TV Goodness

And tonight:

He’s Slippin’ ‘Em Bread … Dig? After a long absence, Christopher (David Sutcliffe) reappears in Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory’s (Alexis Bledel) lives with an offer to make up for lost time. Luke (Scott Patterson) struggles with what the new person in his life will mean to him and his relationship with Lorelai. Lorelai and Rory enjoy their first Thanskgiving at the Dragonfly Inn, during which Rory receives surprising news about Logan (Matt Czuchry). Meanwhile, as the band prepares for an important showcase performance, Lane (Keiko Agena) has to deal with Zach’s (Todd Lowe) jealousy over a song Brian (John Cabrera) wrote about her. Singer/songwriter Carole King guest stars as Sophie, the owner of Stars Hollow’s music shop. Melissa McCarthy, Yanic Truesdale and Liza Weil also star. The episode was written by Daniel Palladino and directed by Kenny Ortega.

Later, crocodiles.

Am I the only person who didn’t know that Rob Thomas was a successful YA novelist before going into TV? That last week’s ep is named after his first book, "Rats Saw God"? I put it on reserve at the library. Anyway. This week:

"Nobody Puts Baby In A Corner" Veronica and Duncan discover that the still-comatose Meg had been babysitting an abused child, leading Veronica to take on an unfamiliar role as a babysitter to determine the kid’s identity.

The opening is great, so I’m really, really hoping this isn’t a very special episode as last week’s promo made out.

Based on what I’ve seen about this one, it should have us all gabbing:

The Prodigal Daughter Returns. A surprise phone call from Christopher (David Sutcliffe, who does not appear in the episode) brings up issues of trust between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson). Later, when a person from Luke’s past shows up in Stars Hollow, he has no idea how to tell Lorelai about it. After months of estrangement, Lorelai and Rory (Alexis Bledel) make their first move toward reconciliation and Rory takes major steps to change the direction of her life.
Kelly Bishop, Edward Herrmann, Melissa McCarthy, Keiko Agena and Yanic Truesdale also star. The episode was written and directed by Amy Sherman-Palladino.

Can I just say again how much I despise Christopher? He’s such a lothario. (Not you; you are no lothario.)

Writer Mary Roach will be on tonight’s Colbert Report.

Oh, and don’t miss the fanfic section of the Report’s website. I heart "Betwixt Lorien and Rivendell":

Stephen was nonplussed. "Don’t hide behind your precious political double-talk, Gandalf. Let’s call a spade a spade: I know about the Ringwraiths — who will soon become the Nazgul – not to mention Gollum, Saruman, and Shelob. Just saying ‘dangers’ and ‘dark powers’ doesn’t accomplish anything; you can’t fight a war against abstract nouns."

Also excellent: Excerpts from the host’s unpublished novel.

This week looks like a good one, especially in terms of cameolove:

Rat Saw God. With Aaron Echolls facing trial for Lilly’s murder, the previously accused Abel Koontz appears to enlist Veronica’s help in finding his missing daughter Amelia. Joss Whedon and Harry Hamlin guest star.

See you later. (I’m now forced to associate Abel Koontz and Dean Koontz, thinking "Mr Teriyak!" whenever I see their names. Very disturbing.)

The triumphant return after a week off:

Let Me Hear Your Balalaikas Ringing Out. Rory (Alexis Bledel) is pleasantly surprised when her old flame Jess (guest star Milo Ventimiglia) appears at her grandparents’ house and reveals an amazing development in his life. Rory agrees to go to dinner with Jess, and when Logan (Matt Czuchry) unexpectedly joins them, an ugly confrontation develops, leaving both Rory and Logan to face the choices they have made. Emily (Kelly Bishop) is concerned about Rory’s sudden evasiveness and tries to exert some parental discipline. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) agrees to sponsor a local girls’ soccer team and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) channels all her concerns about Rory into caring for her dog, Paul Anka. Keiko Agena also stars. Kenny Ortega directed the episode written by Dan Palladino.

Slightly worrisome that it’s written by the Lorelai Character Assassin, but this looks like a Rory heavy episode anyway. See you later.

(p.s. Hit with a couple of deadlines, so that’s it for me today.)

The NYT examines the real world of modeling in light of the fantasy version on the completely addictive ANTM:

There are a few good, simple reasons why the competitors on "America’s Next Top Model" will not become America’s next top model, insiders say. For starters they are generally too old to succeed in a field where much of the talent, like the current teenage Australian star Gemma Ward, is recruited out of middle school, explained Cathy Gould, the director of Elite models. And even though, by ordinary standards, the bodies of cast members on the reality show are unobjectionable, they are too plump to succeed in a business where eating disorders are no hindrance to success. In an ironic way, though, the most serious strike against the women may be, like their beauty itself, an unalterable accident of birth. They are American. "You just can’t sell an American model right now because editors completely don’t appreciate them," explained James Scully, a casting agent responsible for discovering many of the quirky, provocative sexpots who helped mold the image of Gucci during the stellar Tom Ford years. "Americans are just not in."

No Gilmore Girls or Veronica Mars talk this week, due to reruns (already!). So sad.

Due to downed connections and nonfiring synapses, I forgot the Veronica Mars post yesterday. Even though the episode was kick ass! Please back date accordingly.

p.s. No new episode for two weeks?

Sorry for the tumbleweeds, but it’s likely to continue for a few days. In the meantime, let’s talk about good TV. Tonight’s ep is:

Twenty-One Is The Loneliest Number. As Rory’s (Alexis Bledel) twenty-first birthday approaches, both Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory are saddened by the fact that their ongoing estrangement will keep them from spending the day the way they had always planned. Richard (Edward Herrmann) tries to convince Lorelai to help him with a plan to get Rory back to Yale, but Lorelai insists that Rory has to make the decision herself. While Richard continues to worry about Rory’s future, Emily (Kelly Bishop) throws herself into planning an elaborate birthday party. Meanwhile, Emily and Richard are shocked when they realize that Rory and Logan (Matt Czuchry) have been having sex. Melissa McCarthy, Scott Patterson, Keiko Agena and Liza Weil also star. Bob Berlinger directed the episode written by Amy Sherman-Palladino

Sounds like a winner and the writing credit soothes.