Just another Pessimistic Optimist: July 2010

I'm going to share a snapshot of my current favorite television shows. Yeah, I know it's summer and I should be out playing and having fun, tra-la-la. But, I live in Las Vegas and stepping outside my door immerses me in immediate "surface of the sun" tempatures and eau de pit bull urine. Added to that is the fact that I'm currently packing in the hopes that I will actually close on my new house at the end of the week, and I own a TiVo.

So here we go in no particular order:

1. Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
(on dvd)

Yeah. I know it's old news. I'm sure many of you have even kinda forgotten about this gem in the years since it left television. I can think of no better antidote to the Sparkly Vampire quagmire we now find ourselves living through (Sorry Jamie, Carly, Rachel, and Wendy. It's true. I may watch the Twilight movies, but they're subpar) than a big box of Buffy. If you want to watch vampires, watch them the right way. I mean, really. I got hooked this time when my sister Christy and I decided to have a "Best of Buffy" night right before we left for the cruise. We easily agreed on our #1 episode ("Once More With Feeling", season 6) But after that the list grew too long for one night. Heck, it grew too long for a week of nights. If you've never watched Buffy, I highly suggest you do.

2. The Good Guys
(Mondays, Fox)

I first started watching this show because Bradley Whitford is in it. I've had a little crush on him ever since he played Josh Lyman on "The West Wing", but it was clear from the very first episode that Dan Stark aint no Josh Lyman. He's sweaty, idiotic, sexist, disgusting and delightful. The show is equal parts Starsky and Hutch and Dragnet with a healthy dose of quirk and cheeze for good measure. Colin Hanks and Bradley Whitford are incredibly fun to watch whether they're finding themselves the unwitting target of the 2nd best assassin in the world by tracking down a stolen humidifier, or when they're about to be run down by "a flaming truck of some sort". If you enjoy silliness and quirky characters, watch it.

3.Royal Pains.
(Thursdays, USA)

I've always had a thing for cute Jewish boys and Mark Feuerstein is one of my favorites. He's had really bad luck in the past (he has been called "Sit-com kryptonite" along with another of my favorite people Lauren Graham), but in Royal Pains he's finally found a vehicle for his adorableness. I like the story, I love the characters, it reminds me of living in Long Island as a young missionary, and every episode feels like summer. It's never going to win awards for realism, but if you enjoy cute boys, highly improbably medical storylines, and beautiful scenery I'd watch it.

4.My Boys.
(Sundays, TBS, but I TiVo and watch it on Monday, Mom. Really.)

This is a little gem of a show with a bad time slot and a terrible address. TBS is kind of the red-headed step child of the Turner broadcasting family. If this show was on TNT with all of it's other golden children more people would know about it. Alas, it is not and I fear its days are numbered. Nevertheless, I love it. This season will suffer from the loss of Jim Gaffigan, but he never was the show. The show revolves around tomboy P.J. and her "boys", and it's clever, well written, and makes me laugh out loud every single week. Season 4 is currently on, but the first three seasons are out on dvd. I love this show so much I'm going to include a clip of my favorite moment ever: (The good stuff starts about about 2:20)

Kenny's letter is my favorite part. "When you tried to get me to buy the new Fergie album it made me feel so lonely." It kills me EVERY TIME I watch it.

5.Top Chef, D.C.
(Wednesdays, Bravo)

First off, let me tell you that last season (in Las Vegas) was incredibly superior to this one, but what can I say? It's Top Chef. I love it. I can't explain exactly why this show is so compelling. It might be Tom Colicchio, but as wonderful as he is, it's so much more than that. I'm not a huge fan of reality television, but I am a huge fan of this show.

6. Mad Men
(Sundays, AMC I TiVo it too Mom, I swear!)

It's BAAAAA-ACK. "Who is Don Draper?" Who the heck cares as long as John Hamm continues to play him. I know that in real life I wouldn't like the guy, but on television his arrogance and aura of mystery are part of the charm. It's been a long wait and there's always the worry that this season is where it will start sucking, but after watching the first episode I must say that I like where it has begun: Sterling Cooper Draper and Price working out of a tiny office space with no conference table and a phantom second floor, Don Draper out of place and sorts, Pete Campbell trying to get people to call him Peter. I like that Peggy's more willing to call Don on his crap, that a girl turned Don Draper down for once, and that Joan's back running the place; but mostly, I'm just happy to have Don Draper (and John Hamm) back in my life on a regular basis.

7. Memphis Beat
(Tuesdays, TNT)

Great music, seedy scenery, Jason Lee. What's not to love. I'm not a huge fan of cop shows (although there are two on my list) but I do enjoy a good character driven story. That's what appeals to me here. Plus, as much as I loved him as Earl, it's nice to see Jason cleaned up and de-mustachioed. The supporting cast (including the ALWAYS gorgeous and talented Alfre Woodard--one of those actors who improves the material, no matter what it is)is great, and I have really enjoyed the storylines thus far.

Because my body has finally realized that it's summer time and therefore must hybernate, I don't have the energy to write about my fabulous Alaska Cruise/Seattle vacation.

Let it suffice to say that a grand time was had by all and that Alaska is one of the most gorgeous places on earth, and that Seattle is a wonderful city.

I'm hoping to write more later, but thought I'd post some pictures in the meantime.