TVSquad

(S02E12) There were too many story lines in this episode, too many threads pulled from the fabric. It felt like they were setting up the show for the end of the season and building suspense. For that reason, it felt very disjointed to me.

Claudia Joy's parents, Randall and Charlotte -- nicely played by Len Cariou and Marsha Mason -- have settled in the Holden's house as they deal with their marital/financial issues. The kind of money problems most families are facing in this country right now are not like this, so it's hard to relate. It's also hard to buy that his gambling has never impacted on Claudia's life before. Her hero worship has blinded her to his flaws, but how can you keep money troubles that secret?

I've been waiting for Crash the TV series to materialize ever since I heard about it shortly after the movie premiered in May, 2005. The Starz/Lionsgate series will feature 13 episodes with a different cast of characters from the film.

Now I have even more reason to be excited, because Tom Sizemore has joined the series in a recurring role. He'll play Detective Adrian Cooper, whose unorthodox methods cause havoc when he investigates a police-involved shooting. Sizemore joins Dennis Hopper in the series, with Paul Haggis serving as executive producer.

I've had a major crush on Sizemore since he played Sgt. Vinnie Ventresca on China Beach during the 1989-1990 season. Sure, he's had some challenging times. According to his IMDB.com page, in February, 2005, he failed a court-ordered drug test after he was caught trying to use a prosthetic penis to fake the results. And that was the second time he was caught trying that.

Hello again, everyone! This time we've got three copies of Smallville - Season Seven on DVD for three lucky, random commenters. The DVD is available in stores starting tomorrow.

To enter, leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, September 12 simply telling us why you'd like to own this DVD set. As always, we'll randomly choose three winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
Click here for complete Official Rules.

Our Monday morning roundup of a half dozen things TV Squad readers - and TV fans in general - will be talking about this week.

1. Fringe series premiere. It's from the guys behind Lost and the pilot cost $10 million. I think a few people are going to be talking about it. (Tuesday at 8 on FOX.)

2. Sarah Connor Chronicles season premiere. "Everyone thinks I'm here to terminate John Connor. I just want to watch his DirecTV..." (Tonight at 8 on FOX.)

3. Saturday Night Live season premiere. Who's going to play Sarah Palin? (Saturday at 11:30 on NBC.)

4. The Bonnie Hunt Show series premiere. Will her talk show truly be different? Can it succeed in the crowded talk show landscape? Is it here for the long-term like The Merv Griffin Show or will it be gone as quick as The Martin Short Show? (Starts today - check local listings.)

5. Psych summer finale. Sometimes it gives you a headache trying to figure out when these seasons start and end and when they start up again. (Friday at 10 on USA.)

6. Privileged. I'm beginning to overdose on the pretty/rich people TV show genre. (Tuesday at 9 on The CW.)

(S05E01) "Our next film is Medellin - the ultra-violent story of Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar starring Vincent Chase in a fat-suit in bad make-up that makes him look like the love child of Jiminy Glick and a case of Twinkies." - Richard Roeper

Ouch. It's been six months since Cannes, Medellin is getting a straight-to-DVD release, and people are still talking about it. One of the worst films of the year. I can't say that I'm surprised. Considering how last season ended and what we've come to expect from Entourage, this felt less like a season premiere and more like just another episode. Vincent Chase can only stay down and out hidden in Mexico for so long before the allure of his almost dead career came calling.

Papa Bear bless the No Fact Zone for pointing out this gem, just as Colbert Report fans prepared for yet another week of reruns and the accompanying nights of non-stop sobbing. Those tired of trying to scour the Comedy Central website for specific clips of the show can now visit this handy page of what looks like all the Colbert Report episodes online. My goodness, it's like the greatest satire-related September Christmas ever.

(S02E07) "You're not like everyone else around here." - Ken, to Sal

So Don Draper used to be a car salesman?

I guess it fits with the career path of an advertising guy, and ties in nicely with the plot of Don getting a new car because he's moving up in the world of business in general and Sterling Cooper specifically. There's a big unresolved issue in this episode though. I'm really glad they brought it up but a little disappointed that they didn't follow through with it, though I'm sure we'll see more of the plot in later episodes this season.

It could actually change the entire direction of the show.

(S10E24) Aftermath of Renny's Eviction

Keesha was obviously the most effected by the Renny's absence. She cried in the Diary Room saying, "It's just really hard to watch her walk out the door." Later she lamented that Renny's picture turned black and white. Renny, a woman who lights up the room when she walks in, should always be in color according to Keesha.

Other reactions to Renny's departure varied. Jerry had mixed feelings. He thinks his HOH reign was a success because it kept him in the house another week, but a failure because Dan was his target. Memphis feels that this past week was extremely successful. Renny never really trusted him so he's taken out another threat. And I'd have to agree. Renny called him a snake in the past and didn't really want him in the alliance of four. Dan was also happy with Renny's eviction. If she had made it to the final two, she would have won. Hands down.

I just came to the realization that almost everything I was going to start this latest Big Brother 10 live feeds with is a spoiler. Yikes! A lot has happened since the live show. Alas, today is a bit more as depicted in this image of Memphis. Yes, it's time for the doldrums. The luxury comp is over, nominations are over, and the Power of Veto comp is done. It's time to watch Jerry nap.

But I do have show spoilers on the other side of the jump!

• At 7 (or after the Men's U.S. Open Men's Semi-Final), CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by new episodes of Big Brother and the U.S. Open Women's Final).
• NBC has a new Football Night in America at 7, followed by the Bears vs. the Colts.
• At 8, FOX has the premiere of Hole in the Wall.
• ABC Family has a new Samurai Girl at 8.
• Food Network has a new Challenge at 8, then a new episode of Iron Chef America and the premiere of Feasting on Waves.
• At 9, ABC has the special America United: In Support of Our Troops.
• PBS has a new Masterpiece at 9.
• MTV has the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards at 9.
• HBO has the series premiere of True Blood at 9, followed by the season premiere of Entourage.
• At 10, Lifetime has a new Army Wives.
• There's a new Mad Men on AMC at 10.
• At 11:30, Cartoon Network has a new Robot Chicken.
• At midnight, Cartoon Network has a new Metalocalypse, then a new Tim and Eric's Awesome Show, Great Job.

Check your local TV listings for more.

I'm always fascinated by the ad campaigns that the networks come up with to sell or promote TV shows. I remember in 2004 when Fox debuted House, they created a magazine insert DVD of the pilot. It was a great way to get TV fans to try the show, and I -- for one -- bought Entertainment Weekly and watched the show.

Giveaways are one way to drive awareness -- and sample the product -- but another is with a print ad campaign. Recently, Gossip Girl came up with a savvy set of posters and advertisements to call attention to the naughtiness of the show.

Now comes a new, original campaign for Showtime's Dexter in which the Michael C. Hall's character is imagined on the cover of magazines. Dexter on Esquire, The New Yorker, GQ, Wired; high-profile magazines that have a distinctive look, reconfigured for serial killer hiding in plain sight, Dexter Morgan. The ads look amazing and will be seen in all variety of magazines and plastered up as posters all over the place.

It may be raining on the East Coast, but everything is always sunny and hunky-dory in the Big Brother 10 house. They're such a kind and loving group of hamsters, right? Well, if I made the comparison with the group we endured last season during the final four, I prefer Jerry, Dan, Keesha, and Memphis. Maybe not so much Jerry. At least he doesn't cry all the time like Sheila did. He sits and stares a lot. That's just odd and a little bit sad, too.

For the latest news from the 24/7 live feeds in the house, read beyond the jump. Show spoilers ahead!

Although fake news hosts and correspondents are super wonderful and the folks running the equipment do marvelous jobs, there's a great amount of talent that often goes tragically unnoticed. Well, now is the time to adjust the limelight a little bit and focus on one of those groups. The newest issue of PRINT Magazine has an interesting look at the graphics departments of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, who consistently provide visually stunning and hilarious material that bring half the shows' funny.

• At 7:30, ABC has the Sprint Cup Chevy Rock & Roll 400 race.
• At 8, FOX has the season premiere of Cops at 8, followed by another new episodes and a new America's Most Wanted.
• Food Network has the special Kitchen Gadgets of the Future at 8, followed by Kitchens of the Future and Top American Restaurants: Bon Appetit Picks The Best.
• At 9, CNBC has a new Suze Orman Show.
• BBC America has a new Primeval at 9.
• Lifetime has the movie Grave Misconduct at 9.
• Great American Country has a new Grand Ole Opry at 9.
• Also at 9: Cartoon Network has two new episodes of Naruto.
• At midnight, Cartoon Network has a new Shin Chan, then new episodes of Bleach, Code Geass, and Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit.

Note: The U.S. Open Women's Final has been postponed until tomorrow night.

Check your local TV listings for more.

Fox's 24 is taking a break from filming so producers can rethink the storylines for the upcoming season. The two-hour special for November is still in the can and shouldn't be affected by this.

This could be an example of analysis paralysis. Due to the writers' strike, the show was not broadcast at all last season. They had a year's break to think it through. They're having second thoughts about the storyline this late in the game? Considering the wait that fans have already had to go through (though no fault of the producers), this better be a kick-ass season.

Of course, the show isn't being broadcast until January and they already have plenty of material ready that wasn't broadcast due to the aforementioned strike. There is ample time to make whatever changes they need and have it ready for broadcast.

I do wonder what sort of enemy Jack Bauer will be fighting in the next season. I'm hoping for Cobra Commander from the upcoming G.I. Joe movie.