If there’s one thing I need like a hole in the head, it’s another show to watch every week. I mean, when one feels it necessary to actually make a TV-watching schedule, said couch potato probably has enough going on in TV Land, right? That being said, I’ve tried hard over the past couple of years to keep my new shows to a minimum. Because as the natural attrition of television occurs, my number of addictions will automatically decrease. (Natural attrition, plus the complete disregard of TV executives, says the still-sad Veronica Mars fan…)
Last year, I only got into one new show: Chuck. If you aren’t watching this show, you should. It’s very funny. It has romance, if you like that sort of thing. And spy-filled mysteries, if you like that. And for the nerds in the group, you’ll like the crazy antics of Chuck’s co-workers.
Anyway, I watched a few other shows last year, but thanks to the infamous strike, I didn’t get truly hooked.
This year, I’ve avoided new shows at all cost (and by “all cost,” I mean watching cringe-inducing episodes of Til Death, a show that could not possibly hook anyone on anything, rather than checking out something new). I even decided to dump a peripheral (usually watch but don’t have to) show. Sorry, Ugly Betty.
And then last night, I decided to watch My Own Worst Enemy. (Turns out that’s kind of funny and possibly ironic, since in my struggle against television overload, my curiosity and broad taste often makes me my own worst enemy.)
I surfed a little this morning and saw that it’s gotten mixed reviews. The New York Times and the LA Times gave it good reviews, but TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly weren’t so flattering.
I liked it. More than I wanted to, that’s for sure. Because I think I’m going to add this to my already-complicated Monday night viewing routine. (Since I know you’re wondering…Watch Chuck at 7 pm, while taping How I Met Your Mother at 7:30 pm. Watch HIMYM at 8 pm, then Samantha Who – another peripheral show – at 8:30 pm.) Here’s the low-down on this show:
Christian Slater plays a man who discovers he’s living a double life with a split personality. For you literary types, his two names are Edward and Henry – an obvious shout-out to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. (Obvious to literary types. Me, I read it in one of those reviews.) In one life/brain, Slater’s character is Edward, a super spy, ruthless and talented. In the other, he’s Henry, a somewhat boring suburban husband and father. For an unknown-as-yet reason, the split personalities begin crossing over in Edward/Henry’s brain in the pilot, causing all sorts of trouble and confusion.
But not confusion for the viewer. The premise is convoluted but not so much that I couldn’t follow along. And because I appreciate the spy genre, I was happy to suspend all disbelief (and maybe some rational thought) while watching.
The LA Times points out that waking up to realize you are actually a deadly spy is not all it’s cracked up to be. “How fun would it be to wake up and realize you know how to rig a car bomb, hold your breath for five minutes and speak a dozen languages? Not as fun as you’d think, apparently.”
I had this very thought last night while watching the scene when Edward (spy) turns into Henry (not spy) in the middle of an assassination mission. I thought, “Wow, wouldn’t he know what to do from watching spy movies?” (As if everyone watches spy movies.) Then they showed the unfolding chaos of rescue from Henry’s point of view, including his face being splattered with blood – not his. And I realized that perhaps I’ve watched a few too many spy movies and that maybe it wouldn’t be that cool to be a spy after all.
Then again, you watch Chuck and tell me being a spy isn’t cool!
Your turn: Do you like spy movies? Are you addicted to any TV shows? Did you have a crush on Christian Slater back in the days of Prince of Thieves? (No? Just me? Okay…)
Photoqueen,
Thanks for stopping by…the “look” of my blog is new, so I definately appreciate the props…(I can’t take credit except for having good taste)However, it has some glitches…like I can’t move stuff around and the “sticky” notes don’t really work…but they look good :) I guess I’m giving up on perfect too. Have a great day!
I’d watch ‘Chuck’ but it’s on when ‘The Big Bang Theory’ is (and HIMYM, but sometimes that show kind of annoys me — it’s like some of those other shows you mentioned; I don’t have to watch it), and I don’t know how to tape anything. ‘Chuck’ is probably available online, but I’d have to catch up. I do think it looks like I’d like it though. And when it first started, my mom asked me several times if I had seen that new show ‘Chuck’ and that it’s really cute. :) As for the Christian Slater show, I didn’t see Prince of Thieves until recently, but I did like Christian Slater. But I think I prefer more light-hearted TV shows nowadays. ;) I will admit to watching a little more of the new ‘90210’ than I’d like though… ;)
I have the solution to your TV watching problem! Move to the East Coast. Nothing starts until 8, so you’re limited by bedtime! Sort of.
We caught the last 15 minutes of this show, and thought, “hmm…probably would have been helpful to have seen the first 45 minutes…” but it’s definitely our kind of show. Problem is that it starts at 10. Christian Slater was never crush-inspiring for me, though. :)
Hip mama – thanks for visiting! How much happier would we all be if we gave up on being perfect a little bit? :)
Chelley – you’d like Chuck. It’s better than HIMYM (and you know how much I love that show!). I don’t even know what to say about 90210. :)
Amy – it’s good that you can resist the charms of CS. He’s not even cute, really. I don’t know what it was, back in the day. Anyway – I had to laugh at myself, because when I started reading your comment, I thought, “Oh good, she’s going to give me a way to watch more TV.” You’re right – finding a reason to watch LESS TV would be better! As for moving…is Nashville in the eastern time zone??
i’d thought about watching this show, because i like christian slater. and then i sort of forgot about it. would it be too confusing to start on the 2nd or 3rd show?
I bet they play a recap at the beginning of the next few episodes. They should, anyway. And I’m sure you could watch it online at the NBC website. (And chelley, you can watch Chuck there, too – or buy last season’s episodes from iTunes!)
My husband travels out of town for long periods of time so in the evening I have too much spare time on my hands. I used to watch tv for a couple hours every night unless I had plans with friends. But then….. I discovered blogging! So instead of sitting in front of the tv, I sit in front of the computer screen. I justify this by saying reading is better than just sitting watching. But I do have a few shows I still like to watch. You’ve probably read that I’m huge a Survivor fan and want to be on it someday. (Of course, I’ll need to be brave and try out first!). I also like Amazing Race and want Amy to be my partner. HaHa.(Her idea actually). The Office is another fav. Those are really the only ones I don’t like to miss. I’m going to check out Chuck though. Spies and romance… humm… sounds interesting.
I hear ya, Brenda, about the discovery and justification of blogging. ;)