Castle Season 4 Premiere to Be Titled

Castle returns with new episodes on Monday, September 19, and we can now confirm a few facts about the season four premiere:

It will be titled "Rise."

It will be written by creator Andrew Marlowe.

It will feature a fight between two characters in the first few minutes.

The fourth season will follow up on a number of storylines left on a cliff from the season three finale, among them: What will the new captain be like?

‘Burn Notice’ Season 5 Premiere Review & Discussion

The Burn Notice season 5 premiere removes almost all familiarity that fans of the series expect, and unfortunately takes with it the core reason for why the series exists in the first place: to find out why Michael was burned.

With a set of unfamiliar characters (Grant Show) and awkward scenery, the season 5 premiere of Burn Notice opens in a manner much different to what was expected from those who fought their way through the season 4 finale.

As the introductory scene continues, not only are we presented with Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) in a new environment, but we’re also shown why the series has worked so well with its familiar series format and Miami-locale.

While seeing Michael Westen in new environment was an interesting prospect, the lack of familiarity serves to provide an awkward setting for the fifth season of USA’s hit series to begin. To add insult to this proverbial injury, the given plotline of Michael on the hunt to capture the last remaining member of those who burned him was presented in such a way that the actual importance of this storyline was all but lost.

Besides proving that Michael’s rag-tag team of Sam and Fiona can pull of an operation better than anything the government may officially sanction, the majority of the premiere feels like we’re watching The Sam Axe Movie 2 – and not in a good way. Even though Sam and Fiona are able to become a part of the CIA’s “off-the-books” style of missionary endeavors, the overall feel of the series is noticeably different.

Whether it’s the chaotic handheld camerawork, the awkward storytelling, or the fact that the production designers did that good of a job at playing the Miami filming locations as another country, the notion of “what has this series become” will certainly resonate for those who tune in. Following the monumental revelation in the season 4 finale that Michael has all but returned to his former occupation, the progressive attitude in storytelling that Burn Notice chose to take in its fifth season premiere does nothing but disconnect the fans with what they original loved in this series – something that one can only hope will soon be corrected.

As Michel, Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar) and Sam (Bruce Campbell) walk their way through this technically important mission (from the standpoint of the series’ mythos), the action scenes seem similar, the supplemental episodic characters feel familiar… yet there’s something missing. Alas, after three viewings, I am still unable to confidently specify what that may be – but it’s not good.

With a simple gunshot to the head, the all but quick importance that the character of Kessler was given is gone – and so is the entire plotline that this series was created around. Like White Collar, Burn Notice has swiftly thrown aside the core reason that it was based on. For four seasons, fans watched as Michael took the lengthy trail of escalating bad guys and unknown “powers that be” to find out who burned him – and why. Unfortunately, as the premiere presents itself, Kessler was the last remaining character behind it all. Without even the slightest bit of cliffhanger, the episode ends on this fact: we will never know why Michael Westen was burned.

While it’s likely that this is not the end of Michael’s “burned” story-arc, the information presented does nothing to combat the theory that it might very well be. If the aforementioned White Collar can quickly toss away Neil’s entire motivation for “doing what he’s doing,” why can’t Burn Notice? More importantly, why would Burn Notice do that in this manner?

Even if a complete redux of the series’ core motivation is what the producers had in mind, why would it occur in such a lack-luster fashion. If one even acknowledges that this isn’t as “over” as is appears, the motivation to present such a definitive conclusion to something that’s most likely not is nothing but poor storytelling and a disregard for those watching.

As this season of Burn Notice is just beginning, it’s hard to completely dismiss the series as a whole. For all of the faults that are present in the season 5 premiere, one cannot help but think of the wonderfully engaging storytelling that preceded it. For fans of the series, a return to form has certainly become the overall hope and expectation as this season progresses. I suppose only time will tell whether or not this will be the case.

…it would be a pity if it didn’t.

‘American Idol’ finalists croon Carole King tunes

Scotty McCreery won back some friends on “American Idol.”

After receiving criticism from the show’s judges for playing it too safe last week, the deep-voiced 17-year-old country crooner of Garner, N.C., enticed the panel with his buttery rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend” on the Fox talent competition’s evening of Carole King tunes Wednesday. It was 22-year-old rocker James Durbin of Santa Cruz., Calif., who was dubbed a front-runner though.

Randy Jackson proclaimed that Durbin “just might win the whole thing” after his electric reworking of “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.” Steven Tyler didn’t say he saw Haley Reinhart, the bluesy 20-year-old college student of Wheeling, Ill., winning the contest, but he did claim that he “just saw God” after Reinhart’s upbeat rendition of “Beautiful.”

“You have one of the best voices in the competition,” Jennifer Lopez told Reinhart.

James and Jacob want to take it to church with "Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good."

They appear to be trying to outscreech each other. They serenade Jennifer a bit, but it wasn't great.

Sorry J & J, but I didn't dig it.9:20 p.m. - Haley, what is up with that headband in rehearsal?

She has a bit of a technical issue with her earpiece, but they work it out in time for her to sing "Beautiful."

I do believe she is growing on me for some reason. Her voice sounds stronger to me, and she is not at all overpowered by the back-up singers. Steven Tyler says he "heard God in her voice," but Randy didn't love the beginning.

It's what the voters think that matters, Dawg.

9:10 p.m. -"Hi-De-Ho" is the perfect some for Casey, and he looks snazzy in his suit and hat.

He's such a throwback to a different era, and I worry that the viewers cannot fully appreciate his artistry. He's definitely not like what they are used to.

Randy loves it for much the same reason I did - it made me feel like I was in a great jazz joint. Casey played the piano and jammed with the band. Steven Tyler said it made his scalp itch it was so good.

What?

9:01 p.m. – Lauren and Scotty sing "Up on the Roof," and they are so adorable.

He tries to get her to hold her microphone like a flute. Just precious.

8:57 p.m. – OK, a friend just told me James sang "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," and it was amazing. This makes me happy for James, but sad for me.

Tornado warnings are important though, so I shouldn't complain too much.

8:49 p.m. – This stinks, but I totally missed everything about James' performance except the last note. Seriously, my local weather dude talked through the entire thing from the mentoring session all the way to the very last note.

Now I'm mad because Jennifer says he was the star of the night. And Randy says it was one of the best performances in the past few months and that James could win the whole thing. Randy even hugs him.

I cannot believe the timing and that I missed the entire thing. Grrrrrrrr!

8:37 p.m. – Scotty has to leave his comfort zone.

At least that's what they tell him. He's got to shake the perception that he can only do country. I can't comment on what Jimmy and Babyface tell him because we've got some nasty weather about to come through where I am and the local weatherman breaks in with an advisory.

I can tell you that Scott's version of "You've Got A Friend" sounds very country to me. The kid can't help it. I swear that a hip-hop song by him would sound country. Scotty is who he is, and his fans love him for it.

Randy loved it, but says he's got to stop falling off on the high notes. It was a good performance.

8:28 p.m. - Tomorrow night, Bruno Mars and Crystal Bowersox are performing. That should be hot.

We have some duets this evening, and the first one is Casey and Haley singing "I Feel the Earth Move." Their little interview before the song will do nothing to quell rumors that they are dating as they are all giggly and have a bit of a lovefest. Casey says he likes to growl with her.

Well alrighty then!

I like these two together. Very bluesy and soulful. Steven Tyler seems to confirm that they've got something going as you hear him say to the other two judges "Oh really" before he asks Casey "So how much in love with Haley are you ... cause it shows."

Cover. Blown.

8:16 p.m. – Lauren is singing "Where You Lead," and I can't even focus on that because here is Miley Cyrus offering up some advice.

She tells Lauren that people are always going to criticize her and talk about her. She should know as Jimmy slammed Miley a few weeks ago when he said Lauren was a stronger singer than her. He mentions that her fans have said some nasty things online about him, and she tells him he deserved it.

But back to Lauren. She pulls a kid out of the audience to sing to him, and this is the most relaxed I have ever seen her on the stage. She goes for the high notes, works the stage and J-Lo says it brought tears to her eyes.

Randy says she had some "extra swagger," and I agree. I hope she keeps building her confidence because I think she's already a star. She's in tears with all of the praise.

Ryan grills the kid to whom she sang. He's a 19-year-old named Brett. Lauren needs to get that number cause he's a cutie!

8:07 p.m. – Jacob selects "Oh No, Not My Baby" and Jimmy wants him to riff.

Wait, I thought Jimmy said before that he riffs too much. I'm as confused by this advice as I am Jacob's outfit of a blue gingham jacket with a brighter blue vest, yellow shirt and multicolored bow tie.

But Mantasia takes it to church! He's riffing, running, dancing, jumping. Now that's how you start a show!

8:05 p.m. – Hey Constantine Maroulis! You just can't stay away, can ya.

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is going to mentor tonight also. YAY!

I had no idea he had worked with Carole King. This should be good!

8:03 p.m. – Carole King is the business. Love her!

She has written so many amazing hits, recorded by more than 1,000 well-known artists. That's a great career.

I hope the contestants can do her music justice.

8 p.m. - Hello Wednesday evening.

Our Top 6 have made it where 124,000 have not, Ryan reminds us. Let's go!