TVSquad

(S05E07) "The Celtics are good again!" - Dr. Joshua Lee

Yes. Yes they are. Besides the fact that I'm a huge Boston fan and absolutely loved that line, this was a fantastic episode to boot. Honestly, it might be the best of the season thus far. We're actually half way through the chunk of completed episodes (14 were wrapped before the strike hit) and it looks like this season is finally going somewhere. Up until now, it's been a lot of "we're in LA, so let's take advantage of that" plots. But now, we're seeing some real serious stuff take root. And by serious, I mean old men who have been abducted by aliens.

(S05E06) "These people are crazy. The only reason I moved out here was because they threw a bunch of money at me. And... the golfing opportunities." - Nurse Linda

What a great episode! It was different, unique for this show, and was clearly a challenge to shoot and edit so that the "reality" look and feel were achieved. It certainly wasn't the best episode of Nip/Tuck, but I'm all for stuff like this. Taking chances with proven formulas is something I can respect. Anybody pay attention to the beginning? When Christian was trying to convince Sean to do Plastic Fantastic with him? Christian made some comment about how "reality is the future." Granted this was written and shot at least a few months ago, but it's still a little eerie considering the current TV climate because of the WGA strike. Kind of ironic that we all sat down to watch a scripted drama spoofing reality TV when all these writers are fighting to be compensated for creative episodes like this and actual reality is slowly taking over every channel.

(S05E05) "You don't want to play this game with me." - Christian

No you don't. The second Christian said that to Eden, a clock started and all episode long we were waiting for the alarm to go off. What was he going to do to her? For a minute, I honestly thought nothing. He gave her the pills and Eden was on her way, her mouth shut about Christian and Julia's night together. Maybe it was because I watched the episode early this morning and I was still a little drowsy, but I never saw it coming. Well played Dr. Troy.

(S05E04) "I was attacked by a giant wedge-tailed eagle in Calgary." - Dawn

The return of the best guest star Nip/Tuck has ever had! Say what you will about Rosie O'Donnell (I couldn't stand her on The View), but when she steps into the shoes of Dawn Budge, it's gold. She was one of the highlights of last season (not to mention Christian's first paying "escort" customer) and her trip to Los Angeles easily made this episode an instant Nip/Tuck classic. From her hang-glider scene when the eagle attacked her to the face she made when the "ass bandit" had his way with her, she stole every scene she was in.

(S05E03) "Are you comparing the birth of your children to me shitting in a hot tub?" - Kate

I really don't know what Sean thinks he's doing. Sure, Kate seems nice. She's beautiful, smart, and funny too. But could you really find it in yourself to stay with someone who craps in a hot tub while you're trying to make out with them? It might sound shallow, but that definitely counts as a defining moment that should at least make you question the relationship. Kate has way too much emotional baggage and with the way Sean's life has gone, the last thing he needs is a crazy chick. Christian is right. Sean sure can pick 'em.

(S05E02) "No matter how old I get, these champagne cups seem to be frozen in time." - Fiona

Let the Hollywood exploitation begin! Two episodes into the new season and Ryan Murphy and Co. are already taking advantage of Nip/Tuck's new location. Competing Marilyn Monroe impersonators is something we would have never seen had Sean and Christian decided to stay in Miami. Now that they're out west, I'm quite sure that this will be the first in a long line of Tinseltown degenerates looking for ways to "enhance" themselves and make an extra buck.

(S05E01) "I feel like I'm trying to sell semen at a whore house." - Christian

Life just ain't easy for Sean McNamara and Christian Troy. They moved out to LA thinking it would bring them a fresh start. Sean had just put a messy divorce with Julia to bed. Christian had backed out of his engagement to Michelle. They needed a new beginning. After pouring all their money into a new state-of-the-art Rodeo Drive operation and recovery facility, what do they have to show for it? Nothing. Saying that you "almost" did some work on Joan Rivers isn't exactly a great resume when no one has heard of you.

The set-up was to be expected. Of course it wasn't going to be easy. Everyone is a plastic surgeon in Hollywood. But it's been two months since they switched coasts and the money is running thin. That's where this season of Nip/Tuck draws its plot from and watching Sean and Christian crack the secrets of their new celebrity infested locale is plenty of fun for us viewers. I think we've got a good season in store.

It's been almost a year since McNamara/Troy closed up shop in Miami and packed their bags for Los Angeles, in search of a better life. Following up on a season where just about every loose thread from the world of Nip/Tuck got answered might seem like a daunting task, but look at it this way: after two seasons of some of the best stuff on TV, Nip/Tuck returned for a third time to mixed reviews because of the season long focus on The Carver. For the most part, the show returned to its roots in season four, but overall it was clear that the FX drama needed its own face lift. Starting from scratch in a city where you can order a pizza and a boob-job at the same time seemed like a perfect fit. Fans of the show can rest assured that it is. I've screened the first two episodes of the new season and creator Ryan Murphy has continued to provide us with a show that indulges all our guilty pleasures.

The giveaways continue today! Not only are we giving away five copies of What About Brian the complete series, we've also got five copies of Nip/Tuck season four on DVD for five lucky, random commenters. The set is already available in stores.

To enter, simply leave a comment below before 5:00PM Eastern, Friday, October 12 (yes, that's two weeks!), simply telling us your favorite episode from the series so far. As always, we'll randomly choose five winners amongst the eligible entries. Some other details:
And now we present you with the legalities of the giveaway. (Read them. Please.)

ER's Doug and Carol together again? Don't hold your breath unless you can do so for at least three more years.

Julianna Margulies, who's starring in the FOX mid-season replacement Canterbury's Law, says that she'd love to do another project with former ER love interest George Clooney. But the actress,who left the hospital drama in 2000, wants there to be a full decade in between projects so that fans won't think of them as lovebirds.

Alas, the reunion won't likely take place at Country General, either.

For those of you that missed the first teaser promo for the fifth season of Nip/Tuck (it ran for the first time during last week's episode of Rescue Me), don't sweat it. After snooping all over the place for a video of the promo, I finally stumbled on to it in the least likely of locations:

The exclusive video section of the Rescue Me official site.

Sure enough though, they've got the whole video posted there. Awesome promo too. A backwards pan of the iconic Hollywood sign as the city lights flicker in the evening shade. With McNamara/Troy opening up their west coast shop this fall on F/X, Tinseltown has no idea what it's in store for. Oh and for those racking their brains over the song in the promo, it's a cover of Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game." The band behind the cover is called Giant Drag and they have the song on their MySpace page. Enough of me talking though. The video is after the jump. Enjoy.

Will Nip/Tuck have a season six? Why is James Gandolfini going back to HBO and will Larry David end Curb Your Enthusiasm?

These tidbits -- and a tons of swag -- came out at today's TCA press sessions at the Beverly Hilton hotel. I had to remind myself that today was a cable day because the roster of talent read like a major network.

Jason Priestly (Beverly Hills 90210) led the cast of Side Order of Life, a Lifetime series in which star Marisa Coughlan has second thoughts about marrying Priestly. But, hey, if Big dumped Natasha on Sex in the City then I suppose anything's possible.

TCA - Day 1 (or 4, if you count PBS)

TCA -- aka the TV Critics' press tour -- is a convention for journalists where the major networks and cable outlets unveil their fall programs to the press for review. The tour, which is held at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, began on Monday (with PBS) and runs until July 26th with ABC.

About 200 plus members of the press from across the country are inundated with reality, comedy, drama and other types of programs. Interview opportunities are non-stop. We're fed constantly and given tons of free gifts -- trinkets, pens, paperweights, DVDs and press materials.

Veteran actress Paula Marshall is joining the FX show Nip/Tuck this fall. She'll play Dylan Walsh's love interest for at least four episodes.

I call her a veteran actress even though shes not that old (her birthday was last week - Happy Birthday Paula!). She's been on a ton of TV shows over the years. Some should have lasted longer than they did (Sports Night, Veronica Mars, Cupid), and some probably lasted longer than they should have (Out of Practice, Snoops).

So that Kitchen Confidential thing didn't quite work out.

And Sydney Bristow has retired from the spy business.

So what's a former Alias regular and erstwhile competitive (TV) chef to do? Get a Nip/Tuck, of course.

According to TV Guide's Michael Ausiello, Bradley Cooper will appear in five episodes of the fifth season of the FX plastic surgery drama. "What I can tell you," Ausiello wrote, "is that Cooper will not be a love interest for anyone, male or female."

Well that's a shame.