The universe's machinations have failed yet again

Almost got killed, or at least whiplashed into next week, yesterday. Trying to find a gas station with an open pump, ended up going through the hilly part of town (no, the really hilly part of town) and was being followed by an obnoxiously large black pickup with Jayhawk plates on the front. And the dude was going about 50 in a 40, kept catching up to me entirely too quickly. The car in front of me decided it needed to stop to turn left, so I braked, and Mr. Pickup didn't catch on until...well, by the time he stopped braking and swerving into the left lane, he was about as far forward as I was. What the gent lacks in attention and higher brain function he makes up for in muscle memory and reflexes, apparently.

Been spoiled for the finale of Lost. After about five minutes of me just blinking and trying to process the info, I think they might have just won me back with the season-closing mind-frak (I'd put it above BSG's season-closing shot, actually). But the one most important nugget of info from it, one that I needed an answer to last Wednesday, Locke is...( tiny but important spoilerage )

Boob tube: ABC unleashes...more of the same

ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff will air next fall on an all-new Wednesday night schedule, one of 11 series the network plans for next season.

"Private Practice" features Dr. Addison Shepard, who leaves Seattle for work in Los Angeles. A special "Grey's Anatomy" that effectively served as the show's pilot was seen by 21 million people earlier this month. Veteran TV actors Merrin Dungey, Tim Daly, Taye Diggs and Amy Brenneman will join star Kate Walsh in "Private Practice," which will air at 9 p.m.

Two other new series will air Wednesdays on ABC in the fall. "Pushing Daisies," described as a forensic fairy tale, features a boy who can touch dead people and bring them back to life. "Dirty Sexy Money" is a prime-time soap opera about a wealthy New York family.

ABC also gave the go-ahead to "Cavemen," a comedy adapted from the Geico insurance commercials.

The network canceled the comedies "George Lopez," "Help Me Help You" and "Knights of Prosperity." "What About Brian" did not make the cut, and ABC is still debating the future of "According to Jim," while leaving it off the fall schedule.

On the upside, not much more stress on the TV computer.

Boob tube: don't set your show in Kansas

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings once more, erica_roo, but Variety's saying that Jericho will not return for a second season. Which, even though I didn't watch it, makes me sad -- it was different, and that's enough of a virtue on network TV. There's just not enough eschatological television anymore.