Jericho - Why We Fight - CBS - 8/7c

‘Jericho’ leads the way into finale season tonight with its season one send-off.  According to TVGuide, a major character will die tonight…”somebody who had a deal to be here for the next five years.” I really, really feel like it will be Jake (Skeet Ulrich).  If they’re looking to send the show in a completely different direction, what better way than to kill off the show’s main star?  On the other hand, the new storyline “will get past who dropped the bombs and focus on the rebuilding of the country.”  Since Hawkins’ story is focused heavily on that aspect of the show, the news may not bode well for him.

American Idol - Results Show - FOX - 9/8c

Everyone seemed to turn in fairly weak performances last night.  I’m still pulling for a Jordin/Melinda finale, but I think that we might see Blake sneak in there.  I would expect for Lakisha to be at the bottom tonight, for sure.

Lost - The Man Behind the Curtain - ABC - 10/9c

Bad weather is in the forecast for me again, which makes me very nervous…because this is the most anticipated episode of the season.  I mean, it’s a Ben flashback episode…how can questions not be answered?

According to Doc Jensen over at EW, Locke will hear two words tonight that will change his life.  Over the past few weeks, this show has just gotten so good…I can’t wait to see what we’re building toward.

American Idol - FOX - 8/7c

We’re down to the final four finalists.  I’m rooting for a Jordin/Melinda showdown at the finale, but Blake may just sneak up on all of them.  Tonight, the contestants perform the music of Barry Gibb.

Dancing With The Stars - Results Show - ABC - 9/8c

Is there really any question that Billy Ray will go home tonight?  The guy can’t dance, and he’s got a 9 point difference between the next lowest competitor. 

Jericho - Coalition of the Willing - CBS - 8/7c

CBS says:

When the town of New Bern begins bombing the streets of Jericho with mortars, Mayor Gray Anderson is faced with the decision to fight their formidable opponents or surrender in order to save lives.

I’m loving this civil war aspect of Jericho.  Tonight is the last episode before the big finale next week, so strap in…it’ll be a blast.

American Idol - Results Show - FOX - 9/8c

I would have never, ever, ever expected Jordin to give the weakest performance…but last night she did.  In fact, she was the only real weak performance of the night.  But her votes from last week should prove to be her saving grace.  I’m kind of expecting Lakisha and either Chris or Phil in the bottom two.

Lost - The Brig - ABC - 10/9c

I love Locke episodes.  They always seem to maintain the perfect balance between island intrigue and informative flashbacks.  Tonight is Locke-centric episode number three for this season, which I think is a first for the show…previously they’ve maxed out at two episodes per character in a season, by my count.  Anyway, tonight’s episode deals with the time between John finding Cooper tied up on the island and the present.  And tonight, we’ll have what Ausiello at TVGuide calls the “one of the most, um, twisted Lost deaths ever”.

Regarding the revelation that Naomi gave last week about the finding of the wreckage of Oceanic 815, Ausiello confirms from producer Damon Lindeloff that this is NOT the game-changer like I thought it was.  Lindeloff’s exact words were: “Nope. Not yet. Trust us: YOU. WILL. KNOW.”  Okay, Lindy, just don’t let me down.  Tonight, she is supposed to expand on last week’s revelation a bit more.

As for tonight, ABC says:

A newly focused Locke breaks away from “The Others” in an attempt to persuade Sawyer to help rid them of a great nemesis that has caused nothing but pain in both of their lives. Meanwhile, a new island inhabitant discloses some shocking information about Oceanic Flight 815.

Now, if you know your island history, that should be a clear-cut sign about what to expect tonight.  But, just in case you missed it, [highlight to read]Locke’s father, Anthony Cooper, was the original Sawyer, who conned the Sawyer we know’s parents, causing his father to kill his mother, and himself.  Should be a fun time tonight.

Jericho - One if by Land - CBS - 8/7c

Tonight, the escalating civil war between Jericho and New Bern heats up, as citizens of New Bern are shot while trying to steal salt from Jericho’s mine.  If you’re not watching the show, that probably doesn’t sound very compelling, but Jericho does a tremendous job of racketing up the tension every week as we build to a big finale.

American Idol - Results Show - FOX - 8/7c

I talked about Idol at length this morning, so I’ll just say that tonight is bringing some huge names to the show.  Tune into the two hour results show with special appearances by Bono, Celine Dion, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Josh Groban and the African Children’s Choir, Annie Lennox, Il Divo, Hugh Grant, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts and Keira Knightley.

Lost - D.O.C. - ABC - 10/9c

After discovering that all of “The Others’” pregnant women died before giving birth on the island, an extremely reticent sun allows Juliet to examine her — and uncovers the identity of the unborn child’s father. Meanwhile, Desmond allows an unlikely nemesis to help save the life of a new, mysterious island inhabitant.

What I imagine will be the big spoiler hit the internets yesterday.  While Spoilerfix said that it would be appearing on next week’s episode, TVGuide’s Ausiello, eOnline’s Kristin, and Entertainment Weekly’s Doc Jensen all hint at it being tonight.  Be sure to check back here tomorrow for our recap and some discussion about what this twist could mean for our Losties.

I’ll start by saying this…did anyone else seem to get the impression that Simon really just hates the U.S.?  During his visit to ’America’s Second Harvest’, at least six times he said something to the effect of, “I can’t believe that they have something like this in America.” I know that we Yanks have gotten somewhat of a bad rap, but is it really that inconceivable that we would have a food pantry to feed the poor…even in…*gasp*…Los Angeles?!?

On to the performances… 

• This was the first night that I felt that Chris didn’t have the strongest male showing.  Ever since the ‘nasally’ deal last week, his voice just seems to grate on me like it never really did before.
• What can we say about Melinda that hasn’t been said already?  She totally blew away one of my favorite Faith Hill songs, ‘There Will Come A Day’.  She’s in a totally different competition from everybody else in this show.
• Blake will be in the bottom two after tonight.  I think he was kind of hindered by being boxed into the ‘inspirational’ genre…he shines on the upbeat, Jason Mraz type stuff.
• LaKisha has a voice that is tough to beat, but I just feel like there’s something about her attitude that keeps her from really connecting with the audience.  Maybe it’s just me.  Anyway, I feel like she had the weakest performance of the night, and is in danger of going home.
• Man, they were singing some of my favorites tonight.  Phil comes out and does a tremendous rendition of Garth Brooks’ “The Change”.  I’ve had him pegged to go home for a while, but he doesn’t belong in the bottom two after this performance.
• The very first moment I saw Jordin, even before she started singing at the tryout, I turned to my wife and said, “She’s the next American Idol.”  Now that belief may have waivered in the past, especially since Melinda has consistently been so good, but Jordin just continues to impress.  I don’t know if you’ve ever tried to sing when you’re getting choked up, but it’s quite difficult.  Not only did Jordin keep singing, she nailed those big notes.  I voted for her 60 times last night.  That’s the first time I’ve ever done that…I don’t remember if there’s a limit that they place on votes, but they never turned away my call.

The competition is definitely getting fierce on Idol. 

It was supposed to be the best night of the season. Sanjaya was finally in the bottom two…I was rooting quietly for him to finally go home. And then the sweet, sweet words we’ve been waiting to hear all year long finally fell upon our ears…”Sanjaya, you’re going home.” I was on my feet, cheering loudly.

And then something unexpected happened. The dude starts to cry. And cry. And cry. And I start to feel bad for him. Crap. I mean, this poor guy…we’ve been whipping him all season long, he knows that he’s the laughing stock of the entire nation, and his moment is over. Oh, sure, he’ll go on to the AI tour, and I’m sure he’ll get a record deal, but his time in the spotlight is gone. Poor guy.

That being said, I’m glad he’s gone. Now we can start the real competition.

Jericho - Casus Belli - CBS - 8/7c

I really like where this season is heading.  After some deep investigative reporting (i.e. Wikipedia), I’ve found that casus belli means, loosely, “cause of war”.  Jericho has done a fantastic job this season of showing people desperately trying to hold onto civility while the world literally falls apart around them.  Tonight, when Eric doesn’t return from New Bern, tensioins begin to mount.  Expect it to build to near-full scale war.

American Idol - Results Show - FOX - 9/8c

Finally, Sanjaya gave the performance we all knew he could…a terrible one.  His days are definitely numbered on this show…I’m predicting tonight is the one that sends him home.  On the other hand, Jordin delivered the performance of the night.  The first time I saw her at the audition, I had a gut feeling that we would be seeing her in the finale.  Melinda has since overshadowed her, but I’m starting to get that feeling back again.

Lost - Catch 22 - ABC - 10/9c

If you somehow, unfortunately, missed One of Us last week, be sure to to tune in at 9/8c to catch up…it’s one of the best that we’ve seen.  (Don’t worry about Idol, I’ll catch you up tomorrow.)  Tonight, we have a Desmond oriented flashback.  The last Desmond flashback we had, Flashes Before Your Eyes, was probably one of my favorite episodes of the series, the previous Desmond episode, the season two finale, was fantastic, also.  Let’s hope they can go three for three on this one.  Apparently, tonight we’ll be introduced to a new character who is not an Other, not in a flashback, and not a survivor of 815.  Some say that she is some subterranean character…I don’t know if that’s literal or not. 

American Idol - Martina McBride - FOX - 8/7c

It’s country night!  I love country night…it allows the contestants to relax a little and have some fun with the music.  The good singers will be able to embrace it, but the less talented can easily find themselves getting lost in trying to emulate the sound and feel of the genre.

And is it just me, or is Sanjaya getting creepier and creepier with every picture I see of him?  For example, this week’s Entertainment Weekly cover.

Dancing With The Stars - Results Show - ABC - 9/8c

Well, well, well…a couple of firsts last night.  We had the only perfect 30 of the season, firstly.  I’m not a fan of Apolo, personally…he kind of creeps me out.  But the man can move.  Second, Heather Mills busted, and, come on, you know you’ve been waiting to see it all season.  It’s the same reason people watch bull riding…just for the off chance that someone gets trampled.  But she can still put on a good show.

Boston Legal - Guise ‘n Dolls - ABC - 10/9c

I wish there was more that I could discuss about Boston Legal.  William Shatner absolutely never fails to impress, and James Spader shines all…the…time.  But, unfortunately, it just doesn’t really facilitate a lot of conversation.  Tonight, ABC says:

Alan finds himself pitted against Jerry in the case of a woman suing a department store for selling “pornographic” dolls to children; Shirley and Paul must decide Denny’s fate when he makes a politically incorrect comment.

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s one of the fullest nights of the week.  Here’s what’s on:

Friday Night Lights - State - NBC - 8/7c

Friday has some great news this week, with the order from NBC for six new episodes.  And tonight, they head into the season finale, with the Panthers heading to the state championship, and with Coach Taylor considering a move to coach a college team.

Jericho - A.K.A. - CBS - 8/7c

Still loving the heck out of Jericho.  I think one of my favorite moment of the series came last week, and it was just one of those ‘little’ moments.  At the end, when they’re picking up the radio news transmission, one of the characters recognizes the guy doing the news report as the old “farm reporter” or something like that.  I wish the show would highlight more moments like this, with ordinary people being forced into roles they never expected they would have to take on. 

American Idol - Results Show - FOX - 9/8c

So, who’d have thought that Sanjaya would actually put on a competent performance, huh?  In fact, it seems like last night the girls were somewhat overshadowed by the guys for the first time this year.  Someone’s on their way out, tonight, though.

Lost - One of Us - ABC - 10/9c

I hate to have my expectations raised.  Hate it.  But these folks who have seen tonight’s episode don’t make it any easier. 

Exhibit A : Ausiello from TVGuide had this to say:

I feel it’s my responsibility to tell you that this is easily the best Lost episode of the season. Bar none. You want answers? This one’s got ‘em in spades. Not only will we find out how Juliet came to the island, but we’ll learn why she stuck around and the reason her people gassed her. And unlike some of the show’s other “answers,” these make perfect sense in the context of the overall narrative.

Exhibit B : Doc Jensen from Entertainment Weekly:

A couple years from now, when the series is done, I’m certain there will be a DVD product that will collect the 20 or so episodes that represent the Definitive Lost Saga, and this one will be on it.

Exhibit C : Herc from Aint It Cool give it 4 1/2 stars:

We get answers this week to questions we’ve been asking since early season one.

The hype!  Must…not…buy…in…