On my birthday I received a wealth of gift certificates to buy TV shows on DVD and I totally splurged. I am now the proud owner of The Office S3 (I already have S1 & S2), 30 Rock S1, Friday Night Lights S1, Joan of Arcadia S2 (I already own S1) and Pride & Prejudice (A&E Miniseries). [Aside to carmen_sandiego, the A&E version is still the first in my heart. *g*] So of course it was kinda crazy to buy that many DVDs all at once although the plan was that it would distract me when my laptop was sent in to be repaired... but then they broke it and gave me a new one so now I'm trying not to get distracted by my new toy while focusing on all the DVD watching before the new season of TV begins.

I've been relatively successful so far, and have already watched and fallen in love - again! - with FNL. Seriously, if you haven't seen this show, please check it out - it's the best drama on TV. If you're turned off by the football aspect, don't be, if you're not into football, you'll love it because it's about the people - and the acting, writing and directing are all fantastic! The first season is on sale and is very reasonably priced, and of course you can rent it or netflixx it. /promoting the awesome FNL

I'm currently in the midst of The Office mania because I had already been watching S2 (a recent pre-birthday purchase) so I've been mainlining the last couple of seasons. Another fantastic show! Both these shows got me thinking about the previous television season, so I bring you....

( My Eleven Favourite Moments from the 2006-2007 Television Season (no spoilers) )

Well, those are some of my favourite moments from the last TV season. Did I miss any of your favourites? *g*

We're all concerned about how gross you look. (btvs 2:18)

So yeah, I’ve been sick. Not feel-like-I’m-dying sick, just annoying-head-cold-that-sticks-around sick. And it’s made me cranky and whiny and low on energy. Fortunately I didn’t have to travel anywhere for Christmas because my family (mom, dad, brother and brother’s girlfriend) converged at my apartment for Christmas. I don’t have the biggest apartment ever but we all fit comfortably (fyi: they slept at a hotel – it wasn’t that cozy). And my mom – who’s very awesome – prepared the meal so basically I just had to show up in my own apartment and try not to sneeze on anyone. I feel very spoiled by the lovely Christmas and all the fabulous gifts I received (of fannish interest: I got a Puppet Angel, the Vamp!Xander action figure and the Scruffy Wesley action figure).

I’m finally feeling mostly better today (*fingers crossed*) – which is good because on Sunday I’m heading out to visit the fabulous girlfriend! I’m so excited about visiting with Camisha – we’ll have just over a week together. Of course, I would be more excited if I wasn’t flying through Denver. I’ve spoken to my airline and apparently it’s possible that things should be cleared up by then and it should be alright when I fly through there. But I’ll have to keep calling and checking that the flight’s still confirmed, because if not, they will re-route me … but that could mean I won’t arrive for New Year’s Eve which had been my original plan.

So in an effort to not stress out, I thought I’d tell you my top 10 list of TV shows for 2006 (ie. the shows I enjoyed the most this past year). Oh! I am planning to do my fic wrap-up but I probably won’t have that ready to post till the new year.

( My Top 10 TV Shows of 2006 – spoiler free! )

So that’s it for me for now. I hope you all have been having a wonderful holiday season and I wish you all a Happy New Year!

In previous years I've held out hope that my favourite shows and actors would get Emmy nominations. And I've always been disappointed when it seems like being on HBO guarantees a nomination, the same shows get nominated year after year, and mediocre actors like Charlie Sheen and Patricia Arquette get nominated (and win!). So, last year after gazing at the awards and declaring It's like these people don't actually watch television! I decided that (other than the industry prestige and glitzy parties) the Emmys are silly and meaningless, and if I made up my own nominations to celebrate my favourite shows, actors and writers it is way more meaningful. Why more meaningful, you ask? Because I love television!! And I'm sure I watch way more tv than the average Emmy voter.

So, if you want to see who the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences nominated click here. ETA: There are NO spoilers behind the cut. And if you want to know why I nominated something or why I didn't, please ask - I didn't have the energy for lengthy explanations (thus, why no spoilers). Now, onto the real nominations: ( The Second Annual Nominations for the Cordelianne Emmys )

I'm sure you're wondering how the winners will be determined. I will be making that decision and announcing it on (or close to) Emmy night. I will likely do a poll to determine the people's choice around that date, but I will ultimately have to pick one from my favourites in each category (which will be a challenge!!).

I'd wanted to do more categories (ie. writing and directing) but am exhausted from all my preparations for visiting savoytruffle (I leave on Monday!!! eeeeee!!!) and for Writercon!!! The excitement levels are VERY HIGH here!!! I'm pretty much ready although there's a couple of last minute things I need to do tomorrow and Monday (eg. I still need to get American money. I remembered to set aside my Veronica Mars dvds but not get cash. *headdesk*).

*squishes you all* *collapses*

Work's been all stressful this week (thanks in part to all the preparations for Pride this weekend) and my co-worker/friend and I had to - temporarily - take apart our desks and computers for Pride-related reasons... but that means I have a three day weekend!! Yay!

The Emmy nomination ballots are being prepared, and since the shows that I love rarely get nominated, I thought it would be fun to give them some love. Because I'm feeling unoriginal, I'm blatantly stealing the categories from TV Gal's Nominations for the 2006 Amy Awards (I love her awards because the categories, nominations and winners are all decided by the readers of her column). WARNING: Spoilers for Veronica Mars season 2 for numbers 1 & 5 and for Everwood and Smallville behind the cut ( Here's my take on the TV Gal awards categories: )

I'm using my Hannah/Bright Everwood icon because I love those characters and miss the show lots and lots.


So, as mentioned above, this weekend is Pride here in Toronto (actually all week is Pride week) which means I may not be around too much. Or it means I'll be around lots because I'll be overwhelmed by the crowds and commercialism. I'm planning a low-key Pride but these things always grow. So HAPPY PRIDE!!!!

Michael Ausiello (TV Guide) reports that Veronica Mars has been renewed!!! The sad news is that Everwood won't be. Here's what you'll find at the link:

Straight from the horse's mouth, Rob Thomas just e-mailed me to confirm that Veronica Mars has been renewed for a third season. The show got a 22-episode order that, depending on ratings, can be reduced to 13. Very reliable sources, meanwhile, are also telling me that One Tree Hill will be back and that Everwood is, in fact, dead. Talk about injustice.

So I'm trying to focus on the positive that my beloved Veronica Mars will be back. I'm a little worried because this is similar to what happened to Arrested Development and we know how that turned out.

I've been lucky because Everwood is the only one of my shows so far to be officially not renewed. (I am incredibly sad about this, because it's one of the best shows on television.) Here's what's been renewed so far:

- My Name is Earl: Moves to Thursdays 8pm, NBC
- The Office: Moves to Thursdays 8:30pm, NBC
- Scrubs: It won't be airing until mid-season, like this year. NBC
- What About Brian: Mondays 10pm, ABC (I haven't decided if I'll keep watching.)
- Lost: Wednesdays 9pm, ABC (I'm considering not watching next season because I haven't been loving this season and I need to cut down on the amount of shows I watch)
- Grey's Anatomy: Moves to Thursday 9pm, ABC
ETA: - I believe that Gilmore Girls has already been picked up by the CW (probably for Tuesdays 8pm).
ETA#2: - Because the official schedules haven't been announced I forgot that Bones and How I Met Your Mother have already been renewed.

I haven't been following the new shows too closely because I find so much can change between now and September. And I'm trying to reduce the amount of tv shows I watch, not increase them.

So it’s been a crazy week in which I worked too much (because of all the slacking I’d done previously), and didn’t get enough sleep because I still tried to do everything I normally do after work.

Now I’m looking at the “notes” I made while watching various tv shows and shaking my head at how unhelpful they are. For example, here’s something I wrote about this about this week’s Gilmore Girls episode: “Come what may. (Moulin Rouge)” Um, what? I think someone may have said that line and I was noting that it’s the title of that song in Moulin Rouge, but I can’t recall the context.

Anyway, here are my thoughts about my tv shows:

( Gilmore Girls ‘Driving Miss Gilmore’ 6:21 )

( Veronica Mars ‘Happy Go Lucky’ 2:21 )

( Scrubs ‘My Fallen Idol’ 5:21 )

( The Amazing Race ‘Man, They Should Have Used Their Fake Names’ )

( Smallville ‘Oracle’ 5:21 )

( Supernatural ‘Devil’s Trap’ 1:22 )

I did see Mission: Impossible III with a couple of friends and it was a fun time. ( Not really spoilers but there’s a bit of rambling about MI-III and about book references. )

Before I finish this rambly post, I wanted to give people a heads up that I’m planning another music post for this weekend. They’ll be more Arcade Fire and another band/musician (*is mysterious*). I thought I’d see if anyone had any other requests. I love sharing things that make me happy so if there’s something you want to hear more of, let me know!! *g*

I’m mostly caught up on this week’s television watching, except for tonight’s shows. The highlight of this week is definitely Scrubs. The episode reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place, but I will continue the gushing safely behind a spoiler tag

( Scrubs ‘My Lunch’ 5:20 )

Since I gushed about the incredible awesomeness of Scrubs, I’m only saying a couple of sentences about the other shows. Seriously, I’m actually succinct.

( 24 ‘1am-2am’ 5:19 )

( How I Met Your Mother ‘Mary the Paralegal’ 1:19 )

( Gilmore Girls ‘Super Cool Party People’ 6:20 )

( Veronica Mars ‘Look Who’s Stalking’ 2:20 )

(  Smallville ‘Mercy’ 5:19 )

Even though this post is ridiculously long (thanks a lot Scrubs!), I wanted to draw your attention to my new default icon! Thanks to femmenerd, who directed me to book_icons, I now have a bunch of Anne of Green Gables and L.M. Montgomery icons (including an Anne/Diana one!). This one is from the cover of the first edition of Pat of Silver Bush (1933). I actually own this book (as well as many other old editions of LMM’s work) and I love the cover art, even though it doesn’t really fit the book.

ETA: There are Veronica Mars season two spoilers in the comments up to episode 2:20 (Look Who's Stalking). There's also some really damn good speculation by ladyinhottpink about the answers to the major mysteries.

Happy Wednesday!! I hope everyone is experiencing the same lovely weather we are here. I had planned to take notes while watching all 5 of my shows last night, but it turns out I wrote meaningless squee like Vincent!!! Butters! Whoo hooo!, which is not helpful for a thoughtful review. So, as a challenge to myself I’ve arbitrarily decided that I can only write 2 sentences about each of my Tuesday shows. Let’s see if rambly me can accomplish this!

(  Veronica Mars “Nevermind the Buttocks” (2:19) )

(  Gilmore Girls “I Get A Sidekick Out of You” (6:19) )

(  Scrubs “His Story III” (5:19) )

(  House “Sleeping Dogs Lie” (2:18) )

(  Teachers “Golf” (1:4) )

Okay, so I completely failed my own challenge for Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls, and I basically failed it for Scrubs. However I did succeed with House and Teachers, yay me? So that’s 2 out of 5, um, yeah I fail. Tonight is Bones (yay!!), The Amazing Race, and the two hour return of Alias.

Random thing: they turned the air conditioning on at work and now it’s beautiful and refreshing, instead of hot and stiffling.

You'll probably note that the icon I'm using (by kornpeep) has nothing to do with my post. It just amuses me because I love that Buffybot smile and that line of hers always cracks me up.

Happy Wednesday everyone!! I’m excited because tonight there’s new episodes of Veronica Mars, Lost, Bones AND the Amazing Race!!! That’s a lot of tv, but it’s all good tv so I’m happy.

Yesterday the weather was insane. There were snow flurries for a few seconds, then they stopped. Half an hour later, there was hail!! Fortunately it didn’t last too long. And then there were snow flurries again. Nothing has stayed and I’m holding out hope this is the last snow for the year. But it’s like the weather has PMS.

Lots of tv has been watched by me the last couple of days:

( 24 ‘10pm-11pm’ 5:16, Who’s evil now? )

( Grey’s Anatomy ‘The Name of the Game’ 2:18 )

( Gilmore Girls ‘I’m OK, You’re OK’ 6:17, Actually no-one’s okay except for Lane and Paris )

( Scrubs ‘My Chopped Liver’ 5:16, Why JD and Turk are the best friends ever! )

I was going to write about House (with Michelle Trachenberg!) but I was just alerted that the Conservatives are re-opening the same-sex marriage issue and holding a free vote about it. I am very mad and upset by this. WTF?!! No government should be taking away human rights. I recall having an argument with someone before the election in which he refused to believe me that the Tories would do this. This is one instance in which I hate being right. There is hope that this will fail because the Conservatives are a Minority Government and the other parties (Bloc Quebecois, NDP and most Liberals), who make up the majority, will vote in support of same-sex marriage. But still…. It’s hard to feel reasonable when we could potentially lose human rights.

To try and end on a happy note I wanted to rec some really good fic I’ve been reading recently:

globalfruitbat’s Heroes which is a beautiful and addictive post-Not Fade Away ensemble story.

octoberxsong’s Placebo which is an amazing Spike/Angel story that could also be a manifesto for the pairing.

Also, if you love Xander, check out the masterlist for The Replacement Celebration -- A Two Xanders Are Better Than One Brouhaha. It’s double your Xander goodness!

So Scrubs was totally awesome this week!! Watching it yesterday heled me feel less sick and crappy. Mandy Moore was very funny because of her super clumsiness (I love klutziness)! But of course, the best part - and one of the funniest things ever - is the whole air band sequence.

Even if you don't watch Scrubs, you should totally check out this out:

Full length video of the super rockin' Scrubs air band!!

Also, check out Turk's so AWESOME audition for the air band:

Turk dances to "Poison" by Bell Biv DeVoe.

Other fun links:

- ladyinhottpink posted this excellent spoof of the Brokeback Mountain preview, which I must pass on:

Brokeback to the Future. It totally highlights the potential slashiness in the Back to the Future movies!!

- Do you want to see J. August Richards for, like, one second?

He's in this cheesy music video preview for his new show, Conviction, airing in March. You have to scroll down a bit for the link. Sadly, J. August Richards is only in the first couple of seconds, and briefly in one more clip. But Gunn J. will be back on tv!!

- In the tradition of good British actors starring in the Harry Potter movies, Imelda Staunton is going to play Dolores Umbridge. Very cool!


I'm feeling all this love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer right now, and I haven't even been watching the show. Okay, I normally feel love for the show, it is my all-time favourite show (OMG ours is a forever love!!!), but recently I keep thinking about it and it's making me really happy! Also I can't get Xander out of my head. Seriously, he's in there and making me write all this fanfiction from his perspective (none of it's done yet but progress is being made).

Last night I was telling my co-worker/friend "E" that it's weird to be writing from Xander's perspective, because when I first got into BtVS I had a hard time liking him (I kept wanting him to get over his crush on Buffy). Just to be clear, I LOVE Xander now! E suggested that I'm actually like Xander because I'm all goofy and clumsy. I attempted to defend myself saying that: "I may not be graceful but I'm not THAT clumsy." Then today I managed to drop an uneaten piece of toast with peanut butter on it, in my full sink of soapy water. *facepalm* (Actually I totally cracked up because it was impressively klutzy!) I think I'm more of a combo of Willow and Xander, especially since more people have told me I'm like Willow. I'm all academically geeky like her and have the tendency to do the Willow ramble.

I told E that if she meant I was like Xander because I'm the heart of our friends, then I'm taking what she said as a compliment (instead of a suggestion that I'm a total klutz). I'm thinking of re-watching him do the Snoopy Dance in "The Replacement" because it's one of my favourite Xander moments, and one of my favourite episodes!!!

I love this exchange in "The Replacement":

XANDER: It's a robot. It's an evil robot constructed from evil parts that look like me designed to do evil.
WILLOW: Uh huh. Or it's Toth.
XANDER: Or, it's Toth.

One hundred is a really important number in television. Sure it means your show can now be sold into syndication, but it means more than that. If you've actually managed to produce and air 100 episodes, that's a huge accomplishment. Most tv shows are never even produced, and few make it past a season or two (some don't even make it past one or two episodes). If you've reached your 100th episode it means that you've had an audience for 5 years, and good enough ratings to continually be renewed.

By some marvelous miracle both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel got to celebrate the 100th episode mark. Buffy went on to two more seasons, whereas Angel ended it's run (stupid almost defunct WB) ten episodes later. Last year was Gilmore Girls' 100th. In the last couple of weeks, Smallville, Reba and Scrubs all aired their 100th episodes.

I've noticed that 100th episodes tend to fall into a few categories (which I've just made up now!):
1. The big dramatic OMG did you notice this is our 100th episode, 2. The just another episode, and 3. We've done something special for 100 but are still keeping true to the premise of our show.

And, guess which category Smallville is in? If you guessed 1. The big dramatic OMG did you notice this is our 100th episode you're absolutely correct. I know! I'm surprised too, Smallville is normally so subtle. hee

Smallville's 100th episode ("Reckoning") almost made it in the other two categories because it has all the features of a regular Smallville episode except that they're super-sized AND there's a major character death. It has the usual bad and obviously telegraphing plot, dodgy acting by Kristin Kreuk (Lana), lousy dialogue and extremely over-earnest Kents. So what made this episode special? Because they actually killed a character!!! For five freaking years characters have almost died so many times that death has stopped meaning anything on Smallville. Actually having someone die is a big deal for this show. Of course, Smallville figured that the audience wouldn't get the significance of this, so they had a long funeral scene with no dialogue just music (it was like all those final montage moments of Smallville episodes, only this time it lasted for basically the final act).

See the thing about Smallville is that it's kind of a bad show, but once you realize that it's so much fun to watch. There's superhero angst and dorkiness, Clark/Lex homoerotic subtext and the cool and sexy cousins - Chloe and Lois. I've also enjoyed watching Tom Welling (Clark) develop more than two facial expressions. I think he's up to about four or five now!!

Oh, and did I mention that I sobbed during the funeral scene, while simultaneously noting cynically in my head that my emotions were being manipulated?

Reba's 100th episode was totally 2. The just another episode. In "Parenting with Puppets", Reba and Barbara Jean disagree on Barbara Jean's parenting technique. (Are we sure they're not the married couple on the show? I'm just saying). Meanwhile Brock and Van go to a spa on their "guy's day" and get mistaken for a gay couple. (See there's queerness everywhere on this show!)

Reba's done some "very special episodes" before (eg. helping Katrina victims), but this episode returns to what makes Reba a great show: dealing with the everyday issues of being a parent and part of an unconventional family. Ultimately Reba and Barbara Jean bond over how difficult it is to be a parent when you have to be "mean" and discipline your kid. Brock and Van's storyline actually becomes about parenting and how important it is that kids have parents who love them regardless of sexual orientation. Bonus points to the show for focusing on the four strongest characters (and actors), and downplaying Cheyenne, Kyra (is she still on the show?) and Jake.

And what would a cordelianne discussion about Reba be without lesbian subtext? In this episode Reba spanks Barbara Jean. TWICE!! I don't need to watch The L Word, I can get lesbian action on the WB's family-friendly Reba, thank you very much!!

Scrubs definitely falls in the final category: 3. We've done something special for 100 but are still keeping true to the premise of our show. "My Way Home" is a funny and beautiful Scrubs-esque homage to The Wizard of Oz. The episode could have been gimmicky or too derivative of the movie but instead it felt like any other Scrubs episode, but one that referenced The Wizard of Oz in a fun and loving way.

The episode had all the things that make me love Scrubs:
- J.D.'s straight man girlyness Living with Elliot was certainly different: every inch of her apartment was filled with girly stuff. There were lavender scented candles, pink robes, bath salts.. IT.. WAS.. AWESOME! [J.D. has a pink towel on his head in this scene.]
- Over-the-top funny surreal moments, such as J.D. driving his scooter into a huge water trench, and Jordan (aka "Wicked Witch of the East Wing") melting in her office.
- Music numbers, eg. Laverne's church choir singing "Payback's a Bitch", and Ted's barbershop quartet singing "Maniac" during the montage of Elliott faking being really knowledgeable (I also love Elliott's neuroses!!).

Of course I loved all the Wizard of Oz stuff: J.D.'s red shoes and being called Dorothy, the yellow brick road, Dr. Cox saying "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain", Ted's a cappella group does an instrumental version of "We're Off To See the Wizard," and so much more!!!

So it was a typical awesomely funny Scrubs episode with a little extra goodness.


In case you're wondering how I'd categorize the 100th episodes for Angel, Buffy and Gilmore Girls:

1. The big dramatic OMG did you notice this is our 100th episode - Angel. Cordelia comes back, Lindsey's there, and they fight because of some thing (?) in the basement. Not a good plot (did they ask Smallville for advice?) but we're not supposed to care because Cordelia and Lindsey - who were both in the first episode - are back. Also, Cordy and Angel finally kiss, right before we find out she's dead. Oh god, I'm feeling teary. It's so sad. Poor Angel, poor Cordy.

Okay, so it's actually a pretty good episode (because I now just ignore the plot) and Angel's so much better than Smallville, but it really feels like it's more about "yay 100" than "here's a well-written and heart-wrenching episode". It's like the producers were trying to please fans - and most fans LOVE this episode - so worried more about what fans would like than about a good plot and story. Sure the Cordy is dead thing is REALLY sad - and makes me sob - but the episode is more about spectacle than content. For better episodes to represent the show that season watch "Soul Purpose", "A Hole in the World", "Shells," "Smile Time", and "Not Fade Away".

2. The just another episode - Gilmore Girls. Sure there was a wedding and relationship issues (between Lorelei and her mother, and Lorelei and Luke), but it still could have been any other really good Gilmore Girl's episode. So basically it kicked ass!!

3. We've done something special for 100 but are still keeping true to the premise of our show - Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In "The Gift" we return to the premise of the show, that this girl with a big heart is forced to make horrible decisions to save the world. She's lucky because she's surrounded by awesome allies and friends, but ultimately she alone makes the tough decisions. Definitely one of the best Buffy episodes ever, as well as one of the best hours of tv ever.

Here's hoping that Veronica Mars, Battlestar Galactica, Everwood, My Name is Earl, and the Office also all make it to 100. I'd have included Arrested Development on that list but - at this point - I'm just praying it'll get picked up by Showtime. Let's hope that the next heart-wrenching television moment I experience is during the 100th episode of one of my favourite shows and not because of Arrested Development's demise.

I had this very stressful and busy week, which meant that I didn't watch any of my tv until the weekend (this produced a VERY cranky and anti-social cordelianne). I thought it would be a fun experiment to see if I could keep my reactions about shows to a couple of lines each.

Sunday January 8

The Simpsons – It's funny again!!

Family Guy – Hee. Sychronized swimming and lesbians!

American Dad – I giggled and giggled during the climactic sequence (monkeys!), and I also loved Roger imagining he was in a sitcom (I never do that!).

Charmed – Probably the most original Charmed episode ever ... in a bizarro world where no one realizes this was just a cheap rip-off of a dumb summer movie starring Brangelina.

Grey’s Anatomy – You thought this would be a new episode? Ah ha ha. Welcome to the hell of yet another ABC “recap” episode (I did not watch).

Monday January 9

The Critics Choice Awards – Yay! I’m very happy about the love for Brokeback Mountain!! In other reactions, Dennis Miller as host bored me. Also, I’m beginning to think that Dakota Fanning is a robot; she gives better acceptance speeches than most adults. Maybe Tom Cruise, who – incidentally - she praised in her speech, hypnotized her.

How I Met Your Mother – I LOVE this show! It perfectly captures what it’s like to be single in your late 20s.

Out of Practice – Fun sitcom.

House x 2 - Hmm, both House reruns starred actresses who’ve been on previous seasons of 24. Could Fox be getting us ready for 24’s return?

Tuesday January 10

Gilmore Girls – This season keeps getting better and better! I was highly amused by Rory’s breakdown – the kleenexs!! Also, Lorelei looked so happy & beautiful in her wedding dress – please don’t break our hearts Amy Sherman-Palladino (aka show creator/show runner)!!!

Supernatural – Plot? Who cares about the plot? I love the Winchester brothers and their angst!! I think they’re my favourite brothers on tv. Also, this show is still scaring me at least once an episode

House – I think my favourite moment of the episode was House taking the ball away from the kid. In terms of the romantic stuff, I think it’s going to end badly (Wow! What a shocking prediction!! Maybe I should become a psychic. Ha.)

Scrubs x 2 – These episodes were even better than last week’s. I LOVED the triathlon one and how slow J.D. was, and that Elliot kept catching up and carried him in the end. Also how great was the whole kung fu sequence?!

People’s Choice Awards – After watching this I had to reassure myself that I am indeed a person (I even reminded myself of the Heritage Moment about the Persons Case which proved women are people) because “the people” and I don’t agree on much. Star Wars as best movie?! shudder.

Wednesday January 11

Lost – Watch out Charlie! Now everyone likes Sawyer and no one likes you. Also, we got Eko’s back story which was pretty interesting, and sad.

Thursday January 12

Smallville – sigh. I want James Marsters to return. On the bright side, the villain wasn’t affected by Kryptonite in any way, she was just crazy (fortunately they’ve never had any crazy girls on the show before! Ha, see above re: bizarro world).

Four Kings – Why? Seth Green, why? I only watch this for you, and it’s painful, fingernails on a chalkboard painful.

My Name is Earl – Earl working in fast food! It reminded me of the Buffy “Doublemeat Palace” (6:12) episode (that's a good and funny thing in my book). Oh, I loved the hairnet over Earl’s moustache. hee!

The Office – This show is kicking my ass. I’ve now seen some of the British version and am even more impressed with the American version because it has really become it’s own excellent show. I loved that Michael BURNED HIS FOOT ON A GRILL!! Also, Dwight with concussion was adorable!

Crumbs – I didn’t love it, but it has some potential. It’s fun to see Fred Savage and Jane Curtin again!

Beauty and the Geek – I miss Everwood! Even amusing pop culture questions like “Which of these Jennifers was Ben Affleck not engaged to? (There were pictures of J.Lo, Garner and Aniston), and “Who is the father of Britney Spear’s baby?” could not appease my sadness about the loss of Everwood until March!

Friday January 13

Living with Fran – Fluffy fun.

Reba – Not the best Reba this season, but it was fun to see Reba and Brock get along.

Twins – More fluff.

Numb3rs – Wait, did I say the Winchesters are my favourite brothers? I’d forgotten about the adorable Epps boys. I think the casino in this episode was the one where Gunn and Angel almost lost their souls in Angel “Double or Nothing” (3:18).

The Book of Daniel – This show is a lesser version of Desperate Housewives, Joan of Arcadia and Six Feet Under (I'm not even into Desperate or Six Feet Under). Even the scene when Daniel thinks the 2 mob guys are a gay couple wasn’t as funny as it could be. Just another fluffy Friday night show, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll stick it out.


I've also FINALLY been watching last season of 24 (season 4) to get ready for season 5. Wow! Season 4 is an awesome season - definitely better than seasons 2 or 3. Air Force One gets shot down (see what happens when Harrison Ford isn't President?), there's a nuclear meltdown, torture and all the best characters return (yay President Palmer!!). Chloe kicks ass, or more precisely kills a terrorist. Michelle and Tony reconcile!! Jack experiences lots of angst and people continually doubting his abilities (why would anyone do this?). I just need to watch the 2 hour finale, but I'm already psyched for season 5!!!

Whew! I think I'm experiencing tv overload. Hopefully this week won't be so annoying and I'll be able to actually watch some of my shows!

Was this Monday's the best Arrested Development ever?!!! YES. YES. YES! As I was basking in my love for AD I became worried that I'm setting myself up for heartbreak when it's canceled (whimper). This reminded me of one of my favourite exchanges in one of my favourite books of all time, Anne of Green Gables, it’s when Marilla says to Anne You set your heart too much on things, Anne, I'm afraid there'll be a great many disappointments in store for you through life.

Fortunately I also remembered Anne's response:
Oh, Marilla, looking forward to things is half the pleasure of them. You mayn't get the things themselves; but nothing can prevent you from having the fun of looking forward to them. Mrs. Lynde says, `Blessed are they who expect nothing for they shall not be disappointed.' But I think it would be worse to expect nothing than to be disappointed."

I'm going to take this advice and enjoy looking forward to the next Arrested Development episode instead of worrying about it's doomed fate.

So in honour of optimism, I wanted to list some things that I love about some shows I've been watching recently.

Arrested Development

1. The Hysterical mocking of network ratings stunts. The 3-D moments (random tomato thrown at the screen!!!) *cough*Medium*cough*; the "live" moment at the end *cough*Will & Grace, The West Wing*cough*; all the celebrity cameos *cough*Will & Grace and every other show during ratings sweeps*cough*; and the cheesy promo at the beginning announcing that one of these characters will die *cough*all network promos especially for Veronica Mars and Prison Break*cough*. Interestingly they ended up mocking NBC a lot. hmm.

2. All the references to the show's imminent cancellation. Having the internet campaign "Save Our Bluths" as the title for the family's fundraiser. The discussions about being desperate, HBO, and Showtime. The direct addresses to the audience by the narrator begging us to get our friends to watch the show.

3. Responding to criticisms about the show not being accessible enough by appearing to have the characters conform to more "relatable" roles. Lindsey's "ham water", Gob as waiter, and the conversation about them being more relatable which veered to typically weird Bluth territory.

4. Andy Richter guest starring as himself as one of a family of quints. Could this be a reference to his previously canceled show?

5. Okay, okay: The whole damn episode!!

Scrubs

1. TWO episodes!! I appreciate that NBC is trying to make up for not airing Scrubs in the fall, so they’re giving us double the episodes now.

2. Carla: Why are you in your boxers?!
J.D.: When Turk gets sad he likes to call me his hunky Adonis.
They bought it? Are we that gay? sigh. I love Turk and J.D.’s friendship!!

3. J.D. laughing at his own bad jokes (I never do that!!).

4. Elliot is still endearingly neurotic!!

5. Carla convincing Turk why it’ll be cool to have a kid: Dr. Cox says it's like having a dog that gradually learns to talk. hee!

6. Jordan making friends: I am your new friend, so suck it!"

7. Scrubs is back!! It’s back!!!

Battlestar Galactica

I’ve now seen the first season of BSG - all in one day!!

1. The angst, I love all the BSG angst.

2. Starbuck aka my new girlfriend.

3. The issues that the crew have to deal with (eg. Finding water and fuel) are very real. The issues are very relatable and are exactly the type of thing one would actually be up against in that situation (you know if Cylons attacked and caused the apocalypse).

4. I love Mary McDonnell as President Roslin!! If this wasn’t seen as just a sci-fi series, she’d win an Emmy for sure, and she’d deserve it!! She’s so good at Presidential stuff, especially when she has to make cut-throat decisions, but I also love it when she acts like a mom (ie. When she chastises Adama and Apollo in “You Can’t Go Home Again”). She could totally kick Geena Davis’ ass.

5. The acting, the writing, the way it’s filmed … so basically the whole show!!!

6. The surprise at the end of the season one finale is distressing (in the best possible way).

Supernatural

I’ve now seen all the episodes that have aired so far – all in one day!!! (Thanks to the final days of my vacation.)

1. Dean and Sam Winchester’s relationship. Aw, I love the brothers.

2. I particularly love Jensen Ackles as Dean. He makes me swoony.

3. That the Winchesters fund their demon/ghost hunting with credit card scams and other illegal activities. It’s nice to see good guys not be good all the time.

4. Supernatural does scary really well. I jump at least once a show – it’s definitely daytime watching for wimpy me.

5. Good, fluffy (if scary) fun.

It’s been fun to get all excited about these shows and talk about why I love them especially because I felt let down after watching BSG season one. I really love the series so I was confused by my reaction until I realized that I’m unconsciously hoping to find a replacement show for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It makes me sad to realize that nothing will replace my obsession intensive love for that show. Sure, there’s lots of truly amazing shows out there that are really high quality with enthralling mythologies (VM, BSG, Joan of Arcadia) but they will never replace Buffy. Instead of perceiving this as a sad thing and wallowing in my disappointment, I’m reminding myself that I’d probably be devastated if I “replaced” BtVS. So even though I have lots of shows that LOVE and enjoy, I ultimately agree with Spike: You’re the one, Buffy.

I’ve decided to do something completely original and inventive to recap 2005!! ... Okay, not really. Like Entertainment Weekly, TVGal, Watch with Kristin, etc I’m compiling lists of the best – and the worst – of 2005.


Best Moments of 2005 in TV (ahem, I’m using a very loose definition of “moments”)

1. Veronica Mars’ renewal and awesome season one finale. VM has been a bright spot for me this year.

2. The media’s response to Hurricane Katrina. The heartfelt, active and horrified response of the media to this situation was a nice counterpoint to the tragedy of the event.

3. What sophomore slump? It’s great that VM, House and Grey’s Anatomy are having impressively good second seasons.

4. Bright & Hannah kiss in the Everwood season three finale. This was particularly satisfying because of how their relationship developed organically throughout the season. It’s also damn cute.

5. Buffyverse actors return to TV. James Marsters on Smallville, Charisma Carpenter on VM, Alyson Hannigan on How I Met Your Mother, David Boreanaz on Bones, Christian Kane on Close to Home and Nicholas Brendon on the sadly canceled Kitchen Confidential.

6. The news that Scrubs is returning to TV in January. It’ll be on NBC Tuesdays at 9pm and 9:30pm.

7. Lorelei tells her mother We’re over in mid-season 5, then a few episodes ago reassures her You haven’t lost me. I love the complexities of the relationships on Gilmore Girls.

8. Veronica and Logan’s first kiss on VM. Best.Kiss.Ever.

9. The reunion of Jin & Sun and Bernard & Rose on Lost. Oh man, the tears were flowing for that moment.

10. Uchenna and Joyce win the Amazing Race - you could just tell that all the other contestants were happy also, it was such an air of celebration. It was great to watch really really nice people win.


Worst Moments of 2005 in TV

1. Joan of Arcadia not renewed. I still have much bitterness towards CBS for canceling such a thought-provoking and nuanced show about spirituality.

2. Tom Cruise. Tom Cruise and Scientology. Tom Cruise and his sudden expertise in post-partum depression (despite being neither a doctor nor a medical/drug expert). Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Tom Cruise and couches. The list could go on and on.

3. Sophomore slumps. It’s been disappointing to see Lost and Desperate Housewives, shows that were so original and compelling in their first seasons, struggle in their second seasons.

4. Watching the government’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Or should I say, lack of response.

5. Arrested Development and Kitchen Confidential canceled. There may be a silver lining for AD because it could be picked up by Showtime!

6. Paris Hilton. To quote from Joan of Arcadia: Now, who decided I need to care about Paris Hilton?

7. The return of Fear Factor to primetime. (Thanks to my brother for this providing this item on my list!)

8. The “War on Christmas” or should I say “the talking point created by the Christian Right who are freaked out by the fact that there’s other religions and faiths than Christianity.”

9. The brilliant Everwood being put on hiatus again by The WB so a reality show can be aired.

10. The Amazing Race: Family Edition and its incredible suckiness. I’m excited about the real Race returning in February: interesting looking contestants who will actually be traveling around the world!


Best Movies in 2005

1. Brokeback Mountain. A beautiful love story that’s well-acted, beautifully shot and continues to resonate days later. A brilliant and ground-breaking movie.

2. King Kong. This is what blockbusters the movie experience should be: good story, edge of your seat action, interesting characters, good acting, homage to old movies, good use of special effects and touching scenes.

3. Serenity. This movie is clearly made with passion which creates an amazing movie: it has love, hatred, and grief as well as action, humour, excitement and creepiness on a big screen scale. Firefly lives!

4. A History of Violence. It's a deceptively simple story that examines the violence that's underneath the surface of everyone. Definitely one of the best films of the year.

5. Batman Begins. This is pretty geeky, but I loved how coherent the story is - it's very tight storytelling (I really hate the sloppy storytelling and continuity that's in a lot of movies, particularly ones with significant CGI). It’s also a kick-ass superhero movie!

6. Walk the Line. This is more than just a biopic of another musician who started off poor, became famous for an innovative sound and struggled with drug addiction because of the love story at the heart of the film. This isn't cutsie romantic comedy love story material, this is a painful, intense and hard love story that's captivating to watch.

7. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. This is a great adaptation of the book, because it retains the significant aspects of the story while moving along at a fast and engaging pace. It was so good it got a friend to read all the novels.

8. Jarhead. A compelling war film that has no action scenes (unless you count the troops watching war movies). Excellent acting, beautifully shot, thought-provoking and relevant to today’s conflict.

9. Crash. An impressive yet flawed movie, the most notable flaw is how the multiple storylines are resolved. What's great about the movie - I optimistically hope - is that it encourages dialogue around racism and self-analysis of personal racism. Content aside, the acting is excellent, the shots beautifully done, and the scenes just blend together seemingly seamlessly.

10. 40 Year Old Virgin and The Wedding Crashers. As much as I love teen movies, it’s been great to have actual adult comedies. Neither of these movies are the best movies I’ve ever seen, so I've combined them as one item because they’re both damn funny movies that don’t have to shy away from adult topics.


Best TV shows of 2005

1. Veronica Mars. This show really is "the New Buffy" - it's intelligent with excellent dialogue and a smart, independent and fun heroine who's the centre of an enthralling universe of mystery, suspense, humour, pain, drama and often a combination of more than one of the above. To quote Joss Whedon Best.Show.Ever.

2. Gilmore Girls. Although Gilmore Girls is no longer the cozy and reassuring dramedy it used to be, it has grown up and is now successfully exploring the painful issues of becoming an adult and how this changes family relationships.

3. Everwood. Whenever I watch an episode of Everwood I always declare it The Best Show on Television. It has consistently high quality episodes with complex characters and storylines.

4. Arrested Development. This is the type of show that makes me laugh so hard that milk sprays out of my nose (if – you know – I actually was silly enough to drink anything while watching AD). Definitely the edgiest and funniest show on TV.

5. Reba. This show draws from the tradition of old-fashioned family sitcoms like The Dick Van Dyke Show but also has clear influences from the more cutting-edge Roseanne. Reba deals with lots of serious issues really well – weight gain and weight loss, adultery, alcoholism, depression – however it’s not a serious drama because it succeeds is finding the humour in these difficult and painful scenarios.

6. Grey’s Anatomy. I never would have guessed last year that this show would have made my list. It’s gone from being good soapy fun to a show with increasingly well-written episodes and smart/interesting story decisions (ie. Having Dr. McDreamy’s estranged wife stay and be a likeable character).

7. My Name is Earl. It's definitely one of my new favourite shows. It has a great premise (Earl discovering the concept of Karma and now trying to make amends for all the bad things he's done) that has resulted in interesting and funny episodes (eg. trying to make up for faking his own death to break-up with a girl, or kidnapping a woman to help her quit smoking).

8. Doctor Who. For some reason I didn't expect the show to have such a fabulous combination of fun, heart-wrenching drama, suspense, and interesting stories. It’s so hard waiting a whole year for the new season. I’m very excited about the special The Christmas Invasion airing on Boxing Day at 8pm to 9:30pm on CBC.

9. Entourage. Overall I love this show because it has heart - it really feels like these 4 guys are good friends. They may tease each other but they ultimately look out for each other. Also, how can I not love a show that has Jeremy Piven’s deliciously sleazy agent say Hug it out, bitch?

10. How I Met Your Mother. One of the reasons I’ve declared that there’s a “Sitcom Renaissance”. Definitely my favourite new sitcom this season (ie. half-hour comedy with a laugh track). It has sustained its funny from the pilot and it does over-the-top really well. It’s also has excellent writing and a very good cast.

11. Everybody Hates Chris. A very funny and smart new approach to the family sitcom (ie. no laugh track). Race issues and racism are explored in an intelligent and humourous way thanks to Chris Rock’s excellent narration.

I’m very impressed that I contained myself to ten items for each category, except for the Best TV shows and I’m very pleased that I only exceeded by one item! I’m now excited to compare my lists with Entertainment Weekly’s (I purposefully didn’t look at it before created my lists)!!


Right now I’m at my parent’s place in Kingston having a relaxing Christmas Eve! I slept in until 1pm!! We decorated the house and tree last night so it’s all festive, and there’s a tray of yummy treats to snack on. My mom sings in a United church choir so we’ll be attending a Family service and then the midnight service tonight. Right now I plan to do a little more livejournal reading and work more on my screenplay. I LOVE that I brought my laptop with me, and that my brother has set up the house for wireless internet!!! Yay to my younger and very technologically capable brother!!

Happy Holidays everyone!!

I have an slightly embarrassing and unhip confession to make: I love sitcoms. Even though I like the cool and funny single camera comedies like Scrubs and Arrested Development, I also enjoy a good sitcom. I do need to emphasize that last part: I enjoy a good sitcom. So I'm not talking about According to Jim, and its clone shows. I like that for half an hour I'm transported into a world where silly and goofy things happen (I love silly and goofy things), people make funny remarks, and the issues are resolved at the end of the show.

As J.D. notes in Scrubs' tribute to the sitcom: "There are moments when we all wish life was more like a sitcom."

Now just to be clear, here are current shows that I don't wish my life was like:
According to Jim, Yes Dear, Still Standing, Rodney, Hope & Faith, Two & a Half Men, and War at Home.

I'm neutral about/don't watch these shows so don't have an opinion:
King of Queens, Less Than Perfect, George Lopez, According to Fran, Twins, Will & Grace, Bernie Mac Show, Malcolm in the Middle, and Stacked.

But of course, the more exciting part is which sitcoms do I actually like?

Reba (the WB, Fridays 9pm):

This is the show that I get teased for liking because it seems to be so far from hip it's anti-hip. However, I'd contend that Reba is actually quite hip for a family-centre sitcom. For me, Reba draws from the tradition of old-fashioned family sitcoms like The Dick Van Dyke Show but also has clear influences from the more cutting-edge Roseanne.

I love my family so I enjoy watching shows where family is strongly valued (please note that I'm avoiding using the term "family values" because of its problematic associations). The best part of Reba is that it isn't just valuing the traditional nuclear family. The title character is a divorced single mom struggling to raise her 3 kids which includes a daughter, Cheyanne, who got pregnant in high school and married the father, Van, who also lives with Reba. As many people can contend, being a single parent is hard work and one frequently needs other supportive people in one's life. That's where the notion of family is expanded on Reba the show to include her ex-husband, Brock, his new wife, Barbara Jean, and their son.

In fact, my favourite relationship on the show is between Reba and Barbara Jean because they begrudgingly - especially on Reba's side - become best friends and family. Resolving an issue is only accomplished when multiple family members (often including the kids) work together. It certainly isn't Father Knows Best on Reba, especially since Brock is frequently in the wrong! Sure there's lots of arguing but they're always there for each other in the end.

For a sitcom Reba deals with some serious issues: divorce, separation, adultery, teen pregnancy, depression, job loss, alcoholism, to name a few examples.

In the Scrubs episode mentioned previously J.D. observes that in real life (unlike sitcoms): "Relationships aren't always magically fixed in thirty minutes -- you have to work on them." Even though I just declared that I love the reassurance that sitcoms resolve everything in half an hour, the best Reba episodes have ended on cliffhangers: Will Kyra (Reba's middle daughter) move out of Reba's house and in with Brock and Barbara Jean, breaking Reba's heart? Does Brock think he made a mistake divorcing Reba and marrying Barbara Jean? Also when Brock and Barbara Jean had marriage difficulties, they were separated and in therapy for part of a season (which is a really long time in tvland) and even once they got back together their comfort with each was still shaky.

This is sounding like Reba's a serious drama, but the show succeeds is finding the humour in these difficult and painful scenarios. Reba is especially funny and always has fabulous snarky comments. The actor who plays Van always provides a playful goofyness to the show. It's the balance of interesting storylines and humour that keeps me coming back to Reba.

Joey (NBC, Thursday 8pm):

I don't think I'll be going into rhapsodies about Joey (the Friend's spin-off) the way that I did with Reba, but I do find it an enjoyable sitcom. I think that it perfectly fulfills the reassuring qualities of a sitcom: issues are resolved neatly and tidily within a half hour, relationships are magically fixed in thirty minutes, problems have easy solutions, and things eventually work out for good people.

When Joey is on, it's like opening a portal to a world where it's easy to get an awesome apartment, relatives are quirky, there's always hot people to date and money never seems to be an issue. I also get funny episodes such as Joey getting stuck in traffic on the way to the Tonight Show, and being rescued by Alex who gives him a pink motorcycle which he rides to the show. That was my favourite episode last season because I like over-the-top silliness of Joey riding down the street on a pink motorcycle with a pink helmet.

What I Like About You (the WB, Fridays 8pm):

I suspect that no one can make fun of me for enjoying this show, because very few people I know actually watch What I Like About You.

Basically it's this very cute and fluffy show. To quote from the WB website: "When their dad took a job in Japan, teenage live-wire Holly Tyler (Amanda Bynes) and her straight-laced twenty-something sister, Valerie (Jennie Garth), moved in together in New York City."

It has those silly over-the-top, only sitcom elements: Holly hides in the car of the guy she likes to surprise him but ends up stuck there when he drives down to Florida with another girl. Val wakes up and discovers that she drunkenly married her ex-boss in Atlantic City.

Because I have so many shows that I love and analyze to death, it's nice to just sit back and enjoy a mindless - but fun - half hour.


I would have included That '70s Show but I suspect that this season will suck without Eric (Topher Grace) who was the heart of the show.


What inspired my own tribute to sitcoms is my excitement over 2 new sitcoms on CBS, How I Met Your Mother and Out of Practice, which are actually funny!!!

How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Mondays 8:30pm):

It has an awesome cast which got me to watch in the first place: Alyson Hannigan (from Buffy!!), Neil Patrick Harris (the grown up Doogie Howser), and Jason Segel (Freaks and Geeks). I also really like the other two actors: Josh Radner and Colbie Smulders.

I admit to being pre-disposed to liking Alyson Hannigan but what really won me over was Josh Radner, Ted, who is adorable without being too cute. Also, it has a really awesome twist at the end of the episode.

Sure the show is about Ted's desire to find his soul mate to marry and start a family with, which is pretty traditional material, but I didn't feel like it was being shoved down my throat. Also Neil Patrick Harris' character provides a nice counterbalance to Ted's schmultzyness (of course, being schmultzy myself I enjoy the schmultzness). I also like it because straight men are so rarely depicted as seeking emotional and romantic companionship. But this wouldn't work if there weren't funny lines about Smurf penises and silly accidents like getting hit in the eye with a champagne cork. Also, the voiceover narration - despite starting to feel overused in general - works in this show and adds to the humour (like in Scrubs and Arrested Development).

Out of Practice (CBS, Mondays 9:30pm):

This was another show that I decided to watch based solely on the cast: Stockard Channing (channeling herself from The First Wives Club), Christopher Gorham (from many failed shows including Jake 2.0), Henry Winkler (Arrested Development's fabulously funny horrible lawyer), and Paula Marshall (guest starred on Veronica Mars!). Ty Burrell and Jennifer Tilly are also on the cast.

To quote the CBS website: Out of Practice is a comedy about a family of physicians who share the same profession but have little else in common.

The pilot episode centred about Christopher Gorham's character, Ben Barns, trying to get his family to spend time together, and to help his recently divorced parents get along better. Over the course of the evening he discovers that his dad is dating his secretary (Jennifer Tilly) and his family hears Ben's wife leaving a voicemail message that she's leaving him. There's then lots of amusing misunderstandings as people try to keep various pieces of information from each other so no one gets hurt. Of course, everything goes horribly wrong and excellent comedy ensues.

An exciting bonus to my enjoyment of Out of Practice is that Paula Marshall's character is a lesbian! She actually looks like a believable lesbian, and her sexuality doesn't define her whole character, gasp! She's an ER doctor and loves her work environment's nonstop action.


Although I'm enjoying the Sitcom Renaissance (I just coined that term), it's actually part of a large trend of good quality half hour shows this year. Besides the returning Scrubs, Arrested Development and the Office, there's the great Kitchen Confidential, My Name is Earl and Everybody Hates Chris (my comments on these shows coming soon). I would be remiss if I didn't mention the good half hour animation shows: Family Guy, King of the Hill, The Simpsons, and American Dad.

The best thing about all these shows is that they can be more than just a half hour of television, they can be a welcome relief in times of crisis or just good for a laugh after a bad day. I'm right there with J.D. in the final moments of Scrubs' tribute to the sitcom:

J.D. sits on the couch in front of the T.V., laughing along with the audience.

J.D.'s Narration: And at times like that, it's comforting to know there's always one thing that can pick your spirits up.

I love that there are Buffy reruns on during the day (1pm on Razer and 3pm on Space) so I often catch parts of the episodes (normally while I'm working out and getting ready for work). Bad Eggs (2:12) was on today, and even though it's kind of cheesy I'm always entertained by that episode. One of my favourite moments on the show happens in that episode when Giles, Buffy and Willow discover that Xander has boiled the egg he's responsible for:

Giles: Technically that would be cheating, yes?

Xander: No! It's like a short cut. You know, when you run a race?

Buffy: That would also be cheating.

Willow: You should be ashamed.

Giles: I suppose there is a sort of... Machiavellian ingenuity to your
transgression.

Xander: I resent that! Or possibly thank you.

Xander's response is perfect - it's exactly the right response to being told that you're employing a Machiavellian approach. I'm also entertained by his attempt to explain away his cheating.

Today when I was declaring my love for Entourage and saying that it's one of my favourite shows, my co-worker accused me of having 4,000 favourite shows, and that for something to be a favourite it should be the only one. To that I say, Ha! Yes, ha! She's missing out on all my fun. I love having lots of favourite things - it's fun to enjoy a diversity of things! For a while one of my friends was re-watching all the Buffy episodes and whenever she'd tell me the episode she'd just watched, I'd declare "that's one of my favourite episodes!" It became a running joke with us.

Although I watch a lot of shows - and have a lot of favourites, they fall into different categories/my own version of genres:

Show or Shows I Will Always Love:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly

Newly Canceled Show - and Thought-Provoking Show on Spirituality - that I Miss:
Joan of Arcadia

Newest Obsession:
Veronica Mars

Every time I Watch this Show I Declare it to be the "Best Show on Television:"
Everwood

Favourite Dramedy and Show that I Forget the Characters Aren't Real:
Gilmore Girls

Favourite Character Drama:
Lost

Favourite Sci Fi Series - and Political Commentary:
Doctor Who (the new one)

Favourite Reality Series (and only one I watch):
Amazing Race

Favourite Comedy that Makes Me Cry (and Laugh):
Scrubs

Favourite Comedy that Shocks Me by Its Daring (and Makes Me Laugh):
Arrested Development

Favourite Comedy About Friends That Makes Me Laugh:
Entourage

Favourite News (ahem, Fake News) Show:
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Even as I write this list, I'm concerned that I'm leaving out shows that I love. Should I have also included My So-Called Life in "Show or Shows I Will Always Love"? What about Freaks & Geeks, Roseanne, Northern Exposure, and Kids in the Hall? Okay, maybe I do have a problem with loving too many tv shows, oh well. I think I'll watch some re-runs of the Amazing Race, one of my favourite shows!