TVSquad

We get a lot of press releases and other PR goodies here at TV Squad HQ; there are so many of them, to be honest, that it takes a lot for one to grab our attention. But this one managed to do it: it's a video clip of the upcoming episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. In it, Ty and crew go to Wyoming to help the Miller family rebuild their farmhouse into a haven for not only their family, but the mistreated animals that they have rescued over the years. The reason why they have to rebuild? The house is rife with Radon, and a simple renovation will not clean it all up.

So, instead of imploding the house or demolishing it using a backhoe, Ty and company decide to blow it up. You heard me; watch the video after the jump and you'll see that they blow it up "real good," like it's being attacked by aliens in Independence Day. Here's what I want to know, though: doesn't that make the clean-up, which is now spread among a much bigger area, a whole lot more of a pain in the ass?

Singer Jewel is the next in the revolving door of celebrities who take on hosting duties for Nashville Star. Last season, it was Wynonna and Cowboy Troy (he's returning as co-host), and before that it was Leann Rhimes and Nancy ODell. Even though I swear she had gone pop, the press release from USA says Jewel grew up on country music so I guess that's all it takes. Plus she's a songwriter and musician just like the contestants on Nashville Star are supposed to be. It's an interesting career move, anyway.

Season 5 of Nashville Star premieres on Thursday, January 11th at 10 pm on USA.

The producers of Nashville Star have gone all out with their website. First, you can download individual audio performances immediately after they air. Unfortunately, they don't like Mac users, so I can't tell you how much they cost. But, I do know that there is a charge for each song.

Plus, you can upload your own photo to the Nashville Star website and put yourself in a music video. Kinda corny, I know. But it's the kind of corny that kills time in the cubicle.

How many of y'all watch that there country music singing contest?

[Via Lost Remote]

All sorts of television shows are new or returning this week. Some highlights include, of course, The Sopranos and the controversial Big Love tonight on HBO. Personally, I'm looking forward to the new Julia Louis-Dreyfus comedy, The New Adventures of Old Christine. I'm hoping she can break the Seinfeld curse this time around. The promos aren't all that promising but I like Louis-Dreyfus enough to give it a shot on Monday.

Here's what's up:

• The Sopranos, Sundays @ 9 pm on HBO (Sixth season premieres March 12)
• They're back.
  

• Big Love, Sundays @ 10 pm on HBO (premieres March 12)
• Bill Paxton stars as a polygamist in Salt Lake City who has three wives, seven children and three adjoining houses. Also stars Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, Ginnifer Goodwin. Great tagline: Polygamy Loves Company.