Should we believe the hype? My favorite part of 'American Idol' begins

Do we really think this is the most talented group on American Idol yet?

Or should we not believe the hype? I kind of don't believe the hype (just like I didn't really buy "the judges are nice this year" hype). The show seems desperate to prove that this year there will be no Sanjaya. Perhaps that's true although it did seem like Simon was sporting a modified fauxhawk Tuesday night.

But nevertheless we have now officially entered the phase of American Idol I adore. Proud parents beaming as their child performs (I honestly say out loud, "Oh look. Proud parents. Proud parents."), dark horse contestants coming to the forefront, seeing just how many times and ways Randy can say "but you know what dude, you worked it out," watching hair and make up transform the contestants and wondering just what Paula will do next and how insulting Simon can be.

I can't imagine how stressful it must be to perform live on the most popular show on television. Even if I could sing, I can't imagine doing that now, let alone when I was 17 years old. And it's interesting that , just like what happened with The Real World, we have contestants who grew up watching the show.

And since they all have seen the show for six seasons, it's funny that they haven't learned these two tried and true lessons:

After watching the men perform last night, do you have favorites yet? What did you think of last night's performances? Talk about it below.

Ask TV Gal

Quick questions why only 4 new episodes of Shark and no news about more episodes of the Unit? Ron

I've been receiving many panicky emails from fans of The Unit and Shark. One major concern is that when CBS announced its pick up of 11 series and The Unit, Shark and How I Met Your Mother were not among them. The official reason The Unit and Shark are on hiatus is that Big Brother, Jericho and Dexter have taken over their time slots and need to complete their run before these shows can return. This new season of Big Brother is not doing that well in the ratings and my thinking is that's why CBS made this a couples season. If people continue to be eliminated two at a time, this whole game will go much more quickly.(Also as a side note, do you think they have heat lamps going on outside. Everyone is walking around in bikinis and it's not that warm in LA in February. And yes, you caught me. I haven't followed my own mantra and have watched one episode of Big Brother. I hang my head in shame). I think there's a good chance we could see all three shows back next season. Shark will have four more new episodes later this spring and, thankfully, new episodes of one of my favorite comedies How I Met Your Mother begin March 17. So let's continue to think good thoughts.

I was just wondering about Supernatural. Its been holding its own against its difficult time spot, but still CW is pulling it off for an undetermined time and replacing it with Reaper, which is an unwatchable show. When is Supernatural coming back. We are desperate for more!

I've been receiving tons of email about Supernatural. The show will return with four new episodes on April 24. And, yes, it is being replaced temporarily by repeats of Reaper, which is bearing the brunt of the ire of many annoyed Supernatural fans. While I don't agree that Reaper is unwatchable (I actually like the show and think it has potential), I can understand fan's concern. What I can tell you is that for the past four weeks, I've received emails from the show's publicist with synopsis of the new episodes and other information. I think it's a very good sign that the show is still being promoted.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

There were a two very familiar faces on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Rishi recognized Andre Royo, Bubbles on The Wire, as one of the freedom fighters that was sent back in time. Sandy and Elaina were thrilled to see Jonathan Jackson was Kyle, John Connor's father. They remember Jackson as Lucky on General Hospital. He also starred in the movies The Deep End of the Ocean and Tuck Everlasting.

Rishi also recognized Thekla Reuten as Elsa, the woman Sayid was dating/trying to kill her boss on Lost. Reuten was Mina on Sleeper Cell.

There were a slew of familiar faces on Eli Stone. Hedy Burress was the army private asking to be awarded full custody of her son. She was Money Raspberry Dupree on Gideon's Crossing and I'll always remember her as Wyleen Pritchett on Boston Common. Jeffrey Pierce was her husband. Pierce was Randall Reese last season on The Nine and we saw him this season as Dylan McLeen on Journeyman and Rick Larson on Life. Tonye Patano, Heylia James on Weeds, was the judge on the case. Frederic Lane was the army private Eli kept seeing in his visions. Lane is Marshal Edward Mars (the one bring Kate back to the United States) on Lost.

Alison LaPlaca was the woman suing the nuclear power plant (and sleeping with both Alan and Denny) on Boston Legal. Among her many roles, LaPlaca was Joanna, Rachel's boss who slept with Chandler on Friends, Catherine on The John Larroquette Show and Linda Phillips on Duets and Open House.

Dan Butler was Maxwell Tate the billionaire forming a philanthropic foundation on Cashmere Mafia. Butler was Bulldog on Frasier.

Kathie was the first to let me know François Chau, Dr. Marvin Candle in those Dharma Initiative films on Lost, was the hearing specialist Alison saw on Medium.

Joe Manganiello is Owen, the bartender Brooke likes on One Tree Hill. Manganiello is Brad, Ted and Marshall's friend, on How I Met Your Mother and Officer Litchman on ER. He's also Flash Thompson in the Spider-Man movies.

George Dzundza is Hannah's father on October Road. Mary remembered that we saw him most recently on TV as George's father Harold O'Malley on Grey's Anatomy. Frances Fisher was Hannah's mom. She was Brit on The Lyon's Den, Mitzi on Glory Days and Ruth Dewitt Bukater in the movie Titanic.

Jack Yang was one of the bad guys on Knight Rider. He's playing Jason Chun on Cashmere Mafia. Chris Mulkey (left) was the bad sheriff. We saw Mulkey earlier this season as the Panthers coach who didn't last long on Friday Night Lights and I always remember him as Colliar Sims on Any Day Now. Sydney Tamiia Poitier was Carrie on Knight Rider. She was Mallory Dent during the first season of Veronica Mars and Abby in the short-lived UPN comedy Abby.

That's all for today. I'll be back on Friday with quotes of the week and this week's discussion topic. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.

Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®

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