TV time

Being January, television is finally back from its winter break (which has never made much sense to me — during the holidays is when I have time and want to watch all my shows) and even better, some shows are brand spanking new, which I just love.

Remember in the days of yore, when seasons ran from September through May and then all summer was Rerun City? And then one day, some big-shot over at the TV company was like, “Hey! Let’s make new shows air at all different times, all year long! They’ll like that!”? (They do like that, big-shot, they do like that.) Anyway, this doesn’t have to do with summer TV, but it’s a point worth mentioning because there is some new, good TV on right now.

Vanderpump Rules
I haven’t caught up on this week’s episode, but yeah, I’ll keep watching this. Stassi is just so ridiculous, I can’t not watch. My only complaint is that all the dudes look the same, so I really can’t tell who’s who. Although, I’ve surmised they’re all wannabe-models-slash-bartenders, so is there really much more I need to know?

With all the brouhaha over Scheana in past seasons of RHOBH, I’m a little weary of her already and kind of sick of the whole, “I have a boyfriend!” schtick. Yeah, we get it, sister. YOU HAVE BOYFRIEND. But that doesn’t change the fact that years ago you did sleep with a married douche (TEAM BRANDI) and also, how would your boyfriend feel about you rubbing sunblock on Jax? I feel we’re getting into foot massage territory here and Scheana might end up getting thrown off a roof.

Oh, one more thing I think worth mentioning: My super reality TV sense tells me if VR gets picked up for a second season (this summer, perhaps?), one or both of the brunette K-name girls will have suddenly “moved back home.” They’re both boring and they look alike, which is a reality TV no-no.

House Of Lies
Are you watching House Of Lies? Did you not find Don Cheadle even remotely attractive until you saw his bare butt? Do you want Monica’s flouncy, wavy hair-do? Just me? Okay.

I really dig this show. It’s ridiculous and over-the-top, but whatever — entertainment at its best. Kristen Bell is adorable and the dynamic between her and Don and the kid who plays Doug Guggenheim (DID YOU KNOW HE WENT TO HARVARD???) and that other kid (I don’t keep track of names…Can you tell?) really wouldn’t work with another cast.

Shameless
Another Showtime gem, I know I’ve talked about Shameless before (too lazy to search the archives), but I am feeling the same confusion over it now as I was then. It’s funny, though (although also SAD sometimes) and has a great cast and I guess I keep watching a) to find out if Frank will ever get sober, and b) because I need something to watch on Sunday nights now that Dexter and Homeland are over.

Californication
Rounding out the Showtime Three here. I do love this show, even if it’s gotten more ridiculous as the seasons have gone on (Showtime’s M.O., I suppose) and it’s been especially fun watching Becca grow up. Also, Natascha McElhone is GORGEOUS. I’d watch 30 minutes of her just smiling and waving her hippie hair around, if we’re being honest.

The Following
Or, The Kevin Bacon Show, as we’ve been calling it. This premiered Monday, and we watched it last night and yes it was creepy, but I was fine! Fine! And then I had a nightmare at 3am and couldn’t go back to sleep. I also had to pee really badly, but everyone knows boogeymen live anywhere that’s not IN YOUR BED, so I had to wait an hour until Chris randomly woke up until I could pee. My mom does this, too. Runs in the family.

Anyway, so this show was great (but SCARY, have I mentioned that?) and I am actually kind of pleasantly(ish) surprised that such a scary show made it onto network TV. I feel like shows like this are reserved for your HBOs or at least your FXs or something. There are obviously more episodes to watch, but I liked it.

Girls
I watched season one of Girls in a day when HBO was replaying it before season two started a couple weeks ago. I liked it better when I watched it as one long movie, basically, than the past two Sundays, with one 30-minute episode each. It’s good and it doesn’t scare me in the way I thought it would originally. (That way being: OMG WAS I LIKE THAT?! and/or OMG WILL LG BE LIKE THAT?!)

That said, it’s got great dialogue and I want to give each and every girl [on Girls] a big hug and pat on the back. And then I want to take them for drinks and have them tell me their problems and impart wisdom on them.

And now, a few honorable mentions for shows I’m watching and enjoying more or less…

How I Met Your Mother
CAN WE JUST FIND OUT HOW HE MET THEIR MOTHER ALREADY? Ahem. Lily and Marshall are stealing the show this season. It’s usually Barney, I know, but L&M have the funny on LOCK.

Parenthood
Word on the street is last night’s episode (THE SEASON FINALE WHAT IT’S ONLY JANUARY OH WAIT) is teary and ugh. This show. Fucking contrived and ridiculous and yet who keeps coming back week after week? I see what you’re doing here, NBC, and I don’t appreciate it.

American Horror Story
Oh. SPEAKING OF SCARY. Season finale is tonight. I anticipate another 3am nightmare from yours truly. But seriously, this season has just been one thing after another of creepy and terrifying and icky and, well, it’s living up to its name, that is for sure. I’m already looking forward to seeing what Ryan Murphy does for the third season of AHS. Will Jessica Lange star, that is the question.

Nashvillle
TAMI TAYLOR HAIR!!! I am really enjoying this show and I love the music and the outfits and the DRAMA. Good TV, all around.

And finally, there are a couple shows premiering soon that I am looking forward to: The Americans and Top Gear (U.S.). There was one other show, I thought, but I can’t think of it right now.

What are you watching and enjoying or watching and getting angry at or watching that’s giving you nightmares?