TV 2006-07

Another season has come and gone, and what did we watch? Mostly the same old stuff with a few new shows thrown in. Here's just some of the ones we either watched as it happened, or saved it for a more convenient time. Or not.

The View (ABC) Notable mostly for Rosie O'Donnell coming and Star Jones Reynolds going. Until her abrupt departure, O'Donnell was the show's lightning rod, spouting off on everything from the war in Iraq to Donald Trump (whose show "The Apprentice" got fired by NBC) to alleged 9/11 conspiracies. She may have been a big pain to conservatives, the network and Barbara Walters, but the show's numbers were the best in years. Now O'Donnell will be taking her loudmouth act elsewhere, probably a syndicated gig.

American Idol (Fox) Congratulations to Jordin Sparks on her victory in this year's glorified talent competition. That ballad you tried mightily not to screw up during your coronation will be the first single released, which will be promptly ignored by radio while soaring up the Billboard charts. Then you will either become a big star like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, or a casino lounge act like Taylor Hicks. Not even Paula Abdul can save you now.

Friday Night Lights (NBC) This is one of the few good dramas on TV that doesn't take place in a hospital, a courtroom, or a crime scene. It's about a small town in Texas that lives and dies with its high school football team. Since the show just barely got renewed for next season due to tepid ratings, we predict NBC will try the following to jazz up the show: More teenagers and their raging hormones, less football and parental involvement. Because now the show's competition is real high school football on Friday nights.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC) Aaron Sorkin's follow-up to "The West Wing" centered on a behind-the-scenes look at a late-night comedy show not unlike "Saturday Night Live". It failed because Sorkin chose the wrong kind of venue to make his points about television, and the political and social climate of the early 21st century. ("30 Rock" did a much better job in the comedy department) A 24-hour news network would have been a better choice.

Gilmore Girls (The CW) We liked this show for two reasons: Lauren Graham as Lorelai Gilmore and the snappy writing. Everyone else in Stars Hollow you can put in a blender. As the show entered into what turned out to be the final season, the snappy writing turned sappy when executive producer Amy Sherman-Palladino left in a contract dispute. By the end, there were so many plotlines that didn't work, it was a relief to see the Gilmores go off into the sunset with their reputations intact.

Serialized Dramas Everybody wanted to get on the "24" and "Lost" bandwagons with their own takes on continuing storylines. Most of these shows, such as "Jericho", "The Nine" and "Kidnapped" failed either because of the time commitment required, or the networks gave them the quick hook before anyone had a chance to see them. Only "Ugly Betty" and "Heroes" lived to see another season. The lesson here? Don't make shows that are too complicated for the audience to follow.