Somewhere along the L&O road, I ditched the original version and replaced it with Law & Order: SVU. I still caught a few episodes a year, but I had really stopped watching it all together about two or three years ago. I’m not sure why, I enjoyed the show, I think I just lost interest.

When I started reading about the new casting choices for this season - my interest was peaked. I liked the casting choice of Jeremy Sisto and I thought I’d give this season’s premiere a chance.

I’ve seen every episode so far. I’m in love with this cast. I think a few other characters are new as well, but since I haven’t watched it in years, everyone is new to me. The only face I recognized was Jack McCoy - but he was not the D.A. when I was watching it. I’m glad he’s still on the show though - and I think he’s great as the D.A. this season.

Have you watched it all along? What do you think of the changes? I’m curious what an Law & Order vet would think. Do you like Detective Lupo? Do you think the other changes are good? I’m not sure if I’ll stick with the show after the strike, when my other scripted favorites come back on - but I think I might. I’m enjoying it so far and would love to hear what you think.

I don’t know about you - but I am uber-excited about tonight’s premiere of Lost. I’m not sure if the strike has made me appreciate all new scripted programming more, or if I would be this excited regardless. Either way - it can’t get here soon enough for me. The above image is from this season’s promotional poster. Do you see the city in the water? There’s a lot of speculation online that the city pictured is Tokyo. Let the clues and guesses begin!

If you want a primer to catch up on the last three seasons in 8 minutes - watch this video.

Now - the best part - the extended trailer for the season beginning tonight.

Now tell me - how excited are you?

I know a lot of fans have been criticizing this season, but can I just say - I’ve been really pleased with it. I was really worried that last night’s episode was going to end in a White Snake Video Disaster. But you know? I actually liked all three of the above dresses. I agree that the frayed edge on Chris’s dress was a little tacky, but the rest of the design was pretty good. The three dresses above show the versatility of these designers. They all used the same fabric, same shade, and even did similar shapes in their designs. Yet - somehow - we get three completely different results. I’m just impressed this year, to say the least.

I agreed with the booting of Victorya’s this week. I didn’t like her design - nor did I like the execution. I don’t think she has been very consistent, so I actually don’t mind at all that she’s gone. Last week, I thought Kit had a bad week, but she’s usually good so I didn’t want to see her gone. Victorya? I’m fine with her not being in the finals. And in reality - I’m glad Ricky had a good week. While I don’t think he’s consistent, when he’s good, he’s really good.

This show is tough, like any other talent-based reality TV show, I find myself torn between rooting for someone’s talent v/s against their personality. I really think Christian is amazing behind the sewing machine. But man - his attitude makes me want to ring his little neck sometimes. Same with Sweet P and Ricky. I don’t think they’re that talented, but I love their willingness to take advice and their modesty. I am torn between rooting for the people who are talented enough to win, or the people I’d like to see win. In the end - I always root for the talent (Rami, Christian, Jillian) - but I think I would be fine if anyone else won because I like the other contestants personality. I’m a soft-hearted fan, what can I say?

I mentioned at MamaPop that NBC has been thinking about cutting their typically outlandish Upfront showing in May. Now, it seems they’ll be cutting the Pilot process all together. Evidently, the cost of these pilot episodes have doubled in the last three years. While they were originally intended to earn money enticing advertisers early, they are now proving to be much more of a cost. “So you’re spending money on programs you’re not going to get,” Jeff Zucker (chief executive of NBC Universal) said on Tuesday. This is an area all networks have considered cutting back in, but NBC seems to be the first to make such a huge committed jump away from the Pilots. Of course - as Zucker pointed out - NBC has been suffering for years and decisions like these are made even easier from that perspective.

Mr. Zucker acknowledged that one reason for the decision was that NBC has suffered from weak prime-time ratings for the last several seasons. “Sometimes you see the world from a different perspective when you’re flat on your back,” he said. “At NBC Entertainment we’ve been flat on our backs for the last few years.”

Well - that’s one way to put it.

I remember the first season of Trading Spaces. My husband (boyfriend at the time) and I would invite a neighboring couple over and we’d eat breakfast and watch the show on the weekends. We were all renters at the time and dreamed of the day we’d own homes on the same street and apply to be on the show. We watched the show over the years as the rest of the country joined us in the fervor. It was the first time any of us developed an interest in interior design, and by the time Paige Davis became a household name, we acted as though we were interior designers.

Then - someone decided the best thing to do with this popular show - would be to 1) Saturate the market by airing it (or it’s variations) fifty times a day and 2) Change it. I stopped watching it pretty early in the transformation. I got irritated with the various off-shoots of the show, and I actually got annoyed by how many shows they added to the season. Then, a while after I had given up on the show, I heard that Paige Davis was being “let go” in some sort of quick decision that made me say, “Glad I’m not watching that anymore.”

I’ve caught it a few times since, but without a host? It really seemed like a different show. I was glad to hear I wasn’t the only one who left the show as it seemed the record-breaking numbers dwindled as quickly as they arrived. And every other network in town monopolized on the craze and other shows were born to give the fans what they had sought out of the original.

Well - after three years without her - Paige Davis is returning to Trading Spaces.

She returns Saturday to begin hosting 13 new episodes that will re-establish the series’ winning format - two houses, two days, $1,000. She will also be backed by some of the original cast and a new production company.

Although, it won’t be the exact same format. Instead of friends/neighbors - the two teams will be comprised of conflicting pairs. Divorced couples, bickering friends, bosses and employees. The kind of change that still keeps the show basic, but could spice up the outcome. I’ll tune in, at least once. But - Like Paige - I feel a little burned myself. They took one of my first TV obsessions and screwed with it. I’m not sure if I’m going to give them a second chance. Will you?

Okay. Let me start by saying that I am usually the one who argues against those reality TV contestants who try to be noble and say things like, “I played with character,” because if I were playing for a million dollars? Or even less? I’d throw character out the window. It’s all about the prize, baby! Screw morals and ethics!

But - in my opinion - this show should be different. The contestants on The Biggest Loser typically discuss how or why they deserve to be there. How this show saves their life. This show, to me, should be about more than the prize money. So, just like when it happened last season, seeing people throw the weigh-in angers me and makes me yell at the people I don’t know inside the television.

When the contestants first started talking about throwing the weigh-in to get rid of the Black team, I was so livid. I am not a huge fan of the Black Team, but they have been working their ass off and anyone who works that hard deserves to be there. In my opinion, they deserve to be there more than the people throwing the weigh-in. Now, I know this is all MY OPINION - but I get emotionally invested in this show! I felt awful for the Black Team.

And then immunity was on the table, and I knew that the Black Team would be safe. But what I also knew, was that the only people not safe from the Yellow Team were probably the teams who actually didn’t throw the competition. I knew it would be the Pink Team and that broke my heart. I have no problem with alliances, I understand those, but throwing the weigh-in? No way. To me that is where the line is, and now I’m rooting against Team Orange. And do we know FOR SURE who else threw it? I know the girl on Team Blue, but who else? I want to know who to be angry at. Bette Sue and Alli were my favorite team and I’m sad to see them go. Especially under these circumstances.

It looks like the strike talks might resume sometime today. This is in light of the deal the Director’s Guild made with the AMPTP last week. The whispers have been spreading about that deal motivating all parties to try to work out a similar agreement with the WGA. All reports indicate any meeting (today or otherwise) will probably start out as “informal” so as to keep a casual feel to the beginning of this phase.

Informal talks would replicate the strategy the AMPTP followed with the DGA, during which Chernin and Iger met with a handful of guild leaders to hash out numerous issues in an effort to make the formal bargaining sessions more productive.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed, why don’t we?

Do you know what I wanted the most out of last night’s episode? I really wanted to see Cameron place chess with Turk. I know that the plot didn’t require that kind of interaction, but I would have loved to have seen Andy’s face when a “human” beat his computer. Oh well. That is probably why I don’t write for the show. I’d spend too much time testing Cameron’s skills.

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From what I understand, Dance War is not the show that everyone is watching. It is a show that I am watching, for some strange reason. But - I may have to stop if they do a repeat of what they did last night.

First of all - the thirty minute recap was completely annoying and unnecessary. The remaining hour was filled with the typical Dancing With The Stars type of filler, so if I’m complaining about the first thirty minutes, you know it must have been bad. Cut the recap to five minutes and take out five minutes of the annoying behind-the-scenes footage in the last hour and you can easily make this an hour-long show. Luckily, I watch it recorded so I was able to fast-forward a 90-minute show to about 30 minutes. That’s the only way.

Thoughts on last night’s episode after the jump.

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Wow. The Amazing Race finale from this season may have been my all-time favorite of all seasons. Not only were there three teams I could root for, but the one that was my favorite WON. And I cried, but that’s not really a surprise.

My thoughts:

• The could not have picked a more beautiful set of challenges for the last leg of the race. Alaska is stunning and with the ice climbing and the boat rides and the helicopter views, the viewers got to enjoy that as much as the racers. Excellent choice.
• When Don and Nick forgot their bag, I thought I was going to cry right there. They were my second favorite team, so seeing them make that mistake about killed me.
• Luckily, TK and Rachel chose the slower task allowing Nick and Don to catch up with their efficient fish-gutting skills. But, TK and Rachel increased their lead in the ice-climbing task which gives an advantage to the younger, more able bodies. Great for my favorite team, not-so-great for Nick and Don.
• When Phil went into the details of that roadblock, and then ended it with “If you think that sounds easy…” I laughed out loud. EASY? Really? I don’t think so. It sounded near impossible. I had visions of the teams being there for MONTHS trying to figure it out. When Rachel finished first? I screamed. I felt they were safe for the win then.
• Of course, then there were A BILLION MORE STOPS. I expected the clue after the roadblock to read…”Go to the finish line!” But it took several more stops to get that clue. Luckily, they were still in the lead when they got it. Seeing them running to the finish line - with complete thrill on their faces - made up for the dozens of other finales of reality TV shows that have killed me over the years. Way to go, TK and Rachel. You were my fave from day 1.

Man. There were so many things about this week’s FNL that punched me in the heart, I’m surprised I made it through the entire episode without needing a tissue. I decided the best way to break down this week’s episode is into the various story lines that broke my heart throughout the hour.

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There are several shows I’m watching now that I would like to think I wouldn’t be watching if this strike was over. One of those is Bravo’s answer to America’s Next Top Model: Make Me A Supermodel. I actually got hooked after the first episode, and I think it’s because there are boys on this show. While ANTM might have more talent and knowledge pushing the show, I can’t overlook the power of the cute boys.

Unfortunately, the show does add the twist of the America Votes factor, which I tend to hate. I would rather not have America voting on any of my reality shows, but that’s because I kinda think America has bad taste. As demonstrated with the keeping of Dominic from last week.

Now - on to my thoughts on the show…

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Guess what AOL has for me this lovely morning? A look at some cast photos and one shot of The Enterprise itself from the J.J. Abrams remake of “Star Trek” which is set to hit theaters in December. There are some casting decisions I hadn’t heard yet. While press was out on Spock is being played by Zachary Quinto (who we all love to hate on Heroes), I didn’t know Winona Ryder would be playing his mom. I already rejoiced over the casting of Simon Pegg (”Shaun of the Dead” and “Hot Fuzz”) as Scotty, but I didn’t know that Jennifer Morrison (Dr. Cameron from “House”) was cast as well. She will be in the role of Winona Kirk.

Am I the only one looking forward to this remake? The casting looks phenomenal so far.

The Director’s Guild (DGA) has reached a tentative deal with the AMPTP in what looks like the first sign that this strike could end sometime before I’m committed to padded room somewhere. The DGA official statement outlines their agreement showing that they seem to have accepted less aggressive agreement for the world of New Media than what the WGA was hoping for. Clearly - the industry hopes that the WGA will lighten their demands a little in that arena as well. The New York Times states, “In the directors’ opinion, digital media revenues will become significant only after 2010.” This new contract will expire in three years, allowing the Directors to then reevaluate their New Media compensation. Whether or not the WGA will consider the same type of time line, remains to be seen.

However, it seems that several of the network leads have agreed to meet informally to resume negotiations with the WGA. Since they have barely glanced at each other in the recent weeks, this is a step in the right direction. With the DGA deal as a motivation, here’s to hoping the WGA and the AMPTP can finally reach an agreement before it’s too late for this television season.

I miss Saturday Night Live. While the show annoyed me most of the time - I miss it. So, when I heard there was a new movie coming out with my favorite SNL persona, Amy Poehler, I cried I was so happy. And then - when I saw it also had Tina Fey and Dax Shepard? It’s like the crack-my-ass-up dream team! Baby Mama is my kind of movie. Strong female leads - - - and baby poop jokes. I’m easy to please.

This preview is damn funny and when Amy Poehler is filmed crouched in the sink? I literaly spit my coffee out, I laughed so hard. April 25th is a long time to wait, but with the WGA strike still in effect, there’s not much better going on.

(Thanks Keith for the tip.)

Let me just say that I knew Rami was going to be criticized for not being avant-garde or even a stretch from his norm. I see this dress and I think the same thing I think every week for Rami: Great technical execution. He knows his talents and his styles and he executes those things very well - but it all kinda looks like it could come from the same runway. Like he’s just making pieces for a show each week and not really paying attention to theme or concept. On the other hand - I love, love, loved Sweet P’s ready-to-wear dress. If I were tall and thin I would wear that every day. In every color. I loved it.

I am sad to see Kit go, because she has interesting vision. I guess Rami is more skilled, but we see more range from Kit and I’m going to miss that. I really wish it could have been either of their team members on the block, even though they were not at fault for the poor results. I loved that Rami tried to blame the design on their bad team vibe. Sweet P even tried to step in and be all, “Um - yeah - we didn’t work well together. But I don’t think we can blame the bad design on that.” heh.

I’m very thrilled that Chris and Christian won. Although - what is up with the excessive use of that bone/ivory tone this season? I know nothing about fashion but I hate that color and it seems everyone loves it. While I thought Victorya’s design was cooler, Chris and Christian’s was simply amazing. I loved it. And I even liked the ready-to-wear version. I don’t like ruffles on me, but on her that blouse was…well…fierce.

Great episode. The Kit/Rami decision would have been tough for me. In the end, I probably would have eliminated Rami just to see Kit’s range develop, but I can actually side with either decision. What were your thoughts?