Gail: Hi, everybody. July 4 is tomorrow, and if you're looking for TV marathons -- hey, that's a tradition too, just like hotdogs and sparklers -- I have a full list in Friday's Critic's Picks on the TV page. There are also plenty of fireworks on TV; in fact, I'm not quite sure why you'd want to go out to see fireworks when you can see so many from your couch, in the air conditioning. But I digress. We have a chat to do -- our last for two weeks, because I'm heading for TV land on Tuesday for the Television Critics Association summer press tour -- so let's get started.

Eva: Gail,

Welcome back and thanks for all your great work!

I am wondering if you have any info on two shows that look good on "paper" and will be airing soon:

Flashpoint (CBS, premieres July 11) and
The Cleaner (A&E, premieres July 15)

Thanks to your handy, dandy summer preview chart, I was able to do a little research in advance, but I am wondering if you received any pilot material, etc., and what you think.

Thanks, again!

Gail: "Flashpoint" is a Canadian co-production about a sort of SWAT unit; the most recognizable star is Enrico Colantoni ("Just Shoot Me," "Veronica Mars"). It premieres next Friday, and I've had it for weeks, but I haven't felt an urgent need to watch because I won't be reviewing it. I don't see any reason that it shouldn't be enjoyable, though, if you like that sort of thing -- after all, it's Canadian!

"The Cleaner" is the new Benjamin Bratt show on A&E. I'm divided on Bratt: He is very attractive, but in my experience, he's not that great an actor. Maybe I'm wrong here, but anybody remember "E-Ring"? He plays a former addict who cleans up his act to help others kick their habits. This one premieres July 15, and A&E will be doing a panel on it, so I'll have to try to get it watched over the weekend. (What have I been doing with my time? Who knows?)

Sue: Did anyone watch "The Farmer Wants a Wife" finale on channel 11? What a letdown! I cannot imagine that he married anyone yet. What is the REAL story with Matt Neustadt?

Gail: Sue, you should join us at Tube Talk, my blog. We've been discussing "Farmer" exhaustively since the finale, and there are two links you'll enjoy -- one to Matt's MySpace page, where he talks about Brooke, and another to an Orange County Register interview with her. Go to www.STLtoday.com/tubetalk.

By the way, I WILL be blogging live from TV land beginning Tuesday. Be there.

majigail: In what I'm pretty sure is a dating show first (I think) Tila Tequila's final choice, Kristy, turned down the final key to Tila's heart the other night on the finale of A Shot at Love. Is this pure evil or a moment of sanity?
Either way, it looks like there will be a third Shot at Love. Which I'm pretty sure is the brain candy equivalent of a Deep Fried Twinkie.

Gail: People are always saying to me, "How can you watch that stuff?" They're talking about many of my favorite reality shows, and I'm defensive, but now I have to say to you -- "How can you watch that stuff?" Somehow, "Tila" crosses a line into trashiness that I just can't bring myself to cross. But I do respect you for the Twinkie comparison. And Tila got a big article in Entertainment Weekly, so I guess I just don't get the, er, appeal.

golfnutbucket: Hello Gail,

Just wondering if you're watching America's Got Talent? I think it's pretty horrendous this year and I can't believe some acts that are making it to Las Vegas.

I've also been watching Last Comic Standing. It's a real improvement over past years, isn't it? Remember when they had to stay on that decrepit cruise ship? I like this format so much better.

I was really pleased to hear that there will be 2 The Amazing Races this upcoming season. I hope CBS learned their lesson with only one show last season. If you happen to talk to any of those guys (and I will be so jealous if you talk to Phil) ask them "What were you thinking?" and see if they'll give you scoop.

Gail: I have just said no to "America's Got Talent." It goes on too long and is on too many hours a week to give me so little pleasure. You're telling me America doesn't have talent? If so, I'm glad I didn't go there. I'll check in at the end, especially if the Missouri opera singer (we've discussed him on Tube Talk) is still in it.

I also think "Last Comic Standing" has taken too long to get to the point, with way too many auditions that last week resulted in six men getting to the semifinals. (Yeah, I know women aren't funny.)But some of the judges have been good, and a lot of the comics who didn't make it made me laugh.

I will talk to CBS folks, most likely including my pal Phil (you know we're close, right?) and Bert van Munster, the ep, and give them a piece of your mind. I wonder if the fact that Bert (who is very hands-on) produced "Oprah's Big Give" interfered with production?