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TV Gal Sends Out the Search Party (james marsters mention)

Amy Amatangelo

Monday 31 October 2005, by Webmaster

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - - Thanks to everyone who participated in the "Where’s Donna?" rally. Obviously, we were extremely successful. But people we cannot stop with Donna. This season characters have been disappearing with nary a mention. Dr. Susan Lewis got one throwaway line on "ER" about taking a job at a new hospital. I understand why the folks over "ER" may be a little peeved at Sherry Stringfield, the actress who cried "I’m leaving ’ER,’" but don’t loyal fans deserve better? If you turned away for a nanosecond, you would have missed the explanation for where Terry Lake (Sabrina Lloyd) has gone on "Numb3rs." And they couldn’t wait to thin the herd on "Boston Legal."

But there are some characters, besides our beloved Donna (and let me reiterate that no one, and I mean no one, wants to deal with my wrath if Josh and Donna don’t end up together at the end of the season) who haven’t been written off the show but for some reason we haven’t seen much of this season. For instance,

Where’s Lane on "Gilmore Girls": Why have we seen so little of Lane this season? It’s fine for Kirk and even Paris to appear for their quick bist of comedy, but Lane is Rory’s best friend and we need to see more of her. And while I’m on my rant, where’s Marty? Sure, we know that Rory is with Logan and is oblivious to the fact that her pal Marty is in love with her, but wouldn’t he stop by for a visit or at least be at her birthday party?

Where’s Weevil on "Veronica Mars": Yes, I know his episode order has been reduced this season, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Where’s Brad on "Boston Legal": Once they thinned the herd on this show, they immediately fattened it back up again and the shenanigans ensued. That means Ed’s old girlfriend is getting more screen time than the fabulous Mark Valley. People, it’s just not right.

Where’s Shannon on "Lost": I know you’ve heard the rumors I’ve been hearing. That someone is not going to survive the month of November on television’s most mysterious island. And I know you’ve probably heard that Boone’s sister may be the one on her way out. But we’ve seen so little of her, besides Sayid, will anyone even notice that she’s gone? Oh, and "West Wing," don’t think you’re off the hook quite yet, I’m organizing a "Where’s Charlie?" rally for next weekend.

What characters do you think we haven’t seen enough of this season? Talk about it on the TV Gal message board.

Quotes of the Week

"Come on Clark, there are no such things as vampire." Professor Milton Fine (James Marsters) to Clark on "Smallville." Thanks to Ken for the quote. And thanks to "Smallville" for fun episode that found Clark wearing a cape and a sorority sister named Buffy Sanders wrecking havoc.

"You know Rory, being a young lady comes with many gifts. Your virtue, for example, is a gift, a precious gift, possibly the most precious gift you possess. You want to give this gift very carefully. It is a gift you can only give to one man. Once you give it, it’s gone. You can’t re-gift it. If you give it away too soon, to the wrong man, then when the right one does come along, you will have no gift to give. You’ll have to buy him a sweater." The minister to Rory on "Gilmore Girls." Bless TV Gal reader David for getting down the exact quote.

"The ultimate gift ship has sailed ... awhile ago, it’s probably in Fiji by now." Rory’s response. Thanks to Becki for the quote.

"She has a message for you. She says you should have stayed away from her boyfriend." The psychic to Veronica on "Veronica Mars."

"She’s not going to have premarital sex until she’s married." Bright talking about Hannah to Ephram on "Everwood."

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Patrick and Michael recognized that Francois Chau who played Mr. Chue on "Grey’s Anatomy" was Dr. Marvin Candle in the movie that played in the "Orientation" episode of "Lost." He was also Ambassador Koo Yin last season on "24."

Phillip was the first to catch Wallace Shawn as Susan’s embezzling agent on "Desperate Housewives." He was Grand Nagus Zek on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," Dr. Sties on "Crossing Jordan" and I’ll always think of him as Mr. Hall from "Clueless."

Lee Ann was the first to catch Harry Groener, the evil Mayor on "Buffy," is Joe’s boss on "Medium." Groener can also be seen as Gunther on "Las Vegas."

Gavin wanted me to remind everyone that Jessica Hecht was Stephanie Lowenstein, Abby’s patient on "ER." Hecht was Susan on "Friends," Janeane on "The Single Guy," and Besty on "What About Joan."

In addition to Annie Potts, there were a slew of familiar faces on "Close to Home." Allison Smith, Mallory on "The West Wing" and, of course, Jennie on "Kate & Allie," was the defendant Cindy Delacroix. Kevin Rahm, Kyle on "Judging Amy," Danny on "Jesse" and seen last season as Joan’s teacher Mr. Tuchman on "Joan of Arcadia," was Mark.

Kat Dennings, Sarah on "Raising Dad," was Zoe, Ray’s little one night stand on "ER." And you all recognized Jeffery Sams, currently playing retired baseball player Terrence Cook on "Veronica Mars," was Greg’s old medical school buddy on "ER." Sams was also Det. Cyrus Lockwood on "CSI" and Todd in "Line of Fire."

Jill recognized Christine Eastabrook, the dear departed Mrs. Huber from "Desperate Housewives," was the psychic on "Veronica Mars."

Where Have I Seen That Moment Before?

This week’s TV Gal gold star goes to Lia, Mary and Kent who remembered that Felicity Huffman danced on top of the bar to "Boogie Shoes" in the "Dear Louise" episode of "Sports Night." Just like Lynette did on "Desperate Housewives." Such good times.

Highlights of the Week Ahead All times listed are Eastern Time for Oct. 31 to Nov. 6

That was an excellent twist on "Prison Break" (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.) don’t you think? All this time I thought Patricia Wettig was the First Lady, but this is even better. "Prison Break," which is getting better every week, will have its fall season finale on Nov. 28 to make room for "24" to take over that time slot in January. Now I bet you can guess what will happen on Nov. 28.

Contrary to popular belief, I am not giving "Nip/Tuck" (Tuesday, FX, 10 p.m.) the silent treatment. Yes, I still fear that the characters have become so outrageous that they’ve become cartoons — bouncing back almost without incident after violent attacks, criminal accusations and broken hearts. But I do think John Hensley is doing his best work ever on the series (even though Matt is, how do I put this, totally freaking me out) and I have to stick around to see who the Carver is, don’t I? This week Anne Heche begins her three-episode stint as a mafia princess who gets plastic surgery to go undercover.

I love the fact that the Logan/Duncan rift is so not about Veronica on "Veronica Mars." This week UPN repeats the pilot at Wednesday at 9 p.m. Now, I know some of you were concerned after last week’s slightly lackluster and virtually Logan-free episode. But what I love about Veronica is that she’s not perfect, she’s not always nice and she can be a little selfish. It makes her more real and the show even stronger. People, it’s not time to panic. I promise.

The "Freddie" support group meets Wednesday at 8:30 on ABC. If you were a charter member of the "Suddenly Susan" or "Good Morning, Miami" support groups you should have already received your invitation.

"That ’70s Show" is back for an eighth season at 8 p.m. on FOX. When we last left the gang from Wisconsin, Hyde (Danny Masterson) caught Jackie (Mila Kunis) and Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) in a compromising position.

I will break my vow of silence to let you know that it is "The O.C." (Thursday, FOX, 8 p.m.) I’m giving the silent treatment to. I have nothing new to say about the cliched characters (the evil dean, Summer’s bratty rival, Kirsten’s crazy friend), but I haven’t completely given up hope. When I lift my vow of silence, you’ll be the first to know. Congratulations to TV Gal reader Andy who was the first to guess this.

Can "Alias" reset the clock with a new Vaughn (Thomas Grace), a pseudo Sydney (Rachel Gibson), a would-be Sloane (Gordon Dean) and an SD-6 wannabe? Perhaps, but adding a junior agent who Sydney can train (not to mention can don the sexy outfits under cover) reminds me of when aging family comedies add a new cute baby to the family. It doesn’t always work. This week ABC airs "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (Thursday at 8 p.m.) in lieu of its regularly scheduled programming.

Alex Kingston, the erstwhile Dr. Corday on "ER," guest stars as woman whose husband is kidnapped in Mexico on "Without a Trace" (Thursday, CBS, 10 p.m.). But do you know why this episode is going to be such good times? Paul McCrane, Dr. Romano on "ER," directs this episode. Want to hear more good news? Gordon Clapp, Detective Medavoy, will be on the Nov. 10 episode and Laurie Metcalf (Jackie on "Roseanne") pops up on Nov. 17 with Andrea Bowen (Julie on "Desperate Housewives")

One of my favorite actors, Scott Cohen (Mr. Medina on "Gilmore Girls") guest stars on "Numb3rs" (Friday, CBS, 10 p.m.)

I can’t explain enough how you must start watching (rewatching?) "The West Wing" (Sunday, NBC, 8 p.m.). Trust me. I know you may doubt my judgment given this whole "Freddie" situation, but the show has been excellent this year. So come on, tune into the live debate between Santos and Vinick and let me know what you think.

That’s all for today. I’ll be back next week with a check in on how I’m still so in love with "Everwood," speculate on what’s in store for "Lost" (and I demand an Emmy nomination for Daniel Dae Kim), see how we feel about McDreamy’s decision and much, much more. Have a question, seen a familiar face, have an inside scoop or want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com by clicking on my byline at the top of my column.