Silver Chips Online

As the temperature gradually downgrades into mild and chilly weather, TV remotes will hit a fever pitch as audiences start hitting the couch to watch new shows this season. Network cable stations have noticeably inserted more comedies in primetime slots, while regular TV will stick to dramas.

In many cultures, eight is considered a lucky number. In our solar system, eight planets orbit around the sun (but we will never forget Pluto). In an octave, there are eight notes. Considering such, your "American Idol" experts here at Silver Chips Online had high hopes for season eight of "AI," expecting staggering vocal performances and tough competition. But, alas, eight appears to have failed us.

Instant messaging, sex, e-mail and more sex- "Anatomy of a Boyfriend" contains all the stereotypical teenage-novel elements possible in 260 pages, and even more that should be left to the imagination. But the worst part is, it's hard to put down.

Fans gave Harry Potter author JK Rowling a tall order: craft a final tale that matches the quality of the previous books but also ties up the myriad loose ends dangling throughout numbers one through six. And, using style, wit and a wave of the wand, Rowling delivers. In an ideal world, the series would never end, but what better way to end than with "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," which clocks in at a monstrous 759 pages (though it is no doubt slimmer than "Hogwarts: A History").

It may soon dawn on the casual gamer that Guitar Hero and Rock Band can only be played on expert so many times before they get old. At some point, everyone needs something that they can sink their teeth into, lest they go back to doing something productive like homework (gasp!). Fortunately, that game has arrived, and its name is "Left 4 Dead."

For students without game consoles such as Playstation and Wii, the Internet is perfectly adapted for easy and quick gaming. But teens looking for a quick break often find themselves immersed in a world of bag games promoting boxy graphics and cheesy concepts. Fortunately, there are easier ways to find enjoyable games to play that are both easy to learn and fun to play.