TV Show Spoilers

In case you missed the season finales in the Spring, these guys ruin 'em all. Watch at your own risk.

Summer TV

That's right - I don't give my DVR a break just because it's summer! I mean, it's not like I get three months off. So what am I to do when I get home from work at night and most people are sleeping?

Watch TV.

So here's what I'm watching this summer:

I'm A Celebrity... Now, here's the thing about this show. I said I was going to watch it when Rod Blagojevich was going to be on. Why? Because he's just douchey enough to be entertaining. And I REALLY wanted to see what would happen when he had stuff dumped in that hair of his. I was also hoping for an expletive fest. When the judge wouldn't let him go, I was tuning out. Then, I thought it might be interesting to see those other douches - Heidi & Spencer - be taken away from Hollywood. I couldn't take the staged photos of them in my magazines or on my favorite blogs. I thought that could be like a vacation. Then, John Salley sent me a message on Twitter asking me to watch for him. Never heard of the dude. Still, I figured nothing else was on Monday night (besides Conan's fun debut), so I watched it. Oh, it's a show I love to hate. Thankfully, it's only on for three weeks - however, that's four nights a week. GRRRRRR.

Wipeout I don't record this, just watch the first round at work. Why? BIG BALLS! I know there is something wrong with me that I giggle every time someone, well, wipes out on that crazy obstacle course. It's fun. You can miss an episode and not be left wondering what happened. Oh, and there are REALLY BIG BALLS. What more do you want?

So You Think You Can Dance Well, I don't. But these kids who try out and actually make the show are fascinating! They haven't made the cut to the final 20 (at least not that I've seen yet). But these kids are so impressive. Some have dance training, others are just naturally gifted. Over the course of a few weeks, they learn every kind of dance. I never thought people moving around a stage to music could move me to tears, but every season I have watched, that has happened. If you liked "Dancing With The Stars," you'll love this show. It's fun!

True Blood Southern vampires. Or "vampire porn," as one friend called it. It is creepy, funny, shocking and scary. Sometimes all at once. I have to admit, I sometimes can't sleep after I've watched it.

Hung This is a new show. It's about a guy who's well-endowed. He puts his friend to use because it's the only way he can make a buck. Now, you're probably thinking I'm just hoping for a peek. They say there will be no reveal (a la "Boogie Nights"). It's all up to the imagination. Wiener aside, the show looks funny.

Entourage I admit I don't care about Vince and the boys. I only want Ari & Lloyd. If they aren't in the scenes, I tend to lose interest. Still, wishing I didn't have to wait until July for this one.

Mad Men I have been hooked on this show from the very first season. It's so smart. Each episode is like a little movie. And, I swear, every single member of the cast is fantastic. It makes me wish I was living in that era. Why don't we do cocktail hour anymore?

I don't think I left anything out. How are you passing the summer???

Trimming The Fat

I thought I had done such a good job weeding out bad television (and by bad, I mean shows I was still watching even though I no longer cared). Then, I looked at the updated list of shows I watch and am wondering if I have lost my mind - go ahead, insert your own joke here.

You probably don't like a lot of the shows I watch and I'm OK with that. Though I really wish some of you would get on board with them so I could talk to someone about it! I didn't even list the random reality shows I find myself watching when there's a marathon (um, "Real Housewives," I'm talking to you!).

I don't really have a point of this post. Just thought I was making progress on that whole TV thing. Oh, and I've whittled my Netflix queue to 480 movies. That's actual progress. I've been watching at least one movie a week - a MAJOR improvement from the six months those DVDs collected dust! The problem with that: I keep adding movies. Yes, it's a sickness. No, I don't need help.

Just maybe a good flu to give me some time to get caught up on things.

My Fall TV Lineup UPDATE

I have cut some shows out of my life. Not just because I have too much on my DVR, but because, let's face it, some shows just aren't good. If you want to see what I planned to watch, go here.

Here's what I'm not watching:

• Eli Stone - I was on the fence about this after last season. I didn't make it through the first episode. I kept sighing and rolling my eyes at it. Buh-bye.
  
• Kath & Kim - This is like a SNL skit that goes on way too long (don't they do that with most skits these days?). I'm sure the original version was fun. This one, not so much. Gone.
• Crusoe - I never started this. I figured even though the show has a limited run, each episode is an hour long and I just didn't want to get into it. If it's any good, they'll re-run it later. I can catch it then. Otherwise, I figure it's not that big of a loss.
• The Ex List - Another show that didn't get any of my time. I never bothered to add it to my list of shows to record. Not hearing a lot of buzz about it, so I figure I'm not missing anything.

I'm still on the fence about Pushing Daisies. Just when I think I'll quit it, it makes me laugh (Sister Christian? Motoring? Come on! That was funny!). I'm also putting Dirty Sexy Money and Lipstick Jungle on notice. I kind of wish I would have quit one of those shows so I could record The Mentalist. I saw the first episode and liked it, but now I can't record it because of the last two shows.

New shows I'm loving:

• True Blood - Yes, it's like vampire porn some weeks, but it's so well done!
• My Own Worst Enemy - Christian Slater in a role very much like Jason Bourne? Yes, please!
• 90210 - Guilty pleasure! And I'm hoping Dylan will come back!
• Fringe - Yes, the idea of taking a dude out of the looney bin to go to some secret lab at Harvard to figure out what "The Pattern" is all about is far fetched - especially when he says things like "I wet my pants." Still, I'm intrigued by these wild experiments!
• Life on Mars - It's cool. I'm not sure if this guy is in a coma or if he has traveled in time, but I'm sticking by it to find out!

So what are you watching? Let me know in the comments!

Too Much TV? BAH!

Since a couple of you voiced concern about my crazy long list of TV shows I plan to watch, I decided to consult one of my favorite pop culture bloggers. Well, imagine my surprise to find this on USA Today's site today:

I recently posted a ridiculously long list of TV shows I'll be watching this fall -- on my DVR as I work at night. I have received much criticism, as my friends know I also subscribe to Netflix. My question is this: How do you deal with people who think you're wasting your life by relaxing in front of the tube?

You should know that I do walk my dog every day. I also find time to read books and magazines. I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, but some people think I just sit glued to my TV and laptop when I'm not at work. Should I just ignore them? Or should I try to convert them? -- Nicole Perez

Well, I'm lucky, because I can hide behind the fact that it's part of my job to watch television every night.

But really, I'm betting several people who criticized you also watch a lot of TV. The difference is, they've never sat down and mapped out just how much time they spend doing it. In any case, if it makes you happy, why feel bad about it? Like you said, you have a job while you can watch while you work. You do other stuff with your life besides sit in front of the tube. And I'm guessing you have lots to talk about at dinner parties. Enjoy the fall season, though don't be afraid to drop a show or two if they start to bore you -- I'm already doing that myself!

See? What's the harm? I do actually leave my house for more than work. I socialize when I feel like it. I'm not a shut-in.

Oh - and I have dropped one show so far (it wasn't on the list, but I added it to the DVR lineup out of curiosity). Worst Week was more like "worst half hour of television I've seen in a long time." So there. I can quit some shows. Now, some of those that made my list have not come out yet, so I'm sure I'll drop some more.

Just consider me the gal to ask about what to watch on TV. There's a good chance I've seen it, read about it or dismissed it before it airs.

And to all you Candy readers who have come to my blog, thanks for stopping by. While you're here, tell me what you watch on the tube!

More New Shows To Check Out

These are midseason replacements, presumably replacing shows that won't last. Some of them look interesting...

What I'll Be Watching This Fall

Last week, Julie and I looked at the Fall TV lineup to plan what our DVRs will be recording. I will admit it's insane for one person to watch this much TV, but you should know some of these shows will be canceled, or I'll reject them after the first episode or two. I just want you to see what I love and what I think will be worth checking out. I'm including links so you can read about them to decide if you'll want to check them out.

Sunday:

• Entourage - This show returns to HBO September 7th. I cannot wait! I love the relationship between Ari & Lloyd more than I like the boys.
• True Blood - This one debuts on September 7th. It's a vampire series - a first for me. I'm willing to check it out because it's HBO and I figure it can't be that bad.
• Mad Men - I've been watching the second season of this show for a few weeks already. LOVE IT!
• Breaking Bad - This is supposed to return in the fall, though I'm not sure when.
• Desperate Housewives - This one doesn't return until September 28th. It will be five years into the future.
  
• Brothers and Sisters - It also returns on September 28th. I might give up on this. It will have to really hook me when the season starts, otherwise, I'll leave these siblings behind.

Monday:

• Dancing With The Stars - I don't just watch this so I can blog. I watch it because I like the pseudo-celebrities trying to dance. It returns September 22nd. The stars will be announced in a week. I can't wait to see if the ones I predicted on the work blog make the cut!
• How I Met Your Mother - At this point, it doesn't matter that much who the "mother" is. I just want to see Barney and wish I didn't have to wait until September 22nd to see him. The rest of the cast is great, too, it's just that Barney makes me laugh out loud every week. LOVE IT!
• Samantha Who? - Christina Applegate has great comedic timing! This show is cute and funny. Get your giggle on October 6th.
  
• My Own Worst Enemy - This is a new show. It stars Christian Slater, which is why I'll check it out. But if I don't love it right away, I'll say buh-bye. Look for this one October 13th.
• The Hills - Yes, I'm too old for this show. Still, the cattiness is silly. The fact that it's scripted is obvious. I still watch it. Besides, they play good music and MTV has finally gotten around to popping that info up so you can add to your music collection.
  

Tuesday:

• 90210 - I know I'm not a teenager. I still want to know what became of the gang now that they're my age and working with the kids at West Beverly. You know you're curious!
• DWTS - It's elimination night! I have to know which star's dancing days are done.
• Fringe - This is by J.J. Abrams, the brain behind LOST. This could be too much sci-fi for me, but I'll still check it out when it debuts September 9th.
• Eli Stone - Will George Michael still influence this show? If not, I'll still watch when it returns October 14th. I think.

Wednesday:

• Pushing Daisies - This show is quirky and cute and oh-so-funny! I can't wait for it to return October 1st!
• Private Practice - Whiny doctors with lots of drama in their lives. It's not the best medical show out there, but I'll consider keeping this in the rotation when it returns October 1st.
• Dirty Sexy Money - This is one messed up family! What's more entertaining than a couple of sex scandals and a money grab? This one returns October 1st.
• Lipstick Jungle - I miss "Sex and The City." This does not completely fill the void, but it'll do. Plus, it has one thing SATC never had: Andrew McCarthy! It returns September 24th.

Thursday:

• Ugly Betty - This hour-long dramedy always cracks me up! I have to know whose offer Betty is taking when the show returns September 25th.
  
• My Name Is Earl - I love every one of these main characters. They all have great one-liners that make me laugh. This one is also back on September 25th.
  
• Kath & Kim - I know, Brit rip-off. But it looks funny. I'll check it out October 9th.
  
• Grey's Anatomy - I can tolerate the whining and complaining because the medical procedures they do are INSANE! Plus, the boys are not hard to watch. I just have to wait until September 25th for the new episodes.
  
• The Office - I love this show so much, I have my DVR set to record all episodes -not just the new ones! I've also been watching the webisodes to help get me through the summer. I can't wait for this one to come back September 25th.
  
• Life on Mars - This one is new. It's a cop-drama that involves some time travel. If it hooks me October 9th, I'll keep watching.
  
• ER - I'm one of, like, three people I know still watching this show. I refuse to quit it, even though it's predictable. Also, Ray is returning. Oh, and this is the show's last hurrah. We've made it this far, might as well see it through to the end. The final countdown begins September 25th.
  

Friday:

• Crusoe - This is a 13-part series based on the book by the same name. If it's not too corny, I'll keep it. Look for this one October 17th.
  
• The Ex List - This new show could be cheesy. Still, I think it might be worth a look-see when it debuts October 3rd.
  
• Life - This is a cop show I got hooked on in the spring. I love Damian Lewis from when he was on Band of Brothers, so I'm a little more patient with this series than some people might be. This one is back September 29th.

I cannot wait for everything to return, though I still have stuff on my DVR I need to get rid of - like the whole last season of LOST - so I have room for the new season. That's what I'll be watching. Tell me what you're watching (without judgment of my list) in the comments section!