TVSquad

(S08E13) Just three more episodes till the end of Monk, so it sort of feels like they're wrapping up some loose ends. Tonight, the focus was on Leland Francis Stottlemeyer, Monk's best friend, the guy who has been solidly behind Adrian through all the difficult years since Trudy's death, helping Monk to cope and remain gainfully employed as a police consultant.

Leland's always been a good guy, but not so lucky in love. As the title suggested, if Mr. Monk is the best man, that means that Leland was the groom. More about the nuptials after the jump.

(S08E10) "What year is this?" - Monk to Sharona

I'm not spoiling anything by telling you at the top that Bitty Schram was back as Sharona for this episode. Hell, the title of the show was "Mr. Monk and Sharona." Oftentimes when a former character returns to a long-established show, it doesn't live up to the expectations. You want it to be like it was, only better. Fortunately, Bitty Schram's guest turn was excellent. This might be the best Monk of this finale season.

Paula Abdul, often seen as a nurturing, loving maternal-figure to American Idol's young contestants, is now talking about her desire to experience personal motherhood. Paula says she "loves kids" and she'll consider adoption if she is unable to produce her own mini-Abduls.

Still, the 44-year-old former cheerleader remains optimistic about her chances of giving birth to a biological child. "With medical technology these days, I could have children by myself using a donor. But I would rather be in a relationship so the child has a father to help instill core values," Paula said.

As reported in our Upfronts coverage, NBC announced that American Idol judge Randy Jackson's World Moves will be on their 2007-2008 primetime schedule. World Moves is a reality competition series (what else?) which pits hip hop dance teams from around the world against one another. The winning team will be awarded an international touring contract.

According to the NBC press release, World Moves in not just about winning a competition: "World Moves involves stories that change lives and bring the world together." Hmm, I wonder if it will cure cancer too! And stop global warming! And end the war in Iraq!

Seriously, wouldn't it be great if Randy and his "Yo dawg" attitude really did change the world for the better?

(S02E22) Continuing on his quest to become a real adult, Earl goes and finds himself a job. And of course Randy gets a job at the same retail establishment because, well... he's Randy.

This episode was also the very special "laugh n sniff" episode. If you shelled out a couple of bucks for this week's TV Guide, you could pick up a card with 6 different odors. Rub the numbered odor when a number pops up during the episode, and you'll get a bit of extra-sensory Earl. Turns out all the odors smelled a bit like paper and a bit like something else, be it junk food or cologne.

American Idol is a show that takes virtual unknowns and creates stars. Even a couple of judges (Randy and Simon), and a host named Ryan Seacrest became household names thanks to Idol's success.

But there's one guy of vital importance to the show who isn't so well known. Most of the time he stays in the background. But there wouldn't be any Idol music without him. He's Idol's inhouse musical director -- Rickey Minor.

(S11E01)

Cartman: Token forfeits! Whites win!

Given Michael Richards' tirade at a comedy club last November, it would have been easy for South Park to dedicate a show to ruthlessly bashing Richards and people who use the N-word, but South Park has never been about simple approaches. Ultimately, Stan realizes that a person who isn't black can never really understand the effect that word can have, but the episode also ingeniously shows how none of us are completely immune to thoughts of prejudice, it's just that some forms of intolerance are more, well, tolerated than others.

(S06E15) Ryan tells us that the guys had an "incredible show" Tuesday night. Hold on a minute, Ryan, back up. Sure the boys were better than the week before, but I certainly wouldn't call their show "incredible." To quote Randy Jackson, "It was just ahright."

Besides, after tonight's Top 10 Ladies show, I'm more convinced than ever that this year's American Idol will be one of our fine ladies. I also think that it's going to be a tight race to the top between our lovely divas -- Lakisha, Melinda, Jordin, Stephanie, and Sabrina.

But tomorrow two unlucky ladies will be going home. Who will it be?

(S02E10) I'm always a little wary when a half-hour sitcom decides to extend itself to a "special" one-hour edition. In many instances, the producers and writers want to introduce a new storyline or bring an existing one to some sort of conclusion. In many instances, these extended episodes turn out to be very disappointing. Not this time.

(S02E09) I was very surprised by the storyline of Randy going to profess his love for Catalina. I have been under the impression that Earl and Catalina would eventually hook up, so I'm not quite sure how this is going to turn out. It was good to see the more "human" side of Randy come out. He is definitely in love with Catalina, but I still think that he and his brother will be competing to win her heart. I'm also quite sure that people all over America will be laying down bubble wrap in honor of their objects of affection.

Of course, it woujld help if Catalina would remain in the country and not be deported for entering the country illegally. Her situation is now another major plot, besides Joy's pending trial, that will keep the show moving in other directions besides Earl crossing things off his list. I don't think devoting an entire episode to Earl making 274 bologna sandwiches for Kenny to make up for stealing his lunch in school years ago would have been very interesting.

(S02E04) Although I am a big fan of this show, I was never high on the Randy character. Except for a few moments here and there, I thought his non-sequitors and otherwise sheer "dumbness" brought each episode down or notch or two. That is, until last night's episode, where Randy shined like the noonday sun.

I mentioned in an earlier post where I expected to see more character development this season, and we're already seeing it with a good chunk of time devoted to Joy and Catalina. However, last night we saw the spotlight on Randy, and we learned that despite his "Baby Huey" persona on the outside, he really is a sensitive soul looking for love and respect. (Aren't we all, on some level?)

The lovely and hilarious Amy Sedaris will be playing a role on the October 12 episode of My Name if Earl as a love interest for Randy. Amy will play Judy, a woman who loves cats. This turns out to be somewhat of an obstacle for Randy because he's allergic to felines. Meanwhile, Earl tries to return a prize cat to Judy after sabotaging a cat show to help Joy. I personally never watch My Name is Earl, though I did watch it a bit when it first aired, and even though network sitcoms ain't m' thang I'll contend it was better than most of what's out there. Being an Amy fan, though, I just might have to tune in for this episode. Who knows, maybe I'll get drawn back into the show again.

Over the past two days we've watched the top eight guys and the top eight girls do their best to get to the big stage, but as Sean Connery said in The Rock: "Your best? Losers always whine about their best; winners go home and... " let's just say "get it done". So who tried their best, yet still came up short? Join me back here to this very post at 8pm EST and that's when I'll unveil the location for the super secret chatroom for our Live American Idol chat. I'll be in the room under the id TVSRyan, so come enter the room and we'll share our picks. See you at 8!

Update:
Come one, come all;  here is the super secret location for our American Idol Chat! Look for me (TVSRyan) in the chat room. See you inside.

Disclaimer: All or parts of the discussion in this chatroom may be posted in a later column on this site.

Group Auditions. Sounds kinky, huh? It's not. It's a lot of fighting. And of course, it all begins with the Brittenum twins. They were split up this week, but that didn't stop the drama. Terrell was in a group that he wasn't too pleased with. Is he ever pleased? He thought they should be practicing into the wee hours of the morning, while half of the group just wanted to get some sleep. 

I liked Bo and Constantine. They brought a rock element to American Idol, and I dug it. Little did I know that their success would bring an onslaught of rock n' rollers/out of controllers auditioning for AI. Awesome. Now, instead of simply listening to wannabes slaughter great pop songs, we're also treated to the torture of rock hits as well. I use to like Bo and Constantine. I now love them. It's because of them that I got to see a punk kid breakdance tonight...and I think he meant it. Plus, we got the satisfaction of seeing Seacrest flash the rock sign. But instead of flashing devil horns, he actually said 'I love you' in sign language. Amateur mistake, but appreciated nevertheless.