What we watch

We'll admit it, we have a problem.  The problem is too much television.  I don't think it's a real problem in the sense that we need to attend therapy or anything, but it is a problem when we find so many shows we enjoy that they occasionally air at the same time (thank you DVR!) or keep us from doing more important things (generally, that being cleaning).  For anyone that cares, here's what we like to watch and why:

LOST
I start with this because it is quickly approaching its series finale (May 23rd).  We are sad that the show will be over, but have thorougly enjoyed getting "lost" in all of its crazy stories and mysteries.  I can't think of another tv show that I've gotten so much joy out of speculating and hypothesizing about.  Each character has really been developed well, and even though the premise is crazy and sci-fi-ish, it's truly fun to follow.  If you've never seen it, at some point in your life, I recommend watching the series in full.  There are so many twists and turns and unexpected revelations that you'll think these writers are either crazy or brilliant.  Of course, I may change my tune after the finale if they don't wrap up many of our burning questions... but all in all, I can say that we've been completely entertained by this unique and well-written show. 

The Wire
I must admit that I've only seen parts of this show, but I know that this is hands-down Matt's favorite show ever.  It's got amazing writing, amazing actors, and fabulous story lines.  Taking place in Baltimore, it uses often real stories to inspire their dramas, and from what we know of Baltimore, they do a fantastic job of portraying the rough parts of the city.  It was deservedly critically acclaimed, but I feel as though it was slow to pick up dedicated fans.  If you're in need of an awesome drama series to Netflix, this could be it.  HBO really knows how to put together great shows, that's for sure.

Friday Night Lights
This is one of my favorite shows of the 2000s.  Entering season 4 this week, this show definitely had a rough start.  After its first season, the show was highly critically acclaimed yet got bounced around to different nights of the week on NBC and had a hard time building a fanbase.  Fortunately, the fans they did find became diehards saving the show from being killed (and yes, I did write in asking them to keep the show!).  The show revolves around the family of Coach Taylor, a high school football coach in Dillon, Texas where football is bigger than God.  He and his wife portray what I could probably say are the best, most realistic married couple on television, period.  Their interactions with each other and with their children are so real that you can't help but fall in love with them and root for them.  Every character has his/her flaws, but the show is so well written that you really feel for each of them in their own way.  The drama is lifelike (with the exception of a few story lines that they could have passed on), and the cast is phenomenal.  In all fairness, I have yet to see the 2nd half of the series as I've been waiting for Matt to catch up.  We're almost there, but I love that he loves the show too.  I highly recommend this show to just about anyone.

Anything on HGTV
There's rarely a weekend that passes that we haven't lost a few hours watching Property Virgins, House Hunters, or any of the other fabulous shows on this network.  It's so fun watching others look for homes to see what they like/dislike, can afford in certain areas, are willing to sacrifice... half the fun is just watching the couples try to decide what they really want when it comes down to it!  We also love seeing what your money can get you in cities all over the US and how people decorate or prepare to sell a house.  It's all very intriguing and somehow it's easy to get glued.

NBC Thursday Night Shows
I don't think I need to say much about the NBC Thursday night line-up.  Basically, we love it.  I've become a huge fan of "Community" - Joel McHale is hilarious.  His dry humor really makes the show, and they've found a great cast of odd characters to find themselves in funny situations with.  "Parks & Recreation" is not my favorite comedy, but I enjoy Amy Poehler and her awkward office antics.  It can often be as dry as The Office, but I don't find myself cringing nearly as much.  Aziz Ansari definitely is the unsung comedic hero of the show (he plays Tom).  "The Office" will always be one of our favorite comedies.  I've come to find that people either love it or just don't see the appeal.  I've found the awkwardness yet sincerity of the show to be both heartwarming and gut wrenching, yet somehow you can't hate Michael.  I also thought the Pam/Jim wedding episode was hilarious yet especially sweet.  Those writers definitely know what they're doing.  "30 Rock" is a terrifically written show with an outstanding cast.  I think I laugh out loud at every Tracy Jordan line, and I find Kenneth the page to be the highlight of many scenes.  It needn't be said that Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are incredible.  I have a lot of admiration for Tina Fey - she's a terrific writer and actress, and she's made this show what it is - something I always get a good laugh from.

American Idol/So You Think You Can Dance
Ok, so this is obviously more me than Matt, but I have to admit that I have enjoyed every season of these shows (and yes, even the current AI season, which admittedly is nowhere near as good as past years).  There's just something about watching people fulfil their dreams and get to do things many of us wish we could have the chance to do.  Even if they're just flashes in the pan, these folks got to live out their dreams for a brief moment in time.  Plus, competition is always fun, and of course, I tend to always "know" who's best and root accordingly.  If you've never seen SYTYCD, I highly recommend it.  It's not as cheesy as it sounds - these kids can DANCE.  It's really fun to watch.

How I Met Your Mother
I wasn't a fan of this show at first, but it really grew on me.  The funny thing is that there's not much I can really point to as to why we enjoy it, but Neil Patrick Harris is certainly one of the funnier characters on tv right now (playing Barney, a sex-crazed, self-absorbed member of the friend group).  The show follows Ted (narrated by Bob Saget as the future Ted talking to his kids) and his adventures en route to finding his wife and the mother of the children hearing these stories.  It's got good heart but also has hilarious cast members, especially in Jason Segal who plas Marshall (the other half of Lily and Marshall, who are one of the most adorable married couples on tv).  Plus, I'm a sucker for following a good group of friends (I did love "Friends" after all).

Big Bang Theory
If you have any part of you that finds comic book-collecting, tech-talking, sci-fci loving, uber geeks amusing, then this show is for you.  Sheldon (the main character) is so outrageously geeky that I often wonder if he's even playing a character at all.  The show follows four scientists/physicists/engineers as they awkwardly meander through life trying to find women and win nobel prizes.  (Sheldon, however, may be asexual.)  The comedy between the cast is hilarious, and their awkward adventures and encounters with the rest of the world are very funny to watch.  It's always good for a laugh.

The New Adventures of Old Christine
If you were a fan of Elaine on Seinfeld, don't expect the same character here - Old Christine is perhaps one of the quirkiest, most awkward, self-indulged and insane characters on television, yet you can't help but love watching the woman fall all over herself.  Old Christine (called "Old" because her ex husband is now engaged to "New" Christine, a younger woman with the same name) is obsessed with herself, can barely listen to anyone, drinks too much wine, struggles fitting in with other parents, and thinks she's a good person (which is questionable on the whole), but her mannerisms and self-depricating humor are hilarious to watch.  She is able to make fun of herself (without knowing it) and embarrass herself in almost every circumstance.  Because of this (and also the dynamics between her and her best friend played by Wanda Sykes), I always enjoy tuning in.

Mad Men
After hearing many great things about this series, Matt and I decided to order the first season on Netflix.  The acting is great, and I do love the cast, but I've found it so far to be quite dry and slow.  I've heard the subsequent seasons pick up a bit, and perhaps if I were watching it week-to-week on tv, it wouldn't bother me as much, but for now, we are having a difficult time getting through it.  I think there's a lot of potential for us to love it, but we're just not there yet.  The world they've created is amazing, and it does feel like you're stepping back in time.  But wow, those times were wild, and I feel like I'll get lung cancer from just watching.

Grey's Anatomy
Ok, I feel like I'm writing this several years too late, but I won't lie that I still enjoy watching Grey's (and not just to watch the ridiculously handsome Patrick Dempsey).  There's something about this show that always gets me - the cast is diverse, and even with their flaws you want to root for them.  The show suffered several key losses (Isaiah Thomas, Kate Walsh, TR Knight, Katherine Heigl), but I think the writing remains strong.  I'm not a fan of all the characters they brought in after the merger with Mercy West, but several have really grown on me (I also don't miss Izzy at all).  The relationships on the show are really what make it watchable, and I've enjoyed seeing them evolve, grow, and sometimes fall apart.  Not sure how long the show will be on the air, but I'll watch until it's done.