TV Time

As a means of keeping myself (somewhat) sane during the past few months, I have taken to using the regular schedule of weekly television shows to stay motivated for each new day. There is something comforting about the anticipation of each night's indulgent TV lineup. While I realize that I should probably be spending my time more productively doing things like looking for housing or planning our upcoming wedding, I find that I am much better at procrastinating by getting lost in TV Land (and not the Nick At Nite one, either). In no particular order, the shows I love (and that you should be watching if you are not already) include the following:

The Office - I just can't get enough of this show. Now that it is syndicated, I can watch it at 5:30, 7:30, and 11 p.m. every night. On Tuesdays, TBS has an Office marathon from 8-11 p.m. New episodes air Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC. I have seen every single episode, some 4 or 5 times, but I still watch The Office any chance I get. It is said that humor always has an ounce of truth in it, and The Office is a perfect example of that rule. And dare I say, not just an ounce of truth. In one way or another, The Office is every job I have ever had that takes place in corporate America. And while not all real-life days are as funny as those on The Office, remembering to find the humor in the mundane makes each day that much more bearable.

30 Rock - I have only recently discovered how much this show rocks (pun intended). If I didn't have a marked aversion to New York City and New Yorkers, I think I would want this show to be my life. I feel like I know a real person who is just like each of the quirky characters. While our medium was slightly different, my former coworker "family" experienced a similar insanity that was almost always hilarious. It was also frenetic, sometimes completely insane, and borderline out of control at all times, but the people made each unpredictable day worth it.

Glee - This one is a guilty pleasure of mine. As a music geek, I truly enjoy the over-the-top musical numbers that spontaneously break out in the middle of the high-school dramedy. Beyond the good tunes, I am impressed by the charming cast and the chemistry they all share, even amidst the ridiculous plot twists and hijinks of a predictably delightful upper of a show. Glee is aptly named, as I always feel happier after watching it.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - This show is also a guilty pleasure, but of a totally different breed than Glee. Always Sunny is completely obscene and irreverent, with a dark humor that I normally don't enjoy. What makes this show so entertaining, however, is the cast that keeps things light even amidst some heavy-handed wit. This show is very intelligent and brash, but also subtle as it grows on you episode after episode. It is an acquired taste, but a very palatable one because of its cynical honesty.

Burn Notice - There are a lot of imitations of this show, but Burn Notice is by far the best of the lot. The trio of key actors makes a fantastic team with fabulous on-screen chemistry. This show has a little bit of everything: mystery, super-spy intrigue, romance, humor, action and blow-'em-up special effects, intelligent and interesting writing, and lovely eye candy for all. Burn Notice is suspenseful but not scary, intense but not gory, and overwhelmingly entertaining. I look forward to it every week.

True Blood - This show is not for the faint of heart. A stark contrast to the previous selections, True Blood is heavy and dark, but captivating at the same time. While I have never been one to particularly enjoy vampire lore, the treatment of the subject matter in True Blood is so well done that I usually forget how fantastical the whole production is. The acting in this show is very good, and the visual appeal is immediately noticeable. With loveable characters, an overarching sensuality, and powerful, captivating plots, True Blood is worth the price of having HBO, but it's definitely not for kids.

Big Bang Theory - What can I say? I like a good nerd, and this show has lots of them. The characters in this show remind me of my beloved childhood and high school friends, all of whom were impossibly intelligent but equally socially awkward. I like to think this show makes me slightly smarter because of the high-level subject matter, but really I just like to laugh at Sheldon's neuroses.

Fringe - Fringe is another cerebral show, intended to stretch the limits of what our minds perceive possible. While most of the "science" is not overly believable by today's standards, the scenarios that the writers think up are challenging to ponder, and the characters in this show are extremely lovable. The father figure, Walter, is superb as the mad scientist, and Peter (played by Joshua Jackson) is the bad-boy-gone-good that every girl secretly wants deep down. Some folks may not be able to accept the premise of this show, and for them it would likely not be enjoyable, but for those who can go with the "fringe" concept, it is definitely worth watching.

Friday Night Lights - Here's a show that is based on a movie that is based on a book. Even with the potential to be watered down from the original (real-life) story, this show manages to capture the essence of the small-town Texas high-school football drama. The show competently takes on a lot of difficult subject matter while maintaining a fully-wholesome product. While the show only has another season and a half left, I am pleased with NBC's decision to actually finish the show and bring the stories to a close. I'll be watching to see how it all turns out.

Bonus: Last Comic Standing - Because it's funny. Seriously funny.