2007 Scripps National Spelling Bee - ABC - 8/7c

Come on…who doesn’t enjoy watching kids sweat it out while trying to spell “appoggiatura” or “Ursprache”?

Pirate Master - CBS - 8/7c

From the creator of Survivor:

Sixteen modern-day pirates live as buccaneers and search for hidden treasure.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - NBC - 10/9c

Jordan experiences an emergency with her pregnancy during the live show. Meanwhile, Tom faces an even larger emergency and Matt’s pill use gets discovered.

Not a lot happening tonight…I have a morbid interest in the new ABC celebrity impersonator show, and I can’t explain it.  I didn’t make it all the way through the ‘Traveler’ pilot yet, so I’ll have to dust up tonight as they bring on the next episode.  In short, it’s an ABC night tonight.

The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator? - ABC - 8/7c

Whoa…I think typing that title alone gave me carpal tunnel.  To go with the long title, ABC has a brief description:

Celebrity impersonators compete for the title and a $100,000 prize.

For some reason, I think I’ll tune in.

Traveler - Pilot/The Retreat - ABC - 9/8c - Back-to-back episodes

If you missed out on the pilot premiere a couple of weeks ago, ABC is re-airing it tonight at 9/8c, followed by the all new episode.  About the new episode, ABC says:

Jay and Tyler seek refuge at Carlton Fog’s private retreat, but soon question whether they are truly safe there. Meanwhile, FBI agents grill Jay’s girlfriend about his whereabouts.

We head into the first week of post-season blues, but we’ve still got a couple of finales today to keep us occupied.

House - Human Error - FOX - 9/8c

A Cuban couple, Esteban and his sick wife, Marina Hernandez, are pulled from the ocean during a dangerous rescue at sea while on route to the U.S. on a mission to reach Dr. House. Marina’s medical records from Cuba were lost in the shipwreck, so the team runs a series of tests to determine the extent of her illness. When Marina’s heart stops during a routine cardiac catheterization, the diagnostic mystery deepens. House debates with the team whether it was human error or a still-to-be-determined illness that caused Marina to flat-line, and the team fights to keep Marina alive on a bypass machine long enough for her husband to say goodbye, knowing that nothing short of a miracle can save her. Meanwhile, Foreman prepares for his last day of work at Princeton-Plainsboro, and Chase accuses House of trying to win Foreman over in order to dissuade him from leaving, prompting House to make a very rash decision that affects the whole team.

Boston Legal - Trial of the Century - ABC - 10/9c

Alan Shore and Denny Crane represent two brothers accused of killing their abusive father, and Clarence Bell and Jerry Espenson take on a huge gambling establishment when a woman alleges that her out-of-control gambling debts were the fault of the casino.

*sigh*  It’s the first day of the post-finale blues.  A couple of bright spots shine through tonight. 

On The Lot - FOX - 9:30/8:30c

I am kicking myself…for some reason, I thought that the premiere was tonight, so I didn’t record the episode on Tuesday night.  My most anticipated reality show (there’s a phrase I never expected to say), and I missed it.  Tonight, the competitors continue their Hollywood Boot Camp.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - The Disaster Show - NBC - 10/9c

NBC says:

The show goes haywire when the propmasters and cue-card workers stage a last-minute wildcat strike.

Here’s something I’ve been waiting to say for three months now…new ‘Studio 60′ tonight!  It’s bittersweet, though, as we only have a limited number of episodes before it’s off the air for good.

American Idol - Finals Results - FOX - 8/7c - 2 Hour Finale

Last December, my wife and I went to a Christmas concert in Dallas.  During the concert, they had a trio come out and sing along with a few songs.  There was one person in that trio that stood out from the rest of them, and she received the biggest standing ovation of the night.  Flash forward a few months.  We’re watching the auditions for ‘Idol’, and, behold, this same girl that I had seen in Dallas was on screen.  Before I even heard her audition, I turned to my wife and said, “That’s Jordin from the concert.  She’s going to be the next American Idol.” 

While Blake did a passable job last night, Jordin swept the floor with him.  Say what you will about the show being rigged, Jordin is one of the best talents that the show has ever seen, and when it comes to her and Blake, she has to win tonight.  And I’m so proud that I called that.

Lost - Through the Looking Glass - ABC - 9/8c - 2 Hour Finale

I hate that this is going up against ‘Idol’, but thank God for dual tuner DVR’s.  Following a repeat of last week’s recap episode “The Answers”, we’ll dive headfirst into what I think is the most important finale of the season.  This season has been very rocky, and it absolutely hasto go out on a high note, or risk having the remaining fans just giving up hope on it.

The good news is, it sounds like the finale is on track to do just that.

Kristin at eOnline writes:

How many boxes of Depends will we need when watching the finale of Lost?!
If you haven’t been reading spoilers (and for your sakes, I really hope you all haven’t!), I’d hit up Costco and bring a truckload of ‘em. The format of the show is a-changin’…Yeee! I’m also hearing that one of the three main actors might not be in every episode next season. I’ll let you know more as I hear it.

TVGuide’s Ausiello has this to say:

At the risk of overhyping it, the game-changer (aka the “snake in the mailbox”) will go down in the history books as one of the coolest TV twists of all time.

So, at the risk of raising expectations to unacheivable levels, tonight could be huge.

It’s such a geekly week for me…season finales of 24, Heroes, Lost…and that little Pirates movie coming out this weekend.  Good times.

24 - FOX - 8/7c - 2 Hour Season Finale

FOX says:

Having been separated from Josh, Jack struggles to stave off the Russian attack on the U.S. base in central Asia.

I’ll be interested to see how this finale sets up the “reboot” that’s supposed to come about next season.  Call me twisted, but I’m pulling for Phillip to kidnap Josh and take him overseas, either to China or Russia.

Heroes - How to Stop an Exploding Man - NBC - 9/8c

NBC says:

With Isaac’s horrible predictions unfolding before them, the everyday people with extraordinary abilities face moments of pain and peril in Kirby Plaza with unflinching heroism.

It was so great to be able to go back and catch up on some of the early episodes over the weekend with the SCIFI marathon.  While I wasn’t 100% sold on the series when it first aired, going back and revisiting those first episodes made me fall in love with the show all over again.

It’s season finale night! 

The Office - The Job - NBC - 8/7c

Michael, Jim and Karen go to New York to be interviewed for a job opening; in Scranton, the new regime institutes sweeping reforms; Jan comes in with exciting news.

Scrubs - My Rabbit; My Point of No Return - NBC - 9/8c

We finally can watch ‘Scrubs’ without wondering if it will be around next year.  Hooray!

J.D. invites Kim to move in with him so they can raise their child together; Carla helps Elliot plan for her upcoming wedding; the janitor vows to make Keith the perfect husband.

ER - The Honeymoon is Over - NBC - 10/9c

Much to the chagrin of the county general staff, the new chief is ready to make some major changes in the E.R. Meanwhile, Kovac puts his honeymoon on hold while he travels back to Croatia to be with his ailing father. Gates is urgently called home when Sarah panics that she might be taken away. And a patient convinces Neela to attend an anti-war rally and consequently finds her life in peril.

Grey’s Anatomy - Didn’t We Almost Have It All? - ABC - 9/8c

Cristina and Burke’s wedding day arrives along with the interns’ first exam results. A successor to the Chief is named and Callie and George make a big decision about their relationship.

I don’t know if ‘Grey’s’ can live up to last season’s finale…that was likely the best finale I think I’ve ever seen.  And hopefully the Gallie/Gizzie debate will finally close (fingers crossed for Gallie).

Lost - The Answers - ABC - 10/9c

Executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse explore the mysteries of the island and recap some of the revelations made this season as well as those yet to come.

I typically don’t bother with “clip shows”, even if it’s ‘Lost’.  But I love the chemistry that Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof have on the podcast, so I’m hoping some of it will carry over tonight.

With all the upfront excitement, I almost forgot the What’s On segment.  Here we go:

Dancing With The Stars - ABC - 8/7c

Tonight the stars dance their favorite dances, but with new music and choreography.

24 - FOX - 9/8c

Yahoo! says:

The administration copes with a compromising situation; Jack stops at nothing to protect the country from an international incident.

…which sounds like virtually every other ‘24′ episode.  TVGuide says:

The drama escalates between the U.S., China and Russia, and things get personal for Jack.

Okay…thanks for clearing that up.

Heroes - Landslide - NBC - 9/8c

How about one more ‘Heroes’ story today?

The theory that everyone has powers will gain more ammunition tonight, as Hiro’s dad returns (as evidenced by the promo last week)…and rumors are that he has a power as well.

Poised to become a member of Congress and maybe more, Nathan considers the cost to those he loves, along with his mother’s advice and Linderman’s prophecy. As he prepares to face Sylar to the death, Hiro learns of his lineage from his father. While various “heroes” fatefully arrive in New York City, Peter and Ted attempt to leave the city before the foretold explosion. H.R.G. and Matt learn the surprising truth behind the tracking system used on people with special abilities.

My Name Is Earl - The Trial - NBC - 8/7c - Season Finale!

Earl has it all - a GED, a job, a new apartment - and now with his new, unlikely love interest, Earl is finally an adult. Nothing can stop Earl on his road to maturity…except, of course, Earl himself. Joy, on the other hand, puts her future in the hands of the law as the trial finally arrives. Earl commits the ultimate good deed to help Joy, but ends up sacrificing everything. It all comes down to this trial and Earl’s shocking testimony.

The Office - Beach Games - NBC - 8:40/7:40c - 9:20/8:20c

If you haven’t noticed, NBC has been extending the past few episodes of The Office to 40 minutes.  Kristin at eOnline reports that the best comedy on TV may very well extend to one hour next season.  Specifically:

I’ve just heard from multiple insiders that it’s looking very likely that NBC will double the amount of The Office we’ll get next season. I’m told it’s looking like each episode will expand to be an hourlong; however, if that plan falls through for some reason, I’m hearing that, at the very least, NBC wants to pick up something like 37 episodes of the show in its current half-hour format.

Regarding tonight’s episode, NBC says:

Michael is being considered for a position in Corporate and has to recommend his replacement. While the group expects a fun outing at Lake Scranton, Michael has planned a day of Survivor-like competitions to find his successor. Meanwhile, Pam is not asked to join in any of the activities and is forced to watch Jim and Karen have fun together.

Scrubs - My Conventional Wisdom - NBC - 9:20/8:20c - 10/9c

As Eliot begins to plan her wedding with Keith, J.D. continues to question his true feelings for her. In an attempt to ease his best friend’s mind, Turk takes him to a surgeon’s convention in Phoenix, but the plan backfires when J.D. runs into his ex-girlfriend Kim and comes face to face with the unexpected. Meanwhile, Kelso and his cronies party it up at the convention while unbeknownst to him, the Janitor takes on the role of Chief of Medicine back at Sacred Heart.

ER - Sea Change - NBC - 10/9c

Stanley Tucci alert!  Stanley Tucci alert!  He’s in a guest starring role tonight, but there are rumblings that he’ll be around for good.

Kovac and Abby get used to their new roles as husband and wife while Hope and Morris enjoy the honeymoon suite. Pratt hopes to change his womanizing ways as he tries to win over a new woman. Meanwhile, there’s a new doctor in the E.R. — and he means business.

Grey’s Anatomy - Testing 1-2-3 - ABC - 9/8c

We’re back to Grey’s as usual tonight after last week’s ‘Private Practice’ spinoff pilot. 

Exam day has arrived for the interns - and not everyone is ready. Callie’s suspicions of George and Izzie grow, and Cristina struggles to write her wedding vows.

Traveler - Pilot - ABC - 10/9c

While it hasn’t been getting stellar reviews, it hasn’t been killed by critics, either.  I’m extremely interested in what they can do with this series.

Jay, Tyler and Will are friends who have spent the last two years in grad school. They are about to depart on a summer trip when a simple prank to rollerblade through one of New York City’s most famous museums makes Jay and Tyler prime suspects in a terrorist bombing that destroys the museum seconds later. Hopeful that Will can help clear up this misunderstanding, they learn he’s been missing since the explosion and think he may be dead. They’re unable to turn to authorities when they realize they can’t prove Will even exists. In every photo from the past two years, he has managed to block his face.

Who will believe them? Friends, family, lovers? The boys are pawns in a conspiracy that will take years to unravel, and the government may not have their best interests at heart. Their friendship will be tested like never before as they try to uncover the truth, while avoiding detection of not only the FBI, but everyone in America who has seen their faces on TV as suspects in the bombing.

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.