Well friends, the unofficial start of summer is just around the corner and another season of television is winding down. Seems like this year I’ve watched more TV – partly because I think there was better stuff on than in the past and partly because I’ve had a little more time spare. So before we begin the summer TV doldrums, I thought I’d share with you 10 shows that I found particularly entertaining this year.
***Note 1: This list does not include Bravo. That list probably deserves it own blog post because yes, I am a total Bravo whore. ***
In no particular order:
1. Suburgatory – Honestly, I did not expect to like this new ABC show because I thought it was going to be like a tween Disney show trying to hang with the big dogs of prime time. But since it was on the same night as Modern Family, I decided to give it a chance. And I’m really glad I did. It’s fresh and funny and not a grown-up Disney show at all. Although it’s told in large part from Tessa’s point of view, most of the show revolves the around 1) the relationship between Tessa and her father, George, and 2) the interactions between George and his new neighbors who are quite the characters. Bonus – Allie Grant, previously on Weeds, is hilarious as Tessa’s BFF with her sarcastic, FML, deadpan humor.
2. Up All Night – This new NBC show was a no-brainer for me because of the comedic pedigrees of Christina Applegate and Will Arnett who play the main characters, Reagan and Chris. And Maya Rudolph as Reagan’s self-absorbed boss is perfect. Even though it’s a show about a couple and their new baby, the combination of Christina’s zany antics and Will’s hapless stay-home dad make this a smart, funny comedy for anyone who’s ever had a baby, a spouse, or a job.
3. Smash – It’s no secret that my family loves music and we pretty much love all shows that revolve around music. So when I saw previews for SMASH I knew it was one for the DVR list. And it has not disappointed. I love the basic storyline (the making of a fictional musical about Marilyn Monroe) because it’s so reminiscent of the years that Kelsey was involved in musical theater. But what I’m really enjoying lately are the storylines of the individual characters. Bonus – Debra Messing (I adored her in Will & Grace) taking a dramatic turn as a playwright/songwriter.
4. Once Upon a Time – As a recovering LOST fan, this is the show I was most looking forward to this year. First of all it’s a show about finding your destiny and discovering who you really are. Um hello…something right up my alley. And secondly it’s a show with layers of hidden meaning and sly subtext – it’s got LOST’s fingerprints all over it! Finally, another show to inspire me to reread classic literature and spend hours on the internet researching esoteric topics such as ontological paradoxes and the Novikov self-consistency principle. (What, you mean didn’t do that when you watched LOST?)
5. Downton Abbey – I was introduced to this show by mother-in-law, Penny, one night this past winter and I instantly loved it. As we sat at the bar watching, she filled me in on the back stories of the main characters making me wish I had been watching for the past two seasons. I loved the period costumes and beautiful settings. But the thing that stood out to me the most was how restrained all the characters are. I mean those ladies don’t scream and call each other “Bitch!” And not one time has anyone tried to snatch anyone’s hairpiece off. Blame it on Bravo, but just once I’d like to see Cora Crawley flip her dining room table over a la Teresa Guidice. The Real Housewives of Downton Abbey! Now that’s a show I’d watch!!
6. New Girl – I’ll admit, it took a while for me to warm up to this show. I’ve always loved Zooey Deschanel and her quirky/nerdy style, but in the beginning I just didn’t get it. I was totally on fence and about to remove it from my DVR list until Kelsey and I watched the episode where Zoey’s character, Jess, was trying to say the word “penis.” Seriously, Kelsey and I were literally in tears because we were laughing so hard. Funny stuff man! As the season has progressed, the show really seems to have its rhythm (in my humble opinion) and now it’s one of my favorite comedies.
7. Modern Family –I started watching this show when it premiered a few years ago and it has become my Wednesday funny. I just so get Claire and her perfectionist tendencies and her exasperation when the bottom falls out. And that’s what I love about this show – finding the humor in the everyday situations of family life. But I think what makes this show so interesting to me is that it is kind of a study of American culture these days and what family means to people who might not fit The Brady Bunch mold.
8. Cougar Town – I was so relieved when they brought this show back. I just love the witty repartee between Jules and Ellie and the goofy bromance between Bobby and Andy. And where else can you get your daily dose of silly catchphrases. Plus, with Jules being a bit on the loony side regarding her son’s leaving for college, it makes me look like a walk in the park. I think I read that Cougar Town is moving to TNT next fall, so we’ll see what’s in the cards for this show. Maybe being on cable will make the dialogue a little edgier and give Ellie a real bite to her bark.
9. GCB– I’m crossing my fingers that ABC can find a way to keep this show on its Sunday night line-up because I think it is a hoot. First of all I love that it’s a show set in Dallas, a city I have spent a fair amount of time in. And I love that the show speaks to growing up with church being such a large part of the characters’ lives (for better or worse). But mostly what I love is that GCB is funny and campy and doesn’t take itself too seriously. And yet, the main characters have just enough heart to make them believable.
10. The Chew– I’ve never really been one for daytime talk shows, but since The Chew is mostly about food (a subject near and dear to my heart) I figured I’d give it chance. When I first watched it, I was thrilled to see Clinton Kelly as the host/ringleader (so loved him from What not to Wear). And I loved the interaction between the other chefs. To be honest, in the beginning I felt as if the pace of show was sometimes a little frantic, like they were trying to fit too much in. But now it seems to have settled into a more comfortable rhythm and it’s much more enjoyable. I suppose if I’m really being honest, although I tape it every day, I usually only watch it when I fold clothes. But the nice thing is that when I do watch it I can usually fast forward through a lot of it so it turns a 60 minute TV show into about 20 minutes of food, fun, and folding.
So there you have it – this is what I do when I’m not making a mess or taking pictures or cleaning up cat hairballs. 
I’d love to know, what are you watching these days? What are your favorite shows? And more importantly, do you think Teresa and her brother Joe will make up? Will Slade ever catch up on his back child-support? Will Tamra ever regain full movement of her lips?
Peace, Kelly
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