Don't Watch!
As much as I love my children, I must admit there’s one aspect of my pre-mommy life that I miss so much it hurts sometimes…
Sitting on the couch for hours watching bad TV.
These days I’m lucky if I can keep up with Project Runway (forget about that Models of the Runway show) and usually just have the hubs give me his dramatic reenactment of that week’s Amazing Race. (Which, btw, he never quite seems to do it justice…) My Tivo is constantly erasing my fave shows in favor of Hot Wheels, Battle Force 5 and I’ve had to re-prioritize my priority manager more times than I care to mention.
So, I had to learn the hard way how to become a more discerning TV watcher. And because I know many of us have the same problem, I’m happy to help ya out a bit by cutting through all the bullshit and letting you know to Watch this, not that!
Watch The Good Wife
There’s a reason that EW chose The Good Wife as one of the ten best TV shows on right now. I was originally drawn to this show hoping to get my *Mr. Big* fix but ending up staying because of Julianna Marguiles. It’s a story about a woman who stands by her man through a political scandal and finds herself entering the work force after staying home for fifteen years raising her two children. The storyline is so layered, so well acted, that my stomach does a little flip each week when I see that Tivo has recorded it. And the best part? It’s got enough criminal procedural stuff going on that your hubby won’t feel like he’s emasculating himself by watching it with you each week!
Watch The Millionaire Matchmaker
With less time to watch TV these days, I think this is the kind of show I miss most. The Millionaire Matchmaker kindly runs marathons constantly, just begging you to sit your lazy ass on the couch and watch as Matchmaker Patti cuts through any and all BS. She. Is. Genius. From the way she handles the enormous millionaires’ egos or catfights with a drag queen, she is fantastic. Whether she’s telling the real estate developer that cuff links are so 1987 and that his haircut channels that guy from Greatest American Hero or she’s telling off an NBA player for mistreating one of her girls, she has the balls to say exactly what we’re all thinking. If you only have time for one guilty pleasure on your Tivo, I highly recommend this!
Not Cougar Town
I really wanted to like Cougar Town. It sounded right up my alley-alums from Scrubs, Friends and Dawson’s Creek (don’t judge!) and also featuring the ridiculously hot Josh Hopkins. Not to mention the fact that, at age thirty-six, I’m *gulp* entering cougar territory myself and was hoping to relate to some of Courtney Cox’s antics. While watching the pilot, I told myself that it was just a fluke that it seemed, um, awkward and forced. But since I was determined to become a Cougar Town fan, I gave it a few weeks to get it together. But I then returned to discover that they were STILL trying too hard. And while it may still have a place in my Tivo, (right next to the twelve episodes of Desperate Housewives I can’t bring myself to watch) Cougar Town lost it’s place in my heart.
Not Tool Academy
Wanna feel better about your own relationship? Then Tool Academy may be right up your alley. It’s about women(and a few good men) who, in a last ditch effort to save their relationship, bring their bandana-wearing, fake tanning, cheating significant others to the Tool Academy. After spending thirty minutes with Neander-Tool, Looney-Tool and DoubleTalking-Tool, I didn’t blame that girlfriend one bit for screaming I’ll cut your ass! at the therapy session. I felt like screaming too.
For those of us who loved bad boys back in the day, this show will make you squirm, remembering what it was like to date a complete DOUCHE BAG and rejoice in the fact that you pulled your head out of your ass before it was too late. New favorite quote: You can’t turn a ho into a housewife~Daniel a.k.a. Glow Stick Tool
What are YOU watching this week?
xoxo, Liz
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I happen to like Cougar Town. It’s one of my favorite shows this season. I think the chemistry between all of the actors is natural, not forced, and the comedic elements are spot on.
I like the Millionaire Matchmaker, too, but Cougar Town still reigns supreme for Weds. night shows.
:)
Karra, I know people who LOVE Cougar town so I totally get it. I don’t know why, maybe because I wanted to like it SO much, it just never really did it for me. But, hey, it got picked up for another season so people definitely like it! xo
Let me just say this one time with gusto. I HATE COUGER TOWN!
There. I feel better.
I watched it once. well, I watched 15 min of one and 15 min of another. It doesn’t even try to be realistic. It isn’t really about a 40 something woman dating a younger man. It is about what men HOPE 40 something women are like and that just gets on my nerves.
The Millionaire Matchmaker I have heard is worth my time from others. But now that I’ve read it here, I’ll have to check it out.
Lisa, You should check Millionaire Matchmaker out. But I must warn: It’s addicting! xo
I, too, tried Cougar Town and was wildly disappointed. There were just too many other fantastic shows out there (like The Bachelor *wink* *wink*) that deserved my precious DVR space. But now that I’m about to upgrade to AT&T and can record up to six shows at the same time (or something crazy like that) I might give shows like this more of a chance. xoxo
Hi, my name is Mary and I am a television addict. I totally agree with your assessments of Cougar Town and The Good Wife. I’m a Private Practice groupie too. I’ve also discovered a number of cable shows like Damages, The Closer, Saving Grace, Raising the Bar and In Plain Sight. BTW, have you checked out the new show Parenthood ? Love it ! Oh ! And let’s never forget Deadliest Catch. Oh God, I really need a life ! :)
Mary, I used to be a Private Practice groupie. But I am going to publicly admit that I dumped it a few months back. I feel really, really bad about it!
I’ve heard Damages is great as well. I’m inspired to check it out. THANKS!
Lisa, I have to admit that that my interest has been waning slightly because they are running out of co-workers to sleep with. Seems a bit incestuous lately.
Besides getting sucked into American Idol again, there is something that I can’t stop watching.
Vampire Diaries. Oh the shame of it all. And it’s on the….CW!!! Ick!
I blame my teenagers. I am hooked on vampires and Shawn White. someone save me.
I am a reality show junkie. I love the BIGGEST LOSER. It reminds me each week to watch what I eat and exercise or I could gain back the 60+ pounds I have lost over the past 2 years. THE AMAZING RACE is awesome. I love watching these people race around the world. These contestants get to go to all these different countries. I love watching even though I know that I will probably not get to go to any of these places till my children are older. I don’t even have a passport and know I will not even apply till my youngest is at least 2 years older. DANCING WITH THE STARS is another of my favorites. I love watching these dancers and their hot bods! I used to be an AMERICAN IDOL fan till they didn’t resign Paula Abdul. It is just not the same with Ellen. I can’t bring my self to watch it.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Vampire Diaries! I’ll have to check it out.
Lynette,
I just can’t get into DANCING WITH THE STARS. Maybe I should try again now that bachelor Jake is going to be on? Xo
I love “The Good Wife”!!! One of my favorite shows but… My favorite show this year is – Mercy! Great chick show. You should check it out.
I too miss the days of watching tv endlessly before kids. Now my tv seems to stuck on the Cartoon Network or the Disney Channel all day. Not really quenching my thirst for tv viewing.
You hit on my two favorites The Good Wife & The Millionaire Matchmaker. And I would have to say, I too get a bit excited knowing it’s Tuesday! (BTW – next weeks episode of The Good Wife looks like it will be a real show stopper!!)
I’m curious if Royal Pains will come back? It was on TNT. And will The Closer return? Can’t get enough of that southern gal charm in the gritty LA City.
Also, White Collar is very alluring on TNT. (Get your Saved By the Bell fix by watching Tiffany Theisen – notice she’s dropped the Amber.)
I day dream of a day when no one is home and I can watch HGTV ALL.DAY.LONG! House Hunters! Curb Appeal! The Unsellables! What is not to love about HGTV!
Wendy, I’ll have to check Mercy out! xoxo
Michelle, OMG, I LOVE Royal Pains!!! And Drop Dead diva too!
I agree. Royal Pains and Drop Dead Diva are great shows !
Okay, doesn’t anyone out there watch The Real Housewives of Orange County? Or New York City? I not only watch them, I record them to watch them over again, and I even watch all the old episodes whenever they are on!! I am such a housewives junkie!! Lisa, you really should add this show to your Watch This list!
Jennifer–I totally watch! But must admit, haven’t in a while… Haven’t seen Bethany’s new show….Need to get my act together!