Why Am I Watching These Shows?

There are certain commercials that will come on every now and then for TV shows that you can't help but wonder, "WHO is watching that?"

Here's a short list:

NCIS LA - LL Cool J "acting"

Shark Tank -has nothing to do with sharks.

Desperate Housewives

Grey's Anatomy

There's no dash next to those last two because... I'm the one watching them.

I know, I know - look away from me! My poor-taste is too awful to watch!!

These shows are more played out than my Billy Joel greatest hits tapes (Don't look at me like that, I'm from Long Island), and yet I tune in week after week.

I'd love to say that I'm still riveted, or it's the investment in the characters --and even though those things do factor in -- it's more a matter of a need for answers.

For example...

Grey's Anatomy

Will they ever just kill Meredith?

How do male actors read this script and not say something about how completely unnatural it is?

What stupid medical procedure will they do for ratings/to remind us they still work in a hospital?

Desperate Housewives

Does it end up that it turns out to actually be the town I grew up in?

Will they ever learn to stop keeping secrets and just tell the police?

and with both of these shows...

How much longer must I wait for a man to take off his shirt and show off his killer abs?!

I could call these shows a guilty pleasure, but the ridiculous decline of both of these series seems to merit something worse. Perhaps we should just start calling the love of such shameful, poor-quality TV Jersey Shore Pleasures. Although in some ways, the writing for that is even better.

I'm excited to see how they conclude Desperate Housewives, although the road we're going down right now doesn't seem all that sunny. The current story-line is reminiscent to season one's suicide. Oh, those zany housewives!

And as for Grey's...I think I'm simply looking forward to how much more ridiculous it can get.

If you're looking for a sappy movie that is so bad it's hilarious, just try an episode out. I'm telling you, there are some quality, unwittingly funny moments in this show that are worth the watch...

if you're really bored.

I Totally Stopped Watching 'The Ringer'

I know I said it wasn't that bad, but here's the thing - it wasn't good enough for me to remember what day it was on. The fact that I remembered that The Rachel Zoe Project is on Tuesdays but couldn't bother to recall that about The Ringer is a telling, albeit embarrassing, truth.

I am watching some great new scripted shows and hoping with my recent job-loss to get into some new ones that are getting great reviews. Here's my new-fall must-see list

1. Suburgatory - Totally off my radar, but really like it. Great casting, decent writing.

2. Up All Night - I know some have given up hope, but I am still trying

3. New Girl - It's a fun show, and I would also like a theme song at any given moment so it's relate-able.

4. Revenge - Haven't seen it but friends are raving that it's a great adult sitcom

5. Once Upon a Time - it hasn't premiered yet, but it looks way better than the other fairy tale show, Grim. I love the cast and premise. Here's the preview:

Review: 'Ringer'

Not gonna lie, part of me wishes it was the movie "The Ringer", but that's mostly because the year that movie came out my family was obsessed with telling each other our name was Jimmy and we could count to potato.

I already am digressing.

My initial reaction to Ringer was that I didn't realize how much I missed Sarah Michelle Gellar. Growing up on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, SMG was like a BFF when I was a teen. I was happy to have her and her wonderful facial expressions back on my TV.

Then, I saw the boat scene.

I feel like they took the effects dude from Sharktopus to make that 'realistic' looking frantic swimming scene. It was awful, jarring, and hilrious all at once,

but then I remembered that we're dealing with CW budgets and this is a pilot so I let it slide.

The story line of Ringer is more compelling than it let on. Originally, it sounded identical to the ABC Family show The Lying Game which also happens to be about twins switching lives. And sure, it's still pretty similar. The thing I didn't expect is how drawn in I was.

I'm a multi-tasker when it comes to TV, but I couldn't keep my eyes off the screen because of the interest I had in the storyline.

It's still way too early to tell, but for a pilot that was supposed to be rather weak, I hope that Ringer continues it's path of a mystery with a compelling plot.

Also, I hope they stop doing that stuff with the mirror. Where each twin looks at the mirror like they are seducing/talking/channeling their twin. It would be ok if it were a second, but the lingering is just a little creepy in a lame way.

***

Looks like the CW is really luring me in this season - for the first time in history I will be viewing two shows on their line-up. Ringer AND America's Next Top Model All Stars! Am I there? Heck yeah I am.

Is it possibly because I performed in LA in front of Britney and Lisa?

a tad

But mostly because I can't wait to see Tyra act like these girls missed their chance at supermodeldom.

Oh! and the smizing.

What Shows Should I Watch?

If you haven't already seen these series, you should put them on your watch list:

• Six Feet Under - HBO's drama based in a funeral home sounds like it's depressing, but I find watching an episode of SFU makes me happy to be alive, and to know the Fisher family. While some may also argue that not all 6 seasons are great, I'd say it is a pleasure to watch and see it grow into greatness. This show, like all the shows listed here, is an excellent complete series.

• Battlestar Galactica - Even if you're not a fan of sci-fi this show's humanistic themes will suck you in. Great storylines and heroes emerge and there a mysteries that are solved to boot. Hear that Lost? It is possible to create sci-fi mystery that gets solved.

• The Wire - Well, first of all I'm biased because one of my favorite TV shows when I was younger was Homocide: Life on the Street. But this series is more than just a cop show. It's a great look at crime from beginning to end and all the players involved from criminal to corrupt politician. And while the acting is great, it's the storylines that will keep you coming back for more.

• Friday Night Lights - I will occasionally watch football, and I have no real alliance to Texas or High School for that matter -- but none of that is necessary to enjoy FNL. It's a great family show with morals, that manages to never be saccharine.