The TV Addict 

Were you as moved as I was by the final minutes of Monday’s Christmas edition of STUDIO 60? If so, you can help support the rebuilding of music culture in New Orleans. Click here to visit the web site of the Tipitinas Foundation, a foundation that aids musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Whether you agree with his opinions or not, this TV Addict applauds Aaron Sorkin for continuing to shine a light on issues in America that need our attention.

I don’t ask much of my readers, but today I’d like to take a moment to highlight tonight’s episode of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP — and plead you to watch. The Christmas themed episode features an attempt by Matt to bring the spirit of Christmas to Los Angeles and Danny trying to comprehend his true feelings for Jordan. The episode is classic Sorkin and is on par with the best of THE WEST WING and SPORTS NIGHT.

You’ll laugh at the hilarious ‘To Catch A Predator’ sketch featuring Santa. You’ll love Danny dealing with his feelings for Jordan. And unless your heart is made of stone you’ll most definitely tear up during the show’s final moments.

This TV Addict give the episode FIVE STARS (out of FIVE) and makes it his MUST WATCH hour of TV tonight.

Critics and nay-sayers be damned, I still love STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP. Last night’s episode was a return to form for the show and only included, get this, one condescending lecture by Aaron Sorkin — this time about why Americans shouldn’t care about box office grosses. Aaron, love you, but really, please don’t tell us what we should be caring about. I love checking out the weekend’s box office receipts, and a lecture from you won’t change anything.

Moving on, AintItCoolNews.com got a shout-out on the show. I’m not one to nit-pick, but as much as I love AICN, the site is predominantly about movies. Aaron, next time when you want to give a shout-out to a prominent entertainment related web site, how about showing theTVaddict.com a little love? (How else will this site evolve into the behemoth that is AICN?)

Howie Mandell hosted Studio 60 this week. Interesting… Memo to NBC shows on the brink of cancellation. I think I’ve discovered how you can stay on the air forever. Just agree to always promote other NBC shows on your own show. (also see: 30 ROCK).

Last night’s episode gave Matt a new assistant, or as I’d like to offically name her: Donna 2.0. I called it from episode one, Susanne is the new Donna for Matt. Where that leaves Danny’s character (the original Josh) I have no idea. But I think there’s a strong possibility that Jordan’s baby may be Danny.

In every office in the NBC (sorry, NBS) head office, there are giant flat-screen TVs with the NBS logo glimmering. Do studio executives in (real life) all really have giant flat-screens with their network logo on it? Is the logo really necessary? I don’t think the execs are going to forget who they’re working for.

And finally, nice to see Christine Lahti’s intrepid reporter character carrying a laptop. Taking notes on a story may be a good idea. Hello, it’s reporting 101.

According to a press release sent out by NBC, the peacock network has given a full-season order for 2006-07 to its critically hailed freshman drama FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET), it was announced today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

“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.

Looks like NBC Studio Prez Kevin Reilly will indeed ‘be there for’ ex-Friend Matthew Perry. Kirstin from Eonline is reporting that STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP has indeed received an order for a complete season of episodes (22 episodes).

Apparently, the NBC Prez (and my new favourite person in the world) is standing behind STUDIO, and keeping it in its Monday night timeslot hoping that the audience might grow.

Now there’s some great news to start of a dreary, gloomy, rainy Thursday.

According to the Hollywood Reporter STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP is very close to getting a full season pick-up. One source who requested anonymity said, “I’d be very surprised at this point if the show weren’t picked up (for the full season) in the next couple of days.” Aaron Sorkin told the Hollywood Reporter that, “we’re starting to feel optimistic around here” and that people don’t remember that THE WEST WING wasn’t hit until season two.

The TV Addict applauds NBC for having patience and believing in quality television. The only question remaining is when are we going to see NATIONS?

It’s never to early to jump on the ‘Save Our Show’ bandwagon. First out of the gate this season is SAVE STUDIO 60. A show definitely worth fighting for. Be sure to hop on over to their site and support one of television’s smartest shows.

Tonight on LOST [spoiler alert], showrunners Lindeloff and Cuse promise that someone we actually care about will die. Apparently, it’s an opening credit character… not a random Islander (or Lostie). This TV Addict has no idea who…. but to find out who’s on the way out, I guess I should be paying attention to the Hawaii police blotter. Who’s the latest LOST actor to get a DUI? If you have a guess as to who’s a goner, please post your theories below.

Finally, remember to check out theTVaddict.com at 9PM tonight for the LIVE LOST BLOG. Thanks to everyone who’s taken part in previous weeks. It’s definitely made LOST more exciting than usual.

Contrary to a FOX ‘News’ report, STUDIO 60 has not been cancelled. According to MediaDailyNews, an NBC representative said in an email that the show “is profitable at this point”, and has yet to be cancelled. Recently the network has ordered three more episodes of the show.

STUDIO 60 fans can take solace in the fact that NBC might stick with the show just because of the high income audience the show attracts. Through Oct. 8, it ranked fourth among all network shows in median income for the 18-to-49 demo at $66,000. Another is the show’s perceived status as high-brow “West Wing-style” entertainment, a brand image that NBC continues to pursue.

The parade of death and depression isn’t over on tonight’s new episode of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. The episode, entitled “Collaborators’ deals with ‘The Circle’ (a group of six officers) who have taken it upon themselves to punish those who collaborated with the Cylons on New Caprica. Jammer (who rescued Kaly from execution in episode three is one of those targeted for ‘trial’, as is Felix Gaeta. I’ll leave it to your own imagination as to who lives and dies, but seeing as though this is BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, punishment is not surprisingly a harsh and brutal reality.

Last night the TV addict had a chance to screen CBS’ upcoming new medical drama 3 LBS. My full review will be coming soon, but in case you’re wondering, 3 LBS is best described as HOUSE plus CHICAGO HOPE divided by CSI and GREY’S ANATOMY. It pretty much takes bits and pieces from every popular crime/medical procedural currently out there in an attempt to create television’s next big hit.

Good news for STUDIO 60 fans, according to the Hollywood Reporter, NBC has ordered three additional scripts of the Sorkin scripted show. Let’s hope this is a sign of things to come, and NBC hangs on to its most captivating new drama.

Could this TV Addict be anymore excited for NBC’s new MUST SEE TV lineup! Thanks to THE OFFICE, SCRUBS & 30 ROCK, Thursday nights have quickly gotten a lot funnier — and more jam packed. Between MUST SEE TV, ABC’s UGLY BETTY, GREY’S ANATOMY as well as THE OC and SMALLVILLE, thank God for the invention of the PVR and timeshifting.

And in case you’re wondering, yes I’m still incredibly bitter that Canadians and MAC users can’t watch the season premiere of THE OC. But if you’re American and a PC users, Great News! You can check out the season premiere early at myspace.com/fox

Aside from HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER (CBS 8PM) being my new favourite sitcom, one other reason to tune into tonight’s episode is for the hilarious Bryan Cranston (MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE), making a guest appearance as Ted’s angry boss.

PRISON BREAK (FOX 8PM) returns after a three week hiatus. Is Sucre really evil? Has this been his plan all along? Does anyone really care at this point? Bring on the Michael Sara make out session!

After a week long tease, we’ll hopefully get to learn what “Save the Cheerleader, Save the World” means on HEROES (NBC 9PM). Unlike that other popular mythology-laden series, something [so far] actually happens in HEROES each and every week.

Having already seen tonight’s episode of STUDIO 60 ON THE SUNSET STRIP (NBC 10PM), I can tell you that while Lauren Graham doesn’t get a lot of screen time, she has one fantastic scene with Matthew Perry. Please tune into STUDIO 60 tonight, the TV addict does not want to see the return of FEAR FACTOR Monday’s on NBC.

Over on LifeTime, SCRUBS fans can get their Sarah Chalke fix in WHY I WORE LIPSTICK TO MY MASTECTOMY (LIFETIME 9PM). Sure the breast cancer story isn’t exactly ‘Scrubs Funny’, but Entertainment Weekly calls Sarah’s performance ‘fantastic’, and any show that helps out people dealing with cancer – this TV addict’s supports big time.