Behold! The list of season premiere dates for prime-time network programs (and one FX program, just because I really like it). Shows marked with an asterisk (*) are brand-new. Give ‘em a try! Maybe they’re good! Except “Cavemen,” which obviously isn’t.

Info courtesy of The Futon Critic.

(Note: “Lost,” “24,” “American Idol,” and “Law & Order” all return in Jan/Feb. Don’t panic.)

Thursday, Sept. 6
Don’t Forget the Lyrics! – Fox
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? – Fox

Saturday, Sept. 8
Cops – Fox
America’s Most Wanted – Fox

Thursday, Sept. 13
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – FX

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After all these years, I can finally say I’ve been published in the Deseret News! I never really wanted to say that, but hey, a byline is a byline.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a byline at first. The Des News inadvertently took part in a wee bit of plagiarism — a situation that has now been rectified with much apologizing, I assure you.

At the paper’s website, they have a feature called LDS Newsline, a blog-like collection of items of particular interest to Mormons, who make up approximately 70 percent of Utah and approximately 100 percent of Deseret News readers.

An occasional feature there at the Newsline is “Mormon Lite”: “Sincere (but occasionally feeble) attempts at LDS humor.” They are submitted by readers. An Erik Hyer of Layton, Utah, submitted this one, about a Mormon-themed chain of restaurants.

About a dozen sharp-eyed readers have e-mailed me in the last 24 hours, alerting me of this article’s existence, and of its uncanny similarity to a “Snide Remarks” column I wrote way back in 2000.

I was alarmed by two things. One, I had no idea my readership overlapped so much with that of the Deseret News. How can I change that?

Two, why was the Des News reprinting my column without attribution?!

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Two new items from me at Film.com this week: one about Ang Lee’s new NC-17 movie, and one that’s sort of a recap of the summer box office. I wouldn’t complain if you were to click over there and read them. No pressure, though. But it sure would be nice. I’m just sayin’.

Luciano Pavarotti died early this morning in Italy, at home in the town he was born in 71 years ago.

He was famous as one of the Three Tenors, of course, and was probably responsible for causing more normal people to listen to opera than anyone else in the 20th century.

He was also famous for being hugely fat, for being somewhat temperamental and prone to canceling performances … and for raising millions of dollars for charities, for being named a United Nations Messenger for Peace, and for founding a school for young singers in his hometown.

Maybe opera isn’t your “thing.” It’s not generally my “thing” either. But watch this clip of Pavarotti singing his signature song, the beautiful “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s “Turandot,” and see if you’re not moved by the incredible power of his voice. The climax, in particular, is amazing.

YouTube link.
CNN story on his death.