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Full confession - I think most of you know that I'm a Red Sox fan. So once the Sox are out of the baseball playoffs, the games going from nail-biting excitement to a sports event that gets in the way of my TV viewing.
Thankfully the pesky World Series is out of the way and FOX returns to its regular TV schedule this week. So let's talk about "Glee," which returns this Wednesday at 9 p.m. with a fantastic episode entitled "Wheels."
First of all, let me admit that I was wrong. I was so concerned that the show had suffered from over exposure after only one episode. Back in August, I fretted that "Glee" was receiving too much attention, too soon and there would be some sort of universal "Glee" backash.
But there was nothing to worry about. Everyone, it seems, appears to be gleeking out. There's the cast on the cover of Entertainment Weekly, singing at the World Series, and releasing an album I can't wait to listen to. It seems instead of being tired of them, we can't get enough of them.
And I thought this week's episode was one of the best of the season. Here's why:
1.There's no sign of Terri who I believe has become an unsalvageable character. Her fake pregnancy that Will STILL hasn't caught on to completely drags down the show. But her other story lines have been just as tedious. I'm all for the willing suspension of disbelief but when Terri was hired as the school nurse that just makes the entire world of "Glee" completely preposterous. Obviously you need medical qualifications to be a school nurse, no matter how inept your principal is. Also the story line managed to make Will even more of a doormat - you think he would be a little more upset that his wife had drugged his students.
2.There's no sign of the Emma and the coach story line. Emma pining for Will, I don't mind. Will not coming to terms with his true feeling for Emma, well that's good too. Actually I really like the Emma character. But Emma dating and getting engaged to man she doesn't even want to touch her just makes Emma a silly, pathetic character. I don't know about you, but I don't like pitying TV characters.
3.We get to see a softer side of Sue. It's a little cliched but I think it's important for the show to begin to flesh out her character. Sure her one liners are fantastic and no one can deliver a biting quip like Jane Lynch. But if the writers don't give more depth to her character, she'll quickly become one of those "a little of her goes a long way" characters. Actually, Sue may already be in that category for many of you.
4.Mike O'Malley is back as Kurt's dad. It's a great role for O'Malley, who has really grown as an actor, and I love the relationship between Kurt and his dad. If you don't have a tear in your eye in the final scene between Kurt and his dad this week, you're a stronger person that I am.
5. Kurt and Artie both take center stage in tonight's episode. The show will be better served the more it uses its ensemble cast. It's fantastic listening to Kurt (Chris Colfer) and Rachel (Lea Michele) singing "Defying Gravity" from "Wicked." And it's even more delightful to see Artie (Kevin McHale) have a solo number and gain more insight into his character.
Sure the show still has issues - Will and the Glee Club seem to be on pretty much the same story cycle every week. Will does something wrong, the Glee Club is mad at him or members of the Glee club are mad at him, Will realizes the errors of his ways and all is fine by the end of the hour. And I know it's the singing and the dancing and not the plots that keep me coming back each week, but I still applaud the show for being different than anything else on TV and always bringing a smile to my face.
Are you excited "Glee" is back this week? How do you think the season is going? Talk about it below.Highlights of the Week Ahead
All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for November 9-15
"House" is also back this week (Monday at 8 p.m. on FOX). I don't know about you but I find the show to be so unsettling these days. I wish the writers could find a way to have all the characters part of every episodes. I'm glad for Cameron and Chase to be back on the show but I don't know why that means I don't get to see Taub any more (who, by the way, is still considered a series regular). The only one who has survived all this rigmarole unscathed is Foreman. I'm hoping the show settles down soon. This week, House, Cuddy, and Wilson attend a medical conference while the team tries to diagnose a girl who becomes ill after a night of partying.
Now I don't want you to be frightened but (long dramatic pause while I take off my sunglasses and stare intently at you) I am going to watch "CSI: Miami" this week (Monday, CBS, 10 p.m.). Laurence Fishburne is travelling to all three "CSI" shows this week and I don't know if this will endear him more to me but I'm willing to give it a chance.
You probably remember that Callen (Chris O'Donnell) was shot last season on the special episodes of "NCIS" that introduced the cast of "NCIS: Los Angeles?" We'll find out more about that in this week's episode of "NCIS: Los Angeles" (Tuesday, CBS, 9 p.m.).
Here's a fun game to play. Who do you think is the most funny cast member on "Modern Family?" As you know, I was first voting for Ty Burrell's Phil but now I may have to go with Eric Stonestreet's Cameron who is terrific with both the goofy parts of his role and acting like his partner's family is completely nuts. Who's your pick for the best character on "Modern Family?" Ponder that question while all the ABC comedies sit out this week so ABC can air the "CMA Awards" at 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
If you thought last week's episode of "Supernatural" (Thursday, CW, 9 p.m.) was tongue-in-cheek, wait until you see this week's episode which has the brothers attending a "Supernatural" convention and running into fans who dress up just like them.
There's a lot happening on "Grey's Anatomy" (Thursday, ABC, 9 p.m.) this week. Kim Raver begins her guest star stint as cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Teddy Altman, Loretta Devine is back as the Chief's wife and Izzie is back at Seattle Grace. I have to say I haven't really missed Izzie or Meredith, have you?
Adam Rodriguez begins his guest star stint as Justin's teacher and Betty's former crush on "Ugly Betty" (Friday, ABC, 9 p.m.). It's too bad that so many people aren't watching "Ugly Betty" because the show is having a very entertaining season. The series was wise to put Betty in completely new circumstances at work and I'm liking her (non)romance with Matt more now than I did last season. Sure I could do without the Daniel joins a cult sub-plot or Wilhemenia being swindled by her daughter, but over all I'm enjoying the season.
I'm so happy Jon Tenney is on "Brothers & Sisters" (Sunday, ABC, 10 p.m.). As much as I love him as Fritz on "The Closer," I do think he's seriously underused on that show. So I'm glad he's using his down time to sweep Nora off her feet.
That's all for today. Sorry this was so late going up, I was in a fight with my Internet connection all day. I'm back on Friday to talk about the new AMC miniseries "The Prisoner" and launch a debate about who is the most charming character currently on TV (can you guess who I vote for?). Have a question, seen a familiar face, want to nominate a quote of the week or a topic for discussion? Write me at mailto:amytvgal@zap2it.comor follow me on Twitter. Have a great week. Talk to you on Friday.
Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal®
After last week's greys, which was easily one of the best in a long time, I thought about that too, no Izzie, very little Mer/Der. While I still like all those characters, clearly the show can still survive without them
most charming character? clearly it is gregory house! j/k.
i'm going come back to my premise: house the character is of a sort of arrogant person who should be going through fellows like kleenex (without an equally strong willed cuddy to fight him). likewise i think the show is strongest in the Law and Order mode: patient of the week with some incidental side plots into the characters.
(BTW, totally not liking the Capt-has-cancer story on L&O--just feels too much like "we need to give Merkerson more to do.")
You're a Red Sox fan? I just stopped reading.
Kidding... sort of ;)
Amy, I'm so with you on "Ugly Betty." This season has been fantastic so far! Here's to hoping we'll get at least one more season after this one!
My guess is Sawyer on Lost for most charming character.
2nd guess is Seeley Booth on Bones.
I'm going to have to disagree about Meredith on Grey's. I really want more of my favorite couple on tv...Meredith and Christina! I love these two together. Even though we've had some interaction b/w the two of them these last few weeks, I need more!!
I'm so angry at what Izzie has done to Alex that unless she's coming back to pay her bills, I don't care if she ever does!
Long live Glee!
As to Modern Family, I'm going with Cameron followed by Manny. I also find Alex really likable. Phil mostly makes me cringe, and Claire doesn't generally make me laugh much.
Otherwise, I don't actually watch any of the shows you talked about this week.
Agree with comments about Glee - great show with the singing, but they need to change it quick, or I'm dropping it and will just listen to the album. I missed a week a few weeks ago and missed nothing. I fast forward through Will/Terri or Emma/coach because those scenes aren't just stupid, they are often cringe-worthy. And it is just silly to think Rachel would get every female solo.
I'm actually LIKING Grey's Anatomy this year, and no one is more surprised than me that I'm saying this. Haven't missed George, don't miss Izzie, like the angst-free Mer/Der relationship (happy Mer is a whole new character), and I am glad that the show is 1) adding new characters and 2) keeping them out of the supply closet. Keep focusing on the medicine, Shonda!