The CW's got some funny sitcoms both old (Everybody Hates Chris) and new (Aliens in America -- more on that later), but the network's funniest asset is Paul McGuire, executive vice president, network communications.

Before introducing Dawn Ostroff, president entertainment, The CW, McGuire fires off some zingers to get the reporters up and running.

Of the recycled tote bags that The CW gave to the press (perfect for hauling all our cable swag home), McGuire quips, "They're made entirely from recycled billboards, including some from Hidden Palms -- or as some dirt bag reporter called it -- 'Hidden Ratings.'"

Early June, I reported in TV Squad's Spoilers Anonymous feature that when Smallville would return in September the Daily Planet would have a new editor. The show was looking for an "extremely hot thirtysomething actor" to play this new character who would be featured in six of the first eight episodes and could become Lois Lane's new love interest.

TV Guide's Michael Ausiello reports that Hidden Palms' Michael Cassidy landed the role.

(S01E08) It's a bit ironic when the show that ends up being your unexpected series finale is called "Second Chances." Unfortunately there will be no second chances for Hidden Palms, and this ends up being the swan song for the series. I was fortunate enough to meet Sharon Lawrence at a party recently, and she said the show definitely isn't coming back. Curse you, CW! Now where will I turn for my need for teens in angst-ridden TV shows? Oh, thats right ... The CW.

(S01E07) Well, speak of the devil. Last episode I was wishing for Jesse Jo to pop in and drop his Southern-style of sass all over the place. Sadly, he was nowhere to be found. But this episode opens with Jesse Jo in rare form. He's having Nikki tease up his wig collection to keep her mind off of Cliff, when Cliff himself appears at the door. He asks if he can speak to Nikki, and Jesse tells him, "I wuz wonderin' what you'd look like with a round of buckshot in your narrow behind." Zing!

(S01E06) Whoa. At first I felt like I'd been riding a roller coaster during this episode, then it turned into a merry-go-round that kept spinning and wouldn't stop. Then I thought I was going to hurl. When it all came to an end, I was left feeling dizzy, lost, and confused. Probably what Johnny feels like on a daily basis.

Seriously, have you ever seen a character in a TV show who is more easy to manipulate than Johnny? Cliff sweet talks him, and he's all chummy with him again. Liza tells him something, then he's doubting Cliff once more. Greta gives him another tidbit of info, and he's not sure if he believes her or not. He's a bit like Hamlet in that respect. If he just would've listened to his dad's ghost and stayed on course, everything would have ended up a-okay.

(S01E05) We get a new guest star this week when Greta's dad (Kyle Secor) pops into town, not only does he know something about Greta's mysterious past (does anyone in town not know about this by now?), but he's a bit of a bastard as well. Suffice it to say, if you find yourself guest-starring on Hidden Palms, your character is probably going to have problems. You'll either be a substance abuser, have something to do with Eddie's murder / suicide, or you'll be part of Johnny's past ... or some combination of the three.

(S01E04) Holy cow ... this episode took a turn for the weird. I really didn't picture Liza as the weirdly stalkery kind of person. That Photoshopped picture of her and Eddie together sure was a slap in the face. Plus, what exactly is she concocting in that garage of hers? I'm a sucker for science geek girls, but I'd also hope they weren't going to end up blowing themselves up at some point, or spend too much time with toxic fumes. I thought we'd find out what Liza beneath, but what she reveals is just about the most predictable thing you could imagine. What happened to all the mystery and intrigue from the pilot?

First I thought this would be a summer filled with possibly watching one or two summer series, and then catching up on the growing stack of books in my "to be read" pile ... but somehow it's morphed into the "DVR + TV shows on DVD Summer of Rock " *fanfare*. It's actually not that dramatic, but I like to stick fanfare in whenever I can. Theme songs are one thing, but fanfare can pepper mundane events with joy. "Here's your latte, sir." *fanfare* See what I mean?

(S01E03) And we're back! Due to a little syndrome called "My TiVo decided to record the Lifetime channel instead of Hidden Palms," this week's episode review was a bit late. Hopefully you've been tiding yourself over by watching this bee-yotch filled episode a couple of times.

Cliff managed to get popped in the face a couple of times, once by Greta and once by Johnny, but man ... I really wanted to see someone bitchslap the "hee hee I'm a drunken floozy" look right off of Nikki's face. That girl is trouble with a capital Jack Daniels. Who knew she'd be throwing a rager at Johnny's house in the short period of time he took to go see Greta. Plus, wasn't it Cliff who invited all the other delinquents? Still, all things considered, the part I felt the worst about was poor Liza getting snubbed, yet again. At least she got to rub lotion on Johnny this time.

I don't know if I had a premonition, but when I watched the Hidden Palms screener last summer I predicted that the series wouldn't last long. The CW somewhat made my prediction come true earlier this week when they announced the series would wrap up sooner.

Hidden Palms was first slated to be a mid-season show and 13 episodes had been ordered. During production, the show's episode number was lowered to 8 and CW decided to keep it for the summer.

(S01E02) Okay, I should probably point out that I live in Los Angeles, which is a mere two hours from Palm Springs. I've been out to the sunbaked resort-land of palm trees and golf courses ... and the place is hot. I mean, really, really hot. They push triple digits constantly, and everything outside is blasted by the sunlight. If you're not inside sitting inside near an arctic air conditioner, then you're outside trying to stay as submerged as possible in a (hopefully) cool swimming pool.

This episode made me feel some of that heat. When they visit the pool in this episode at the country club, you can almost feel it pouring out of the screen, and you'll start to sweat despite yourself. Am I crazy? Quite possibly. Delirious? For sure ... but I blame it on the heat.

Summer TV now and summer TV ten years ago are two entirely different things. There's actually stuff (good stuff) on in the sunny months. It's no longer just re-runs, corny clip-shows, and over-used made for TV movies. Networks, especially cable ones, now give us plenty of reasons to tune in instead of going to the beach and the following shows are sure to keep me pale and tanless this summer.

Rescue Me [Premieres Wed. June 13 on F/X] -- This is by far my favorite summer show. It's the one I look forward to more than anything and frankly, I'd be fine letting go of everything else on this list if I got to keep Rescue Me. Fortunately, I've already been able to screen the first three episodes of season four and it's shaping up to be the best one yet. Tommy Gavin really is America's favorite a-hole.

(S01E01) Since it's been several months since I took a first look at Kevin Williamson's Hidden Palms, I decided to watch tonight's premiere episode again, just in case. Except for a few music cues (you know how The CW really loves their dramatic musical moments), everything was the same. Not that that's a bad thing, though. This is the show that I first dismissed as a cheap knockoff of The O.C., and then got sucked into after three episodes.