What You Should STILL Be Watching by Petie

I don't know about you, but I started the fall season of T.V. happier and more optimistic than I have in years. Tivo remote in one hand, diet coke in the other, it seemed we sat down every evening for a night of pure entertainment. And then something funny happened. Very few shows continued to excite me. And then the biggest warning sign of them all: I started reading. . .a lot. Like two or three books a week. I don't blame ALL TV for my current sad state, just some. So I felt like we needed to pay tribute to those that keep me off the sauce (book addictions are way too all-consuming) and keep me glued to my Tivo, where all good mothers belong.

Sunday:

Sheepishly, I admit a guilty-pleasure fascination with Brothers & Sisters. I can't help it. And while it's not ground-breaking television, I would say it's remained fairly stable. . .maybe even improving upon its first couple of weeks. And maybe we can't be friends anymore, but I love Sally Field in this show.

The Amazing Race has continued its tried but true formula. Lots of people running around, turning their heads quickly from side to side, in an attempt to "visit" the many countries they travel to, in a really harried, stressed-out kind of way. And it entertains us. But we may be, dare we say, tiring of it? And we may also have to admit that there's not a soul in the final three teams that we don't want to slap upside the head. We root for the moms. . .but only because they could use the money for their kids and not for continuing to be real awesome models/addicts. And Rob and Kimberly continue in the stereotypical niche of "real ornery couple who really does love each other" that The Amazing Race producers have lovingly carved out every season.

I suppose if you're hankering for more TV, you should also catch Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. We WANT to support it because of the good that it does, but, if we have to hear Ty Penington tell one more couple about how "special" they are before the reveal of their master bedroom, we'll have to poke our eyes out with a fork.

Monday:

If there's one show that hasn't disappointed all season, it's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip. That no one is watching it is one of the great travesties facing our nation today. . .that and global warning, says Al Gore, though I think the former is more worthy of a documentary. It's just darn good. I love the subject matter, love the writing, love the casting. . .love it all. I'm not sure I've ever loved a cast as much as I do on this show. Only if Crystal Bernard could be brought in to be Jack (Stephen Webber)'s love interest could I possibly be more satisfied. And who knew Amanda Peet would be so great? She's brilliant.

Josh would cut my head open and remove my brain if I didn't also mention Heroes in this section. I, personally, am not that impressed. I am, however, firmly grounded in reality and like it there. I like Heroes, but Josh loves it. I'm too annoyed by the really annoying super-powers (I'm looking your way Nicki/Jessica) to like it too much. But I do love Hiro and am really glad that pixie girl is dead. But I'll still watch it. . .if only because of how much my husband loves it, and always says, "Don't forget that I'm not a hero and I have to take the garbage out after this is over" ever week. Truly.

Tuesday:

See aforementioned Gilmore Girls tirade. Still worth watching, but needing some serious retooling.

Veronica Mars has replaced the hole in my heart that was left by the sad but inevitable departure of "Felicity" some years ago. I've never recovered, but V.M. has managed some much-needed healing. It was AMAZING for the first two seasons, and it still is better written than 99% of what else is on TV, but it has taken a bit of a dive lately. I don't personally care for the new, network-appeasing three mystery format, and the recent stunt casting has been appalling (the irony of Patty Hearst playing the kidnapped heiress was dwarfed by her awful acting). . .but the word is that the story format is changing for the better, and I still love Keith Mars, Wallace, Mac and even the new, delightful Piz to keep me watching until they take my beloved show away from me.

I'm in love. With Gregory House. Not Hugh Laurie -- just Dr. House. Maybe it's because he's so smart. But probably it's because he's a crotchety, unethical, drug-addicted bastard. Issues? Maybe. I'm annoyed with the cop that's "out to get him," but it's still great -- and I want to take Robert Sean Leonard and keep him in my pocket.

Wednesday:

There's nothing I love more than transformations, even if it means months of neurotic, exercise and diet-related obssession. For this reason, I love The Biggest Loser. I love sitting on my couch and thinking how awesome it would be if I'd get off my butt and do something about losing the 15 lbs. that I'm longing to lose -- my husband next to me eating a big bowl of ice cream (it's his TBL ritual). I love being astounded by Caroline Rhea's abhorrent lack of style and penchant for neon colors (neon? what?). And I love mushy Bob and his mohawk and ripped abs, believing that, if he cares that much about fatties, he'd love me, and we could run off in haze of gay man/married woman bliss!

I suppose I should also mention America's Next Top Model, because, well, I'm American, and nothing thrills me more than a patriotic search for our next top model. Oh Tyra Banks. . .if all the world loved themselves as much as you love yourself. . .we'd all be really narcissistic. Okay, it's getting old. I hate the house and the moaning (which we all know is caused by hunger -- feed yourselves, girls! You'll feel better!), but I still love me some photo shoots.

Sorry, The Nine. You were one of my favorite new shows of the season. . .and then you became really. . .uninteresting. You also tie Lost for the most annoying "slow reveal" of any TV show.

Lost is on hiatus, and even though it's really mysterious and annoying and every week I yell at my TV, "Thanks for the answers, JJ!," I still watch. It's that addicting.

Thursday:

I couldn't be more thrilled about "Must See TV." I don't watch "My Name is Earl" and some may have issue with that, but I never have and I never will, so let's move on.

I love, love, love The Office. The most awkward 30-minutes on TV. And oftentimes the most sweet, touching and hilarious of the week. And I don't even mind that Pam and Jim haven't gotten together. I love the journey so much, it doesn't matter.

30 Rock. Oh, Judy. Funny. And if Alec Baldwin doesn't win an Emmy, I'm giving him mine. Two weeks ago, I almost fell of the couch in a fit of hysterics as Baldwin shot his promotional material. Genius. I know we overuse this word and, some might argue, shouldn't reference an actor on a 30-minute sitcom, but, in this case, I disagree. And Tina Fey. . .you're a peach.

Rounding out the line-up is Scrubs. It's quirky and zany and a little unstable, but it's like that stray puppy that you would love if you loved puppies, which I don't (beside the point) in that it's endearing and cute and, in this case, doesn't leave hair all around the house or drool.

You really shouldn't leave the house at all on Thursdays. I know our Tivo is working overtime. You MUST be watching Grey's Anatomy, as it never disappoints. Miranda Bailey could make me watch anything, even if it includes broody Isaiah Washington, the most unlikeable person in real-life. I love the interns. They're funny and great-looking and make me think that I should have gone to medical school because surely I'd be funny and great-looking like them too!

Finally, folks, it's Ugly Betty. Didn't get the big whoop in the beginning. But it's fun. And I love that cute America Ferrera. The story line with the dead lady is such a snooze, but that's why we have Tivo -- I can make it disappear.

Let me also put in a bit of a plug for the newly revamped O.C. It's better than it has been in years, and while that's not saying much, it's noticeably more clever after the death of special Marissa, whom I would've killed myself if she wasn't just a TV character. I can also continue my huge crush on Sandy and his bushy eyebrows, who I'm quite convinced could fit in my shoe, he's such a miniature man.

That's it, folks. No shows on Friday or Saturday. I suppose you can't believe how much TV I watch, and to you I only say: that's nothing. I'm also watching CSI, Law & Order: SVU, The Bachelor (I enjoy self-torture), What About Brian, Shark, Survivor, Justice, and daily viewings of Oprah and E! News. Not to mention the shows on TLC and HGTV. And Friday Night Lights is in tube storage.

All of this talk of TV has made me want to put down that book and start watching! You should too!