As the summer season comes to a close, here are the this week's 10 moments that made us cringe, shout and reach for the nearest box of tissues.
1. Ow. Ow ow ow. Ow.
Tennis star Rafael Nadal was in the middle of a post-match press conference when he was suddenly struck with leg cramps and spent over two minutes writhing and moaning in pain behind the lectern. As someone who suffers terrible leg cramps if I don't warm up enough before exercising, I feel for the guy: they're excruciatingly painful.
Watch Video: Nadal's Painful Press Conference
2. That Could Have Gone Better
On Entourage, Eric (Kevin Connolly) crashes Sloan's (Emmanuelle Chriqui) lunch date with Johnny Galecki, accusing them of having an affair. Later, Sloan lays down a double-whammy when she says she never wants to see Eric again -- and that she's pregnant with his child. It's one of the most dramatic and emotionally complex scenes in this normally light-hearted show's history.
3. The Inevitable Meltdown
I can't imagine spending two weeks in an RV with people I actually like, much less with Kate Plus 8 star Kate Gosselin. The fact that Kate's long-awaited complete freakout occurred when some of the kids ate a couple slices of pizza that were reserved for her bodyguard (and boyfriend, according to the tabloids) shows just how skewed this woman's priorities are.
Watch Video: Kate Gosselin is 'freaking out'
4. Too Much Reality
Bravo claimed that they were going to re-edit The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in the aftermath of the suicide of cast member Taylor Armstrong's estranged husband, Russell, last month. Unfortunately, the premiere's focus on the Armstrongs' troubled marriage seemed designed to shock and titillate, making an already sleazy series downright gross.
Watch Video: Real Housewives suicide controversy
5. Kringeworthy Kardashians
Is there anything more perversely delightful than David Letterman being forced to interview someone he clearly doesn't like? On Tuesday, the grumpiest man in late night tried to make sense of the Kardashian sisters' inexplicable fame. The lengthy segment spent on Kim having her butt x-rayed to dispel rumors of implants was particularly awkward.
Column: Best of Last Week's Late Night
6. Rescued At Last
The series finale of Rescue Me was very personal for Denis Leary: the warehouse fire that killed Lou last week resembled a blaze in Leary's hometown of Worcester, Ma., in which Leary's cousin died along with five other firefighters. Still, the show did not shy away from its trademark black humor: the crew said farewell by baking Lou's ashes into one of his beloved cakes.
7. It Keeps Getting Worse
Remember last week's Toddlers and Tiaras, with the 4-year-old dressed like Dolly Parton, complete with falsies? Incredibly, the bar was lowered even further when a mother dressed her 3-year-old in Julia Roberts' hooker outfit from Pretty Woman. Even the other pageant moms were grossed out: "It's outfits like that that give us a bad rap." So stop doing outfits like that!
8. The Price Of Drama
Anastasia from Russian Dolls -- think Jersey Shore set in the Russian-American enclave of Brooklyn's Brighton Beach -- was participating in a calendar girl competition sponsored by a local beauty salon when she had a made-for-the-cameras hissy fit about how a beautician styled her hair. It may have made good television, but it cost her a spot on the calendar.
Related Story: Russian Dolls Stir Controversy
9. Shoulders Aren't Supposed To Do That
Usually, the most uncomfortable moments on Dance Moms happen when permanently embittered rageaholic dance instructor Abby is onscreen. But this week, child dancer Brooke performed an entire solo with her left shoulder dislocated. That can't feel good. I think Abby's trying for Most Unlikeable Person On TV now that Kate Gosselin is leaving.
10. Poor Louie
The season finale of Louie ended with an unexpectedly heart-wrenching moment. After Pam (Pamela Adlon) slogged through airport security on her way to Paris to reunite with her ex, she playfully yelled to Louie, "Wave to me!" Unfortunately, what Louie heard was "Wait for me!" Since he still holds a flame for Pam, Louis' hopeful smile was just heartbreaking.
