I completely love this show. The dancers are so amazing, they work so hard, they wear their hearts and moves on their sleeves and what do they get? Three crazy-ass judges who are more wrapped up in their own nonsense than they are the dancers performing in front of them. It's practically an art form to rip on the American Idol judges, but I actually prefer them to the crazies on SYTYCD. Cases in point:

Mia "Spiky-haired" Michaels: The woman is ego personified! Granted, if you like her style of choreography, she's completely brilliant. But, she really started bugging me this year during the auditions — she actually said to one of the dancers, "I really want to see you doing my work, so I'll put you through." Never mind everyone else, Mia, as long as that dancer is your puppet. Even when she likes a routine, her voice oozes condescension and disappointment... like she could have done so much better. She's definitely that dance teacher I would have hated!

When she's not judging, and the dancers perform one of her routines, she's all smiles and cheers and thumbs up! But when Courtney and Gev did a Mandy Moore (not the pop star) contemporary routine, she ripped it apart. I watched it three times and thought, like Mary and Nigel, that it was amazing. Then, she had the nerve to tell Kherington to smile less in the beautifully touching waltz choreographed by Jean-Marc in honor of his daughter. The other judges disagreed and told Mia she was nuts, but she got all snippy on their asses and told them she "has the right to her opinion." She does… she's a judge, but clearly, she sounded like a petulant mean girl and the audience "Boo-ed" accordingly.

Mary "Screamin' Banshee" Murphy: Good God, this woman can get on my last nerve. However, unlike Mia, I don't feel any mean-spiritedness in her commentary. It's more Paula-like (positive with an added dose of hideous fake tanning and wardrobe choices) but she never shies away from criticism when necessary. But, seriously, could she stop the screaming? I can only imagine how deaf the other judges are by the end of each episode. Oh yeah, and stop the WOO-HOO! And "two tickets on the hot tamale train!" Is this kindergarten? Sometimes I think she actually breaks the sound barrier when delivering her praise.

Nigel "Grabbin' His Crotch" Lithgowe: I don't know what got into Nigel this week. Perhaps he's still suffering from PTSD after being "kidnapped" into a dance routine last week. This week, he got out of his chair like a possessed demon and started running around and screaming "Yes!" after watching Katee and Joshua's Broadway routine. Then, when he was critiquing Comfort and Chris, he leapt out of his chair and grabbed his crotch to demonstrate how "weak" Chris' gangsta moves were. He told Chris to be more like the Hulk, then proceeded to turn into said green monster, complete with bared teeth and bulging veins. We get it Nigel... you used to be a dancer. No need to scare the little kids at home to drive your point across.

What do you think of the judges? Please post your thoughts here.

Related

• Use Our Online Video Guide to Watch SYTYCD
• Read TVGuide.com's SYTYCD recap

I bet he didn't have any idea how much people around the world respected, enjoyed and looked up to him. Thousands of people have gathered in Washington, DC to pay their respects to the passionate NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press, who made Sunday morning TV and white board election coverage a staple in many a household. You'd have thought a senator or even a president had passed by looking at the crowds. Russert probably would have had the perfect anecdote, ending with a big laugh and a bright smile if he was covering the passing of one of his colleagues. His colleagues are trying to keep it light, but you can see how hard Tim Russert's loss is affecting his NBC family.

I can't pretend that I watched Meet the Press every weekend, but when I did, I was always struck by Russert's passion for politics and his radar for bullsh*t. I did watch him as a frequent guest on Today, NBC Nightly News and of course, his election coverage. Like most personalities on TV, I took for granted that he would always be around to steer me in the right direction come election time — not because he was biased, but because he was so well informed, easy to understand and on the money. I think often about how he would have loved to see the outcome of this historical election, but I think he probably already knew who would win.

One thing is for sure, this man lived life to the fullest: He met the Pope, had a family who clearly adored him, covered some of the most thrilling political events in history, and earned the respect of everyone in the shadiest city in the world. He left behind an amazing legacy and it will be near impossible for anyone to fill his Meet the Press shoes.

I'm always shocked and saddened when someone passes before their time, but there is a distance between the event and me because I didn't know them personally. I didn't know Tim Russert, but like many people standing in line to pay respects at his wake, I kinda felt like I did. And, I'll miss him. Weird, yes, but that just proves how awesome he was at his job.

Coverage of his public memorial will be at 4 pm/ET on MSNBC.

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads out there. I hope you enjoy your special day with your families, and that goes for my dad as well.

So many dads have shown up on the small screen that a manageable list of the best is almost impossible to come up with. So I'm limiting this list of favorite pops to only those that I've seen first run (i.e. before syndication) in my lifetime.

So with apologies to Andy Taylor, Ward Cleaver, Steve Douglas, Ben Cartwright, Jim Anderson, Sr., and Fred Flintstone, here are my ten favorite patriarchs:

10) Noah Bennet (Heroes): The man in the horn-rimmed glasses will do anything, and I mean anything, to protect his Claire-bear. Sure he hasn't been the best husband and he tends to forget about his other child, but that's nothing a quick memory wipe couldn't fix.

9) Fred Sanford (Sanford and Son): Eventually, he ended up joining Elizabeth, but one of my favorite single parents has always been Fred G. Sanford. He affectionately refers to son Lamont as "Dummy", keeps the peace with Aunt Esther, and pals like Grady, Rollo, Bubba and Julio kept things lively in the junkyard. The two of them didn't always get along, but father and son were fiercely loyal to each other, and the sign above the junkyard is always there to show Fred's pride in his offspring.

8) Tony Soprano (The Sopranos): He's not the sweetest guy in the world, but Tony took care of two families: His work and his home. Tony wanted, and often provided, the best for his wife, son and daughter, and would go to any extreme to protect his family. He commanded respect at work and at home, and after all the tumultuous times, the family ends up with some onion rings in a diner courtesy of dear old dad.

7) Al Bundy (Married... with Children): Al didn't seem to care about anything except his past football glory, but he was suffered through selling shoes to support his wife, daughter and son who tried to spend him right out of the house. The Bundys were not sophisticated, but the family stuck together in spite of themselves — and grumpy Al was the reluctantly proud head of the house.

6) Jack Arnold (The Wonder Years): Kevin Arnold's dad typified many dads of the era The Wonder Years so beautifully depicts. Jack was quiet, a hard worker, and put aside his dreams to support his wife and three kids. Kevin struggled to impress his dad and spent countless hours trying to figure out just what made him tick, and I didn't want to miss a single minute of it.

5) Danny Tanner (Full House)" That's right, I'm putting this San Francisco neat freak single father of three on the list. True, he had help from Uncles Jesse and Joey, but they spent most of their time on their singing and comedy careers. The Wake Up, San Francisco host was there when the music towards the end of an episode swelled up for Donna Jo, Stephanie and Michelle, and Dad always knew the right thing to say.

4) Cliff Huxtable (The Cosby Show): Dr. Huxtable was loved and admired by his wife, daughters, son, parents, in-laws, and anyone who came near his Brooklyn brownstone. His sweaters were offset by college tees and sweatshirts, and whether he was joking with Clair or teaching Rudy, Vanessa, Lisa or Theo an important life lesson, he never lost his sense of humor, and was simply a great dad.

3) Homer Simpson (The Simpsons): If there's a cooler animated dad than Homer Simpson, I don't know who he is (honorable mention to Peter Griffin). Homer fails at most everything he does, but his heart is always in the right place. I'm not sure if his kids or wife look up to him, but Homer is a dad that we all can relate to whether we want to admit it or not.

2) Howard Cunningham (Happy Days): Who could run a successful hardware store, relate to the Fonz, and be the neighborhood dad that everyone wanted as their own? Howard Cunningham never failed to admit his mistakes, dealt with kids' friends ranging from Potsie to Jenny Piccolo, and simply always had the right words to say. When it comes to great dads, there's only one better than Mr. C.

1) Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch): The guy couldn't design his own house or have the greatest hair, but no one teaches a lesson better than Mike Brady. The Brady family doubles in size and he doesn't miss a beat. Mike is a successful architect, his wife Carol is always happy, his maid Alice is always happy, and the kids, you know their names, are mostly happy. But when problems occur, and in the Brady house they always do, one simple glance or explanation from Mike solves everything. He's the best dad I've ever seen on the small screen.

A few months ago, I couldn't contain my excitement for the return of Battlestar Galactica.

But after Friday night's hug and declaration of love between Adama and Roslin, I realized what the Hybrid was referring to when it was plugged back in and yelled, "Jump!"

The show is still worth watching, but it's missing on a few levels this season, specifically:

Allegory: In earlier seasons, the BSG storyline reflected what's happening in today's world. I don't expect an episode about rising gas prices, but I can't draw a single real-life parallel to this season's plot.

Cylons: The toasters are waaaaaay too accessible. A cylon civil war is intriguing, but the only remaining cylon mystery is, who is the last of the final five. And what's with unboxed D'Anna (Cylon No. 3) teasing Roslin about being the fifth? Xena should know better. Plus cylon Presidential assistant Tory, who no one knows or cares about, kills cylon Chief Tyrol's wife with little consequence, and cylon second-in-Command-of-Galactica Tigh knocks up Cylon No. 6 while she's in captivity. Cylons are all over the place. Let's see less of the skin jobs, and more of the survivors.

Baltar: Allow me to draw a parallel to my day job... Gaius Baltar is Ralph of The Howard Stern Show — the guy you love to hate (although Baltar does a bit better with the ladies). This season, Gaius has become more than a martyr — he's just plain annoying, and not in a good way. I can't pity Baltar, nor can I hate him surrounded by his cult-like following. As Baltar finds more religion, I lose more patience and interest in his fate.

Starbuck: Maybe it was her stint on Bionic Woman, but what has gotten into Starbuck? She comes back from the dead and everyone thinks she's a cylon. Next, she's obsessively focused on a mission to find the cylon who is obsessed with her. Now she's suddenly back on Galactica as cool Kara Thrace in command. Huh?

Adama: Soft, soft, soft. It's OK for the commander to have a bit of a breakdown, but falling so hard for cancer-laden President Roslin? Keep that tension alive and don't make the same mistake Moonlighting did. Oops, too late.

Following this season's finale, there are ten more BSG episodes that will air some time next year. We'll learn who the fifth of the Final Five is and Earth will eventually be found.

Cross your fingers for a finale with "assumed dead Starbuck waving to Lee" impact so this season can go out with a bang.

Or at least unplug the Hybrid, before it can say "jump" for a final, and fatal, time.

Related

• Read Jon Hein's TVGuide.com Blog

• Read Erin Fox's Battlestar Recap on TVGuide.com

Previously... on Lost.

This year's finale faced a problem that any other television series would love to have. Is it possible to match the sky-high expectations created by last year's flash-forward gem?

Well, last Thursday's episode wasn't as good as a year ago, but it wasn't half bad either. I wasn't wild about starting off with Kate slamming on the brakes and extending last year's pivotal scene with Jack at the airport, but things picked up from there.

Damon, Carlton and crew should be commended for keeping everyone on board with the Oceanic Six storyline throughout the season. But it wouldn't be Lost if a few points weren't still bugging me.

The Orchid
This Dharma station, or "a place for silly experiments" as Ben likes to call it, was a major disappointment. Ben throws every piece of metal to blow up a time travel portal, and then crawls through a path to someplace cold that has a big wheel you can spin to move an island. An air of mystery is fine, but can someone please explain what that deep, deep station was all about? Maybe the guy with four toes can clue me in.

The Boats
The freighter was doomed, and it hurt to see Michael and Jin go down with the ship. I didn't think Jack would leave anyone behind, but apparently he felt those two were expendable.

After Sawyer's leap and the helicopter crash, I was surprised that it was Penny's boat that rescued the Oceanic Six plus Two. Secretly, I was hoping the Others boat was shining that search light with the same crew that took Walt at the end of Season 1. And speaking of Walt, it's obvious that someone has hit puberty since the show began. Wish we had more of him chatting with Hurley.

The Ladies
When did Juliet become such a wimp? She's turning into Kate, who is a complete wuss compared to how she started off. In Season 1, Kate and Sayid were probably the toughest survivors of Oceanic 815. Now Kate is a crying step mom whose dad taught her how to track footprints. Juliet was tough as nails and almost as devious as Ben, no one knew if they could trust her. Now she's practically emotionless on the beach as Sawyer pops up from a nonchalant swim following his leap out of a helicopter. Rose is showing more fight than Juliet and Kate these days.

And I know Sun is pissed off about losing Jin (although we haven't seen a body), but I'm not crazy about badass Sun taking on her dad and Widmore. It doesn't seem to ring true to her character. I'll let this slide for now since she did such a good job screaming in the helicopter after the freighter exploded.

Jack's Dad
Is Dr. Christian Shepard dead or alive? He popped up to tell Michael he could go now. He's hanging out with his daughter Claire in Jacob's cabin and chatting with Locke. He visited Jack in the hospital. Should he be walking around with a black robe and a scythe?

The Coffin
"Who's in the coffin?" was a big question after last year's finale, but so much time has passed and so much else has happened that seeing Locke in the coffin proved to be anti-climactic. It was a good moment, but seeing Jeremy Bentham's body didn't approach bearded Jack screaming at Kate that they have to go back to the island.

Lost always answers a few questions, poses many more, and constantly keeps you guessing. Can't wait until Season 5 as Jack and Ben gather the rest of the Six, and Locke's body, for a quick trip back to the island... if they can find it.

Hey Sharkees, Long time no talk! Now that Idol has crowned David Cook, and Lost has unfolded its cliffhangers, there's one question on everyone's minds: What the hell am I going to watch all summer? Please don't say reality programming, though I do love some of the summer staples. That's right; I'm a reality snob, so sue me. So, to help you out, here are my top picks to get you through the month of June.

So You Think You Can Dance:
If you loved Idol there's no way you won't get sucked into this program (I'm a reality snob, but I love this show) that follows amazingly talented dancers from auditions to crowning a winner. These dancers defy gravity, the limits of flexibility and every law of physics. The only thing I have to warn you about is the annoying judge Mary Murphy telling the dancers whether or not they've earned a ticket on the "Hot Tamale Train." Kill me now.

In Plain Sight:
This is a new angle on the lead-female-cop-precedural made popular by The Closer and Saving Grace. But, Mary Shannon (played by Mary McCormack) works as a U.S. Marshall in New Mexico for the Witness Protection Program. It's smart, funny and will help whet your appetite for The Closer's return in July.

30 Days: I have loved Morgan Spurlock's documentary work since Supersize Me, but he really out does himself in these amazing portraits of lives changed: by 30 days on an Indian Reservation, in a wheelchair, working as a coal miner, etc. I cry every episode and come out of it a little bit changed, which is why the show is so brilliant.

Weeds: I cannot help myself; I don't smoke weed, but I'm addicted to this show. Mary-Louise Parker plays struggling single mom and pot dealer with such honesty and as much humor as the situations can muster. I also love her bizarre youngest son and her dufus brother-in-law. I hear this season we get to "meet the parents." I cannot freakin' wait.

OK, so I know that's only four shows, but you didn't seriously think I'd put America's Got Talent up there? Did you?

The seventh season of American Idol came down to a battle between two Davids, and after Tuesday night's performances, David Archuleta seemed like the obvious winner.

He sang better. The screams were louder. And it seemed for weeks that everyone wanted "little David" to win.

But when the results were announced at 9:58pm on Wednesday night, the last name of the David still standing was Cook. Many were surprised — but not me.

Let's take a look back at my April 14th column when I attempted to predict how Idol would play out the rest of the way:

Seven to Six
My Prediction: Kristy Lee Cook
Actually Eliminated: Kristy Lee Cook

Kristy Lee was my original pick to win it all back in the audition rounds. I thought she had the looks and the voice. I was half right.

Six to Five
My Prediction: Jason Castro
Actually Eliminated: Carly Smithson

I stand by my prediction. If Carly didn't hold up that Simon t-shirt, she and her tattoo might have stuck around a little bit longer. America got this wrong, and so did I.

Five to Four
My Prediction: Syesha Mercado
Actually Eliminated: Brooke White

I underestimated Syesha, and Brooke's knack for screwing up simple songs. No one thought Syesha would be the last woman standing, but she peaked at the right time.

Four to Three
My Prediction: Carly Smithson
Actually Eliminated: Jason Castro

How did Jason Castro last this long? The ukulele was unique, his version of "Hallelujah" was memorable, and I guess he had that hair. But every other singer in the Top 12 is more talented... with the exception of Amanda Overmeyer who is the only performer who wants to be there less than Jason does.

Three to Two
My Prediction: Brooke White
Actually Eliminated: Syesha Mercado

I figured it would come down to David versus David, but I had the wrong lady going home. Syesha did a nice job, but the Davids are in another league.

Two to One
My Prediction (word for word): "David versus David. David Archuleta has ridden his rendition of "Imagine" to the finals, but the coolness of David Cook is too much for the Idol audience to resist. Your next American Idol — David Cook."
Actually Eliminated: David Archuleta

I'm proud of that original prediction. It makes me forget the four previous rounds where I had the wrong one going home.

David Archuleta sang better in the finals, but David Cook deserves to be the American Idol.

Go figure.

The network television advertising upfronts were going to be different this year. The writer's strike meant big changes were coming.

I'm still waiting.

This strike-ravaged television season has been flat, and the small screen needs a big boost in 2008-09. If fall schedules are any indication, I'm guessing this boost will be coming in the Spring, because I just don't see any hits here.

ABC
Only two new fall series from ABC as they give their existing series a chance to grow.

Opportunity Knocks (Tuesday 8pm)
This game show travels to your door to see how well you know your family. Experience the genius of Ashton Kutcher, if you dare.

Life on Mars (Thursday 10pm)
This David E. Kelley production is based on a BBC series where a detective gets into a car crash and transported back to 1973. My fingers are crossed that this is L.A. Law and not Girls Club.

CBS
CBS is offering the most new fall series, but quantity does not always produce quality.

Worst Week (Monday 9:30pm)
This magazine editor's comedic struggle to get his future in-laws to like him only has to hold the audience from Two and a Half Men to CSI: Miami. The title is not a good sign.

The Mentalist (Tuesday 9pm)
This new drama is Medium, with a male psychic instead of a female Arquette.

Project Gary (Wednesday 8:30pm)
McGinley-esque Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall co-star in this comedy. Do I really need to keep typing?

Eleventh Hour (Thursday 10pm)
Great post-CSI time slot for a Jerry Bruckheimer drama about a scientist who keeps those who abuse the latest tech discoveries in check. Watch this.

The Ex List (Friday 9pm)
A psychic tells a woman she needs to revisit her old relationships to find her soul mate. Note the date and time this is airing.

NBC
The peacock will be churning out new series all year long, and this fall's big bet is on Christian Slater.

My Own Worst Enemy (Monday 10pm)
Christian Slater is an efficiency expert by day, trained killer by night. Horatio Caine better keep an eye on this one.

Kath & Kim (Tuesday 9:30pm)
Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star as a wacky suburban dysfunctional mom and daughter. Possibly a hit in 1992.

Knight Rider (Wednesday 8pm)
KITT is a Ford Mustang, and we’ll see who's interested in sticking around for more than a TV movie.

Crusoe (Friday 8pm)
It's the tale of Robinson Crusoe. I'm not kidding.

FOX
While we wait for American Idol to return, FOX presents a JJ Abrams plane crash mystery and Jerry O'Connell running a NYC hotel.

Fringe (Tuesday 9pm)
This J.J. Abrams tale begins with a plane that actually makes it to an airport, but everyone aboard has died a nasty death.

Do Not Disturb (Wednesday 9:30pm)
My pal Jerry O'Connell runs The Inn, and you can expect lots of wacky hijinks in this hot, hip Manhattan hotel.

The CW
Creating a 90210 spin-off shows the state of a network that might be in its final year of existence.

90210 (Tuesday 8pm)
The Beverly Hills crew is all grown up as The CW tries to capitalize on the formerly hip FOX zip code. Next up, who's living at Melrose Place?

Surviving The Filthy Rich (Tuesday 9pm)
A 23-year-old Yale grad gets hired as a live-in tutor for ridiculously wealthy twins in Palm Beach and learns to live the fabulous life. Hoping for some Gossip Girl gold.

Stylista (Wednesday 9pm)
This version of The Devil Wears Prada follows Tyra's lead-in as fashion aficionados fight for a job at Elle magazine. Too little, too late.

You know what I mean, right? It's so deliciously naughty, over-the-top, indulgent and entertaining that it might as well be as bad for you as a large hot fudge caramel sundae... with extra caramel sauce... and whip cream... and, you get the drift.

I didn't want to like this show after having blown off One Tree Hill-type WB shows for years. But the damn thing sucked me in! Damn you Josh Schwartz! I managed to successfully avoid The O.C. like the plague because I thought I'd lose IQ points by watching it. I had the same impression about Gossip Girl but had to watch it for my lovely job. And what can I say: The kids are caricature-like rich, spoiled, entitled, power-hungry, yet completely insecure and screwed up like normal teenagers. This, plus fantastic casting, makes for an irresistible sundae fest every Monday night.

I'm really excited for the finale this Monday — there's Lily and Bart's (sure to be doomed) wedding and the aftermath of Dan dumping Serena, and Georgina's shifty eyes that promise all sorts of drama. Are you going to be tuning in? Are you excited for the finale? Please post your thoughts here.

As an added treat, here's a OMFG-load of Gossip Girl videos from the upfronts in NYC. Enjoy!

If you haven't already seen the super-creepy and highly-anticipated The X-Files: I Want to Believe trailer, now's your chance! Warning: May cause fans of the show to have giddy laughter, followed by jumping up and down in excitement.

Yes, we're nerds here at TVGuide.com and JTS and are waiting impatiently for the movie to open on July 25. Oh, how we missed Mulder and Scully saving the world from freaky monsters and aliens. Try not to get chills when you hear that eerie whistled theme song again — and good luck not having it stuck in your head for the rest of the day after watching!

Are you stoked for the movie? Please post your thoughts here.

One is a lion, one a lamb (I know it's tough to figure that one out, but just try), and they'll be pitted against each other for the American Idol title next week. Who will win? I have to say, it's a total mystery to me. I know who should win (David Cook), but those damn tweens are a powerful union! I know there's some blonde-haired, gum-smacking Jimmy Hoffa of Idol voting organizing her minions to vote for David Archuleta as we speak. There are probably command centers and door to door campaigns (this day and age, that means Facebook and MySpace), car washes and Save Ferris (er, Archie) balloons all over middle America. Now that I've outed this "organized" bunch, I should probably change my name and watch my back.

All kidding aside, I think both kids will have careers in music. Though I see Archie more like Donnie Osmond and Cook like Daughtry. Gee, which one would I like to listen to more? Which one would you like to listen to more?
Please post your thoughts here.

Happy Mother's Day to all the great moms out there, and that includes the mother of my two daughters and the fantastic lady who brought me into this world.

Many moms have made their way across our small screens, but only a few truly stand the test of time. Here are the mothers I've seen in my TV lifetime who hold a special place in my heart.

10) Lily Munster (The Munsters): 1313 Mockingbird Lane was a tough house to take care of, but Lily kept Grandpa in line, unconditionally loved Herman, treated Marilyn as if she was just like everyone else, and got Eddie through some tough growing pains. And don't forget about Spot under the steps. Honorable mention to the sexy Morticia Adams who's a bit too creepy and kooky.

9) Jane Jetson (The Jetsons): Jane (his wife) was treated like a second class citizen in the credits, but she ran that space age house. Sure, Rosie helped out with the chores, but Elroy and Judy were a handful, and let's not get started with George. Jane was sexier than Wilma Flinstone, and that gives her the nod here.

8) Florida Evans (Good Times): Florida kept her entire family together through good times and bad. She survived the loss of James, dealt with Michael's rough childhood, Thelma's love life, and J.J.'s wacky dyn-o-mite. Florida struggled to keep the family going and always had a smile on her face.

7) Nancy Botwin (Weeds): Nancy isn't the best when is comes to raising kids, but a cooler mom has never graced our screens. After losing her husband, Nancy becomes a suburban pot dealer to support her family, which includes her two sons and crazy Uncle Andy. And she looks fantastic doing it.

6) Clair Huxtable (The Cosby Show): Clair managed a successful career, a constantly growing family, and being married to a doctor who loved to wear college sweatshirts. Clair was never afraid to bring the hammer down on any of her five kids and brought stability to that vibrant brownstone.

5) Shirley Partridge (The Partridge Family): Shirley immediately gets bonus points for touring with her kids in that funky school bus and singing harmony while playing that organ. Any mom that had to deal with Keith, Danny and Ruben Kincaid automatically qualifies for this list.

4) Elise Keaton (Family Ties): What would we do baby, without Elise Keaton? This super liberal mom raised three kids who couldn't be any different, and then added a fourth when ratings started to slip. Ditzy Mallory, conservative Alex, growing Jennifer and baby Andrew kept everyone in the Ohio household on their toes, and Elise was the glue that held the Keatons together.

3) Marge Simpson (The Simpsons): If there's a cooler animated mom than Marge Simpson, I don't know who she is. Marge has to manage four immature kids, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and Homer, and this Springfield mom always keeps things under control. She may not be the most beautiful mom in the world, but she's certainly one of the most special.

2) Carol Brady (The Brady Bunch): Here's the story of a lovely lady who was bringing up three very lovely girls, and was suddenly saddled with an architect, three growing boys, and a dog. Sure Alice was there to help out, but that poorly designed house was tough to run, and Carol always did it with a smile. And when the holidays came around, who else would you rather have sing "Silent Night?"

1) Marion Cunningham (Happy Days): I admit inherent bias in this decision, but show me a better mom than Mrs. C. No one ran a tighter house, she could charm Howard or The Fonz in one fell swoop, and was always there when anyone needed her. You can look all over the country for the best TV mom, but my favorite resides in Milwaukee with a biker living in her attic.

The recent uproar over the so-called racy Miley Cyrus photos taken by Annie Leibovitz is reminiscent of an unavoidable sure fire way to jump the shark…puberty.

Many child stars, and not just ones who are Disney property, have fallen victim to simply growing up. Just ask Robbie Rist or Tina Yothers.

It’s not hard to stay cute, it’s nearly impossible. So what’s a child star to do? I have two young daughters, and we’ve lived through a couple of these cycles. The writing on the wall for Miley isn’t pretty.

A decade ago, Lindsay Lohan got her start playing twins in Disney’s The Parent Trap. The adorable freckled red head was a talented actress, and as Lindsay grew up her roles kept pace with her maturation. She attempted a musical career following Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen and Freaky Friday, but failed to cross over. Mean Girls was the icing on Lindsay’s cake, and she was fully embraced in the teen community. But since then, her career has been nothing but disappointment.

Disney refined its approach and began to build its crossover stars at an earlier age and simply hope for the best. If they can’t make it in TV, at least they’ll have a recording career. But get them started early!

Next came Lizzie McGuire, a Disney Channel TV show that starred Hilary Duff. Lizzie was a smart, cute program, and my kids along with other pre-teens quickly became obsessed with it. Multiple airings on the cable channel helped reinforce everything Lizzie, and we all couldn’t get enough Hilary Duff.

After Lizzie established itself as a Disney franchise, an album featuring Hilary Duff soon followed, and my girls were instantly humming the catchy pop tunes and going to see her live. A Lizzie McGuire movie was up next and Hilary was ready to conquer the world.

There was just one problem. Hilary was aging, and naturally wanted to take on more “mature” roles. Her music lyrics got racier. Lizzie McGuire disappeared from TV. Hilary was growing up, but my girls and others like them moved on to the next Disney sensation, Hannah Montana.

By day, pop superstar Hannah Montana is a regular kid named Miley who goes to school and lives life like everyone else. At night, she’s Hannah, the dreamy rock and roll star. Her character is a good kid on and off the stage finding her way through life.

The brilliance of this Disney gem is how it naturally spawned off Miley Cyrus’ recording career. Hannah Montana hits led to Miley Cyrus hits, and a successful tour let kids get even closer to Hannah/Miley. The opening act on the tour? The Jonas Brothers, who are the next Disney pre-pubescent project.

Now just when Miley is at the top of her game, a controversy emerges over these pictures. The world will begin to drift out of Miley’s corner as she embarks on the most difficult part of her career, the transition from a tween sensation to contemporary artist.

Disney claims outrage at the photos, but they’re not worried one bit. They’ve got the High School Musical franchise, The Jonas Brothers, and a new show called Wizards of Waverly Place that stars Barney alumnus Selena Gomez. Expect Selena’s record to drop soon, as the vicious cycle starts again.

The child stars lose. The mouse wins. And it never ever ends.

Last week, it was a cameo by President Bush. This week, Darth Vader is the banker. Howie, this isn't the deal I signed up for.

I was a big fan of Deal or No Deal when Howie and the 26 ladies first came on the scene. The game is a simple one, in fact, you can't get much simpler. And, there's something oddly appealing as cases are eliminated and the contestants proudly proclaim "no deal."

The banker. The Lucky Case Game. The greed of the contestants as they ignore the advice of their caring families. Everything worked to perfection. I couldn't get enough of deciding if Anya, Leyla or Aubrie was hiding the million.

As the ladies continued to open their cases, NBC tried to capitalize on the mojo of this new hit. But they made the Who Wants to be a Millionaire mistake of airing it on too many nights in prime time.

Overexposure allowed people to notice that contestants were a bit too excited to be there. Special guest stars started to regularly appear on the big screen. But as long as the game stayed simple, the show remained entertaining.

I'd love to know what it is that tempts network execs to fix something that isn't broken. Deal or No Deal isn't Jeopardy!, and the beauty of the show is that it never pretends to be. The powers that be felt things on the show weren't simple enough, and that's when the shark started to circle.

Howie proceeded to make a noble, but fateful announcement... the million dollar mission. Every week someone failed to win the million, an additional million dollar choice was added to the big board until someone took home the big prize.

Odds were becoming more favorable for the contestant, and gamesmanship started to disappear. Once you begin to mess with an already ridiculously simple game, there's no turning back.

Girls have been eliminated from The Lucky Case Game, and now it's much easier to win. Themed episodes, which occurred once in a while, are now a regular fixture. There's a Deal Wheel that can triple your money. And the fact that we know Hayely’s case (#25) always has a lot of money simply doesn't matter any more.

This week, Deal or No Deal travels to a galaxy far, far away... Star Wars night. 26 beauties dressed as Princess Leia. R2D2 and Chewie help out the contestant. Darth Vader takes over for the banker.

Don't be surprised if you see Jar Jar Binks laughing as the show sails over the shark.

My bad. My bad. Seriously, how could we not have discussed Kathie Lee's new place on the fourth hour of Today? I know I'm busy, but shame on me!

I actually, gulp, used to enjoy Kathie Lee (and Regis) back when I would stay home sick from school. Then I grew up, and she grew to bug the crap out of me. I think she's a decent host in many ways: She doesn't forget people's names (unlike Regis!), she can carry on a decent conversation (unlike Ann!) and she has a good sense of humor and allows herself to be goofy. But then there's the preachiness... and lately, I'm finding that all the shtick she does on this show is the same stuff she's been doing for 20 years, and I'm over it (biting her knuckles and saying, "Mama!").

Today had to be one of the lamer moments in Daytime: Kathie Lee, along with her much bragged-about daughter Cassidy, were captured trying to master the "Thriller" dance with the people from Step It Up and Dance. I especially enjoyed the close up of her rear end as she tried one of the moves. Not so "Thrilling" anymore, is it? That's some nice work, Today.

What do you think of Kathie Lee's return to Daytime TV? Please post your thoughts here.