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).

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?