TV Corral

About three years ago San Francisco lost its NBC affiliate. The station was up for sale and NBC corporate wanted to buy it. They got outbid and being a corporate PCMB* NBC threw a little tantrum and took their affiliate down to San Jose. If one had cable watching NBC was no problem, you just found the new location on the dial. For those of us without cable, it meant one less choice on our already virtually choice-less dial.

Then two weeks ago, boom, almost out of nowhere (Mr. had read something in the paper that said it might happen soon) we start getting the NBC channel out of the South Bay. Let me tell you people, it's kind of like having cable because all of the sudden there is 1/10th more television to watch. That said, I have watched many, many shows on NBC since that fateful Wednesday just to make sure. Here's what I have seen:

Joey: Ouch. That hurt.
Scrubs: A sitcom that is actually funny. Because of this Mr. claims that it is not actually a sitcom. He's right in that it is more of a parody of sitcoms, hospital shows, and buddy vehicles all in one package.
Medium: This is a show about a woman who helps solve crimes with her psychic powers. Apparently, it is written by 100 chain-smoking monkeys locked in a writer's room and pounding on keyboards. I couldn't figure out what kept the actors from laughing. Possibly her psychic powers.
My Name is Earl: Another not-a-sitcom sitcom. It was sort of entertaining. I might watch it again.
The Office: Yes, it is funny. Yes, it is painful. No, it doesn't compare to the original. Sure, it's more "American" and I guess that they go to Chili's should make it more "relatable." But those two crushed out co-workers? They're not Tim & Dawn, so don't try to make me think that they are. However, it is nice to see that Arthur has landed on his feet.

So, add two versions of The Apprentice and 19 versions of Law & Order and I think you have the NBC line-up. It turns out we weren't missing much. To compensate I have been watching as much of the new season of television as my life and conscience will allow. I have watched:

Arrested Development: Bizarre and hilarious. Good work.
Kitchen Confidential vs. How I Met Your Mother: This was rough for me since it meant that Xander was facing off Willow in the new sitcom timeslot competition. As it turns out, neither show is very good although Kitchen Confidential is marginally more watchable if only because the characters seem new to the genre. Plus, how freaking cute is Sam Weir all grown up? The best thing about How I Met . . . is Doogie Houser playing a variation on his role from Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Otherwise it's Aly Hannigan playing the role from the American Pie movies and Jason Segel playing a smarter version of Nick Andopolis (oh, Nick). Besides didn't this show used to be called The Single Guy?
Lost OK, towel off scary Walt, speak up, and start from the beginning. Oh, and get to a storyline that I care about. That would be any other storyline except for Jack's. And Kate's.

Since I am revealing (and reveling) my love for TV, I'll add these two recently watched DVD series:

Firefly: In anticipation of the release of Serenity, I decided to start watching this. Lucky for me it was available from the library therefore not taking up precious Netflix property. The style of the show took some getting used to, however once I got passed the spaceships and "never you mind"s it turned out to be a pretty great show. It was disappointing to have it stop short because there was so much that could have been done with these characters. I was particularly bummed to never learn Preacher Book's backstory. If you watch it, do yourselves a favor and skip the special features. There is nothing as stomach turning as watching nerds laud and lament the creation and demise of their own work.

The Wire: Watch this show.

With all this TV watching there has been knitting, unfortunately last week's was top-secret gift knitting. I did start a One Skein Wonder, but my head-cold induced dozing prevented quick finishing. Dozing aside, it's all done except the border. I wish I could make everyone one of these. How do you think my dad would like it?

*Pu . . . Crybaby Mama's Boy

Comments

[Kyle]

Nic, it's so so sad that you can't watch IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA and STARVED on FX. They are both really really great shows. I think you'd like STARVED especially well.

[Rayna]

Not to be too technical, but it's actually PCMB. I know you'd hate to mis-quote Maggie in the future. Arrested Development reminds me of the early seasons of The Simpsons when one would sputter, through laughter, "I can't believe they just said that on TV".

[Tanya]

Always Sunny and Starved are exceptional - too bad they are off now that their seven show runs are done - will they come back? Who knows?

We are liking Earl, or rather, I am liking Jason Lee's porn star stache. We are also currently getting through Firefly. Surprisingly good stuff, feeling bad that I didn't give it more of a chance first time around. Thanks for the tip on not watching the extras - though I am waiting for the fourth disc, with the Alan Tudyk audition. I heart me some Alan Tudyk.

[Laurel]

Thanks for the reminder that I wanted to read Misfortune in between all my TV watching.

[Bonnie]

This post confirms what I have long suspected.....you are my long lost tv twin. But imagine my suprise to discover you just might be my movie twin too! Do you also love good bad movies.........

Serenity now! (Joss and Seinfeld shout out!)

[Bonnie]

Saw Serenity! You must go.

[shobhana]

'the wire' is definitely the best show on television. still can't believe they killed off stringer bell... those FX shows mentioned are pretty good. so is that denis leary show on FX, can't remember the name of it.

[Carrie]

I totally agree about Medium. I felt really stupid when I watched it that one time...I'm glad someone else didn't get it.