SFist Watches: TV This Week - Part Two
Tuesday, Tuesday. Does anyone else remember when Tuesday was the "Must See" TV night? What with the "Happy Days" and the "Laverne & Shirley"? Then Thursday became the new Tuesday. But with the loss of "Friends" and the failure of "Joey," the new Thursday is up for grabs. Might Tuesday become the new Tuesday?
Don't worry. We're confused too. Let's just look at what tonight has to offer.
First off is NBC's "My Name is Earl," which premieres at 9 p.m. Despite Jason Lee's disturbing affiliation with Scientology, we still find him funny. And what we've seen of the show--in which a loser attempts to right the many wrongs he's committed in his life, of which there are many--looks promising, especially since it's another laugh-track-free, single-camera comedy. The preview felt like a mix between "Wonderfalls" and a Coen brothers movie. Yeah, maybe it felt a little TOO much like one particular Coen brothers movie. But since that happens to be one of our favorite Coen brothers movies, we're going to give the show a chance--at least until next week, when whiny families start to travel the globe and Geena Davis becomes president. For those with other viewing conflictions, Bravo will be airing reruns. At least for the first week or so.
Image of Busto with her picks for the day, from Hamster Time.
"Earl"'s premiere is followed by the return of the surprisingly funny American version of "The Office." Many had their doubts that a remake could ever match the genius of Ricky Gervais's original. And many were right: the original is still better. But that doesn't mean this remake isn't funny. In fact, at times it's quite hilarious, and certainly a lot funnier than most of the sitcoms on the air right now. Hopefully the success of The 40-Year Old Virgin, which also stars Steve Carell, will bring in some new viewers, thus saving the show from the cancellation most expected would happen after its first season.
Getting off the network track, we're excited for the season premiere of "Nip/Tuck," tonight at 10 p.m. on FX. Last we saw the lothario plastic surgeon Christian, he was doin' it doggie-style with some chick. ...actually, for once, that's not true. Last we saw him he was about to get slashed up by "The Carver," some masked crazy that hates plastic surgeons. It's not giving anything away to say that Christian doesn't die, but don't get your hopes up about a big reveal as to who the Carver is. Apparently, that's not going to happen until the end of the season. However, Famke Janssen will be returning as the transexual life-coach, and a new surgeon will be joining the practice. And there will be many, many chances to see Julian McMahon's naked ass. Hallelujah!
Speaking of gender-bending, "Transgeneration," a new reality series (AKA "documentary") we covered previously, is premiering tonight on the Sundance channel, and all we will add is it sounds a hell of a lot more entertaining than this season of "The Real World."
Which leads us to to two other reality shows ending (sort of) tonight. First is the "Dancing With the Stars" "dance-off" between John O'Hurley and Kelly Monaco, and seriously. Does anyone think O'Hurley ISN'T going to win it this time? And more importantly, will there be rioting in the streets (or maybe just dancin' in the streets) if he doesn't?
Lastly, tonight is the season finale of "Big Brother 6," a series we reluctantly decided to watch when it started earlier this summer, and which we became as addicted to and emotionally involved with as someone who paints their face when they go to a sporting event. We couldn't get enough. Sadly, no one on "our team" has made it to the end, but if we can get any glimpse of "The Friendship"'s realization that America really and truly hates them during tonight's finale, well, it all will have been worth it.
Tomorrow: Monsters! Martha! Same diff!