KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL
Before THE HANGOVER propels small screen star Bradley Cooper into the big screen leading man that he so richly deserves to be, why not be the quasi-obnoxious guy/gal who can say, “I remember him when!” by checking out his 13 episode stint as brilliant bad boy chef Jack Bourdain, in the short-lived FOX series that took us behind-the-scenes of the zany and unpredictable world of New York Eateries. A behind the scenes that we should also mention features an unforgettable supporting cast including Nicholas Brendon, John Francis Daley, Jaimie King, Bonnie Somerville, Owain Yeoman, John Cho, Frank Langella, Sam Pancake and guest appearances by John Larroquette and Michael Vartan. (Only $13.99 on Amazon)

GROSSE POINTE
Chronicling the on-screen and off-screen antics of a spoiled group of twenty-something actors that may bare a passing resemblance to the gangs from BEVERLY HILLS 90210 and DAWSON’S CREEK comes this wickedly funny and spot on satire from Darren Star, the man who practically invented the genre. Don’t believe us, see for yourself by checking out this hilarious opening scene. (Only $14.99 on Amazon)

KIDNAPPED
The best part of KIDNAPPED, aside from the well-paced story and all-star cast (including Jeremy Sisto, Timothy Hutton, Delroy Lindo and Dana Delaney to name a few) is that when NBC yanked it off the air after a mere three episodes, they did so with enough time to allow creator Jason Smilovic to craft a proper ending. Thus making this brilliant-but-cancelled series 13 episodes of suspenseful, high quality story-telling that best of all, won’t have fans pulling out their hair out and asking what happens next. (Only $14.99 on Amazon)

SPORTS NIGHT
Aaron Sorkin’s journey behind-the-scenes of an ESPN-style Sports Centre was not only the perfect guise to deal with polarizing issues like drug abuse, steroids and racism [both on the field and off], it featured an absolutely all-star cast and a will-the-or-won’t they between Casey and Dana [Peter Krause and Felicity Huffman] that still makes us smile. ($40.29 on Amazon)

EVERWOOD
And while this last pick may not exactly fall within our criteria of short-lived, now is the time to catch up on EVERWOOD’s first season, prior to the much-anticipated June 16 release of EVERWOOD season two. (Only $19.99 on Amazon)

Related:
Our Summer Survival Guide Day 1: TV

While Jason Smilovic may not be a household name, to this TV Addict, he just so happens to be the man responsible for last season’s most exciting [and short-lived] drama KIDNAPPED. So when Amrie [of My Take on TV fame] spotted him walking down the aisle following Saturday’s BIONIC WOMAN panel, this TV Addict couldn’t pass up the opportunity to thank him for his work on the show and joke with him about the show’s brilliant yet maddening ending (One that I’m not about to spoil here!) Needless to say, Jason was very appreciative and thanked me for being the only loyal viewer outside of his immediate family.

Missed KIDNAPPED entirely? You can buy the complete series — fantastic ending included — at Amazon by clicking here.

Need to know when NBC’s short-lived but excellent series KIDNAPPED is being released on DVD? When you favourite show’s season finale airs? Post away with your questions and I’ll break all speed records to answer them as quickliy as possible. Don’t feel like posting, feel free to email theTVaddict at info@thetvaddict.com

HappyFan Asks: Since you mentioned it, when is KIDNAPPED coming to DVD? I [apparently was the only one] who loved that series!
theTVaddict: KIDNAPPED, one of my personal favourite series of the fall makes its way to DVD this Tuesday April 24. The complete series (all thirteen episodes) are currently available at amazon for $37.46. More importantly, the producer’s had fair warning and were able to craft a proper ending for the short-lived series.

Frank asks: I need to start my season finale schedule. When are these shows wrapping up their seasons? How I Met Your Mother, Heroes, Veronica Mars, Lost, Scrubs and The Office
theTVaddict: Great Question Frank! Since you’re obviously too lazy to look this up yourself here are the season finale dates for your favourite shows
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER – May 14
HEROES – May 21
VERONICA MARS – May 22 (Two-Hour Special)
SCRUBS – May 17
THE OFFICE – May 17

Jason in the OC asks: Is Friday Night Lights worth getting into? I’ve avoided the football-themed show but it seems to be a critical darling. Isn’t it just pandering to Red Staters?
theTVaddict: Jason, FNL is so much more than just football and regardless of what state you’re in — I guarantee you’ll love it. In fact I’m so confident you’ll jump on the bandwagon that I’m going to ‘gift’ you the season premiere on iTunes (assuming you have iTunes). Just email me your iTunes ID to info@thetvaddict.com. Yes folks, I’m that dedicated to FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS getting a second season!

When NBC cancelled the show they promised to put the remaining episodes on their web site. Yet they only made a handful available online, and only to those lucky viewers in the US. Thanks to Sony for actually giving fans of the show an opportunity to find out who kidnapped Leopold Cain (and more importantly why). Here’s hoping that thirteen episodes was enough time to provide for a satisfying ending to a series that deserved a far better fate.

Thanks to TVSquad for the Tip!

“We’re proud to reward an authentic, poignant series like ‘Friday Night Lights’ with a full-season order, demonstrating our confidence in it’s appeal and quality,” said Reilly. “Television critics and devoted fans have supported the show with well-deserved praise for the executive producers, writers and exceptionally talented cast.”

While I could be bitter that KIDNAPPED wasn’t given the same opportunity to find an audience, overall this TV Addict would like to take a moment to praise NBC. Instead of canceling shows well before their time, the network is giving their struggling shows time to find an audience. STUDIO 60, 30 ROCK, and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS are all great shows that, in time (or when America gets its proverbial head of the sand), will hopefully evolve into the massive hits they deserve to be.

Just when you thought BATTLESTAR GALACTICA couldn’t get any darker, ‘The Circle’ appears on Galactica. Watching The Circle play judge, jury and executioner for the Cylon Collaborators was incredibly difficult to watch. RIP Jammer. Thank God Felix Gaeta didn’t find himself jettisoned out of an air lock. Like Anders said, “the war is over, and there is only so much killing we can take.”

One of the best dramas on television is one that has already been cancelled. I’m completely loving every minute of NBC’s KIDNAPPED. I have no idea who’s behind Leo’s kidnapping and what their motive is. All I do know is that the show is incredibly well written, beautifully acted and will have at least one loyal fan until the final thirteenth episode. Kudos to NBC for giving the show enough time to write what will hopefully be a fantastic conclusion.

Last night’s preview for Sunday’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES give us the impression that someone’s about be killed in a supermarket shoot-out. Who do we think is going to bite the bullet? This TV Addict hopes it’s crazy Nora.

The more I think about it, the more I loved LOST’S third season premiere. Henry Gale (aka Ben) is the best television villain since Arvin Sloane in his heyday (ALIAS season 1 & 2).

Kudos to NBC for giving the writers of KIDNAPPED enough time to write a proper ending to what is now a 13 episode series. Thanks for actually respecting the fans and not pulling a ‘REUNION’ on us.

30 ROCK premieres this Wednesday on NBC. Having seen the pilot, I don’t think I’ve ever been more disappointed by a series premiere. I’ve loved Tina Fey’s work on SNL and MEAN GIRLS. Note to Fey: This isn’t Saturday Night Live, it’s a comedy series: You’re expected to be funny.

How is it that the sixth season of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION premieres in the United Stated before it does in Canada? DEGRASSI is Canada’s most popular export. How on earth do our friends to the south get to see if first? Once again CTV, wake up and respect your audience.

JERICHO: Robert Hawkins clearly knows what’s going on. Why did he come ‘prepared’ with a Radiation Suit and what on earth is he sealing up in his basement. Also, how much did I love Gerald McCraney’s (the mayor) unexpected punch to the gut of his mayoral opponent (this is definitely a time for sticking together, not political maneuvering). Finally, the airplanes. How unsettling was that? There are clearly survivors outside of Jericho – and if next week’s preview is any indication, welcome and unwelcome visitors will soon be floating into the small town of Jericho.

KIDNAPPED: I have to be honest, I fell asleep with 15 minutes to go, so I don’t know how the episode ended, but if it’s any consolation, I LOVED the first 45 minutes. It’s disappointing that viewers haven’t given KIDNAPPED a chance. If the show is cancelled, it’s nice to know that the writers have a contingency plan to end the series properly after 13 episodes (yup, still bitter about how REUNION ended).

THE NINE: Fantastic premiere right? What on earth happened during those 52 hours in the bank? (Yes I realize I sound like a commercial for ABC – but in my defense, they did air quite a lot of them!). Needless to say, I’ll be tuning into to episode 2, 3, and 4 with the hopes of some answers.

LOST: And speaking of answers, LOST finally returned, and yet again raised more questions then answers. How do The Others know so much about Jack, Kate, and Sawyer? Why exactly will Kate’s next two weeks be ‘hell’? and most importantly, how long until Jack hooks up with Juliette? Okay, that last point, not so important, but once again, LOST confounds, confuses and frustrates (that would have been way cooler if I had another word that starts with a ‘c’). That said, I can’t wait for next week.