After two demoralizing defeats, the sun finally shined (even though it was raining) on 'Survivor''s good guys last night. The "Heroes" shut out the "Villains" in a particularly physical "sumo-style" rock 'em sock 'em robots-type challenge -- replete with ooey-gooey mud.

The Heroes delighted in tossing meanie after meanie into the muck and when it came down to the last pair, Randy vs. James, the contest became almost laughable.

A nano-second after Jeff's "Go!" Randy was neck deep in mud and he'd barely have time to wash it off before his tribe -- seemingly under Parvati's flirty spell -- snuffed the torch he'd just gotten to light. (Randy's rebuttal? Tossing the buff into the fire on his way out. Effigy. Nice touch.)

Does the 50-year-old Texan think he got the boot just because he doesn't have a "pretty smile and a nice wiggle" like the girls on his tribe? Yup. Is he happy about it? We're guessing not.

Did he have the patience to respond to our notoriously goofy questions? Have a look ...

(S06E04) The numbers! The numbers!

Lindelof and Cuse have been teasing us for a while now that they might not reveal the significance of the numbers. Without doing so directly, I think they gave us something huge connected to them tonight. Finally, after a lackluster episode last week we're getting some information we can sink our teeth into. Locke-centric episodes always seem to be good for that.

The character connections in the flash-sideways reality were really coming at us hard and heavy tonight, with appearances by several favorites as we discovered how John's life could have been. It would appear that some things have definitely gone better for our paralyzed friend, while in some other respects he's the same sad sack John Locke we came to know and love over the past five seasons.

A few more questions about the Monk finale before it disappears into TV immortality. Just some niggling thoughts that weren't really addressed in the two-part wrap up.

1. Why did Joey Kazarinski choose to kill Monk with poison?
Joey was a killer for hire. He used a bomb to kill Trudy, but shot Dr. Nash. They never said how Wendy Stroud was killed, just that she was buried under the sundial at the judge's house. So, when the judge offered Joey another payday -- killing Monk -- why didn't Joey choose a direct approach and shoot Adrian? Or he could have blown up Monk's apartment. There were any number of ways to kill him, but poisoning the wipes was perhaps the most complicated. And a ricin derivative? How did he manage to acquire that? If it had been arsenic or something, that could have been bought at a hardware store. They never really explained the poison or the reason for that method of murder.

The other night, USA Network broadcast part one of the Monk finale. In that next to last episode, many storylines were presented for the possible big finish this upcoming week. And it could be a potentially whopper of an ending. In my review, I speculated a little about what may be coming, and the comments have been flying in to TV Squad with viewers sharing their thoughts. That's got me thinking... what else might be at play?

Tony Shalhoub was interviewed about the end of Monk and it was interesting that as an actor, he waited till he filmed the end before learning Monk's fate. He said, "I think it's a good send-off. At the beginning of the season, the writers asked me if I wanted to know how everything [ended] and I said, if it was okay with them, I'd rather wait."

(S08E13) Just three more episodes till the end of Monk, so it sort of feels like they're wrapping up some loose ends. Tonight, the focus was on Leland Francis Stottlemeyer, Monk's best friend, the guy who has been solidly behind Adrian through all the difficult years since Trudy's death, helping Monk to cope and remain gainfully employed as a police consultant.

Leland's always been a good guy, but not so lucky in love. As the title suggested, if Mr. Monk is the best man, that means that Leland was the groom. More about the nuptials after the jump.

(S08E10) "What year is this?" - Monk to Sharona

I'm not spoiling anything by telling you at the top that Bitty Schram was back as Sharona for this episode. Hell, the title of the show was "Mr. Monk and Sharona." Oftentimes when a former character returns to a long-established show, it doesn't live up to the expectations. You want it to be like it was, only better. Fortunately, Bitty Schram's guest turn was excellent. This might be the best Monk of this finale season.

Paula Abdul, often seen as a nurturing, loving maternal-figure to American Idol's young contestants, is now talking about her desire to experience personal motherhood. Paula says she "loves kids" and she'll consider adoption if she is unable to produce her own mini-Abduls.

Still, the 44-year-old former cheerleader remains optimistic about her chances of giving birth to a biological child. "With medical technology these days, I could have children by myself using a donor. But I would rather be in a relationship so the child has a father to help instill core values," Paula said.

As reported in our Upfronts coverage, NBC announced that American Idol judge Randy Jackson's World Moves will be on their 2007-2008 primetime schedule. World Moves is a reality competition series (what else?) which pits hip hop dance teams from around the world against one another. The winning team will be awarded an international touring contract.

According to the NBC press release, World Moves in not just about winning a competition: "World Moves involves stories that change lives and bring the world together." Hmm, I wonder if it will cure cancer too! And stop global warming! And end the war in Iraq!

Seriously, wouldn't it be great if Randy and his "Yo dawg" attitude really did change the world for the better?

(S02E22) Continuing on his quest to become a real adult, Earl goes and finds himself a job. And of course Randy gets a job at the same retail establishment because, well... he's Randy.

This episode was also the very special "laugh n sniff" episode. If you shelled out a couple of bucks for this week's TV Guide, you could pick up a card with 6 different odors. Rub the numbered odor when a number pops up during the episode, and you'll get a bit of extra-sensory Earl. Turns out all the odors smelled a bit like paper and a bit like something else, be it junk food or cologne.

American Idol is a show that takes virtual unknowns and creates stars. Even a couple of judges (Randy and Simon), and a host named Ryan Seacrest became household names thanks to Idol's success.

But there's one guy of vital importance to the show who isn't so well known. Most of the time he stays in the background. But there wouldn't be any Idol music without him. He's Idol's inhouse musical director -- Rickey Minor.

(S11E01)

Cartman: Token forfeits! Whites win!

Given Michael Richards' tirade at a comedy club last November, it would have been easy for South Park to dedicate a show to ruthlessly bashing Richards and people who use the N-word, but South Park has never been about simple approaches. Ultimately, Stan realizes that a person who isn't black can never really understand the effect that word can have, but the episode also ingeniously shows how none of us are completely immune to thoughts of prejudice, it's just that some forms of intolerance are more, well, tolerated than others.

(S06E15) Ryan tells us that the guys had an "incredible show" Tuesday night. Hold on a minute, Ryan, back up. Sure the boys were better than the week before, but I certainly wouldn't call their show "incredible." To quote Randy Jackson, "It was just ahright."

Besides, after tonight's Top 10 Ladies show, I'm more convinced than ever that this year's American Idol will be one of our fine ladies. I also think that it's going to be a tight race to the top between our lovely divas -- Lakisha, Melinda, Jordin, Stephanie, and Sabrina.

But tomorrow two unlucky ladies will be going home. Who will it be?

(S02E10) I'm always a little wary when a half-hour sitcom decides to extend itself to a "special" one-hour edition. In many instances, the producers and writers want to introduce a new storyline or bring an existing one to some sort of conclusion. In many instances, these extended episodes turn out to be very disappointing. Not this time.

(S02E09) I was very surprised by the storyline of Randy going to profess his love for Catalina. I have been under the impression that Earl and Catalina would eventually hook up, so I'm not quite sure how this is going to turn out. It was good to see the more "human" side of Randy come out. He is definitely in love with Catalina, but I still think that he and his brother will be competing to win her heart. I'm also quite sure that people all over America will be laying down bubble wrap in honor of their objects of affection.

Of course, it woujld help if Catalina would remain in the country and not be deported for entering the country illegally. Her situation is now another major plot, besides Joy's pending trial, that will keep the show moving in other directions besides Earl crossing things off his list. I don't think devoting an entire episode to Earl making 274 bologna sandwiches for Kenny to make up for stealing his lunch in school years ago would have been very interesting.

(S02E04) Although I am a big fan of this show, I was never high on the Randy character. Except for a few moments here and there, I thought his non-sequitors and otherwise sheer "dumbness" brought each episode down or notch or two. That is, until last night's episode, where Randy shined like the noonday sun.

I mentioned in an earlier post where I expected to see more character development this season, and we're already seeing it with a good chunk of time devoted to Joy and Catalina. However, last night we saw the spotlight on Randy, and we learned that despite his "Baby Huey" persona on the outside, he really is a sensitive soul looking for love and respect. (Aren't we all, on some level?)