Can "Heroes" be fixed?

I resisted this show at first - I think I may have mentioned that before. And here I am, a year later, pissed off that I have given so much of my Tivo to this show that has suddenly become mired in wandering plotlines and plodding character arcs.

But before I jump on the "sophmore slump" bandwagon, let me say that I truly relished the scene in last night's "The Line" in which Claire and her new super-boyfriend used their powers to haze the head-bitch cheerleader. Finally, using their powers for a lesser good!

"Heroes": Where in the hell was Bell's Elle?

She came, she fried, she called someone daddy. And then she disappeared.

Did anybody else miss Kristen Bell on yesterday's episode of "Heroes"?

Written as an intriguing mixture of perkiness and malevolence, her character Elle was the bright spot of last week's episode. And although it was her first appearance of thirteen episodes, Bell proved to be worth the fortune the network must have coughed up.

So far, press releases have indicated that Elle has ties to our existing heroes. While her involvement in Peter Petrelli's supposed death is likely to be revealed soon - the character having been shown already to be on a mission to locate him - other tidbits parceled out will probably take longer to pay off, such as her connection to Noah Bennett's past.

"Desperate" for Gay Help

Just last week I mentioned how much I love ABC's Sunday night show "Brothers & Sisters." One of the many reasons was that it features realistic characters--a few of whom just happen to be gay. But if you have an itching to see a cardboard version of Hollywood "gay," be sure to tune into "Desperate Housewives" just an hour earlier Sunday evening on the same network.

We all know that "Desperate Housewives" has its ups and downs. When it sings, it sings...and when it stinks, it really stinks. Lately it's on an upswing with more "hands-on" attention from show creator Marc Cherry. There are a few new characters who are intriguing, some really snappy dialogue, and surprising plot developments. But when it comes to the new gay couple on Wisteria Lane, Marc Cherry's characters are real lemons.

"Friday Night Lights": Rating Report

It's been a long and agonizing wait, but the numbers are finally in. With the premiere of "Women's Murder Club" three Friday nights ago, the fall television schedule of that night has finally been stabilized. Barring any cancellations or drastic changes in quality, the Nielsen patterns of each program are unlikely to fluctuate wildly.

So how is the cult-beloved "Friday Night Lights" doing in the game of ratings? The Nielsen breakdown of the timeslot reveals a complicated scoreline.

Fall's TV Hunks--Who Wins Monday Night?

Each day this week, I'll be offering up Graham's Television Hunk of the Night. But let's be clear about something: there was no random sampling. I'm also not providing a fully-detailed scientific process for picking each Hunk. No, I simply looked at a majority of the guys on tv each night and the winner just seemed to call out to me.

There are a few caveats I must offer up before we get to the hunks. First off, what happened to men of color? There seem to be fewer hot men of color on tv than ever before. I guess I always knew that, but to actually start looking and analyzing hotness and not see them, well, it was a surprise. Second, if you disagree with any of my choices you disagree. That's what makes the world go round. Make your own list. Third, do yourself a favor and Google all these guys--they're hot.

Battling it Out for the Weekend TV Hunk

Graham's Television Hunk for the Weekend is a tough battle. There are a lot of shows I don't catch on Saturday and Sunday, but strangely they are populated by a number of guys who will certainly make you stand up and take notice.

I've never seen "Shark" or "Cold Case," but the hunks they boast are almost reason to watch. Sam Page on "Shark" is one of the cutest guys I've seen on tv. But since I've never watched even 3 seconds of that show, he's ineligible. Same goes for the two cuties Danny Pino and Jeremy Ratchford on "Cold Case." Danny has that exotic dark-haired look and Jeremy is just a big ol' teddy bear, but "Cold Case" isn't a show I follow.

TV Week in review: A Bare Chest, Some Pills, and an Affair

There weren't that many surprises this week on primetime television. Other than the parade of Halloween-themed episodes (some already aired and some show next week), it was pretty much status quo.

So in honor of the weeks we have to wait until tv sweeps begin, I would like to present the Top 5 Non-Surprises of the past week:

1) Bret Harrison took his shirt off again on "Reaper." That makes a show of skin in every episode thus far. By now I'm not surprised, but I'm still certainly very happy.

No Investigation Necessary: Look at Thursday Night's Hunk

I have to admit that one of the hottest hunks of Thursday is on a television show I don't watch: "Ugly Betty." Eric Mabius has that It factor. The guy has dimples for days and blue eyes that kill me. One of these days I'll get the DVD and watch the whole first season.

A few other guys I do watch are Tom Welling on "Smallville" and BJ Novak on "The Office." Both these guys have that earnest look in spades. Welling is so frakking adorable he makes me want to fly, even though he's been doing the Superman schtick for 7 years now. And who would have thought Novak would look so good with his scruffy beard. I think he's been one of the most overlooked actors on "The Office," and I'm glad he's finally getting some real screen time.

Let's Tie One On--Friday's Hunk

Friday Night is a tie for Graham's Television Hunk of the Night. Two smoking hot guys for the price of one, people. It doesn't get any cheaper than that. But before we get to them, let's give the two other guys their due.

I'm not a "Men in Trees" fan. I've lived in Alaska for like three years and I never saw a man like that. And honestly, most Alaskans would chase Anne Heche out of town. Plus...If you want a really cool Alaska dramedy to watch, rent "Northern Exposure." That being said, lots of people do love the show and one of the reasons is hunky hunk hunk James Tupper. Even with the longish curly hair (which I hate), he still grabs my attention.

Gays, straights, lesbians and "Dante's Cove"

Back when “Queer as Folk” was on the air, it was well known that the majority of the viewers were straight women.  “Queer as Folk” reps found the information surprising, but it opened up a really interesting dialogue in the media: Why were straight women so obsessed with “Queer as Folk?”

Opinions varied.  Some simplified the phenomena, saying straight women really just liked watching hot guys having sex.  Even "Queer as Folk" star Robert Gant agreed. “They relate to the stories or whatnot, but here’s the key,” he’s quoted as saying. “I found out that the truth is, women love to watch two guys getting it on! I was really surprised by this.  It’s always, guys like to watch two women... socialization-wise.”