One Tree Hill moves back on the site

Since we have spoilers for 10 out of the 12 completed episodes, we decided to put One Tree Hill back on the "other shows" page. You can read all the spoilers we've released so far this year on that page. It is also where we will post spoilers for episodes 5.10 to 5.12 when available.

Aliens in America - Spoilers

100,000 Miles: During their search for a missing Raja, Claire and Franny go to the house of a Muslim family who is host to a German exchange student. They each share their experience of living with someone who is complete opposite than what they (the families) are. Raja feels that he is a burden for the Tolchucks and Medora. Source: SpoilerFix.com

The Muslim Card: Justin opens a fortune cookie that tells him he is a good judge of character. A girl named Mindy Weinblau, who Justin describes as overbearing, needy and compulsive, asks Raja to sign her pro-petition petition; he agrees, making him the only person who agreed to sign it. Overwhelmed by Raja's gesture and the fact he asked her to partner up for a "Meals on Wheels" activity, Mindy thinks they are both falling in love. Source: SpoilerFix.com

One Tree Hill - Spoilers

Episode 5.08: One of the players on Nathan's team punched out a guy in a bar, trying to defend Haley's honor, and sprains his wrist in the process. Nathan is upset that he did it, jeopardizing the team and the guy's chance to play. Peyton is back in town but Lucas has already proposed to Lindsey. Mouth gets his shot at the local television station when they ask him to cover the Tree Hill Ravens season opener. Source: SpoilerFix.com

Moonlight - Spoilers

Episode 1.12 - The Mortal Cure [Airing January 11]: An old vampire comes to Mick's office asking about finding Coraline. Mick denies seeing her recently but senses that the old vamp is trouble. He goes to the hospital to try and learn more about how and when Coraline escaped. Mick, Coraline and the old vamp meet up several times, the old vamp nearly killing them both each time, as he is insanely strong and unlike anything Mick has ever seen. Coraline tells Mick how she knew him and that the old vamp is her brother. Beth has asked Mick for some space after Josh died. She finds some information in Josh's things about a meeting with a woman she doesn't know, assuming he was cheating on her. When she meets the woman in Josh's place, she tells her that Josh had hired her as a consultant. She also tells Beth that Josh had been planning on proposing. Beth goes to investigate the woman's office and finds that she was investigating vampires. Source: SpoilerFix.com [Last episode completed before the writers' strike]

CSI: New York - Spoilers

Episode 4.14 - Playing with Matches: We meet a group of street racers, including a book and street smart young man who will do anything it takes to win and a hot, sexy young woman who can beat any man without getting a hair out of place. We also meet a geeky, very educated and strangely calm young man who is strange and unfortunately knows he's smarter than everyone else, a former city employee looking to be the center of attention, a beautiful, naive social worker and a media seeking attorney. Source: SpoilerFix.com [Is probably the last episode completed before the writers' strike]

Gossip Girl - Spoilers

Here are a few more spoilers for "Roman Holiday," this week's Gossip Girl episode, which I had the chance to watch on Monday. Note that all spoilers we posted on the site are accurate.

• Vanessa sent one of Dan's short stories to a big newspaper. The paper decided to publish it in a special issue. Since Vanessa gave the news to Dan as a present, Serena is stuck having to find a greater Christmas gift. When she finally finds a gift and gives it to him, Dan tells her he can't accept it. The eventually come up with a pact about Christmas gifts.
• Bart Bass wants Lily to tell the world they are dating but she is hesitant, at first.
• Blair wants to convince her dad to stay in NYC forever. But she hadn't taken Roman, her father's boyfriend, into the equation. While skating, Blair makes Roman fall. Blair decides to bring back someone from Roman's past in the hope it will have him call it quits with her father.
• Rufus has an enlighting talk with Alex, his wife's ex-boyfriend.
• Eleanor throws a Christmas-Eve party and is also designing a line of lingerie for Victoria's Secret.
• While one couple breaks up, another may get engaged.

'Til Death

Episode 2.10 - Second Guy Marriage: We meet a clumsy, unattractive "loser" guy that works in the grocery store. Source: SpoilerFix.com

Episode 2.11 - Philadelphia Freedom: We meet a female realtor with a regular "realtor" attitude, overly friendly and sort of pushy. Source: SpoilerFix.com [Is probably the last episode completed before the writers' strike]

Moonlight

Episode 1.11 - Love Lasts Forever [Airing January 4]: While involved in a case against an El Salvadoran gangster, Josh is warned by the bad guys and then they treaten him with harm to Beth. He asks Mick to watch over Beth. Trying to figure out why Coraline chose Beth as a little girl, Beth and Mick take a vial of blood to the lab to be tested. The doctor thinks it's from a child because it's absolutely pure. When she tells them the blood type is extremely rare, Beth guesses correctly, telling them she knows because it is her blood type. Later, Mick and Beth are caught in gunfire but escape. Josh is kidnapped then shot and killed in front of Mick and Beth before Mick can save him. Source: SpoilerFix.com

CSI: New York

Episode 4.13 - Family Ties: We meet three teenagers: a young woman upset by her parents' divorce and two brothers, one of whom is still in foster care and one who has moved out after turning 18. We also meet a recently divorced man in his mid-20s, an exotic bird breeder, a building super, a boutique manager and an upper class Family Court judge. Source: SpoilerFix.com

Chuck

Episode 1.12 - Chuck Versus the Marlin: We meet two new people that want to take Chuck. One is a beautiful, young female enemy agent that works in the Pita Palace next to the Buy More. She is trying to kidnap Chuck. The other is a handsome CIA Agent who is posing as a police detective undercover investigating a theft at the Buy More who wants to take Chuck into his custody. When Chuck's cover is blown by the enemy agent, the CIA Agent arrives to take him into custody and make him disappear from his life. Source: SpoilerFix.com [Last episode completed before the writers' strike]

Pilot Review "New Amsterdam" (FOX)

Premise: This drama series tells the story of a brilliant and enigmatic New York homicide detective, John Amsterdam, who has a profound secret: He is immortal, and will not age until he meets his one true love.

Starring: Alexie Gilmore as Sara Dillane, Nikolaj Coster Waldau as John Amsterdam, Stephen Henderson as Omar, Zuleikha Robinson as Eva Marquez.

Review: Even if I saw only the first 15 minutes of the first of 7 episodes, I must say I'm intrigued. If you are a fan of Moonlight or Journeyman, this series should interest you.

The lead character is as enigmatic as Mick St. John and Dan Vasser are. The supporting characters, especially Amsterdam's new partner, sound interesting and promising.

The case of the week seems to ressemble those featured in Moonlight (sans vampires) and episodes will feature flashbacks of Amsterdam's life (and he has been around for a loooong while!). The "must find true love to become mortal again" storyline will help bring a human touch to this drama while offering a continuous story that will link together all episodes.

The 15 minutes I've watched were enough to have me want to come back for more before making an official decision about the show.

New Amsterdam will premiere on Friday, February 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX (yes, Moonlight's timeslot!).

Pilot Review "Canterbury's Law" (FOX)

Premise: This courtroom drama centers on rebellious defense attorney Elizabeth Canterbury , who's willing to bend the law in order to protect the wrongfully accused.

Starring: Ben Shenkman as Russell Cross, Julianna Margulies as Elizabeth Canterbury, Keith Robinson as Chester Fields, Linus Roache as Matthew Canterbury, Trieste Dunn as Molly McConnell.

Review: Before I write my comments about the pilot, I must admit that I was somewhat looking forward to this series because I liked Margulies during her stint on ER and was glad that a new series would start at a time when all networks would mostly air reruns and reality TV. My expectations weren't sky high but I did have some and none were met.

I know that the pilot I watched won't exactly be the one that will air on FOX but unless they totally rework it, I'm not sure I'll tune in. The pilot fails to properly introduce all characters. Yes, we do learn bits and pieces about Canterbury but because it's given to us in exactly that, bits and pieces, it's difficult to put everything together and properly understand who she is and who revolves around her. As for the other characters, if it wasn't for the Internet listing info about them, including their names, I couldn't name one because they come and go and aren't properly introduced.

Margulies does a fair job in her role but I'm not sure it's the type of role I want to see her in. She is able to play strong women but rebellious strong women does not suit her well. Maybe it's because I'm used to her playing Carol Hathaway.

The case of the week is interesting enough and the attorneys do everything they can (even lie) to win. However, because of the lack of proper direction when introducing the characters, this episode felt like episode 3 or 4 instead of a premiere.

If the show had premiered last fall (when writers' weren't about to go on strike and did), I'm not sure it would have stood a chance. However, because it'll air, as I've said before, at a time where nothing much new will be on, the show may stand a chance to air all its produced-before-the-strike-started episodes.

Canterbury's Law will premiere on Friday, April 11 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants

Don't know what to watch over the Holidays because all your favorite shows are either on hiatus or have already aired all their completed-before-the-strike episodes? Well, you may want to tune in to The CW for Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants, an eight-episode competition.

Before I give my take on the premiere, I must admit that when I first heard about this reality show a few weeks ago, I wasn't sure it would be good reality TV. Not being a huge fan of beauty pageants, I saw this as a potential bad attempt to fill the air with yet another "beauty" show in which participants are not offering much more than good looks. Well, after watching the premiere, I can admit that I was wrong.

The network describes Crowned as a series that "explores one of life's most emotional and volatile relationships as mothers and daughters from all walks of life compete together -- and against other mother/daughter teams -- in order to win a no-holds-barred beauty pageant."

Crowned does have some participants who fit the beauty pageant stereotype (great body, no brain) but it also has mother and daughter teams who could be tagged as "average". When trying to find a team's name, one duo brainstorms and comes up with "Lean Queens" and one of them comments on the fact that some of the participants aren't lean. Even if this comment is not so tastefull, it highlights the types of teams in this show.

Even if the teams live in a luscious mansion, they have to sleep in bunkbeds and follow the orders of pageant director Linnea Maloney. Each week, they have to go through competitions and be judged by Carson Kressley (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), former Miss U.S.A. Shanna Moakler (Dancing with the Stars) and television personality Cynthia Garrett (Later with Cynthia Garrett).

In the first episode, teams compete in a "First impressions count" contest. Mothers and daughters have to come up with a team name, themed outfits and a unique intro to impress the judges. Indeed, first impressions count, especially in such a contest. But the twist to this? Judges are looking for originality, to get a feel of who the participants are, etc. They don't judge only on the looks.

Watching the teams prepare for this contest was rather amusing. Some teams were going for appearances while others wanted to display who they are while looking good. One team chose the name "Blonde Bombshells" and when asked to describe their choice they said that this name referred to "intelligent and smart" women. Of course, the judges (and myself) didn't think of those two words when hearing the team's name! Another team went for "Skin Deep" as a name but got the meaning wrong. I'll let you watch the premiere to see what they thought it meant. One of the more "average" teams went for "Tomboys Queens" showing their girls-next-door style and their pageant contestants self at the same time.

I don't want to spoil the premiere too much but, as you can see, the series has all sort of contestants and the fact that the mothers (raging from late 30s to the 50s) are also participating adds a nice twist to the series. The series will not only offer a take on the world of beauty pageants but also on mother/daughter relationships. Right now, I'm rooting for the "Dream Gals".

Crowned premieres on Wednesday, December 12 at 9/8 c on The CW.

All pictures are (c) The CW.

Women's Murder Club

Episode 1.09 - To Drag & Hold [Airing December 7]: Lindsay and Jacobi investigate at a supper club featuring drag queens as entertainment when one of the performers is found dead in his/her dressing room. They go visit his partner who tells them about a group of drunk, homophobic men were there trying to stir up trouble and were kicked out and then vandalized the performers vehicles and stole their things from inside, but after Lindsay and Jacobi investigate, the men have alibis for the night of the murder. Later, they learn of a young man the dead man was meeting on the sly at a hotel and think he was cheating on his partner, but the young man turns out to be his son. They investigate the young man's parents but soon look to a drag king (aka a female dressed and performing as a male) for the crime. Source: SpoilerFix.com

Episode 1.10 - FBI Guy [Airing December 14]: When one of the partners in a wine business is murdered, Lindsay and Jacobi question his partner, the victim's wife and the man who owns a wine shop the victim's company sells to. They find out that the victim's wife is also married to another man, giving him motive and learn he was home alone at the time of the murder, giving him opportunity. But after questioning him, Lindsay realizes the man most likely did not commit the crime. Jill has been staying with Claire and Claire tries to convince Cindy to have Jill live with her instead. Source: SpoilerFix.com

One Tree Hill

Episode 5.07: Brooke, Peyton and Mouth are at Tric. Mouth talks to a young woman named Milly, telling her a story about crawling out a window on a date and she admits that guys usually try and date her to meet Brooke Davis. He's shocked to find out she knows Brooke. Meanwhile, Brooke is sitting at the bar signing autographs for fans. Brooke flirts with Owen, the bartender, and Peyton tells Brooke that her mother is there. Source: SpoilerFix.com

CSI: Miami

In an upcoming episode, we meet Jane Duncroft, an FBI informant who has mulitple tattooes and looks like she's seen better days. We also meet Jeremy Broyles, a landlord who deals drugs. Source: SpoilerFix.com