Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Happy Wednesday, my friends. A couple premieres to call out: The return of FX’s JUSTIFIED (with the sexified Timothy Olyphant) and, of course, Matthew Perry’s new ABC sitcom MR. SUNSHINE.

And for those who have DirecTV, we bid a tearful farewell to the always fantastic, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

Check out the highlight’s from tonight’s TV lineup…

The Middle | 8pm on ABC
“Valentine’s Day II”
As Valentine’s Day approaches, Frankie becomes elated when elusive son Axl asks her to accompany him to help pick out a present and choose a restaurant to impress his mysterious new girlfriend – who may be way out of his league. Meanwhile, Mike inadvertently spills the beans about Brick’s crush on fellow student Autumn, which totally humiliates his extremely shy son; and having neglected to get a name or email address, Sue begins a diligent search for the boy she kissed during a Halloween hayride.

American Idol | 8pm on Fox
“Auditions #7”
The auditions continue on the new season of AMERICAN IDOL as the judges continue their quest to find the next singing superstar. Don’t miss the auditions that everyone will be talking about the next day.

Live To Dance | 8pm on CBS | 1st Season Finale
“Finale”
The CBS reality-competition series — featuring one of the most inclusive talent searches ever on television, with Paula Abdul serving as executive producer, mentor and lead expert of the series — comes to a close, crowning a winner.

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WHITE COLLAR Recap: Countermeasures

After two weeks of intense looks into Neal’s history and motivations, it was time for an episode focused on someone else. This week, we got a peek into June’s past . . . which naturally raised a lot of questions about Neal’s future.

Let’s get to it!

The Case of the Week

An old friend of June’s is released from jail and shows up. Neal is suspicious of the man’s motives and convinces Diana to look into him. A simple fingerprint check turns into a full-blown counterfeit case, making me wonder again how these cases just fall into Peter and Neal’s laps – and why they weren’t already buried under a dozen cases!

Nevertheless, they drop everything to investigate June’s friend, Ford, who – as it turns out – is running a con with his former cellmate, Joseph Ganz. After a dinner party turned covert operation reveals a few clues into Ford’s past and his plans, the man disappears with a counterfeit printing plate that Neal discovered in June’s house.

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS’ Finale Debuts on DirecTV Tonight

The series finale of one of the finest shows in television history will air tonight… and, strangely, most TV fans will be totally unaware.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, TV’s little engine that could, struggled through five seasons of less-than-stellar ratings, all the while producing one fantastic episode of television after another.

For those who discovered FNL on NBC, where it first began back in 2006, I don’t have to detail the merits of the program. To watch FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS — a show about family, marriage, small town life and everyday fumbles — is to fall in love with it. Unfortunately, few people were fortunate enough to ever find it.

Why?

Who knows. It was never embraced by a large audience. A TV mystery, which I don’t know how to explain. And yet, NBC — a network that was itself struggling throughout FNL’s run — recognized the creative gem they had on their hands and partnered with DirecTV, a cable entity which agreed to shoulder the costs of the show in return for the episodes airing on their network first.

Tonight’s series finale will run on DirecTV. NBC won’t premiere the final season until later this year. So, those of us who don’t have DirecTV, can put off our official goodbyes.

But because FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS is just that good, and never did get the recognition it deserved, we at GIVE ME MY REMOTE do feel the need to give it a shout out today.

This final season has been just as spectacular as each one that came before it. Even with regular characters gone, the writers have managed to make every hour entertaining while maintaining FNL’s creative integrity.

And because it’s Christmastime in Dillon, Texas during this finale, many of the familiar faces that have been MIA for a bit will be back, which is a beautiful thing for longtime fans.

For those who have been watching on DirecTV, the Taylors will face a few decisions tonight that could change their lives dramatically. How will this couple, which is arguably the most realistic and loving marital team ever portrayed on the small screen, deal with what’s in front of them? With passion and grace and, of course, clear eyes, full hearts.

I would post a clip, but I don’t want to spoil anything for those who are waiting to watch the whole season on NBC this spring.

I will just say to them, it’s worth the wait. And to those who will watch tonight, savor every last second, this is sacred TV!

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @korbigirl on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv

MR. SUNSHINE’S James Lesure Talks Matthew Perry, Allison Janney and His Character Alonzo

ABC’s MR. SUNSHINE, starring an old friend you may recall — Mr. Matthew Perry — premieres this evening.

In it, Perry plays Ben Donovan, the self-absorbed manager of a second-rate San Diego sports arena who turns 40 and starts to rethink his life in tonight’s pilot episode.

On what would have otherwise been just a normal day at the office — trying to get rid of a hockey rink that won’t melt so they can usher a circus in, searching for an elephant that said circus let loose in the building and trying to manage another one of his boss’ (played by Allison Janney, THE WEST WING) public relations disasters — Ben’s co-worker/ladyfriend decides to end her casual relationship with him to commit to another dude.

That dude?

James Lesure.

James Lesure, whom TV fans will probably remember from his regular role on LAS VEGAS, plays Alonzo, a man who isn’t afraid of a relationship and seems to be perfect in all the ways that Ben is flawed.

Lesure took some quality time out to talk to GIVE ME MY REMOTE about the role…

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HUMAN TARGET: Matt Miller Teases the Chance-Ilsa Relationship and the Season Finale

After nearly a season of dancing around each other, HUMAN TARGET’s Chance and Ilsa shared a kiss to close out last week’s episode.

With the season finale airing Wednesday night on Fox, I chatted with HUMAN TARGET showrunner Matt Miller about the fallout from the Ilsa-Chance kiss, where the duo go from there, the “nefarious, dangerous plot” that threatens the entire team and whether the season will end on a cliffhanger…

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Simon Cowell Previews THE X FACTOR

Do you think you have THE X FACTOR?

Auditions will kick off soon, so make sure to stay informed on where and when by registering at www.fox.com/TheXFactor or www.facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA

What can potential contestants expect?

THE X FACTOR producer/judge Simon Cowell did a conference call with reporters this week to set the record straight…

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THE LEAGUE Wins A Third Season on FX

FX has picked up THE LEAGUE for a third season, ordering 13 new episodes.

Pumped about this.

According to the network, season two of THE LEAGUE averaged 1.4 million total viewers and 1.1 million Adults 18-49.  On a multi-run total basis, season two delivered 2.5 million total viewers and 2.0 million adults 18-49.

“We’re pleased to announce the third season pickup of The League, and are fired up to continue our partnership with [show creators] Jackie and Jeff Schaffer and the ensemble cast,” said Nick Grad, Executive Vice President of Original Programming, FX Networks. “We love the show, and the reaction the cast received across the country during their recent comedy tour is a sign the show is really building momentum.”

Have you guys given THE LEAGUE a look? Following a group of friends and their fantasy football league rivalry, the series is pretty damn funny and the cast includes standout comics Nick Kroll and Paul Scheer.

I had a drink with Scheer during the first season of the show, take a peek…

Will you watch season 3 of THE LEAGUE?

Follow @GiveMeMyRemote and @korbigirl on Twitter for the latest TV news. Connect with other TV fans on GIVE ME MY REMOTE’s official Facebook page.

And to be the first to see our exclusive videos by subscribing to our YouTube channel at youtube.com/givememyremotetv

GLEE ‘Silly Love Songs’ Sneak Peeks

Valentine’s Day isn’t the happiest of occasions for the GLEE kids, but at least they’re miserable together.

A few of the couples are happy (Artie-Brittany and Mike-Tina seem to still be going strong), but every other potential pairing gets shaken up a bit in “Silly Love Songs.”

Can’t wait until tonight’s episode? Keep reading for a few sneak peeks, plus a hint of what’s to come…

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GLEE Plans a 2011 Summer Tour

The GLEEks are heading back out on tour.

After successfully selling out their five city tour last summer, the cast of GLEE is moving on up and hitting 16 cities this year, RyanSeacrest.com is reporting.

So where are they headed?
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HOUSE: Family Practice

Sibling rivalries erupt over a litany of factors beyond our control. Basketball tryouts change brothers into playground rivals. The affection of a mutual crush melts the bonds of sisterhood. Professional successes that should be celebrated become bragging rights in the 3-D version of the game of life.

Lisa Cuddy’s struggle to find common ground with her mother, featured on this week’s HOUSE, is a byproduct of the most challenging type of sibling competition. Who among a generation of offspring is treated as the chosen one, the golden child? It is a game that follows no rules, and the victor’s reward is the scorn of their loved ones.
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Traffic Light | 9pm on Fox

Series Premiere: A sitcom about three buddies from college dealing with different relationship scenarios. In the pilot episode, married Mike (David Denman) hopes to catch a little “me” time, while Adam (Nelson Franklin) adjusts to his girlfriend moving in with him, and Ethan (Kris Marshall) remains noncommittal.

TRAFFIC LIGHT: David Denman and Liza Lapira Discuss Their Healthy On-Screen Marriage

Much like THE CHICAGO CODE isn’t your typical police procedural, thankfully, Fox’s newest comedy series, TRAFFIC LIGHT, isn’t your stereotypical sitcom about relationships.

The show centers around three friends, Mike, Ethan and Adam, who are all in various stages of relationships. Mike is married to Lisa and they have a son. Adam has just taken the step to move in with his girlfriend, Callie. Ethan…well, he’s single and avoiding commitment.

But no, this isn’t a “boys will be boys and the women will begrudgingly put up with their significant others”-type show. The series has heart and you can tell these characters all genuinely care about each other. And as an added bonus, it’s realistically funny, which helps to make it one of the best newbies to debut this season.

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Tonight’s TV Spotlight…Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Too. Much. To. Watch.

Wow.

Check it…

The Biggest Loser | 8pm on NBC
“Episode 1106”
It’s Valentine’s Day on the ranch, and host Alison Sweeney ushers the contestants into a room full of chocolate candies for a holiday-themed temptation. Whoever eats the most chocolate will have the option to trade two players on their team for two players on the other or to keep the teams the same, and the winner will be a secret. But as teams are divided into red vs. black, the winner’s choice causes upset in the house. Later, a five-part relay race challenge tests the players’ endurance, speed, agility, strength and knowledge. Trainer Jillian Michaels takes one contestant horseback riding, and one team gets to enjoy heartwarming videos from home before a weigh-in results in a Biggest Loser record being broken and another player heading home.

Glee | 8pm on Fox
“Silly Love Songs”
Love is in the air at McKinley High when the glee club sets up a kissing booth for Valentine’s Day. Things don’t go as planned, however, and hearts end up getting broken.

NCIS | 8pm on CBS
“A Man Walks Into A Bar…”
The NCIS team undergoes mandatory psych evaluations while investigating the death of a naval commander who was shot onboard a navy vessel.

One Tree Hill | 8pm on The CW
“Holding Out For A Hero”
Brooke, Quinn and Haley decide to use their talents for the greater good. Meanwhile, Julian takes on a directing job and helps out a friend, and Chase (Stephen Colletti) mentors Chuck (guest star Michael May).

No Ordinary Family | 8pm on ABC
“No Ordinary Double Standard”
After a friend is attacked, Stephanie tells Jim that she wants to join forces with him to help catch the perp. But when Jim informs Stephanie that he’s built for crime fighting – and she’s not – the competition is on to see which one of them can solve the case first. Meanwhile, Daphne feels like Jim is invoking a double standard when he allows JJ to date a senior but won’t let her do the same, and Katie learns some disturbing news about Joshua – aka The Watcher.

NCIS: Los Angeles | 9pm on CBS
“Tin Soldiers”
After Callen catches a man breaking into his house, a former KGB operative leads the NCIS team to a shipment of counterfeit computer chips entering the United States.

V | 9pm on ABC
“Concordia”
Anna uses her newest gift to mankind, “Concordia,” as a cover to hide an invading fleet of breeding vessels that will be used to ensure the perpetuation of Visitors for future generations. Meanwhile, Eli Cohn (guest star Oded Fehr) tries to convince Erica and the Fifth Column that the “Concordia” gala is the perfect time to assassinate Anna.

Hellcats | 9pm on The CW
“Remember When”
The Hellcats kidnap Marti for her initiation into the group. They flashback on how Savannah, Alice, Lewis and Vanessa became Hellcats. After the party, Marti realizes that her interest in Travis (guest star Ben Cotton) and his legal case could bring her friends harm and possibly even cause Bill Marsh (guest star Aaron Douglas) to disband the Hellcats altogether.

Raising Hope | 9pm on Fox
“Romeo and Romeo”
Jimmy hasn’t had any time to socialize or make friends since Hope was born, so when he meets another single dad at the grocery store, he immediately sets up a play date. But when Jimmy finds out that Virginia is his new friend’s housekeeper, Virginia insists that Jimmy cancel the outing. In an effort to keep the peace, Jimmy and his friend arrange a dinner at the Chance house.

Traffic Light | 9:30pm on Fox | Series Premiere
“Pilot”
Friends Mike, Adam and Ethan are each at different points in their lives in terms of their romantic relationships. Mike is married to Lisa and the two have a young son. Family demands stretch Mike thin in terms of time for himself, and he finds himself getting his “me” time watching movies in his car, and thinking Lisa has no idea it’s going on, even though she’s all too aware. Adam has just moved in with his girlfriend, Callie, and he finds living together is a whole lot different than “she comes over a lot,” and they are just starting to figure out how to reconcile their life together with the previous freedom of their single lives. Ethan, who is perpetually single, thinks dating the same woman for three weeks is an extended commitment.

The Good Wife | 10pm on CBS
“Real Deal”
As Alicia races against Louis Canning to round up the most clients for an Erin Brockovich-style class action lawsuit, a mole is detected in the law firm who seems to be working for Canning. Meanwhile, Diane and Will must put their coup on hold as Derrick brings in a Super PAC as a client. Michael J. Fox returns as Louis Canning, a shrewd lawyer who uses his disability to his advantage. Hip-hop artist Method Man guest stars as Peter’s ex-prison buddy.

SO MUCH MORE. KEEP READING…

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THE BACHELOR: Michelle Reaches A Whole New Level of Crazy

Quite frankly, this recap could be summed up in very few words: Michelle is still here and Brad should be yelled at a bit for that.

And because I promised this would be included in every single THE BACHELOR post until Michelle is gone, “I have to wonder what the heck [Brad]’s thinking now as he’s watching this back. Assuming he didn’t pick [Michelle], is he horrified? If he did pick her, is he second-guessing his life choices? Or maybe he thinks it’s just bad editing?”

I really hope I never have to use that again. She just gets worse and worse.

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John Krasinski Meets John Krasinski

It’s amazing what people can do with a little time on their hands. I think you all know by now that few things brighten my day more than Mr. John Krasinski. So imagine my joy when I was sent a video of John Krasinski meeting…well, John Krasinski.

File this under posts that make me smile.

Thanks to Sara for passing this along.

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