TV Insider

This week, the writers of "Two and a Half Men" ad "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," two of CBS' top-rated shows, switched shows. Here is a clip from "CSI."
Did this stunt work? What did you think of the shows?

I'm sorry, but just this once, I am going to have to say ... no "Star Wars."
It must be sweeps again, because "Deal or No Deal" is having a two-hour "Star Wars" episode tonight. Carrie Fisher is going to be there, along with Stormtroopers and all the models dressed in "slave Leia" bikinis.
I don't get it, and I am such a huge "Star Wars" fan that I first read about this on theforce.net -- a web site I check regularly, by the way.
If I don't get it, who exactly is this for? Will you watch?
Here's a clip.

(By the way, I really don't like it when I am forced to say something bad about "Star Wars." I am blaming the creepy Howie Mandel)

When the combination was announced, it just didn't sound good to me. I had a little stomach bug going yesterday, and I think it was karma's way of getting me out of watching it. My stomach was just too delicate when the show started, so I only saw David Cook singing "Music of the Night" from "Phantom of the Opera," which shares a place with all other Webber musicals except "Jesus Christ Superstar" (which was actually quite inspired) as the most overrated musical of all time. Andrew Lloyd (can I call him Andrew Lloyd?) asked David to look at him like he was a gorgeous 17-year-old as he rehearsed, and I didn't catch much after that, because my stomach was reeling. But the song just reminds me of this clip from "The David Letterman Show" of Will Ferrell singing it, and he was better than David Cook, so I put that clip on here instead.

It was when I pointed out that there is reality show this summer called "Greatest American Dog" that a colleague asked "In your professional opinion, is this officially rock bottom?"
I said no. "Greatest American Dog" sounds pretty dumb, but I watched a show last year that was basically "BINGO" stretched out with actual twists to make it last an hour. I think that's the dumbest thing I have ever watched. If the dogs are cute, this could be slightly watchable.
On "The Soup" they play clips from all the MTV shows and "Flavor of Loves" and those are even worse, because they are so depraved and aimed at young teens, to boot. When you throw in trying to corrupt the next generation, too, I think the shows like that, like "Tila Tequila" and "The Moment of Truth," are rock bottom.
It's funny because last week on "30 Rock" they were all watching this show called "MILF Island" (the clips were fantastic) and a bunch of columns came out the next day saying there will be a "MILF Island" on TV within five years.
What do you think?

"Secret Talents of the Stars" was canceled after one airing.
Awesome.
That is all.

OK, I've put this guy up here before, and here he is again. Jason Castro's "Over the Rainbow" from last night's "American Idol." If you haven't seen it and you like to smile, here you go.

I find myself agreeing with Paula, if I understood what she said...

My DVD player is getting too much of a workout. I am sick of my husband asking, "What's on tonight?" and having to answer "(sigh) nothing."
The first of the NBC shows came back Thursday, "My Name is Earl." Paris Hilton was on. It was awful. The show, that used to be a charming little lesson about karma, has lost its way. I don't even know if I'll watch it this week.
But there is good news on the horizon. "The Office," "30 Rock" and "Scrubs" are back this week. NBC has announced its 2008-09 season, and it looks pretty good.
Below is a rundown of NBC's next season. New fall shows have a line explaining the premise. But first, a couple of notes:
There will be an "Office" spinoff, debuting after the Super Bowl. No one is talking about the premise, the cast or anything else yet.
"30 Rock" and "Friday Night Lights" have both been renewed, but everyone should be prepared for this to be the last of these shows' runs. They just haven't caught on with viewers.
"Scrubs" was booted off the NBC schedule and promptly picked up by ABC. Reportedly there will be some cast changes, but Zach Braff is back for sure.
"Merlin," (Robinson) "Crusoe" and "Knight Rider" are all on the schedule, so little kids who like fantasy should be happy.
Christian Slater is finally coming to network TV. Wha?
Are you looking forward to any of this?