Items of interest:

- I recently won a cast-autographed DVD of the third season of The Office in a Talking Head contest at OfficeTally.com: my winning entry is here.

- I'm making my way through Carnivale. O_O.

- Curb Your Enthusiasm is back, hilarious as ever, and just as difficult for non-HBO-subscribers to watch.

- Weeds is back, hilarious as ever, and just as difficult for non-Showtime-subscribers to watch.

- Arrested Development was the best show ever created. Period.

- Tony Almeida lives -- (oh yeah... um... spoiler! :-).

1) LOST - A great show. The season premiere was underwhelming to a lot of people, but I didn't think it was that bad. Sure, I'm really anxious to find out what happened to Locke, Eko, and Desmond... and I want to see what happens to Hurley (if anything; or maybe he makes it back to the camp with no problems------OR maybe he should run into Rousseau on the way back and tell her the news about the Others capturing Jack, Kate, and Sawyer! Then Rousseau could clarify her knowledge of the Others and the Dharma Initiative a bit more... hmmm...). But yeah, I liked the season premiere. The opening was exciting, and I just LOVE seeing more of Michael Emerson as Henry Gale. Er, Fake Henry. Er, Ben. Benry? Benry.

2) The Office - Hilarious! I am in love with Steve Carell. The first two episodes this season were kind of bad, actually... but the latest episode ("The Coup" -- Dwight tries to take over the branch) was reaaaallllllly funny. We got to see a whole other side to Michael Scott, and it was brilliant.

3) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - I like it! I really do. And I hope it stays on. I actually fantasize about someday getting into show business and being on Saturday Night Live (maybe even making it good again)... so I really like this show. It's intelligent and interesting. So yeah.

4) 30 Rock - I haven't seen it yet, but I look forward to it. I like Tina Fey. So I'm expecting this show to be entertaining. *Crosses fingers.*

It's too bad that I just now realized how nifty and useful a TV.com membership is... because all my shows JUST had their finales! But oh well. I guess that's what I'll talk about in my first post, if only to get one last whif of the fumes of humor, excitement, and mystery that kept me so entertained this season.

First up: Curb Your Enthusiasm (the basis for my screenname, interestingly enough). This season finale was, like all episodes of CYE, brilliant. As someone who likes to consider himself an entertainer, I often find myself both entertained by and jealous of Larry David: entertained because he's so gosh-darned hilarious, and jealous because I always wish I had come up with some of his ideas before him! The fifth season of CYE ended with an idea that it is just right up my alley, and I really admire Larry David's genius in stretching his show to include something so undeniably goofy! What I'm referring to is (spoiler alert!)... his own death. Yes, Larry died. And then he went to Heaven and met his two guides, one of which was played by Dustin Hoffman, who was great (as usual). But what was really funny was that Larry got in a fight with Dustin Hoffman (his own spiritual guide!) and got sent back down to Earth. This is just such the ultimate thing for his character. He's so offensive and socially abnormal that even Heaven won't keep him around for long! Now, the question is: since this season finale was entitled "The End," will there be a sixth season? I hope there will be, I really do! I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Next up: Monk. I like Monk, even though the writing can be kind of... well, not bad... but... just... well, I don't know how to describe it. Needless to say, it's not always brilliant. BUT the concept is so original, and the actors are great, and the characters have some really comedic interactions and moments (especially Stottlemyer). This past season finale was cool because Monk was part of a jury. Of course, this is far from original... first of all, I was reminded of this random episode of Matlock I vaguely remember when Matlock was on a jury. Second of all, so much of this Monk season finale was cliche... I could have sworn some of the lines and characters were taken directly from 12 Angry Men! Talk about archetypes. Anyway, I still liked the episode, even if it wasn't entirely original. As always, Monk solves the case... and it ends up being pretty interesting. Of course, not interesting enough for me to remember all the details, but... oh well. Anyway, Monk is actually returning in July, so that'll be something to look forward to while I wait for my other shows!

Speaking of "other" shows... how about Lost and those mysterious "others?" Last night's season finale was... amazing. I already wrote a review on it (which can be found here), so I won't say much in this blog entry. But man oh man, what a great show. I cannot wait for season three.

Scrubs! I absolutely adore this show. And the season finale was INSANE--well, the last three seconds, to be precise (spoiler alert!). Needless to say, J.D.'s girlfriend had a BIG surprise for him. I'll give you a hint: it started with "P" and rhymed with "Greg Flint." I seriously didn't see this coming at all. It just came out of left field. It hit me like a brick in the face. Making J.D. facing something as serious as fatherhood when he's been such a goofy character usually removed from all the important milestones in life... it's really genius, really complicated, and really significant... it takes the show to a whole other level, and I cannot wait to see how these obviously talented writers and actors deal with the new territory.

The Office! Oh man. You know, a lot of people seem to think it's not as good as the British version... but I've seen both, and I have to say... the U.S. version has got to be as good as or better than the original. This is mostly due to Steven Carrell's presence. He is a comic genius, and he makes me laugh so. freaking. hard. However, when it comes to the minor characters, I can't help but love Creed. He is hilarious. Of note also is Toby, whose deadpan delivery is really original and a great element for the show. The season finale had a perfect example of this. There was an absolutely HILARIOUS scene in which Michael confronts Toby about how he's always ruining his plans to do things that are fun and exciting. It's SUCH a funny scene... oh man... so perfect. Anyway, what really blew me away about the season finale was the ending: the big kiss between Jim and Pam! Things are heating up, and... I... I just have to say... Jim and Pam are just perfect for each other. Seriously. When I saw them kiss (yes, I know, I'm a guy and I'm not supposed to be all luvvy-duvvy), I just felt really happy. For so long we've seen these two characters (and actors) develop such a great relationship and rapport with each other... and it pays off in this sudden kiss... and Pam doesn't fight it! Ohhh juicy stuff. There's gonna' be some major drama next season, I can assure you of that. Can't wait.

...Okay... now... don't shoot me, please. But... I have to include Everwood in this post. Yes, Everwood. That's that family drama on... yes... The WB. You know, I get a lot of flak for liking Everwood, but I don't care. It really is a teriffic show. I think the first season was definitely the best, and from there it's gotten slightly less great. I've always said that if they got rid of the teenagers, the show would be perfect. The adult storylines are great, and the interactions are priceless... especially the ones between Andy and Harold from season one. *Sigh*... Those were the days! Anyway, the finale for Everwood hasn't actually aired yet. That's this Monday, I believe. But that won't be a season finale... it'll be a series finale. Which is rough. The CW is axing the show for good. I'm not too distressed, but it's still sad to see the characters go. I'm gonna' have to get season one on DVD sometime... it really is a great show, if only for just that one season.

Well, I guess that's it for now...

Oh, wait! One more thing. I just recently made it through the first season of 24 on DVD. Yes, it is as good as everyone says it is. So while I'm suffering from Lost-Scrubs-Office-Enthusiasm withdrawal this summer, I'll at least have four more seasons of a ridiculously exciting thriller TV show to keep me busy! :-D

..."Job?" The word is poison to my ears. Poison, I say!