Zoe (Gina Torres), Mal (Nathon Fillion), and Jayne (Adam Baldwin) investigate a mysteriously abandoned ship in the "Bushwacked" episode of FIREFLY
© 2002 FOX
December 2 December 8: FIREFLY goes on hiatus...
By: Sonia MansfieldDate: Monday, December 02, 2002
Random thoughts alert!
So, Fox is putting FIREFLY on hiatus in January. In case you don't know what "hiatus" means, it's when networks pull a show you really like off the air while making empty promises that it will return.
The WB is making a move that makes my Sunday nights a little easier and my Wednesday nights even crazier. The WB is moving ANGEL from Sunday opposite ALIAS, LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT, MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE and ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE to Wednesday opposite THE WEST WING, THE AMAZING RACE 3 (which may be over by then, I'm not sure) and BERNIE MAC (which will move into that time slot in January while FASTLANE moves to Fridays into FIREFLY's old slot). Thanks a lot WB. You couldn't move ANGEL back to Mondays and give my overworked TiVo a rest?
I'm so glad that Joshua Malina (who played Jeremy on the brilliant SPORTS NIGHT) is moving into THE WEST WING. Personally, I'll kinda miss Rob Lowe (I guess some junior high crushes never truly go away). By the way, note to Rob: If crappy TV movies like THE CHRISTMAS SHOES is what you plan to do after leaving the show, then I suggest you talk with your agent about getting back on THE WEST WING.
Yeah, so, I was really happy to see such low ratings for DINOTOPIA. It's the worst TV show I have ever seen. I almost poked out my own eyes while watching it. Oh, the life of a TV critic can be so tough, huh?
Yeah, so anyway, let me know what you think? E-mail it to me at RedSonia@cinescape.com.
Now, let me break down the week for you. Oh, and as always, check your local listings.
Monday, December 2
I'm only going to tell you this once: Sci Fi has got the Steven Spielberg-produced, 20-hour-over-10 nights miniseries TAKEN every weeknight at 9 p.m. So, just to be clear, that's December 2-6 at 9 p.m. and Dec. 9-13 at 9 p.m. Got it?
Just in Zoe (Gina Torres), Mal (Nathon Fillion), and Jayne (Adam Baldwin) investigate a mysteriously abandoned ship in the "Bushwacked" episode of FIREFLY © 2002 FOX
Ralphie Alert! TBS has got A CHRISTMAS STORY at 8 p.m.
Andy's busy work schedule puts a strain on his relationship with Ephram in tonight's all-new EVERWOOD (WB, 9 p.m.). Yeah, poor Ephram. It's not like his dad is saving lives or anything. Oh wait, he is.
CBS is repeating the pilot episode of CSI: MIAMI at 10 p.m. It's the one with the plane crash in the swamp. Remember?
TUESDAY, December 3
Buffy fights a worm in this repeat of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (UPN, 8 p.m.). I have the same problem when I get to the bottom of a tequila bottle.
Lorelei and Rory are having man trouble in this repeat of the season opener of GILMORE GIRLS (WB, 8 p.m.). I hear ya, sisters.
Lex marries a woman he hardly knows in this repeat of SMALLVILLE (WB, 9 p.m.). Hey, that's OK. I mean, do we ever really know someone?
It's 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Jack goes head-to-head with Nina in tonight's all-new 24 (Fox, 9 p.m.).
MTV has got the comedy goldmine that is THE OSBOURNES at 10:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, December 4
Bernie tries to get Wanda to be tougher on the kids in tonight's all-new BERNIE MAC (Fox, 8 p.m.). Umm, good luck with that Bernie. Some people just aren't built for that. I can't even get tough with my dog.
T'Pol entertains Archer and Trip with the tale of a crash-landed Vulcan ship, but they spend the whole time wondering what she looks like naked in this repeat of ENTERPRISE (UPN, 8 p.m.).
WB offers up a sneak peek into LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS in the one-hour special RETURN TO MIDDLE-EARTH at 8 p.m.
Billie fears that an escaped drug lord has targeted her friend for helping put him behind bars in tonight's all-new episode of FASTLANE (Fox, 9 p.m.). I have a sneaking suspicious Billie's right.
A killer with an intense hatred of metahumans terrorizes New Gotham in this repeat of BIRDS OF PREY (WB, 9 p.m.). Gosh, can't we all just get along?
A woman is stalked by a phantom bus in this repeat of THE TWILIGHT ZONE (UPN, 9 p.m.). Ummm, a phantom bus? "Ahhhh, someone help me! I'm being stalked by public transportation!"
Don't forget to check out an all-new SOUTH PARK at 10 p.m. on Comedy Central.
THURSDAY, December 5
Hey, have STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK © Paramount
Elliot gets sued by a patient after she tells him that he has only a short time to live in tonight's SCRUBS (NBC, 8:30 p.m.).
A teen gets struck by a cab, but that may not be how he died in tonight's CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (CBS, 9 p.m.).
An 11-year-old boy skips out on his dad in this repeat of WITHOUT A TRACE (CBS, 10 p.m.).
FRIDAY, December 6
Fox has got FIREFLY at 8 p.m. Enjoy it while you can.
John decides to take a vacation but there's a murder on his flight that only he can solve in tonight's all-new JOHN DOE (Fox, 9 p.m.). Well, John's not the only one who could solve it, because there was a similar storyline in the season finale of MONK and Monk solved the murder too.
TNN has got STAR TREK IV: THE VOYAGE HOME at 9 p.m. You know, the one with all the whales. Yeah, that's the one.
In the mood for a love story? Well, the Sundance Channel has got SID AND NANCY at 10:05 p.m. It's one of those movies that makes me glad I'm single.
Showtime has got ODYSSEY 5 followed by JEREMIAH, starting at 10 p.m.
SATURDAY, December 7
Encore has got THE PROPHECY at 8 p.m. Love that Christopher Walken.
I know Daniel Radcliffe in the title role in HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE © 2001 Warner Bros.
Remember when Tom Hanks was funny? You know, before all the Oscars and Meg Ryan movies? Well, refresh your memory with BACHELOR PARTY at 10 p.m. on FX.
Cole is forced to reopen the investigation into his partner's 12-year-old murder when a man about to be executed for the crime reveals a shocking clue to the killer's true identity in tonight's all-new ROBBERY HOMICIDE DIVISION (CBS, 10 p.m.). Why is it that men on death row are always waiting until the last minute to offer up new evidence in cop shows?
SUNDAY, December 8
Planet Express goes out of business in tonight's FUTURAMA (Fox, 7 p.m.).
UPN is giving you a second chance to check out Wednesday's ENTERPRISE at 8 p.m.
Piper's unborn baby continues to wreak magical havoc in this repeat of CHARMED (WB, 8 p.m.).
Tonight's THE SIMPSONS (Fox, 8 p.m.) is a repeat of the TREEHOUSE OF TERROR episode that opened the new season.
Bobby enters a rose-growing contest in tonight's KING OF THE HILL (Fox, 8:30 p.m.).
Tonight's MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE (Fox, 9 p.m.) is a clip show. Great.
Andy discovers that a pair of twin brothers are sharing Jessica in tonight's hilarious, all-new ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE (Fox, 9:30 p.m.). Why does Jessica get two men when some of us have none? That's not fair.
I can't believe it's already the season finale of THE SOPRANOS (HBO, 9 p.m.). Didn't it just start? Oh well, now we'll just have to wait another year and a half for new episodes.
The Bristows' mission to steal six nuclear weapons from a Pakistani rebel group goes down in flames when Irina hands them over to her evil ex-ally in tonight's all-new ALIAS (ABC, 9 p.m.). Irina's evil? Who would've thunk it?
Don't forget to check out tonight's all-new BOOMTOWN (NBC, 10 p.m.). One of the best shows on network TV.
The Cartoon Network's ADULT SWIM begins at 10 p.m.
Remote Patrol is our weekly Television column.
