This week's TV Movies

SERIES

Legend of the Seeker: The fantasy-adventure series returns for a new season (1 p.m. WGN A).

Robin Hood: Robin (Jonas Armstrong) asks why Isabella (Lara Pulver) has made a pact with Prince John to become the new sheriff of Nottingham (6 and 9 p.m. BBC America).

Mercy: Having just announced to her family that she is trying to have a baby, Veronica (Taylor Schilling) tries to save a pregnant woman in the aftermath of a car wreck (8 p.m. NBC).

Austin City Limits: Elvis Costello performs songs from "Secret, Profane and Sugarcane" and the Band of Heathens performs (11 p.m. KLCS).

Saturday Night Live: Taylor Swift hosts and performs (11:29 p.m. NBC).

On the Rocks: Eight mixologists compete for the chance to be named America's Top Bartender in this new short-run unscripted series (1 a.m. NBC).

SPECIALS

Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall: Marking 2009's 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, this new special reveals how a line of railway cars and barbed wire evolved into a fortified symbol of the Cold War (10 p.m. History).

MOVIES

Take the Money and Run: Woody Allen not only wrote, directed and starred in this 1969 comedy, playing a hapless criminal who can't seem to buy a break . . . or steal one. With Janet Margolin (5 p.m. TCM).

Drumline: Nick Cannon stars in this 2002 drama as a gifted drummer who must overcome self-doubts to help the rest of his musical team succeed. Orlando Jones, Zoe Saldana and Leonard Roberts also star (8 p.m. VH1).

Frost/Nixon: Skillfully directed by Ron Howard, Peter Morgan's adaptation of his own play stars Frank Langella as former President Richard Nixon as the ex-chief executive prepares to be interviewed by David Frost (Michael Sheen) about the Watergate scandal. Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt and Toby Jones also star in this 2008 historical drama (10 p.m. Cinemax).

SPORTS

English Premier League Soccer: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Sunderland (Live) (6:54 a.m. ESPN2).

College football: South Carolina at Arkansas (9 a.m. KDOC); Northwestern at Iowa (9 a.m. ESPN); Central Florida at Texas (9 a.m. FSN); Kansas at Kansas State (9:30 a.m. VS); Navy at Notre Dame (11:30 a.m. NBC); LSU at Alabama (12:30 p.m. CBS); Ohio State at Penn State (12:30 p.m. ABC); Ohio State at Penn State or Wake Forest at Georgia Tech (12:30 p.m. ESPN2); Oregon at Stanford (12:30 p.m. FSN); Washington at UCLA (12:30 p.m. FS Prime); Texas Christian at San Diego State (1 p.m. VS); Oregon State at California (4 p.m. FSN); Vanderbilt at Florida (4:15 p.m. ESPN2); Florida State at Clemson (4:45 p.m. ESPN); USC at Arizona State (5 p.m. ABC).

Horse racing: Breeders' Cup Championship (10:30 a.m. ABC; 12:30 p.m. ESPN).

NBA basketball: The Charlotte Bobcats visit the Chicago Bulls (5 p.m. WGN A); the Memphis Grizzlies visit the Clippers (7:30 p.m. FS Prime).

Hockey: The Phoenix Coyotes visit the Ducks (7 p.m. KDOC).

This week's TV Movies

Good Morning America (N) 7 a.m. KABC

The Situation Room With Wolf Blitzer Ft. Hood shootings: Sig Christenson, San Antonio Express-News. GOP election victories: David Axelrod, senior White House advisor. GOP election victories: Gloria Borger; Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. The death of Pat Tillman: author Jon Krakauer ("Where Men Win Glory"). Swine flu vaccine shortages: Dr. Thomas Frieden, CDC. (N) 3 p.m. CNN

McLaughlin Group (N) 5:30 p.m. KCET

SUNDAY

Today Travel websites. (N) 6 a.m. KNBC

Good Morning America (N) 6 a.m. KABC

State of the Union With John King The economy; the GOP; healthcare: Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-Va.). The economy; the GOP; healthcare: Republican pollster Bill McInturff; Democratic pollster Peter Hart.(N) 6 a.m. CNN

CBS News Sunday Morning Author Neil Gaiman; Patricia Clarkson. (N) 7 a.m. KCBS

Reliable Sources 2009 elections; healthcare vote: Joe Klein, Time magazine; Beth Fouhy, the Associated Press. Google's effect on media: Author Ken Auletta ("Googled"). (N) 7 a.m. CNN

The Chris Matthews Show Election fallout; GOP leadership: Andrew Sullivan, the Atlantic; Savannah Guthrie, NBC; John Heilemann, New York Magazine; Kathleen Parker, the Washington Post. (N) 7:30 a.m. KNBC

Meet the Press 2009 election: Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) and Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D-Pa.). Panel: David Brooks; E.J. Dionne; Rachel Maddow; Mike Murphy. (N) 8 a.m. KNBC

This Week With George Stephanopoulos The economy; 2009 elections: Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine; Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele. Panel: Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile; Republican pollster Frank Luntz; Sam Donaldson; Cokie Roberts; George Will. (N) 8 a.m. KABC

State of the Union With John King Mikhail Gorbachev, former president of the Soviet Union. Republican strategist Mary Matalin; Democratic strategist James Carville. 8 p.m. (N) CNN

Face the Nation The Ft. Hood shootings; the 2009 elections: Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.); Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.); Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.); political consultant Ed Rollins; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.); Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.). (N) 8:30 a.m. KCBS

Fareed Zakaria GPS President Obama's agenda: Walter Isaacson, the Aspen Institute: Author Robert Caro, ("The Years of Lyndon Johnson"); Peggy Noonan, the Wall Street Journal; author Nell Irvin Painter ("Creating Black Americans"). Afghanistan; Pakistan; terrorism: Pervez Musharraf, former president of Pakistan. (N) 10 a.m. CNN

Fox News Sunday With Chris Wallace Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R-Va.); Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.); former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair. Ft. Hood shootings: Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.). Panel: Brit Hume; Mara Liasson; William Kristol; Kirsten Powers. (N) 2 p.m. KTTV

60 Minutes Hackers threaten national security; Andre Agassi. (N) 7 p.m. KCBS

It's sort of a shocker considering that Season 2 of "The Rachel Zoe Project" ended on an up note: After assisting (and warring with) Rachel for four years, Taylor scored a promotion, a new gig overseeing some aspects of her boss' merchandise line.

But something must have happened after that finale and news hit today that Taylor had e-mailed her industry colleagues the following:

“After four amazing years at Rachel Zoe Corporation, I’m saddened and exhilarated at the same time to announce my departure. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to take the challenging leap to go off and style on my own.” 

An insider said the parting was amicable, and Zoe's spokeswoman Carrie Gordon issued Show Tracker the following statement, “Taylor Jacobson is no longer with Rachel Zoe, Inc.”

What does this mean for the show? It's hard to imagine any drama between Brad and Rachel without Taylor in the mix.

A rep for Bravo had no comment and said no decision has been made about bringing "Rachel Zoe" back for a third season.

[Update 3:04 p.m: Jacobson just posted the following to her Twitter account: “Today is an end of an era and a beginning of a new professional chapter. Looking forward to what the future brings…!!!"]

I die! (And not in the good Rachel Zoe way!)

— Denise Martin

Photo: Taylor Jacobson and Brad Goreski. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

"The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty," a six-hour reality series that will focus on the surviving members of the Jackson 5 as they prepare for a reunion concert while coming to terms with the death of their brother Michael Jackson, will premiere Dec. 13 on A&E at 9 p.m.

The series, which will also show the brothers recording a new vocal for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" soundtrack and attending the premiere of the concert movie, will debut with two one-hour episodes before moving on Dec. 20 to its regularly scheduled time of Sundays at 10 p.m.

-- Greg Braxton

Photo: From left, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon at rehearsal for their reunion tour. Credit: Point 7 Entertainment

This week's TV Movies

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

"Warren Buffett and Bill Gates: Keeping America Great" features this two-man billionaire boys club in conversation with each other and with students at New York's prestigious Columbia Business School. (CNBC, 6 and 9 p.m.)

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Pam's discovery of Michael's relationship with her mom, Helene, in "The Lover" led to a glimpse of loud and irrational Pam with Michael as a voice of reason. In this episode, Pam’s uneasiness about the relationship still came through but it softened as she witnessed Michael’s affection toward her mom on her birthday.

Jim and Pam join Michael and Helene on a birthday double date (and we learn Pam regrets not making use of her whistle exit strategy). It’s in this restaurant setting that Michael the human — rather than Michael the buffoon — is explored. He has an extravagant table of balloons and decorations set up for Helene (which he makes sure to note was all his doing, of course). And he’s put together a scrapbook of their memories — he even wrote a poem! A poem! One that would make any girl swoon: “I cannot go to school today, said little Peggy Ann McKay / I have the measles and the mumps; a gash, a rash, and purple bumps / and my teacher's really mean; Happy Birthday, I love you, Helene.” Sweet, yes. And, sure, when he discovers her actual age, it’s hard not to expect Michael’s decision to dump her would be superficial. But it’s not. Michael's choice to break things off with Helene on her birthday, though horribly timed, is based on justifiable, well-articulated reasons, especially when you consider that he is … Michael Scott.

Pam's desire to punch Michael in front of the whole staff once they got back to the office — and the staff's voyeuristic desire to see her do it — seemed forced more than funny. Maybe Oscar said it best: There was really only one outcome (Pam hits Michael).

Dwight and Andy's storyline (those are becoming the norm) of out-favoring each other, got repetitive after a while. Dwight is trying to do everyone in the office a favor so in turn they will owe him a favor. It’s his attempt to overthrow Jim (of course). But Andy can’t let him have the last word, so he keeps one-upping Dwight’s offerings. There was no payoff to Dwight’s bright idea. Just variations on the same played-out joke. The butt-clenching fitness tip was funny … but not enough.

Here’s a sampling of notable lines/moments:

• Pam’s mom tells the staffers the story of how Michael presented his birthday gift to her; but Michael stops her, saying, “The rest of the story has been censored due to inappropriacity.” Classic.
• Michael’s shares when age isn’t just a number: "The only time you should care about a woman's age is if she is too young for you and I am not robbing the cradle. If anything I am robbing the grave."
• Thought oysters were the only aphrodisiac? Leave it to Dwight to reveal a far more disgusting alternative: deer penis.
• Meredith and her detective skills. The toilet seat touching method? The folks over on CSI have nothing on her.
• Toby’s offering of punch-throwing lessons for Pam. Has he been practicing?
• Michael’s fear of the unknown: "Am I scared of getting hit in the face? No … I'm scared I'm gonna love it."
• Michael’s vivid imagination: "As I watched Pam's big strong hand coming across my face, I saw my entire life flash before my eyes. And guess what? I have four kids. And I have a hover car and a hover house and my wife is a runner and it shows. And Pam and Jim are my best friends and our kids play together. And I'm happy and I'm rich and I never die. And it doesn't sound like much, but it's enough for me."

What did you think of last night’s episode? What’s been your favorite episode of the season?

-- Yvonne Villarreal

We learned that NeNe is reviewing scripts and chatting it up with Oprah's bestie, Gayle King? Is a cover of O magazine in the works? Demi and Ashton are fans (further proof that stars are just like us!); Kim denied being a stripper, insisting she was simply a waitress at the Cheetah and got good tips. And, let us not forget, fashion divo Dwight, it was revealed, has had a penile implant. Wow. TMI. Moving on, as Kim would say...

Just as last week, Kim's quick attempt to keep clear of controversy made the reunion frustrating. Does she really think Sheree was trying to "shift her wig a little bit"?

And Dwight's inclusion in the special gave Lisa another opportunity to get heated over his criticisms of her "Closet Freak" fashion show -- though she now claims it wasn't exactly a typical fashion show. Confused? Ditto. And Dwight wasn't apologetic. But Lisa had the guts to point out something I've been yelling at my TV all season: "Where's your clothing line?"

Leave it to Kandi to keep things real; she performed her single "Fly Above" in honor of her late ex-fiance A.J. 

What did you think of the reunion special? Worth two episodes? Have you been YouTube-ing Kim's performance since the credits started rolling? Who do you want to see return if there's another season? And who do you want to see gone?

--Yvonne Villarreal

All is right with the world.  After the loathsome Jeff Dunham appeared on last week’s episode, I was a little worried about "30 Rock."  Metaphorically speaking, it had glassy eyes, clammy hands and a little bit of a fever.  But this week, my favorite show was back to its rosy-cheeked self. Instead of a possibly racist puppeteer, we had a guest appearance by Brian Williams, whom I believe might be the funniest network news anchor ever (take that, Connie Chung!) if his appearances on “The Daily Show” are any indication.

This week was relatively low on the meta-scale, which felt a little refreshing after a series of increasingly self-reflexive episodes.  The main plot concerned auditions for a new TGS cast member. Liz and Pete had their favorite, an actor with the hilariously boy band-ish name of Jayden Michael Tyler.  In order to ensure that he’d get the part, Liz and Pete applied what they call the “Horberger Method,” intentionally stacking the deck full of dreadful competition — my favorite being a female comic wearing a bolo tie — so that he looks even better by comparison. Meanwhile, Jenna and Tracy set out on their own journey to find a new cast member.  Miracle of miracles, Jenna even had a few very funny lines — like her reference to a “disaster” named Katrina, who turned out to be a terrible hair and makeup artist, or when she said that she’d been brought into auditions to make Kim Cattrall seem grounded and human.

While everyone else was on the lookout for new talent, Jack had his own mission: A quest for acceptance.  With a nasty case of bed bugs (otherwise known as "chew daddies" or "Mugabe's concubines"), Jack is rejected by everyone at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.  He’s even banned from riding his company car, and must resort to taking the subway.  We see him on board the subway (a real one, I might add), begging for mercy from strangers.  I only wish I had been on the F train that day.  Sigh.  By the end of the episode, he’s feeling so dejected that when a robot mime reaches out and shakes his hand, making him feel like a human again, Jack insists that Liz hire him for the show.  (Broadway nerds, help me out: Was the robot just Cheyenne Jackson in silver makeup?)  It was Jack's very own version of "A Christmas Carol," and dare I say it, it was almost touching.  On “30 Rock,” it’s all relative.

It was a fine return to form after last week’s wobbly episode, and I am looking forward to the next few weeks of guest stars: First Padma, then James Franco.  For a show that “no one watches,” especially not in Germany, it seems like everyone is clamoring to guest star.  Should we take bets on who else might appear this season?

One other thing: Was that whole thing with Cisco another paid product placement, a la Soy Joy and Verizon?  If so, bravo to Cisco for having a sense of humor.

Best Joke:  Kathy Geiss as Susan Boyle

Most Meta Moment:  Before his bed bugs teach him about acceptance, Jack says "Human empathy.  It's as useless as the Winter Olympics.  This winter on NBC."

Nerdiest Reference: This week, it was Chekhov. Dotcom wants to audition for "TGS," but Tracy is dismissive.  "Oh yeah, I forgot, you know everything about acting because you played a bird in some stupid school play."  His answer? "Yes Tracy, I was Trigorin in 'The Seagull' on the Wesleyan Arts Space main stage."

Meaning Thing Jack Said to Liz: "That's true, Liz is old."

Meanest Thing Liz Said about Herself: "My mom used to send me articles about how older virgins are considered good luck in Mexico."

Quintessential Kenneth: "Sir, anyone can get them. Back in Stone Mountain, even the mayor had them.  And she was a horse."

What did you think?

--Meredith Blake

Related:

Complete '30 Rock' coverage on Show Tracker

From 'General Hospital' to prime time: James Franco to guest star on '30 Rock'

Cheyenne Jackson, from Broadway to '30 Rock'

Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin will team as hosts of the Oscars

Photo: Jack, Liz and Pete do their best Simon, Paula and Randy imitations

Credit:  NBC/Ali Goldstein

There's a point in every season of "Survivor" where just for an instant, alliances are set aside and the players let go of fear and anger: the highly anticipated merge.

As per usual, things were all ice cream and rainbows when Galu and Foa Foa were joined as one at the merge this season. Members of both tribes embraced one another and shrieked in excitement for a moment of temporary friendship. Then all dived at an elaborate food spread, picking at chicken breasts and licking pastries like ravenous animals. Afterward, they settled upon a new tribe name: Aiga, which is slang for 'extended family' in Samoa (Erik, for one, found the name gag-inducing).

Of course, the players quickly started scrambling to figure out who would be the first to go, and I was thrilled when it seemed like everyone was on board to vote out Laura. Like Shambo, I can't stand the chick. There's something holier-than-thou about her that isn't justified whatsoever -- in Shambo's words, she's like one of those "popular girls in high school that want to snob up their nose at people who don't fit into their clique."

"There's this '90210' little young thing in you going on, and it's bizarre to me," Shambo later said, confronting Laura and trying to get to the root of their issues. 

And then Laura won the immunity idol, which killed me. It was so disappointing to watch her get up to bat and manage to eek out a win. It seemed like the plan to take her out of the game was so set in stone, and then she got off the hook. 

Meanwhile, even though Russell is meant to be this season's villain, I've oddly found myself endeared to him. Perhaps it's because he's so upfront (in his interviews, at least) about who he is and the game he's playing. The stuff he says is so ridiculous and over-the-top that it makes his overinflated ego comical instead of disgusting. 

"Who gets grapes fed to them? The Kings do," he said after Monica dangled some fruit into his mouth at the feast.

Still, I was surprised at how quickly he exposed his hidden immunity idol to numerous members of the old Galu tribe, promising each he'd take them to the end if they followed his plan. Unfortunately for Russell, it looks like no one kept his confessions a secret. 

It was too bad he gave into his paranoia and played his hidden immunity idol at tribal council when he didn't receive a single vote. And with Laura sliding by this week, it looks like she'll be gunning for him during the next tribal. 

That just proves that Russell's instincts were right -- which is why I think I like him so much. He knows which players talk too much and who's too conniving, and he tries to cut them loose as soon as possible. Did you see the way his eyes widened the second Shambo called Laura a "bitch"? He's able to pick up on the social dynamics of the group and doesn't run around screaming his findings to everyone else.

Sadly, I think his luck may run out before he has a chance to prove he's the ultimate "Survivor" player he claims to be.

Do you think Russell's demise is imminent now that he's without the hidden immunity idol? And why is Laura so darn annoying? Let's talk in the comments below.

--Amy Kaufman (follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA)

Related:

'Survivor': Shambo finally gets her day in the sun

'Survivor': Russell Swan talks about his serious health scare

Complete 'Survivor' Coverage on Show Tracker

Photo: (Top) Laura Morett hits a ball and wins an immunity challenge. (Below) Russell Hantz tries to convince fellow tribe members to align with him. Credit: CBS.

Plus, she had a crazy weekend with Bon Jovi! .... Wait, really? Bon Jovi? You have centuries of musicians to choose from and … Bon Jovi?

Photos (Credit - CW): Lexi (Arielle Kebbel) tries to convince Stefan (Paul Wesley) to dance; Damon (Ian Somerhalder) tries to get Elena (Nina Dobrev) to warm up to him; Lexi gets a smile out of Stefan at the pool table.

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In Althea's design, I couldn't see her architectural inspiration, and as the judges noted, the pleated bottom of her gold dress looked overworked compared to the incongruous flowing top.  Other than a few splashes of green, I also couldn't see the organic, natural elements Christopher apparently wanted to incorporate from the fountain. Also, the corseted top and long skirt of his dress just looked inexpensive to me.  Gordana's long dress inspired by the morning light was pretty but as others noted, not a last-challenge dress. The back of Irina's dress was elegant but instead of a light, ethereal diaphanous gown, I thought hers looked something like a folk dancing costume, and it was unclear, too, where or how it was intended to be worn.  The judges liked the craftsmanship of Carol Hannah's gold gown, but didn't find it incredibly inspiring. 

The judges then asked the contestants why they should each go to Fashion Week and who should accompany them: I had to smile when several of them suggested Christopher because I wondered if they thought he should go because they could beat him. Sadly for him, they won't get the chance. Even though I wasn't wowed by any of their designs tonight, Irina, Carol Hannah and Althea are indeed heading to Fashion Week, where I hope they will show why they deserve to be there.

-- Claire Zulkey

Photo: "Project Runway" judges Cindy Crawford, left, and Nina Garcia. Credit: Mike Yarish / Lifetime Networks

I’m not a baseball fan. In fact, I couldn’t care less. But the Yankees winning does mean that the World Series is over. Fox can return to its normal schedule, and we get our first new “Fringe” in three weeks. About time. I was starting to go through withdrawal of Walter’s food cravings and inappropriately sexual comments.

“Fringe” has really been on a roll this season, and ‘Earthling’ is no exception. It delivered both on the level of crazy cool science and a little character development for the Fringe Division’s own stone-cold bossman, Agent Broyles.

This smoke monster is more of a shadow man. Or manless shadow, if you will. It attacks people, draining them of all their radioactivity like some sort of nuclear vampire (that would be a cool name for a band).

When it’s done, the smoke man leaves a corpse that crumbles to ash at the slightest touch, which makes for one of the coolest special effects in the show so far. Watching one of the victims disintegrate or seeing them in their partially collapsed state looks incredible. My favorite easily being the patient falling apart after a fly lands on her. It was awesome even on my television. I can’t imagine what it was like in HD (I’m going to upgrade one of these days).

Unfortunately, the back story for the shadow man isn’t nearly as interesting as the carnage it leaves behind. Apparently it’s an extraterrestrial being picked up by a cosmonaut during a space walk. After Walter peaked my interest with tales of Russian fringe science, this came as a bit of a letdown. I hope the show delves into, as Walter says, “what those pinkos were up to.”

Olivia, Peter and Walter did their normal detective work, but the real thrust behind this investigation came from Agent Broyles. When I spoke to John Noble earlier in the season, he said Broyles would be getting his own episode, and this was it. We didn’t get any insight into his relationship with Nina Sharp (nor did we get any more of their makeout sessions), but we did get a glimpse into his obsessive past.

Broyles started his day out pleasantly enough, playing a mimic game with some random kid at a restaurant. Pretty gutsy kid. I’ve seen Lance Reddick in person, and he’s intimidating even when he’s being friendly. When the call comes in about a possible Pattern case, Broyles drops the games and his menu to rush to the scene.

This isn’t any ordinary bizarre-beyond-belief death. This is a bizarre-beyond-belief death that Broyles has seen before. He investigated a series of murders four years ago where victims were turned into ash. He even talked to a man who said he could stop it, but eventually the deaths stopped and Broyles never solved the case.

While the focus on Broyles drew me in, like the shadow man, it fell apart in the why. We never found out really why Broyles became so obsessed with this case. I kept hoping it would turn out to have been his first Pattern case. Instead we learn that this was the case that ended Broyles’ marriage. That along with his playful moments at the beginning gave us a peek at the softer side of Agent Broyles. Though just when you think you know the guy, he pulls out his gun and shoots a cosmonaut in the head to save a little girl. He’s one bad mother…. Shut your mouth. I’m just talking about Broyles.

I hope this starts a trend. I’d like to see a little more focus on the side characters of “Fringe.” Maybe we’ll get a Nina Sharp episode. Or a William Bell episode. Or, dare I dream, an Astrid episode. I can’t wait.

Who Was That Guy – IMDB lists him as ‘Mystery Man.’ The actor’s name is JR Bourne. He’s the CIA agent who shows up to stand in the eerie red streetlight to hint that they’d launched the cosmonaut back into space. Who is he? Will we see him again? Who knows. “Fringe” has an issue with loose ends. Anyone remember that secret group of Pattern-watchers Broyles and Nina met with in Season 1? Or whatever happened to Olivia’s sister and niece?

The Mystery Man does prompt one other question: Where does Fringe Division fit into the hierarchy of government investigation organizations? We’ve seen them trumped by the CIA and Homeland Security. Heck, they’ve even had issues with local law enforcement. Who does Fringe Division get to push around?

Astrid Action – Olivia, Peter and Walter all took back seats to Agent Broyles this week, so Astrid was pretty much out of luck when it came to exciting screen time. She got to ask a lot of questions and be the test for Walter’s Geiger counter, but that’s about it. Hopefully next week.

Spot the Observer – I actually found him this time! I’m getting better. You can see him walking out of Gate 43 as Broyles walks through the airport after his meeting with Sen. Van Horn. I feel so proud.

-- Andrew Hanson

Photo: Olivia (Anna Torv, left) and Broyles (Lance Reddick) take on a puzzling investigation where victims inexplicably disintegrate into ash. Credit: Fox Television

Related:

Complete "Fringe" coverage on Showtracker

Leonard Nimoy on Walter Bell

"Fringe": Road Trip

Who knew a little fencing would bring this family closer, but then again what better way to show family than cheering on one of the kids wielding a sharp object. Or is that just my family I'm thinking of?

Can I just say Phil easily wins father of the year award. He reminds me so much of my father: they both walk into the room happy. It's infectious and they mean well, but oftentimes some of the advice doesn't match up. I think of the time my father told me to outsmart bullies. Sure, it "worked" in the long run, but I spent the whole year being the fat boy who could read. So I wasn't surprised that Phil went out of reach to make Luke feel like a winner by bringing him in to help sell a house. Yeeeeeeh, OK,  Phil. Geez, this guy is so dimwitted I love it. But then again, with personal mottoes like  "When I believe, you believe. I can sell a fur coat to an Eskimo," Phil will always be successful in life.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy (Follow me on Twitter @Gerrick Kennedy)  

Related:

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Photos: Top, The clan watches -- and videotapes -- Mitchell and Claire's parking lot "Swan Lake" on "Modern Family." Credit: ABC. Bottom, Mitchell and Claire lift it out. Credit: ABC.

Afterward, the gals met up with Miller and judge Nigel Barker for the first photo competition. ...

We’re seeing a lot of Nigel outside the judging room this season. I’m guessing the recession has something to do with it. Why would Tyra fly another person out to Hawaii when Nigel has nothing better to do, right? Yes, Ms. Tyra.

Music star Rihanna said she decided she had to end her relationship with former boyfriend Chris Brown after realizing the message she sent to her fans by going back to him after he assaulted her.

“When I realized that my selfish decision for love could result into some young girl getting killed, I could not be easy with that part,” she told ABC’s Diane Sawyer on “Good Morning America” this morning in the first part of an exclusive interview. “I couldn’t be held responsible for telling them, ‘Go back.’ Even if Chris never hit me again, who’s to say that their boyfriend won’t? Who’s to say they won’t kill these girls?”

In August, R&B singer Brown, 20, was sentenced to five years' probation and community service for beating Rihanna, 21, on the eve of the Grammy Awards in February.

Speaking deliberately but with emotion, Rihanna told Sawyer that she was ashamed that she went back to Brown after he hurt her. “I fell in love with that person; that’s embarrassing,” she said. “So far in love, so unconditional that I went back.”

“That’s not what I want to teach people,” she added. “But I’m a human being, and people put me on a very unrealistic pedestal. All these expectations – I’m not perfect.”

Rihanna said she came to understand that her initial reaction was typical of many victims of domestic violence. But the glare of the media spotlight made it even more traumatic. “There are a lot of women who experienced what I did but not in the public, so it made it really difficult,” she said. “I felt like, ‘Oh my God, here goes my little bit of privacy, just [having] exposed something that nobody wants anybody to know. Here I am, the whole world knowing.’”

Meanwhile, Brown told MTV that he’s still trying understand his own behavior. “My thoughts [when I look back on it now] is like, 'Why did it happen?' " he said in an interview airing Friday. "Like, 'What was I thinking? What is wrong with you?' That's what I'm thinking with myself. That's what my thoughts are, basically, now.”

-- Matea Gold

Photo: Diane Sawyer and Rihanna. Credit: Ida Mae Astute / ABC

Husband and wife squabbles seem rather minor, in comparison. Yet when Kyle Chandler's Eric Taylor and Connie Britton's Tami Taylor argue, the whole balance of the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, seems off. The heart, the soul and the two constants over each of "Friday Night Lights'" three-plus seasons, there's a sudden and uncomfortable tension when Tami demands that Eric not his raise his voice to her midway through the fourth season's second episode.

Perhaps it's the documentary-style filmmaking that pervades "Friday Night Lights" that brings an uneasy intimacy to the scene. The off-center camera angles, and the close-ups of the Taylors feuding in the kitchen, all work to make the viewer feel as if he or she is invading the couple's space. Or perhaps it's simply the talents of Chandler and Britton, who turn the language of the script into one less about love and more about respect, capturing a couple that's constantly working at their relationship.

Be it the 9-5 or the family dinner table, nothing in "Friday Night Lights" is accomplished without a little elbow grease. Indeed, if things looked bleak at the end of Episode 1, with the East Dillon Lions getting walloped and Joe McCoy (D.W. Moffett) firmly in charge of the Dillon Panthers -- and perhaps even the town -- it was nothing compared to the glued-to-the-couch drama of unrest in the Taylor household.

It all started with the best of intentions. Whether he's shaking at losing his grip on the good ol' boys in charge of the Panthers, or just not liking what he's seeing of McCoy, Buddy Garrity (Brad Leland) became an unlikely ally to Eric, letting him know that a star Panther was using an illegal address to avoid being transferred to East Dillon. One hitch: The Dillon Panthers have used said address for years, and Eric knew it existed, a little tidbit he didn't let Tami in on.

She, the principal of Dillon High, foresaw trouble, noting that if she pulled Matt Lauria's Luke out of Dillon High, it would look like a "Mrs. Coach kind of move," even though she had no trouble doing the same to the non-football-associated Devin (Stephanie Hunt) last week. When Eric -- in need of a football team -- pleaded that she was doing the right thing, Tami responded: "These people are all about doing the wrong thing."

The key in that sentence are the words "these people." The Taylors are adjusting to life in the new world order, one where they're not the town's favorite couple. If not enemies of Dillon, anyone seen as not working for the Panthers isn't likely to be viewed as a friend. If the first episode this season grandly laid the groundwork for life in a post-redistricted Dillon, Episode 2 saw its star characters strapping on their boots and getting to work. 

Eric knew he was putting his wife in a difficult situation. The football boosters wouldn't sit well to losing Luke, and Lauria was perfect, trying to fight himself from breaking down on the field as his life -- and a fast-track to a college football scholarship -- flashed before him. McCoy showed-off his upper-class strut, tying to put an end to his battle over Luke with Tami the only way he knows how. He offered "new books for the library, new instruments for the orchestra, or what?" 

She didn't budge. What's overlooked as inconvenient necessities by the haves -- such technicalities as phony addresses -- are weapons of the have-nots.

All ended right between the Taylors, but as they sat together on the couch at the end of the episode, there was a sense that they had been awakened to the new reality of Dillon. "You've got to find your inner pirate," a crackpot at a gas station (none other than Texas Tech coach Mike Leach) had earlier said to a down-in-the-dumps Eric. Indeed, the Taylors flashed their swords in Episode 2, but this fight is just beginning. 

Other notes for Episode 2:

So quick! In going down from a 22-episode season to a 13-episode one, occasionally some subplots feel closed a little too soon. When Julie (Aimee Teegarden) told Eric and Tami that she wanted to transfer to East Dillon in Episode 1, the parents didn't seem pleased, and were going to have to confront their own double standards. That all happened off-camera, and Julie was at East Dillon in Episode 2. Additionally, on the subject of Luke, the battle for his ownership was between Tami and the Dillon Panthers. His parents certainly had a say in this fight, but viewers didn't get to see it. Small quibbles on what have been two exceptionally strong episodes, but we could have done with a little less of Matt Saracen's (Zach Gilford) crazy art-internship, and a little more Luke. 

A new star: Michael B. Jordan's Vince excelled in Episode 2. On the run from the cops and forced onto the East Dillon Lions on Episode 1, he possessed a stare worth 1,000 words on Episode 2. Eric is leaning on him to be a hero, and Vince's glare capture the inner turmoil, a young man stubborn enough to want to make it on his own, but also coming to grips with the fact that his lower-class, crime-ridden upbringing isn't affording him many opportunities. Credit both Jordan and the writers for dealing with such complex issues with grace. Vince pulls the team together at the last minute. "I don't know what I'm going to do," Eric tells him when it's unclear as to whether East Dillon will have a football team, "but I'll get another job." It's a strikingly loaded statement, and Vince didn't have to say a word to recognize its implications.

Post-graduation: One of the strengths of "Friday Night Lights" in this fourth season has been illustrating how its young charters are adjusting to life outside of high school. Though a commenter disagreed, I've enjoyed Saracen's pizza delivery boy gig. Life outside of the Dillon Panthers is one that doesn't afford many opportunities. Buddy Garrity may own a car dealership, but it's always seemed that his motivation for riches is to have a greater say in Panthers football. Saracen wants nothing but to leave his high school behind him, and he's finding that to be impossible in Dillon. Meanwhile, Taylor Kitsch's Tim Riggins is having the opposite problem. Greener pastures beyond the Panthers have eluded his mind. Though fans of the show were certainly happy to see him reunited with Coach Taylor at East Dillon, as Riggins offered his services to his former coach, there was no doubt a tinge of regret in Taylor seeing his former player. Here was a student offered an out -- a chance at college -- and here he was back in this depressed town. I braced for a Coach Taylor lecture, but as Taylor has struggled to rein in an unruly football crew -- one more worried about rent and bills than tossing around a pigskin -- Riggins' poor life choices have become an accepted fate.

--Todd Martens

"Friday Night Lights" airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on DirecTV's The 101 Network. 

RELATED: 

'Friday Night Lights,' Season 4, Episode 1: 'So what’s it like being the guy who used to be Tim Riggins?'

Peter Berg and Kyle Chandler on the restructuring of 'Friday Night Lights'

'Friday Night Lights' returns with a mystical look at Season 4

'Friday Night Lights': Jason Katims on Season 3, the show's future

With freedom comes anxiety: Kyle Chandler on 'Friday Night Lights'

Photos: Timothy F. Crowley as Coach Crowley and Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor. Middle: Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins. Bottom: Chandler's Taylor. Credit: DirecTV / NBC

This week's TV Movies

SERIES

Ultimate Factories: The furniture manufacturer and retail giant known as IKEA is examined in this new installment (5 and 8 p.m. Nat Geo).

Naked Science: This installment explores a series of earthquakes that struck Reno, Nev. (7 and 10 p.m. Nat Geo).

The Vampire Diaries: In this new episode, Stefan (Paul Wesley) gets a visit from an old friend (Arielle Kebbel), who also offers relationship advice to Elena (Nina Dobrev) (8 p.m. CW)

FlashForward: "ER's" Alex Kingston reprises her guest role as a British intelligence agent on a new episode of the sci-fi drama (8 p.m. ABC).

SoCal Connected: The newsmagazine investigates a controversy involving FEMA's remapping of possible flood zones (8 p.m. KCET).

Parks and Recreation: "Will & Grace's" Megan Mullally guest stars as a library department official on a new episode of the sitcom (8:30 p.m. NBC).

The Office: Linda Purl guest stars as Pam's (Jenna Fischer) mom -- and Michael's (Steve Carell) newest flame -- on a new episode of the workplace satire (9 p.m. NBC).

Supernatural: Sam and Dean (Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles) become characters on different TV series while trapped in an alternate universe in this new episode (9 p.m. KTLA).

Gangland: The documentary series about criminal organizations returns with new episodes (9 p.m. History).

The Mentalist: Jane (Simon Baker) helps solve a murder while behind bars on a new episode of the drama (10 p.m. CBS).

Ancient Discoveries: The series returns with a look at airborne weapons used in battles in days gone by (10 p.m. History).

SPECIALS

The House of Cardinali: Fashion designer, restaurateur and movie producer Marilyn Lewis is profiled (9:30 p.m. KCET).

MOVIES

High Noon: Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly star in this allegorical 1952 western classic (7 p.m. TCM).

The Marine: John Cena explodes into action in this over-the-top 2006 thriller; Robert Patrick and Kelly Carlson also star (8 p.m. MyNet).

War, Inc.: John Cusack, Dan Aykroyd, Hilary Duff and Marisa Tomei star in this 2008 comedy-thriller (9 p.m. Showtime)

SPORTS

Baseball: If necessary, the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies will meet in a seventh and deciding game of the World Series (4:30 p.m. Fox).

College football: Virginia Tech meets East Carolina (4:30 p.m. ESPN)

Soccer: In playoff action, Real Salt Lake takes on the Columbus Crew (5 p.m. ESPN2)

Basketball: The Bulls challenge the Cavaliers (5 p.m. TNT), and Spurs play the Jazz (7:30 p.m. TNT).

Hockey: The Ducks host the Predators (7 p.m. FS Prime), and the Kings welcome the Penguins (7:30 p.m. FSN).

Credit: Kelsey McNeal / Bravo

This week's TV Movies

Today Keith Urban. (N) 7 a.m. KNBC

KTLA Morning News (N) 7 a.m. KTLA

Good Morning America Author Harold Evans ("My Paper Chase"); Rihanna. (N) 7 a.m. KABC

Good Day L.A. (N) 7 a.m. KTTV

Live With Regis and Kelly Carrie Underwood performs; Bernadette Peters. (N) 9 a.m. KABC

The View Ian McKellen; Shepard Smith. (N) 10 a.m. KABC

The Dr. Oz Show Cases of sudden death; drug-addict mom. 11 a.m. KTTV

Rachael Ray Suzanne Somers. (N) 2 p.m. KCBS

The Martha Stewart Show Cheese. (N) 2 p.m. KNBC

The Bonnie Hunt Show Jenna Fischer; interior designer Nate Berkus; comic Paul Scheer. (N) 3 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Children who say they have psychic abilities. 3 p.m. KTLA

Oprah Winfrey Karaoke singers perform for a panel of judges. (N) 3 p.m. KABC

Dr. Phil A couple on the verge of divorce. (N) 4 p.m. KCBS

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Amy Poehler; Fran Drescher. (N) 4 p.m. KNBC

The Tyra Show Helping people who have become addicted to fake hair and nails. (N) 4 p.m. KTLA

Larry King Live (N) 6 and 9 p.m. CNN

The Joy Behar Show 6 and 9 p.m. HLN

Dr. Phil One parent's desire for a divorce. (Part 1 of 2) 7 p.m. KCAL

Tavis Smiley Author Lee Eisenberg ("Shoptimism"); Susie Essman. (N) 7 and 11 p.m. KCET

The Jay Leno Show Wanda Sykes; Rachael Ray. (N) 10 p.m. KNBC

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. (N) 11 p.m. Comedy Central

Charlie Rose Author Ken Auletta ("Googled"). (N) 11:30 p.m. KCET

The Colbert Report Former LAPD Chief William Bratton. (N) 11:30 p.m. Comedy Central

Late Show With David Letterman Bill Maher; Gabourey "Gabby" Sidibe ("Precious"); Keith Urban performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KCBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Jim Carrey; Olivia Wilde; Zac Brown Band performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. KNBC

Nightline (N) 11:35 p.m. KABC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Jesse Williams; Florence and the Machine perform. (N) 12:06 a.m. KABC

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson Denis Leary; Jena Malone. (N) 12:37 a.m. KCBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Ian McKellen; Paula Patton; Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon perform. (N) 12:37 a.m. KNBC

Last Call With Carson Daly Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich; Matisyahu performs. (N) 1:36 a.m. KNBC

The show, which will run for four episodes through November and then return post-Olympics in March, came in second to CBS' "NCIS" but won its 8-9 p.m. time slot among adults 18-49 (a 5.0 rating, according to preliminary numbers.)

For the full ratings breakdown (and to discover what the original 1983 series scored in its premiere), head over to the LA Times' Company Town blog.

-- Denise Martin

Related:

Complete coverage of 'V' on Show Tracker

Photo: "V" cast members. Credit: ABC