That's Not What I Said...

That Guy just wasn't listeni-- er reading-- carefully enough. I said I could be happy with watching only three hours of television a week, I never said I would be watching only three hours of TV. Afterall, how then could I watch the two shows he mentioned (which I do, and I enjoy). Also, there are these shows that get an honorable mention:

• ER-- I know, I know it's 14 seasons old, but there's just something about the last season of a show that you need to see


• Chuck---- need I say more? (It's ok, Mrs. This Guy knows why I watch.)
• Seinfeld-- I know it's been off the air for awhile now, it's still good. Catch up if you didn't watch it when it was on

Did I mention LOST? oh yeah, I did.

Those of you that are smart out there will notice that there is a problem with my tv viewing schedule. First one to figure it out in the comments gets -- something. HINT-- My DVR only has two tuners.

Maybe You Should Just Tell Me What TV Show You Want to Watch

First things first. Welcome home (oddly enough I think that used to be an ABC tv network slogan). Our readers have missed your quick wit and thoughtful insight on the absolutely mundane. That may not sound like a compliment, but it is.

Secondly, please accept my apologies for the lack of links and pictures, but I am doing another remote blog today. Don't want to overextend the Girl Scout resources.

Now that is taken care of... the task at hand. I am in complete agreement on the news thing. This is coming from a guy who LIVED the news business for nearly 10 years. I just couldn't understand how people could get by without watching the news.

Well, apparently the tree in front of me was so big that I couldn't see that huge forest that was burning down (forest fires... Great video, very little impact on human lives. Sorry people in Australia, but 9 times out of 10 that fire doesn't affect anyone). Anyway, there was that one day (Mrs. That Guy basically got fired in said business) and I finally ran into that tree and suddenly I could see the whole forest. And man did that forest suck. Boring, consultant drivel that didn't matter to anyone. It wasn't the stuff of Walter Kronkite, hell, it wasn't even the stuff of Geraldo Rivera and it wasn't worth watching.

Ok, now that rant is over we can move on. The goal of 3 hours of TV a week is commendable. Especially from a guy that confessed just months ago that he watched closer to 20 hours a week.

I wholeheartedly agree with most of This Guy's list. I have never gotten into Friday Night Lights, but I do see that it is a good show.

Watched an episode of The Big Bang Theory last night (a certain news conference pre-empted our other shows). I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times.

The other two don't need any explanation. Two great shows, even if they are on two different levels.

Now, I am requesting that This Guy add just two more hours of viewing a week. You'll life will be more enriched, if you do.

1. House - I can't believe that a guy who is sarcastic and cynical doesn't like this show. House is the best character on television. Period. Although the storylines have gone a bit overboard this season, Hugh Laurey's genius helps this show stand on it's own.

2. Top Chef - I still don't know why I like this show so much (yes, it's a reality show, but a very well done one). It's just plain entertaining. Tom Collichio is great as a judge/host.

Honorable Mentions: Just in case you get snowed in and have nothing to do.

1. Hell's Kitchen - I know, I know a bad reality show, but Gordon Ramsey's comments are just too funny to pass up.

2. Entourage - I know This Guy doesn't have the HBO, but watch this show on DVD someday. Great writing, great chemistry with the cast and Jeremy Piven is genius.

So there you go. Five hours of TV a week ain't bad. It still gives you plenty of time to "figure" out your number one show. And as Tom Snyder used to say, "Fire up a colortini, sit back, relax, and watch the pictures, now, as they fly through the air."

Why I don't watch the news...

...and other various random thoughts.

There are many reasons why I don't watch the news. For some reason I felt you all wanted to know what they were:

• I went to college and studied electronic media. To those of you who don't know what that means, it's basically TV news. In other words, how to produce TV news. I guess it's kinda like working at McDonald's and eating there everyday. Don't wanna do it.


• I'm tired of the same story all the time-- see our fearless leader and the 100 old people trying to pass a "stimulus" package.


• Of course Michael Phelps smokes marijuana. Have you ever looked at a picture of him?
• Guess what, there was a fire and a shooting overnight.

Okay, that's enough about why I don't watch the news. On to other (some would dare say) important things.

So, a little while ago, I wrote about watching a whole lot of TV. I have now decided that the television industry has gone down the toilet. When ABC cancelled Pushing Daisies and Eli Stone (two of the best tv shows on the networks-- I don't have HBO or Showtime, so I can't speak for them) I admit, I was a little sad. Replacing quality programming with reality shows is one thing, but when they're crap and more crap, that's rediculous.

I have decided I could get by on watching only 3 hours of television a week. I won't only be watching 3 hours of tv a week, but I could and still be happy. Can you name those three hours? I'll give you a hint, it's 4 shows. They span three networks. Ok, I know you want to know so here they are in a famous ThisandThat countdown:

4. NBC 9 PM- Friday Night-- Friday Night Lights - many of you aren't watching it. You should be! It's fabulously written, and performed better than any other show on TV (yes, that includes #1 with a few exceptions). As a whole the acting is amazing.

3. CBS 8 PM- Mondays-- The Big Bang Theory- Hilarious! Social awkwardness is funny (unless it's a part of your job), and a big helping of Kaley Cuoco isn't bad either.

2. CBS 8:30 PM- Mondays-- How I Met Your Mother-- Suit up and watch it. Major-- Major-- laughs each and every episode, wait for it...AWESOME.

1. ABC 9 PM- Wednesdays-- LOST-- Speaking of AWESOME. If you're not watching-- you're missing out on the single most influential television show, EVER. Yeah, I said it. Michael Emerson is the exception I was talking about up there in #4. Ben Linus is one of the most intriguing characters ever to grace the small screen. Go and watch the first 4 seasons then catch up with season 5, because next year's final season is going to be AMAZING.

Next week, I'll tak about the shows that could have made this list. I had other things I was thinking of blogging about, but talking about LOST has made me want to go theory hunting the rest of the evening!