Regular blog readers have seen my notes on some of the Oscar nominees, including "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood." But there were quite a few nominees I have not seen yet. So my plan over the coming weeks is to see them and post notes, especially about whether they strike me as the best in their nominated categories. Last night, for example, I watched "Michael Clayton" and I expect to have comments here soon, possibly as early as tonight. I have set aside my DVDs of nominees, and plan some trips back to theaters as well. If time permits, I will revisit movies I have already seen. Anything in particular you folks are curious about?

I took an early peek at tonight's episode thanks to an advance (but very rough) copy sent out by NBC. Some comments after the jump …

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Malcolm X Abram and I talk "Idol." Stay tuned, and hear Malcolm sing!

Thank you to the almost 600 viewers of our first podcast over at YouTube. We are trying to do better, and you may notice differences from last week's edition. We're more relaxed for one thing (and had nothing to do with the video being frozen on such an unflattering image above).

While I am still fat, I did at least manage to get a haircut before this podcast — having seen my hair nightmare in the first one. Yes, I am that vain. Starting to work on the fat, too.

That's the claim of his publicist. And if that is the case, it shows that being funny doesn't work nearly as well if you're being creepy at the same time. Full release after the jump …

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This from TNT today:

TNT has given the greenlight to RAISING THE BAR (working title), the latest series from the mastermind of legal dramas, Emmy®-winner Steven Bochco. The series, which stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar (NYPD Blue), Gloria Reuben (ER) and Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle), follows the lives and cases of young lawyers who have been friends since law school, but who now work on opposing sides. TNT has ordered 10 episodes of RAISING THE BAR, which was created by Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige (Indefensible). It comes to TNT from ABC Studios and Bochco Media, with Bochco serving as executive producer. Bochco and Feige wrote the story for the pilot episode, and Feige wrote the script. The pilot was directed by Jesse Bochco (The Closer). The series is slated to premiere later this year.

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"Law & Order" impresario Dick Wolf has more than once argued that, in a full television season, about one third of the episodes of a given show will be really good, one third really bad and the other third in between. I'd put last night's "L&O" among the best of the season to date, and one of the best I have seen in recent years. …

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The professionals creeping into "American Idol" have turned the auditions into a good time to Google. As I mentioned in the "Wednesday Notebook" post below, reporters found plenty about a contestant on Tuesday's San Diego telecast. And tonight, from South Carolina, there was news to be had in a search for London Weidberg. …

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If you did not see my Oscar notes in today's Beacon Journal, they're here. "American Idol's" latest controversy, Fred Thompson (and another Fred, MacMurray) and Lois Nettleton, after the jump. …

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This came from ABC today:

Now fans can discover elements from the hit series “Lost” in Marvel Comics. ABC marketing has strategically placed images and references from the show in various comic books, including Uncanny X-Men, Incredible Hercules, Thunderbolts and Wolverine Origins on sale now. Examples of “Lost” references include a “Lost” poster, the number 6, and the slogan “Find Yourself” in the latest editions of numerous Marvel comics throughout the month. Expect more “Lost” placements to pop up in comic books on stands January 23 and January 30.

Product placement in comics. Is nothing sacred?

This is from Sci Fi:

SCI FI Channel has acquired off-network cable rights to the fan favorite drama series Jericho from CBS Television Distribution. The deal provides SCI FI the rights to seasons one and two of the series. Jericho will make its debut on SCI FI with a four-episode marathon on Monday, February 11, 2008 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET. Jericho will begin airing in its regular time slot on Mondays at 10 p.m. ET on February 18. SCI FI will simulcast Jericho in HD on SCI FI HD.

“Jericho is a gripping science fiction series that SCI FI Channel is excited to add to our schedule,” said Thomas Vitale, Senior Vice President of Programming and Original Movies. “Thanks to the passion and persistence of its loyal viewers who saved this program from being canceled, new viewers can now experience this show for the first time on the SCI FI Channel while CBS continues the story in its second season run starting this February."

The second season starts Feb. 12 on CBS, the day after the Sci Fi marathon. I have seen three new episodes and am anxious for more. I promise to say more before the show returns.