American Idol top 12 comes into focus

I went from too much TV to nothing on the DVR. How did that happen? Not that I was bored. First, I've been working my way through the second season of Simon & Simon on DVD. It's new from Shout Factory and worth every penny. If you love buddy shows (especially brother shows) pick up this one before season one -- they really find their footing here and there are some great episodes.

I also got a sneak peek at the new Reaper, which premieres tonight on The CW. The show's been on hiatus for awhile now and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. The second season premiere brings us back to square one with the original three characters chasing souls for the devil. Ray Wise is unbeatable as the devil in more ways than one. Love the smart, the charm and the evil streak. Burn, baby, burn...it's Reaper, tonight on The CW.

Let's see what else is on tonight.

Tonight On TV -- Tuesday, March 4

ABC has new Homeland Security USA, repeats of Scrubs and yet another edition of The Bachelor: After the Final Rose. There was another hideous The Bachelor public spectacle as Jason dumped the woman he chose, and then picked another like he was choosing apples from a bin in the grocery store. Yuck.

NBC goes with Biggest Loser: Couples and a repeat of Law & Order: SVU.

The CW has the second season premiere of The Reaper after a nine-month hiatus. That's followed by a repeat of 90210.

FOX gets to work on the final set of twelve on American Idol.

CBS has nothing but reruns tonight; NCIS, The Mentalist, and Without a Trace.

Over on cable

BBCAmerica has Last Restaurant Standing and Real Housewives of New York City is new on Bravo.

What can you make with coconut, calamari and donuts? Find out on Food Network's Chopped at 10:00.

MTV is mostly new with Dogg After Dark, T.I, and From G's to Gents.

The ad men have lofty goals in a new Trust Me on TNT.

News and notable

Lifetime has picked up Rita Rocks for a second season.

CBS is in development on America's Strongest American.

ABC has officially canceled Life on Mars but they are giving the series time to wrap it up properly.

Neil Patrick Harris will host this year's TVLand Awards and Tracy Morgan will host Saturday Night Live on March 14.

Alec Baldwin will host TCM's The Essentials this month. He picks two of my favorite movies, A Night at the Opera and Cat Ballou. Great stuff. Watch for it every Saturday in March.

Photo credit:
Reaper -- Pictured: Ray Wise and Bret Harrison Photo Credit: Lorenzo Agius / The CW
Last Restaurant Standing -- Raymond Blanc in front of the contestants, (standing, l-r) Lindsie, Laura, Tim Peter, Richard, Scott, Helen, Stephen, Annette, Kashelle , Harriet, Mike, Caroline, Chris (seated l-r) Michelle, Russell, Alasdair, James