(S05E01) "This is Dr. House. He's too brilliant for introductions." -- Thirteen to House's patient of the week

Another season of House, another patient with a mysterious ailment. If there is one thing that has not changed in the five seasons that this medical procedural has aired it is the fact that someone is going to enter Princeton-Plainsboro with an illness that can't be determined until the very last minute. It's why House is still on the air. Well, there's that, and then there's the fact that Hugh Laurie is a damn fine actor. Oh, and the others on the show don't do so badly themselves.

So, what can one viewer look forward to for this new season? If you think same-old, same-old then you would be absolutely, totally....incorrect. Because things are a-changing in Greg House's universe -- actually have been changing since the death of Amber in last season's finale -- that he can't, or won't, stop. The result? Well, I would be writing my own death sentence if I revealed it to you here. So, come and join me for a recap of this week's episode.

Even as fear grips the business that there'll be another strike that will lead to a work stoppage, there are some who can look back on the Writer's Strike and actually find a silver lining in that dark cloud. At a recent at the ArcLight Cinemas, sponsored by the L.A. Times, the folks who bring us House, including creator David Shore and director Katie Jacobs, revealed that the strike actually was beneficial for them in a strange way.

Since Fox had the Super Bowl last season, House had been given the plum spot following the game. That always means a huge audience will be watching, and even a show as successful as House wouldn't mind a boost in the ratings.
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(S04E12) "People don't change." -- House, who mentioned it several times.

So Wilson is going out with Cutthroat Bitch (aka: Amber), huh? And, for awhile all is well. That's a pretty good record for Wilson, and devious as hell since he was able to keep it from House for so long. Of course, there is now a challenge for Greg to figure out why Amber seems such a catch for his best friend.

Manipulation? Well, that's a possible answer since Wilson is directly connected to House and can be the avenue to get her a fellowship. Revenge? Certainly, especially the way the good doctor treated Amber during the competition. Actual love and affection for Wilson? Nah, couldn't be! I mean, that would just be ludicrous coming from someone who was only concerned about herself during the game. Come on, doesn't anyone remember when she got all of those candidates to stop washing House's car and walk away from the competition? Plus, according to House, people don't change.

(S04E09)"Well, at least the games are over" -- Cuddy

"How well do you know me?" -- House

It's over. After 8 episodes, 40 some-odd candidates, and one dead patient House's new team has been picked. And, I'm pretty sure the results weren't too much of a surprise to those who have watched the competition from episode two. So, the winners are...

Now, why would I want to mention that in the first two paragraphs of this review? If I did that then all of you who have yet to see this week's episode of House would be at the virtual doorstep of my virtual house with virtual pitchforks. If you haven't watched the episode yet but are dying to know who the finalists are then jump ahead. Otherwise, hold off a bit until you watch and then marvel at the way I make the episode come to life in my review. Or, just bash me like normal.

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(S04E07) All right, back in the saddle! Thanks to the wonderful and beautiful Jen Creer for taking over the last two weeks. I will be guiding you through the world that is House this week and next. Then, who knows? If the gods of television are listening everyone will come to their senses and the Writer's strike will be over before Christmas.

If not, well then you'll see reviews of Marcus Welby, M.D. every Tuesday at this time. Let's pray that the strike is over soon.

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(S04E04) Wilson -- You're quite impressed with yourself right now, aren't you?

House -- Who wouldn't be?

After a brief baseball break, House returned with a pretty decent episode. Not only did we get to see a further fleshing out of the new characters, but also witnessed additional connection between the old and new team members. Plus, we found out that trying to find a job outside of Princeton-Plainsboro when you worked for House was not the best thing to do.

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After being in the Big Brother 8 house all summer for a reality television show, it's time for Amber Siyavus (also known as Amber Tomcalvage) to face the realities of her words and actions during that time.

While I didn't get a chance to talk to Amber myself -- probably a good thing -- our friends over at Buddy TV asked her some of the tough questions show fans had in mind in an exclusive interview. I suggest you check out the entire interview, but I want to touch on one of the questions and her answers while adding my two cents in here.

It's the day after the big (and often controversial) Evel Dick Donato first place win on Big Brother 8, as well as his daughter Daniele's second place win. Together, they won $550,000. Not chump change for sure, but I'd like to see this show increase its grand prize to a million like other reality shows of its ilk.

Julie Chen interviewed both Dick and his loving Evel Spawn on The Early Show -- the CBS website has an extended version of that interview available online as well as the initial interview itself.

But the kicker is a set of video interviews with all of the houseguests posted by the CBS affiliate in Los Angeles. Those took place in the yard before the wrap party and include such treasures as Amber telling us she taught America it's okay to cry. Yeah, right. [A tip of the hat to commenter OrkMommy for the link to the CBS backyard interviews!]

Fans of Big Brother 8 have noted many changes this year with Allison Grodner at the production helm instead of Arnold Shapiro. Starting with a rather odd Alice in Wonderland theme which hasn't quite all come together in the long run to iffy casting (okay, Amber) issues, it's been a most unusual season for long-time viewers.

From extremely crude treatment of others by one houseguest to another who really came across as not being stable enough to be on the show, it's been one brouhaha after another. The latest question from the fans is -- where is the footage of the sequester house?

Now, this is an interesting turn of events. Did you happen to notice that Amber Siyavus (also listed as Amber Tomcavage elsewhere), evicted from Big Brother 8 last night, was nowhere to be seen on The Early Show?

After all, it's as traditional as blocked feeds each season that the evicted houseguest gets an interview and some personal camera time with Julie Chen.

So, what's happening? Starting with Amber, there will be no more exit interviews of those going into the jury house this season.

Yes, I'm here a bit earlier than usual. No, I'm not really a morning person. But in my grief over my favorite houseguest Amber leaving the Big Brother 8 house last night, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned all night. I looked to the skies for a vision.

Or not.

What I did do was watch the Head of House competition play out on the live feeds. I settled in with a soft drink and a snack thinking it might take hours. And, it did.

How many hours? Read on beyond the jump! Beware -- show spoilers for Sunday night ahead!

Don't forget! Tonight is the live Big Brother 8 eviction show! Live in some areas, at least. You might want to check your local listings. Due to pre-season football games, the show is preempted in many areas. In some, it's showing after the late night shows, in other areas it might air on a sister station.

Of all nights for the show to air at 1:37 AM for me! Have I ever mentioned that I'm not a football fan? Feh. Either Amber or Zach will leave tonight. One will become the third member on the jury, one will stay on shaky ground inside the house.

To read about the latest from within that Big Brother House of Oddfellows and Way Out Women, read on past the jump -- beware, there will be spoilers!

I know you must all be on pins and needles wondering whether it will be Zach or Amber going home tomorrow on Big Brother 8. Will the Little Julie Chen Alliance (Eric, Jessica, Daniele, Evel Dick) stick together in their voting? Did America want America's Player to vote out Amber due to her incessant weeping?

One non-spoiler I feel I need to mention to show fans -- look at your local listings for tomorrow night's show! Football is preempting the live show in many areas, east and west. Here in the NYC area, it's not going to be shown until 1:37 AM on Friday.

Spoilers after the jump!

As the eviction day on Big Brother 8 looms closer, just what have those happy hamsters in the house been up to? Have there been fisticuffs? Perhaps a brouhaha or two? Or, better yet ... a clandestine relationship between Amber and Zach?

You know ... share the block, share the love.

Although Tuesday is generally not a huge spoilers day, beware that if you read beyond the jump there will be spoilers for the Tuesday show if you haven't seen it yet and possibly for future shows.

You've been warned.

Tomorrow night's Big Brother 8 television show will include the Power of Veto competition, the Power of Veto ceremony and the America's Player task. Like Amber, I had a vision. I already know the outcome of these events. It was divine intervention. It had to be. I looked to the heavens and the answers came to me.

Um, either that or I have the 24/7 live feeds from the house. Since divine intervention doesn't seem to visit my life often, I guess it's the feeds.

If you want to know spoilers for Tuesday's show, read on past the jump.