CBS continues to dominate

We’ve hit that time of the year when networks give their shows a little break to tune up before the final push. Audiences are looking at a two- to four-week window without all of their favorites airing new episodes. Slim pickings this week, folks.

What to watch

SHOW: “The Amazing Race”
EPISODE: “Don’t Let a Cheese Hit Me”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Sunday on CBS
Even after 13 seasons, “The Amazing Race” still remains the best reality show on television without question. There’s no reason to think that the 14th season will be any different, and the premiere will be a television event. This season’s star team looks to be Hollywood writer/actor Mike White (“School of Rock”) and his father Mel.


SHOW: “Dollhouse”
EPISODE: “Target”
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday on FOX
Tomorrow night’s premiere episode of the much-talked-about Joss Whedon-genre hodgepodge program about agents with programmed personalities should have been in the column last week, and the second episode must be seen too. There have been so many stories about the behind-the-scenes drama – the original pilot was moved here, but was scrapped for this story that was originally the third episode – but in the least, this is going to be one of the most interesting shows on network television. Yeah, it’s a Friday night, but no one cool goes out before 10 p.m., anyway.

What to TiVo
SHOW: “Chuck”
EPISODE: “Chuck Versus the Suburbs”
WHEN: 8 p.m. Monday on NBC
Monday nights are a hot mess for TV viewers, and even great shows have to be regulated to TiVo status. “Chuck” is the best hour-long property NBC has, and hopefully the recent ratings bump for the 3-D episode will carry over. This episode features guest stars Andy Richter and Jenny McCarthy, and probably some great scenes with Chuck and Sarah as an undercover married couple. If you’re looking for a fun escape and have a free hour, check out “Chuck” – you won’t be disappointed.

SHOW: “The Mentalist”
EPISODE: “Scarlett Fever”
WHEN: 9 pm. Tuesday on CBS
Sure, it’s a complete riff of “Psych” watered down for the older CBS audiences. But man, is “The Mentalist” enjoyable. Simon Baker is one of the most charismatic actors on television and his quirky Patrick Jane has helped the show become the only standout hit on network TV in the past three years. The procedural cases aren’t anything to write home about, but in a slow week like this one, “The Mentalist” is the perfect way to waste an hour.

Rant of the week
A giant middle finger to the CW, which has taken its pandering to teen girl audiences to a whole new low with two recent announcements. First, it has officially greenlit yet another remake of a ’90s FOX hit, this time dipping into the “Melrose Place” well.

Even worse, the network has somehow pried Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer away from their showrunner jobs at “Smallville,” a show it finally turned around in its eighth season, to helm the pathetic reboot.

The network then ordered a pilot based on L.J. Smith’s “Vampire Diaries” book series scribed by “Dawson’s Creek” creator Kevin Williamson. The books are nothing more than an attempt to cash in on the success of the “Twilight” series. Williamson hasn’t written anything good since the “Creek” pilot in 1996, so you connect the dots.

At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if the CW is gone within three years. It’s OK to have a target demographic for the network that your tentpole shows appeal to, but it’s absolutely insane to fill your schedule with shows that do exactly the same thing.
Diversify or die, CW.