Also, there’s a Brill & Eric audio special in the works. It’s got little to do with TV, but if you liked the podcast you may still dig it. It’ll be announced here as well as on Eric on Media.

We’ve discussed some other projects, but don’t really want to commit to anything until we know we can keep it going for a while (which may mean not relying on sponsorship, etc. and just doing it for the hell of it).

You can also follow our Twitters about tv and more:
http://www.twitter.com/EricOnMedia
http://www.twitter.com/Zap2itBrill

Thanks to all our listeners who stuck with us and to those who’ve contacted us since we went off the air.

It’s a jam-packed pair of days with news of new and returning shows on the FOX and FX networks. First up is the highly-anticipated new series from “Lost” producer J.J. Abrams, “Fringe,” reality show “Secret Millionaire” and the returning “Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles.”

FX presents the new motorcycle club drama, “Sons of Anarchy,” starring Charlie Hunnam (photo, right). There’s also news for the next season of Damages and the final season of “The Shield.

We discuss the scene and hit some of the highlights, including Style Network’s “Ruby,” TNT’s “Raising the Bar” and “Leverage,” the return of AMC’s “Mad Men,” Fox Reality’s “Long Way Down” (featuring Ewan McGregor) and the long-awaited HBO vampire drama “True Blood” starring Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer (photo, left).

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Brill

In our final installment of ’08 Upfronts coverage, we have the low down on six new shows scheduled for next fall and midseason on FOX, as well as three new shows which could join the schedule. The rather comprehensive and sensible lineup includes the buzzworthy new J.J. Abrams (“Lost”) series, “Fringe” (photo, right) and Joss Whedon’s overdue return to TV, “Dollhouse,” starring Eliza Dushku. There are also two animated series, an interesting reality offering and a some comedies that actually may turn out to be funny. And nearly every one of them somehow has ties to the still-missed FOX comedy “Arrested Development.”

Despite the setback of the writers strike, CBS presented several scheduling changes and six new shows: comedies “Worst Week” and “Project Gary,” dramas “The Mentalist” (photo, left), “Eleventh Hour,” “The Ex List,” and midseason suspense/horror series “Harper’s Island.” [Click links to view video clips.]

Meanwhile, a couple B & E faves get another chance, while one fan fave gets staked.

We do double duty tonight with coverage of two networks’ worth of upfront announcements. ABC announced only five new shows for next year, but those include some interesting offerings such as an adaptation of the BBC’s “Life on Mars,” “The Goode Family,” a new Mike Judge animated series, and two reality shows sprung from the daring mind of Ashton Kutcher.

The CW, meanwhile, resurrects the “90210″ franchise (see the new leads in the photo, right) and turns over an entire night of programming to the mysterious Media Rights Capital financing company.

Yes, dear listeners, we’re finally back for the first in a week’s worth of podcasts covering the networks’ announcements of their schedules for the next year. NBC kicked things off, announcing several new shows including the dramas “Merlin,” “My Own Worst Enemy,” and “Crusoe” and the comedy “Kath & Kim”. Also in the lineup: the new “Knight Rider” series (photo, left), based on the TV movie which was based on the ’80s series.

We’ll be back tomorrow with announcements from ABC and the CW.

That’s why you haven’t seen or heard from us recently. Our copious amount of TV-viewing has been severely curtailed since when he does have a couple of free hours we want something fun (”Torchwood”) or stupid (”American Idol”). Plus, since we’ve barely seen each other over the past month, we’re getting along famously so our patented bickering isn’t up to snuff.

This, of course, can’t go on forever and servicing you guys is high on our priority list of what we need to get accomplished (that and our taxes). Basically, what I’m saying here is that you have not been forsaken.

Oh, and I will be Twittering throughout the Oscars tonight if anyone wants to keep me company.

While many fans became disillusioned with “Lost” over the past two seasons, the show’s producers had high hopes that a plan for three more seasons of 16 episodes shown without interruption or repeats would help set the pace for the journey to the end.

Despite being limited by a network request not to discuss certain topics, we give our impressions of the season premiere and second episode. Whether those who gave up on the show will return remains to be seen, but we provide a taste of what they can expect if they do.

Bonus: We also have clips of several cast members giving their takes on what lies ahead in season 4.

Check out Zap2it’s “Lost” photo gallery.
The Zap2it Guide to “Lost”

We also touch on some of the changes made at B&E Watch TV recently and the move to combine blogging and podcasting. You can now find more reviews, news and commentary on brillandericwatchtv.com.

This news fired up our friend Chris (a card-carrying WGA member with several excellent ideas for pilots in his own arsenal) so much that he quickly beat us to the punch in responding.

“Sometimes you see the world from a different perspective when you’re flat on your back,” Zucker says in what we assume is supposed to come across as self-deprecation. “At NBC Entertainment we’ve been flat on our backs for the last few years.”

Gee, we don’t know Jeff. When wer’re flat on our backs pretty much all we can see is a tiny patch of ceiling. We’re firm believers in the adage that you have to spend money in order to make money. While the pilot process might be due for a makeover, we hardly think scorched earth is the best starting point.

Here’s hoping the other networks have the sense to not jump on NBC’s bandwagon, which appears to be headed over the edge of a cliff.

ERIC: A few weeks ago we reviewed Lifetime’s “Matched in Manhattan,” and had several complaints. The show made it seem like every woman is one makeover away from true love, which I just can’t buy into. Also, the half-hour episodes didn’t give any follow through with what happens to the clients. The hour-long “Millionaire” takes a very different approach. As well as the basic match-ups and first dates, we get some pretty interesting behind the scenes looks at the business and how Patti lords over her staff, who I’m convinced are woefully underpaid. That’s mostly based on their wardrobes.

BRILL: Patti is a real pistol. She diagnoses the millionaires’ dating problems, gets her team working on fixing them and develops a plan to set them up with Miss Right. Sometimes she even gives them what they think they want — instead of what she knows is right for them — to teach them a lesson about unrealistic expectations.

In the first episode, we meet Harold, a 46-year-old trying to buy the kind of woman he’s wanted to date for the past 20 years but couldn’t attract and Dave, whose online sex toys business keeps him from meeting the kind of gal he says he wants to settle down with. In episode two, there’s Jeff, an aging software exec who thinks he’s a rocker and Julien, a guy so skittish about letting people in that he has developed several bizarre personality traits to keep them at a distance. And they certainly appear to be working; the guy is just creepy in a sad and pathetic kind of way that made me feel really bad for him by the end.

ERIC: It makes me feel better about not being a millionaire. Not great, but better. All the ones on this show are either douchebags or losers. It’s easy to see why they need help, but I’m curious about the motives of the women in the Club’s dating pool. They aren’t allowed to ask for money, gifts or other favors, and there’s a “no gold digger” policy. So these are the kind of women eager to meet and marry a millionaire who aren’t gold diggers? I hope Patti also offers a pre-nup service.

BRILL: I put it down to an LA thing. Guys all want hot. Gals all want rich. You know how we hear about the disappearing middle class? In this city it’s all about the disappearing dating class.

ERIC: Well, the Club does have a strict “no sex unless you are in an exclusive, committed relationship” rule. And she has a pretty specific definition of what constitutes sex. No shenanigans whatsoever!

BRILL: I don’t call being ok with rolling around completely naked “no shenanigans,” but my people are from the South. Patti does have a good line about how when you have sex with a guy too soon you ruin it for the next girl because he feels like it’s okay to expect it. Honestly, I don’t know a woman alive who is worried about what she leaves for the next girl. I think it’s more likely Patti wants to make sure she can never be accused of running an escort service.

ERIC: Bravo is saving that reality show for the summer.

Though playing her mother, Shannon (Kath) is a mere 11 years older than Blair (Kim). That’s actually a leap from the Aussie original (photo, left), in which Gina Riley (Kim), was a year older than the actress playing her mother, Jane Turner (Kath). We think this somehow works in the same way that water flows down the drain in the opposite direction down under and their summer is our winter.

There’s also the problem of the writer’s strike, which wasn’t even a twinkle in a labor organizer’s eye back in October, ’06. Maybe they can take the original Aussie scripts and just replace “Melbourne” with “Missoula.” Then again, we think that’s how the “Coupling” scripts were “adapted.” Fortunately, the pilot was penned by “South Park” alum Nancy Pimental who, we should note for no particular reason other than it’s kinda hot, also has a degree in chemical engineering. “Freaks and Geeks” co-creator Paul Feig is on board as director.

We kick off with a review of “Breaking Bad,” the new AMC series starring Bryan Cranston (photo, right). “Bad” premiered Sunday, 1/20 but we’ve seen the first three episodes. The first one will likely be repeated during the week, so check your listings.

ERIC: AMC really set the bar high with their first original series, “Mad Men.” Scoring a couple Golden Globes, including Best Drama and Best Actor for John Hamm, with their first show was a pretty impressive feat. And it was totally deserved. Like “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad” is a genre-buster, but that’s where the similarity ends.

BRILL: I liked it, but it may become too much of a downer to be must-see viewing for me. It’s touted as a “dark comedy” but it was much more dark than comedy. Bryan Cranston, best known as Hal from “Malcolm in the Middle,” plays a high school chemistry teacher on the verge of a major mid-life crisis who’s struggling to make ends meet. He discovers he’s got inoperable lung cancer and has, at best, a couple years to live. He comes a bit unhinged and decides to provide for his wife and teenage son by cooking up the purest crystal meth in New Mexico.

ERIC: He teams up with a former student who’s a local drug dealer. Needless to say, not all goes as planned and complications quickly arise. Unlike the other cable drug dealer show, “Weeds,” this is really about one guy’s descent into depravation and desperation. Also, while it took a couple seasons for the violence and more dangerous criminal aspects of the drug trade to show up on “Weeds,” it’s pretty immediate here.

BRILL: You know how critics will often say someone gives a “brave performance” and you have to wonder what’s so brave about it? Example: Tea Leoni in “Spanglish.” What’s brave about crying a lot and having extreme onscreen PMS? Well, Bryan Cranston actually gives what I’d call a brave performance. It’s raw and ugly and he doesn’t shy away from it at all. When men having their mid-life crises imagine what they’ve become, Bryan Cranston is actually that. The embodiment of every man’s worst fear. Sad, ineffectual, paunchy and well past his prime.

ERIC: Um… yeah. I fear that. All of it. I’m not even quite middle aged yet. And I hear 40 is the new 30.

BRILL: You’ve been having a mid-life crisis every three years since I met you.

ERIC: Uh… Back to “Breaking Bad,” you said that he comes unhinged, but in some ways he’s seeing things more clearly than he had in years. He suddenly has a purpose, but at the same time it’s all built on the knowledge of his impending death and his horribly impaired judgment.

BRILL: In fact, it goes bad so quickly I have to wonder if this show has legs. I mean, the guy’s dying. He passes out at least a couple times in the first three episodes. It’s not like he turns to macrobiotics or anything like that—he starts making meth. He may go at any minute.

ERIC: Well, the one other thing I like about the show is how he uses his knowledge of science to solve several of the problems come his way. But it’s somehow less forced than on a show like “Numb3rs” and less gimmicky than “MacGyver.” It’s quite clear that chemistry can’t solve all his problems. And sometimes just makes things worse.

BRILL: Crappier living through chemistry!

NBC’s Entertainment Co-Chair Ben Silverman refused to let the “nerdiest, ugliest, meanest kids” (aka the WGA) cancel his “prom” (aka the Golden Globes), but it definitely wasn’t the event of the season. We dissect the cobbled together “Dateline NBC” special, the cranky and ill-informed “Access Hollywood” anchors and our personal takes on the TV winners, including Jon Hamm of “Mad Men” (photo, left).

We also dip into the reader mail to share one fed-up listener’s plea for Eric to get over himself concerning a certain Top 10 sitcom.

Next week we’ll be back to our regular format with a review of AMC’s new dark comedy “Breaking Bad” and Bravo’s latest reality offering, “Millionaire Matchmaker.”

This week, we review the first two episodes of the new season of “Medium.” Things are up in the air for the mostly-psychic DuBois family but they may get some much-needed guidance from new cast member Anjelica Huston (photo, right).

Thanks to the WGA strike, many shows are having to wrap up their seasons early, including freshman CW series “Gossip Girl.” We give our take on the show’s finale without revealing too many spoilers and provide our take on how the show improved and where it landed at the end.

In news, we ponder the fates of the 2008 awards shows, in particular, the Golden Globes and the Oscars. We also have other noteworthy happenings on the tv schedule (yes, there is still plenty to watch on tv). Plus, Eric does a really weak Garrison Keillor impersonation. Who could ask for more?

A new year means new shows. ABC’s “Cashmere Mafia” (starring Lucy Liu, photo, left) gets restyled from its pilot, but can it possibly escape the inevitable “Sex and the City” comparisons?

Midseason reality shows are raining down on us now. The new season of “The Biggest Loser” adds adds yet another twist to the familiar formula. Bravo hopes to do for modeling what it’s accomplished for chefs and fashion designers. Lifetime employs two men to help women feel better about themselves so they’ll dress—and date—better.

Proving once again that “Law & Order” can keep on trucking no matter who stars on it, former “Kidnapped” co-stars Jeremy Sisto (photo, right) and Linus Roache join the cast as New York’s newest detective and ADA, respectively.

In news, starlets of the past and present get in trouble for DUI; USA Network cancels two popular old shows to make way for new ones; and all the late night talk shows are coming back, but only David Letterman and Craig Ferguson will have writing staffs to do the heavy lifting.

In news, some late night shows start to find their own solutions to the strike. We aim our crystal ball and try to predict what the future will look like if the strike goes on. Meanwhile, awards season begins with the Golden Globe nominations. Whether will cross the writers strike picket lines to attend remains to be seen.
Few shows have successfully made the movie-to-TV leap, but “Sarah Connor Chronicles” (starring Lena Headey, photo, left) has potential beyond its action/sci-fi movie origins.

We’ll be off next week for the holiday, but will return the first week of January with more previews of midseason shows.

Yes, the writers’ strike is marching on and continuing to dominate the news. The good news is that non-cable subscribers will be able to see (an edited version of) “Dexter” on broadcast TV. The down side: Many viewers’ nightmare scenario is starting to come true as mediocre reality programming gets a second chance on upcoming schedules. Plus, we’re robbed of our chance to hobnob with the execs and stars in January.

We dig into two new reality shows (both planned well before this strike mess): The CW’s mother/daughter pageant, “Crowned” (hosted by the multi-titled Shanna Moakler, photo, right) and A&E’s “Paranormal State.” While the former is rather predictable, the latter presents some troubling and bothersome surprises.

Apologies for the late post this week. A laptop meltdown prevented us from updating the new podcast, which was recorded days ago. Thanks, as always, for your patience!

Stay tuned … .

We’re back after a longer-than-anticipated holiday vacation and we’ve got news concerning the fates of several new series, including “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Life” and “Chuck.” The future is less clear for “Bionic Woman” and “Journeyman.”

Then we take a trip to the O.Z. to try to peek at the man behind the curtain with a review of “Tin Man,” starring Zooey Deschanel and Alan Cumming (photo, left). Is it a remake, a re-imagining, or something else altogether?

As the WGA strike enters its third week, the studios start playing hardball. NBC Universal stuck it to the actors this week by invoking force majeure and putting cast members of such shows as “The Office,” “30 Rock” and “Bionic Woman” on half pay for the next five weeks.

Sci Fi Channel offers up a holiday treat in the form of “Battlestar Galactica: Razor” (starring Stephanie Jacobsen, photo, right), a two-hour event that not only tells the tale of the Battlestar Pegasus before it met up with Galactica, but portends much darkness for the show’s upcoming final season. Bring it!

Finally, “Weeds” polishes off its third season by setting up its fourth. Will it be a new beginning for the Botwin family or more of the same?

The Hollywood writers are mad as hell and they’re not going to take it anymore. They’re taken to picketing outside the networks and studios while upsetting our TV viewing habits for the forseeable future. We’ve got anecdotes, comments and strike-related news.

Unscripted programming offers some respite. “Project Runway” (photo, left) unleashes another group of designers with healthy egos on us and Comedy Central resurrects “Kenny vs. Spenny,” upping the gross out factor and proving that not all Canadians are kind and gentle.

Plus: a rare behind-the-scenes look at B&E Watch TV, our first blooper!

Eight years after debuting on FOX, “Family Guy” (photo, right) finally manages to put its centennial episode in the can for future DVD immortality. “Stewie Kills Lois” promises a lot, but we discuss if it delivers.

Unencumbered by all the sentimental trappings of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we take a moment to appreciate Halloween episodes, this week’s very special “Bones,” and the need for shows to jump at the annual opportunity to sex up and slut out their female cast members

We give “Moonlight” another viewing and wonder if it’s managed to get any better.

Plus, we use the power of the Shout Out to try and stave off a writers strike and have news about a possible “Prison Break” spin-off, “Viva Laughlin’s” unsurprisingly quick demise, sharing our ongoing love of “Pushing Daisies” with 11 million others, Sci Fi’s upcoming dramedy “Warehouse 13″ and “Grey’s Anatomy” cast additions.

How can the show get both Elliot (Sarah Chalke) to mature, JD to man up to his impending fatherhood duties with Kim (Zach Braff and Elizabeth Banks, photo, left) and still keep it funny?

In news, George Lucas tries to scrape even more out of the “Star Wars” mine, ABC, CBS and FOX pick up more shows and The CW discovers that people don’t want to spend part of their Sunday evenings watching TV about what’s on the Internet. Plus, how much of “The Office” is too much of a good thing and a zombified shout out.

“Nip/Tuck” makes the move from Miami’s South Beach to Los Angeles’ Malibu shores, bringing new faces and dynamics to the show’s fifth season. We review the first two episodes. Resident narcissist Dr. Christian Troy (Julian McMahon, photo, right) appears to be headed for an epic wake up call.

Can John “Goo Goo” Rzeznik, Sheila “Glamorous Life” E. and Ian “Dicko” Dickson keep us entertained until Randy, Paula and Simon return in ‘08? We doubt it, but some of “The Next Great American Band” band names might do the trick for a couple of weeks. Plus: How many bands are there named “Dharma Initiative?” We’ve found five so far.

On the news front, the CW’s “Gossip Girl” is the first new show granted a full season, but NBC and CBS have a couple of likely contenders too. Chevy Chase and Seth Green get more TV work, while the latest casting announcement has “Lost” theorists hitting Google.

If you use another service or feed aggregator and the new episodes do not appear in the feed when refreshed, try deleting the feed and re-added it. This seems to have worked for Ann, the helpful listener who tipped us off to the problem.

The feed address:
http://www.brillandericwatchtv.com/blog/wp-rss2.php

As always, we apologize for any inconvenience. Thanks for listening!

In news, we discuss film actors with TV projects in the works for Showtime and FX as well as “Lost” co-creator JJ Abrams’ new big budget pilot for FOX.

A weekend brunch encounter with Nicole Richie (picture, right) leads us to a discussion on the natures of TV and movie celebrity status and what makes one more special than another. Finally, Eric walks a lonely road by himself… or is that George Clooney at his side?

Following last week’s lengthier-than-usual podcast, we keep it brief this week. First, we check in on early ratings for several new series. Then we have news of two new shows in development for FOX and FX from “Nip/Tuck” creator Ryan Murphy. Finally, there’s great news for fans of one of our bygone faves, “Kenny vs. Spenny” (photo, left).

The Fall TV Season is off and running and we’ve seen new episodes of many returning shows. We discuss how things are shaping up for several popular shows and even add one to our regular viewing (for now) based on its premiere. Along the way, we review CBS’s troubled vampire drama, “Moonlight,” (photo, left), the most heavily rejiggered of all the new shows.

In news, we translate ratings reports to make sense of the network spin on last week’s debuts, including “Gossip Girl,” “Kid Nation,” “Nashville,” “K-Ville” and “Back to You.” Plus, NBC’s online strategy continues to fragment.

We discuss the “HIMYM” premiere, which we’ve seen, in Brill and Eric Watch TV 229.

Visit the Slap Bet Countdown page.

We also give our take on the “How I Met Your Mother” season premiere, ponder the fate of NBC’s sitcom “The IT Crowd,” and have good news for fans of “My Boys” on TNT and Showtime’s “Californication.”

Plus, casting news for Alyssa Milano and two “O.C.” vets, and an old favorite signs up for “Family Man” with William H. Macy.

The downloads are available in either Windows Media format or for your Tivo. Video iPod and iPhone users are out of luck until NBC and Apple settle their differences.

For those following at home, the B&E Watch TV take is that “Bionic Woman” showed potential and may develop into a better show than the premiere seems to indicate. “Journeyman” also has promise and more good than bad going for it with strong performances and a nice twist at the end. We really enjoyed “Chuck,” an all-around fun and entertaining show. “Life” may be an early season casualty as it doesn’t seem to offer anything really new other than a hook-y premise that may not have legs. And while Brill was initially forgiving of “Big Bang Theory” and its many flaws, it’s not on her “must watch” list for the season.

Visit the Amazon Download page.

Apple’s iTunes is offering a free download of the premiere of the new CW show “Gossip Girl.” We chimed in on the show’s pilot back in June (Brill & Eric Watch TV 208) and expanded on that during Press Tour in August (Brill & Eric Watch TV 220).

We’ll be discussing “Gossip Girl” and all the other new shows in this week’s Fall TV Preview.

Download Gossip Girl on iTunes.

Though they may not be as fun as the Golden Globes or as cheesy as the People’s Choice Awards, Emmys remain the top honor for most TV shows. We stick to the major categories but there’s plenty to discuss with some interesting nominees and some unfortunate oversights.

Agree with our picks? Think our prognostication is off the mark? Or that we’re just plain wrong? Drop us a line and let us know. Tune into the Ryan Seacrest-hosted awards show on FOX Sunday, Sept. 16 to find out who won (or just to watch the “Family Guy” Brian and Stewie musical number before catching up on shows on your DVR).

The talk of July’s Press Tour, “Tell Me You Love Me” gives viewers a heavy dose of explicit sex to go along with with its rather bleak depictions of relationships. We weigh in on what you can expect to see, whether it’s real or fake and, most importantly, whether it’s worth watching at all.

“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (photo, left) returns its first new episodes since 2005. We review the season premiere and offer some conjecture based on a rumor from a very reliable source … four times removed.

Plus, ABC employs two Spice Girls, celebrities vie to prove they’re smarter than a fifth grader — or at least Miss Teen South Carolina — and NBC gets too greedy for Apple.

Season three of FX’s “It’s Always Sunny …” (photo, right) reunites Philly’s most misanthropic miscreants but it’s not easy to follow up episodes like last year’s “Mac Bangs Dennis’ Mom” and “Dennis and Dee Go on Welfare.”

Gearing up the the fall season, the Big Five networks start flexing their marketing muscles in TV, print, online and other media. ABC and NBC are off to a promising start, with the competition aimlessly lagging behind.

“K-Ville” has already inspired discussion and debate among the people of New Orleans. We provide a glimpse of their varied reactions to the show’s first episode and season it with a little perspective of our own.

In news, “Heroes,” “Lost” and “24″ build their casts for next season, the “Kid Nation” legal inquiry heats up, “Anchorwoman” takes a dive and the least-loved show of next season gets new leadership late in the game.

Though originally dismissive of “Dr. Who” spinoff “Torchwood,” we find a lot to like in subsequent episodes. (For our original review of “Torchwood” and the new season of “Dr. Who,” check out Brill and Eric Watch TV 212.)

We had so much fun watching this week’s No. 1 movie, “Superbad,” that we rushed home to check out an earlier Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen collaboration, the short-lived series “Undeclared.” See, we do more than watch TV. We see movies, too, sometimes.

“Anchorwoman” may be reality TV, but it feels fake… Just not fake enough to be good.

There’s also plenty of news afoot, from the cancellation of “John From Cincinnati” to the ratings records of “Weeds” and “High School Musical 2.” A replacement is named for Mandy Patinkin on “Criminal Minds,” while Anjelica Huston and James Marsters sign on for stints on two returning shows.

The third season of “Weeds” picks up where the last left off, with suburban mom pot dealer Nancy facing the unpleasant realities of her trade. Things get worse for her — and everyone else — from there, but we think it’s a good move forward.

Duchovny returns to series television, bringing with him all the self-effacing bounder charm we love to his Hank Moody character, a New York writer whose Los Angeles dreams have gone sour. Sure, we’ve seen it before, but self-destruction and meager redemptions haven’t been this funny in a good long while.

In news, we address the rumor that Kristen Bell is slated to get “Lost,” discuss whether or not there’s such a thing as too many vampires at one network (in this case, HBO) and make an obligatory mention that the new “Bachelor” hails from the Lone Star State.

Correction: Justin Kirk did not play Mary-Louise Parker’s husband in “Angels in America.” Patrick Wilson did. Kirk played — and was nominated for an Emmy for — Prior Walter/Leatherman in the Park. The fact that she thinks “Angels” is dated and overrated does not excuse or explain Brill’s error. Either way, she regrets making it.

Eric gives a brief lesson in comics’ early days and explains how the Sci Fi re-imagining of “Flash Gordon” (starring Eric Johnson, photo, left) deviates wildly from both the 1930s version of the character and the campy ’80s movie with the Queen soundtrack.

Plus, we have recent casting and other developments for some of the new shows, including FOX’s “New Amsterdam” and “K-Ville,” CBS’ troubled vampire drama “Moonlight,” NBC’s “Bionic Woman,” and ABC’s “Miss/Guided” and “Dirty Sexy Money.”

Things get off to a rocky start when several of the nation’s TV critics get aggressive with ABC’s top exec. Under pressure, he feeds them a tidbit regarding the return of Harold Perrineau (photo, left) to “Lost.” Critics’ impatience and irritation turn to affection when the net presents the much-anticipated “Pushing Daisies.” We meet the show’s female lead, Anna Friel, who leaves Eric feeling smitten. Producer Darren Star fails to differentiate between “Cashmere Mafia” and “Sex and the City.” Either way, it will take a lot to get us to watch “Mafia,” “Big Shots,” “Women’s Murder Club” or “Cavemen” ever again. And “Private Practice” is overshadowed by questions and criticism of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

See Pics of the ABC All-Star Party in Zap2it’s Red Carpet Gallery.

FOX may only have three new scripted shows for the fall, but they still managed to cram its two days of Summer Press Tour with sessions. Exec Peter Liguori and new President of Entertertainment Kevin Reilly offered some frank words on the sagging ratings of “Idol” and “24.” Veterans Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton got the royal treatment for the unworthy sitcom, “Back to You.” The “K-Ville” session inspires Brill to give the New Orleans cop drama another look, and we discover that “New Amsterdam’s” take on immortality may ironically lead to its demise.

Press Tour’s legendary “Rule of Jay” goes into effect, possibly dooming fall reality show “Nashville” and Julianna Margulies’ midseason legal drama “Canterbury’s Law.” Dr. House (Hugh Laurie, photo, right) and his “cottages” were on hand to tell us how he will assemble his new team, and “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino spared a moment from talking about her midseason comedy “The Return of Jezebel James” to tell us what she did instead of watching the “Gilmore” finale.

Everything is capped off at the Santa Monica Pier with stars, rides, games and a very un-Hollywood menu of deliciously fried, fatty and sugary food.

See More Pics of the FOX All-Star Party in Zap2it’s Red Carpet Gallery.

It’s The CW’s turn at press tour and the members of the press are getting surly. “Aliens in America” is criticized for its portrayal of Midwesterners as bigots, while teen behaviors on “Gossip Girl” are called into question. Brill’s more concerned about the latter’s deviations from the source material, which she discusses with producer Josh Schwartz. In particular, the two chat about the “ick” factor of burdening a 13-year-old actress Taylor Momsen (photo, left) with her literary counterpart’s noteworthy breasts. Given her attire at the CW’s party, though, we’re convinced she doesn’t need the cleavage to get the kind of attention the book’s character receives.

Plus, we take a small break from our exhaustive press tour to respond to listener email and comments about ABC’s “Pushing Daisies,” our segment on the BET network luncheon, and taking Eric to task for confusing his Oscars.

See More Pics of The CW All-Star Party at Zap2it’s Red Carpet Photo Gallery.

The highlight of the evening, without a doubt, was “30 Rock” star Alec Baldwin’s acceptance speech, which proved his worthiness of a comedy award. The actor began by stating his sadness about the series end of “The Sopranos” because — despite a fervent desire to appear on the show — he never had an offer. He then related a lengthy story which concluded with “Sopranos” producer David Chase walking into the men’s room of New York’s Four Seasons restaurant and discovering Baldwin there, bare-chested, drying his sweat-soaked shirt with the hand dryer.

[Updated Sunday afternoon to include audio of Baldwin's acceptance speech.]

And though he didn’t have the name recognition of recent TCA Awards hosts (Bill Maher, Craig Ferguson, Mary Lynn Rajskub), “Daily Show” correspondent John Oliver delivered a consistently hilarious, politically charged introduction to the ceremonies, taking shots at the president, the British, the media and — in the spirit of most good comedians — himself.

The 2007 TCA Awards recipients:
PROGRAM OF THE YEAR: “Heroes” (NBC)
OUTSTANDING NEW PROGRAM: “Friday Night Lights” (NBC)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: “The Sopranos” (HBO)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: “The Office” (NBC)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN NEWS & INFORMATION: “Planet Earth” (Discovery)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN CHILDREN’S PROGRAMMING: “Kyle XY” (ABC Family)
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN MOVIES, MINI-SERIES & SPECIALS: “Planet Earth” (Discovery)
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN COMEDY: Alec Baldwin, “30 Rock” (NBC)
INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT IN DRAMA: Michael C. Hall, “Dexter” (Showtime)
HERITAGE AWARD: “The Sopranos” (HBO)
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT: “Mary Tyler Moore

More info on the TCA web site.

• Glad to see Michael Emerson’s (photo, left) excellent work as Ben on the third season of “Lost” get recognized.

• Also happy to see “Heroes” get nominated for outstanding drama, even though it appears that it took the place of “Lost,” which happened to win in 2006. Sheesh. We’re pretty sure no one would have missed “Boston Legal” if it hadn’t made the list.

• Kudos to the Academy for only being a year behind in recognizing Neil Patrick Harris’ awesomeness on “How I Met Your Mother.”

• Katherine Heigl really should have been nominated last year for her excellent work on the second season of “Grey’s Anatomy.” All she did this season was cry and make fun of Callie. This nomination smacks of, “Sorry we missed you. Congratulations on your big movie this summer.”

• Minnie Driver was recognized for “The Riches,” but Eddie Izzard was not. Both are fantastic. Again, he should have easily taken that nomination space that went to James Spader for “Boston Legal” instead. It’s not that we have anything against “Legal,” but the Academy has yet to fully let go of its tendency to go with the familiar instead of recognizing clearly outstanding performances. (Izzard did win an Emmy in 2000 for his comedy special, “Dress to Kill.”)

• Nice to see Mary-Louise Parker get a well-deserved nomination for “Weeds” as well as one for some Oxygen movie we somehow must have missed.

• And, finally, the Academy had the wisdom to nominate the “Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends” movie, “Good Wilt Hunting,” but was remiss in not also nominating the series. Maybe Cartoon Network sent the wrong episode for consideration.

We will be commenting on the nominations and making our annual predictions in a future podcast as we get closer to the date of the actual awards, September 16. Visit to Zap2it for the complete list of nominees.

The Session of the Day award, hands down, goes to “How I Met Your Mother.” Costar Neil Patrick Harris (photo, right) and the show’s creators shed a little light on what’s to come in the third season and the future of the slap bet.

Check Out Who Showed Up for the CBS’ All-Stars Party in the Zap2it Photo Gallery

The network’s Summer Press Tour proceedings are capped off with an all-star party on the Beverly Hills Hilton roof, where we discover that Zachary Levi knows the words to Deep Blue Something’s one 1994 hit, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” that Adrian Pasdar is currently doing his twice-a-year fast but isn’t conditioning or trimming his newly acquired beard and that NBC is doing its part to cast as many attractive women as possible these days. Chief among them are the young women of “Friday Night Lights,” “Chuck” spy gal Yvonne Strzechowski, and the naturally-endowed bionic woman, Michelle Ryan (photo, left).

Check Them All Out in Zap2it’s Red Carpet Photo Gallery

With only four new shows premiering this fall, NBC’s first day of Summer Press Tour was pretty slow, but new co-chairs Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff’s executive session was popping with announcements.

Zap2it scribes Daniel Fienberg and Rick Porter join us again to ponder some of the mysteries of this year’s panels: if “Dexter’s” Michael C. Hall is identifying with his serial killer character a little too much; if new “Weeds” cast member Matthew Modine and a young costar partook before their session; whether “Californication” star Duchovny was serious about a forthcoming “X-Files” movie; and, finally, Star Jones’ caginess regarding her dramatic weight loss.

We review what may turn out to be our favorite series of the summer, AMC’s “Mad Men” (premiering Thursday, July 19), about early 1960s American society against the backdrop of a New York ad agency (photo, left). Finally, we consider the implications of a BET lunch accompanied by a gospel choir, Chuck D and the Reverend Al Sharpton.

The next night, we reconvene with the Zap2it gang for a post-BBC America party rehash of the day’s events, including “Bizarre Foods,” candid Brits, Salt-n-Pepa, Kimora Lee Simmons’ philosophy of fabulousity, Bear Grylls (photo, right) rappelling down the side of the hotel and running by Vanilla Ice, “High School Musical 2″ and the sacred institution of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

While we’re not especially keen on Kelsey Grammer’s show, we do kind of like his daughter Spencer’s new ABC Family series, “Greek.” You know, if you can overlook some of the glaring departures from reality in its portrayal of the fraternity and sorority system.

This year’s wave of recasting continues as Scott Patterson joins The CW’s “Aliens in America” and Stephanie Niznik discovers whether or not “Life Is Wild.” ABC’s “Private Practice” dumps Merrin Dungey in favor of Audra McDonald and “Desperate Housewives” hopes that Dana Delany will agree to move to Wisteria Lane.

CBS’ plans for vampire drama “Moonlight” are illuminated as the show undergoes massive age-based recasting and character reworking. Not wanting to be left out, little sister network The CW recasts a couple of key roles on “Reaper” and “Life Is Wild.” Meanwhile, what do “According to Jim,” Isaiah Washington and the American version of “Footballers Wives” (called “Football Wives”) have in common? They’re all in line for that oh-so-rare Hollywood second chance.

Finally, we bestow our first official Shout Out and go to a “Clean House” garage sale in our neighborhood. Unfortunately, we aren’t in the market for a rusted-out VW Beetle or a $300 sewing machine cabinet.

We also spotlight the new “characters” USA is unleashing this week in our review of “Burn Notice” (photo, right): Jeffrey Donovan’s disgraced spy, Gabrielle Anwar’s unpredictable IRA member and Bruce Campbell’s drunken rogue.

In news, new NBC co-chair Ben Silverman passes his drug test, schedules “The Biggest Loser” and engages in a karaoke war with FOX. Meanwhile, casting agents go into overdrive for the next seasons of “Heroes” and “Prison Break.”

UPDATE: NBC has announced that former *N Sync-er and “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up Joey Fatone will host “The Singing Bee.” Not bad for such short notice. Although, we can’t see him anymore without thinking about his old nickname: Joey Fat One. You just know Justin Timberlake came up with that.

Keeping up with the news, we dash the last hopes of “Veronica Mars” fans, add our voices to the “Sopranos” finale clamor and express ambivalence about “Smallville” adding another female character to the cast — even if it is Supergirl — considering the disservice the show has done all the other gals recently.

UPDATE: ABC has now renamed “Sam I Am,” “Samantha Be Good.” Not what we would call an improvement, but at least the Dr. Seuss estate won’t get its nose out of joint.

UPDATED UPDATE: After a couple of days, ABC decided that “Samantha Be Good” wasn’t much better and are currently calling the Christina Applegate show “Samantha Who?” We’re thisclose to calling it “Samantha, Who Cares?”

We make the inevitable comparison between HBO’s new “Flight of the Conchords” and “Tenacious D,” taking a second to admire the work of supporting actress Kristen Schaal.

“Kyle XY” returns for what looks to be a promising second season, inspiring Eric to try and out-pretentious Brill in his analysis.

In news, CBS throws fans a bone and orders seven episodes of “Jericho” for midseason, “Grey’s Anatomy” lets Isaiah Washington know that sometimes “sorry” isn’t good enough, Jeremy Sisto joins the “Law & Order” force and Kevin Carradine hunts a serial killer on “Dexter.”

Oh, and the case of the mystery chocolates is solved and we make a new friend.

For those who have already given up on looking svelte in a bathing suit this summer, we sample the season premieres of “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Top Chef: Miami.”

Adding to the pilot preview pile, Brill dissects how The CW’s “Gossip Girl” differs from the books and we share our optimism about both NBC’s “Bionic Woman” and “Chuck.”

And though it was a short holiday week, there was some big network news. NBC replaced the man responsible for “The Shield” with the man who brought us “Date My Mom” and did away with super-sizing, CBS took strides to make upcoming vampire drama “Moonlight” more like “Angel,” and “Battlestar Galactica’s” producers announced that next season will be its last.

We also have lots to say about the disappointing first-season finale of NBC’s “Heroes,” the gripping third-season bow of ABC’s “Lost” — sorry, Charlie (photo, right) — and the surprising lack of closure in the series conclusion of The CW’s “Veronica Mars.”

Plus, The Donald is done with “The Apprentice,” Rosie is finished with “The View” and Mary-Kate Olsen makes the inspired career choice of going from real-life rehab to a Showtime drug comedy.

Then it’s on to some finales. Even though we were ready for it to be over, we’re glad we got to say a proper good-bye to “Gilmore Girls” (photo, left). We also have nice things to say about “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Unit” and “The Office,” before completely trashing “Smallville.” And while Brill considers herself a “Grey’s Anatomy” fan, after discussing the finale, she’s not so sure anymore.

Also, we give you a preview of The CW’s summer teen drama, “Hidden Palms” (from “Dawson’s Creek” and “Scream” mastermind Kevin Williamson) that premieres Wednesday, May 30 (photo, right).

Oh, and for those listeners who asked about other pilots that didn’t make it, check our Zap2it writer Dan Fienberg’s piece on this very thing.

Sure, there’s some pandering-to-youth “informational” programming (“CW Now,” “Online Nation”), a couple of cringe-worthy reality concepts (“Crowned,” “Farmer Wants a Wife”), and a rather mild-looking family drama (“Life Is Wild”). But “Gossip Girl” has the teen girl who lives inside Brill giddy with delight, and “Aliens in America” has the hallmarks of a charming comedy that will pair well with “Everybody Hates Chris.”

What we both can’t wait to see is the Kevin Smith-helmed pilot for “Reaper” (starring Ray Wise and Bret Harrison, left), about a slacker who finds out his parents sold his soul to the devil.

Come this fall, FOX bides its time with three new reality shows, a Kelsey Grammer/Patricia Heaton comedy (“Back to You”), a gritty police drama set in New Orleans (“K-Ville”) and a drama about an immortal police detective (“New Amsterdam,” with Nicolaj Coster Waldau, right) that has a lot more potential than CBS’ vampire show. An extremely sleep-deprived person (such as Brill) might even say it will actually give you something to sink your teeth into.

In January ‘08, things really get going. The long-anticipated “Sarah Connor Chronicles” is finally making its debut, and “Gilmore Girls” creator Amy Sherman-Palladino gives us a comedy (“The Return of Jezebel James”) full of our favorite things: Parker Posey, Lauren Ambrose and Max Medina … er … Scott Cohen.

Those — along with Rashida Jones getting a show of her own (“The Rules for Starting Over”) — make us happy enough to look the other way when it comes to Julianna Margulies’ dour court drama, “Canterbury’s Law.”

Then it’s on to CBS’ new fall schedule. As the No. 1 network, it’s not shaking things up too much. There’s a promising reality show (“Kid Nation”), and a — dare we say it? — boring vampire series (“Midnight”). Also on deck is Hugh Jackman’s (left) adapted musical thriller — yes, with real singing and dancing — “Viva Laughlin,” a drama about a Cuban-American family that runs a sugar and rum empire (“Cane”) and a comedy called “The Big Bang Theory” from the creator of “Two and a Half Men”, the bane of Eric’s existence.

The most intriguing pick of the CBS litter is midseason drama “Swingtown,” about 1970s suburban swingers.

Oh, and mark your calendars, we’re starting our “Save This Show” campaign for Bryan Fuller’s new series “Pushing Daisies” (starring Lee Pace, right) now.

Plus, you won’t believe what Brill learned from Oprah today.

Monday, May 14 — NBC
Tuesday, May 15 — ABC
Wednesday, May 16 — CBS
Thursday, May 17 — The CW and FOX

Fun fact: The upfronts always take place the week in May immediately following Mother’s Day. Be sure to mention it when you call Mom on Sunday.

Why “200″? Well, we couldn’t decide on how best to number the new podcasts, so opted to do it as TV shows do. Because life should be more like TV. Except for maybe “24.”

And did you check out that nifty player? Listen right from this site!

While the end of the TV season may seem an odd time to make our comeback, it’s actually a great time to get a jump on the new shows which will be announced at network upfronts later this month. Plus, plenty of summer programming coming and our always-popular TCA coverage is just around the corner.

We’ll post a “reintroduction” podcast in a week, then 4 consecutive days of upfronts coverage begins May 15. The web site will be getting a new look as well to give us a truly fresh relaunch.

Bit of housekeeping: While moving this site to our brand new host, I goofed and killed the archives. I’ll try to get them back, but—at the very least—we will have the podcast archives available ASAP.