'Dirty Sexy Money' The Complete Second Season is out November 4.

‘Dirty Sexy Money’ returns for another gut busting season of lies, deceit, murder and adultery.

Lead by family patriarch Trip Darling played by the incomparable Donald Sutherland, the series also stars Peter Krause, Jill Clayburgh, William Baldwin, Glenn Fitzgerald, Seth Gabel, Zoe McLellan, Blair Underwood, Natalie Zea and Lucy Liu.

As the Darling’s family attorney, a role which he inherited from his father, Nick George (Peter Krause) finds himself thrown into all kinds of crazy situations orchestrated by the family’s outlandish antics. The biggest head banger is Nick’s personal connection with the family, with several members being key suspects in his father Dutch George’s murder. While this mystery is ultimately solved by series end, it’s long drawn out reveal slightly diminishes its eventual impact.

Perhaps one of the more outrageous story lines on the show is Patrick Darling’s (William Baldwin) affair with his transexual lover Carmelita Rainer (Candis Cayne). After discovering Patrick’s deceit, his wife Ellen (Bellamy Young) confronts Patrick over the affair — however this ultimately leads to her accidental death.

In an attempt to cover up Patrick’s political reputation as a New York senator, he and his father conspire to cover up Ellen’s death by planting her body in the family’s burning country house estate. Definitely a mouthful to say the least.

This second season of ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ also introduces Nola Lyons (Lucy Liu) the hard-ass prosecutor in Nick’s father’s murder trial, who’s determined to bring down the Darling family. But because that clearly isn’t quite juicy enough, she also becomes romantically involved with the Darling’s playboy youngest son Jeremy Darling (Seth Gabel).

Like all series that debuted that previous year, ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ was heavily impacted by the 2007-2008 writers strike. The 100-day production halt is likely the main reason for the show’s cancellation, following its return to low ratings post-strike.

Had the series continued for a full season the previous year, I think the show would have started out much stronger creatively in it second season. The momentum built up surrounding Dutch George’s murder mystery was unfortunately lost between the first and second seasons. Having said that, it does do a modest job of trying to re-engage viewers and eventually wrap up all loose ends.

The 3-disc set contains a couple of extras, including behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes and a bloopers reel. Nothing particularly ground breaking here. It would have been nice to have an audio commentary from the show’s cast and crew, particularly to hear their views on how the writers strike impacted their original story arc.

‘Dirty Sexy Money’ is probably worth a look for fans of juicy mind-bending soap opera. It’s delicious characters make it thoroughly entertaining, if not just for your disbelief over what these characters get away with.

2.5 out of 5 stars

Fans of ABC Studios hit series have plenty to celebrate, with a number of new titles that have just been released or are due for release over the next 2 months under the TV 4 Me on DVD brand.

This month saw the release of the Seven Network’s hit dramas ‘Desperate Housewives’ Season 5, ‘Lost’ Season 5 and ‘Brothers and Sisters’ Season 3.

November will see the release of Seven’s medical duo ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 5 and ‘Private Practice’ Season 2; and the final season of the short lived dramedy ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ Season 2.

You can also expect to see the release of FOX8’s popular teen dramas ‘Greek’ Chapter 2 and ‘Kyle XY’ Season 3 in November.

Finally, December is all about comedy, with the release of ‘Scrubs’ Season 8, ‘Scrubs’ Seasons 1-8, ‘Home Improvement’ Season 8 and the season premieres of ‘Smantha Who?’ Season 1 and teen drama ‘The Secret Live of an American Teenager’ Season 1.

Hit the links below for more details about each set.

21 October 2009

• ‘Desperate Housewives’ The Complete Fifth Season
• ‘Brothers and Sisters’ The Complete Third Season
• ‘Lost’ The Complete Fifth Season

4 November 2009

• ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ The Complete Fifth Season
• ‘Private Practice’ The Complete Second Season
• ‘Greek’ Chapter 2
• ‘Kyle XY’ The Complete Third Season
• ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ The Complete Second Season

2 December 2009

• ‘Scrubs’ The Complete Eighth Season
• ‘Scrubs’ Mega-Set 1-8
• ‘Home Improvement’ The Complete Eighth Season
• ‘Samantha Who?’ The Complete First Season
• ‘The Secret Life of the American Teenager’ The Complete First Season

'Dirty Sexy Money' The Complete Second Season

Money has met its match in the Darlings – they use it and abuse it – but can they always rely on it to clear the family name? Mystery and intrigue meets filthy rich with Dirty Sexy Money: the Complete Second Season on DVD.

The Darling dynasty take drama to new heights in Season 2 with murder, public arrest, and over-the-top partying – all part of a day’s work.

Featuring an all-star cast, including Peter Krause, Donald Sutherland, William Baldwin, Natalie Zea, Samaire Armstrong, Seth Gabel, and Jill
Clayburgh.

The 3-disc set is rated M and retails for RRP $39.95 — out November 4.

Bonus Features

• Directing the Darlings
• A Total Knockout
• Dirty Sexy . . . Crafty?
• Faux Pas: Bloopers from Season 2
• Deleted scenes.

‘Everwood’ The Complete Second Season

‘Everwood’ is one of my favourite shows ever. Like many others, I fell in love the small town of Everwood, Colorado back when it aired on The WB and subsequently on the Nine Network in Australia.

The Complete First Season was released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment back in September 2004. It was a number of new teen dramas headed to DVD, including Josh Schwartz’s ‘The OC’.

A few years went by and there had been no word on the second season of ‘Everwood’. Despite ‘The OC’ seeing several later season hit shevles.

The initial response from Warner Bros. was that they had no plans to release future seasons of ‘Everwood’ because of poor sales on the first season.

So naturally, when it became apparent that the second season would never come out on DVD, I was absolutely devastated.

Then in July last year, there were a couple rumblings of a release, with music artist Will Derryberry stating on his blog that some of his songs would be featured in episodes of ‘Everwood’ headed for TheWB.com video portal and on DVD.

At this point it became apparent that Warner Bros. were working on acquiring licences for the music featured in the series, plus a number of additional music replacements.

Finally in September last year, the news was confirmed by Warner Bros. Vice President of TV marketing during the online Home Theatre Forum chat. Finally!

So here we are, five years later and ‘Everwood’ The Complete Second Season is finally out on DVD and boy was is worth the wait.

The second season picks up exactly where the first season left off, where we were let wondering many questions, including: Did Colin survive the surgery? Will Amy and Ephram finally get together?

The answer to one of these questions becomes apparent within the first five minutes, but not before a convincing daydream sequence, which leads us to believe otherwise.

We see how these characters, which we’ve grown to love, deal with the loss of such a pivotal character during the show’s first season. We see them through their ups and downs and ultimately how their small town universe is suddenly altered.

Existing relationships are tested with the reversal two key relationships. We also see new relationships develop out of all the chaos of last season.

Season two also introduces a number of new characters, including Dr. Linda Abbott, a new love interest for Dr. Andy Brown (Treat Williams), played by the incomparable Marcia Cross (‘Desperate Housewives’).

Deliah’s new baby-sitter Madison (Sarah Lancaster, ‘Chuck’), who becomes an interesting influence on the adolescent Ephram (Gregory Smith).

Finally, bad boy Tommy (Paul Wesley, ‘The Vampire Diaries’), who leads Amy (Emily Vancamp) down a dark path as she struggles to deal with her loss.

Here we have 22 brilliantly crafted episodes, dealing with such topical social issues including adolescent sex, depression and AIDS;  all though the microcosm of a small mountain town.

‘Everwood’ is poetic, eye opening and makes for an unbeatable television experience.

The images are sharp and presented in a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, preserving the original broadcast presentation. Some music has been replaced for this home entertainment version, but nothing too detrimental to the overall experience. Fortunately the series features a lot of original music composed by Blake Neely, including the series theme song, all of which is still intact.

Bonus features are pretty sparse. There’s just a batch of deleted scenes, some of which are great additions, others not so much.

I guess that’s what happens when you wait five years to release a series on DVD. Hopefully for future releases, Warner Bros. will make more effort in producing cast and crew interviews, commentaries and behind the scenes featurettes.

It’d be of particular interest to hear from series creator Greg Berlanti, whose since gone off to produce ‘Brothers and Sisters’, ‘Dirty Sexy Money’, ‘Eli Stone’ and co-write the upcoming blockbuster ‘The Green Lantern’.

“Everwood’ The Complete Second Season is a rare example of a family drama which is smart and topical, all the while being cool and entertaining.

Let’s hope Warner Bros. fast track the release of the final two seasons of this outstanding series.

5 out of 5 stars

'Dirty Sexy Money' The Complete Second Season out August 16 in North America.

‘Dirty Sexy Money’ The Complete Second Season

The 3-disc set contains all 13 episodes from the second season with bonus features including:

• A look at the cast and set through the eyes of the craft service specialist
• Director’s diary cam with veteran television director Jamie Babbit
• Behind the scenes with Natalie Zea, Donald Sutherland and more
• Outtakes
• Deleted scenes

'Eli Stone' The Complete Second Season out August 18 in North America.

‘Eli Stone’ The Complete Second Season

The 3-disc set contains all 13 episodes from the second season with bonus features including:

• Dancin’ in the Streets – An inside look at an Eli Stone epic song-and-dance number
• Good Morning Eli with Sam & Julie – Behing the scenes with cast members Sam Jaeger and Julie Gonzalo
• Circular File: Bloopers from Season Two
• Deleted Scenes

'Greek' Chapter Three out August 18 in North America.

‘Greek’ Chapter Three

The 3-disc set features the following episodes:

1. Brothers and Sisters
2. Crush Landing
3. Let’s Make a Deal
4. Gays, Ghosts and Gamma Rays
5. Pledge Allegiance
6. See You Next Time, Sisters
7. Formally Yours
8. The Popular Vote
9. Three’s A Crowd
10. Hell Week

Bonus features include:

• 20 questions with the Cast of Greek
• Hilarious Bloopers
• Audio Commentaries

Anna Friel stars in Warner Bros. 'Pushing Daisies', currently airing on the W Channel.

The alphabet are finally scheduling the remaining episodes of cancelled series ‘Pushing Daisies’, ‘Eli Stone’ and ‘Dirty Sexy Money’.

The remaining episodes will be burned off over consecutive Saturday nights beginning May 30 at 10pm/ET.

• The final three episodes of ’Pushing Daisies’ will air May 30 to June 13.
• The final four episodes of ’Eli Stone’ will air June 20 to July 11.
• The final four episodes of ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ will air July 18 to Aug 8.

These final three episodes of ‘Money’ have already screened in Australia; and the final episodes of ‘Stone’ will go to air over the next three weeks on Seven.

‘Daisies’ made its Australian debut on the W Channel this week.

Source: EW.com

Peter Krause and Maura Tierney

TV actors Peter Krause (‘Dirty Sexy Money’)  and Maura Tierney (‘ER’) look to have already found new homes in primetime, with roles on NBC’s ’Parenthood’ pilot.

Erika Christensen (‘Six Degrees’), Mae Whitman (‘Bionic Woman’ pilot) and Sarah Ramos (‘American Dreams’, ‘Kidnapped’) are also set to co-star in the pilot, while Craig T. Nelson (‘Coach’, ‘My Name Is Earl’) and Dax Shepard (‘Punk’d', ‘Zathura: A Space Adventure’) are currently in negotiations.

As previously reported, ‘Friday Night Lights’ creator Jason Katims, will helm the project which revolves around adult siblings, the Bravermans.

Krause will play Adam Braverman, a married man with two children who is a lunatic beneath the surface. Ramos, will play his good-girl daughter.

Tierney will play his sister, Sarah Braverman, a single mother. Whitman, will play her rebellious 16-year-old daughter.

Shepard will play the youngest Braverman, a slacker.

Nelson will play their father, a Vietnam vet-turned-actor/hippie.

The films original director Ron Howard, and fellow producer Brian Grazer will serve as executive producers on the pilot, along with Katims.

Universal Media Studios/Imagine TV are producing the pilot for NBC.

We’re live in the new primetime! Just like Prison Break, Heroes and Gossip Girl! However, like our friends in the same timeslot, we struggle to find an audience from the start. As the numbers grow, we dive into deep discussions on Freeview, Thank God You’re Here, This Is Your Laugh, Packed to the Rafters, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, Prison Break, Gossip GIrl, How I Met Your Mother, Fringe, Dance Machine, American Gladiators, Rush and Don’t Forget The Lyrics. We also play three rounds of Mystery Voice and a challenging segment of Cameron’s Sixth Sense.

What an interesting fall it has been, with a number of good performances from The Mentalist, Smallville, Supernatural and Gossip Girl to name a few and many casualties in My Own Worst Enemy, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, Pushing Daisies, Do Not Disturb, Lipstick Jungle, The Ex-List, Easy Money, Valentine, In Harm’s Way and Til Death. Here is how I rate each show.

Winners

The Simpsons: Back for its 20th season, The Simpsons has been Fox’s Sunday night stable mate pulling in an average of ~9M viewers this season. Couple this with the highest rating Treehouse of Horror episode in five years. Simpsons is definitely a winner for Fox even though the jokes seem to be recycled over and over again.

Family Guy: Has not dropped out of the weekly top 10 in the 18-49 bracket and dominates the 18-34 demo against the likes of Desperate Housewives and NFL. Has a number of years left in it.

Desperate Housewives: Now into its fifth season, the housewives seem to never age. Viewership has diminished due to a lacklustre third season (?), nevertheless it is Sunday’s night top scripted drama in total viewers and 18-49 demo.

Chuck: Against some tough opposition, Chuck managed to remain around the 6.5M mark and over the 2 rating in key demos in the fall.

Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother: Continually defies the critics, occasionally winning the timeslot in the key demos and has slowly built an audience over the fall season.

Two and a Half Men: Veteran CBS comedy which defies logic and reaps in excess of 14M viewers every week.

CSI: Miami and CSI: NY: The two spin-offs constantly pull in the masses and in Miami’s case building on its lead in.

Gossip Girl: Season 2 has been somewhat of a break through season for the teen drama, hitting series high numbers and providing a suitable and beneficial lead in for One Tree Hill.

One Tree Hill: After falling below the 3M mark during its 3rd, 4th and 5th seasons, One Tree Hill has bounced back nicely, regularly rating in the mid to low 3M range.

House: The move to 8/7c hasn’t helped its numbers, but it is taking one for the team as Fox continue to develop Fringe. Still pulls in massive demos for the news corp. network.

The Mentalist and NCIS: Against the House and Dancing juggernauts these two dramas have performed admirably, especially The Mentalist which does particularly well for the eye in the demos.

90210: Was off to a flying start, but numbers have settled around the 3M mark. Occasionally out-rates CW’s other teen dramas in One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl.

Criminal Minds: Behind the CSI franchise, it is CBS’s best rating demographic show amongst all the crime procedurals.

30 Rock: Has been nurtured nicely and off the back of the US election and Tina Fey’s extra exposure, numbers have soared to series highs.

The Office: The peacock’s best rating show in the fall, challenges the likes of Grey’s Anatomy, House and Desperate Housewives for the 18-49 crown.

ER: In its final season and still pulling in the viewers left, right and centre. Also defeats the likes of lead in assisted shows Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour in the key demos. One of NBC’s top rating shows of the fall.

CSI: Still pulling in the masses in its ninth season, also stays competitive in the demos against the demo king Grey’s Anatomy.

Grey’s Anatomy: Numbers have died down for the once ratings juggernaut, but it is still the week’s top rating demo show.

Supernatural and Smallville: Are up year-on-year and ratings can not be better with Supernatural soaring to series highs. Well deserved winners.

On the Bubble

King of the Hill: The recently cancelled animated comedy just misses out on the winners list. Regularly winning its timeslot in the 18-34 demo and hovering around the 6-7M mark week in week out. What were the execs at Fox smoking when they swung the axe?

American Dad: My favourite animated comedy of them all, does well in the demos but poor retention out of Family Guy has it a bee’s d**k away from a winner.

Amazing Race: Has slipped significantly in the demo, sometimes even dropping below the 2 rating in the 18-34 demo.

Cold Case: Solid numbers for veteran CBS, but its demos aren’t what CBS are looking for. If not for NFL overrun, CBS would be dead last in the demos on Sundays.

Brothers and Sisters: Averages 10M every week and a 4 rating in the demos, but losing a third of a compatible lead in is not good enough. Anymore it would’ve been a loser.

Heroes: Has lost a lot of steam, in previous seasons in has dominated the demos with nothing coming close to it, but this season Two and a Half Men constantly beats it in the key demos.

Prison Break: Has been stable across the fall season and regularly clears the 2 rating in the demos.

Old Christine and Gary Unmarried: Numbers for a relatively easy timeslot are soft, but CBS haven’t had another comedy block outside of Mondays, so this deserves a little credit, only just.

Samantha Who?: Just makes it into this list, retention out of Dancing with the Stars is a paltry 50 odd percent, but nothing else has done better out of Dancing. My judgement on Samantha Who? might change when the ratings for last night are released early tomorrow morning our time.

Boston Legal: After surviving the culling last year, Boston Legal continues to out perform a number of the alphabet’s other shows even though it is in its final season.

Fringe: Still a work in progress and if it weren’t for a House lead-in would be in the trash by now. Nevertheless, does well in the demos and is Fox’s best rating drama since House itself.

Law and Order SVU: Has tumbled to series low numbers, but still a consistent performer for an otherwise struggling network.

The Biggest Loser: Constantly slides under the radar for NBC, it is one of NBC’s best performers in demos.

America’s Next Top Model: Initially numbers were soft but has built as the season progressed, with the finale pulling in 4.8M and was the night’s top rating program amongst the 18-34 demo.

Private Practice: Best of a bad bunch on a Wednesday night, numbers will improve once it proceeds its sister show, Grey’s Anatomy.

Ugly Betty: Hasn’t reached the highs of its inaugural season, but still one of ABC’s better shows.

Life on Mars and Eleventh Hour: Poor retention out of lead in, but numbers have been acceptable.

Survivor: The reality veteran continues to kick off CBS’s Thursday night with a bang.

Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs: Solid but not spectacular Friday night performers.

Everybody Hates Chris and The Game: Numbers are down on Smackdown, but approx 1.5-2M isn’t a bad effort for The CW.

Losers

The Unit: Moving it from Tuesday night to Sundays has sugar coated some flaws but retention out of Cold Case is good, however demos are a worry.

In Harm’s Way, Easy Money and Valentine: all lasted less than 6 weeks, could only muster 1M or so viewers and couldn’t even crack a point in the demo.

My Own Worst Enemy: The recently cancelled drama had a lot of potential, but numbers just didn’t stack up.

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles: Continues to bleed viewers from its series premiere, with its last airing netting less than 5M viewers. It might have a core fan base, but that is where it ends.

Privileged: Even though its one of my favourites of the new fall season, numbers have been poor out of a compatible 90210.

Eli Stone: Poor retention out of Dancing which eventually led to its cancellation.

Without A Trace: No longer appeals to the masses, but averages reasonable numbers for procedural kings CBS.

Pushing Daisies: Struggled in a relatively easy slot, with figures slipping below the 5.5M mark and 2 rating in the demo.

Dirty Sexy Money: Another sophomore drama culled due to ABC’s stupidity, however ratings were poor and cancellation was justified.

Stylista: What were The CW thinking here? Project Runway, Shear Genius to name a few.

Knight Rider: Exciting show which hasn’t caught on to the masses.

Life: Has lost its oomph factor from its freshman season and even with the shift to a more viewer friendly timeslot, numbers have been poor.

Lipstick Jungle: Numbers have headed south since its season two premiere.

Do Not Disturb and Til Death: Should have never green lit these two shows.

Deal or No Deal: Viewer fatigue has finally set in for this once stable performer.

My Name is Earl: Novelty is wearing off this once funny comedy.

Kath and Kim: Hasn’t worked out for NBC, but has the potential to be a good comedy.

Kitchen Nightmares and Hole in the Wall: Down year-on-year in that timeslot.

The Ex-List, Crusoe, Are you Smarter than a 5th Grader and Don’t Forget the Lyrics: Crusoe and Ex-List both couldn’t crack it on Friday, averaging ordinary numbers. The shift to Fridays for 5th Grader and Lyrics hasn’t worked out with both pulling less than its Thursday numbers.

Worst Week: Poor retention out of Two and a Half Men.

The silly season is almost here and it’s the time of the year where networks air shows which have failed during the official ratings period. Here is a list for each network (If I have left out your favourite show, just leave me a comment).

Note: I have only included new content and excluded factual shows.

Nine

ER: returns Wednesday 3rd December 9:30pm
Fringe: returns Monday 1st December 9:30pm
Gossip Girl – Season 1: premieres Wednesday 3rd December 10:30pm
McLeod’s Daughters: returns Saturday 6th December 8:30pm
Monster House: returns Friday 5th December 10:45pm
Pushing Daisies: Some time during the summer
Survivor – Micronesia: continues Monday 1st December 9:30pm and Tuesday 2nd December 10:35pm
Temptation: 7pm Weeknights
The Big Bang Theory: Sunday and Monday 30th November and 1st December 8:00pm
The Closer: returns Thursday 4th December 9:30pm
The Hills: Premieres on Saturday, December 6 at 12.30pm
Wife Swap USA: Saturday 6th December 7:30pm

SBS

Carla Cametti PD (New Aussie Drama): starts Thursday 8 January at 8:30pm
Food Safari: begins Wednesday 3rd December 8:30pm
Inspector Rex – Rex in Rome: starts Thursday 4 December at 7:35pm
Iron Chef: series returns Saturday 14 February at 8:30pm.
Long Way Down (Documentary Series): begins Wednesday 3rd December 8:30pm
Mad Men: late summer 2009
Top Gear Season 11: begins Monday 24th November 7:30pm
Wall Street Warriors (Documentary Series): begins Friday 5th December 7:30pm

Seven

24: Redemption: premieres Friday December 5th 9:30pm
Dance Machine: premieres Saturday December 6th 7:30pm
Dirty Sexy Money: begins Tuesday December 2nd 9:30pm
Eli Stone: premieres Tuesday December 2nd 8:30pm and continues on Thursday
Heroes: continues Thursday December 4th 10:30pm
Holby Blue: premieres Sunday November 30th 8:30pm
Kath & Kim (US): returns Monday December 1st 11:00pm
Las Vegas: returns Wednesday December 3rd 8:30pm
Prison Break: returns Tuesday December 2nd 10:30pm and continues on Wednesday
Scrubs: continues Monday December 1st 10:30pm
The Amazing Race: continues Thursday December 4th 9:30pm
The Unit: continues Wednesday December 3rd 9:30pm
Ugly Betty: returns Tuesday December 2nd 7:30pm and continues on Thursday

Ten

90210: returns Sunday 30th November 7:30pm Monday 24th November 7:30pm
America’s Next Top Model – Season 8: premieres Sunday 30th November 6:30pm
Army Wives – Season 1: premieres Monday 1st December 8:30pm
Don’t Forget The Lyrics - Season 2 episode 15: begins Wednesday 3rd December 7:30pm
How to Look Good Naked – Season 2: begins Wednesday 4th December 7:30pm
In Plain Sight - Season 1: premieres Tuesday 9th December 9:30pm
Out of the Blue: continues Weeknights 10:30pm
The Bold & The Beautiful: continues Weeknights 6:00pm
The Daily Show With Jon Stewart: continues Sunday 30th November 10:40pm
The Ex-List: premieres Monday 1st December 9:30pm
The Office – Season 3 episode 20: continues Sunday 30th November 10:30pm

Entertainment Weekly’s TV scooper, Michael Ausiello, is reporting some pretty depressing news this morning.

Three of ABC Studios struggling dramedies (Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money and Eli Stone) have been given the axe. While the network isn’t commenting, ABC insiders have said that “no additional episodes have been ordered — effectively cancelling all three series”.

The one positive in this giant bag of hurt, is that the network are still dedicated to finishing production on all 13 episode orders and broadcasting them throughout the remainder of the season.

Has Sanity finally prevailed over at the ABC? An unconfirmed leak of their mid-season schedule suggests so. This will see the shuffling of numerous shows including Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice, which is tipped to follow it’s original in the mid-season, and freshman drama, Life on Mars proceeding Lost at 10pm on Wednesdays.

The rumour mill also suggests ABC Studios are planning to have multi episode crossover story lines for Grey’s and Private, during the February sweeps.

The new schedule also sees the return of the final season of Scrubs and the debut of America’s spin-off of Border Security.

Also Dirty Sexy Money fans should still have some faith as according to a couple of sources, it might be given a full season.

What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them, in my opinion it looks like a strong line up except for Mondays and Tuesdays, where anything can happen.

Entire Schedule after the break:

Mondays
8:00/7:00c – The Bachelor (New Season)
9:30/8:30c – Samantha Who?
10:00/9:00c – True Beauty (New Series)

Tuesdays
8:00/7:00c – Border Security USA (New Series)
9:00/8:00c – According to Jim (New Season)
9:30/8:30c – According to Jim (New Season)
10:00/9:00c – Eli Stone

Wednesdays
8:00/7:00c – Scrubs (New Season)
8:30/7:30c – Scrubs (New Season)
9:00/8:00c – Lost (New Season)
10:00/9:00c – Life on Mars (New Time Slot)

Thursdays
8:00/7:00c – Ugly Betty
9:00/8:00c – Grey’s Anatomy
10:00/9:00c – Private Practice (New Time Slot)

Fridays
8:00/7:00c – Wife Swap
9:00/8:00c – Here Come the Newlyweds (New Season)
10:00/9:00c – 20/20

Saturdays
8:00/7:00c – Saturday Night Movie

Sundays
7:00/6:00c – America’s Funniest Home Videos
8:00/7:00c – Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
9:00/8:00c – Desperate Housewives
10:00/9:00c – Brothers & Sisters

During the spring, newcomers Better Off Ted, Castle, Cupid, The Goode Family and The Unusuals are due to premiere.

Again, keep in mind this is pure speculation and hasn’t been confirmed. An announcement is due tomorrow morning American time and in a few hours for us down under.

Sources: Hollywood Reporter and The Futon Critic

Lost Airdate

America’s worst kept secret has been revealed! ABC is set to premiere season five of Lost on January 21st at 8pm. It will begin with a one hour recap episode followed by a two hour premiere at 9pm – its permanent timeslot from there on in. Also, as a result of last year’s writer’s strike, there will be 17 episodes for its penultimate season.

This move is probably the start of a major shake up in ABC’s midseason schedule. It also leaves a number of shows in limbo including Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money, with the former being renewed a few weeks ago.

Life Is Full Of Life

Things just got a lot more interesting over at NBC. Despite low ratings, cop-drama Life has been given a back nine episode order. “This unique crime drama continues to offer consistent and compelling stories each week,” said Teri Weinberg, executive vice president, NBC Entertainment. “We love Life and are thrilled that we get to see more of these characters and amazing new cases.”

This comes as a surprise as a few weeks ago Universal Media Studios rejected NBC’s order for more episodes.

Also, has anyone else been watching season 2 of Life? Even though I’m still enjoying it, do you agree it has lost a lot of its serialized nature?

Source: Hollywood Reporter

Lawrence Is Privileged

Michael Ausiello reports, Sharon Lawrence will be joining the cast of The CW’s freshman series Privileged. Lawrence will play Shelby, Megan (Joanna Garcia) and Lily’s (Kristina Apgar) ‘deadbeat’ mum. After abandoning her children for 15 years, Shelby returns with a personal agenda and according to sources she will be brash and larger-than-life.

As it stands, Lawrence will be appearing in two episodes (the first of which airs in January). But if she impresses the executives, we might see a bit more of her.

Last night Privileged could not quite muster respectable numbers, nevertheless it did improve on last week’s episode with 2.16M, 1.1/3 A18-49 and 1.4/4 A18-34, it slumped further in finals with 1.916M, 0.9/2 A18-49 and 1.2/3 A18-34.

Please The CW, give this gem of a show a full season.

Schnieder Gets Dirty

Meanwhile, John Schneider (The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Dukes of Hazzard) might have scored himself another gig. Apparently, he has signed on for three episodes of ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money. He’ll play a congressman who screws over Simon Elder at the request of a blackmailin’ Tripp.

Also, the producers of Dirty Sexy Money are on the look out for an actress to play Schneider’s upscale trophy wife.

Source: EW

With only weeks until new episodes of ABC’s hottest shows begin, we thought we’d take this opportunity to recap on all you favourites so that you’re all caught up for the new season.  What better way to recap than to point you in the direction of ABC’s starter kits. If you have a US iTunes account you can download some of these great little recaps in HD to your computer, iPod or to AppleTV. Otherwise, click more to start your revisions.

Brothers and Sisters

Ugly Betty

Desperate Housewives

Grey’s Anatomy

Private Practice

Eli Stone

Samantha Who?

Dirty Sexy Money

Pushing Daisies

Here is quick list of season and series premieres to get you started.  Let us know of any other premiere dates in the comments.

Hit more to see the list.

All dates are local time.

24th August

• Australian Idol – TEN

2nd September

• Prison Break –  FOX
• Gossip Girl – CW
• One Tree Hill – CW

19th September

• Smallville – CW
• Supernatural – CW

23rd September

• How I Met Your Mother – CBS
• The Big Bang Theory – CBS
• Boston Legal – ABC

25th September

• Lipstick Jungle – NBC
• Criminal Minds – CBS
• Knight Rider – NBC
• The New Adventures of Old Christine – CBS

26th September

• Ugly Betty – ABC
• Grey’s Anatomy – ABC
• The Office – NBC

29th September

• Desperate Housewives -ABC

30th September

• The Amazing Race – CBS
• Chuck – NBC

2nd October

• Private Practice – ABC
• Pushing Daisies – ABC
• Dirty Sexy Money – ABC

4th October

• Ghost Whisperer

7th October

• Samantha Who? – ABC

11th October

• Kath & Kim  - NBC

15th October

• Eli Stone – ABC

31st October

• 30 Rock – NBC