The best new show on TV
Let me first start by saying that I am not a TVidiot, but I am a believer in the mindless, effortless, entertainment value of TV as a day-ender, something to pass the 2-3 hours after dinner and before bedtime. I don’t care if the show’s popular, only if I like it. I record almost everything I watch – or at least hit pause for 10 minutes on 30-minute programs and 20 minutes for the 1-hour ones. I intensely dislike commercials, so for me the DVR and the pause button are the best inventions ever.
I like these shows: Friday Night Lights, The Unit, Big Love, Big Bang Theory, Ugly Betty and Chuck (something about those last 2 make me want to keep watching but I’m not sure I can define what). I can handle Damages in a pinch. And I love Elvis Costello’s Spectacle and the new season of 24. (Come on. How can one not appreciate a show where a beautiful FBI agent is shot in the neck, then buried alive–before being rescued minutes later, her makeup still perfect, hair squeaky clean, and somehow she acquired a lower necklined black t-shirt to replace the conservative white button-down?! ) As to Spectacle, you’ve gotta watch it. Even if you have not listened to or liked Elvis Costello’s music his guests are a wide-ranging crowd from jazz singers to opera divas, folk to punk rockers and everything in- between. And Elvis might be the best interviewer I have ever seen. Not to mention a walking encyclopedia of music history.
If you like funny British guys talking about cars and driving everything from Toyotas to Cadillacs to Lamborghinis to the limit, check out Top Gear on the BBC. It’s great!
Elvis Costello’s Spectacle is On Demand (Time Warner) on the Sundance Channel. I love it!
I have to agree with you about Friday Night Lights, the Big Bang Theory, and 24. Pretty much anything on TV these days will entertain me! When is Spectacle on? I haven’t heard of it before your blog.
Hi J!
thanks for checking out the blog. friday night lights is the best but i already saw the whole season on direct tv101 – no commercials either!
we just put p a new post on last monday’s 24 – it’s an edited version of the emal riff your dad and i have every tuesday morning. join in!
hey when are you gunna be my agent? ellen – the owner of this blog and the upcoming e-zine wants you too!
tonight on spectacle the quest is bill clinton – no joke.