More Random Thoughts

1. What's up with killing people off or shooting people on season finales? Can we be any less creative?! A doctor was murdered offscreen on ER, James Caan's character may (or may not) be shot on Las Vegas, Dennis Haysbert gets shot on The Unit, and Marisa (Mischa Barton) is killed in a car crash on The OC. And on Alias, the deaths keep coming. First, they bring back Sydney Bristow's (Jennifer Garner) sister who has been in a coma all season, only to kill her in the same episode. To make matters worse, on the series finale last night, they killed her father, her mother (who was a crazy assassin), and her archenemy Sloane. Okay, Alias might get a pass because it is a show about the espionage game, and many spys tend to leave that game on their back...and in bodybags. But they even had a shooting on freakin' Grey's Anatomy. Dr. Burke (Isaiah Washington) was shot, but they were able to save him. It just looks very desperate and unoriginal for so many shows to resort to deaths or shootings. They couldn't even be creative! Where are the plane crashes, mysterious illnesses, and freak accidents of decades gone by? Nope, when in doubt, have them get shot. I'm surprised Scrubs didn't end its season with a shooting, the way things are going. I know it's shocking, and I know it makes people watch or stay interested until next season, but please, writers, try to be creative. Leave the guns alone!!!

2. This is a public service announcement to African-American mothers. Make sure that your child's clothing isn't too ignorant. My running buddy Bryan Newcomb (Mail Call, Just the Two of Us) and I tend to frequent the hip-hop clothing stores on American Way. You know, I have to say fly-y-y-y-y.....etc. I see these "Stop Snitching" t-shirts all the time. There's even one now with a fictional number, 1-800-no-snitch or something like that. Yeah, that's smart, let's promote refusing to cooperate with the authorities. Like there aren't enough young brothers and sisters in prisons. And what's up with eight-year-olds in "Stop Snitching" shirts? Little dude, you're eight. What would somebody snitch on you for? Stealing an ice cream cone? Run along and learn some timetables or conjugate some verbs or something. What are you selling, little one? Bubble gum? It just looks bad. Teach your children some form of respect, please!!

3. Boo to the Nashville legislature for shooting down the bill that allowed for provisions for film companies. I fear that the progress we have made in terms of luring productions to Memphis and Tennessee will be halted. I pray that I'm wrong, but I have an uneasy feeling. Boo to Fox for not picking up Southern Comfort. We have a shot in the dark at being a midseason replacement. Okay, it's better than a snowball's chances in Hell, but I can't tell you how much more better. Looks like I might have to make a trip to Louisiana. Be easy, readers.