SueTube – Let’s talk TV with critic Susan Young

Even though we don’t get the season finale of “Lost” until tomorrow night, the TV season is pretty much over and out.

We know who gets off the island, and who doesn’t. Which sets up the final stretch of ABC’s “Lost” in the two-hour season finale on Thursday. The Oceanic Six, who get off the island, includes YUNJIN KIM, EVANGELINE LILLY, NAVEEN ANDREWS and baby Aaron. Also escaping are MATTHEW FOX, JORGE GARCIA (not show). Photo: ABC/MARIO PEREZ

It’s been a rocky one, with the WGA strike stalling new programs and perhaps allowing some on-the-bubble shows to survive. This fall seems like a rehash of last season, with most new fall shows getting a do-over.

Here’s a look at how the shows stacked up this season.

(000) RTG

—– —— —— ——

1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY 19 28800 10.1

2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY 18 27810 9.7

3 DANCING W/THE STARS-MON 10 21670 7.6

4 DANCING WITH THE STARS 10 19630 6.9

5 DANCING W/STARS RESULT-TU 9 19560 6.8

6 DANCING W/STARS RESULTS 9 18090 6.3

7 HOUSE 16 17640 6.2

8 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES 18 17520 6.1

9 CSI 32 16620 5.8

10 GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PM 22 15920 5.6

11 NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL 13 15480 5.4

12 SURVIVOR: CHINA 11 15180 5.3

13 MOMENT OF TRUTH 9 14660 5.1

14 NCIS 32 14410 5.0

15 HOUSE-MON 9P 5 14380 5.0
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Nobody puts Cristina Yang in the corner – at least not for very long.

Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) finally gets her surgical groove back, with the help of Sparkle Pager, on the season finale of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.”

“I’m happy we’re wrapping up the relationship with Erica Hahn,” says Sandra Oh. “I know the fans were frustrated with the way Cristina was, but I think they’ll be fine with the way everything works out.”

I knew I wasn’t the only one who was disappointed in the early stages this season on “Grey’s Anatomy.” . Cristina’s depression after getting dumped at the altar by her prince-not-so-charming-after-all was hard enough, but to watch her flush that strong sense of who she was right down the tube was physically painful.

Preston Burke scooted out of that relationship like a wilting weasel, leaving Cristina to pick up the pieces.

We all know why, of course.

Actor Isaiah Washington had opted to write his own script when it came to relationships with cast members like T.R. Knight. Washington’s inflammatory remarks about sexual orientation were completely out of line.

But why should Sandra Oh pay the price? Last season, she did a mesmerizing job of showcasing Cristina in a life-changing evolution as she allowed herself to find love and vulnerability. She should have won the Emmy for it.

This season was difficult for everyone because of the WGA strike, but the whole storyline of how Christina became Hahn’s whipping girl was soul sucking.

Which brings us to this season’s finale “Freedom.”

Thankfully, we got at least five new episodes to tide us over until the fall and I like the direction.

Well, most of it anyway.

I’m not sure about the instant lesbian situation between Hahn and Callie, which took on an entirely too creepy tone when the writers chose to have horn dog Mark Sloan turn into a matchmaker between the two.

But having George retake the exam so he can move on with his career was a nice touch. Time to show why George may just be the best doc of the bunch.

And it was high time Meredith moved on towards being an adult. The final moments in the two-hour season ender when she vents a bit towards Derek before the two get swept up in the legendary romance was delicious.

But no good can come of the final moment when Derek decides he has to clear the air with Rose before he and Meredith can begin their new life together. Death, destruction and ooh-so-many-bad vibes on that one.

Bring it on.

It’s true. As producer Shawn Ryan predicted, CBS took it’s own sweet time deciding on picking up the show, but “The Unit” will be back on board at 10 p.m. Sundays this fall.

Max Martini, Dennis Haysbert, and Scott Foley star in “The Unit” on CBS. Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS ©2007 Broadcasting Inc.

Sadly, both “Shark” and “Moonlight” didn’t make the final cut.

Vampire Mick had a brief time in the sun before CBS canceled “Moonlight.” Mick (Alex O’Loughlin) enjoys what time he has left as a human with Beth (Sophia Myles), on “Moonlight” at 9 p.m. Friday April 25 on CBS. Photo: Adam Taylor/CBS

Forgive me, but a flare-up of the herniated disk in my neck means I’m poaching liberally from the CBS press release. So here goes:

CBS announced today its 2008-2009 Fall Primetime Lineup, featuring five new series — two comedies and three dramas — and the launch of a new comedy block on Wednesdays.

The new series include:

ELEVENTH HOUR, a dramatic thriller from producer Jerry Bruckheimer about a special advisor to the government who investigates scientific crises and oddities.

THE MENTALIST, starring Simon Baker as a former celebrity psychic-turned- detective who uses his gifted skills of observation and expertise at “reading” people to solve crimes

THE EX LIST, a sexy comedic drama about a 30-something woman who searches her past relationships to find her future husband

PROJECT GARY, a comedy starring Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall as dueling ex-spouses and parents trying to move forward with new relationships

WORST WEEK a comedy based on a British series about a good guy who is always trying to do the right thing, yet something always goes wrong — especially when he’s around his girlfriend’s parents.

The freshman series will join 18 returning programs on the current CBS lineup.

CBS will return network television’s Number One drama franchise — CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION; CSI: MIAMI, CSI: NY — the Number One comedy, TWO AND A HALF MEN; the Number One news magazine, 60 MINUTES; and two franchise reality series —SURVIVOR and the five-time Emmy Award-winning THE AMAZING RACE.

Also returning are: THE BIG BANG THEORY, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, NCIS, WITHOUT A TRACE, THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE, CRIMINAL MINDS, GHOST WHISPERER, NUMB3RS, COLD CASE, THE UNIT, 48 HOURS MYSTERY and CRIMETIME SATURDAY.
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Both “Psych” and “Monk” were taken off the NBC schedule, and no wonder with their rankings down in the 70s.

And “Lost” tying with “60 Minutes” ? What’s up with that?

American Idol still hogs the top two slots even though we all know it is going to come down to the Davids – Archuleta and Cook. I’m putting my money on David Cross, who deserves the win just for his unique style.

Speaking of unique style, Paula Abdul melted down last week, talking about Jason Castro’s second performance, when he had only performed once that night.

Paula Abdul’s gaffe during last week’s “American Idol” on Fox.
Oh, Paula.

Check out where your favorite shows ranks on the Primetime Nielsen ratings for the week of April 28-May 4.

1 AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY 25090 8.8

2 AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY 22800 8.0

3 DANCING WITH THE STARS 18220 6.4

4 CSI 18010 6.3

5 DANCING W/STARS RESULTS 17060 6.0

6 DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES 16760 5.9

7 GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PM 15310 5.3

8 NCIS 14760 5.2

9 HOUSE-MON 9P 14640 5.1

10 CSI: MIAMI 13880 4.8
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