On TV

Reality, Non-Reality and Everything In-Between

Lisa de Moraes: Last Team TV before the holidays. Let's get right to it:

Don't forget to vote in this weeks WaPo TeamTV Very Important Poll. This week we're noting that NBC has already announced Jessica Alba, Jack Black and Cloris Leachman will guest star in the Post-Super Bowl Super Star-flated Episode of "The Office." We want to know who else you'd like to see guesting on the show. List includes: Robin Williams, as a monk who has taken a vow of silence; William Shatner, as Alba's pimp (when last I checked Shatner was the frontrunner), Jeremy Pivens, as superhero Mercury Boy; Paula Abdul, as the President of the United States, etc. VOTE NOW, VOTE OFTEN!

Meanwhile, here are the results of last week's poll: Question was: Leno's move to 10 p.m. on NBC -- great idea or not so much. Only 36 percent of you said yes America will be a better place for watching Leno's soporific comedy at an early hour and getting 90 minutes more sleep a night. A resounding 64 percent of you said watching a late-night comic in primetime is as out of place as wearing eveningwear to the office. Apparently you feel strongly about it.

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Lisa de Moraes: And here is WaPo Team TV's Midseason Status Watch...what's been renewed, axed, etc. I warn you, it's very long and not for the faint of heart. Serious students of TV only:

(FYI: Renewed = granted production for a full season. Picked up = granted production for more episodes)

RENEWED: "My Boys" (TBS), for a third season; "Entourage" (HBO), for a sixth season; "Burn Notice" (USA), for a third season; "Psych" (USA), for a fourth season; "I Survived a Japanese Game Show" (ABC), for a second season; "Sons of Anarchy" (FX), for a second season; "Mad Men" (AMC), for a third season; "Chelsea Lately" (E!), until at least 2009; "The Cleaner" (A&E), for a second season; "Dexter" (Showtime), for a fourth and fifth season; "Denise Richards: It's Complicated" (E!), for a second season; "American Dad" (Fox), for a fifth season; "Sanctuary" (Sci Fi), for a second season; "Intervention" (A&E), for a sixth season; "Gone Country" (CMT), for a third season; "The Suite Life on Deck" (Disney), for a second season; "Rachel Zoe Project" (Bravo) for a second season; "Monk" (FX), for an eighth and final season; "Little Britain" (HBO), for a second season; "I Survived" (BIO), for a second season; "Flipping Out" (Bravo), for a third season; "Tabatha's Salon Takeover" (Bravo), for second season; "Million Dollar Listing" (Bravo), for a third season; "Martha Stewart Show" (Syndicated), for a fifth season; "Real Housewives of Atlanta" (Bravo), for a fifth season.

R.I.P.: "The Riches" (FX), after two seasons; "Opportunity Knocks" (ABC), after four episodes; "The Ex List" (CBS), after four episodes; "Easy Money" and "Valentine" (CW); after seven episodes; "Lipstick Jungle" (NBC), after one and a half seasons; "My Own Worst Enemy" (NBC), after four episodes; "Mad TV" (Fox), after 14 seasons; "30 Days" (FX), after three seasons; "Survivorman" (Discovery), after three seasons; "Pushing Daisies" (ABC), after one and a half seasons; "Eli Stone" (ABC), after one and a half seasons; "Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC) after one and a half seasons; "ER" (NBC) series finale airs March 12 after 15 seasons.

R.I.P. (eventually): "King of the Hill" (Fox), after its 15th season, in 2009-2010

DATE SET: "American Idol" (FOX), Season 8 -- four-hour/two-night premiere on Jan. 13/14; "24" (FOX), Season; 7 four-hour/two-night premiere on Jan. 11/12; "Dollhouse" (FOX), Feb. 13: Series debut; "Lie to Me" (FOX), Jan. 21: Series debut; "Lost" (ABC) Jan. 21: one-hour clip show followed by two-hour Season 5 premiere; "Nip/Tuck" (FX) Jan. 6: returns for a sixth season; "Damages" (FX) Jan. 7: returns for a second season; "Big Love" (HBO) Jan. 18: returns for a third season; "Flight of the Conchords" (HBO) Jan. 18: returns for a second season; "Battlestar Galactica" (Sci Fi) Jan. 16: First of 10 episodes in fourth and final season; "The L Word" (Showtime) Jan. 18: returns for a sixth season; "Secret Diary of a Call Girl" (Showtime) Jan 18: returns of a second season; "United States of Tara" (Showtime) Jan 18: Series debut; ; "Psych" (USA) Jan. 9: resumes third season; "Monk" (USA) Jan. 9: resumes seventh season; "Grey's Anatomy"/"Private Practice" midseason; match-up (ABC), Jan. 8 "The Beast" (A&E), Patrick Swayze series premieres Jan. 15; "Scrubs" (ABC), Season 8 premiere airs Jan .6; "The City" and "Bromance" (MTV), Dec. 29: Series debut; ; "XIII" miniseries (NBC), Feb. 8: Series debut; ; "Howie Do It" (NBC), Jan. 9: Series debut; "Superstars of Dance" (NBC), Jan. 4: Series debut; "Kings" (NBC), March 19: Series debut; ; "Homeland Security" (ABC), Jan. 6: Series debut; "Cupid" (ABC), March 24: Series debut; "Castle" (ABC), March 9: Series debut; "Unusuals" (ABC), April 8: Series debut; ; "Flashpoint" (CBS), Jan. 9: returns for a second season; "Amazing Race" (CBS), returns Feb. 15; "Survivor" (CBS), returns Feb. 12; "Game Show In My Head" (CBS): Jan. 3, Series debut; "Harper's Island" (CBS), Feb. 12: Series debut; "Reaper" (CW), returns March 17 for a second season; "13: Fear is Real" (CW), Jan. 7: Series debut.

PICKED UP: "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" (FOX), for a complete second season; "Private Practice" (ABC), for a complete second season; "Samantha Who?" (ABC), for a complete second season; "Kath & Kim" (NBC), for a complete first season; "Knight Rider" (NBC), for a complete first season; "Privileged" (CW) for five more episodes; "Life" (NBC), for a complete second season; "Rita Rocks" (Lifetime), for a complete first season; "Life on Mars" (ABC), for four more episodes, totaling 17 "Medium" (NBC), for six more episodes, totaling 19 when it returns midseason; "Gary Unmarried" (CBS), for a full first season; "Worst Week" (CBS), for 3 more episodes, totaling 16 "Hannah Montana" (Disney) for six more episodes, totaling 30 this season; "Eleventh Hour" (CBS) for five more episodes, totaling 18 this season; "Gossip Girl" (CW), for one additional episode totaling 25"90210" (CW), for two additional episodes totaling 24"One Tree Hill" (CW), for two additional episodes totaling 24

DELAYED: "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (USA) Season 8 premiere, until first quarter 2009; "The Cleveland Show" (Fox) Series debut, until Fall 2009.

QUESTIONABLE: "Knight Rider" (NBC), which had been picked up for a full first season, had its order reduced to 17 episodes; the last will air on Feb. 25; "Prison Break" (Fox) was possibly awarded a two-episode extension in its fourth season, maybe in order to do a final mop-up; "The Hills" (MTV), possibly picked up for Season 5, says Audrina. However, Whitney -- in a spinoff. LC -- clearly wants to move on.

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Washington, D.C.: How is "Leverage" fairing so far?

Lisa de Moraes: "Leverage" is averaging 3.7 million viewers which, for TNT, is pretty good. It's Sunday premiere clocked 5 million which was great sampling. That went down, not surprising, when it moved to Tuesday at 10 -- you know, one of five timeslots NBC is no longer going to schedule with scripted programming -- good news Tim Hutton's "Leverage" for sure...

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Baltimore: Lisa: I think "Momma's Boys" filled me with despair more than any MTV reality show featuring supposed bisexual blonde twins ever could. I mean, when I was growing up in the "Mad Men" era, being called a "momma's boy" was an egregious insult -- it meant that you weren't a real guy, that you ran to mom every time someone was mean to you on the playground. Fast forward to 2008 and we actually had young men who were willing to go on network TV and openly declare themselves as such being tied to mom's apron strings. (Yeah, I said I was old.)

It's amazing how reality TV has outstripped anything Paddy Chayefsky could have imagined.

Lisa de Moraes: Actually, the guy who bought it -- Ben Silverman -- and the guy who made it -- Ryan Seacrest -- did you know they are BFF's? -- explained to the press that being a momma's boy is a good thing...It was interesting.

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Fairfax, Va.: Has "How I Met Your Mother" been renewed for a 5th season? The ratings seem to be doing a bit better this year.

Lisa de Moraes: "HIMYM" will be back next season, whether CBS has announced it or not. It's up this season versus last among 18-49 year olds which is the currency of the network TV business....

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Reston, Va.: Best character on TV right now:

A. Barney Stinson, "HIMYM" B. Jack Donaghy, "30 Rock" C. Other (please specify)

Lisa de Moraes: Don't make me pick! I love them both. Anyone else have an opinion?

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Washington, D.C.: Lisa,

Is it just me, or did shows air new episodes much later than usual this fall? I could swear that they usually start running repeats in December (right after Nov sweeps), but there were still new episodes this week! Why?

Lisa de Moraes: Isn't it wonderful? I'm guessing it's because the February sweep is happening in March because of the digital transition, or maybe I'm just dreaming that. Anyway, I say don't look a gift horse in the mouth...

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Deal or No Deal: Is it off the NBC schedule?

Lisa de Moraes: Good grief no. NBC would have to add a third and fourth hour of "Biggest Loser" if they did that....

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MBC: I saw during 30 Rock a promo for Mamma's Boys...The qote from the Washington Post was "who will this show appeal to...everybody"

washingtonpost.com: The full paragraph from Tom Shales's review:

Perhaps it is merely a bold step sideways, but whatever, "Momma's Boys" is truly and sometimes horrifically fascinating, a deluxe example of sumptuous trash that takes the concept of "guilty pleasure" to a new extreme. Whom will this appeal to? Only everybody.

'Boys' + Babes = Mother Of All Guilty Pleasures (Post, Dec. 16)

Lisa de Moraes: That's no worse than the time Shales reviewed some NBC series -- I think it was "Providence" and he said it was just as bad as all the other lousy shows on NBC and "thus can it be said 'NBC has done it again'" or something like that, and NBC ran an on-air promo that said: Washington Post: NBC has done it again! I did a column on it and at the NBC press tour party that night, the head of promos gave a sort of sheepish apology.It appears he's stopped blushing...

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RE: Mad Men: By "renewed" you mean, "Possibly produced by Aaron Sorkin and starring as much of the cast as we can afford," right?

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. And don't blame the network, or the studio. Matt wants broadcast bucks to return to his basic cable series. Basic cable is surviving because, among other reasons, it has a different financial model than broadcast. Asking $10 million bucks a season to return to the show you created is pretty ballsy.

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Best TV Characters: Dexter Morgan Betty Draper Pete Campbell Dr. House The True Blood Short-order cook who whips up "AIDS burgers"

Lisa de Moraes: I liked the first list better, sorry...but keep 'em coming..

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Best Character on TV: Craig Ferguson

Lisa de Moraes: I like that he's different than the other late night hosts, who are becoming increasingly beige. I was shocked watching Conan the other night. When did he start phoning it in? He was terrific during the strike.... Sometimes Craig's very self-involved -- Though I really appreciate that he loved his mother, I'm not sure I, and other late night viewers, needed to sit through his tribute to his mom when she died. Something a little creepy about that...

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Best character on TV: Tim Gunn!

Lisa de Moraes: also good. But as good a good as Barney or Jack?

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Fairfax, Va.: Did you catch Tony Kornheiser name-check "Pookie" on "Pardon the Interruption" last week? Pookie-mania!

Lisa de Moraes: Oh yes, it's a movement that's sweeping the country, Pookiemania. I'm not sure what the movement is, but does it really matter when it has such a great name...

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Best Character on TV (c) Other: Sheldon (Big Bang)

That's just to put in for (c) because I love all 3 characters. They all do something different than each other and they all do it superbly.

Lisa de Moraes: I like both Sheldon and Leonard....each great in their own way...

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Arlington, Va.: Of your poll choices the one that made me laugh the most was Paula Abdul as president. So that's the one I picked. Is this chat just too Shatner-centric though? He is winning by a large margin. Or are people just worried that Paula might actually get elected some day so they think that choice is more scary than funny?

Lisa de Moraes: Apparently my base is the Shatner fan base. I'm fighting the urge to crawl under my bed and hide....

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Biggest Loser: I should be ashamed, but I'm not. I love "Biggest Loser." What I would love even more is "Biggest Loser--I've Gained Back All the Weight and More!" Jillian would pop a blood vessel every week! Any chance it'll make the fall schedule?

Lisa de Moraes: I'm guessing that will be the spinoff purchased by Spike network....If a two-hour "Biggest Loser: Gained It Back" was added to NBC, the "BL" franchise would be like half of NBC's primetime, now that it's not programming 10 p.m. weekdays with series.

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Ugh Bromance: The whole concept makes me ill. Brody Jenner - Why Lord have you forsaken us?

Lisa de Moraes: Oddly, MTV today said it was not going to send us a screener of the first episode of "Bromance" after all. Gee, wonder why?

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Silver Spring, Md.: Am I the only one who loves "Terminator: the Sarah Connor Chronnicles"? Please tell me why they're moving the show to Friday evenings? Do you think it will survive beyond next season? I'm devastated!

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. And No. Yes, you are the only one -- actually not, but its audience is small, though fanatically devoted which,duh, is not surprising. Fox will tell you it is sending it to Friday because expectations are not so high, ratingswise on Fridays so it will have a chance to survive. I say it's being sent to Friday to die. More interesting, (sorry but it's true) is the fact Fox has send Joss Whedon's new series "Dollhouse" to Friday, paired with Terminator," to die....yikes on that. They are brave people at Fox.

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Re: Life: Has "Life" been renewed, I didn't see it on the list. By the way, I mean the TV show. This isn't some existential question.

Lisa de Moraes: Good because I can't even spell existential -- I'm hoping you got it right because I copied it. Anyway, I wouldn't get too attached to "Life." NBC gets major props for bringing it back and trying to re-launch it. The problem is, NBC is in such a world of ratings hurt, it doesn't have the critical mass you need to try to prop up a struggling show like that. If "Life" was on CBS, aka the Procedural Crime Drama Network, it would stand a fighting chance. Your only hope is that there is some mondo product placement deal, or it gets so many 18-24 year olds who live in households with incomes $500K+ or something, that it's worth NBC's time to bring it back...

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90210: 90210 + Tori Spelling = Lots of Unintentional Commedy

When will it happen?

Lisa de Moraes: If there is a god in heaven -- soon....

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MTV sends out screeners?: They actually submit their shows for critical review?

Lisa de Moraes: Sometimes, yes. Usually when it's about social consciousness. You know "Get Out The Vote Or Die" type shows...

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Arlington, Va.: Can I give a shout out to Majel Barrett, long-time regular throughout the entire Star Trek franchise, who passed away yesterday? She lived long and prospered, and will be missed.

washingtonpost.com: Majel Barrett Roddenberry; Actress, Widow Nurtured Legacy of 'Star Trek' Creator (AP, Dec. 19)

Lisa de Moraes: Sure you can. And I'll give a shout out to Van Johnson, who, while not on Star Trek, was still in some pretty fab stuff, like Brigadoon...okay, that was a hokey movie, I admit -- all that heather on the hill nonsense. How about "The Last Time I Saw Paris"? Too melodramatic? Point taken. "A Guy Named Joe"? "Two Girls and a Sailor"? "Thirty Seconds to Tokyo"? Okay, I give up. You'll just have to take my word for it -- he was terrific...

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I like both Sheldon and Leonard....each great in their own way... : I thought you hated CBS shows and "The Big Bang Theory" because all critics hate CBS shows.

Part 2, why is CBS so stingy with putting full episodes of their shows on the internet, either Hulu or their own CBS.com?

Lisa de Moraes: Ah, but I am not a TV critic. I am a TV Columnist. My guild allows me to secretly love some CBS sitcoms, so long as "Rules of Engagement" is not one of them.

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HOUSE?: Is House renewed?

Lisa de Moraes: Of course it will be. The broadcast networks don't announce their renewals until later in the year. Our list is of those shows that have been announced and usually this time of year it's mostly cable. Don't freak out if your fave broadcast show is not on the list. It will grow and grow...

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Eh - Execute Life: Damian Lewis is talented and compelling - but the show has failed to gel. I've been wacthing since the begining and am totally unconcerned and confused about the overarching "conspiracy".

Lisa de Moraes: Amen! Can they please dump the conspiracy?! I don't care -- nobody cares. Just eat some fruit and shut up about the conspiracy. (Sorry, you really hit a nerve.)

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Lisa de Moraes: BTW, just in time for the holidays, we have constructed WaPo TeamTV's Happy Holiday Palooza. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure:

Friday, Dec. 19

Yogi's First Christmas (1980) (TV) (WGN at 8) A Miser Brothers' Christmas (ABC Family at 7) The Santa Clause 2 (ABC Family at 8) The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (Hallmark at 9) Christmas in Connecticut (1945) Overview (TCM at 10)

Saturday, Dec. 20

I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (ABC at 8); Elf (CBS at 8); Christmas in Wonderland(ABC Family at 8); Our First Christmas (Hallmark at 9); A Grandpa for Christmas (Hallmark at 11).

Sunday, Dec. 21

Undercover Christmas(Lifetime at 7); A Christmas Proposal (Lifetime at 9); Samantha: An American Girl Holiday(Hallmark at 9); The Year Without Santa Claus (ABC Family at 11); A Boyfriend For Christmas(Hallmark at 11) .

Monday, Dec. 22

Today Looks Back 2008: A Holiday Special (NBC at 8); Shrek the Halls(ABC at 8); Home Alone 2 : Lost in New York (Hallmark at 6); ' Twas the Night (HBO Family at 6:30); Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town (Starz Kids at 10 a.m.)

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Rick Steves' European Christmas (PBS at 9); White Christmas (ABC Family at 6); Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (Lifetime at 6) The Grinch(ABC at 8); Christmas Choir (Hallmark at 8) .

Wednesday, Dec. 24

A Christmas Story(TBS at 8)...the 24- hour marathon begins!; 's a Wonderful Life(NBC at 8); rry Christmas, Drake & Josh! (TV)(Nickelodeon at 8); The Story of Santa Claus (1996) (TV) (CW at 9); Christmas at Luther : Night of Glory, Dawn of Peace(PBS at 9).

Thursday, Dec. 25

The Family Man (ABC Family at 3); The Note (Hallmark at 4); Holiday Affair (Lifetime at 4); The Christmas Card (Hallmark at 6); The Christmas Clause (ION at 7).

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Los Angeles: What ever happened to "New Amsterdam"? Will it be back?

Lisa de Moraes: He found his true love, and he died quickly and painlessly. Promise.

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Pittsburgh: I (heart) the entire Suarez family of "Ugly Betty" fame.

Lisa de Moraes: Me, not so much. I want to smack the dad back into last season.

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Momma's Boy was inevitable: When all the twentysomething "men" were living back at home with their parents in the '80's--guess some of them grew up to be producers 20 years later

By the way, any date on the "Rescue Me" return?

Lisa de Moraes: Ouch...I'd like to think "Momma's Boys" was not an inevitability, but a fluke of nature. And "Rescue Me" is returning in April 2009, FYI..

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Project Runway: Are there any updates on the NBC/Bravo-Disney/Lifetime tussle? I must admit Lifetime's idea of a companion model show is great, but setting the series in LA? I will miss Mood.

Lisa de Moraes: Moving the show to LA will kill it, of course. And it's tied up in court, so you won't see it anywhere any time soon. I'd advise shedding a few tears now for a once great show, and moving on...

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Meerkat Manor: Pookie, Did you ever find out if this show will return for another season? I miss the little critters.

Lisa de Moraes: Haven't they all been run over or killed by other meerkat's. Seriously, that was some kind of wrist-slittingly depressing show. I don't have an update on its return, if ever. I will find out...

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Rumors please?: I love "Dancing with the Stars," and can only fill the void between seasons by trying to figure out who will be the next to shimmy in sequins or foxtrot in fringe. Have you heard any rumors about what "stars" will be dancing on the next season of "DWTS"? If not, can we start our own wish list in this chat? Possibly a poll?

Lisa de Moraes: I'd rather start out own list. It's always so much more interesting than reality. Can I start with Donald Trump? I'm dying to see him on this show. And Heidi Klum. Is it just me or does she seem really uncoordinated?

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Atlanta, GA: Conan was okay when he had the other guy. But then the other guy left. Who was that other guy? Someone should give him a show of his own.

Lisa de Moraes: You mean Andy Richter. Practically everyone has given him a show. He's had more chances to launch a show than any comic I can remember -- except maybe Davud -- gak -- Spade...

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Washington, D.C.: I've been enjoying "Starter Wife" on USA, and saw that the last episode was billed as the season finale. Does that mean no new episodes until fall? Why do they have such a short season?

Lisa de Moraes: Pookie, it's cable. They can do whatever they want. That's the beauty/horror of cable -- they aren't restricted to broadcast rules...

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Lisa,

I think that the Arby's commercial with the guy having his wife dress up as an Arby's employee is one of the creepiest commercials I have ever seen. I can't even explain it, but it just grosses me out.

washingtonpost.com: Arby's TV

Lisa de Moraes: Personally, I love it, though I wish it had been an episode of "According to Jim" instead of an ad, so that it could be saved for all eternity on the "According to Jim" 5th season (or is it 6th, or 7th, or 27th) boxed-set DVD....

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Reston, Va.: So NBC is not going to give me any new episodes until February '09. Are they trying to make me find cable shows to watch?

Lisa de Moraes: Digital transition is throwing off every network's schedule this season. Yet another season testing viewer patience..geesh...

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Davud -- gak -- Spade... : how DOES that little elf GET such gorgeous girlfriends? Even in STARLAND the rules still apply: 6s date 6s, 7s date 7s, etc. I. Do. Not. Get. It.

Lisa de Moraes: Of course I have a theory but I can't publish it. not even here. So let's just go with "maybe he's a good listener."

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Anonymous: Pookenheimer :You are quite the list maker today... thanks for the Christmas Specials list !

Lisa de Moraes: Yup, I'm just a bundle of glad tidings and good cheer this time of year. Hope you enjoy these lists. Meanwhile. William Shatner has a full 50 percent of the votes. Come on, people. Robin Williams as a monk who's taken a vow of silence! I'd actually pay good money to watch Williams try to be silent for whole hour... Paula Abdul as President of the United States! Vote now!

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Speaking of Meerkat Manor: Last week, I was watching some program on Animal Planet where they paid tribute to wonderful animals that have left us in 2008. And you know what? Rocket Dog wasn't mentioned at all. Poor kat.

Lisa de Moraes: If Rocket Dog did not make the list, who on earth did? Don't the Animal Planet people understand the concept of self-promotion?

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Dancing with the Stars: since have the contestants are either wanna-be's or has-been's (and since the name is perfect) - what about Star Jones?

Lisa de Moraes: Absolutely brilliant...

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Chattanooga, TN: My Dad only watches "How It's Made" and "Modern Marvels." That's it. What a waste. I think I should donate his tv to some poor kids so they can watch cartoons.

Lisa de Moraes: You are not doing the kid any favor introducing him to TV cartoons. Way too dark. Buy him a slingshot and teach him how to shoot people in the backside with Brazil nuts. Far more useful, and rewarding.

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Similar detectives: If all mystery shows are the same (basically) can we bring back a fun, handsome, playful detective a la Rockford, Banacek, or Magnum? There is too much Sturm & Drang in todays mysteries (CBS I'm looking at you!)

Lisa de Moraes: I think that's what they're shooting for on "The Mentalist." At least, he smiles an awful lot. Pretty smile, that...

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Alexandria : Second try with this question. "Sordid Lives" on the gay-themed LOGO channel is very funny. My straight (but not narrow) friends all love it as well. Any news on if it's been picked up for a second season?

Lisa de Moraes: Hi second try. "Sordid Lives" is rumored to have a second season picked up but Logo isn't comfirming.

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List too long, hurt my head!: Under Renewed, please tell me you meant to say the whole franchise of Real Housewives, and not just Atlanta. I honestly don't think I could take any more of that gold-digging, collagen-injected, chain-smoking white trasher Kim!

("Real Housewives of Atlanta" (Bravo), for a fifth season)

Lisa de Moraes: The network has only announced Atlanta at this point. And, it's picked up for a second season, not fifth, my bad. It just seems like it's been on for an eternity...

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DC: So the networks would rather show crapola for two months than either skip a week after the transition or have Grandma (everyone's favorite ad target) miss an episode? TV execs must be truly wretched people, Pook, truly wretched.

Lisa de Moraes: Yes. They are. Total rats. And love your grandma snark -- so perfect for the holiday season.

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Ann Arbor, Mich.: Penny in "Big Bang Theory" should thank her lucky stars she was cast opposite Sheldon - he's brilliant, and they have an absolute ton of comedic chemistry. It makes the most of her limited talent. This week was the funniest yet.

Lisa de Moraes: It's a testament to the writers of this series that they have taken the actresses very limited talent -- range from A to B -- and made the most of it.. Yes, she is one lucky chick...

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George Bush: After elegantly ducking the thrown shoe, I would LOVE to see W. on DWTS. He'll be free come the end of January.

Lisa de Moraes: Most perfect casting ever....

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Happy Holidays: Lisa, Thanks for entertaining us for another year. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Lisa de Moraes: Thanks. Out of time. See you next year...

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