I finally got around to watching "Survival of the Richest" today — two episodes without commercials, no less — and man, do I want that time back.

The show pairs a rich young adult (or, at least, a young adult from a rich family, since net worth is defined by the family's) with a poor one (defined by accumulated debt) for a series of challenges. The team winning a challenge cannot be voted off in a given week; everyone else can be eliminated, based on a vote by all the contestants.

The vote provides the one moderately interesting twist in the show. If one member of a team is voted off, the teammate goes, too. In other words, if you hate a rich kid so much that you want to get rid of him or her, then you're going to send home someone you don't hate as well. That at least creates the possibility of ambivalence in the voters.

But beyond that, it's just not that interesting, especially after you've heard from the rich kids how much they spend and how few chores they do — and heard it umpteen times. The challenges are set up to encourage foolish blabbing by the rich folks — working as waiters, for instance, or having to clean up public restrooms. But as much as I hated one of the rich players, even the thought of seeing him voted off wasn't enough to keep me intrigued by the show. Save yourself the time.

One of my little pleasures during the week is watching "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office," together the best hour of comedy in prime time.

"Earl" had an especially good episode recently, when it flashed back to Y2K events to show how Earl and the people around him marked the occasion; it was insanely hilarious. This week, it was "The Office" that showed its daring and skill.

The thread for the episode was Michael's birthday, and how he expected the office to celebrate it. That was funny enough, but "The Office" went a step further, having Kevin waiting to find out if he had skin cancer — an event that spread through the Dunder Mifflin staff while Michael was obliviously anticipating birthday merriment. Then, as if that wasn't enough, there was a lovely little bit with Jim and Pam shopping. A lot of different things to juggle, and "The Office" pulled it off, making viewers squirm and giggle practically in the same moment.

On Tuesday night, I not only forgot to watch "The Amazing Race," I forgot to record it. I read the synopsis online but it wasn't the same as seeing people scurry. And CBS doesn't get ratings points for people reading synopses.

I suspect I was not alone among fans missing the show. The 10 p.m. Tuesday slot feels too late, especially for a series that — overheated young male banter aside — had a family-audience following. So I am happy to see that CBS is moving the show to 8 p.m. Wednesdays effective next week.

Of course, CBS is not just saving "Race" in making the move. The most recent occupants of that Wednesday hour, "Out of Practice" and "Courting Alex," reportedly cratered in the ratings, so the network had reason to try something else. ("Practice" and "Courting" are now in limbo, with CBS saying they'll return to the schedule later, though not when or where.) Since I didn't care much about those comedies, I'm perfectly content to see them elbowed aside. I'd much rather catch up on the hippie guys, and the nerds, and the other likable folks on "Race."

Then again, any show runs the risk of conflicting with another viewer favorite. An "Alias" fan at my office this morning noticed that "Race" will be against "Alias" when the ABC thriller returns on April 19.

I had a hard time even remembering Nick before he got the boot on "Survivor" tonight. I have been far more focused on Shane — who, in spite of being disliked by everyone else in his alliance, is getting to play puppet master — and Terry — who with the secret immunity idol has been in a great position to gum up the works.

In fact, I longer for some gumming tonight since the outcome — the old gang of 6 simply outvoting the gang of 4 in the new, merged tribe — was so unexciting. Consider this:

– Terry has immunity (as he did tonight). But he gives it up to one of his old tribemates right before the council vote. The rival group is in agony. Does this mean Terry has the idol? Should they try to vote him off anyway? Which way to turn?

– Terry deliberately loses immunity after putting on a good show. The enemy votes him off, while his group puts its four votes on Shane (as it did tonight). After the vote, Terry shows off his idol — and Shane is gone, and the balance of power is 5/4 so a one-vote flip creates a new dominant alliance.

– Anticipating who's getting voted off, Terry with immunity still slips the secret idol to his vulnerable tribemate. Things play out  similar to the second scenario, with Shane still bounced.

Any of those would have been more entertaining than the way tonight played out. I am looking forward to next week's telecast — when Terry does put his spare idol in play — but would have liked to see things move more quickly.

I've been waiting several weeks for a really good new "Veronica." I don't think last night's was it.

Part of my objection may be plot fatigue, which was also a factor in last night's "Lost." This late in the season, I don't want just another hint. I want answers. And I don't feel as if I'm any closer to answers on "Veronica" than I was months ago — that the show is toying with me because it doesn't know exactly where it's going. It's way too "X-Files," a show that was notorious for painting itself into a corner and then throwing out everything you knew, just to keep the narrative going. And the Keith investigation wasn't as fleshed out as it should have been.

Was there good stuff in "Veronica"? Well, yeah. The bizarre little homage to "Arrested Development," for one thing. And Logan right now is the show's most intriguing, tortured and devious character. But even there, I didn't buy entirely into his romantic change in direction, especially when it was rooted in boredom with video games.

Please, "Veronica." More, better, now.

Still wondering what message we should take from the use of Les McCann and Eddie Harris's version of "Compared To What," the song playing when Locke is exercising. Great tune, of course. I've had the album for years, and saw McCann and Harris perform it at the Hampton Jazz Festival back in the '70s. I keep thinking that its use may have had to do with the line "trying to make it real — compared to what?"  After all, last night's episode was one that gave us another taste of Old West civilization-building on the island, with Jack and Sawyer as the cowboys staring each other down across a card game.

Liked the scene, too, although I would have expected Sawyer to be a smarter player than he was shown. And, if he can cheat, why hadn't he done so before going mano a mano with Jack?

Also enjoyed the latest twist in the is-he-an-0ther story. But I've been muttering for some time that, even if the balloon was there, it didn't mean the guy wasn't an Other, so the payoff was not a huge surprise. Am more curious about how the parachute drop fits with the doors dropping in the hatch.

Of course, I know that lots of you have freeze-framed the shot of the symbols Locke saw, and no doubt there are interpretations aplenty flying around out there. I have nothing to add right now.

As for the Locke flashback, I thought it was leading — at last — to an explanation of Locke's being in a wheelchair, perhaps because the thugs chasing his father had knee-capped him. The story as it played out felt concluding — since Locke's father was leaving and his relationship seemed over — and unfinished — since his father could pop up yet again, and Locke is still walking.

Watchable episode overall, but still one that left me feeling impatient.

In the afternoon e-mail:

Extra spoke to John Travolta today and he confirmed that he is indeed set to play J.R. Ewing in the upcoming feature film, Dallas.  He said, “Yes, I have to do two movies before that…then I’ll do Dallas.  I heard Larry [Hagman] approved of me.  We were in Primary Colors together…it was sweet giving his seal of approval.”  On Jennifer Lopez playing Sue Ellen, Travolta commented, “Yes I did speak to her and she’s interested and I’m hoping they are closing her deal as well.”

Not convinced about Jennifer Lopez, although Sue Ellen was not the most demanding of parts. But Travolta I can definitely see as J.R. …

Then, of course, Ron Palillo HAS to play Cliff Barnes.

           For weeks, ABC has had the return of "Commander in Chief" scheduled for April 18. Now it will be back sooner than expected, according to this ABC announcement today:

“Commander In Chief” makes its return to the ABC schedule beginning THURSDAY, APRIL 13 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET). In the interim, the ABC newsmagazine “Primetime” will air on FRIDAYS, APRIL 14 & 21 and MAY 5 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET). “Primetime” will return to its regular scheduled time period THURSDAY, MAY 25 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). “Less than Perfect” returns TUESDAY, APRIL 18 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET), along with an additional episode of “Hope & Faith” (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET).

The ABC primetime schedule for Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays will be as follows:

Beginning Thursday, April 13

“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition — After the Storm” 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET

                        “American Inventor” 9:00-10:01 p.m., ET

                        “Commander In Chief” 10:01-11:00 p.m., ET

            Beginning Friday, April 14

                        “America’s Funniest Home Videos” 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET

                        “Primetime” 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET (April 14, 21 and May 5 only)

                        “20/20” 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET

Beginning Tuesday, April 18

                        “According to Jim” 8:00-8:30 p.m., ET

“Hope & Faith” 8:30-9:00 p.m., ET

                        “Hope & Faith” 9:00-9:30 p.m., ET

                        “Less than Perfect” 9:30-10:00 p.m., ET

                        “Boston Legal” 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET

(end announcement material)

I'm not sure what to make of this. "Commander in Chief" is still well-liked by viewers, judging from the frequent letters I get asking when it will return. So why put it at Thursdays at 10, when it has to compete against "ER" and "Without a Trace"? It could be that ABC is just burning off the show, but I'm not convinced. After all, "American Inventor" has shown some promise for the network, and may be a good lead-in to "CiC." ABC may also sense that those "CiC" letter-writers will follow the show almost anywhere.

Interesting to see "Less Than Perfect" return instead of, say, "Crumbs," which is not scheduled and still has unaired episodes waiting for telecast. I guess ABC thinks the older comedy still has some life.

A couple of days ago I said I was back, but regular readers know I haven't been really, really back. Life has just kept getting in the way. I spent most of yesterday getting my younger son through the removal of his wisdom teeth, and so found myself at the office during "Idol" last night. Even then, I spent the first 10 minutes of "Idol" doing the online test for "Jeopardy." 50 questions in under 10 minutes, and I don't think there's any danger of me getting an invitation to actual auditions.

It didn't feel as bad as the "Jeopardy" written test I took about 20 years ago — I still feel the terror over a question asking the names of all the Supreme Court justices — but part of that was probably because this test went so quickly. (No changing answers, no backing up for questions you skip.) Only afterward, while reviewing answers with two friends who also took the test, did I understand what I got right — and how much I got wrong.

Anyway, after that I was working on my mailbag column with "Idol" on the TV. It wasn't until this morning that I finally gave the show a report card-worthy viewing. Although I skipped through most of the judges' comments, what I heard reflected what I had sensed last night — that the messages are getting ever more loudly mixed as the judges look at who would sell CDs, and nudge this way and that — especially on the be yourself/don't be yourself argument, which boils down to "forget what got you here, because now you have to show us enough different things that we can force you to do almost anything in the recording studio." Interesting, too, the way they used the Ryan-Chris chat to take some of the heat off Chris — to let him talk about how much he admires Live — while never explicitly saying that the judges should have known his "I Walk the Line" was based on an earlier version.

Beyond that, not a great night. No goosebump-building performances, even with another overly generous theme — ''songs of the 21st century." Nor did Lisa make a great show-opener (and I have to think she and Bucky remain major candidates for ouster), covering a Kelly Clarkson hit in a way that just reminds you how very good Clarkson is. C minus on my report card, and that was probably generous.

Kellie is not remotely my favorite singer on the show, but I still gave her a C plus just because she was competent at country — or maybe the producers were able to explain to her what this song was about. She at least provided a rote synopsis before singing. C for Ace, who was not only mediocre but — according to my bride the Ace fan — did not look as cute as usual.

B minus for Taylor, who found a song that suited him well. B for Mandisa, good at gospel but not overpowering the way she can sometimes be. I also wonder if the show is starting to maneuver her elimination — unflattering outfit (with camera shots from the back making that more evident) and no consistent enthusiasm from the judges. B minus also for Chris. Good, but not eye-opening.

Here endeth the fun. C for McPhee, notably for her rocky start. Somewhere between a C minus and a D for Bucky; when I heard him while working at the office, he seemed better than last week, but when I listened this morning, his fundamental dullness was more evident. C for Paris, who was robotic again. C plus for Elliott. I kept expecting him to take it up a notch higher than he did, and a show-closer is supposed to be great. Of course, so is a show opener, and we didn't get that either this week.

Since I still get those, "What happened to Aaron Brown" questions months after he left CNN, here's a link to a recent MarketWatch interview with him: Aaron Brown.

Short version: He's teaching and looking for on-air work.

I saw this story, by the way, on Jim Romenesko's site, must reading about the news business.