IT'S TV TIME!

Nobody asked, but while my television viewing choices are almost exclusively news and sports, there are a couple of "entertainment" shows that I really enjoy. Here they are in no particular order.
SCRUBS: This innovative show often uses the drift off into the twilight realm of a character's thoughts method first used on Ally McBeal. It's very clever and well-written with likeable characters and lots of subtle humor as well as in-your-face slapstick.
AMERICAN DREAMS: This chronicles the life of a family in late 60's Philadelphia and it is perhaps the best show on TV. The oldest daughter (Meg Pryor) is one of the dancers on American Bandstand. When they show "Bandstand," the scene we the viewer sees through the TV camera's monitor is the actual footage of a young Dick Clark and the bands and singers from the actual black and white show in the 60's. Then they pan out and show the in-color performers who are often portrayed by noted musicians of today.
The issues of drug use (marijuana), divorce, racism, the Vietnam war and many others are all incorporated into the show. In fact, the current storyline has the Pryor's oldest son (J.J.) listed as MIA in the war and of course the family is devastated. This is the kind of show you would think might promote an agenda of some kind but it does not. It is very powerful and emotional and truly a terrific program.
Without a Trace: The CSI shows are okay, but I'm not a devotee. However, this crime-solving drama has me hooked. It chronicles the investigations of an FBI office in NYC as they piece together evidence in order to solve cases involving missing persons. The four main characters are extremely good at finding and interpreting evidence and the writers (this is another Jerry Bruckheimer show) know how to keep the viewers rivited.
CBS SUNDAY MORNING with Charles Osgood: Okay, this might qualify as a news show, but really it's much more than that. It is 90 minutes of features covering personalities, the arts, and americana in general. Any news items would generally be considered "news light." The show is extremely well done and whenever I can't catch it live I tape it (I don't yet have TEVO...damn!)
Other shows I enjoy are The Simpsons (still a classic), The Apprentice (actually I just tune in for the the boardroom scenes), Red Green ( innovative uses for duct tape, and more! Saturday nights on PBS) and Reno 911 on the Comedy Channel (the concept of this show is incredibly funny, but it could be better written. Some shows are pretty lame.).