It’s events like this that make theTVaddict.com worth the effort. Yes, you heard me. Watching television is serious ‘work’ and today was no exception. This morning, the TV Addict reported live from the 2007 GLOBAL TV UpFront, and believe you me, it was no treat. Especially when I had to suppress an audible groan when HEROES stars Masi Oka and Adrian Pasdar were asked — no doubt the millionth time — who their personal hero was!

Okay, who am I kidding? Stupid questions aside, the Global TV UpFront were as exciting as one would imagine. After-all, it’s not often that I get to sit front row and question HEROES stars Masi Oka and Adrian Pasdar, drink coffee while congratulating BROTHERS & SISTERS star Balthazar Getty on all his success and get the opportunity to chat with the hardest working guy in show-business — Ryan Seacrest.

Now onto the festivities.

The event started off with a Q&A featuring HEROES stars Masi Oka (Hiro Nakamura) and Adrian Pasdar (Nathan Petrelli). Not surprisingly, Pasdar was tight-lipped on what fans can expect come season two explaining, “When the show first started, the network wanted us to talk to anyone who wanted to talk to us. But now that we’re a hit, we can’t say anything.”

Of course the Tim Kring mandated gag order didn’t stop Masi Oka from revealing a possible future guest star on HEROES — his former boss at ILM — George Lucas. Oka ran into Lucas (whom he’d never met throughout his ten years working at ILM) at a recent CGI Awards dinner. Turns out, Lucas is a big fan of the show and jokingly said he’d love to play a villain, but only if he could utter the ominous words, “kill them all!”

Next up in the hot seat was BROTHERS & SISTERS star Balthazar Getty. As expected, Getty spoke glowingly about his fictional family and took a moment to single out his TV mom Sally Field (as all good sons should). “Sally Field is as great as you’d expected her to be. Professional, gracious, funny and warm.” joked Getty, “Like a real mom, she’s the disciplinarian on the set. When me and the boys screw off, she’s always there to put us back in our place.”

Following Getty was the beautiful Sarah Carter, whom many of you may recognize as district attorney Madeline Poe on SHARK. Not being a huge fan of SHARK myself, I didn’t have any questions for her, but my fellow reporters were more than curious about what it was like working with the James Woods. Naturally Carter had nothing but praise for her legendary co-star saying, “James Woods is a dynamic and fabulous human being. Working with him has been a great learning experience. But more than anything, he’s just a wonderful person, incredible teacher and I continue to be humbled by his presence.” WOW, that didn’t sound rehearsed at all.

The UpFront ended with the hardest working guy in show-business — Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest was in Toronto promoting the launch of E! Canada (formerly CH TV). Seacrest was well spoken, articulate and quick to squash the rumor that Paula and Randy would not be returning to AMERICAN IDOL next season. “I spoke to Randy yesterday and he didn’t mention anything.” elaborated Seacrest, “The chemistry with the group that we have now would be impossible to re-create.”

That my friends, was the UpFront in a nutshell. For each Q&A in its entirety, as well as more stories and photos, please check back tomorrow and Friday. Canadians can also check out all the great new shows GLOBAL TV has in store for us by clicking on the 2007 Fall Schedule.

A final note if I may — a thank-you to GLOBAL TV, and more specifically Dan Kenning and the entire publicity team at CanWest. From the time I arrived at Massey Hall to the moment I left with my fantastic swag bag (seriously, who doesn’t love free stuff!), this TV Addict truly felt like the Canadian version of Michael Ausiello (minus the weird smurf obsession).

Somehow Thursday just isn’t the same without new episodes of THE OFFICE and GREY’S ANATOMY. Thankfully, there’s an UGLY BETTY halloween to put a smile on my face. No doubt hilarity will ensue.

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, Returns Sept. 21) McDreamy, McVet, Va-Jay-Jay. If these words mean nothing to you, then you’re missing out on television’s hottest, sorry, McDreamiest drama. But rest easy, it’s not too late to jump on the GREY’S bandwagon. The first and second seasons of GREY’s ANATOMY are out on DVD. Pick them up and before you can say McDreamy you’ll be hooked on the best medical drama since ER.

For it’s third season GREY’S is prepared to pull out all the stops to remain on television’s most talked about show. Guest stars already on board include Embeth Davidtz (SCHINDLER’S LIST), Abigail Breslin (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and Diahann Carroll (as Burke’s mother). One return fans shouldn’t expect is that of Izzie’s departed fiance Denny. But SUPERNATURAL creator Eric Kripke is happy to point out, “If you want to see Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in bed, tune in to SUPERNATURAL!” Thanks Eric, we’ll pass that along to Izzie!

THE OFFICE (8:30PM NBC, Returns Sept. 21) The question on every OFFICE fans mind this summer wasn’t who stole the $3,000? (see: THE OFFICE webisodes), it was what’s the deal with Jim and Pam? In May’s season finale, NBC’s hottest couple since Ross and Rachel finally kissed, after Jim surprised Pam by professing his love to her. Creator Greg Daniels promises a resolution [of sorts] in the season premiere, telling the readers of Entertainment Weekly to be sure to tune into the first episode. Like there was a chance we wouldn’t!

SHARK (10PM CBS, Debuts Sept. 21) James Wood could read the yellow pages and keep this TV addict riveted. For a full review of CBS’s latest legal procedural, click here.

Also premiering tonight, but not on the TV addict’s MUST WATCH LIST
CSI (CBS, 9PM)
SIX DEGREES (ABC, 10PM)
MY NAME IS EARL (NBC, 8PM)
ER (NBC, 10PM

UGLY BETTY (8PM ABC, Debuts Sept. 28) Historically, Thursday nights have been home to television’s most beautiful faces. We fell in love with Rachel’s hairstyle, Clooney’s eyes and the entire cast of the OC. But come September 28, a girl named Betty is about to change Thursday nights forever.

America Ferrerra (THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS) stars as UGLY BETTY. An ‘ugly duckling’ who lands an entry-level job at Manhattan’s most glamorous fashion magazine (think: THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA). “It’s a makeover show from the inside,” Said Ferrerra to Entertainment Weekly. “Betty is beautiful and charming and intelligent on the inside. The audience will fall in love with her because of that, not because of who she is on the outside.”

ABC has already fallen for BETTY, moving the show from the graveyard of Friday night to the lead-in for GREY’S ANATOMY (ABC’s hottest show). Now all that’s left is for America (the country, not the actress) to fall in love with the show as well. America loves a fish-out-of-water story,” executive producer Salma Hayek told EW, “I have no doubt that [UGLY BETTY] will be incredibly successful.” This TV addict couldn’t agree more. UGLY BETTY, with any luck, will be gracing the cover of magazines for years to come.

GREY’S ANATOMY (9PM ABC, Returns Sept. 21) McDreamy, McVet, Va-Jay-Jay. If these words mean nothing to you, then you’re missing out on television’s hottest, sorry, McDreamiest drama. But rest easy, it’s not too late to jump on the GREY’S bandwagon. The first and second seasons of GREY’s ANATOMY are out on DVD. Pick them up and before you can say McDreamy you’ll be hooked on the best medical drama since ER.

For it’s third season GREY’S is prepared to pull out all the stops to remain on television’s most talked about show. Guest stars already on board include Embeth Davidtz (SCHINDLER’S LIST), Abigail Breslin (LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and Diahann Carroll (as Burke’s mother). One return fans shouldn’t expect is that of Izzie’s departed fiance Denny. But SUPERNATURAL creator Eric Kripke is happy to point out, “If you want to see Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in bed, tune in to SUPERNATURAL!” Thanks Eric, we’ll pass that along to Izzie!

THE OFFICE (8:30PM NBC, Returns Sept. 21) The question on every OFFICE fans mind this summer wasn’t who stole the $3,000? (see: THE OFFICE webisodes), it was what’s the deal with Jim and Pam? In May’s season finale, NBC’s hottest couple since Ross and Rachel finally kissed, after Jim surprised Pam by professing his love to her. Creator Greg Daniels promises a resolution [of sorts] in the season premiere, telling the readers of Entertainment Weekly to be sure to tune into the first episode. Like there was a chance we wouldn’t!

THE OC (9PM FOX, Returns Nov. 2) After a critically boring third season, the writers [and fans] of THE OC are hoping Marissa’s death injects some much needed energy into the show. The fourth season, starting late thanks to Baseball will jump forward a few months after Marissa’s death, as we see how the gang has adjusted to College in addition to dealing with the the death of their friend. Not surprisingly, Ryan isn’t handling it well. Rumors run rampant that Ryan will join a ‘fight club’. Those writers really will use any excuse to have Ryan in a ‘wife beater’ t-shirt!

Viewers wary of yet another season of ‘angry Ryan’ should take solice in the fact that the OC writers have promoted two of last season’s bright spots to series regulars. Returning full time is Marissa’s sis Kaitlin Cooper (Willa Holland) and Taylor (Autumn Reeser). Also on board for a guest stint is EVERWOOD alum Chris Pratt (Bright Abbott). Television executives take note: Any show that uses any cast member from EVERWOOD is much watch in our books.

SMALLVILLE (8PM CW, Returns Sept. 28) I have a surprising confession to make, and considering I’m a self professed TV addict, this may shock some of you. Okay, here it goes (deep breath) — I haven’t actually watched last season’s finale of SMALLVILLE. It’s saved on my PVR, but I’ve yet to watch. Why you ask? I’ll tell you.

SMALLVILLE infuriates me. The show has so much potential, and at times can be fantastic. I really enjoy the Clark vs. Lex mythology, while at the same times want to gauge my eyes out everytime Clark and Lana play out their inevitably doomed romantic storyline. Don’t get be wrong, I have nothing against Kristin Kreuk (the actress who plays Lana), it’s just unfortunate that the ‘Lana’ storylines completely suck out all the energy and entertainment from the show.

That said, I’m a sucker for the Superman Mythos and will definitely be tuning into the sixth season premiere.

SHARK (10PM CBS, Debuts Sept. 21) James Wood could read the yellow pages and keep this TV addict riveted. For a full review of CBS’s latest legal procedural, click here.

As a general rule, television executives are not the most forward-thinking people on the planet. So when an idea connects with the public, they remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thus, the success of FRIENDS begat a seemingly endless stream of series in which attractive 20-somethings exchanged banter at their local hangout, while the folks behind CSI opted to simply replicate themselves in new locations and call it a day.

Therefore, it was somewhat inevitable that when America fell for a brilliant but belligerent doctor with the bedside manner of an ill-tempered rattlesnake, TVland execs would take notice. But lest we think them completely incapable of coming up with something new, they fished about for a different profession and decided upon lawyers, giving not one but two HOUSE-like attorneys trial runs this season: From FOX we get Victor Garber in JUSTICE, while CBS has landed James Woods as SHARK.

The clichés hit fast and hard, beginning when defense attorney Sebastian Stark (Woods) discovers that the client he got acquitted of murdering his wife immediately went out and finished the job he’d started. Quicker than you can say “reversal of fortune,” Stark is pressured into heading up a special department of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office created by a mayor “sick of the poor going to jail for jaywalking while millionaires kill each other without missing a massage.”

Stark, of course, balks at the prospect. After all, he’s a defense attorney! “I eat prosecutors for breakfast,” he protests. But we already know how this scenario is going to play out. Think back to the days of GILLIGAN’S ISLAND, when the hapless first mate would – when pressed to take part in some wacky scheme – insist, “You can’t make me, you can’t make me, you can’t make me!” only to have the next shot be the poor guy stuffed into a dress trying to woo an island priestess.

Sure enough, once the opening credits roll, we return to find Stark beginning his first day on the new job. Of course, he butts heads with his sexy former nemesis, D.A. Jessica Devlin (Jeri Ryan). And just as House has his staff of young docs to both teach and torture, Stark is surrounded by a group of eager beaver attorneys right out of central casting. And just in case we need help picking out their stereotypical traits, Stark literally does it for us. Ambitious guy from a long line of attorneys? Check. Pretty gal who is “smart, passionate [and] lets emotion cloud her judgement?” Check. Sassy black chick with major authority issues? Check!

All that’s left now is to bring on the case… and of course, it’s a doozy. Heck, we established right there at the beginning that this crew would only be handling high-profile cases! In the pilot, it’s a Britneyesque pop tart accused of killing the dancer she was fooling around with. (Wishful thinking on the part of everyone ever made to suffer through a K-Fed performance?)

The biggest surprise? The fact that all of these cliches and stereotypes somehow come together to form one of the most entertaining shows of the new season, due in no small part to the unbeatable charisma of Woods. Like House, Stark is a man who says and does the things we can only dream of. And like the attorney he plays, Woods is surrounded by a more than capable group of players, and his banter with Ryan’s Devlin proves they have chemistry to spare.

Despite being less flashy than lead-in CSI, SHARK should have no trouble both appealing and holding on to that show’s core audience. Our verdict? Woods’ Emmy-worthy performance gives SHARK the teeth it needs to avoid being all bark and no bite.