Television is overrated - but not this week

I grew up on television. I watched hours of TV everyday from the time I got home from school (3ish) to the time I had to go to bed (9ish - yeah, I had strict parents when it came to bedtime). My shows ranged from cartoons such as Tale Spin, Darkwing Duck, Duck Tales and Chip n' Dale; to reruns such as Saved by the Bell, The Cosby Show and Roseanne; to nighttime sitcoms such as Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Full House, Boy Meets World, even Dawson's Creek and such shows from WB. That was the 90's. How I miss it.

A bad habit is hard to break - especially one as mind-numbing as watching TV. I could just sit there for hours and not get bored. Shows after shows, the only times I ever got bored was when commercials came on. And back then, commercials weren't on all that much. We see a lot more commercials now than ever which means less actual air time (and less acting) and more moolah for the networks.

Since then, I've stopped watching TV as much. Mostly due to burnout and boredom. I only watch a few select shows and well, maybe some others if I'm really bored.

Anyway... this week is pretty much known as "finale week" in the world of television. A bunch of shows are showing their finales and attempting to surprise the viewers with cliffhangers so they'd return next season. So I figured I'd watch a few of them to entertain myself. And I have to say, I am impressed with what I've seen so far, I think.

I am not among the thousands of well-equipped people that own a DVR so for shows that are on at the same time, I have to painfully choose which show I'll watch in each time slot. For instance, I wanted to catch Gossip Girl but it was either that or The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother. I caught Gossip Girl when they were doing reruns during the writer's strike. Contrary to popular discussion, Gossip Girl is actually an entertaining show filled with typical high-school bickering. Lame, yes but entertaining nonetheless. The cast isn't too hard to look at either.

I loved the finale to The Big Bang Theory. I've been an avid watcher for the entire first season so of course, the outcome of the finale wasn't crucial. I would have kept on watching next season anyway if it sucked. For those of you who hasn't seen the finale, I won't ruin it for you. I will just say that it's equally hilarious as past episodes and my, what a mighty nice cliffhanger. You can bet that I'll be tuning in next season to find out what happened.

As thrilling as The Big Bang Theory was, I was a bit disappointed in How I Met Your Mother. I felt cheated. I felt that CBS built us up on such a great finale only to let us down on the next one. Oh well.

As for Tuesday and Wednesday, I didn't feel that TV was worth my time so I didn't watch any of the finales. Nothing special happened on these nights anyway. Well, there's Dancing With The Stars but I was never a fan. I did try to check out CSI and some others but I just couldn't get interested. I'm a fan of crime, forensic science and law, but I don't like CSI. It's just too.... unrealistic, the way they are capable of solving each and every crime - and quickly, I might add.

BUT - I am SO looking forward to tonight. I only plan to watch one show though - Grey's Anatomy. Yep, I've fallen victim to the show. I've only started watching the show a couple weeks ago. I have a friend who's an avid viewer of Grey's Anatomy and started watching Private Practice when they made a spin-off. She kept telling me about the shows but I never expressed interest in watching it. Then one day - I was out of town for my certification testing and caught an episode on TV. And boy, that episode impressed me. I had long regarded Grey's Anatomy as another "ER" - not worth my time. I was wrong... way wrong. The drama is a lot more interesting and a lot more realistic as realistic goes in sitcoms. The cases are interesting and well, the injuries are a lot more fascinating.

So, tomorrow night, I'll be joining the millions of others who will be camping out in front of the television for 2 hours to find out what's happening with the cast of Grey's Anatomy. That'll be the last finale for me - until next week. Next week is the 2-hour finale of Lost. THAT is the one I've been waiting for all season.

The Big Bang Theory

Geeky title, right? If it makes you think about evolution and all the science stuff, then mission accomplished. That's exactly what they want you to think, sort of. Who's "they" you ask? Well, "they" are the writers and producers of a hilarious sitcom. Currently in its first season, The Big Bang Theory is experiencing huge success with geeks and non-geeks alike. It's about 2 geeky roommates (Leonard and Sheldon) whose combined IQs are 360. Stereotypically, they're also scientists. They think they have the answers to everything - that is - until a beautiful girl moves into the apartment next door. As Leonard falls for this girl, he is forced to travel down a path unknown to geeks to discover a new world beyond science. Sheldon is the geekiest geek you could ever come across. He is responsible for the crazy adventures and mishaps that we see each week. To join Leonard and Sheldon are two of their geeky friends, Wolowitz and Koothrappali. Everything about this show is stereotypically correct - even their names.

Character Synopsis:
LeonardLeonard is a guy striving to break out of his geeky shell. He excels in history and literature and spends his time working on physic theories on a whiteboard. Even though he adores geeky activities and has Star Wars hygiene products, he tries hard to get rid of his geek label. He falls in love with the girl next door, Penny, but is afraid to let her know how he feels. He feels at home with his geeky colleagues but wants more socially. You can't help but feel sorry for the guy. You'll end up rooting for him in the end.

SheldonSheldon is the geekiest geek you could ever know and that you probably wouldn't want to know. He can be perceived as a conceited stuck-up snob who is content with everything science and wants nothing to do with anything else. Because his IQ is higher by 14 points, Sheldon disregards Leonard's intelligence and often puts Leonard down for the fact that Leonard is interested in a girl. As smart as he is, he doesn't undesrstand sarcasm and is more inclined to do anything scientifically ethical rather than anything morally and socially ethical.

Wolowitz
Wolowitz is a sex-crazed geek who is constantly trying to hit on Penny, which angers Leonard and annoys Penny. He tries to impress girls with his knowledge of six different languages (and he only knows a few phrases in each). He is incredibly socially challenged but possesses enough courage to be rejected repeatedly.

Koothrappali
Koothrappali is a native of India who suffers the most when it comes to women. Unlike the others, he doesn't blurt out embarrassing information - he does the complete opposite. He is unable to speak a word to any girl, unless he gets help from alcohol. Once, after having a few drinks, he proceeded to have a conversation with Penny. That was probably the only conversation he's ever had with a woman in years.

This show is unlike any other. At first, I was uncertain of whether I would like it or if it would even be successful. The idea of the show seemed a bit far-fetched. After watching just one episode, I became hooked. It's funny, intellectual and dimwitted. As entertaining as it is, I often feel like I just suffered a brain aneurysm whenever Sheldon talks. It is often like watching a train wreck and yet, you can't turn away because it is just so fascinating.

If you don't ever watch another sitcom for your rest of your life, at least watch this one. You won't regret it. Mondays on CBS at 7 central.

Memorable Quotes:
Sheldon: "It took you four years to get through high school?"
~~~~~~
(Talking about Penny)
Leonard: Our babies would be smart and beautiful.
Sheldon: Not to mention imaginary.
~~~~~~
Sheldon: This car weighs, let's say, 4,000 pounds. Now add 140 for me, 120 for you...
Penny: 120?!?
Sheldon: Oh, I'm sorry. Did I insult you? Is your body mass somehow tied into your self worth?
~~~~~~
(Sheldon is trying to find a spot on the very edge of the couch clumsily trying to eat his breakfast while Penny is sleeping on the couch)
Leonard: What are you doing?
Sheldon: Every Saturday since we’ve lived in this apartment, I have awakened at 6:15, poured myself a bowl of cereal, added a quarter-cup of 2% milk, sat on this end of this couch, turned on BBC America, and watched Doctor Who.
Leonard: Penny’s still sleeping.
Sheldon: Every Saturday since we’ve lived in this apartment…
Leonard: You have a TV in your room, why don’t you just have breakfast in bed?
Sheldon: Because I am neither an invalid nor a woman celebrating Mother’s Day.