Sweeps TV weekend--4/28/06

Great news from the most recent TiVo newsletter email: for those of us who don't have Direct TV: for the first time, a stand-alone TiVo unit can simultaneously record two TV shows. The TiVo Series 2 DT DVR with 80-hour recording capability is available now for current TiVo customers with a one year pre-paid service for only $254. The new unit, which also has built-in-Ethernet and USB ports, will be released to the general public May 1st.

I haven't watched the David Rosenthal-penned episode of GILMORE GIRLS from this past Tuesday which is why I haven't commented on it yet. I'm hesitant to watch it because I know he's running the show next season and if this episode is bad, it'll just make me queasy.

My love of HOUSE continues as they intrigue me every week with their medical mysteries and Dr. House's special brand of tough love and sarcasm. I'm also loving the continuing friendship of House and Watson; Robert Sean Leonard is an expert foil to Hugh Laurie and watching their scenes together is always a highlight.

Still waiting for me on my DVRs: ROCKET MAN, CITY OF MEN, the last couple episodes of WITHOUT A TRACE and somehow I've fallen behind on VERONICA MARS. I hope the TV gods don't smite me for admitting that.

Confession time: I've been consumed with the recent coverage of the Anthony Pellicano matter. Nikki Finke of the LA WEEKLY has been relentless in her dogged tracking of the story. VANITY FAIR also posted a large chunk of their upcoming story about Pellicano on their website ( http://www.vanityfair.com/features/general/articles/060426fege01 ) which was the juiciest reading of the entire week. Then Finke and Daily Variety had items today about some people quoted in the VF story who are now objecting to the article and in some cases, claiming they never agreed to be quoted. The story fascinates me because it involves very high-ranking industry executives who were caught doing very illegal things and are now having to suffer the consequences of their actions. In a town where the higher-ups are rarely accountable for their behavior, many of us working stiffs find this immensely gratifying.

While I'm talking about Nikki Finke, she also wrote a scathing piece about the new CW network titled "Screwing the TV Viewers". It pretty much sums up what's been said around town since the new netlet was announced. To say Finke is not a Les Moonves fan would be a severe understatement. If you'd like to read the piece, put on your thick Hollywood skin and click to http://www.laweekly.com/general/deadline-hollywood/screwing-the-tv-viewers/13276/

Finally, I want to send out Happy Birthday wishes:
To my friend KG - you make fabulous look effortless. Hoody!
To my friend Lisa L - I wish I was as smart as you - and as thin!
I hope you both have wonderful birthdays and that we're all around to celebrate many more of them together.

Let's get to the weekend rundown:
Tonight, Friday 4/28
ABC: The 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (Special)Kelly Monaco and Tom Bergeron host the award show.

CBS: Ghost Whisperer, Close To Home, Numb3rs
NBC: Deal or No Deal, Las Vegas, Conviction
FOX: Movie: Austin Powers: Goldmember (R)
WB: Survival of the Richest, Reba, Modern Men (Season Finale)
UPN: WWE Smackdown!CMT: Inside the Real Coyote Ugly
Court TV: L.A. Forensics
Discovery: Haunting, I Shouldn't Be Alive
E!: Chelsea Handler Show
ESPN: NBA Playoffs: Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers (Live, 7:30pm EST)
HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher
Bill Maher welcomes guests Sir Ian McKellen, Rep. Barney Frank, and correspondent Michel Martin. Plus, via satellite, Hollywood's George Clooney, and historian Victor Davis Hanson.

MTV2: Andy Milonakis Show, Wondershowzen
Sci Fi: Doctor Who
Showtime: Family Business
Style Network: Modern Girl's Guide to Life, Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?
TLC: What Not To WearSaturday 4/29 ABC: Movie: Pearl Harbor (R)
CBS: CSI (R), Criminal Minds (R), 48 Hours Mystery
NBC: Dateline, Law & Order: SVU (R), Law & Order: Criminal Intent (R)
FOX: Cops, Cops 2 (R), America's Most Wanted

11:30pm - NBC - SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE is the Best of TV Funhouse hosted by Ace & Gary, The Ambiguously Gay Duo. Giving credit where credit is due, TV Funhouse is the work of the very funny Mr. Robert Smigel. He's also the creator of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, something which has earned him a permanent place in my heart.

Sunday 4/30
ABC: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2 episodes), Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy
I know DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and GREY'S were clip shows last week which is why I didn't bother to send a weekend email. All ABC Sunday night shows are new this week.

CBS: 60 Minutes, Cold Case, Movie: Jesse Stone: Death In Paradise
Tom Selleck stars in and wrote the JESSE STONE MOW.

NBC: Dateline NBC, The West Wing, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan
FOX: Simpsons (R), King of the Hill, Simpsons, War At Home (Season Finale), Family Guy, American Dad
WB: Reba (R), Reba (R) Charmed, Charmed (R)A&E: Intervention
E!: True Hollywood Story
Food Network: Iron Chief America
HBO: The Sopranos, Big LoveDid anyone else think the cook in the New Hampshire diner Vito went to looked like Morgan Spurlock? It was the 'stache.

Oxygen: Ivana Young Man (Series Debut), Snapped Ivana Trump stars in this new Oxygen reality show which has her looking for a younger man to

Showtime: Huff
Tom Skerritt guests on HUFF as Huff's father; he replaces Robert Forster in the role.

TLC: Smallest People In the World
TNT: NBA Playoffs: San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings (Live, 6:30pm EST)
VH1: Surreal Life, Hogan Knows Best, So NoTORIous
Today's SURF REPORT written while listening to Ray Davies' new single "Next Door Neighbour" from his new release OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES. I love this song for its simplicity and melody and I'm hoping the XM channel I heard it on will play additional tracks from the record.

That's a wrap for today.