Must See TV

Once upon a time, I used to watch everything on TV. Daytime, Nighttime, Saturday's too. If it was on I watched it or taped it and watched it later. You should see the boxes full General Hospital "beta" tapes. I have in the attic.

Dramas never really kept my attention except for General Hospital (still not sure why?) I have always been partial to sitcoms. A nice short (22 minutes) story, that made you chuckle or even laugh out loud. M*A*S*H, Happy Days, Roseanne, Who's the Boss, Family Ties and the Cosby Show were the ones I grew up on remembering the most. Some times they were over the top, but most of the time they saw the humor in life and displayed it in a quick humorous way.

I would have to say my all time favorite sitcom was Home Improvement. Tim Allen, Patricia Richards et. al. did a great job at displaying the family in a creative funny way. Sure the male stereotypes were sometimes over the top, but most of the time you would find yourself chuckling to yourself, because you did the same thing just last week. To this day, I can sit down and catch a repeat and laugh out loud and then feel relaxed at the end.

Since Home Improvement went off the air in 1999 (it was eight years ago already!) I have checked out a few other sitcoms. But the only one that drew me in was Reba. But alas, that one was cancelled. Twice no less (once by the WB and once by CW.)

So I have fallen a bit into the reality show mix that invaded us 5-6 years ago. There are currently over 90 reality shows on assorted networks vying for our attention. But my must see is in order The Amazing Race, Survivor, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The first two at least give you competition instead of peoples opinions (which often are degrading and demoralizing.) To me it is like the difference in watching Hockey and Figure Skating. For many people they will check out at least one hockey game a year. Especially when it gets close to the Stanley Cup. But figure skating they may only tune into once every four years at the Olympics. It's fun for a short time, but it gets old and grating after a while. That is why shows like The Amazing Race, Survivor and Extreme Makeover have a stronger future than American Idol or Dancing with the Stars. They also tend to win the awards. Competition will win out every time. It's funny, but just as the sitcoms relaxed me, the reality shows get my blood pumping.

So all that to say, WHAT AM I GOING TO WATCH ALL SUMMER! All of those shows are going into reruns until the fall or later. What is a discriminating viewer to do? (already reading a book, gardening and spending time with my family :-) . I guess, I'll just have to break out the first couple seasons of Home Improvement on DVD and relax.

Could someone get me the remote.