The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 75

LATIMES.COM/CALENDAR D9 WAY I ENDS THURSDAY (1:50 4:30) 7:20 9:45 GOMORRAH I (1:40 4:50) 8:00 THE CLASS ENDS THURSDAY (1:00 4:00) 7:00 10:00 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (1:30 4:20) 7:10 10:00 EVERLASTING MOMENTS I (10:00 1:00 4:00) 7:00 TWO LOVERS (11:20 1:50 4:30) 7:20 REVOLUTIONARY ROAD ENDS THURSDAY (1:20) 7:10 THE READER ENDS THURSDAY (10:30 4:10) THE SECRETS (10:00 1:00 4:00) 7:00 HARVARD BEATSYALE 29-29 I ENDS THURSDAY (11:00 1:40 4:40) 7:30 Encino TOWN CENTER 17200 Ventura Blvd. (818) 981-9811 Santa Monica MONICA 1332 Second Street (310) 394-9741 THE CLASS ENDS THURSDAY (5:00) 8:00 THE READER ENDS THURSDAY (5:30) 8:20 THE SECRETS (5:40) 8:30 MILK 7:30 WATCHMEN (1:00 4:30) 8:10 THE INTERNATIONAL ENDS THURSDAY (1:40 4:50) 8:00 TWO LOVERS (1:10 3:40) 6:15 8:50 THE CLASS ENDS THURSDAY (1:45 5:20) 8:20 MILK ENDS THURSDAY (4:40) TAKEN ENDS THURSDAY (1:00 3:30) 6:00 8:40 THE READER ENDS THURSDAY (1:30) 8:00 MOSCOW, BELGIUM I ENDS THURSDAY (1:50 5:00) 8:10 West Hills FALLBROOK 6731 Fallbrook Ave. (818) 340-8710 Hollywood REGENT SHOWCASE 614 N. La Brea Avenue (323) 934-1770 Beverly Hills MUSIC HALL 9036 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 274-6869 WAY I ENDS THURSDAY (11:00 4:20) 9:30 EVERLASTING MOMENTS I (10:15 1:15 4:15) 7:20 10:15 CROSSING OVER ENDS THURSDAY (11:30 2:10 4:50) THE CLASS (10:20 1:10 4:10) 7:10 10:10 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (10:15 1:00 4:00) 7:00 9:55 THE READER (10:10 1:00 3:50) 9:55 MOSCOW, BELGIUM I ENDS THURSDAY (1:30) 7:00 THE CAKE EATERS I ENDS THURSDAY (10:40 1:00 3:10 5:20) 7:40 9:55 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (1:20 4:00) 7:00 9:30 WATCHMEN (1:00 4:35) 8:10 GOMORRAH I (1:30 4:50) 8:00 TWO LOVERS ENDS THURSDAY (1:40 4:20) 7:20 9:55 THE CLASS ENDS THURSDAY (1:10 4:10) 7:10 10:00 Claremont CLAREMONT 450 W.2nd Street (909) 621-5500 12 ENDS THURSDAY (1:00 4:30) 8:00 THE OBJECTIVE I (1:00 3:15 5:30) 7:50 10:05 THE PERFECT SLEEP (1:40 4:20) 7:00 9:45 PHOEBE IN WONDERLAND ENDS THURSDAY (1:40 4:30) 7:20 9:45 THE CAKE EATERS I ENDS THURSDAY (1:00 3:05 5:20) 7:40 9:55 STEAM I ENDS THURSDAY (1:20 4:10) 7:00 9:50 WATCHMEN (5:00) 8:30 GOMORRAH I ENDS THURSDAY (5:10) 8:00 THE INTERNATIONAL ENDS THURSDAY (5:20) 8:10 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE ENDS THURSDAY (5:30) 8:20 Downtown GRANDE 345 S.

Figueroa Street (213) 617-0268 West Hollywood SUNSET 8000 Sunset Blvd. (323) 848-3500 West L.A. ROYAL 11523 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 477-5581 www.laemmle.com Purchase Tickets Online BARGAIN SHOWS IN SHOWTIMES FOR BIANCHI STADIUM 11 7770 E. Rosecrans Ave.

Paramount CA, 90723 (562) 630-7469 www.bianchitheatres.com RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:20, 1:55, 4:30, 7:05, 9:40 THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (R) 10:35, 11:35, 1:20, 2:20, 4:05, 5:05, 6:50, 7:50, 9:35, 10:35 MISS MARCH (R) 10:30, 12:55, 3:20, 5:45, 8:10, 10:35 WATCHMEN (R) 10:30, 11, 2:10, 2:40, 5:50, 6:20, 9:35, 10:05 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) 10, 12:10, 2:20, 4:30, 6:40, 8:50, 11 TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL 10, 12:35, 3:10, 5:45, 8:20, 10:55 FRIDAY THE 13TH (R) 12:50, 6:10, 11 CORALINE (PG) 10, 12:35, 3:10, 5:45, 8:20, 10:55 PAUL BLART: MALL COP (PG) 10:35, 1, 3:25, 5:50, 8:15, 10:40 PUSH 10, 3:20, 8:30 HIGHLAND 3 THEATRES 5604 N. Figueroa $4 for shows starting before 6pm Daily RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 12:20, 2:35, 4:50, 7:05, 9:15 WATCHMEN (R) 12:15, 3:25, 6:35, 9:35 CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG) 12:10, 2:05, 4, 5:55, 7:50, 9:40 THE MAJESTIC CREST 1262 Westwood SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) 2:30, 5, 7:30, 10 CULVER PLAZA THEATRES $5 Matinee. Children Seniors $4.50. 9919 Washington 836-5516 3 Hour Free Parking With Theatre Validation www.culverplazatheatres.com (R) 2:30, 7:45 THE READER (R) 2:40, 8:05 THE WRESTLER (R) 3 DEFIANCE (R) 12, 5:50 GRAN TORINO (R) 12:10, 5:20 PAUL BLART: MALL COP (PG) 12:15, 5:20 THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON 2:45, 8:30 THE INTERNATIONAL (R) 12:20, 3, 5:30, 8:05 CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG) 12:30, 5:30, 8 MOSCOW, BELGIUM (NR) 12:40, 3, 5:40, 7:50 ART THEATRE 2025 E. 4th St.

Long Beach(562) 438-5435 WATCHMEN (R) 12:30, 4:10, 7:30 $1.50 Before 6pm, $2 After 6pm, Tuesday's $1 ALL DAY LA MIRADA DOLLAR MOVIES 7 15296 Rosecrans 739-1010 BOLT (PG) 12:30, 2:30) 7:10 TWILIGHT 12:25, 5:05) 9:30 YES MAN 2:50) 7:25 BEDTIME STORIES (PG) 12:35, 2:45, 4:50) 7:30, 9:35 VALKYRIE 4:40) 9:25 BRIDE WARS (PG) 12:45, 3, 5) 7, 9:20 INKHEART (PG) 12:40, 2:55, 5:10) 7:35, 9:45 UNDERWORLD: RISE OF THE LYCANS (R) 12:20, 2:30, 4:35) 6:50, 9:15 THE UNINVITED 12:15, 2:35, 4:30) 7:05, 9:40 WHITTIER VILLAGE STADIUM 8 7038 Greenleaf $4 before 12noon, $6 before 6pm Daily ALL DIGITAL PROJECTION whittiervillagecinemas.com RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:05, 11:55, 1:25, 2:25, 3:45, 4:55, 6:10, 7:20, 8:30, 9:40, 10:45 WATCHMEN (R) 11:05, 1:10, 2:30, 4:35, 5:55, 8, 9:20 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) 11:55, 4:10, 8:15, 10:10 TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL 11:50, 2:10, 4:30, 6:50, 9:10 CORALINE (PG) 1:50, 5:55 TAKEN 11:35, 1:40, 3:45, 5:55, 8:05, 10:15 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) 11:10, 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 9:50 CINEMA CITY STADIUM THEATRES 5635 La Palma La Palma and Imperial Hwy, Anaheim Hills $4 before 12noon, $5 before 6pm Daily ALL DIGITAL PROJECTION cinemacitytheatres.com RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:05, 11:55, 1:25, 2:25, 3:45, 4:55, 6:10, 7:20, 8:30, 9:40, 10:45 WATCHMEN (R) 11:15, 1:10, 1:55, 2:40, 4:35, 5:15, 6:05, 6:45, 8, 8:40, 9:30, 10:10 MISS MARCH (R) 11:55, 2:05, 4:15, 6:25, 8:35, 10:45 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) 11:30, 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 CORALINE (PG) 11:55, 2:15, 4:30 TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL 11:50, 2:10, 4:30, 6:50, 9:10 TAKEN 11:35, 1:40, 3:45, 5:55, 8:05, 10:15 HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU 11:05, 1:50, 4:35, 7:20, 10:05 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) 11:10, 1:50, 4:30, 7:10, 9:50 CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG) 11:55, 2:20, 4:45, 7:10, 9:35 4 STAR CINEMAS 12111 Valley View St.714-934-6377 $4 Before 12 Noon, $5 Before 6 PM Daily 4starcinemas.com WATCHMEN (R) 11:15, 2:30, 5:50, 8:50 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:15, 1:25, 3:35, 5:45, 8 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) 11:20, 1:50, 4:20, 6:50, 9:10 THE READER (R) 11:30, 1:50, 4:10, 6:30, 8:50 LAGUNA HILLS MALL CINEMAS El Toro Road at 5 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 12:20, 2:35, 4:50, 7:05, 9:15 WATCHMEN (R) 11:45, 3, 6:15, 9:30 THE READER (R) 12, 2:25, 4:50, 7:15, 9:30 WOODBRIDGE MOVIES 5 $1.50 Before 6 PM, $2 After 6 PM, $1 Tuesdays ALL DAY! 4626 Barranca Parkway1-949-733-0980 BOLT (PG) 12:20, 2:30) 7:15 TWILIGHT 4:35) 9:25 SEVEN POUNDS 4:30) 7:10 BEDTIME STORIES (PG) 12:15, 2:20, 4:45) 7:25, 9:30 MARLEY ME (PG) 12) 9:40 VALKYRIE 4:40) 9:35 BRIDE WARS (PG) 12:30, 2:35, 4:50) 7, 9:45 INKHEART (PG) 12:10, 2:25) 7:20 DISCOUNT PICTURE SHOW Mainplace Mall, Santa Ana 2800 N. Main Street(714) 836-7469 $1.75 Every Day $1.00 on Tuesday's THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX (G) 12:10, 2:30 VALKYRIE 4:40, 7:15, 9:50 MARLEY ME (PG) 11:55, 2:25, 4:55, 7:25 THE UNINVITED 9:55 P.M. INKHEART (PG) 11:55, 2:25, 4:55 BRIDE WARS (PG) 7:35, 9:45 TWILIGHT 12:20, 3, 6:45, 9:35 BEDTIME STORIES (PG) 12:05, 2:40, 5:05, 7:30, 10 BOLT (PG) 12, 2:35, 4:50, 7 YES MAN 9:20 P.M. CAMARILLO ROXY STADIUM 11 101 Fwy Exit Santa Rosa Rd 5001 Verdugo Way in Mission Oaks805-388-0532 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:30, 12:30, 2, 3, 4:30, 5:30) 7, 7:45, 9:15, 10 MISS MARCH (R) 11:45, 2:30, 4:50) 7:40, 9:50 THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (R) 11:10, 1:50, 4:20) 7:15, 9:45 WATCHMEN (R) 10:45, 12, 2:15, 3:30, 5:25) 7:35, 9:30 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) 11:30) 9:15 CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC (PG) 11, 4:25) 9:55 HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU 1:40) 7:10 CORALINE 3D (PG) 2, 4:30) 7 TAKEN 12:05, 2:40, 4:55) 7:35, 9:55 PAUL BLART: MALL COP (PG) 11:15, 1:55, 4:45) 7:05, 9:40 TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL 11:25, 1:45, 4:15) 6:55, 9:20 PLAZA CINEMAS 14 255 West 5th Street Downtown Oxnard(805)487-8380 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) 11:20, 9:15 STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI 12:20, 2:50, 5:15) 7:45, 10:15 FRIDAY THE 13TH (R) 12:25, 4:55) 10:05 TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL 11:45, 2:15, 4:50) 7:20, 9:50 FIRED UP 2:35) 7:25 TAKEN 11:55, 2:20, 4:40) 7:35, 9:55 PAUL BLART: MALL COP (PG) 11:50, 2:10, 4:35) 6:50, 9:10 WATCHMEN (R) 11:15, 12:15, 1:15, 2:45, 3:45, 4:45) 6:15, 7:15, 8:15, 9:35 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11, 12, 1:30, 2:30, 4, 5) 6:30, 7:30, 9, 10 THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (R) 11:30, 12:30, 2, 3, 4:30, 5:30) 7, 8, 9:30, 10:30 MISS MARCH (R) 12:10, 2:40, 5:10) 7:40, 10:10 CORALINE 3D (PG) 1:45, 4:15) 6:45 Times for only BroadwayLA.org 213.365.3500 HICKS NOT PERFORMING PANTAGES BOX OFFICE OPENS DAILY AT 10AM 4K DigitalProjection TimesforWednesday, March 18, 2009 Located at CA 101 Freeway Lynn Rd (805)496-5487 RESERVED SEATING THOUSAND OAKS FOR RESERVATIONS (805)494-4702 FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT AND BAR ALL STADIUM SEATING MOVIE TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE VISIT MUVICO.COM FOR LISTINGS 10AM SHOWS MIDNIGHT SHOWS FRIDAY AND SATUDAY SPACIOUS FREE PARKING EXPERIENCE Reserved Seating 21 Over FREE Popcorn Voucher RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 12:25 2:50 5:25 8:05 10:45 MISS MARCH (R) 12:35 2:55 5:15 7:40 10:10 CROSSING OVER (R) 11:15 1:55 4:35 7:25 10:10 WATCHMEN (R) No Passes 11:30 12:30 3:15 4:15 7:00 8:00 9:30 10:30 JONAS BROTHERS: THE 3D CONCERT EXPERIENCE (G) No Passes 11:00 1:00 3:10 5:20 7:30 THE INTERNATIONAL (R) 11:05 2:00 4:50 7:55 10:45 CORALINE (PG) 12:35 2:55 5:15 7:35 9:55 HE'S JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU 1:05 4:10 7:15 10:20 TAKEN 12:15 2:50 5:10 7:45 10:05 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE (R) 12:55 4:00 7:00 10:00 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:10 1:45 4:20 7:05 9:45 THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (R) 11:20 2:10 5:00 7:50 10:40 RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN (PG) 11:10 1:45 4:20 7:05 9:45 12:20 THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT (R) 11:20 2:10 5:00 7:50 10:40 WATCHMEN (R) No Passes 12:00 3:45 7:30 With the drew its largest season-premiere audience, but less than half the viewers stuck around to watch the debut of mystery drama that followed last Monday on ABC. The two-hour With the premiereaver- aged 22.83 million viewers, largest audience in the Monday 8to10 p.m.

slot since New Day 2001. which followed, was second in its time slot and 23rd for the week with 10.76 million viewers, according to figures released Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research. two premieres last week, and Chopping come close to matching the viewership of an episode of that included unpromoted guest appearances by original cast members George Clooney and Julianna Margulies. a modern-day version of the David and Goliath story, was 53rd, averaging 6.08 million viewers. The cooking competition series Chopping averaged 3.77 million viewers, putting it 90th.

drew 10.86 million viewers, its most since Feb. 15, 2007. CBS was the most-watched network for the 19th time in the 25 weeks, with 10 of the 15 most-watched programs. ABC kicks up its heels city news service ProgramNet- work Viewers ProgramNet- work Viewers 1 American Idol 2 American Idol 3 Dancing With the StarsABC22.83 4 CSICBS17.13 5 Desperate HousewivesABC14.60 ------------------------------------------6 Criminal MindsCBS14.34 7 The Mentalist CBS14.32 8 CSI: MiamiCBS14.21 9 Anatomy 9 p.m.) ABC13.64 10 CSI: NYCBS13.63 ------------------------------------------11 NCISCBS13.52 12 Two and a Half MenCBS13.44 13 Cold CaseCBS13.02 14 60 MinutesCBS12.87 15 Survivor: TocantinsCBS12.82 ------------------------------------------16 HouseFOX12.38 17 Eleventh HourCBS11.61 18 24FOX11.37 19 Lie to MeFOX11.25 20 Law Order: SVUNBC11.07 ------------------------------------------21 The UnitCBS10.87 22 ERNBC10.86 23 CastleABC10.76 24 Ghost WhispererCBS10.57 25 Brothers SistersABC10.43 ------------------------------------------26 The Amazing Race CBS10.33 27 Without a TraceCBS10.22 28 Rules of EngagementCBS9.95 29 BonesFOX9.67 30 Numb3rsCBS9.51 ------------------------------------------31 The Big Bang TheoryCBS9.47 32 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (8 p.m.) ABC9.44 33 The Biggest Loser NBC9.38 34 FlashpointCBS8.81 35 How I Met Your MotherCBS8.67 ------------------------------------------36 Private PracticeABC8.60 37 KitchenFOX7.71 38 OfficeNBC7.67 39 Law OrderNBC7.64 40 Gary UnmarriedCBS7.63 ------------------------------------------41 Funniest Home Videos ABC7.60 42 The New Adventures of Old Christine CBS7.46 43 Crimetime SaturdayCBS7.39 44 Family GuyFOX7.29 45 MediumNBC7.13 ------------------------------------------46 48 Hours MysteryCBS7.12 Ugly BettyABC7.12 48 Celebrity Apprentice NBC6.80 49 HeroesNBC6.70 50 ------------------------------------------51 30 RockNBC6.43 52 Cops 2FOX6.13 53 KingsNBC6.08 54 The SimpsonsFOX6.03 55 American DadFOX5.88 ------------------------------------------56 ChuckNBC5.80 57 Crimetime Saturday (8 p.m.) CBS5.65 58 King of the HillFOX5.48 59 Most Wanted: America Fights Back FOX5.32 60 Primetime: What Would You Do? ABC5.25 ------------------------------------------Manana Para Siempre (Thu.) UNI5.25 62 LifeNBC5.21 63 Manana Para Siempre (Fri.) UNI5.18 64 Dateline 65 Homeland Security USAABC5.14 ------------------------------------------66 CopsFOX5.11 67 Dancing With the Stars (Sat.) ABC5.02 Manana Para Siempre (Wed.) UNI5.02 69 Cuidado con el Angel (Tue.) UNI4.93 Manana Para Siempre (Mon.) UNI4.93 ------------------------------------------71 Cuidado con el Angel (Thu.) UNI4.86 72 Cuidado con el Angel (Fri.) UNI4.78 73 Manana Para Siempre (Tue.) UNI4.75 74 Cuidado con el Angel (Wed.) UNI4.69 75 Cuidado con el Angel (Mon.) UNI4.66 ------------------------------------------76 Law Order 77 SupernannyABC4.51 78 Life on MarsABC4.49 79 Next Top Model CW4.45 80 LostABC4.33 ------------------------------------------81 Dateline 7 p.m.) NBC4.30 82 DollhouseFOX4.26 83 My Name Is EarlNBC4.17 84 Howie Do It 85 Howie Do It (8 p.m.) NBC4.08 ------------------------------------------86 Friday Night LightsNBC4.03 87 Wife SwapABC3.96 88 Kath KimNBC3.89 89 Tontas No Van Cielo (Mon.) UNI3.78 90 Chopping BlockNBC3.77 ------------------------------------------91 Tontas No Van Cielo (Thu.) UNI3.70 92 Nuestra Belleza 93 Rosa de Guadalupe (Fri.) UNI3.59 94 Castle SmallvilleCW3.57 ------------------------------------------96 Scrubs 8 p.m.) ABC3.55 Tontas No Van Cielo (Fri.) UNI3.55 98 Tontas No Van Cielo (Tue.) UNI3.51 99 Rosa de Guadalupe (Thu.) UNI3.40 100 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles FOX3.39 ------------------------------------------101 Tontas No Van Cielo (Wed.) UNI3.34 102 Scrubs 103 Don Francisco Presenta (Wed.) UNI3.13 Network averages Here is the number of viewers (in millions) that each network averaged per hour of prime time, for last week and for the season. Network Last week Season to date CBS11.2311.18 FOX11.28.97 ABC7.978.47 NBC6.027.86 UNI3.733.92 Here are the rankings for national prime-time network television last week (March 9-15) as compiled by Nielsen Media Research.

They are based on the average number of people who watched a program from start to finish. Nielsen estimates there are 286 million potential viewers in the U.S. ages 2 and older. Viewership is listed in millions. are made to turn pumpkins into weaponry (the country in question has a pumpkin surplus), rubber into diet food and humans into Popsicles.

Here too the Ted in question (Jay Harrington) must cope with Veronica (Portia de rules Veridian with an icy absurdity and a bun pulled so tight it may constitute cosmetic surgery. He must also navigate the codependent swamp of the top research team (played by Jonathan Slavin and Malcolm Barrett), the attractions of the rebellious yet anxiety-fueled Linda (Andrea Anders) and the ethical dilemmas of single parenthood. Oh, and he also provides the voice-over. Go Ted! Everyone involved in Off is smart and funny and exactly the sort of person you root for Fresco was behind the short-lived but much beloved Richter Controls the and alum Harrington is handsome and sexy in a deadpan, user-friendly way. Anders is not only hilarious, but she also did time on so definitely owed.

And who love De Rossi, here taking her role as Lindsay on and ratcheting it up a leggy notch or seven? If it sounds like an coming, there is. Off is funny, just not as funny as it might be, or should be, or, with any luck, will be. Absurdity-satire is difficult to establish and takes time to find its rhythm, especially when it only has a half-hour to work with. In the first two episodes, there is a self-consciousness about the various setups and relationships that even the lightest comedic touch cannot smooth away. While Laura is hilarious when caught with a drawer full of stolen coffee creamer, the stolen creamer itself is not.

When researcher allows himself to be frozen because Veronica wants to see the actors carry out their various tasks of outrage, complacency and nerviness perfectly, but still the freezing, even with its nods to funny. The banter, however, is terrific, with a nail-gun-staccato precision that brings to mind the exalted Girl and both De Rossi and Harrington are masters of the modern micro-double take, that slight pause (hitched eyebrow optional) mid-joke that acknowledges the absurdity of the situation, the awareness of it and the awareness of the audience. adangerous stunt to pull on TV, but De Rossi in particular elevates it to an art form. Which is why watching these early episodes puts a strain on certain back muscles, the ones a person might use while watching a first big performance or a film made by a very dear and talented friend you want it to be Really Great, you know it could be Really Great, and if only you can hold yourself completely still and focus all your best thoughts onto that stage or screen, maybe it will be. mary.mcnamara@latimes.com a work in progress from Craig Sjodin ABC HI! Isabella Acres, left, Jay Harrington, Portia de Rossi.

PRIME-TIME TV RANKINGS Off Where: ABC When: 8:30 tonight Rating: TV-PG-DL (may be unsuitable for young children, with advisories for suggestive dialogue and coarse language) More on rankings Scott Collins writes about the rankings in Company Town. BUSINESS, B3 Jay Leno, part of the bailout? Governing is turning out to be a lot harder than Barack Obama thought it would be, so he has turned to what everyone knows good at: barnstorm-style campaigning across the country to rally public support for his economic program and budget. From a Hollywood perspective, the interesting thing about that is that one of the first stops on his national tour will be Tonight Show With Jay Leno. Bill now famous saxophone set on Arsenio Hall show, the talk shows have emerged as favored political NBC show the venue candidates prize most. the numbers and is a smart but sympathetic questioner.

In fact, he may be only real master of good-natured humor when it comes to public affairs. decision to go on Leno makes a kind of political sense, but some members of the media have questioned whether appropriate in these dire times. sitting president has every appeared on any comedy noted U.S. News World Report columnist Mary Kate Cary a former speech- writer for the first President Bush. (She added that Bush went on Night only after he left office.) president sets the tone of the conversation in America.

As much as President Obama would like to be a man of the people, a not Doing Jay Leno lessens the stature of the But veteran Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman disagreed. most provocative journalism of this whole recession has been done on a comedy show that fact is not lost on President Obama and his Bragman said. you look at the reasons for doing Leno you need to look at what President Obama gets and what he gets to avoid. What he gets is a great audience of 5 million-pluspeople nothing to sneeze at; he gets someone he already knows and is comfortable with; he gets a warm When a reporter asked Tuesday if Obama would be funny, a White House official replied: funny as the times Rebuilding, one iPod at a time So you passed on the chance to help revive the music culture of the Gulf Coast by bidding on personal red iPod. (Maybe you like Van Morrison or Bill Clinton.) This week, got a chance to bid on iPods loaded with the personal favorites of Hilary Duff, Mandy Moore and Scarlett Johansson (no, BlackBerry address is not in device).

But she has some interesting tunes: Gnarls Panda Pink Pillow of Depeche in My The proceeds benefit Music Rising, a group started by Bob Ezrin, Henry Juszkiewicz and Edge to help rebuild the music community in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. The feel-good website Tonic.com is sponsoring the auction. Tobid: www.tonic.com tina.daunt@latimes.com TINA DAUNT CAUSE.