TVSquad

Somebody over at NBC must watch WE's The Locator. That's a reality show where Troy Dunn helps real people find family members they've either lost or been lost from. From reality to comedy, NBC just gave a big green light to Nathan vs. Nature, a new sitcom about a 35-year old guy who reconnects with the family that gave him up for adoption. He's a successful heart surgeon. His siblings, who weren't given up for adoption, aren't nearly as successful. Hijinks ensue. Culture clash on a sitcom ... unheard of!?

There's been no casting announced yet, nor any more specifics about Nathan/Griffin's real family. I'm hoping for the Clampetts before they headed for Beverly ... Hills, that is. It's time television re-embraced its poking fun at country people roots. They poke fun at New Yorkers and Los Angelinos and big city folk all the time. Why not rednecks? They make such great targets. Or just make it the Hickeys and this can be the unofficial spin-off of My Name Is Earl.

As if there weren't enough remodeling/makeover shows on the air, and obviously there aren't, WE tv has just greenlit the latest. The Hollywood Reporter tells us Ugliest House on the Block involves neighbors and experts giving a four-day makeover to whichever house the neighbors consider to be the biggest eyesore. And, of course, the show promises "green" segments to show how to be more environmentally friendly with home decorating and design.

"Home decorating and design is a genre that has mass appeal for women," said Kim Martin, executive VP and GM at WE. So does the bad-boys-who-treat-women-like-crap genre, but I don't see WE tailoring a show for this segment of the female population. I'd say the all-men-are-evil-and-deserve-to-be-put-down-like-dogs genre, but Lifetime Movie Network seems to have the corner on that market.

Recently, Bob made an aside about how he can't find Kate and Allie anywhere on television. Well, I have good news for Bob and for anyone else who was a fan of that sitcom: WE (that's the Women's Entertainment network, not the pronoun) will begin showing episodes in June.

In fact, the popular '80s sitcom will be introduced with a marathon running from noon until 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. The series will then slip into its regular Monday night slot at 7:00 p.m.

Kate and Allie focused on two divorcees who decide to move in together and help raise each other's children. The series starred Jane Curtin (Allie) and Susan Saint James (Kate), and while I watched it a lot growing up (my mom loved the show), I think I was a bit too young to appreciate it. One of the things I love about having a Tivo is recording those old shows I only vaguely remember to see how good they really are. Lately, I've been watching a lot of Alice, but now I'll have to add Kate and Allie to the lineup, too.