Head Cases Call me crazy, but...

Head Cases
Call me crazy, but I love series premieres. There's always so much hope. So much promise. Then, of course, you have to actually watch the episode. This one's OK, but far from perfect I'm not totally sold on this Odd Couple concept. Jason Payne (Chris O'Donnell) goes into a full-on nervous breakdown after his wife (Krista Allen) throws him out for not being there for her or their son. Russell Shultz (Adam Goldberg) suffers from some sort of inexplicable rage disorder. The two lawyers end up working together. Why? I'm really not so sure. The doctor at the hospital says it's a sponsor-type thing, but the reasoning is really kind of weak. And then there's the fact that O'Donnell's character seems like he went from zero to breakdown in record speed, but whatever. It's good to see the former Boy Wonder spending some quality time with us in TV Land. And it's always good to see Goldberg in one of those seriously off-kilter roles we've come to expect from him. I think of Jason and Russell as Felix and Oscar mixed in with a little Michael Kuzak (see L.A. Law) and Denny Crane (see Boston Legal). Plus, you have to see the kid who plays O'Donnell's son. He's way adorable. And wouldn't you know it, I spotted Dr. Ruth, Rockmund Dunbar (who has also appeared on Fox's Prison Break)and Kimber from Nip/Tuck. I love her! So all in all, this quirky show is unrealistic, but watchable. Don't know if it's enough to get me to tune in to Episode 2, but it's not a bad way to spend an hour.  Bettina Charles

Rock Star: INXS
I used to hate Oasis. I mean I hated those Beatles wannabes. Then I saw them perform "Champagne Supernova" on the Video Music Awards back when the VMAs were worth watching and that was that. I was hooked. Liam Gallagher slurred his way through the lyrics, spit dramatically on the stage and gave everyone in the audience (and in his own band) the hairy eyeball. It was so very rock and roll. And J.D., while thankfully not spitting on his fans, had the same effect on me this week with his performances, especially "Pretty Vegas." From the series' start, I just didn't like the guy. But damned if he didn't win me over with his I-am-who-I-am 'tude and versatile voice. Did you catch his falsetto runs in the acoustic "Vegas"? Simply sublime.

Yet J.D. still ended up in the bottom three, with sultry Suzie and Broadway MiG, who I thought would be bounced back to the boards. But I was wrong; Suzie was sent home, and we're set up for an all-male showdown with the three kings: Marty, MiG and J.D. Frankly, I'm glad. While Suzie is no doubt a phenomenal singer, her ouster eliminates the novelty aspect of the finale. Now, it's just three guys fighting to replace one of the best frontmen of the '80s. And any of them could easily win. But I'd bet the odds in "Pretty Vegas" favor J.D.   Joseph Hudak