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!

Yay!!! Phinally!! It's over and the Phillies won the World Series!!! Thus ending any prime time network programming for the rest of the night. Even I, who I don't consider a big baseball fan, watched last night! Hell, there were fireworks going off in my neighborhood as soon as the final out was made!
And then, who could go to sleep ... everyone here and I'm sure wherever you are in the Philadelphia area, is totally sleep deprived this morning. Not like we haven't been ever since the start of the World Series ... maybe now, or at least after tomorrow's parade, we can all get back to our regular sleep schedules. (How many of you are planning on calling in sick tomorrow?)
Anyway, it's great to see a sporting world title come our way again! Congrats to all!

Elsewhere on TV last night, the only thing I caught was the repeat of South Park's Pandemic 2 - Startled at midnight. It was pretty funny, better than last week's Part 1. It was a continuation of the Peruvian Flute Band storyline, which ended last week with a very Cloverfield-like monster attack on the small town of South Park.
Randy Marsh caught all the action on his held-hand camera, which turned out to be giant guinea pigs. A rather good effect, the producers cut in live action of guinea pigs into South Park's signature cut-out animation style.
Anyway, this week's episode was hilarious in showing just how many Halloween-style costumes are available for guinea pigs. Wish I could have found a photo to show you, but take my word for it, you haven't laughed till you've seen a Guineasaurus Rex!
Luckily, the episode reruns tonight at 10 p.m. For info or to watch online visit http://www.southparkstudios.com/

OK, on to tonight's lineup - and it starts with another intriguing episode of Survivor: Gabon on CBS at 8 p.m. Remember tonight each tribe will be voting off a castaway ... will it be Ace's turn to leave? Or perhaps they will finally flush out Sugar's immunity idol.
For info visit http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor/

At 9 p.m. the Winchester bros will be hunting more demons on the CW's Supernatural, just in time for Halloween. While celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay will be scaring another restaurant crew on Fox's Kitchen Nightmares. Another murder, another case for CSI on CBS. And over at Seattle Grace on ABC, the sexy doctors of Grey's Anatomy will be hemming and hawing over who to sleep with as usual.

Of course, all bets are off at 10 p.m. when VH1 presents episode 2 of Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Entertainment Tonight already showed a preview clip and it looks like Gary Busey's had it with his rehab trip. Looks like a bit of a meltdown is coming ...For info visit http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/Celebrity_rehab_2_with_dr_drew/series.jhtml?source=globalnav

Constantine
Halloween Horror Watch: With Mischief Night looming, there's plenty on TV tonight to satisfy your urge to be scared starting with Constantine at 8 p.m. on AMC. A cop (Rachel Weisz) tangles with demons and angels when she probes her twin's death with a man (Keanu Reeves) who has literally been to Hell and back. A stylized supernatural thriller with great graphics.

Encore presents Tales from the Crypt presents Demon Knight also at 8 p.m. This horror flick turned out better than it should have with great performances by Titanic's Billy Zane and the early work of Jada Pinkett-Smith. If you can get it, this flick is definitely a trick and a treat!

And the Sci-Fi channel presents a mini-thon of its new show Real Exorcist from 8-11 p.m. This show features, just as the title suggests, "real" exorcisms of "real" people. I haven't seen it before, but who knows, it could be fun.

Coming tomorrow: Survivor Recap, of course, and a list of my all-time favorite horror films!

OK, sorry, I got my information a little wrong about last night's Project Runway. While designer Cynthia Rowley was the guest judge in a Mother-Daughter challenge, the returning contestants I mentioned yesterday were actually on the show following the Bravo hit -- Top Design, which aired at 10 p.m. My bad.

Regarding Runway, last night we said Auf Wiedersehen to Joe. I will admit I was a little nervouse for Suede, he's growing on me and I didn't want him to go yet. I think the judges feel the same way. I'm picking him, Jerell and Leanne for the finalists. For now we'll have to wait and see ... by the way, what was that feathered thing on challenge-winner Jerell's head last night?

For more photos of last night's challenge or more info on the Runway visit http://bloggingprojectrunway.blogspot.com/

F/X delivered another great episode of Sons of Anarchy last night, featuring Carnies, castration and those motorcycle mavens with a heart. For X-Files fans, there was another treat -- Mitch Pileggi turned up from a rival gang. Pileggi played Mulder and Scully's boss, Agent Skinner. You can see more here http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/soa/#Nav/TheShow/AboutTheShow

And Pileggi shows up this season on the CW's Supernatural, which has it's premiere at 9 p.m. Yes, demon hunters Sam and Dean Winchester are back for Season 4! When we last saw them back in May, evil demon Lilith trapped the brothers and sent Dean (Jensen Ackles) to Hell, fulfilling Dean's contract to sacrifice his life for Sam (Jared Padalecki).

Tonight's opener apparently has Dean literally digging himself out of his grave! Pileggi will appear in a future episode playing the boys' grandfather. But, if I have to be honest, although I love all things supernatural, the real reason I stick with this show is for the eye-candy -- the Winchester Bros. are hot!


And speaking of eye candy, I caught up on this week's 90210 last night too. I was just about to give up on this show, when Kelly Taylor (Jenny Garth) spoke the only word that would make me keep watching -- Dylan! As in former Beverly Hills alum Dylan McKay (Luke Perry)! (OK, so I would still have kept watching if she had said Brandon.) Yes, it seems that Kelly's young son Sammy is the spawn of my favorite 90210 hottie.

Before the new show started back in August, there was plenty of Internet rumors about Perry returning for a few guest shots, possibly as the father of Kelly's son. Perry's camp is quick to point out that at the moment the actor has no intention of returning. But we all know that can change ...

Also, I must admit I do enjoy seeing Rob Estes on 90210 (he plays West Beverly's principal and father of the main characters Annie and Dickson). I've always liked Estes, ever since he used to star in the upscale detective drama Silk Stalkings. I'll never forgive the USA Network for killing him off at the end of Season 5. And I'm not alone. The show quickly sank into ratings oblivion after that.


On TV Tonight: I'll be watching my favorite British chef in need of anger management -- Gordon Ramsay. His Kitchen Nightmares at 9 p.m. on Fox is one of my favorite guilty pleasures.

Say what you want about his management style, the guy knows what he's talking about. Just check out his bio on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Ramsay and I'm sure you'll be impressed. Anyway, if you're not familiar, Nightmares features a different failing eatery each week, which Ramsay makes over and turns into a profit maker. Check it out. It's very different from his signature cooking contest show Hell's Kitchen.


Also cake-maker extreme Duff Goldman is back with another new episode of his hugely popular Food Network show Ace of Cakes! This show truly is a joy to watch. Not only are the cakes amazing, the employees make up a cast of characters worth watching. So check out the jovial chef along with Mary Alice, Geof, Sherri, Anna, Adam and the rest of the gang at 10 p.m. Just Duff's boisterous laugh alone is enough to keep me watching.
Or if you just can't wait, you can visit Baltimore's Charm City Cakes at http://www.charmcitycakes.com/

Over on ABC at 9 p.m. last season's 2-hr. finale of Grey's Anatomy plays out again. So if you just can't wait until next week's season premiere, you can refresh your memory of the goings'-on of Meredith, McDreamy, McSteamy, and the rest randy doctors at Seattle Grace.

Till tomorrow ...