Class Act of the Week: Elisabeth Hasselbeck
While the cynic in us is still pondering the significance of Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s all black ensemble post election day on THE VIEW. This TV Addict will give her credit for as Defamer so eloquently put it, delivering one helluva concession speech (Not to mention summing up the energy for a fist bump with frequent verbal sparring partner Joy Behar.)

Opportunity Wasted of the Week: CNN’s Election night hologram
Not only was CNN’s reported 40 HD cameras at an estimated cost of $300 – $400,000 completely unnecessary on what turned out to be one of America’s most memorable elections ever. Correspondent Jessica Yellin completely botched her ‘lines’ by forgetting the one phrase every viewer was waiting with baited breath to hear, “Help Me Wolf Blitzer… you’re my only hope.”

Poor Scheduling Decision of the Week: CW Tuesday
How many of you found time to catch last week’s installments of 90210 and PRIVILEGED during Tuesday’s historic election?

Executive Producer of the Week: Rebecca Kirshner
Who was recently hired to make the CW’s fledgling 90210 re-boot watchable, started things off on the right foot by managing to not sully the right of passage for virtually every teen-centric show on television — the proverbial slumber party. More importanatly, for the first time since well, forever, this TV Addict is actually looking forward to what happens next in our favorite zip. So kudos to you Mrs. Kirshner. Here’s hoping you keep it up.

Irony of the Week: Lori Loughlin
And speaking of 90210, is anyone else finding it hilarious (and somewhat sad) that TV mom Lori Loughlin gets more screen-time on the CW’s free2begreen PSA’s (Public Service Announcements) than she does on the actual show?

Disappointment of the Week: Comedy Central’s INDECISION 2008
The TV Addict has voted, and Comedy Central must stop putting together Stewart and Colbert on big election nights. I mean sure in theory combining your two most powerful shows seems like a good idea. But as Homer Simpson is so fond of reminding us, “In theory, Communism works”. In reality, the over-the-top brilliant character that is Stephen Colbert is completely brought back to earth whenever he’s around real-life friend Jon Stewart. Turning the Comedy Central Specials into the television equivalent of of a George Clooney/Brad Pitt movie. (Translation: The actor’s are having far more fun than the audience.)

Favorite Three Shows of the Week:
TERMINATOR THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES (Loving the Agent Ellison Catherine Weaver story line), PRIVILEGED (We’re so on Team Rose!) and 30 ROCK (Even though it made Quote of the Week, Tracy’s line bares repeating, “I watched BOSTON LEGAL nine times before I realized it wasn’t the new STAR TREK.”)

The next Ellen, Judge Judy or Pat Buchanan? Thanks to Sarah Palin’s recent stint on SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, everybody has an opinion on her future as television’s next big thing. Which is probably why The Hollywood Reporter penned an article on Friday entitled, “Sarah Palin: Future Media Star?”

Too bad authors Andrew Wallenstein and Steven Zeitchik neglected to ask this TV Addict to weigh in on the potential VP’s future small screen possibilities (assuming of course she doesn’t find her way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on November 4th). Because I’ve got the most Legen… [wait for it]…. Dary answer of all. A spot on the couch alongside the ladies of THE VIEW.

Just imagine, America’s favorite hockey mom backing up Elisabeth Hasselbeck on the side of the right each and every morning. If that isn’t must see TV, I don’t know what is. After-all, as authors Wallenstein and Zeitchik so accurately put it, “Love her or hate her — there doesn’t seem to be much middle ground with Palin — the 44-year-old hockey mom has captured the public imagination in a way no politician has since, well, Barack Obama.”

Good News: This TV Addict just devoured Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jensen scathingly accurate look at the disappointment that is HEROES season three. Bad News: Leaving me once again questioning as to why exactly I renewed my subscription to the magazine that most likely won’t arrive in my mailbox until Monday (if I’m lucky!) [see article]

Good News: The seemingly never-ending US election is this close to reaching its exciting conclusion. Bad News: Coinciding with the end of the election to end all elections will be the daily can’t miss blowups between the women of THE VIEW [click for today's Elizabeth smack-down]

Good News: Next week’s season premiere of 30 ROCK is now streaming for free online on over on hulu.com, myspace.com and nbc.com. Bad News: None of which are available to fans outside of the United States of America.

Good News: Dan Byrd, star of last season’s most under-watched comedic gem ALIENS IN AMERICA has just been cast as a possible apprentice to Sylar on HEROES. Bad News: Possibly putting an end to this TV Addict’s short-lived boycott of the show come January 2009. Stay tuned…. [source]

Good News: Martin Sheen reminisces about the fictional Bartlett administration. Bad News: With Paris Hilton. [Video]

Good News: The women of THE VIEW are crazy as the daily gabfest continues to devolve into a rip-roaring can’t miss political free-for-all. Bad News: I’m almost starting to feel bad for Elisabeth Hasselbeck. Emphasis on the “almost.” [Source]

Good News: Nathan Fillion’s return with CASTLE looks fantastic. Bad News: Which means it will likely last a solid four episodes before its abruptly canceled. [Trailer]

On today’s episode of THE VIEW, Barbara Walters made the expected announcement that Whoopi Goldberg will be filling the vacant seat left by Rosie O’Donnell (who filled the vacant seat left by Meredith Viera) on the upcoming eleventh season of THE VIEW.

That sound you just heard — this TV Addict removing THE VIEW from his Must Watch List. Nothing against Goldberg, whom I’ve always enjoyed on both the big screen and small. But simply put, THE VIEW is about controversy, and with Rosie at the helm, controversy was never in short supply. Whoopie was the safe choice, not the best one.

Agree, disagree, post away with your choice for the host.

For those of you stuck in your office (without a television — paging Amnesty International), I thought I’d take a moment to update you all on this morning’s first installment of THE VIEW minus ROSIE.

Fourteen minutes in, I’m already bored. Barbara Walters is sitting in Rosie’s chair, and Whoopi Goldberg is special guest host (or is it Rosie replacement?). Not surprisingly, the opening minutes were dedicated to Barbara and Elizabeth talking about how much Rosie will be missed and that the two of them have been affectionately emailing Rosie all weekend. Translation: please don’t stop tuning in to the show because Rosie’s gone.

Not surprisingly, the Queen of Nice has a different take on the controversy. “I haven’t spoken to her [Elizabeth], and I think it’s just as well” said Rosie on her video blog at Rosie.com. “I wrote her an e-mail, and she wrote me back, and there you have it.”

What’s more, Rosie compared her stint on THE VIEW to being “just like a foster kid for a year … I didn’t really fit into the family and now it’s time for the foster kid to go back home.”

And now on to Lindsay Lohan’s ‘problems’…. cue channel change now.

Again, love her or hate her, you absolutely have to appreciate how Rosie removes the mystery around ‘celebrity’. Does anyone else think it’s simply fascinating to watch how open and honest Rosie is about everything.

Check out the video and let us know what you think. First DEBBI MATEwhatwashername? STAR JONES, now ROSIE, can anybody leave THE VIEW in one piece?

Love her or hate her, one fact is indisputable ROSIE makes great TV. In case you missed it, here’s this morning’s latest Rosie/Elizabeth Smackdown. Talk about gripping Reality TV!

Thanks to GMMR for the Tip!

TMZ is reporting that Rosie O’Donnell will announce that she’s leaving THE VIEW on this morning’s episode. While this no doubt comes as bad news for ABC execs — who’ve seen the show’s rating surge 20% thanks in no part to Rosie’s opinionated views — it’s even worse news for fans of the show. Love her or loathe her, you can’t deny the fact that Rosie transformed the one-hour borefest into the season’s most buzzed about [and TiVo-worthy] talk show.

Update: It’s Official. Rosie’s done [come June] and so is my season’s pass for THE VIEW. Watch her farewell announcement above.

“Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O’Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that AMERICAN IDOL is racist and/or weightist.

“Ms. O’Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that AMERICAN IDOL constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color.”
Nigel Lythgoe, Executive Producer, AMERICAN IDOL

Seriously, did you ever think you’d be this interested in THE VIEW?