How many more do we get?

From what I've gathered via Ausiello, Spoilerfix and various show-specific sites, here's how many episodes we have left of the following (give or take), before the Writer's Strike eats them.

Monday:
Chuck - 5 more
How I Met Your Mother - ?
Heroes - 3 more
Samantha Who - 7 more
Journeyman - ?

Tuesday:
Reaper - between 2 and 4 more
House - 5 more

Wednesday:
Pushing Daisies - 3 more
Private Practice - 3 or 4 more
Gossip Girl - 5 more

Thursday:
The Office - 1 more (cue gnashing of teeth)
Grey's Anatomy - 4 more

Friday:
Friday Night Lights - 9 more

Sunday:
Brothers and Sisters - 5 more

--

So, about 5 more weeks of solid television before it all starts to taper off. Thanks goodness FNL gets it done and will be with us well into the new year - just in time for LOST to begin. And then end again. (Don't get me started right now.)

Grey's Anatomy: 4x01

Grey's Anatomy
4x01
A Change is Gonna Come
SEASON 4 PREMIERE

I'd love to sit here and wax poetic about Grey's Anatomy and the possibility that Season 4 might (tonight gave me a glimmer of hope) be able to overcome the tragedy that was Season3. But if I did, I'd also have to talk about the ridiculousness of the Meredith and Derek story, Alex's facial hair, and Izzie doing surgery on a deer. Or the fact that it's still way too "themey" (come on, Alex actually gave Christina a bag of change). But I can't. I can't focus on much of anything... except what just happened on The Office.

So, I'll just say...

1. I enjoyed the opening, where our Interns, now Residents, give the same speech to their newbies, that Bailey gave to them three years ago. Nice continuity.

2. George and Izzie have got to stop it.

3. I have mixed feelings about Lexie.

4. Bailey still rules.

5. And, once more, I'm really, really, really sick of the Meredith/Derek thing.

Private Practice Issues

I love Kate Walsh, I do. She managed to take Addison Shepard from one of my least favorite Grey's Anatomy characters, to a person I wanted to see every week - and not everyone could have done that. But, I'm starting to get this sinking feeling about her new show, Private Practice... and I have no good reason as to why. Well, other than the access to shows 10 times more creative, smart and innovative, when I expect this one to be rather formulaic and... soap opera-ish.

I won't get into my personal issues with recasting Merrin's role (Hello! Did you see what happened to Alias after they killed off Francie??) or cutting Chris Lowell's hair (ick). My point is, there's just something about all this that's NOT working for me. Sure, I'll give it a fair shot, but as of now, it's probably the most volatile - and expendable - show on my roster this year.

But hey, I'm sure there's always a job (and a co-worker to boink) for Addie at Seattle Grace.

Such a long, long time...

Wow. I truly didn't mean to be out of pocket as long as I have been... but sometimes life gets in the way, just a little bit! Moving to California, starting school, trying to find a place to live - it's been insane! But it's beginning to settle in, thank goodness!!!

Of course, we don't really care what I've been doing. We care about TV. So, let's get to what I know at the moment.

Upcoming TV/DVD release dates:

August 21 - HOUSE, S3
August 28 - HEROES, S1
September 4 - THE OFFICE, S3
September 11 - GREY'S ANATOMY, S3
September 25 - BROTHER'S and SISTERS, S1
October 23 - VERONICA MARS, S3
December 11 - LOST, S3
---
GILMORE GIRLS, S7 - ??
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, S2 - ??
24, S6 - ?

Hope you're still out there, somewhere.

Grey's Anatomy: 3x24

Grey's Anatomy
3x24
Burning Down the House
SEASON 3 FINALE

It comes in waves - disappointment.

You sit down on Thursday nights, the little red light on your TIVO promising another episode of a show you like enough to spend an hour of your evening involved in its fictional world. You get attached. You talk about the characters and the story and you think, "Wow, it's been a while since TV was smart... this show is upping the bar."

And then it stops. Grey's hasn't felt right to me since it came back from hiatus after Christmas... and I'd stop complaining and nix the side comments if I thought I was the only one. But I don't. Actually, I know I'm not. What I don't know, is where to begin dissecting my thoughts (and yes, it's sarcastic and I'm annoyed, so take my words with a grain of very frustrated salt)...

Meredith and Derek
Honestly, I don't understand the concept of constant upheaval. Shonda can rationalize this situation until she's blue in the face and I'll still maintain - there was no real period of happiness. No payoff. We, as an audience, watched this couple fight to be together for two seasons. Watched them hurt and cry and heal and still not be able to deny one another... then, before we've ever really seen them together, she's suddenly falling in the water and losing her mom and her fake mom and her dad and Derek doesn't know if he wants to be Chief or have Meredith and I'm sitting here thinking: "Um... what?" I'm sorry. I get that Meredith's damaged, but this is ridiculous. At this point, I could care less, and that's sad, because I think they're supposed to be that couple we always root for.

Burke and Christina
*sigh* Don't get me started on the cliche that was that entire marriage storyline. I think everyone could tell from a mile away that Burke was going to call off the wedding and "set her free," as it were. Sure, Sandra Oh's a great actress and the last scene was all a testament to her ability. I actually got that she was relieved and destroyed and completely unsure of what to do next... but on paper, I bet that scene read about as well as a Danielle Steele novel. And speaking of trashy romance novels and large amounts of romanticized CHEESE... can we talk about Burke's vows? Sorry, that may just be me. I'm NOT a romantic in that way. At all. I was totally goobed out.

George/Izzie/Callie
Huh? Callie wants a baby? Yeah, that will really be the glue to hold you and George together. NOT a good call. Bailey's not Chief Resident, Callie is? George failed the test? And really, I'm still sort of stunned that I'm supposed to believe Izzie and George are in love when they never so much as approached the topic before the slept together. I don't buy it...

The "race" for Chief
Such a cop out. Seriously...

Alex and Ava
I think everyone has mixed feelings here. I LOVE the idea of those two. I liked the Alex I saw with Ava, but again with the, "making a declaration, turning it down, ships passing in the night, I barely missed you as I ran back into the hospital," cliche.

Overall
Here's my issue. The show is getting preachy and theme-y and way too soap opera-esque. I get that it sort of was to begin with, but it was a much more quality version than it is right now and I'm KIND OF upset about that. Nevermind the lack of respect for marriage and the recycled storylines. And in relation to this episode specifically... is it possible we could have tied up at least ONE storyline without issue or questions?

And still...
I'll continue to watch, because I know shows go through slumps and pull themselves out, and Grey's deserves that I give it a fair chance. Things fluctuate, right? This time next year I could be singing a different tune...

ABC, step forward.

The alphabet kings have set us up for the fall.

Once the upfronts are over, I'll compile my full (and overly stuffed) fall TV schedule for next year, but at this point, ABC has me for LOST, Brothers and Sisters, Grey's, Private Practice (I gotta see how it goes...) and I'm hearing a lot of buzz about the new show, Pushing Daisies, so I'm all up for checking it out - especially since it's in the LOST timeslot until FEBRUARY 2008! We won't even discuss how LONG of a wait that is for new eps of LOST (especially after all the spoilers I've been reading this week)!

It appears Oprah has a do-gooder show popping up as well. Perhaps it'll be a bit like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - I'll watch when I remember.

Jet planes and ferry boats...

There will be no Grey's Anatomy post tonight because... well, I really don't care. It could have something to do with my need to watch The Office again, but I think it's a general lack of interest in recapping all the whining.

I don't really mean that (I sorta do), but it's late. I'm tired, I'm drained from the stress of the day (and The Office), and I still need to pack because I'm flying out tomorrow morning, headed to St. Louis to meet a friend for the weekend. So excited! About what?

We're going to the Damien Rice concert!

Love him and the songs and the Irish accent! I know Lisa is gone, but I still fully expect to be wow-ed by the show! And of course, Saturday, we're going shopping (H&M better have something good), so it's just a fantastic weekend all around!

Hmmm... wonder if Jenna's in town visiting the fam?

Grey's Anatomy: 3x22

Grey's Anatomy
3x22
The Other Side of This Life

I finally watched Grey's... or Private Practice... or whatever the hell it's called now.

Not sure where I stand on the new show. I love Addison, but I feel like PP could end up being the new Thirtysomething - with waaay more, and too much, sex. I don't recall one scene that was free of sexual innuendo, conversation or meaning. It's ALL Grey's (and by extension, the new over-sexed Addison spin-off) are about, and I'm sorry, but that's just not reality to me. Yes, it's a part of life, but seriously... I'm starting to think the writer's room at GA might want to attend a seminar on sex addiction or something! It's disappointing because what made this show interesting in the beginning, was the idea of a group of people living their lives in the context of this competitive, high paced atmosphere and now, it feels like it's on the downhill slope to telenovela land. And could they STOP being so incestuous? Someone has GOT to get the hots for a person not involved in the medical profession! Grrr! (As I say this, it dawns on me, I'm not bothered by the fact that the people in The Office can't seem to date outside the daily grind - but I'm allowed to be partial between comedy and drama... and what makes sense and doesn't.)

(And yes, I was even more goobed out by Piz in Grey's than I am in Veronica. I mean, who goes shirtless with their board inside the office...? This is what I'm talking about when I say EVERYTHING on this show is about sex - and at times, completely ridiculous.)

Grey's Anatomy: 3x21

Grey's Anatomy
3x21
Desire

Can I request that the entire cast get over themselves?

Seriously.

I don't know what it is with me and Grey's right now, but I'm more annoyed than entertained... I feel like the show is in that critical time period after the hype has pressed it to the top and before the audience gets bored and slowly dwindles.

Don't get me wrong, I know it's one of the most watched shows on television, but that doesn't mean it's infallible. Because it's really, really not.

It all feels so... contrived right now.

Suddenly, WEEKS after it happened, Derek gets worried about Meredith not swimming? And decides to be a cry-baby about the Chief position?

Izzie and George are - *aha!* in repressed, hot love? What?

Addison and Alex are hot for each other when we haven't heard them mentioned in ages?

And don't get me started on Burke and Christina.

At this point, my favorite couple on the show is Alex and Amnesia Girl... everyone else is driving me up the wall.

And the show itself? It's just so preachy about relationships, with its metaphors and Penis Fish, yet every person on the show has committed adultery. Continually. Without remorse.

I'm getting bored.

Reel me in fast.

Grey's Anatomy: 3x20

Grey's Anatomy
3x20
Time After Time

Can't... process... now.

12:32 a.m.

Work tomorrow.

(Derek, grow up.)

Another TV Blog?

Why, yes. Yes, it is.

I'm sure you have questions.

So do I.

Like, why, am I creating yet another outlet in which I will spend inordinate amounts of time doing things like, wondering if Jim goes home at night and imagines confession scenarios between himself and Pam (never mind that Jim doesn't GO home because he isn't REAL), when I should be feeding the dog, washing clothes, paying bills. Eh, what fun are chores and work... ?

TV.

It's about commitment, people. (No, not to an institution.)

Why? Why are you doing this?
1. Because there just aren't enough people out there in the world with television blogs. Ha.
2. I'm a TV addict, this blog is now my therapy. Prepare to see ranting, raving, "squee"-ing, questioning, imagining - and all sorts of other "ings". And don't be shocked to see the words, "If I were..." followed by a delusion of what I'd do, where I the character spoken of, living in said showverse.
3. Because I can.

What shows will you blog about?
My (must not, will not miss) schedule is as follows:
Monday: HEROES.
Tuesday: GILMORE GIRLS, VERONICA MARS.
Wednesday: LOST.
Thursday: THE OFFICE (which you'll hear about the most), GREY'S ANATOMY.
Sunday: BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

Shows I'm about to start watching on DVD.
These are the ones people *gasp* over, when I say I haven't watched them yet. However, the hell that is television's Summer Hiatus seems a perfect time to catch up. Prepare for an ear full.
24, Entourage and House

Like TV? Want to discuss it without the funny looks and reminders that, "they're fictional characters, you know that, right?"

Then welcome, this is a safe place for you.