17 Minutes

Lately, it seems like everything I read on blogs these days is about how someone has just finished a marathon. Or has 32 years of food storage. Or just whipped up a 7-course meal from organic produce. But how many people can write about something that I consider supremely important -- TV??

I've thought a lot about the purpose of my blog. Besides posting photos for the grandparents who miss their grandkids terribly, this is an online journal. And shortly we'll be printing it so that all of my posterity can read it for years to come. And while they may find the anecdote about the tooth fairy amusing, wouldn't you rather read a journal about what your mother/grandmother watched on television? I know I would. I wish my pioneer ancestors would have kept better track of their TV log.

If you've been reading this blog for awhile, you know that Josh and I watch a lot of TV. We've had our Tivo since it's inception, when our great friends gave it to us as a wedding gift over 6 years ago. We mourn the end of season, store up for the drought that is the summer, and rejoice when the new season arrives. It's almost like food storage, but much more pointless.

Lately, though, I've been delighted with the state of television comedies. I haven't figured out why, but TV comedies go through peaks and valleys. We had the "must-see TV" days of Friends and Seinfeld, and of course the unbeatable night of The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers and Night Court before that. But since then, the TV comedy has been a little bit lacking (17 seasons of According to Jim, anyone?). Sure, there are notable exceptions like Arrested Development, but the quality ones were few and far between.

So do yourself a favor and start watching yourself some comedies. You'll laugh. I promise. Obviously, unless you're some sort of masochist, you won't want to deny yourself the 30 Rock and The Office. But hey, while you're at it, you should watch Parks and Recreation too. It was mildly humorous last year, but laugh-out-loud hilarious this year, especially if you like Amy Poehler and funny stuff. Also, don't forget the Monday night combo of The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother. I've been a fan of the super-clever HIMYM for awhile now, and have only recently tuned in for The Big Bang Theory. You should tune in as well, if only to appreciate the deep-vee/turtleneck combinations of Howard Wolowitz.

And don't forget about the newcomers. We love Community and Modern Family, even if I can't take Joel McHale (The Soup) seriously as the super-suave popular guy. And I even recommend The New Adventures of Old Christine, which isn't new per se, but new to me and also worth the half hour. But really, if you indeed live under a rock and haven't already, get yourself a Tivo and you can knock these out in about 17 minutes. And who doesn't have 17 minutes?

I know what you're thinking. How do you find time to watch so much TV? Well, I'll save you the trouble of wondering. Here are some things that I don't do: talk on the phone (save a bi-weekly call to my mother); go shopping for fun; go out with friends; scrapbook; run marathons; bake; do member missionary work; etc. It's all about priorities, I suppose. And while I just made myself sound like a super-unsociable loser, I do manage to get a lot done. And still watch TV. And folks, this is just the beginning. Stay tuned for my blogs about TV dramas, reality TV, and TV's guilty pleasures.

This is going to be the most awesome journal FULL of dated TV references! You're welcome, posterity!

Oh, and even though this says it was posted by Josh, it wasn't. It's all me. Though I imagine he would've posted the same thing, if he wasn't busy with a "job" and stuff.