TVSquad

On tonight's episode of Dateline on NBC (7:00 p.m.), Today security consultant Bill Stanton will set up hidden camera scenarios that will test how people respond to suspicious situations. Wild Bill: Breaking and Entering, hosted by Rob Stafford, will follow Stanton as he attempts to break into cars, homes and a hotel room right in front of people using the same techniques as seasoned criminals.

Stanton's conclusion is that people aren't as aware of their surroundings as they should be. At the risk of sounding stupidly optimistic, I think another way to look at it is that most of us assume our fellow human beings are usually working with the best of intentions. People should be smart, of course, but I like to assume that people are basically good.

One last thing: the press release describes the episode as an "investigation." Is it really an investigation when you're just creating fake scenarios?

The investigation of the missing $3,000 is going nowhere. Oscar, Angela, and Kevin are very frustrated with their lack of progress. Suddenly, Oscar discovers a missing $2,800 charge, but Kevin sheepishly admits that he took money out and gambled on pro basketball (Go Pistons!). He says he won, and put the money he borrowed back. However, that amount was different from the $3,000 in question.

Kevin then points to Angela's new necklace, and she says that a "friend" gave it to her. Oscar and Kevin are skeptical about this "friend," but they drop the issue. Angela then says that they have to investigate Michael, who's been the target of suspicion all along. Will we see Michael brought in for questioning? Time will tell...

Watch the webisode here.

OK, this is getting tedious. The investigation into the missing $3,000 is at a dead end, and there are only 4 webisodes left. As the immortal Curly Howard would have said, "This has gotta' end someplace!"

Angela seems none too pleased of having to take part in this investigation to uncover the mystery of the missing $3,000. Oscar is resigned to taking on this task, but he seems to be acting professionally and doing his due diligence. Kevin is, well, Kevin.

This time around, the three speak to Meredith, the Scranton office's resident lush. Angela is extremely accusatory and seems ready to drag Meredith by the hair into a waiting police car, much less human resources. She obviously wants to get this over with so she can go back to her clandestine "romance" with Dwight, among her other activities.

The investigation into the missing $3,000 begins with Oscar, Kevin, and Angela questioning Phyllis. Beforehand, Angela tells the documentarians that they are pretending to ask other people about the money but they still strongly suspect Michael. However, they have to go through the motions to make sure all their bases are covered.

As they question Phyllis, she admits that she once used the Dunder Mifflin corporate card to while out at a sales call. A heel broke on her shoe, and she ended up spending $14 to fix it. She does say that her boyfriend Bob Vance of Vance Refrigeration allows her to use a Vance Refrigeration credit card in case of emergencies, but Kevin seems to think that melting ice cream cake is the only situation that can be addressed with it.

In any event, the investigation continues. Who will be questioned next? My guess is Creed, since he has admitted to taking stuff before. We'll find out next time.

(UPDATE: You can watch this episode here.)

Well, this is interesting: just before the ABC PrimeTime Live investigation hits the airwaves (May 4), Fox has launched its own investigation into whether or not judge Paula Abdul slept with 2003 American Idol semifinalist Corey Clark. Could we have another Quiz Show like scandal like they did in the late 50s with Twenty-One and other game shows? Abdul has denied the charges. With these charges and the investigations from both ABC and now Fox, not to mention the fact that we're into the real nitty gritty of the competition (was Constantine terrible last night or what?), this is an exciting time in the world of AI.