A look back at the best and worst in the past week of TV, as well as a sneak peek at what’s to come.
Highlights
1. “Rescue Me.” A few weeks ago we saw Callie Thorne’s Emmy clip. This past week we saw Denis Leary’s. Though the setup was a bit contrived, his angry, self-defensive, guilt-riddled conversation with his dead family members while in a drunken stupor was absolutely gripping. Turns out that Tommy Gavin, the bravest firefighter around, thinks he’s a coward for not dying on 9/11, and the survivor’s guilt is eating away at him. It was great to see the ghost of his brother Johnny (Dean Winters) back too. I always liked Johnny. Nice touch when he was sitting at the bar smoking after Tommy lit him on fire. I could have done without the robbery hallucination though. That threw me for a loop and turned a hugely dramatic, emotional moment into a mindless action scene. The rest of the show was outstanding too — I’m getting worried for Garrity, Lou steals every scene he’s in, and geez, don’t get me started on Mike’s stupidity for letting Damien into the burned-out building. Ugh, you just knew something bad was going to happen. With “Breaking Bad” ending this weekend, “Rescue Me” is undoubtedly the best show on TV right now.
2. “My Boys.” A strong end to a so-so season. But this episode reminded me why I liked the series in the first place: Intelligent writing that makes the characters sound real, out-of-the-box storylines (at least in terms of typical sitcoms), and fantastic chemistry among the actors. Plus, I’m a sucker for episodes that show P.J. doing newspaper work.
3. “Reaper.” The season ended with an episode that reflected the series as a whole: Not entirely satisfying, but good enough to keep me interested. I’m glad Sam lost the contest to regain his soul; winning it back through a game of quarters would have somehow cheapened everything that had preceded it. If the series gets picked up in syndication, it’ll be interesting to watch how Sam and Andi handle a relationship that’s now literally doomed to hell. The devil and Gladys, as usual, had the funniest lines. I’ll miss them — Ray Wise absolutely owned his role to the point that — to me — he pretty is the devil now, much as George Burns was God. Christine Willes (Gladys) made a bit part so much better and funnier than it probably should have been. And it was good to see Michael Ian Black’s Steve again too, as an angel. Not everything was wrapped up neatly, but if the series really is over, I’ll be satisfied with how it went out.
Lowlights
1. “For Rent.” Most of HGTV’s imported shows from Canada are really good, but this one doesn’t do much for me. This was the second episode I’ve seen, and both left me unsatisfied. The show is a blend of “House Hunters” and “Design on a Dime” (I think. Honestly, I get some of their shows mixed up; what’s the one where they sketch out new treatments then spruce the place up?) But it’s a pale imitation of those shows, borrowing too heavily from them and never creating its own identity. Too bad, because I’d love to see a “House Hunters” for renters. Maybe it didn’t help that the renter in the episode was lame, seeking a soulless, brand-new apartment as close as possible to her work, with completely unrealistic space and price expectations.
2. “Expedition Africa: Stanley and Livingstone.” I had high hopes for the new reality show from History Channel, but the premiere episode was weak. The premise is intriguing — four modern-day explorers set off to recreate Stanley’s famous expedition across East Africa in search of the missing Livingstone (and the origin of the phrase “Dr. Livingstone, I presume.”). They face 970 miles of hiking across swamps, mountains and savannah, all the while facing risks from disease, predators, deadly snakes and dehydration. Too bad the first episode devolved into an hour of bickering and ego-wrestling among team members through ugly mangrove swamps. I expected better. Can it improve? If nothing else, the scenery certainly will.
UPDATE: I just realized I saw the premiere episode a few days early, on On Demand. The aforementioned episode airs tonight (Sunday). So be warned.
3. Jay Leno. Nahh, just kidding. You know I wouldn’t watch that. Just wanted to poke the legions of Leno fans out there. Geez, who knew?
Looking forward to . . .
1. “Burn Notice” (9 p.m. Thursday, USA). I love this show. It’s one of the more entertaining offerings on basic cable, chock full of witty banter, slick action scenes and pretty, pretty explosions. In last season’s finale, only a few months ago, we saw spy-on-the-run Michael Weston finally cut loose from the mysterious organization that had him under its thumb. But now that he’s a free man, other enemies from his past are coming gunning for him. Should be breezy summer fun.
2. “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” (11:30 p.m. Monday). It’s Conan’s first night in the new gig. I’ve missed him over the past three months. His opening night guests are Will Ferrell (who’ll undoubtedly do his leprechaun striptease) and a little band called Pearl Jam. Sounds like must-see TV to me.
3. “Man vs Wild” (10 p.m. Tuesday, Discovery). Speaking of Will Ferrell, he’s the guest star alongside Bear Grylls as they trek through the rugged Swedish wilderness in the season premiere of this reality survival series. I’m kinda over “Man vs. Wild” — “Survivorman” is better and less fake — but I want to see if Bear makes Will Ferrell drink his own urine. Or at least eat animal eyeballs.
It’s actually a pretty good week for TV, considering it’s summer. I’ll also be checking out the season finale of “The Hills” (8 p.m. Sunday, MTV), where we’ll say goodbye to Lauren and hello (rarrr!) to Kristen; the series premiere of “HGTV’s $250,000 Challenge” (10 p.m. Sunday, HGTV), where neighbors square off in a home remodeling contest, with the losers at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure; and “Into the Storm” (9 p.m. Sunday, HBO), an ambitious movie about Winston Churchill’s struggles during World War II. How’s that for variety?
