Obviously taking itself more seriously, with a lead actor we can only hope not quite such an obnoxious smartass, but isn't that the theme of "Psych" -- not psychic (altho pretending to be) but just very very observant. And which follows "Monk" in which, other things aside, Tony Shalhoub's character solves crimes by being very very observant. Am I missing something here?

JJ only helped create it. The macho mercenaries, frozen firebombed freighter and one really cute magic trick, those you should blame on Damon. As for Fringe, haven't we had enough with the damned twins already? Yeesh. Oh, and that Mentalist show, sounds more like Monk than Medium, but without the charming personality, no?

Thanks alot, Havrilesky.

Just what I was thinking. It's not a good sign when you seem to have taken Show X (Psych), remove the element that makes it fun (comedy) and present it as something new (The Mentalist).

I'm thinking that you take Psyche, remove the element that makes it unwatchable (guy who thinks he's Jim Carrey; isn't), and you might be able to while away an hour without wanting to strangle some cutesy-poo asshole.

Havrilesky is entitled to this slip of taste. She has turned out several really good, sensible columns about TV. But seriously, this framing story about crappy commercial food - which was unnecessary, really - is elitism at its worst.

Nobody, but NOBODY, wants to eat at any of the fast food places she mentions. They are last resorts. They aren't really good. Even in a town as benighted and unhip as mine, there are local restaurants that cook up better stuff than (gakkk!) Friday's.

And that's also true of television. I'm surprised that she hasn't noticed how many people have been bubbling about Joss Whedon's little internet musical, Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.. It's been the talk of science fiction cons all summer; some have called it a Columbine High metaphor. If you're going for a food metaphor, Whedon's production is like that little pizza chain down the block that turns out honest, homemade pizza that everyone patronizes instead of (gakkk!) Pizza Slut.

However, she did apparently see the pilot for The Mentalist and recognized the Doogie Howser Rule was in effect; she found it entertaining despite the creaky concept. This is the correct approach to every fall season; look past the hype, but also look past your own prejudices and try to watch the program in front of you with unblinkered eyes.

hey tomreedtoon, don't know where you live, but if you travel across this country (and i do) you will notice that in most towns these are the only dining options above burger king and sonic.

unfortunately, our networks have been sinking to the same common denominator much like the near identical menus of fridays/applebees/chilis/bennigans........

most of america actually really likes to eat and watch this crud. look at our waistlines and the logos of all of these chains lighting up every small town along the interstate.

great story, new reader, will definitely be back. intelligent writing is as rare as a locally owned restaurant these days.

Good points muddled by bad writing. Once you nailed the TGI Fridays metaphor at the top of the piece. Did you have to keep going to the well again and again and again? You left me, the reader having to fight through these ultimately redundant metaphors to get to your point. Don't make it hard for me to enjoy good snark!

Give me the humor any day of the week. I look at Simon Baker's face in that ravioli graphic and think "that show looks like a vacuum of fun."

Tom, most of the time your letters on Havrilesky's column are more entertaining than the column itself? I do wonder though, do you prefer it when you don't like her writing, or do you enjoy it when you read a column that inspires you to write a positive critique? Which brings out the best for you in your writing?

I ain't watchin' none of it, Heather.

Fringe - bad X-files remake

The Mentalist - Simon Baker vehicle.

Heroes "villains" - we rubbed the "save the cheerleader save the world" bit into the ground - Next.

The only one I'm looking forward to is True Blood

But that's a little too heavy-handed with the homosexuality allegory which is a bit too overplayed already. What's Ball going to do have characters do, saying being a Vampire is a choice?

And also, Ms. Havrilesky. I should now take the opportunity to take you to task for not promoting more documentaries and science programs. I'm sure that National Geographic and Discovery channel, PBS etc, are debuting new series and programs. These you should cover.

...was the definitive sign this country (not to mention its culinary good sense) had started the long roll downhill. :) Btw, the Cheesecake Factory also serves said dish...

Bad enough this replaced MOONLIGHT, which was really getting good. Worse still that it's the kind of cutesy chick-flick crap that's unwatchable on the big screen and has a lousy track record on TV (anyone remember MISS MATCH or EMILY'S REASONS WHY NOT?).

I love your column, Heather. You always, always, ALWAYS make me laugh.

And I don't even have a damn TV.

Thanks for providing me a good break from my work-filled Saturday night.

Heather, now you can splurge on the good stuff, I'm glad you are able to ungrateful for it. Just weeks ago, you were eating only beans and fretting over $7 a lb chicken at Whole Foods.

Here's your assignment, no matter what you think about the next shows your write about, the during the cute analogies and metaphors, you must either talk about how great this country is (and mean it), or about your shrink (in which case you can lie if it is funny).

Go nuts.

I am not related to Rex Reed, the infamous shoplifting would-be critic, but I suffered a lot of his reviews. Before Roger Ebert achieved nationwide fame, he was the only "national" film critic around. And he loved nothing better than to insult people.

That isn't criticism, and it doesn't make the art better, which is what a critic is SUPPOSED to do. Creators and critics are supposed to have that as a common goal. Many critics, especially of popular arts, think it's supposed to be a way to prove how witty you are, and how well you can insult someone else.

I knew Havrilesky had the potential to improve her criticism, which is the only reason I've kept posting responses. To some people, I'm only doing it for self-aggrandizement. They are basically hating me as a substitute for hating their own personal flaws. Not that they are bright enough to understand that, of course.

I truly do enjoy it when Havrilesky turns out a good column. But as someone else noted, the fast food "framing story" didn't work. It's an attempt to get thematic unity with a gimmick, and this particular column would have been much better without it.