Brothers & Sisters

Hey, it’s Sunday! Is there a new episode of Brothers & Sisters on tonight?

Ha. You wish. No new episodes for us until April 20, courtesy of the writers strike.

Well, okay, then, how ’bout a re-run?

Nope, you’re forgetting: ABC hates us. That’s why they’ve programmed a reality show called Here Come the Newlyweds in the hallowed B&S slot for the next way-too-many weeks. Here’s the network’s description of this particular slice of reality:

“Hosted by comedian Pat Bullard, “Here Come the Newlyweds” is all about relationships, the differences between men and women, and the universal issues that every couple must face. The newlyweds are diverse, sexy and competitive, including such pairings as high school sweethearts, couples who fell in love at first sight, an arranged marriage, an interracial couple and two divorcees who are hoping the fourth time is the charm. In this six-episode show, each couple faces a variety of mental and physical challenges which will test the love and passion they have for one another as well as their competitive spirit. At the end of each episode, the field will be narrowed as the couples vote to send one couple home. The stakes get higher as the potential nest egg grows, until one couple ultimately wins the grand prize.”

Please join me in weeping.

Maybe ABC just strongly dislikes us, though, instead of outright hating our guts, because they have given us the consolation prize of all season-two episodes on its full episode player. For a long time they were just doling out two or three episodes at a time, but now the whole season has quietly been added, and thanks for that, ABC, anyway. You could watch an episode tonight and every Sunday night until the Walkers return, and pretend that the small glitchy presentation on your computer screen is really what’s on TV.

For further amusement, come by this blog every day for my continuing series of character check-ups designed to bide our time until 4/20. Nora and dead William have already got theirs. This week we start with the siblings and their extended families; up tomorrow is Sarah.

As the weeks go by, I’ll be checking up on pretty much everybody who’s ever set foot in Walker-ville, including a look at all those guys and gals in the Land of Lost Love Interests, and whether any of them deserve to pull a Scotty and come back for a second try. (Michael Beach and Treat Williams, clear your schedules please!)

_{Photo: ABC.com}

Brothers and Sisters, ABC, commentary