficult about the challenge? For something that really threw the designers and forced them to think outside their own experiences and comfort zone, they were tasked with creating an outfit for Tiki Barber to wear on Today. Yes, ladies and gents, it was menswear and it was not going to be pretty.

Still, I do have to say that I was rather impressed with some of the results though I immediately predicted that Carmen and crybaby Ricky would end up in the bottom two this week. (Is there anything that doesn't send Ricky into paroxysms of tears?) And the less said about Sweet P's monstrosity the better. I still don't understand quite what happened there?

But who made it work? Definitely Kevin, who stunned me with an incredible design that was totally unexpected; the color purple definitely worked alongside the structured vest and pants, along with a tie-and-pocket square combo that was understated yet still unique. Very well constructed with flair, though I am not sure why Heidi reacted so negatively to the design. (Not a fan of purple for Seal?)

Jack's design was also fantastic, though like Michael Kors, I would have liked to have seen him finish a third piece (whether jacket or vest) as it would have pulled the entire outfit together. Still, you can't fault the impeccable craftsmanship that went into his two-piece look, a combo of a grey pants with a subtle pink pinstripe and a striped shirt with a biased placard and pocket. I worried about the overabundance of stripes as these tend to look to "hot" or busy on a TV screen, but he managed to not only pull off the outfit but walked away with the top spot.

I also really liked Kit's design, which was subtle without being boring. Yes, the overall look screamed prep school but I thought that her choice to make the blazer with fleece elevated the design to something more unique and thoughtful. Nice silhouette and very, very comfortable and durable.

As for the bottom two, I was horrified that they actually put these clothes on their models and sent them down the runway. Ricky was insane to think that the judges wouldn't notice the pins sticking out of his jacket as they barely held the material together as the model walked down the runway. Tacky, unprofessional, and his design wasn't up to snuff. The tear-prone lingerie model is in way over his head at this point. He's on borrowed time.

As for Carmen, her inability to efficiently manage her time was what ultimately doomed her. It was interesting that she tried to make three pieces in the time allotted her but saved the most crucial piece--um, the shirt--to the last minute and ended up draping material around her model's neck in an approximation of a shawl-collar top that looked pathetically inappropriate. And, yes, that jacket did look like a Members Only Jacket. (Shudder.) It was only fitting then that the judges told Carmen that she was out. A sin like that cannot be perpetrated onto an unsuspecting public again.

Next week on Project Runway, the designers are separated into teams, leading to much angst, chaos, as well as a fair share of tears and recriminations, when they are tasked with transforming a fashion "don't" into a fashion "do."

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Survivor: China (CBS); My Name is Earl/30 Rock (NBC); Smallville (CW); Ugly Betty (ABC); Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (FOX)

9 pm: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (CBS); The Office/Scrubs (NBC); Supernatural (CW); Grey's Anatomy (ABC); Don't Forget the Lyrics (FOX)

10 pm: Without a Trace (CBS); ER (NBC); Women's Murder Club (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Ugly Betty.

On tonight's repeat episode ("How Betty Got Her Grieve Back"), Betty attempts to put Henry out of her thoughts, Amanda distracts herself with junk food after discovering that Fay Sommers was really her mother, and Wilhelmina plots to use the recent events involving the Meades to her advantage.

8:30 pm: 30 Rock.

On tonight's episode ("Cougars"), Tracy is forced to coach an underprivileged little league team from rough neighborhood Knuckle Beach as part of his community service, but his decisions lead to anarchy; meanwhile, Liz is asked on a date by Jamie, the new coffee boy, who is 17 years younger than she is, and is urged by Jack and Jenna to go out with him.

9 pm: The Office.

On tonight's repeat episode from Season Three ("Back From Vacation"), Michael returns to work after his "all-inclusive" Jamaican vacation and an email containing a rather racy vacation photo of one Jan Levinson makes the rounds.

Vote for Dave and Jasmine on "Beauty & the Geek"

There, I said it. I've made it known where my allegiances are: squarely with Dave and Jasmine.

Last night's final elimination room on Beauty and the Geek proved not to be that at all, instead for the first time "in the history of Beauty and the Geek" booting the final two teams back to their hometowns for a change, allowing them the opportunity to see their teammates in their natural habitat.

It was a nice twist in a reality competition that seems hellbent on redefining its own rules and twists, what with cash on the table to walk away (which no one actually ever picked up), a male beauty and a female geek this season, and the final twist: that "America" would decide who would walk away with the $250,000 prize. (Half of me just wanted the adorably clueless Jasmine to ask if Ugly Betty herself really had that much sway over their final fate.)

It's pretty remarkable to me to see just how far Dave and Jasmine have come over the course of the season, considering how very much at odds they were in that first episode. I certainly couldn't have predicted that a team comprised of LARPer Dave and babysitter Jasmine would ever be sitting in the final two and yet they quickly learned to put aside their many differences, to find common ground, to support one another and to communicate. If that doesn't best sum up the entire shared goal of Beauty and the Geek (along with, yes, that cash prize at the end of the rainbow), I don't know what does.

Throughout the entire competition, both Dave and Jasmine have been able to push each other out of their comfort zones, to strive towards a better understanding of their own strengths, and to help them accept who they are as fully functioning adults. I am sure that Jasmine kissing Dave helped this immensely, as did Dave's striking transformation: gone is the scary 'fro and oversized novelty glasses and instead we find a guy who is more at ease with himself, even when that guy has a tendency to LARP for eight hours at a time in medieval costume. (A son gout, as the French would say.)

I was thoroughly impressed that Jasmine threw herself wholeheartedly into the LARPing experience when Dave took her to Boston. You could tell that she wasn't totally comfortable with playing an elf named Evergreen in a quest to obtain a potion from an evil baron at first, but she soon got into it in the adorable fashion she does everything. And wasn't Dave super chilled and relaxed when he visited Jasmine's family in Columbus, Ohio?

Meanwhile, I'll be honest and say that I don't really think that Sam has changed much as a person. He's leaving this competition just as cocky and self-absorbed as when he entered it (just look to last week's challenge lose--and his childish sulking--for proof of that). Yes, he learned how to study and to "read things and remember them" but this series has always been about challenging stereotypes and people's perceptions. It's also about leaving the series crying about how much you've learned and how you've come to regard your teammate as a friend, etc., and I just don't see Sam doing either of these things. Did he learn from this experience? Sure. But it hasn't altered his entire personality, world view, or confidence per se.

I do like Nicole. I was impressed with how relaxed she was getting on stage at Tufts and singing to Sam but I also saw how much more herself she was with her friends than she has been this entire competition. She's come far but still has a lot more work to do.

So, here's the deal. I intend to vote for Dave and Jasmine as the winners of Beauty and the Geek 4 and urge you to do the same. (Of course, I'll be voting online via this link to the CW's Beauty and the Geek subsite, rather than paying the $1 per vote via mobile.) I think that they embody the virtues of the series and have made the most in-roads in meeting the brief originally set out for them.

Next week on Beauty and the Geek ("And the Winner is..."), it's the return of all of this season's teams for a reunion as the winner of Beauty and the Geek 4 is unveiled after America's votes are tallied.

Holiday Gift Help: Own A Piece of "Buffy" History

Confession time: in my living room, above my entertainment center is a framed Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Once More with Feeling poster. It is, even after the years since this brutally smart cult series wrapped, one of my prized possessions.

A Televisionary reader send in this link to a current eBay auction for another hard-to-find piece of Buffy history: a matted and framed original limited edition piece of artwork created for the final wrap party on Buffy. It features the regular cast at the time, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Marsters, Nicholas Brendon, Emma Caulfield, Alyson Hannigan, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Anthony Stewart Head in a sort of hand-drawn pre-Jo Chen piece that any fan would love to have.

Auction ends December 3rd at 10 pm PT and the Buy It Now function is available at a cool $750.

And with the holiday season swifty approaching, the perfect gift for any Buffy fan looking to add to their collection.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Kid Nation (CBS); Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NBC); America's Next Top Model (CW); Shrek the Halls/How the Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC); 'Til Death (FOX)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Bionic Woman (NBC); Gossip Girl (CW); Pushing Daisies (ABC); Kitchen Nightmares

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Life (NBC); Dirty Sexy Money (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: America's Next Top Model.

On tonight's episode ("The Girls Go on Go-See Adventures"), the five remaining contestants (thankfully including Heather!) visit designers in Shanghai; later, Nigel Barker shoots the girls in an amazing photo shoot that includes Chinese costume dragons and lions. It's getting down to the final few model wannabes and for many of these girls the claws are out.

9 pm: Pushing Daisies.

Catch Televisionary obsession Pushing Daisies at a special time tonight. On tonight's installment ("Bitter Sweets"), Ned and the Pie Hole crew find themselves embroiled in a turf war with a pair of taffy-shop owner siblings (guest stars Molly Shannon and Mike White) hell-bent on pushing them out of business.

10 pm: Dirty Sexy Money.

On tonight's episode of the highly addictive screwball soap ("The Watch"): it's flashback time as we learn about Letitia's affair with Dutch (that would be Nick's daddy); Karen flirts with Simon while at the hospital visiting Patrick (recovering from last week's gunshot wound at the hands of his wife); Brian is arrested after trying to bribe the arbitrator; and Jeremy turns to Lisa for help in keeping his identity secret from Sofia.

10 pm: Project Runway on Bravo.

Season Four of Bravo's Project Runway continues. On tonight's episode, the designers try to come out on top while working for a very different client. Hmmm.

"We'll Always Have Omaha": Bryce Larkin Returns on "Chuck"

Come on, you didn't really think they'd kill off the resurrected Bryce Larkin, did you?

Last night brought us another great episode of Chuck, a series which has managed to get consistently better each week while slowly building a mythology of its own. It's a good thing then that NBC decided to order a full season of Chuck for the remainder of the 2007-08 season, huh?

In last night's installment of Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Nemesis"), written by series co-creator Chris Fedak, we finally got to see what we've all been waiting for: the return to the land of the living of Chuck's former nemesis, Bryce Larkin (Matthew Bomer), the man who destroyed his life, got him kicked out of Stanford, and, you know, got to bed the woman Chuck is currently cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs about.

To me, Chuck works most effectively when it seamlessly blends the spy action of Chuck's secret life with the over-the-top intrigues at the Buy More. This came together beautifully in last night's Black Friday-themed episode, wherein the CIA handover of Bryce matched up nicely against the chaos of the biggest shopping day of the year. Under Fedak's pen, each of the characters--including our troika of spies, Captain Awesome and Ellie, and the fantastically sparky duo of Morgan and Anna--came to life in interesting and unexpected ways. Who would have thought that a Thanksgiving dinner could be so rife with sexual tension, romantic estrangement, jealousy, and homoeroticism (courtesy of a bizarre undercurrent of recurrent inappropriateness from Devon)?

Turns out that Bryce Larkin wasn't quite the evil genius he initially appeared in the pilot episode, though I am still not sure how one of the European clinics managed to bring him back to life after receiving a gunshot wound at the hands of the trigger-happy Agent Casey. Still, last night's episode went a long way to establishing Bryce as a good guy, a glimpse of which we caught in the "Chuck Versus the Alma Mater" episode, in which Bryce "ruined" Chuck's life in attempting to save him from the clutches of the CIA. It was only fitting then that Bryce saw the results of his handiwork: a rudderless Chuck, working at the Buy More, still living with his sister. (The best laid plans, as they say.)

Still, it's clear that Bryce isn't a rogue CIA agent but one who became embroiled in a clandestine rogue faction within the intelligence agency out to destroy the Intersect... and humble the US intelligence network? That part I'm not 100% clear on but I am hoping that last night wasn't the last time we see the maliciously icy Tommy, who proved in his few on-screen minutes to be a worthy adversary for our gang of spies.

Not sure where Bryce got the tux from while at the Buy More but it made for a nice debonair visual, especially standing next to Chuck in his Nerd Herd short sleeves. I like the idea of Bryce going under deep cover to infiltrate and take down Fulcrum and hope that the secret inner organization provides a framework for the second half of the season. After all, we've only just gotten to know Bryce (and he does make a pretty nifty team with Sarah), so I am not quite ready for him to drive off into the sunset.

As for Sarah, it's clear that she still has unresolved feelings for Bryce, who has moves like James Bond (albeit with better hair). In the spy game, it's always best to leave romance at the door but imagine the predicament you'd be in if your murdered lover came back to life and tracked down the guy whose live he ruined in college but whom you've been assigned to protect with your life. So, yeah, it's safe to say she's completely confused about what to do: does she stay on assignment and lose the guy she loves, possibly all over again? Or does she go off-mission and join up with Bryce? My nerves were as jangled as those two ringing phones Sarah was faced with at the end of last night's episode watching her try to decide whose call to answer. (My guess: she answers neither.)

Is it wrong that I've come to like Morgan through his twisted relationship with the Nerd Herd's lone female employee Anna? While Chuck's doofus sidekick did irk more than a little the first few episodes, he seems to have been toned down slightly and last night's episode--particularly the Thanksgiving dinner love "triangle" scene gave him a better chance to shine, snared between his love for two very different women. And Anna is a hysterical addition to the Bartowski crew, bringing her own brand of fiery Korean spice (much like her bean casserole) to the proceedings. Let's just hope she sticks around for the long haul.

Loved the fact that Casey tried to assure Chuck that, if Sarah does follow Bryce, they'll get him a new girl. Classic John Casey. What else did I like? The fantastic payoff of Chuck and Bryce's Klingon linguistic skills during the standoff at the Buy More, Morgan's near-orgasmic intake of Ellie's marshmallow-laden sweet potatoes, the scene in the elevator between Tommy and Bryce, the casual way Chuck told Casey about Bryce and Sarah kissing, and the hilarious whitewater-rafting conversation between Casey and Devon. ("Two words: water sports.")

All in all, a fantastic installment that build on the highs of the previous weeks' episodes and made me anxious for another Chuck fix fast.

Next week on Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Crown Vic"), Chuck realizes that Sarah still has feelings for Bryce and reluctantly poses as her husband in order to foil a counterfeiter; meanwhile, their involvement in the case puts Morgan and Anna in jeopardy.

One Foot in the Graves: "Journeyman" Director Hired for "Fringe"

FOX has found its director for drama pilot Fringe, from executive producers J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, and Roberto Orci, in the form of Journeyman helmer Alex Graves.

Graves will direct the two-hour pilot and come aboard the project as an executive producer. He wraps his work on Journeyman next month.

While I was secretly hoping Abrams would have time post-Star Trek to direct the two-hour pilot for Fringe (you can read my advance review of the pilot script here), I do have to say that Graves is a good choice. Journeyman (and before that, The Nine) had a distinct style to its pilot episode that could meld nicely with the intrigues, explosions, and bruised character interactions of Fringe, which charts the investigation of various paranormal phenomena by a female FBI agent, a mentally unstable scientist, and his estranged son.

Production is set to begin in February on Fringe's $10 million pilot. The project--from Warner Bros. Television and Bad Robot--has already received a series commitment from FOX and writers Orci and Kurtzman turned in a script for the pilot before the WGA strike began.

Stay tuned.

Buh-Bye, Twiggy; Hello Paulina

With only a few episodes remaining of this "cycle" of America's Next Top Model, prepare to say goodbye to one familiar face: living legend and fashion icon Twiggy will not be returning for Cycle 10.

What's the hubbub? Apparently, Twiggy won't be back due to "scheduling conflicts," which may be due in part to the reality competition's recent relocation to New York City.

Replacing Twiggy Lawson on the judging panel is supermodel/author Paulina Porizkova, who will join Tyra Banks, Jay Alexander, and Nigel Barker as the regular judges for Top Model's tenth installment. Porizkova, formerly the face of cosmetics giant Estee Lauder, recently appeared on ABC's Dancing with the Stars and released the novel "A Model Summer."

"The show and participants will benefit a great deal from [Porizkova's] vast modeling knowledge and expertise," said Top Model's executive producer Ken Mok. "Having an icon like Twiggy lend us her considerable expertise has elevated our show to a whole new level. We wish her well in her endeavors and hope to collaborate with her in future cycles of ANTM as well as other projects."

Twiggy herself joined the cast of the CW reality series in Cycle 5, replacing Janice Dickinson.

Top Model airs Wednesdays at 8 pm on the CW.

From Darkest Cardiff: Season Two of "Torchwood" Kicks Off in January

Addicted to the stylishly sleek sci fi drama Torchwood but worried about when Season Two of the Doctor Who spin-off will ever make it this side of the pond? Fret no more.

BBC America has announced that the second season of Torchwood, its highest rated series to date, will launch not six months from now, but earlier than expected: January, in fact. The digital cabler unveiled plans today to return the hauntingly savage series to its primetime schedule on January 26th at 9 pm ET/PT.

Season Two brings back familiar faces in Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles), Owen Harper (Burn Gorman), Toshiko Sato (Naoko Mori), and Ianto Jones (Gareth David Lloyd), along with guest stars including James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Smallville), Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, Lost, The OC) and Doctor Who’s Freema Agyeman.

In a nifty bit of cross-country cooperation, Torchwood will now air close to its UK premiere.

“Torchwood has legions of loyal fans in the U.S.," said Richard De Croce, VP Programming, "and we wanted to bring them the next season as soon as possible.”

And if you're anxious to catch up before the sophomore season launches, Torchwood: The Complete First Season DVD goes on sale January 22nd, with over 6 hours of bonus features including outtakes and cast interviews.

Torchwood's first season, meanwhile, wraps up this Saturday evening at 9 pm ET/PT on BBC America. Set your TiVo now.

What's On Tonight

8 pm: NCIS (CBS); Biggest Loser (NBC; 8-10 pm); Beauty and the Geek (CW); Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC); Bones (FOX)

9 pm: The Unit (CBS); Reaper (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC; 9-11 pm); House (FOX)

10 pm: Cane (CBS); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Beauty & the Geek.

On the season finale of Beauty and the Geek ("Meet the Parents"), the final two teams travel home to meet one another's parents and learn a shocking surprise about how the ultimate victors will be chosen. Come on, LARPer!

8 pm: Charlie Brown Christmas.

'Cause I'm feeling all nostalgic this time of year.

Good Luck, "Chuck": NBC Grants Back Nine Order for Spy Dramedy

Just like Bryce Larkin, you can't keep a good spy dead for long.

I am currently jumping up and down with abandon and glee (much like a pigtailed six-year-old girl) at the news that NBC has granted freshman series Chuck a full season order.

Yes, you read that correctly: spy dramedy Chuck, from creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak, has received the ever-elusive back nine order, despite the current writers strike, though the Peacock was quick to preface that statement by offering the alternative language of "the balance of the 2007-08 season."

The announcement of Chuck's full season order--and that of fellow freshman series Life--was made by Ben Silverman.

"Chuck and Life stand out in a crowded TV landscape because they are smart, well-produced series with incredibly talented casts," said Silverman in a press release. "Both shows are hitting their stride creatively, have developed loyal audiences and offer unlimited potential to grow throughout the season."

According to NBC's release: "Chuck is averaging a 3.4 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 8.4 million viewers overall this season. Chuck has been delivering competitive results in the Monday 8-9 p.m. (ET) slot and has increased its adult 18-49 rating from half-hour to half-hour with each of its nine Monday telecasts to date. Chuck's average 3.1 rating in adults 18-49 for the November sweep has kept NBC on pace with its rating in the time period during last May's sweep with Deal or No Deal."

I cannot tell you how completely happy this news makes me, especially what with a brand-spanking-new episode of Chuck on tonight at 8 pm ET/PT.

U-Turns, Chickens, and First-Place Envy on "The Amazing Race"

I'm never typically a fan of so-called "twists" in reality series, though they can shake things up from time to time. After all, The Amazing Race is a great example of a reality competition in which the rules of the game normally stay the same from season to season (except the dreaded Family Edition) and that's absolutely A-OK with me.

That said, I absolutely loved the inclusion of the U-Turn in last night's episode of Amazing Race ("Let's Name Our Chicken Phil"), a new game-defining strategy that not only lands one team in serious jeopardy but will reveal which teams need to resort to trickery in order to get ahead. In this case, when thrown into play, the U-Turn forces a chosen team to go back and complete the other half of a Detour. In the game's series of Detours, Road Blocks, and Fast Forwards (and, yes, even Intersections), it's an interesting twist that doesn't detract from the rest of the game.

I had no doubt that if any team was going to utilize the U-Turn (one of only two on the Race) this early on, it was going to be the irritating blondes. Personally, I am surprised that the producers cast another pair of blonde best friends so quickly on the heels of Dustin and Kandice, but maybe that's just me. Perhaps you're not as irked by their insensitivity, stupidity, and egotism as I am. I thought it was only fitting then that the gruesome twosome (looking all the more worse for the wear sans facials and manicures as we get on) used the U-Turn thinking that Jason and Lorena were right on their tails, instead of checking to see just who was actually right behind them. While, yes, the U-Turn is a legitimate article of play, I don't think there was any reason to use it so early in the game, much less, against the wrong team.

While the producers tried their hardest to make us think that Jason and Lorena would catch up after last week's camel-milking meltdown that took them from the lead to dead last, there was no way that they were going to do be able to complete the two Detours, the Roadblock, and make it to the Mat before Shana and Jennifer. Still, I was impressed with how cool and collected Jason was, even in the face of certain elimination, preferring to tell his partner that they'd find another way to make a million dollars, even while spewing some nonsense about how marriage would only cage their free spirits. Something to that effect, anyway.

Same too with the spiky-haired Phil's constant questioning of the contestants' chicken-carrying skills. I had hoped with the way that the editing had played up the fact that in order to check in, every team had to have their chicken with them that one team would have left it in the goat market or somewhere. Alas, no such luck. Instead, it just seemed like another attempt to add drama to an episode that was more or less a foregone conclusion.

I am surprised how well Ronald and Christina are doing, especially given his inability to shut up for any duration, his penchant for insensitive remarks about his daughter, and his hernia. Still, they've managed to surprise me by how well they've been doing thus far and might point to some hope for a meaningful relationship for these two down the road.

I'm happy that Hendekea and Azaria are still in the lead, especially after Hendekea stopped for a bathroom break while the other teams caught up. Still, they managed to quickly gain back their lead and finished in first place, just ahead of Jennifer and Nathan. Speaking of which, what the hell was up with Jennifer being angry that Azaria and Hendekea finished first again and didn't give them a chance to win this leg? Jen said something to the effect that Azaria and Hendekea had already come in first twice before and that they should really give someone else a chance. Um, honey, it's a RACE; there's so jumping ahead of the queue here. If you want to come in first place, just come in first place. Sheesh.

My faves have got to be the Goths, who once again proved that the only thing dark about them is their omnipresent eyeliner. Instead, Kynt and Vyxsin--who toned down the face paint this week a little--rocked the Shake Your Booty Detour, in which Kynt performed a whirling dervish of a sword dance, and Vyxsin appeared to be the only Racer who was really emotionally affected by their experiences in Africa, as she broke down in the cab after feeling the generosity of a people who have very little. Oh, Vyx, it's only made me root for you all the more.

Next week on The Amazing Race ("We've Really Burned Bridges, for Sure"), Shana and Jennifer discover that they have a target on their backs after using the U-Turn against now-eliminated Jason and Lorena, bicker amongst themselves, and reverse their car into the path of a speeding bus. Meanwhile, Ronald takes a fall during a challenge.

End of the Road for "Journeyman"?

It goes without saying that NBC's time-traveling drama Journeyman has taken quite a hit in the ratings since it launched earlier this season.

With only its initial order completed before the WGA strike began, it's always been suspected that Journeyman would wrap its freshman season earlier.

In an interview with Premium Hollywood, Journeyman creator Kevin Falls (The West Wing) admitted that it was possible the series would end with its twelfth episode, given the series' low ratings.

"Episode 12 is the end of our order," said Falls. "And let's not kid ourselves. It's a longshot that we would get a back nine, given the strike and our questionable numbers."

Falls went on to say that the episode in question was written in a way that would tie up some dangling plot lines as well as leave the door open for the series to continue, should the Peacock look kindly upon the struggling drama, which Falls says is in a "much better place" creatively than Bionic Woman.

"It wouldn't answer every question, but it would give you a lot to chew on," Falls said about the unofficial series finale. "We would give you some answers, and we'd withhold others."

SPOILER ALERT: Expect Dan to encounter another time traveler and to unravel some of the mysteries that have kept him traveling backwards in time thus far.

Journeyman airs Monday nights at 10 pm on NBC.

StrikeWatch: Day 22

It's Monday morning and Day 22 of the WGA Strike with no sign of a resolution anywhere in sight.

As the writers strike enters its fourth week, the WGA and the AMPTP will sit down today for the first time since the writers went on strike three weeks ago.

The session, scheduled to begin at 10 am today, will happen at an "undisclosed neutral site at a hotel without CEOs in attendance." Said talks will also occur under a news blackout.

So far, there has been no indication about whether talks are set for Tuesday in addition to today's silence-breaking return to the negotiation table. The writers, meanwhile, resumed picketing at major studios today, after the Thanksgiving holiday. Shifts have been set for three-hours, with Warner Bros. getting the first shift as early as 5 am.

Missed 30 Rock's live show in New York to benefit the production crew affected by the strike? Read Entertainment Weekly's report here and The Huffington Post's recap here.

And did you catch the blink-and-you'll-miss-it writer's strike gag on 30 Rock a few weeks ago, in which an MSNBC news crawl reads, "NEWS CRAWL AFFECTED BY WRITERS STRIKE -- USING REPEAT TEXT FROM PREVIOUS SEASON."? Catch up here.

Finally, the next edition of United Hollywood Live will stream today from 12-1:30 pm PT and will "include interviews, live reports from various picket lines and video clips." You can tune in by clicking here; United Hollywood encourages fans and WGA supporters to participate via live IM chats, video feeds, and phone calls.

Love (and the Smell of Cured Meats) is in the Air on "Chuck"

I'm back from Napa now, appropriately rested, well-fed, and wine-soaked after my recent trip to check on preparations for my wedding next summer. After a few days of fantastic food and superb wines, I was definitely feeling the sweaty shakes of withdrawal, having not turned on a television in several days.

It was only to be expected then that I quickly rushed home with the future Mrs. Televisionary and we plopped ourselves down on the couch to watch this week's episode of Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Imported Hard Salami"), another fantastic installment in what has become a little mini-run of near perfection.

This week's episode revolved around Chuck's new relationship with deli owner Lou (guest star Rachel Bilson), who may not have been quite as innocent as she originally appeared. I got a lot of flak from Televisionary readers for "spoiling" the fact that Lou was involved in a smuggling ring but, as I promised in the comments section last week, the only thing that little Lou was smuggling was the titular imported salami from Portugal. (That sound you hear? It's me blowing a raspberry.)

I quite liked having Bilson on the series the last two weeks. Her Lou was a breath of fresh air, giving Chuck a new romantic interest as well as further complicating the love triangle between Chuck, Sarah, and Bryce, who--as expected--isn't quite so dead after all. (More on that in a bit.) And poor Chuck... having put his supposedly unrequited feelings for Sarah aside, he finally gets to have a relationship with a girl who is not only smoking hot but knows a thing or two about smoked meats, only to lose her when he's forced to choose his duty to his country over his, well, horniness. (That and a whole lot of misunderstandings.) The government really does not want Chuck to ever have sex again.

Loved the kiss between Chuck and Sarah, which came at the very last second before what they believed to be the chemical bomb went off, though it's pretty clear that Sarah regretting making that passioned decision after they didn't, you know, go splat. If Chuck weren't in a sorry state before, certainly learning that Bryce is alive and that Sarah still has feelings for him will certainly send our favorite Nerd Herd employee into a shame spiral of global proportions.

What else did I love? Casey handing Chuck the rose; the 1980s-inspired electric guitar pin that doubled as a microphone; the Sbarro pizza named after Morgan (no dough, no sauce, and all cheese: "The Loser"); Lou and Chuck's deli kiss (though I wished she took the hygiene gloves off first); Sarah's increasing jealousy and mistrust of Lou, her jump onto the counter when faced with Lester's proposal, and the way she popped that knife out of the toe of her boot. (I think I literally had to wipe the drool off of my television.)

Even Morgan didn't irk this week, in a storyline that pushed him and Nerd Herd femme fatale Anna together, granting them a hell of a passionate kiss at the Buy More. Also, it was only fitting that Morgan tried to dump her the moment he learned that Chuck was a free man again, breaking up with her over the store's PA system. Not exactly a smooth one, that Morgan.

Will Sarah and Bryce get back together? How is Bryce alive after Casey shot him several times in the pilot? And more pressing: why did he attempt to steal the Intersect... and why did he send it to Chuck? Find out next week.

Next week on Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Nemesis"): Bryce returns to the land of the living and hopes to convince the CIA that he never went rogue, while a secret organization within the intelligence community tries to track down and destroy the Intersect; Chuck realizes he can never be with Sarah after seeing her with Bryce; Morgan is left in charge of the Buy More on Black Friday.

"Office" Baby Shower: Angela Kinsey Announces Pregnancy

Break out the saxophone-playing baby posters.

At last, some good news for the cast and crew of NBC's The Office, which saw production shut down on the second day of the WGA strike during the filming of their final script.

Angela Kinsey, who plays dour accountant Angela Martin, has announced that she is pregnant with her first child, according to a report in US Weekly.

“She and her husband are very excited,” the Kinsey's rep told the magazine.

Kinsey's husband is TV writer Warren Lieberstein, who has written for such series as Carpoolers and All of Us. He also happens to be the brother of writer/actor Paul Lieberstein, who plays Toby on The Office.

No word yet if the series' producers will write Kinsey's pregnancy into the fourth season's storyline, though how hilarious would it be if the prim and proper Angela--currently embroiled in a love triangle with Dwight and Andy--had a bit of a paternity issue?

What's On Tonight

8 pm: How I Met Your Mother/The Big Bang Theory (CBS); Chuck (NBC); Everybody Hates Chris/Aliens in America (CW); Dancing with the Stars (ABC); House (FOX)

9 pm: Two and a Half Men/Rules of Engagement (CBS); Heroes (NBC); Girlfriends/The Game (CW); Samantha Who/Notes from the Underbelly (ABC); Bones (FOX)

10 pm: CSI: Miami (CBS); Journeyman (NBC); October Road (ABC)

What I'll Be Watching

8 pm: Chuck.

On tonight's episode ("Chuck Versus the Nemesis"): Bryce returns to the land of the living and hopes to convince the CIA that he never went rogue, while a secret organization within the intelligence community tries to track down and destroy the Intersect; Chuck realizes he can never be with Sarah after seeing her with Bryce; Morgan is left in charge of the Buy More on Black Friday.

10 pm: Journeyman.

It's Kevin McKidd (Rome) as a time-traveling newspaper reporter in a drama that's more about human interactions and the nature of choice than, say, technicolored time machines. On tonight's episode ("Blowback"), the continuation of last week's two-parter, Dan learns a valuable lesson about not going off mission when the kidnapper Aeden Bennett returns to seek revenge and targets Katie; Dan travels to 1983, where he discovers a young criminal's origin; Livia makes a discovery about her mission.

Switching Off: Televisionary is on Vacation