Now on to the good stuff...
Shows I love
How I Met Your Mother, CBS - Monday 8 PM - I've talked about this show once and I have no problem talking about it again. This show reminds me of Friends, before it got stale and before all the men on the show became completely emasculated. Basically you have this guy named Ted and how he met his future wife, as told in the future by Ted to his 2 kids. It's a great premise, and leaves you wondering who this future wife is... this season they gave a hint and I can't wait to see what else will happen. The cast of this show is also great and the comedy and the one liners are hilarious. The people on this show actually feel like buddies you might have at a bar or hang out with once or more a week. Always a good sign when looking for a likable show.
Lost, ABC - This show is not on right now, but that doesn't mean I can't write about how much I like it. I actually prefer this faux reality show over the reality show that it's based on (Survivor). The mystery and the clues to this mystery seem to be reason enough for me to watch, but now I'm going to be afraid to go on a plane in that part of the world. A friend of mine can't stand how the guys always have a constant 5 o'clock shadow instead of a stringy ugly beard, but I don't notice that. I notice the magical numbers, the polar bear, the voices, and healing powers of the island. I also like how everyone looks so clean and pretty and that might annoy some people, but I just like it and I really want to know what happens to this group of stranded survivors in the South Pacific.
Family Guy, FOX, Sunday 9 PM - A couple weeks ago, Family Guy had it's season premiere and they made an hour long episode in homage to Star Wars Episode 4. This is why I watch this show. I love pop culture. I'm in tune to what is going on in entertainment and this show rewards you with non-sequitor pop culture references throughout the episodes. Things from the Kool-Aid man to Grey Poupon to a remade music video remake of "Take On Me" by A-Ha done in the sketch art. Funny, doesn't begin to describe how good this show is. But it's not everyone's cup of tea. However, this show was brought back from the dead by all of its adoring fans, which says a hell of a lot.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, FX, Thursday 10 PM - Imagine if you were watching Seinfeld, except the Elaine character in the group would try and seduce and convince a priest to leave the church who she also knew had a crush on her, the Jerry character has a gigantic ego and thought he could manipulate anyone to do what he wanted while waxing poetic about wanting to be a veterinarian, the George character wanted to be sexually molested by his grade school PE teacher so he could feel better about himself, and the Kramer character couldn't read or write, is completely dishonest, and faked having cancer so he could sleep with a waitress. Then you would have "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". This show is horrible yet I keep watching because I can't believe they get away with showing this on TV. I feel like such a bad person.
Scrubs, NBC, Thursday 9:30 PM - This is entering its last season, and it's one of my favorites. Unlike the other medical shows out there, this show doesn't take itself way too seriously. It's a comedy and has its fair share of non-sequitor moments like Family Guy. But this show also has a lot of heart. They also deal with real issues that you and I might deal with (off and on relationships, dating in the workplace, marriage, having children, dealing with a horrible boss, dealing with death, and one's career)... not what you would expect from a comedy show that takes place in a hospital, huh? The main character is currently riding my last nerve, but I still find this show good for a laugh.
Anthony Bourdain No Reservations, Travel Channel, Monday 10 PM - This was my new favorite show this summer. Especially since I haven't been traveling anywhere, this show serves as an excellent escape to far away places that I hope to visit someday. The show stars the ever sarcastic, hating on Food Network chef, Anthony Bourdain, author of a book called Kitchen Confidential which I really need to read one of these days. He has a great approach towards travel and experiencing other cultures. If you are given something to eat that someone made for you, you eat it graciously and ask for seconds. If you don't like what you were served, you eat it graciously and ask for seconds. To say something like that is easy. To actually follow through with it... is something else entirely. This guy did manage to eat wart-hog anus prepared by natives in Namibia but in a rare display of defiance, refused to eat a mayonnaise cake in South Carolina. He's my hero, and going on a tangent... I found a video of him explaining cricket. He's so cool.
Pushing Daisies, ABC, Wednesday 8 PM - This show premieres tonight and I must say, you have to watch it. If anything for the cinematography, the artistic direction, the lush colors, and the feel of utter fantasy as you watch it. It's reminds me of Wonderfalls which coincidently, one of the creators of Wonderfalls helped create Pushing Daisies as well. Pushing Daisies is the story of a man who can bring anything to life with the touch of his finger. I can't say any more because it would ruin it for you... but if you crave sexual tension between characters on a TV show... you've seen nothing yet. Please watch the preview and watch the show... it's pure magic... in an Amelie kind of way.
The Office (US Version), NBC, Thursday 9 PM - Last but most certainly not least, is my favorite TV show. Now some people think this show sucks because it was a British import chopped to bits and regurgitated into the US version, but I find no problem with it at all. In fact I enjoy this version more than the British version. Sometimes Americans do things a little differently than the British and that's a good thing. So sometimes I need my jokes spelled out a little more obviously, and the drama to be a little more over the top. If it wasn't like that, then I really wouldn't find it so hilariously funny at times. Working in an office is something many people do and I'm surprised no one thought of this premise as an idea for a TV show. One memorable moment included role playing various ethnicities in the workplace for some HR training thing, and the African American guy was randomly chosen to be Black. Oh and they didn't know what they were... these ethnicities were written on pieces of paper and taped to their forehead. Comedy gold I tell you...
I especially love the interaction of the two characters above, Jim and Pam. Until this season, their admiration and flirting with each other was somewhat subtle and only obvious to the camera/audience. This year began a whole new stage of their relationship in the open that I'm afraid will wipe away the magic of before. I often wonder what happens when you get something you want.... like what eventually happens. I guess we will all find out soon enough.
LeeZy
P.S. The baseball bet ended somewhat dramatically in an 11-11 tie. My guy won his last 2 games. He doesn't suck that much after all... so yes... no softball game for now.
P.P.S I just found out today, another show I loved from 1999 is being brought back... watch the original pilot (starting from part 2/5) on youtube. What can I say, this show struck a cord with me.
