crossing jordan

• At 7, CBS has a new 60 Minutes, followed by the Grammy Awards (featuring a Police reunion to open the show).
• ABC has a new two hour Extreme Makeover at 7, followed by new episodes of Desperate Housewives and Brothers & Sisters.
• NBC has a new, two hour Grease: You're The One That I Want at 7, then new episodes of The Apprentice and Crossing Jordan.
• There's a new Reba on The CW at 7:30.
• At 8, FOX has a new Simpsons, then new eps of King of the Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad.
• PBS has a new Nature at 8, then a new Masterpiece Theater.
• TBS has Ocean's Eleven at 8.
• Also at 8: Food Network has a new Emeril Live, followed by new episodes of Iron Chef America and Challenge.
• At 9, HBO has a new Rome and then a new Extras.
• Valentine's Day is one of the worst "holidays," but Lifetime has the new movie A Valentine Carol at 9.
• At 10, Showtime has a new episode of The L Word.

Check your local TV listings for more.

I've mentioned several times here that I'm getting sick of all the times Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, and CSI have made the covers of both Entertainment Weekly and TV Guide. So it was really great to see the cast of Heroes on the cover this week.

Among some of the tidbits revealed in the article: Masi Oka (Hiro) worked on the special effects for The Perfect Storm; Ali Larter (Niki) bought herself a Porsche when the show was picked up for the whole season, and almost accidentally hit Kanye West with it; creator Tim Kring talked to Lost producer Damon Lindelof, a good friend, about the idea when he came up with it; and the first season finale is going to blow everyone away, especially regarding one major revelation. And speaking of...

Warning! This article contains several spoilers about the rest of the season!

Tim Kring has been around TV a long time, with writing credits that go back as far as Knight Rider and Misfits of Science. He's probably better known for his more recent work though, writing for Providence, and creating Crossing Jordan and Heroes. It looks like Heroes could very well be his most successful show to date. With NBC already picking it up for a full season and solid ratings each week, it is one of just a few new shows that could be deemed a hit.

Kring has recently done a couple of interviews that shed a little light on just what they are up to with the show. There are some small spoilers, just so you know. The thing that sticks out to me is what he says when asked about how long the show will go, and what the overall plan is. "At the end of season one, there will be a resolution to the pilot's prophecy." That's good to know. You can find the interviews at TV addict, and TV Guide. Heroes airs tonight at 9, on NBC.

• On the cover: Lost (again) and secrets from the big season finale coming up later this month.
• Matt Roush pays tribute to The West Wing.
• Analyst and former jockey Gary Stevens gives a preview of The Kentucky Derby.
• Crossing Jordan reaches 100 episodes (might be kinda spoilerish, so click at your own risk).
• In the print edition: the cast of Malcolm in the Middle moves on, a Q and A with soon-to-be Desperate Housewives star Kyle MacLachlan, an interview with NCIS star Lauren Holly, a guest column from 7th Heaven's Stephen Collins, and a behind the scenes look at the hometown parties for Idol finalists Chris, Katherine, and Taylor.

Gee, with all of the announcements NBC is making about its upcoming fall schedule, I'm not too sure what they're going to talk about during the upfronts come May. I guess they'll play charades with the press. Or perhaps their advanced notice is a subtle message to advertisers.

We first reported that NBC has renewed all three shows in the Law & Order franchise for next season. Now, three more dramas are joining the list:  Medium, Las Vegas, and Crossing Jordan. What, no Joey? All three series drew about 11 million viewers per episode, with Las Vegas holding on to much of its audience during the show's move to Friday nights.

Dear television viewer:

In an effort to further drain you of all your energy, tonight's episode of Extremely Popular TV Drama will involve a cliffhanger to be resolved next week on an episode of That Other Extremely Popular TV Drama which airs on a different night and time.  We hope you enjoy.

Your friends, The Insane Network Executives.

Am I the only one who hates this? For whatever reason, it really bugs me when TV worlds collide. I just can't deal with the notion that, just maybe, Jack Bauer and Sydney Bristow work down the street from each other. Someone who works on a much higher floor than me thinks this is great idea though. Joel briefly mentioned them in his Festivus post from a few weeks ago, but I've got a whole rant in me.

• Out: Law and Order: Trial By Jury, American Dreams, Medical Investigation, Committed, The Contender, Third Watch.
  
• New: The Apprentice: Martha Stuart, Three Wishes, E-Ring, Fathom, Inconceivable, My Name Is Earl, Thick and Thin, Four Kings.
• Returning: Scrubs, Fear Factor, Las Vegas, The Biggest Loser, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order, Joey, Will & Grace, The Apprentice, ER, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Crossing Jordan, Medium.
  
• Moving: The West Wing (Sundays, 8-9 p.m. EST), The Office (Tuesdays, 9:30-10 p.m. EST), Dateline NBC (Fridays 9-10 p.m. EST).

Read on for show descriptions.