FALL TV

Here's what I'm watching this season:

SUNDAY:
Cold Case
Shark - new night
Sunday Night Football

MONDAY:
Everybody Hates Chris (premieres Oct. 1)
The Big Bang Theory - last night's pilot could have been funnier - they wasted all the good jokes in the commercials
Girlfriends (premieres Oct. 1)
The Game (premieres Oct. 1)
Journeyman - I'm just watching to stare at Kevin McKidd

TUESDAY:
House - I got hooked on the summer repeats
Cashmere Mafia (debuts Dec. 4)
Cane - this is one show I'm definitely looking forward to
Lincoln Heights - a solid family drama
Nip/Tuck (premieres Oct. 30) - best show on TV, that is, until The Wire comes back
Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is (premieres Oct. 30)

WEDNESDAY:
Back To You - the pilot was hilarious
Pushing Daisies - I wonder if it'll live up to the hype
Criminal Minds - no more Mandy Patinkin!
Private Practice - I hope it's improved since last season's pilot ep
Gossip Girl - addictively good
Dirty Sexy Money - could be the sleeper hit of the season

THURSDAY:
Ugly Betty - look out for guest appearances this season by Mo'Nique and Victoria Beckham
Grey's Anatomy
Without A Trace - new night

FRIDAY:
Friday Night Lights - new night
Las Vegas
Women's Murder Club - I love the books so this show better be good

Disappointment

Honestly, I am very concerned about the spoliers I've read about the upcoming seasons of Girlfriends and The Game.

I already told you that Richard T. Jones is not returning to play Joan's fiance, Aaron. But I've learned that his character is being shipped off to Iraq, as a way to explain his absence. In my opinion, that is so lame. I just can't understand why Mara Brock Akil has decided to go this route. As much as I adore the dark choclately goodness of Mr. Jones, at least she have recast the character in order to continue Joan's happily-ever-after storyline. And, just as I suspected, Maya will have a miscarriage. Why do I feel like they only made her pregnant just to take the baby away -- was there no other avenue to explore for her character? This is all very unfortunate, and I now strongly believe that Girlfriends should have ended last season. The finale was a perfect wrap-up (sans Toni) to the series and I would have been more than satisfied with that conclusion. I fear that the viewership of Girlfriends will drop off dramatically this season, because it seems like they are taking their audience and fans for granted.

And over at The Game, Jason is going to be involved in a steroids scandal, but the catch is that because he's so cheap, they're generic steroids. That could be funny, especially since Kelly finds out and holds it over him. But on the other hand, Malik makes some offensive comments that embroils him in a Michael Vick-like scandal. That's not as funny. And Melanie has to move in with Tasha since she's broke and homeless now that she caught Derwin cheating. I'd much rather see Melanie relying on her family -- I thought that her mom and younger bro (played by real-life bro Tahj Mowry) were hilarious, and I'd love to see them swoop down in San Diego with the "I told you so's."

Stay tuned...it's sure to be an intereding season for both shows.

Coming up next week will be the TVnista Fall preview. We'll talk about the new shows I'm looking forward to, as well as our returning favorites and what's in store for the new season.

Casting News

In an unexpected (and from somewhere left-field) move, Oscar-winning Dreamgirl Jennifer Hudson will star as Carrie Bradshaw's assistant in the upcoming Sex and the City: The Movie. So far, I've heard that the movie picks up four years after the HBO-series ended, and that all four ladies, as well as Mr. Big, will start filming in NYC on Sept. 19.

What to Watch

Wendy Williams (finally) returns to VH1 for a one-hour special airing Friday, September 14 at 10:30pm. The hot topic of discussion will be Murder Inc. boss Irv Gotti's confession that he cheated on his wife with label ingenue Ashanti. Be sure to tune in for the fireworks!


And TONIGHT at 9pm...not only is the Style Network's How Do I Look? celebrating it's 100th episode, but it's a very special episode we should all watch. Fabulous host Finola Hughes and her crew work their makeover magic to a trio of New Orleans school teachers affected by Hurricane Katrina. For an interview and preview of the episode, check out this article on TVGuide.com.

Casting Corner

For all the Y&R fans out there, be sure to tune in or TiVo the September 17 and 18th episodes because Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Tatyana Ali is joining the cast as Roxanne, Devon's date at Lily's divorce party. Let's support our girl!