TV Roundup

It’s about time to do a TV roundup, for no other reason than I want to.

SUNDAY

The Amazing Race was one of the most entertaining seasons yet, fully rebounding from the horrorshow of the Family Edition two seasons ago.

The Apprentice: LA The first episode was pretty solid, all things considered. I really had been waning on this show entirely as the last few seasons were pretty boring. But we watched it and while it certainly didn’t need to be 90 minutes, it wasn’t half bad. The new gimmicks don’t seem all that interesting but we shall see. And Ivanka is just fine as an upgrade from Caroline…but where’s George?

Battlestar Galactica - We’ve finished the first two seasons on DVD and a marathon will air on Monday (MLK Day) which means we can catch up. This show is PHENOMENAL, and when I heard people say that, I didn’t listen. It took until maybe ten people had mentioned it that I gave it a chance. It’s funny, dark, compelling…and the acting is universally great.

MONDAY

24 -- It would be embarrassing to admit how excited I am about Season 6 starting up this weekend. Seriously, it’s pathetic.

How I Met Your Mother -- This show is genuinely funny, and generally good for a few out loud laughs, which is more than I can say about most other ‘comedies’ on TV. The next time I get sick, I’ll have to remember that I’m not actually sick, my nose is just full of awesome.

Heroes -- Once I got into this show, it’s been very fun. The show seems to know where it’s going, and it’s just cheesy enough to be fun and still genuinely interesting. Still not sold on the stripper with super strength story, but everyone else is pretty fun to watch.

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip -- This show is very frustrating for me. On the one hand, I do like it, and there are very clever things about it. Matthew Perry, Bradley Whitford, Steven Weber and Amanda Peet are all great, seriously. But the show is just so maniacally preachy, so sanctimonious that it’s annoying. And I actually agree with their side of the argument. If the show could actually be about a comedy show, it could actually get great.

TUESDAY

Veronica Mars - Just a thoroughly enjoyable show that you have to watch to appreciate. It’s well written, funny and compelling and the actors are good across the board.

WEDNESDAY

Friday Night Lights -- I’ve only seen a few episodes of this but each and every one is fantastic, and now I finally have a Season Pass set up. It’s incredibly well written, seemingly very honest and the acting and direction are about as good as it gets. Just a great, great show.

America’s Next Top Model -- I’ve almost completely lost interest. Next season is up in the air for me.

Beauty and The Geek -- On the other hand, this show is great. The contestants don’t seem quite as hopeless this season, but the first episode was great and it seems like the premise is holding up.

Lost -- Very excited that the show will restart with a lot of fresh episodes, but that first part of the season was very iffy for me. It’s time to start actually getting a few answers – just a few.

Top Chef -- Still a very good show, I can’t quite figure out why it’s not ON more often. And I do take a smidge of offense that they moved it from San Francisco. [sniff] It’s a great second season of this show – I’m assuming no one but Sam or Cliff can actually win this, but it will still be fun to watch.

THURSDAY

Survivor -- Just worth reiterating that this past season was one of the best of all time. Well done.

The Office -- This show gets better every episode. For my money, there’s nothing funnier than Ed Helms singing “The Rainbow Connection” in Pig Latin on the banjo.

Ugly Betty - I haven’t watched it all that often, but when I’ve seen it, it’s actually pretty entertaining and an interesting kind of show you don’t really see. Not totally my thing but I get why it could be for folks.

30 Rock - It does generally make me laugh…about once a show. That’s what keeps it on the TiVo, mainly due to Alec Baldwin. I still don’t “get” Tracy Morgan.

Scrubs -- I just started watching this, and thought the recent episodes were amusing enough to watch some reruns – which I actually quite enjoyed. The newer ones aren’t as good – for some reason, it seems that Zach Braff’s voice has changed for the worse – but it’s a good show.

FRIDAY and SATURDAY

Um, nothing.

Yeah, I watch too much TV but there really is a lot of good stuff on these days.