A few weeks ago we asked you to name your favorite cute and cuddly kids on TV. In that spirit, we're looking for more cute and cuddly — but this time we want to hear about the animals on the boob tube. Sure dogs like Digby from Pushing Daisies (pictured) and Eddie from Fraiser are man's best friends, but don't forget the other members of the animal kingdom, like Marcel the monkey from Friends. There are so many choices, and we want to hear them all!So, which of our furry friends is your favorite? Tell us who and why in the comments, and check back to see if your choice makes our list!
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Cheers to Desperate Housewives for hitting a high note with its first post-twister (and last pre-strike!) episode. From the welcome return of M*A*S*H veteran Mike Farrell as Victor's cold-blooded father (who knew B.J. could be such an SOB?) to the Frasier-level farces involving Bree's gay roofer and Ida's ashes, it was a delight. Yet it had moments of genuine pathos as well, like when Lynette saw her family emerge from the rubble (though I wouldn't have minded if bratty Kayla hadn't made it). And how about Carlos going blind? I just hope it lasts longer than SVU's "Blinded" debacle — and the strike doesn't last much longer for Desperate fans.• Read and react to Bruce's opinions on Celebrity Apprentice, the "new" Law & Order and more!• Share your own raves and rants about other shows on the Reader Cheers & Jeers discussion board.• We may feature your Cheer or Jeer on TVGuide.com or in TV Guide magazine!
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The past few weeks have been trying ones for anyone who cares about TV and the potentially devastating impact the ongoing writers’ strike could have on the current season and beyond. Which is why, being a cockeyed optimist and all, I’ve been cautiously thanking the fates ever since hearing that the Writers’ Guild and the producers’ alliance are going back to the negotiating table on Monday. No guarantee, of course, that this will mean a quick end to the standoff that has shut so much production down already. But hey, it’s Thanksgiving week, so let’s stay in a thankful and hopeful mode, OK?In that light, here are 10 more reasons to be thankful about the current week in TV as we head into the Thanksgiving break.1. We’re still in a sweeps month, which has allowed us most nights to live blissfully in denial that a strike is even happening, since new episodes continue to abound (including over most of this long holiday weekend). Depending on what happen...
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Question: In a recent Dispatch, you noted how there was a glut of pretty good comedies on Mondays, and I agree. Why do the networks put all similar programs up against each other on the same night? Not everyone has a DVR, and if we do, not all of us have the capacity to tape and watch other shows simultaneously. Meanwhile, there are certain days (like Tuesdays), when I can find nothing to watch except for stupid newsmagazines or reality programming. Wouldn't it make sense for the networks to counterprogram against what others are offering? Wouldn't it be great to have some of the comedies from Monday or Thursday or some of the serialized dramas from Wednesday taking advantage of the fact that there's nothing similar to watch on Tuesday? Instead of worrying about lead-in programming (which I don't understand in a remote-control world), shouldn't they focus on finding spots where the audience is underserved?
Answer: A fair complaint, but you've sort of answered your own question. Think
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Question: What did you think of the hour-long Star Wars-themed episode of Family Guy? I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and one of the best parodies I have seen in a long time. I know everyone is waiting for all the live-action comedy premeries this week, but don't you think that the best comedy period is Fox's Sunday-night animated shows? You may think that Family Guy can get crude and nonsensical from time to time, but you must admit that it's hysterical. Especially since I know you get all the old TV references they often do.
Answer: I got a kick out of parts of it, but as usual when it comes to TV comedies, I think supersizing it wasn't the best idea. Too much of a hit-or-miss thing. In fact, sitting through the first Sunday night of Fox's animated comedies, I wondered if I'd lost my ability to laugh out loud. I was amused here and there, but it didn't blow me away. The ratings were strong, though, and the idea was solid, so it was without doubt a good opening week for Family
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