CIBC Run for the Cure

This may be slightly unorthodox, however... Breast cancer is a disease that has touched many of the women in my family - including my mother. Mom was diagnosed while I was living in Scotland and in October she will be 4 years cancer free. Her courage and tenacity during her very tough fight serve as my inspiration. She is my hero and I run in her honour.

If you would like to support me, you can donate online here.

If I was charged, I'd choose Victor Garber as my lawyer.

Yes folks - not only did I watch "Justice" tonight on CTV, I re-watched it (is that a word? it is now) twice. Except for the fact that I really and truly expected Sydney Bristow to climb out of the woodwork and say "Dad", I loved this show. I admit, I am all about procedural crime drama - I loved Law & Order even before there was SVU and CI. I like that there are some shows where I don't have to get emotionally involved and if I skip a week I don't feel the story went on without me. After all, I can only handle so much of will-they-or-won't-they-Pam-and-Jim or who-crashed-the-bus-killed-Lilly-Kane-raped-Veronica-Mars (or for that matter - will Abby and Luka live happily ever after?)

As far as premieres go, "Justice" was pretty good. It had the odds stacked in its favor, in addition to spy-daddy Victor Garber (last seen defeating the evil Sloan on "Alias") this show has Kerr Smith ("Dawson's Creek", "Charmed"), Eamonn Walker (from an old favourite "Oz" and last season in Darfur on "ER"), and Rebecca Mader (my least favourite of the group). The theme song was a complete turn-off, which is disappointing because I have been known to start watching shows based soley on their theme song ("Everwood") and in this day and age there is no excuse for a sucky theme.

That aside, I got completely wrapped up in the case and the defense lawyers from TNT&G. But until the end I was still skeptical.

And then it happened.

That pivotal moment when you know the fate of a show in your tv viewing schedule.

It was in the last 5 minutes. When they were waiting for the jury to come back from deliberations my stomach was in knots. And when they were back in court waiting for the verdict I swear my heart thudded loudly and I felt really, really nervous. I'm telling you, I swallowed hard, my palms were sweaty, my heart raced - it was as if I was going to win or lose the case. I felt myself hoping, wishing, willing for an innocent verdict. And I knew if the show could make me feel that way I was trading in "Close to Home" for "Justice". (Frankly, "Close to Home" was on thin ice anyway after killing off cutie Christian Kane, aka Jack, in the first season finale.) Now on with the rest of the new show premieres and I'll see when the dust settles just how this year's must-see-tv schedule shapes up.

And speaking of premieres, I neglected to add "Nip/Tuck" to my air dates. "Nip/Tuck's" 4th season kicks off Sep 5th on F/X and though CTV is supposed to air it as well, I haven't been able to find out when. This season is slated for 15 episodes and my sources suggest that we will not be seeing The Carver this year. (Good thing - I waited with bated breath for the Carver to be unveiled, only to watch a very disturbing, and disappointing, season finale). Christian will be back to his old antics (I believe a mother-daughter threeway happens quite soon into the season) but the truth is I watch this show because I've loved Julian MacMahon (who plays Christian) since his days on "Another World".

And I couldn't finish this post without at least one comment on the Emmy's. Way to go to "The Office" for winning best comedy!!!!!!

The Fall Season is Here! The Fall Season is Here!

Woo-hoo!!! The long summer is coming to an end tonight with the premiere of "Prison Break" and the new show "Vanished" on Fox. I admit, I am not a loyal follower of Prison Break, but the mere fact that it's having it's season premiere tonight means it's not long until my favourite shows are back with all new episodes! I may check out "Vanished" but frankly I think there's enough season-long mystery shows on the air (Veronica Mars, 24, etc) and kidnapping shows (Without a Trace, Kidnapped).

I am, however, going to watch the premiere of "Justice" Aug 30 on CTV with Victor Garber leading a team of defense lawyers. It's nice to see that so many of the ex-Alias crew have found work. In addition to Victor, Ron Rifkin and Balthazaar Getty are starring in "Brothers & Sisters" (ABC, Sep 24) and Greg Grunberg is in "Heroes" (NBC Sep 25). Of course, life without Michael Vartan every week will not be the same - he was my TV boyfriend until John Krasinski came along.

I'm curious about "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" with Matthew Perry and the trailers for "Men In Trees (ABC Sep 15 with Anne Heche) and Ugly Betty (ABC Sep 28 with America Ferrera) made me laugh out loud. J.J. Abrams has a show called "Six Degrees" coming Sep 21 on ABC. "The Nine", of which I've heard good things" starts Oct 4, also on ABC. Really, ABC is looking like it might have the best lineup of new shows which may redeem it in my mind from a VERY disastrous summer.

My big question this fall: what will replace Alias and Everwood on my must-see TV schedule?

You see, every year I allow myself only so many "must-see" shows - otherwise my life gets overrun by the TV and even I, self-confessed addict that I am, understand the importance of having a life outside the world of television. So I've got two 1hr slots open (or four 1/2hr slots, however you look at it).

And to be honest, I almost never watch a show in it's first season. Do you? I don't because I can't get involved with something only to have it cancelled before it can even get good. I need some kind of commitment already in place before I can lend my heart to a show. "The Office" - never watched until last summer's repeats of season 1 were on NBC. "Veronica Mars" - read about it all year on TV Gal's column but didn't become addicted until the pilot aired on CTV last summer. That pilot was all it took - bought season 1 on DVD and the rest is history (even if I have to get copies from other people because I didn't get UPN). And for my all-time favourite show - "Alias" - I didn't pick up until midway through season 2. And even then, I wasn't hooked until the finale where Syd woke up and several years had passed.

So that said, I'll take suggestions - new or returning shows - that you think would be good replacements. I just have a few rules: My Tuesday nights are taken (Gilmore Girls/Veronica Mars - YAY!!!), I have already watched (and dumped) Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy. Otherwise, if it's not up against "The Office" I'm open to it.

And before I sign off for today - for the record, here are the other premiere dates I've tracked down so far:

NBC
Law & Order CI - Sep 19
Law & Order SVU - Sep 10
Kidnapped - Sep 20 (w/ Jeremy Sisto formerly of "Six Feet Under" - might be worth watching)
The Office - Sep 21
ER - Sep 21
Law & Order - Sep 22
Heroes - Sep 25

ABC
Men In Trees - Sep 15
Six Degrees - Sep 21
Brothers & Sisters - Sep 24 (also has Rachel Griffiths of "Six Feet Under")
Extreme Makeover Home Edition - Sep 24
Ugly Betty - Sep 28
The Nine - Oct 4

CBS
Jericho - Sep 20
CSI Crime Scene Investigation - Sep 21
Close to Home - Sep 22
Without a Trace - Sep 24

CW
7th Heaven - Sep 25 (shudder)
Gilmore Girls - Sep 26
Smallville - Sep 28
Supernatural - Sep 28
Veronica Mars - Oct 3 (Can't wait! Can't wait! Can't wait!)

Fox
Prison Break - tonight
Vanished - tonight
Standoff - Sep 5
Til Death - Sep 7
The Simpsons - Sep 10
Family Guy -Sep 10

I'm in love with Jim Halpert

That's it, I'm done. I can't hide it any longer. I will no longer deny my feelings. I am absolutely, positively in love with Jim Halpert. And I'm so in love with him that I want what's best for him. And what's best for him, obviously, is Pam.

This week while checking out the latest webisode for NBC's The Office, I watched the new fall teaser titled "Pam and Jim". It almost brought a tear to my eye (of course, I cry at the drop of a hat, so take that with a grain of salt.) You can check it out here: http://www.nbc.com/The_Office/video/sub_37.shtml and then tell me what you think. Is anybody as excited for the new fall season as I am????

So I was thinking about all the reasons I love The Office. Now, I liked the British one, but NBC's version does it for me. And I've decided the biggest reason is John Krasinski who plays Jim Halpert. Who couldn't be in love with him and root for him over Roy? That moment where Pam tells him that their friendship means everything and he says "Don't do that, I don't want to do that" - his expression kills me. How great an actor is he? And he's so cute!

Of course, there are other reasons I love this show. I love Steve Carrell as Michael - he's the perfect blend of ditzy & silly & caring. It's obvious Michael has a softer side and cares about the people who work for him and those moments when we see it are such treats. And the rest of the time he makes me laugh so hard the tears are rolling down my face.

And then there's Dwight... I love his character - he's so "out there" it works. Like he takes it to the brink every time but it's perfect. And I've already put in my request for a Dwight bobblehead for Christmas.

But it's more than individual characters that make this show great. It's the whole ensemble - it just works. Everybody who's worked in an office (or a warehouse) can relate to the dynamics and the mundane everyday. In fact, I believe there is a Dunder Mifflin in Scranton, that's how well done this show is.

So that's my shameless Office plug for today. No, they don't pay me to write these things (though if anyone from NBC or The Office happens to read this - I'm available for hire!)

And my last two thoughts. I managed to watch the finale of America's Got Talent and I'm so pleased Bianca won. And I was surprised but happy to see that Benji won So You Think You Can Dance.

A late Sunday evening post...

So....it's been a few days, I know. But Brandon got voted off Canadian Idol and I got busy and the TV, well, it has dust on it. I hardly know how to work the remote anymore (I hardly knew how to work it to begin with but that is neither here nor there.)

I'm still suffering from the summer slump. After that disastrous run-in with "The One", I still gave ABC the benefit of the doubt and checked out "One Ocean View". And as one article I read said - ABC should just stay away from any show with One in the title.

On the other hand, I'm catching up on some reading and I've been to a ton of movies lately. And I managed to get a suntan - yay! But that aside, I am a little irked at the TV executives out there for giving me nothing this summer. And even Canadian Idol couldn't hold my attention. I tried America's Got Talent but something about Regis gives me the creeps and I couldn't manage to sit through an entire episode. I guess I am having an on-again/off-again relationship with So You Think You Can Dance, but that is really all about Cat Deeley and some nostalgia for SMTV back in Britain (and the infamous Ant & Dec). Without Cat and my need to relive graduate school memories, I wouldn't be watching.

And that's just my two cents worth for today.

Forward Thinking...

Summer TV has me bummed. Try as I might, nothing has caught my eye this summer. I continue watching Canadian Idol only because my mom is now addicted (will there soon be another prime time tv addict in the family???) and I no longer have to feel guilty about not watching George. So I'm stuck with reruns of Supernanny and Extreme Home Makeover (yes, sadly, those were the only other shows I watched this week).

I have found some fleeting comfort in the Thursday webisodes of The Office, but really that just makes me hunger for the new fall season all the more. And so I decided to spend a little of my day looking for fall season spoilers. I wasn't disappointed and now I am looking forward to fall more than ever!!!

I am most anxious for the return of Veronica Mars (airing Tuesday nights after Gilmore Girls on the new CW - simulcast on SunTV in Canada). Veronica Mars is probably my favourite show on TV. I think this is partly due to the number of Nancy Drew books I read as a kid, but the cast is incredible on this show. Obviously Kristen Bell gets high praise points as Veronica, but the whole ensemble is fantastic. And the writers are brilliant. I can't wait to see what happens - will Logan and Veronica still be together? What did Kendall want? And will there be any mention of the fact that Beav...um Cassidy... jumped to his death after admitting to murder and rape? A favourite returning character (Mac) will become a regular (YAY!!!) but Teddy Dunn will not be returning to play Duncan (BOO!!). If you're new to Veronica, I suggest you check out a couple of sites: Mars Investigations and the official Veronica Mars site.

Otherwise, I'm waiting with bated breath for NBC's The Office - what will happen between Jim and Pam - I absolutely cannot wait. Their kiss was the most jaw dropping moment of May sweeps. There is some chatter that the British cast of BBC's The Office will drop by Scranton. Now, I've watched both the British and the American versions and the British fans gave no love to NBC's version but I have to tell you - I absolutely LOVE the American version. Yup, I prefer NBC's version and that's my final answer. And to anyone who disagrees I challenge you to watch both versions back to back and then I defy you to tell me you are not in love with either Pam or Jim.

What shows are you looking forward to? What storyline has kept you awake at night? I'm curious, so feel free to share.

And with that, I'm off to watch a new episode of Stargate Atlantis which someone kindly recorded for me earlier.