What was on TV? Tues, Dec 7, 2004

20 years ago, Barry Bonds admitted he took steroids. But he pretended it was an accident? Even my household of rabid Giants fans wasn't buying it. Let's see what was on TV!

8:00 NCIS on CBS

2x09 "Forced Entry"

Available on Hulu nad Paramount+

This show is pathologically light-hearted. Potential sexual assault, hostage situations, undercover operations, national security threats? Not a big deal to NCIS! This episode is mostly a chance for the dorky guy to try running things for a change. It's so whacky! I found it terribly unsettling, and that's before you get to the fact that CBS settled Eliza Dushku's sexual harassment lawsuit against Michael Weatherly for $9.5 million dollars. And yet he's got an NCIS spinoff coming ot Paramount+ soon.

This episode was written by Jesse Stern and John C. Kelley. Sterns writing credits include the tv shows Nancy Drew and Bull as well as several games in the Call of Duty franchise. Kelley has written on House, The Blacklist, and Daredevil.

This episode was directed by Dennis Smith. He was the cinematographer for Picket Fences and The Practice. He has directed 100 episodes in the NCIS franchise.

9:00 House on Fox

1x04 "Maternity" (record Scrubs on NBC)

Available on Hulu, Peacock, and Prime

It happens to every medical drama: eventually a patient has to die. House really jumps in with both feet: the first patient to die is a brand-new baby! It could be disastrous, but I thought they pulled it off. There's too much sentimental piano music, but they manage to treat the tragedy with the appropriate amount of gravity without compromising House's character or the show's frosty tone.

This episode was written by Peter Blake. He has written for The Practice, Elementary, and Gotham.

This episode was directed by Newton Thomas Sigel, now a big-time cinematographer. Recent credits include Da 5 Bloods, Candy Cane Lane, and the Channing Tatum movie Dog.

10:00 Scrubs on NBC

4x12 "My Best Moment"

Available on Hulu

Scrubs' whole sentimental-but-not-actually-except-yes-actually routine is very well suited to holiday episodes. This episode's framing device sees a medical student ask J.D. about his best moment in medicine. He turns the question around on his colleagues, and their recollections are all fairly cynical (Dr. Cox's, in which giving patients the heimlich is merely a step on the road to winning tash basketball, is the best). But in the end their best moment is supporting a single father and his son through a medical crisis and helping them make it home in time for the holidays. It's very sweet, and it has the added benefit of showcasing the hospital's community, and the ways in which they work together to help people (and each other). It's sentimental, but not sugary, striking the perfect tone for a holiday episode.

This episode was written by Angela Nissel. She started out as a story editor on this Season of scrubs, eventually rising to become a co-executive producer. She later worked on The Boondocks, Finny & Georgia, and The Other Black Girl.

This episode was directed by Christ Koch. He has directed episodes of Only Murders in the Building, This is Us, and Modern Family.

10:30 Laguna Beach on MTV

1x10 "The First to Go"

Available on Paramoun+

Trey is ridiculous, but the moment when he says goodbye to his very old dog before he leaves for college got me (my family dog died while I was away at college). Then later, Spencer recalls how he an Trey once stood in a bathroom, shirtless, and discussed where they would get tattoos. And then he recalls how Trey faced homophobic bullying because he designed trucker hats. And Trey is back to being ridiculous.

Late Night

Heidi Klum stopped by Leno to promote her book and Project Runway. Matt Damon was also there, making eyes at her and promoting Ocean's Twelve. Later, Maroon 5 performed "She Will Be Loved." It was a whole lotta 2004 in one show.

What Else Was On

• USA premiered the original movie 12 Days of Christmas Eve, a Groundhog Day redo starring Steven Weber and Molly Shannon.
• The WB was airing a reality show called High School Reunion, which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It seems to be lost, but I would have checked out this season. It was centered on a Catholic school, which seems like a recipe for intrigue.

TiVo Status

The three-hour Masterpiece Theater miniseries The Lost Prince and The Office Christmas Special from across the pond (2 hours). 6 hours with 22 hours of space left.