After weeks of negotiations between FOX and Universal over the production costs of hit medical drama House M.D., the show has finally been renewed for an eighth season on the network. The issue of the negotiations stemmed from the fact that FOX wanted to drastically cut the cost of producing the show since the recent drop in ratings from last season. Series stars Hugh Laurie, Omar Epps, Olivia Wilde, and Robert Sean Leonard are all signed on to return, but co-stars Lisa Edelstein, Jesse Spencer, and Peter Jacobson are all still in the middle of negotiations. However, their returns are almost a guarantee. In addition to the renewal of House, the network also picked up three pilots to series including the comedy I Hate My Teenage Daughter starring Jaime Pressly, another comedy in the form of The New Girl starring Zooey Deschanel, Bones (which also saw a renewal a week ago) spin-off Finder which had a back door pilot on the hit crime-drama a couple weeks ago, and the new J.J. Abrams series Alcatraz.

It’s time to draw in a big yawn and look over this week’s slate of releases. If you’re the type who heads down to your local Blockbuster (assuming you still have one) and loads up on rentals for the weekend, you might have yourself a good time — plenty of movies worth that once-over this week. But luckily, and somehow inexplicably, the week of Christmas brings us very little to spend quality dollars on. The best recommendation I could muster relates directly to the world of Family Guy, and my track record should show that I’ve never been a fan. It’s no South Park, but it did get the nod of approval from George Lucas to make fun of that really famous space opera. That has to count for something, right? That’s how we’re rolling This Week in Blu-ray…

With premiere week over I’ve compiled a list of the week’s top premieres from each night. The winner of each night is based upon the quality of the writing, the shows entertainment value and if it’s a new series, the shows sustainability. This year had some extremely heavy hitters and some of the best performances we have seen on the small screen. So without further ado, here are the winners of the FSR Fall 2010 Watch List (please note that this list only applies to shows that started before or during the week of September 19th). Sunday: Boardwalk Empire In what should come as no surprise, Boardwalk Empire was top dog on Sunday. I’m not big into period pieces which is why I really never got into Mad Men, but Scorsese has made me fall in love with the 20′s and Atlantic City. Steve Buscemi is a great lead and a guy I can’t wait to watch every week. If only Scorsese could direct every episode and not just the pilot.

Today begins a week long TV feature on FSR, as this week is officially premiere week for all major networks. So we’re here to tell all the good stuff premiering (both new and returning), or in some cases what has already begun. So get your DVR remote ready because this is the first of six all new FSR WATCH LISTs. The first night on our list is Sunday. Sunday is notorious for being both a haven of creation, and a pit of downfall for many TV series. So let’s begin…

Have you had it with Star Wars adaptations? Have you had it with Family Guy? No? Well, its time for another go at it. So you might as well have a drink.

It is the week of Christmas, and we’re gathering up gift recommendations (for ourselves, of course) in This Week in Blu-ray. If any of you need to get something for your favorite Blu-ray columnist on the web, there are two great titles below in the ‘Buy’ category that I would love to receive.

Rob Hunter loves movies. He also loves writing sympathy cards for a greeting card company. These two joys come together in the form of cash money payments that he receives every week and immediately uses to buy more DVDs. This week… District 9, ICHI, Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, and more.

Prepare to cover your eyes, as we reveal the kings of the awkward laugh. Don’t. Look. Away. Wimps.

The folks at 20th Century Fox, along with series creator Seth McFarlane, think that a Family Guy movie would be awesome. Hmm… Where have we heard this before?

Brian Gibson loves to buy DVDs. Come with him on his weekly journey into the depths of credit card debt as he tells you what to buy, rent and avoid.

The spin off, titled “The Cleveland Show,” revolves around one of Peter Griffin’s closest pals, Cleveland Brown, who decides to take Cleveland, Jr. and move to Stoolhbend, Virginia.

After years of doing Star Wars references on the hit animated FOX show Family Guy, the production team finally threw caution to the wind and did their own episode devoted exclusively to Star Wars.