What to watch when you're not on the water

Maybe. It seems, once again, the long-time NBC show is on the bubble -- that insecure spot where its unclear whether the ratings (or advertising dollars) warrant the show's return for another season.

(Although with reruns of the various L&Os on Bravo, TNT, USA and network TV we'll always have Jack, Lu, Lenny and the gang.)

And what of "Chuck" and "Medium"? Or the CW's last comedies "The Game" and "Everybody Hates Chris"?

This Variety piece explores what's bubble-licious and how showrunners deal with the uncertainty. Read it and find out whether you need to get those 'save my show' campaign ideas rolling.

Or what you can write off without a look. So why not take some time and see what the networks have cooking for the fall season.

Click here for the overview of dramas and then click here for the show rundowns for each network.

Then click here to read about how the networks want to find humor in the recession. And then at the bottom of that page, you'll see a rundown of Fox's comedy offerings and links to the other networks.

Congress has set June 12 2009 as the final date to convert to digital. However, two stations in the area will stick with the original date February 17 2009; those stations are CW22 and MYRDC.  The change for both of the stations will go in effect at 11:59 pm on February 17. For more information on CW22: http://www.raleighcw.com/dtv/index.shtml  and for MYRDC: http://www.wrdc28.com/dtv/index.shtml.

Stations that will be converting June 12 2009:

UNC TV
WRAL
ABC 11
NBC 17
ION
Fox 50

These stations will be holding off, because the Government ran out of money for the Converter Box coupons. They are hoping to solve this issue between now and June 12.  For more information about the new date visit http://dtv.gov/.

The FCC has just released a list of that want to drop analog before or on Feb. 17, despite the new June 12 date.

Unfortunately for viewers not ready, local stations are on the list, including WUNC, WTVD, WNCN, WRAL, and WRAZ. Here's the story. Here's the list. (List is a pdf.)

Update:  As some smart and observant posters pointed out, I overstated the local stations going digital before June. It looks like only watchers of MyRDC, The CW and WRAY will be affected. Sorry about that. And thanks to those who posted.

Time Warner's public-access show 'Second Cinema' is proving to be competent and entertaining.

Daddy Day Camp.

Boat Trip.

Snow Dogs.

Rat Race.

All those films get erased off Cuba Gooding Jr.'s "for shame" movie list because of "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story." It's on TNT Saturday night at 8.

I just loved it. Ben Carson (that's him with Cuba in the photo) is the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, and watching his life story made me want to be a better mother.

Was I the only one who was bummed by all the drama already in the premier of Whitney Port's new show "The City" on MTV Monday night?

I loved the behind-the-scenes stuff at DvF, and really was left wanting more. Loved the fashion (has Whit stepped it up for NYC?). Loved the restaurant scenes. Loved the Manolo Blahnik scene (but pretty sure Whit's pr salary wasn't footing the bill for the MB splurge). Loved the one-on-one with Kelly Cutrone of People's Revolution (and her apt description of Fashion Week being like animal mating).

But that Olivia chick? And Jay's roommate Adam? And just who does Alex think he is? It all smells a little like a forced Spencer/Heidi thing in the making.

Don't get me wrong. I'm still planning to watch. Just like I watch the West Coast train wreck that is "The Hills." I had just hoped for less LC-style drama from Whit and her new New York pals.

Apparently history was made on that legendary game show "The Price Is Right."

According to the New York Post, a contestant guessed the exact amount of his showcase to the dollar. That's never been done before.

It seems, however, that host Drew Carey was not impressed. Read the story, and what may be the makings of a controversy here.

And then check out the video:

Sometimes, it's too painful to figure out the minds that make TV.

So, I'm not going to explain these two shows.

But maybe you're up to explaining them to me.

Tell me why, in a world where we lose a creative, original show like "Pushing Daisies," and a hilariously funny show like "Arrested Development" (yes, I'm still bitter), and an intelligent, amazing, brilliantly performed show like "The Wire" can't get one fragglenaggle Emmy, we get a reality show starring Steven Seagal and a variety show hosted by singer Brian McKnight?

Why?

Anybody?