TV with MeeVee

Concerned about "The Office" and "30 Rock?"

Last night's season finale of "30 Rock" and the penultimate "The Office" episode of the season have left some folks out there grumpy or worried. Not me. Bob Bianco at USA Today, usually a voice of sanity, sez "30 Rock" has gone downhill over the last few episodes by adopting a shotgun approach to wacky comedy, a la "Family Guy," and dragging Tina Fey's Liz Lemon into it. The recapper at TV Squad has some doubts too, albeit mostly about the return of the insufferable Dennis. Now, I agree that Liz Lemon has joined the inmates lately instead of just running the asylum. But it doesn't bother me. In fact I kinda like it. And how can you have doubts about a show with dialogue like this, as captured by TV Squad:

Jenna: "I can't watch American Idol, because I have perfect pitch."
Kenneth: "I can't watch American Idol, because there's a waterbug on my channel changer!"

Meanwhile, our friend Kathie over at GMMR, the most dedicated "The Office" fan I know, was thoroughly "underwhelmed" by last night's episode because, she sez, it just wasn't very funny. Moreover, she sees troubling signs for the future of Jim and Pam - Pam's once again dreaming of art school, Jim's chafing against the grimness of his Dunder Mifflin future. Myself, I thought it was a funny episode. And maybe this makes me a bad JAM fan, but I think the uncertainty and poignance of Jim and Pam's existence (as so ably portrayed by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer) makes their relationship all the more compelling and deepens the show beyond Michael Scott's comic idiocy. That's what she said!

"30 Rock" Season Finale Sneak Peek

While it's not moving to ABC like "Scrubs," "30 Rock" does end its season tonight with an episode called "Cooter." Here's a clip from a scene with star Alec Baldwin and guest Matthew Broderick...

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, May 8

Aw, I put "MILF Island" in there just to mess with your head. Actually it's more of "Survivor: Micronesia - Fans Vs. Favorites" tonight on CBS, and I gotta say I'm loving this richly plotted season of jaw-dropping doublecrosses and betrayals. By the end of tonight, we'll have our final four.

Tonight on "CSI," Gil Grissom and the team take on an unfamiliar foe: comedy. Well, sorta. This is the second half of the big writer-swap with "Two And A Half Men," and they'll be investigating the offing of a comedy diva a la Rosanne or Cybill Shepherd. And look for the "TAAHM" guys in an eyeblink cameo.

The season finale of "30 Rock" brings Jack a Washington job that he hates - and Liz a pregnancy scare. Yikes!

TV Imitates TV Imitating TV: A Real "MILF Island?"

At this point, there is basically no parody of reality television so broad that we can trust that someone won't think it's a genuinely good idea. Just a few weeks after the brilliant "30 Rock" had a gag show-within-the-show called "MILF Island," TV Land has announced its plan to create well, almost exactly that. The as yet unnamed project will center around a bunch of young men who will try to win the heart of a "sexy and accomplished mature woman." Since there's no mention of her children, I suppose technically she's a cougar and not a MILF, which is way classier. I have no doubt that TV Land will give this topic the sensitive, tasteful treatment that it deserves.

Monday, Monday Links

• Finally, some inside dope on season three of "Heroes." (Buddy TV)
• Gossip columnists noted that last week's "Law & Order: SVU" suspect of the week seemed to be a thinly disguised version of Tom Brady as a closeted gay man. (Boston Herald)
• Judah Friedlander (right) talks about his "30 Rock" trucker caps. (NY Observer)
• Rebecca Romijn's role downsized and more news from "Ugly Betty." (Televisionista)
• Talking "Lost" ratings. (SyFy Portal)
• Interview with a geek from "Greek." (TV Addict)
• I link not to praise "Big Brother,"  but to bury it. (TV Squad)
• "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty" once again score at the GLAAD awards. (AP)
• Paula Marshall, show killer? (TV Squad)

Afternoon Links As We Await The Most Awesome Night Of TV This Season

Let's see, a kickass "Survivor" - unless you prefer "Ugly Betty" or "My Name Is Earl" and "Scrubs" - followed by the first "The Office" since Jim showed us the engagement ring, followed by "30 Rock" - unless you prefer "Grey's Anatomy" or "CSI" - followed by the return of "Lost." All new for the launch of May sweeps! And that's not even mentioning "Without a Trace" or "Smallville" and the return of "Supernatural." Scripted television is back, baybee! On a night like this, that strike seems a distant memory. But we have a few hours to kill first. So here are a couple things to read...

• Roger Friedman says Jimmy Fallon will take over for Conan when Conan takes over for Jay. (Fox News)
• TV Squad says he's talking through his hat. (TV Squad)
• Friedman, by the way, also has some "Weeds" dish that fans won't want to hear, way down in the same column. (Fox News)
• Kathy says she picked the wrong Dunder-Mifflin week to go on vacation. (GMMR)
• An NBC source says, uh, don't worry about seeing O.J. on "The Apprentice." (TMZ.com)
• Another look at the sag in ratings post-strike. (Hollywood Reporter)
• We forgot to link to this yesterday when it was still sorta news, but Showtime has signed "The Tudors" (right) for season three. (AP)

Morning Links While We Wait For "Lost"

• OMFG! A motherfrakkin' funny story about (not) saying "fuck" on the air. Which gives me another chance to run the "30 Rock" graphic at right. (TV Week)
• OMFG! Somebody got his hands on a copy of the script for the "Battlestar galactica" prequel, "Caprica." (The TV Addict)
• OMFG! Cybill Shepherd to guest on "Psych!" (TV Squad)
• OMFG! We all knew who the gay character was going to be on "Gossip Girl," but now we know who he's hooking up with. (TV Squad)

"The Office," "30 Rock," "Scrubs" And NBC Scheduling Hijinks

They swear it had nothing to do with the raging controversy over "MILF Island," the acronym that dare not speak its name, but NBC has moved "30 Rock" to 9:30 for the remainder of the season, after "The Office." NBC also switched "Scrubs" to 8:30. The official word, as read in the NY Times, is that they want "30 Rock" to get the biggest possible lead-in for its remaining three episodes, capitalizing on Tina Fey's publicity for her movie "Baby Mama." And they say "30 Rock" will have to go back to 8:30 in the fall, anyway, to make room for the worst television idea of the century "Office" spinoff. Which once again suggests that if "Scrubs" airs in the fall, it will be on ABC another network, so why give it the phat "Office" lead-in now?

It's not surprising that some people are upset about "MILF Island" appearing during the so-called family hour. But is the audience really so different at 9? Like all the kids in America go to bed then? Last night, "Two And A Half Men" made about 19 references to Charlie's balls and used the word "balls." But since that's 30 minutes later, it's OK? Somebody has taken their stupid pills, I just can't decide who. But at least I get to run that awesome "MILF Island" graphic again.

It's Funny When The Times Can't Say "MILF"

Last week's episode of Tina Fey's NBC comedy "30 Rock" was a hoot, especially the frequent clips from the fictional NBC reality show "MILF Island," which featured 20 sexy mothers and 50 eighth-grade boys in a "Survivor"-style competition. MILF, in case you haven't heard, stands for Mother I'd Like to Fuck. Rather saucy for an 8:30 sitcom. On the same night, a similar phrase was used - and bleeped - on "The Office." Thus the New York Times decided to, ahem, clear its throat and inquire if NBC felt it was, ahem, adhering to the, ahem ahem, standards of what used to be known as "family hour" on network TV.

But this being the Times, the ol' grey mama, they couldn't actually mention the offending word, or EVEN THE OFFENDING ACRONYM, even though it was mentioned over and over during an 8:30 sitcom in prime time.

So Edward Wyatt had to write, "The reference came in the form of an acronym — part of the title of a make-believe 'Survivor'-like show — referring to a teenager’s crude designation of someone’s sexy mother." The tortured phrasing I guess preserves the delicate sensibilities of all those adolescents and devoutly religious grannies poring over the arts section of the Times on Monday mornings. Or maybe it just adds one more brick in the wall of irrelevance that increasingly separates newspapers from readers under the age of 50.

The capstone of silliness here is that while the term MILF was verboten, the Times had no problem with noting that the tribal council on the fictional show takes place in - wait for it - "Erection Cove."

The NBC online store really does offer "MILF Island" t-shirts, by the way.

Here's the whole episode:

"30 Rock" Preview!

Ooh! A snazzy new preview of tonight's all-new "30 Rock," in which Jack reveals that, due to a speech impediment, he was once legally branded a "Class A Moron." Baldwin actually manages to make a classy joke about mental retardation, and for that, I love this show.

Midday reading

• A few words from Tina Fey as "30 Rock" returns tonight. (AP)
• Kickin' Katie Couric to the curb? Possible. (Reuters)
• Definitely possible. (TV By The Numbers)
• Nikki Finke brings us all the drama of the World Asshole Summit Ovitz testimony in the Pellicano trial. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)
• All three of you who were watching the Discovery Home Network will soon be going to Planet Green. (TV Decoder)
• The new HBO programming chief speaks. (TV Decoder)
• The enw HBO programming chief deconstructed. (TV By The Numbers)
• More on the "Smallville" meltdown. (Buddy TV)
• Candidates got voted off "American Idol" special. Ahahahahahahahahaha! (NYT)

Morning Espresso Shots Of TV News

• If you've ever wondered whether Tiger Woods' popularity matters to the bottom line, check out this graph of TV ratings for the Masters telecasts. (TV By The Numbers)
• A sneak peek inside an "Idol Gives Back" taping. (TV Squad)
• Hi-larious interview with "30 Rock" naif Jack McBrayer, aka Kenneth the Page. No surprise that he was once employee of the month at Applebee's. (NY Times)
• Our favorite "The Office" fan waxes all speculative about the show's return and what's happening with Jim and Pam. (GMMR)

In fact, here's a clip from Thursday's return episode, "The Dinner Party":

Back To "The Office": NBC Unveils Post-Strike Plans

NBC has announced the post-writers-strike fate of its shows. One press release unveiled premiere dates for series returning this spring. The other revealed that "Heroes," "Chuck" and "Life" will all return - but not till next fall, when they'll be beneficiaries of "major re-launch campaigns."

Unlike CBS, the network wasn't telling how many post-strike episodes of the spring series will be produced - with "Scrubs," in its final season, the big question mark there. Sez NBC:

"My Name Is Earl" (Thursdays, 8-8:30 p.m. ET), will return with a one-hour episode on Thursday, April 3; the Emmy Award-winning "30 Rock" (Thursdays, 8:30-9 p.m. ET) will begin on Thursday, April 10; likewise, the Emmy-winning "The Office" (Thursdays, 9-9:30 p.m. ET) also resumes with new episodes on Thursday, April 10; and "Scrubs" (Thursdays, 9:30-10 p.m. ET) will come back with original episodes beginning Thursday, April 10.

"ER" (Thursdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) also will come back on Thursday, April 10 with new episodes following the complete run of "Lipstick Jungle," which concludes on March 20.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (Tuesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) will return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, April 15. "Law & Order" (Wednesdays, 10-11 p.m. ET) resumes with original episodes on Wednesday, April 23. Meanwhile, "Medium" (Mondays, 10-11 p.m. ET) continues in originals.

And a postscript: Specific plans for other NBC scripted series are currently being determined and will be announced later.

TV Critics Love "Pushing Daisies," Hate "Cavemen"

(Begin pointless personal digression.) I have a soft spot for the semi-annual TV Week Critics Poll. (Read the story here and results here.) Back when the magazine was called Electronic Media, I used to be in the poll all the time, and I started talking to the people over there - we were all in Chicago at the time - and I ended up getting hired as assistant managing editor. While I worked there I ran the poll a couple of times, too, which gave me lots of time to talk to my critic friends who I only got to see on press tour otherwise. So this poll is like an old pal. (End pointless personal digression.)

But seriously, "Pushing Daisies" is better than "Mad Men"??? I don't think so. Better than "House" or "The Office"?? Really? Uh, no.

Ten Best Series
1. Pushing Daisies
2. Mad Men
3. Dexter
4. 30 Rock
5. Friday Night Lights
6. Damages
7. House
8. The Office (tie)
8. Ugly Betty (tie)
10. Californication

Worst after the jump...

Alec Bandwin Plans A Golden Globe Party

I confess: For about the first season, I had "30 Rock" confused with "3rd Rock From The Sun." Eventually, after that whole mean phone message thing, I had a look at the show to see what everyone was talking about. And even then, I didn't really like it much. I'm really picky about comedies, though, because a lot of sitcoms just make me squirm. So, to be sure, I gave it a second chance recently, and I'm glad I did.

It's hilarious. As a bonus, even though it's in reruns, all the episodes are all new to me, and new shows are few and far between these days.

Also, Alec Baldwin, who plays the evil boss on the show, is all about crazy pranks. For example, he's announced that he'll be holding the Golden Globes at his house. And his giving out free Diet Peach Snapple (one bottle per celebrity)!  Of course, it's easy for him to not care if he doesn't actually go to the ceremony, because he's already been in the past. Here's a fun interview from last year's Golden Globes:

Advertisers Have "30 Rock" The Way A Puppeteer Holds A Puppet?

Awww Jeez. I love "30 Rock." Love Tina Fey, who created, co-writes and stars in this NBC comedy show about life behind the scenes at a fictional NBC comedy show called "The Girlie Show." (For the uninitiated, Fey used to work at "Saturday Night Live.") Love Alec Baldwin as her fake NBC boss. I even love - OK, like - Fey's Amex commercial, in which she gamely copes with the chaos backstage at a comedy show that could be any one of the three - "SNL," "30 Rock" or "The Girlie Show."

But my admiration for this meta-comic hall of mirrors shrank perceptibly when I learned today that a bit of comic shilling for Verizon Wireless during a recent "30 Rock" episode was indeed a real-life paid product placement. I was afraid of that, on some level, but I decided to hope that it was just more biting of the hand that feeds by Fey and co.

I learned the truth, ironically enough, from a Hollywood Reporter story written by one Gail Schiller.

Here's the clip:

Now, don't get me wrong here. I can take a deep breath and accept that the once-reviled practice of product placements has become an industry profit center. Hell, I didn't even mind when some turned up on my other favorite Thursday night show, "The Office," a while back. And maybe I should accept this as yet another brilliant turn in that hall of mirrors Fey and co. have constructed. But somehow when they're doing the exact thing they're satirizing, it's not better, it's worse. I just don't like it. Please stop. Thank you.

Strike Bonus: "30 Rock" Live In New York

Having all those creative people on strike - and other creative people not working because of it - has created some interesting strike byproducts. You may remember last week that New York got to see "SNL" done live at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater. This week it was "30 Rock," and the full cast was on hand to read an already-written-and-taped episode that will come up in three weeks. There are accounts of the evening here and here. The second one includes the part where Liz Lemon calls Kenneth a "fucking hillbilly." No one is expecting that be in the version that airs, alas.

Al Gore Green Week Cameo on "30 Rock"

I love that Al Gore has such a great sense of humor about himself and his environmental work that he can go on "30 Rock" and do a joke like this at his own expense. He manages to get in a few great lines about what he really wants in reality (a carbon tax instead of a payroll tax) and then... "Quiet! A whale is in trouble! I have to go!" And he rushes off to be a superhero.

Then part of the environmental set catches on fire and Liz Lemon has an even better line: "This earth is ruined, we gotta get a new one."

Click through to Crooks & Liars for the video.

"30 Rock" Werewolf Bar Mitzvah, The Complete Song!

Hell to the yes! Boys becoming men, men becoming wolves, and wolves becoming backup dancers! It's just a slideshow, not a full video, but even so, it's hilarious.

Just How Meta Can Shows Like "Californication" Get?

The Globe points out that TV is getting awfully postmodern these days: "Californication" now involves the protagonist's semi-autobiographical novel, which we can only assume will be made into a TV show suspiciously similar to "Californication." And of course "Dexter" has added its own thread of internal debate about a serial killer that mirrors audience debate about Dexter as a person. And the next season of "Nip/Tuck" is about plastic surgeons consulting on a show a lot like "Nip/Tuck." The master of all of these is of course "30+Rock," which is quite literally a TV show about TV shows.

Just how much self-conscious reflection do we really need in our TV? Should I start blogging about blogging about TV that's about TV?

Morning Links Festival Returns To Fenway Park For Game 6

• Rundown on "America's Next Top Model" and acrophobia. (BuzzSugar)
• Worrying about "30 Rock" going all "Will & Grace" with the guest stars. (TiFaux)
• Daily Show's new web site includes a complete archive, how cool is that? (BuzzSugar)
• The annoying husband/father on "Gilmore Girls" is going to be a boyfriend for Addison on "Private Practice." (TV Guide) Just saying "Private Practice" already makes me yawn, though.
• A roundup of season orders and airdates (or in the case of "New Amsterdam," lack of airdates). (E! Online)

MeeVee Video Top 5: Emmy Awards

The 59th Primetime Emmy Awards have come and gone. Now that all the congratulation speeches are over and all the pseudo tears have dried up, it's time for our pampered stars to get back to work. For those of you out there aching for their favorite shows to return, now is the best time of year for television. The dog days of summer television are over and both new and old shows are beginning to premiere.

This week Video Top 5 is highlighting five shows that received a serious surplus of nominations at this years Emmy's. We have clips from Grey's Anatomy, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and The Sopranos. Also featured this week are full episodes of 30 Rock and video interviews with the successful series The Starter Wife. Finally, we have a bizarre montage of doctored clips for our YouTube Clip of the Week.

Emmys: Predictions and Liveblog Plans

First, a reminder that I will be taking on the most awesome feat of channel-flippin'-bloggin' in the history of mankind on Sunday night, when the Emmys hit Fox at 8 p.m.

Secondly, a recap of my Emmy picks, the better for you to mock and revile me in the comments on Sunday night...

Best Supporting Actor In A Comedy: This should be a race between Neil Patrick Harris as the sparkplug of "How I Met Your Mother" or Rainn Wilson's insane Dwight on "The Office." If "The Office" rocks, it could be Wilson. But something tells me this is Harris' year.

Best Supporting Actress In A Comedy: I think the real competition here is between Elizabeth Perkins as the imperious, often soused suburban queen Celia on "Weeds" and Jenna Fischer's fantastic but quite subtle performance as Pam on "The Office." Fischer and John Krasinski as Jim are the sane heart of the "Office" madhouse, and he wasn't even nominated, so maybe this is Perkins' year. But I'm hoping Fischer wins. Call it a vote for romance.

Fall TV Night-By-Night: Thursday

Only one new show tonight but a considerable amount of new attitude scattered around the schedule, and Sunday night's Emmys could add some more for "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy," "The Office" and others.

The new show is ABC's "Big Shots," at 10, which delivered a very funny press conference from stars Michael Vartan, Dylan McDermott, Joshua Malina and Christopher Titus, and could be a ratings winner. They're four reasonably powerful and successful guys, but the show follows mainly their romantic and domestic difficulties. It was at least unofficially called "Big Dicks" in the beginning, and seems intended to take a male-centric view of the world. But as it follows the guest-star-laden "Ugly Betty" at 8 and "Grey's Anatomy" at 9, I think ABC is counting on a large number of women sticking with the network to eyeball Vartan and McDermott. Not a bad bet, actually, though I didn't much like the show. All three debut Sept. 27.

CBS stands pat on the night with three dependables: "Survivor" (Sept. 20), "CSI" and "Without a Trace" (both Sept. 27). Not much to report here except A) one has to wonder when the "CSI" juggernaut will cool, and B) "Survivor" is going to China this fall for an inland episode, as seen at left.

New Video Promos: "30 Rock," "Desperate Housewives" And "24"

ONTD is a treasure-trove of promotional videos. They've pointed me to the new clip out for the upcoming season of "30 Rock:"

There's also this interview with Nathan Fillion for "Desperate Housewives:"

Finally, for a touch of absurdity, I present you with this video for the Japanese market, advertising the newest season of "24:"

And The Peacock Laughed

In possibly the most insane bit of scheduling so far this tour, NBC has devoted a whopping 30-minute session to Q&A with stars and producers from all four of its Thursday night comedies. By the time they finish introductions, it'll be half over. Nonetheless, given the rabid fan base for "The Office" and perhaps the others, I'm going to liveblog it...

The participants, producers first: Greg Garcia and Jason Lee from "My Name Is Earl," Lorne Michaels and Tina Fey from "30 Rock," Greg Daniels and John Krasinski from "The Office," and Bill Lawrence and Zach Braff from "Scrubs." Fey's got a little black dress with a loooow neck line. Krasinski has a funny haircut, a tie with shirtsleeves rolled up, highwater jeans, sneakers - he looks about 12. Lee has a full hillbilly beard. Everyone else is Hollywood casual normal.

Someone asks about the disappointing ratings for this stellar lineup: "I think this is the year 'Scrubs' becomes a big hit," says Lawrence, to general laughter. "We always geared our plan toward peaking in the seventh year."

Daniels is complaining about spoilers online and Krasinski says, "My bad! Needed a little extra cash! Dishing the secrets!"

Fey on an upcoming guest shot: "We could not be more excited to have Jerry Seinfeld on the show, because then regular America will find out that we have a show."

On the hardest part of comedy writing:
Garcia: "Once you have the story situation, the jokes will come out. We could do a full hour drama and I know within two days it will be all full of jokes...it's the story."
Lawrence: "For us it's mostly just trying to think of new dick jokes."

Lawrence on "Scrubs" going into its final season:
"We've done seven of these (press tours) and by the way, at five of them, the first question was, 'Can you believe your show is still on the air?' "
Lawrence on doing the last 18 episodes:
"We've mapped out the first two and the last two, and the 14 in the middle we're just mailing in."

Krasinski on how a network-wide NBC "Green Week" on enviro themes will affect Dunder-Mifflin:
"We're a paper company, so we're screwed."

MeeVee Video Top 5: America's Got Talent, MTV Movie Awards, 30 Rock, and more

Celebrity trends come and go. What was "hot" last year may have cooled off this year. Right now, the sizzling trend is rehab. Rehab is used as a hot, new accessory that celebs wear with pride. This week we're highlighting shows in which cast members have (or should) checked into rehab. After his "hamburger antics", David Hasselhoff and crew return for another season of America's Got Talent. You can check out a whole new slew of hopefuls, as well as the surplus of contestants that think they have talent.

Maxim's top pick on their Hot 100, Lindsay Lohan couldn't attend last night's MTV Movie Awards  ceremony. After a tough weekend on the Hollywood strip, she thought it would be best to relax and unwind over in rehab. Lindsay: if you're out there reading this, you can catch up on all the action you missed with highlights from the ceremony.

Our MeeVee Video Top 5 also features 30 Rock, the Top 5 Idol videos, Charm School highlights, and hilarious outtakes from 30 Rock. And finally, our YouTube Clip of the Week is the infamous fall on the stage of the Miss Universe contest. Wouldn't be the first time this year the U.S. has made an ass of itself in an international setting. Thanks President Bush!

NBC Adds Heroes Spin-off, Newfangled Bionic Woman to Fall Schedule

NBC is inching closer to its dream of having an all-Heroes-related network this fall. Next season will feature a new spin-off of the mega-hit, called Heroes: Origins, as well as a new and improved Bionic Woman, a time-traveling reporter, and the return of both Jerry Seinfeld and Brooke Shields to your television screen.

Alec Baldwin Plans to Write Book Bashing Kim Basinger

Alec Baldwin has been a busy man lately. The 30 Rock star’s family life has been turned inside out ever since the leak of an angry voicemail he left on his 11-year-old daughter Ireland’s cell phone, in which he called her a “rude, thoughtless little pig.”

Baldwin has apologized for the outburst, and is intent on letting the world know that ex-wife Kim Basinger drove the usually smooth-talking Baldwin to lash out after years of “parental alienation” -- by writing a book on the subject.

Alec Baldwin Wants Out of 30 Rock Contract, But NBC Says No Way

Alec Baldwin has officially asked NBC to release him from his 30 Rock contract, to allow him to focus on his “parental alienation.” But the network isn’t about to let the Golden Globe winner get away that easy.

Baldwin has been at the center of a media frenzy since the leak of an angry voicemail he left on his 11-year-old daughter Ireland’s cell phone, in which he called her a “rude, thoughtless little pig.” Now Baldwin clearly wants to put his time and energy into resolving the bitter custody battle he’s been fighting with former wife Kim Basinger, as he told The View in a taped appearance set to air tomorrow:

        If I never acted again, I couldn't care less.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, April 26

30 Rock -- Hiatus
Sean Hayes guest stars in the first-season finale, in which the summer hiatus of TGS looms, and Liz's long-distance relationship with Floyd poses various tests. Meanwhile, Jack's mom arrives in town, which is just never good news.

October Road -- Season Finale
The season wraps up with Aubrey asking Nick to choose between her and Hannah; Ray telling Owen about Ikey and Alison; and Physical Phil trying to get Pizza Girl back.

Survivor: Fiji -- Episode #11
The castaways compete for a seaplane ride and a trip to a spa. At tribal council, another person is voted off the islands.

Alec Baldwin In Scalding Hot Water After Angry Tirade On Daughter’s Voicemail

Hear the whole voicemail here!

Actor Alec Baldwin is in big trouble after the leak of an angry voicemail he left for his 12-year-old daughter, Ireland. In the verbal tirade, Baldwin lashes out at his daughter for having her phone turned off for a scheduled call from good old dad:

    You are a rude, thoughtless little pig.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, April 12

Notes from the Underbelly -- Series Premiere
Think pregnancy isn't funny?  Think again! Tune in to this brand-new relationship comedy about a young expectant couple and their friends. In the opener, Lauren and Andrew debate the pros and cons of having a baby, and decide to give it a go. Brave souls, indeed.

30 Rock -- Corporate Crush
Destiny smiles on Liz, who is completely smitten with her new beau Floyd (Jason Sudeikis). Destiny decides to frown on Jack, however, as network honcho Don Geiss (Rip Torn) scrutinizes his performance, putting Jack's job in serious jeopardy.

Survivor: Fiji -- Are We Gonna Live on Exile Island?
Merge, baby, merge!  Two tribes become one, with much hullaballoo on both sides.  With the game dynamics completely in flux, it's hard to predict which castaway will be ousted next.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, April 5

The Office -- The Negotiation
Darryl gives an impassioned plea to Michael about a pay increase, which sends Mr. Bossman into a spiral as he scrutinizes his own salary. Pam's confession to Roy also has a massive impact on Jim.  But then, what doesn't?

30 Rock -- Fireworks
Jack's got his hands full as a titanic power-clash unfolds.  A Left Coast network honcho shows up to stake his claim on Jack's job. Meanwhile, Tracy is served with paternity papers, and Liz and Pete adapt to living and working together.  Not necessarily well, but they're working on it.

Happy Birthday, Elton John -- Special Event
It's Elton John's 60th!  Join Sir Elton and a star-studded cast as they celebrate in grand style at this Madison Square Garden concert, taped on March 25, 2007. Coincidentally, this event also marks Elton's 60th performance at the venue.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, Mar. 1

30 Rock --The Source Awards
Taking a page from Li'l John's Book of Crunk Marketing, Jack uses star power to unload his line of inferior wines on an unsuspecting public. To do so, he enlists none other than the incomparable, insatiable, and incomprehensible Ghostface Killah himself. LL Cool J also makes an appearance, but don’t call it a comeback -- he’s been here for years.

Survivor: Fiji
Gary’s breathing problems from last week have taken a turn for the worse, requiring the assistance of the medical staff and putting his future as a contestant in serious jeopardy. Also, the immunity challenge winners get thrown for a loop with a difficult choice.

American Idol
You heard the top ten guys sing on Tuesday and last night you heard the final ten ladies do the same, only... you know... better. Tonight your votes perform! Tune in watch another four contestants get sent home. Also, Kellie Pickler sings "I Wonder."

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, Feb. 22

Survivor: Fiji -- This Isn't Survival... It's "Thrival"
Remember the first season of Survivor, when the contestants actually had to, you know, survive on their own by foraging for food and constructing shelter? No more of that! This week’s show brings you Slip-N-Slides! That’s right -- the iconic, whiplash-inducing summer toy is the central challenge of this episode! 

The Office -- Cocktails
Jan and Michael finally throw open the doors of their forbidden love and shout it from the rooftops! Well, not literally on the rooftops -- more like the middle of a Dunder-Mifflin executive’s cocktail party. 

30 Rock -- Hard Ball
Jack's attempt to save money by not renewing Josh’s expired contract leads to an administrative showdown with Liz. Also, Kenneth the Page lands a spot in Tracy’s posse.  I wonder if that comes with dental and a 401k.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, Feb. 15

Survivor: Fiji
From the series that made racial segregation fun again comes a new season, now with class-based discrimination! Challenge winners bask in the lap of luxury, while losers must subsist in grinding poverty!

Ugly Betty -- Derailed
With the future of the company in doubt, and his (new) sister making a play for power, Daniel must turn to an old classmate (Lucy Liu) for assistance. Meanwhile, Jerry O’Connell slides onto Alexis’s radar screen.

30 Rock -- The C Word
Liz becomes a big softie after she hurts Lutz’s feelings and Jack escorts Tracy to a charity golf event in order to get face time with a network exec. Rip Torn guest stars.

BuzzSugar: 30 Rock Sneak Preview

One of the things that's most impressed me about 30 Rock so far -- besides Alec Baldwin, of course -- is that it goes places where other network shows fear to tread: kissing cousins, say