weeds

Have you ever continued to watch a TV show long after you knew you should've just given up on it? Don't lie. We know we're not alone.

After some particularly lackluster season finales, and a few recent underwhelming season premieres, we thought we'd share our TV grievances with you. (And, yes, they include 'Entourage,' whose final season cannot come and go soon enough for us.)

Here, the list of shows we just can't seem to quit, no matter how bad they get.

Of course, this list contains our own personal opinions about said allegedly bad shows. You might love some (or, god forbid, all) of them, but that's the fun of it. Feel free to defend the honor of any of our borderline shows, and chime in with your own why-can't-I-look-away nominations in the comments.

Silas had something going in Copenhagen as a model, so he decided to dip his toes into the New York modeling scene on 'Weeds' (Tue., 10PM ET on Showtime). He actually managed to score a well-paying gig, but when it came time for it, the scene was kind of bizarre and ultimately dangerous.

Silas was basically trapped in a giant clear rubber ball sporting nothing but a tiny white pair of trunks. Sure, he looked the part, but when things went wrong, could it hurt his chances at future gigs in this actually legitimate business venture?

It didn't seem like he was all that interested, as he stormed off in a huff after nearly dying. Can't say we blame him for that.

We supposed since the name of the show wasn't changed to 'Weapons' in the off-season, we should have anticipated Nancy's first move this week on 'Weeds' (Mon., 10PM ET on Showtime). After finding herself in possession of illegal weapons thanks to her former cellmate, Nancy decided to trade them for more familiar goods.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!

While that deal is still pending, she did decide to go ahead and sample some fine grade-A marijuana after blowing the job interview that was her whole excuse for being out of the halfway house in the first place.

Before the holiday weekend got underway, Ryan McGee and I recorded a podcast focusing on three June shows: 'The Big C,' 'Weeds' and 'Necessary Roughness.'

There's also a bit of a rant from Mo about the reaction to 'The Killing' (no, I'm not ranting once again about the show itself, just about a certain kind of reaction to it).

We round off the podcast with Mo's answer to Ryan's Bonus Birthday Question. What's the question? Well, you'll just have to tune in to find out.

Running times are below.

Hollywood is a magical place, but probably the most amazing thing about the entertainment industry is that any city can be faked.

Haven't you ever watched a show like 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' and wondered where in Philly Paddy's Pub is? Well, don't go searching, because in real life, it's on the Fox lot in Los Angeles, California.

And just a few doors down from the 'Sunny' set is 'How I Met Your Mother,' where the gang gets in trouble on the streets of New York City ... that are actually on a sound stage in L.A.

But there are shows where there's no way the magic of the city can be faked ... right? 'Mad Men' is so completely New York in the 1960s (shoots in L.A., in the present day) and the rainy Seattle backdrop of 'The Killing' had to be 100% authentic (actually it was Vancouver's raindrops you saw all season).

We thought we'd take a look at a few of the other best tricked cities on TV ...

When you've been associated with a certain type of character for a while, fans might start to share that with you. Maybe people give Bill Cosby sweaters, or tools to Tim Allen. On 'The Late Late Show' (Weeknights, 12:37 AM ET on CBS), Mary-Louise Parker reveals that her fans give her marijuana.

Can you imagine what Bryan Cranston's fans are giving him?

Parker doesn't smoke pot herself, but said, "I try to be gracious. I'm not gonna not take it." After all, they're always so proud of it. Most, she said, say they grew it themselves and promise her it's excellent.

Last night's 'Weeds' saw our protagonists flash forward three years in the future, with pot-dealing housewife Nancy Botwin moving from prison to a halfway house in New York City. And on Sunday's 'True Blood' premiere, the residents of Bon Temps skipped ahead an entire year -- a major jump for the series, considering the first three seasons took place during the same month.

All that time-jumping got us thinking about other shows that have pulled the "skip forward" move to avoid awkward plot points. You know, like that time 'One Tree Hill' escaped those clunky college years, or when Melinda had a baby on 'Ghost Whisperer' that was suddenly five years old.

After the page jump, join us in a discussion of time jumps and whether or not they actually worked. (And before you comment-yell at us, this list does not include shows that routinely employ time travel, like 'Doctor Who' or 'Quantum Leap.')

The seventh season of 'Weeds' (Mon, 10PM ET on Showtime) kicked off with some major changes for our principal characters. If you haven't watched it yet, you need to be somewhere else right now. Like maybe in front of your television watching it. You've been warned.

!!SPOILER ALERT!!

After three years(!) in prison, Nancy gets out on good behavior and we're introduced to the new status quo for 'Weeds.' That's right, just like that it's three years later and Nancy's finishing out her sentence in a halfway house. With the cartel gone, she's even safer for now. But, she's looking to mess that up real quick.

There are a lot of new and returning shows on this week and, let's face it, they're not all winners. But how do you know? You see a billboard, see a preview, read what TV people like us tell you to watch, but sometimes you need something more concrete.

Enter our handy-dandy mathematical equations for this week's summer premieres!



OK, you're probably thinking that math and TV don't mix, but you're sorely mistaken. One show you love (+) another show you love (+) actors you adore = awesome. A show you kind of like (-) the parts you like = pass. Simple as that.

Here, we've done the math on four shows premiering this week -- 'Weeds,' 'The Big C,' 'Melissa & Joey' and 'State of Georgia' -- so put away your calculator and set your DVRs. Or not.

Everyone's favorite TV troublemaker, Michelle Trachtenberg, is set to cause some serious trouble for Nancy Botwin on 'Weeds' this season.

Like Mary Kate Olsen before her, Trachtenberg will play a pot dealer on the Showtime series -- but her character will be one of Nancy's rivals, not one of her coworkers. Look for the actress also known as Georgina Sparks to pop up in two episodes this season.

'Weeds'' seventh season premieres tonight at 10PM. Check out AOL TV's interview with star Justin Kirk, then figure out which quirky Showtime woman you're most like in our handy flowchart.

In other TV news ...

Let's be honest. Many of Showtime's programs can be boiled down to one common theme: they're all about quirky women with secrets.

We're not complaining -- we love a good mystery as much as we love a complex leading lady. There's cantankerous bully Jackie with her drug problem; Nancy with her ... um ... "dealings"; Cathy, who's still keeping her 'Big C' secret from a few loved ones; and many, many more.

To celebrate the return of 'Weeds' and 'The Big C' (tonight starting at 10PM on Showtime), AOL TV is here to help you determine your spirit Showtime woman. Are you a Cathy or a Nancy? Find out in our handy chart!

While 'Weeds' creator Jenji Kohan has gone on record saying she thinks the seventh season, which premieres tonight at 10PM on Showtime, will be the last for her series, star Justin Kirk isn't so sure.

"I think that when it's our last season it will be officially announced, because they will have us write to a series finale," he told AOL TV late last week. "And that has not happened in this particular case."

Season 7 flashes forward three years, with Nancy moving from prison to a halfway house in New York City, where she intends to re-start her lucrative pot-dealing business. Meanwhile, her sons and brother-in-law (Kirk) fly in from Copenhagen, where they've been hiding out.

Kirk spoke to AOL TV about the ideal 'Bonnie and Clyde'-style ending he envisions for the series, whether he thinks Nancy and Andy should end up together, and which actor is going full-frontal this year.

This is Spoilers Anonymous, a column here at TV Squad where we supply you with the dirt on some of the more popular shows on the air. We'll never put spoilers up here on the main page in order to help the reformed stay unspoiled. If you have anything to add to the group, feel free to step up and let yourself be heard, either with our tips form or by emailing us. Your anonymity is guaranteed, if you wish to remain as such.

This week we have spoilers for: 'Desperate Housewives,' 'Dexter,' 'True Blood,' and 'Weeds.'

Today is 4/20, a yearly celebration of weed culture affectionately known in some circles as Christmas for Stoners. So, what better time to celebrate our favorite pot-smoking TV characters?

Once upon a time, portraying characters smoking was taboo, but those boundaries have eroded in recent years as pot has gained greater acceptance in mainstream culture. These days it can be hard to find a comedy that doesn't have a lovable, high-all-the-time sidekick. Read on for a salute to our favorite TV blazers.

Andy and Doug, 'Weeds'
In a show built around bud, these two stoned rascals provide the perma-baked comic relief. Getting high fuels and often solves their misadventures, and thanks to Nancy's family business, it's always around to help them cope when times get tough.

Showtime's first lady of comedy, Nancy Botwin, will be back with all new 'Weeds' episodes starting Mon., June 27 at 10PM. She's not alone: Laura Linney will be back in her Golden Globe-winning role on 'The Big C' the same day at 10:30PM.

Deadline Hollywood reports both programs will have 13 episodes. 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl' will return for an 8-episode final season on April 7 at 10:30PM and reality series 'The Real L Word' returns June 5 at 10 PM for 9 episodes season)

Among the series premieres is Lisa Kudrow's 'Web Therapy' on July 19 at 11PM and 'Gigolos' on April 7 at 11PM.

In other TV news ...

• Ashley Judd has officially signed to star in ABC's 'Missing.' Judd will play Becca Winstone, a former CIA agent who travels to Europe to track down her missing son. [Deadline Hollywood]

• 'Deadliest Catch' will premiere April 12 at 9PM. Season 7 will see Josh and Jake Harris try to prove to the crew that they can handle operating the Cornelia Marie. Watch a NSFW trailer at the source. [Entertainment Weekly]

• Christina Hendricks will appear on Bravo's 'Top Chef Masters.' The 'Mad Men' actress will be part of a 'Mad Men'-themed challenge. [Entertainment Weekly]