“Scrubs” Flubs
The ninth season of the show got off to a rocky start with just around 4.5 million viewers tuning in on Tuesday night. The show hovered around the 5 million viewer mark last season. So, it’s not looking good for its future. Last night’s show felt more like a “Scrubs” spin-off than a continuation. J.D., Turk and Perry are now all professors at a medical school and the new students really are the stars of the show here. While Zach Braff’s J.D. has always been the show’s narrator, last night introduced a new one, medical student Lucy, a sweet, shy and irreverent young newbie. She’s basically the female J.D. Eventually you get the feeling the old cast will be fully phased out for the new ones, which in my book might not be a bad thing — I liked last night’s two episodes and all their new characters. “Scrubs” enthusiasts clearly did not feel the same way.
Adam’s Album Scores
Adam Lambert’s debut album “For Your Entertainment” is No. 3 on the Billboard charts this week. The “American Idol” runner-up sold just under 200,000 copies, coming in third place for the week after Andrea Bocelli and Susan Boyle (really!?). All three artists beat out albums put out the same week by Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Shakira (again, really?!). In related news, “American Idol’s” winner, Kris Allen, sold a disappointing 80,000 copies of his self-titled debut album his first week. I guess this proves that little girls who vote don’t buy records. Adam should have won. Yep, I said it.
Christmas In Washington
15-year-old teen singing sensation Justin Bieber is scheduled to perform on TNT’s holiday special, “Christmas in Washington,” alongside Grammy winners Mary J Blige, Neil Diamond, Sugarland, Rob Thomas and Usher. George Lopez hosts the one-hour show, which will be taped at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. The event benefits the National Children’s Medical Center and is attended annually by the President and First Lady.
(TNT, Sunday, December 20th, 8PM ET/PT)
Al and Nancy Together Again
Our own Nancy O’Dell will re-team with “Today’s” Al Roker to host NBC’s live coverage of the “121st Tournament Of Roses Parade” from Pasadena, California. This years parade theme is “A Cut Above The Rest, ” paying tribute to everyday heroes. Of course, my Ohio State Buckeyes are in this year’s Rose Bowl. So, if Nancy wants to help me secure some Rose Bowl tickets, I’ll be happy to take them!
(NBC, January 1st, 2010)
“The Shield” Cast Reunites
Fox’s “Lie To Me” is turning to a little stunt casting to lure viewers in. Six cast members from the critically acclaimed FX drama “The Shield” will reunite for an episode entitled “Pied Piper.” Catherine Dent, Kenny Johnson, David Marciano, Benito Martinez, Cathy Cahlin Ryan and David Reese will join star Tim Roth for the episode, set to air this spring. They won’t be playing their “Shield” characters though. The cast will be interwoven into a storyline about a a prisoner Roth’s character helped convict in the murder of a child 17 years ago. So what’s the connection here? “The Shield’s” creator Shawn Ryan is now the executive producer of “Lie To Me.” One question. Where is the show’s star Michael Chiklis? No detective Vic Mackey?
Charlie’s Last Day
ABC News announced that Charles Gibson’s last day on “World News” will be December 18th. Diane Sawyer will take over the hot seat soon after. No word yet on who will take Diane’s spot on “Good Morning America.” For the record, I am available.
Sexy New Judge
Pussycat Doll hottie Nicole Scherzinger has been cast as the third and final judge on NBC’s a capella singing competition show, “The Sing-Off.” Hosted by Nick Lachey, the show will feature groups performing popular songs from various genres. Eight a capella groups will compete for a $100,000 prize and an Epic Records/Sony recording contract. Ben Folds, formerly of Ben Folds Five, and Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men round out the other two judges. You’ll recall Lachey was part of another NBC singing competition, “Clash Of The Choirs,” in 2007. Oh wait, no, you won’t, because nobody watched that show. Will this one be any different?
(NBC, Monday, December 14th 8pm ET/PT)
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