Archive: December 2008 (66-78 of 78)

Dec 3 2008 08:57 PM ET

TV Ratings: Mark Harmon trounces Santa Claus

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ABC re-aired the holiday classic Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town last night but the bearded fellow got trampled by CBS’ NCIS, according to preliminary overnight ratings. The Christmas special reached 9 million viewers while the Mark Harmon drama more than doubled that number with 18.6 million. CBS won Tuesday yet again by continuing its winning streak at 9 p.m. with rookie drama The Mentalist scoring a huge 18.8 million viewers, a boost of almost 3 million watchers from last week’s airing. (The likely reason for the big jump in eyes? Last week, The Mentalist was up against the Dancing With the Stars finale.) At 10 p.m., Without a Trace also bounced back in the ratings with 12.4 million viewers vs. last week’s 10.4 million.

ABC’s night got progressively worse after Santa came to town. The return of According to Jim was met with the equivalent of ratings crickets; its back-to-back episodes starting at 9 p.m. averaged only 5.9 million folks. And, at 10 p.m., the canceled Eli Stone dropped like a stone with a weak 4.9 million. Over at Fox, House delivered an almost equal number to last week’s (12.4 million viewers). At 9 p.m., Fringe similarly mirrored its previous number, with 8.7 million people once again tuning in to watch dreamy Joshua Jackson investigate spooky things. NBC also benefited from the absence of Dancing With the Stars. The Biggest Loser: Families rebounded from last week’s low 6.8 million back up to 8.7 million, a 28 percent increase. The same was true for Law & Order: SVU which gained 1.8 million viewers from last week to rate 10.3 million viewers for last night’s episode. And on The CW, repeats of both 90210 (1.2 million) and Privileged (900k) both pretty much tanked.

More TV News:
House recap
Ausiello exclusive: New Gossip Girl teacher
Ausiello exclusive: Fred Thompson lands on Mars
Stephen Colbert’s “Operation Humble Kanye”
Noah Wyle: Still hot as The Librarian

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Dec 3 2008 07:59 PM ET

Exclusive: New 'Gossip Girl' teacher is 'Related'

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Laurabreckenridge_lSomething tells me Chuck is going to be paying a lot more attention in English class next semester.

Sources confirm to me exclusively that Laura Breckenridge (Related) is joining the cast as Rachel Carr, the idealistic and fresh-faced new English teacher at Constance Billard.

That’s right, I said teacher. An extremely young teacher, but a teacher all the same.

At 25, Breckenridge –- who is booked for a minimum of three episodes — is only a few years older than Blake Lively and Leighton Meester. And Gossip producers are wisely acknowledging that right at the start when Miss Carr gets mistaken for a student on her first day.

No word on potential love interests, but I have some scoop on her first loathe interest: Blair. Word is the two of them don’t exactly hit it off. Shocker!

Dec 3 2008 07:21 PM ET

Exclusive: Fred Thompson lands on 'Mars'

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Fred Thompson is making good on his threat promise to return to acting. The former U.S. senator, whose presidential dreams went up in smoke earlier this year, has landed a guest stint on ABC’s out-of-this-world drama Life on Mars, sources confirm to me exclusively. He’ll play the NYPD’s chief of detectives in a February episode.

In other Mars news, producers are currently casting the never-before-seen daughter of Harvey Keitel’s character. Interested actresses should be in their mid-30s, beautiful, confident, and be willing to work long hours alongside Harvey Keitel.

Reminder: Life on Mars moves to Wednesdays at 10 pm/E.T. following Lost beginning Jan. 28. If you’re not watching, you should be, dammit!

Dec 3 2008 05:36 AM ET

'The Simpsons': What's the story behind their Apple lovefest?

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After watching the Nov. 30 episode of The Simpsons, we can say this: Jobs
well done. As in, the Fox comedy sure roasted Apple and its CEO, Steve
Jobs. The irreverent parody of the computer giant (in which Lisa runs up a
huge bill from Apple — excuse us, Mapple — by downloading too many songs to her
iPod — ahem, myPod) tweaks the company’s culture of cool and even offers up a
few Jobs jabs (“How dare us question the boss we fired 10 years ago and then
brought back?” says one employee). Funnier still, there were multiple Apple
ads during commercial breaks. Does Apple have a self-effacing sense of
humor, or was it just coincidence? Looks like the latter: The company didn’t
know about the satire, and Simpsons exec producer Al Jean wasn’t aware of
the commercials’ placement beforehand. “The show has a tradition of biting
the hand that feeds us, and sometimes it goes up to the elbow,” says Jean,
an admitted “Apple enthusiast.” Let’s hope the main Mac man
enjoyed the parody, as a deal was recently cut to bring the current season of Simpsons
episodes to iTunes. Cracks Jean: “If he wants to give me
an upgrade on my laptop in exchange for no more future mockings, so be it.”

Dec 3 2008 04:24 AM ET

Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on 'Bones,' 'Lost,' 'True Blood,' 'Chuck,' 'House,' 'The Unit,' 'NCIS,' 'Eli Stone,' 'Veronica Mars,' and More!

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Boneskristenbell_lQuestion: I’m so sick of seeing the words "Grey’s Anatomy" in your column every week! How about you dig up some dirt on Bones for a change? — Jordan
Ausiello: Bones… Dig… Dirt… That’s the kind of genius play on words that inspires big-time scoopage. It was a year ago that Bones planted a wet one on Booth, so the time seems right to grill exec producer Hart Hanson about the eagerly awaited follow-up smooch. When is it happening? And will this one be real — as in, not part of some bet? "I think we’ll do a little better this season than just an actual, real kiss," Hanson teases. "But you tell me in about three months whether we’ve succeeded or not. There are a couple of things I’ve already said they’ll do: I’ve said they’ll be naked in bed, and I’ve said she will ask him to father her child. So, I think we’re moving toward something bigger than just a kiss." What could possibly be bigger that sucking face? Yep, sex was my first guess, too. "The truth is," Hanson counters, "if [two people] share a kiss and they’re in their mid-’30s, how long is it going to be before they consummate? My intention is to keep [the audience] very frustrated." Getting back to the how long before they consummate question, I’m thinking May sweeps. Why? Keep reading…

Question: I’m skeptical about Bones and Booth being in bed together naked. Is this a big fake-out? — Kelly
Ausiello: Depends what you’re definition of the word "fake-out" is. While Hart Hanson confirms that the pair will definitely end up in bed together naked (most likely during May sweeps), he refuses to disclose the context, except to say, "It’s not free of encumbrance. It’s not free and clear. Nothing is easy on Bones."

Question: Your fired actor blind item is killing me. Is it too much to ask for one clue? — Dana
Ausiello: As a matter of fact, it is.

Question: I’ve heard more Bones scoop from my dog than you, Ausiello. Please give me something!  — Emily
Ausiello: Oh, yeah, well… did your dog tell you that Papa Booth’s coming to town! ‘Cause he just might be some day maybe! Explains Hart Hanson: "Booth has some issues with his dad, so we may bring in his father this season. We also talked about having his grandfather show up, but I’m not sure that will happen."

Question: In a just-released ABC press release about Lost, it states that Jeremy Davies and Ken Leung will be part of the main cast, but Rebecca Mader is not. Do you have any information that may explain this? — Eric
Ausiello: Jeremy and Ken are series regulars; Rebecca is not. Easy peesy. In other Lost news, awesome promo alert!

Question: The Unit is, without question, the most underappreciated show on TV! Got scoop? — Gooch
Ausiello: Do I! Robert Patrick’s getting his own Emmy episode. Or rather, he would be if Emmy would just watch the show already! An upcoming Tom-centric hour will feature flashbacks to the military man at ages 9, 15 and 19. As an added bonus, the kid cast as the 19-year-old Tom will get to play a scene with Eric Haney, the original Delta Force member whose book inspired the series.

Question: Got anything on The Unit for me? — Julia
Ausiello: Indeed, and especially if you’re in the 18-49-year-old female demo. A new recurring character named Zach Bradshaw but called Sam (I don’t get it, either) is being cast. According to my sources, he’s a twentysomething maverick who, in his debut, is put to the kind of test that would leave James Bond shaken (not stirred).

Question: Is True Blood returning for a second season? And, if so, got scoop? — Jeremy
Ausiello: Not only is there fresh Blood on the way, there’s also fresh… um, blood. The vamp hit is on the hunt for a new series regular to play Sarah, the pleasure-seeking missus of Steve Newlin, the Fellowship of the Sun’s big kahuna. New semi-regulars are also being sought for six-episode arcs as Daphne, Merlotte’s new waitress (and Sam’s likely new love interest), and Luke, a burly twentysomething who’s as dedicated to religion as Jason is to sex.

Question: I have recently become obsessed with Friday Night Lights. Any juicy gossip to share? — Anna
Ausiello: Get this: By season’s end, Dillon will open a second high school, upending both the town’s storied football program and Coach Taylor’s tenure as Panthers coach. Also, the finale (airing Jan. 14 on DirecTV – NBC reruns the season starting Jan. 16) will jump ahead five months to the end of the school year, at which point we’ll have a good idea who’ll be moving away to college and who’ll be sticking around for a possible fourth season. Hint: You might want to start saying your good-byes now, ’cause there are a lot of ‘em.

Question: What are you hearing about the final episodes of ER? — Joel
Ausiello: I’m hearing they’ve found a way to tie all 600 seasons together. "How?" you ask. "With a very old man," I answer. The show is looking for an actor who’s pushing 80 (In Hollywood? Good luck!) to play a mugging victim who, through a bajillion flashbacks, is revealed to have been behind the founding of County General’s Emergency Room.

Question: Sam Who scoop? Please? — Melda
Ausiello: You’re gonna love this, and so will Sharon Lawrence’s agents (at least they should — she’s perfect for the part!). In an upcoming episode, we’ll meet Regina’s estranged sister, Amy, a glamour gal who quickly bonds with her impressionable amnesiac niece, Sam. This just in: Rosie’s BFF, Christine Ebersole, got the role! Sorry, Sharon.

Question: Nip/Tuck Scoop/Please? — Dani
Ausiello: O/K. Among the curious characters we’ll meet this year are an overweight nudist — we’re talking Star Jones-before-the-"medical intervention"-overweight — whose confidence mystifies Christian and a couple that’s considering taking the fixation with Barbie and Ken to what I can only assume would be its logical, surgical conclusion.

Question: As an avid Chuck fan, I have to ask: Where the heck is Anna? We haven’t seen her in weeks, and there was only a passing mention that she was at her parents’ for Thanksgiving. Is Julia Ling okay? The Buy More plots aren’t the same without her. — Katie
Ausiello: Fear not, Ling remains a part of the cast, albeit not as big a part as, say, Zach Levi. Like many of Chuck‘s supporting players, her contract isn’t for all shows produced (or ASP). The good news: She’s back in a huge way next week.

Question: Chuck question: Is the Dark Intersect from "Chuck vs The Suburbs" (episode 14) going to form the basis for a Feb/March sweeps trilogy? And how will the Dark Intersect affect Chuck? — Lou
Ausiello: I’m going to throw this one to Josh Schwartz. "The Dark Intersect is the first sign that the bad guys (read: FULCRUM) are figuring out that if they can’t find the Intersect, why not rebuild it — which makes Chuck even more valuable. And yes, it is a trilogy."

Question: You said you wouldn’t tell, but c’mon! You can’t hide things from us! Especially if we tempt you with some Diet Snapple! So, who’s the main character that’s been axed? — Joel
Ausiello: I’m sorry, but I really have to play this one close to the vest. That means no clues, hints, asterisk quizzes, charades, etc. Sorry.

Question: I apologize if I offended you awhile back. Got any more spoilers for NCIS? — Charles
Ausiello: Apology accepted. We’re totally cool, Chuck. And to prove it, here’s your NCIS scoop: In an upcoming episode, McGee finds himself trapped with dozens of women. Baw chika bow wow, right? Wrong. The women are in prison and they’re holding him hostage. "It’s a tense, exciting episode," reveals executive producer Shane Brennan. "Sean Murray puts in a fabulous performance. The story also reveals a little about McGee’s romantic past." (Editor’s note: Anyone know who the hell this Charles guy is and what he did to offend me? Send anonymous tips to ausielloscoop@ew.com )

Question: Please tell me that you saw the Smurf balloon in the parade! — John
Ausiello: Meh, I wasn’t impressed. I have one twice that size sitting in my basement storage unit. 

Question: Any news about the Veronica Mars movie? — Hailey
Ausiello: Yes, and it’s less than ideal (but totally understandable). Basically, between Cupid 2.0 and Party Down, Rob Thomas has been a very, very, very busy man. "I haven’t gotten far on my VM movie outline," he tells me. "I thought I had the idea broken, but I’ve hit a wall in the final act that I haven’t quite figured out. And with Cupid and Party Down occupying 80 hours a week, and a new baby boy occupying the remaining hours, I haven’t nailed it down. I’m hopeful that I can find the time to figure it out over the Christmas holidays." Take your time, Rob! We’re not going anywhere!

Question: I can’t believe Sylar killed Elle. Why would Heroes get rid of Kirsten Bell? — Sarah
Ausiello: Kristen’s return was never meant to be long term, so she was leaving one way or the other. But as I hinted in last week’s AA, I wasn’t expecting her exit to be so permanent. And it is permanent. Unlike 90 percent of the deaths on Heroes, this one will stick. Ironic, no?

Question: What’s the latest on Izzie and Denny on Grey’s Anatomy? Any word on how/if it will pay off? — Alex
Ausiello: Not a peep. But riddle me this: Don’t you find it odd, not to mention a little suspicious, that Katherine Heigl — the outspoken star of such scandals as Emmygate and Isaiahgate – hasn’t expressed a single opinion about this storyline yet? Just putting that out there.

Question: What’s the buzz on ABC Family’s 10 Things I Hate About You? — Claire
Ausiello: The buzz is good, but I suspect that has a lot to do with its promising pedigree: Greek exec producer Carter Covington is the show-runner. As already reported, Gregory Peck’s grandson, Ethan, has been cast in the Heath Ledger role. As not previously reported (until just now), Larry Miller (Boston Legal, 8 Simple Rules, etc) will play the father to Kat and Bianca (Lindsey Shaw and Jette Martin, respectively). It’s a role he should be comfortable with since, well… see the comments section for more. (Sorry, not everyone has seen 10 Things!)

Question: After watching The Shield finale, should I write in Walton Goggins for an Emmy nomination? — Chris
Ausiello: I don’t think the Academy accepts write-ins from non-members, but, hey, Walton was so unbelievable this season maybe they’ll make an exception. It’s definitely worth a shot!

Question: I’ve been reading all sorts of nutty things about the Tori Spelling episode of Smallville. I can’t believe that Clark comes out to the world as an alien! Is this going to stick, or are we looking at another case where time travel/mind wipes fix everything? — Robbie
Ausiello: I can confirm that Clark does, in fact, come out as an E.T. during an interview with Lois. I can also confirm that said revelation causes mass chaos.

Question: I know it’s probably way too early to be asking this, but what are the chances, if ABC does further irreparable damage to Pushing Daisies fans by not airing the remaining episodes, the second season will be released on DVD? — Beth
Ausiello: Considering the season 1 DVD sold well, I’d say the chances are very good.

Question: I’m still deeply in mourning over Pushing Daisies. But in all the worry about Daisies,  I haven’t seen anything anywhere on my other two dearly departed ABC shows. Any word on whether Dirty Sexy Money or Eli Stone‘s final episodes will provide any closure? Three of my favorite shows being dropped mid-storyline would be too much to bear. — Robert
Ausiello: Good news. Unlike Daisies, DSM and Eli had the time and money to produce what an ABC insider describes as "satisfying series endings." DSM will finally answer the question, "Who whacked Dutch?" (brace yourself for a killer twist), while Eli wraps with what my source describes as a "powerful scene between Eli and his father."

Question: Stop jerking us around with all these song lyrics and tell us something specific about House‘s Christmas outing next week. — Sherri
Ausiello: Chase and Cameron are in the ep! The new team grills C&C about the anonymous Xmas gift House receives at the hospital. They want to know who sent it and they want to know now. Too bad they’re barking up the wrong tree for answers. (Was that better, Sherri?)

Question: One Tree Hill: What’s wrong with Peyton? Cancer? Pregnant? I’m dying to find out! — Christine
Ausiello: It’s one of those!

Question: Will the Blacks be a part of Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s new season? — David
Ausiello: One of ‘em will: Vivica A. Fox has signed on to return for at least two episodes.

Question: Any new news on the contract talks with AMC and Mad Men exec producer Matt Weiner? — G
Ausiello: No movement that I know of. In other Mad Men news, perennial supporting actress contender January Jones wisely decided to enter herself into the lead actress race at this year’s Golden Globes. Her superior season 2 work more than justified the upgrade, wouldn’t you say? The only drawback: She’ll have to go head-to-head with the equally awesome Elizabeth Moss. 

Question: How are you doing today? My name is Lili Aba. l saw your profile today and became interested in you. l will also like to know you the more and l want you to send an email to my email address so that l can give you my picture for you to know whom l am. Remember, the distance or colour does not matter but love matters alot in life. Please contact me. — Lilian
Ausiello: Okay, you win! The fired actor/actress is over the age of 30 and the show he/she works on does not air on Fox or The CW. That’s all you’re getting from me!

Send questions/hot tips/early Christmas presents to ausielloscoop@ew.com. (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)

More TV Scoop:
Last week’s Ask Ausiello
Reaper returns in March
CSI: NY casting news
Lost searching for a new Sayid!

Dec 3 2008 04:17 AM ET

Neve Campbell returning to television in 'The Philanthropist'?

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Great news for Party of Five fans: Series alum Neve Campbell is close to signing a deal to costar in The Philanthropist, a midseason drama for NBC that features James Purefoy (Rome) as a bazillionaire who uses his great wealth to help people. In her first major TV role since Party, Campbell will play the wife of a character played by Jesse Martin (Law & Order). As the head of a charitable foundation, her character will work closely with (and perhaps crush on?) Purefoy’s character. To prepare for the role, Campbell will have to update her passport; the globetrotting series is shooting in England and South Africa.

Dec 3 2008 04:00 AM ET

Scoop: Craig T. Nelson in 'CSI: NY' state of mind

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Big Mac’s under attack from Coach Fox!

Craig T. Nelson is joining CSI: NY for a three-episode arc, a CBS spokesperson confirms. He’ll play Robert Parker, an extremely powerful publishing magnate and a nemesis to Gary Sinise’s Mac Taylor.

He’s also rumored to be the real father of Lindsay’s unborn baby, but I have yet to verify that. One possible reason: I just made that up to see if anyone was paying attention.

 

Dec 3 2008 12:52 AM ET

TV Ratings: Shrek and the Grinch bring good tidings to ABC

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Christmas came early for ABC. The network’s one-two punch of Shrek the Halls and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Chirstmas dominated the 8 p.m.-9 p.m. hour on Monday night, with 11.2 million and 11.7 million viewers, respectively, according to preliminary overnight ratings. Unfortunately, that’s where the good cheer ends. Without its Dancing With the Stars lead-in, Samantha Who? tumbled in the ratings with back to back episodes. For the 9 p.m.-10 p.m. hour, the Christina Applegate comedy averaged only 6.8 million viewers, a steep decline from last week’s 11.9 million viewers. At 10 p.m., Boston Legal dipped by about 300k viewers from last week, to a fine 8.4 million.

NBC had some good news, as well, or at least the folks at Chuck did. The action-comedy reached 7.3 million viewers, a nice 9 percent boost from the previous week. Heroes was almost exactly in line with last week’s numbers with about 8 million fans while the canceled My Own Worst Enemy continued to underperform with 4.1 million viewers.

Fox’s action-oriented lineup appeared to benefit from the absence of Dancing With the Stars. Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles rebounded to 5.9 million, a 1.3 million increase from last week, while Prison Break grew by 500k to 5.8 million.

The CW’s Gossip Girl returned after a week off with a new episode that reached 3.1 million, in line with GG‘s usual ratings. Moving from Tuesday nights, the struggling Privileged seemed to be a better fit with with GG, as evidenced its 2.2 million viewers, a 600k boost from its last original episode.

Finally, CBS’s entire lineup was reruns — and yet the network still managed to finish the night No. 1 in total viewers. The two-hour comedy block of Big Bang Theory (8 million), How I Met Your Mother (8 million), Two and a Half Men (13.7 million), and Worst Week (7.9 million), performed solidly — especially Men — despite the repeats. Same goes for CSI: Miami at 10 p.m. with 11 million.

More TV News:
Ausiello scoop: Reaper returns March 17
Heroes recap
Gossip Girl recap
The Hills recap
TV Ratings: 60 Minutes makes a splash for CBS

Dec 3 2008 12:20 AM ET

Scoop: 'Reaper' returns March 17

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This just in: Reaper has a return date!

A spokesperson for The CW confirms that the supernatural knee-slapper will join the net’s schedule on Tuesday, March 17 at 9 p.m./ET following 90210. I’m told the show’s entire 13-episode second season will air uninterrupted.

And don’t freak out, you Privileged few. Rina Mimoun’s freshman gem will have already completed its 18-episode run by the time Reaper takes over the time period.

Dec 2 2008 06:12 PM ET

Blind Item: They axed, but I won't tell

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Hopefully, you’ll all be intrigued by today’s blind item. But if a certain TV star is reading this, they should squint extra hard to read between the lines. How come? They’ve been canned — they just don’t know it yet!

Yep, it seems an original cast member of a hit series that’s popular
with Ausholes (and yours truly) has been pink-slipped without the
benefit of being given a pink slip. A combo platter of budget cuts and
creative redirection is being blamed for the firing, but it also bears
mentioning that said performer was never going to win any popularity
contests with their co-stars.

As for why the MVP still hasn’t been told that the unemployment line
is reserving a spot for them… well, that’s where things get really
interesting. According to my mole, there’s still a snowball’s chance in
Hollywood that the producers might have a change of heart.

If, or when, the axe does fall, the regular’s on-screen alter ego
isn’t likely to be killed off. Although death has cast a shadow over
many a plot, this personality’s demise would probably be deemed too
morbid, even for this show.

So, stars… readers… readers who are stars… Call your agents
and get guessing! Oh, and memo to my higher-ups at EW: Don’t bother
asking me who it is — this is one blind item I won’t be blabbing about!

Dec 2 2008 12:42 AM ET

Breaking: Clock keeps ticking for 'Eleventh Hour'

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Eleventh Hour will be around for at least 18 this season.

A CBS insider confirms that the network has ordered five additional episodes of the freshman drama, bringing its season 1 total to 18.

Since premiering in October, Hour has averaged 12 million viewers and ranks No. 20 among all prime-time shows. Sure, it loses a chunk of its sizeable CSI lead in, but, hey, 12 million viewers is nothing to sneeze at.

Are you among the 12 million regularly tuning in? If so, riddle me this: Should I be watching? The pilot was just okay for me. 

Dec 1 2008 11:40 PM ET

Scoop: 'Lost' casting a new Sayid!

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Oh, don’t get your knickers in a knot! Naveen Andrews isn’t leaving Lost. However, if my hunch is correct, in this season’s 10th episode — a Sayid-centric outing that starts shooting later this week — a new actor will be playing his part.

“Whatchutalkinbout’, Willis?” you say?

Follow along now: A casting call has gone out for the roles of a father and his 12- and 8-year-old sons, all of whom, I’m told, will have to be fluent in Arabic. So wouldn’t a logical assumption be that the hotheaded dad is Sayid’s pop and the older boy, a sensitive type who’s painfully aware that he lets down his formidable paterfamilias, is the future assassin himself?

That’s what I thought, too! The hour promises to be a real crusher, with Dad teaching his elder son the kind of lesson in manhood that I suspect inflicts lifelong emotional scars.

Are you ready for Sayid’s untold story to be told? Or are you afraid that it will be so intense, it’ll qualify as must-wince TV? Comment away below! (Additional reporting by Andy Patrick)

Dec 1 2008 09:15 PM ET

TV Ratings: '60 Minutes' makes a splash for CBS

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On last night’s 60 Minutes, the promise of a shirtless Anderson Cooper racing against Olympic stud Michael Phelps was enough to pull in a solid 15.6 million viewers — over a million more than the show’s last new airing — helping CBS win Sunday in total viewership. (Some credit also goes to NFL spillover in the 7 p.m.-8 p.m. hour.) The network’s other amazing race, namely The Amazing Race, attracted 11.6 million viewers, a 15 percent gain over last week’s episode.

Thus, The Amazing Race held its own against NBC’s Sunday Night Football (which averaged 13.6 million viewers) and ABC’s 9 p.m.-10 p.m. winner, Desperate Housewives (15.6 million). And ABC’s Brothers & Sisters (10.2 million viewers) triumphed opposite CBS’ underperforming Cold Case (10.7 million), which normally brings in over 12 million viewers. Over at Fox, all three new half-hour cartoons (The Simpsons, King of the Hill, American Dad!) suffered dips in viewership, while a rerun of Family Guy managed to pull in 80 percent of the audience from its last new airing.

Thanksgiving weekend programming featured a lot of family-friendly movies with commercials, but practically nothing new. On Friday, new episodes of The CW’s Everybody Hates Chris (2.1 million viewers) and The Game (2 million) handily outperformed their last new episodes, while ABC’s only fresh offering, 20/20, reached a smaller-than-usual audience of 7.1 million. On Saturday, ABC easily won the night with its Saturday Night Football coverage of Oklahoma at Oklahoma State. A two-hour block of 48 Hours Mystery on CBS spooked out an average of 6.5 million viewers, giving the Eye the edge over NBC’s repeat of Law & Order: SVU and the only other new show of the night, America’s Most Wanted on Fox (5.4 million)

More TV News:
Desperate Housewives recap
The Amazing Race recap
Brothers & Sisters recap
PopWatch: Anderson Cooper takes off his shirt

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  1. Tuesday, May 1
    1. The Biggest Loser NBC, 8-9PM
  2. Friday, May 4
    1. In Plain Sight USA, 10-11PM
  3. Sunday, May 6
    1. The Amazing Race CBS, 8-10PM
    2. GCB NBC, 10-11PM
  4. Monday, May 7
    1. Two Broke Girls CBS, 8-9PM
    2. Castle ABC, 10-11PM
  5. Tuesday, May 8
    1. Last Man Standing ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. The Voice NBC, 8-10PM
    3. New Girl FOX, 9-9:31PM
    4. Unforgettable CBS, 10-11PM
  6. Wednesday, May 9
    1. CSI CBS, 10-11PM
  7. Thursday, May 10
    1. The Big Bang Theory CBS, 8-8:31PM
    2. The Vampire Diaries The CW, 8-9PM
    3. The Office NBC, 9-9:30PM
    4. The Secret Circle The CW, 9-10PM
    5. Parks and Recreation NBC, 9:30-10PM
  8. Friday, May 11
    1. The Finder FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Undercover Boss CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Fringe FOX, 9-10PM
    4. CSI: NY CBS, 9-10PM
    5. Blue Bloods CBS, 10-11PM
  9. Sunday, May 13
    1. Once Upon A Time ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Survivor: One World CBS, 8-10PM
    3. Desperate Housewives ABC, 9-11PM, SERIES FINALE
    4. American Dad FOX, 9:30-10PM
  10. Monday, May 14
    1. Bones FOX, 8-9PM
    2. How I Met Your Mother CBS, 8-9PM
    3. Gossip Girl The CW, 8-9PM
    4. Two and a Half Men CBS, 9-9:30PM
    5. Hart of Dixie The CW, 9-10PM
    6. Mike & Molly CBS, 9:30-10PM
    7. Hawaii Five-0 CBS, 10-11PM
    8. Smash NBC, 10-11PM
  11. Tuesday, May 15
    1. 90210 The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    3. NCIS CBS, 8-9PM
    4. NCIS: Los Angeles CBS, 9-11PM
    5. Fashion Star NBC, 10-11PM
    6. Private Practice ABC, 10-11PM
  12. Wednesday, May 16
    1. Suburgatory ABC, 8:30-9PM
    2. Criminal Minds CBS, 9-11PM
  13. Thursday, May 17
    1. Missing ABC, 8-9PM
    2. Community NBC, 8-8:30PM, 9-10PM
    3. 30 Rock NBC, 8:30-9PM
    4. Rules of Engagement CBS, 8:30-9PM
    5. Awake NBC, 9-11PM
    6. Grey's Anatomy ABC, 9-10PM
    7. Person of Interest CBS, 9-10PM
    8. The Mentalist CBS, 10-11PM
    9. Scandal ABC, 10-11PM
  14. Friday, May 18
    1. Nikita The CW, 8-9PM
    2. Shark Tank ABC, 8-9PM
    3. Who Do You Think You Are NBC, 8-9PM
    4. Grimm NBC, 9-10PM
    5. Supernatural The CW, 9-10PM
  15. Saturday, May 19
    1. Saturday Night Live NBC, 11:29PM-1AM
  16. Sunday, May 20
    1. America's Funniest Home Videos ABC, 7-8PM
    2. The Cleveland Show FOX, 7:30-8PM
    3. Harry's Law NBC, 8-9PM
    4. The Simpsons FOX, 8-8:30PM
    5. Bob's Burgers FOX, 8:30-9PM
    6. Celebrity Apprentice NBC, 9-11PM
    7. Family Guy FOX, 9-10PM
  17. Monday, May 21
    1. Dancing With the Stars (Performance) ABC, 8-9PM
    2. House FOX, 8-10PM, SERIES FINALE
  18. Tuesday, May 22
    1. American Idol (Performance) FOX, 8-9PM
    2. Dancing With the Stars (Results) ABC, 9-11PM
    3. Glee FOX, 9-10PM
  19. Wednesday, May 23
    1. The Middle ABC, 8-8:30PM
    2. American Idol (Results) FOX, 8-10:07PM
    3. Modern Family ABC, 9-9:30PM
    4. Don't Trust the B— ABC, 9:30-10PM
    5. Revenge ABC, 10-11PM
    6. Law & Order: SVU NBC, 10-11PM
  20. Thursday, May 24
    1. Awake NBC, 10-11PM
  21. Tuesday, May 29
    1. Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
    2. The L.A. Complex The CW, 9-10PM
  22. Wednesday, May 30
    1. America's Next Top Model: British Invasion The CW, 9-10PM
*Times are Eastern Daylight and subject to change

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