I think the "local" aspect is now officially hurting Top Chef (US / Non-Masters).  Top Chef Canada's run two, soon to be three, seasons in Toronto and basically just turned it into a cooking elimination competition and it's been great.  Next Iron Chef tweaked the format a tad, but still comes up with infinitely better…

Listen, I thought Natalie Portman mailed in her performances in the prequels, but she wasn't THAT bad….

Listen, I thought Natalie Portman mailed in her performances in the prequels, but she wasn't THAT bad….

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that people have taken a worked sport and turned it into a shoot.  It takes a special type of diseased mind to do that.

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that people have taken a worked sport and turned it into a shoot.  It takes a special type of diseased mind to do that.

Except she HAS to get into Harvard.  Pearson Hardman doesn't hire from anywhere else, remember?

Except she HAS to get into Harvard.  Pearson Hardman doesn't hire from anywhere else, remember?

The catch with that is that it's got a received stamp with her signature on it (which are used for precisely this reason).  That's a pretty long-shot job of forgery at this point.

The catch with that is that it's got a received stamp with her signature on it (which are used for precisely this reason).  That's a pretty long-shot job of forgery at this point.

Good lord, if they pull a Mad Men (or Damages, I suppose) and have Mike and Harvey spin off into a firm of their own (since that would allow Harvey to re-hire Donna) I'm going to be VERY annoyed.  The Big Firm atmosphere is what makes this show compelling.

Good lord, if they pull a Mad Men (or Damages, I suppose) and have Mike and Harvey spin off into a firm of their own (since that would allow Harvey to re-hire Donna) I'm going to be VERY annoyed.  The Big Firm atmosphere is what makes this show compelling.

"Remember when she took the LSAT? That was actually interesting, and then they never mentioned it again."

"Remember when she took the LSAT? That was actually interesting, and then they never mentioned it again."

It really is just a modern retelling of Yes Minister, since the basic gag of that show was Sir Humphrey's unwavering dedication to the status quo.

Well, it's easier when you don't elevate your country's founders into gods of anti-governmental thought.

Well, it's easier when you don't elevate your country's founders into gods of anti-governmental thought.

I remember laughing the most at the West Wing gag.

I remember laughing the most at the West Wing gag.

Good lord, this thing is a fascinating trainwreck.

Good lord, this thing is a fascinating trainwreck.