Recently, in the comments section
Design Mom asked me about what shows she should be watching, pointing out that there is a lot of laundry to fold, and great TV makes laundry folding go faster. Amen, Design Mom. Amen. So in that spirit, I thought I would list my top 10 TV shows, paying particular attention to shows you may not have heard of. I had to limit it to 10, because I probably watch 60 shows on a regular basis, and no one needs to share that addiction. And I will also be omitting shows that I have already mentioned in this blog (Studio 60, The Amazing Race, 30 Rock, etc.) Your obligation to watch those shows has not been lifted, and they may appear on future exams, but I today we will focus on some other material. Please note, I don't know what days, times or channels these shows are on. If you want to know that, please ask my Tivo)
Veronica Mars: The biggest crime being committed on TV right now, and I mean BIGGER that Two and A Half Men, is that too few people are watching Veronica Mars. To describe it, it sounds so trite, but I'll do it anyway. It is basically the story of a girl, Veronica, who has a dad who is a PI and who solves mysteries. No, it is not on ABC family. It is on the CW and is currently in its third season. Past seasons have featured big, over0arching mysteries that lasted the whole season (Who murdered Veronica's best friend, Lilly Cane and in season 2 - who caused a busload of kids to drive off of a cliff, killing them all) with a little mini mystery every week. This season, evidently, there will be three major mysteries, each lasting several episodes, thus making it easier to jump in mid-season. Currently, Veronica is trying to figure out who is raping sorority girls on Hearst College Campus and shaving their heads. Lovely, I know. But the show is one of the most well written and well-acted shows on TV and is in danger of cancellation because or low viewership. Don't let this happen, faithful readers. Tune in and you won't be disappointed. And help us figure out how Weevil became so fat this season and has weird bumps on his face and we are not supposed to notice it or something.
Gilmore Girls: Ahh, the Gilmore Girls. (I know you just lost a bucket of respect for me, Chris) I jumped on board this sow shortly after I got engaged to my lovely wife. It is a little silly at times, but cleverly written, with more pop culture references than you can shake a pop culture…something at. And it makes me wish that the town it takes place in, Starts Hollow, were a real place that I could move to. Its on right before Veronica Mars (make and evening of it) and is funny, touching, entertaining and when you reference it, Chris Clark will growl. Everyone wins.
House: This is that show that started a few years ago about the grouchy doctor and you thought, "Do I really need another medical procedural dram?" because that is exactly what I thought. We let it go for a year, then Amy jumped on board and then got me hooked as well. It is an interesting, medical procedure drama, just like it appears, but Dr. House is one of the greatest characters on TV. Crochetty and funny and wonderful. Give it a couple of episodes. It will be entertaining from the first one that you watch, but after a couple, you will be hooked.
Grey's Anatomy: I know everyone in America already watches this show, but if you haven't jumped on the bandwagon yet, do it. Soapy, campy, kitschy and everything that you need on a Thursday night. Plus, some of the best acting and casting on TV.
The Office: Genius. Pure, unadulterated genius. This is one of only two shows that regularly make me laugh out loud (The other being 30 Rock.) The comedy is relatable and painful and the love story is one of the best on TV. The casting on this show is unparalleled, making the most ordinary seeming people, (who don't look like they belong in Hollywood) become the people that you love to hate and love to root for. This review is getting a little gushing, but I think this is one of the best shows on TV.
30 Rock: Yes, I know I have mentioned this show before, thus violating my own rules, but I think it merits a shout out. It was made by Tina Fey, of SNL and Mean Girls fame and is about the inner workings of a TV studio producing an SNL type show, but unlike Studio 60, it is a comedy and only 30 minutes long. It's damn funny too. Tracey Morgan, who I never thought was that funny on SNL, is fantasgreat as a washed up, crazy comedian and Alec Baldwin slays me as the network president. Why is he so funny?
Top Chef: What would a list of TV shows that I love be without at least one reality show? This show is on Bravo and similar to Project Runway, but it is about Chef's instead of Fashion Designers. So maybe it appeals more to food nerds like me, but is still worth a watch. Chefs are some of the most arrogant and crazy people on the planet and to watch them compete is nothing short of lovely.
The Nine: "The what?" you are saying. The Nine, which is also in danger of cancellation, is one of best new shows on TV, next to Studio 60. The show opened with nine strangers entering a bank, which is then robbed at gunpoint. The robbery is only supposed to take 5 minutes, but because someone calls 911 and a standoff starts, it lasts 52 hours. The great part about this show is that we don't really know what went on in the bank during that time. We get to see a few minutes each week in flashbacks, even though whatever went on in there is obviously shaping the lives of the 9 people who went through the ordeal. It has a great cast (Tim Daly (of Wings fame - whatever happened to you, Crystal Bernard?) Scott Wolf (who used to live in Park City) and a bunch of other people who you will say "I've seen them somewhere before!" Watch it before it is too late.
Heroes: Another show that I don't really think needs my help, but just in case… If you live in a cave, this is a show about ordinary people who discover that they have super powers. It makes my inner geek and inner nerd high five each other, but I think it appeals to the non-geek crowd as well. My wife, who does not watch X-Men movies of her own volition likes it, or else she is humoring me because she knows I squirm like a 12 year old boy when cool stuff happens. It's one of those shows like Lost where we don't really know what is happening, but unlike lost, stuff happens really fast and we don't have to wait 36 episodes to get some answers. A joy.
What About Brian?: I'm such a nerd that I like this show, but hear me out. It is a total and utter guilty pleasure. It will never be "The Emmy Award winning What About Brian? It is executive produced by JJ Abrahms (and I would watch if he made a show about dirt,) but is more the Felicity JJ than the Lost JJ. It is basically the story of a mopey guy named Brian who falls in love with his best friends fiancé, Beyonce. (Just kidding. Her name is Marjorie. ) Soapy nerdy premise, but the show has some fun actors and characters, except for the Arquette. I hate the Arquettes.
Anyway. That's it. Keep in mind, this is merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shows I watch. But these are some goodies. Some smart, others not so smart, but all entertaining. There's lots more out there too...Any other suggestions that I missed?
