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Channel Surfing: 3.7.06

"Lost" In Translation

The Sunday New York Times ran an article in the Arts section on Sunday, examining the ongoing relationship between Lost's married Korean castaways, Sun and Jin. While the article doesn't reveal any hidden clues to the series (or even interview the actors that play Sun and Jin... or any writers for that matter), the article's author puts the couple's relationship into the perspective of the series. "Sun and Jin also stand out on Lost because their storyline, despite the requisite flashbacks, seems to be pushing forward. Other castaways are slaves to the past. The island has freed Sun and Jin, though, to deal with their marital problems in a way they could not back in South Korea. It is their Eden."

So the real question is: on an island where no one can be happy for very long, why are Sun and Jin granted a glimpse of marital bliss now? And if so, how long will it be before they are torn apart again? And when? If the promos are any indiction, it could be the next episode...

Unblinking Eye Brings Early Pickup Announcements

CBS announced, via press release, early pickups for frosh series Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer and How I Met Your Mother, which have all been renewed for a second season.

Additionally, CBS granted full season orders (for 2006-2007) to the following returning shows: The Amazing Race*, Cold Case, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, NCIS, NUMB3RS, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, Without a Trace, and news magazine 60 Minutes.

In other programming news: CBS will (finally) retire Yes, Dear and the WB has put the hex on the Halliwell sisters on Charmed. That show's series finale, which comes after eight (long) seasons on the network, is currently scheduled for Sunday, May 21.

(*Since originally writing this, CBS has clarified that they have only ordered the 10th edition of The Amazing Race to air in Fall 2006 but has not yet announced an 11th edition. )

Unfolding the "Origami" Rumors

While not necessarily a totally television-based item, I've been noticing a flurry of activity on the internets about the rumors surrounding Microsoft's upcoming launch for the new "secret" project currently being referred to as "Origami." All that's known is that Intel is involved, the item will cost about $750 and it appears to be a tablet-sized portable PC or similar. Could this be Microsoft's alternative for the next gen iPod? Will it have live television capabilities? Will it simultaneously kill the iPod and the Blackberry in one fell swoop?

According to the bits of information out there, Origami is expected to be "the size of a paperback book, able to play music and games, connect to the internet, and run software."

The photo, above, taken from Origami Portal, may give insight into the new device... or may not be real at all. If it is the actual Origami device, we are looking at a sleek, gorgeous competitor to the beloved iPod.

As for Microsoft, the company said that all would be clear when they make the official announcement on Thursday.

What’s On Tonight

8 pm: NCIS (CBS); Joey/Joey (NBC); Gilmore Girls (WB); According to Jim/According to Jim(ABC); American Idol (FOX); America's Next Top Model (UPN)

9 pm: The Unit (CBS); Scrubs/Scrubs (NBC); Supernatural (WB); Sons & Daughters/Sons & Daughters (ABC); House (FOX); Everybody Hates Chris/Girlfriends (UPN)

10 pm: The Amazing Race (CBS); Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC); Boston Legal (ABC)

What I’ll Be Watching

9 pm: The Unit... and Sons & Daughters

Hmmm, I think I'll check out the first episode of new series The Unit, created by playwright and wordsmith extraordinaire David Mamet, about black ops agents and their wives back home. I've heard mixed things about improvisational comedy Sons & Daughters--critics seem to either love it or hate it--but I'll record the first two installments and sample it before passing judgment either way.

10 pm: The Amazing Race.

If you know me at all, that was an obvious choice, though I am not too happy about CBS scheduling this season of AR at 10 pm as opposed to its normal berth at 9 pm; it's a little too late for such a stressful, edge-of-your-seat adventure reality show, which--confession--usually ends up making me jittery and overly excitable afterwards.

Comments

Anonymous said…
First - regarding Yes, Dear: It's about @#$%^&* time!!! (Ditto Charmed, but Charmed's existence never made me angry)

Re: How I met your mother: YAY! I have somehow become addicted to this offbeat "traditional" sitcom.

re: Amazing Race at 10. Totally agreed. I don't like it.
Jace Lacob said…
How "Yes, Dear" has survived this long, I will never know, unless the producers made some Faustian agreement with Les Moonves at CBS. However, Greg Garcia, the creator of "My Name is Earl" did come off the show, so at least something positive grew out of it!

As for "Amazing Race," it is the consumate 9 pm show. I'd rather "The Unit" was on afterwards as a lead-out.

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