The TV Addict 

In this era of internet spoilage (Thank-you-very-much-Michael-Ausiello) it’s an increasingly rare treat when this TV Addict finds himself genuinely surprised by a character death. And while we’re the first to admit that thanks to a flurry of pre-episode interviews, this seasoned TV blogger probably should have seen last night’s killer VAMPIRE DIARIES ending coming, serious kudos must go out to actress Kayla Ewell for delivering a character so devilishly fun, we didn’t want to go there. Seriously. Vicki, it was way too soon. But if shows like HEROES have taught us anything, it’s that (a) if you’re going to be the first character to go, you might as well do so when the show’s still the talk of the town (or twitter). And (b) whether it be in ghost form or flashback, we have a feeling that you’ll be back.

The resurgence of PARKS AND RECREATION continued last night with a hilarious Halloween themed instalment that had Amy Poehler’s Leslie Knope matching wits with 15-year old teenage hooligan named Greg Pikitis. Not only did Pikitis — or as we’re calling him, the most diabolical teenaged vandal since the heydays of one Bart Simpson — provide for an eerily perfect foil for Knope, his shenanigans managed to give hilarious co-stars Louis CK and Chris Pratt some much deserved time in the spotlight. So much so that we’re really hoping this little trick-or-treat-battle-of-wits becomes a PARKS AND RECREATION annual tradition.

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By: Aleks Chan

Sitting in fourth place among the major five broadcast networks — failing to develop a hit since HEROES debuted in 2006 (itself a short-lived victory as the drama’s ratings tumbled quickly thereafter) — it’s no secret that NBC is in dire straits.

So far, the big ‘Jay Leno Experiment’ has only drawn negative results, either performing poorly (though NBC says it’s lower ratings can be afforded by how cheap it is to produce), or diminishing what relative strength the network’s other programs possess (LAW & ORDER: SVU, a longtime steady performer, is sinking in its earlier timeslot).  

And now there’s news that Comcast, the largest cable television provider in the United States, is in talks with parent company General Electric to acquire its entertainment division. Could this be NBC’s bailout? I mean, isn’t there something to be said about a once illustrious network that previously commanded the airwaves is now being threatened by a half-baked vampire drama?  

More importantly, who gives a damn and why should you care? Ah, it’s because without its network overlords’ turmoil and perfidiousness, 30 ROCK, wouldn’t have nearly as much fodder for its satiric spoofing, many of which hit high comedic points in the first two episodes of the its fourth season, premiering tonight (9:30PM on NBC, CityTV in Canada).  

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Having chosen to take advantage of a free invite to see X:Men Origins: Wolverine last night (which by the way, not nearly as terrible as I was led to believe) this TV Addict has decided to once again, ask you to be the critic by posting your spoiler-free thoughts on last night’s installment of PARKS AND RECREATION, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, SOUTHLAND, BONES, SUPERNATURAL, SMALLVILLE, UGLY BETTY, and GREY’S ANATOMY.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING:
UGLY BETTY (8PM ABC, CityTV in Canada)
If it’s sweeps, it must be time for wedding fever! Which explains why there are not one but two proposals tonight.

SMALLVILLE (8PM CW)
When Tess and Lois clash, expect the unexpected. The eight-season finale also features Oliver stepping in when Clark seems kinda reluctant to kill Doomsday.

PARKS & RECREATION (8:30PM NBC, 9PM CityTV in Canada)
Frankly, I don’t think you should be able to tout something as a “season” finale unless you’ve aired at least 13 episodes, but hey, that’s just me. Anyway, this disappointing series — which managed to pick up a renewal for no reason other than it’s pedigree — wraps up with Andy’s first gig since he broke his legs in the pit. (That probably means something to the four of you still watching.)

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, CTV in Canada)
The two-hour, fifth-season finale might just as well be called “Will They Or Won’t They?” as Izzie decides whether to have surgery, Mark decides what to do with Lexie and Bailey finds out whether or not she’ll be accepted into a pediatrics fellowship.

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Since everybody seems to be itching to discuss last night’s slew of must see TV, this TV Addict thought he’d once again ask you to do your best Ken Tucker impersonation by being the critic and posting your spoiler-free (since I have yet to watch anything outside of what might have been the least funny episode of THE OFFICE ever) thoughts on last night’s installments of PARKS AND RECREATION, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, SOUTHLAND, SUPERNATURAL, SMALLVILLE, UGLY BETTY, and GREY’S ANATOMY.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING:
UGLY BETTY (8PM ABC, City in Canada)
The Karate Kid turns to Hilda for help in his run for office, while a member of the Meade dynasty is kidnapped even as Mode’s fate hangs in the balance.

PARKS AND RECREATION (8:30PM NBC, 9PM City in Canada)
Leslie makes a lasting impression at a banquet honoring her mom. Not a good one, mind you…

GREY’ S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, CTV in Canada)
Remember when the Chief’s niece was hospitalized before her prom back in season 2? Tonight, it’s a group of college students who wind up at Seattle Grace following a car accident that occurs on the way to their graduation ceremony. On, and there’s much, much talk of Meredith and Derek’s upcoming wedding.

THE OFFICE (9PM NBC, Global in Canada)
You know, if there’s one person on this planet you’d expect not to know that disco is dead, it’s Michael Scott. Tonight, he proves that to be the case by bringing dance music to the office.

SUPERNATURAL (9PM CW)
The apocalypse is coming! The apocalypse is coming! Unfortunately, Sam’s kinda tied up, what with having to detox from demon blood and all.

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Seven plus hours of television, “Oh, what a night!” Or at least that’s what I would have been saying had real life not gotten in the way (D’OH!) Which is why I once again am leaving it to you, yes YOU, my far smarter and better looking readers — to post away with your (spoiler free) thoughts on last night’s installments of PARKS AND RECREATION, THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, SOUTHLAND, SUPERNATURAL, SMALLVILLE, UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY & PRIVATE PRACTICE.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING:
UGLY BETTY (8PM ABC, City in Canada)
In honor of UGLY BETTY returning to ABC tonight after a far too long five week hiatus, this TV Addict thought, who better to get to tease tonight’s episode than Michael Urie himself; Who was kind, nay, awesome enough to send this direct tweet to theTVaddict, “She’s back! Betty’s all new! Marc gets into Christina’s sex life! What?! How?! Why?! Directed by Richard Heus (dir of Mode After Hours).”

PARKS AND RECREATION (8PM ABC, City in Canada)
Andy (Chris Pratt) plans a surprise for Ann (Rashida Jones). One which probably doesn’t involve picking up and moving to a small Colorado town called Everwood. But hey, a TV Addict can dream, can’t he?

THE OFFICE (9PM NBC, Global in Canada)
While we’re not really sure what to expect from the denizens of Dunder Mifflin on “Casual Friday,” we’re kinda hoping it involves Dwight Schrute and some sort of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Raptor uniform. So say we all?

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, CTV in Canada)
Sharon Lawrence continues to corner the market on unstable TV moms (see: PRIVILEGED, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and HIDDEN PALMS) by dropping by Seattle Grace to check up on her daughter Izzie.

30 ROCK (9:30PM NBC, City in Canada)
Do you really need to know anything else outside of the fact that tonight’s episode has Jenna adopting a monkey? If so here are two more reasons why tonight’s 30 ROCK is the very definition of must see TV: Elaine Stritch returns with nasty memories of Jack’s father and Steve Buscemi guest stars.

PRIVATE PRACTICE (10PM ABC, “A” in Canada)
PRIVATE PRACTICE’s much improved second season concludes with so many questions up in the air (Will Naomi leave Oceanside? Will Violet choose Pete or Sheldon? Will Addison sort our her feelings for Noah?) that we’re already cleaning our floor in anticipation of our jaw dropping down to it.

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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING:
SMALLVILLE (8PM ABC, City in Canada)
Lois pretends she is a superhero to secure an exclusive interview…. AH HA! So that’s how E!’s Kristin Dos Santos does it!

PARKS AND RECREATION (8:30PM NBC, CityTV in Canada)
Leslie invites a reporter to cover her park project, but the resulting article isn’t what she had in mind. You know, kind of like the early reviews for PARKS AND RECREATION.

SUPERNATURAL (9PM CW)
Getting our vote for the best episode title of the season (and there’s been no shortage of great ones courtesy of Kripke) comes “Jump the Shark,” which features Sam and Dean agreeing to meet with a 19 year old man named Adam who claims to be John Winchester’s long lost son.

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, CTV in Canada)
George, who we’re fairly sure has clocked, like what, four minutes of screen time this season outshines Alex in trauma surgery. Awkward.

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WHAT WE’RE WATCHING:
IN THE MOTHERHOOD (8PM ABC, CityTV in Canada)
Emily and Jason fear that their son’s imaginary friend might be something of a troublemaker. My family went through something similar when my folks began to suspect that Little Lord Soggybottom, my foppish imaginary friend, was plotting to bring down the government. All I know is Soggybottom was sent to live on a mysterious farm with our dog, Benji, and was never heard from again.

PARKS & RECREATION (8:30PM NBC, CityTV in Canada)
The pilot didn’t blow me away, but I’m willing to give another shot to anything that puts Amy Pohler on the screen. Tonight, her alter ego, Leslie, goes door-to-door in the hope of building support for her latest project.

THE OFFICE (9PM NBC)
This show has taken a very unfunny turn of late, but one thing that definitely works is the relationship between Jim and Charles. It’s easy to see how the behavior we’ve found charming in Jim over the years would be viewed completely differently by a corporate type. Tonight, Dwight decides to become Charles’ new best bud.

30 ROCK (9:30PM NBC, CityTV in Canada)
With film execs considering pulling the plugs on Jenna’s Janis Joplin project, she and Jack work to stir up some buzz. And Liz? She’s going a little bit nuts thanks to her forced suspension.

HARPER’S ISLAND (10PM CBS, Global in Canada)
The wedding party goes on a scavenger hunt, but what they’re likely to find is another body! This fun romp is officially my favorite show of the spring season. (At least until GLEE launches in May!)

SOUTHLAND (10PM NBC, CTV in Canada)
An abandoned baby stirs up memories of the past in Lydia, while Bryant and Moretta take unusual steps to protect a young woman.

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