Good grief

They say laughter is the best medicine. I think crying is too.

"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, 9:00): This show is at it's best when it brings out raw emotion the way this episode did. Maybe it was because it centered around children, but I was a big, sobbing mass of sob. Ms. McCrybaby. Susie Sob-a-lot. You catch my drift.

Chief Webber forces Arizona to perform surgery on a kid who should have died 2 years ago. His filthy rich parents were donating $25 million to Seattle Grace Mercy West (say that five times fast) to find a cure for their son's disease. Wallace, beautifully played by Khamani Griffin, had been hospitalized for 7 months and on the verge of celebrating his 11th birthday. The surgery is successful but sepsis sets in and Wallace dies. On his birthday. Pause it: You're free to let your tears start flowing now.

I could never be a doctor, let alone a pediatric surgeon. One, I'm not tall enough. Two, how can you treat a kid for an extended period of time and not get attached? Arizona saw a patient when all Chief Webber could see was dollar signs. I completely lost it when she asked the parents if they wanted to see their son, and the mom did her bedtime ritual with him. When she became too overwhelmed with grief, Arizona finished it for her. "You have to do it three times or it won't work" is what Wallace would say. By this time, I had already soaked one sleeve and went to grab the tissues. With all the new cast members and chaos at Seattle Grace, it was nice to get a quiet episode for a change.

What did you think about Webber's tactics? Would you have performed the surgery if you were Arizona? Let's get some laughter in here!! I'm going to ...

"The Office" (NBC, 9:00): Jim and Pam get roped into a double date with Michael and Helene, Pam's mother. When he realizes how old she is, he dumps her over the birthday cake, prompting Pam to avenge her mom's heartbreak. She bullies Michael in to letting her punch him to make her feel better, but when Michael apologizes, she just smacks him instead. Who writes this stuff?

Dwight and Andy try to one up each other in a game of "return the favor". Dwight can be annoying sometimes, but I swear he comes up with some of the most outlandish explanations. When Michael suggest fishsticks are an aphrodisiac, Dwight responds, "You're thinking about deer penis." Again, who writes this stuff?

"Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion: Part 2" (Bravo, 9:00): The peaches were definitely a lot less combative this go 'round. They must have brought out the alcohol. Outside of hearing Kim butcher her own song the most revealing (and a little too much information) moment was Kim announcing that Dwight has a penile implant. I could've gone my whole adult life without ever knowing that. Excuse me while I gouge my eyes out.

Bored by reality

It was a surprisingly mundane night, but I did learn something from a "real housewife": Everybody has a "Pooky 'n 'nem" saved in their cell phones ... just in case something pops off and you need backup. I gotta get me a "Pooky"!

"Survivor" (CBS, 8:00): With their chief Russell out of the game, Galu elects Shambo to be their next leader. At the reward challenge, it was wants vs. needs as the survivors played a game of memory for items to help out at camp. Galu redeemed themselves by picking a tarp and a fire-starting kit, foregoing a point for each item they kept. It didn't much matter as they still beat Foa Foa. A great deal of hypocrisy erupts among the women when Shambo chooses to exclude Laura from the reward and send her over to Foa Foa. Ashley whines that Laura is a strong girl and didn't deserve it to be left out. Pause it: They were playing a memory game, but the ladies of Galu must have short ones. Didn't they do the same thing to Shambo ... twice? How about you just be thankful she didn't send you, Twiggy.

At the immunity challenge, Foa Foa leader Mick believes his tribe chief necklace has a hex on it and leaves it back at camp. Too bad he was wrong - Galu gives them another spanking, handing Foa Foa its 8th loss out of 10 challenges. Jaison throws himself under the bus at Tribal Council by saying he gave up during the immunity competition (no $@!&, Sherlock), but the tribe blindsides Liz and just like that, they're down to four. With the merge around the corner, Foa Foa has their work cut out for them. Maybe they should try some Galu's yoga exercises. It couldn't hurt.

"Project Runway" (Lifetime, 10:00): You knew it was going to be a long night for local boy Logan when the designers are told to create a companion piece for their winning looks and he doesn't have a winning look to create a companion piece to. He's allowed to use the gown he made from the first challenge and I knew right then he had cut his last pattern. Not only did he churn out an outfit for Judy Jetson, but he stole part of the look from another designer's previous dress. Pause it: You can't get by on looks alone, buddy. You've got to have some creativity in the greasy-haired head of yours. In his parting words, Logan says he's not a designer for 90% of the population. That means he's designing for the 10% of Americans who have a fear of wearing nice clothes.

Althea snags another win with her jiggly breasted model, and Irina's anger could not be hidden. She accused Althea (in front of the judges) of stealing her over-sized sweater design. I was glad to see someone else besides "Mean Irina" get a victory.

CHANNEL SURFING
On the "Real Housewives of Atlanta Reunion" (Bravo, 10:00), the conversation was as dull as Sheree's weave ponytail. The women were extremely defensive and it was very awkward to watch. The fact that Kandi had to explain why she and A.J. weren't together at the time of his death was enough to make me change the channel. Bravo milked that situation for everything it was worth by having her show up just weeks after A.J.'s funeral. Pause it: What was up with Kim bogarting in on Kandi's grief? She was speaking over Kandi like she was the one who'd lost him. The only significant (and I use that word loosely) thing revealed tonight was that NeNe and Kim made up after the alleged choking incident. I'll be tuning in for Part II next week, when Kim "performs" her single "live". That's a party I will not be tardy for.

I learned something very interesting on "CSI:" (CBS, 9:00) tonight. The part of the brain that controls thought and reason sits on top of the part that controls learned habits and repetitive behavior. That is why a person can still brush their teeth and make breakfast with a gaping, near-fatal head wound. See, zombies do exist.

Know your limits

Thursday night television brought a lot of excess: wealth, exhaustion, lesbian kissing. Sometimes people just don't know when to quit, but hospitalization and foreclosure may be a good place to start.

"Survivor" (CBS, 8:00): Fifteen days have passed since the contestants landed at Samoa and it's been pouring rain for at least eight. Galu chief Russell works through the downpour while everyone else is trying to keep warm. At the challenge, the tribes learn that win or lose, both teams will be going to tribal counsel and voting someone off. Galu's Russell passes out on top of the puzzle, and at first it looks as though he's just winded. In what Jeff Probst calls "his scariest moment in 19 seasons of 'Survivor'", Russell's heart rate and blood pressure plummets and he faints with his eyes wide open. For the first time in the show's history, a challenge is called, no one wins the reward, and no one gets sent home.

I have a lot of thoughts about what went down tonight. First off, when you know someone is working too hard, even if he is the leader, wouldn't you be a little more forceful in making them sit down and take a break? Even the president takes a vacation. And what was up with offering pizza as the reward. These people have been living in a torrential downpour for a week! Why not offer that tarp that Galu passed on? Lastly, Russell cried like a beeyotch when told the game was over for him. I know people try out for this show multiple times before they finally make it, but I'm 99.9% sure Russell's family would've rather he come home without the million than in a "Survivor" body bag. It's just a game people!

"Project Runway" (Lifetime, 10:00): There are only seven designers left and we're down to the last threads. Tonight's challenge was to create a design based on a location that inspires them. Pause it: Actually, the locations are places that inspire Michael Kors, but you get the point. Local boy Logan is last picked and gets stuck with Hollywood as his locale. He decides to make a pair of skinny jeans and a tank top with suspenders. Give me a minute while I take a nap because Logan is boring me to sleep. That outfit says Fremont, not Hollywood. Irina takes another win with her furry Aspen fantasy and Nicolas is out with a look that was not Greek to me.

"Real Housewives of Atlanta" (Bravo, 10:00): The season two finale served as a wrap up to the first season as we see how the ladies have progressed over the past year (not too far, I must say). Here's where the housewives leave off:

• Lisa and Ed are forced to "restructure" now that Ed's no longer playing in the NFL for $3 million a year. They decide the best thing for them financially is to move into Ed's nine-acre bachelor pad that he's been using as storage. Lisa calls it downsizing. I call it foreclosed property within the next 6 months.
• Sheree finally launches her clothing line She by Sheree. It seemed as if Dwight saved the show, but by fashion-industry standards it would still be considered a hot mess. The clothes lacked cohesion and most of those looks had been done before. If this were "Project Runway" she would be out.
• Kim is still bragging that she's engaged to Big Poppa, but can you be engaged when your fiance is still married? Her song may be number three on the iTunes dance chart, but Kim is still a zero in my book. Who drinks wine at 11 a.m.? I don't even eat eggs that early.
• Newest castmember Kandi was finally able to see some resolution between her mom and fiance A.J., so that makes it even more sad to know he was killed a few weeks ago. Shame on Bravo for not editing out A.J.'s scenes. I like Kandi because was the most relatable woman on the show this season. I hope she can move beyond her tragedy and come back for another season.
• My girl NeNe really disappointed me this season. Instead of being the tell-it-like-it-is diva that I came to love, she came off as an egotistical bitch. I'm glad she was able to get peace in her paternity issue, but her attitude offset my joy for her. Sorry NeNe, it's you that needs to be checked, boo.

CHANNEL SURFING
Maybe I'm not paying enough attention when it's on, but "Flash Forward" (ABC, 8:00) is losing it's luster for me. Tonight's big reveal was that the agent whose flash forward brought about the whole mosaic thing may have been drunk at the time. The only thing I found interesting was the reporter asking the president what he saw in his flash forward. It certainly would've been helpful if this had happened in real life, before we went searching for those weapons of mass destruction. Just keeping it real.

On "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, 9:00), a burn victim dies in the ER for no apparent reason and the story unfolds from the multiple points of view of the doctors who treated her. Even though the plot was a recycled episode of "ER", this was one of the best episodes they've had in a while. The patient died after one of the doctors missed a simple step in her initial exam, and it made me wonder how many people lose their lives because the doctor didn't check their throats or press on their bellies or look at their pupils. But, the thing that most disturbed me was that Lexie is supposed to have a photographic memory. Why didn't the panel just ask her to recap the whole scene and fill in the blanks using testimony from the other doctors? Just an observation.

News Break

Fox 5 News in Atlanta is reporting that A.J. Jewell, ex-fiance of Kandi Burruss ("Real Housewives of Atlanta") died of head injuries sustained in a fight at an Atlanta nightclub. Viewers of the show know that Kandi's mom was against their engagement since Jewell had a Brady Bunch of kids with more than one baby momma. Kandi called off the engagement but supposedly became legal guardian of Jewell's twin daughters. Single tear falling for Kandi.

Reality Check

Ahhh, Thursdays! It's Christmas for TV lovers.

"Survivor" (CBS, 8:00): The Foa Foa tribe is sinking fast. Jaison and Ben went at it during Tribal Council over Ben calling visiting Galu member Yasmin "ghetto trash" last week. Jaison threatened to walk if Ben wasn't voted out, and the tribe showed where their loyalty to Jai by getting rid of Ben. I actually thought Ben would've made it a lot farther, but his brash attitude was a turnoff to his tribe. Even though I didn't agree with his comments I could appreciate Ben's candor and his tell-it-like-it-is way of communicating. Pause it: Jaison picked the wrong time to play his race card. It's just "Survivor" dude, not life. Every black person knows you play the race card when you're 1. being fired, 2. denied credit and 3. arrested. I'm just keeping it real.

Over at Galu, their winning streak has awarded them the opportunity to do yoga in the mornings. C'mon Galu! How far do you think that zen attitude is going to get you in this game? Save it until after the merge when you're really going to need those deep breaths to keep your cool. And for the love of all that's holy, why pick a set of pillows over a tarp and lantern when you're stranded on an island. This is "Survivor" people, not Pottery Barn!

"CSI:" (CBS, 9:00): The neighborhood watch guy did it. At least that's what I predicted 9 minutes and 56 seconds into the show. Turns out I was right. This show has taught me so much about forensics and crime solving, I'm collecting my badge and starting a new franchise - "CSI: Seattle".

"Project Runway" (Bravo, 10:00): Tonight's challenge was to create two looks centered around the color blue for the Macys I.N.C. brand. The designers were divided into teams of two and team leader Althea chooses Seattle boy Logan to work with her. Their outfits scored high enough to keep them safe, but the skirt on that business suit looked like it belonged on Aurora Avenue, not the runway. By the time the model had finished her walk, you could see her English muffin. I really can't say much about local boy Logan because he never gets called out for anything - good or bad- on the runway. Mediocre designs will not get you to Bryant Park, buddy. At least you've got all the designers (male and female) crushing on you.

It was about time Louise was told to clean out her workspace, especially after they dissed my boy Ra'mon to keep her. However, I would've picked her sleek ruffle-collared dress over Epperson's shiny pajama shirt any day. Irina did produce a beautiful dress, even if it wasn't designed for a woman with my body type. Pause it: And that body type would be size XN (extra normal). Would you buy Irina's dress? Do you think Christopher deserved to be in the bottom two?

Turn it up: funny lines from some of tonight's shows:
"Real Housewives of Atlanta" - NeNe about her frienemy Kim: "That is a low down dirty monkey with a wig on."
"The Office" - Pam, on wedding registries: "It's awkward asking people for money, but we could really use it. Why doesn't Crate and Barrel let you register for a toaster full of cash?"