What I'm Watching

Oh how I've missed yapping endlessly about TV! I guess now that we're into the new season, I can properly pick apart the shows I'm watching now. Let's start with Sunday, shall we?

Sunday

Desperate Housewives: I don't mean to insult one of America's favorite shows but.... yawn. I know it's tough to really make the second season really pop like the first. But I think I've pinned down what is missing this season. The ladies are not quite so intertwined. Last season, they had the mystery of Mary Alice to keep them commiserating and interacting with each other. This season, how many scenes have they all had together? Not very many. So we're really not feeling that bond that they supposedly have. Gabby is pretty much handling this thing with Carlos on her own and how often do they even bring up her pregnancy? Lynette? Off in her own little world. Her apology to the rat was one of my favorite scenes, though. Hee! Bree, naturally dealing with her dead husband, hateful children, and creepy boyfriend. Not much time for tea, I guess. And Susan is really busy being neurotic over her hot boyfriend and his assault-with-a-deadly-weapon son. I mean, it just seems so fragmented. And although ratings are down over last season, it's still the second most popular show in the nation. Behind CSI, of course. You can't keep Gil Grissom down, people.

Grey's Anatomy: This is a strange show for me. I like all of the characters, except the main character! Christina? Likable because she tries so hard to be stoic and focused, but can't help letting her human side show. Izzie? I relate to her because everyone assumes I'm an idiot, too when really I actually have some working brain cells. George? Everyone loves George. The perpetual male friend who never gets laid and when he finally does, gets syphillis. Figures. Alex? Jerk, yet provides much needed comic relief. Dr. McDreamy, Dr. Bailey, and Dr. Burke all bring a welcome personality to the show. But Meredith. Every episode I find myself yelling at the TV, "My god, Meredith! NOBODY TALKS LIKE THAT!" I mean, the voice overs. Fine. Tell the story. Exposit. I'm cool with that. But she seems to always have some deep life defining speech and it's like the hugerest eye-roller ever. Like this past episode when she gave Dr. McDreamy the "I love you, pick me" speech, I just couldn't stop giggling because it was so... ridiculous. If anyone talked like that in real life, YOU WOULD LAUGH AT THEM! Out loud! And for a really long time! That being said, I like it and, dare I say it, I look forward to it more than DH. There. I said it.

Monday

How I Met Your Mother: This show is ca-YUTE! OK, it's more than cute. It's funny. It has likable characters and it's written by people the same age as the characters, which is actually a really big plus. Even Barney, the dispicable skirt-chaser manages to come off as charming ("flight suit up!" haaaahahaha) and is by far, IMNHO, the funniest character. And I love how he keeps talking about his blog. And the best part? CBS actually put one up. That RULES! Anyway. The love story in reverse and the fact that he didn't meet his future wife in the first episode are both really good hooks. Good on ya, CBS! I'll even sit through King of Queens for it!

Prison Break: I'm conflicted about this show, as well. It gets compared to 24 a lot, which I am not cool with. Yes, it is a complicated plot but we kind of know they're going to get out. Or they wouldn't name it Prison Break. They'd just name it "Prison." First, the reasons I don't like it: 1) World's Worst Pedicure at the end of the premiere. I have feet issues and that had me curling my toes under for a week; 2) The conspiracy going on outside the prison walls was really slow going until this past episode; 3) There is a lot of suspension of belief required; 4) T-Bag and other assorted references to prison rape. Now the things I do like: 1) Wentworth Miller; 2) Lady Doctor; 3) Michael's elaborate plan. I am indeed curious to see how they finally get out and what they do then and if they can implicate the baddies. That could take 2, maybe 3 seasons. Right? Like I said, I find myself very uncomfortable during this show a lot. Not like 24 where I'm forced to catch my breath at the end of the hour.

Tuesday

Gilmore Girls: I just got addicted to this show over the summer. It is so GOOD! Very witty and smart and will have you laughing and crying and yelling all within about 30 seconds. I am not one to get into girlie stuff (which is what I've been told this show is), but the writing is quite well done and Lauren Graham is the most underrated actress on television. I regret not getting on board with this show earlier. Emily Gilmore is just deliciously passive aggressive and Lorelai is such a delightful smartass and Rory could be fun but she's being a real dumbass right now. I am convinced that this is all Logan's fault. He is hot, yet stupid. No go.

My Name is Earl: I love Jason Lee. I have loved him since Mallrats. And this show is completely politically incorrect and offensive but it's OK because the characters are so clueless. They mean well, so I guess the ACLU will let this one slide. It's also howlingly funny. Did I mention that? Looks like I just did.

The Office: Listen. The way I see it, if you've seen the BBC version, you hate the American version. But if you elitists could let that go and just watch this one with fresh eyes? You might like it. No, I have not seen the BBC version. I have seen the BBC version of Coupling though, and I can understand that there can be a gap. But anyway. My favorite character has got to be Pam. Jenna Fischer just has the best delivery. Also, NBC put up Dwight's blog, too. Way too funny. The Halloween episode was a total riot with him as the Sith Lord. Haaaaahahaha! Also, Pam inspired me to be a cat. Shut up.

The Amazing Race: OK, this is my second favorite show ever (behind 24). I know some people have a problem with the family format. I agree it has its problems: restricted travel area, boring detours and roadblocks, too much bunching, not enough racing, and eliminations being decided by really dumb stuff. But we all know that they'll get back to their regularly scheduled racing for Season 9 and in the mean time we can get to know those Gaghans a little better. My god, they're adorable. Carissa is my hero. There needs to be way more of her.

Commander in Chief: I have only seen one episode. I really like Thelma. I can't watch it only because that time slot is so crowded and something had to get cut and when you go up against Jason Lee and Phil Keoghan? You're SOL.

Wednesday

Lost: Well hello, best show of the season! How intriguing are you? Endless is the mystery of this island. I am actually surprised that this is not the #1 rated show on TV. You can always find someone to talk Lost with you. I have yet to have a conversation about Desperate Housewives or CSI. And the people who love Lost are obsessed with it. Which is fine! I fear it may prove fruitless to try to figure it out, though. I did read an interview with JJ Abrams and it turns out, when writing this thing, they started at the end and worked back. So yes, they know how it's going to end and no, they won't make it easy to figure out. And I bet if you DO figure it out, no one will believe you. Because it will be that whacked out. Check back in 5 years when they end the show. Bookmark it and BELIEVE IT! I don't know what that's supposed to mean.

Veronica Mars: "My day is complete. Veronica Mars has accused me of evil." Gotta love that Logan. And Sheriff Lamb! Hot tamales! I don't care if he's a jerk ... just.... MEOW! Ahem. Anyway. There is not too much to say about VM except that the writing is exceptional and the acting is superb (except when they're stunt casting stupid Paris Hilton) and the continuity is downright phenomenal. The season long mystery isn't quite what it was last season, but then again, maybe it hasn't peaked just yet. Who knows!? Also, next season should be a riot should they follow Veronica to college. Love it! I have watched it from the beginning and have yet to be disappointed (minus the previously mentioned stunt casting incident).

Invasion: I gave up on Invasion. Too slow, I guess. Eddie Cibrian is smokin hot, though.

Thursday

Is stuff still on on Thursday? Oh yeah. Right

Everybody Hates Chris: Hark? What is this? A show that can make me ditch the first half of Survivor? Yes I like it that much. I love his Mom, I love his Dad, I love his siblings, I love his best friend, I love Chris, I love the dead-on 80's clothes, I love the music, and it has the best voice over work in all of television. It's just a lot of fun. A black Wonder Years? Maybe. But with less schmoopiness and way more laughs. Sorry Fred Savage! You got nothin on Tyler James Williams!

Survivor: I am tuning in for the same reasons I tuned in last season. Stephenie is awesome and Bobby Jon is hot in that Tarzan kind of way. The rest of 'em... I'm kind of like.... OK. *shrug* Sorry, but last season was so good. It's hard to come off that and try to come close to matching it. We were going to be disappointed no matter what. I missed it last weekend and didn't even flinch. Oops!

CSI: Want to know what I like about CSI? Gil Grissom and the fact that I can miss a week and still be on board. Not that I would want to miss it. But I could if I wanted to.

Oh! I forgot to mention Arrested Development. It's on Mondays, but I had forgotten that because of World Series and also Fox's love affair with Prison Break. AD really is quite good. To say the very least. There is nothing else on on Monday nights. You can watch it! You know. If you want. I'm also watching The OC and Reunion, but I almost forgot about those too. Whew!

So anyway. I think Wednesday has replaced Thursday as the big night of TV. At least it has for me. Lost and Veronica are my two appointment shows. Will not miss under any circumstances. Not for sleep. Not for sex. Erm. OK, maybe for sex. But that is IT!

Also, go Astros. AS I write this, we're in the top of the 13th and it's pretty exciting, actually, but I'm fading fast. Glad I had it going while I wrote this giant post. Also, that is my new word: giant. Beth's new word is vulgar. It is fun when we get together and use our favorite words.

Good night, internet!