'Reba' rocks; 'Trek' stops

I (probably) won't be asked to turn in my Television Critics Association member card, but I do expect I'll be mocked by some colleagues because, well, I like "Reba." A lot.

So much that when a reporter for a trade publication asked me what shows I thought deserved Emmy nominations, I included "Reba" for best comedy. For one simple reason.

It makes me laugh.

And there aren't many sitcoms that are actually funny these days — "Everybody Loves Raymond," "Two and a Half Men," "Arrested Development," "Malcolm in the Middle" (sporadically) and "Joey" (even more sporadically).

I didn't say "Reba" should win (I'd voted for "Desperate Housewives" as best comedy), but I do think that — based on laughter alone — it should be nominated. It's pleasant, it's engaging, it's humorous.

And McEntire is a natural comedian, something few suspected when she was warbling sad country songs.

"Well, I always thought I was funny," she said. "But it was so funny being in the music business — I always sang such sad songs. I always was looking for the funny songs, the up-tempo funny songs. When I would release one, it wouldn't do well so I'd go back to the sad, heart-wrenching songs."

But she gets to be funny on "Reba" — including in tonight's episode (8 p.m., Ch. 30), when she takes an interest in her ex-husband and his new wife's marriage counselor (James Denton of "Housewives").

What can I tell you? It's a funny show.

THE "TREK" IS OVER — at least for now. The current season of "Star Trek: Enterprise" will be the last.

When the final episode airs in May, it will be the first time since 1987 that there will be no "Trek" series in production. "Enterprise" is the first series since the original not to make it to seven seasons, and the shortest run (98 episodes) of any since the original's 79 episodes.

This is no surprise. It was a surprise when "Enterprise" was renewed for a fourth season despite low ratings (and because Paramount Television charged its sister company, UPN, a lot less per episode).

And, while this has been arguably the best season for "Enterprise," it was too little too late to save a show that had been mediocre at best.

UPN Entertainment president Dawn Ostroff promised a finale that "satisfies its loyal viewers," so at least they won't be left cliffhanging.

This is not the end, exactly, for "Enterprise." It enters syndication this fall.