How could you not watch the debut of Season 3 of Arrested Development last night? The show has not lost its excellent writing touch or really cool references. You have to DVR it, so you can catch everything. Even Uncle Oscar has his own website from prison. It's been done before, but Uncle Oscar has Jean Valjean's prisoner number, as well.

The one joke that made me laugh uncontrollably was a conversation between Michael and his sister, Lindsay. Lindsay was sitting atop a copier in the office, telling Michael she was going to buy a new car. At one point, she grabs some copies from the tray and shows them to Michael.

Lindsay: "We did it, Mikey. We're super rich again! And I'm going to buy a car! The Volvo."

Michael: "Lindsay, you're not going to start spending money."

Michael: "And this is not a Volv...oh."

Lindsay: "Oh, that's from sitting on the copier."

Ba-rum-bump.

Big week for comedy. Tonight was "My Name is Earl" and "The Office" (They handed out a "Busiest Beaver Award" to an office worker. "Michael, this spells Bushiest.") on NBC. And Sunday, it's "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and "Extras" (cannot wait for this one) on HBO.

Meal of Links

Our band, INXS, finally chose a lead singer tonight. To start, they brought all of the previous contestants to come on stage one more time. Daphna (sigh). And then there was more recap. Each of the final three (Mahtee, MiG, J.D.), chose a song that had been performed on the show. Mahtee chose "Wish You Were Here", MiG "Bohemian Rhapsody". J.D. "You Can't Always Get You Want". MiG was up first and, quite frankly, I get bored with this song unless it's Freddie singin' it. Not impressed, especially since the dude was in some sort of London stage play about Queen. J.D. was next and I think he did a pretty good version of the song. I dunno, the chicks would dig this guy if he sang "Conjunction Junction". Mahtee basically had that song teed up since the last time he sang it and, of course, he hammered it into the upper deck. The boys huddled and it was determined that MiG was not roit for our band INXS, and he got the boot.

Next, our band, INXS, gets on stage and performs one of their own songs with each of the final two. Mahtee performed "Don't Change" and I think he did OK (it seemed the mix was left over from that fine program "Hit Me Baby, One More Time"), and J.D. performed "What You Need", which was right in his wheelhouse. Looks like an easy choice. I choose J.D. Mahtee will do fine on his own.

After weeks and weeks of competitive reality nonsense, the winner is...J.D. Probably not a bad choice, as the women were going crazy over the guy. And it's all about sales, isn't it? Now, I guess it's waiting for the upcoming tour dates to be announced, my participation in said tour by helping our band, INXS, back on their feet, and then seeing them at the Rib Cookoff two years from now.

The show ends with our newly completed band, INXS, performing their soon-to-be (ahem) worldwide smash, "Easy Easy". Looks like the tour starts in February. Hallelujah.

Speaking of music, Sleater-Kinney's "Entertain" is a very catchy tune.

I just got polled by old fart, Del Donahoo. The Folksmobile must be in the shop. I'm not sure I liked it. Anyhow, it was about the upcoming mayoral primary. Hard to believe, but that vote is less than two weeks away and I'm not sure I've been around such a silent campaign leading to a primary. I am leaning towards James Draper at this point. Hopefully, the citizenry realizes it is approaching fast and turns out.

The Bob Dylan documentary by Martin Scorsese is on PBS next week. Consider this a must-see. I'm hoping for some footage from the 1976 TV special, "Hard Rain", which was the Rolling Thunder Revue Tour. If I recall correctly, a fantastic version of "Maggie's Farm", with that ex-Spider from Mars, Mick Ronson, on guitar.

Exercise Yard

The Tribe played another thriller in Chicago. Aaron Rowand (who might still be cussing) of the Chisox misplayed a Victor Martinez line drive in the ninth, setting us up to tie it. Riske pitched a drive-you-to-drink ninth inning and we went to extra time. However, Crede homered off Riske (his 11th given up this year) to start the 10th and the Indians lost a tough one to the White Sox. Things are getting even tighter, as the Yanks don't seem to lose anymore.

Visitor

60 Across: Hall of Famer Mickey (6 letters) Answer: Mantle (Mom said he was fast.)