TV with MeeVee

Casting Notes From All Over

• "CSI" will replace Jorja Fox with former "L Word" actress Lauren Lee Smith (right). Canadian Smith had a recurring role as chef Lara on that series, which airs on CBS' corporate cousin Showtime. She was also on the TV series "Intelligence" and several TV movies in the "Christy" series. (Buddy TV)
• A scary and difficult-to-watch episode of HBO's "Six Feet Under" was "That's My Dog," which had Michael C. Hall's David pick up a psycho hitchhiker named Jake, played by Michael Weston. Weston, who played Jake in three subsequent episodes as well, is now named as the actor who'll play a private eye on some episode of "House" next season, as an audition for a possible spinoff. (TV Guide)
• Kelly Preston, aka Mrs. John Travolta, has been tapped to play one of the gang leaders in the HBO pilot "Suburban Shootout." It's based on an hilarious British series about suburban matrons gone feral. Most entertaining. (Hollywood Reporter)

Upfronts Update: CBS Announces Fall Schedule

CBS has ordered five new series - two comedies and three dramas - toadd to its 18 returning shows. Like the other nets we've seen so far, this is largely a stand-pat schedule shaped by the behind-the-scenes tumult of the writers strike. The biggest change might be the hour of comedy from 8-9 on Wednesdays.

Mondays: "Big Bang Theory," "How I Met Your Mother," "Two and a Half Men," the new comedy "Worst Week" (right) and "CSI Miami."

Tuesdays: "NCIS," the new drama "The Mentalist" and "Without A Trace," which moves from Thursdays.

Wednesdays: "The New Adventures of Old Christine," the new comedy "Project Gary," "Criminal Minds" and "CSI NY."

Thursdays: "Survivor," "CSI" and the new drama "Eleventh Hour."

Fridays: "Ghost Whisperer," the new "The Ex List" and "Numb3rs."

Saturdays: Two hours of "Crimetime" - i.e. repeats - and "48 Hours Mystery."

Sundays: "60 Minutes," "The Amazing Race," "Cold Case" and "The Unit," which moves from Tuesdays.

The announcement also says this: "In addition to the new series for fall, the network announced the pick up of two programs for midseason. The new drama, HARPER'S ISLAND, is a murder mystery that unfolds as friends and family attend week-long festivities at a destination wedding on a secluded and picturesque island off the coast of Seattle, infamous for a homicidal maniac's rampage seven years ago. Also picked up for midseason is the comedy RULES OF ENGAGEMENT." It doesn't say anything, however, about reviving Fox's "Back To You."

For details and pictures of the new shows, keep reading.

A few quick news bites

• Fox scored big with "House" last night, which was second overall in the ratings (behind "Dancing with the Stars") and tops in the 18-49 demo advertisers love. (TV By The Numbers)
• "American Idol" returns with the final three tonight, but Fox can't be too thrilled with last week's numbers. And despite the excellent backstabbing that went on, CBS' "Survivor" finale on Sunday didn't even make the top 10. (AP)
• "The Sopranos" on iTunes. For a price, of course. (Reuters)
• A spoilerrific report on Gary Dourdan's final "CSI" appearance until after rehab on Thursday. (Buddy TV)
• "The Office" last week had the biggest DVR audience seen so far - a whopping 43.4% ratings increase from "live viewing only" to "live + 7 days." (TV By The Numbers)

See you for the American Idol liveblog in a couple of hours!

Morning "Hillary, Girlfriend, It's Over" Links

• Speaking of cute but not especially talented dudes on "American Idol," as we have been for the last couple of days, Ace Young is going to get whacked on "Bones" next week. Another "Idol" runnerup who I don't even remember - Brandon Rogers? Really? - is also on the ep, which focuses on a barroom singing contest. But just to be nice I'll run a pic of Emily Deschanel from the ep instead. (TV Squad)
• The cops made it official against departing "CSI" star Gary Dourdan y'day. (TMZ)
• Who can afford to maintain an "Extreme Makeover" home?? (Philly.com)
• Bruce Boxleitner joins "Heroes." That ought to get younger viewers excited. Uh, not. (TV Guide)
• Dating show for the mentally disabled? Eeek. (TMZ)
• Sutton-at-Hone councilors in Kent can eat my shorts. (UK Daily Record)
• "Ugly Betty" crew members losing their jobs as the show moves to Taxbreakistan New York are bitter that California hasn't done more to keep productions. (Deadline Hollywood Daily)

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!

"Two And A Half Men," "CSI" Start The Big CBS Crossover

If "Two And A Half Men" looks different tonight, that's on purpose. The show will be full of moody blue lighting and grimly hilarious forensic animations - maybe we'll finally get the view from the miniature camera inside Charlie's penis they've joked about. Tonight's episode, "Fish In A Drawer," is the first half of the big crossover between the writing staffs of "TAAHM" and "CSI." Charlie, Alan and Jake will find themselves in the interrogation room with a Marg Helgenberger lookalike, and there's even a cameo by "CSI's" George Eads.

On Thursday, "CSI" will be jokier than usual, with the second crossover episode, called "Two And A Half Deaths." Things get even more inside, because the "CSI" episode focuses on the whacking of a sitcom diva played by Katey Sagal. Chuck Lorre, the "TAAHM" creator who proposed the crossover, has previously worked on sitcoms starring Cybill Shepherd and Roseanne. Although Lorre swears up, down and sideways that's got nothing to do with anything, not for nothing is Sagal's character named Annabelle Fundt. With an F. Right.

Oh and keep your eyes peeled for what USA Today sez is an eyeblink cameo by the TAAHM cast in the "CSI" half of the crossover. Charlie does like going to Vegas, after all. There's been some gnashing of teeth among fans of the various shows who fear the stunt will somehow hurt the shows. But myself I think it's a grand idea which ought to provide some creative fuel for both shows, which are tightly disciplined within their respective formats. And folks, you know, it's "Two And A Half Men" and "CSI," not "Twelfth Night" and "The Seventh Seal." Lighten up already.

Pix by Greg Gayne/Warner Bros. More after the jump.

Monday Morning Coming Down Links

• In 1962, we really, really liked watching westerns on TV. (TV By The Numbers)
• CBS execs decide they don't want Katee Sackhoff to replace Jorja Fox on "CSI." This is our official WTF Item Of The Day®. (TV Guide)
• And speaking of "CSI," is there more (or actually, less) to the Gary Dourdan bust? (E! Online)
• "Men in Trees" is toast. I can't say I care, although the show hardly got a fair shot, given the way ABC moved it around the scheduled. (TV Guide)
• One writer admits he's not all that subversive, no matter how he tries. (Earl Pomerantz)
• People Magazine names the Jonas Brothers among the nation's richest teens. How messed up is it that there's a list? (Buddy TV)
• And speaking of rich teenagers, here's the first dispatch from the set of "High School Musical 3." (E! Online)
• Once again following in the wandering, staggering footsteps of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan is following up rehab with a TV series appearance, on "Ugly Betty." (AP)

Departing "CSI" Star Popped With Drugs, Life Imitating Art

"CSI" star Gary Dourdan has been busted in Palm Springs for possession of heroin, cocaine, ecstasy and prescription pills, just weeks before his final appearance on the show as Warrick Brown. Deets are sketchy but he was sleeping in his car at 5 a.m. when cops moved in. And, unfuckingbelievably, tonight CBS had scheduled a repeat that revolved around Warrick's addiction to pills. It'll be interesting to see if that still airs. Assuming anybody with that many drugs hasn't been able to conceal his taste for them from his co-workers, you have to wonder why the writers chose that particular problem for Dourdan to act out. That's stone cold. You also have to wonder if drug problems motivated his exit from the show. His departure, announced only recently, was said to be a mutual decision between him and the producers.

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)

Afternoon Food For Thought

• TV Guide says Tania Raymonde, otherwise known as Ben's daughter on "Lost," is going to be in a high school sex comedy - based on Lysistrata, no less - and starring Rob Schneider and Rumer Willis. Shudder. Guarantee you the girl's going to have a new agent the week after that movie comes out. I mean, seriously, Rob Schneider and Rumer Willis? Spending a lifetime in the tropical weirdness of the island sounds like a glorious vacation in comparison.
• Last year's "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks (right) has been forced to withdraw from Alicia Keys' tour by the horrible sounding "acute vocal cord hemorrhage." You wouldn't wish that on your worst enemy, would you? Get well soon, hon.
• Jesse L. Martin has revealed his post-"Law & Order" plans. He's apparently going to play the Sidney Poitier role in a new Broadway version of "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." Not exactly cutting edge, but...whatever. Martin first came to fame in the original cast of "Rent." He's being replaced on "L&O" by Anthony Anderson, who we had an interview with last week, and we'll bring that to you tomorrow.
• It will be interesting to hear what "issues" led Khandi Alexander to quit "CSI Miami" effective at the end of this season.

Good Morning, Good Morning

• More on CW's decision to stop streaming "Gossip Girl" comes in this post and this one. The latter suggests it's all a ploy to whip up interest in the under-watched show. OMFG, really?! (TV By The Numbers)
• Maybe it wasn't Gary Dourdan's idea to leave "CSI" after all. (TV Guide)
• Leelee Sobieski: Obviously A Robot. (Glitterati)
• I've been trying to decide which Robin Sparkles/"HIMYM" post to link to. Let's try this one. (BuzzSugar)
• Some new deets on Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse." (TV Squad)
• Spoilery "Lost" speculation: Could Sawyer be on his way out? (Buddy TV)
• Addison's returning (temporarily) to Seattle Grace and "Grey's Anatomy." Yawwwwwwn. (Buddy TV)

Kick Off Your Weekend With A Few Shooters Of TV News

• I forgot to tell you this morning, but Fox has renewed "King of the Hill" for a 13th season. I'm so sorry, thinking of how different your life would have been if you'd known sooner.
• A recap of last night's "Survivor" with the excellent verb "man crushing," and it doesn't mean what you think. I am really liking this season with all its reverses and backstabbings. (Buddy TV)
• The NY Times isn't known for its wacky headlines, but the paper's TV blog has a good one today: "CSI Returns To Bury Fifth-Grader." (TV Decoder)
• A more serious look at the Thursday numbers, and the results of the Britney-vs.-Paris guest-star derby. (TV By The Numbers)
• Re: "The Office" spin-off, "Don't eff it up, NBC." Well put. (Tifaux)

"CSI: Two And A Half Men"

Oh, this is gonna be fun! Charlie Harper talks about decomposition! Gil Grissom gets laid at the beach! The planned one-episode writing-staff swap between "CSI" and "Two And A Half Men" is a go, sez TV Guide. The episodes of both CBS shows will air in May. As long rumored, the "Two And A Half Men" scribes led by Chuck Lorre will be killing off a bitchy sitcom diva - any resemblance to Lorre's previous bosses Cybill Shepherd and Rosanne definitely intended. No leaks yet on the sitcom script penned by the "CSI" writers, although I'm wondering nervously if we'll see any "CSI"-style
                                      animated views inside Charlie Harper's very busy penis.

CBS Announces Post-Strike Schedule

CBS today unveiled a no-frills list of premiere dates and episode counts for its shows returning after the strike. The plans are ambitious, especially for the comedies. "How I Met Your Mother," "Big Bang Theory" and "Two And A Half Men" (left) are all set to return on March 17, producing nine more episodes for the season. That's going to call for a lot of extra Skittles in the writers' room, I'd say. Another Monday show, "CSI Miami," is due back March 24 and expected to produce eight more hourlong episodes, which is, come to think of it, almost twice as much television as nine episodes of a sitcom.

Other shows' return dates and episode counts: "Cold Case," March 30, five. "Criminal Minds" and "CSI: NY," April 2 and seven each. "CSI" and "Without A Trace," April 3 and six. "Ghost Whisperer" and "Numb3rs," April 4 and six. "NCIS," April 8 and seven. "Moonlight," April 11 and four. "Rules of Engagement," April 14 and six. "Shark," TBA and four.

CBS notes that "'The Unit,' 'Cane' and 'Shark' are on previously announced hiatus to accommodate the mid-season launches of 'Big Brother,' 'Jericho' and 'Dexter.'" What CBS doesn't explain is why "Shark" is listed as producing more episodes while "The Unit" and "Cane" aren't. Hmmm. Contrary to some reports, CBS also notes that the offbeat drama "Swingtown," which we've heard little about in recent months, will also resume production. Still no premiere date, however.

Late Afternoon Reading: "American Idol" Malaise?

• In what might be an ominous sign when viewed alongside this season's ratings slippage, I've started to read a few "What's wrong with..." and "How to fix..." posts about "American Idol." Here's the best one I've read so far. (TV Squad)
• Meanwhile, in the scripted world, producers are already starting to figure out what shows are worth putting back into production for half a dozen or so episodes this season if the strike gets settled soon. Hint: It's the hits. (Reuters)
• Thus, you won't be surprised to hear that FX's middling "Dirt" and its quite excellent but under-watched "The Riches" will be making do with the seven episodes each has already filmed this season. (Hollywood Reporter)
• But it appears that the three remaining episodes of ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money" will be held over until September. (Televisionista)
• Bill Petersen is talking about leaving "CSI" again. (Buddy TV)
• And there may be bad news for "Friday Night Lights" fans. (Televisionista)
• First non-pilot pickup for next season under NBC's new business regimen? Sitcom "Kath and Kim," starring Molly Shannon and Selma Blair. (Hollywood Reporter)

MeeVee Video Top 5: Deadly Shows - "Dexter," "Cold Case," "CSI:Crime Scene Investigation," and more

The battle will probably forever carry on as to whether video violence corrupts our fragile and delicate youth. Can our youth internalize the unimaginable horrors on TV and, in turn, reek the same havoc on society?  Regardless of the answer, one thing is for sure: TV is violent and TV violence is here to stay.  Even the nightly news is embedded with graphic and violent stories of murder and mayhem. True, it is a reflection of a portion of our society, but do we really need to hear about it every day?!

This week Video Top 5 is looking at five of the seemingly endless supply of death-bringing shows.  You can preview Showtime's hit show Dexter.  Look at behind-the-scenes of Cold Case.  Surprisingly it's not as graphic as one might think.  Catch bonus scenes and DVD extras from the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.  We have full episodes available of Pushing Daisies. And finally,take a tour with Dr. Baden from Autopsy as he shows you the ropes of what his less-than-comforting job details.

Of course don't forget our YouTube Clip of the Week. Join the Happy Tree Friends to get into the holiday spirit. Unfortunately for many, it's not as festive as one might think.

Morning Non-Strike Reading: "Showgirls" tie-in!

• Elizabeth Berkley, star of the beloved bomb "Showgirls" (right), is joining the "CSI: Miami" cast for multiple episodes as the ex-wife of David Caruso's Horatio Cane. (Hollywood Reporter)
• Just when you thought "Dancing With The Stars" couldn't get any more deliciously cheesy, they bring Celine Dion in for tonight's final performance show. Go Marie!!! (AP)
• Missed this last week, but it look like "Life" could be dead. (TV Decoder)
• "The Sopranos" fade to black hasn't cut into HBO subscriber numbers, contrary to expectations. But I think that just means people are lazy. (Hollywood Reporter)
• It took joining the post-apocalyptic series "Jericho" to get this actress watching the news. (Buddy TV)

Save "CSI's" Sara, Or Spend The Money On Crack?

TV executives all over Hollywood must just want to beat Nina Tassler like a gong. The CBS Entertainment chief brought back "Jericho" for a deserved midseason run and admitted that the "Nuts to CBS" campaign by fans was a factor in the show's survival. Now every Comic Book Guy and No. #1 Fan out there is managing a campaign to save their favorite canceled show or fired actor. Aside from "Jericho" and "Cagney and Lacey" back in the '80s, there's seldom any sign that these campaigns are effective. The latest - again aimed in Tassler's direction - is a fan campaign for Jorja Fox as Sara Sidle, a supporting character on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."

Fox is leaving the show this season, reportedly due at least in part to a contract dispute with producers. (Remember the last time she and co-star George Eads demanded a raise, they came back with tails between their legs a few days later.) In addition to ditching the actress, the producers probably look forward to having Sara's boss, Gil Grissom, dating again. One of the pro-Fox groups has even been raising donations that provided a week's worth of flowers to Fox on the set, with messages accompanying each day's bouquet, such as "If we had a flower for all the times you've made us smile, we would have a garden to walk in forever."

Remember the famous "Saturday Night Live" skit with William Shatner at a "Star Trek" convention? Remember his advice to the gathered Trekkies, I mean, uh, Trekkers? Get a life, people!

Morning reads

• Ausiello has Jorja Fox talking, sort of, about the fact that she's leaving "CSI" in November, even though her character survived the Miniature Killer. (TV Guide)
• Recap Wednesday's "Gossip Girl" and you get great dialogue like: "I always knew you were a whore, I just never took you for a liar, too." Yes, more kids should watch this show. (Televisionista)
• I wasn't expecting this: The TV Addict found Thursday's "The Office" a little humor deficient. "A happy Pam, Jim dumping Karen, JAM, sorry PB&J together. What shippers aren’t on cloud nine? Yet it’s pretty clear that the ‘funny’ took a back-seat last night." (The TV Addict)

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.

Fall TV Night-By-Night: Wednesday

YIKES. More talked-about new shows hit the airwaves on Wednesdays than any other night of the week, including the new "Bionic Woman" (left).

ABC unveils its critic's pet series "Pushing Daisies" on 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, and I'm waiting to hear whether it makes a huge splash or a tiny little cult-audience plink. This is the dreamy, sweet, weird series about a guy (Lee Pace) who can revive the dead with a touch - but his second touch kills them for good. This gets a little tricky when he revives his childhood sweetheart (Anna Friel). Barry Sonnenfeld's gentle weirdness is all over this show, but I'm not sure if audiences will go for it.

Audiences will be all over "Private Practice," the "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff ABC debuts at 9 on Sept. 26. Kate Walsh's Addison moves to a new clinic where her co-workers include Tim Daly, Taye Diggs, Amy Brenneman, Paul Adelstein and Audra McDonald. The question is whether "Grey's" fans will love the new crew or find them lacking. And that will likely spell success or failure for the show with the season's best title, "Dirty Sexy Money," debuting at 10 on Sept. 26. Peter Krause of "Six Feet Under" stars as the new retainer to a powerful, rich, lunactic family headed by Donald Sutherland and Jill Clayburgh.

Fall TV Night-By-Night: Monday

A big night for all the networks, with a couple of tough head-to-head matchups.

ABC will find out if "Dancing With The Stars" remains strong. The new "Samantha Who?" got much buzz for Christina Applegate (left) as an amnesiac trying to change her screwed-up life, with Jean Smart and Kevin Dunn as her parents and Barry Watson as her boyfriend. It's not clear if repeated title changes and an Oct. 15 premiere date reflect backstage problems or just the usual Hollywood mishigas. "dancing" and "The Bachelor" bow on Sept. 24.

CBS has a lot riding on the success of its Monday-night comedies, notably the growing popularity of "How I Met Your Mother." But "Big Bang Theory" looks like a loser, with two nerds getting all hot and bothered over their new neighbor Kaley Cuoco, in a lame Internet-era version of leering "Three's Company" comedy. And no one understands why the underwhelming "Rules of Engagement" is back while "New Adventures of Old Christine" waits in the wings. Still, with "Two And A Half Men" and "CSI: Miami," CBS will likely continue to rule Mondays. All its shows roll out Sept. 24.

CW, Fox, NBC and a schedule after the jump.

Tonight's Picks: Thursday, May 17

The Office -- The Job, Parts 1 and 2
The third season ends with a special one-hour episode. The Dunder-Mifflinites rehash their beach competition antics, and a corporate job opening makes the competition heat up. Michael, Jim, and Karen head to New York to jockey for the new job.

Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years on Television
After 50 years on TV, and 35 years on The Price Is Right, Bob Barker is ready to retire. Celebrate the history of the longest running game show and its iconic host. Bob Barker, come on down!

Scrubs -- My Rabbit; My Point of No Return
In the sixth season finale, J.D. asks Kim to move in with him. Elliot gets some help with her wedding, but nothing feels right. Are they settling down with the wrong people?  Also, fatherhood changes things for Turk.

Supernatural -- All Hell Breaks Loose, Part 2
With the fight between Jake and Sam concluded, Dean is forced to deal with the ugly consequences. The Yellow-Eyed Demon plagues the Winchester boys -- he wants a general for his army, and he's not giving in easily.

Other Season Finales:

• Ugly Betty
• Grey's Anatomy
• Smallville
• CSI
• ER

Tonight's Picks: Wednesday, May 16

CSI: NY -- Snow Day
The third season concludes with a bang. Mac and the rest of the CSIs are forced to defend the lab against a drug dealer and his crew when they invade, looking for drugs confiscated in a major drug bust. There will be no easy out for New York's finest science and crime geeks.

America's Next Top Model -- The Girl Who Becomes America's Next Top Model
The final three contestants film a cosmetic commercial that sends one girl packing. Then, the final two compete in a full-tilt fashion show in the land Down Under. Only one girl can be the one who has the right stuff. Whom will the judges crown as the next top model?

Bones -- Stargazer In A Puddle
The second season ends with the team investigating the death of a woman with an aging disease. In the meantime, Hodgins and Angel prepare for their wedding bells, and Brennan's father tries to tell her about her past.

Medium -- Everything Comes to a Head
Neve Campbell and Jason Priestley continue their guest starring roles as the third season ends.  Meanwhile, it all goes to heck for Allison as her psychic abilities get revealed in a very public way.

Tonight's Picks: Monday, May 14

King of Queens -- China Syndrome
The series concludes after nine seasons with a special one-hour episode. Doug wants a divorce; Carrie wants to stay together and adopt a baby. Will it be curtains for the royal family? Watch them joke their last.

How I Met Your Mother -- Something Blue
It's Lily and Marshall's wedding reception, and Barney finds out that Ted and Robin have a big secret they've been keeping. Are they getting married? Are they breaking up? Is Robin pregnant?  Will Barney drive them crazy until they spill the beans? Tune in for the season finale.

CSI: Miami -- Born to Kill
In the season finale, Horatio and the team hunt down a serial killer who marks his victims with a Y. When he's captured, he blames his double-Y chromosomes for his killing. That's even worse than the Twinkie defense.

Casting Call: Do You Have What it Takes to Solve a Murder?

Are you a real life CSI wannabe? Do you find yourself watching Crime Stories declaring, “Hey, I could totally solve that!” Bust out your detective tools, because Spike TV is looking for some stellar amateur investigators.

MeeVee Video Top 5: Crime TV -- CSI: Miami, Without a Trace, Cold Case

FREEZE! Put your hands up, walk slowly over to your computer, and have a seat! This week's MeeVee Video Top 5 spotlights Crime TV. Shows like Cops and America's Most Wanted have paved the way for such future successes as Cold Case and the three CSI series. There's something about murder, mystery, and mayhem that just clicks for American viewers. On any given day, at any given time you're bound to find some sort of TV crime drama when flipping through the channels.

Maybe you're still bitter about having your sneakers stolen out of your gym locker in middle school, and watching the TV crooks get caught appeases some pent-up strife you hold against criminals. If that's the case, then you'll surely appreciate Video Top 5's ode to Crime TV this week. We feature exclusive behind-the-scenes, interviews, and full episodes of hit shows including Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, and Cold Case. You're not gonna get back your sneaks, but at least you know that in TV land, these crooks don't get away scot-free.

Blogcritics.org: CSI:NY - "Oedipus Hex"

by NancyGail

In an alley in Queens, a young woman lies dead. Det. Lindsay Monroe (Anna Belknap) is lost in her thoughts when Det. Mac Taylor (Gary Sinise) and Det. Danny Messer (Carmine Giovinazzo) arrive. Mac sets Lindsay to work taking pictures, but leaves to process another scene.