Slowly Going Bald

When the producers trotted out the "Pants on the Ground" guy for the finale, I realized just how long these past 20 weeks have been. I have no idea if I'll wind up watching the show next season, but I can't imagine ever getting more or less out of it than I did this year. The manufactured drama is always the same, just with different faces. I know why people watch; I just don't know why they keep watching.

"American Idol," Week Twenty: Top 2 Perform

"American Idol," Week Twenty: Lee DeWyze Wins; Crystal Bowersox Runner-Up

My post about the "Lost" finale is up over at Pajiba. I think the episode hit some good character moments but was ultimately revealing about the creators' true desire to use smoke (ha) and mirrors to hint at an epic story and then forget it all when it came time to collect. It was a fun episode and had some good scenes, but it doesn't hold up overall, and it will probably retroactively weaken the series. As far as finales go, not on my list of favorites.

"Lost" 6x17: "The End"

My weekly round-up of TV odds and ends is up, too.

That's the end of the season for NBC's comedy block. Over the summer, I really hope someone kills "The Office."

NBC Comedies 5.20.10

Down to two contestants now, and the end of the surprisingly long 20 weeks it takes to arrive at a champion. Maybe they'll shorten the show when Simon leaves. (Yeah, right.)

"American Idol," Week Nineteen: Top 3 Perform

"American Idol," Week Nineteen: Casey James Eliminated

Freezer Full of Kit-Kats

The Turquoise Purses

The Pleather Chairs

Ken's Crappy Wi-Fi

The Ironic Motivational Posters

One Fake Fern

Jack Vettriano's Revenge

The Pleated Khakis

Fire Escape to Nowhere

"Lost" is almost over, and the set-up for the finale was a typically solid one:

"Lost" 6x16: "What They Died For"

It's a shame that the seasons are almost up for these shows. I've enjoyed blogging about them as a block.

NBC Comedies 5.13.10

Well, Big Mike was sent packing this week as this season of "American Idol" took one more lumbering step toward the finish line. Only two weeks to go.

"American Idol," Week Eighteen: Top 4 Perform

"American Idol," Week Eighteen: Michael Lynche Eliminated

This week's "Lost" was packed with information that will take a while to absorb and apply. Good episode, though:

"Lost" 6x15: "Across the Sea"

This week's "Treme" was solid, and it began to hint at where the stories might eventually go.

"Treme" 1x5: "Shame, Shame, Shame"

P.S. My weekly round-up of TV news and stray thoughts is also up.

Another solid night for NBC's comedies. I flat-out loved "Community," which is the best new comedy of the year, and "Parks and Recreation" and "30 Rock" were also strong. "The Office" did as best it could, which mainly meant not making me hate myself as much as some episodes do. Small favors, you know?

NBC Comedy Block 5.6.10

Just three more weeks and the season's over. It feels like it's been going forever, mainly because there were only two or three real contenders in the top 24 to begin with, so it feels like the entire spring has been leading up to this inevitable conclusion.

"American Idol," Week Seventeen: Top 5 Perform

"American Idol," Week Seventeen: Aaron Kelly Eliminated

You know what happens when "Lost" gets closer to the end of its season: Folks start getting killed.

"Lost" 6x14: "The Candidate"

"Treme" was solid this week, and included a number of great shout-outs to "The Wire."

"Treme" 1x4: "At the Foot of Canal Street"

Also, my weekly wrap-up is live, as well.

And because it never gets old:

My latest look at NBC's comedy block. I'm really enjoying the chance to do a round-up of the programming block instead of just one show. It's not always an option, but it works great in this case.

NBC Comedy Block 4.29.10