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).

Four Months?!?!?!

Here is my problem with cliffhangers. I would watch the next episode without the cliffhanger. I do not need to be left hanging in May for 4 months to return to the show in the Fall. Then, because there are shows that build in cliffhangers the shows that do not build in cliffhangers almost give the impression to viewers that they were sewing things up in case they weren't renewed. I don't want to wonder for four months if... ok I won't spoil anything for anyone who hasn't watched Grey's or CSI because they have it DVRed. I read spoilers, I don't spoil.

Now I get that there are some shows that are built solely on cliffhangers... the mystery is the show and I can go for that. I was very into Reunion and am frustrated they didn't get the chance to sew it all up for us. I think that if a network takes a chance on a show that revolves around a mystery it owes it to the viewers, however few there may be, to explain it through. I am fine with going online to watch the episodes through their completion. Those of us who do get swept into a plot line and invested in the characters want to know. I don't want to have to dig for some article that might have the creator give it away because the network won't give us the closure we need. Ok, I know right now you are thinking this girl is too obsessed... but then you need to look up at the header and remember that I already confessed to that.

My other gripe with cliffhangers is that if you are going to build them in there is no reason to write at the end of the episode "To Be Continued". It darn well better be continued if you want me to keep watching. CSI tonight, again giving nothing away, ended the episode with "To Be Continued". At least if you are going to close with that statement let the continuation happen within a reasonable amount of time. Four months to wait for it "to be continued" is too long in my book. I actually saw that and went through the online guide to make sure that I was correct in thinking tonight was the finale. Yes, I know tonight is the finale, and I know every season CSI makes some huge storyline finale where someone from the CSI is in trouble which is always resolved when the Fall Season returns, so why put "To Be Continued".

Tonight's questions- do you enjoy cliffhangers? Would you continue to watch a show if there were not cliffhangers built in, especially applying to would you pick up watching again in the Fall without the storyline needing to be resolved? How should a network resolve an ending for a mystery based show, or should they?

Uninspired

These days there is so little that is new and unpredictable. Writers aren't expected to be completely originally, they are expected to be formulaic. If I find a show that is surprising, teaches me something new, that I can't predict- that is what gets me watching. That is why How I Met Your Mother, House, and West Wing all entered my viewing habits. I want some inspiration. I don't want to watch 3 different versions of CSI. I tried really hard with Miami and NY, but they couldn't compare to the original cast and didn't bring much new to the table. That is also why I don't watch a single version of Law and Order.

Ok, I admit there is complete formula to the list presented above, especially House, but at least I can't predict what rare illness the person is going to end up having... and the show isn't really about the case anyway (unless the case doesn't get solved)- and yes, it does teach me things. I will not wear a brand new pair of jeans without washing them after that episode this season.

So, what is the most inspired writing on a show that you have seen? I'm looking for the unpredictable, the truly funny (stupid funny or witty funny which ever way you lean), the writers that memorize through amazingly intricate ramblings called monologues (thanks Sorkin). I want to hear the shows that move you and why.