Well, damn.

Fox is pulling out all the stops this week to get folks to tune into Fringe–even I’ll admit I wait until The Office is over before hitting my DVR–and using lots of viral media to promote the show.  Perhaps most intriguing is a Facebook page they’ve set up, under the guise of a journalist looking to learn more about Observers: “Personal Mission: To uncover the truth. There are those who watch, those who cover it up, and those who bring the truth to light. My mission is to reveal the true history of the 20th century: the moon landing, JFK assassination, Princess Diana’s death, 9/11, where AIDS really came from, Elvis’ death, Roswell, Global warming, one world governments, universal health care, 2012, crypto zoology, and all the others patterns on earth that the observers choose to watch.”

It also includes this crypticlicious quote: “Right now, the observers just observe. But how long will that last? And what is their connection to those who cover up the truth?”

This really is one of the more interesting mysteries I’ve seen on TV in a long time.  Are The Observers good or bad?  How do they know what’s coming? What’s their connection to the other side?  What’s their connection to Walter?  Is there a connection to the little bald kid they found last season?

I hope Fox’s investment pays off this week; this show just keeps getting better and better.

I’ve watched a lot of television in my day, but I’ve never been as consistently moved by a series as I am by FNL.  Watching the new Lions play, I was trying to figure out the whole time whether they were going to pull it together and find a miracle or crash and burn like they were expected to.

I’m so looking forward to so many big moments that are sure to come this season–the first time the Lions really play like a team, the first time they really earn Coach’s respect, and, of course, the first time they kick some McCoy ass on the field.

Also, I just adore Matt Saracen.

Here’s a video of Peter Berg on directing the season premiere.  (He still really freaks me out ever since he played Sydney Bristow’s double-crossing boyfriend, Noah, on Alias.)

you deserve so much better than this // abc promotional photo

One of my favorite “Oh, that girl!” actresses is Judy Greer, who’s appeared in some of my favorite shows and movies in small, if memorable roles. She was Jennifer Garner’s frenemy in 13 Going on 30, Katherine Heigl’s tell-it-like-it-is coworker in 27 Dresses, and the off-her-rocker secretary Kitty Sanchez in several episodes of Arrested Development.

Two seasons ago, she had a short-lived ABC series, Miss Guided, where she was charming and clearly working her ass off to sell something that couldn’t really be sold.

Now, ABC has ordered a script for a pilot called I’m With Stupid, based on a novel of the same name and attached to Greer. The plot centers around a New Yorker who meets her dream man on safari, only to find out he’s dumber than a box of rocks when he follows her back to Manhattan. I’m just going to go ahead and say it–this has the potential to last about a maximum three episodes.

Judy Greer is hilarious and adorable, and she seems like someone who would be great for television. So then why does she keep getting involved in all of these lame pilots?  Why can’t anyone write something awesome for this woman? UGH!

In case you missed them, there are two deleted scenes out from last week’s Office snoozefest, “Mafia.”  It’s really a shame this C-story got cut, as it features my old third favorite character (Kelly) and my new third favorite character (Erin). You may recall from last season that Erin’s name is actually Kelly, as well, but she chose Erin once Michael decided there could only be one Kelly in the office. As the office’s replacement Pam, looks like Erin’s having a little trouble fitting in–but she’s really far too nice for these people, anyway. Too bad she’s so nice and so awkward that she’s willing to stop at nothing to make them like her.

Hopefully we’ll get to see more of this character soon–she’s so charming and endearing, a nice addition to the chaos.  We know she’s a big part of the upcoming webisodes, “Subtle Sexuality,” about Kelly and Erin forming a girl group. (Past and present third-favorite characters unite!)

oh, liz // nbc promotional photo

I’m extremely grateful 30 Rock is back this week, since Jim and Pam’s honeymoon absence would have otherwise rendered NBC Thursday a sad, sad night.  Luckily, though, it’s the return of, seriously, the funniest show on television.  (Let’s get this straight–I may not have much to say about them, but 30 Rock is the funniest show on television and Friday Night Lights is the best show on television.  I am very clear on these points.)

Fresh off its third Emmy win for Best Comedy, 30 Rock starts the season with pretty much business as usual.  Nothing about the show or the characters has fundamentally changed since it premiered three years ago, which is part of the reason why I rarely have anything exciting to say about it.  But it’s also part of the reason why the show is so great–it just consistently works.

In celebration of its return, I suggest you purchase this Glarkware shirt, which celebrates one of Liz Lemon’s most endearingly bizarre habits: