(S05E15) As much as I don't want to compare Julia Louis-Dreyfus' new show to her old one, I can't help but notice some similarities with this week's installment. Much of what made 'Seinfeld' work was in the way people outside of that core four reacted to just how deplorable those people really were. When we were in that inner circle with them, it all sort of worked and we didn't really realize how bad they were.

Now, Christine Cambpell is far more obviously a terrible person than Elaine Benes, but as with 'Seinfeld,' we often don't realize just how horrible she is. Even moreso, when put in the context of Christine, Richard and Matthew, Barb often comes across as the only sane and rational one. And yet, when you put these people out and on display in front of so-called normal people, they simply look awful.

Ed Begley Jr. is not just another cause celeb -- he's been a vocal environmental activist for more than 30 years, almost as long as he's been an actor.

After two seasons on HGTV, his eco-friendly reality series 'Living With Ed' is moving to its new channel, Planet Green (season 3 premieres Wed., Oct. 21, 9PM ET). With reusable bags being the latest must-have accessory and the bad economy forcing people to conserve their cash, going green is not just cool -- it's a way of life.

We caught up with Ed to get the dish on his show's new green home, his latest planet-saving endeavors and what we can all be doing to be more eco-conscious. -- By Maggie Furlong

Anyone who thinks that the lame, traditional, laugh-track-laden sitcom is dead hasn't seen Gary Unmarried yet. Unfortunately, I have. And I've got to tell you, it's probably the worst sitcom since the undead According to Jim first infected our airwaves in 2001. It's too bad, given the talent involved.

And when I mention "talent," I don't mean series creator Ed Yeager, who helped foist Still Standing on the American public for four years. I'm talking about stars Jay Mohr, Paula Marshall, Ed Begley Jr., and Jaime King, as well as esteemed sitcom director James Burrows. They're talented people stuck in a show that contains the same wacky plots and "setup-joke" rhythm that has led many to think the multi-camera sitcom is as dead as disco.

Jay Mohr moonlights away from his regular gig on Ghost Whisperer to star as Gary Brooks in this traditional sitcom. CBS has paired Gary Unmarried with The New Adventures of Old Christine, which creates an interesting dynamic. First, you have Julia Louis-Dreyfus as a divorced woman trying to live her own life while dealing with her ex and their kid. Then you get Jay Mohr as a recently divorced man trying to live his own life while dealing with his ex and their kids.

In fact, this seems to be almost the same show, only from the ex-husband's point of view rather than the ex-wife's point of view. Husband is a bit more lax with the kids while mom is overbearing and a bit crazy. I do like that in this variation, the kids have more distinct and important personalities. In fact, Gary (premiering tonight at 8:30 PM ET) has a much wider cast altogether. Both spouses have new relationships and Gary's girlfriend has a kid of her own.

After the first 15 minutes of the HBO movie Recount, I was so upset, so filled with rage that I wondered if I wanted to watch the rest of the movie. Did I want to relive the events of November 7, 2000? Did I want to watch what happened, the craziest election fiasco in the last 25 years? I was compelled to stick with it because I had lived through it and I was dying to know what I didn't know when it unfolded in real time. I thought the HBO movie might teach me something, and, in fact, it did.

For those who don't want to know what happened in Recount, I won't reveal any spoilers until after the jump. Of course, if you don't already know how the election turned out, you've either been in a coma or are woefully out of touch. Suffice to say that Recount doesn't rewrite history. The ending is exactly as it was in 2000.
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Add Ed Begley Jr. to the ever-growing list of Hollywood stars with their own reality series. The former St. Elsewhere star, and current obsessed eco-nut committed environmentalist will be starring with wife and actress Rachelle Carson in a new series for HGTV called Living With Ed.

According to our friends at sister site AutoblogGreen, the new show (which premieres January 7th at 10:00 pm) will be set in the couple's entirely solar-powered, eco-friendly home. You'll be able to watch as Ed times his wife's shower with a stopwatch while gently chiding her over how many gallons of water she has wasted. You'll also be able to see how Begley rides a stationary bike in order to power his toaster. He will also be giving tips to the viewers on how to make their living areas more environmentally safe and energy efficient.

Alright, I stand corrected -- there now may be hope for me to find the dean of Hearst College more than mildly interesting. Fellow Mars fanatic Michael Ausiello of TV Guide has landed some juicy details about who's taken the role, now that Michael McKean has had to turn it down -- none other than fellow improv-erific Ed Begley Jr.. Begley's appeared in A Mighty Wind, just as McKean has, though you've no doubt known him for his roles in Arrested Development, St. Elsewhere, and too many more to mention. OK, I feel better now.

[Thanks Karen M. O'Shea for the tip!]