What was on TV? Tues, Jan 25, 2005

20 years ago, members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences collectively decided that Finding Neverland was one of the five best movies of the year. Let's see what was on TV!

8:00 Gilmore Girls on the WB

5x11 "Women of Questionable Morals"

Available on Netflix and Hulu

Everyone gets all excited about the references to mid-century literature and obscure bands. Potato po-tah-to. My heart went pitter-patter when Lorelai asked Luke "you wanna be the Randy to my Tai?" Randy and Tai forever! Still the best pair skaters to ever represent the US of A. Randy and Tai fit with Gilmore Girls too. Lorelai wouldn't be into Irina Rodnina or Torvill and Dean. She'd be into Tai and Randy: All-American and sophisticated, but with just enough edge.

9:00 House on Fox

1x08 "Poison" (record Scrubs on NBC)

Available on Hulu, Peacock, and Prime

Fox aired over 500 episodes of American Idol. Most of them were absolutely massive. For a decade and a half, Fox tried to use that valuable platform to launch hits. They launched one, and that was House.

Fox was well-reviewed when it debuted, but it didn't do well in the ratings. Critics and pundits were writing it off. But then Fox put it after Idol, and that all changed.

You can see why. This is a great episode for newbies. The case of the week is classic House: a nice teen in danger and a concerned mother who won't listen to House. But what makes it all sing is the b-story in which Oscar moninee Shirley Knight visits House in the clinic. She's Georgia, a horny old lady with a crush on House (he reminds her of Aston Kutcher) and at first it seems like she'll be a bad punchline. But she gets actual character development, and it's impossible not to love her by the end of the episode. And House is...sweet? with her. They flirt a little, and it's so cute! Hugh Laurie is great in these scenes. He softens House a little without sacrificing his edge. Georgia and House forever! Cuddy who?

10:00 Scrubs on NBC

4x14 "My Lucky Charm"

Available on Hulu

It's not even sweeps yet, but we're already bringing out the very special guest stars. Movie star Colin Farrell is on Scrubs this week, playing an insanely sexy Irishman who is definetely having more fun than you. He spends his days "taking home the ugliest girl at the party" and "dancing with married women who don't want to be married," and that is so specific and such prime fantasy fodder. It's a very fun celebrity guest turn.

The rest of the episode is cute too! I especially enjoyed the Carla and Elliott storyline. Scrubs was so celebrated for its portrayal of male friendships and relationships, but it's nice to see some exploration of female friendships too.

What Else Was On

The morning shows broadcast the Oscar nomination announcement, starring former Best Actor winner and current Best Actor contender Adrien Brody, Academy President Frank Pierson (better known as "that guy who beefed with Barbra Streisand and Jon Peters on A Star is Born), and one very cool person who whooped for Mike Leigh's lone director nomination.

TiVo Status

The Masterpiece Theater miniseries He Knew He Was Right and The Lost Prince, and two episodes of Carnivale. 10 hours total.