News & Notes
In late night, A&E has the first season finale of Fugitive Chronicles.
I am scheduled to be on TV Talk today at about 4:00 p.m. PT to talk about the week in TV with host Shaun Daily and fellow TVtimesThree podcast partner Amrie of My Take on TV.
On Episode 70, “Summer TV Preview 2010, Plus Season/Series Finales Talk,” of the TV times Three podcast, Amrie, Rae, and I preview the summer TV season. We talked about which shows we think look good, which ones don’t, and when they are scheduled to premiere. Then, we talked about some season and series finales that included Chuck, The Vampire Diaries, Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, 24, and Lost.
Prime Picks
Community (NBC): Repeat. The “Introduction to Film” episode replays, where Jeff is looking for a class that will be an easy A and Abed is makes a film for another class. This is one of my favorite episodes of the first part of the season.
100 Questions (NBC): New. It may suck, but it’s new and will help pass the time until Burn Notice.
Burn Notice (USA): Season Premiere. Michael gets back just in time to help Sam and Fiona out with a case they took after he was disappeared at the end of last season. Plays again later. Very much enjoyed this episode. Had a little difficulty meshing all the elements, but overall a great way to kickoff season four. Each season or half season has had an overall arc, some better than others, but I really like what they set up as the overarching story for this season. Michael’s new big mission has a bit more heft to it than what the last half season seemed to have. But, last season’s finale along with this season’s premiere has at least accomplished the task of giving that story arc more importance. We get some really great moments as Michael reintegrates into his life and reconnects with his friends and family. Scenes between Michael and his mother fail to provide some of the best moments in an episode, which is definitely the case here. I am so glad to have this back on my TV, what a great way to truly kickoff the summer TV season. What about you?
Royal Pains (USA): Season Premiere. A well-known infomercial pitchman and the heir to a famous gadget designer whose products he hawks is the patient of the week. Evan is trying to make of for his mistake. Jill is having her position at the hospital questioned. Marcia Gay Harden (Damages) and Henry Winkler (Out of Practice, Happy Days) begin their recurring roles and Kyle Bornheimer (Romantically Challenged, Worst Week) guest stars. Plays again later. Bornheimer is perfectly cast as the spastically challenged patient of the week. Harden, who is always very good, works well as the uppity doctor and thorn in Jill’s side at the hospital. Winkler looks to be perfectly cast, as well, as Hank and Evan’s father. Very much enjoyed this episode too. Liked last season very much, yet they look to have set up multiple bigger and more interesting problems for each main character to overcome this season. I am very much looking forward to seeing how they attempt to do so. How about you?
Other Option
- Good Eats (Food Network): New. Alton shows you how to grill chicken. A repeat episode plays right before. Both play again later.
Sports Notes
- ABC has Game 1 of the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics at the Los Angeles Lakers. There is a Jimmy Kimmel Live special that either precedes or follows the game depending on your time zone.
- ESPN2 has women’s semifinals action from the French Open tennis tournament early.
TV Marathons
Bravo has 14 episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City.
Oxygen has 18 episodes of Roseanne.
Spike TV has 10 hours of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episodes.
Syfy has the first 11 episodes of Moonlight starting early and then in late night has the last five episodes, giving you the ability to watch or record all 16 episodes of the series.
USA has 15 season three episodes of Burn Notice leading up to tonight’s season four premiere.
