The Slug

It's Been Nice Knowing You

(AP Photo/HO/Disney/Gene Duncan)

In the year since launching The Slug, some unimaginable stuff occurred within the realm of popular culture. Anna Nicole Smith died. "Survivor: Cook Islands" divided their tribes by race. Bob Barker retired. And we blogged about it all. We hope we kept our original promise to "simultaneously investigate and celebrate all thangs pop culture." Even if you don't think we did, well, we've totally had a blast trying to, anyway. Remember folks: Help control the pet population. Have your pets spayed or neutered.

"Dancing with the" Most Shocking Elimination

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

Wow. The Slug didn't see that coming. On one hand, we're TOTALLY SHOCKED about Sabrina Ryan's dismissal on "Dancing with the Stars." Obviously, she was consistently the best "celebrity" dancer on the show. On the other hand, enough seasons of "American Idol" have made us jaded enough to know that these talent competitions are merely popularity contests, which is ultimately a shame. We're thinking it's probably time for Cameron Mathison to pull out at that thong. Otherwise, he's a goner.

Happy Halloween from The Slug!

(AP Photo)

It's the day we've been excited about and/or dreading for months! Today is both Halloween and the death of our pimp: asap, The Associated Press' premium multimedia news service. Celebrate this bizarre day with this YouTube link to Tim Curry's performance from "The Worst Witch." For those of us privileged enough to have had HBO back in the 1980s, you can't deny you squealed fervently every time this came on.

Favoritiest TV Show Finales

(AP Photo/HO/HBO)

In honor of asap's ending, The Slug would like to present our three favoritest series finales. Instead of selecting cliffhangers, we only chose shows that wrapped up their series accordingly. Sorry, "Twin Peaks" and "Models Inc." We loved your conclusions, but you just didn't do that. Here's who did.

"Roseanne." Just when we began to forget that Roseanne Barr was totally bananas, she ended her sitcom with a wordy monologue revealing that the last few seasons — arguably, the worst — were actually fiction penned by Roseanne Connor in her basement. That Roseanne! She could even make our jaw drop at the very last moment.

"Six Feet Under." What better way to end a show than to kill off every major character? In a montage set to Sia Furler's "Breath Me," the fates of the Fisher and Diaz families were revealed in creepy flashforwards featuring everyone's death. Those last few minutes were just like the previous five seasons: tragic, beautiful and totally morbid.

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Yes, the whole "empowering young women everywhere" thing was slightly trite — as was needlessly killing off a few key characters. However, nothing could be more awesome than the destruction of the Hellmouth, which leveled the entire town of Sunnydale, right up to the cheesy "Welcome to Sunnydale" sign.

"Dancing with the Stars" Goes Off-Beat

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

Wow. The "Dancing with the Stars" judges were really nice considering the ballroom was littered with missteps (and farts, apparently) last night. Despite some highly entertaining routines, The Slug spotted boo-boos from Sabrina Ryan, Cameron Mathison, Jennie Garth and Marie Osmond. What are they gonna do when they have to learn two dances in one week!? Hmmm. We suspect Jane Seymour and Helio Castroneves will be in the bottom two tonight — with "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" being dismissed.

"The Amazing Race" is Still Redonkulously Fun

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

"The Amazing Race" is still, well, amazing. Spoiler alert! The Slug just finished watching a screener for the 12th season premiere, which follows the 11 teams from Los Angeles to Ireland. This year's race begins at the Playboy Mansion. Naturally, our favoritest team is Kynt and Vyxsin, a goth couple from Kentucky. Yes, they're slightly bizarre — but they're also lovable and totally underestimated by their competitors.

Of course, it wouldn't be "The Amazing Race" without a bickering couple. This year there are two: Jennifer and Nathan and Lorena and Jason. The best moment of the first episode is a challenge where the contestants must lead donkeys along the Irish countryside. One of the more annoying teams mercilessly suffers with an extremely stubborn ass. We promise you'll be braying with delight at their misfortune.

Loose Ends

(AP Photo)

Look out! asap's endingstravaganza has begun! The Associated Press' premium multimedia news service is nearing its final hour with content all about conclusions. Online now, you can find a list of great literary outcomes, a story about the death of indie rock, an essay discussing the end of a meal and videos about the finales of wars and movies. Stay tuned. Later today, The Slug will reveal our favoritest TV finales.

Changing the Channel

(AP Photo/HO/Fox)

Most fall TV shows have either settled into their timeslots or disappeared altogether. (Bye, "Nashville" and "Viva Laughlin"!) This season, The Slug's digital video recorder has been so heavily weighed down with new and returning programming that we've had to toss a few overboard to keep chugging along. Here's the four shows we've downgraded on our DVR so far this season. Oh, in case you were wondering, we never started recording "Cane," "Big Shots" or "Life" in the first place. 

"Prison Break." Two episodes of that Panamanian hell house were enough for us! Everything that happened during the first two seasons to the Schofield brothers was seemingly dropped, so The Slug decided to invest our time in new shows instead of staying locked up with the twists and turns of "Prison Break."

"Journeyman." Technically, we're still DVRing this "Quantum Leap" look-a-like so we can catch every second of the "Heroes" preview, but we not actually watching Kevin McKidd bounce around the 20th century anymore. We love the oh-so-moody opening credits of "Journeyman." The plots that follow 'em? Not so much.

"Moonlight." Will that human reporter and vampire private investigator ever get together? We'll never know because somewhere around the third episode, it dawned on us that "Moonlight" didn't feature enough of "Veronica Mars" alum Jason Dohring — and it's possibly the most boring vampire show ever. Yes, even moreso than "Dark Shadows."

"Bionic Woman." This one pains us the most because it was one of our favoritest pilots from the new fall TV season. Unfortch, "Bionic Woman" has lost her momentum over the course of the first five episodes. The dialogue is clunky. The action is  slow. And her kid sister is more annoying than Dawn from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ever was.

The Beginning of The End

(AP Photo/HO/Lucasfilm)

Boo! As you may or may not have heard, The Slug's pimp — asap, The Associated Press' premium multimedia news service — is scheduled to die this Halloween. We're fairly certain asap is taking The Slug with it to the netherworld, so we're gonna spend the next few days looking back and examining the ends of thangs within the pop culture universe (as will all of asap). Don't get weepy on us just yet. The end isn't really always the end. Just ask George Lucas.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Boo Bear

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Normally, we're not big fans of zoos, but we're staying objective for the selection of our Favoritest Photo of the Week. Nothing this week has simultaneously put The Slug in the Halloween spirit and made us say "awwwwww!" more than this grizzly bear stuffing her face in a jack-o-lantern. Carve out the original caption:

Kachina, a 4-year-old female grizzly bear, eats treats as she plays with a pumpkin at the San Francisco Zoo, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007. The bear treats are part of the Zoo's annual Halloween "Boo at the Zoo" and "Dia De Los Muertos" celebration. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

And On the Seventh Day There Was "24"

(AP Photo/HO/Fox)

You'll have to sit through a gushy introduction from Kiefer Sutherland — and probably an annoying DirectTV ad — to see the trailer for the seventh season of "24." However, it's totally worth it because this is gonna be the best day yet. (Yes, we say that every season.) Looks like not-dead Tony Almeida will be the villain du jour, which should make for more drama than Jack's dad ever did.

Unfortch, there were only two brief blink-and-miss-them glimpses of Bill Buchanan and Chloe O'Brien. We're worried they may not figure too heavily into the plot since CTU has been dissolved. Meanwhile, new cast member Janeane Garofalo was absent from the teasefest altogether. Whatev. We're such suckers 'cause we'll be there for the two-night Jan. 13 premiere, anyway.

J.Lo Explodes On "Dancing with the Stars"

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

Explosions. Glitter. Backup dancers. Big hair. Strobe lights. And lots of dangling fabric. There was so much stuff happening during Jennifer Lopez's performance on "Dancing with the Stars: The Results" last night, it's as if the "international superstar" was trying to hide something! Oh, and it's too bad about Mark Cuban getting voted off. We kinda liked the big lunk, but the judges were right. He really wasn't improving, despite his best efforts. Unlike previous seasons, we really have no clue who the Final Two will be this time.

The Slug Buys It Now

(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Last night, The Slug attended eBay's Game Show Night, a press event featuring Andy Ritcher and Paul F. Tompkins as hosts of a made-up eBay-themed game show — complete with podiums, flashing lights and prizes. It was cute and fun. Unfortch, we weren't selected to come on down. However, we were clued into the auction site's cool new features, which include a handy-dandy countdown page (no more hitting refresh only to learn you've been outbid by someone in Montana) and the ability to embed video in listings. Time to go shopping for old Yaz records!

"Heroes" is Shockingly Bland

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

Wow. Last night's "Heroes" episode really sucked. Not even the introduction of the totally amazing Kristen Bell as electrifying new character Elle could save that plodding and dull chapter. Nobody did anything interesting! Hiro spent the whole episode recapping his feudal exploits, which weren't that enthralling to begin with. Monica and Micah went to the playground. The playground!? Mohinder frustratingly acted out of character. Peter Petrelli opened up his boring box. And Parkman's father turned out to be ... not that scary. Please, please, please don't let this be a helixed sign of things to come. If so, we'd like Sylar and Maya to return and make everyone else ooze black goo. For more speculation on "Heroes," zap over to this AP video.

Drew Carey Needs "Price is Right" Improvement

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

The Slug made no bones about how we felt about Drew Carey becoming host of "The Price is Right." We weren't pleased with that decision. So we gave him some time to settle into his new daytime gig before passing judgment. However, he's been at it for over a week now, and we can remain silent no longer. Yesterday's episode sent us over the edge. Although Carey is a little better than we originally expected — granted, those expectations were really, really low — The Slug can't tolerate these three things:

1. Carey has developed a nervous twitch where he'll fumble with his coat pocket on camera. Maybe he's just checking to make sure $500 is in there, in case a contestant's bid is exactly right. Whatever the reason, it drives us nuts. Keep your hands out of your pocket!

2. Before playing Barker's Bargain Bar (thankfully they didn't change the game's name) Carey has a running joke that the game is named after Ezekiel Barker, the "founder" of "Price is Right." That's not funny — or respectful to the dude who the game is actually named after.

3. Carey keeps flubbing Bob's "help control the pet population" spiel at the end of the show. Even when he gets it right, his delivery sounds completely forced. If he doesn't truly care if the audience spays and neuters their pets, he shouldn't say it.

Fainting "with the Stars"

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

As Marie Osmond was twirling around the "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom during last night's spicy Latin Night, The Slug thought to ourselves, "You know what? We didn't think we'd like her. We even had the audacity to call her an old geezer at one point. But she's become one of the most entertaining celebrities to watch this season."

Then, as she was being critiqued by the judges, Osmond fainted. She's fine. The question is: Will the producers choose to show Osmond falling to the floor repeatedly and in slow motion on tonight's results show, like they did with Jennie Garth's quickstep tumble a few weeks ago? Probably. "Dancing with the Stars" has a way of hiking up the drama higher than Edyta Sliwinska's skirt.

Halloween Costumes Ideas

(AP Photos)

The Slug's favoritest holiday is just around the corner. That means it's time to dress up like a celebrity train wreck and hope everyone else in the room gets it. The Slug suspects lots of folks will be Anna Nicole Smith and Paris Hilton, so we're opting for other topical pop-culture icons. This year, we're keeping it simple (and cheap!), so all our ideas consist of just three elements. Let us know which of these five characters you think would garner us more tricks than treats.

• Bee Hive Wig + Black Tooth Makeup + Illegal Substances = Amy Winehouse
• Computer Chip Contacts + Cleavage + Sagging Ratings = "Bionic Woman"
• Bad Weave + Glittery Bra and Panties + No Facial Expression = Britney Spears
• Wallet Chain + Suicidal Tendencies Shirt + Farting = "Evel" Dick Donato
• Ponyhawk Wig + Microphone + No Talent = Sanjaya Malakar

Wisteria Lane Suffering from Overcrowding

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

We caught up with the "Desperate Housewives" third season this weekend — and wished we had a map to keep track of all the new neighbors: Bree's scheming ex-mother-in-law, the fussy gay couple, their poor dog and all of Katherine's creepy brood, including poor Aunt Lillie, who only lasted one episode before biting the dust. No wonder there are no opening credits this year. They'd take up half the episode! This season's mystery surrounding Katherine and her memory-impaired daughter has definitely piqued our curiosity. Our preliminary theory is that she and Aunt Lillie forced Dillion to kill her father then trekked to Chicago and had her hypnotized by Adam. Hey, we'd expect no less from "Desperate Housewives."

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Run for the Border

(AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Question: Why are Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt from "The Hills" posing in formal wear at a Taco Bell? Answer: Uhhhh. Something to do with raising awareness for World Hunger Relief Week? Yes, we're being serious — and that's why were making this bizarre image our Favoritest Photo of the Week. This photo begs the question: Were Heidi and Spencer the only TV personalities available? Jeez. They could've at least brought that talking chihuahua out of retirement.

TV personalities Heidi Montag, left, and Spencer Pratt pose for photographers inside a Taco Bell in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles to raise awareness and funds for World Hunger Relief Week on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

"Star Trek" Shows Its Bones

(AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

The Enterprise is ready to engage. With the official announcement that Chris Pine will indeed play Kirk and that Karl Urban from "The Lord of the Rings" films has been cast as Dr. "Bones" McCoy, that means all the roles of the starship's senior officers have been filled. Honestly, we don't have a problem with any of director J.J. Abrams' hot young not-too-too-famous choices. We can't wait to see them in uniform— and find out what this big-screen reboot's secret plot is all about.

 

"Survivor: China" Cover-Up

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

Looks like we no longer have to wonder why undies are being blurred out by CBS on "Survivor: China." Jeff Probst didn't mention it, but the castaways showed up to last night's immunity challenge —  the first swimming competition of the season — wearing previously unseen swim wear. The Slug guesses the producers simply tossed the contestants their suits to put on before the challenge. Do you think that's fair? And what about the tribal switcheroo? Was it right to force the teams to trade their strongest players? Poor Aaron and James!

Another Slice of "Pushing Daisies" Please

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

As Chuck was baking that gruyere-crusted anti-depressant pie on last night's "Pushing Daisies," The Slug couldn't help but exclaim: There should be a "Pushing Daisies" pie product line! ABC could totally team up with Betty Crocker or Sara Lee or some other non-fiction mass-producing piemaker to bring The Pie Hole's creations to life. Yes, we despise product placement and brand synergy as much as the next blog, but anything that brings more "Pushing Daisies" into our life should be considered a good thing. As this was our idea, we want a slice of the profits. Sorry, Emerson.

Real Estate for Sale in Middle-Earth

(AP Photo/HO/Turbine)

You'll soon be able to own your own virtual home in Middle-earth. That's because "Lord of the Rings Online" is introducing player housing on Oct. 24. The homes will cost up to 20 gold pieces. The interiors can be customized and decked out with hundreds of items. Dwarves will dwell in Ered Luin. Men will maintain residences in Bree-land.  Elves will exist in The Tower Falls. And hobbits will hang in The Shire. How precious! 

"Heroes" Powers, Activate!

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

Sorry our thoughts on this week's "Heroes" — the best second season episode yet — are a little late. We've been experiencing computer trouble. Where's Micah when you need him? Oh, just busy stealing some pay-per-view wrestling. That lil' genius has turned into a lil' brat. He needs a time out. Meanwhile, the Wonder Twins finally met up with Sylar — just liked we promised. Hopefully, their slow-moving storyline keeps revving up. For our theories on the photo of the mature "Heroes," drive your Nissan Rouge to this AP online video.

"Sex and the" Spoilers

(AP Photos/Darla Khazei)

It's not a good time to live in New York. That's because the much ballyhooed "Sex and the City" movie is currently shooting in the Big Apple — and it's tough to avoid being spoiled from certain plot points when Carrie Bradshaw is running around the street in a wedding gown. Gasp! Is she really gonna marry Mr. Big? Why is she attacking him with her bouquet? What's that bird on her head? Questions! Questions!

Maybe the filmmakers are just shooting a fake scene to deceive nosy bystanders? Maybe it's just a dream sequence? (Yeah, right. Since when did "Sex and the City" ever do dream sequences?) We're just not that into being spoiled. However, if you're not like us and wanna know every Cosmo-soaked morsel, strut your Manolos over to this blog entirely devoted to the film.

Meet (Most of) the New "Star Trek" Crew

(AP Photo/Reed Saxon/Matt Sayles/Jason DeCrow/Carolyn Kaster/Ahn Young-joon)

Spock. Chekov. Uhura. Scotty Sulu. The bridge of J.J. Abram's Enterprise is almost full. According to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, Simon Pegg from "Hot Fuzz" and John Cho from "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle" have joined the new "Star Trek" film as Scotty and Sulu, respectively. Previously, Eric Bana was announced as the film's villain, Nero. And blue-eyed Chris Pine is reportedly in talks for the role of Kirk. According to The Hollywood Reporter, "The lead roles remaining to be cast are Christopher Pike, Kirk's predecessor, and Kirk's parents." Hey, what about Dr. McCoy!?

The Name of the Game

(AP Photo/HO/World Cyber Games/Marcus R. Donner)

As you might have heard, The Slug was in Seattle last weekend. One of the reasons we traveled to the Emerald City was to attend the World Cyber Games Grand Final. It's sorta like the Olympics for gaming geeks. More than 700 competitors from 74 different countries battled in games like "Gears of War" and "Counter-Strike" for $448,000 in prize money. Team USA ended up nabbing the most medals. You can see our report on the action in this week's "Up Down Left Right," the AP's weekly video game video.

Favoritest Photo of the Week: Hands On

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The Slug doesn't care whether Jake Gyllenhaal and Reese Witherspoon are, aren't or were ever a special item. However, we did think this candid image of a bearded Gyllenhaal getting touchy on the "Rendition" premiere red carpet was cute enough to proclaim our Favoritest Photo of the Week. Grab the original caption:

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, left, moves the camera away from photographer Steve Granitz to see who was yelling "It's me" at the premiere of "Rendition" in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

"Survivor: China" Head Games

(AP Photo/HO/CBS)

Is sneaky editing to blame? Or are the "Survivor: China" castaways who've been privy to the Hidden Immunity Idol clues — Jamie, Todd and booted Leslie — just big dumb-dumbs for not realizing the Hidden Immunity Idol is that plaque hanging above their heads? It looked like smarty-pants Todd was staring right at it during last night's episode, but we never saw the flight attendant go up in the air for it.

A Good "Tin Man" is Hard to Find

(AP Photo/HO/Sci Fi)

The Slug is actually looking forward to Sci Fi Channel's reimagining of "The Wizard of Oz." Yes, we know this is the same channel that turns out such schlocky made-for-TV movies as "Mansquito" and "Mega Snake," but the preview for the "Tin Man" mini-series (which premieres Dec. 2) doesn't make us wanna click our heels and wish we were home. Go off to see their bizarre promotional site.

Bravo's Guiltiest Pleasures are Coming Back

(AP Photo/HO/Bravo)

Forget "Top Design" and "Work Out." Bravo is finally giving us more of what we want: "The Real Housewives of Orange County" and "Project Runway." The Slug sucked up the first episodes of their upcoming new seasons, premiering Nov. 6 and Nov. 14, respectively. While the first "Runway" challenge is sorta boring — express yourself as a designer with a bunch of fabric donated by Mood —  this season's contestants are not. We'll be keeping our eyes on fierce Carmen Webber, full-of-himself Christian Siriano and fiery Rami Kashou (pictured above, left). Their debut garments worked best for us.

Over in "Orange County," new bobbleheaded cast member Tamra Barney (pictured above, right) has moved in. She just turned 40 and has a 21-year-old son. You do the math. Meanwhile, the returning "housewives" are dealing with new domestic distresses. Tammy Knickerbocker is coping with the death of her ex-husband. Jeana Keough seems headed for divorce with her current husband. And Lauri Waring is planning a wedding to a new husband. These ladies may not be as vivacious as "The Hills" girls, but their "Orange County" drama certainly feels more real.

Viva Wayne Netwon's "Dancing" Dismissal

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

Not even a phony ponytail or 'stache could help the stiff Wayne Newton, who was sent back to Las Vegas on last night's "Dancing with the Stars." Unfortch, we think ol' Wayne was just too, well, old to compete against the likes of Sabrina Ryan and Cameron Mathison. In more distressing news, we learned that mumbly co-host Samantha Harris will return from maternity leave next week. Please! No! That has to be the shortest maternity leave ever. 

"Heroes" Floats Our Boat

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

That wacky computer-generated flying escapade aside, The Slug truly hearted the latest episode of "Heroes." Mostly because it marked the return of deliciously evil Sylar. We even appreciated Niki and Micah's appearance. Does anyone else think Uhura is a member of the superpowered mature folks club? Also, did you spot Claire's Nissan Rogue as Maya and Alejandro's getaway ride? As previously reported here on The Slug, the on-the-lam Dominicans will encounter Sylar in next week's episode. For more "Heroes" dish, watch us in this AP video.

We're Embarrassed for Kim Cattrall

(AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)

Hello friends. So we're back in New York, but we wanted to tell you about something totally weird we witnessed while shopping at a mall in Seattle last week. OK. So a flat-screen TV monitor outside an Express had a message about a celebrity birthday. Naturally, we stopped to see what famous face was celebrating their b-day that day. The flat-screen TV read: "Kim Cattrall is 51 today." Wow. She looks great for her age, we told ourselves. Then, the TV said: "Happy Birthday, Kim!"

Ummm. Seriously? Here's our problem. First, why wish Cattrall a happy birthday on a mall TV monitor? Does anybody really think she's stopping by Auntie Anne's for a pretzel? C'mon. Everyone knows she's been shooting the "Sex and the City" movie in New York and was at the MIPCOM convention in France last week. (That's where the photo above came from.) Second, how dare they blast her age across the mall like that. Not cool. Third, her birthday was actually on Aug. 21. That birthday wish was well over a month late!

Favoritiest Photo of the Week: Son of a Gun

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Usually, our Favoritiest Photo of the Week features some sort of entertainment or pop culture connection. Sometimes, however, we come across an AP image that's just too visually striking to resist. This photo of a gun closet looks like something James Bond or The Terminator might have installed in their abodes. Of course, that's not the case. Take aim at the original caption:

Guns line the walls of the firearms reference collection at the Washington Metropolitan Police Department headquarters in Washington on Sept. 28, 2007. Most of the guns, used now for forensic research, were seized during crimes under a 31-year-old law in the nation's capital that bars handgun ownership for nearly everyone except law enforcement. That ban is now in jeopardy. The law was struck down by a federal appeals court this year, and now the District of Columbia is asking the Supreme Court to weigh in. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Let the World Cyber Games Begin

(AP Photo/Derrik J. Lang)

The World Cyber Games Grand Final — could that name be any longer? — kicked off here in Seattle last night with an Olympic-like ceremony. We've covered gaming competitions before, but we've never seen any video game contest as epic as the WCG Grand Final. Competitors from all over the world are battling each other  in multiplayer matches in games like "Gears of War," "Counter Strike" and "WarCraft III" throughout the huge Qwest Field Event Center. You can be a spectator online or in person. The action continues through Sunday.

Sleepy in Seattle

(AP Photo/Cheryl Hatch)

So how much did you love "Pushing Daisies" last night? And who won "Top Chef"? You'll have to tell us later because The Slug is on assignment in Seattle for the rest of the week. Posts will be more sporadic than usual. In our absence, keep yourself busy with some AP reading material about a reality TV tussle, a "Desperate Housewives" controversy and the latest chapter in the Britney Spears custody trial. Check back later for our first report from the World Cyber Games Grand Final, which is being held at the Qwest Field Event Center this weekend.

Push Record on "Pushing Daisies" Tonight

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

So "Big Shots" ain't such a big deal. "Bionic Woman" needs a slight upgrade. "Gossip Girl" hasn't really had us talking. And "Chuck" doesn't suck — but probably would've been better as a feature film. Thus far, don't you think the new fall TV season has been suspiciously underwhelming? That changes tonight with the premiere of the totally lovable and immensely whimsical "Pushing Daisies." Do yourself (and us, if you're a Nielsen home) a favor and make sure you watch this ABC show. Don't let it become another "Arrested Development" or we'll hate you forever.

Albert Reed Faces the Music on "Dancing"

(AP Photo/HO/ABC)

Just when The Slug was starting to warm up to goofy Abercrombie & Fitch model Albert Reed on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars," he was voted off the show last night. We can't be too shocked. Next to Josie Maran, he was the least famous contestant this season. Still, Reed's routine was far superior to Wayne Newton's embarrassing quickstep. This proves "Dancing with the Stars" is a definitely a popularity contest, not a talent show.

"Kane & Lynch: Dead Men" at Work

(AP Photo/HO/Eidos)

Already finished "Halo 3" and ready to move on to another first-person shooter? Well, The Slug recommends "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men," which comes out Nov. 20 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC. Earlier today, game publisher Eidos gave us a firsthand sneak peak at the game's violent action, inspired by the likes of "Heat" and "Pulp Fiction." We like that "Kane & Lynch" feels more like an interactive movie than a sprawling game. And we're sorta sick of battling aliens and German forces, so bring on the hasty hoodlums and contemporary coppers!

"Heroes" Toes the Line

(AP Photo/HO/NBC)

That sure was a freaky episode of "Heroes" last night! Surprisingly, we're starting to miss Niki and Micah. They'll be back next week. In the meantime, these questions will linger in our mind: Who attacked Angela in the interrogation room? Why are Maya and Alejandro so boring? Does Kensi have the same power as Claire? Who did Peter get that electrical power from? Do Isaac's lost paintings all depict the deaths of superpowered elders? Did Mr. Muggles eat Claire's pinkie toe? And just what kind of newspaper prints a photo of a body that went splat on the sidewalk? For more on what we thought of this week's "Heroes" episode, check out this AP video.

Oh, Baby, Baby

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Chris Crocker is going to go ballistic when he hears this! A judge has ordered that Britney Spears turn over custody of her two boo-boos to ex-husband Kevin Federline this week. Wowie zowie. And we thought that MTV Video Music Award performance was rough. In previous Brit Brit news, she was ordered to undergo random drug and alcohol testing twice a week as part of her ongoing custody dispute with K-Fed. No word on if the two are related, at this point.

We Don't Think They're Ready for This Jelly

(AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Was Beyonce not willing to cover up for her first concert in Malaysia? According to Knowles' agency, she canceled the show "due to a scheduling conflict." However, she will instead perform in neighboring Indonesia, whose government doesn't demand that female performers cover their bods from their shoulders down to their knees. Hmmm. This sounds more like a "wardrobe conflict" to us.