NBC and me and the art of procrastination . . . the season premiere of 'Heroes'

We've now entered the time of year where every day new DVDs arrive. It is still the epic battle of me vs. the clutter and yes the clutter is still winning. And in case you're wondering NBC has yet to send out any of their new shows. I'm going to start some sort of vigil. Like it's Day 36 of NBC DVD Watch '08. Maybe I'll do something like not eat dark chocolate until they arrive. It will be difficult but my protest must be heard.

Anyway I digress. Sometimes when a new DVD arrives, I can't wait to watch it. I went right from opening the season premiere of How I Met Your Mother to pressing play in my DVD player (loved it, I'll have more in my column on Friday) and sometimes I procrastinate. That's exactly what happened with Heroes, which I received about a month ago. I watched everything I possibly could before it -- including the first two episodes of Lipstick Jungle (I still can't believe that show is coming back for a second season but that too is a topic for another column).

I was wary because although I liked the first season of Heroes, I didn't love it and we all know last season was a struggle. But I finally sat down Tuesday and watched the first hour of next Monday's two hour season premiere (that's right, NBC only sent out the first half of the premiere. It's clear that the network so doesn't care about being on my bad side). And really I shouldn't have been so worried because there were a lot of good things about the Heroes premiere. Starting with the fact that although Maya is back on the show, she didn't cry. Not once. Her eyes don't even water. Given how much she was despised last season, the show was brave to bring her back, don't you think?

As you've probably heard, the season is all about villains. Good characters behaving badly. Evil characters turning out to be not so bad actually. Friends will become enemies. Enemies will become friends. Well you get the idea. This concept kicks off the season with a jolt. You'll quickly learn who shot Nathan Petrelli and why. The hour that I saw was scary, engaging and often downright gory.

My concern is that the show, probably trying to recover from lack of action last season, seems to be in a race to the finish with its own self. It is clearly in a hurry to wrap up any lingering story lines from last season. A lot happens that sends several characters in totally new direction without much character exposition or explanation. I particularly found Suresh's (Sendhil Ramamurthy) story line incongruent with his character.

But there is a lot to look forward to this season. Francis Capra, Weevil on Veronica Mars, joins the cast as someone who has a surprising connection to Peter. And Kristen Bell is still on the show as Elle so that right there is some fun times. Add in an upcoming appearance by Seth Green and Breckin Meyer an there are plenty of reasons to keep watching.

I'm giving the first hour of the season premiere of Heroes three and a half stars and am optimistic about the direction the show is heading in. Now that you've heard more about this next chapter of Heroes, how are you feeling about this new season? Talk about it below.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

That was Carla Gallo, Lizzie on Undeclared (a show definitely worth renting if you missed it during its short-lived stint on FOX), as Bone's new and overeager assistant on Bones. She was also Daisy on Californication last season. Tim Griffin was the best friend who actually had committed the murder. He's George's brother Ronny on Grey's Anatomy. Michele Greene was the wife of the murdered reality show host. I'll always remember her best as Abby on L.A. Law.

It was a familiar faceapoolza on The Cleaner this week. I have to say for a show that is just okay (and no I don't know why I am still watching, I really don't) they do attract some great guest stars. Of course, we all know Isaiah Washington, Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy and Antonio Pope on Bionic Woman, was the interventionist who doesn't like William Banks. Kathy Baker, who plays Allison's mother-in-law on Medium and was Dr. Jill Brock on Picket Fences, was the mother of the drug addict. Rachel Miner, Dani on Californication, was the drug addict. And interesting trivia fact, she used to be married to Macaulay Culkin. Jamie Thomas King is the drug addict actor that William is helping. He's Thomas Wyatt on The Tudors.

Bill recognized Busy Phillips as the very pregnant neighbor Kacy on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Phillips was Kim Kelley on Freaks & Geeks, Audrey on Dawson's Creek, and Hope on ER. Debra Wilson, who is sometimes billed as Debra Skelton, was Lillian, the worker at power plant. She's familiar because of her work on Reno 911! and Mad TV. Ryan recognized one of my favorite actors Paul Schulze was Karl Greenway. Among his many TV roles, he was Ryan Chapelle on 24, Father Phil Intintola on The Sopranos and Agent Richard Garrity on Journeyman last season.

Jeanine and Diane recognized Zachary Ty Brian, Caz on Veronica Mars, Malcolm on Boston Public and, of course, Brad on Home Improvement, was the man who put a hit on his mother on Burn Notice. Diane also recognized Amy Pietz as the stepmother. She was Franny last season on Aliens in America and Annie on Caroline in the City.

DJ recognized Michael Cassidy as Charlie on Privileged. He was Zach on The O.C., Cliff on Hidden Palms and Grant on Smallville.

Erica recognized Shannon Lucio, Lindsay on The O.C., is Trishanne the receptionist who answered T-Bag's phone call on Prison Break.

Toby recognized John Billingsley as the coroner on True Blood. He was Egan Foote on The Nine, the first Terrence Steadman on Prison Break, and Doctor Phlox on Enterprise. And we saw him last season on Grey's Anatomy, Eli Stone and Women's Murder Club.

Kathie recognized Sam Page as Joan's fiancé on Mad Men. He was Casey on Shark, Drew on American Dreams, Jesse on Point Pleasant, and Trey on All My Children.

Smallville

I'm so curious to hear what you guys think about tomorrow night's season premiere of Smallville. The show is clearly moving into Lois& Clark: The New Adventures of Superman territory. Click here and here for some sneak peaks at tomorrow night's premiere (8 p.m. on the CW).

That's all for today. I'm back on Friday to talk about CBS comedies and bring you quotes of the week. If you want to hear my thoughts on 90210, read my separate post about it. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com

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