Of course, the strength of "The Sopranos" lies largely in its remarkable ability to make us empathize with its characters no matter how foolish and self-destructive their actions might be. In last week's episode, the writers allowed us a glimpse of what immense destruction an affair between Adriana and Tony would yield, but sidestepped the truly apocalyptic effects, beyond an erosion of what little trust was left between Tony and Christopher.

In contrast to that episode, which may have been the strongest of the season, last night's episode sped along too quickly, with Tony B. shifting from earnest entrepreneur to self-destructive gambler within a few scenes, and Carmela falling in lust and then falling apart at a similar breakneck speed. Given the whiplash of the last two weeks, it's tempting to suggest that the structure of the show is too inconsistent from week to week. But while Carmela and Tony B.'s stories could have unfolded more slowly, last week's episode, which focused solely on the heat between Adriana and Tony, benefited from its unusual lack of subplots. It also makes sense that each character's story is handled separately this season, since they're each faced with the challenge of how to steer a course, cut loose from the constraints -- and the comforts -- of family.

Variety doesn't guarantee quality
Ever since Bennifer fell to pieces and Trista and Ryan led us too far behind the scenes of their sickly-pink wedding extravaganza, the powers that be have been searching for a fresh young couple to overexpose. Still, you really have to wonder who thought recasting Nick and Jessica as a modern day Donnie and Marie made the least bit of sense. Jessica Simpson may be delightfully dense in real life, as evidenced by the steady trail of dim remarks she makes on "Newlyweds," but that doesn't mean she's a comedian or an actress or even a very comanding presence onstage. Likewise, Nick Lachey is amusing enough rolling his eyes at his wife's idiocy or hauling furniture around his McMansion, but does it follow that we'd want to see him sing a duet with Kitt, the car from "Knight Rider"?

While you may have a tough time recalling just how inane "The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" or "The Donny & Marie Show" were, "The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour" will bring it all back for you, and then some. Whether they're performing pointless, comedy-free skits for a fraudience that thinks the mere sight of Mr. T is a laugh riot, or singing ballads with special guests like Jewel and Kenny Rogers, Nick and Jessica keep reminding us that they are far more entertaining when they're at home in their sweats, eating tuna fish on the couch. Nick, Jessica: Yes, you can sing. Sure, you look pretty in lots of different outfits. But mostly, we just like watching you bicker.

But it's appropriate that "The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour" would air the same week that Fox cancelled "Wonderfalls" and ran a replay of its plastic surgery pageant, "The Swan," in its place. At this rate, "Arrested Development" will get axed so that "Forever Eden" can move to Sunday nights.

Next week: More high quality programming ahead, when the contestants on "Miss USA: Fear Factor" face the twin terrors of split ends and back-ne. Then, in a truly suspenseful finale, Trump takes a full two hours to fire Kwame and hire Bill!

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