(S02E04) A high school reunion episode? Didn't I see this before? Well, yes, the idea of a plot centered around a high school reunion has been a popular staple on episodic TV, but the way Chuck used the concept was really something special.
It gave us new insights into Sarah's character and deepened her connection to Chuck. There was still plenty of action, but oh how I love that back story.
Guest star Nicole Richie -- looking pretty, but in need of a milkshake or two to put some meat on her bones -- is not much of an actress. Still, she can play a jealous skank with aplomb, and that was her role here.
As Heather Chandler, Sarah's former classmate at San Diego's James Buchanan High, Chuck discovered things about Sarah heretofore unknown. Good for us viewers, too. If you haven't watched the show yet, beware plot revelations after the jump.
It looks like guest-starring on Chuckisn't the biggest thing going on in Nicole Richie's TV career. The former Simple Life star has just announced that a TV show based on her 2005 novel is in the works. Richie's roman à clef, titled The Truth About Diamonds, follows Chloe Parker, the adopted daughter of a rock star who runs around with a bad crowd in Hollywood. Throughout the novel, Parker faces struggles with the law, drugs and her friends. Sound familiar?
Not only is Richie planning on producing the show, but she'll be appearing in it as well. Even though she based Chloe Parker on herself, Richie says that she won't necessarily be playing the lead, "I would definitely produce and definitely be in the show, [but] I don't know if I need to be the star of this show." Since production is still in the early stages, the details surrounding the series remain unclear, such as what network it will be on, and whether or not it will be a drama or a comedy.
Anyone who's followed the NFL over the last fifteen years knew what Michael Strahan's plans were going to be after retirement: TV, TV and more TV. It was a given; during most of his career with the Giants, Strahan loved to be in front of the camera, and often did commentary and studio gigs on his off-weeks or during the playoffs.
Now, with a Super Bowl ring in-hand, the newly-retired defensive end is making his move. Not only has he joined the FOX NFL pregame show, but he also just completed filming a cameo on the NBC geek adventure comedy Chuck. He plays Mitt, the manager of the sporting goods store that's in the same shopping center as Buy More, the store where Chuck works. He and his crew take over the home theater portion of the store during lunchtimes, playing Madden '09 and making a mess. My guess is that we'll set up a geeks vs. jocks scenario with retail being the venue, instead of the locker room.
Executive producer Josh Schwartz says Nicole Richie is actually quite funny: "Nicole auditioned for the part and was very funny. This role is a great opportunity for her to show off her comedic skills and be diabolically evil and kick some butt."
I just got back from doing my weekly grocery shopping. It took me almost an hour and a half because of the people at the grocery store and the traffic. That's about the amount of time that Nicole Richie stayed in jail today.
The official time was 82 minutes. Seems that's all the time she had to do, apparently. Although she was sentenced to 96 hours in jail but got out rather, um, quickly, "based on her sentence and federal guidelines." Richie was sent to jail for DUI and...well, it's hard to remember what she did and what Paris did and what Lindsay did and what Britney has done.
So what did they do, just give her a tour of the jail and then release her? Did they just strip search her and do her paperwork and then it was time to leave? Did she get a meal or at least a snack in that 82 minutes?
Actually, we knew ye way too much. But that won't be a problem anymore (at least on a weekly TV show basis). E! has canceled The Simple Life. US Magazine is reporting that producers think that everything happening in the girls' private lives is overshadowing the show. Funny, I would argue that the success of the show is based only on what happened in their private lives. Why else are people watching these two?
A source tells the mag that Nicole was also really hard to work with, saying "Paris was the one willing to do anything. Nicole was the diva."
Once upon a time there were three little girls who were in trouble with the police Two in Los Angeles, and one in Glendale And they were each assigned very hazardous duty Such as drinking and driving and having sex on video But I took them away from all that, and now they work for me... My name is Harvey
This is what Nicole, Paris, and Lindsay should do, go to work for TMZ.com! They're in there so much anyway that they should probably start being paid. Just think: they could go undercover in night clubs to find out what other celebs are doing, wear secret mini cameras in the SCRAM bracelets, show up at parties and openings and appear "drunk" when they're really on assignment for TMZ. It's the perfect cover! Seemingly screwed up celebrities reporting on real screwed up celebrities. It would also give them something to do than just partying.
Where does Britney fit into all of this? Well, when one of the original Angels leaves the job or goes to jail, she can take over. Like Tanya Roberts. After the jump, the opening for Charlie's Angels. Imagine Nicole, Paris, and Lindsay in those roles. I'm not sure who would have the Bosley role in all this. Suggestions?
Hey, Brigitte here with TV Squad Daily. I'll be covering the TV stories I find interesting each day, Monday through Friday, in this video blog.
Today on TV Squad Daily:
Nicole Richie is doing a big interview with Diane Sawyer next week. Does this mean that the pregnancy rumors are true? And if so, what should we call it?
Muppets! Hundreds of them! Retired muppets are getting a new home.
Good news, people! It turns out that there can be too much Paris Hilton. I was beginning to get worried there for a second after the daily news updates during her jail term and then all the attention she has received since getting out. One place she's not getting attention is on E!, where her show, The Simple Life, is pulling in crappy ratings.
E! execs said they had hoped that all the mayhem surrounding her stupid stint in jail would garner interest in the show. One exec thinks that people are more interested in what's going on with Paris Hilton right now, rather than what she's doing on a contrived "reality" show. I'm hoping the real reason is that she has finally outstayed her welcome. Over-saturated the market, if you will.
The low ratings mean that E! is seriously considering not bringing back The Simple Life for a fifth season. Hallelujah!
In case you haven't heard, Paris Hilton gets out of jail today. Expect so much coverage on MSNBC, CNN, and FOX News that you'll want to stick pencils in your eyes. But there are people interested in her release, so here's a quick guide:
L.A. braces itself for her release. Our own TMZ will have non-stop coverage (and will probably break all the news before anyone else). Her car was repossessed while she was in prison (anything to keep her off the roads, I say). You can buy Hilton's trash on ebay. And who was Hilton's final visitor at the prison last night? Jericho star Ashley Scott.
And don't forget she'll be on Larry King Live tomorrow night at 9 to talk about her new post-jail life trying to save orphans and dolphins.
I always look forward to what Christopher Hitchens has to say. I don't always agree with him (for example, his Vanity Fair piece saying that female comedians aren't funny was just stooopid), but he's an intelligent guy and always has a unique take on politics, history, and culture. And now he has written an article for Slate on the Paris Hilton case.
Should he even be writing about someone like the Simple Life star, when he himself admits that the case has been covered way too much? He confronts this paradox, but I still wonder if he succeeds in defending his choice to write about her (though I don't really think he needs to defend it).
But the piece is interesting. Hitchens admits he has seen the Hilton sex video, says he doesn't like Sarah Silverman (big shock), and thinks that the treatment Hilton is getting "stinks" and that she should be left to live the life she has been given.
(S02E04) A high school reunion episode? Didn't I see this before? Well, yes, the idea of a plot centered around a high school reunion has been a popular staple on episodic TV, but the way Chuck used the concept was really something special. 
It looks like 
Anyone who's followed the NFL over the last fifteen years knew what Michael Strahan's plans were going to be after retirement: TV, TV and more TV. It was a given; during most of his career with the Giants, Strahan loved to be in front of the camera, and often did commentary and studio gigs on his off-weeks or during the playoffs.
This fall Special Agent Sarah Walker will get a blast from the past as she attends her ten-year high school reunion and comes face-to-face with her old nemesis. 
I just got back from doing my weekly grocery shopping. It took me almost an hour and a half because of the people at the grocery store and the traffic. That's about the amount of time that Nicole Richie stayed in jail today.
Paris and Nicole, we hardly knew ye.
Once upon a time there were three little girls who were in trouble with the police
Good news, people! It turns out that there can be too much Paris Hilton. I was beginning to get worried there for a second after the daily news updates during her jail term and then all the attention she has received since getting out. One place she's not getting attention is on E!, where her show, The Simple Life, is pulling in crappy ratings.
In case you haven't heard, Paris Hilton gets out of jail today. Expect so much coverage on 
Charlie Rose: TBA 
I always look forward to what Christopher Hitchens has to say. I don't always agree with him (for example, his 
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Have any questions for Vik Sahay of Chuck? Ask them here!
Mike Henry and Daryl Hall on a Cleveland Show Thanksgiving
