ABC deserves 30 lashes with a wet noodle for the way they've programmed "Alias" (Sunday, ABC, 9 p.m.) this season. To make fans wait three weeks for the season finale is ridiculous and a sure-fire way to confuse and alienate even the most devout viewers. Sure we don't need to track and fully understand the Rambaldi prophecy, but sometimes even I can't remember what happened on the last new episode. That's probably why I hold the minority opinion that it's actually not a bad thing that ABC is holding the fourth season premiere of "Alias" until next January. Once the show returns, it will air uninterrupted sans repeats. That's the kind of momentum the show needs. Plus, I'll admit it definitely softens the blow that "Desperate Housewives" is the show bumping Sydney. "Desperate Housewives" is the series I'm most looking forward to next season (see, who says I can't be nice to ABC?) It's like they said, "La Femme de who would you like to see in a television series?" and then made it so. "Desperate Housewives" stars my faves Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, James Denton, Sheryl Lee and Eva Longoria. It's executive produced by Charles Pratt Jr. (one of the writers of "Melrose Place"). Seriously, how can we not love this show? By the way, poor Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer on "Twin Peaks") once again plays a dead person.