Tonight's a sad night for me. As I've mentioned before someone is leaving one of my favorite shows.



Tonight at 9 p.m. on CBS, it's a very special CSI ... Gil Grissom (William Petersen), the leader of the pack, is leaving :(

Not for any particular reason, just the fact that the actor thinks its time to move on. At least he won't be ceremoniously killed off like Warrick was last September in a very teary-eyed episode. Or simply cast aside like Sarah last season. Grissom's exact reason for deparure is still a close-guarded mystery.

CSI debuted on CBS on Oct. 6, 2000, in the same time slot it still holds and quickly became the most-watched show on TV, stampeding past former ratings top spot holder ER. The show's title, which stands for Crime Scene Investigation and pounding theme (The Who's Who Are You?), quickly became staples in households across the country.

The show went on to inspire two very successful spin-offs: CSI: Miami and CSI: New York. Both are still on the CBS schedule, but neither has achieved the status of the original.

A typical episode centers around corpses and the various scientific techniques the CSI teams uses to determine the culprit and fashion of the slaying. But it was the characters that the audience really embraced. And at the top of the list was the bug-loving investigator Gil Grissom. I'm getting more bummed by the minute writing this, so I won't go on much more, only to say, that I think after tonight, I won't be watching anymore -- :(

Grissom's replacement, critically-acclaimed actor Laurence Fishburne will do a fine job, I'm sure, but to me, Grissom was the true heart of the show and without him (much like when David Duchovny left the X-Files) what's the point in continuing ...



Thank you William Petersen -- you made my Thursday nights intriguing!

For more info on CSI, visit http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi/



And while we're saying good-bye to one beloved character, here comes another new one -- Patrick Swayze makes his Prime Time debut tonight over on A&E with his new cop drama The Beast. According to TV Guide, he stars as an unconventional FBI agent (is there any other kind on TV?) paired with a rookie partner -- who may have a hidden agenda (you don't say ...).

The Beast airs at 10 p.m., for more info visit http://www.aetv.com/the-beast/

Elsewhere on TV Tonight:

Those wacky, sexually uninhibited docs over at Seattle Grace are back with another new episode of Grey's Anatomy on ABC at 9. This week, Emmy-award winner Tyne Daly shows up as McDreamy's mom and has some words with gloomy Meredith. And there's a continuation of the serial killer/death row inmate storyline -- looks like he's going to donate an organ to that dying kid. And I'm totally getting the sh*ts of the whole Denny-Izzy-Karev triangle. Now, don't get me wrong, I love seeing Jeffrey Dean Morgan in any incarnation, but really -- this is just ridiculous!!
For more info visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/greysanatomy/index?pn=index


Jeffrey Dean Morgan, why do we love this guy?

Raging chef Gordon Ramsay is back with an all new episode of his hit show Kitchen Nightmares on Fox at 9 as well. You know I'm a big fan of Ramsay, but this is just not a good time slot for me. I've been lax in keeping up with this show. Lucky for me it repeats over on BBC America.
For info visit http://www.fox.com/kitchennightmares/

Golden Globe Winner for Best Comedy Show, 30 Rock also offers up a new ep at 9:30 on NBC. I like this show a lot, but I'm finding it harder to keep up with because of the time slot.
For info visit http://www.nbc.com/30_Rock/


Sam & Dean

Although I'm still wallowing in Grissom's departure, I'm equally excited that my Winchester Boys are back tonight!! Yes, Sam and Dean continue to chase down demons for the CW's Supernatural. Again, another show airing in the 9-10 time slot, I always make time for this one! Partly for the supernatural storyline and partly because the Winchester bros are HOT!!
For more info visit http://www.cwtv.com/shows/supernatural

And wrapping up tonight's highlights VH1 offers up Celebrity Rehab presents Sober House at 10. Recovering addicts from Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, who obviously needed more help, spent three months in a sober house to hone sobriety skills. Hmmm wonder how that went. Tune in if you're the least bit curious ...
For more info visit http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/sober_house/series.jhtml

So I watched AI last night and while, again, not enough craptastic singers for me, I must admit I see an early leader -- Anoop! Oh yeah, me likey this Middle Eastern-American kid and can't wait to see what he offers up!
Reminds me a little of a former fave Sanjaya (I can hear Eddie Idol groaning now!) -- yeah I liked Sanjaya, mostly because everyone else didn't. It was most fun teasing Eddie every week that Sanjaya squeaked thru! And, being the stylista I am, I looked forward to the hairdos and don'ts!!
What did you think? Please hit the comments and let me know.
Also Kudos to Eddie Idol on his first posting ... looking forward to more! And Ray, you'd better get on it ... I'm looking forward to hearing from you to!!

Anybody watch the Lost season finale last night? I couldn't hang around for the whole thing, what with Idol and Top Chef, I could only surf during commercials. But I did happen to see the preview for next week's premiere and, hey, it looks like Desmond and Penny didn't waste any time reuniting and already have a baby!! Oh my, what will Ben think of that?
Of course, watching the show reminded me how curious I am over Richard. I mean, really, what's his story?? I'm dying to know ...


What's the story Richard?

Tomorrow -- Galactica is Backtica!

Yes, American Idol returned with great anticipation last night on Fox. And for those of you who are hooked, there's another two hours tonight beginning at 8! Last night's show was conducted from Phoenix, Arizona, while tonight it moves to Kansas City.


I must admit I was a little disappointed because there weren't too many trainwrecks last night. Yeah, that's why I watch baby! I love to see those people making asses out of themselves -- that's great television!!


Nothing tickles my funnybone like seenig judge Randy Jackson sitting at the table with a piece of paper in front of his face because he's cracking up over some baaaad singer!


OK, highlights: Let's start with the kid with the REALLY DEEEEEEEEP Voice!! James Earl Jones called -- he wants his voice back. I felt a little bad for this kid, because he was sweet, I'm sure he takes a beating with that voice, and the judges weren't too kind.


The crying rocker had to go though -- really man, get a band .... or hop on over to VH1, because Brett Michaels says this is his absolute last season of Rock of Love!


And let's not forget bikini girl -- like you guys could! I don't think I've ever seen Simon Cowell so excited! But girlfriend got her groove on and even sassed new judge Kara DioGuardi with this exchange:


Kara, "Honestly, you don't have the chops to sing that song, sweetie."


Bikini Girl, "But your demonstration wasn't any better."


Oh Snap!!



For those of you who enjoy rehashing Idol each week, I'm hoping to put together something interesting here. Like the Elfman, I have a couple of friends who are Die-Hard Idol watchers and each season I get emails from them that seriously critique and sarcastically comment on each episode. I've invited them to join me here. Should be informative and hilarious! Keep your fingers crossed ...


For more info on American Idol visit http://www.americanidol.com/


What else is on tonight? Glad you asked ...




Over on ABC they're re-airing last season's Lost finale -- you know the one that shows exactly how the Oceanic 6 got off the island. It was an edge-of-your-seat finish and if you missed it or ever wanted to join in the Lost discussions at work, here's your chance to get your feet wet before next week's season premiere.
The broadcast boasts a few never-before-scenes as well as pop-up commentary to get you up to speed. For more info on Lost visit http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=index




On Bravo at 10 p.m. Top Chef Season 3 Champion Hung returns to judge the cheftestants. Can't wait. Hung was the most dangerous player they ever had on the show, and he never copped to any of it. Remember the Breakfast Quick-Fire Challenge in the apartment. "Hung you just broke the truffle oil on the floor."
Hung -- "No I didn't," as he flung himself across the room. Hung was always running behind everyone else, with knife in hand. He was also one of the most interesting players. Looking forward to seeing him.

Stop back tomorrow for the Top Chef Recap.

For more information on Top Chef visit http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/index.php


And on MTV, The Real World serves up another episode at 10 from Brooklyn, NY. Last week, the guests arrived to meet & greet and fight with each other. Trust me, you didn't miss anything, except MTV's first ever post-op tranny! However, I'm sure we'll be in for the usual shenanigans soon. For more info on season 17 visit http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/realworld-season17/series.jhtml


Later on, if your curious, fresh from his Golden Globe for Best Actor Drama, Mickey Rourke stops by to chat with Jimmy Kimmel at 12:05 on ABC.


In Other News:


Last night's episode of Nip/Tuck barely kept me awake. Looks like the writers are happy about their Christian-Breast Cancer storyline as most of the ep centered on that. Julia showed up briefly, as did Kimber, if only to mock Christian's circumstances, calling it "karma, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner."

Sean hooked up with the med student, but promptly blew that opportunity. Liz did sleep with Christian, but he only did it to prove he still could, which severely ticked the lesbian off! I think the best part was the androgenous couple that was staying at their practice for surgery, with the "wife" showing the 17-yr-old Indian whiz kid med student her appreciation in an x-rated way. Although "she" wasn't quite what she seemed ...




I erroneously reported Monday that Patrick Swayze would be hitting Jay Leno's Tonight Show to promote his new series on A&E, The Beast. Seems Mr. Swayze has been in the hospital since his interview with Barbara Walters aired, being treated for pneumonia. His camp says the actor is doing fine and recovering well. Best wishes to you Patrick!


And while all the glitz and glamour returned to the Golden Globe Awards Sunday night, not all the audience did. Ratings for the gala show were estimated to be 14.6 million, which was way better than the 6 million that tuned in for last year's star-deprived awards announcement, but was also down from the 15.7 million people who tuned in for the 2007 broadcast.




Fox reports that this will be the last season for Prison Break. Thanks! I loved this show's first season and was still intrigued during the second. The first season was brilliant, but ended with the prisoners escaping (thus, no more "prison break"). They spent the second season on the run and most ended up in a Panamanian prison for the third season -- forging another "break."

This season, however, they've been hired by someone (the gov't, maybe, who the hell knows), to recover a device called Scylla that has all "the company's" info on it. I lost interest after four episodes, but might tune in to see how it all ends.

The final episodes will air on Friday (Friday?) nights, beginning April 17. Well, if it wasn't already dead, putting it on Friday night was the final nail in the coffin.

For info on Prison Break or to catch up visit http://www.fox.com/prisonbreak/



ONLY 7 MORE DAYS TO LOST!!



Up tomorrow, Top Chef Recap, The Beast teaser and saying Goodbye to Gill Grissom

Here's a quick run-down of what new on TV tonight:

On CBS, beginning at 9 p.m., it's the 35th annual Peoples Choice Awards. Hosted by Queen Latifah, the first show of Hollywood's Awards Season professes that winners are be determined by the general public's votes. Perhaps, but it's also one of those awards shows where just about every celebrity in the audience is either presenting or winning, because that's the only way they get them to show up.



If you missed the return of Scrubs last night, ABC is graciously showing it again tonight from 8-9 p.m. Stay tuned, because after an all-new 20/20 at 9 p.m., featuring a search for a missing daughter, Barbara Walters presents another of her "specials," during which she interviews Patrick Swayze.



If you didn't know, Swayze (he of the beloved '90s-mullet) has been heroically battling pancreatic cancer for about a year. I'm still a huge fan of his, and expect to watch with the tissue box nearby. BTW, FX took time out during Nip/Tuck last night to promo Swayze's new show, The Beast, which debuts Jan. 15 -- I'll be watching!



And speaking of FX, Damages returns for its second season tonight at 10. Although I have season one on DVD still in shrnk-wrap on my shelf, I know that this show is to the legal profession what Nip/Tuck is to plastic surgeons! Starring Glenn Close in her Emmy-winning role as litigator from Hell, Patty Hewes, I think I'll be taping this to watch later, because ...



You all know what returns tonight at 10 on Bravo -- another fun-filled episode of Top Chef, that's what! Tonight's show will introduce a snarky new judge in the form of Britian's Toby Young, and the cheftestants don't look too thrilled! And, of course, my fave hottie-bear chef Tom Colicchio and Elfman's fave hottie hostess Padma Lakshmi will be on hand as well. Be there and check back tomorrow for a full rehash!