The TV Addict 

Shameless Plug Alert: In lieu of a new podcast (which we promise is coming soon), why not check out theTVaddict.com’s weekly guest spot on Toronto’s Hit Music Station FLOW 93.5. This week, hosts J.J. and Melanie grill the TV Addict on Shenae Grimes behavior at the 2008 Gemini Awards, Aimee Teegarden’s surprise transfer from Dillon to Beverly Hills and the very long wait in store for fans of CAPRICA.

Good News: Sci Fi has just announced that they’ve greenlit CAPRICA, the prequel to BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. Bad News: 2010 isn’t exactly around the corner. More like a galaxy far far away. [Source]

Good News: FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS star Aimee Teegarden is transferring to 90210’s West Beverly High. Bad News: We’re not sure this bodes well for a fourth season of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS. [Source]

Good News: ABC’s longest running comedy returns tonight at 9PM for an astounding eighth season. Bad News: ABC’s longest running comedy is ACCORDING TO JIM. All together now, “WTF?!” [Source]

If there’s a silver lining to be taken away from the disappointing cancellation of LIPSTICK JUNGLE, it’s that NBC will be filling the void left by the dearly departed Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price vehicle with the critically acclaimed (not to mention TV Addict) favorite FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

So get ready my fellow fictional football fans. Because the Dillon Panthers are coming off the bench on January 16 at 9PM. And from what we’ve gleaned from those lucky enough to have access to DirecTV, season three of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is in every sense of the word, a touchdown.

Thanks to GMMR for the Tip!

Most Welcome EX of the Week
Here’s a formula even ex-Betty boy-toy Henry Grubstick can figure out. UGLY BETTY – Henry Grubstick + New York City = More Mode, more Marc, more Amanda and most importantly, more fun! Welcome back Betty.

Least Welcome EX of the Week
Elizabeth Reeser’s THE EX LIST attracted less viewers than MOONLIGHT. That sound you just heard, eight million MOONLIGHT fans muttering “I told you so.”

Career Advice of the Week
After sitting through Greg Kinnear’s FLASH OF GENIUS over the weekend, this TV Addict can’t help but wonder… How many non-descript supporting wives and girlfriends is ex-GILMORE GIRL Lauren Graham going to play until she comes to grips with the fact that her star shines brightest on the small screen.

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Good News: AMERICAN IDOL winner David Cook released his first single. Bad News: It sounds like this. [Click here to listen]

Good News: Not only will DIRECTV subscribers get exclusive access to FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS starting October 1st, they’ll get to watch the episodes commercial-free and in HD. Bad News: This TV Addict can’t subscribe to DIRECTV [Source]

Good News: One of television’s finest brilliant-but-cancelled series, the Aaron Sorkin comedy/drama hybrid SPORTS NIGHT arrives on DVD just in time for it’s 10th anniversary. Bad News: None. I just wanted to give a plug to one of this TV Addict’s all-time favorites. [Click here to check it out on Amazon]

Good News: Canada is finally getting HBO Bad News: Obsessed fans of REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER [see: this TV Addict] will have to wait until October 30 for the network to bow.

Contrary to rampant online speculation, this TV Addict has not — I repeat HAS NOT — packed his bags, sold the house and moved to the United States in order to get DirecTV in time for the premiere of FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS third season on October 1st premiere. Because that would be crazy… right?!

Thanks to BuddyTV for the Tip!

By: Kevin Kelly, Special TCA Correspondent

Experimentation. It’s the buzz word of this year’s Television Critics Press Tour.

Will SCRUBS jumping ship from NBC to ABC pay off? Will the CW really shake things up by shifting the start of their Fall season to mid-summer next season? And will satellite provider DirecTV’s gamble to pick up the critically acclaimed yet ratings anemic football series [that's not really about football!] be hailed as a brilliant programming move or, a grand experiment that was ahead of its time?

Place your bets. Because the only thing we know for sure is what one audience member inappropriately [yet accurately!] yelled out at this morning’s FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS TCA Panel. “FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS will quickly become the most downloaded show on television!” Which in case you’re wondering, star Zach Gilford full endorses, stating, “Well, if you’re a loyal fan I say you download it, and then out of good conscience just switch on NBC when it comes on the air.”

So what else did we learn. Well, Jason Street (Scott Porter) and Smash Williams (Gauis Charles) will be doing four-episode story arcs this season and aren’t signed on as series regulars. Which according to executive producer Jason Katims makes sense because they’ve both graduated from school on the show and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS has always strived to be “as realistic and true to real life” as possible. [With the notable exception of Tyra and Landry's ridiculous murder story-line! But let's not get too nit-picky here]

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This just in: Entertainment Weekly’s Michael Ausiello continues to put the smack-down on rival E! Online TV scooper Kristin Dos Santos since jumping ship from the sinking ship that is TV Guide.

Oh wait, you wanted breaking news about your Dillon Panthers? Well, for that incredibly sad news involving two of your favorite FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS cast members departing, you’re going to have to head on over to the Ausiello Files. Because for some reason or another, he knows stuff that we don’t.

It looks like television critics — including this TV Addict — might just have to search for a new whipping boy.

After all, it’s kinda hard not to feel at least a little love for NBC co-chair Ben Silverman, seeing as many of the announcements he made during Tuesday afternoon’s upfronts might well have been lifted directly from the Wish Lists of every viewer who has lamented the death of quality television over the past few years.

Yes, there will be more reality. No, Howie Mandel and his bevy of case-carrying beauties haven’t been sent to Exile Island. (Whoops, wrong network.)

But there will also be more FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

And that right there’s gotta buy the guy a little good will, right?

Don’t worry. It’s not like Silverman didn’t make some major mistakes. (SHARK TAGGERS? Seriously? What was the pitch on this? “Now, every week can be Shark Week!”) But we’re going to focus on the positive. (At least for a few minutes… then we’ll dish the negatives.)

What were the highlights for me? So glad you asked! Here’s the top four:

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Deadline Hollywood Daily is reporting that NBC has teamed up with satellite provider DirecTV to bring fans a third season of the critically acclaimed yet ratings anemic FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

While nothing is official yet, and Deadline Hollywood didn’t mention specifics like number of episodes and potential premiere dates, one thing is for sure. Come tomorrow morning, TVGuide, E!Online and Entertainment Weekly will all be jumping over themselves to break ‘Exclusive’ FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS stories!