Summer TV Blahs

Okay, I admit it, I'm a TV addict. At least, I'm a "good TV" addict. I'm not the type who will watch infomercials, or that Christmas station that just shows a yule log burning for days. What I watch has to be GOOD. But if it is, I'm there.

This past year has been agony and ecstasy for me with television. You want the good news or the bad news first? Okay, let's get the bad over with. THEY CANCELLED "ENTERPRISE"! In some ways, that was my dream Star Trek show. Okay, in one way: Scott Bakula. I've loved whatever he's done since the days of "Quantum Leap," so to me he was the perfect choice for a starship captain...intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and of course, good looking. I actually wrote a letter to UPN asking them not to cancel it. They did write me a nice letter in return, but darn it, that wasn't the result I was aiming for. ;-)

Now, the good news: LOST and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES. I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed these two new shows. The only fly in the ointment is that my husband won't watch them with me, so I have to try to catch them when he's not around, or remember to set the VCR. And with my memory...let's just say, remembering to tape doesn't happen often. I've been a big fan of "disaster flicks" since the prime one, to me anyway: AIRPORT. Now, you wouldn't get me on a real plane...panic attacks, not a pretty sight. But show me AIRPORT and I'm there. So LOST had me from the first episode. And DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES is a fantastic cross between The Stepford Wives and General Hospital. I just love it!

But then the summer comes, and it's all reruns or really strange shows that didn't make it during the rest of the year. What's a TV addict to do?

Well, one idea is to watch movies on video or DVD. We've discovered that our local library loans out (free!) videos and DVDs, and they have a pretty wide selection. Of course, some of the movies we have less interest in than others (Fly Fishing in Ten Easy Lessons!). But we've "rented" lots of great old B&W movies and had a blast.

Sometimes, though, we don't have time to run to the library, so we're back to what's available on the airwaves. One TV phenomenon I've never understood is the reality show. I am as confirmed a reality show-hater as you're going to find. I can't see how plopping an odd assortment of people down on an island and making them eat bugs and vote each other off is anywhere close to reality. Puh-leeze. LOST is a lot closer to reality than those survivor shows. ;-)

But this summer I've found a "reality show" that actually works for me. Care to take a guess which one?

[Imagine the Jeopardy theme music playing]

Time's up! Nope, you're wrong, it's not Superbabysitter, or Who Has the Worst Hair. It's Dancing With the Stars!

No, really. I've always enjoyed watching ballroom dancing...it looks so elegant, so much fun. But I know I'd never be able to do it. I have about five left feet. :-) So this series combined the best of both...the elegance of ballroom dancing, with the angst of watching someone trying, and sometimes failing, to master the steps. This is one reality show I'd watch if they bring it back next year.

So, enough blathering from me. What are YOU watching on TV this summer? Or are you giving the tube a break entirely? What else have you got planned?

Happy Fourth of July!

I want to wish all my American friends and family a Happy Fourth of July. I'm looking forward to the fireworks tonight...in that respect, I've never grown up. ;-) But tonight there will be three generations watching the show together...my husband and me, our oldest daughter, and our two grandchildren. Everyone else is working or occupied elsewhere, which is unfortunate...but I guess someone has to "run things" while the rest of us are off partying!

Of course, there's always a chance the fireworks will be rained out. I just hope Mother Nature will hold off on *her* fireworks until we've finished with ours.

Sometime this month we'll officially become "empty nesters." Our younger daughter moved out last month, and our son is moving out this month. In general, we're looking forward to it--the privacy, the quiet, the reasonable hot water and electricity consumption. ;-) But, I know I'll miss being a daily part of their lives. How many of you are empty nesters now? How have you dealt with it? Any tips to pass on?

Have a great holiday!