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TV This Week: Two dogs, some models, aging rockers... and a Grinch!

November 27, 2009 |  5:33 pm

Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 29 - Dec. 5 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies



SUNDAY

Christmas is going to the dogs -- literally -- in the dueling made-for-TV movies "The Dog Who Saved Christmas" and "A Dog Named Christmas." Maybe these pooches can team up and bark "Jingle Bells" for an encore.( ABC Family, 8 and 10 p.m.; CBS, 9 p.m.)

MONDAY

Keep that holiday spirit going with the encore animated specials "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Shrek the Halls." They may be mean, they may be green -- but they're really just a pair of softies underneath. (ABC, 8 and 8:30 p.m.)

TUESDAY

Heidi Klum hosts, the Black Eyed Peas perform, and a bevy of lingerie models strut their scantily clad stuff on the latest edition of "The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show." Let's hope it's a warm evening, for all their sakes. (CBS, 10 p.m.)

WEDNESDAY

He was "Out for Justice" and now he's . . . out for justice. The new reality series " Steven Seagal Lawman" follows the actual law enforcement adventures of the action star, seventh-degree black belt and sometime deputy sheriff. (A&E, 10 and 10:30 p.m.)

THURSDAY

Life's a beach for fun-and-sun-seeking singles sharing a summer house on the "Jersey Shore" in this new reality series. Who will hook up with whom? Do you think any of them even know the correct usage of "who" and "whom"? ( MTV, 10 p.m.)

FRIDAY

The good news: Joss Whedon's smart-and-sexy sci-fi drama "Dollhouse" is back. The bad news: It's been canceled. The consolation prize: Fox is burning off the remaining unseen episodes, beginning with tonight's two-hour episode. Eliza Dushku stars. (Fox, 8 p.m.)

SATURDAY

Kristin Chenoweth ( "Pushing Daisies") plays a New York PR exec looking to fill a pin-up calendar with pix of a Montana town's hunkiest guys in the new made-for-cable romance "12 Men of Christmas." Josh Hopkins also stars. (Lifetime, 9 p.m.)

BEST MEDICINE

"Scrubs," the sitcom that doesn't know the meaning of the words "do not resuscitate," returns for yet another season of hospital-themed humor. Zach Braff, Donald Faison and John C. McGinley star. (ABC, 9 and 9:30 p.m. Tue.)

TOUGH GUYS

Liam Neeson is a former spy wreaking havoc in Paris in the 2009 thriller "Taken," while Clint Eastwood is a retired autoworker defending his suburban Michigan neighborhood in the 2008 drama "Gran Torino." (HBO, 8:45 p.m. Sat.; Cinemax, 10 p.m. Sat.)

ROCK ON . . . AND ON

Bono and Mick Jagger, at right, join Bruce Springsteen and other veteran performers at New York's Madison Square Garden for "The 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert." Whatever happened to hoping to die before one got old? (HBO, 8 p.m. Sun.)


Weekend TV Talk Shows: The way forward in Afghanistan is a featured topic

November 27, 2009 |  5:03 pm
TODAY

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC

The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer Afghanistan: correspondent Michael Ware; Obama's environmental policy: Democratic strategist James Carville, Ben Stein; Rep. Patrick Kennedy abortion controversy: Bishop Thomas Tobin; Iran imprisonment: journalist Maziar Bahari; new cancer guidelines, H1N1 vaccine: Dr. Mehmet Oz. 3 p.m. CNN

McLaughlin Group 6:30 p.m. KCET

SUNDAY

Today Inside an ashram. (N) 6 a.m. KNBC

Pacesetters 6 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America (N) 6 a.m. KABC

Continue reading »

Friday's TV Highlights: Steve Carrell stars in 'The 40-Year-Old Virgin'

November 26, 2009 |  7:00 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies


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ARE YOU EXPERIENCED? Steve Carell ("The Office") is "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" in this hilarious yet heartfelt 2005 comedy, at 8 p.m. on NBC. Jane Lynch also stars.

SERIES

The Duchess: This new reality series looks at the effort and expense involved in maintaining a castle as one's primary residence as well as a tourist destination (6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30 and 9 a.m. HGTV).

Storytellers: Alt-rock's Foo Fighters offer insights into the band's creative process in this new installment (11 a.m. and 11 p.m. VH1).

Ghost Whisperer: Melinda and Jim (Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Conrad) take a romantic cruise, where Melinda encounters a ghost with some anger management issues, in this repeat (8 p.m. CBS)

Smallville: Brian Austin Green ("Beverly Hills 90210") guest stars in this repeat episode (8 p.m. KTLA).

Supernanny: A family with a diabetic 5-year-old son seeks Jo's help in this new episode (8 p.m. ABC).

Bill Moyers Journal: Renowned primatologist and author Dr. Jane Goodall discusses her ongoing advocacy for all of the Earth's creatures in this new installment (9 p.m. KCET).

Ghost Adventures: The team investigates spooky business at an old firearms factory in this new episode (9 p.m. Travel).

Monk: The comedy-mystery series about an obsessive compulsive detective (Tony Shalhoub) prepares to say "goodbye" with the first half of a two-part series finale (9 p.m. USA).

Numb3rs: Don (Rob Morrow) and his team have only four hours to stop hijackers who have taken a bus full of tourists hostage in this repeat (10 p.m. CBS)

White Collar: A tricky case takes Peter and Neal (Tim DeKay, Matt Bomer) deep into the heart of New York City's Chinatown in this new episode (10 p.m. USA).

SPECIALS

Best of College Football 2009: This new special salutes the big plays and big players of the current season (10:30 a.m. CBS).

Hoover Dam Reinvented: Engineers use the latest techniques to redesign the dam in terms of how it probably would be done today in this encore special (7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Nationall Geographic)

Say Yes to the Dress: Nightmares and Dreams: This new special offers highlights -- and low-lights -- from the bridal-themed reality series (9 p.m. TLC).

MOVIES

The Ninth Gate: Johnny Depp and Frank Langella star in director Roman Polanski's atmospheric 1999 supernatural thriller (7 p.m. IFC).

Ice Age: The Meltdown: The prehistoric pals deal with global warming in this computer-animated 2006 sequel (8 p.m. Fox).

SPORTS

College football: Rutgers at Louisville (8 a.m. ESPN2); Illinois at Cincinnati (9 a.m. ABC); Alabama at Auburn (11:30 a.m. CBS); Nebraska at Colorado (12:30 p.m. ABC); Pittsburgh at West Virginia (4 p.m. ESPN2); Nevada at Boise State (7 p.m. ESPN2).

Hockey: The Ducks welcome the Chicago Blackhawks (1 p.m. FSN2).

Basketball: The Washington Wizards meet the Miami Heat (4 p.m. ESPN), the Clippers play the Detroit Pistons (5 p.m. FSN) and the Milwaukee Bucks battle the Oklahoma City Thunder (6:30 p.m. ESPN).

Photo: Suzanne Hanover / Universal Studios


Friday's TV Talk Shows: Susan Boyle performs on 'The Early Show'

November 26, 2009 |  6:30 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies



The Early Show Thanksgiving leftovers; Susan Boyle performs. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Good Housekeeping's toy awards; Sophia Loren; hot toys. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America The cast of "Disney on Ice" performs; leftover Thanksgiving turkey with chef Emeril Lagasse; Kelly Blatz ("Skyrunners"). (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Rachael Ray Eight stress-free online shopping tips. (N) 9 a.m. KCBS

The Doctors A 12-pound tumor; a cross-eyed baby; a woman has her toes shortened; a weight-loss procedure. (N) 11 a.m. KCAL

The Dr. Oz Show The plight of those living without basic health insurance; volunteers who helped at a one-day free clinic. 11 a.m. KTTV

The Martha Stewart Show Holiday fashions and gift ideas; lamb baked with orzo. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Tyra and a panel of doctors answer questions about the first year of parenthood; three mothers get makeovers. 2 p.m. KTLA

The Bonnie Hunt Show Dr. Wayne Dyer. 3 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Tyra does everything opposite of the way she usually does it. 3 p.m. KTLA

Dr. Phil A teen says her mother is judgmental about everything and it is ruining their relationship. (N) 4 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Lady Gaga performs; beauty guru Kym Douglas. (N) 4 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Tyra discusses her new healthy lifestyle. 4 p.m. KTLA

The Dr. Oz Show Four potentially deadly pains one should never ignore; caffeine detox; cancer and the voice; five medicine cabinet must-haves. 5 p.m. KTTV

Larry King Live (N) 6 and 9 p.m. CNN

The Joy Behar Show 6 and 9 p.m. HLN

Dr. Phil Rudeness; author Amy Alkon ("I See Rude People"); overcoming a rude attitude; a woman says her sister constantly interrupts others. 7 p.m. KCAL

Tavis Smiley Richard Belzer. 7 and 11 p.m. KCET , 11 p.m. KCET

Washington Week (N) 8 p.m. KCET

The Jay Leno Show Sandra Bullock; chef Guy Fieri. 10 p.m. KNBC

Charlie Rose Director John Woo. (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET

Late Show With David Letterman Bill Murray; Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe. 11:35 p.m. KCBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Rainn Wilson; Rachel Maddow; Chicago performs. 11:35 p.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Carrie Underwood performs; Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. 12:06 a.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Sherri Shepherd; author Alex Dryden. 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Fred Armisen; Carey Mulligan; chef Daniel Boulud. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC


'Glee': A hairlicious distraction before Thanksgiving

November 26, 2009 |  7:54 am
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Distractions, distractions, distractions.

That was the theme of the latest “Glee.” But there is one distraction that I haven’t mastered. What exactly am I going to do when Fox puts the surefire hit on hiatus after the initial 13-episode run ends Dec. 9 (that’s two weeks for those not near a calendar)?

April 13 is far away from here, and Fox -- if you’re listening -- I don’t want to see any more preggers drama. You have two weeks to wrap up this folie à plusieurs (English translation: madness of many).

My dislike of the pregnancy plot line distracted me from what mattered about last night’s episode: good music!

Continue reading »

'Modern Family': A family to be thankful for

November 26, 2009 |  7:10 am

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Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, football and Fizbo?

Luke's birthday falls around Turkey Day, and of course, in typical Jay-and-Claire fashion, his big day gets “lost in the shuffle.”

Poor Luke, but then again this a boy who only asked for a belt for his b-day. What!?

In lieu of giving my fellow “Modern Family” fans a recap of last night’s hilarious episode, I figured, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd list the five things I’ve thankful for.

Continue reading »

Thursday's TV Highlights: CNN salutes heroes

November 25, 2009 | 11:00 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies


SPECIALS

The Thanksgiving Day Parade on CBS: Maggie Rodriguez and Dave Price ("The Early Show") host coverage of the 83rd annual holiday parade (9 a.m. CBS).

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade: New York's 83rd annual event features massive floats, soaring balloons and plenty of marching bands. Matt Lauer, Meredith Vieira and Al Roker ("Today") host (9 a.m. NBC).

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: In this 1973 animated special, the pressure is on for Charlie Brown after pushy Peppermint Patty decides she and the gang will have Thanksgiving dinner at "Chuck's" house. First, though, he plans to kick a football that Lucy is holding for him (8 p.m. ABC).

NBC's People of the Year: Some of the year's newsmakers and celebrities discuss how fame has changed their lives. Taylor Swift, Nadya Suleman, Susan Boyle, Kobe Bryant, Capt. Chesley Sullenberger and Capt. Richard Phillips are interviewed (9 p.m. NBC).

Beyoncé . . . I Am Yours: A performance from Las Vegas features new footage of the singer's life off stage and moments from her childhood (9 p.m. ABC).

Paul McCartney: Good Evening New York City: The singer performs some of his favorite songs, including Beatles classics, at Shea Stadium (10 p.m. ABC)

MOVIES

The Godfather: In Francis Ford Coppola's masterful adaptation of Mario Puzo's mobster epic Marlon Brando delivers an Academy Award-winning performance as title character Don Vito Corleone and Al Pacino is riveting as Vito's passionate, conflicted son. Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall and James Caan costar in the 1972 drama (8 p.m. AMC).

Hotel for Dogs: After moving into a foster home that forbids pets, siblings transform an abandoned hotel into a home for their pet and a slew of stray dogs in this 2009 comedy starring Emma Roberts and Jake T. Austin (9 p.m. HBO).

SPORTS

College basketball: Old Spice Classic Quarterfinals: Creighton vs. Michigan (9 a.m. ESPN2); Marquette vs. Xavier (11:30 a.m. ESPN2); Alabama vs. Baylor (3:30 p.m. ESPN2). 76 Classic Quarterfinals: Clemson vs. Texas A&M (1:30 p.m. ESPN2); Butler vs. Minnesota (5:30 p.m. ESPN2); Portland vs. UCLA (8 p.m. ESPN2).

Pro football: The Packers visit the Lions (9:30 a.m. Fox); the Raiders visit the Cowboys (1 p.m. CBS).

College football: Texas at Texas A&M (5 p.m. ESPN).


Thursday's TV Talk Shows: 'Larry King Live' devotes the hour to CNN's 'Heroes'

November 25, 2009 |  8:00 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies


The Early Show Thanksgiving Day parade. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Salvation Army; Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Chef Sara Moulton's last-minute turkey ideas; the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Regis and Kelly Repeat segments: Michael J. Fox; Jennifer Lopez; Annie Lennox performs; Hugh Laurie. 9 a.m. KABC

The View Celebrity mothers' favorite products; Halloween costumes; guest co-host Khloe Kardashian. 10 a.m. KABC

The Doctors Fresh breath in the morning; getting rid of unsightly razor bumps; treating under-eye circles; getting children to take a nap; insomnia. 11 a.m. KCAL

Oprah Winfrey Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 3 p.m. KABC

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Drew Barrymore; the Rescue Ink team; dance crew We Are Heroes performs. 4 p.m. KNBC

The Dr. Oz Show Dr. Oz devotes the entire hour to the plight of those living without basic health insurance and the work of the volunteers who helped at a one-day free clinic. 5 p.m. KTTV

Larry King Live CNN Heroes Special. (N) 5 and 8 p.m. CNN

Dr. Phil Financial mistakes; women from "The Real Housewives of Orange County" discuss how the current economy is affecting them. 7 p.m. KCAL

Tavis Smiley Cornel West. 7 and 11 p.m. KCET

The Jay Leno Show Megan Fox. (N) 10 p.m. KNBC

Lopez Tonight Taylor Lautner; Kristin Cavallari; LMAFO performs. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

Charlie Rose Director Tim Burton. (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET

Late Show With David Letterman Animal expert Jack Hanna; Shakira performs. 11:35 p.m. KCBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Paul Reubens; Donald Faison; Bon Jovi performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Danny DeVito; Streeter Seidell and Amir Blumenfeld; Switchfoot performs. 12:06 a.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Toby Keith performs; Michelle Monaghan. 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Robin Williams; Rashida Jones. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC


'Big Love' Season 4 teaser trailer revealed

November 25, 2009 |  2:46 pm

Well, it's almost Thanksgiving, which makes it practically Christmas, which means that 2010 is just around the bend. And that could mean just one thing: new episodes of "Big Love!" The Emmy-nominated extended family drama returns for its fourth season Jan. 10 on HBO. And to whet your appetite, here's a teaser trailer featuring plural marrieds Bill, Barb, Nikki and Margene floating around in outer darkness:



Anyone else excited for this new season? Who's ready for some more "Love"? 

— Allyssa Lee


CBS responds to criticism over blurring of Adam Lambert's kiss on 'The Early Show'

November 25, 2009 |  1:33 pm

Dick-clark-productions-adam-lambert Does Adam Lambert have it right?

This morning, during his appearance on "The Early Show," Lambert said he believed the furor over his sexually charged American Music Awards performance on Sunday was due to the fact that he's a gay male. He pointed out that Janet Jackson, for example, who opened the telecast, grabbed the crotch of a male dancer and no one had even mentioned that.

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton expressed his disgust over the "double standard" in a post this morning and asked why CBS' "The Early Show" blurred the image of Lambert kissing one of his band members but showed Madonna's famous 2007 kiss with Britney Spears at the Video Music Awards.

We thought it was a valid question, and we took it to CBS.

A CBS representative responded: "We gave this some real thought.  The Madonna image is very familiar and has appeared countless times, including many times on morning television. The Adam Lambert image is a subject of great current controversy, has not been nearly as widely disseminated and, for all we know, may still lead to legal consequences."

What do you think?


-- Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Adam Lambert's AMA kiss. Credit: Dick Clark Productions

Related:

Adam Lambert answers his critics


'The Biggest Loser': America's vote pays off

November 25, 2009 | 10:19 am

America, good call.

In a season that was often marketed by game play, double-crossing and perhaps too much risk taking with the contestants' health, the last vote was all about sportsmanship. Allen and Liz fell below the yellow line at this week's weigh-in, the last one before the contestants went home until the finale. Amanda -- who earned a place in this season of second chances by viewers at home who voted her in -- was the swing vote. On paper, it was a no-brainer. Liz once voted for Amanda to go home earlier in the season, but Amanda managed to survive. Moreover, Liz is more of a threat than Allen, who doesn't have that much more weight to lose.

It was all but a foregone conclusion that Amanda would send Liz home and keep Allen around.

But she did the exact opposite. In what might be a "Biggest Loser" first -- not sure anyone is keeping stats on this -- Amanda voted to allow Liz into the final four along with Rudy and Danny precisely because Liz was a threat.

Huh?

Amanda explained:

Continue reading »

Adam Lambert asks and answers 'Whataya Want From Me' on 'The Early Show'

November 25, 2009 |  9:52 am



Adam Lambert didn't think he needed to redeem himself today on CBS' "The Early Show." But he may have done just that and a little bit more.

At the same time he was reminding his "American Idol" fans what they loved about him in the first place, Lambert probably managed to instill some regret over at ABC headquarters over Tuesday's decision to disinvite him to perform on "Good Morning America" after his controversial, highly sexual appearance at the American Music Awards on Sunday night.

This morning, Lambert was relaxed and articulate as he answered questions about his decisions on Sunday night to improvise kissing a man on stage and simulating oral sex with another. Later, he took questions from fans who attended his live performance and capped the morning with two strong vocal performances of his new songs, "Whataya Want From Me" and "Music Again."

In his interview, Lambert admitted that performing in front of many of his favorite pop artists "got the best of me" and that the controversial parts of his Sunday night performance were not rehearsed. Having a background in theater, he said, doesn't automatically make him think of the audience at home when he is on stage, he said.

"Honestly, it didn't even cross my mind — children," he said. "It was almost 11 o'clock. I was there in the audience full of mostly adults. Sometimes I forget, oh, there's a camera on. I come from the theater and I'm programmed to look at who's in the live audience, and that's kind of where I come from, and so I was looking out into the crowd and saw some of my favorite pop stars and thought I want to let loose. It just kind of got the best of me. I had a really great time. Unfortunately, there are people that are really upset, but there are also people that enjoyed it. So, like "Idol," I guess I have a tendency to divide people. Apples and oranges. You either like it or you don't."

Later he added: "It got the best of me. I'm obviously learning. This is my first performance post-"Idol" on television. The song lyrically is sexual, and I was just performing the lyrics of my song. I think in the future I will probably make a little bit more of an effort to stay consistent with what I do during rehearsal to what I do during the show. That's something I'm learning now, and that way if anyone has a problem with what I'm doing, it can be explored during rehearsal."

Continue reading »

'The Hills': What happens in Vegas ends up on national television

November 25, 2009 |  8:59 am

The HillsThe line between what's real and what's fake on "The Hills" has really begun to blur. Are Justin Bobby and Kristin truly into each other?

I've become completely perplexed by their relationship. It can't be legitimate, right? It seems so fake! Just last week, Kristin was going after her ex, Brody, until he shot her down and got back together with Jayde. So maybe Kristin gets angry and wants to spite him by getting together with JB, who she knows is totally obsessed with her, though he'd never admit it. 

Still, she opts to head off on a "girls trip" to Vegas with Stacie. By the way, were we honestly meant to believe that Kristin was really even driving her BMW? I saw both of her hands off the steering wheel for nearly the entire scene that the girls were approaching the Strip.

After they arrive, they begin unpacking, and Stacie holds up one miniature sequined top after the next.

"Why does everything I own look like baby clothes?" Stacie muses. I wasn't aware babies dress like strippers. 

But later, Kristin emerges onto the balcony of the club at the Palms hotel -- where, shocker, she's standing in a perfectly lit spot overlooking all of Vegas -- and leaves Justin this uncharacteristically needy voice mail about how she "should be having the time of [her] life" but Justin's name keeps "popping up" in her head. At first, I chalked things up to alcohol -- and didn't put it out of the question that no one was on the other end of the call. (Remember when Lauren admitted that Spencer had never actually called her to apologize about the sex tape rumor last season -- no one was on the other end of the line? Sketchy.)

But then things get interesting at the strip club, where I was surprised at how much MTV allowed on the episode. Things get pretty racy in Sin City when Stacie, Kristin and JB attend a classy gentleman's establishment complete with Lucite heels. First, the two girls share a quick kiss on the lips that seems produced only for show. Then, a stripper whips her top off and shimmies right up in Kristin's face as she appears mortified, laughing hysterically. Kristin again appears drunk and needy, actually engaging in PDA with Justin left and right and oscillating between kissing Stacie on the lips and Justin on the lips.

And when they wake up the next morning in bed together, hung over, they are looking at one another as though they really like one another. Kristin seems really happy Justin showed up, and Justin still seems to be reveling in the fact that he may have finally scored such a cute girl. 

I'm so confused. During the beginning of the season, this whole thing seemed like a complete showmance. And it probably is -- it's rumored that Kristin is now seeing Tal Cooperman, another of Audrina's exes. Still, sometimes even my over-skeptical self believes that against all odds, I'm actually seeing a spark between the two.

Speaking of bizarre relationships, it's unfortunate that Spencer's (only?) friend Charlie has taken on a bigger role this season. His mustache is totally creepy, he abbreviates, and he doesn't seem like the right dude to be giving baby advice. Nonetheless, he and Spencer randomly meet at the carwash to discuss Heidi's secret evil plan to get knocked up.

"You can look it up on YouTube, post-sex baby-making acrobatics," Charlie advises Spencer. "She probably sleeps with two pillows under her and a triangle wedge."

Doubtful.

Charlie then suggests Spencer take Heidi out for "sushe" at Katsuya to see if she'll drink alcohol or eat mercury-laden fish. She doesn't, which throws Spencer into a frenzy. Although I have to admit that the whole thought that Heidi would try to get preggo behind Spencer's back is pretty preposterous, what's very believable is how terrified Spencer is of spawning offspring in his mid-20s.

I can't believe next week is already the season finale! Sad. What did you think of Justin and Kristin's Vegas rendezvous? Are they going to opt to really be together on the season finale? And is there any remote chance that Heidi could actually be pregnant? Chime in in the comments section below.

-- Amy Kaufman (follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA)

Photo: Are Kristin Cavallari and Justin Bobby just playing around -- or are they for real? Credit: MTV

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Complete 'Hills' coverage on Show Tracker


'The Good Wife': Meow? Alicia comes face to face with Amber

November 25, 2009 |  7:58 am
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Ladies and gentleman, meet Amber Madison.  This week brought a number of special guest stars to "The Good Wife," not all of them welcome — especially not the aforementioned Ms. Madison.  After months of hearing her name — and her filthy phone calls with Peter — Alicia finally comes face to face with her husband’s favorite call girl. If you were hoping for a cat fight, then you were probably disappointed.

Madison has not been taking the high road, even for a publicly disgraced prostitute.  She’s been hitting the talk shows — Chelsea Handler makes an appearance as herself in this episode — to promote her upcoming book and to dish the dirt on Peter, and she portrays Alicia as a cold fish who all but forced her husband into an affair.  The trash talking makes its way back to Alicia, and she is understandably livid.  She lays down the law and tells Peter, in no uncertain terms, to get Amber to put a cork in it.  I appreciated the fact that Alicia wouldn’t say Amber’s name, only referring to her as “your prostitute.”  It was clinical and cutting at the same time. 

Here’s where things get, well, a little creepy.  Peter, for once, follows Alicia’s orders and meets with Amber and his lawyer, Daniel Golden (Joe Morton).  They tell Amber that if she doesn’t stop talking, they’re going to spill some dirt on one of Amber’s other clients — who’s some kind of gangster.  They don’t directly threaten her with physical violence, but they come pretty close.  Call me old-fashioned, but I thought it was maybe a tad unethical. Nobody likes Amber, but threatening to out her connection to a gangster -- and possibly endanger her life -- is pushing it. 

Continue reading »

'The City': You should be stressed

November 25, 2009 |  7:16 am
122 WHITNEY AND ROXY 1 Watching this week’s episode of “The City,” I was sure someone was going to get clipped. Thankfully, the only casualties were one of Whitney’s dresses and an Elle intern’s innocence.

As we all know, Whitney Port’s fashion line Whitney Eve has been out for a while. In September, she showed her line at New York Fashion Week. Nevertheless, I find it fascinating to watch her as she finally completes her journey from serial intern on “The Hills” to a full-fledged fashion designer in “The City.”

So if Whitney, Kelly Cutrone and we the viewers know that realizing her fashion line is a big deal, then how’s it possible that Roxy Olin doesn’t? I give Whitney a lot of credit for giving her friend the chance to take part in this important event, but at what point will she realize that it could be at the expense of her own career?

This week, Whitney’s designs have come to life. They’re actually sitting on a rack at People’s Revolution, and even the typically critical Kelly believes they’re ready to go out into the world. The next step is Whitney’s “look book.” From what I understand, “look books” are sent to the fashion media and retailers, who are either too far or too busy to come see the actual samples themselves. A good one can get your designs in editorial shoots or actually get your clothes in stores. With all that riding on Whitney’s book, it was crazy how Roxy handled the model casting and behaved during the photo shoot. Whitney is so lucky to have a bulldog like Kelly in her corner. While Whitney sat speechless at her friend’s behavior, Kelly put Roxy in her place.

After Fackelmayer-gate...

Continue reading »

'Dancing With the Stars' results: We have a winner!

November 25, 2009 |  6:54 am
117803_2844_pre Maybe it was Adam Carolla's last-ditch prayer to Michael Flatley that did it: After overcoming long odds, ups and downs, fever dreams, a sparkly leprechaun green jacket, a fumbled tango routine and a dip to the dark side, lifelong showman and avowed professional Donny Osmond beat out fellow competitors Mya and Kelly Osbourne to emerge as Season 9’s “Dancing With the Stars” champion. And true to his Mr. Congeniality roots, the star wasn’t content to hoard the coveted Mirrorball trophy and tell his sister -- the reason he came on as a competitor on this show in the first place -- to stick it where the sun don’t shine. No, a win for Donny was a win for everybody, and he magnanimously brought up his wife, his large family and his sister Marie out on to the dance floor with him to celebrate.

What’s more, congratulations to Donny’s partner Kym Johnson as well! The pro has come so close to the "DWTS" crown herself as the runner up with Season 4’s Joey Fatone and Season 7’s Warren Sapp, so it’s nice to see the always-lovely Australian make the third time in the finals the charm and finally nab that title. Not only that, but she’s become an honorary Osmond in the process. (What’s another Osmond when you’ve already got so many in the bunch?) Win and win!

Well, as one is awarded a sparkly disco ball and showered with confetti, there are two others who go home empty-handed. And this season, the less-than-coveted title of also-ran was handed deigned to Mya and Kelly Osbourne. There was no talk about close contests like there was last season between Gilles Marini and Season 8 champ Shawn Johnson, so one can only imagine that Donny had this competition in the bag and tied up with a nice, glittery little bow from the get-go. Mya clearly had the technical precision and the musicality; could that slight fumble with the freestyle cost her the trophy? Though Mya was the best dancer of the bunch and Kelly the resounding studio audience favorite (can’t remember how many times the crowd erupted into cheers of “Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!”), both accepted their second- and third-place finishes graciously.

Or maybe at that point they just wanted it to be over and done with. Because after 10 weeks of competition and innumerable dances, those two excruciatingly long hours of results filler seemed to stretch into a small eternity.

Man, there was a lot of filler. Whitney Houston started the night off singing the upbeat “Million Dollar Bill,” the first of two performances. Liked how Whitney, hot on the comeback trail, had b-boys break dancing all around her and was dressed in a “DWTS”-appropriate tight-fitting asymmetrical sparkly number. And at the end a million dollar bills came fluttering from the sky. They hadn’t crowned the winner yet and it was already a party! Also appreciated the scene right out of “Greatest Love of All,” where Whitney finished the number and walked stage right to give her mother Cissy aunt Dionne Warwick a big hug.

Houston sang again later on in the evening, this time aptly bringing out her hit “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” complete with requisite feet shuffles, while our familiar band of “DWTS” pros graced the stage.

And then there was Recap: The Extended Version. Ten weeks and 16 dancers’ worth, to be exact. Though I did appreciate how the producers tried to liven up this tedious yet apparently necessary part of the program with new dances and new approaches. Like how Jeffrey Ross eschewed the roast in favor of inducting first-to-be-eliminated Ashley Hamilton into the Losers’ Club instead. Though equally cringe-worthy was the pasty belly that Ross exposed at the end of his, Ashley and Edyta’s routine. “Get that man a spray tan!” cried Tom.

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'So You Think You Can Dance': Breaking up is hard to do

November 24, 2009 | 10:04 pm
Top12IMG_9819 There was actual clapping and cheering in my house tonight during the screening of "So You Think You Can Dance": Season 6 is in effect!  Kathryn McCormick and "Legacy" Perez and Ellenore Scott and Ryan Di Lello brought two solid dances per couple. Ellenore and Ryan opened the show with a very fun and energetic Lindy Hop and later on danced a delightfully creepy and charming Broadway routine (I especially love when Ryan can portray an unusual character, despite his hunky and slick exterior). I loved Legacy and Kathryn's sexy and quirky Sonya Tayeh jazz dance (especially Legacy's crab walk). They demonstrated wonderful chemistry and, especially in Kathryn's case, stage presence during their rock 'n' roll Viennese waltz, which wasn't technically perfect but still extremely fun to watch. They remind me of Courtney Galliano and Gev Manoukian from Season 4.

So I'm bummed that both couples will be broken up next week! As for my dream matchups, I suppose it would be Ryan with Kathryn (she could perhaps benefit from getting a new chance to shine) and Ellenore with Victor Smalley, since Ellenore could bring more out of Victor both in terms of proficiency and personality.

I did like Victor and Karen Hauer's tango: It was very sharp and sophisticated, and even the costumes and lighting looked great; Victor especially brought a new maturity and manliness to his performance.  Unfortunately, like the other couples tonight, I didn't think their second dance was that great.  Their overly dramatic yet weirdly empty LaurieAnn Gibson hip-hop routine didn't give the audience much to latch onto, as Mary Murphy noted. Nigel Lythgoe said that he had nothing positive to say and none of the audience members booed. I think if we were playing around with partners, it might be interesting to see Karen with Nathan Trasoras, to see how she'd handle a piece of fresh meat like him. 
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'V': The way of the gun

November 24, 2009 |  9:00 pm

V_itsonlythebeginning
The pieces are coming together.

But, yes, you're going to have to wait until March to find out just what will happen next to our favorite reptilian aliens and the human resistance movement, now that the ABC sci-fi series goes into hiatus following tonight's episode.

The fall finale, entitled "It's Only the Beginning," served as a perfect wrap-up of the first act of "V" and was just the thing to whet viewers' appetites for the nine remaining episodes of the first season of "V." In a perfect world, viewers would get the start of those episodes in January rather than March, but there's not much that can be done about that now, sadly.

The four episodes we've seen so far can therefore be looked at as an introduction to the narrative of "V," plus the writers gave us some payoffs to a number of plot threads while bringing in several new subplots to keep us turning over in our heads during the way-too-long hiatus.

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Wednesday's TV Highlights: The glee club gets a look at the competition on 'Glee'

November 24, 2009 |  8:00 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies


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COMPETITIVE SINGING: Eve guest stars as a rival glee club's instructor 'Glee' at 9 p.m. on Fox.

SERIES

Shadow Soldiers: In Kazakhstan, former British Special Forces agent Chris Ryan trains with the Sunkar, an elite SWAT team of 120 men equipped with military-style weaponry (6 and 9 p.m. National Geographic).

The New Adventures of Old Christine: Lindsay (Alex Kapp Horner) decides to leave her husband after Christine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) convinces her that being single leads to happiness, but Christine is less than ecstatic when Lindsay moves in with her in the new episode (8 p.m. CBS).

The Biggest Loser: More than 40 former contestants from the show's first seven seasons reveal how they look now and what they've been doing since they left the series on a new "Where Are They Now" episode (8 p.m. NBC).

Human Wrecking Balls: The brothers dismantle an entire gas station in this new episode (8 p.m. G4).

Lock 'n Load: The hidden camera series targets sales of concealed weapons in its season finale (8 p.m. Showtime).

Gary Unmarried: Gary (Jay Mohr) lets Louise (Kathryn Newton) attend a party and tries to keep it a secret in this new episode (8:30 p.m. CBS).

CSI: NY: After uncovering the murderer's dark lair, Mac (Gary Sinise) and the team race to save the fourth victim of the Compass Killer (Skeet Ulrich) in this new episode (10 p.m. CBS).

SPECIALS

The Beatles on Record: This new special charts the evolution of the Beatles as musicians and songwriters through recordings made at Abbey Road Studios starting in 1962. Narrated by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and producer Sir George Martin (10 p.m. History).

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Wednesday's Talk Shows: Adam Lambert performs on 'Late Show With David Letterman'

November 24, 2009 |  8:00 pm
Click here to download TV listings for the week of Nov. 22 - 28 in PDF format

This week's TV Movies



The Early Show Robin Williams; chef Elizabeth Carmel. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Today Bon Jovi. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Chef Emeril Lagasse; "Dancing With the Stars" finalists. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Regis and Kelly Thomas Gibson ("Criminal Minds"); the cast of "The Beatles Love" by Cirque du Soleil; Regis and Joy Philbin perform. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

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