Couch potato supreme Walt Belcher blogs on his 2005 trip to Beverly Hills to preview the fall TV season. Please email your own thoughts, ideas, comments and questions to Walt. Just click here.

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I'm back. I shut down the computer Friday afternoon right before the Pamela Anderson session.

Frankly, I was sort of blogged out at that point. Needed a break.

"The Stacked" session went well. Anderson wore a black leather outfit that opened down the front to reveal her eye-popping cleavage. I don't think it would have been humanly possible to zip her jacket up.

Fox says "Stacked," a late-season replacement is a hit. Anderson plays a party gal who escapes the fastlane by working in a book shop run by two average Joes.

She noted that setting up and delivering punchlines is a lot more fun that running around with a pink grenade launcher and matching hot pants like she did on her last series "VIP."

In that syndicated action show, she played a former hot dog stand vendor turned bodyguard.

She said a lot of women watched "VIP" and just "guys who had been watching football and were too drunk to change the channel."

Fox Premiere Dates

Six New Series, Along With Returning Favorites, Set for Fall Launches Monday, Aug. 29 - "Prison Break" (2-Hour Series Premiere) Monday, Sept. 5 - "Prison Break" (Time Period Premiere) Thursday, Sept. 8 - "THE O.C" and "Reunion" Saturday, Sept. 1 - "COPS" and "America'S Most Wanted" Sunday, Sept. 11 - "The Simpsons," "The War at Home." "Family Guy" and "American Dad." Tuesday, Sept. 13 - "Bones" and "House" Wednesday, Sept. 14 - "Head Cases" Saturday, Sept. 17 - "Madtv" Sunday, Sept. 18 - "King of the Hill" Monday, Sept. 19 - "Arrested Development" and "Kitchen Confidential" Friday, Sept. 2 - "The Bernie Mac Show," "Malcom in the Middle," "Killer Instinct" and "The Gate." "That "70s SHOW" and "Stacked" will premiere after Baseball. Premiere dates TBA.]

Off Campus

Cool things I did with my down-time here: 1. Made a two-mile trek to a coin laundry in West Hollywood. 2. Won $75 at a live trivia night at a Santa Monica pub (with some local pals of mine). 3. Saw "The Island" and realized there's better writing on TV these days. 4. Found a neat shop, Giant Robot, devoted to animated Japanese robots and got a "Robot Power" T-shirt. 5. Found a great cigar shop, Lone Wolf Cigars, in Santa Monica. 6. Ate at an In-and-Out burger.

Last Mile

Friday has arrived, the last day of the tour, and we're just going through the motions like zombies.

Fox starts off the day with "Prison Break," which will air 9 p.m. Mondays in the fall. It has a complicated plot. A guy commits a crime to get into prison to break out his wrongfully convicted brother.

The first season is all about the plot to get out. If it goes beyond 13 episodes, the series will then follow various escapees.

We learn the pilot was filmed at the vacant Joliet Prison near Chicago (of "The Blues Brothers" fame). The place is empty and for sale. It's been renamed Fox River Prison for the series.

Stacey Keach is the warden and man, does he look old. Someone asks him how filming in Joliet compares to the few months he spent in a British prison back in the 1980s for smuggling cocaine. Hmmm. Well, for one thing, the catering was better and he could go home at night.

We're all hanging on for the last session. Pamela Anderson for "Stacked." I can't believe it's still on.

During a session on "The War at Home," a comedy about wacky teenagers and their wacky parents, someone asks if some of the jokes amount to gay-bashing. Creator/writer Rob Lotterstein says they didn't offend him or his boyfriend of five years.

American Dreams

At least three former cast members of "American Dreams" have found new jobs.

Gail O'Grady, who played the mom, is a sexy real estate babe on ABC's comedy "Hot Properties."

Will Estes, who was son JJ, is on Fox's soap "Reunion."

Jonathan Adams, who played Henry Walker (the assistant manager in Jack Pryor's TV shop), is a forensics expert on Fox's "Bones."

Adams looks entirely different. Close cropped hair, ear rings and a goatee.

Anyone know what happened to Brittany Snow? The former Tampa resident must be doing something? Haven't heard from her since she got her own personal publicist.

A Teen Idol Invasion

Shaun Cassidy, former teen heartthrob turned TV producer, says he set his creepy "Invasion'' series in Homestead, Fla. because his wife, Tracey, is from there.

Homestead was obliterated by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 but she was out of town when it happened, he told TV critics. However, she is very familiar with the aftermath.

In Cassidy's ABC thriller, a hurricane sweeps through the Everglades bringing strange changes with it. People are different after the storm.

Some say it looks like an alien invasion - like the one in the 1950s thriller "Invasion of the Body Snatchers.''

Cassidy won't say what's going on in his story. He claims it's not what we think. He won't even say that aliens are involved.

Even worse, he says he has never seen "Invasion of the Body Snatchers.''(I'm losing respect for him now). How stupid to miss that classic.

This is Cassidy's eighth series. His biggest success so far was the short-lived horror series "American Gothic.''

In other news, on "Alias" this fall, Sydney Bristow (Jennifer Garner) won't see as much action and may miss a few episodes. Garner is expecting a baby about December with new husband Ben Affleck.

The show's producers have decided to make her character pregnant, too.

To provide the necessary eye-candy, a new female agent will be added to the cast.

Boston Legal

Look for more laughs on "Boston Legal" this fall.

Series creator David E. Kelley told us that the show is turning into a comedy ... or a "dramady" ..... or a "comma.''

He doesn't care what we call it.

"Desperate Housewives'' is a comedy, too. And remember Kelley's "Ally McBeal''?

Joining the "BL" cast is Julie Bowen who was so cute on "Ed" and also has a recurring role on "Lost.''

With quirky William Shanter and eccentric James Spader the series already had more laughs than any other comedy.

Displaced on Sundays by "Grey's Anatomy," the series is moving to Wednesday nights at 10 where it will follow "Lost" and will be an alternative to NBC's "Law & Order.''

Candice Bergen is also back.

Heather Locklear guest stars as a ruthless client in the season opener. Great clip: When Denny Crane (Shatner) makes a pass at her she snaps: "I'll send you a pair of my pants in the mail so you can try to get into them on your own time.''

Bad Comedy Rising

HOT PROPERTIES

Live from ABC's portion of the fall preview tour: 4 p.m. Tuesday

ABC introduces the cast of "Hot Properties" for questions. You could have heard crickets chirping if there were any crickets in Beverly Hills.

This sitcom about four sexy women who work in a real estate office is not getting high marks from critics.

Breaking the silence, someone asks Gail O'Grady if she has whiplash after going from a Catholic mom on "American Dreams" to a world class slut as a real estate agent who beds younger men. Ouch!

She says she is an actress and can play a variety of roles.

More crickets. Another critic asks if they are going to do anything more than talk about sex.

You could almost feel producer Suzanne Martin's heart sink.

Things calm down as more general questions follow and Martin eventually makes the point that women talking about sex is what put "Sex in the City" on the map.

"Hot Properties" with O'Grady, Nicole Sullivan, Sofia Vergara and Christina Moore, is in the running for the dubious distinction as the most likely to be hated by the critics.

It's just plain raunchy said one critics.

Also loathed are The WB's "Twins," ABC's "Thick and Thin," NBC's "Four Kings" (mid-season), CBS's "Out of Practice" and Fox's "The War at Home." In my informal and totally unscientific poll here, there are only five new comedies that a majority of critics like: 5. "Sons & Daughters" (mid-season on ABC) about a goofy dysfunctional family. 4. "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS) a romantic comedy about a group of friends. 3. "Kitchen Confidential" (Fox) about the kitchen antics in a high class restaurant. 2. "My Name is Earl" (NBC) about a trailer park rube out to create good karma. 1. "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN) Chris Rock narrates a comedy about his childhood in New York.

ABC Premieres

ABC FALL PREMIERE DATES: "Wife Swap" on Sept. 12; "According to Jim" on Sept. 20; "Lost" and "Invasion" on Sept. 21.

"Supernanny" and "Hope & Faith" on Sept. 23; "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy" on Sept. 25.

"Commander In Chief" and "Boston Legal" on Sept. 27; "George Lopez" on Sept. 28; "Alias" and "Night Stalker" on Sept. 29.

"America's Funniest Home Videos" on Oct. 2; "Rodney" on Oct. 4: "Freddie" on Oct. 5; "Hot Properties" on Oct. 7.

Big Yellow Taxi

Amy Grant had TV critics off their duffs and dancing into the night at the NBC media party.

It wasn't a pretty sight. I'm referring to the critics, not Grant. She's looking good at 45. Backed by a rock band, she performed her greatest hits ("Baby, Baby" "House of Love," "Big Yellow Taxi") and covered some other good old rock 'n" roll numbers.

Grant is host of "Three Wishes," a NBC reality show on which the wishes of three worthy families will be granted each week.

We were elbow-to-elbow at the event. Even so I managed to find Dennis Hopper, who is co-starring in "E-Ring," a Jerry Bruckheimer thriller about the Pentagon. Hopper has come along way since he was a rebel in "Easy Rider."

Also interviewed Steve Guttenberg who is starring in a remake of "The Poseidon Adventure" coming to NBC in November.

The 1972 original was a thriller about survivors of a disaster on an ocean liner.

The folks at NBC are tickled to have stolen this three-hour film out from under Warner Bros. which is making a big screen version for 2006 starring Kurt Russell.

The WB had a chance to buy up the TV film but passed on it allowing NBC to get it. It would have been a smart move to at least take the film out of circulation for a year until the big screen movie made its splash.

Get 'Er Done

At the "Vegas" party Sunday, I met a guy who is working on a DVD movie starring Larry The Cable Guy (a.k.a. Dan Whitney) that will be filmed in Orlando during August.

"Larry The Cable Guy: Health Inspector" has the country's favorite redneck working as a health inspector (pretty obvious, eh?).

It's being made for Paramount Home Video but Larry has become so big that it might make it into theaters. The Sanford, Fla. comic reportedly has become one of the top-grossing stand-ups in the country. And The WB has ordered more of those "Blue Collar Comedy" shows that helped make Larry a cultural icon.

The film co-stars Joey Pantoliano and David Koechner.

What Stays In Vegas

Fergie of The Black-Eyed Peas and comic Jay Mohr were unexpected guests at the NBC party for "Las Vegas" Sunday night.

Mohr accompanied "Vegas" co-star Nikki Cox. She left Bobcat Goldthwait and has moved in with Mohr (must like funny guys).

Fergie was on the arm of "Vegas" star Josh Duhamel. They've been an item for almost a year and rumor is they are engaged.

Chatted with Laura Flynn Boyle, still thin as ever. She says she will wear a lot of padding and "the magic of television" will give her cleavage for her role as the new owner of the casino.

Apparently, cleavage is required on this series.

NBC Premiere Dates

Announced Sunday in Beverly Hills:

Sept. 13 - "The Biggest Loser"

Sept. 19 - "Surface" (formerly "Fathom"),"Las Vegas," "Medium"

Sept. 20 - "My Name is Earl," "The Office," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"

Sept. 21 - "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart," "E-Ring," "Law & Order"

Sept. 22 - "Joey," "The Apprentice," "ER"

Sept. 23 - "Dateline NBC," "Three Wishes," "Inconceivable"

Sept. 24 - "NBC Movie"

Sept. 2 - "Dateline NBC," "The West Wing," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent"

Sept. 29 - "Will & Grace"

Trigger Happy

Some of the following entries may contain typographical errors. While attempting to file live from this TCA press tour, I have inadvertently hit the submit button a few times before I was finished writing. That problem has been corrected, I think.

Xena sighting

Hey! Lucy Lawless can still do that Xena, Warrior Princess battle cry.

A friend to many critics, Lawless was a guest at the 21st Annual Television Critics Association's Awards Show on Saturday night.

She wasn't up for anything. She just likes to hang with this jaded group.

At the poolside party after the awards show, she took part in the Bad Critic Theater, an unofficial skit during which some critics do a dramatic (or tragically comic) reading of a transcript of a news conference that we suffered through.

The transcript selected this year was PBS's "Pioneers of Comedy" in which old timers like Red Buttons and Mickey Rooney really hammed it up for us.

Lawless, who is now a blonde, starred in CBS's sci-fi thriller movie, "Locusts," last season.

It was a ratings success so she is coming back next season as the same character battling "Vampire Bats" in another CBS movie scheduled for Halloween weekend.

Hi Bob Again

Most of all at the TCA Awards Saturday I wanted to do justice with my introduction of Newhart, a dceserving TV icon and genuine nice guy.

I met with Newhart before the awards show and we talked about his favorite episodes of "The Bob Newhart Show" and "Newhart."

We have certain TV episodes etched in our memory. One of mine, from before I was a critic, is when Bob Hartly, the mild mannered Chicago psychologist, joins his wife and friends at a fancy, new ice cream parlour...one of those places where they bang drums, sing and make a fuss over every order.

Poor Bob, growing increasingly uncomfortable, will have none of that. But after being coaxed, he orders a single little scoop of vanilla.

That ploy doesn't work. The whole staff pours out, drums banging, horns blaring, chanting "One Scooper, Party Pooper!"

This is classic Newhart: the only sane man in an insane world.

We honor a man who is still achieveing. He has a recurring role on the top-rated comedy/drama series. He is in an upcoming cable movie and he still tours the country making people laugh.

He has been making people laugh for more than 45 years.

Some of us are old enough to have actually owned an original copy of "The Button Down Mind." That 1960 comedy launched the career of a former accountant from Chicago who amazed us with his telephone routines. He even outsold Elvis that year.

The master of the stammer, the deadpan reaction and the pause. He is so good at his craft that we don't know when he is working.

We loved him as a Chicago psychologist and a Vermont inn keeper in two long-running comedy series.

And he gave us, what many consider is the best series finale in TV history: when Bob woke up next to Emily and realized life in Vermont was just a dream.

Hi Bob. Thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do.

Hi Bob

It was an honor and a thrill to be the critic that handed Bob Newhart his career achievement award Saturday night at the annual Television Critics Association Awards.

We gave out honors to "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" and Jon Stewart and Hugh Laurie ("House").

But for me, personally, giving Newhart an long overdue honor, made it a good night.

As one of the presenters, I didn't want to blow my two-minutes in the spotlight in front of actors, producers and fellow critics.

WB Fun

Friday night in Hollywood finds us at the swanky Cobana Club for The WB All-Star Party.

My fave show, "Gilmore Girls," is well represented. Lauren Graham, Edward Hermann, Kelly Bishop are giving interviews.

Hey! Lorelai Gilmore is getting a dog this season, probably a chow or mixed mutt of some kind - and Lauren Graham is not a dog person.

Talked to Don Johnson. The former "Miami Vice" star is playing a frumpy 52-year-old burned-out laywer on a WB show this fall. We don't expect him to start another fashion trend.

Fran Drescher is in one corner. Rose McGowan is in another, looking smashing in a green satin dress. "Charmed" has been on forever.

John Schneider ("Smallville") is here and yes he's not all that excited about the remake of "The Dukes of Hazzard."

His former "Dukes" co-star Tom Wopat will make a quest appearance on "Smallville" this season.

Also, James Marsters ("X-Men") is joining the cast as Brainiac, one of the bad guys from the Superboy comics.

I look for the cast of "Reba" but it is too crowded. Couldn't find JoAnna Garcia, the Tampa lovely who plays Reba McIntire's daughter.

Some were disappointed that Melanie Griffith, who has a new sitcom, can't be found. A bigger disappointment for me - No Larry the Cable Guy.

The Frog Is Dead

Sad news for fans of Michigan J. Frog. He is no longer part of The WB logo. He quietly was put away this past season and replaced by a hip-looking "W" and "B" that has become even more modern-looking this summer.

WB officials pronounced him officially dead Friday at a news conference, but then later said he was just in the witness protection program. Death is too cruel a fate.

The character was inspired by a classic Warner Brothers cartoon about a singing frog (who did "The Michigan Rag").

WB officials felt a cartoon character suggested the network was for young viewers only (Well, duh...it has been). But its not that young anymore. They want the 18-to-49 demo.

Yo-Yos & Chili Dogs

UPN threw a party on the backlot at Paramount Studios. It was on the New York street where "Everybody Hates Chris" will be filmed. Years ago, "The Untouchables" was filmed here.

It was a carnival theme with a working Ferris wheel and games of chance. I won a plastic UPN yo-yo by tossing a basketball. Unfortunately, it fell apart when I tried to use it.

Among the food booths was a Pink's hot dog stand. Pink's has been a Hollywood landmark for 65 years. Tourists, stars and wanna-be stars have eaten the fantastic chili dogs. I ate two.

I was able to interview Chris Rock, Kristen Bell and several cast members from "Veronica Mars" for future BayLife stories. I didn't see Denise Richards but I heard she rushed through with bodyguards and publicists to keep the media away.

Note to self: Don't ride a Ferris wheel after eating two chili dogs.

Mo' Denise

No one has asked about Denise Richards' break-up with Charlie Sheen. We're a nice bunch today.

Shocker: The character "Hank" on this show was inspired by Warren Beatty's character in "Shampoo."

The producers describe Silver Lake as a "bohemian enclave" like the village in New York. Does Tampa have one?

One old cranky reporter observes that the cast is filled with hotties and wonders if the sex scenes are fun, or just work. Hmmm. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. Sure it's work.

Denise, Denise

Live from Beverly Hills at 2:30 p.m. Thursday

Denise Richards looks splendid in thin pink blouse and blue jeans. She's playing a sexy, ruthless Hollywood publicist in UPN's 20something soaper "Sex, Love and Secrets."

This session is going to be painful because this show isn't being made for most of the forty and fiftysomething critics here.

But that is Denise Richards up there a nd we know she's a big ticket. The rest of the cast (7 of them) might as well take a nap.

One of the producers calls it a "rock 'n' roll soap opera."

Richards says she was 7 months pregnant when she filmed the pilot. She gave birth to a daugthter, Lola, in June (second child by Charlie Sheen).

She said she will take the baby to the set when they begin production.

The series is set in trendy Silver Lake, north of Hollywood. Part of the story involves "a nouvelle punk" band called the "Modern Apes."

Richards says she is getting soap opera acting tips from her pal, Heather Lockler, who played a vamp on "Melrose Place."

Leaving Mars

This is the final "Veronica Mars" item (unless star Kristen Bell says something spectacular at tonight's party).

Critics and fans are wondering if the network is meddling with the creative side of "Mars" by adding Steve Guttenberg and Charisma Carpenter to the cast.

Guttenberg, who has been around forever, may be best remember for "Three Men and a Baby." He will play baseball team owner who runs for mayor of Neptune.

Carpenter, formerly of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," will play the wicked step-mother to two of Veronica's wealthy classmates.

Trivia: Carpenter was named for an Avon perfume "Charisma"

The series returns Sept. 21.

Shannen Missing

The producers and cast of UPN's "Love, Inc." have nothing but praise for actress Shannen Doherty, who was cut from the show after the pilot was made.

Apparently UPN wanted a different actress in the role of a single matchmaker in the comedy. (Expect a younger blonde - Doherty is 34). No one has been cast yet.

The former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star had a reputation for being a prima donna but she was not problem on the set, says producer Warren Littlefield.

Bloggin' Along

The name "Veronica Mars" has come up about a dozen times already. The winner of the last "America's Top Model" (another UPN show) will be on the opening episode this fall. Call it product placement.

Critics wonder how far Chris Rock can go with his language on "Everybody Hates Chris" because he uses a slang word (a racial slur) in the pilot. Ostroff says that word was allowed because of the content.

UPN Moments

UPN Prez Dawn Ostroff says showing "Veronica Mars" on CBS this summer might help build an audience.

Some critics think the Chris Rock comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" is the best new sitcom this year and wonder why it's on UPN instead of CBS (both are owned by Viacom). Some suggest its because UPN specalizes in comedies that target black audiences.

Ostroff says UPN does not run a farm team for CBS and it's not a lowly step-child.

Big hits on UPN continue to be programs that speak to the black community but Ostroff says the network is catering to 18-to-34 year olds of all races and ethnic groups.

Ostroff says that the plan for "Veronica Mars" is to have a new season-long mystery to solve as well as resolving mysteries in each episode.

UPN moves the "Smackdown" wrestling show to Fridays (can't they move it off the schedule?) The network is dying on Fridays and it might get a rating.

With "Enterprise" gone, UPN is the only network this season with no sci-fi series. A moment of silence please for the passing of James Doohan who played Scotty on the original "Star Trek."

Live From Beverly Hilton

Reporting live (thank to wireless connection) from the Television Critics Association tour.

It's 9:15 a.m. Thursday and I am in Grand Ballroom where UPN is anouncing that CBS will air some "Veronica Mars" episodes on Friday nights this summer beginning next week.

Cool. "Veronica Mars" is UPN's best show and it moves to Wednedays this fall.

We are anxiouslyh awaiting the arrival of Chris Rock at 11 to talk about his new UPN comedy "Everybody Hates Chris" and Denise Richards will be here today too.

Dead Air

The most painful session came at 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) when some TV critics apparently hit their wall of intolerance and all the energy was sucked out of the room.

I felt sorry for the producers and cast of CBS's "Criminal Minds," a drama about a crack team of FBI agents starring Mandy Patinkin and Thomas Gibson.

The show is not bad but some of the critics have seen one too many cop shows.

The first few questions set a hostile tone. Someone asked if the world really needs another cop show. Someone asked why all these shows depicted such violent crimes against women. And someone suggested that Patinkin's character, an FBI profiler, is cliched.

The panel went on the defensive and the room fell silent. There were long painful pauses between the few questions that followed.

Finally, the panel resorted to talking among themselves and trying to fill time by telling jokes. It wasn't pretty.

When this happens it usually is a signal that the critics don't care for the show and it might be doomed.

However, while critics may be tried of cop shows, the public is still lapping them up. So "Criminal Minds" has a good shot at being a ratings hit.

Blowin in the Wind

Some of these interview sessions have more laughs than a sitcom. But the funny parts don't always make the news columns.

Take an exchange about flautence during the "Two and a Half Men" news conference.

A reporter asked how the show could get away with so many "fart jokes."

Writer Chuck Lorre said they did adult humor but not too bold and no one has complained.

Sassy Holland Taylor, who plays the mother on the show, they had to do the jokes because everyone on the show passes gas.

Young Angus T. Jones, who plays the boy on the show, then pointed at Jon Cryer who quickly noted "It's a catering issue, really."

Holy Moses

Caught up with Robert Halami, 80, who has become the top producer of TV spectacle mini-series.

Chipper and feeling good two years after a kidney transplant, Halami is working on a remake of "The Ten Commandments" for ABC (February 2006).

"Wait until you see how I part the Red Sea," he said.

Cecil B DeMille pulled the waters back for his 1956 version. Halami will pull the waters down. "It could have been an earthquake or a shift in the earth; God works in mysterous ways," he said.

The biggest name in the production is Omar Sharif as Jethro. Dougray Scott plays Moses. After this version of Exodus, Halami will tackle Genesis.

Knots Landing

"We are the real desperate housewives!" said Joan Van Ark as she lined alongside Michelle Lee and Donna Mills for a pose.

"Yeah, Really desperate!" said Lee, giggling as she backed into Mills at the CBS Party for the stars.

Meanwhile, Kevin Dobson, looking like someone who think you know but can't remember from where, was not being chased by the photographers.

The cast of "Knots Landing" is gathering for a reunion which CBS will probably air on a Sunday night in February up against ABC's "Desperate Housewives."

The ladies from the 1980s cul-de-sac looked grand. Missing was Nicolette Sherdian who was on "Knots" long before she was on "Housewives."

Lee joked that she was a little slut back then, too. That was a joke? Right? Yeah.

The CBS party was at the Armand Hammer Museum in Westwood near UCLA. Stars arrived by limo. We came by bus.

Getting the most attention was Jennifer Love Hewitt, who plays a medium on ""Ghost Whisperer."

Also in the crowd was Stockard Channing, who will only be in three episodes of ""The West Wing" this season.

She's on a CBS sitcom "Out of Practice" about a nutty family of doctors. The series is from the prodeucers of "Frasier" but its not that smart.

Playing Stockard's estranged husband is Henry Winkler. Winkler, also a producer, is trying to bring "MacGyver" back to TV.

Go figure. The guy who played Fonzie got hooked up with the gal who played Rizzo.

Seeing Donna Mills remninded me of a CBS event in New York back in the 1980s when "Knots" was new.

I wound up sitting next to her at an afternoon performance of "Death of a Salesman" starring Dustin Hoffman.

CBS was taping it to air on TV and afterward playwright Arthur Miller invited us over to Sardi's to meet the cast.

Somewhere I have a photograph of me with Hoffman and his wife, looking like we're old friends. It was a real Kodak moment for a rube from the rural South.

Rating the Parties

BBC America gets a C for a shingdig on the terrace of the Museum of Television and Broadcasting in Beverly Hills. Great view of the town. Food (fish and chips and other nibbles) was good. Theme was retro. Waiters dressed in white T-shirts. BBC America loses points however for embarrassingly bad go-go dancers and loud music making it difficult to interview stars of upcoming series.

HBO gets a A for recreating an entire Roman village on the lawn of a VA hospital in Santa Monica (in honor of the networks 12-episode series "Rome'').

The 20-foot-high entrance gates and entertainers dressed in Roman garb gave it a Renaissance festival feel. Food - spicy fish in grape leaves, lamb and couscous croquettes - may have been too exotic. And I didn't want to wear a toga.

HBO obviously was making a statement of power here. There were arts and crafts available. Critics could make bracelets from wooden beads or paint a ceramic goblet. There were games - archery and lawn bowling. There were fortune tellers and maidens to give foot massages. None of this, however, made me like "Rome" any better. I left early because there was no one that I wanted to interview.

The Game Show Network's festive poolside night also gets a A. This bash featured a talking robot, a wisecraker like Short Circuit and arcade games - foosball, electronic darts and Pac Man.

They also had giant water-filled couches with vibrating pillows. I ended up talking to Chuck Woolery and some former cast members of "The Amazing Race" (Game Show has the reruns). I kept looking for Jennifer Tilly, who was supposed to be there to promote celebrity poker. Never found her though.

FX also rates an A for a dinner party at the legendary Trader Vic's.

I skipped a couple of parties because I'm not really here to eat. I go to schmooze with fellow critics and network executives and to interview TV folk such as producers and actors. Also, I get up at 5 a.m. every day to write articles for Mother Trib.

Deadwood Tales

On Monday morning we were bused out to Santa Clara and the Melody Ranch where the HBO series "Deadwood" is filmed.

Years ago the ranch was home to Gene Autry's TV series and some of Autry's cowboy movies.

Autry's horse, Champion, is buried at the end of one of Deadwood's streets.

Go about 45 minutes out of Beverly Hills and the temperature can hit 119.

The actors have to really love the work to spend 14-hout days in this dusty town wearing wool costumes of the 1800s.

The recreation of Deadwood, South Dakota, is impressive. Loved the hand-made signs like "No Sleeping on the Tables" in the Gem Saloon.

Also on hand were producer/writer David Milch and several cast members: Powers Booth, Paula Malcomson and Jeffery Jones. Missing was Ian McShane who plays town boss Al Sweargenson.

Production on the third season begins next week. The series is up for best drama at the next Emmys. It should get the Emmy for set design. You expect to see Wild Bill Hickok coming down those cluttered streets.

There had been a lynching there recently. A suffed Elmo Muppet was swinging from a tree outside a trailer. Blame on it on wiseguys in the crew.

After that set visit, we trekked down the road to another hot dusty hillside where Steve Bochco is filming "Over There," an FX drama about the war in Iraq.

Tanks, machine guns, jeeps, trucks and other props were everywhere. This cast also works in blistering heat wearing heavy military gear. The series debuts July 27. Look for future stories about these two series in the Tribune's Baylife section.

Dick Van Dyke

Talked to Dick Van Dyke, who is as spry as ever, about his return to TV as a bumbling college professor on ""Murder 101'' for the Hallmark Channel.

He says it could be the first of several mystery movies with this character. ""There's no script yet and he doesn't even have a name," said Van Dyke.

Hallmark has a string of recurring mystery movies featuring John Larroquette, Kellie Martin and Lea Thompson. Van Dyke would be added to the mix.

He said the character will be more comical than the crime-solving doctor he played on "Diagnosis Murder" and his son, Barry, will be involved.

"At this point in my life, I'm not doing it for the money; I just want to keep working," he said.

Hallmark doesn't have an air date yet for "Murder 101."

Former "Beverly Hills, 90210" star Luke Perry, who has a sci-fi movie coming up on Hallmark this fall, joked that Van Dyke is so famous they named the DVD after him.

7th Day Blues

On the 7th day, no one rested. As much fun as this trip is, I am ready to come back because I get cabin fever after a week here.

Things I miss: my wife and family; getting outdoors; my editor Kim and the gang at work, especially grumpy Bob Ross and his wisecracks; the summer bowling league; Flordia sunsets; and working at my own pace.

Things I don't miss: yard work, thunderstorms, bugs and the heat.

Every day here starts off in a gray fog (or smog) then turns to a dry mid-day heat and finaly melts into a balmy afternoon, followed by a nippy night.

Somehow they have managed to banish all insects (no flies or mosquitoes).

Ringing a Bell

Dress is casual for these sessions. Few celebrities get out their red carpet clothes for us. And we start looking pretty ragged after living out of suitcases for weeks.

But Catherine Bell made a few jaws drop when she showed up in a smart, revealing dress that exposed her shoulders and bare back.

It also barely covered the front.

The former “JAG” co-star has a big role in a Sci-Fi Channel spooky thriller “Triangle,’’ which debuts in December. It’s about how the legendary Bermuda Triangle swallows up people.

Also in the cast are Sam Neill, Bruce Davidson and Eric Stoltz.

FOOD FOLLIES: A critic could easily gain 10 pounds on this tour because the food never stops. Days start with breakfast buffets (eggs, bacon, sausage, lox, bagels, fresh fruits, cereals, pastries), followed by mid-morning snacks (fruits, pastries, finger sandwiches, brownies) and then there’s lunch, followed by afternoon snacks (see above) and nights end with dinner, followed by late-night snacks (if you drop by the hospitality suite). Candy is everywhere all day long.

Offerings at the dinner parties run to the exotic.

So far, I have sampled: spicy fish wrapped in grape leaves; goat cheese ice cream; battered and deep-fried olives; an endive and fennel salad; poached eggs on broiled tomatoes; grilled lamb; tuna tartar; curried cheese; spiced pita bread; creamed corn cupcakes; and desserts that defy description.

Gheez, I could us a hot dog right now!

Postcards From L.A.

ROKER MOMENT: Jovial weather forecaster Al Roker flew all the way from New York to appear before TV critics for about two minutes.

He might have had a little more time to talk about his upcoming Court TV special on teenage gambling addiction if a network executive had not been so long-winded.

Roker was just one of a bevy of celebrities who have passed before our eyes during the “cable days” of the tour.

Cable networks try to squeeze in as many TV plugs as possible so the sessions fly by like a slide show.

A few minutes with Sean “P Diddy’ Combs for an MTV reality series is followed by a brief encounter with Rosie Perez who supplies the voice of cartoon character, Diego, in a spin-off of Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer.’’ This is followed by aging rocker Gene Simmons (KISS) who plays music teacher to some classical music students on VH1’s “Rock School.”

In three days, the following passed before our eyes: D.L. Hughley, Adam Carolla, David Spade, Mo’Nique, Lisa Rinna, Tori Spelling, Ali Landry, Rachel Hunter, Ted Danson, Catherine Bell, Bruce Davidson, Eric Stoltz, Kathy Griffin, Sean Hayes, Michael and Kirk Douglas, Lee Grant, Venus and Serena Williams, Daphne Zuniga, Mira Sorvino, Kathy Bates, Dick Van Dyke, Omar Gooding, Naomi Judd and Luke Perry.

In the coming weeks, I will be writing about many of these people and their programs.

Roker, who often moonlights from “Today,” said he was shocked to find college kids who are thousands of dollars in debt from online, casino and on-campus poker games.

Bleary Eyes

My eyes have watered-up a couple of times and it's not from the exotic food out here.

Television has the ability to tap into our emotions with powerful storytelling.

And when I am touched by something good and meaningful it reminds me that this beat isn't just about covering breaking fluff.

At the risk of making your eyes glaze over I'll get serious for a moment.

PBS has a six-part series coming up this fall about global health (Stop it! No glazing over!).

With the unappealing title "RX for Survival," it is filled with heartbreaking and heartwarming stories of good people in this country who are trying to help the sick and dying throughout the world and especially Africa.

HBO has what might the most moving and beautiful film that I have seen in a long time.

"Yesterday,'' coming in November, is a fictional drama about an African woman battling AIDS. She is trying to live long enough to care for her young daughter. It dramatically explores the plight of many African women.

AIDS is just one of many problems facing Africa where 56,000 die every week.

There seems to be a growing awareness in this country that something needs to be done to help these people.

We are a land of plenty and we waste so much (I went to a Food Network breakfast this week where they prepared 250 gourmet meals and only about 50 critics showed up).

Both "Yesterday" and "RX" rip at the heart but they also offer hope and have inspired me to do my part to steer viewers to them.

Meeting the people involved in these projects has made this whole trip worthwhile.

Stiff Upper Lips

The new Doctor Who is a skinny chap with a hawk-like nose, piercing eyes and a thick Scottish accent. But David Tennant says he will play the time-traveling alien with a Brit accent.

He's also got a choice role in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," the next film in the J.K. Rowling series.

David Tennant

Looking smart in a suit and a purple T-shirt (that said something about loving computers), Tennant was chatting it up at a BBC America party Thursday night at the Television Critics Association's fall preview tour.

The sci-fi geeks among us cornered him as soon as he arrived. Tennant had come to the states to promote "Viva Blackpool," a six-part musical murder mystery that is one of the best things we've seen so far.

He plays a singing, dancing police inspector who falls in love with the wife of a Blackpool hustler. Don't think "Cop Rock." Think Dennis Potter (as in "The Singing Detective"). The series plays on BBC America beginning in September.

Tennant will be in Wales in a couple of weeks to start work on the latest installment of the long-running "Doctor Who'' series which has been revived and is apparently a big hit for the BBC. No word on when we will get to see it here.

Like everyone else, Tennant is a fan of Tom Baker, who ranks as the most popular of the Doctor Whos (1974-1981). After almost a decade off the air, "Doctor Who" returned in March with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor. Darker, sexier and with a bigger budget for special effects, the new series was a hit but Eccleston didn't want to get typecast so he has left the role.

Just by coincidence I was on vacation in Belgium when it debuted and it was pretty good. I'm looking forward to seeing more and Tennant is great in "Viva Blackpool.''

"I think I will like being this cheeky guy who bums around the universe in a police call box," Tennant said.

The BBC America party is the first big-bash of this 18-day trek where something is planned every night.

Tinseltown Notes

I never have time to actually go into the hotel swimming pool but I often pass it. And sometimes I may linger a moment at the pool bar. The last time I was down there, Lorenzo Lamas was hanging out, sipping an ice tea. I guess that qualifies as a celebrity sighting. Anyone remember "Renegade''? He isn't involved in any of the TV projects that we are checking out.

Bob Newhart, who is the subject of a PBS "American Masters" special next Wednesday, has drawn the biggest crowd so far. More than a 120 critics filled the room to talk to him. We love Bob. Every one loves Bob. He's coming back to "Desperate Housewives''this season. His favorite episode of "The Bob Newhart Show" is the one where Bob Hartley appears on a TV talk show where the host seems so sweet and adoring until the camera comes on and then she cuts him down.

Smallest crowd so far was at a PBS panel discussion on "Can Animals Predict Disaster?" during which a scientist from Japan told the room that he is collecting evidence that catfish might be able to sense impending earthquakes. Yeah, but can you get them to tell you about it? Elephants also might be able to predict hurricanes but they can't beat doppler radar.

A poll of TV critics by Broadcasting and Cable magazines found the NBC comedy "My Name is Earl" is an early favorite with a majority giving it a thumbs up. Jason Lee stars as a blue-collar dufus who tries to create good karma for himself by righting all his past wrongs.

Comic Timing

Some news conferences become events unto themselves such as a hilarious PBS session Tuesday with some real old timers from the early days of TV. Sid Caesar, Red Buttons, Rose Marie, Carl Reiner and Mickey Rooney may be in their 80s but they've still got comic timing and they love to perform even if its from a handful of TV critics.

But it was a you-had-to-be-there in person good time for us.

They came to help promote a PBS special, "The Pioneers of Primetime,'' which airs in the fall.

But the only true TV pioneers there were Carl Reiner and Sid Caesar who worked on "Your Show of Shows'' an NBC hit in the 1950s that was the "Saturday Night Live" of its day.

Red Buttons had a early TV variety show but is better known for his film roles. Rooney also is rooted in early films. And Rose Marie was a child radio star long before she played Sally on "The Dick Van Dyke Show.''

Sadly, most of the real pioneers of TV - Jack Benny, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, George Burns and Gracie Allen - are gone.

But the star of the news conference was Red Buttons who went fishing for laughs everytime one of the others tried to answer a question.

When Rooney started rambling about the good old days, Buttons asked "By the way, Mickey, was Lincoln a nice guy?"

When Rooney started recalling working with James Cagney, Buttons broke into a Cagney impression. Then Rooney joined him with his Cagney impression and they all started singing "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy'' from a classic Cagney movie.

When Rooney tried to recall his Andy Hardy films, Buttons wouldn't let him get sentimental. "I saw everyone of them - Andy Hardy and the Hasidic Housewife (and then Andy Hardy (does something sexual) with Lassie."

Buttons appeared to be getting serious when he said he and Rooney were in the same outfit in World War II but it was a set-up for "One day he saved our entire outfit...He shot the cook.''

Reiner and Rose Marie also got into the act. "I was young woman when I came in here," she cracked at one point after Rooney and Buttons were exchanging memories.

Caesar, looking very feeble, managed to get in a few lines, too. He explained how the remote control has caused road rage:

"Before you had the remote control, if you wanted to change the station, you had to walk across the room. And while you were there, several people would say "Could you make it a little brighter? Could you turn it down? No, there's too much red? Stomp your feet! That's it. The color is coming. Keep stomping?"

"The remote control took over the timing of the world. That's why you have road rage. People have no patience because you have instant gratification. You go click, click, click, click and if something doesn't expolde within three seconds (on a TV show), then its click, click, click, Ah, there's nothing on.''

Hollywood Stars

History will be made on Thursday when Disneyland gets a star near the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a first for a corporation. I usually make at least one pilgrimage to the walk every time I come out here.

The stars that line the sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd. are for those who have made contributions to show business from film, television, the stage and the recording industries.

Pioneers of comedy spoke to TV writers Tuesday including (front) Mickey Rooney and Rose Marie, and (back) Carl Reiner and Red Buttons.

New stars honoring show business corporations will be placed in the doorways of shops along the sidewalk.

Disneyland's star will be close to stars for Claudette Colbert, Bill Cosby, Tom Cruise and Donald Duck. It will be at the Disney-owned El Capitan Theater.

Because the stars come with a $15,000 price tag (typically paid by a sponsor such as a studio), opening them up to corporations could generate more income for the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

Two trade papers, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety want stars, too.

There are 2,288 stars on the famed walk. Also being added this year are Steve Martin, Holly Hunter, Nathan Lane, Annette Benning, Matthew Broderick, Charlize Theron, Judge Judy, Ray Romano and Vanna White.

One star, for boxing legend Muhammad Ali, hangs in a theater lobby because he said it was against his religion to have people stepping on his name.

Blowin' In The Wind

Tonight (Wednesday) I'm invited to an exclusive screening of "No Direction Home: Bob Dylan," which may be an honor or a punishment. It's more than 3 hours long. And unless they have subtitles, I'm not sure I can understand what Dylan is saying.

This Martin Scorsese bio-film focuses on Dylan's life, music and career from 1961 to 1966. It will be released on DVD in mid-September. It also will air on PBS on Sept. 26-27 (another reason why PBS is unique).

Security is tight. TV critics will be bused to the Fox studios to watch it in one sitting. No preview tapes will be provided apparently because Dylan, who doesn't trust us, is one of the most-bootlegged artists in the world. The documentary should be a treat for Baby Boomers.

Getting Real on Local News

Some residents of the swanky coastal town of Malibu are upset about film and TV crews renting out the posh multimillion homes for extended periods of time. The city council is considering limiting production to 16 days (with consent of neighbors). This would put a damper on reality shows which film at the homes for months. Also, it cuts into homeowners pockets who get as much as $10,000 a day in rental fees.

Many of the residents don't need $10,000 a day and don't like the hassle of traffic obstacles and late night shoots.

The flap comes after Fox filmed ''The Princes of Malibu,''a reality show running Sunday nights, which follows the family of Oscar-winning composer David Foster. The series focuses on his spoiled, slacker stepsons, Brandon and Brody Jenner (their father is Bruce Jenner).

Malibu is just down the road from the Beverly Hilton and home to many TV celebs.

Day Two All About Love

First celebrity sighting: Jennifer Love Hewitt arrives at the Beverly Hilton in a limo Monday night. Dressed in a black dress, she has come for a 10-minute media event involving about 15 reporters (myself included) and about 100 photographers.

She is there as window dressing for a promotional gimmick by AOL Television (aol.com/television).

Jennifer Love Hewitt

This online destination for couch potatoes is asking viewers to pick "the most talked-about moments" of the past season as part of its "2005 TV's Top 5! Viewer Awards." These will be announced in September just before the Emmys.

AOL could have just sent out a news release but having Jennifer Love Hewitt read it gets more attention. The petite brunette is starring this fall in CBS's "Ghost Whisperer" on which she plays a sexy psychic.

It would have been cool if she had greeted us by saying something like, "I see dead people" - because the paparazzi out here are accused of having no souls. But she was all cute and perky.

After she took all of two minutes to read the nominees, the room lit up like a fireworks show. The photogs were yelling "Jennifer look up! Jennifer look right! Jennifer look left! Turn! Come forward! Look down to your right!"

It was a bobblehead moment for sure. After the strobe show subsided, I took my turn between an "E!" reporter and someone from Tiger Beat to chat for a minute. She talked about the new CBS series and her days as a child performer on "Kids Incorporated," a syndicated 1980s series on which she appeared along with Fergie (Stacy Ann Ferguson) of the Black-Eyed Peas. Both Fergie and Love (that's what she prefers to be called) have also done cartoon voices in their youth.

As for the AOL nominees, voting is under way at aol.com/television. The following are the categories and nominated moments for 2005:

BEST OOPS! MOMENT:
- "Wife Swap": A woman sobs uncontrollably after her dogs are let outside.
- "The 32nd Annual American Music Awards": Anna Nicole Smith introduces Kanye West.
- "America's Next Top Model": Host Tyra Banks has a fit of rage.
- "American Idol": Paula weeps after Constantine is voted out.
- "The Today Show": Tom Cruise lectures Matt Lauer on the evils of drugs.

BEST SIDESPLITTER MOMENT:
- "Everybody Loves Raymond": Ray and Debra celebrate his parents moving away.
- "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno": A young boy impersonates a dinosaur.
- "American Idol": Leroy Wells performs for the judges.
- "Arrested Development": Ben Stiller guest stars as magician Tony Wonder.
- "The 2005 National Spelling Bee": A contestant confounds the audience with a secret message.

BEST RISKY BUSINESS MOMENT:
- "Desperate Housewives": A naked Susan is locked out of her house.
- "Ellen": Ben Stiller and Ellen DeGeneres can't suppress their desires.
- "The O.C.": Marissa and Alex make a love connection on Valentine's Day.
- "The Late Show With Dave Letterman": A pair of armadillos get it on.
- "Britney and Kevin: Chaotic": Oops, Britney did it again, again, and again!

BEST TEARJERKER MOMENT:
- "Lost": John Locke recovers the use of his legs.
- "The Late Show With Dave Letterman": A dog barks "I love you."
- "The Apprentice": Trump consoles hothead Chris after he's fired.
- "The Amazing Race": Joyce shaves her head to take the lead.
- "American Idol": Carrie Underwood beats Bo Bice to become the next "Idol."

BEST OH SNAP! MOMENT:
- "Jeopardy!": Ken Jennings" streak comes to an end.
- "24": Jack Bauer returns to his old ways to interrogate a terrorist.
- "Veronica Mars": Veronica finally learns how she lost her virginity.
- "Alias": Sydney & Vaughn's long-term plans come to a crashing conclusion.
- "Lost": John Locke watches in awe as the mysterious hatch lights up.

Previous year's winners have included "Friends," "American Idol," "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "The Simple Life," "ER," Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, and Sharon Osbourne.

I've Arrived

We are fresh. We are excited. We're comparing notes on who likes what and why. The first days of the annual summer trip to preview the fall TV season are usually the best for visiting TV critics.

We are impressed by the digs (the posh Beverly Hills Hilton) where I have a 42-inch plasma TV built into the wall - and there's a little TV in the bath, too.

I wonder if Paris ever stays here? Soon more than 200 of us will pack into the meeting rooms here to interview the stars and producers of upcoming TV shows.

I left Tampa at 7 a.m. on Delta's Song, which has TV sets built into the backs of the seats where you can get DISH TV, play games, watch movies and play trivia with fellow passengers. I won five rounds of trivia on the way out and watched CNN, NBC, The Food Network and an old movie on Turner Classic Movies. It's the only way to fly.

Coming here is like going to camp every summer where you see old friends from other parts of the country.

The first thing critics do is hash over what they've seen - what turned them on and turned them off.

Only saw one critic this morning, the guy from the St. Pete Times who was on my plane. We seem to like some of the same things so he's obviously a man of good taste.

This afternoon is free so I'll explore Rodeo Drive and maybe get down to Santa Monica Pier. The hotel has free limo service.

Does it get any better than this?