Back in September, I posted a list of TV shows I planned to watch this season and why.

Now that we've hit the mid-point, I thought I'd revist that post and grade them. Click "more" to read. Sunday:
9pm: Family Guy (FOX)
Still laugh out loud funny but since the new season started early, the schedule of actual "new" episodes is sporadic. I have a hard time tracking it from week to week because there are even some repeats that I've missed. Now that football season is over, I'm more likely to at least remember to tape it. And, hell, even the repeats still make me laugh. Thumbs Up

10pm: Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Started watching this one for the Mrs., but I'll admit it's starting to grow on me. I do have some problems with it, though. Meredith Grey is just too damn whiny and self-absorbed. It's like watching "Ally McBeal" all over again. The woman who plays her, Ellen Pompeo, was in the movie "Old School" with Luke Wilson. I recently watched that again, and she was so damn cute and endearing in it I can hardly believe I'm watching the same person on this show. So it's a testament to her acting skills to be able to do such a different character. But really, she needs to get over Dr. McDreamy (don't ask). And Sandra Oh's character, Cristina Yang, is so damn cold. Every surgical procedure is nothing more than a new item on her resume as a surgeon. I find it a little off-putting. And notwithstanding her performance in the "miscarriage" episode, I think she's a little overrated. But the show itself keeps me interested enough to keep watching. Thumbs Up

Monday:
8:30pm: How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
This show has its ups and downs but I always seem to get a laugh out of it each week. Granted the "Cocka-Mouse" episode was kind of stupid, but I really like the characters. They have a chemistry reminiscent of "Friends", though it still has a long way to go to reach that level. Still, for its first season, its doing pretty well. I expect it to be on CBS's line-up next fall. And Neal Patrick Harris deserves an Emmy. Thumbs Up

Tuesday:
8pm: Gilmore Girls (WB)
I still don't watch this but the Mrs. loves it and it's still my duty to make sure it gets taped every week. Thumbs Up (So I'm told)

10pm: Boston Legal (ABC)
I canned this show back in November. I just couldn't deal with David E. Kelley's Left-wing preaching week after week. The show also seems to be hitting new lows of absurdity based on what I'm hearing. It's doing "ok" in the ratings and is starting to rely on guest stars like Michael J. Fox to keep it going but frankly I think its on its last legs. ABC may cancel it after this season. Whether it does or not, however, I've given up on it. Thumbs Down

Wednesday:
9pm: Lost (ABC)
This show was in danger of a sophomore slump when the season finale last May left more questions than answers. The show's creators were able to satisfy the fans' curiosity about "the hatch" while still keeping it interesting. And the introduction of the "tailies" to the cast has created a great new dynamic. The month of repeats from Dec. 8 - Jan. 11 was absolutely excrutiating. But it came back, hitting the ground running. Huge Thumbs Up

Thursday:
9pm: CSI (CBS)
The team has been reunited on the same shift again. I honestly don't know why they went screwing around with the chemistry last season but it's obvious they realized their mistake. One of the most interesting aspects of this show is that it gives you a window into the bizarre world of things you never hear about. The recent "werewolf" episode was particularly compelling. Good stuff. Thumbs Up

10pm: ER (NBC)
I'm continually amazed at how the writers manage to keep this show fresh. I'm glad they moved off the "Sam and her problem child" story line. It was getting old. The introduction of John Leguizamo was a brilliant move. It shook up the personality dynamic and he's so good I wish they'd make him a permanent cast member. Unfortunately, I don't think they'll do it. And how is it that so many of these female health professions insist on having unprotected sex and getting themselves knocked up? It's hard to fathom. I'm still watching though, for now. On The Fence

Friday
10pm: Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi)
This show was on hiatus for the rest of 2005 when I first wrote about it, but it's been back on since Jan. 7. Two episodes into the second half of the season and I swear it still gets better every single week. I love "Lost" but if someone put a gun to my head and made me choose between these two, I'd have to go BSG. I just really love this show. This is cutting edge television. Huge Thumbs Up

Just a note regarding the Fox show "24". I could kick myself for not watching this from the first season. I don't think I'll ever watch it first run, but I'm looking forward to watching the back seasons on DVD. Damn it!

Posted by: Gary at 01:30 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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