“Top Chef”
Wednesday 10pm, Bravo
A mere five months after it wrapped the mostly unsatisfying fourth season (although winner Stephanie is totally awesome), Bravo returns with the fifth installment of its top-rated food competition. This time the cheftestants will throw down in New York, so expect some of the Big Apple’s culinary staples to get reworked with inventive, modern twists. It’s always fun to watch “Top Chef” to keep track of food trends—what will be the next ceviche or jicama? More importantly, who will be this season’s villain or bitch? (Chicago’s Spike and Lisa left big aprons to fill in those categories, respectively.) One thing is for certain: It’s a better-looking crop than last season’s homely bunch. Now let’s see if they can cook.
“The Sarah Silverman Program”
Thursday 10:30pm, Comedy Central
Some critics poo-poo “The Sarah Silverman Program” as potty humor with a feminist edge. I think they’re ignoring the smart political and social humor that the comedian infuses into most episodes. This season alone, Sarah has tried to settle the timeless Jews vs. blacks contest in the Oppression Olympics by going to a tennis club in blackface; has tried to enact vigilante justice for 9/11 by mowing down pedestrians after mistaking them for Osama bin Laden; and started seriously dating God before realizing that he’s needy and codependent. Of course, some of the other episodes centered on her foregoing sleep after she started wetting the bed, or trying to recover her dignity after being caught licking her dog’s butt. So it’s kind of a toss-up. I personally think it’s hilarious. Season 2 wraps tonight.
“Gossip Girl”
Monday 8pm, CW
After a few unfortunate episodes at the start of the season (seriously, what was up with that Duke/Duchess storyline?) this show has proven itself immune to the sophomore slump. Serena has unshackled herself from downer Dan, and blossomed into a no-nonsense bombshell capable of charming the pants off art nerds and telling off whoever needs a good verbal bitchslapping. Dan himself is creeping ever closer to the dark side. Little sis Jenny’s shocking rebellious streak—dropping out of high school, staging guerilla fashion shows, running away from home—has made for some great scenes with wee Taylor Momsen. And most important, Chuck and Blair, the Upper East Side’s Prince and Princess of Darkness, continue to circle one another in a gripping non-love love affair. That rooftop scene a few weeks ago where both refused to say those three little words was damn near literary. (Chuck Bass = the new Heathcliff.) Dismissing it as a teen soap misses the point; it’s just good TV.
