January 2009 Archives

Today's cuppa: overpriced ballpark beverage, any flavor

With just over two weeks to go before pitchers and catchers, it's time to start thinking about baseball. And when you think of the national pastime, how can you not think of the New York Yankees - and what will probably turn out to be the biggest sports distraction of the spring?

Today's cuppa: Jolt cola

I'm George Dickie and I'll be doing Cuppa blog posts in Kate O'Hare's absence.

Today I'd like to discuss something that to my knowledge has not been addressed in all of the mainstream articles about the impending analog-to-digital conversion planned for Feb. 17. It has to do with the digital signal itself and how it might be a problem for those living on the fringes of a broadcast area.

Those of us who have ever received TV signals over an antenna know about "ghosts," which you get when a signal is so weak that your TV only displays outlines of people, places or things. And generally speaking, it's weak because your set is too far from the transmitter, although atmospheric and ground conditions can affect signal strength as well.

When the switch is flipped over to digital next month, chances are TV will disappear for many in outlying areas. That's because digital signals are an either/or proposition -- if you live within, say, a 32-mile radius of the transmitter (and this is an arbitrary number), you will get a perfect picture; beyond that and you'll get nothing. As opposed to analog signals, which will gradually fade and weaken as you get 40, 50, 60 or more miles away from the transmitter until it becomes all snow.

So if you're one of those folks who lives in an outlying area who can only get weak TV signals, you might want to think twice about buying one of those converter boxes that were federally subsidized until the government program funding them ran out of money, because you might find they don't work for you. You may find yourself having to turn to satellite or cable to receive your "American Idol," "Desperate Housewives" or "The Office."

And that's not a terrible thing in and of itself, as both offer greater choices and a perfect picture. On the downside, they're not free like broadcast is, so you will have an extra bill.

But if you happen to be in one of those outlying areas not serviced by cable and you don't have access to the portion of the sky needed to receive a satellite signal, you may find yourself going without TV entirely.

Which could mean more people would have to entertain themselves by reading. And that's not a terrible thing in and of itself, as it offers greater choices and a more vivid picture.

Tonight's cuppa: peppermint tea

Just a notice to let all my loyal Cuppers know that I'll be signing off for a bit to take care of some personal business. But fear not, some of my very talented colleagues from Tribune Media Services will be stepping up to guest-blog in my absence. Hope you enjoy having a cuppa with them and looking forward to returning soon with a fresh, steamy pot of TV goodness.

See ya...

Kate.

Today's cuppa: Stash Christmas Morning tea (renamed for today, MLK Morning tea)

Since TV is going ga-ga over tomorrow's Inauguration Day coverage, it's a story that just can't be ignored.

America is getting a new administration in the White House, and not long ago, Fox News named Bret Baier, former chief White House correspondent, as the new anchor for its flagship program, "Special Report," succeeding Brit Hume, who now serves as a political analyst.

Baier's first big assignment is to be the anchor for the cable newser's Inauguration coverage. He was kind enough to carve out a bit of time from the preparations to answer a few email questions about the biggest political Tuesday since Nov. 4.

Q: With this huge and historic inauguration, you've been tossed in at the deep end in terms of anchoring coverage. Couldn't you have talked Brit Hume into staying on a bit longer? But seriously, what's your chief concern at this moment about adequately providing information and perspective on the event?

A: Well, fortunately, Brit will be a big part of our coverage -- so I look at it as a tremendous opportunity to be "in the deep end" with him and Chris Wallace -- and "value added" for the viewer. Fox has all hands on deck for the event, and we hope that with our superior political reporting and analysis, we can cover it better than any other network.

Q: What's the most important thing you learned from Hume?

A: Sometimes less is more. Sometimes it's better just to shut up and let the moment be absorbed by the viewer. The natural inclination for anchors and correspondents is to say all you know about the moment, to try to come up with a lot of beautiful words to describe the moment (it IS, after all, our job). However, Brit would always say to me, "Make sure you let it breathe." And on the big events, he did. I hope to, too.

Q: Other than Hume, who are the people that influenced your view of news coverage most?

A: Brit has been my mentor, and I have learned the most from him over my time at Fox. Besides Brit, years ago, as a viewer and young reporter, I looked to the late Peter Jennings as an example of a smooth, unflappable anchor ... who could handle whatever was thrown at him.

But to be honest with you, I have also learned a lot from Shepard Smith, whom, I believe, right now, is the best at live television, handling live events and spot news, by far.

(HCTV: BTW, Smith also appears briefly as a baby news reporter in one of my all-time favorite disaster movies, "Volcano.")

Q: With such a massive event, there are inevitable security concerns. What do you see as the main challenges facing security forces?

A: The number of people -- if, as expected, the range is from 2 million to 3 million people -- just the sheer number of bodies will be tough to patrol, secure and maneuver. I think the overall number could be fewer than that by Tuesday...but there will be a ton of security personnel all over the city.

Q: What are your thoughts about staging a large event that will inevitably cost millions in public funds during the current economic crisis?

A: The passing of the torch from one President to another is uniquely American. It's worth the cost, in my opinion -- as long as it's not excessive. We, as a country, waste a lot of money on a lot of things. Celebrating our democracy every four years is worth the expenditure, to me.

(HCTV: Here's MSNBC's estimate of the cost. Yahoo News' isn't far off.)

Q: Which of your personal qualities or experience do you think help you most as a newsman? Which create the most challenges?

A: I am very curious (that helps). I have always asked a lot of questions about just about everything (my Mom says it started with one word, "Why?"). My friends tell me I am a pretty "calm guy" or "chill" -- I think that helps when things are nuts. One challenge -- if I find something really funny, it's pretty tough for me to stop laughing...and that could be a problem.

Q: In "Broadcast News," movie fans saw some of the nuts-and-bolts of TV news reporting, such as sitting on your coattails so that the jacket doesn't ride up. Do you have any such tips and tricks you're willing to share?

A: I drink lemon tea on set -- actually, it's "Lemon Lift," they tell me. It helps fight off a hoarse voice. I also sit on my coattails, and the crew makes fun of me for adjusting my tie continually during breaks. I really try to center the dimple -- sometimes it works, sometimes it just doesn't. But I do it anyway.

Q: What is/are the thing(s) that you absolutely DON'T want to see during Fox News' inauguration coverage?

A: Too much talking over important moments. As I said earlier, I hope everyone adheres to Brit's advice, "Let it breathe."

Q: Picked a coat, shirt and tie combination yet?

A: Nope...my wife, Amy, is the fashion consultant every morning. I sure she has been thinking about Tuesday's outfit, but I haven't.

Today's cuppa: iced tea with peppermint

I have a full post coming up either tonight or tomorrow with Bret Baier of Fox News, talking about his plans for covering the Inaugural on Tuesday. But in the meantime, I'm finishing up a feature article on Fox's upcoming "Dollhouse" series and came across this little story while transcribing an interview with star Eliza Dushku.

Before "Dollhouse," created by Joss Whedon, Dushku played the vampire slayer Faith on both Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off, "Angel," which starred "Bones" lead David Boreanaz as a vampire with a soul.

Enjoy.

"I still, to this day, remember my first kissing scene. It was on 'Buffy,' and it was with David Boreanaz. We were doing this kissing scene, and he was in vampire face. I'm straddling him, on top of him, and we were doing the kissing scene.

"The first take, I went, 'Can we take his vampire teeth out? Because, they are literally piercing my tongue as we're kissing.' Everybody was kind of silent and went, 'Wow, you're really using the tongue, right?' I went, 'Uh, OK, all right. I'm a method actor.'"

Makes you wonder what has transpired during the filming of "Dollhouse," because I wouldn't be surprised if Dushku's character, Echo, locks lips with Tamoh Penikett's character, FBI Agent Paul Ballard. Maybe one day we'll find out.

Today's cuppa: more hotel coffee -- be home soon, can't wait for some Mystic Monk Hermit Blend!

Click here for a link to my latest guest appearance on TV Talk on blogtalkradio.com. I come in after the guy who finds treasure at the bottom of the sea. Thanks, Shaun. No pressure there.

Tonight's cuppa: English breakfast tea

Learned tonight that former "Quantum Leap" and "Star Trek: Enterprise" star Scott Bakula has just signed for a multi-episode guest-starring appearance on NBC's Monday-night spy dramedy, "Chuck," which returns with a 3-D episode on Monday, Feb. 2. Click here for the promo.

According to series co-creator (with Chris Fedak) Josh Schwartz, Bakula starts work next week on a three-episode arc, playing Steve Bartowski, the long-missing father of title character Chuck Bartowski (Zachary Levi), a big-box electronics store employee recruited as a secret agent after having a government supercomputer downloaded into his head.

Chuck searches for Steve to fulfill a promise to his sister, Ellie (Sarah Lancaster), that her father will walk her down the aisle for her upcoming nuptials.

Talked a few minutes ago with Schwartz ("The O.C.," "Gossip Girl") and will be posting more information on this later on.

BTW, also saw former "The O.C." star Ben McKenzie, who's playing an LAPD officer in the upcoming John Wells police drama for NBC, "Southland." Happy to report he's grown up very nicely.

More in a bit.

UPDATE (a bit later): Below find some comments from Schwartz...

"The great thing about Scott," said Schwartz, "that he did on 'Quantum Leap,' and now we're going to ask him here, is he can do comedy, drama, action, some real pathos. He's a guy who can really do it all, and you believe him as Chuck and Ellie's dad.

"He left them when they were teenagers, and they were forced to raise themselves. He's a bit eccentric; he's a bit paranoid. They think it's unfounded. Chuck promised Ellie that he would find her (father) for her wedding, and he may not necessarily want to be found.

"He really, really hates the character that Chevy Chase is going to play."

Chase is also doing a multi-episode story arc, to be broadcast in the spring. He plays tech magnate Ted Roark, the founder and mastermind behind Roark Instruments. Chuck has always looked up to Roark and working at his company is a longtime dream.

"It's a guy (Chuck) always wanted to be one day," Schwartz said, "a software billionaire in the Bill Gates/Steve Jobs mold, a real visionary. And he's a guy that Chuck's dad is convinced has stolen a lot of his best ideas. So they're bitter rivals.

"Chevy Chase is a guy we all worship on the show. I don't think a day goes by, especially at the beginning of 'Chuck,' where  we didn't talk about 'Fletch,' 'Spies Like Us.' ... Actually, they were doing this 'Fletch' reboot at one point, and (Zachary Levi) was at the front of the list. People thought he was perfect for it.

"So Chevy Chase is in the show's DNA, and he gets to be a villain, which would be fun."

Asked whether Bakula -- who is also a talented musical-theater performer -- would have occasion to sing and dance on "Chuck," Schwartz said, "I'm not opposed to dads on my show singing, but I think in this case, it would be out of character. Maybe in the shower."

Schwartz revealed that, in a future episode, fans will see Jeff, Chuck's co-worker at the Buy More store, shirtless, and that they will also see Jeff in 3-D -- but not at the same time.

"We felt like that was going to be too much for America," said Schwartz. "My only concern with the 3-D episode is it's going to be like 'The Jerk' at the end, where everyone's cross-eyed.

"But the technology's pretty amazing....All the mind flashes are going to be in 3-D, and the credits, as well as the actual set pieces. Sarah, scantily clad, in 3-D, that might happen. I don't know, that seemed like a natural.

"And also, weird stuff, like, Big Mike eating a donut in 3-D is way different than in merely two dimensions."

Since Chuck promised to find his father for the sake of his sister's wedding, one might wonder if fans will get to see the ceremony in question.

"You know," Schwartz said, "very possibly. That is why Chuck said, 'I am going to find Dad, so he would be there to walk you down the aisle.' There could be wedding bells by season's end."

Regarding a possible season-ending cliffhanger for "Chuck," Schwartz said, "The ending is going to change the show in a really fun way. It will still be the show next year, but it will also be something very, very different.

"It's going to blow the doors off it it. The whole second half of the season, we're going for it. We're taking nothing for granted. We're not leaving anything in the writers room. It's going to be nuts."

Finally, asked if he was going to tune into "Southland," Schwartz said, "For Ben? Yeah! I just saw him. He's looking very sharp in a suit tonight. Definitely -- very excited for him."

Today's cuppa: hotel coffee

Tomorrow night is Friday night. And this week, Friday night is a very good night.

Click here for my feature story on the return on Friday of Sci Fi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica" for its final run of episodes.

Click here for my feature story on the return on Friday of NBC's "Friday Night Lights" to NBC, hopefully not for its final run of episodes.

No clicking involved, but tomorrow is my final day of press tour, so if all goes well, I will be tucked in at home watching both of these on Friday night.

Today's cuppa: hotel coffee

In case you haven't guessed yet, I'm ensconced in a hotel at the January edition of the Television Critics Association Press Tour. If you're on Twitter, feel free to follow me at @KateOH and see my tweets -- not trying to be a wire service, here, just tryin' to have some fun and share some info -- from the ballroom.

Click here if you feel inclined to say, "What's Twitter?"

Also, sad to take note of the death of Patrick McGoohan, legendary British actor and star of "The Prisoner." AMC, which is filming a re-imagined remake of the spy fantasy drama, issued this statement:

AMC is deeply saddened by today's news of Patrick McGoohan's passing.  His work on stage, screen and television left a tremendous legacy.  His creation of "The Prisoner" made an indelible mark on the sci-fi, fantasy and political thriller genres, creating one of the most iconic characters of all time, that of "Six."  Our industry has lost a rare and unique talent. 

AMC hopes to honor his legacy in our reimagining of "The Prisoner."

UPDATE: Just after I posted this, learned that "Fantasy Island" and "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" star Ricardo Montalban has also died. "RedEye W/Greg Gutfeld" ombudsman Andy Levy tweeted it best at @andylevy, saying, "Khan is gone."

Today's cuppa: diet cola at the Fox Party

Before I hit the sack, I wanted to share some fun stuff I received today from Aldis Hodge, who played high-school quarterback Ray "Voodoo" Tatum on the first season of NBC's "Friday Night Lights."

Now Hodge is all grown up and starring on the action dramedy "Leverage," airing Tuesdays on TNT. He plays cool computer geek Alec Hardison, who offers high-tech support to the team of former ne'er-do-wells led by a former insurance investigator (Timothy Hutton) that helps people victimized by the powerful and unscrupulous.

I posed some email questions to Hodge, and he fired back some answers. Here we go:

Q: Have you noticed that your "Friday Night Lights" fans are finding you on "Leverage"?

A: I have, and it's been great. People tell me about how it's funny to see me go from such a mean and serious character on "FNL" to such a playful and light character on "Leverage" -- but they like both characters. People have been very supportive, and I'd like to thank them all for it.

Q: How do the two work experiences compare?

A: It's hard to compare, because they are so different from one another, but I love both. I enjoy being able to stretch my acting legs and play such a tarnished character like "Voodoo." It's fun to play the bad guy, I'll admit. But with "Leverage," I get to tap into my comedic side at times and come out on top -- people want to see us win, and that's a great feeling. Above all, neither of these characters is average or boring -- that's AWESOME!

Q: What's been the most fun and the most hard work about shooting the show?

A: The work hasn't been hard. Work does get long sometimes, but I envelope that, because I enjoy those four months out of the year when I don't have to hunt for next month's mortgage. The most fun part about the show is that this character is mine to mold.

I get to be this guy for, hopefully, many seasons to come, and, unlike a guest star, where my space to create is limited, I get to play with all kinds of ideas to make him as interesting as possible.

Q: Tell me some of your favorite things.

A: DESIGN -- I love to design. I make blueprints for fun (for my future house one day). I design watches; anything that can be designed, I'm doing it. I also love martial arts (yay, southern shaolin kung fu!), painting, and I love writing (scripts, poetry, etc...).

Q:  Books?

A: "The Alchemist," "Angels & Demons," "The Wasp Factory." I'm currently reading "The Road to Wealth" by Suze Orman.

Q: Movies?

A: "Crash," "Seven Pounds," "The Professional," "Tropic Thunder" (Downey Jr. and Jack Black were surprisingly hilarious) and, uh...man, I have to watch more movies.

Q: TV shows (and what's on your DVR)?

A: "Leverage," "Entourage," "The L Word," "Leverage," "Arrested Development," "Extras," "The Office," "Leverage," "Martin," "Family Guy," "Friday Night Lights" ... and did I mention, "Leverage"?

Q: Gadgets?

A: My MacBook Pro -- I just converted from HP, and I'm digging it.

Q: Ways to spend your time off?

A: I design in my spare time. I'm building a portfolio on my watches.

Q: Where do you see yourself a decade from now?

A: Sitting in my New York office answering calls about the movie I wrote and am producing that is in post-production, then signing off on a new design on my watch company before I head to casting for the new TV series I just wrote and plan on directing.

Then at the end of the day, I go home to reside in the house I designed and built to discuss the family vacation with my mom, sister and brother about our European tour. Yup, that's the plan...Actually, I plan on knocking down some of these goals in the next couple of years.

Rockin' answers, Mr. Hodge! Thanks for sharing, and good luck with all your plans -- and, did I mention, "Leverage"?

Today's cuppa: hotel coffee

This spring, Fox Broadcasting pulls all the stops with "Osbournes Reloaded," a very different take on the variety show featuring former Black Sabbath frontman and solo rock star Ozzy Osbourne, his outspoken wife Sharon and their kids, son Jack and daughter Kelly, who were teens when the family did the hit 2002-2005 MTV reality show "The Osbournes."

The six-episode variety show premieres in the spring -- and features such craziness as Ozzy Osbourne trying to take an order at a fast-food window -- but it won't be the first time an Ozzy takes center stage in 2009.

The difference is, one's a human and one's a dog.

Reality-show producer Mike Fleiss ("The Bachelor") is going to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and not just as as a spectator.

With wife Alexandra Vorbeck, Fleiss is the co-owner of Champion Nighthawk's Born for Highwood, which answers to Ozz, a Rottweiler competing in this year's show with handler Perry Payson. Click here for a picture of Ozz.

Emails Fleiss, "Yeah, Ozzy the Rottweiler is my boy. My wife and I have owned, bred and loved Rotts for 20 years. Ozzy was basically my 40th birthday present from my wife, who is one of the country's top breeders of Rottweilers. He was a goofy pup that turned out to be a spectacular dog. So proud.

"I named him after one of my idols -- Ozzy Osbourne. I'm a huge Black Sabbath fan.

"Ozzy and Sharon are friends of mine, and they too are excited about Ozzy's (the dog) success. I have a photo of Ozzy winning best in show, and Ozzy (the prince of darkness) signed it for me.

"Now my boy is going to Westminster as the nation's number-one Rottweiler. What an honor!"

During the Television Critics Association Press Tour session for "Osbournes Reloaded" this afternoon, I asked the Osbournes what they thought of his namesake's trip to Westminster. Sharon had to repeat the question to Ozzy (results of years of loud rock shows) and then answered it herself.

"We actually know him," she said. "He's a friend of ours. It's amazing. We're very flattered. It's fantastic. Of course, we'll be watching."

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show airs (all times eastern) group judging on Monday, Feb. 9, live on USA Network from 8-9 p.m., then switches (because of USA's "WWE Raw") to live on CNBC from 9-11 p.m. On Tuesday, the group judging and best in show air live on USA Network from 8-11 p.m.

Tonight's cuppa: peppermint tea

It's night two of the four-episode seventh-season premiere of Fox's "24," and once again, I'm gettin' livebloggy with the press-preview DVD. SPOILER WARNING!!!: This post is going up early, so depending when you arrive, you may want to catch up by clicking here for part one of night one, or clicking here for part two of night one.

(As always, these liveblogs are not meant to be overtly spoilery, but if you're either extremely clever or a really good guesser, you might want to leave right now. You've been warned.)

Previouslys. OK, since it was last night, I'll do these too. Scary air traffic. Scary course change. Scary near miss. Scary Soul Patch. Scary module. Scary Bad African Guy. Not so scary Mr. First Not Bill. Scary Sneaky Shooter. FBI Chick and FBI Boss, what's up with that? Jack Bauer finds Soul Patch. Why, oh, why?  Where is it? What the hell happened to you?

The following takes place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. (on the day of the California presidential primary. Events occur in real time. What, again? you say. Deal with it.)

President Not Hillary wants to get her hands on Soul Patch. (Honestly, who doesn't?) SecState says it's Bad African Guy.

Hey, that looks like the exact same Olympus DS-40 digital recorder that I have! I showed that to "24" E.P. Howard Gordon one time. Did he gank my recorder type? Oh, sorry, entirely missed list of improbably extravagant demands from Bad African Guy. Summary: Get the heck out of FAN, or we'll waste ya.

Short-Haired Adviser can reegineer an anti-McGuffin in six days. Dude, this is "24." President Not Hillary reminds him of that.

Once again, President Not Hillary doesn't want to start a panic. You know, I remember 9/11 and while it was very, very bad and terrifying and horrifying and disorienting, don't really remember seeing panic in the streets (other than reasonable fear and perfectly sensible running away) in TV coverage. New Yorkers out there, was there panic? Starting to think this fear of causing a panic thing may be slightly overblown.

Of course, if we have a really big earthquake in Los Angeles, I may get to test that theory and find it seriously wanting. But, I digress...

Advisers leave President Not Hillary pondering her options.

Chopper landing, oooh, split-screen chopper landing. Nobody really ducks under the blades. Jack Bauer would never duck. Me, I'd duck.

FBI Boss gets up in FBI Chick's grille. She and Jack Bauer tell FBI Boss that his tight ship is really a leaky dinghy. Liking that they didn't cover up FBI Chick's freckles with pancake makeup. Yeah, I have freckles. You got a problem with that?

Jack Bauer wants Soul Patch locked down, or they'll never get the McGuffin. The White House calls. FBI Boss wants to be loopy. Jack Bauer takes off his sunglasses. That's never good. Again, FBI Chick & Boss, what's the backstory?

FBI Garafalo lifts Soul Patch's shirt. "Is that comfortable for you?" Oh, you did not just say that. Who wrote this episode? Talkin' 'bout you, Manny Coto and Brannon Braga!

FBI Chick sends FBI Garafalo to patch the dinghy. Jack Bauer blinks. FBI Chick's starting to do that Jack Bauer-whisper thing.

FBI Garafalo tells FBI Babyface Boy to grab a hold of his server nodes and get back to work.

Hawk Nose Guy wants to save Soul Patch. Other Bad Guy thinks he's collateral damage. Bad Africa Guy is impatient. Other Bad Guy says chill.

FBI Boss tells FBI Chick that Soul Patch is cashing Bad African Guy's checks. Jack Bauer wants to talk to Soul Patch. Yeah, talk, converse, chat, have a conversation, have social intercourse. OK, stopping now.

Jack Bauer saw Soul Patch die in his arms. Sniff. End of sentimental moment. Jack Bauer talks softly but carries a big you know what. Soul Patch is all whatever, been there, don't know nuttin'. Soul Patch reveals he's for sale. Coulda used it to get rid of that eyebrow scar, Soul Patch. It's a little thing we like to call plastic surgery. Try it; you'll like it.

Soul Patch not so happy with the guv'mint. Uh-oh, Soul Patch invokes dead Bride and estranged Spawn of Kiefer! (Used with full and unqualified acknowledgment and credit to the unbelievably awesome and hilarious season-one recaps of "24" at www.televisionwithoutpity.com, written by the brilliant Gustave. Also stole Soul Patch from Gustave. Promise to give it back when I'm done. Thanks, TWoP and Gustave!)

Jack Bauer puts Soul Patch against the wall and gives him the full-on roar. I'm skeered from here. What are you doing, Jack Bauer? That looks bad. What did you say, Soul Patch? But, Soul Patch lives.

Jack Bauer makes a call. Makes a call? Well, THAT's a surprise. Silver Fox! Nice to see ya! Yeah, interrogating, that's the word for it.

Ten minutes to set up a VPN? Didn't take me that long to set mine up, but then I'm not a super secret spy like Silver Fox, operating outside conventional parameters. Jack Bauer is "our only hope."

Oh, jees, do I have to call Jack Bauer Skywalker now?

Split-screen clock!

Chief Adviser brings the hammer down on Mr. First Not Bill, who's not buying it. Uh-oh, sainted Mr. First Dead Son was a shady dealer. Apparently President Not Hillary plays things close to the vest.

Does Mr. First Not Bill ever take off that tan overcoat? Just askin'. Ah-hah, CSSA's a tattletale.

We have until 1 p.m., which is what, next week? Week after?

President Not Hillary finds herself between a rock and ... well, another rock. But one rock is in FAN and the other rock is in the U.S. So, which country is your primary responsibility, President Not Hillary? Seems to me that's the pertinent question.

Hey, High-Functioning Chloe! She hooks Silver Fox up with Jack Bauer, and he spills the truth about Soul Patch and the McGuffin. Seems President Not Hillary's White House is a leaky dinghy, too. High-Functioning Chloe liked how Jack Bauer looked while spitting in Sen. '70s eye. Missed you, girl.

Jack Bauer wants to use FBI Chick, but Silver Fox flags him off. HF Chloe starts work on an exit strategy.

Split-screen clock!

FBI Babyface Boy pointedly ignores FBI Garafalo, and still whines about Level Four. Oh, stuff it, FBIBB. Hey, what are you doing there? You sneaky little devil.

Mr. First Not Bill took his overcoat off! Uh-oh, Lingerie Girl on the line, and she's after more than casual conversation. Apparently, Mr. First Not Bill was right all along.

FBI Boss really, really scares Soul Patch. Yeah, he's just sweating now. Yep. Just terrified. Soul Patch lobs one back. Golly, doesn't roguishness suit Soul Patch?

FBI Chick sees the value in aggressive coercion. FBI Boss thinks asking nice will work eventually.

FBI Garafalo found something in the mainframe room. Hey, what's up with her lips? And how did her hair get so dirty-looking so fast? Jeepers, FBI Garafalo, take some pride.

Down in the bowels of the building, FBI Garafalo opens a socket or something. Uh-oh, FBI Babyface Boy has some 'splainin' to do. And he 'splains.

Jack Bauer wires up, ready to roll with HF Chloe in his head. It's like that TV-newsroom scene with William Hurt and Holly Hunter in "Broadcast News," but with sneaking and running instead of news reporting. FBI Chick gives him paperwork. 'Nighty night, FBI Chick.

Split-screen clock!

Silver Fox on the move, HF Chloe masterminding, Jack Bauer on the move, clear! FBI Boss gets the message. Soul Patch does the eye thing. Shut up, FBI Boss. 'Nighty night, FBI Boss. Soul Patch and Jack Bauer-- the boys are back in town!

Clear to move. Copy that. Soul Patch is cool with Jack Bauer nearly throttling him to death. That's nice.

Clear. Running. FBI Babyface Boy looks worried. FBI Garafalo makes nice. Uh-oh, performance hit on server router. It's FBI Garafalo vs. HF Chloe, Interweb Deathmatch! Who will win? Who will be the last Geek Girl standing?

Copy that! FBI Garafalo pings the line and gets an eyeful. Code 12! Whoop whoop whoop.

Typing, running, guns, whoop whoop whoop. Uh-oh, HF Chloe's pissed off.

Split-screen clock!

We gotta make a move. Let's go! Halls, talk to me, running, sitting ducks. FBI Boss is piiiiisssseeed. FBI Girl feels really stupid.

FBI Garafalo gets a hit. HF Chloe hits back. FBI Garafalo is learning some respect. Escape-and-evasion-tactics time. When in doubt, out the window! Silver Fox in blue van. Go, go!

Cordon perimeter, get down! Bang, bang, bang! You go first, I'll cover you. Leap! Bang, bang, hotwire. Oh, that's going to leave a mark.

KE-RASH. Come on, Jack Bauer! Go, go, go!

FBI Boss has a cow. On the road. HF Chloe clears a path. Silver Fox promises answers. Broheims, together again.

And with that, I depart and leave the final hour of the two-night, four-hour "24' season-seven premiere up to your imaginations. Enjoy!

Click here for part one of night one.

Previouslys. Not liveblogging them. It was only an hour ago, for frak's sake. Hmmm, check Twitter feed, ponder putting the kettle on, check DVR...

(As always, these liveblogs are not meant to be overtly spoilery, but if you're either extremely clever or a really good guesser, you might want to leave right now. You've been warned.)

Oh, OK, The following takes place between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. (on the day of the California presidential primary. Events occur in real time. Do I do this every episode? You betcha.)

Bad (Global) Air tries to place a call. An airport guy gets it. That's not good. Somebody else called first. Airport Boss knows it's the McGuffin.

Soul Patch changes course. Mother hugs child. FBI Boss knows it's the McGuffin. FBI Babyface Boy has no answers.

FBI Chick's on the walkie, then drops the bad news on FBI Boss. He's ... hmmm, interesting reaction. Jack Bauer connects the dots ... right back to the home office.

Jack Bauer decides to believe. FBI Chick need a workaround,  but she doesn't want it from Jack Bauer. In the car, Jack Bauer.

He's in there. Oh, so you think you're so smart, eh, FBI Chick? I know Jack Bauer, and you're no Jack Bauer.

FBI Garafalo freaks out; FBI Babyface Boy finally says something useful. Airport Guy can't place the call. An F-16's been scrambled. Airport Boss connects some dots of his own.

Uh-oh, that shade of green is never good. Soul Patch has a plan, and nobody's making their connection today. Airport Boss gets a call. Wow, that really doesn't look good. OMG! Scramble emergency!

No, Soul Patch, no! Don't do it! Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh, no, no, pull up! Pull up! Aaarrrrrggghhhh! Yowzah!

Airport Boss may need a new pair of Dockers. Soul Patch makes his point.

Split-screen clock!

Sneaky Shooter checks the perimeter.

Hawk Nose Guy calls Nick from "The X-Files," who tells Soul Patch, who wants to get the McGuffin ready. Sorry, Toast Dad!

Soul Patch shows the McGuffin to Hawk Nose Guy, who's pleased. He's not so pleased about Jack Bauer, and tells Soul Patch he doesn't need to know.

Chief Adviser briefs PressSec, who's rocking a French Twist. Things are even worse in FAN, and President Not Hillary makes a persuasive case and meets with FAN's Rightful Leader. President Not Hillary has no reservations; Rightful Leader isn't too sure about the niceties. President Not Hillary lays down the law, literally. Rightful Leader shakes on it.

Chief Adviser reports flight delays to President Not Hillary, says it's Soul Patch. You'll find out soon enough.

President Not Hillary wants Soul Patch unplugged.

Nick gets a call, Sneaky Shooter needs an out. There are FBI four-by-four, but Soul Patch tells Sneaky Shooter how to be five-by-five.

FBI Driver gives the love to Jack Bauer, who thinks it's better if it all comes out. FBI Driver still gives him the love, and he's not alone.

Sneaky Shooter pulls a gun, but hey, it's just an old friend. Jack Bauer connected the dots correctly.

FBI Chick buys it. Jack Bauer gets some air, connects more dots. The Sharpie strikes again.

Jack Bauer knows the right move. FBI Chick goes along and gets a car.

Split-screen clock!

Bad green screens, fake news makes Hawk Nose Guy's guys very happy. Toast Dad got cleaned up and is moved out.

Bad African Guy plans to charge a very steep price.

President Not Hillary gets the bad infrastructure news from Other Adviser and learns a good McGuffin is hard to find, and a bad McGuffin can make it very dark and very dry.

Other Adviser has no good news. Chief Adviser gets a call from CSSA, who gives him the 411 on Mr. First Not Bill and Lingerie Girl. Chief Adviser has a cow.

President Not Hillary calls out the Guard. FBI Boss doesn't care about his gut feeling, but FBI Garafalo has a question. Oops, whither FBI Chick? Whither Jack Bauer?

Sneaky Shooter on the move; hitting heavy traffic. Yeah, right, heavy traffic on "24," like that ever happens. FBI Boss has a cow. FBI Chick lies like a rug. It's a trust thing.

Dammit. FBI Chick feels dirty. Jack Bauer is OK with that.

FBI Garafalo gets shirty with FBI Boss, who's having trust issues, and I don't know what other kind of issues.

FBI Chick checks Jack Bauer's parameters. FBI Chick, you are not fit to measure Jack Bauer's parameters. She wants justification. Jack Bauer is done, so man up and pipe down, FBI Chick. Is that going to be a problem?

Split-screen clock!

Mr. First Not Bill doesn't believe the rumors. Lingerie Chick gets a call. Uh-oh. So far, this season is all about women with long hair (sometimes red, sometimes dark) in button-down shirts and sometimes tailored jackets. Just a fashion note, there.

Mr. First Not Bill knows about the moolah. Lingerie Chick lays it out. It's a family thing. Mr. First Not Bill isn't on board with that in a big way.

Sneaky Shooter rings Soul Patch, who wants the 411. I'm so shocked --Sneaky Shooter drives to the docks. As the Almighty is my witness, it's always the docks in season premieres! What's with the docks?

FBI Chick hooks up Jack Bauer with her throwaway. Way to go, FBI Chick! Jack Bauer gets the drop on him.

FBI Chick says forget Soul Patch. She wants the McGuffin. Jack Bauer improvs. Soul Patch has an inkling.

Cover me! Jack Bauer and FBI Chick find their rhythm. Uh-oh, big delete! That doesn't look good.

Check the bathroom, Jack Bauer! Check the Pilot House, Jack Bauer! Bingo!

Soul Patch, stop! Sorry, Jack Bauer. Jack Bauer takes the leap. Soul Patch takes a punch. Where is it?

Uh-oh, FBI Boss is on the case and in the air. We'll have to catch up later.

Jack Bauer, very sad.

End clock!

Today's cuppa: raspberry iced tea (it's unusually warm in L.A.)

I set myself a challenge tonight, to liveblog the two-hour season-seven premiere of Fox's "24" in real time -- then I remembered that my real time is Pacific Standard Time and the show doesn't start here until 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

So, it's back to liveblogging from the DVD. But the show is beginning back East as I type, so let's to it...

(As always, these liveblogs are not meant to be overtly spoilery, but if you're either extremely clever or a really good guesser, you might want to leave right now. You've been warned.)

The following takes place between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. (on the day of the California presidential primary. OK, not really. Little season-one humor there). Events occur in real time (except any involving eating, going to the bathroom or driving, all of which take place on an alternate plane of "24" existence where time and space have no meaning).

Hey, it's that guy from "Star Trek: Enterprise" and "The Nine"! Now he's a dad. Now he's toast. Bam!

We're OK. OK , not so much. Bam! It's balaclava time!

Dad? Dad? DAAAAAAAD!!!!!

Oh, no, I know those lips! I know that voice! I know that Soul Patch! Soul Patch, you're alive!

It's Senator Dad from "That '70s Show," known heretofore as Sen. '70s. He's picking on Jack Bauer, who probably saved his butt two or three times already. What-freaking-ever, Sen. '70s. Go let a lobbyist buy you lunch or something.

Jack Bauer is not flustered in the least. Mr. Bauer, did you do a bunch of bad stuff? Sen. '70s, you betcha. Mr. Bauer, are you all bent out of shape about that? Sen, '70s, not so much. Mr. Bauer, did you do really, really bad stuff? Sen. '70s, I whupped some bad-boy butt, so blow it out your ear. Furthermore, whup my butt if you think you can, Sen. Smugface.

FBI Chick saves Sen. '70s from further humiliation. Jack Bauer, you've been drafted.

It's FBI Garafalo on the phone. Get a leeetle closer to the brush next time, FBI Garafalo, and maybe FBI Babyface Boy would listen to you.

FBI Boss has trouble with neural networks, and he needs Toast Dad, but balaclavas have him.

Hey, Nick from "X-Files!" Don't be picking on Toast Dad, he's had better days. Toast Dad makes the McGuffin for the balaclavas, and once again on "24," flying commercial just sucks.

FBI Boss likes Jack Bauer about as much as Sen. '70s, but FBI Chick has Jack's back. Things have gone critical. Ergo, Jack Bauer.

FBI Garafalo sent differentials to Homeland. WTF, FBI Garafalo? Now she's all snarky on Jack Bauer. You'll pay for that, FBI Garafalo.

FBI Chick says crap is hitting fan. Jack Bauer is, like, whatever, I'm retired. FBI Chick says, not with Soul Patch on the loose, you're not. Jack Bauer isn't buying it. In the immortal words of Chris Carter, creator of "The X-Files," "Did you see him die? Did you actually see him die?"

Jack Bauer's like, I'm outta here. FBI Chick's like, not so fast, buckaroo. Have a look at this.

Jack Bauer's like, whoah.

Soul Patch comes out of the shadows, and he doesn't look happy. Commercial air traffic isn't happy. Jack Bauer's not happy. Sen '70s is severely disappointed.

The McGuffin goes out of phase. Oops, Toast Dad, you're in for it now.

Jees, Soul Patch, give Toast Dad a wet wipe or something before you get all nasty on him.

Split-screen clock!

President Not Hillary looking at TV. TV has no good news from Fake African Nation (heretofore known as FAN). She doesn't think the U.N. will pitch in to save FAN. Really, President Not Hillary? What would give you that silly idea? You must have watched "24: Redemption."

Mr. First Not Bill has problems of his own. Chief Adviser thinks Mr. First Not Bill is a wimp, but President Not Hillary sets him straight.

McGuffin all better now, expect flight delays.

I lost sync once, but I thought it was the shrimp.

FBI Chick says our infrastructure's in trouble. Yeah, I know, saw that pothole. She thinks Soul Patch wants payback. Jack Bauer doesn't believe in ghosts.

Wow, closeup on Jack Bauer, and that burned ear from "24: Redemption" looks all better now, like it never even happened.

FBI Chick hears about flight delays, FBI Babyface Boy suspects a McGuffin.

Whoops! Fasten your seatbelts and put your tray tables in the upright and locked position.

Jack Bauer's teamed with FBI Babyface Boy, but he's all pissy about who FBI Garafalo is interfacing with.

President Not Hillary ponders a green light and reminds SecState that she's done with his hand-wringing. Oh, and the U.N.? Might as well just serve tea.

Word of the McGuffin and flight delays reach President Not Hillary, whose forehead is suitably crinkled.

President Not Hillary connects the dots at warp speed, but her question isn't answered.

Split-screen clock!

Mr. First Not Bill has lofty aspirations over tea with Cynical Journalist, who gets tossed out for breaking news. Oooh, Mr. First Not Bill has a side project, connected to Lingerie Chick from "24: Redemption," who is rocking serious moolah.

Cute Secret Service Agent (heretofore known as CSSA) tries to talk Mr. First Not Bill off the ledge, but he wants to jump anyway.

FBI Garafalo has a glitch, and she's checked every ELR socket. She connects dots even faster and draws a picture of a big, scary monster. FBI Chick talks FBI Garafalo off the ledge, and has better luck than CSSA.

Jack Bauer sees something. He connects the dots faster than anyone. Jack Bauer is the world's most powerful Sharpie.

FBI Babyface Boy whines. Luckily for him, Jack Bauer doesn't have time to wring his skinny neck.

Jack Bauer knows it's Bad Hatteras, and unfortunately, he's in town -- downtown. Jack Bauer knows there's no time for niceties. FBI Boss gets all high and mighty. Luckily for him, Jack Bauer doesn't have the time to do things that FBI Boss can't even imagine.

FBI Chick wants to put Jack Bauer and Bad Hatteras together, as they're old buds from back in the day. FBI Chick says she's in control. Dream on, FBI Chick. FBI Boss lets her do it her way.

Split-screen clock!

Jack Bauer gives the 411 on Bad Hatteras, who was a conduit for him and his bestest pal, Soul Patch, back in the day. Jack Bauer still believes in Soul Patch.

FBI Chick goes in with Jack Bauer.

President Not Hillary gets the 411 on FAN and plans a little Bosnia action of her own. SecState still cranky but on board.

FBI Chick puts a leash on Jack Bauer, or so she thinks.

Hi, Ugly Guy Who Answered the Door. Hi, Bad Hatteras, that slave guy from Gladiator! Bad Hatteras has a witness. He knows Jack Bauer well. Sitting, talking, needling, eye squinting, questioning, denying -- FBI Chick's got some moves!

Talking turkey with Bad Hatteras, Jack Bauer goes for the ballpoint pen.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Jack Bauer's at the ready and on the phone. Soul Patch?

Split-screen -- no clock!

Prepare for landing, oops! He redirected twice! Soul Patch calls in the course change. Will he go all the way?

End clock!

Click here for part two of night one.

Today's cuppa: Irish breakfast tea

When he's not being the star of CBS' "CSI: NY," actor Gary Sinise is honoring America's fighting men and women, working with the USO and raising money to help schoolchildren in Iraq.

And he's so low-key about it that many of his fans may not even know, but somebody knew, because he just won the Presidential Citizen Medal, the second-highest award given to U.S. civilians, for his humanitarian efforts.

On a side note, it's much like actor Adam Sandler and his quiet efforts to support serving and wounded troops. Click here for some photos from the Spike TV Guys Choice Awards, held last May in Culver City, in which Sandler won the Brother in Arms award. He's posing with a group of soldiers that joined him on stage for the honor.

And yes, folks, I was there, chillin' with the troops backstage and having a high old good time. I asked one young Army man if eating sand during a tour in Iraq was worth it to see Cameron Diaz in a red dress. You can interpret his huge grin however you want.

Click here for an edited version of the story I wrote about the event.

Anyway, Sinise appears on Fox News today in a special highlighting his recent visit to the troops in Iraq. Click here for information and a video promo.

Sinise also appeared on my DVR last night in "Apollo 13," one of my all-time favorite movies. I could say a lot about it, but I have to rush off to Press Tour soon, so I'll just say that it's a great example of a fast-disappearing American trait -- the can-do spirit.

When things go south, Americans have always found a way to turn it around. And it's not done by yelling and posturing and pointing fingers. Instead, we, as Ed Harris' Gene Kranz says, "Work the problem, people." Kranz also doesn't care what the lunar module was built to do, he cares what it CAN do.

You work with what you have, and you find a way. That's the American way.

Things are pretty bad right now. Enough of the yelling and posturing and pointing of fingers.

Work the problem, people.

OK, off the soapbox now.

PS: Real news clips in the movie also reminded me of the news-reporting magnificence of ABC's Frank Reynolds and the science-reporting magnificence of ABC's Jules Bergman. I once wrote a fan letter -- yes, I did -- to Reynolds for his wonderful coverage of the first space shuttle launch, in which he exclaimed, if memory serves, "Go, baby, go, fly like an eagle!"

Get sniffly just remembering it. Ah, well, those were the TV-news days.

Today's cuppa: Stash Christmas Morning tea

Off in a bit to a hotel in the beautiful San Fernando Valley to drop in on the cable-TV portion of the biannual Television Critics Association Press Tour. As I said in an earlier post, one of my colleagues is on the ground there right now; he hands off to me for the broadcast-network presentations next week (which include several cable networks, like FX, that are corporate siblings of broadcast nets).

But before that, I have a plan for this weekend, starting with liveblogs of all four hours of the "24" seventh-season premiere.

If you don't know what I mean by a liveblog -- I first did them during the political conventions last summer, ending with this one for "House" -- in advance of the show's airing, I pop in the DVD and give a stream-of-consciousness account of what I'm watching.

"Spoilers!" you may say. Au contraire. I endeavor to be as entertaining yet obscure as possible. If you can guess exactly what's happening in the show from the liveblog, good on ya, but I don't aim to make it easy. I also recommend you refer back to the liveblog when you actually see the show, to judge just how well I did.

And I will be sharing portions of a conversation I had in the writers' room at "24" with Carlos Bernard, who plays the not-as-dead-as-we-thought Tony Almeida.

Also, I have two syndicated feature stories that will be highlighted here next week, on the season premieres of "Battlestar Galactica" and "Friday Night Lights," in addition to blogging and Twittering from tour. Much salty goodness to come!

And just because you were kind enough to stop by here today, here are some bonus quotes from Michael Emerson, who plays the enigmatic Ben Linus on ABC's "Lost," returning for a new season on Jan. 21.

(FYI, Ben was one of the subjects of a intriguing examination of the supposed political bent of some "Lost" characters, courtesy of the new website Big Hollywood. Didn't think there was a fresh take on "Lost" at this point, but whether you agree or disagree, I think this qualifies as one.)

Without further ado, Emerson speaks...

On the character of the mysterious island: "The island is the partial location of some long-standing contest or experiment that has to do with time and space. From the beginning of the show, we took the island at face value -- just an island like other islands, just sort of an uncharted one.

"But maybe it is different in nature or in character than other islands. Maybe it's not an island like we understand the word, or maybe it's an island in some other understanding of the word 'island'"

On Ben's literary side: "I feel very at home in the language scheme of 'Lost,' and in the philosophical scheme of it. I like that my character seems to be, not only ambiguous, but also kind of literary. He seems to be a reader. He seems to be a philosopher. It seems like those are the issues he'd rather be discussing if he didn't have to spend so much time being a man of action."

On the acting challenge of being in a long-running series: "I'm always looking for a way to challenge myself, to find another tone, another color, another way to deliver the same goods, because there is inevitable thematic and dramatic repetition in a serial show like ours. Some of the situations are the same.

"How many times on 'Lost' do I slip into a room quietly and say, 'Hello, so-and-so,' and they turn around to see me, and they're shocked to see me? I do that. It's almost a trope in the writing of my character. I have to find ways to keep that fresh and yet enjoy the sort of trope-ness of it, the thing-i-ness of it."

On why he's happy not to have Matthew Fox's lead role of the perpetually stressed-out Dr. Jack Shephard: "(What he does) it is hard work. In a way, it's the curse of being a lead. You're, by definition, restricted to a narrower range of emotion. I'm happy to be a character player and be all over the place and allowed to have big changes in tone."

On his relationship with Terry O'Quinn, who plays the mystical yet dangerous John Locke: "Terry O'Quinn continues to be my favorite scene partner. I've been admiring him for a long, long time myself. He and I are of a shared generation. We have similar theatrical backgrounds, and our work habits are similar.

"We get together, we have crackerjack scenes. We tend to knock them out quickly, with a light touch. The work is easy and pleasurable. We're a good pair. We're a good acting team, he and I."

On whether he might like Ben if he met him: "It would depend on the circumstances. It would depend on whether I had anything he needed or not. If it was purely casual, if we were whiling away the time on a park bench or on an airliner, God forbid, he might be a good conversationalist. He's certainly a man who's well-read and possessed of many interests and talents.

"But if I was engaged in any contest or battle of life or death with him, I would not want to meet him. He's ruthless and part of him is underdeveloped. There is a carelessness that is sociopathic. It must be both terrifying and freeing to not care what you do to people, and there would be a surge of power that came with that, that's for sure."

Tonight's cuppa: Newhall Coffee Patriot Roast

Click here for the page of TVTalk at BlogTalkRadio.com that includes the podcast of my appearance today on with host Shaun Daily, a free-form conversation driven in part by some great Twitter questions. Thanks for the input, fellow Tweeters! And in case you were wondering, I did have a hot cuppa -- in this case, peppermint tea -- at my side during the blogcast. Truth in advertising!

Today's cuppa: Harrod's English Breakfast tea No. 14

In answer to the thousands, OK, hundreds, OK, dozens, OK, three or four -- OK, zero -- people who have written me desperate emails (OK, I wrote them myself) asking why I had not yet joined my fellow TV critics at the winter edition of the biannual Television Critics Association Press Tour, currently being held at a hotel in the beautiful San Fernando Valley, the answer is, be patient!

One of my Tribune Media Services colleagues, the charming and talented John Crook, is holding down the fort during the PBS and cable-TV portions of tour, but I will be swanning in tomorrow for a taste of the action, a nosh with some lovely folks from Discovery Channel, and a sitdown with host Niecy Nash and designer Mark Brunetz from one of my most favorite shows, Style Channel's "Clean House."

Apparently they -- along with yard-sale diva Trish Suhr and my good buddy, go-to-guy Matt Iseman -- are going on a nationwide search to find the third edition of the messiest home in the country.

Well, after working at home this week (we're moving offices) and consuming way too many episodes of the BBC America series "How Clean Is Your House?", I think I've seen dirty domiciles beyond my darkest nightmares, ones "CH" will have to work hard to surpass.

I've also vacuumed several times, made the bed every day and dusted. 'Scuse me, have to put the dishes in the dishwasher and wipe down the countertops, be right back...

(FYI, I'm watching Fox News' "RedEye W/Greg Gutfeld" as I type and Twitterpals Andy Levy and Alison Rosen are trying to convince everyone they're not going out. Please, I have read their Twitterpatter and exclaimed, "Gees, get a room!" Sorry, I digress...)

I will be on the ground full time for the broadcast-network (plus a few cable-channel siblings of networks) portion of Press Tour next Monday and will be happily blogging and Twittering,

Anyway, while I'm here today, I will be making my official debut -- as opposed to last week's emergency fill-in debut -- on Shaun "OMac" Daily's TVTalk on BlogTalkRadio. I should be appearing sometime shortly after 3 p.m. PST (that's 6 p.m. EST, the rest of you are on your own). Hope you tune in or catch the podcast later on.

Hope to have some more goodies up before the end of the day. Now, back to some real work...

Today's cuppa: Stash Christmas Morning tea

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's profile of "Scrubs" star Sarah Chalke, because, as promised, there's more today (and more from other "Scrubs" stars down the line). Below find a continuation of my conversation with The Canadian-born actress, as written up in this excerpt from my syndicated "Inside TV" column...

"Scrubs" has always filmed at an abandoned hospital in the San Fernando Valley, and on this particular day, it's the last day of filming. Sarah Chalke, who plays Dr. Elliot Reed, is having a hard time dealing with it.

"I'm not going to lie to you," she says, "a little verklempt. They just called the series wrap on Ken Jenkins. That made me tear up more than anything.

"It's a lot to really take in. I think it's going to hit in a couple of weeks, we're not going to that creepy hospital anymore."

Asked what she's going to miss, Chalke says, "I feel like this particular experience is going to be really hard to replicate for all of us. It's been a rare combination of great writers and good people.

"Right from the beginning, we've had a no-jerks policy, because we're not doing brain surgery. We're making a TV show, so we should be having fun while we're doing it. We have these big picnics to start every year and epic wrap parties that go until the sun come sup at the end of the year.

"Last week, we filmed an episode, and we had 40 guest stars come back. We didn't get to have everybody, but we had a lot. These were people changing schedules and canceling trips so they could be here."

Of course, if you spend that much time with people, you can start to run out of fresh things to talk about.

"We were joking the other day, if I was start any story of my life from age two on, Zach (Braff) or Donald (Faison) could complete the story. We spend that much time together. There's a lot of downtime."

Chalke has also spent about as much time in medical uniforms as some healthcare professionals, even if she has dolled up a bit over the years.

"I can't remember what season it was," she says, "but when I went into private practice, I started wearing my lab coat and my four-inch, five-inch heels, which are very important for treating patients.

"The first two seasons, they were saying, 'Oh, they're doctors,' so pretty much no makeup, put their hair up, wear scrubs. Then season three, all right, it's a TV show. Scrubs got a little tighter. Our clothing designer has a line of scrubs, cute scrubs, like low-rise with the cargo pockets, stretchy fabric.

"They're cut, and they're more fitted and tailored to our bodies. Then my lab coat is super-fitted. I love it."

One additional risk in spending lots of time with people is that things will happen that ruin your dignity.

"I split my pants," says Chalke. "The dignity went away very early. I remember when Michael J. Fox came in, and he was my hero, and I was so excited.

"But my scene with him was on the epiphany toilet on the roof. I had to have my pants around my ankles, sitting on the toilet. I was like, 'Oh, man.'"

Every now and then, though, reality intrudes.

"When I first started coming here," Chalke says, "they would have patients come to the hospital. There was this one guy who came in with head trauma, and we're like, 'This isn't a hospital. There's one down that way, Go, go, go!'

"This poor guy's like, 'Gee, I must have really bad head trauma,' because we're all dressed up in scrubs. There's background actors walking around, and they're all dressed up with bandages, and we're all wearing stethoscopes.

"It looks like a fully functioning hospital, for all intents and purposes."

Today's cuppa: Harrod's English Breakfast No. 14 tea

"Scrubs" makes its ABC debut tonight, and below find my syndicated profile of of star Sarah Chalke. Bonus Chalke quotes follow tomorrow, but today, here's a little comment about her beverage preferences from her "Alchemy" co-star and fellow Canadian Tom Cavanaugh, as he was kind enough to get me a hot cuppa coffee during an interview for his upcoming series "Trust Me."

"She has what she calls 'hot beverage addiction,' which I love."

HCTV loves it too, Tom. Sarah Chalke, this Hot Cuppa's for you...

Celebrity Scoopâ„¢

Chalke wants to keep 'Scrubs'

By Kate O'Hare

©Zap2it

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the single-camera comedy "Scrubs" returns for what may be its last season, but its first on ABC. Always a production of ABC Studios, it spent its first seven seasons on NBC, but when the Peacock passed on a final run of episodes, ABC stepped in.

On this day at the show's set -- an abandoned hospital in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley -- it's the last day of shooting, and Sarah Chalke, who plays Dr. Elliot Reid, is thinking that this just might be the final, actual end.

"It's weird," she says. "This is the first time people have taken mementos. We were never allowed to do that in the past.

"I'm going to miss coming to work and them saying, 'OK, today, you and Donald Faison are putting bedpans on your feet, and you're having a bedpan race around the hospital, or you're going to do a pelvic exam and accidentally give the character an orgasm."

If what she got to do on "Scrubs" wasn't strange enough, shooting the show offered unusual opportunities of its own.

"We had an impromptu hootenanny the other night," Chalke says, referring to a party that sprang up when actor Sam Lloyd and his group, the Blanks (called the "Worthless Peons" on the show), began singing and playing guitars.

"People started dancing," Chalke says. "It was a mosh pit, and it just progressed. People were coming out of their dressing rooms, until this whole area out here was full.

"It's something about being sequestered in this creepy abandoned hospital. It's like you're out on an island by yourself. We get away with a lot over here."

Birthplace: Ottawa, Ontario , Canada, on Aug. 27, making her a Virgo.

TV cred: "Robin of Locksley," "Roseanne," "Nothing Too Good for a Cowboy," "Clone High,"  "How I Met Your Mother." She also guest starred on such shows as "Neon Rider," "The Odyssey," "Dead Man's Gun" and "First Wave."

Movie cred: "All Shook Up," "Y2K," "Spin Cycle," "Cinderella: Single Again," "Kill Me Later," "XCU: Extreme Close Up," "Alchemy," "Cake," "Chaos Theory," "Mama's Boy."

Charity cred: After losing her aunt and grandmother to breast cancer, Chalke encourages awareness of the disease and starred in the Lifetime movie "Why I Wore Lipstick to My Mastectomy."

Here are some of Chalke's favorite things...

Favorite books: "Favorite book I read this year is 'What Is the What' by Dave Eggers. My favorite book of all time is 'A Confederacy of Dunces' by John Kennedy Toole."

Favorite music: "My fave musician is Joshua Radin. 'We Were Here' and his new album 'Simple Times' are both awesome. My favorite songs of his are 'I'd Rather Be With You,' 'Someone Else's Life' and 'The Fear You Won't Fall.' He has the most incredible lyrics and voice."

Favorite movies: "My fave movie of the year is 'Slumdog Millionaire.' My favorite movies ever are 'Amelie,' 'Harold and Maude,' 'The Jerk' and 'This Is Spinal Tap.' "

BTW, the good folks at Lifetime remind me that Chalke has signed on to star in "Maneater," a four-hour miniseries based on Gigi Levangie Grazer's best-selling novel of the same name.

She plays Clarissa Alpert, a single almost-32-year-old socialite (who only admist to 28) in Hollywood who launches an elaborate plan to marry a hot new producer. Timothy Busfield directs the Sony Pictures Television production from a screenplay by Suzanne Martin.

"Maneater" is set to air in 2009.

Today's cuppa: Newhall Coffee Patriot Blend

Click here for a link, courtesy of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal-Gazette, to my syndicated feature story on the 13th season of ABC's dating-reality show "The Bachelor," which premieres tonight. Yeah, kinda skeptical about this show. Read the story, and you'll see why.

Not a big fan of dating shows, mostly because they usually feature a bunch of women scrambling over each other to attract the attention of one man. Call me old-fashioned, but that seems backwards -- which may be why "The Bachelorette" has produced the franchise's only marriage to date.

What guy wouldn't pick at least one girl when he's got 25 gorgeous women doing whatever they can to attract him? But the question is, once he picks the woman, will he keep her? According to executive producer Mike Fleiss, some of the "Bachelor" couples are still together, even if they haven't exactly tied the knot.

"Depends how you define marriage," he said. "We have some couples that are still very much in love. They've been living together for years, but Ryan and Trista is the only one, although I think this new one had a good chance of being married."

We shall see, but what do you guys think? Do dating shows violate natural law, or do they have as good a chance as anything of producing true love? Pop poll time!

nk I just Today's cuppa: Darjeeling tea

Back on Dec. 29, I put up three polls to track the attitudes of Cuppers as we move into 2009. Well, we're here, and some of your results, as always, are interesting (NOTE: These results are from 2:03 p.m. PST, when this post was originally uploaded. The polls remain open. If you don't like the results for your show, feel free to vote some more. I'll check back in a bit and see what's changed.)

Click through the various links for premiere dates and/or further information.

The first poll asked about scripted shows returning to the schedule, and just as noteworthy as the shows you're apparently looking forward to are the ones getting a big meh from the voters.