Wishes for the Shortened Season

The writers are returning to work and all is right in the world. For a list of what's returning when, check out this handy link on zap2it.com to keep tabs on when you can expect your favorite shows.

The writers have a tough job ahead as most are faced with revising their story arcs to fit into a shortened season. But a shortened season is soooo much better than no season at all.

I thought we could let them know what we would and wouldn't like to see on our favorite shows.

For instance, I do not, repeat do not, want to see anything happen to Lynette or any of her family on Desperate Housewives. I would, however, like to see Gabby become a little less shallow.

I would like to see something happen between Gio and Betty on Ugly Betty. But I still want Henry as a possiblity for Betty.

I would like for Boston Legal to stop talking about threesomes involving Denny and Alan. I would love to see the always dreamy Scott Bakula back as Shirley's old beau. Thank you for your cooperation.

I would like ER to drop the possibility of a Sam and Tony romance. Match.com lets you sign up friends now and I'm planning on doing that today for Sam.

I would like CSI to drop the Ronnie Lake character and find a more formidable replacement for Sara.

I would like to see House figure out how to work in Chase and Cameron. And much more of Cutthroat, I mean, Amber please.

I'd like more of Blair and Chuck on Gossip Girl and a little less Serena and Dan if you please.

I want Scrubs to come back and finish its season exactly the way Bill Lawrence had planned. A show this good deserves a proper goodbye.

What you would like to see happen once your favorite shows return? Post your thoughts below.

Highlights of the Week Ahead

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for February 18 -- February 24

A few weeks ago I asked you if I should resume watching Prison Break and the majority of you advised me to not return to the show that had let me down. So I didn't but for those of you who have stuck with it, Prison Break has its third season final Monday at 8 p.m. on FOX. I'm curious for those of you who have stayed with the show, are you hoping for a fourth season or are you, to use my favorite term, all set?

The notorious BAG (that's Brian Austin Green) continues his role on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.). I was downright giddy when he showed up last week. This week he flashback to the future while Charley tries to save him.

I'm not naïve enough to think I can actually teach NBC a lesson. Nor was I, in all honesty, planning on watching My Dad is Better Than Your Dad (Monday, NBC, 9 p.m.) anyway. But nevertheless, I am starting a one woman movement to boycott this new reality game show. Why you ask? How obnoxious was it that the My Dad is Better Than Your Dad promotion never left the bottom left hand corner of the TV screen during the Knight Rider movie. I know we just complained about this a few weeks ago but there has got to be some kind of limit to this on screen promotion. Change starts with us -- don't watch My Dad is Better Than Your Dad to prove to NBC that this kind of advertising doesn't work. Yeah, I don't think it will make a difference either but protesting makes me feel better.

And while we're on the topic of Knight Rider, what did you all think of the movie? I thought it was pretty cheesy with mediocre acting and a threadbare plot. But something was rather fitting about that. Despite the modern spin (KITT can call a cell phone!), the action sequences and the entire two hours had that old school feel (the scene when Michael entered the hotel room his mother was in epitomized this). What did you think? Would you watch a Knight Rider series? I wouldn't but I don't think I was the demographic the show was going for.

The pop up episodes are sweeping the nation or at least the networks. First Lost began airing the prior week's episode with fun facts and explanations and now CSI: Miami (Monday, CBS, 10 p.m.) and Ghost Whisperer (Friday, CBS, 9 p.m.) are getting in on the fun. Is it a way to trick you into watching a repeat? Sure -- but if you are a fan of either show you'll probably want to tune in.

I know I've complained about this before but I continue to remain fascinated by the ratio of montages to actual show in October Road (Monday, ABC, 10 p.m.). In this specialized arena, they are rivaled only by One Tree Hill (Tuesday, CW, 9 p.m.). I think it's a gift ,really, to be able to fill 42 minutes of screen time with at least 10 minutes of montages. I do like the slow burn the show has the Ronnie really likes Aubrey story line on. This week, Amy Acker returns as the woman who saved Owen's life and Hannah's parents are all about her upcoming wedding.

After weeks of NBC toying with my emotions, Medium finally returns this Monday at 10 p.m. on NBC.

It's not that I expect groundbreaking television from One Tree Hill (Tuesday, CW, 9 p.m.), but the story line about the nanny trying to break up Haley and Nathan just isn't interesting to me. It seems a little too clichéd -- even for this CW soap. But here's a fun fact: this week's episode was directed by Paul Johansson, who played Dan on the series. Oh and it took me forever to figure out how I knew Owen (the one Brooke is making a play for) -- I'll have him in this week's familiar faces on Wednesday.

There seems to be a movement about that Cashmere Mafia (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) is getting better and has hit its stride in the last few episodes. I'm not sure I agree but I have total hair envy every time Miranda Otto comes on the screen. I think she may just have the best hair on television.

Sometimes I think I'm so clever. And I was convinced I had Lost all figured out last week. I thought that Elsa's boss was Ben and that is who Sayid was trying to kill. Yeah, not so much. So do we think all the members of the Oceanic 6 cut a deal with Ben to get off the island? Do we think the future holds a showdown between Ben and the Not Penny's Boat People? One of my favorite theories I've heard lately is that Michael is Ben's man on the boat. This week (Thursday, ABC, 9 p.m.) we learn much more about Kate -- my guess is that we may even learn who the "he" she referred to last season's finale was. Also don't forget, in a move the my father absolutely loves, Lost continues to repeat last week's episode Thursday at 8 p.m. with pop-up facts.

So I'm still loving Eli Stone (Thursday, ABC, 10 p.m.) but I'm not loving Julie Gonzalo's character. I'm not that invested in the over eager attorney Maggie Dekker. I liked Gonzalo last season on Veronica Mars (she was Parker) so I don't think it's the acting that's the problem, I think the part is underwritten. I was on Pop Culture America with John and Dave this past Saturday discussing this very concern and they suggested that perhaps Maggie is up to something -- that there's more to her character than we have seen so far. Maybe she's been assigned by Jordan to keep an eye on Eli? That would definitely make her more interesting. This week Jason George (who we last saw in What About Brian) guest stars and he'll soon become a recurring guest star. Also we cleared up last week that the law firm on Eli Stone is not in fact the same law firm that was used on Angel, but do you know why Eli's apartment may look familiar?

I am so excited for the return of Saturday Night Live. With the writer's strike over, SNL returns this Saturday at 11:30 p.m. with host Tina Fey and musical guest Carrie Underwood. The following Saturday Ellen Page hosts. I'm predicting a spoof on The Celebrity Apprentice and they've got to do something about the election. And since you know me I love to throw out fearless predictions, I'm guessing that Alec Baldwin, who the show loves, makes a guest appearance. Perhaps during a 30 Rock skit?

It's a big weekend for awards shows. Rainn Wilson hosts The Spirit Awards Saturday on IFC at 5 p.m. And The Academy Awards will air as planned (whoo-hoo!) this Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC. Before the show, Barbara Walters talks to Ellen Page, Harrison Ford, Vanessa Williams and Miley Cyrus in her 27th annual The Barbara Walters Special at 7 p.m. By the way, if you haven't seen Juno yet, you so need to. Page is wonderful and deserves all the attention she's been getting. But the rest of the cast (including our favorite Michael Cera) are equally fantastic. I was particularly impressed by Jennifer Garner's heartbreaking performance.

That's all for today. I'm back on Wednesday with where have I seen them befores and answers to your questions. See a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Have a question? Or a topic you would like the group to discuss? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com and let me know.

Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal ®

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