weekendupdate

There weren't a lot of surprises at NBC's "In Front" presentation this morning. As already leaked, Parks & Recreation, Heroes, and Southland have been renewed, joining the already announced 30 Rock, The Office, The Celebrity Apprentice, Friday Night Lights, The Biggest Loser and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

There's still no word on Law & Order's bid for a 20th season, nor did they clarify the fate of Chuck, though insiders feel confident both will be back. Back on the bubble is Medium, which was leaked as renewed last night, along with My Name Is Earl. Their fates are a bit more murky, especially Earl considering NBC is giving Saturday Night Live's "Weekend Update" a prime-time berth, apparently launching NBC's Thursday night.

30 Rock has been the little show that could for two years. Like Arrested Develoment a few years back, it has a rabid fan following and the critics just adore it. Unfortunately, it also has the same problem that plagued AD: low ratings. While those numbers did tick up during last year's strike-shortened season, the show still only averaged 6.4 million viewers, good enough for 94th place among all shows. It's also proven it does well with alternate viewing methods like online streaming and DVR recording but the networks are still struggling with how to account for that.

If ever there was a time for Tina Fey's little show to find that bigger audience, this would be it. Sure winning the Emmy for Best Comedy for the second year in a row is great. Hell, Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin took home awards for Best Actor and Actress as well this time. But even that doesn't mean anything when the ratings numbers come in. What does matter right now is Sarah Palin. Thanks to John McCain picking the one woman on the planet who looks exactly like Tina Fey, suddenly she's the most famous comedian on the planet, and that could just save her show.

You missed all of the Saturday Night Live Weekend Update specials that aired over the last three Thursdays, huh? And, you refuse to watch them online over your 128KB phone line connection. And, you didn't want to watch the clips on one of the many web-based video channels and blogs (including this one) because you are one of "those" people who need to see the show in its entirety. So, you're pissed and ready to take out the first person who asks 'Hey, did you watch the SNL special?'.

Fret not, psychotic one! You'll have one more chance to see all of the SNL specials at one time this very evening. Starting at 9:30, NBC will be airing all three episodes at once. This will give you the chance to see Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, Will Ferrell making an appearance as the current President Bush and Andy Samberg throwing up all over himself . If you can stay awake past your local news you'll get to see a brand-new episode of SNL at its normal time with host Jon Hamm (Mad Men) and musical guest Coldplay.

Now you have your second chance. If you miss the SNL specials now and you forget to record them on your DVR then you have no one to blame but yourself. No pressure.

I liked it. I laughed. Sure. I also laughed last week, but I can't quite remember what was so funny. These specials are pretty forgettable, bleeding into my Saturday Night Live memory and then dropping into the recesses of my mind. Again, I understand the need to jump on the debate coverage as soon as possible, but I honestly could have held on until Saturday. Or maybe they were worried that everyone would be sick of Joe the Plumber by then. Well... too late.

Well, that was a little strange... and maybe a little unnecessary. All right, it was definitely unnecessary. I wasn't quite sure how they were going to work out these Thursday election specials, because even though they called it "Weekend Update Thursday", I didn't believe they were just going to show a twenty-some minute long "Weekend Update" segment. As it turned out, the special consisted of one cold open and the rest was "Weekend Update." This is where I got super-confused. Half of these jokes had absolutely nothing to do with the election, leaving me to wonder if there is anyone out there that could not have waited until Saturday night to hear the relevant jokes. I don't think anyone's going to forget the election or the economic crisis any time soon, let alone by Saturday.

Yesterday we reported that Amy Poehler had been offered the lead on The Office spinoff (or not-spinoff, as the case may be). Today, Poehler herself is confirming the rumor. She tells the AP, "I can kind of confirm that I will be working in some capacity on that show," but goes on to say that "I don't really have any other details yet."

Poehler has been a castmember on Saturday Night Live since 2001and is currently the co-host of Weekend Update. She will remain on SNL through the fall, but with her baby due in October and now this new show, her role in the second half of the season is up in the air.

It's been a big week for Poehler, who in addition to the new job offer, also received an Emmy nomination this morning for outstanding actress in a comedy series for her work on SNL. Her husband, Will Arnett, also scored an Emmy nod, for his guest appearance on NBC's 30 Rock.

Need more Emmys scoop? Get reactions to the biggest Emmys snubs and surprises and see which celebrities sparkled on the Emmys red carpet last year.

Since I began posting for TV Squad a year ago I've noticed a change in the way I watch television. Before I would just watch the show for pure enjoyment and go on my merry way. Now when I watch a program I tend to view it in anal retentive mode, even when I'm not reviewing it.

That's where I am right now with 30 Rock, but not because of the writing or the casting. Frankly, I think that it's a very funny show, and that's coming from someone who thought it didn't have a chance back when it was first announced. No, I'm being anal here because I've noticed a change in Tina Fey's look. When the show began Fey, who plays Liz Lemon on the show, looked a lot like she did when she was on Saturday Night Live. However, in the last two shows, I've noticed a change.