Will Work for a Good Storyline

I don't know how I feel about all the cast shenanigans on "House" this season. Many of us have known since the beginning of the season that Cameron would be leaving the show and that 13 and Taub would be back. So it made it a little difficult to get that into the whole Chase kills a malevolent dictator story line as it often seemed like a means to an end. Chase and Cameron spent much of the last two seasons waiting for a good story line to come their way. And when they did appear, however briefly, it often felt like an after thought to appease fans. A little morsel to tide us over. This season seemed forced. I never quite believed that Chase would kill a patient. And as heart breaking as Cameron's speech to House was at the end of the episode, I didn't think Cameron would give up on her marriage so easily even if she did think House had ruined Chase.

I've said this before but I wish the producers and the writers could have figured out a way to include all the characters in story lines equally. Chase and Cameron are good characters who deserve better. Here's who else I think is in need of a good story line.

Mike on "Desperate Housewives:" Yes "Desperate Housewives" has some big problems this season. Starting with the fact that I'm only mildly curious about who the strangler is and I know the show has "Housewives" in the title but the husbands are really suffering this season. I'm ready to let Orson go - he's kind of become this pathetic character that I simply can't muster up the energy to care about any more. Here's hoping he's one of the causalities in the big December 6 plane crash episode. However, I've always liked Mike. He's often the only voice of reason among the Wisteria Lane clan and when he's front and center in the mystery (like he was in the first season and last season), the show gives him a lot to do. But this season he's had nothing to do but react to Susan and Katherine's nonsense. He deserves more.

The parents on "90210:" See I kind of liked it that the show was hinting at the fact that Kelly might come between Harry and Debbie. But now they've been relegated to the Jim and Cindy role of merely reacting to their children's antics. Debbie tells off Dixon's suddenly psycho girlfriend. Harry tells Annie she can't date Jasper (by the way, my revelation this week is that Jasper is this version's Emily Valentine). I think teen soaps do much better when the adults have their own problems and issues. Plus I'd be happy if Kelly Taylor were in every episode.

Dell on "Private Practice:" Maybe it's because I'm loyal to Chris Lowell because he played Piz on "Veronica Mars," but I've really been missing Dell this season. He pops up only occasionally to deliver a baby or talk about his daughter but he hasn't really had a story line of his own. He's such a different character than the rest of cast and his presence gives the show more balance. Why can't he have an improbable romance like everyone else on the show?

Angela on "The Office:" Last year, she was in the middle of a very dysfunctional love triangle. But since both Dwight and Andy have broken up with her, one of the show's funniest characters hasn't had nearly enough to do.

Mercedes on "Glee:" As the season has progressed, the series has become less myopically focused on Quinn, Finn and Rachel. We've seen more of Kurt and of Artie. But except for knowing that Mercedes had a crush on Kurt, we haven't learned much about her. The show is too much potential to relegate Mercedes to a sassy stereotype.

What characters would you like to see have a better story line? Talk about it below.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Hallee Hirsh was the pregnant bride who had cheated on her husband on "Private Practice." She was Mark's daughter Rachel on "ER" and was seen very briefly as Hannah Vasquez on "90210." Gina Ravera, Detective Irene Daniels on "The Closer" and Pratt's girlfriend Bettina on "ER," was the woman both Pete and Sheldon met in a bar. Ever Carradine was the pregnant woman who had been in a car crash. We saw her last season as Erika on "24." Among her many TV roles, she was also Tiffany on "Once & Again," Heather on "Women's Murder Club," and Lexi on "Eureka." We also saw her last month as Julia on "Supernatural."

Francie Swift was the image consultant Peter hired on "The Good Wife." She's Nate's mom, Anne Archibald, on "Gossip Girl" and Arthur's wife Holly Frobisher on "Damages." Jill Flint appeared briefly as Kalinda's FBI friend. Flint is Jill Casey on "Royal Pains" and also Melissa, the woman Coop dated this season on "Nurse Jackie."

Diane recognized Caroline Lagerfelt as the Ojai board member Nora told off on "Brothers & Sisters." She's Serena's grandmother CeCe on "Gossip Girl" and Diane remembers that many years ago she played Spike's mother on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

Steve recognized Jolene Blalock as Lexa, the wife of the porn star on "House." Blalock was Sub-Commander T'Pol on "Enterprise."

Do we think that Sarah Drew is on some kind of mission to be on every TV show? Dennis and Michelle recognized her as Suzy Pepper, the high school student who used to have a crush on Will on "Glee." Drew has been seen as Dr. April Kepner on "Grey's Anatomy" (remember she was fired), Judy on "Private Practice" (the college student giving up her baby for adoption), Sal's wife Kitty Romano on "Mad Men," and Megan's best friend Caryn on "Privileged." And, of course, she was Hannah on "Everwood." It's now officially time for Drew to be placed in my "deserves her own show" file.

Dennis also recognized Charlotte Ross as Quinn's mom on "Glee." Ross was Connie on "NYPD Blue," Bree on "The 5 Mrs. Buchanans," and Lori on "Beggars and Choosers." But like me Dennis always remembers her as Eve on "Days of Our Lives."

Alan Ruck and Rachael Harris played Frank and Shanna on "Cougar Town." Ruck, who will always be Cameron from "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," is currently Dean Bowman on "Greek" and was Stuart on "Spin City." Harris was Blair on "In The Motherhood," Cooper on "Notes from the Underbelly," and Kevyn on "Fat Actress."

Sarah Wright was Claire the woman Lily tried to warn about Barney before she became a target of the Scuba Diver on "How I Met Your Mother." Wright was Jane on "7th Heaven." Annie recognized Eva Amurri as Shelly, the schoolteacher Lily wanted to set Ted up with. Amurri is Jackie on "Californication."

Quotes of the Week

"Mom it's a joke. I'm just playing along. I'm not gay." Justin to his mom on "Ugly Betty." I have to say I really like what the show is doing with this story line this season.

"Yeah, yeah selfish Gabby. Same old song. Join in if you know the words." Gabby to Lynette on "Desperate Housewives."

"Look how happy she is. It's a shame things are about to get so hard for her." One of the Observers about Olivia on "Fringe."

"You know, people think you are this weird robot man, and you totally are, then it is like that movie 'Wall-E' at the end. You are so full of love and help the fat people out of the floatie chairs!" Penny to Sheldon on "The Big Bang Theory." Thanks to Ryan for the quote.

"But we're a team. We could travel the world together. We could try out for the Amazing Race." Damon to Stefan on "Vampire Diaries." Thanks to Sandy for the quote.

"When I hired you to give this place a makeover I didn't mean smear it with lipstick and turn it into a five dollar hooker. This office pathetic." Amanda to Caleb on "Melrose Place." I don't know if "Melrose" can be saved but it was great to have Amanda delivering putdowns again.

"Mommy if that lady slept over at Mr. Ellis's house does that mean they're in love?" Travis to his mom about Grayson's one night stand on "Cougar Town."

That's all for today. I'm back on Monday to check in on some of my favorite new shows of the season -- "The Good Wife," "Cougar Town," "V" and "FlashForward" - and see how they're doing. 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 weekend. Talk to you on Monday.

Amy Amatangelo, TV Gal®