At long last, “Lost”!
The metaphysically loaded drama returns Thursday, at 8 p.m. on KMGH-Channel 7.
Theories abound, in the mind of every fan trying to make sense of last May’s third-season finale. That’s when we saw a flash-forward to Jack (Matthew Fox) and Kate (Evangeline Lily) off the island, returned to civilization and stealthily talking about going back. How in the world will the series’ creators tie that together?
No spoilers here.
When the show returns, we’re given more confusing flashes backward and forward, another division among the crash survivors hoping to be rescued, and more questions about the powers of the island itself.
It’s worth tuning in the clip show at 7 p.m. on Channel 7, to review the first three seasons and remind yourself just how huge a canvas the storyline already covers, how many characters we’ve come to care about, how deep the subtext is and how much we don’t know.
Next, “Eli”
While that puzzle continues, ABC premieres a new drama, “Eli Stone,” at 9 p.m. Thursday on Channel 7, concerning a lawyer (Johnny Lee Miller) suddenly having epiphanies about quitting his cut-throat corporate law practice. Eli imagines himself mountain climbing in Nepal rather than suited up, engaged to the daughter of the firm’s top partner, living to wring profits out of pathetic clients.
Greg Berlanti (“Brothers & Sisters,” “Everwood”) and Marc Guggenheim (“Brothers & Sisters,” “The Practice”) have concocted a fanciful story that may ring truer with former hippie baby boomers than with Gen Y overachievers.
An imaginative premise built around a likable lead makes this a welcome hour when so little else is beaming through during the strike. Still, it may be too woo-woo for those who like their TV lawyers more “Shark”-like.
Speaking of which, Steven Bochco has a new legal drama on tap for 2008: TNT will air “Raising the Bar” (the working title) about young lawyers, friends since law school, now on opposing sides. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (“NYPD Blue”), Gloria Reuben (“ER”) and Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) will star in what sounds like a more earth-bound series, with courtroom drama and no sherpas, created by Bochco and lawyer/writer David Feige (“Indefensible”).
News and notes
Classical music radio listeners in the northern part of the market are upset about the forthcoming switch by Colorado Public Radio, as predicted.
“I’m guessing that there will be a lot of disgruntled Bach-heads, not only in Fort Collins but in Greeley, Longmont and maybe even Boulder as NPR strongly de-emphasizes its commitment to classical music,” wrote Dick Hilker, a reader/listener in Loveland.
Meanwhile, fundraising is underway for KUVO 89.3 FM, which is gearing up to broadcast in the Vail/Eagle County area in late 2008 or early 2009 with a full-power radio service at 88.5FM, under the call letters KVJZ. Besides funds, the station seeks letters of support from potential listeners.
It’s five years and 60 guests later for Ed Sardella, on “Let’s Talk,” the Arvada-Lakewood government-sponsored cable channel 8 talk show.
He’ll start year six with a return visit by the Rockies’ Clint Hurdle. That discussion, slated for February (at different times on the various channel 8s in the metro area), includes “Tulo’s” value to the team and his new big-bucks contract.
Rocky Mountain PBS’ KRMJ is offering studio production facilities to neighbor KREX, the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction that was destroyed by a fire last Sunday.
Menachem Klein, senior lecturer at Bar-Han University in Israel, will speak on the problems between Palestine and Israel at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Denver Woman’s Press Club, 1325 Logan Street.
Still haunted by bare buttocks from 2003? The FCC is, and may fine 52 ABC affiliates $1.4 million over a scene in “N.Y.P.D. Blue” which it found indecent. That would include KMGH-Channel 7 here.
“American Gladiators” is holding open auditions at CU-Boulder, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 2) at the student rec center. If you want to joust with the likes of Justice, Crush, Fury and Helga, dress appropriately, and bring a towel and water bottle.
oanne Ostrow’s column appears Tuesday, Friday and Sunday: 303-954-1830 or jostrow@denverpost.com
