Desperate times on Wisteria Lane

I'm going to miss Edie Britt.

We won't learn until April 19 whether Edie survived the strangulation/ car crash/electrocution (although I have to say it's not looking good is it?) on "Desperate Housewives." But we do know that Nicollette Sheridan has stated that she won't be returning to the show next season.

And I realized that of all the housewives, I think I might miss her the most. She was always funny (she definitely got some of the best lines) and a good enemy for the other residents of Wisteria Lane. Sheridan added depth to her character. Edie was never one dimensional. I was sad for her last night as she realized her entire marriage to Dave was merely one part of his grand revenge scheme. Plus I kind of think she's been the most consistently well written character on the series. She's the one character who doesn't change from episode to episode.

The show seems to be struggling with what to do with the other characters making the writing more erratic than usual. Gabby is back to her old self which I don't think is a good thing. Katherine who hasn't had anything to do lately but be Mike's girlfriend. I liked it much better when she was in business with Bree and not merely a plot device. And both Bree and Lynette have been taken to the extremes of their characters which I think is making them increasingly difficult to care about. Susan is the only character who has been served by the five year jump forward.

What did you think of last night's episode of "Desperate Housewives?" Talk about it below.

Some Fun Links

You can get a peek at tonight's episode of "Gossip Girl" with Blair behaving badly by clicking here

And check out the new NBC series "Southland" that stars Benjamin McKenzie, Regina King, Tom Everett Scott, and Kevin Alejandro by clicking here and here.

Highlights of the Week Ahead

All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for March 23-28

Amy has her baby on the season finale of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (Monday, ABC Family, 8 p.m.). And, of course, everyone in the cast shows up at the hospital to await the arrival of Ricky and Amy's offspring. I have to confess that I think the show actually did a fairly decent job of explaining how Amy ended up having unprotected sex with Ricky. She was a fairly naïve girl who was completely smitten with Ricky, who was acting like a nice, caring guy. What did you guys think of last week's episode?

Where hasn't Kurtwood Smith been this season? He was the dad in "Worst Week," the doomed Senator on "24" (the minute he called Jack "son," I knew he was a goner) and now he's back on "Medium" (Monday, NBC, 10 p.m.) as the not-quite-dead FBI Agent Cooper.

The President's press conference Tuesday night at 8 p.m. causes several changes to the schedule this week. "The Mentalist" moves to Tuesday night at 10 p.m. on CBS and the episode of "Without a Trace" originally scheduled for this week moves to next Tuesday. I'm getting concerned with all the reports that "Without a Trace" is in danger of not being renewed for next season -- not because of ratings but because it is an expensive show. "Without a Trace" is one of my favorite procedurals and I certainly think they deserve to go out with a planned exit where viewers get some closure. Not to mention that I'm quite intrigued by Martin's burgeoning romance with Kim Marcus (Vanessa Marcil) and the love triangle that may be brewing between Sam, Jack and Brian. "Without a Trace" has always managed to balance the case with some peeks into the character's personal lives and I don't want that to stop any time soon.

"American Idol" is also on the move this week. The top ten contestants sing Motown songs Wednesday at 8 p.m. on FOX and get the results Thursday at 8 p.m. on FOX and Smokey Robinson and Ruben Studdard will perform. (Here's hoping someone sings "Tears of a Clown"). Also I'm afraid I may have spoken too soon about Kara DioGuardi. I thought she was so great during the audition process and when the top 36 performed but now she is becoming more and more like the rest of the judges prone to exaggeration and repetitive commentary. You know I'm not sure I could come up with something new to say about each contestant but it is quite annoying to hear her talk about someone hitting "those high notes! Wow!" again and again. Also I can't take the cruelty of making the person who got kicked off sing again -- there's a sad desperation to the performance that wasn't there before.

This week's episode of "Lost" (Wednesday, ABC, 9 p.m.) features a young Ben and a young Sayid as the show returns to its original format of one character flashback per episode. I loved the look of relief on Jack's face when Sawyer said he was in the one in charge now. But I didn't really understand the Jack/Juliet reunion when Juliet said she would leave Jack and Sawyer alone because they had a lot to talk about. Why wouldn't Juliet stay for that conversation? And why aren't Kate, Jack and Hurley more mad. Like dude we came back for you, we gave up the life we had and now you don't even want us here? Also I'm ready to send out a search party for Rose and Bernard. What year have they been left in?

Next week is definitely going to be a tough one. "Life on Mars" (Wednesday, ABC, 10 p.m.) ends on April 1 so relish this penultimate episode that finds Sam framed for murder. And if you want to sign a petition to save the show, click on this link

I loved Idris Elba as Michael's new boss on "The Office" (Thursday, NBC, 9 p.m.). I think it's good that from time to time the show reminds us that while Michael gets results (sometimes inadvertently like he did with his golden ticket idea), not everyone responds to his antics. And I thought Elba acted exactly how someone who just met Michael would. But something is still missing for me on "The Office" this season -- I laugh but not as much as I used to. How about you?

Okay, I can only commit to my New Year's resolution for so long. I feel that we must discuss "Grey's Anatomy" (Thursday, ABC, 9 p.m.). I am struggling to care whether or not Izzie lives or dies. The whole way this story line has been handled is so bizarre from beginning to end -- it's almost as if the writer's don't want to recoup the storyline at all. Once she broke up with DD (dead Denny), did she really need to use only the interns to diagnose her? Or refuse to get any help? I find everything about this story line so perplexing. If the whole thing is a set up to get Derek back in the operating room well that's not working for me either. How about you?

And I really think I'm going to need some of you to band together and stage some sort of intervention for me because I cannot stop watching "Private Practice" (Thursday, ABC, 10 p.m.). What is wrong with me? But for those of you who are watching, do you think we are supposed to feel sympathy for Addison that she likes a married man? And what's with him declaring to be in love with her? He's had about five conversations with Addison. He barely knows her. Does he think he's on "The Bachelorette?"

It's also the penultimate episode of "ER" (Thursday, NBC, 10 p.m.) I do love how the show is moving all the characters towards happiness as we prepare ourselves to say goodbye to them. Neela is with Ray (I know not all of you wanted this but I did), Archie has found love, Dr. Brenner is in therapy so I'm pretty sure Dr. Banfield will adopt a baby and Sam and Tony will reconcile before the series says goodbye next week.

That's all for today. I'm back on Wednesday with a look at the new series "In the Motherhood," the return "Samantha Who?," and thoughts on "Damages." Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Wednesday.

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