John Hamm Hams It Up on ‘30 Rock’ Tonight
February 5, 2009 by Chandra
I just know all the Mad Men fans out there can’t wait for the next fresh episode of 30 Rock called “Generalissimo.” That’s because it features the one and only John Hamm, who happens to play Don Draper on AMC’s Emmy-winning, critically acclaimed period drama.
On NBC’s own Emmy-winning sitcom, Hamm guest stars as Dr. Drew Baird, Liz Lemon’s cute single neighbor and latest love thang, as the photo above clearly shows. Somehow, I don’t think the relationship is going to work out too well because, well, these things never do for poor, lovelorn Liz. That’s one of the reasons why fans care about her travails so much.
Incidentally, Hamm’s longtime significant other Jennifer Westfeldt, former star of the ABC sitcom Notes from the Underbelly, is guesting on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy tonight at 9pm EST [view a sneak peek]. In addition, The Riches’ Noel Fisher (Cael Malloy) has a role on Fox’s Bones at 8pm EST [view a sneak peek]. Just thought I’d throw that out there for folks who care…
As for comedy shows, other notable guest stars coming up tonight include Dexter’s Lauren Vélez on Ugly Betty, country music’s Wynonna Judd on Kath & Kim, former series regular Rashida Jones on The Office, and Ugly Betty’s Salma Hayek returning on 30 Rock. Read on for plotlines — there’s got to be something for everybody.
‘Burn Notice’ Returns to ‘Do No Harm’ Tonight
January 22, 2009 by Chandra
Burn Notice fans are in for a huge delight tonight when the USA Network crime dramedy returns to resume its second season at 10pm EST with the premiere “Do No Harm.”
Longtime viewers will remember that the midseason hiatus began with a bomb waiting for Michael in his apartment. Well, I’m happy to say the former spy survives the disastrous explosion, but it does leave a noticeable mark on his attitude.
As a result, when he decides to help a father with a dying son who has been scammed by a shady drug company, Michael’s approach gives the series a fresh new feel. Yes, it’s darker and moodier, but at the same time, it also has the welcome potential to create more explosions as the season progresses.
I’ve seen the episode, so trust me: If you’re a Burn Notice fan, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s what some folks who like fancy words tend to call “seminal.”
Also coming up tonight on comedy television are new episodes of all four Thursday-night NBC sitcoms and ABC’s Ugly Betty. Synopses follow the jump.
‘How I Met Your Mother’ Goes to ‘The Hills’ Tonight
January 12, 2009 by Chandra
Fans of CBS’ Monday-night comedy lineup can rejoice right now because the two-hour block resumes tonight with all new episodes from all four sitcoms.
The gimmick casting of note is the appearance of The Hills cast members Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt on How I Met Your Mother, along with additional guest stars Kendra Wilkinson, the Playboy Playmate from The Girls Next Door, and Kim Kardashian of Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
CBS is billing all of the guests as reality stars, but considering the female cameos, I thought the casting was going to have something to do with a wet-dream sequence for Barney. Turns out, Marshall comes down with a case of reality-star haunts, which is much less predictable and likely funnier.
The rest of tonight’s new comedy programming follows.
The Big Bang Theory
The Killer Robot Instability
Penny’s observations about Wolowitz’s romantic life (or lack thereof probably) depress him enough to cause him to lose interest in a future fighting robot competition. Fighting robots actually sound fun. [8pm, CBS]
Three NBC Sitcoms Return Tonight
January 8, 2009 by Chandra
NBC’s Thursday-night Comedy Done Right lineup returns almost intact tonight, save for The Office, which is a repeat of the current season’s “The Surplus.”
Add a new episode of Ugly Betty for America Ferrera et al fans, and that means there’s a pretty good night of primetime comedy on the way today, January 8.
My Name Is Earl
Got the Babysitter Pregnant
Now there’s a suggestive title, although it’s not what fans might think. Earl didn’t get the babysitter pregnant himself, but he sure plotted to mess her life up when she broke his heart. Older and wiser and with a Karma List on hand, he then decides it’s time to put things right by turning the woman’s immature grown son into a self-supporting man. In the process, Earl realizes his target and his brother Randy have a few things in common. Elsewhere, Joy loses Darnell’s pet turtle (Uh-oh). [8pm, NBC]
New Scrubs, Nip/Tuck, and 10 Items Tonight
January 6, 2009 by Chandra
Comedy fans have a whole lotta options tonight because no less than three shows — two sitcoms and a dramedy — return with new episodes for a new year. Here’s a brief rundown, in broadcast order:
Scrubs
My Jerks/My Last Words
On the eighth-season and ABC premiere, NBC’s former long-running staple gets a new boss in the form of Friends and Dirt alumna Courteney Cox, who ends up not being as pretty as that famous face is. In addition to dealing with Sacred Heart’s latest chief of medicine, J.D. must also cope with the hospital’s screwiest group of interns ever, while Carla does her best to keep Elliott’s enormous sense of self-worth from ballooning too much.
Immediately afterwards on “My Last Words,” the Sacred Heart bunch begins to suspect Dr. Maddox’s (Cox) real nature, even as J.D. and Turk put their heads together to help out a dying patient. The big guest star, at least to me, is former A Different World cast member Glynn Turman. [9pm and 9:30pm, ABC]
Comedy TV Guide: Thu, Oct 30
October 30, 2008 by Chandra
Tina Fey & Company Are Back!
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Thursday, October 30 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
My Name Is Earl — Little Bad Voodoo Brother
Earl plans a Halloween party for Joy’s two sons, and Randy gets the idea that Catalina’s young cousin is capable of dark magic.
[8pm-8:30pm | NBC]
Ugly Betty — Ugly Berry
Kimmie (Lindsay Lohan) is still on hand and at odds with Betty, Hilda spreads the word about her shop, Ignacio prepares to vote for the first time as an American citizen, and Wilhelmina and Daniel disagree about a potential new hire. Model Adriana Lima has a cameo, and Ralph Macchio (My Cousin Vinny, The Karate Kid) guest stars as Archie Rodriguez.
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Trailer]
Comedy TV Guide: Wed, Oct 29
October 29, 2008 by Chandra
ABC Prefers Pushing Daisies Over Half-Hour Presidential Specials
Network foregoes Barack Obama broadcast
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Pushing Daisies — Dim Sum Lose Some
While Emerson’s latest murder case at a dim sum restaurant leads to a reunion with a polygamist’s widow named Simone (Christine Adams), Ned meets a strange man (Stephen Root) who not only claims to be an old friend and colleague of his father, but also wants Ned to help find him.
[8pm-9pm | ABC | Trailer]
The New Adventures of Old Christine — Tie Me Up, Don’t Tie Me Down
The big green monster has Barb and Christine at each other’s throats again when their dates with two guys from a video store have very different outcomes: one leads to a second date and the other one doesn’t. Christine’s date is played by Tim DeKay, Bizarro Jerry on Seinfeld.
[8:30pm-9pm | CBS | SPECIAL TIME]
Comedy TV Guide: Tue, Oct 28
The Midseason End Is Here for Greek
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Rita Rocks — Nobody Does it Better
Rita gets grief and no appreciation from her daughters, both of whom show more respect for what little their father does at home.
[8:30pm-9pm | Lifetime]
Greek — Hell Week
As herself, special guest star Lauren Conrad (The Hills) advises Casey in a dream sequence when Casey frets over how to spend her summer. Elsewhere, the eager pledges endure one last massive challenge, Hell Week, to gain entry to their preferred house.
[9pm-10pm | Second-Midseason Finale | ABC Family | Sneak Peeks | Trailer]
Comedy TV Guide: Mon, Oct 27
October 27, 2008 by Chandra
Tonight Is Tony Hale Night!
And CBS Is All Encores
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Monday, October 27 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
The Big Bang Theory — The Shiksa Indeterminacy [Repeat]
The gang all fall in love with Sheldon’s twin sister (Courtney Henggeler).
[8pm-8:30pm | CBS]
Chuck — Chuck Versus Tom Sawyer
Arrested Development’s Tony Hale guest stars as Buy More efficiency expert Emmett Milbarge, whom chuck consults when the spy life begins to wear him out. Chuck also has to start hanging with Jeff after the salesman becomes the target of a terrorist and it’s revealed Jeff will determine the fate of the world.
[8pm-9pm | NBC]
Comedy TV Guide: Sun, Oct 26
October 26, 2008 by Chandra
A Blast from the Past We’ve All Been Waiting for on Housewives
Notable Comedy TV scheduled for Sunday, October 26 follows.
All times are Eastern Standard.
Desperate Housewives — Mirror, Mirror
We finally learn what happened on Wisteria Lane during the previous five years that were fast forwarded after the end of last season.
[9pm-10:01pm | ABC | Sneak Peek]
Dexter — All in the Family
Dexter begins investigating new prey he learns of from Miguel, and Debra is attracted to Anton, the informant helping her locate one of Freebo’s associates.
[9pm-10pm | Showtime | Sneak Peeks]