New TV! Finally!

I didn’t realize how desperate I was for new TV until I finally got some last night. True, I’ve had new reality show episodes to get me through the holidays but those just aren’t the same as scripted TV. I scoff at people who believe reality TV will ever completely replace scripted TV for this very reason. I like a well done reality show as much as the next average American viewer but they’ll never be the same as getting lost in a good story.

This week I had new episodes of Project Runway and ER plus the premiere of Celebrity Apprentice. Don’t look at me that way; I used to be an Apprentice junky. I had to at least check out the newest edition. So far, it’s a hell of a lot better than the Los Angeles Apprentice which I don’t think I ever finished watching. I’ll probably keep watching for the time being. It’s not like there’s anything else on at that time.

Project Runway
This was a fun task! I wish they’d do more of these. They always seem to be more of a challenge and I think give us more unpredictable results than the typical “come up with a design for X client” tasks. Plus, it ups the pressure on the contestants to design outside of their elements.

That said I’m SO glad that Elisa is gone. She went out with such grace that I feel kind of bad saying that. Still, she’s consistently been in the bottom and I’ll admit that I rarely liked her designs. They never seemed to match what she thought she was putting out there. Plus, she always pretended to understand the criticism being given to her but it was obvious that she was either willfully ignoring it completely or not understanding. Perhaps it was just a communication thing. You’d say A and she’d hear B. I dunno. Either way, I was glad that she didn’t manage to hold on another week while a designer who has just had one bad week or some bad luck gets booted. Not that I necessarily think the person saved this week, Sweet P, is all that great. Her final product wasn’t bad but it wasn’t nearly as great as it could have been. I think she should have stuck with her original idea. It might not have come out exactly as she planned but at least it wouldn’t have bored the judges.

I was impressed that Jillian managed to pull her outfit off. Her model definitely helped in that success and I love that she was so willing to help because it’s true and they both lose if Jillian’s outfit fails. However, I didn’t think the dress was as great as the judges did. I liked the bottom and it definitely had the most movement of all the designs but the bodice didn’t look comfortable at all. I don’t know that she deserved to be one of the top three. Except that I’m sure they wanted to talk to her about her design. I actually liked Chris’ outfit the best but I did think Rami’s was pretty darn cute. I was happy that they were both in the top and Rami won. It was too adorable when Rami went backstage and giddily hugged Chris. Awww!

Celebrity Apprentice
Surprisingly this show wasn’t bad at all. Trump is still Trump but he won’t start to grate on my nerves for at least a few more episodes (although I found him annoying in the previews so maybe it’ll just be one more episode). I’ll admit upfront that I do NOT like Omarosa. It’s too bad that she provides so much friction. No doubt that means she’ll be around to at least the middle of the season. Just long enough to ensure we see her helping the two finalists at the end.

I can’t believe that Omarosa got away with making a huge mistake in not wanting the women to use their celebrity status unscathed. Trump didn’t really give her the dressing down she deserved for that screw-up. After all, that was exact reason the women lost this challenge. The gap between what the two teams earned was so great that it wouldn’t have mattered if Tiffany had been the best saleswoman in the world, they still would have lost. And, quite frankly, I’d bet she’d have called Heffner if the woman had all decided to use their celebrity status and contacts. Too bad she couldn’t stand up to Omarosa in the boardroom because, if she had pointed to that as the reason she didn’t call Hugh, Trump would have turned on Omarosa in a heartbeat. Oh well.

As for the men, I won’t lie, I’d be happy if Piers left next. That shtick gets old fast. His rudeness to the people on the street was pissing me off. In some ways, I was hopeful that Gene’s contacts wouldn’t come through for them so that Piers would get some flack for driving people away. Except, of course, that he would have probably been able to argue that he had managed to pull in more money by forcing people to pay more and saved himself from being fired. Either way, the men should just be glad that Gene came through for them. If any of the others tried calling in some favors with their friends, we certainly didn’t see it. Those big donations from Gene won the task for them. Stephen lucked out on that.

So, overall, I liked it. Definitely better than the previous season of this show. The celebrity part probably helps. Trump can’t be quite as full of himself as he usually is when almost everyone else in the room is a celebrity in their own right. It should be interesting to see what other tasks they are given and if they’ll be free to draw on their celebrity status throughout the entire run or not.

ER
I had almost forgotten where we left the folks of County General. I’m glad that Abby was still gone during this episode. Her return will feel more realistic this way. However, while the break helped in that storyline, it left me confused about Pratt’s. I caught up on what was going on but it felt odd since it’s been so long since he was not put in charge of the ER after whats-his-face’s departure. I’m glad that he’s stepping up. He’s gotten a little stagnant lately so this will open some good opportunities for character development. On the other hand, I have to point out that it seems unlikely that he’d get the job so soon after last year’s prescription debacle. Not only can I see that being a concern for the people running County General but you’d think it’d also have Northwest a little hesitant to call him as well.

Of course, while I’m picking on the continuity there, I have to commend them for bringing back Jeanie Boulet and actually having her mention the Rosses, Carter, and Kerry. So nice to see old faces and hear about old characters! They did a really good job of capturing those characters and showing us how they have and haven’t changed over the years. It made me quite nostalgic for the ER of old. So much so that I was actually happy to hear that Carter would be back sometime this Spring instead of annoyed that the show had spoiled his visit for me. (Yeah, yeah, I know there’s no guarantee but Noah W. has come back several times so I’m sure he probably will show up… if we get more episodes this season, that is.)

Oh and they also did a good job of continuity with Sam and the rape thing. Because what the soldier was describing was almost exactly what happened with Sam and Sam’s never been the type to not share herself with the patients. I’m a little confused about what’s going on with Gates, though. I’m beginning to think that he’s just one of those types who gets attracted to the people he’s working with. First Neela, then the chaplain, and now Sam? Because what was that if not Gates flirting? In a weird way, I wouldn’t mind those two together. They’re similar in a way. On the other hand, I really liked Sam with the cop. I feel like she deserves someone great and I’m not sure Gates fits that bill.

Hmmm, I know I had more to say but I’m not sure what it was now. Other than to admit that this show makes me cry pretty much episode and last night was no exception. I really don’t know how they do it. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it. I love when shows have me so wrapped up in the lives of the characters (even ones we see only once or two) that I get emotional about what’s happening to them. Although, when you’re congested and sneezing every ten seconds (damn allergies!), the crying thing just makes it all worse.

One Tree Hill
I finally caved and watched the One Tree Hill Fast Forward videos the other day. I’ll admit it; I kinda missed those wacky kids. However, I’m still not impressed with the whole four years in the future thing. Mostly because it’s only four years. Given where we’re supposed to believe they’re all at in their lives, that’s not nearly enough time for me to swallow it. Some, like Mouth and Haley and even Peyton, aren’t too hard to believe. It’s Lucas and Brooke that I’m going to have the biggest issue believing. (Actually, I may have an issue with Haley too but I don’t know enough yet to be sure.)

Who knows, maybe once I see what they do with it, I’ll be able to hand wave my issues. Especially if the new characters give the show some much needed new blood pumping through Tree Hill. I’m just not holding my breath. I know that’s probably not fair and bad expectations can be a very bad way to go into something new but I can’t seem to shake the feeling. Still, these are characters that I actually care about and a show I have always liked (despite the grief it gets elsewhere in the TV blogging world) so I’m hoping that it surprises me. Especially since I definitely need something to watch on Tuesdays.

On my schedule for tonight: Women’s Murder Club