“Veronica Mars”
Tuesday 8pm, CW
Tonight’s two-hour season finale could be the end of the road for our beloved teen sleuth. The critically lauded but anemically rated “Veronica” isn’t on the CW’s fall schedule, but is reportedly still being considered as a midseason replacement. Even if that happens, expect massive changes: The network has demanded that the creators fast-forward right through Veronica’s college years, ditch the entire supporting cast (d’oh!) and start fresh by following the adventures of our girl as a budding FBI agent. It’s an interesting concept, but I worry how the show’s current fan base—a rabid group addicted to the clever dialogue, believable teen relationships and likable characters—will react to such a massive shift in plot and tone. Anyway, the point may be moot. Enjoy your “Mars” now, because one way or another she won’t be coming back as you know her.
“Jesse Stone: Sea Change”
Tuesday 9pm, CBS
Tom Selleck is back in the fourth TV movie based on the Robert B. Parker detective novels. Stone is now the chief of police in a small New England town and is bored out of his mind. To keep himself busy he investigates a 12-year-old cold case and gets tangled up in a recent rape case at the same time. It’s kind of like Hot Fuzz for the geriatric set. I might not like his politics, but Selleck is still a total stud. And if the rumors are true, we’ll be seeing more of him this fall when he takes over for the departing James Caan on NBC’s “Las Vegas.” Industry insiders are calling the casting the aging drama’s last creative gasp, but to me it’s an upgrade. More Magnum, please!
“On the Lot”
Tuesday 9pm, Fox
We’ve had reality competitions for everything from supermodels to superheroes. And now the time has come to find America’s next top filmmaker. No, “Project Greenlight” isn’t back. Instead, über-director Steven Spielberg has partnered with Mark “Survivor” Burnett for this new series in which budding auteurs create, film and edit movie projects each week. America votes on the results, and somebody will win a $1 million development deal with Dreamworks. The judges are pretty awesome: In addition to the irritating Brett Ratner (the hack behind Rush Hour), we have the awesome Garry Marshall (Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries) and Carrie Fisher (Postcards from the Edge, Star Wars and my personal favorite, Soapdish). I’d watch those two do anything.
