TV critic's picks for the week of May 13-17

Article by: NEAL JUSTIN , Star Tribune
Updated: May 12, 2012 - 6:00 PM

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Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman and Eva Longoria on “Desperate Housewives.”

Photo: Ron Tom, ABC

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Sunday

Like a lot of viewers, I stopped visiting Wisteria Lane a few years ago, but I'll be making one final house call for the two-hour series finale of "Desperate Housewives" (8:01 p.m. KSTP, Ch. 5). The show's high jinks may have gotten tired, but let's not forget that this show made history by proving that strong suburban women could be fodder for comedy.

Monday

Good news for strippers auditioning for a new season of "America's Got Talent" (7 p.m. KARE, Ch. 11): Howard Stern has joined the show as a judge. Stern's frankness may be just what this show needs, but will he be able to provide commentary without driving the censors crazy? Stay tuned.

Tuesday

"Fashion Star" (9 p.m. KARE, Ch. 11) may not have been a successful competition series, but I got a kick out of it -- if only to watch Nicole Richie and Jessica Simpson shine as judges. The season finale should be far more entertaining than Simpson's other 2012 series, "World's Longest Pregnancy."

Wednesday

Paget Brewster is leaving "Criminal Minds" (8 p.m. WCCO, Ch. 4) -- and this time she means it. The actress, who plays Special Agent Emily Prentiss, tried to depart last season, but producers said her contract tied her to another year. Brewster said she'd like to return to sitcoms. Wait -- "Criminal Minds" isn't a sitcom?

Thursday

Fans of "Community" (7, 8 and 8:30 p.m., KARE, Ch. 11) can revel in three new episodes featuring visits from Giancarlo Esposito, John Goodman and Rob Corddry. Maybe a triple dose of comedy will finally convince viewers that this is the smartest, most ambitious sitcom on network TV.