Whatever Will I Watch Tonight? - Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Oh, such a dilemma! Well, tonight's not the big dilemma it has been on previous weeks, I'll admit.

At 8 PM ET/PT, there's this week's American Idol 6 with the top three contestants (Melinda, Blake, Jordin) singing three songs each. I'll be watching that, taking notes and photos, then getting an entry posted later on this evening.

Not into American Idol? There's more!

At 8 PM ET/PT, American Idol not withstanding, there is a repeat of Dancing With the Stars on ABC. The CW has a new Gilmore Girls. NBC has a new Dateline airing. The entire CBS prime-time block is taken by The 42nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.

9 PM ET/PT brings us a repeat Law and Order: Criminal Intent on CBS, a new House episode on FOX, the (new) Dancing With the Stars results show on ABC, a new Veronica Mars episode on CW, and a new Deadliest Catch on Discovery.

Then, at 10 PM ET/PT, there's a new episode of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit on NBC, a new Boston Legal on ABC, two new back-to-back Real World episodes on MTV, and The Shield on FX is new, too.

My personal line-up is American Idol, still undecided for the next hour, L&O: SVU at ten o'clock. I haven't been watching Dancing With the Stars, but many of the blog readers do. If you want to join in on the show discussion and (probably) get East Coast Spoiler information on tonight's boot, head to the comments area of the blog discussion post for the show during or after the show airs on the East Coast.

I also received some screeners from TBS (Tyler Perry's House of Payne) and TNT (The Closer)... so I have to watch them and report back to you in addition to my regular television addiction. Both shows will air this summer, but I'm anxious to check out the screener from The Closer! (Yay.)

What will you be watching tonight?

'Heroes' - "Landslide" - A BulletPoint Report

Yikes, the season finale is next week! I think you can guess where I'll be on Monday night. I'm so addicted to this show. Is there a 12-Step Program for Heroes withdrawal?

As I've grown to expect, tonight's show was yet another nailbiter.

Anything less and it wouldn't be Heroes, right?

Here's the skinny on the happenings, not necessarily in the order in which they happened for the sake of clarity:

• The show opened with Sylar saying, "Boom." Apparently he's now liking the idea of blowing up millions... or .07% of the world's population.
• At Kirby Plaza, Peter Petrelli learned to control the absorption of Ted (Radioactive Hands Dude) Sprague's powers. A good thing because he had just given Claire the go-ahead to kill him.
• HRG (Mr. Bennet) didn't realize that Peter was Claire's uncle.
• The FBI is after Bennet, Parkman (mind-reading ex-cop), and Sprague. They've labeled Sprague a terrorist.
• HRG wants to destroy the Walker Tracking System (Molly the Kid!) with Parkman.
• He instructed Peter, Claire, and Sprague to go to a small town.
• "I'm in!" said Sprague.
  

• "Me, too," said lurking eavesdropping nearby SYLAR.
• Meanwhile, Hiro believes he's failed his mission. His destiny was a mistake. Sylar's too powerful.
• Ando found a sword repair shop in the Yellow Pages.
• Hiro called them. "You have the fate of the world in your hands."
• In Nathan news, Linderman was giving him another pep talk.
  
• Nathan seems torn. He doesn't want to make the city into a nuclear wasteland, nor let his brother explode.
• Linderman told Nathan that his (Nathan's) father had great power. He did all he could do to heal the world, but he had to give up.
• Nathan's wife arrived in the room. He told her he would give her the greatest gift, then held her hand.
• Voila! It's a miracle! She finds out after Linderman left that she can walk once again. (Can I get a hallelujah?) Of course, she realized it just as she told Nathan he didn't have to sell his soul to Linderman. It looks like her soul is in question now.
• Back to Peter, Claire, and Sprague... as Claire dreams of being a caped superhero, Peter picks up on Sylar being around with his own powers.
• They run, but get surrounded by the FBI who capture Sprague.
  
• Peter and Claire run some more.
• Agent Hanson of the FBI talks to Sylar (who identified himself as Isaac Mendez). He called in the tip on Sprague.
• "Thank you. Most people don't get involved," she told him.
• "I'm not most people," he replied. Understatement, I say!
  
• Let's go back to Ando and Hiro again. They found the sword-fixing shop.
• They also found Hiro's father once again.
• Ando wanted to leave as he was sure Hiro's father would stop their mission.
• And, of course, he'd die.
• It turns out that Hiro's father (played by George Takei, Lt. Sulu on Star Trek), knew about Hiro's powers all along.
• Hiro's father is on his side, just didn't think he was ready.
• Ninja training in action as Hiro and his Dad practice.
• Hiro's father told him that he will kill Sylar the next attempt. The sword isn't important, the journey is. He will save the world.
  
• Alas, Ando bought a sword and took off to continue the mission thinking that Hiro was going to be sent back to Japan.
• Switching characters again -- I think Candice (the illusionist) might really be an obese woman. She hinted at it and ate tons of junk food while with Micah.
• Micah told her she could use her powers for good.
• "You could be a hero."
• Micah told her Linderman was bad. "He's going to heal the world," she replied. "I didn't know it was sick," said Micah.
• Linderman arrived and told Micah he needed to do one little thing which would save many lives, then he could go home to his parents. He'd give them lots of money and they could all live happily ever after.
• Candice turned into a chubby black woman and took Micah to the polling station.
• She told the woman at the booths she was teaching him about democracy and was allowed to bring him into the voting booth.
• She then told him to use his power to tell all the computers to give Nathan Petrelli a landslide victory.
• He did it. "Can I go home now?"
• Ah, but D.L. and Jessica are in NY looking for Micah!
• They talked to Nathan who seemed to be wavering a bit about Linderman, but felt powerless to do anything about him.
• "You were going to kill him. Let us finish it!"
• Then the news came in -- Nathan Petrelli won the election by a landslide.
• All the action headed to the Kirby Plaza. Micah was held by Candice there.
  
• Mohinder Suresh was curing Molly Walker so she could use her people/hero tracking powers once again.
• The trouble is, Thompson, Bennet's ex-boss at Primatech Paper is in charge of the operation.
• The other trouble is, Parkman and Bennet are in the building to destroy the Walker Tracking System (Molly!).
• Molly was previously saved from the boogeyman (Sylar) by Parkman.
• Parkman had no clue it was Molly that was the tracking system.
• Bennet knew it was a person, but didn't know it was a child.
• Ah, but before that, DL and Jessica met up with Parkman and Bennet in the building. Jessica to Parkman, "Didn't I once throw you out a window?"
  
• They split when Bennet told them where to find Linderman.
• Thompson tried to catch Parkman and Bennet, but Bennet set up Parkman.
  
• "What am I thinking now?" Thompson asked Parkman as he sneaked up in back of him and put a gun to his head.
• "Your last thought," Bennet said as he shot Thompson.
• Then it became a standoff in Molly's room with Mohinder pointing his gun at Bennet and Bennet aiming at Molly.

• No shots fired, standoff unsolved in this chapter.
• Back to Ted secured in the FBI truck...
• Sylar caused the truck to crash with a flick of his hand.
• It overturned and Ted was hanging upside down as Sylar did his brain-taking thing to get his nuclear-hands power.
• Peter and Claire came upon the truck afterwards and knew it was the work of Sylar.
• Back at the Kirby Plaza, DL and Jessica found Linderman and demanded their son, Micah, be returned.
• Jessica sent Linderman flying across the room into a wall.
• Linderman had a trick up his sleeve.
• He gave Jessica money, 20 million dollars, to kill DL.
• Jessica would do it, but Nikki wouldn't. Jessica turned back into Nikki.
• "You should have taken the money," said Linderman as he shot DL.
• Then DL phased his hand into Linderman's brain.
• Now, both Linderman and DL are dead. I think.
• As Nathan gave his acceptance speech, it hinted once again that he might be at least thinking of the right thing.
• He mentioned Peter and making a difference for the greater good, world is sick, it can heal.
• As he gives the speech, Sylar is atop the DeVeaux Building with the Empire State Building in the distance.
• He's practicing his radioactive hands.
• "Boom," he says, smiling at the thought.

Sylar quietly saying "boom" creeps me out.

TV Newsy Bits - Monday, May 14, 2007

Tonight's season finale of How I Met Your Mother has a touching real-life bit within it. The show is a must-see for a Brookyn (NYC) couple. Well, the man worked to get his fiancee-to-be a part as an extra on the show and planned to propose to her while in California. When he told the folks at the show his plans, they set it up so that the proposal would be a scene in the finale. Everyone on the staff knew about it, but the young woman didn't. It was a huge surprise for her.

It's a good thing she said yes to the proposal, eh?

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Due to last night's finale, there's a cyber-ton of Survivor: Fiji links out there! Reality News Online interviewed Yau-Man Chan and Earl Cole. Oh, they also interviewed Cassandra, Boo, and Dreamz. They also have a transcript of the five castaways' appearance on The Early Show. Oh... and they also have a write-up of the reunion show!
• If you're a Dancing With the Stars fan, please stop by the blog discussion post and chat with a great group!
• We saw Survivor castaway Alex's nasty side a bit the other day, but did we forget about this news story I linked a while back?

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - Season Finale - Liveblogged From the East Coast

So far, we've gone through the recap of the season. Return or refresh this page throughout the evening as it will constantly be updated as the show progresses here on the East Coast.

Now, there seems to be a bit of doubt about how faithful Earl might be to Yau-Man if he needs the hidden Idol to survive.

Immunity is up for grabs. Five section maze challenge. They have to cross five drawbridges blindfolded and collect five keys. Long maze - the length of a football field. Yau-Man just took the lead, but there's a long way to go. Cassandra is woefully behind. She may as well just sit down. Earl is just about out of it, too. Yau-Man still leading, Dreamz on his heels followed by Boo.

YAU-MAN has won Immunity!

Yau-Man is happy - both he and Earl are secured a place in the Final Four. Boo believes he'll be voted out and that's the plan. Dreamz is worried about his own place.

Boo thinks that he would be better in the Final Two for Earl than Yau-Man would be. He told him he can't win against Yau-Man.

Earl thinks he can beat Boo or Cassandra in the Final Two, but not Yau-Man or Dreamz. He thinks Yau-Man has the underdog vote and Dreamz has the sympathy vote. Boo is campaigning both Earl and Yau-Man.

Tribal Council: Jury is brought in. Dreamz is more concerned about folks not keeping their word over physical threats. Earl hints there might be concern about who they're against at the end. Boo thinks he's a better candidate to take to the F2 over Dreamz or Yau-Man. Dreamz thinks Yau-Man should keep him in for the F4 due to their pact. Boo just gave a tip-off that Earl picked up -- he said he told Yau-Man and Dreamz he would take them to the finals.

Boo voted for Dreamz and vice versa. Jeff is tallying the votes.

Earl's playing the Idol!

Votes: Boo, Dreamz, Boo, Boo. Boo is voted out.

In his closing words, he praised Yau-Man and said he deserved to win it. He also wondered if Dreamz would keep his word. He thinks he will, but "it would be interesting if he didn't."

Dreamz said he's going to keep his word. Earl and Yau-Man are good friends. Dreamz plans to win Immunity and give Yau-Man the necklace. The Final Four - Dreamz, Cassandra, Earl, Yau-Man - are now going through their rites of passage or memory tour, remembering those who got voted off as the show went along.

Lisi thinks all she lacked was the ability to "stick it out" and last. Yeah, right.

There was an ad for Big Brother 8 to start in July during the commercial break.

Final Immunity Challenge - Threshold for pain, each lay on a plank with the angles increased in time increments, water will stream on plank making it slippery. Last one hanging on wins. Dreamz told Yau-Man not to worry, he'll get the necklace back. Three will be going to finals as they did last year. So, it's Final Three in the running for the million.

They're now at a 45-degree angle, all still in. Cassandra having lots of problems. The others all hanging in... literally speaking.

Cassandra is now OUT.

Now up there 20 minutes, angle is increased to 55-degrees. Earl is OUT. It's between Yau-Man and Dreamz. Yau-Man is OUT. Dreamz has won the final Individual Immunity. Cut to commercial and we won't know if Dreamz keeps his word to Yau-Man until after the break.

Back at camp, Yau-Man told Cassandra he intends to vote Dreamz out. Earl thinks Dreamz could save himself since it's three not two in the finals. (Why are Earl and Yau-Man loyal to Cassandra? Other than the fact that either of them would win against her.)

Yau-Man is worried that Dreamz will vote him out. Dreamz just told Earl and Cassandra that he will do the right thing. "I'm good with four," he said. He wants to be known as honorable, a truth-teller, he's Dreamz.

They're heading to Tribal Council. Jeff tells the jury that three will be in the final Tribal Council. Jeff is questioning Dreamz about his promise to Yau-Man. Dreamz thinks if he gives up Immunity, he'll go home.

ACK. Dreamz is keeping the Immunity Necklace! He's crying as he should be. Yau-Man is stoic.

The votes: Cassandra, Yau-Man, Yau-Man, Yau-Man.

ARGH - Yau-Man is voted out - done in by Dreamz and stabbed in the back by Earl.

I can only think that Earl didn't think he'd have a chance to win against Yau-Man. With Dreamz breaking his word and Cassandra being useless, he should win with the jury. I think. I'll be ticked if Cassandra wins.

Earl hopes he still has Yau-Man's vote to win. Dreamz says he has no regrets. He seems very defensive about his decision (for some odd reason).

Day 39 - the last day. The three are smiling. Gifts are going to fall from the sky according to a note in a picnic basket. Earl has to swim out to go and get it because Cassandra can't swim. How do you even get on the show without being able to swim?

They're gathering all the camp stuff to light afire. The fire has started.

It's off to the final Tribal Council where they'll be questioned by the jury.

Opening Statements:
Earl -- I played an honest and clean game. Make the right moves and put myself in the right position. Name never written down, intelligent game. Want the respect vote.
Cassandra -- Thanks jury. Started slow, someone to come talk to, got with an alliance, never wavered.
Dreamz -- My life story, help me, help my life... and help other people.

The Questions/Statements:
Michelle: What do you think biggest obstacle? Dreamz - Not the starving, the thirst. Cassandra - Overcoming inability to swim. M: Does your fear of water win you a million? Earl - Only original Ravu member, no water, no food, Exile Island.

Edgardo to Earl: How did you find out who had Idol? E: Dreamz

Alex to Dreamz: Did you tell about the Idol? Wasn't that betrayal? Dreamz - Just deceit.

Mookie: Tonight isn't the time to lie.

Alex: to Cassandra: Integrity? Cass: Overheard. Alex says she discarded Stacy. A: Arguing... stop talking! To Dreamz: Your goals to help kids... you cheat, lie, backstab to succeed. Why? D: Game based on lies and deceit. A: Can't hide from karma forever.

Lisi: Catch a liar by the toe... Cassandra. Water shoes? Unprepared to play game. Greed kept you in the game. To Dreamz: How many zeroes in a million? Six, do you think I'm stupid? To Earl: Yesterday, Yau vote - whole show for the jury. Why you looked so shocked after voting him off? E: The shock was Dreamz not keeping word. Smart choice. L: Smart, lying manipulating.

Stacy: To Earl: The difference between you and Dreamz is you're more sophisticated. You'll land on your feet. Earl: A million dollars would change us all. I had troubles. Shouldn't be based on need.

Rocky: One question. How did you manipulate the best? "I am the biggest kicker because of..." Cass: Listened to a person at the right time. Dreamz: I manipulated my way to the top. I manipulated Yau. Earl: I manipulated everyone up there because no one even thought I was playing the game.

Boo: Tips hat to Yau - by far the best player. Dreamz deal with Yau... as a Christian, were you playing him at the time of acceptance of truck? Or later? I was playing the game. Boo - You're an immature Christian. The Devil dangle money in front of you.

Yau-Man: Personal statement - no testosterone overload. Can admit to a mistake. Enjoy the truck, don't feel guilty. Have the gonads to tell why you changed your mind. "I didn't change my mind. I played the game." Dreamz - I came here knowing what I was going to do. To Earl - Why didn't you take me to the next level. E: I wouldn't win against you. You played the best game by far.

They're voting now... and we should switch to NYC soon.

No cheesy entrance. They just made it look like Jeff carried the votes directly to the reunion show. I miss the cheese!

The votes: Earl, Earl,Earl, Earl, Earl...

The winner of Survivor 14: Fiji is EARL.

For the first time in Survivor history, the vote was unanimous -- all voted for Earl, as it should be.

Earl knew the second that Dreamz kept Immunity that he'd win.

Next season, the show will Survivor 15: China, the first American television show to be filmed there.

Earl wished his mother a happy Mother's Day and gave her half of his winnings.

Thank you, blog readers! You've made it a great season!

It's an East Coast Live-Blogging 'Survivor 14: Fiji' Event

Come one, come all! Peek in during the show or commercials! Or, if you're in another time zone, see what's happening on tonight's Survivor 14: Fiji season finale before watching the show! Well, read what's happening more than see it, I suppose.

When the show starts at 8 PM EDT, I'll be posting a live-blogging finale entry to this blog. I'll update the entry throughout the show and invite you all to join in with comments. From the challenges to scheming to the sole Survivor, it will all be here in East Coast time.

Oh. You can bring snacks if you wish.

Where is that darn beverage cart? You can find the ongoing East Coast spoiler liveblogging post here.