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Vulture

Edited by Dan Kois & Lane Brown

Archive of Overnights

Overnights

5/ 9/08

12:45 PM

‘Lost’: Locke, This Is Your Life

"You know Claire, even if you're dead, you really are still kind of hot."Photo courtesy of ABC

As soon as we understood this episode was a Locke backstory, we felt preemptively distressed. After all, the man's history is all retro humiliations and “Don't tell me what to do.” Last night's story was as sad as ever, a nerd-exceptionalism carnival of shame featuring yet more people offering intimations of specialness and then snatching them away. In this case, people we've seen before. With eyeliner. Or on The Wire.

But we loved it anyway, because face it, dude's the most original character on the show. Or maybe because we can't help but identify with the poor wishful baldy geek, who has a lot in common with your basic Lost fan: spotting clues everywhere, convinced he's seen the big picture when he's actually just a pawn, and endlessly, vulnerably prey to the bullying wiles of a big mean island.

Top Hot Jerk Martin is pissed -- Smokey ate his teammate! »

Overnights

5/ 9/08

11:30 AM

‘The Office’: Second-to-Last Episode Portends Terrible Things

Michael, taking a hands-off approach.Photo courtesy of NBC

There’s only one more episode left in this strike-truncated season, and like most shows affected by the in-no-way-a-waste-of-time -and-money strike, The Office's rhythm has been off ever since it returned. For a self-contained sitcom, it has always been good for legitimate season-finale cliffhangers. Season two built up splendidly to the moment when Jim finally told Pam how he felt, and season three expertly navigated not only Jim and Pam’s coupling, but also the four-way battle for the corporate position Ryan eventually won.

The upside: Amy Ryan! »

Overnights

5/ 8/08

9:45 AM

‘American Idol’: Exodus

Photo illustration: Getty Images

Overnights

5/ 7/08

9:45 AM

‘American Idol’: Jason Castro Commits a Capital Offense

Courtesy of Fox

Last night, in a transparent attempt to ensure that David Cook and Jason Castro make it to next week's episode, American Idol producers had each of the four surviving contestants sing two selections from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock (or 90 seconds of them, anyway). Sadly, their plans were foiled when Cook turned in the world's most boring Simon Le Bon impersonation and Jason Castro opted to perform "I Shot the Sheriff," which, needless to say, was completely hilarious. Also, Syesha broke down crying for nothing and compared her performance to the civil-rights movement, which also probably doesn't bode well for Jason's non-elimination.

Plus: How much better was David Archuleta than everyone else? »

Overnights

5/ 5/08

1:30 PM

‘Battlestar Galactica’: Look Out for Private Pyle

"Seriously, does anyone else smell earth?"Photo: Courtesy of Sci Fi

There are flashier, more compelling characters on Battlestar, but deep down, the one we most admire is Helo. Noble, loyal, and levelheaded no matter the latest emotional ringer he’s being put though, he’s a good guy who’d make a great leader, except he doesn’t have the ego for it — which, of course, only makes him more appealing.

His steely calm was put to the test in “The Road Less Traveled,” trapped as he was between the increasingly kooky Starbuck and his concerned Demetrius crewmates who wanted to remove her from command. This season has been pitched a little too high emotionally, so it was a relief to watch Tahmoh Penikett (who plays Helo) deliver another terrifically modulated performance, balancing Starbuck’s nuttiness, the crew’s paranoia, and his own doubts about the wisdom of their wild-goose chase to find Earth. The episode was all about how people manage to maintain their basic decency in impossible situations, so who better to shine than the quietly heroic Helo?

Baltar: acting? »

Overnights

5/ 2/08

5:15 PM

‘Lost’: Guess Who’s Dead!

"Tell us! Tell us! What are Kate's hair-care secrets??"Photo courtesy of ABC

Dammit! Rousseau IS dead. But despite having moved from denial into anger, we'll admit this was a decent episode, if only because it made us care about the whole Jack/Kate thing, and not just what their hair looks like. It's kind of a relief to have no Ben or Locke. We love to see Juliet perform her medical specialty, delivering bad news in a dreamy monotone. Also, Jack's dad? Dead, scary, everywhere.

Why? Why? Why is Jack's dad everywhere? »

Overnights

5/ 2/08

2:30 PM

‘The Office’: A Taste of Darryl

Photo courtesy NBC

For the first time all season, we got a little Darryl last night. We were only granted one brief scene with the burly warehouse leader, but we were reminded again why we think a spin-off sitcom with him as the lead would be the driest, most deadpan brilliant show on television. You wouldn’t even need a plot. You could just have a selection of random idiots just walk up to Darryl and watch him react. It would be like Curb Your Enthusiasm, if the part of Larry David were played by the entire world.

Big Jim-Pam moment? »

Overnights

5/ 1/08

11:30 AM

‘American Idol’: We Bet Paula Saw This One Coming

Courtesy of rickey.org

Overnights

4/30/08

2:00 PM

Stunning Season Finale of ‘The Riches’ Could Be Last Episode Ever!

"Say whaaaaat?"Photo courtesy of FX

If season deux of The Riches seemed written in the dead of night by brilliant writers hopped up on Red Bull (or worse) and despairing against the deadliest deadline ever, perhaps it was: This season was a truncated (seven episodes!) by the writers’ strike. No wonder things took such a disconcertingly bleak turn for the Malloys: The writers never knew when they’d work or get paid again! The American dream is a sham! The writing bender had its payoffs, though, and while it’s unclear whether the show will ever return, we were at least left with an episode in which every conceivable bit of shit hit the fan.

One on-site construction "accident," two deflowerings, etc. »

Overnights

4/30/08

11:00 AM

‘American Idol’: Paula Abdul Undermines the Integrity of Neil Diamond Night

Courtesy of Fox

After subjecting viewers to the ear-splitting repertoires of Mariah Carey and Andrew Lloyd Webber these past two weeks, American Idol went easy on us last night, with each of the five remaining contestants performing two songs made famous by Neil Diamond. The music wasn't bad, but the episode was marred by the major revelation that Idol is apparently fixed (or that Paula Abdul can see the future, which we refuse to rule out).

Plus: More! »

More Overnights posts

‘Battlestar Galactica’: Cylons Flip Their Wigs!

4/28/08

|
2:15 PM

| Tags: battlestar galactica, tv

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Hits Glorious New Low!

4/25/08

|
2:15 PM

| Tags: cheech marin, grey's anatomy, tv

‘Lost’: ‘Die Hard’ on an Island

4/25/08

|
1:30 PM

| Tags: abc, frozen donkey wheel, lost, tv

‘The Office’ Goes to the Meatpacking District!

4/25/08

|
10:45 AM

| Tags: bj novak, mindy kaling, the office, tv

‘American Idol’: Another Shocking Exit! Sort Of!

4/24/08

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9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The Riches’: The Kisses of Death

4/23/08

|
2:00 PM

| Tags: the riches, tv

‘American Idol’: The ‘Phantom’ Menace

4/23/08

|
9:45 AM

| Tags: 08, american idol, andrew lloyd webber, lede, music, tv

‘Battlestar Galactica’: A Reminder of Why We’re Such Nerds for This Show

4/21/08

|
1:15 PM

| Tags: battlestar galactica, tv

‘The Office’: Impending Tragedy for Jim and/or Pam?

4/18/08

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12:00 PM

| Tags: alf as historical precedent, the office, tv

‘American Idol’: Finally!

4/17/08

|
9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The Riches’ Gets Richer

4/16/08

|
2:00 PM

| Tags: the riches, tv

‘American Idol’: Mariah Carey Night Goes As Well As Could Be Expected

4/16/08

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9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Battlestar Galactica’: An Episode Only George Lucas Could Love

4/14/08

|
12:45 PM

| Tags: battlestar galactica, tv

‘The Office’ Curbs Our Enthusiasm

4/11/08

|
11:15 AM

| Tags: the office, tv

‘American Idol’: Australian Guy to ‘Dream On’ in Obscurity

4/11/08

|
10:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Give It Away Now

4/10/08

|
9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The Riches’: Get a Job, Sir!

4/ 9/08

|
1:30 PM

| Tags: the riches, tv

‘American Idol’: One Percent Inspiration

4/ 9/08

|
10:15 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Battlestar Galactica’ Season Premiere: Into the Ladies’ Den

4/ 7/08

|
11:30 AM

| Tags: battlestar galactica, lede, tv

‘American Idol’: Another Contestant's Dreams Cut Short

4/ 3/08

|
11:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The Riches’: Introducing the Eden Falls Cost of Living Index!

4/ 2/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: the riches, tv

‘American Idol’: Dolly Parton Helps the Finalists Desecrate Her Songbook

4/ 2/08

|
10:15 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Smutty Singer Gets Off

3/27/08

|
9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: You're Old

3/26/08

|
9:45 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The L Word’ Season Finale: You Have Got to Be Kidding

3/24/08

|
10:30 AM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘Lost’: Not Yet!

3/21/08

|
4:00 PM

| Tags: abc, lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Now 90 Percent Less Raspy

3/20/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: David Archuleta Now Officially Bigger Than Jesus

3/19/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, beatles, music, tv

‘The L Word’: Nothing But One Sad, Unsuccessful Attempt at Reconciliation Sex

3/17/08

|
1:45 PM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘Lost’: Tough Job for a Recapper on Maternity Leave

3/14/08

|
11:45 AM

| Tags: lost, tv

‘American Idol’: David Hernandez Stripped of His Place in the Competition

3/13/08

|
12:15 PM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: A Hard Day's Night for the Beatles Catalog

3/12/08

|
9:15 AM

| Tags: american idol, the beatles, tv

‘The L Word’: Guess Who Makes a Sex Tape

3/10/08

|
1:45 PM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘The Wire’: One Last Long, Boozy Irish Wake for David Simon’s Accidental Masterpiece

3/10/08

|
7:30 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘Lost’: Wherefore Art Thou, Juliet?

3/ 7/08

|
11:44 AM

| Tags: lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Top Twelve Named; Bottom Four Return to Being Unfamous

3/ 7/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Zzzzz

3/ 6/08

|
9:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: The Battle for Second Place Continues

3/ 5/08

|
9:35 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’: Ladies of the Season Finale Both Scary and Hot

3/ 4/08

|
11:30 AM

| Tags: terminator: the sarah connor chronicles, tv

‘The Wire’: Lester Freamon's in the Mood for Love

3/ 3/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘The L Word’: So Hot in, So Hot in Here

3/ 3/08

|
1:45 PM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘Lost’: Answers! No, Sorry, Time Travel!

2/29/08

|
11:15 AM

| Tags: lost, tv

‘American Idol’: For Four Contestants, There's Hell Toupee

2/29/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: You're So Vain, You Probably Think This Recap Is About You

2/28/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Sucking in the Seventies

2/27/08

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10:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’: Cameron Can Dance, But Can She Sing?

2/26/08

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1:30 PM

| Tags: terminator: the sarah connor chronicles, tv

‘The Wire’: Jimmy McNulty Gets Profiled

2/26/08

|
10:15 AM

| Tags: david simon, hbo, the wire, tv

‘The L Word’: No Turkish Oil Wrestling!

2/25/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘Lost’: Kate, Baby Thief!

2/22/08

|
11:45 AM

| Tags: lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Whose Dreams Has Ryan Seacrest Crushed Now?

2/22/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Top Twelve Girls Take a Sick Day

2/21/08

|
10:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: Twelve Gangly Men

2/20/08

|
10:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’: Cameron Might Yet Prove to Be a Bad, Bad Girl

2/19/08

|
2:45 PM

| Tags: terminator: the sarah connor chronicles, tv

‘The L Word’: Turkish Oil Wrestling!

2/19/08

|
10:30 AM

| Tags: fonzie, the l word, turkish oil wrestling, tv

‘The Wire’: Goodnight Moon

2/19/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: aeschylus, goodnight moon, hbo, the wire, tv

‘Lost’: Sayid and His Enormous, Sad Biceps

2/15/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: abc, lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Everybody Cries

2/14/08

|
11:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, crying, tv

‘American Idol’: Say Good-bye to Hollywood

2/13/08

|
10:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, bryan adams, tv

‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’: The Hottie and the Robottie

2/12/08

|
11:30 AM

| Tags: terminator: the sarah connor chronicles, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: Season Ends, for Now, Mid–Cycle of Life

2/11/08

|
1:45 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘The L Word’: Hey Kit, Where You Going With That Gun in Your Hand?

2/11/08

|
12:30 PM

| Tags: cringe-y references to the last picture show, the l word, tv

‘The Wire’: Jimmy McNulty Adds to His Rap Sheet

2/11/08

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11:45 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘Lost’: What’s the Deal With These New Guys?

2/ 8/08

|
2:56 PM

| Tags: jeremy fricking davies, lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Thus Ends the Fruitless Search for the Next Sanjaya

2/ 7/08

|
10:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: No Clear Winners in Atlanta

2/ 6/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, ludacris, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: Ah, the Dark Side

2/ 4/08

|
4:25 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘The L Word’: The Ladies Meet Their Matches

2/ 4/08

|
11:45 AM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘The Wire’: Omar Is Superman

2/ 4/08

|
11:00 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘Lost’: We’re Pretty Sure We Have It All Figured Out

2/ 1/08

|
1:44 PM

| Tags: lost, tv

‘American Idol’: Miami Sound Latrine

1/31/08

|
10:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘American Idol’: No Clay Aikens in Omaha, Sadly

1/30/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: Pigskin Versus Volleyball-Player Skin

1/28/08

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2:20 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘The L Word’: In Defense of Jenny Schecter

1/28/08

|
1:45 PM

| Tags: mia kirschner, the l word, tv

‘The Wire’: Burrell Bites the Dust; McNulty Takes a Bite Out of Crime

1/28/08

|
11:15 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘The Moment of Truth’: We'd Be Lying If We Said We Enjoyed It

1/24/08

|
10:45 AM

| Tags: laaaaaaaame, the moment of truth, tv

‘American Idol’: South Carolina Fails Its Audition

1/24/08

|
10:00 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The Wire’ Takes a Vacation

1/23/08

|
10:00 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘American Idol’: Nope, Nothing Interesting Happening in San Diego Either

1/23/08

|
9:25 AM

| Tags: american idol, tv

‘The L Word’ Had a Dream …

1/21/08

|
9:30 AM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘American Idol’: Everything's Worse in Texas

1/17/08

|
9:29 AM

| Tags: american idol, lede, tv

‘American Idol’ Returns: Vulture Charts the Season Premiere

1/16/08

|
9:30 AM

| Tags: american idol, pie charts, simon cowell, tv

‘The L Word’: Shane Does Hair, Bridesmaids

1/14/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: the l word, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: Uh-oh, Things Are Looking Up

1/14/08

|
2:00 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, impending misery, tv

‘The Wire’: McNulty Finds His Hamsterdam

1/14/08

|
10:35 AM

| Tags: hbo, the wire, tv

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Look Out, Bailey’s Baby!

1/11/08

|
2:45 PM

| Tags: grey's anatomy, tv

‘American Gladiators’: Who Can Defeat the Mighty Toilet-Paper Saleswoman?

1/ 7/08

|
2:30 PM

| Tags: american gladiators, ben silverman, nbc, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: This Guy Dickus Is a Total … Jerk

1/ 7/08

|
1:30 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘The Wire’: David Simon's Got a Brand-new Target

1/ 7/08

|
11:15 AM

| Tags: hbo, lede, the wire, tv

‘The L Word’ Season Opener: Hookups, Breakdowns, and Processing

1/ 7/08

|
10:14 AM

| Tags: the l word, tv, wallace freaking shawn

Really, Ricky Gervais? The Smiths?

12/17/07

|
5:45 PM

| Tags: extras, hbo, ricky gervais, the smiths, tv

‘Kid Nation’ Finale: Thus Ends the Cute Overload

12/13/07

|
11:15 AM

| Tags: kid nation, possible child labor violations, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: All Your Burning Questions Answered

12/10/07

|
12:10 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Special Episode? They’re All Special Episodes!

12/ 7/07

|
3:45 PM

| Tags: grey's anatomy, gruesome death of seth green, tv

‘Ugly Betty’: The Golden Girl Gets It

12/ 7/07

|
2:15 PM

| Tags: betty white, tv, ugly betty

‘Kid Nation’: No Longer Are We Satisfied by the Children’s Tears

12/ 6/07

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4:14 PM

| Tags: kid nation, tv

‘Heroes’: Quality Reporting Takes Two in the Chest

12/ 4/07

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10:30 AM

| Tags: heroes, nbc, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: A Killer Confesses, Scores

12/ 3/07

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12:15 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘Kid Nation’: Town Exacts Revenge on Taylor the Terrible!

11/29/07

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2:11 PM

| Tags: animal slaughter, kid nation, tv

‘Heroes’: Thank Heavens for the Writers’ Strike

11/27/07

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2:00 PM

| Tags: heroes, maddening inconsistencies, tv

‘Weeds’ Goes Up in Smoke

11/20/07

|
3:20 PM

| Tags: lede, tv, weeds

‘Heroes’ Finds Its Dark Nature or Something

11/20/07

|
2:03 PM

| Tags: heroes, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: Finally, a Good-Looking High-School Quarterback Gets Some Action

11/19/07

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4:14 PM

| Tags: friday night lights, tv

‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Schoolkids Become Teachers!

11/16/07

|
4:29 PM

| Tags: grey's anatomy, tv

‘Ugly Betty’: If Only Tony Could See Angela Now!

11/16/07

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3:15 PM

| Tags: tv, ugly betty

‘The Office’: Possible Last Episode Totally Intense

11/16/07

|
1:53 PM

| Tags: the office, tv

‘Heroes’: All Your Questions Answered

11/13/07

|
12:33 PM

| Tags: heroes, tv

‘Friday Night Lights’: We’re Not Crying, We Just Have Dust in Our Eye

11/12/07

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3:00 PM

| Tags: friday night lights,