Catching up to do

Brief thoughts before my shows start tonight. I've been busy over this past week, with various nighttime commitments that have caused me to miss my shows. Thank the DVR gods, I was able to catch up this past weekend. Of course last night I ended up going to see my coworker's cousin's sketch comedy show instead of watching my shows at home. I caught my DVR'd HIMYM at midnight last night, but I couldn't stay awake through anything else, so I'm again behind on Heroes and Chuck. (Also, I need to start watching Aliens in America. I've heard great things.)

As for the shows that I missed last week, here are my thoughts after watching them this weekend. Let my opinions guide you (or fail to guide you) in this week's TV choices as you will.

Tuesday
Bones: Sorry, Brett. I love it. I'm a sucker for a TV show about partners with mad sexual tension. And this season premiere was Bones at its best. Who cares if the scientific explanations are always RIDICULOUSLY bad. The show is always funny, with lots of sexual tension. That's really all I need. [Lisa says: I Recommend. A-]

Beauty and the Geek: Still love it. [Lisa says: I Recommend. A-]

House: There's something so comforting about the formula of House. It's highly parody-able (that's not a word), which makes it that much more enjoyable. At the same time, the acting is fantabulous, and the show is downright hilarious. (Also, is it me or did you see Kal Penn in the preview for this week? Yes!) [Lisa says: I Recommend. A]

Boston Legal: Although I don't think it deserved to win an Emmy over The Sopranos, I do enjoy this show. Why? Because it's CLASSIC David E. Kelley. And any TV scholar (yes, I just called myself that... if you think that's an oxy moron, I think you're an actual moron - and quite judgmental - and you can shove it) can appreciate David Kelley's impact on the industry. LA Law is his biggest claim to fame as far as the history of tv goes. But I was a fan of Picket Fences and The Practice when I was younger, I was a fan of Ally McBeal after that (WHEN are you releasing the DVDs, David? Get OVER yourself), and who can deny the rest of his TV resume: Doogie Howser (NPH!!!!), Chicago Hope, Boston Public. Anyway, Boston Legal isn't a show I get really excited about watching every week, but once it's on I'm glad I did. [Lisa says: I recommend. B+]

Wednesday
Back to You: I knew the mediocre pilot was deceiving. I thought last Wednesday's episode of BTY was pretty redeeming. Funny, classic sitcom with awesome star power. If you're into comedies with alternative humor like I am (The Office, Arrested Development, Scrubs, HIMYM, you get the idea), don't expect anything like that - lest you be sorely disappointed. But if you're up for some classic newsroom sitcom antics, you'll be pleased. [Lisa says: It depends. B]

'Til Death: Brett hates it, I like it. (I only mention this because I respect Brett's TV opinions, and if he hates something, it's worth noting before you decide whether to watch.) It's pretty sarcastic, which is why I like it. Not that interesting as far as story lines. But it makes me laugh. [Lisa says: It depends. B]

ANTM: Tyra's a mess and I love it. [Lisa says: I recommend. A-]

Private Practice: It's no Grey's Anatomy (sorry Brett, I know you hate Grey's). A lot about this show depends on whether you liked or hated Addison on Grey's. Also, just a disclaimer: this show is NOT appropriate for children. Or men. Unless you're a man who's entirely comfortable with multiple storylines about childbirth, insemination, abortion, pap smears, and lots and lots of va-jay-jays. I liked it (it helps that I love so many of the actors in it), but I can't see any of my male friends who watch Grey's actually opening up to watch Private Practice. [Lisa says: Only recommended for women. B]

Bionic Woman: I thought I'd hate it. Ended up really liking it. Lots of girl power in this show, but also lots of espionage, cool technology, interesting characters and mega butt-kicking. Hopefully once they get past the exposition it will get more interesting. I love a good conspiracy story. [Lisa says: I recommend. For now. B+]

Gossip Girl: Yeah, I still can't resist this show. I think it depends how you're watching it. No highly intellectual stuff here. And the whiny-ness of the privileged white kids can get irritating. But the characters are interesting, both the girls and guys are absolutely gorgeous, and it's mindless smut with haves/have-nots moral overtones. Like it or leave it as you will. [Lisa says: It depends. B+]

Dirty Sexy Money: I love Peter Krause. Also, mega corruption here. However, I feel it becoming one of those shows I forget to watch, and I don't think the pilot lived up to its spectacular banner ads. But it was intriguing enough for me to keep watching. If only because I love Peter Krause. [Lisa says: It depends. B-]

Life: LOVED IT. I saw the preview for this quite some time ago, thanks to Brett. I doubted this show's stickiness, although I thought it looked great. Well I've gotta tell ya, it exceeded my expectations. I'm hoping it doesn't fizzle under the weight of its similar-demographic time-slot competitors, CSI: Miami (shoot me in the face) and Dirty Sexy Money. If you're gonna watch one show in this time slot, let it be Life. (I'm looking at you, Nielsen viewers.) [Lisa says: I recommend. A+]

Thursday
The Office: UGH I LOVE THIS SHOW. Seriously, this was one of the best eps yet. Lots of Jim and Pam (JAM) goodness, and so many laughs that my stomach hurt. Seriously, I can't get enough of The Office. I'm in love with it, let's just leave it at that. [Lisa says: Recommend isn't a strong enough word for what I feel about this show. A++]

Grey's Anatomy: Strong start for everyone's favorite soap. (Except Brett. Sorry Brett.) I'm glad Shonda hasn't lost her touch. Lots of new plot elements and characters this year, but our old favs are back to their old tricks. Still love it. Seriously. [Lisa says: I recommend. A]

Big Shots: Only lasted through half of it. It's terrible. Not much interesting going on. Love Josh Malina, but even he can't get me to watch this show. For a series trying to be Desperate Housewives For Men, it sure has a long way to go. You can only watch a bunch of assholes walking around on a golf course for so long. Especially without a good script. [Lisa says: Steer clear. D]

Sunday (Yeah, that's this week's TV, but I watched it, so here it is):
Desperate Housewives: Getting old. Can't believe it's signed for so many more years. Hoping the storyline gets a little more interesting than last season. There was some good stuff in the episode, but also some stuff that was a bore. Come on Housewives, you can do it! [Lisa says: Eh. C-]

Brothers and Sisters: Strong start to the season. In case you don't know, it's a sappy soap drama with liberal leanings and a strong political theme. But great acting, compelling storylines... and did I mention great acting? I'm a fan. [Lisa says: I recommend. As long as you're not socially conservative - if you are, you'll hate it. If you're not, watch away! B+]

That's the rundown. Sorry to give it all at once! I'll do better at keeping up with this from now on. :-) Peace out, TV homies.

Thank God You're Here!

Here are my TV favs of the past week!!:

Thank God You're Here: If you used your DVR or TiVo to zip through commercials with celebs in funny costumes (Jason Alexander, Angela from The Office, Kevin Nealon, Mo'Nique), you should have payed more attention. They were commercials for NBC's new comedy improv hour that tests the mettle of some of your favorite funny celebs. I'm not sure when this show's usually on, but Monday night we were treated to two one-hour episodes. I've gotta tell ya, this show ended up being way funnier than I thought it would be. If you like Whose Line is it Anyway or you're in to improv at all, you've got to watch it. If you've always wondered whether comedian celebs are funny without clever script writers whispering in their ears, you've got to watch it. If none of these apply to you, but you have a pulse, you should watch it anyway. The premise of the show is that celebrities who think they're funny or good at improv are dressed up in costumes they've never seen before, and led to sets they've never been on, to play characters revealed to them once they get on the set. Some examples: a game show host, a mountain climbing expedition leader, an excavating professor, a doctor hawking his innovative (read: sketchy) product on a talk show. The other "characters" in the scene are in on the joke and great at improv, directing the scenes by prompting (or trapping) the stars into thinking on their feet. For instance, a character said to the star who stepped on to a game show set: "Remind the audience how this game is played!" I'll admit that I'm a little wary, since the show isn't live and is thoroughly edited. But if you can get past that, it's really worth a watch. (And if you watch ANY reality TV at ALL, you should be able to get past it. I mean, hello people, not only is reality TV scripted and brilliantly edited, but scenes are filmed multiple times to get different camera angles!) So basically, get past it and tune in -- I laughed for two hours straight.

Lost: Girl-on-girl catfight in the jungle. Guys, I bet you loved it. I'm a straight female, and I even loved it. Good stuff.

ANTM: Just a few comments... Thank you Tyra for admitting you guys totally screwed up Brittany's hair, and thanks for offering to fix it. Cuz I really can't stand watching that ratty mess for another week. 50 Cent pushed Jael into the pool. Can you blame him? Sarah the Pose-y Photographer got sent home. Good. Natasha's still a crazy mess. Even better. Whitney called the other models "skinny bitches." Amen. Nicole Richie stirred up trouble. I'm shocked. (Ok, I'm actually laughing my ass off.) Renee got hers. Finally. And last but not least... Wholahay? I love this show.

The Office: I think this about sums it up: STAB ME IN THE HEART. I can't take any more of this Pam/Jim torture. That scene at the soda machine felt like water torture to me. But things are looking up -- Pam and Roy are officially over. Did the scene in the diner feel like foreshadowing to anyone else? I'm well aware that Pam and Jim will never really get together (see: X-Files' sexual tension success vs. Moonlighting's sexual fulfillment disaster... these writers aren't stupid), but Roy's encouragement of the JAM pairing makes me hope Pam takes some action. Karen was especially horrible this week. Might I remind you of the moment in the break room when she snipped at Jim to get back to selling paper so he could take her on a trip? Yikes. Michael Scott is still hilarious, and his inexplicable and unfounded hatred of Toby is one of my favorite parts of The Office. Thursday's Dwight-As-Superhero storyline, besides being a shameless plug for NBC's Heroes, was absolutely hilarious and completely consistent with the characters. That's what I love most about The Office. Well done, writers. Every single week.

Grey's: Just kidding. No new episode, yet again. Come on, Grey's! I'm sick of repeats. You think having Meredith die and George and Izzy get it on during Sweeps exempted you from new storylines?! Seriously?!

American Idol: I'm watching it as I write this, so I'll just give a few gut reactions. Jenny from the Block was the guest judge, and unlike most of the other guests, she actually gave the contestants vocal coaching to make their songs better (or at least more Latin-ish). Yay for that. But if this was Latin week, where were the hot Latin men, I ask you?! Anyway, on to the performers. Last week Mindy Doo used Sanjaya's flat iron; tonight she used his hair teaser. Jordin reminds J-Lo of Michael Jackson? What was it, the side ponytail and girlish facial features? Yikes. Hot-pants Haley's got to go. And I'm sure Sir Sanjaya the Terrible is staying yet again... but at least he looks less like an adolescent female with that facial hair.

So there's my favs of the week! Next week, watch Thank God You're Here. It really is funny.

TV rundown: Confessions of an obsessed fan

I'm getting pretty excited for November sweeps (insert teasing here about how TV is my life). I was really bummed last week that TV was full of reruns, and not having Studio 60 this Monday started this week off with disappointment as well. (Not to mention outrage at the Fox News article about Studio 60's possible demise... see last blog entry.) I proceeded to be disappointed Tuesday when I tuned in to Gilmore Girls only to see Rory re-opening that rocket from Logan. Reruns! Curses! But the rest of my shows came through. I decided to write a little something about a few of my favorite TV moments from this week.

Very briefly, I'd like to say that I can't believe I haven't been watching Veronica Mars all this time. I just started watching it this season, and I love it! It's cute and very clever. But where has Piz been lately? Hopefully they're saving him for sweeps week.

I'm so glad Fox is back to its regular programming. That means House is back! This week's episode was as good as ever. And House is as bitter as ever! Gotta love it. I can't believe he got arrested. Actually, what I can't believe is that we hadn't ever seen him arrested before. How great was it when Cuddy checked the pregnancy test at the end? Every week I laugh so hard when House cracks jokes about such-and-such not being "good for baby" - but I think everyone secretly wondered if she really was pregnant. That was a great moment. Speaking of Fox programming, I know I'm probably the only person in the world who watches it, but I'm glad Standoff is back too. This week's episode was surprisingly touching. (And a little gross, with that blood spilling all over the floor.) I just hope it doesn't get cancelled.

Again on Fox, Wednesday night's Bones did not disappoint. I liked the storyline this week - pagent stage moms always make for an exciting murder mystery. I didn't expect the killer to be one of the girls. Tap shoes, eh?... I always thought they'd make for a pretty good weapon. In this hopeless romantic's opinion, the best parts of this week's episode were the date Angela and Hodges went on and the scene between Booth and Bones at the end. I'm relieved that whatever's going on between Booth and Cam is over. But I'll admit it - the Booth/Bones relationship is the reason I watch. So let's move on.

I'm getting a little tired of The Nine. It's one of those shows I DVR or watch every week, but then once the next week comes I can't remember what happened. I really liked the premise when the show started, but I've been losing interest. I think they're dragging it out a little too much. I love the girl from 24, and I think all the acting is great. I'm still curious about what happened in those missing 52 hours, so I guess that's a good sign, but every week the show ends leaving me dissatisfied with what they revealed - or, more importantly, didn't reveal. Hopefully November sweeps will provide some impetus for revelation - or at least a little excitement.

Anyway, let's move on to the best night of TV - Thursday! I still haven't started watching Ugly Betty, but I DVRed it this week. Everyone keeps telling me to watch it. So my opinion on that is forthcoming.

The Office! Oh how I love thee. This week's episode was jam-packed with stuff to process. The episode was written by the girl who plays Kelly. Which makes Michael's impression of Kelly that much more hilarious. (Is there anyone who doesn't sit there thinking, "AHH! Kelly, SHUT UP." That character just grates on your nerves. So Michael's impression had me in hysterics.) I have a love/hate relationship with Michael Scott. (I had a dream about him the other night... I think maybe that's a sign you're watching too much of The Office.) We all knew a Dwali celebration would be perfect fodder for Michael's insensitivity, and he didn't disappoint. And yet when that episode ended, I felt so bad for him. Proposing to Carol in front of all those people was classic Michael Scott behavior... as was being surprised when she said no. And - ew - then he tried to kiss Pam!! But admit it, that wasn't unexpected. (Neither was Pam's deadpan response.) I'll just never cease to be amazed by these writers and how well they know the characters. I'm sick of reading reviews where people say they're warming up to that other girl Jim's working with (I refuse to even remember her name). Is there anyone else out there who wants Jim and Pam to be reunited?! Come on, people. I almost died when Pam texted Jim this week. (And very nearly had a heart attack when he was passed out on his desk and didn't answer.) Is it just me, or did you carefully inspect the TV for the rest of the half hour to see if Jim was anywhere near his phone -- and wait impatiently, hoping he'd text her back at the end? Also, I thought it might just be my insanity - I freely admit I'm obsessed with Pam and Jim - that made me wonder whether these two are always sending texts back and forth, until I read EW online and the writer also mentioned wondering that. (Yes! I'm not the only obsessed one!) I heard that next week the Scranton branch is closing, which I knew was going to happen because that's what happened on the British version. This leaves me with great hope that Pam and Jim will be reunited once again during sweeps. Even if you're not a fan, cross your fingers - if only to maintain the sanity of your friend Lisa.

Last but not least, Grey's Anatomy. How great was the Bailey/Cristina/Burke storyline this week? Maybe it's because for so long Bailey was portrayed as such a hard-ass, but there's something about seeing her insecurities that's very satisfying to me -- and manages to conjure up huge amounts of sympathy, too. Actually, maybe that's it... Cristina and Burke are portrayed the same way as Bailey. So I guess it's the parallels between the three of them - there's just something about seeing each of their raw motives and blatent insecurity. And I don't think the storyline is over, either... because by the looks Burke and Bailey both gave Cristina at the end of the episode, there's definitely more to come. (It's not just me, right? Bailey definitely figured out Cristina's the one who erased her name.) I feel so bad for George - and I thought the "are you the chicken or the pig? the ham or the eggs?" line was totally cute. When he called Callie a pig - that was classic George. Speaking of classic George, how great was the scene in the elevator when George said he'd be Meredith's Cristina if she'd be his Izzie? And who wasn't cheering for Izzie when she figured out the girl with the burn on her hand did it on purpose? Sorry Meredith, but your smugness is not McCharming. Speaking of, I think the best line of the episode was when Izzie said, "McDreamy's McSister is McBitchy!" I love that the McDreamy nickname has spiralled into a whole "thing"... McSteamy, McVet, etc. It's cute, and for some reason it never gets old. Seriously.

Okay, I guess that's it for my TV rundown. Of course those weren't the only shows I watched, but those are the noteworthy ones of the week. If you even bothered to read any of this, you may now go back to your regularly scheduled programming. (It's Saturday afternoon, so there's not much on TV... except lots o' pop culture goodness on VH1... otherwise I suggest going outside. At least till Sunday night rolls around. Then Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters will be set to record on my DVR...)