SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

“Scrubs” fans get an early holiday present Thursday when the series returns for what is rumored to be the final season.
The whimsical hospital comedy was scheduled to return in early 2007, but NBC has decided to spring its new lineup early. “Scrubs” airs at 9 tonight, followed by “30 Rock” and “ER.” The night begins, as always, with “My Name is Earl” and “The Office.”
So why do we love “Scrubs” so much?

1. You almost always get a lively musical number. Check out the ode to Justin Timberlake.

2. Fantasy excursions like JD’s onstage hijinks with the Blue Man Group. OK, it was slightly ripping off “Arrested Development,’’ but I still liked it.

3. Broship between JD and Turk so close that they were called an adorable interracial gay couple by a character early in the show’s run.

4. While some TV writers like to say they never watch the tube, creator Bill Lawrence is a TV fanatic. We love that “Scrubs” has lines like Turk telling J.D. “Season 5, Episode 3, Marcia gets creamed. Don’t ever question me on the Bunch.”

5. And the producers never play down to the fans. As a little fan perk, you can call Turk’s cell phone number (1-916-CALLTURK, and yes we know you don’t have to put the K in, but it’s easier to remember and the phone doesn’t care). One of the show’s characters answers with a message, but since the phone is placed on the set, sometimes the cast or crew will pick up and chat with the caller.

It’s been a long time since we last saw the docs, so it might be good to brush up on a few pregnant facts.
After a one-night stand with another doctor (Elizabeth Banks), JD (Zach Braff) discovers he’s about to be a daddy. Meanwhile Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) gets a wake-up call about his anger issues as he readies himself for baby number two, while dealing with his precocious toddler Jack, and Turk (Donald Faison) and Carla (Judy Reyes) prepare for their little bundle of trouble.
In tonight’s stellar episode, JD, Cox and the Janitor (Neil Flynn) all the doctors begin to see a little bit of themselves in the patients.

Being Polite Sucks Sometimes – Godwin Cho

Erwin and Godwin Cho arrived last on the mat tonight, ending their “Amazing Race.”

The Bay Area brothers might have won the race if they hadn’t put other players first. But then, that just wouldn’t have been the Cho boys. The two helped out other teams – and it probably cost them the race.

Just goes to show that winners don’t always come in first place.

The Chos played honorably and even managed to overcome their fear of heights. Let’s just say that I sure wouldn’t have gone face-first down that huge tower.

Here’s to the Chos, who won their own race and did it their way.

After months of speculation on where in the world is Leslie Griffith, this press release was sent out this morning:

Leslie Griffith, co-anchor of the KTVU Channel 2 News at 5 and The Ten o’Clock News on KTVU Channel 2 News announced today that she is stepping down from her anchor and reporting position.

“It’s been an extremely exciting and rewarding experience. But as many people can appreciate, my duties have been all-encompassing,” said Griffith. “After many successful years in the profession and at KTVU as an anchor and a reporter, I want the opportunity to continue growing and reaching out for as much knowledge as I can in this life” added Griffith.

“Leslie is one of the most talented and kind people I have known. Her generosity is evidenced by her willingness to consistently contribute her time and energy to improving the lives of others, despite the demands of the profession,” said Tim McVay, Vice President and General Manager of KTVU Channel 2. “The quantity and quality of the awards and recognitions Leslie has received over the years is a testament to the caliber of her work. I am certain Bay Area viewers and all of us at KTVU will miss her very much. We all wish her the very best with her future endeavors,” said McVay.

In looking toward the future, Griffith says “I always thought I would have several careers during my life. I’m excited to pursue other interests that will enhance my life.”

Ms. Griffith has been with KTVU Channel 2 News for 20 years and has been honored with a number of awards, including nine Emmy Awards, seven Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) Awards, two Edward R. Murrow awards, and five Telly Awards. In 2005, she received the Genesis Award given out by The Humane Society of the United States which honored her for her behind the scenes expose’ of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Griffith has also won the 2005 Associated Press Television-Radio Association of California and Nevada Award as the top news anchor in a local market. She also is the winner of the prestigious Casey Award — given to individuals who have helped stop the exploitation of children.

Ms. Griffith has many memories from her KTVU career, including her travels to Moscow during the cold war and in Romania with children released from orphanages after Nikolai Ceausescu’s assassination. Both series earned Ms. Griffith Emmy Awards from the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Ms. Griffith also had high profile live reports from the Los Angeles riots after the Rodney King verdict, for which she received an Emmy award.

Griffith’s charitable work is also well known in the Bay Area. Each year Griffith puts a disadvantaged young woman through college. In November 2003, the California Assembly honored Griffith with an award for her years of work with charitable organizations. On the same day, Concord city officials announced that they had designated November 13th as Leslie Griffith day.

Griffith is quick to share credit for her success. “I would like to say any success I had in my broadcasting career was a direct result of the hearts and minds and determination of those around me. I learned from the best and will always be proud of that.”

It was supposed to be a crazy ender, a tantalizing episode that would blow the roof off what we know about “Lost” and propel us into a new exciting season picking up next February.

Did anyone else feel the need to stifle a yawn?

Yes, it was interesting that Kate was married to the “Serenity” captain – Nathan Fillion – and that he was a Florida cop. She went by the name of Monica and, when she realized she was still a gal on the lam, she drugged him and ran away with their honeymoon Oceanic Airlines tickets.

She’s bounced back from that heartache, however. We know this because Sawyer and Kate consummate their relationship on this mini-season ender.

Sadly, Jack had to see the post-nookie snuggle on a bank of monitors.

Yet Jack grew a set of huevos this episode to buy freedom for Kate and Sawyer. Or at least, that’s what he thinks he’s buying when he barters Henry Gale/Ben Linus’ life on the operating table.

We don’t know what we’re buying yet. But we do know that the “Lost” replacement “Day Break” just doesn’t cut it. “Criminal Minds” has always been a great show. Now, it might be my replacement show.

When “Lost” returns in February, the producers better amp up the action.

But in the meantime, here’s a few moments from last night’s “Lost.”

So my pal Jodie asked me this morning how she could find out where to buy Susan’s scrumptious little black dress from last night’s “Desperate Housewives.”

Turns out ABC has a great Web site where you can purchase not only featured clothes from the show, but also furnishing, paint and what-have-you.

And it’s not just “D.H.”

There’s a place on the site for almost every ABC series that allows you to dress, or decorate, like you were fresh off Wisteria Lane or hanging out at Seattle Grace.

Just go to the ABC store Web site pick out the Indigo clogs Lynnette wore to the store ($84.95, free shipping), or the Primp Bunny thermals Betty wore on “Ugly Betty,” (on sale! $54.99) or Meredith’s Theory Ivy Button Down Shirt from “Grey’s Anatomy” ($100).

Or you can see what Benjamin Moore paint color Susan uses. Or Bree’s Gloveables Pink Gingham Dish Gloves ($13.95).

It’s just all too much fun.

So we finally know for sure what the “monster” looks like: a big, angry black cloud.

What’s up with that?

We first spied the beast in Season 1, but it looked more like a shadow of something than a real something. Then, last season, there was the chilling encounter between Mr. Eko and the cloud when they came nose-to-nose.

But the cloud decided to attack tonight, just like it did when it killed the pilot in Season 1, snuffing out Mr. Eko. Eko whispered to Locke in his dying breath that Locke and the others were next.

(By the way, remember all the references to “black smoke” and its danger from Rousseau.)

Oh, and there was spooky eye-patch guy on the monitor in the Pearl hatch, who seemed to be peering back at the castaways.

But is all this enough to keep up the waning interest in “Lost”? Certainly, ABC must be regretting the decision to put in this “miniseries” instead of going full-bore through the month of November. “Lost” has been steadily bleeding viewers — viewers who apparently have moved over to CBS’ sophomore series “Criminal Minds.”
Next week is the final episode before “Lost” returns in February. In its place is the mind-numbing “Day Break.”