Channel surfing: Winners and losers of '04-'05 season
By LAURA NACHMAN
phillyBurbs.com

Here are some observations as the 2004-2005 television season ends Wednesday.

The doctor is in: "House" and "Grey's Anatomy" are new medical series hits. "Dr. Phil" is branching out with successful primetime specials (loved that Pat O'Brien interrogation!)

Rookie sensations: "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost"

Freshman flops: "Clubhouse," "LAX," "Hawaii"

CS-I can't get away from these shows: All three CSIs will be back next year on CBS.

The Seinfeld curse continues: Jason Alexander's "Listen Up" gets the ax. Add it to the list of canceled shows from the "Seinfeld" crew - Alexander's "Bob Patterson," Julia Louis-Dreyfus' "Watching Ellie," and the self-titled "The Michael Richards Show."

Can't get Arrested: Despite critical praise, "Arrested Development" couldn't develop a regular audience, but was given another chance by Fox for next year.

Idol worship: Despite "Paula-tics" and the usual contestant rap sheets, "American Idol" shows no signs of slowing down in season four.

Goodbye: "Everybody Loves Raymond," "NYPD Blue"

Network anchor woes: NBC's Tom Brokaw retired at the end of 2004, CBS's Dan Rather was forced to retire a year early over "Memogate," and ABC's Peter Jennings was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Best show you probably didn't watch: "Veronica Mars" on UPN. Try it next year. I'll consider it a personal favor.

Most overrated series: "Alias," plus star Jennifer Garner's engagement to Ben Affleck doesn't help.

The eyes don't have it: "Blind Justice" and "Eyes" were canceled by ABC. Maybe they would've worked better on the "eye network," CBS.

Good news for Philly: Philadelphia-set "Cold Case" will return for a third season by CBS. Buck County's Anthony Fedorov made it to the final four of "American Idol." Lower Merion's "Mercedes" made it to the final three of "The Starlet." Archbishop Carroll graduate Tana Goertz was the runner-up for "The Apprentice." Upper Darby's Tina Fey continues to flourish on "Saturday Night Live."

Bad news for Philly: Philadelphia-set "American Dreams" won't return to NBC after two seasons. Pat Croce's "Moving In" didn't make it to season two.

Notes

Bucks County Community College student Laura Fiocco, 24, won the first week's edition of "Gimme the Mike" on UPN 57. The Croydon resident will compete in the finale June 26.

WPHL will air the "2005 Willow Grove Air Fest" live Saturday from noon- 4 p.m. from the Naval air Station Joint Reserve Base. Your "flight crew" is Steve Highsmith, Scott Engler, Mary Stoker Smith and Tim Furlong.

Fox's "Nanny 911" is accepting applications for next season. Send your story to billywonka@aol.com or twinsworld1@aol.com.

Reach Laura Nachman at lauranachman@verizon.net.


May 24, 2005 9:49 AM