Has there been a show more fun than this season's "True Blood"? It reminds me how ponderous some of my other favorite dramas can get. Meanwhile, Jason Stackhouse is trying to figure out if Sam could turn into a chicken and lay and eat his own eggs. He also questioned Sam's sexual behavior as a dog. As I giggled watching him, I realized how much I had missed having a show that was pure daffy fun. Not since "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," which got rather heavy-handed in its later seasons, has there been a show that reveled so much in its own silliness.

HBO

Maryann, you were fun for a while, but now it's time for you to go.

This season was even better than the first. The rise of Eric to lead character status was a savvy move. I'm certainly on Team Eric these days. Bill, who was such a dangerous character in season 1, now seems positively stately and safe compared to Eric. Is it wrong to want Eric and Sookie to end up in bed together?

Godric's short visit to season 2 was also fascinating. More peace-loving than even the staid Bill Compton, Godric just wished everyone could get along. Well, they couldn't. And his exit, with Sookie looking on and Eric's howl of pain was a season highlight. It also makes me wonder if we will see more vampire suicides in future shows, which makes me think of Jessica.

Her relationship with Hoyt is something out of ever girl's adolescent nightmares. Is there a woman out there that doesn't groan at the thought of every time being just like her first time? Oy. Her adolescent angst has fangs and superspeed to amp it up to crazytown. Talk about a no-win situation. Though, I would argue that Hoyt's evil mom had that little bite coming. Will these crazy kids be able to work it out?

And speaking of crazy kids. It's not looking good for Tara's beau Eggs. Actor Mechad Brooks just landed a role on ABC's midseason replacement legal drama "The Deep End." Looks like he may not survive the epic battle with Maryann.

I'm feeling about done with Maryann. It's amazing how even an orgy can start to feel repetitive if you have one every single week. So seeing her vanquished will feel satisfying. I do love that her storyline has brought some other characters out of the background.

Who would have thought Detective Andy Bellefleur would become the voice of reason, one of the few able to resist Maryann (and how does he do that exactly?), and a perfect foil for Jason. And I am so glad that Lafayette lived to see season 2. His post-traumatic vampire disorder combined with his usual sass makes for a more dimensional character. I'm hoping we get to see more interaction with Eric if Lafayette makes it through season 2.

And who will survive? The likely dead include Maryann, Eggs and maybe even Terry.  Is there someone I'm missing?  What do you think will happen with the finale? Who would you like to see bite the dust and who should survive? And how do you feel about some of the new characters, such as Evan Rachel Wood's vampire queen and the anti-vamp fanatics, Steve and Sarah Newlin?

I had a great time seeing "Inglourious Basterds." I felt invigorated and empowered, as though I could actually win a fight if I were to get into one. If you enjoyed the film half as much as I did, you might agree that part of the fun is just how much director Quentin Tarantino loves movies.

Our own Dave White pointed out a lot of the film's references. But watching the film made me just want to listen to Tarantino talk about movies.

And lately the Internet has provided some wonderful opportunites to do just that. Witness these three Sky Movie clips where he talks about Paul Thomas Anderson's "There Will Be Blood," Danny Boyle's "Sunshine" and Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver." He's right on the money when he talks about how crucial Harvey Keitel was to "Taxi Driver," and the last failed act of "Sunshine." Of course, it's hard not to wonder about Tarantino's ego when he compares Anderson to Montgomery Clift and himself to Marlon Brando, when talking about their competitive careers and friendship. But that overconfidence is part of what makes Tarantino's films so much fun. He has a bluster that's the equilvalent of Tony Manero's strut in "Saturday Night Fever."

I really dug his recent interview on NPR's "Fresh Air" with Terry Gross, in which he talked about why he dropped out of school and how he regrets not giving college a chance. He also talks about how he went from being an actor to being a director because he loved movies so much -- he couldn't just act in them, he had to create them. The fun thing about a Tarantino interview is that when it's going good, the way this interview is, he doesn't want it to end.

His interview with Charlie Rose is also a stunner. I love how he smiles when Rose refers to him as an "icon." This is a guy who revels in being a director. He even read Joseph Goebbels' diaries to prepare for "Basterds." That's commitment.

How did you like "Inglourious Basterds"? Are you a Tarantino fan or foe? Share your comments below.

On Oct. 30, oddly enough just in time for Halloween, Sony Pictures will release "Michael Jackson This Is It." People will line up and pay their $10 to take a look at Jackson's final performance rehearsals before his death. For me, this prospect is cringe worthy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a Jackson fan from way back. My mom has a picture of me as a kid, excitedly holding up a copy of "Off the Wall" that I'd received as a gift. But this film release stinks of exploitation; just another way to keep money rolling into the estate.

Getty Images

Michael Jackson in his final rehearsals.

Perhaps to some, it feels like a way to celebrate a great entertainer. But if so, why not just air it on television? Why charge admission? The fact that organizers charged for refreshments at the public memorial in Los Angeles already seemed like a bad idea. I don't remember paying for a Pepsi at my grandfather's funeral.

And will people even be attending the movie to glimpse his talent? Or will it be to see if they can sense his impending death somewhere in those dance moves. Upon learning this week that the L.A. coroner considers Jackson's death a homicide, we also learned the singer had bed sores. It's hard not to be curious how someone can go from strenuous concert rehearsals to bed sores. Will we be looking for evidence of the "King of Pop's" decline?

I realize that the Jackson estate has debts and that his children will most likely be the main beneficiaries of the estate's gains, but it just feels way too soon for this film release.

On last week's "Real Time with Bill Maher," Maher made a joke about the postponement of Jackson's burial, saying, in effect, that Jackson was about to become the zombie he pretended to be in "Thriller." When I get a notice for this film's release that's what I think of: A lifeless puppet going through the motions on stage for our amusement.

I, for one, don't plan to buy a ticket. Instead, maybe I'll dig out my old copy of "Off the Wall." Now I just need to find a record player.

Wow, have I ever been missing "Project Runway." Heck, I even watched Bravo's pale imitation, "The Fashion Show," which mostly just made me realize how much Tim Gunn adds to "Runway." Kelly Rowland, you're no Gunn. 

AP file

Tim Gunn, it's been way, way too long since you've told a contestant to "make it work."

In any case, "Runway" returns Thursday at 10 p.m. on its new home on Lifetime. I'm hoping the change of address doesn't change this nearly perfect show.

We start with an all-star challenge that features Daniel Vosovic (season 2), Santino Rice (season 2), Jeffrey Sebelia (winner, season 3), Uli Herzner (season 3), Mychael Knight (season 3), Chris March (season 4), Sweet P (season 4) and Korto Momolu (season 5).
I hate an all-star challenge ("Survivor," this means you), but dang, if "Runway's" going to do one, they should at least include all the winners:  Jay McCarroll (season 1), Chloe Dao (season 2), Leanne Marshall (season 5), and most especially, my personal favorite and the designer who's arguably gone on to the most fame, season 4's "fierce" Christian Siriano. Maybe they were asked and refused? Hard to believe that Jay and Leanne were that busy. TV editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper still raves about McCarroll's one-episode Bravo show, "Project Jay."
Heck, I'm such a "Runway" fan, I even watched Kayne Gillaspie's "Gown Crazy" special on TLC, and loved every minute of it. This man knows his pageant dresses. And what about including the fabulous Austin Scarlett of season one, who I last saw on an episode of "Say Yes to the Dress"? Or mother-of-six, yet super-sophisticated Laura Bennett? Or even the completely bitchy Kenley Collins, whose dresses I adored, even if her personality wasn't exactly winning? I'm also missing Kara Saun (season 1), Nick Verreos (season 2), Malan Breton (season 3) and the cut-far-too-soon Terri Stevens (season 5).

But moving on to the new cast. The only things we know about them come from Lifetime's Web site. So far I'm intrigued by the vintage style of Louise Black, self-proclaimed king of feathers Nicolas Putvinski and "I Love Lucy" fan Shirin Askari, who hates Crocs and Uggs as much as I do.

Personality-wise, it's hard to resist Qristyl Frazier, who described her bedroom as "I should call it a love nest, but…"; Christopher Straub, who actually owns one of the My Scene Barbie's that Nick created for a challenge;  and Malvin Vien, who picked himself as his favorite designer, and thinks everyone should own a big comfortable sweater. Amen, brother!

If I had to pick a winner, simply going off the Web site info, I would go with Gordana Gelhausen. First of all, if her clothes are half as well- designed as her house, she should do well. She also showed the judges in the casting session some really chic dresses. Could she be this season's winner? Stay tuned, look at the Web site, and share your thoughts below.

When it comes to great acting, Meryl Streep is one of the most dependable actors around. While Robert De Niro and Al Pacino have arguably damaged their legendary reputations with shoddy movie choices, Streep has remained consistently excellent. And she can do it all: drama, of course, comedy and with last year's "Mamma Mia!," even musicals.

I wanted to hate "Mamma Mia!" I'm not a fan of musicals, The thought of Pierce Brosnan singing  frightened me, but once again, it was Streep who drew me in and got me to enjoy this guilty pleasure flick. And now she returns as Julia Child in "Julie & Julia."

When it comes to Streep, I definitely have my favorite films, starting with the tragic romance, "The French Lieutenant's Woman" (view trailer), in which she plays an actress playing a role in a historical romance and we see both stories play out. It's hard not to be swept away by this film. For all those people who think "Somewhere in Time" is the most romantic movie ever, take another look at "French Lieutenant's Woman."

"Sophie's Choice" is arguably Streep's best work. In it she plays a woman who is forced to choose between her children during the Holocaust, and must deal with the torturous aftereffects while in a relationship with a mentally unstable man, played by Kevin Kline. What's amazing about her work is the range she shows: She's sexy, she's tormented, she enjoys life, she's haunted by the past. The complications of her existence show all over her face. In the scene where she tells how she got sent to a concentration camp, her delivery is believably detached, yet you know how much just telling the story kills her.

I have a special place in my heart for "Postcards From the Edge." My favorite scene is after Streep gets out of rehab and her mom, played by Shirley MacLaine, decides to throw her a welcome home party and prods her to sing Ray Charles' "You Don't Know Me." The mixture of humiliation, pride and pleasure that she shows while singing and then listening to her mom sing just gets to me. It feels so real – with the messiness of an actual mother-daughter relationship.

"The Deer Hunter" (view trailer) showcased Streep in an early role as the woman who stays behind as her fiancé (Christopher Walken) and his friends head off to Vietnam. Streep was actually engaged to co-star John Cazale at the time. Cazale was fighting cancer and died not long after filming was completed. In this interview, director Michael Cimino (looking very much like Robert Evans) talks about the making of the film and how Cazale and Streep were cast.

My final favorite is one of her more recent films: screenwriter Charlie Kaufman's "Adaptation" (view a scene). She fits right into Kaufman's surreal world. One of the best things about Streep is that even though she's a megastar, she makes you forget it when you watch her on film. She lets the story take center stage.

Here's hoping there are many more great films in Streep's future. She recently turned 60 and the age barrier that seems to stop other actress's careers cold seemingly does not apply to her. Thank goodness.

What are your favorite Meryl Streep films?

Sometimes when a TV show starts to go bad, I just can't look away. It's a mystery that demands to be solved. What went wrong? How did a show that was once fresh and new grow tired and clichéd? "Entourage," I'm talking to you.

This show notoriously went off the rails last year when Vinnie Chase's (Adrian Grenier) career took a nose dive and the guys ended up living in Drama's (Kevin Dillon) condo. The show's sense of fantasy fun was lost and reality took over.

But talk about your over-corrections. This season, Vinnie isn't just successful, he's richer than ever. He moved back into his Beverly Hills mansion, which he now only shares with Turtle (Jerry Ferrara), he also bought Turtle an over-$200,000 Ferrari for his birthday. In this economy, there's just something distasteful about openly flaunting that kind of wealth. And it's especially strange for someone who just lost everything a year earlier.

HBO

The bright spot of this season is Ari (Jeremy Piven) and Lloyd (Rex Lee).

Why would his advisors, Eric (Kevin Connolly) or Ari (Jeremy Piven), even let him move back to that mansion? It's as though either: 1) amnesia has hit this whole crew and they can't remember last season's money woes or 2) no one on the show has a lick of sense.

The creators obviously wanted to restore the show's sense of "boys with their toys" fun, but they went way too far.

The second problem, which has been well-documented, is that the show is behind the times. First, Andrew (Gary Cole) was proud to have signed the creator of "My Name is Earl," which has been canceled, and then Vince went on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" to promote his Martin Scorsese "Great Gatsby" movie. One whole episode was devoted to Turtle obsessing over the idea that Seth Rogen could have landed Katherine Heigl in the 2007 film, "Knocked Up." (Rogen's response was classic).

Yes, these shows are shot in advance, but the Leno move was a known issue, the "Earl" cancellation was written on the wall, and there's just no explanation for "Knocked Up." This once-hip show feels dated.

The third problem is the characters themselves. This happens on sitcoms. A character becomes a caricature and stops feeling like a living, breathing person. Vince seems more vacant than ever. It's incredibly difficult to believe that Scorsese would hire him for any movie, let alone something as complex as "Gatsby." Drama, frankly, seems like an idiot – how in the world did this performance score an Emmy nomination? Turtle, with his happy relationship and his Vince envy, is just plain dull. And Eric, we are supposed to believe, is suddenly a ladies' man. Really?

The bright spot of this show remains Ari, who, between torturing Lloyd (Rex Lee) and trying to get Andrew to stay faithful to his wife, makes time to cuddle in bed with his son while giving advice to Eric on how to lie in what was one of the best moments so far this season.

But these glimmers of former glory are few. Do you watch "Entourage"? Do you agree that it's gone downhill? Share your thoughts below.

As if summer weren't delightful enough, it's also the season of my favorite reality show, "So You Think You Can Dance." Each year, much to the amusement of my co-workers, I get totally involved with this show about dancers trying to become America's favorite (not best) dancer. Now that we're down to eight dancers, I've have a few favorites I'm rooting for.

As evidenced by last week's all-girl Bollywood number, this is a great year for women on "So You Think You Can Dance." Melissa has brought the beauty of ballet to the competition, while Janette adds the spice of salsa, and Kayla proves that even aspiring models are worth rooting for. But getting closer to the end, Jeanine has really started to catch my eye as the dark horse who could take it all.

Fox

Jason and Jeanine surprised everyone when they came together for a contemporary dance on July 15.

Jeanine was handicapped by having to dance with Phillip for most of the competition, and I'm amazed that America and the judges were able to see past her goofy partner to recognize that she has real talent. She finally, finally got a chance to show it during her contemporary dance with Jason. It was certainly one of the best dances of the season. (And one that was choreographed by former "SYTYCD" runner-up Travis Wall.) Who knew that she had that much passion and emotion in her dancing? Not me. But I do now and I'm going to pick Jeanine as my winner. 

Janette and Melissa have been consistently wonderful. As a recent ballet convert, I love watching Melissa up on her toes, bringing some classical flavor to her dances. As for Janette, the woman could out hip-shake Shakira, yet I'm amazed how easily she goes from style to style.

As for the guys, my hands-down favorite is Ade. Brandon is a great dancer, but Ade has pure passion.  Who else could realistically hypnotize a woman with his hair pick? His solo last week showed why solos are vital to the show. For a tall man, can he ever fly through the air! I was shocked when he was in the bottom two of the men last week. Who are all the people pulling for Evan?

Brandon quickly follows Ade.  Especially since he managed so completely to prove that Lil C and Mia Michaels were completely wrong about him. One of the most gratifying nights was seeing his tearful reaction after finally receiving Mia's positive critique.

And I have to admit, because he was such a surprise last week, I'm becoming more of a Jason convert. Plus, he is, along with Ade and Brandon, incredibly fun to look at, though no one's body touches last season's Will Wingfield – deep sigh.

Enough daydreaming! Jeanine is my pick with Ade and Janette quick on her heels. Who are you rooting for this season?

The main problem I've always had with the Emmys is that there's almost a force of habit when it comes to the nomination picks. Once a show gets in, it stays in. A great show can have a crappy season, but Emmy never seems to realize it.

Last year's best drama series picks were "Boston Legal," "Damages," "Dexter," "House," "Lost" and "Mad Men." I have no problem with "Mad Men," "Dexter" and "Lost" sticking around, and thankfully, "Boston Legal" is off the air. As for "Damages" and "House," neither of these great shows had a strong season.

FX

Walton Goggins and Michael Chiklis gave acting lessons on "The Shield."

I would add "The Shield," "Breaking Bad" and "Big Love" to the list. "The Shield's" final season was one of the more satisfying conclusions a series has ever had. Creator Shawn Ryan took Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) to an end I never would have dreamed of for the tough cop – life in a cubicle. And the show, which thrived on electric tension, just never let up.

"Big Love" broke my heart this season, with Barb's (Jeanne Tripplehorne) parting from the church, Sarah's (Amanda Seyfried) miscarriage, and Nicolette (Chloe Sevigny) realizing that she could have had another life. The show's best episode was "Come, Ye Saints," which featured the most uncomfortable road trip ever. "Big Love" proves the best writing for women is on TV, not in the movies. 

"Breaking Bad's" second season was even stronger than its first. And if I could add a seventh show, it would be the revitalized "Rescue Me."

Last year, the best actor nominees were James Spader, Bryan Cranston, Michael C. Hall, Hugh Laurie, Gabriel Byrne and Jon Hamm. These actually aren't bad. Spader is out, so I'd replace him with Bill Paxton from "Big Love."  Though I love Hugh Laurie, I'd replace him with Denis Leary in "Rescue Me."

FX

Is it wrong that I like Tommy better when he's drinking on "Rescue Me"?

I was ready to give up on "Rescue Me" last season, but it came back strong, re-embracing its 9/11 origins and letting Tommy (Leary) develop new delusions about his love life and his drinking. He's almost the dramatic version of Larry David's character from "Curb Your Enthusiasm," because he's constantly making decisions that make you wonder how in the hell he'll deal with the consequences. It's a fierce, fearless performance.

Though Hall is wonderful on "Dexter," I'd actually put Chiklis in his place. And speaking of "Shield" actors, I must make a heartfelt plea for Walton Goggins, who played Shane Vendrell, for best supporting actor. I can't think of a more heartbreaking demise for a character than Shane's, who when he felt pushed into a corner, killed both his wife and child, before taking his own life. It was positively Shakespearian.

In the lead actress category, last year's nominees were Sally Field, Kyra Sedgwick, Glenn Close, Mariska Hargitay and Holly Hunter.  This category needs a makeover in the worst way.  Sedgwick can stay, but she should be in the company of "True Blood's" Anna Paquin, "Big Love" actresses Sevigny and Tripplehorne and two of "Mad Men's" ladies, Elizabeth Moss and January Jones.

AMC

January Jones breaks down wifely stereotypes on "Mad Men."

Jones especially deserves the recognition. She's an actress that Alfred Hitchcock would have drooled over – the beauty of "Rear Window's" Grace Kelly combined with the savvy quality of "Vertigo's" Kim Novak. She's the mom who would rather be horseback riding than spending time with her kids, the wronged wife who gets revenge on her husband by having anonymous sex she doesn't even tell him about. And she's bored out of her mind. Before "Mad Men," Jones was doing movies like "American Wedding" and "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights." Never again. This woman is a true acting powerhouse.

What would you pick for the drama categories? Share your favorite potential nominees below.

So let me get this straight. In 2009, People's Hottest Bachelor is 23-year-old Chace Crawford. And the actor most likely to star in this year's biggest box office hit is either 19-year-old Daniel Radcliffe, in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," or 23-year-old Shia LaBeouf, in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."

Suddenly, I feel very old. It's as though Hollywood is trying to turn me into a cougar. And I hate that word. A lot. 

It's even hard to watch the 44-year-old Sandra Bullock become a "cougar" opposite the 32-year-old Ryan Reynolds in "The Proposal." Compared to LaBeouf and Radcliffe, Reynolds is a grown-up. But in Hollywood, he becomes the boy to Bullock's woman.

Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Color me amazed that Shia LaBeouf can grow facial hair.

I don't find Crawford, Radcliffe or LaBeouf attractive but I feel as though I'm "supposed" to. Even though LaBeouf is 23, he looks about 16. Watching him opposite Megan Fox, who's a year younger than he is, is like eavesdropping on a boy going out with his babysitter. It just feels wrong. Instead of getting into the scene, I just want to protect him from this woman who could seemingly eat him alive.

Whether or not you enjoy LaBeouf as an actor, there's something very pre-sexual about him. He could be a Jonas cousin. Even his bad-boy antics seem high school: Drinking while shopping, smoking in a non-smoking area, flipping his truck. What's next? Staying out past curfew?

And these three are not alone. Msnbc.com film critic Alonso Duralde recently wrote a piece lamenting the lack of grown-ups in movies, but it's not just that the new male leading men are young, it's that they look prepubescent. Michael Cera, Emile Hirsch, Robert Pattinson, Zach Efron – is Hollywood drafting talent from a local high school?

Yes, I do take comfort in the cragginess of George Clooney, Robert Downey Jr. and Daniel Craig. I like that they have wrinkles and looked as if they've lived through more than a high-school pep rally.  

But even the older male actors such as Reynolds, Ashton Kutcher and Matt Damon just seem too soft. It's why Damon wasn't believable playing against Angelina Jolie in "The Good Shepherd." You have to be a grown-up to play opposite Jolie. I feared for the talented but boyish James McAvoy in "Wanted." Jolie looked as if she could toss him across the room.

And I feel for actresses like Jolie and Fox, because it seems as though Hollywood doesn't have actors who are man enough to play opposite these women. Instead, they come off looking like Mary Kay Letourneau, regardless of the actual age of their leading men.

Has Hollywood run out of real men? Or should we be satisfied with the boys?

In these trying economic times, it's tough to see mediocrity rewarded with piles of money. Whether the benefactor is a bank CEO or, well, an actor, there's a certain amount of headshaking. Which is why I was struck by Forbes list of Hollywood's top-earning actors for 2008.

Here's the top 10:

1. Harrison Ford ($65 million)
2. Adam Sandler ($55 million)
3. Will Smith ($45 million)
4. Eddie Murphy ($40 milion)
5. Nicolas Cage ($40 million)
6. Tom Hanks ($35 million)
7. Tom Cruise ($30 million)
8. Jim Carrey ($28 million)
9. Brad Pitt ($28 million)
10. Johnny Depp ($27 million)

Sipa via AP Images

The $65 million man. But does he deserve it?

There's no doubt this is a talented bunch, but looking at the list, there's a definite sense of "what have you done for me lately?" No offense to "Indiana Jones" fans, but "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" was a bit of a weak sister as far as that franchise is concerned.

And Adam Sandler's last two films were "You Don't Mess With the Zohan" and "Bedtime Stories." He earned $55 million for those? Hopefully, Sandler can show he deserves those big paychecks with "Funny People," but he'll have a lot of help from No. 17 on the list, Seth Rogen ($12 million).

Will Smith's "Hancock" did huge box office, but did anyone enjoy it? And as for the laughable "Seven Pounds," well, I know for one critic this has become one of those "so bad it's good" movies. Eddie Murphy is no slouch in the phoning it in department with movies such as "Meet Dave" and "Imagine That." Nicolas Cage, meanwhile, made "Knowing" and "Bangkok Dangerous." Does paying him for drek like that constitute some kind of actor bailout plan?

Depp didn't even release a film in 2008, and he still came in at No. 10.

When I look at the list, the only person who actually made a 2008 film that I enjoyed was Jim Carrey, whose "Yes Man" made an overseas plane flight a lot more enjoyable. I also watched Pitt's "Benjamin Button" on that flight and wanted to crawl through the tiny round window beside my seat to get away.

At least Nos. 11 through 20 give me some hope. These guys actually made some good films.

11. George Clooney ($25 million)
12. Russell Crowe ($20 million)
13. Robert Downey Jr. ($20 million)
14. Denzel Washington ($20 million)
15. Vince Vaughn ($14 million)
16. Ben Stiller ($14 million)
17. Seth Rogen ($12 million)
18. Matt Damon ($11 million)
19. Christian Bale ($10 million)
20. Will Ferrell ($10 million)

But what do you think of these oversized paychecks? Is it time for the studios to just say no to some of these guys? And if so, which ones?

I'm not going to lie. I watch a lot of television. But even with cable and my DVR, it's simply impossible to watch everything. But this being summer, I decided to give four shows that I never normally watch a chance to impress me. Here's what happened:

"Supernatural" (The CW)
It's a bit hard to jump into this show without ever having watched it, but I have to say, I enjoyed it. The episode I watched had sort of a "Back to the Future" plot about Dean (Jensen Ackles) going back in time with help from an angel, to stop the yellow-eyed demon that would eventually kill his parents. This was a two-part episode and I really want to see part two. The show reminded me a bit of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." But the one thing that worried me about this show was that there wasn't much humor. The boys (although Sam, played by Jared Padalecki, was hardly in the episode) seem to be on the same "I'm tortured, but I'll just keep going" path that David Banner was on in the "Incredible Hulk" episodes of my youth. I may keep watching, but tell me why I should. Is there ever any humor in this show?

CBS

Mark Harmon and Cote de Pablo prove to be much more interesting than I thought they'd be on "NCIS."

"NCIS" (CBS)
Maybe it was my long-standing aversion to Mark Harmon, but I really wasn't expecting to like this show. But was I ever surprised. Of the four shows, this is the one I will definitely keep watching. I loved all the characters, especially former Mossad badass Ziva (Cote de Pablo) and the gothy Abby (Pauley Perrette). Heck, I even thought Harmon was kind of gruff and interesting. I actually watched two episodes – one from 2006 and one from this past season – and even though I had never seen this show before, I was able to jump right in. My question for readers is: What is the best season of this show? My Netfix queue is calling.

"The Mentalist" (CBS)
When I first heard about this show, I was intrigued, but I never got around to watching it until this past week. And I was disappointed. Patrick (Simon Baker) is nice to look at, but so smug that I kept waiting for someone to hit him. It was puzzling, because I love "House," but House is so flawed that there's a certain amount of irony in his smugness – his narrow skill set is the only thing he has going for him. And he's pretty tortured. Conversely, Patrick seems to blithely glide from murder scene to murder scene like a game show host. The show is not helped by the ever-irritating Robin Tunney; oh, how I cheered when she was killed off "Prison Break." Yet, this show is incredibly popular. Why?

"Two and a Half Men" (CBS)
When it comes to comedy, I'm definitely more of an "Office" or "30 Rock" person. "Two and a Half Men" is like a throwback to another time. In fact, watching it, I kept being reminded of "Three's Company." It has that same "what kind of misunderstanding will fuel this week's episode" feel, with tons of double entendre humor thrown in to boot. There is a certain gentleness to the humor. No one is ever going to feel uncomfortable watching "Two and a Half Men." It's the opposite of something like "Curb Your Enthusiasm," where I find myself giggling and cringing simultaneously. But what really struck me was that "Men" wasn't all that funny. I only laughed twice, and I rolled my eyes more than a few times. It's one of those sitcoms where you can easily play the "guess the next line" game. Is it the gentleness that keeps people watching?

If you weren't a kid in the '70s, you really missed something special: The world of Sid and Marty Krofft. The upcoming release of the new "Land of the Lost" movie has been hitting my nostalgia button big-time. I'm not sure I'm interested in seeing the Will Ferrell movie, but it has made me reflect back on all the shows I used to love. And, of course, it makes me want to sing the "Land of the Lost" theme song.

My favorite Krofft show had to be "Lidsville." (Watch the theme song here.) This show about a boy who goes to a magic show and ends up falling into another world through the magician's hat was absurd in the best way possible. Almost all the characters were hats. That's right, it was a show about talking hats. Even better it gave "Munsters'" refugee Butch Patrick another chance to be on TV, as Mark, the boy who gets lost in the hat, and featured Charles Nelson Reilly as magician Horatio J. Hoodoo. Yes indeed, there was much more to Reilly's career than his stint on "Match Game." It's hard to believe that this classic show only ran for one season. 

Rhino Theatrical

"H.R. PuffnStuff" will make you want to sing and dance.

"H.R. Pufnstuf" was another odd delight. (Watch the theme song here.) Jack Wild, who played the Artful Dodger in "Oliver!", starred as Jimmy, a boy who has a magical flute named Freddie, and who is enticed to board a seemingly magical boat, only to find out it's controlled by the evil Witchiepoo (Krofft favorite Billie Hayes). Luckily, Jimmy is rescued by the inhabitants of Living Island, including H.R. Pufnstuf, an orange dragon -- though I always thought he was a frog when I was a kid.

I even remember going to see the big-screen version of "Pufnstuf" in 1970 (Mama Cass Elliot played a small role) in a local theater that was packed with kids eating candy cigarettes, Bottle Caps and Chuckles. The film is currently out of print, but a DVD release is in the works. 

I watched all the rest, too. "Sigmund and the Sea Monsters" (watch the theme song here) reminded me of my Southern California upbringing, and featured Johnnie Whitaker, best known for playing Jody on "Family Affair."

The "Bugaloos" had arguably the best theme song (watch it here), and featured a rock band that had members named Joy, Courage, I.Q. and Harmony.  It practically dripped of all things 70s. Other series included "Far Out Space Nuts" and "The Lost Saucer," which featured both Jim Nabors and Ruth Buzzi. Set wackiness factor to 10.

Then there was "The Krofft Superstars," (watch that ultra-trippy theme song here), which included "Dr. Shrinker," "Wonderbug" (watch theme), "Big Foot and Wild Boy" (watch theme), and "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl."

If you want to get a sense of the acting on these shows, check out this scene from "Electra Woman and Dyna Girl." It's about at the level of Adam West's old "Batman" TV show. In other words, just right for small kids.

As a teenager, I definitely wondered if the Kroffts, who actually lived in my neighborhood, had indulged in some substances to inspire their shows. But the duo once told USA Today, "No drugs involved. You can't do drugs when you're making shows. Maybe after, but not during." Still the implication helped add to the show's coolness cache. 

Both Kroffts are still alive and well and recently spoke to the New York Times about trying to get some of their other series to the big screen. They actually said they'd like to see Johnny Depp take on the role of Witchiepoo. Sounds perfect for Depp.

TVLand paid tribute to the duo at this year's TVLand Awards with a musical montage of all their theme songs, featuring Cyndi Lauper and Clint Black (part one and part two).

Were you a Sid and Marty Krofft fan? Share your memories below.