Partners

Mondays, 8:30 p.m.  on CBS

NBC has "The New Normal," and you could consider "Partners" the new normal-er.

The sitcom, about two lifelong friends, one gay and one straight, feels so old-fashioned, even a bit dated at times, that it's like an old friend. Old as in a little creaky with the occasional spark.

Joe (David Krumholtz) and Louis (Michael Urie) work together as architects. Joe's the straight one, a nerdy guy who has grown up and surprisingly ended up with a hot girlfriend Ali (Sophia Bush). Louis's boyfriend is Wyatt (Brandon Routh), who is a nurse and a bit vacant; Louis insists on telling people he's a doctor.

Emmy-winning actress America Ferrera will speak at N.C. Central University at 7 p.m. Monday in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education, 700 Cecil St. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Ferrera played Betty Suarez on ABC's “Ugly Betty,” which earned her an Emmy, a Golden Globe award, a Screen Actors Guild award, an American Latino Media Arts (ALMA) award and an Imagen award.

Today, a contemporary hit treated badly by a certain network with the initials ABC. You can own "Ugly Betty: The complete fourth and final season."

This is the season where Betty, played by America Ferrara, the sweet but gauche assistant at Mode magazine comes into her own. And there's plenty of that delicious villain Wilhelmina Slater, played so fabulously by Vanessa Williams.

You'll get 20 episodes plus some great bonus features: "Betty Goes Bahamas" which features co-stars Michael Urie and Becki Newton searching for cast members during a location shoot in the Bahamas; webisodes of "Mode After Hours"; Betty Bloops; deleted scenes; audio commentary. You can get French and Spanish subtitles too.

It's a four-disc set. A whole lot for very little effort. Just send me an email by 7 tonight (12/2) and include your address in the body. We'll have a random drawing and pick the winner.

Good luck!

Today, a contemporary hit treated badly by a certain network with the initials ABC. You can own "Ugly Betty: The complete fourth and final season."

This is the season where Betty, played by America Ferrara, the sweet but gauche assistant at Mode magazine comes into her own. And there's plenty of that delicious villain Wilhelmina Slater, played so fabulously by Vanessa Williams.

You'll get 20 episodes plus some great bonus features: "Betty Goes Bahamas" which features co-stars Michael Urie and Becki Newton searching for cast members during a location shoot in the Bahamas; webisodes of "Mode After Hours"; Betty Bloops; deleted scenes; audio commentary. You can get French and Spanish subtitles too.

It's a four-disc set. A whole lot for very little effort. Just send me an email by 7 tonight (12/2) and include your address in the body. We'll have a random drawing and pick the winner.

Good luck!

Today, a contemporary hit treated badly by a certain network with the initials ABC. You can own "Ugly Betty: The complete fourth and final season."

This is the season where Betty, played by America Ferrara, the sweet but gauche assistant at Mode magazine comes into her own. And there's plenty of that delicious villain Wilhelmina Slater, played so fabulously by Vanessa Williams.

You'll get 20 episodes plus some great bonus features: "Betty Goes Bahamas" which features co-stars Michael Urie and Becki Newton searching for cast members during a location shoot in the Bahamas; webisodes of "Mode After Hours"; Betty Bloops; deleted scenes; audio commentary. You can get French and Spanish subtitles too.

It's a four-disc set. A whole lot for very little effort. Just send me an email by 7 tonight (12/2) and include your address in the body. We'll have a random drawing and pick the winner.

Good luck!

America's Next Top Model (8pm, The CW) - There's a photo shoot on the subway, and judge Andre Leon Talley (Vogue editor and Durham native) harshly criticizes one contestant's outfit.

Human Target (8pm, Fox) - In the first season finale, Chance's former boss (Armand Assante) tries to convince him to come back to his old job, which prompts Chance, Winston, and Guerrero to reminisce about how they all ended up working together.

The Middle (8:30pm, ABC) - Frankie and Mike eliminate their cable TV to cut down on expenses, but miss it more than they thought they would (NO KIDDING!).

American Idol (9pm, Fox) - Two contestants out of the final nine are eliminated tonight, plus last year's runner-up Adam Lambert performs "Whataya Want From Me."

Ugly Betty (10pm, ABC) - In the series finale, Betty tells Daniel about her future plans, Justin and Bobby try to convince Hilda that they should move to Manhattan, Amanda mourns the loss of a loved one, and Marc is discouraged by his romantic prospects.

In Plain Sight (10pm, USA) - A BATF agent whom Mary has been protecting awakens from a three-year coma. Rita Moreno guest stars.

ABC has informed the "Ugly Betty" cast and crew that this current season will be its last.

Now in its fourth season, the show is well past its prime (I was never a fan, personally). Plus, the ratings have been awful this season, so the cancellation shouldn't be a big surprise.

And with this much notice, the writers will at least be able to give Betty and her Mode colleagues some closure.

Congratulations to David of Raleigh; Dan of Raleigh and K. Simpson of Washington.

They all won DVDs this weekend.

Don't you want to join them?

Today's DVD brings a little fun and fashion: "Ugly Betty: The Complete Third Season."

That's more than 1,000 minutes of viewing. Bonus features include a pop-up video commentary by Michael Urie and Becki Newton, an inside look at the show's move from L.A. to N.Y., webisodes, bloopers, deleted scenes and audio commentary.

Just email me (adrienne.johnson@newsobserver.com) with the name of the magazine Betty works for in the subject line. In the body, give your name and contact information. Entries with the correct answer will be put in a random drawing to choose a winner.

We'll take emails until midnight (Monday, Dec.7). Check back tomorrow for the winner and a new chance to win.

Ghost Whisperer (8pm, CBS) - Melinda helps the ghost of a boy who says he was murdered by a police officer.

Ugly Betty (9pm, ABC) - Shakira and Christie Brinkley guest start as Mode goes on a location shoot to the Bahamas, where the Betty-Matt-Amanda love triangle explodes.

Monk (9pm, USA) - In the finale to the show's eight amazing seasons, Monk and Stottlemeyer close in on Trudy's killer. The larger issue may be Monk's fate. Will he survive last week's ricin attack?

White Collar (10pm, USA) - In the mid-season finale, Neal becomes a suspect in a clever jewelry heist, and Peter must decide if he's innocent, or pulling another con.

20/20 (10pm, ABC) - Chris Brown talks to Robin Roberts about Rihanna's recent ABC interviews. 

Monk (9pm, USA) - Tonight is part one of a two-part series finale for "Monk," a WarmTV favorite. At least Mr. Monk will go out with some closure, since the final two episodes will be devoted to solving Trudy's murder. In the first part, Monk goes back to the place where he first learned of Trudy's death and begins an investigation of great significance.

Ugly Betty (9pm, NBC) - When Daniel gives Bennett and The Community of the Phoenix open access to Mode, Betty hatches a plan to shock him back to reality. Meanwhile, Wilhelmena uncharacteristically stops caring about her appearance, prompting Marc to investigate Nico.

White Collar (10pm, USA) - Neal and Peter work a case in Chinatown and run up against organized crime, shady Interpol agents, and a game of Pai Gow.