This week’s top entertainment moments (April 14, 2012)

For the second week in a row, not a lot happened on the entertainment front.

That may seem boring now, but when shows are being cancelled left and right and going off the air (forever in some cases, for four months in others) over the next few weeks – trust me, you’ll miss this lull.

One of the bigger announcements this week was that Mariska Hargitay had signed a new contract with NBC’s ‘Law and Order: SVU.’ This is one of those shows that has been on forever. I think it started when I was a teenager. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but it feels like I’ve been watching it that long.

The Hollywood Reporter says that even though Hargitay has signed on for the show’s 14^th season, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will get one. I don’t believe that, though. NBC’s ratings are so bad they can’t afford to let SVU go – no matter how old it has gotten.

On the flip side, Tyra Banks confirmed that she is letting original talent Jay Manuel, Jay Alexander and Nigel Barker go and the upcoming 19^th cycle of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ will be their last with the show.

I hate to break it to Tyra, but those are the three people that viewers tune in to see. It certainly isn’t her. ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is one of those train wreck reality shows. You know going in that odds are 75 percent of these girls will never be heard of again (and 95 percent of them shouldn’t be) – but you can’t help but laugh at a grown woman falling apart because they dare to cut her hair.

So, without further ado, the top moments in scripted television this week are:

5. Being Human – This is only the fourth season of the BBC’s ‘Being Human’ – but we’ve now said goodbye to all three original cast members. In what can only be described as a shocking decision, Annie clutches baby Eve to her chest this week and not only blows up the baby but the vampires threatening them in an effort to make sure that the world doesn’t devolve into the horrors that ghost Eve showed her. It turns out Annie did have unfinished business, it was offing baby Eve. In the afterlife, ghost Eve fades away while Annie and baby Eve go to reunite with their lost loved ones. We, as viewers, have no idea who was in that room. We can guess that George and Nina were waiting for her – but I’m hoping Mitchell is somehow in that room, too. I like Tom and Hal, I do, but I’m officially done with ‘Being Human.’ My viewership died with Annie. RIP, George, Mitchell and Annie. It was fun while it lasted.

4. Modern Family – Dim bulb Luke doesn’t get a lot to do, but when he found out his persnickety neighbor had died and his parents let him choose one memento from the man’s house as a remembrance, Luke finally got his moment to shine. While Claire and Phil were upset that they thought Luke just wanted a television for his room, when Claire realizes that Luke wants it because he could see it from his bedroom at night and it makes him think of the neighbor she gets choked up. Of course, this is ‘Modern Family,’ and I had to laugh at Claire smiling without realizing it in the face of death, Manny acting as the chaperone from hell for Hayley’s party and Jay and Cameron’s father competing to see which one of their sons is the wife in their relationship. Too funny.

3. Private Practice – While the episode ended on a high note, with Pete admitting he wants to work things out with Violet and Addison (finally) getting her baby, it was the heartbreaking scene of Mason telling his mother he loved her as she died that really got to me. I have to admit, I was never a fan of Charlotte in the early goings, but something happened to her after her very powerful rape scenes last season. I’m enjoying this kinder version of Charlotte, the one who ran down several flights of stairs in heels to make sure Mason made it to Erica’s side before she died. I don’t want Charlotte to give up the snark – but her attachment to Mason is certainly endearing.

2. Game of Thrones – Holy uncomfortable three-way Batman! Newlywed Margaery tries to seduce her husband King Renly in an odd way when she offers to bring her brother in to help, um, expedite matters. Turns out, Margaery isn’t as sweet and innocent as she acts. She’s known all along that Renly and her brother are not only sleeping together – but in love. Seems Margaery wants to cement Renly (and her own) position by having a child – she doesn’t care what she has to do to accomplish that goal. This is now the fifth case of incest on ‘Game of Thrones’ – enough is enough people. It’s more surprising at this point when a brother and sister don’t get it on.

1. Ringer – In what was probably the series finale – but I’m hoping was only the season finale – Bridget finally admitted who she was to Andrew and Juliet. Andrew reacted with disbelief, anger and then sad acceptance, admitting he was a fool to think that Siobhan could have changed. In the action packed final minutes, Bridget put a bullet in Bodaway’s brain to save Siobhan (who she didn’t get a good look at during the incident and mistook for Juliet). In the final seconds, Bridget finally realizes that not only is Siobhan alive, but she wanted her dead. The reveal is too good to let go – we need another season of this show. Please CW, drop ‘Gossip Girl’ and keep this.

Honorable mentions:

Mike and Molly – In an effort to lose six pounds in three weeks to fit into her wedding dress, Molly embarks on a crash diet that results in her freaking out and smashing the car of a woman at the gym and being arrested for her efforts. Melissa McCarthy is always entertaining, and this was no exception. I even enjoyed the scenes of her family hiding certain food items from her. That being said, this show always goes for the easy laugh -- which is sometimes the mean laugh -- and they went there with the story about Molly eating a face mask. Really? There's no reason to always go to the lowest common denominator.

 The Killing – Richmond realizes that his political enemies set in motion the events that paralyzed him, Linden is served with papers that her ex is suing for joint custody of her son and Stan urges his young son to kick the crap out of anyone making fun of him on the playground. Just another dark and dreary day on a dark and dreary show.

Gossip Girl – This show is so over they’ve got to create a new word for over. Out of nowhere, Elizabeth Hurley’s Diana character is now Chuck’s mother. Yes, the Diana who was having sex with Nate – Chuck’s best friend – in her son’s house for months. Things that make you go eww – and I’m not just talking about Blair and Dan for a change.

What do you think? What were the top moments in entertainment this week?