Each week, Torontoist examines the upcoming TV listings and makes note of programs that are entertaining, informative and of quality. Or, alternately, none of those. The result: Televisualist.

Monday

Televisualist is undecided about Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. On the one hand, it has a good concept, decent action sequences and Summer Glau as the sexy young female Terminator. On the other hand, it's airing on Fox, which kills sci-fi series on a whim. Is the potential quality worth the likely irritation when Fox cancels it before it has a chance to get an audience? (CTV, 9 p.m.)

"Now, Princess Vespa, at last we are alone!" "No, no, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, leave me alone, yet... I find you strangely attractive!" "Of course you do. Druish princesses are often attracted to money, and power, and I have both, and you know it!" "No, I hate you, leave me alone!" "No, kiss me!" "No, no, yes, no, oh, ah, ah, ah, ah, oh, ohh... ohhhhhh... your helmet is so big..." Spaceballs. 'Nuff said. (Spike, 9 p.m.)

Tuesday

American Idol is back, with the usual two-hour premiere episode that's eighty percent horrible singers (which is, Televisualist is told, "funny"), ten percent good singers, and ten percent Simon, Randy and Paula mugging for the camera. Who will become the next Fantasia Barrino, Ruben Studdard or Taylor Hicks, destined for one album's worth of meaningless crap and then a lifetime of show tunes? Only the American viewing public can decide. (CTV, 8 p.m.)

Reader commented that we neglected to mention the premiere of jPod last week. This was not intentional, rest assured, as we are huge fans of Alan Thicke and everything Alan Thicke stands for. (CBC, 8 p.m.)

Wednesday

Two more hours of American Idol tonight, as Fox singlehandedly tries to kill the writer's strike with bad singing and worse singing and, occasionally, somewhat mediocre singing. Seriously, can't we be thankful that Kelly Clarkson doesn't suck and just move on from this whole phenomenon already? (CTV, 8 p.m.)

CBS airs the first part of Comanche Moon, their Western miniseries with the utterly generic title. Traditionally, ambitious Western miniseries tend to be extremely hit or miss. Then again, this one stars Val Kilmer, and the last time Val Kilmer was in a Western, it was Tombstone, which is still his best performance of all time. This one could go either way. (9 p.m.)

Thursday

You may not remember, but way back in the day, people actually looked forward to seeing Chevy Chase in a movie. Now, admittedly, this was a very long time ago, and Fletch is pretty close to the end of Chase's productive comedy career. But it's still a classic. (Bravo, 9 p.m.)

The Simpsons rerun of the week: "Raging Abe Simpsons And His Grumbling Grandson in The Curse of the Flying Hellfish." Also the longest Simpsons episode title of the week. Or ever, for that matter. (Comedy Network, 9:30 p.m.)

Friday

MVP: The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives really, really wants to be the Canadian equivalent of Footballers' Wives so badly you can taste its desperation. Unlike most of the new CBC series, however, this one is... not very good. Televisualist would like to give the Ceeb points for effort, but that wouldn't make the show any more entertaining. (8 p.m.)

The single best episode of Fawlty Towers ever? "The Germans." When does it air? Tonight. You're welcome. (10 p.m., PBS)