My Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

As you can see, my Dream Emmy Ballot experiment took a backseat to real life. I still want to get these out before the Emmy nomination announcements on July 19, so I'm giving it the old college try. Next up is Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. I decided to have some fun with this one, and some of my nominees might be both shocking and not-so-shocking all at the same time.

Remember, these picks are my "wouldn't it be nice" nominees and not real predictions because it's just easier to dream than try to face reality. If you want more legit insights, I'm sure you can find some online.

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
While I jumped on the 30 Rock bandwagon fairly late, I quickly understood why the show's stars got so much hype, and to be honest Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey are the two main reason I keep watching. Baldwin had another fantastic season as Jack Donaghy figured out what to do about his marriage while keeping his relationship with Liz Lemon the most entertaining thing on television. Baldwin may have conceded his throne to Jim Parsons, but he should be nominated for as long as 30 Rock's on air.

Louis C.K., Louie
I've only watched a handful of Louie episodes, but even I could tell that what Louis C.K.'s doing is something special and he should be given all of the respect and accolades in the world. While I cannot say that I was in love with everything I've seen to date, I can say that C.K. wowed me at every turn, so it was easy for me to include him on my dream Emmy ballot.

Garret Dillahunt, Raising Hope
Raising Hope's not as cutting edge or flashy as some of the "best" comedies on television, but it's become one of the consistently funny ones, and it's largely due to Garret Dillahunt's Burt Chance. I don't really see Dillahunt as a "lead" per se, but since he and Martha Plimpton submitted themselves as such, I went ahead and put him on my list. What's great about Dillahunt's performance is it's broad and slapsticky, but warm and genuine. You really can't beat the combination.

Zachary Levi, Chuck
Hey, it's my dream ballot and if I want to include Chuck on it, then I have every right to. Anyone who reads this silly little blog or listens to my podcast knows how much Chuck has meant to me, so of course I'm going to show it some love on my make believe Emmy ballot. Since Levi was the glue that held Chuck together, it only makes sense to tap him as the show's representative, but he also deserves it.

Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Honestly, I really couldn't come up with a sixth person to nominate, so I decided to go with the reigning champion. While I haven't been as big of a fan of Big Bang as I used to be, I still get a kick out of Parson's Sheldon Cooper. I haven't loved it that he's been saddled with Blossom, and I've been upset that we've gotten less and less of him with Penny, but he still makes me laugh more than the other guys on the show.

Adam Scott, Parks and Recreation
I really wasn't a huge fan of Scott's work pre-Parks and Rec (Party Down was overrated, get over it), and he really didn't wow me during the early days of his P&R stint, but he can into his own during this last season. Plus, it can't be easy to be the straight man on a show like Parks, but he did an admirable job and deserves just as much love as Poehler and Offerman.

So there you have it. Those would be my top six contenders for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series if I controlled the Emmys. Agree? Disagree? Who would your nominess be?

My Dream Emmy Ballot: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominations for the 64th Primetime Emmy Awards will be announced on July 19, which means all of the TV experts have been putting out their predictions and/or ideal nominees. Since I fancy myself a wannabe expert, I've decided to put together my own dream Emmy ballots. I've already covered Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, so let's move onto Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

Remember, these picks are my "wouldn't it be nice" nominees and not real predictions because it's just easier to dream than try to face reality. If you want more legit insights, I'm sure you can find some online.

Kaley Cuoco, The Big Bang Theory
I know, she's supposed to be the female lead but apparently she's tired of being shut out of the field so she tossed her name in the Supporting hat. While I jumped off the Big Bang bandwagon as quickly as I jumped on it, Cuoco's still one of the few bright spots on the show and one of the only reasons I keep checking in. Many feel she's been sidelined due to Melissa Rauch and Mayim Bialik's promotion to regulars, but she's the glue that keeps everything together and deserves some recognition especially since she should've picked up a Lead Actress nomination by now.

Elisha Cuthbert, Happy Endings
One of Happy Endings major successes of Season 2 was figuring out how to write for Elisha Cuthbert. While I didn't hate her character during the first season, she was one of the weakest links, and somehow things changed and she became one of the strongest elements of the show. Alex has become a little too flighty for my liking, but I can't help but burst out laughing every time Cuthbert eats or dances on my television screen. I'm not expecting Happy Endings to get any Emmy love, but one can hope.

Gillian Jacobs, Community
Somewhere along the way it became cool to hate Britta Perry, but I've always had a soft spot for her in spite of her faux bohemian shtick and I thought she had a pretty good run during Season 3. That being said, I do think that Gillian Jacobs benefited from the fact that Donald Glover had a great season because Britta and Troy's hinted at romance was one of the driving sub-plots this year. Regardless, Jacobs did some good work and I'd love it if she got some time in the spotlight.

Zosia Mamet, Girls
I need to come clean and admit that I didn't love Girls, or even liked it all that much, but I did get some serious enjoyment while watching Zosia Mamet's Shoshanna stubble her way towards losing her virginity. It could be argued that Mamet was there purely for comic relief, and I'm fine with that because the show seriously needed some levity to undercut the self-destructive navel gazing. While I fully expect Girls to get a lot of attention from the Emmys, I don't think that Zosia will be at the center of the hub-bub though.

Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation
I had a hard time picking the final entrant on my dream ballot, and I finally gave in to my first instinct and added Plaza because I enjoyed where she took April this season. When Parks and Rec started, April was one of the more one-dimensional characters, but she was given time to grow thanks to her relationships with Andy and Ron, but she became a real human being during this last season when she allowed herself to care about something and Plaza nailed the big moments.

Casey Wilson, Happy Endings
While Elisha Cuthbert was Happy Endings' Most Improved Cast Member, Casey Wilson was the Most Valuable Cast Member because she's what makes the show click thanks to her abbrevs and sad-sack tendencies that make her the most relatalbe of the bunch. Sure, she's just as crazy as the rest, but I don't think this show would be as popular if it wasn't for Casey Wilson. It's just too bad that Emmy voters will not observe the Fiscal Year of Penny.

So there you have it. Those would be my top six contenders for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series if I controlled the Emmys. Agree? Disagree? Who would your nominees be?

The Small Screen Podcast, Episode 18: Not ELEMENTARY, My Dear SHERLOCK

"The Small Screen Podcast" is back for Episode 18. This week, Kristal and I talked about the Oscar nominees and how they'll possible impact the telecast, the fact that The Big Bang Theory beat American Idol in the ratings, the brewing feud between BBC and CBS over Sherlock Holmes, The Office spin-off starring Dwight Schrute, the overabundance of remakes on TV, and of course what we're watching and looking forward to. Check out the episode breakdown below to avoid any spoilers.

Episode Breakdown:

Intros: Start - 1:43

TV News: 1:43 - 18:29

• The Oscar Nominations: 1:43 - 6:20
• The Big Bang Theory beat American Idol: 6:21 - 9:57
• BBC vs. CBS: The Battle over Sherlock Holmes: 9:58 - 14:48
• The Office spin-off: 14:49 - 18:29

The Topic of the Week - Remakes, Re-imaginings and Rip-Offs: 18:30 - 25:04

What We're Watching (SPOILER ALERT): 25:05 - 42:45

• Chuck: 25:05 - 34:21
• New Girl: 34:22 - 38:10
• Lost Girl: 38:11 - 42:45

What We're Looking Forward To: 42:46 - 45:02

• Chuck Series Finale & Spartacus: Vengeance Premiere: 42:46 - 43:31
• The Walking Dead Season 2, Part 2: 43:32 - 45:02

Closing: 45:03 - End

Check out the episode below, or download it over at iTunes:

For more, follow us on Twitter:
Kristal: @kristal_bailey
Marcos: @poppas2cents

Quick Thoughts: THE BIG BANG THEORY, "The Wiggly Finger Catalyst"

Much like Community, I'm extremely close to giving up on The Big Bang Theory. What was once a charming nerd-chic sitcom, is now a chore to watch thanks to overly broad jokes and unlikable characters, but I saw a glimpse of what I used to like about this show while watching "The Wiggly Finger Catalyst".

For a while now I've felt that Raj has been criminally underused and has really been around to be the token minority character. Five years into the show's run and he still cannot talk to women while sober or has had a long term relationship (or any for that matter). What's even worse is when they do shine a spotlight on him, the writers insist on making him an ass. The same was true tonight since most of his jokes were offensive towards the deaf community, but there were also some sweeter moments between him and Penny.

At the end of last season when those two slept together (which was quickly retconned in the premiere), I thought that it was a bold move and kind of hoped that they would be put into a longer story arc together. After "The Shank Reflex Analysis", I had given up on that idea, but I did see a small seed being planted during tonight's episode. I don't necessarily think they should date, but I wouldn't be against the idea. Honestly, I'd just like to see them become closer friends and for him to talk to her with out being drunk.

I've also noticed that the show's eased up on the Sheldon plots, and it's been a good move because his smaller stories like tonight's and last week's about the model train are able to use what makes the character great without beating the audience over the head. He should still be the co-lead, especially since Leonard is unappealing in every way imaginable, but these smaller doses have been a welcomed change.

Speaking of Leonard, I don't think that it's a coincidence that one of the few episodes I liked had very little of him and Wolowitz (at least the annoying version of him). The Sheldon/Penny spin-off with Raj as their neighbor cannot come fast enough.

I don't know if I'll be able to jump back onto the Big Bang bandwagon, and I'll probably not be writing much more about it, but I'm glad that it can still give us some enjoyable episodes from time to time.

TV Report Card: Week of September 18, 2011

The new fall television season has officially kicked off, and it's been a crazy busy week filled with series and season premieres. I'm going to try to include as many shows in this first installment of the TV Report Card, but I doubt all of them will be sticking around. With out further ado, here is this week's TV Report Card:

Monday
How I Met Your Mother: "The Best Man" and "The Naked Truth"

Last season I did not hide my disappointment about How I Met Your Mother, but I did go into the new year with hopes that the show would get itself back on track. I was wrong. "The Best Man" had every element that I dislike about this show which made it close to unwatchable. I just cannot care about Pitiful Robin, Nosy Lilly, or Douchey Ted no matter how many times the writers shove them down my throat. Thankfully, "The Naked Truth" picked up the slack with an amusing Marshall story and the return of Nora and Victoria.

GRADE: D/C+

TV Report Card: Week of January 2, 2011

The second half of the 2010-2011 TV season started back slowly but surely, and the TV Report Card is back from hiatus as well.

Monday
How I Met Your Mother: "Bad News"

HIMYM started 2011 off with one of its most solemn episode yet, but that didn't mean that "Bad News" was lacking in the laugh department. Barney and Ted were the real heroes with their supporting roles because they supplied most of the lighter moments, especially the former. Robin's Greatest Hits plotline was a dud, and the Marshall-Lily A-plot was sputtering along until the big twist ending. While "Bad News" was all over the place tonally, but it was also one of the better episodes of the last couple of seasons and a major improvement after the horrible "Mermaid Theory" and the ho-hum "False Positive".

GRADE: B-

TV Report Card: Week of November 7, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Sunday
The Walking Dead: "Guts"

While I wasn't able to watch the series premiere Halloween night, all of the positive buzz I've heard and read about The Walking Dead convinced me to catch up on the pilot online, and I was impressed enough to come back for episode two. While "Guts" really didn't color outside of the zombie apocalypse lines, it was still an entertaining hour of television, and watching it didn't feel like a chore unlike watching Boardwalk Empire and Terriers. Episode 2 felt very familiar in some spots (people being trapped in a store while fighting amongst themselves), but some of the character driven moments stuck out like when T-Dogg not only left Merle on the rooftop, but went back to lock the door to keep him up there. The zombie stuff might get old fast, but watching how the human characters react to life in this new world will definitely be compelling. On an aside, I hope the zombies eat Shane and Lori.

GRADE: B+

TV Report Card: Week of October 24, 2010

This week's TV Report Card might be an abbreviated version since I haven't had the chance to watch all of my shows due to traveling, but here's what I have so far:

Monday
Chuck: "Chuck vs. the Aisle of Terror"

As a Halloween episode, "Aisle of Terror" was an OK installment because only the Jeffster plot had anything to do with the actual holiday. From a larger story telling prospective, "Aisle" did a lot to move the Momma B arc along. We actually got a prolonged look at Mary Bartowski, questions about her background, and how she'll be impacting Team Bartowski. I still wish Chuck wasn't morphing into Alias, but I'm intrigued to see how Chuck and Sarah's relationship will be impacted by what took place at the end of the episode.

GRADE: B+

TV Report Card: Week of October 17, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Monday
Chuck: "Chuck vs. the Couch Lock"

I've been pretty honest about my feelings about the fourth season of Chuck, it's been far from stellar, but I loved "Chuck vs. the Couch Lock". For me everything worked. I'm always a fan of getting to know more about Casey, and I was glad to see Morgan out of the Buy More and back in the field. The awesomness of the episode was only underscored by the fact that the angsty "Suck" stuff wasn't even brought up this time around. I even liked Jeffster, and that almost never happens. The only aspect of "Couch Like" that I didn't dig was the unbelievability of the whole Morgan-Alex relationship, but I can look past that for now.

GRADE: A

TV Report Card: Week of October 10, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Monday
Chuck: "Chuck vs. the Coup D'Etat"
This week's Chuck had the return of Premier Goya from Costa Gravas and we got a glimpse of one Awesome statue. More importantly, Casey was brought off of the bench and had more of a role this time around. Add these elements to better actions sequences, more laughs, and "Coup D'Etat" was one of the better Season 4 episodes. Unfortunately, there was still too much "Suck" drama, and Morgan/Alex absurdity for the episode to be great.

GRADE: C+

TV Report Card: Week of October 3, 2010

My brother got married this weekend, so I didn't have as much time to put together this week's TV Report Card, but I wanted to crank one out just for the heck of it:

Sunday
Boardwalk Empire: "Broadway Limited"

After this week's Boardwalk Empire, I realized that I could skip the first thirty minutes, and it'd be fine because so much of the show is needless exposition. I appreciate what Boardwalk is trying to achieve, but the first three episodes have taken so long to develop an interesting storyline that I'm starting to lose interest. For example, I really don't remember what happened during this week's episode. One thing that did stick out was how the show tried to be graphic for the sake of being shocking. I don't need to see things being shoved up some guy's junk or gratuitous sex scenes that add nothing to the story. I know they add these elements to make the show more "real" and "gritty", but usually it's just distracting. The characters are still interesting enough, and the conflict between Nucky and Jimmy could lead to some good stuff, so I'll be sticking around for a little bit longer.

GRADE: C-

TV Report Card: Week of September 26, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Sunday
Boardwalk Empire: "The Ivory Tower"

This week's Boardwalk Empire was hit or miss for me. On one hand, "The Ivory Tower" was a great character study about Nucky and how he's a chameleon. After watching the episode, it's easy to see why he's where he is today because he can be slippery, ruthless, and sensitive. The scene where Nucky lost the $3,000 he made Jimmy pay him as his "cut" on roulette was cold, calculating, and brilliant. The rest of the episode was unsettling; from the gratuitous sex stuff to the creepy moment involving Agent Van Auden. I know these kind of scenes are supposed to give the show "realism", but they just took me out of the episode. I can still see the potential of Boardwalk Empire, but the organized crime elements need to start revving up to keep me interested.

GRADE: C

TV Report Card: Week of September 19, 2010

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TV Showdown: The TImeslot Wars II - Fall 2010

With the 2010 Fall TV season starting in the next couple of weeks (technically this week if you're a fan of the CW), it's time to firm up which shows are going to get my attention this year. Last winter, I blogged about how the lack of a DVR or Tivo has forced me to pick shows in some of the most competitive timeslots. It's September, and I still don't have a DVR (I refuse to spend money I don't have to), so here is the Fall 2010 edition of Timeslot Wars.

Mondays @ 8p/7c: Chuck (NBC) vs. How I Met Your Mother & Rules of Engagement (CBS)

One of the few repeat matchups kicks off the week as Chuck is up against How I Met Your Mother once again, and this time around the CBS comedy is bringing longtime hanger-on Rules of Engagement. Now, I'm probably in the minority, but I actually enjoy RoE mostly due to Oliver Hudson's performance. Too bad RoE isn't a stellar show and is paired up with the long-in-the-tooth How I Met Your Mother.

I know Carter & Bays have said they're going to right the HIMYM ship, and they've learned their lessons from the horrible 5th season, but I'll believe it when I see it. If HIMYM can stop focusing on gimmicky stand-alone episodes, tones down Barney's shtick, and gets back to the "mother" then this show will be watchable again.

In all reality, Chuck shouldn't have gotten a 4th season, but it did and I'm not going to complain. Until this show is cancelled once and for all, I will always watch Chuck live and catch up on other shows online. The realist in me figures this will be the last time there will be a Timeslot Showdown on Mondays at 8 PM, but the Chuckster in me hopes I'm wrong.

WINNER: Chuck

TV Upfronts: CBS' New Shows for 2010-2011

Upfront Week continues as the Eye unveiled its 2010-2011 Fall schedule, and the moving around of current shows overshadowed the announcements of the new shows. Essentially, CBS is out to destroy NBC by moving The Big Bang Theory to Thursday nights to beat down Community, which is kind of funny since TBBT is about Cal Tech geniuses and Community is about...well, people at a community college. While I rib Community, my allegiance might be with the Greendale crew over the Cal Tech group mostly because Season 1 of the former has been funnier than Season 3 of the latter.

Also, CSI: Miami was moved out of Monday nights and placed on Sundays. When I first read this news I was ecstatic because that means Castle will not have to be David to CSI:M's Goliath. Instead my favorite cop drama can pick on the new kid on the block, Hawaii Five-O. Then I saw the preview for the new CBS procedural...

Hawaii Five-O looks sexy and interesting enough that I might be willing to give it a chance once I'm done watching Castle. I'm not too afraid that Hawaii will beat Castle in the ratings, but they both have a fresh take on an old genre, and they both have leading men that have a cult following. At first, I wanted the Alex O'Loughlin/CBS Curse to continue, but I'm not too sure anymore.

The rest of the new shows trotted out by CBS really didn't stand out to me. $#*! My Dad Says feels too broad, but it might have a few laughs, and it has the best chance of catching on since it has Big Bang as a lead-in, and will be taking on 30 Rock.

I do have to thank CBS because they did make my Monday night's easier now that I don't have to pick between The Big Bang Theory and Lone Star, but I can't help but feel bad for Community.

Quick Thoughts: HIMYM and TBBT

It's been a while since I've actually spent anytime on How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory. Part of the reason is because they've on and off the air so sporadically the last couple of weeks, but also because both shows have been in a creative slump this season. Last night's episodes gave me hope that these shows can still be good.

How I Met Your Mother: "Twin Beds"

The more Ted and Barney storylines we get, the better because when you team Radnor and Harris together and let them go at it, the funny ensues. When I think back at some of the funnier moments of this season, usually Ted and Barney are at the core, and this week was no different. For me, the majority of the laughs came when Ted and Barney were getting drunk and fighting over which one gets to have Robin back. Even the letters they wrote to Future Ted and Future Barney were pretty entertaining. To be honest, the show should just be about the two of them.

I did like how the show gave the Ted/Robin and Barney/Barney relationships some closure, but I'm sure Carter and Bays will go down one of those paths sooner or later (hopefully the former if you ask me). Maybe they can all move on and re-establish themselves and thus being a part of more interesting storylines until the inevitable re-coupling.

Once again, the Lily and Marshall storyline could have been cut out, and things would have been fine. I hate how Marshall continues to be dragged down by the ball and chain that is Lily. Unfortunately, I cannot think of anything that will make me start caring about either them again, which is a shame because Marshall used to be my favorite character.

Season 5 has still been mostly a bust, but I'm really hoping HIMYM is able to turn things around, and that "Twin Beds" was the spark.

The Big Bang Theory: "The Spaghetti Catalyst"

This season of The Big Bang Theory hasn't been as bad as HIMYM, but it hasn't been on par with the brilliance of the first two seasons. There have been some pretty funny moments, mostly revolving around Sheldon and/or Penny, which is probably why this week's episode worked for me.

Now, I'll never be on the Sheldon/Penny shipper bandwagon because that would just be weird and creepy, but I am a fan of the two becoming close friends, and "Spaghetti Catalyst" gave us a glimpse of what that friendship would look like.

I was impressed at how much effort Sheldon put into his two dinner ruse because his actions really don't match up with his personality. Old Sheldon really wouldn't understand why he would need to hide his actions from Leonard and Penny, and would probably just comment on how illogical they were acting. Instead he actually went out of his way to spend time with both of them. That's character development people!

The broken family/sharing the child storyline wasn't anything groundbreaking, but it really stood out as one of the funnier elements this week because it encapsulated the relationship between the three characters. Having Penny and Leonard apart is already more entertaining than when they were a couple.

Raj and Howard really didn't add too much aside from causing some uncomfortableness for Sheldon and Leonard, and I miss seeing them hang out. Other than that, it was a pretty solid effort from The Big Bang Theory.

TV Report Card: Week of March 21, 2010

This week crammed so many great TV moments on Monday night, and the rest of the week was a bust. The networks really do need to spread the wealth by not airing all of their popular shows on the same night.

Monday

Chuck: "Chuck vs. the Final Exam"

Season 3 of Chuck continues to be pretty good, but it's too bad that not enough people watched "Final Exam" because now our beloved show is on the brink of cancellation. I understand that some fans are not happy with the direction of S3, but I'm shocked about how many people have jumped ship. They're going to be kicking themselves when NBC chucks Chuck. 

While "Final Exam" was not as kick-ass as "Tic Tac" or "Beard", it still had some good moments. Seeing Casey transition to civilian life and having to put up with the Buy Morons had some LOL moments. Chuck continues to show his action chops, and I'm a little impressed at how good the fight scenes have gotten over the season. I also liked the idea of Chuck being challenged by his "red test", and how Casey was there to help out in the end.

Of course the episode had some not so awesome moments, mostly revolving around the Chuck/Sarah drama. Really, I'm over their "relationship", which I wasn't too invested in to begin with, and I really don't care if they end up together or not. I did like how Chuck started to man up and be more open with Sarah about his feelings...I just wish she did the same. Next week's "American Hero" episode will be interesting to see.

GRADE: B-

TV Report Card: Week of March 7, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Monday

Chuck: "Chuck vs. The Beard"

After weeks of episodes that had the fandom in a tizzy (with the exception of the fans that are actually same like myself), this week's Chuck was just what the general ordered to calm down the pitchfork toting mob.

The plot revolved around Chuck being benched for not being able to flash, the rest of Team Bartowski getting duped into leaving Castle so the Ring can infiltrate the HQ, and Morgan finally finding out his best friend's secret. Oh yeah, and Jeffster and the Buy Morons fighting for their jobs because they thought the Ring was going to buy the store and fire everyone.

Many are saying that "Beard" was one of the best episodes of the season, if not the entire show, and it's hard to argue with them. This episode had a ton of laughs, twist and turns, some decent action, and very little shipper angst. In a lot of ways "Chuck vs. The Beard" reminded a lot of fans why they fell in love with the show in the first place.

For me, Season 3 has been the best so far, but having an old school Chuck episode is never a bad thing, especially when we get a break from "Suck". I am a little concerned about how Morgan's insider knowledge is going to affect the show, but I trust the creators to make it work.

GRADE: A

TV Report Card: Week of February 28, 2010

The Olympics are finally over, and we're back to our regular scheduled programing this week, which means I'm back to putting together my TV Report Card.

Monday

Chuck: "Chuck vs. the Fake Name"

So, Chuck fans had three weeks to get over the whole Chuck-pocalypse, but I have a feeling that those that were peeved after the last episode are not going to be any happier after this week's even though it was quite possibly one of the best eps this season.

Chuck's mission is to pretend to be a world-class sniper/assassin, and he really knocks it out of the park. He plays the faux-killer very naturally, and he's quick on his feet, which leads to him pulling out one of Casey's teeth to maintain his cover. Chuck's getting so good at being a spy, that Casey even gives him some praise. If Casey's patting you on the back, you know something's up.

We also got some less forced, but still meh Sarah/Shaw moments, including her revealing her real name: Sam. Now, I'm a sucker for a cute girl with a boy's nickname, which is why I loved Lou from season one, so Sarah got a billion times hotter. I do think the scenes with Shaw and Sarah are still not clicking, but I can let them slide for now.

Chuck's relationship with Hannah went from hot and heavy to non-existent in less than an hour. Their last scene pretty much encapsulated this season: Chuck is changing because it's easier for him to lie to those close to him, and he cannot be Mr. Nice Guy and Super Spy at the same time, but he's more the latter than the former. Chuck's dumping of Hannah for her protection, while meeting her family for dinner, and her calling him out about being the best liar she's ever met sums up Chuck's life perfectly.

I know this is a longer rant than usual, but there was so many great moments during this week's Chuck that I had to get as many of my thoughts out as possible. Even the Buy More stuff was good, and I never think that.

GRADE: A

How I Met Your Mother: "Hooked"

The first HIMYM back from the Olympic break utilized the same old formula that's lasted for close to five years now. Ted's smitten, Barney coins some hip terms like "hooked" and "bait" to sound smarter than he really is, Robin thinks she's God's gift to men, Lily and Marshall do their coupley stuff, the gang calls each other out at the bar, and they add in some really odd sight gag (this week it was a teacup pig).

"Hooked" was mostly about how Ted is being dragged along by Tiffany (Carrie Underwood) because she has a boyfriend and cannot be with him "right now". Of course everyone chimes in on being the hookee and the hooker, as Robin states it. Pretty standard stuff. While this is going on, Barney explains how the jobs occupied by hot chicks have progressed from gatherer to pharmaceutical reps. Again, standard stuff.

The part of the episode that I actually liked this week was the Marshall/Lily B-plot where we find out that Lily's ex, Scooter, works in her school's cafeteria, and how she still hasn't let him off the hook. Watching Marshall coaching Lily so she could finally tell Scooter off, with help from the pig, was amusing.

Aside from the Marshall/Lily stuff, "Hooked" was a bland outing at best. The plot was nothing really new, Carrie Underwood was a weak attempt at stunt casting, and Barney's antics are getting stale. In the end, "Hooked" was just another so-so episode in a mediocre season of a once great show.

GRADE: C-

TV Report Card: Week of February 7, 2010

Here is this week's TV Report Card:

Monday

Chuck: "Chuck Versus the Mask"

Apparently, this week's episode of Chuck has the fanbase in a tizzy because it started to explore Chuck being paired up with Hannah, and Sarah paired up with Shaw.  In my opinion, any fan that stops watching because of these "ships", then they're not real fans.  First off, Shaw and Hannah are probably not going to be sticking around much longer, so I seriously doubt these are going to be long-term relationships.  Plus, the creators have to keep using the "will they/won't they" crutch until its worn to a nub.  It just upsets me when people complain about character growth.  Sarah and Chuck have had plenty of chances to make it work, and it's not in the cards, so they're moving on; it happens.  I for one, like the pairings, even though it's been done before.  Every season a cute brunette distracts Chuck (Lou, Jill, Hannah) while Sarah pines after the Super Spy (Bryce, Cole, Shaw).  Sure, it's getting repetitive, but they have to keep Chuck and Sarah apart somehow.  I just hope fans unbunch their panties, and let the characters and plot develop rather than holding on to how things used to be.

GRADE: B+

How I Met Your Mother: "Rabbit or Duck"

HIMYM might actually keep me around for a little bit longer if future episodes are as good as "Rabbit or Duck", and I think it's all thanks to Ranjit.  I have liked every episode he's been in, so Carter and Bays should keep him around.  Oddly enough, one of the reasons I liked this week's episode was because it felt like an old school HIMYM, which contradicts the bitching I did last week when I said everything's getting stale.  I guess part of me liked "Rabbit or Duck" because I want Ted and Robin back together (yes, I'm one of those nutjobs), and I fell for all of the swerves this week. They just reminded me why I loved this show to begin with.  I also think the whole rabbit vs. duck debate was hilarious, and it was neat seeing Barney's comeuppance.  Hopefully, the show is back on track *fingers crossed*.