TV Junkie: They're Back, Back, Back...

Yes TVJs, they’re back, back, back: They’re back for the summer! “Drop Dead Diva” is the TVJ’s personal fave of the new crop of sophomore shows. We love Jane Bingum and her portrayer, Brooke Elliott, but this past week’s episode gave us a great look at Margaret Cho and her TV family, which really explains why Teri is who she is. The TVJ is rather sad that Tony (David Denman) is leaving, but is thrilled that Faith Prince is back this week as Jane’s wacky mom, Elaine.

For this new season, “Royal Pains” brought in Henry Winkler as Eddie R. Lawson, Hank & Evan’s father, for a few episodes, giving us some insight into the brothers’ relationship with their father and with each other. The TVJ would love to see him back, but the shark-jumping thingy looms like a sword of Damocles, so whenever the she thinks of Winkler, all she sees is water-skis.  Oh, has the TVJ mentioned that Reshma Shetty, who plays Divya, is drop-dead-gorgeous? The best return has to be “True Blood.” OMG!!! This is a more violent, sexier, hotter and certainly more interesting “True Blood.” The TVJ is really enjoying some of Bill’s back-story from the 19^th Century, as he returns from the Civil War as a vampire. And what’s with the werewolves? Maybe Eric can tell us, if he’s not too busy with Sookie!

After two episodes, “Hot in Cleveland” has the TVJ peeing in her proverbial pants. These three broads are eating up Cleveland like a diabetic in a candy shop! The last episode with Jane Leeves thinking she was dating her son, was so ridiculously funny, but second only to Valerie Bertinelli’s date with an oxygen mask and Wendie Malick signing autographs for fans in a Costco-like store. Note to skeptics: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH BETTY WHITE!!! “Memphis Beat” appeared at first to be just another fun cop show, starring Jason Lee (“My Name is Earl”) and Alfre Woodard. Lee plays Dwight Hendricks, detective by day, Elvis by night, who still lives with his mother, and Alfre Woodard is his no-nonsense Lieutenant. Along for the ride are Sam Hennings as his partner Charlie “Whitehead” White and DJ Qualls as the hilariously inept Officer Sutton. The pilot episode was so gut-wrenching, as Dwight comes to the aid of Dottie Collins, a legendary Memphis’ radio jock, now elderly and severely abused. If this is an example of where this series is going to take us, Lee has another hit on his hands. Then, along came Nikki Blonsky (from the film of Hairspray) starring in “Huge,” about a group of kids in a fat camp. Ok, no other way to put it…”fat camp.” As someone who never had a weight problem until her late 30’s, and never met a bowl of capellini she didn’t love, the TVJ thought this show was wonderful. It’s on ABC Family, but it’s not really a kid show. “Huge” deals with issues we all face, from self-esteem to feeling comfortable in your own skin to potato chips. Well done and kudos to Blonsky, Hayley Hasselhoff (yes, THAT Hasselhoff) and the rest of this talented cast.

Ok, confession time. The TVJ is going through “Lost” withdrawal, so she’s been watching the 2009 and 2010 episodes each Saturday night on ABC. With two episodes per night, not to mention the finale still on the DVR, the TVJ should be able to watch the finale again by the fall. We’re at the point where they’ve arrived back on the island. SO SHOOT ME!!!

Yes, you know. It’s the Heck Family from “The Middle.” This show about an ordinary family in Indiana stars Patricia Heaton (who FINALLY found the right vehicle for life after “Raymond”) and Neil Flynn, as Frankie & Mike Heck, parents of three of the oddest kids on TV; Charlie McDermott as lovable, but dumb jock Axl, Eden Sher as the hysterically invisible Sue and Atticus Schaffer as Brick, arguably one of the strangest kids in TV history. But this family holds together no matter what happens. Add two crazy aunts (the hilarious pair of Jeanette Miller as Aunt Edie and Frances Bay as Aunt Ginny) who chain smoke, inhale oxygen and have ratty pets; Chris Kattan as Frankie’s fellow car salesperson, an adorable loser who longs to have a marriage like Frankie & Mike’s; and Brian Doyle-Murray as their boss, the grumbling ego-centric and cheap Mr. Ehlert, to the mix and this show is one of the funniest on TV!!!

Last, but not least, Matt Smith, the 12^th “Dr. Who” has finally won the TVJ’s heart. She never thought she could love anyone other than David Tennant as The Doctor, but this guy’s just growing on the TVJ, especially with last week’s episode about Vincent van Gogh. His affection for Amy, not to mention his love of van Gogh’s work and the man himself, was so beautiful, that it seems we’re ushering in a new era of a kinder, gentler, more in touch with his emotions, Doctor. The TVJ can’t wait to see what kind of a ride Matt Smith will take us on, as we board the TARDIS with him.

See you next week…

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