I did get through "Earl," "The Office" and "30 Rock." I may post some longer thoughts late. For now, my amusement was at best piecemeal — the Joy stuff in "Earl," the trash-talking in "The Office." …

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Maybe it's the Broadway geek within, but to have Kristin Chenoweth and Ellen Greene singing together on "Pushing Daisies" was simply a kick.

By the way, Ann V. in the comments below noted that it was a They Might Be Giants song. (News to me. But if you want to talk about the new Robert Plant/Alison Krauss collaboration, I'm ready.) So here's a video of They Might Be Giants' version …

And, since I'm in a full video frenzy, here's the "Pushing Daisies" version:

Getting back to the actual TV show, it continues to improve, once again going into the emotional territory involving its core gimmick …

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For the first time in ages, tonight's "Grey's Anatomy" felt like the show at its best. …

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The scene that persuaded me to watch "Pushing Daisies" at least once more.

(You know, after listening to Chip Caray declare "Here come the Yankees" too many times, it was kind of nice just now to hear Joe Buck punctuate a Cleveland rally with "Here come the Indians." But that's not what I'm here to talk about.)

I think it's "Mad Men" fatigue. That show was so good, other hours are having a hard time measuring up …

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I can't remember who said Shonda Rhimes writes adults as if they were still in high school, but on last night's "Private Practice," the adults were probably down to junior high …

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Noticeable change from the for-review version to the actually televised "Private Practice."

The review version had an opening with a nod to Mary Tyler Moore; Addison decided to make the change in part because, as the Chief suggested, "you want to throw your hat all the way up in the air." More serious now. Addison and the Chief in scrubs instead of civvies, no hat in the air line, and the Chief now warns that she will be back in a month, and promises to hold Addison's job "as long as I can." (Someone worrying that "Private Practice" isn't a slam dunk?)

I thought at first that the song for the naked dance — which I still don't like — had changed, but I was wrong on that. The memory isn't what it once was, which makes me reluctant to throw away review discs. …

Premieres Wednesday.

See the Addison in this picture? Tough, smart, and not willing to offer a complete smile unless you earn it. This is the Addison I liked on "Grey's Anatomy." This is not the Addison of "Private Practice."

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