Buffy The Vampire Slayer

It’s been awhile since I’ve done this column. So in honor of Valentine’s Day, their kiss, their kiss is on my list.

Deep down, we know that a television couple is entirely fictional (really, we do). They’re two actors paid to read their lines and emote (I’m serious, we know that). But sometimes we forget. Sometimes a television kiss is the butterflies-in-your-stomach, toes-curled, heart-go-pitter-patter kind of lip lock that we actually stand up and cheer.

Here are my 11 favorite television kisses (I instituted a one kiss per show rule).

1. Veronica and Logan on "Veronica Mars" in "M.A.D.": Sigh. Even Logan still recalls that sexy scene in the Neptune High bathroom. Could Veronica actually fall for her dead best friend’s boyfriend? Absolutely. And here’s hoping, she falls for him again.

2. Sydney and Vaughn on "Alias" in "Phase One": After SD-6 had been destroyed and their reason for remaining apart obliterated, Sydney and Vaughn, in full S.W.A.T. team regalia, rushed toward each other, kissed, and the world around them disappeared.

3. Buffy and Spike in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in "Tabula Rasa": As the camera panned away from Michelle Branch singing the apropos "Goodbye to You," and snuck around the corner, viewers saw Spike and Buffy hungrily kissing. The lustful duo had their share of fiery moments (and sweet ones like in "Once More With Feeling"), but this kiss demonstrated their mutual attraction at its most base level.

4. Kate and Sawyer on "Lost" in "Confidence Man": For being stuck on an island, Kate is not without options (and obviously, with those perfectly arched eyebrows, not without access to a spa, but that’s a topic for another time). When Sawyer and Freckles locked lips it became clear that Sawyer was one sexy bad boy.

5. Mulder and Scully on "The X-Files" in "Existence": We knew they had to be in love and this was the proof we had all been waiting for. Scully gives birth to her son, William. "From the moment I became pregnant, I feared the truth about how and why. And I know that you feared it, too," Scully told Mulder. He replied, "I think what we feared were the possibilities. The truth we both know." "Which is what?" Scully asked. To answer her question, Mulder leaned down and kissed her over their love child. This is so why we deserve an "X-Files" movie.

6. Hannah and Bright on "Everwood" in "Where The Heart Is": As you know, this was one of my favorite moments of 2005. Endearing, awkward and worth the wait. Moments like this rarely happen in real life, but "Everwood" made it oh-so-believable.

7. Pacey and Joey on "Dawson’s Creek" in "Stolen Kisses": In the best story line to ever come out of "The Creek" Pacey falls for his best friend’s girl. While visiting Dawson’s Aunt Gwen, Joey realizes that she loves Pacey too. After telling our Pacey that he makes her feel alive, he announces that he’s going to start kissing her in 10 seconds and begins counting ... .

8. Ross and Rachel on "Friends" in "The One Where Ross Finds Out": Sure, by the time the series ended we were so over this couple we needed a new word for over. But on Nov. 9, 1995, Ross and Rachel were television’s It Couple. After a drunken Rachel leaves a message on Ross’s machine that she’s over him, Ross utters the classic line "You’re over me? When we’re you under me?" Then he goes to the Central Perk and looks longingly at her through the window, Rachel wrestles with the locks, before flinging open the doors. The two kiss in the pouring rain. Years later, that moment is still perfect.

9. Sam and Diane on "Cheers" in "Showdown, Part 2": Television’s defining will-they-or-won’t-they-couple. In the first season’s finale, Diane slaps Sam, he slaps her back, this continues until he asks, "Are you as turned on as I am?" "More," she replies and they kiss.

10. Doug and Carol on "ER" in "Such Sweet Sorrow": As Don Henley’s song "Taking You Home" played, Carol rushed to be with the man that she loved. Standing out on the dock, Doug kissed the woman he had redeemed himself for and asked the simple question, "Where are the girls?" George Clooney’s surprise appearance remains one of television’s best kept secrets.

11. David and Maddie on "Moonlighting" in "I am curious ... Maddie": Known as the "Big Bang" episode among fans, David and Maddie finally sleep together in a scene that literally takes down the house. The show went downhill after this, but we at least got to see the pair happy for a night.

Those are some of my favorite kisses. What are yours? Talk about it on TV Gal Message Boards.

Quotes of the Week

"She’s got my McDreamy and my McDog. She’s got my McLife." Meredith about Addison to Christina on "Grey’s Anatomy."

"Trust me. You don’t want to go down this road with me." Jack interrogating a suspect on "24." Thanks to Kathryn for the quote.

"One second, I’m like this close to the highest score on Donkey Kong." Sawyer to Jack when entering the numbers into the computer on "Lost."

"Why is Beav all snuggly with that chick from ’Ghost World’?" Dick Casablancas, seeing his brother with Mac, on "Veronica Mars." Thanks to Jessica for the quote.

"Ted, the only reason to wait a month for sex is if the girl is 17 years 11 months old." Barney on "How I Met Your Mother." Thanks to Tom and Yenae for being the first to submit this very popular quote.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Everyone recognized Patrick Bauchau, Desantis on "Alias," Chase’s father on "House" and Sydney on "The Pretender," was the man decoding the terrorist bomb on "24."

There were a slew of familiar faces on the big "Grey’s Anatomy" Super Bowl episode. Jillian Armenante, Donna on "Judging Amy," was the screaming wife. Kyle Chandler, Gary on "Early Edition," Jake on "What About Joan," Jeff on "Homefront" and Grant on "Lyon’s Den," is the head of the bomb squad. And Cress Williams, who as so many of you have pointed out should move to the top of the "so deserves his own show pile," played Dr. Bailey’s husband. Williams is Wallace’s father on "Veronica Mars," has worked on the Santos campaign this season on "The West Wing," was Reggie on "ER" and, most importantly, was D’Shawn on "90210."

Kim Dickens was Sawyer’s long con Cassidy in "Lost." Dickens was Joanie on "Deadwood" and Danni on Showtime’s "Out of Order."

Arlen Escarpeta, Sam on "American Dreams," was in Ruthie’s detention on "7th Heaven."

Of course you all recognized Susanna Thompson, Karen on "Once and Again" and Judith on "The Book of Daniel," was the wife of the killer on "CSI." But did you catch William Sadler, Sheriff Jim Valenti on "Roswell," as the killer? Michelle recognized Gary Basaraba, Ray on "Boomtown" and Greg’s dad on "Everybody Hates Chris," was the father of the murdered girl.

Mary and Joe were the first to catch Rider Strong, Shawn on "Boy Meets World" (staring Ben Savage), was Fred Savage’s friend on "Crumbs." You catch Rider Strong later this season on the new WB series "Pepper Dennis."

DJ was the first to recognize Jay Kenneth Johnson, Chris on "North Shore," was the handsome new gynecologist on "Scrubs."

Highlights of the Week Ahead All times listed are Eastern Standard Time for Feb. 13 to 19

You know "Skating with Celebrities" (Monday, FOX, 8 p.m.) just hasn’t lived up to my expectations. The big problem is that it’s not live thus stripping the show of momentum and excitement. How excited can we get if we know the whole thing is already decided? Secondly, I think it’s just too hard for "celebrities" (and clearly we’re using that term loosely) to get that good at skating so it’s not that enjoyable to watch. One of the key reasons "Dancing with the Stars" is so much fun is that the performances are actually pretty good.

Let me give you my script for Kim’s big scene on "24" (Monday, FOX, 9 p.m.). Jack (in a helicopter with gravelly intense voice): "Sweetheart, I’m still alive. I faked my own death. I’m sorry sweetheart, but it was the only way." Kim (crying): "Oh dad, I’m just so happy to hear from you. I knew you were still alive. I just knew it." Jack: "Thanks for understanding. I’ll call you after I’ve saved the world. Give my love to Chase." End scene. I get that Jack has to call his daughter, I’m just not happy about it.

Okay, it’s time for Victoria to exit stage left on "How I Met Your Mother" (Monday, CBS, 9 p.m.). I’m glad Lilly and Marshall are making fun of them but this little coupling is still not working. Here’s hoping Ashley Williams ABC pilot "Him & Us" gets picked up.

Such good times that Logan is a little Christopher on "Gilmore Girls" (Tuesday, WB, 8 p.m.). But what I’m most excited about is that the issues among the Gilmores have not gone away with one big Friday night argument. Richard is still miffed he’s no longer paying for Yale, Rory is still defensive, and Lorelai is still avoiding things by cracking jokes. But the way the series is handling the Luke/Lorelai romance is a little bizarre. The duo doesn’t even really act like they’re in love any more. Personally, I’d like to see a little more passion.

Remember a few years ago in "Alias’" big post Super Bowl episode, the first scene was Sydney coming out in a very sexy outfit and then switching to another very sexy outfit? Yes, that scene was designed to keep male viewers but it also fit with the show — Sydney was constantly in revealing, undercover getups. Plus, there was the classic Sydney punch line "What was wrong with the black one?" But I have to tell you, I hated the opening scene of "Grey’s Anatomy." Not only did the shower scene not fit with the show in general, it didn’t even fit with the episode. I was kind of embarrassed for the actresses. Yes ,"Grey’s Anatomy" is a sexy show, but it’s not a tawdry show. Okay, I’m officially stepping down from my soap box, but you have to tell me what you thought of the opening segment.