What to watch now?

I can't believe it has actually come to this. The strike is still in full force with no end in sight, and almost all of my favorite shows have finished airing all their new episodes. I'm still shocked it has continued this long. But it has, and now I must deal with the reality of it all. And the reality of MORE reality television!

My daughters are always excited about the return of American Idol and it appears I will probably be as excited as they are this year with not much else new to watch. I've also got plans to tune in to Medium (its season is scheduled to start soon after the new year) and Law & Order, the original (its season also was delayed and will start in the new year). I'm even a little excited about L&O since Jeremy Sisto will be a new detective. I might even watch a few shows that I originally wasn't planning to watch, like Cashmere Mafia.

But this blog is really about asking all of you (my few readers!) what you think I should watch? What is airing that I should check out? Anything on HBO or Showtime even? We recorded Tin Man on SciFi but I've heard it isn't worth it to even start watching it.

Any ideas will be appreciated!

What are your plans for this upcoming "no new TV season?"

How much more new TV can we expect?

As someone whose favorite hobby is just chilling out in front of the boob tube, I must say I'm pretty distressed over the writers strike. I think it's great that they are striking and I hope they get what they want, but on the other hand, what the heck am I going to do when there is no new television to watch? Hubby and I have started saving new episodes on our DVR instead of trying to rush to watch them all before the new one airs the next week. He asked me last night how many episodes I think we'll get of Journeyman. I found this link this morning. The LA Times put together a great grid that lists all of the shows and how many new episodes they have "in the can." What will happen after that is pretty much anyone's guess.

The TV Grid

Nip/Tuck is back and better than ever!

Our favorite plastic surgeons have transplanted themselves to California, and the move, surprisingly, is a good one for the show. The sheer number of impressive guest stars (fitting into their roles like a leather glove) in the season premiere alone blew me away. Lauren Hutton is perfect as the agent who finally brings the guys some business (along with a fabulous gig as consultants on a plastic surgery show "Hearts N Scalpels.") Oliver Platt could be in his best role yet as the creator of "Hearts N Scalpels," and Bradley Cooper (Alias) is fantastic as the big star of the show who bullies (i.e., yells) at everyone to get his way. We also saw several fan favorites who haven't been in the limelight for years; Tia Carrere as a dominatrix, Paula Marshall as another actor on "Hearts N Scalpels," and Craig Bierko as a studio head whose "Mistress" is Tia Carrere. But my favorite role in last night's show had to be the one played by Daphne Zuniga (Melrose Place). She was the 40-something actress brought into the office by Lauren Hutton for a little work to help her keep her romantic lead roles. The look on her face when Christian showed her, on a life-size photograph of herself, where she needed work -- well, she showed defeat, frustration, surprise, and hurt all in one moment.

I'm loving the new set, new location, and new people so much that I almost wish all the old characters weren't going to soon converge on L.A., but that's going to happen anyway. Here's to hoping they keep the new direction alive and well!

Could some of my new faves actually stick around?

I'm not used to this! Normally, anything I like gets canceled after three episodes. But this week, we saw lots of good news in the form of a full season pick up of Back to You, and new scripts ordered for both Reaper and Dirty Sexy Money. Here's to the Darlings! Dirty Sexy Money is quickly becoming my new favorite of the season, even though I do still love my other new faves (Journeyman and Life, if I had to pick only three total favorites). Interesting that they are all led by leading men who I would not consider "list-worthy" upon first glance, but adore after getting to "know" them!

Let's all have more pie!

It's been reported that Pushing Daisies has been picked up for a full season! Finally, I pick a new show that isn't canceled after three episodes!! Now, if we could just get some good news about Journeyman, Life, and Dirty Sexy Money.