Monday: House
It’s been interesting to watch the writers on this show try different things to see if they can breathe new life into a program that is plagued by complaints that it’s the same week to week. We understand the argument–there tends to be a fairly unbreakable formula (strange patient and symptoms/three or four wrong diagnoses/almost death/cured by the brilliance of Dr. House in the last three to four minutes). That said, eat it, haters! This show is awesome, Hugh Laurie is awesome, and for god’s sake, watch it for the subtleties. Anyhoo, tonight, Dr. House tries to get the missing members of his team together and treats a porn star suffering from eye pain. Hot dog. [Fox, 8 p.m.]
Tuesday: Late Show with David Letterman
Attention womb watchers! Our very favorite big guy has the ridiculously gorgeous Penélope Cruz on the couch tonight, and maybe, with the help of Dave, we can put these pregnancy rumors to rest once and for all? Because seriously, haven’t people been speculating about this poor woman’s insides since mid-summer? Ms. Cruz will be discussing her latest team-up with Pedro Almodovar, Broken Embraces (which is fantastic – check for our review on Wednesday!) and the upcoming Nine – which just can’t get itself into theaters fast enough. [CBS, 11:35 p.m.]
Wednesday: Modern Family
Oh hi, did somebody say sweeps week? Our favorite new comedy will feature special guest stars Edward Norton (as a rock star, which should be awesome when he goes all method – and you know he will) and Elizabeth Banks, as a friend of Cameron and Mitchell’s. Mmmm, there’s something just so old-fashioned and satisfying about shows pulling stunts in mid-November. [ABC, 9 p.m.]
Thursday: Project Runway
Wooo hooo! It’s finale time! We’ve been feeling awfully conflicted about this season of Project Runway. On the one hand, it was a relief that the show didn’t change too much making its move from Bravo to Lifetime (besides the weird faux Mood). But didn’t it just feel like some of the magic was missing? Either with the weird rotating judges, subdued Tim Gunn or just the boring contestants? Regardless, competing for the big prize, we’ve got the giant girl, the sweet stomach flu-afflicted muppet, and the scary unstoppable Georgian chick all sending things down a runway (that took place like a year ago, but whatevs). [Lifetime, 10 p.m.]
Friday: The Notebook
Sure, those tween wannabe fangbangers will be lining up to see the new Twilight, but if it’s tortured love you’re looking for, get the tissues and settle in for some uber-manipulation at the hands of Nicholas Sparks. This 2004 film, directed by Nick Cassavetes and based on Mr. Spark’s first bestselling novel, introduced the world to Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams (thank you!) and also strengthened some of our phobias about aging, nursing homes and dementia. But how awesome is it to think of James Garner as a grown up Gosling? And speaking of which, wither Gosling? We miss you! [Oxygen, 8 p.m.]
