Ugly Betty (Finale)

Thursday, May 22nd @ 8 PM

ABC

Ugly Betty - Season 2, Episode 18 - "Jump" (Season Finale)

Just as Gio makes Betty an incredibly romantic offer, Henry pops back into her life with a proposal of his own. Meanwhile, Betty finds herself centerfield at the charity softball game of the year: Mode vs. ELLE Magazine. Can Wilhelmina strike out ELLE's star player, supermodel Naomi Campbell? In other developments, an orphaned boy from France turns up at Mode with an amazing claim, and Hilda learns some shocking news about Coach Diaz. (ABC.com)

Manatee: There's not much to say about this season finale. It was very in the vain of the 90's comedies with the ambiguous endings - did she go to JFK for Rome or for Arizona? My guess is Season 3 will open with her having chosen neither. She's not going to go work in Arizona because half the cast would be out of a job. Plus there is the highly publicized move of the show to New York.

Here's my problem with the finale... actually the series, but a problem that was perfectly illustrated in the final episode - Betty is not a good character. Sure she does not care what people think of her, she's honorable and dutiful to her family, she saves her boss' ass at every turn, but she is not a good role model for young girls. When I first watched the show I thought, "What a breathe of fresh air, a girl on TV who is not super skinny with couture clothes, bad hair and braces. Someone other than all the other anorexic girls (Keira Knightley) out there or flashy slutty pop stars (Britney Spears). But she's not smart, ambitious, or driven. She says she wants to be a writer, and Henry is proud to announce in the episode that he got her a writing job at an Arizona mag (Arizona Penny Saver or Auto Trader?), but let's examine what Betty has written:

#1 Episode 1.7: "Fearing that his assistant is not challenged enough by her job, Daniel sends Betty off to write a review about a hotel where she is supposed to stay at over the weekend. Actually, Betty has planned to spend the weekend with Walter in Atlantic City, but now has to cancel this trip. When, Walter pays her a surprise visit at the hotel, Betty is at first very relieved to see him. But, when Betty continues her review observations of the hotel, Walter is not very helpful."

- What the recap didn't say - is she failed! The review was a mess.

#2 Episode 1.12: "Meanwhile as Betty's new boss, Sophia orders her to replace a suddenly prohibited lead article in her new feminist magazine by one on the social experiences of her, common ugly bird, working in Daniel's fancy fashion magazine, so she goes back there interviewing everybody. Betty finds out that Sophia not only enjoyed the services of hunky exotic dancer... [but] deduces she seduced Daniel with a mean purpose, but is too late to tell him before Sophia announces on national TV she only wanted to prove the validity of her book's 60 days plan to hook up any man, and turns his proposal down, which totally destroys his spirit...

- Needless to say, article does not run... Poor Betty. Used and abused. Go ahead run back to Daniel.

#3 Episode 2.4: "Betty takes steps toward becoming a writer and invests in a class that proves to be so challenging, she tosses her own writing assignment and instead submits a Mode story written by a woman who survived a bear attack -- with disastrous results."

- Class where she plagiarizes, nice Betty, really nice... exactly what we want to teach our youths.

#4 Episodes: 2.17-18: Betty gets the opportunity (by Daniel of course) to write for Mrs. Meade's Hot Flash.

- Hot Flash! Judith Light edits it and she's old enough to be Betty's grammy. Mrs. Meade admits that the piece is not great. She had good ideas, but bad (safe?) execution. This serves only to show Betty she needs to take risks and go with Gio to Rome, not take another class and become a better writer. Did Betty go to college? I'm sure NYU has a good Creative Writing Program she could enroll in.

And some editor agreed to put her on staff somewhere as a writer?! I don't think so. How many struggling writers are there in this town (LA)? A million, two? I think they will contest to the fact that it is not that easy to become a staff writer. Or at the very least a freelance writer. What kind of girl is this to look up to? She took one class and plagiarized and has never tried to hone her "skills" again. She does not even make the most of her position at Mode. She can't even figure out how to interview 12 year olds. I would rather see a prettier girl on the screen (not Amanda but somewhere between her and Betty) who is ambitious, goal oriented, career driven, and not just a pawn for whimsical romances with nerds. She never struggles with financial problems like most 20 somethings, career issues, or real relationship issues. She's super disconnected. Her problems have revolved around an illegal father, her father's health problems, her sister and her son, and 3 super weird guys. Give young girls something to look up to. Give us adults something to enjoy. I can't watch this anymore till Betty gets some real character, or at least becomes entertaining.

Nice to have Wilhelmina back at Mode. Finally back where she belongs and Alexis is the bad guy ... again. I could do without Rebecca Romijn.

Biggest waste of money: LILO. Did she even have a line? And why give her an arc next year.

Under One Roof (1.6)

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 @ 8 PM
My Network TV

Under One Roof - Season 1, Episode 6, "Blacker the Berry"

For Only $15, this could be yours.

On an all new episode of Under One Roof, the Hills have new neighbors, Brenda and her daughter Jamilia, and Cali Cal is turning on the charm. But when Brenda puts Heather in touch with her "sista" side, Mrs. Hill has to go "black" to get her daughter back! (Mynetworktv.com)

Marmot: Yeahhhhhh boyyyyyyy!!! This episode made me kind of uncomfortable. Which is new, usually I just feel contempt or disgust or shame while watching it.

Manatee: Why was it different? Was it because it was blatantly racist/stereotypical?

Marmot: Yes. That's exactly it. There have been so many shows that have dealt with race before, why this one doesn't take a cue from those and steal their jokes.

Manatee: How would you have played the episode last night?

Marmot: Well for one, I would have actually tried to create a gap between the mom and the daughter, instead of the mom freaking out over her not going to their monthly spa date. I wouldn't feel that like that was enough to make her feel like she's losing touch with her daughter. In the end, I feel like a better ending would have had the mom embracing education of black culture along with the daughter, instead of blatantly mocking it.

Manatee: There was a lot of mocking.

Marmot: The problem with this show is that the characters are so unbelievably flat that its impossible to care about any of them. It's like watching a puppet show. Well, not the Muppets. They were well rounded characters compared to these.

Manatee: I could not believe how terrible the acting was, even as they were mocking the culture. It was just ridiculous and over the top. I was better in my 1st grade play than these people. I agree that you lose feeling for these characters. They are not really characters at all, but just some silly cardboard cut outs of stereotypical family members.

Marmot: The other thing I would have done differently was let Junior hook up with the maid's nympho niece. At least then something would be interesting on this show.

Manatee: It's like watching a bad high school play. they never leave the house; nothing racy happens; and the acting is horrible

Marmot: You're right! Also everyone is weird-looking. Just like high school.

Manatee: And awkward with a bad fashion sense.

Gossip Girl (1.18)

Monday, May 19th, 2008 @ 8 PM

CW

Gossip Girl - Season 1 - Episode #18 - "Much 'I Do' About Nothing" Season Finale

With her best friend Serena's (Blake Lively) life and reputation on the line, Blair (Leighton Meester) decides to take matters into her own hands in dealing with the manipulative and evil Georgina Sparks (guest star Michelle Trachtenberg). With Rufus (Matthew Settle) never far from her thoughts, Lily (Kelly Rutherford) prepares for her wedding day which is destined to be the Upper East Side's social event of the year. Serena finally pours out her heart and the truth about her past to Dan (Penn Badgley), but will it prove to be too late to save their relationship?

Hey Gossip Girl fans!

Marmot and Manatee Here.

Manatee: Got her just desserts, Georgia (bye-bye Michelle Trachtenberg - finally!)

Manatee: Spotted, Blair wearing a pink trash bag with a flower pinned to the front to the wedding.

Marmot: Somewhere - there is a table missing a tablecloth, courtesy of Chuck Bass (see above picture).

Manatee: Question, Was the wedding really the social event of the year? There were like 4 people there.

Marmot: Counted - more extras outside the wedding than inside. Couldn't they just shuttle some of those inside?

Manatee: Seen, Jenny getting into fashion design internship program. I thought they got rid of Jenny. No one's ever done a faster 360 than little J.

Marmot: Wondered - which one was Jenny again? Cindy Lou Who? I wouldn't know, seeing as how she hasn't been on for weeks. I would have thought she was written out if it hadn't been for that little scene at the end with 29-Year-Old Dad.

Manatee: Who cares? Rufus on a tour bus (almost most unbelievable).

Marmot: There was a comment he made about opening for The Breeders. I doubt this, seeing as how his band (Lincoln Hawk?) sucked, and The Breeders were good. It just weirds me out that this show is so nostalgic about the 90s. That was 8 years ago.

Manatee: Mimicked, a very special 90210 scene - a day every high schooler dreams of - switching partners with your BFF's BF's BF BFF (or something like that). Do I smell a little Vanessa/Dan action (yuck, I hate Vanessa, let's kill her off)? Nate/Serena (they've already slept together once)? Chuck Bass/interior designer (PS, isn't this statutory rape)? Blair/Helicopter guy (would she stoop so low)? Here we go do sa do so early in the evening!

Marmot: Stumped - how does Chuck Bass aka Panic at the Disco aka The Riddler pull a hot interior designer in her mid-20's? He's 17!

Till next fall... you know you love us!

XOXO,

Manatee and Marmot

Lost (1.15)

Thursday, May 15^th, 2008 @ 10 PM

ABC

LOST – Season 4, Episode 12 - “There’s No Place Like Home”

Manatee: Usually, I ask a ton of questions each week.  This week I only have a few. Perhaps we could actually focus on other things this week!  What were they talking about with Hurley - and the $150 M at the press conference?  (PS - I really liked this episode)

 

Marmot: Hurley won the lottery before he was on the plane using the numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42). Ever since he won the lottery, his life took a turn for the worse: his grandfather died, the chicken restaurant he bought got hit by a meteor - so he believes the numbers are cursed. That's why he freaked out in the car at the odometer.

 

Manatee: OK, I hear ya.  Makes sense.  So now, next question, or hopefully topic - are the 6 off the plane the only 6 that survive?  Or do you think/know that others stayed on the island, or were left behind there?

 

Marmot: In the season premiere, the tall black guy that was talking to Locke in the last episode (Matthew Abaddon, played by Lance Reddick) came to Hurley and asked him where the rest of them were. I think that some will die on the boat (Michael, Jin, Sun, Desmond) and some will be alive and on the island. But who remains to be seen.

 

Manatee: Interesting... that's what I was wondering, but since everyone was so tight lipped at the conference it made me think the same thing.  Obviously (?) Ben survives on the island since he travels to the desert in the future.

 

Marmot: I'm really really curious about why they are so secretive. I think they found out about the importance of keeping the island a secret, otherwise they would be hunted down for what they know. That's my prediction, at least.

 

Manatee: Do we know the importance?  I almost got the impression that the airline wanted them to be so tight lipped, but maybe I'm wrong.... I know the press thinks they survived by landing in the water and floating ashore and those stories were obviously fabricated and practiced... but who came up with the stories?  Jack?  Bradford Meade?  Ben?

 

Marmot: Well Bradford Meade is after the island, but I kind of got the impression that they were protecting the island, and therefore Ben.

 

Manatee: It's fun to try to put this all together.  I noticed last night that guy from Child Locke's bedroom showed up to capture Kate and Sayid was there.  Who is he again?  Part of the Others?

 

Marmot: Yes, he was the guy who met Ben when Ben was a child on the island. He was the same age then, so he hasn't aged a day in probably at least 50 years. I honestly think that him and the other Others may be the descendents of the crew of The Black Rock - or maybe even the crew themselves.

 

Manatee: What?  You make me more confused than the episodes!  The Black Rock?!  And Ben as a child was on the island?

 

Marmot: The Black Rock was a slave ship that is on the island, from around the 1880s. It's in the middle of the island. Ben came to the island as a very young boy with his father as part of The Dharma Initiative. He wandered out into the jungle one day and met Richard Alpert. Then, many years later, he gassed all of the Dharma people and became leader of The Others.

 

Manatee: What it must be like to be in the writers' heads on this show!

 

Marmot: Last night's episode felt like a series finale, but there's 2 more seasons left! If it can keep up this level of quality for its last 2 years, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be the greatest show to have ever been on television.

 

Manatee: What do you think the actual chances are that the show can keep up this pace?  Wasn't season 2 or 3 a little bit of a downer, then it picked back up?

 

Marmot: Yes, but I think that was a result of not knowing how long they were going to have to carry out the story. Once they settled on when they were going to end the show, it's been much better. I know they have a plan, and I'm confident that the next two seasons will be just as good as the first four.

 

Manatee: Do you think they'll kill Sawyer soon, because I really hate him?

 

Marmot: You hate Sawyer? Why?

 

Manatee: I'm not sure.  Last night was my first real intro to him, besides the smoke monster episode.  I found him a little harsh and aggressive for my tastes.

  

Marmot: That's how Sawyer is. He's a great character, one that you alternately love and hate, especially in the first 2 seasons. Yet another case for going back and watching them.

 

 

Moonlight (1.16)

Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 9 PM

CBS

Moonlight, Season 1, Episode #16 – “Sonata” – Series Finale

CBS.com 

Manatee: As I made my way home Friday at 10:30 PM, I realized I had something to look forward to on my DVR – the last episode of Moonlight… ever.  There was a rumor this week that though CBS canceled the show, the CW might pick it up.  All that was was a vicious rumor of hope.   When I realized I had 47 minutes left to watch, I said to Marmot, “I better get home and get this over with.” 

 

Marmot said to me, “Savor it.”

 

Savor it?  What’s Marmot talking about.  Why even bother watching the show when it’s the last one?  Aren’t I just setting myself up for disappointment?

 

I started the show and cringed as the info feature on the DVR displayed: “In the series finale…” My heart sank.  Why am I having this reaction?  I have written about this show for weeks now, knocking it, and myself for liking it.  But at the end of the day, I’m attached.

 

I could write an angry letter to CBS and enclose pints of my own blood (gross) a la Jericho fans.  But what would that get us Moonlight fans – seven low budget, throw away episodes in March of 2009, that look awful, don’t really advance the plot – basically a disgrace to the integrity of the show.  Looking back now, as I am (was) a Jericho fan as well – when CBS pulled the plug, they should have bowed out gracefully with Johnston’s death in the season one finale. 

 

I could rant about the state of Television, and how only terrible, dumbed-down shows survive (i.e.: Two and a Half Men).  I could complain about how networks always cancel shows without giving them a chance, but at the end of the day, Television is a business.  And a business with long-term commitment issues.  Sure, there are crappy films put out on a weekly basis, but a few weeks later they go away (till the DVD comes out and a new audience is introduced).  After a bomb, you shake it off and move on.  One Friday it didn’t work out, next Friday is a new day.  But TV requires a different audience, not one that’s convinced to sit in a movie theater every Friday or every couple of Fridays, but one that agrees to tune in each week for twenty four weeks.  And if you watch more than one TV show, as I assume we all do, it’s tuning in daily for hours, each week.  It’s a different level of involvement.  You invite the story, the characters into your home for nine months out of the year for nineteen years (Law & Order) or for six weeks (Miss Guided). 

 

I guess what it comes down to as a TV viewer is not getting attached to any show.  I’m sure that goes against every statement that NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS and the CW want you to believe.  Even if the show is a hit, you never know when the showrunners will take a wrong turn and you’re on a crash course to hell or when a network will pull your favorite shows because ad sales are too low.  Stop blaming the networks, studios, writers, directors, and actors, and take TV into your own hands.

 

Watch TV like you should live life: “Right here, right now” (Per Mick Friday night).  Watch without long-term baggage.  Watch without fear.  Watch every episode like it may be your last – because tonight it is.  “Savor it.”

 

 

Manatee: The series finale was perfect.  If all of the episodes were this good “post strike,” maybe the series would still be on the air.  Perhaps the writers smelled the end, and they brought together the ‘League of Extraordinary Vampires’ for Friday’s episode.  And they left Mick and Beth just the way they should be – confused over their complex relationship, distraught, but eventually happy and in love.  They cast aside the fact that they are vampire and human and Mick finally said the words he’s wanted to say for years – “I love you,” and kiss.  My heart melted.  It was the perfect way to say goodbye to two characters we have gotten to know and love, and to finally see them together, makes it worth it.  That moment will be frozen in time on the small screen.  Mick and Beth do not exist past last night.  Maybe one can hope they overcome the odds and Mick becomes human, or Beth wants to be a vamp and they live happily ever after.  But that’s not the way TV works.  They will never make it past that kiss, but that’s okay.  Season one was all leading up to that moment.  Sure the writers hoped for a second season – who doesn’t at those WGA rates!  They added the scene with ADA Ben coming across a list of all LA Vampires that seemed to also be some sort of hit list.  Sure I would like to have seen a second season; see the jealousy grow between Mick and Ben, and the foreshadowed witch hunt; perhaps even the break up and the back and forth that would have resulted from Beth and Mick’s relationship.  But in the end, all I cared about was Mick and Beth finally being in love, happy, and together.  And that’s what I got.  Thank you CBS.

Under One Roof (1.5)

Wednesday, May 14th, 2008 @ 8 PM
MyNetworkTV

Under One Roof - Season 1, Epsiode 5 - "Oh Brother"

"Flavor Flav grills TO about Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo - this time he's prepared!"

On an all new Under One Roof, Dallas Cowboy’s Terrell Owens is in the house! With the family’s spending outpacing their earnings, Winston invests in a website run by his supposed brother Sean, who shows up one day out of the blue. But is Sean really a long lost relative or a big time con man? Whatever the play, Flav aint buying it! (Mynetworktv.com)

Marmot: This was the best episode so far.

Manatee: I would agree with that statement.

Marmot: I was surprised at how natural Terrell Owens was in his role. He was much better than other athletes I've seen. Like Tom Brady, who sucks at playing himself.

Manatee: Haha. TO had some smile on him. I felt at first, it was a little akward, but then he seemed to ease into it nicely. Overall, the episode seemed to contain more physical humor than normal as well. Maybe better direction than usual?

Marmot: I would definitely say that this episode was the best directed of them all. The blocking felt natural and motivated, which is always a problem with sitcoms.

Manatee: Especially this one! What did you think of the poker game?

Marmot: One thing that left me confused: why didn't they play Texas Hold Em?

Manatee: don't know much about poker... what's the difference in the games?

Marmot: The main difference is that each player is dealt 2 cards instead of 5, and that there are 5 community cards drawn. Whichever player has the best hand between the community cards and the 2 in their hand wins. t's wildly popular now, but the game they played on Under One Roof resembled more of a 5 Card Stud. Not that this show has ever shown any signs of being current or hip.

Manatee: Ah, I see what you mean. Basically all the stories, jokes, etc are from the 90s on this show

Marmot: Exactly. It's like the writers have been in a coma for 10 years were immediately thrust into writing a tv show.

Manatee: I am getting a little tired of the story lines too... since they are the same each week! Con man shows up, cons them, they con back, THE END. What?! Can't there be a different formula each week?

Marmot: Agreed. In the annals of sitcom history, there are at least 5 or 6 different stories that they could poach.

Manatee: There could be a teen drinking episode; Jr. OD's. There could be an episode where Jr. rents out the house to Belbivdevo. An episode where the mom has a mid life crisis and goes to dance classes

Marmot: An episode where the daughter goes to a Boyz II Men concert and invites the band back to the house and they give an impromptu concert. Or an episode where the maid finally gets tired of the verbal abuse and racist comments and quits, finding a new life as a bartender in Iowa. Or an episode where Flavor Flav burns down the house and they have to find a new home and move into the ghetto. Or another episode where the whole family is carried off by a giant chicken hawk. The possibilities are endless.

Manatee: Mine were really all just stolen from Fresh Prince.

Marmot: As were mine! How weird. Especially the giant chicken hawk. One thing I've never really been able to discern is why exactly was Flavor Flav sent to prison? I know that the theme song says that he and his brother were in a car wreck, and he took the blame, but I've never heard of anyone going to prison for a car accident, unless it was a repeated drunk or wreckless driving offense. Unless they crashed into the White House or the pediatric ward of a hospital, I don't think a car accident is a prisonable offense.

Manatee: I get the impression (maybe from the crowd he hangs with) that he has other shady dealings in his past. It's not like he was Volunteer #1 at the Children's Hospital and then got thrown into Jail for nada, only to come out and have to mooch of his bro because he took the fall... but then again maybe it was the White House they crashed.

Marmot: If that's the case, then he's kind of a shitty brother to Flavor Flav. Here your mess of a brother is on his last chance, you crash a car and he takes the blame for it. I think he owes Flavor Flav a little more than letting him stay in the house. A car, job and stipend is probably a little more in order.

Manatee: He must get a stipend - did you see the size of this "Cali Cal" necklace?

Marmot: It's gigantic, but I think it may be filled with chocolate.

Manatee: I hope so.

Marmot: I would also like to know where the brother got $100K in cash. Was it in a safe, or did he have to go to the bank? I would like to think that the sudden withdrawal of a sum that large would raise some red flags.

Manatee: I was wondering the same thing. Do rich people keep cash in a home safe, a pillow case under the bed? Or do you have a business manager who can pull that cash fast for you. Now that we have exposed our naivity about the subject... we obviously aren't rolling in $$. I guess when you have that much dough, you can get $100,000 easily?

Marmot: I would imagine it's hard for anyone to get that much easily. But we are poor, so what do we know. I can't even get $100 easily.

Gossip Girl (1.16)

Monday, May 12, 2008 @ 8 PM

CW

Gossip Girl - Season 1, Episode 16 - "Woman On the Verge"

VS.

As a result of Georgina (guest star Trachtenberg) revealing the true reason that Serena (Blake Lively) fled Manhattan for boarding school, Serena falls back into her old habits and Blair (Leighton Meester), Nate (Chace Crawford) and Chuck (Ed Westwick) must put their complicated feelings for each other aside to help their friend. Unfortunately, Serena is too ashamed to share the truth with Dan (Penn Badgley), leaving him only to assume the worse about his girlfriend. Rufus (Matthew Settle) is thrilled when his band is invited to perform at a Rolling Stone-sponsored concert, but Lily (Kelly Rutherford) is the last person on earth he expects to see at the performance, especially since her wedding rehearsal dinner is the same night. Lisa Loeb and famous cake designer Sylvia Weinstock appear in the episode as themselves.

Marmot: This show is ridiculous. I love it.

Manatee: Who is cake designer Sylvia Weinstock, and why does she appear in this episode?

Marmot: Was there cake? I would have remembered cake.

Manatee: Heard - Breakfast Club Reference - go 80s!

Marmot: Sullied - The good name of The Breakfast Club.

Manatee: Spotted - Lily, on the night of her 4th wedding rehearsal, being a good mom and bringing her out of control teenage daughter to the home of a dead drug addict's family to apologize for handing him the line of cocaine which killed him. Hmm, Serena's expression of "Murder" last episode seems a little extreme now that we know the truth, no? Maybe she should have said she "Killed" someone. And could one be accused of anything associated with this OD? Maybe Lily should suggest a shrink to Serena.

Marmot: Learned - Serena is a big, huge slut. She had sex with Nate at a wedding, then went to a party and almost had sex with a guy that she killed. Well, sort of killed. Two guys in the same day at 16?!?!

Manatee: Missing - Jenny and Eric. Where were the little siblings this episode? Jenny conveniently was at her Mom's house, but where was a lack of little bro during his mom's party.

Marmot: Not Noticed - The fact that Jenny and Eric were missing.

Manatee: Awesome - Georgie is going to steal Dan away! Haha Serena, take that, you murderer! That's right, I'm piling on the guilt. Serena and Dan are history.

Marmot: Admired - Chuck Bass, for being the only likeable character. These people are all despicable. It's like the movie Closer - all 4 main characters are deplorable, but you end up liking Clive Owen because he doesn't try to pass himself off as righteous. He's a scumbag and he knows it. That's why I like Chuck: he's the only one not deluding themselves.

Manatee: Seen - Lisa Loeb as herself performing a song that was cool 15 years ago. Though I do love that song, why introduced it on this show? Gossip Girl has always had some cool music. I know, I know, Rufus had to play his 90s song too... how did it go again? But I could have done without the Loeb. One 90s style song was enough!

Marmot: Suffered Through - One of the most accurate fake 90's songs ever, courtesy of Dan's father. I think he was supposed to be Soul Asylum or The Lemonheads, but what the hell were those lyrics? "Every time you walk away a wocka way a wocka way you take a piece of me with you". You can see why he was a one-hit wonder.

XOXO,

Marmot and Manatee

Ugly Betty (2.16)

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 8 PM
ABC

Ugly Betty - Season 2, Epsidoe 16 - "Betty's Baby Bump"

Betty switches gears with rival Charlie (guest star Jayma Mays) and tries to befriend her by throwing a baby shower, a party that no one will ever forget. Meanwhile, Hilda confronts Justin's PE teacher (guest star Eddie Cibrian as Coach Diaz) when she learns Justin is flunking gym; Daniel unravels after his break-up with Renee, and Christina finally learns who fathered the baby she's carrying for Wilhelmina. (ABC.com)

Manatee: Why did this episode include a song from New Kids on the Block?! Though I don't doubt Betty listens to NKOTB, is the show trying to cut back on their music budget? Overall, this episode was more of the same - LAME! Who flies tamales from Arizona when your dad is a Mexican chef? And what girlfriend out there would plan a shower and try to be BFF with her boyfriend's pregnant ex-girlfriend?! True, if this was a long term relationship eventually Betty would be like a step mom to little 'Henlie' but let's be honest when a guy says he wants to talk and then he just tells you he can get a great deal on tickets to fly back to NYC twice a month, what?! I thought he was going to pop the question! When is Betty going to grow up, kick this loser to the curb, marry Gio, quit Mode, make subs at the deli, and pop out little Ugly babies? We all know that's her fate, just do it already!

PS: No one cares about Hilda and her dating issues.

PPS: What?! http://www.gotickets.com/concert/new_kids_on_the_block_tickets.php?gclid=CISJh-rmpJMCFRpciAodBi_W4g

The Office (4.13)

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 9 PM
NBC

The Office - Season 4, Episode 13 - "Job Fair"

NBC

Manatee: Anyone need a "migraine worker?" This show just gets funnier over time. Each episode ups the stakes. The writers came back with a conviction after the strike 'down time' this winter.

30 Rock (2.15)

Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 9:30 PM

NBC

30 Rock - Episode 215 - "Cooter" (Season Finale)

Kathy Geiss Rules! And so do unicorns and hot wheels.  Hope to see more of her in Season 3.

SPECIAL REPORT: ABC Upfront Pilot Predictions

Already announced Returning Series
Brothers & Sisters
Desperate Housewives
Dirty Sexy Money
Grey's Anatomy
Lost
Private Practice
Pushing Daisies
Samantha Who
Ugly Betty

Fate to be determined Tuesday 5/13
According to Jim - MandM says "Going"
Boston Legal - MandM says "Going"
Eli Stone - MandM says "Going"
Scrubs - MandM says "Going"

Carpoolers - MandM says "Crashed"
Cashmere Mafia - MandM says "Not Going"
Men in Trees - MandM says "Dead"
Notes from the Underbelly - MandM says "Not Going"
October Road - MandM says "Closed for Repairs; detour to canceled"
Women's Muder Club - MandM says "Being disbanded"

Pilots
Castle - MandM says "This sounds like Medium meets New Amsterdam, but will get the Firefly crowd (stars: Nathan Fillion). Going"
Cedric the Entertainer - MandM says "Going"
Cupid - MandM says "Second time's the charm. Going"
Life on Mars - MandM says "Going"
Never Better - MandM says "Going"
Untitled Victor Fresco - MandM says "Going"

Bad Mother's Handbook - MandM says "Not Going"
Captain Cook... - MandM says "Not Going"
Five Year Plan - MandM says "Not Going"
Finnegan - MandM says "Not Going"
Good Behavior - MandM says "Too much Riches. Not Going"
Dave Hemingson Pilot - MandM says "Disbarred"
Kohan/Mutchnik Pilot - MandM says "Didn't work last year under the same script, same title. Not Going"
Kristin Newman Pilot - MandM says "Not Going"
Prince of Motor City - MandM says "Not Going"
Roman's Empire - MandM says "Not Going"
More Things Change - MandM says "Not Going"
This Might Hurt - MandM says "Not Going". They already have Scrubs, plus 2 doctor dramas.
The Unusuals - MandM says "Not Going"