Another day, another J.J. Abrams pilot

There's been some controversy over the news that the Shannon family only makes between $2,000 and $4,000 an episode -- a figure that June scoffs at. To that I say: Good for her. I hope that TLC is shelling out lots of money to this clearly low-income family, especially considering poor Sugar Bear has to work seven days a week to provide for his ladies. Rather than getting too deep into Honey Boo Boo politics, though, let's just enjoy the more bizarre and unsettling moments of "Shh! It's a Wig."

Does reality TV need another hero? The Rock thinks so.

She's baaaaack!

Having grown up in the '80s, I have fond memories of watching the Michael Crichton-directed movie version of Robin Cook's best-seller Coma during its endless run on cable. While by no means a classic of its particular subgenre (the science-fiction laced medical thriller; see also The Andromeda Strain and the recent Splice), that 1978 film is a lot of fun and almost compulsively watchable, one of those potboilers that you stumble upon a few minutes of and feel the urge to stick around until the end. Since the original is admittedly dated in some respects, though, I was looking forward to A&E's new two-part miniseries, which updates Cook's book to the present day. With the heavy-hitting cast (Lauren Ambrose! Geena Davis! Ellen Burstyn!), experienced production team (including Ridley Scott and his recently departed brother Tony), and good source material, I began watching the first installment -- which aired last night, Part 2 premieres this evening -- anticipating, if nothing else, a solid Labor Day diversion.

Go ahead and treat yo self to Parks and Recreation on DVD. It's what Tom and Donna would do.