Word on two returning shows...

(This post contains what some might consider a spoiler for the next season of 24, though it doesn't seem to be a twist that Fox is working to conceal. But just in case anybody out there is nutty about trying to remain spoiler-free on this series, the way I am on, say, Doctor Who.)

It's official: 24 doesn't want me back. You may remember that I stopped loving--and eventually stopped watching--the series during its last season.

This was partly because I thought it had stopped working as a suspense series...not to put too fine a point on it, it had turned to snot.

But also because I came to the conclusion that the producers were less interested in having it work as a suspense series than as rationalization for the idea that torture works (it doesn't).

Or at least having it work as "torture-porn." More so, arguably, than Saw and its sequels, especially for Republicans.

But I've also said that, in retrospect, killing off Tony Almeida was a "jump the shark" moment for me--though far from the only one, see previous paragraphs.

So when I heard last year he was returning, I thought, that might get me to try again.

Unless, of course, he's returning as the instigator of terrorist attacks.

And...

"Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" is not exactly hurting for lovely women.
Lena Headey, Summer Glau.

But, I know what you're saying. You're saying, if only there was some way in which the irrepressibly hot Shirley Manson (you remember, she was only happy when it rains) could join the show.

Well, guess what.