Senses Working Overtime: This Week in Television (11/25/07)

Written by Musgo Del Jefe

MUSGO'S TOP 100 FEATURE OF THE WEEK:

No. 84 – Babe (ENC) (TUE)
This is the first time in 22 weeks that I may be doubting my pick. Not really as a Top 100 film but its placement. Do I overvalue a movie that I haven't rewatched in probably five to six years? I just can't knock down a film that had me smiling from its opening moments, "This is a tale about an unprejudiced heart, and how it changed our valley forever," right on until "That'll do, Pig". The fact that director Chris Noonan essentially vanished off the face of the Earth for 10 years after this film is another aspect that makes it intriguing. I'm sticking with this ranking, it suits it.

Ratings around this movie . . .

81 – Goodfellas
83 – Beauty & The Beast (1946)
89 – Diabolique
92 – Heat
96 – The Conversation

SUNDAY
Brothers & Sisters (ABC) I don't watch this show, but a lot of people at work do. They're pulling out the Guest Star card for this episode with Lyle Lovett, Chevy Chase and Steven Weber. And when did Rob Lowe start looking like Daughtry?

The Simpsons (FOX) The Writer's Strike is starting to take its toll on our usual Sunday lineups – so this Sideshow Bob episode will have to get you through the night. John Mahoney joins the Frasier reunion this time around.

MONDAY
Notes From The Underbelly (ABC) This sitcoms return reminds me that it always looks interesting in previews and I like Peter Cambor, but there's something generic here that makes me not want to spend 30 minutes on a Monday night with a pregnancy comedy.

Heroes (NBC) I'm hanging in there. But let me tell you, NBC, it's by a thread and mainly because of the good moments from last season. Peter's story is getting more interesting. But for the most part, I'm looking forward to what you've got for me in the second half of the season.

TUESDAY
A Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC) Do I even have to justify this? I own it on VHS and DVD a couple times over but there's something precious for the family to gather around the TV to watch it in this format every year.

The Universe (HIST) That title's about as generic as they come, huh? There's quite a few topics that could fit under this umbrella. This episode concentrates on the basic DNA of most good sci-fi stories – "Exoplanets: An Alternative Earth". Could there be other planets out there capable of supporting life? One hour of computer simulations and input from experts should let you know.

WEDNESDAY
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC) ABC isn't messing around to get you in the mood this week. I think you can call the "Season" officially launched.

Shrek The Halls (ABC) You get the old and the new. It's got all the film voices, a Journey song and the Waitresses' "Christmas Wrapping." How do you like that? I'm calling this a new classic.

Mythbusters (DISC) If you're not so much into the Christmas thing yet. Here's a pirate-themed episode to tie-in with the soon to be released Pirates 3.

THURSDAY
30 Rock (NBC) If this Writer's Strike goes on much longer, I might be actually ready to catch up with this show earlier than expected. I'm having Office withdrawals just thinking about this Thursday night.

Scrubs (NBC) But I still have some new episodes left on Thursdays! JD continues to spend this season growing up and maturing while the rest of the cast gets even quirkier. I'm declaring this as Turk's best season ever!

The View (ABC) Gotta get new guest stars somewhere in the week. Here you get Steve Martin promoting his new book.

FRIDAY
Friday Night Lights (NBC) Matt wants to "see other people." Julie, are you going to make your move? Damn, I don't even care about the football team anymore . . .

My Night At The Grammys (CBS) How do you make an unbearable awards show even worse? Show clips of it on a Friday night. If this was even worth fast forwarding through, they'd have the decency to air it on a Sunday night.

SATURDAY
Harry Potter Marathon (ABC FAMILY) Did you know that the Harry Potter films qualify under the "25 Days Of Christmas" fare now? Lucky for us, that means a marathon this weekend to prep us for the DVD release of the latest.

Radio City Music Hall's 75th Anniversary Special (NBC) Remember, we're heading into the time of year when the networks abandon Friday and Saturday night for a month or two. This is just a hint at the start of that. The best I can give you here are some classic Christmas numbers to get you in the mood. And I like some nice kicking legs to help that mood along.

TV-ON-DVD TO OWN (to be released November 27)
1. Futurama – Bender's Big Score ($17.99 at Best Buy). I'm almost shedding a tear just thinking about new Futurama. That's right, a tear.

2. Happy Days (Complete 3rd Season) At the top of it's game this was as good as Seinfeld ever could be.

3. Laverne & Shirley (Complete 3rd Season) Took the torch from Happy Days and didn't let us down until they reached the finish line.

4. Man From U.N.C.L.E. (Complete Series) A mere 41 discs to cover the 105 episodes and 10 hours of bonus materials. Get it at the Time-Life web site only. Or eBay for much more six months from now.

5. Mork & Mindy (Complete 3rd Season) A little more hit-and-miss than Happy Days or Laverne & Shirley but still a staple of my Gen X childhood. Robin's star was as bright as any ever to hit TV. It's hard to even compare to any star today.

TV-ON-DVD NEWS
Not so much news now, since most of the huge releases are currently going on. February 19th will bring Coach (3rd Season), a good quality show that was a syndicated staple for me in the late 90s. Craig Nelson's guest on My Name Is Earl has reminded me how much I miss him. February 12th will bring an interesting collection Warner Bros. Academy Awards Animation Collection will showcase a variety of 15 winners and 26 nominees from Superman to Popeye to Bugs, Foghorn Leghorn to Tom & Jerry.

TOP 5 ADDS TO YOUR NETFLIX QUEUE (released November 20)
5. Live Free Or Die Hard. I can't turn my back on my roots. Like I won't see this or a new Rambo or if they did another Lethal Weapon. John McClane is just an old friend I'm happy to visit with from time to time.

4. Hairspray. It's got the pedigree. Based on John Water's film and starring Travolta, Queen Latifah and Christopher Walken. And my musical bug has been bitten with all the High School Musical in my life.

3. Rescue Dawn. Oh, little Dieter. I've been a Herzog supporter since the early 80s when I happened upon Aguirre, Wrath Of God and Fitzcarraldo in the video store. Christian Bale as Dengler is just icing on the cake.

2. Helvetica. It's probably my favorite font, along with New York. I like New York. This doc on its creation and universal usage looks like the type of information that makes for interesting water-cooler talk.

1. In Between Days. Korean director So Yong Kim captures two awkward situations in one simple story as Aimie is a recent transplant to the US and as a lonely teen finds herself falling in love with her only friend. A real story with real feelings. Something I can't really say about #4 and #5. Also, Special Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Festival.

Also, a must-add is Love American Style: Season 1, Vol. 1 – read more of my deep thoughts on it.