Make Time For TV

The television industry has marked this week as the official beginning of the 2006 Fall Television Season. It's only natural that I take some time to talk about the shows I'll be watching this fall, something I'm sure you've been anticipating for quite some time. Here we go...

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Sundays

Must-See: Family Guy remains the funniest animated series currently on television, period.

TiVo It For Later: The Simpsons...the best way to describe an animated comedy in it's 18th season - classic.

I'll Give It A Chance: Hmmmm...nothing really. ABC's Brother's & Sisters just looks depressing, and, while I know Everybody Hates Chris is a good show, it's on UPN and watching shows on networks other than the "Big Four" (plus HBO) is a slippery slope to a sedentary lifestyle.

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: The War at Home is so bad, I'd rather add a year to President Bush's second term than watch 5 minutes of an episode...YES, that bad.

Mondays

Must-See: Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip...hands down, no contest, undeniably the best new show on television.

TiVo It For Later: Prison Break...it's like 24's younger brother, AND adding character actor William Fitchner to the cast, as a vengeance-seeking FBI agent, was a really great move.

I'll Give It A Chance: Heroes...is it a lame version of Lost, or will it offer something new? Let's find out.

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: The Bachelor: Rome...if you're watching this show, please do the following: turn the television off, brush aside the two cats sitting on your lap, wade through the endless sea of other cats laying on your floor/furniture/etc., walk to your kitchen, throw away the 2-gallon bin of Breyers Triple-Fudge-Fun Ice Cream in your freezer, walk back through the sea of cats into your bedroom, get into bed, weep for hours.

Tuesdays

Must-See: In my opinion, there's actually no show worthy enough to be called "Must-See" on Tuesday nights...how unfortunate.

TiVo It For Later: 2006 World Series of Poker...only watch this if you like poker. Pretty obvious, huh?

I'll Give It A Chance: The Knights of Prosperity...sure, the premise of the show sounds like someone was dared to make this into a television show ("a janitor gathers a band of blue-collar misfits to rob Mick Jagger's New York-penthouse"), but I'm damn intrigued!

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: Boston Legal...this show was previously cancelled for a reason.

Wednesdays

Must-See: Lost...Lost...LOST! The answers will come on October 4th...and so will 100 more questions.

TiVo It For Later: Justice...even though it's so clearly over-the-top drama, I just can't seem to get away from this "CSI-meets-Law & Order" creation.

I'll Give It A Chance: 30 Rock...if it's as funny as Studio 60 is enthralling, I'll be watching.

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: Dancing With the Stars Results Show...first of all, of course I would never watch the results show since I'm not ever going to watch the horror that is the competition show; secondly...well, I think that's reason enough.

Thursdays

Must-See: My Name is Earl/The Office...these two comedies go together like Peanut Butter & Jelly, if Peanut Butter & Jelly makes you pee your pants.

TiVo It For Later: Survivor: Cook Islands...yes, the tribes are divided by race, and they used to be divided by age and/or gender...stop overreacting!

I'll Give It A Chance: Six Degrees...the reviews don't look so hot, but I'll give a show involving J.J. Abrams a small amount of consideration. The last time I did, Lost was found (pun intended), and I think you know how I feel about that show.

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: ER...John Stamos is on the show this season? What the heck ever happened to shows "going out while they're still on top", because this show's a few years late.

Fridays

Must-See: Real Time with Bill Maher...politics, humor, blunt honesty. It doesn't get any better than that.

TiVo It For Later/I'll Give It A Chance: Nothing good enough...catch up on all the shows you TiVo-ed during the week.

I'd Sooner Gouge My Eyes Out: Men in Trees...I'm desperately trying to come up with a funny joke regarding the fact that a television show starring Anne Heche is called Men In Trees...how about "this season it's Men in Trees...next season it's Women in Trees"...hey, I tried.

Saturdays

Unfortunately, the television industry has completely abandoned Saturday night programming. Choose one of the following:

• Go to the movies.
• Watch college football.
• Save your/my social life.
  

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