After the season finale of How I Met Your Mother last May, Joel asked readers if they believed that Ted would marry Stella. Nearly 61% of you responded to that poll in the negative. Six out of ten answered: “Nah. I just don’t think she’s the mother.”

So, then, what do we make of the fact that there is definitely going to be a wedding for Ted and Stella in an October episode. That proposal from Ted to Stella in that last episode receives a yes, and he and Stella would seem to be heading down the aisle.

I say seem because if television has taught us anything it’s that just because he’s in a tuxedo and she’s in a wedding gown, that doesn’t guarantee that both will say “I do.”

Even if they do go through with the wedding, though, does that mean that Stella is actually “mother”? Is it possible that Ted and Stella get married and break up before Ted hooks up with the character who is destined to be the mother that he’s talking to the kids about in the openings.

One thing about Mother co-creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, they keep us viewers on our toes.

As Joel pointed out in his season finale review, Ted is a very romantic guy. He’s apt to get carried away with Stella, think that he’s ready for marriage, go through the whole nine yards of planning a wedding, and then get cold feet.

I could definitely see that as the trajectory to get us to the brink of a big wedding, which, interestingly enough, is not planned for November sweeps, but October. If this wedding were the real thing, wouldn’t they want it to be a major sweeps event?

I’m going to state right here and now that I don’t believe the Sarah Chalke’s character is the real mother. She’s Stella, a woman who plays an important role in Ted’s life, but I don’t think she’s going to be revealed as the mother to those kids.

“It’s funny how the mind works.”
– Monk to Dr. Bell

(S07E05) You kind of knew when you put together the words Monk and submarine you were going to get an unusual episode, didn’t you? As a longtime Monk watcher, you know that enclosed places are not Adrian-friendly environs, so when an old friend of Natalie’s — hottie Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers) as her late husband Mitch’s buddy, Lt. Steve Albright — asked Monk to investigate a suspicious death on the U.S.S. Seattle, trouble would ensue. Was it a contrived situation to get Monk trapped on board? You bet, but you accept that and move on.

What made this episode unique was how Monk reacted. Initially, he ran for the hatch like a crazed three-year-old. But then Adrian concocted a coping mechanism. This was a Monk first. To deal with claustrophia, he envisioned Dr. Bell by his side.


It was like Harvey, the movie in which Jimmy Stewart has an invisible best friend named Harvey, a giant rabbit. To the world, Jimmy’s character, Elwood P. Dowd, is completely daft. In a similar fashion, Monk spent this entire episode conferring and talking to an invisible Dr. Bell. Monk appeared delusional, but the illusion allowed him to cope with the situation and solve the case. It was actually pretty funny.

Is it possible that Monk is getting better — at least better for him? Since his illusion was Dr. Bell and not someone else, that means he’s bonded with the new therapist. If the late Stanley Kamel were alive, this illusion might have been Dr. Kroger. Still, Monk’s subconscious chose someone who can help him deal psychologically, as opposed to Leland or Randy, who would have been there to help solve the crime only.

It was pretty obvious that Commander Whitaker was the “guy,” especially because William Atherton always plays an S.O.B. Remember the Die Hard movies? He was great in the pompous, over the top, “I am the Lord on this boat,” scene. But there was little doubt that he was the killer.

While there wasn’t much suspense, I liked the character development for Monk and the hint of a romance for Natalie. They left it out there that Steve might be back for Christmas. He’s single, she’s single. They clearly have chemistry. It’s time for Natalie to complicate her life with some love.

And, finally, if there was any question about Monk and Dr. Bell, it’s been answered. When the shrink appeared at the end of the show to meet Monk at the pier and they walked off together, it was like the fade out of Casablanca, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Other points of interest


– That establishing shot was one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in San Francisco, the Grand Victorians. Does Natalie live there? If so, what’s she doing working for Monk?

– Speaking of which, what were those references to Davenport Toothpaste and Natalie’s background. Is there a back story I missed or have forgotten?

– With all the references to NCIS, I half-expected to see Mark Harmon make an appearance! (Too bad it’s a different network).

– As the water filled the sealed room, Monk panicked — naturally — crying, “Ocean in my pants.”

– The shot of the U.S.S. Seattle from the pier was pretty good CGI work, although you knew it was a process shot.

– The bit with the silencer bottle on gun, I think Michael did something similar on Burn Notice. Whatever, it worked really well. Better than the motive for the commander killing Pierce.

(S03E05) Methuselah Honeysuckle and Old Scratch Johnson — The names Henry Spencer gave Gus and himself while Shawn was introducing them at the DA’s office.

Ready for this? We are nearly three-quarters of way through the first half of the third season of Psych. After this week’s episode there are only two more left until the season takes a break. Other than the annual holiday special that will air in December the next time we will see Shawn and Gus after the first week of September will be the middle of January. So, enjoy while you can.

Well, I kept wishing for an episode where Henry and Shawn would truly work together on a case. And, I got my wish this week. Not only did they work on a case together, but it was Henry’s biggest case while he was still on the police force. So, there was really pressure on both the younger and older Spencer men to solve the case. Of course, this led to some tension between the two.

The tension was inevitable since it was a battle of two strong personalities: the showy Shawn and the no-nonsense Henry. Their two different styles of detective work were easily discernible during this episode, particularly when they were together at the District Attorney’s office. While Shawn was out there pushing his “psychic” mojo to work on the administrative assistant, Henry was ‘Yeah, yeah, you’re going to have another baby, and it’s a boy.’ What was interesting to see was they were both looking at the same pieces of evidence at the same time. Whether Shawn likes it or not, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

Throughout the episode there was always a chance that the competition between the two would explode into an all-out argument, and it did about halfway through the show. What wasn’t expected was the person who would breakup the argument. Sure, Gus is still a fraidy cat — as seen when he ran away from the bomb site at the end of the episode — but he is also showing more and more backbone each time. So, when he scolded both Spencer men in the way they were acting it was fun to watch. Particularly when he said that Henry was, well, old, and Shawn had a brilliant idea once in awhile. What it did was reflect the anger they had against each other to Gus.

What this case did was to bring Shawn and Henry a bit closer in their relationship. This is something that has been brewing since Shawn’s mother revealed it was her that requested a divorce from her husband. Shawn actually felt bad at the way his father showed defeat at losing his biggest case. Henry, once the case was resolved, was genuinely thankful that Shawn helped to solve the mystery. Whether or not this father-son bonding will continue throughout the rest of the season has yet to be determined.

There were two differences to this episode that I found interesting. One was the cold open. For the first time, I believe, young Shawn was not a part of the flashback. Most likely, this was due to the timeframe it took place in — around 1978. We rarely see Henry doing any police work in these flashbacks (though, he’s in uniform most of the time), so it was good to see him strutting his stuff this time around. The other difference was the opening theme. I don’t believe that we have ever heard the first verse to the theme song since the show began. It’s very rare that shows actually have an opening theme, so to create a longer version of the opening is refreshing.

Other items of interest, including this week’s pop culture references:

• Señor Gotcha — one of Shawn’s photogenic poses
  
• Gus has $400 in his wallet and sock, which is ‘Just In Case’ money
  
• Pookie Wiggenton was the name of one of Henry’s contacts. Pookie was portrayed by Ted Lange, who fit quite comfortably into the 70s motif.
  
• One of the older Students Against Government soldiers was Jere Burns, who starred on the NBC sitcom Dear John
  
• The further connection between Jules and Lassie as they try to get the good detective cases. And, by the way, is Lassiter going gray?
  
• Two of my favorite quotes from Shawn this week: ‘I’m getting some serious jive and it is fly.’ and ‘The jive’s over. We should go before people explode.’
  
• This week’s pop culture references: Mimeograph machine, Raiders of the Lost Ark, National Treasure, Phil Collins and the Genesis song “Invisible Touch,” and The French Connection’s Popeye Doyle
  

In an effort to promote his new movie The Rocker, Rainn Wilson has “kidnapped” his co-star of The Office Jenna Fischer. On a post on Jenna’s MySpace page, Wilson promises that she will be released if his movie grosses 18.7 million dollars (presumably the cost of making it).

There’s even a website up detailing the progress of the kidnapping: FreeJennaNow.com. The first question I have is: what happens to Jenna if the movie doesn’t reach the $18.7 million goal? That answer is left intentionally vague. My guess is he’ll let her go anyway.

I’m glad Jenna is being a good sport about all this (watch the videos to see how Jenna is playing along), otherwise I would find any sort of image involving tying up a woman and leaving her in a vehicle somewhat disturbing. I guess he needed to “kidnap” someone America cares about in order for this Dwight-like scheme to work (and a co-worker who would go along with this silly promotion in the first place). Of course, for better publicity,he could have kidnapped Michael Scott. I think more people would have noticed if Steve Carell was missing.

• NBC has more Olympics coverage all night.
  
• TCM has Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers movies all night.
  
• At 8, CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News has the Saddleback Church Presidential Forum.
  
• ESPN has Little League World Series coverage at 8.
  
• Disney Channel has a new Disney Channel Games at 8, then a new Suite Life of Zack & Cody.
  
• Food Network has Ice Cream Unwrapped at 8.
  
• CMTV has Elvis: Viva Las Vegas at 8, with Toby Keith, Chris Isaak, Celine Dion, Faith Hill, 50 Cent, and others doing Elvis songs. It’s followed by Jailhouse Rock.
  
• At 9, FOX has a new America’s Most Wanted.
  
• CNBC has a new Suze Orman Show at 9.
  
• Lifetime has the movie Confessions of a Go-Go Dancer at 9.
  
• Cartoon Network has two new episodes of Naruto at 9.
  
• At 9:30, HGTV has a new Divine Design.
  

Check your local TV listings for more.

I’m just bustin’ with big news about the happenings inside the Big Brother 10 house. Bustin’, I tell you. I’m talking bustin’ as if I’ve eaten a whole box of Freihofer’s chocolate chip cookies, I am. My seams just might burst! But I can’t spill the cookies here, not right here on the main page of TV Squad. Nope, no can do. The anti-spoilers crowd would deliver my head to the powers that be. I kind of like my head right where it sits, thank you.

But, I’ll tell you what I can do. If you join me after the jump, I’ll tell you all I know. Beware — extreme show spoilers just beyond the bend.

As usual, post the live eviction show, we’ve had a flurry of activity. Sure, it sets us up for the doldrums come early in the week as the actual aired shows catch up to real life time. Since Thursday night, we’ve had the food competition, nominations, and the Power of Veto competition. Oh, and we also know what additional food America voted to give the hamsters this week.

I might as well fill you in on the latter first. You see, our readers here at TVS are truly the voice of America. I asked you which food — bologna, coconuts, or giant lollipops — should be given to the hamsters and you overwhelmingly chose giant lollipops. True to form, they now have giant lollipops in the Big Brother 10 house. We surely rock, don’t we?

As I reported previously, after putting everyone pretty much on edge, Renny nominated April and Jerry for eviction this week. She told Jerry that he’s basically a pawn — she doesn’t want him to go home. As for her reasoning for putting him on the block, she told him it was payback for putting her on the block. That reasoning sounds a bit hinky to me, but so be it. April was put up because she’s a dangerous player in the game. I think if Renny didn’t have some sort of soft spot for Ollie, he would have been up there with his gal pal April. But it’s all good. I’ll be a happy hamster watcher if either Jerry or April go this week.

I think it’s a sure bet one of those two will go this week. Although Ollie was one of the veto players and Jerry himself has a good track record at winning the veto, they both fouled out this week. The veto competition started just hours after the nomination ceremony. Remember, they block the feeds for events like these, but the hamsters chatter. When the feeds returned just past dawn here on the East Coast, Dan was wearing the PoV necklace. Yes, our man Dan finally won something! Ollie won’t be able to save his beloved April and Jerry can’t save his own butt. Absolutely perfect!

In house crumbs:

• The veto comp was a gross food eating kind of thing. The hamsters have mentioned crickets (chocolate-covered, I hope), pigs’ ears, and warm buckets of slop.
  
• Playing for veto were Renny, April, Jerry, Ollie, Dan, and Keesha. Michelle was chosen to host the comp. In pulling the names for the comp, April pulled out Keesha’s name. That will be a memorable freeze frame face on the show, I’m sure.
  
• Michelle, Memphis, and Dan were all worried about being put on the block if April or Jerry are saved.
  
• Michelle agreed to vote with the majority while talking to Memphis. That majority vote would be for April to leave this week.
  
• After Dan won the veto, Ollie and April talked. She’s considering trying to bribe Dan with $1,000 from that comp a few weeks ago. They also figure they can keep reminding Dan about all of the evil things Jerry has said and done to and about him. (As if he doesn’t know!)
  
• When Keesha asked Dan if he was going to use the veto, he told her he probably isn’t but he’ll talk to people tomorrow (today).
  
• April thinks Dan owes her because she’s always saved him. Yeah, right. She has thrown him under the bus at each turn and he’s just lucky the wheels haven’t run him over.
  
• BB won’t give Michelle back her POV comp voodoo doll she made in a comp because of the pins. BB also took the steak knives away during the recent feast brouhaha. Pretty soon this group will have to eat with plastic spoons and forks. Oh, wait … those could be melted down to make shanks, huh? Okay, finger food it is!
  
• Ollie and April had a tiff — something to do with something she said about him in the nominations meeting, I think. He told her never to call him out like that again. I think Ollie is counting the days until they separate.
  
• Due to the food comp, Jerry is on his fourth straight week of slop. If he were a nice guy, I’d feel sorry for him. Instead, I chuckle at his misfortune.
  
• Renny is thinking this week might be a double eviction. No evidence of it, just the hamsters know there’s usually one a season. Right now I don’t know the end date of the season, so I’m not sure one will come into play.
  
• As the houseguests were put in an outdoor lockdown, BB changed the kitchen table to the smaller one.
  
• Keesha and Memphis are worried about how close Ollie is with both Renny and Michelle. Michelle told Keesha that if she won HOH next week, she’d nominate Jerry and Ollie. They don’t believe the Ollie part.
  
• Keesha and Michelle both told each other they have no promises to anyone as far as end game.
  
• Keesha told Renny that Michelle told her that the house majority is leaning towards evicting Jerry. Renny and Keesha are now thinking Michelle will team up with Ollie and Memphis. They both think they need Jerry now in the game and want to pull Dan in with them.
  

So, right now it’s April and Jerry on the block. Dan is most likely not to use the veto (we won’t know until Monday) and it’s probably a safe bet we’ll see April walk out that door this Thursday. I can live with that.

Download Big Brother Episodes

Jenny McCarthy, her son Evan, 6, and boyfriend Jim Carrey, were all on set of Jenny’s newest comedy flick on Sunday.  Jenny sure knows how to rock a bikini – mama looks good!

More photos after the jump

Although Jenny, 35, and Jim are close and she’s even referred to him as ‘the Austism Whisperer’ (her son is autistic), they will probably never marry.  The 46-year-old actor told Britain’s Daily Star, “There won’t be any marriage.  I think getting married is great and everyone should do it.  But once you’ve done it twice you should stop doing it.”

Minnie Driver, 38, looks as though she’s going to pop any second now!  The pretty actress and first time mom-to-be took a stroll on the beach with her pooch and some friends.  She gave a peek at her pregnant belly – and she looks fabulous!

More photos after the jump!

Minnie is still staying ‘mum’ on who the baby daddy might be.