Unexpectedly good -- the new CW show 'Life Unexpected'

Checking in on 'Royal Pains'

Okay before we get to today's column, I would like to pause for a moment to have a brief tête-à-tête with the producers of American Idol.

ABC is making big news this week because of The Bachelor brouhaha.

I've never been a fan of the show (couldn't even make it through the first season) so although I find it fascinating that a man can go from most desirable dad in America to deceptive, despicable cad overnight, I can't muster up that much interest in the story.

Let's open the Ask TV Gal Mailbag

Please tell me this Cross-over event with Grey's and Private Practice is over soon. I hate hate hate it. I can't be the only one. And if Izzy is going to die, maybe they'll let the audience vote on how...perhaps we can make her death as excruciating and drawn out as this storyline of hers. On could only hope. Will this week be worth the time I've wasted the past month? Rebecca

Some of my friends started an email chain this week with the theme being "Why is Lynette always such a bitch?"

They were talking, of course, about Desperate Housewives.

Should the 2008 TV season be forgot and never brought to mind?

Well, yes, parts of it. But this is the most wonderful time of the year (or at least that's what all the songs say) so let's take a look at some of my favorites of 2008.

Last night's episode of Boston Legal was, as Alan (James Spader) summed up, eventful. The firm has gone bankrupt, Shirley and Carl are engaged and Alan put forth a convincing speech about the state of racism in America.

It works.

That's the answer to the big lingering question about Desperate Housewives, which returns Sunday at 9 p.m. on ABC. Did the five year jump the show took in the fourth season finale work?