I can't keep up

It is Sunday once again and I find myself with too many shows and not enough time. Despite limiting my sleep schedule, I just can't fit in all the shows I want. I have 5 hours of backlogged shows on my DVR from just this week and those are the ones I can fit in the DVR schedule. There are still another 4 hours of shows that I would watch online if my schedule ever cleared up. Imagine where I would be if there weren't debates the last two weeks to put favorites into repeat mode or if I had movie channels.

So, here is the breakdown before My Own Worst Enemy and Crusoe premiere this week only adding to my dilemna.

Absolutely Can't Miss
Of course, Grey's Anatomy, Mad Men, Life, CSI Las Vegas (Last week's premiere was the best episode ever ), Brothers and Sisters, Greek, How I Met Your Mother (Sadly it is on as I DVR two other shows so I have to find an excuse to watch it upstairs (gulp) live. Good thing my hubby doesn't like to watch tv.) The Amazing Race and Survivor.

New favs.
Fringe. I am also really enjoying The Ex List. I didn't expect to but it is perfect Friday night fodder.

Sophomore Season Slump Eluded
Gossip Girl, Dirty Sexy Money, and Lipstick Jungle have managed to evade the sophomore slump. I would agree with the critics who say DSM has gotten better this season.

On the fence
Pushing Daisies and Chuck. I loved the first seasons of both these shows, but haven't seen anything new. The plot on both is getting repetitive (not surprising considering the premise on each).

Still Trying to Fit in the Premiere
Life on Mars, Eleventh Hour

Can't Find Time
ER (Will have to wait until repeats because I will watch the final season, I will.), Samantha Who, Privileged, Valentine, The Mentalist (I'm trying, but it's Psych without the funny), Kath and Kim, SNL Prime Time (though I really want to).

National What?!?!

ABC is promoting its National Stay at Home, Sit Lazily on the Couch, Eat all the Snacks You Want, all as long as You Have the TV on and are Tuned to ABC Week.  Ok, that isn't the offical title, but I don't see how this week is any different than any other week for me since I seem to do all those things with or without premieres.  Hopefully, this week will provide more enjoyable viewing than June, July, August and for that matter with the strike most of last season.  

What this week really means is that I need to start making choices.  My DVR can only handle two shows at a time.  I have to figure out what I am watching while it happens, recording to watch in the future, going to have to go online for, and most importantly what gets cut.  

On the top of my cut list Do Not Disturb. While I found myself laughing a few times during the two shows I watched, I feel no connection to any character on the show.  Nor do I have any desire to tune in again.  A successful 30-minute comedy needs both funny and attachment or it is gone. 

How I Met You Mother has successful found that middle ground.  Both shows have a womanizing suited up male in the lead role, but Neil Patrick Harris has developed Barney Stinson into a perfect blend of crass and vulnerable.  Whereas Jerry O'Connell's Neil Danner is still a flat one-dimensional character.  I think the biggest difference is HIMYM is a relational comedy about friendships with a really great down to earth guy as the lead who is friends with Barney.  There must be a reason Ted would like Barney and that makes him intriguing.  They aren't exactly opposites, so what is it that makes them similar enough to be friends. Whereas DND is a situational comedy with no one to even out Neil.  Colleagues are not on the same level as friends.  Being paid to work with someone and choosing to be friends with someone place those relationships on different levels thus making the positives of the people they interact with at different weights with the viewer.  Besides the workplace there are no obvious common threads.  This doesn't mean that it is impossible to make a 30-minute situational comedy work.  The Office and 30-Rock have both proven it is more than possible.  It just means that it is more work on the writers, directors, and actors to create a reason to connect which is easier in a relational comedy. 

I definitely find myself drawn to relational comedies.  NewsRadio is the biggest exception to the rule for me.  

So, that leads to my newest set of questions - What have been your favorite 30-minute comedies, were they situational or relational, why did you like them?

SNL Funny Again, Sort of

Of course, it took a guest appearance from Tina Fey, but the opening of Saturday Night Live was hilarious this past Saturday. Michael Phelps came on and not only was painfully not funny, but seemed to suck the funny from the whole show. These are the times I am especially grateful for online video. For those of you who missed it, or need a daily infusion of funny here you go:

I Don't Watch for Reality

Fringe premiered this week. My DVR once again conspired against me, this time a little more cruelly. It decided to record only half of the 2 hour premiere. I found the rest through Fancast that streamed through Hulu. Let me start by saying that I am highly impressed with the streaming through Hulu. It was seamless. I watched for an hour without any streaming issues. I have watched a fair amount of online shows and have never had it stream so well.

Now, on to Fringe. I loved it. I am chomping at the bit for the next installment. JJ Abrams created a $10 million movie of a premiere and it was amazing. It combined the excitement of Alias, the sarcasm and relationship development of Felicity, with a little Lost back story and intrigue. I was reading a completely unrelated article on Popular Mechanics (but one you should check out and digg all the same) this week that had a link to an article exploring the validity of any of what happened on this show actually being able to occur. I clicked the link, started reading, and realized I didn't care. In fact, I hope none of what was depicted on the show can happen.

What I realized was I don't tune into television for reality, not even the "Reality" shows I watch are reality. I sit on my sofa, turn on the television, and expect to escape. If I wanted reality I would watch the news, which I intentionally avoid. I don't tune into the History channel either. Television to me is a transport into world's that are not my own. I enjoy being a voyeur into other people's dysfunctional relationships, envisioning what the world might be some day, and choosing a competitor to cheer on for completely arbitrary reasons I couldn't judge others on in my own world.

Why do you tune in?

Redemption

Week one of premiere month and all I have to say is the CW is bringing back some of the WB and redeeming itself in the process. After Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars were canceled I didn't know if I could watch any "new" shows on the CW. Then Gossip Girl came along last season and I realized one day a week I could tune in.

Fast forward a year and this Monday not only did Gossip Girl deliver a stellar opening to its sophomore season (minus the cougar storyline), but then One Tree Hill started with not only a Coldplay led soundtrack, but also the right girl was at the airport (I am looking over the creepy Dan storyline that I will have to fast forward through).

The "new" 90210 premiered Tuesday and I was surprised to find myself spending the first two days of premiere month glued to the CW. Familiar faces and even more familiar names, enough extravagance to make me want to date again (but only hot guys with their own jets and don't kiss on the first date), and new characters and story lines that keep close enough to the original not to alienate those of us die hards who not only watched every episode the first time, second time, and third time, but still tune in to SOAPnet for more. Plus a little mystery.... whose child is that blonde curly mopped child Kelly introduced as her son?

So, right not it looks like the CW is going to win 1/3rd of my viewing week. How did it happen? A departure from the reality shows and a return to hour long multi-generational dramadies. All three shows I watch have solid story lines for high schoolers and their parents. It seems that other networks have abandoned shows that will appeal to high school aged viewers and left that programming to the CW and MTV. Even Fox which made its name on the original 90210 has left that aspect of broadcasting behind. When they got big enough, they rid themselves of what set them apart... and the WB and eventually the CW stepped in. Let's hope the CW doesn't outgrow its fans too.

My Father Was Right, But Don't Tell Him

My father insisted I check out Mad Men as the second season started this summer. Now, I need to state for the record that I had every intention of watching it the first season, but in the midst of growing another human being I somehow missed the premiere and the next 5 shows before realizing I had indeed missed them. I set my DVR to record them as they marathoned, as cable tv loves to do, but somehow always missed the first one. I decided to skip season one all together and jump in feet first to season two, and.... my father was right. You won't catch me uttering those words often, and even less often putting them in print for the world and (gulp) my father to see, but here they are posted in cyberspace. My father was right.

If you have yet to fall into the world of Mad Men do yourself a favor and tune in. Even if you haven't caught the previous season and a half you can catch up. My husband claims there is more sex on Mad Men than Swingtown. Did that catch your attention? I have blogged many times before about consistency and Mad Men goes well beyond the typical marks of consistency and takes you back in time without bringing you to the cliché 50's we are taught to revere. The only way this world would be more consistent would be to film in black and white, but it isn't needed. In fact, the color is used so well that it almost seems like it is intentionally NOT whitewashing by going back to the B/W we expect. Mad Men is refreshing in its honesty and open approach to looking at a time most look back on with rose colored glasses.

So, follow my father's advice and check it out. You might just feel urged to exclaim that my father was right too. Just please whisper it because I don't want his head to explode.

Welcome September

My ambitious fall schedule:

Monday

8:00 PM	NBC The CW	chuck gossip girl
8:30 PM	CBS	how i met your mother
9:00 PM	NBC	heroes
	The CW	one tree hill
	TNT	raising the bar (10pm in Sept.)* / the closer
9:30 PM	ABC	samantha who?
10:00 PM	MTV	the hills
	NBC	my own worst enemy*

Tuesday

8:00 PM	The CW FOX	90210* house
9:00 PM	ABC FAMILY	greek
	CBS FOX	the mentalist* fringe*
10:00 PM	ABC	eli stone

Wednesday

8:00 PM	FOX	bones
	ABC	pushing daisies
9:00 PM	ABC	private practice
	BRAVO	project runway
10:00 PM	ABC	dirty sexy money
	NBC	lipstick jungle

Thursday

8:00 PM	CBS	survivor
	ABC	ugly betty
8:30 PM	NBC	kath & kim*
9:00 PM	CBS	csi: crime scene investigation
	ABC	grey's anatomy
10:00 PM	CBS	eleventh hour*

Friday

9:00 PM	CBS	the ex list*
10:00 PM	NBC	life

Saturday - CATCH UP!!!!

Sunday

8:00 PM	CBS	the amazing race
	The CW	valentine*
9:00 PM	CBS	cold case
	ABC	desperate housewives
10:00 PM	ABC	brothers & sisters
	AMC	mad men

* New Shows

My DVR is boycotting Big Brother

I set my DVR to record Big Brother before going on vacation so I didn't miss the first two episodes. I got home and they weren't there. I made sure I had really set it and then the next one didn't record. I set it to my number 2 preference and the 4th one didn't record. So, I have decided that my DVR is in protest. After last season it couldn't take another mind debilitating season. I did get it to record the next two and after watching a little bit I realized my DVR was doing me a service.

I Haven't Called, But I Can Still Complain

In the previous seasons of So You Think You Can Dance there has been a point where I finally am compelled to pick up the phone. I am getting very close to that point this season, but I have a problem. I DVR everything. I don't get to watch the show until the phone lines are open and often they are closing or closed as I complete the show and finally know who needs or deserves my vote. This is one of the few issues I have with the DVR age.

After going on and on about Mia Michaels last night I decided I needed to also put in writing my enjoyment of Mandy Moore's choreography as well. Ever since the "Sweet Dreams" routine across the table last year I have been hooked on her dances. This week's "Alone" shirt dance was sensational and it is a shame that it may get lost being packed between the slices of Mia Michael 15-grain bread.

I am going to go on record saying my favorite couple is Katie and Joshua. I don't know that they will win, I actually see Will as the overall winner, but I think they are a great pair and thoroughly enjoy watching them week after week.

If You Can't Move Be Moved

So You Think You Can Dance is narrowing down which means two dances per couple each week. At the beginning of the show there were three dances in a row that made me wonder why I enjoy this show so much, two more performances made me take notice and then a Mia Michaels' routine that had me in tears it was so good. While I enjoyed the second half much more, I didn't think the show could get any better and then along came another Mia Michaels' routine.

Last week's group routine left me wondering if she had been channeling Tyse DiOrio since she seemed to have choreographed many of his signature African jazz styled moves. Her fingerprints (or made footprints is more appropriate) were all over tonight's show. Looking back at the 4 seasons of SYTYCD her routines are consistently the memorable and breathtaking.

So here is my shout out to Simon Fuller and Nigel Lythgoe - THANK YOU for bringing Mia's choreography to all us couch potatoes who wish they could shake it. The art she creates stretches far beyond the Emmy she won. To Mia thank you for not compromising your art despite the fact that some of the dancers can't dance your choreography and as Nigel says many who watch don't get it, because there are those of us who get it, appreciate it, and watch just to see what you will create for us next time.

SYTYCD is BACK here are my ramblings

The So You Think You Can Dance top 20 premiered last night and my summer is made. Last week I was driving along flippin' through the stations and heard Estelle's "American Boy" for the first time and thought that is going to be on this season... low and behold, first song up "American Boy". While it might not have been "funk"enough for Dan, it showed personality and humor.
My daughter claims Suzi is her fav, I really don't see her going to the end, but time will tell. I like the new format introducing partners much more than watching them pick from the hat. You know they put on fake excitement when they pick since the cameras are on but really think, "Smile. Crap, am I really stuck again with this popper doing ballroom? Smile, maybe jump into his arms. I'm going home. Smile, jump up and down, smile."

Smart TV

So I turned on the tv today and Tom had obviously been watching since ESPN came on, but also a little box came up saying press the red button on your remote for interactive features. Of course I pushed it. It brought up a special menu just for the US Open. Options- Top 5 Leaders, Leaderboard, US Open Mix, US Open Trivia, Past Champions and Tune to ESPN. While I am not a sports or golf nut, I am a tv nut and thrilled at my new DirecTV options.

My new hobby? Pressing the red button on every tv show to see if anything comes up.

Best Thing to Happen to TV

This is going to sound awful, but the writers' strike may have just been the best thing to happen to tv in a long time. Now, taking two months off and sitting in rerun/game show hell may have just made me all the more appreciative of the writing on a real series, but I don't think that is it. While I don't believe a pen (or pencil) actually was pressed to the paper, or a finger to the keyboard, during the writers' strike, I also don't believe the writers stop the most important part of the creative process from happening... their imagination did not go on strike. I am going to go out on a limb and say it was actually heightened by the strike because they had such a limited time to come back and prove themselves before finales.

I have seen some of the best individual episodes and best storyline arcs in years come out in the last 2 months since the writers have been back at work. I am truly enjoying tv again. Absence may make the heart grow fonder, but improvement helps as well.

This evening's House was engaging, imaginative, and suspenseful. I can't wait to see next week's episode. I have felt that way several times in the last week as I watched episode after episode of beloved shows which have redeemed themselves and proven why the writers deserve all and more that they held out for.

This season has also proven to be the season of the women. From Survivor's female alliance to Women's Murder Club and the two shows with exactly the same premise Cashmere Mafia and Lipstick Jungle women have taken over the airwaves. This year is all about Girl Power and I am loving it. While I don't enjoy all the women's shows that have come out, I completely embrace the idea of them. The best of the shows are the ones that don't use sex to push the women to the top, hence why I prefer WMC to CM or LJ.

So what are your thoughts post strike. What have you seen improvement in and what needs to be shown the editing room floor before next season?

A Small Glimpse of Light

I need to apologize to March after my last post. It isn't March's fault it got the raw end of the deal between being typical rerun time stuck in between sweeps and the tv being off during Spring Break (except for those parents unable to head out on vacation trying desperately to entertain their kids of course) and the writer's strike leaving no episodes to be watched. There were a few glimpses of light this month.

First of all, the series premiere of Miss Guided proved to be a refreshing new comedy. A talented cast and perfect timing makes this a don't miss for me. Judy Greer has been stealing scenes as the supportive best friend for too long, she needed to step into the limelight and it is reflecting out light through the darkness of March. Ashton Kucher's appearance in the second episode didn't hurt much either.

The second ray of light in the darkness has been the return of Greek. Greek is possibly the only reason (outside of getting my Gilmore Girls rerun fix) to tune into ABC Family. At least they have had the good sense to order up another season. Greek allows us the guilty pleasure of reliving college without the tests and hangovers.

While I am still anxious for April to arrive, I feel better making peace with March.

Is April Here Yet?

March premieres have been a bit disappointing. I was so excited and The Return of Jezebel James because I am a huge fan of creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls) and actors Parker Posey (Indy Comic Queen), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under) and Scott Cohen (Gilmore Girls). It was a colossal disappoinment. Parker was so over the top, which is usually why I love her, but she failed to create an actual personality for her character. Obviously Fox agreed since they pulled the plug earlier today.

The Bachelor has become the worst representation of America since George Bush. For some reason the women on this season believe they are actually trying to impress the Brit. Piers Morgan from America's Got Talent not Matt Grant. Every other season there has been at least one girl accused of being on the show to further her career. This season the question is who isn't on the show to further her career? From tearing open a beer can with her teeth to not one, not two, not three, not four, but five "musical" performances in the first two episodes makes me think these "ladies" have accidentally shown up on the wrong show set. The saddest part of the musical performances is that the girl who claims to be a "professional singer/songwriter" was possibly the worst of all the performances.

The other thing that baffles me about this show is why there is always a girl who claims she doesn't understand how she got there and why she is there since normally she is the one receiving the roses, hundreds of them according to this seasons Shayne. If you have stooped to furthering your career in competition with 20+ other women for one guy who statistically has less chance of ending up with you (even if you are chosen in the end) than your getting hit by a car walking down the street then you have more to concern yourself with then the fact that you used to be the one getting "hundreds" of roses.

I can't wait for the return of the real shows.

Soulmates? More like......

Big Brother: 'Til Death Do Us Part seems to have gone from setting up possible life partners to setting up multi-partner make-out sessions. Sunday's broadcast was only the beginning as James and Chelsia had their first make-out session. Since then partner swapping and swapping spit has become the norm. Check out this live feed spoiler for more info: Big Brother Updates. Between this, the lesbian lie, and the confrontations I am wondering if anyone is actually here to play the game. Based solely on what the editors want us to see, passing on the opportunity to bathe with Natalie, I would say Matt is the only one there to play. However the feeds are showing more. Maybe Natalie "he's just not that into you."

Now that Jacob is gone it seems the women are the downfall of these couples. Jen ran her mouth and was part of the first couple evicted. Amanda spread rumors throughout the house and put Alex in the position of possibly being the second couple evicted. Allison and Sheila's brilliant idea of putting out a false story of their relationship outside the house has put doubt into the minds of the two couples they told. Why are there no female game players in this house, even Allison the gamblng addict has NO strategy or sense.

As a fan I want to put in print that I would prefer less attractive people who want to play the game. Candy thongs are not what I tune in for.

Cabin Fever Big Brother Style

Big Brother is back with an outdoors make-over. I am not sure what about logs on the wall screams "soul mate", but that is the other theme for the season. At least there are some love quotes scattered around to set the mood since sleeping in a boat probably won't.

Here is a little background on the cast of characters this season:

• Sharon and Jacob- (exes, he cheated after 12 years "on and off" together - doesn't that mean they started dating at like 11?)
• Matt and Natalie (Boston roofer and bikini barista)
• Alex and Amanda (dj and paralegal)
• James and Chelsia (bicycling around world college student)
• Parker and Jen (paparazzo and Ryan's gf) *marked with a target since won 1st comp. and showed off their greed
• Joshuah and Neil (token gay couple- Texan and real estate agent)
• Ryan and Allison(Jen's bf and gambling addict)
• Adam and Sheila (public relations and cougar)

Another twist, they aren't partners but Jen and Ryan are the new Mr. and Mrs. Smith (previously attempted by Jase and what's her name again?). As the only actual couple outside the house, they came in with a game plan. It will be interesting to see if they can pull off their alliance paired with other people. Jen seemed to think this would hinder her gameplay, but I see it as a huge advantage.

When Big Brother brother setup these pairs of "soul mates"it seems they intentionally screwed over a few couples. Adam (no where near as attractive as the rest of the crew) got set up with Sheila (older than the rest of the group) and they have zero physical chemistry. However, I think Sheila is taking the lack of attraction for her teammate much too seriously. She is there to play a game not to find a life partner isn't she? So why tears after being set-up with a guy who "is not my type"? Often the people who find "love" on Big Brother are targets for quick elimination. I would see it as an advantage not to be attracted to my partner, however that doesn't mean I want to share my bed with a non-sexy smoker either when there are so many other options available.

The couple at a real disadvantage is Sharon and Jacob. It will take a lot for her to overcome her hatred for Jacob and will take her completely out of gameplay(i.e. Dustin and Joe). Jacob will be working so hard to win her back (did he really have to try to go in for the kiss during the challenge?) that he won't be playing the game.

What these couples need to remember is the rules of reality show game play. They signed up for a competitive show to win money not to find a hook-up.

Before I end today I need to say a big HURRAY for the end of the writers strike. May my tv be reality free (with the exception of Big Brother, Survivor, and all Bravo and Food network shows) again.

Finally Something to Write About...

Hopefully the writers will be again too. http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-strikeendgame0208,0,1810839.story

Not only do we have the good news that negotiations may actually amount to something, but we have also had the arrival of a decent new show.

For those of you who have missed the first two episodes of Eli Stone, you need to catch up on ABC's online episodes. It has all the whimsy of Ally McBeal while hitting some serious topics that are relevant and yet have not been brought into the public eye enough (i.e. Autism being linked to preservatives in immunizations.) Now, if only there was a dancing baby.

Speaking of babies, my absence from the blog has only partially been linked to the lack of actual programming to write about. I have also had my own dancing baby join my line-up. My hospital stay brought about my worst television experience ever.

I ended up in a shared room in the mommy-baby ward. The family sharing the room felt the need to have their television on all 48 hours they were in the hospital. I had no idea there were people who actually watched the preachers that are on at 3am and Jerry Springer in the same 24 hour span. My daughter's first exposure to television was listening to paternity results on Maury Povich, Family Guy cultural reference slams, and infomercials. There are actually people who watch 10-15 hours of CW programming in a day. I came home from complete sensory overload from listening to the worst that television has to offer for 48 hours straight to find that my DVR had lost all power and had to be replaced. I went from a 48 hour relay of tv to a 48 hour purge of tv. I have since recovered and am able to watch and listen to tv without any recurring tremors.

With the possible return of beloved shows I am wondering what you are most excited to see return to the small screen.