The TV Addict 

While the focus of this site is predominantly on American television, every so often this proud-to-be-Canadian TV Addict likes to take a moment to highlight some of the must see TV that makes its way North of the 49th parallel.

When it comes to tonight’s series premiere of DAMAGES, one thing is for certain. You may inititally tune into the show for Glenn Close’s Golden Globe winning performance as morally ambiguous legal beagle Patty Hewes. But you’ll stick around thanks to a stellar supporting cast (or more specifically to watch Ted Danson prove there’s life after CHEERS) and enough twists and turns that you’ll soon be scratching your head and wondering whether you’re watching LOST in a courtroom. (DAMAGES airs on Mondays at 10PM on Showcase)\

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Anticipating a rather lengthy spate of reruns thanks to the writers strike, I’m checking out a few shows that are either new to me or which I’ve only seen an episode or two of. The latest one? Geek-turned-spy comedy CHUCK, which I saw the pilot of and liked, but not enough to become a regular viewer. So Monday night, I tuned back in and found that little has changed since the pilot… and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s nothing that can kill a struggling-to-survive show quicker than if newbies wander in and the show has a mind-boggling mythology or complicated backstory making it nearly impenetrable to the uninitiated or casual viewer. While I may not know exactly how Bryce came back from the dead or the circumstances which led to a much-discussed kiss between our hero and fellow operative Sarah, it didn’t much matter. The hour was fast-paced, enjoyable and easy to digest. The laughs weren’t of the belly variety and the plot didn’t require all that much attention be paid, but that’s part of the show’s charm, as is an incredibly appealing cast. The gimmick here — Chuck’s brain dowloaded a whole lot of top-secret intel which comes to him in flashes — is probably the weakest link, but it’s really little more than a way of bringing together people who wouldn’t otherwise have a reason to talk let alone bond and bumping the plot from point a to z without us having to think too hard. All in all, I’d have to say this show is a gee-whiz-that-was-fun winner. If you suddenly find yourself with some empty hours to fill thanks to the strike, you could do a whole lot worse than this charmer.

Finally, a well-written, interesting, debate-filled episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU! I know, I know, after last week’s mess of an offering I vowed to stop watching, but… well, I lied. Sue me. This week, the plot involved polygamy, involuntary female circumcision (ouch), a movement encouraging the snuffing-out of snitches and more… including a fantastic final-act twist. In a throwback to classic L&O, the personal details were scant and yet intriguing; the look on Benson’s face as she realized that Stabler had dated an attractive bit player helping them gather info was subtle and perfect. This is the show I fell in love with. Let’s have more episodes like this and fewer of the sucktacular crap like last week.

Speaking of craptacular, anybody else notice the size of those promos for The Bourne Ultimatum which popped up every 15 minutes or so during SVU? It’s bad enough that the networks allow more and more time to be taken up by ads, or that the insist on pimping whatever show is coming up next, tomorrow or somewhere down the line. But these were ads for a DVD being released on December 11. You want to hawk DVD’s? Do it on your own time. These types of promos are taking over the screen and serve to immediatley take us out of the show we’re trying to watch. Producers need to stand up and demand that the networks put an immediate stop to this kind of nonsense.

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With our one day strike in support of the WGA finally behind us [Seriously, who’d have guessed that not blabbering on endlessly about television for a day would be so difficult!] this TV Addict can finally get a few things off his chest.

First on the list — HEROES. It’s not so much that I hated Monday’s episode. I simply watched the entire hour thinking, “If only they started the season off this way!” Just imagine. How much more exciting would “Generations” have been if we knew that Adam and Peter were on the run from The Company. That the ‘Wonder Twin’s’ crime was essentially a wedding massacre and that Niki suddenly found herself with a lot more than just Jessica to contend with.

While it comes as no surprise —considering the brilliance of season one — this TV Addict is officially proclaiming DEXTER as this fall’s Must Watch Show. And not just Must Watch. It’s Must Watch with no interruptions. No phone, internet or food. Simply me, mesmerized and on the edge of my seat as Lundy and Co. creep closer and closer to realizing that the Bay Harbour Butcher is one of their own. Gulp!

Is anyone else struggling to figure out where Robin fits in when it comes to this season of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER? While the show’s done a marvelous job of highlighting the ups and downs of Marshall and Lilly’s post-nuptial life, Ted’s quest for coupledom and Barney being well, Barney. Robin seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. Here’s hoping that post-strike, MOTHER masterminds Carter Bays and Craig Thomas give the deserving Cobie Smulders a far more substantial role to play in the show. A fellow Canadian and former Pop Star deserves a far better fate then TV sidekick.

And finally. I have a feeling NIP/TUCK’s Julian McMahon left his acting skills in Miami when McNamara/Troy moved to LA. Don’t get me wrong, I’m absolutely loving NIP/TUCK: 90210 edition, but simply can’t believe how poor a job McMahon is doing of hiding his Australian accent. Hey McMahon — Get’cha Head in the Game!

When Nip/Tuck premiered on FX 5 seasons ago, I was immediately hooked. In love with the totally over the top way it approached every subject. It’s crazy, sure, but I always found some way to relate. These characters, as much as they sometimes hate each other, love each other to the core, and prove that they would do anything for each other. And the story lines in the beginning? Sure, they were nuts, but at the end of the day they were truly fabulous and ground breaking.However, I almost feel like the show lost its way a bit over the past few seasons. There was The Carver storyline, the Scientology storyline, the Julia falls for the nanny storyline (okay, that one was pretty awesome because I love Peter Dinklage). It hasn’t been as grounded in truth as it was in the beginning.I’m thrilled beyond belief to let you all know that Season 5 is back on track.

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Is NIP/TUCK the new LOVE BOAT?

That’s the question you may be asking yourself when you take a first look at NIP/TUCK’s upcoming parade of season five guest stars. Click the link below for a first look at Rosie, Daphne Zuniga, Portia de Ross, Paula Marshall, Lauren Hutton and Jennifer Coolidge.

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With season five of NIP/TUCK just around the corner [October 30], we at theTVaddict.com thought we’d share some fantastic new fifth season promo pics. Not surprisingly, FX takes NIP/TUCK’s mantra “Make me beautiful” to heart. For more great pics, click the link below.

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EXTRAS
On Thursday, HBO announced that Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant will wrap up their brilliant follow-up to THE OFFICE — EXTRAS, with a one-hour special. Said president of HBO Entertainment Carolyn Strauss, “It’s been an honor to present this hilarious series on HBO and I can’t wait to see how Ricky and Stephen will wrap up the saga of Andy Millman.”

On a related note, this TV Addict will now wait with bated breath to discover which way NBC’s inevitable ‘Americanization’ of EXTRAS goes. Will fans get another success like THE OFFICE, or be subjected to the horror that was COUPLING? Stay Tuned.

DEADWOOD
Speaking of waiting, we’ve got some bad news for DEADWOOD fans. The pair of two-hour DEADWOOD TV movies that you were promised last year, well, don’t hold your breath. Word from the TCA’s is that creator David Milch is exhausted, having just finished up season one of JOHN FROM CINCINNATI. Apparently, Milch has had just as hard a time running the show as we’ve had figuring out what the frak is going on.

NIP/TUCK
Korbi and Jen [who are filling in for Kristin while she’s on her honeymoon] did such a fantastic job covering yesterday’s NIP/TUCK panel that we thought it best to simply link to their report. It goes without saying, that after devouring Bradley Cooper’s brilliant-but-cancelled series KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL, we’re counting down the days until NIP/TUCK’s October premiere.

In hindsight, the NIP/TUCK panel was perhaps the week’s most disappointing panel at this years Paley Festival. In fact, the word panel is a giant misnomer — as the night was pretty much dominated by two voices — creator Ryan Murphy and star Julian McMahon (Dr. Christian Troy). While Murphy offered up some interesting anecdotes and insight with regards to the show, star Julian McMahon dominated the conversation a little too much for this TV addict’s liking. Who knew Julian McMahon had so much in common with the centre-of-attention doctor he plays on NIP/TUCK?

That said, here’s what creator Ryan Murphy had to say with regards to the origins of NIP/TUCK, on casting the show, the infamous story-lines, stunt casting and of course, the carver controversy.

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Following last night’s NIP/TUCK event at the 2007 Paley Festival, creator Ryan Murphy was kind enough to answer a few questions for a gaggle of reporters. At the top of the list was whether or not ROSIE O’DONNELL’S popular character from last season — Dawn Budge would be returning. Murphy confirmed that Rosie would indeed be returning and that since the show’s now set in Hollywood, we should expect to see quite a parade of famous guest stars. Stop the presses — Celebrities like plastic surgery? Who knew!

Check back later today for theTVaddict.com’s full report from the NIP/TUCK panel at the Paley Festival.

theTVaddict.com is declaring today — a cold and dreary Sunday in March — CANADA DAY in the world of television. Now before you run to turn OFF your television in fear of a surprise Celine Dion guest appearance on EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION, let me me take a moment to explain why we’ve declared today Canada Day Part Duex.

THE WINNER
FOX’s latest attempt to replicate their animated SIMPSONS success premieres tonight with the first two episodes of the Seth MacFarlane (FAMILY GUY) produced half hour laugher called THE WINNER. THE WINNER, stars everybody’s (or at least our) favourite DAILY SHOW correspondent Rob Corrdry as Glen Abbott, a 32-year-old man-child still living at home with his parents in early 1990s Buffalo.
CANADIAN CONNECTION
THE WINNER has not one, but two Canadian connections. Glen Abbott’s life is based on the life of Native Montrealer Ricky Blitt. Who not only wrote the pilot, but conceded in a recent interview with the Toronto Star that the show is “very autobiographical.”

The show’s second Canadian connection belongs to young Keir Gilchrist. The local Torontonian, who at 14, must hold his own against funny-man Rob Corrdry. Gilchrist plays the teenage neighbor who Corrdry befriends in order to get closer to his mom, who coincidentally happens to be his childhood crush. “He’s like a 35-year-old and I’m like a 14-year-old,” says co-star Rob Corrddry of Gilchrist. “So we sort of meet in the middle”

BROTHERS & SISTERS
theTVaddict’s new favourite drama (alongside FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS) returns tonight after an Oscar hiatus. On tonight’s episode, entitled “The Other Walker”, the family discovers what the audience has known for quite a while — William and Holly had a child together named Rebecca.
CANADIAN CONNECTION
‘The Other’ that the episode’s title is referring to is none other then fellow Canadian (Port Perry native) and EVERWOOD alum Emily VanCamp. Emily plays Rebecca, who as you can see from this clip, made quite an impression on a shocked Tommy Walker at the end of BROTHERS & SISTERS last episode. We at theTVaddict.com cannot wait for sparks to fly tonight when the entire family discovers The Other Walker.’ And knowing the modus operandi of the Walker clan, we predict that the episode will end with one very memorable and akward tear-soaked family dinner. Seriously, can someone tell us why the Walker Family even bothers to sit down for dinner? It never ends well!

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