"You always miss a best friend"

Good thing tonight's half-hour of "The Hills" coincided with halftime of the Cowboys/Eagles game, or else I would have been mad I missed an exciting football game for a pretty pathetic episode.

As the promos promised, Holly spends some time with her sister's sworn enemy after Heidi and (of course) Spencer express some dissatisfaction with the whole situation. Lauren's skeptical about spending more time with Holly because she doesn't want to cause more problems like she did while hanging out with Spencer's sister.

Back in the Hills' house, things are suddenly rainbows and sunshine with Lauren, Lo and Audrina - I'm sure all that prior drama wasn't scripted at all. The girls head out to Audrina's work function, which -- um, Audrina works? I guess they needed to switch up the scenery a bit; splicing subtitles over dark nightclub scenes probably got a bit old for the production crew.

Justin Bobby bails. Audrina complains about how he doesn't show her he cares. This all is soooo last season. Moving on...

Heidi has lunch with her co-worker and we get a glipse of creative editing at its finest: While Heidi is reminiscing about her friendship with Lauren, LC is simultaneously admitting to Stephanie that she misses being with Heidi because, well, predictably, "You always miss a best friend."

Tonight's ep was a yawn-fest in my opinion, but it seems like stuff's gonna hit the fan next week when Lauren travels to Italy, leaving Stephanie the opportunity to move in on Doug. I guess when the Cheshire Cat's away, the former drug addicts will play.

The next round of my 'Hills' drinking game:

• Every time you hear, "three musketeers" or "best friend."
  
• After every mention of an artist you've never heard of and their new music you don't care about.
• During any mention of nipple piercings.
  
• Whenever Holly is bland (pace yourself).
  
• Whenever you almost wish Spencer was in the episode more because these broads are putting you to sleep.
  

RELATED LINKS
Back in 'The Hills'
"Drama follows them"
Boys make girls cry and something's gotta change

Going through 'Hills' withdrawal?

August is just about two hours away at this point, and my fellow reporter, Steph, brought up a good point this week...

"When does 'The Hills' come back?!?!?"

That's a good question. How are we less than three weeks away from the season four premiere and there's barely been a blip on the MTV radar?

Hype or no hype, the fourth season of the Hollywood pseudo-reality show is quickly approaching. Tune in Aug. 18 at 10 p.m. to catch all the drama from past seasons carry on and some brand-spanking-new (undoubtedly scripted) drama unfold.

And be on the lookout for the Pussycat Dolls' new song, "When I Grow Up," to be featured during the premiere.

Lauren, Audrina and Whitney all apparently have some new men in their lives. The "Will Audrina move out?" drama continues. Stephanie Pratt is strangely reminiscent of Jen Bunny ala season two. Brody goes to jail? The newly reunited "Speidi" has some more trouble in paradise when Heidi --for some reason-- invites her sister to move in with them...and I already know I'm going to have trouble telling Heidi's sister and Spencer's sister apart. Does everyone in Hollywood really need to be that blond?

Take a look for yourself. Below is the full season four trailer. Who's excited?!