Sorry I have not updated in a long time but things have been pretty crazy here. More importantly, television has been really good! We have a lot of catching up to do! Let's discuss.

No new Gossip Girl or One Tree Hill on the CW last night. Was I the only one very disappointed about that? Last week, however,the episodes were top notch. Gossip Girl's fashion week episode was so entertaining and I am really hoping that Blair and Jenny become friends so that maybe I will be able to tolerate Jenny. Jenny's design was okay but the show is not doing a very good job of convincing me she is a talented aspiring designers. Perhaps the producers should brush up on a couple of Bravo's Project Runway episodes. Serena is out of control bitchy. She needs to get a reality check and quick because when she comes crawling back to Blair, she's going to look like an idiot. Poor Chuck revealed his deepest darkest secrets and stupid Dan was going to exploit them. How sad is it that I still don't like Serena and Dan, even when they are not a couple? Also, did anyone notice that Nate and Vanessa were not in the episode?! So sad.

The CW's One Tree Hill was so thrilling! Thank goodness adorable little Jamie was safe from creepy Nanny Carrie! As unbelievable as it was that she just would not die, it made for great television. I hope that Grandpa Dan is now allowed back in Jamie's life after rescuing his grandson.

CBS's How I Met Your Mother was amazing last week with the best burger in New York storyline. I must admit that after watching the episode, I went out and got a burger that I had been craving the entire episode. This week, the episode was definitely not up to parr in my humble opinion. Despite several humorous moments like when Barney held up his fist until someone pumped it, I did not find it that funny. Hope it gets back to being amazing next week!

The Hills on MTV was not very entertaining either (both last week and this week). Has anyone been keeping up with what is going on in their lives nowadays? So much more interesting than the show. Like the fact that Audrina and Lauren are fighting and it was rumored that LC hooked up with Justin Bobby. That is wayy more interesting than poor Heidi writing Lauren a note apologizing and Audrina pretending to play the field when she is clearly not over Justin Bobby.

As I previously mentioned, I am a week behind on House so I will update when Fox decides to post the episode.

Law and Order: SVU on NBC was pretty good last week too. How sick was it that the guy had a website of children for other pedephiles? And to think that kid was lusting after his own stepbrother?! Shocking! Sad that DA Casey Novak is no longer on the show though. I'm still not used to the new one (same actress who played Lindsay from One Tree Hill!) but I think she is doing an excellent job thus far.

Project Runway on Bravo was so good because of all the drama. The designs were not impressive at all, but I feel as if this is always the case on the episode before the judges announce who will move on to fashion week. It seems as if the designers' nerves get the best of them in this challenge every season. So excited that all four designers will be moving forward! I also had a difficult decision deciding who I wanted to be the top three so I am glad the judges didn't decide either. As annoying as Kenley is, I must hand it to her that she is talented and would probably put on a great show. Well, as I've said all along, this PR fan is rooting for Leanne all the way!!!

Ugly Betty on ABC was not very impressive last week. I really am not liking the storyline with Daniel's son. I still don't buy him as a father. And how surprising was it that Betty sold Daniel out and went to work for Whillehmina? I was so glad that she was able to get the tiara too! Of course, it worked out in the end with Betty and Daniel but I was scared for a while. Also, Poor Hilda needs to dump the coach ASAP because she can do so much better than that! 

Didn't watch Grey's this week on ABC. Was it worth it?

NBC's Saturday Night Live opening debate parody was hilarious. I thought both actors did a phenomenal job! And Anne Hathaway did excellent too and I liked the fact that she was not afraid of making fun of herself and her unfortunate situation. The Marry Poppins skit was pretty funny as well.

Desperate Housewives on ABC is so good! Last week, Gaby won the prize for the funniest moment when she bordered on child abuse by making her overweight daughter Juanita chase the car the whole way home dressed as a fairy princess. Guess Juanita gets her wit from her dear old mommy because she outsmarted Gaby and hopped on a bus! This week, the episode wasn't as good but I still think the show is going strong. I am dying to know what Edie's husband's deal is. He is so creepy it is crazy. 

MUST WATCH TV

Law and Order: SVU, NBC

Tuesday, 10pm Eastern

Hollywood Gossip - I admit I am woefully behind on this one. If it doesn't air on the radio during my twenty minute commute, I probably haven't heard. Is it cheating if I log onto TMZ? I did read on Dads House that Miley Cirus is dating a 20 year old model, and her father is in full support of the relationship. It is a big age difference, however, I hardly think Miley is your typical 15 year old. It might be my nievete when it comes to Country Stars, but they always seem to be a lot more down to earth than the rest of Hollywood. I'm guessing Billy Ray knows his daughter a lot better than the rest of us, and I don't see him encouraging the relationship just for some publicity. As long as she doesn't end up Prego and ruin a great career like Jamie Lynn Spears, I'm going to continue to be a fan. I adore her show, and think she is a great role model for kids. Yes, I hated the Vanity Fair pics, but I'm going to give Miley and Billy the benefit of the doubt, and trust that some crazy "artist" at the Photo Shoot convinced them those were tasteful. Oh, and I really love that duet she and her dad to together. I haven't figured out how to embed youtube stuff in Wordpress yet (Read: at the moment I've had enough wine that I really don't feel like figuring it out.) so I linked to it instead.

Television - I freely admit I probably watch less than five hours of television a week. The time most people spend watching TV, I'd rather be  dicking around on the computer.

God, this is pathetic, but I literally just ran down to the basement where The Boyfriend is watching Monday Night Football, to ask him if I there are any other shows I follow besides Gray's Anatomy and The Office. He replied "You watch that Make Your House, Clean Your Room show". He's referring to Clean House. Gray's and The Office are really the only two shows I watch religiously, and it's just my luck that they come on at the same time every week. Thank God for DVR. If I am bored, though, I like to watch A&E's Intervention, The Dog Whisperer, Law & Order SVU (I used to watch this more before they made Elliot into a Crazy Cop, which seems to be the center of every episode - "The week, Elliot is pushed to the Edge." - Wait, wasn't that last week?) How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. It's Always Sunny is Boyfriends favorite show. I find it depraved, but laugh at it anyways. Also just started catching Desparate Housewives again because I love how they've fast forwarded five years into the future. That was a great idea by the writers.

Politics - I do not feign to be even the least big educated on this subject. Guess how many minutes I've spent watching The Debates? Less than ten. I hate to say this, but all that "your vote counts" stuff is wasted on me. I don't really think any of our votes count that much, because I don't think the President, whoever he may end up being, can really change that much about our country. Call me ignorant, that's ok. At least I don't spout off a bunch of bullshit about crap I really don't know a damn thing about.

I am, however, in the Mortgage Industry. I am a full time working mom, and I truly enjoy what I do. I got into the mortgage industry at the height of the refi-boom, so this is my first experience with a down period. Values are declining, and people have to truly qualify for the homes they are buying now. It may have affected my income negatively, but I don't see it as a negative thing. IMHO, three years ago investors decided they didn't care if people could afford the house they bought, because if it foreclosed the house would be worth twice what they'd lended on it. I don't have a college degree, so I certainly didn't see this turn of events coming, but I can't understand how these highly educated banking wizards didn't understand that this Market was inevitable. With the pluthera of foreclosures and short sales on the Market, banks are eating it. And how banks are doing affects everything else in our economy (except maybe gas).

I'm not sure what needs to happen to drag us out of this recession. But the country has seen a recession before. What I worry about is a full fledged depression. Our banks might be FDIC insured - but what does insurance really mean if every bank goes under? Again - I don't pretend to be truly educated about this shit. I think the majority of us know only about 2% of what effects the real issues. And I think our president knows about 50%, thats all.

Well there ya go - I successfully completed a post that encompassed Sex, Drugs and Rock'n'Roll. I mean, Hollywood, TV, and Politics. And folks, don't fear, thats probably the first and last post you'll ever see on my blog regarding politics.

But, it was nice to swerve from the usual for a change.

In October, NBC's introducing another American version of another sitcom, this one Australian and non-work related: Kath & Kim.  I haven't seen any episodes of the original, but it seems to have a decent audience approval record.  Plus, I'm (embarrassed?) to say I'm a relatively big fan of Selma Blair.  Does anyone else remember the show (all of what seemed like 4 episodes) of Zoe, Duncan, Jack and Jane?  Yeah, didn't think so.  I get the same response when I ask people if they remember MTV's Sifl and Olly or the Disney Channel's Flash Forward (think High School Musical, only with Canadian actors who were not preoccupied with looking glamorous and no music).

And to top off this ode to NBC, 30 Rock also resumes in October.  I was one of the millions who didn't tune in to watch the Emmy's, but I fully appreciated the wit and charm of 30 Rock even before the nominations were in.

What do these show preferences reveal about me?  I have a short attention span when it comes to television.  I want to laugh at something that makes me think first.  I also tend to stay away from drama.  Although I appreciate the corporate commercial value of hour-long segments that explore the oh-so-complicated world of over-developed tweens and the opportunity for aspiring bands to showcase their otherwise uninspiring tracks, I find it hard to unearth any benefits I would receive as an over-sold member of the audience.  On the other hand, corny slapstick humor and predictable punch lines followed by fake audience laughter tracks don't do it for me either.  If the writers have included pauses in the script to allow for the audience to laugh, I'm out.  I'm also not impressed when multiple sitcoms use the same set so it looks like four different fictional families live in the same house on different days of the week.  I also have little patience for shows that broadcast the lifestyles of individuals we would never truly want to emulate.  Lastly, my references to shows like Sifl and Olly and Flash Forward reveal way too much about the little-known shows I used to watch that no one else cared about (or even heard about).

A random list of shows I've been known to TiVo:

• The Rachel Maddow Show.  She's smart!  She's articulate!  She's ridiculously liberal!  And most of her comments are twinged with a tone that matches her smirk which says, "Can you believe this sh*t?  C'mon, really!?")
• The Cho Show.  The fabulous Margaret.  'Nuff said.
• Family Guy.  I wasn't allowed to watch The Simpsons growing up.  Can you believe that?  So I'm a late bloomer when it comes to animated forms of social commentary.  (Since The Simpsons were out of the question, you can imagine South Park was out of bounds.)
• Project Runway.  Here I must note: after season 3, it's been mostly all downhill, with the exception of Christian Siriano's designs.
• House.  Because a good television repertoire includes one medical drama and one legal/crime drama and I can't stand non-original ER episodes and I can't stand Grey's Anatomy even more.
• Law and Order: SVU.  My one legal/crime drama.
• Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.  Just because.
• Almost anything on Food Network.  Yes.

And as a last attempt to revive the television watching of my past, here goes...

Mickey Mouse Tracks!  Donald's Quack Attack!  Duck Tales!  Talespin!  Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers!  Looney Tunes!  Tiny Toon Adventures!  Animaniacs!  Salute Your Shorts!  The Adventures of Pete and Pete!  Small Wonder!  Boy Meets World!  Clarissa Explains it All!  Blossom!  All That!  Family Matters!  Fully House!  Saved By The Bell!  The Fresh Prince of Bel Air!  ...and so many other great shows.

It seems as if I have been away forever. Let's begin...

Monday's episode of How I Met Your Mother on CBS was fantastic. I love the whole Robin/Barney plot line! Then again, let's face it, anything Barney does is legen...wait for it...dary! The way he handles the situation and asks Lily for advice is priceless. As for Ted and Stella, what a great  couple. I really hope she is the mother and I like Ted with her a lot better than Robin. I even liked Victoria and Ted better than Robin. Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Robin (gotta love the sparkles) but I don't like her with Ted. And I'll fill you in on a little secret: I myself have never seen Star Wars nor do I plan to watch it. That is until my fiance announces it is his favorite movie and makes me watch it. 

Two and a Half Men on CBS was pretty good, but I've seen better. I must admit I wasn't giving it my full attention but that right there has to say something, doesn't it? I did like the twist at the end where the girl, who is really Chuck's babysitter, ended up pocketing the money quitting. It will be interesting to find out if Charlie ever finds out he doesn't really have a son. 

The CW's Gossip Girl was really good, especially now since Dan and Serena are really starting to get nasty. It was so surprising to find out the Duchess and her stepson were sleeping together! Poor Blair and Vanessa but Vanessa was an idiot for handling things the way she did. Next time, honey, let the grownups take care of business. Oh, and loved how Chuck hired Amanda to flirt with Dan so he can dethrone the Queen B and restore "proper" order. That is, getting Serena back in charge of things. Next week's fashion week episode looks promising!

As for One Tree Hill on The CW, did anyone else notice that Lucas was barely in the episode until the very end? I did like the tribute to Q with only four men playing. It was so sad when they unveiled his jersey and said there would never be another 44 playing for the Ravens again. Also, Nanny Carrie seems creepier and creepier every time we see her. She was pretty funny when she ran her finger along Jamie's furniture, found it dusty, and claimed, "these people are lost without me". Next week's episode looks intense...cannot wait!

The Hills, on MTV was also pretty good this week. According to Lauren, Italy is like a construction site when it comes to men. I found this to be pretty hilarious but despite this, I have found this to be quite true. Of course, when Steph and Doug are out on their secret date at Beso, they run into Brody's mother. Big surprise. I bet you the producers even fed them their lines. Lauren does have every right to be pissed though. Wouldn't you be too? Stupid Stephanie should have listened to Audrina.

I must admit, I was unimpressed with Fox's House this week. I do like the private investigator guy-I think he is hilarious. But I still don't like how the show does not utilize Cameron and Chase. Let's see the originals get some air time! Also how hilarious was it when House was "checking out" the guy in the cafeteria to be his replacement best friend? 

Law and Order: SVU on NBC was good this week! I could not believe that the woman who was raped married her rapist! The disgusting pig tried to get her to lie for him. Wow. And that child was a brat but I guess he had been through a lot. How sad was it when he claimed he was being mistreated because his foster parents wouldn't let him have soda and candy? Interesting family dynamics with Stabler and his teenage daughter. And most importantly, poor Olivia reliving the time when she almost got raped. What a way to kick off the season!

America's Next Top Model on The CW kicked off two girls this week. Big Whoop. Apparently, according to Watch with Kristen on eonline.com, the winner this season is "obvious". Well, since Isis got kicked off last night, I am assuming this means Elina wins. Come on, Tyra, prove me wrong! Show me what your editors can do!

MUST WATCH TV

Ugly Betty, ABC

Thursday, 8pm Eastern

Grey's Anatomy, ABC

Thursday, 9pm Eastern

1. The Golden Girl: Reese Witherspoon

Hands down, all around most fabulous celeb I'd like to trade lives with. Everything she touches turns to gold (well, minus that awful-looking movie Just Like Heaven - yikes - but hey, we've all made mistakes). She's so naturally gorgeous that she even looks amazing running errands (seriously, NOT FAIR). She's been in great movies - Walk the Line, Cruel Intentions, Sweet Home Alabama (you know you love it). She is the face of Avon, owns her own production company (Type A Films), volunteers all over the world, is one of the highest paid actresses ($15-20 million per flick) in America, has been on People's '100 Most Beautiful' list 4 times, has 2 adorable kids who will probably grow up to be sane and down to earth people (sorry, Suri, you will not make this list), dates Jake Gyllenhaal, etc, etc, etc.

She might be perfect. And, as this makes me realize how far from perfection I am, sort of hope she snaps and gets photographed attacking an SUV with an umbrella or something.

2. The Girl Next Door: Rachel Bilson

Have you ever had a friend who you're insanely jealous of but you can't hate because she's so damn nice all the time? I imagine Rachel is that type of girl. She just seems so natural and so refreshingly normal that it's borderline irritating. She likes to go for walks with her dog (who's name is Thurmen Murmen, which I find hilarious), loves watching Jeopardy,and has been quoted saying if she wasn't an actress she'd be a preschool teacher. UGH. Don't you just want to go punch her in the face but then apologize and invite her over to drink PBR's and watch Super Troopers?

3. The Girl Who Could Kick Your Ass & Still Look Good: Mariska Hargitay

Christopher Meloni made the Boys, Boys, Boys list; it's only natural Ms. Olivia Benson from Law and Order: SVU makes the cut too. What can I say? They may just be the perfect pair. The highest paid actress on TV, Mariska is also the founder of The Joyful Heart Foundation (to help victims of sexual abuse). She is probably the coolest woman in the world, and it's my secret hope that she one day becomes President of the United States, even though playing a detective on NBC probably isn't the best prerequisite for running a country but whatever.

4. The Hottest Girl in the Entire World: Shakira

Literally, I imagine she can melt people. She's not only amazingly talented (recognized as a superstar the world over) and kind (she's donated about $45 million to various charities), but she can move her body in ways nobody else can. Don't believe me? Watch her video for La Tortura and tell me I'm wrong (I triple dog dare you). I'd even go so far as to say I'd consider swinging both ways for her. Yeah, I said it.

5. The Alternate: Katie Holmes

Get. Rid. Of. Tom.

Seriously, Katie, what in the world were you thinking?? Just slip some Tylenol PM into his morning protein shake before he impregnates you again, and GET THE HELL OUT. Then maybe you can officially make it on my list.

Oh, and if you happen to rekindle a romance with Joshua Jackson that would really just make my life totally complete. Seriously, not even kidding one little bit, do it NOW.

 ***UPDATE (9/25/08): One my closest friends just started her very own blog and has written about her own favorite celebrity girls! Check it out at Five Days Between. Wo ai ni, Connie!

**for photo credits click on above pictures

So what do you do on Tuesday nights? Watch "House", and then find something else to do until 10:00 of the 23rd of this month because that's when the 10th season of "Law and Order SVU" premiers.

(No. I've not sat on YouTube all day....)

In case you haven't heard the absurd news, "Natalie Dylan", a 22-year-old from California, is  is auctioning off her virginity to pay for her education.  Gut reaction: EWWW.  She uses the name Natalie Dylan as a pseudonym for, as she put it, "safety reasons".  (But gets interviewed by The Insider--so everyone can see what she looks like.  I think, Natalie, someone is going to know who you are and how to find you...click here to watch the video.)

Safety? SAFETY?!  I think safety was thrown out the window when she decided she'd have consensual sex with the highest bidder.  Umm...have you seen Law and Order: SVU?  There are some serious creep monsters out there.  I don't want to think about the legal mess that could occur should, God forbid, something bad happen to her.

"Through this process I'm not just looking for the highest bidder," she said, Us magazine reported. "I'm looking for someone who is a genuine, overall nice person."

But she also says she's looking to get at least a million.  Does she think Prince Charming is going to come along and drop a cool mil just to be nice and help her out?  The auction, by the way, is going to be at Nevada's famous brothel, The Moonlight Bunny Ranch.  Yeah, she's sure to meet a winner there.  eBay, for the record, said no to the auction.

So there's the whole safety thing that should make any woman scream no and consider life in a convent instead.  But Natalie calls her decision "empowering".  I'm not going to go on a feminist rant, because I think the argument can be made against this without even bringing up feminism.

Okay, Natalie, I get that you want to pay for your education.  I have loans too.  And will have more when if I get into grad school (keep your fingers crossed for me).  But here's the thing.  I would argue that in selling your virginity to pay for your academic education, you are selling yourself short in the life education department.  Here's what Dennis Hof, owner of The Moonlight Bunny Ranch, thinks:

"I think it's a tremendous idea. Why lose it to some guy in the backseat of a Toyota when you can pay for your education?"

Tremendous idea, eh, Dennis?  Well you know what?  Sometimes some guy in the back of a car can be really meaningful.  Far more meaningful than sex for money ever will be.

And somehow, I'll still manage to pay for my education.  Ironically, Natalie wants to pursue her master's degree in marriage and family therapy--that's a decent career.  She should make enough money in her lifetime to pay back her loans the old fashioned way.

And here's the final reason Natalie shouldn't go through with her plan.  Her mom thinks it's a bad idea.

What are your thoughts?

[Posted by Kathleen]

According to a recent study, I could place the blame on Law and Order and all 17 of its spin-offs for the fact that I eat a lot.  I'm not kidding.  Law and Order, and other crime shows, apparently makes us eat a lot.  I am an avid Law and Order fan--uh oh.

In the study, titled “The Sweet Escape,” researchers conducted four experiments revealing that “consumers who have been recently reminded of their own impending mortality” spend more on groceries — and actually eat more of those groceries.

Oooh, clever title.  Anyway, Law and Order and others are the catalysts for reminding us of our own impending mortality?  What?  Whatev.

“We found that when people think about the fact that they’re going to die someday — not now, but someday — they want to consume more of everything,” says Naomi Mandel, co-author of the study and an associate professor of marketing at Arizona State University. “We find this with snacks and drinks but also all kinds of different foods: frozen foods, meats, vegetables, everything.”

And they connect this to Law and Order.  I can't believe they spent money on this study.  I have, in my opinion, a better theory to explain the connection between snacking and Law and Order.  None of this "impending death" mumbo jumbo.

Let's look back to the experiments of scientist Ivan Pavlov.  He is known for his work with dogs, making them salivate at the sound of a bell.  Basically, it has to do with mental association.  He would ring a bell and give the dogs food.  Eventually, they would salivate at the sound of the bell with or without food present.

People like to snack when watching TV, right?  So swap out a bell for the signature Law and Order gavel DunDun noise and take away the food...voila!  We have been trained liked Pavlov's dogs to feel hungry while watching Law and Order.  And being that Law and Order is on 22 out of the 24 hours in a day, this training does not take long to do.  Really, all it takes is one week of being sick and watching TV all day every day, or just a few weeks of watching one or two episodes a night.

That, my friends, is why we eat when we watch Law and Order.  That is why Law and Order makes us fat.

Just for fun, here is Sesame Street's parody of Law and Order: SVU, Law and Order: Special Letters Unit.

Oh, and just because The Office is the BEST SHOW EVER and Jim is dreamy, dreamy, oh so steamy and smart, here is his Pavlov's dogs trick on Dwight:

[Posted by Kathleen]

Na última semana a TV americana nos presenteou (e nos presenteará) com um pacote de estréias das novas temporadas das tão badaladas séries, que, aqui no Brasil, são mais conhecidas como “enlatados do Tio Sam”. Se você, assim como eu, é aficionado por uma alienante dose diária desse tipo de entretenimento, acompanhe o calendário deste segundo semestre:

1 de Setembro - Segunda-Feira
Gossip Girl (CW, 2ª Temporada)
Prison Break (Fox, 4ª Temporada - Episódio Duplo)
Raising the Bar (TNT, Nova)
One Tree Hill (CW, 6ª Temporada)

2 de Setembro - Terça-Feira
The Shield (FX, 7ª e última Temporada)
90210/Barrados no Baile (CW, Nova)
Privileged (CW, Nova)

3 de Setembro - Quarta-Feira
Bones (Fox, 4ª Temporada)

5 de Setembro - Sexta- Feira
Samurai Girl (ABC Family, Nova)
The Lair (Here Tv, 2ª Temporada)

7 de Setembro - Domingo
True Blood (HBO, Nova)
Entourage (HBO, 5ª Temporada)

8 de Setembro - Segunda-Feira
The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox, 2ª Temporada)

9 de Setembro - Terça-Feira
Fringe (Fox, Nova - Episódio de 2 Horas)

10 de Setembro - Quarta-Feira
'Til Death (Fox, 3ª Temporada)
Do Not Disturb (Fox, Nova)

16 de Setembro - Terça-Feira
House (Fox, 5ª Temporada)

18 de Setembro - Quinta-Feira
Survivor: Gabão (CBS, 17ª Temporada)
Smallville (CW, 8ª Temporada)
Supernatural (CW, 4ª Temporada)
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX, 4ª Temporada)

22 de Setembro - Segunda-Feira
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 2ª Temporada)
CSI: Miami (CBS, 7ª Temporada)
How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 4ª Temporada)
Two and a Half Men (CBS, 6ª Temporada)
Worst Week (CBS, Nova)
Boston Legal (ABC, 5ª Temporada)
Heroes (NBC, 3ª Temporada)

23 de Setembro - Terça-Feira
Law and Order: SVU (NBC, 10ª Temporada)
NCIS (CBS, 6ª Temporada)
The Mentalist (CBS, Nova Série)
Without a Trace (CBS, 7ª Temporada)

24 de Setembro - Quarta-Feira
Knight Rider/Supermáquina (NBC, Nova)
Lipstick Jungle (NBC, 2ª Temporada)
Criminal Minds (CBS, 4ª Temporada)
CSI: NY (CBS, 5ª Temporada)
Gary Unmarried (CBS, Nova Série)
The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, 4ª Temporada)

25 de Setembro - Quinta-Feira
My Name is Earl (NBC, 4ª Temporada)
The Office (NBC, 5ª Temporada)
ER (NBC, 15ª e Última Temporada)
Grey´s Anatomy (ABC, 5ª Temporada)
Ugly Betty (ABC, 3ª Temporada)
Secret Diary of a Call Girl (ITV, 2ª Temporada)

28 de Setembro - Domingo
Dexter (Showtime, 3ª Temporada)
Simpsons (Fox, 20ª Temporada)
King of the Hill (Fox, 13ª e Última Temporada)
Family Guy (Fox, 7ª Temporada)
American Dad (Fox, 4ª e Última Temporada)
Desperate Housewives (ABC, 5ª Temporada)
Brothers & Sisters (ABC, 3ª Temporada)
Cold Case (CBS, 6ª Temporada)
The Unit (CBS, 4ª Temporada)
Little Britain (HBO, Nova)
Californication (Showtime, 2ª Temporada)

29 de Setembro - Segunda-Feira
Chuck (NBC, 2ª Temporada)

1 de Outubro - Quarta-Feira
Pushing Daisies (ABC, 2ª Temporada)
Private Practice (ABC, 2ª Temporada)
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC, 2ª Temporada)
South Park (Comedy Central, continuação 12º Temporada)
Friday Night Lights (DirecTv, 3ª Temporada)

3 de Outubro - Sexta-Feira
Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 4ª Temporada)
Numb3rs (CBS, 5ª Temporada)
The Ex List (CBS, Nova Série)
Life (NBC, 2ª Temporada)
Everybody Hates Chris (CW, 4ª Temporada)
South Of Nowhere (The-N, continuação 3ª Temporada)

6 de Outubro - Segunda-Feira
Samantha Who? (ABC, 2ª Temporada)

9 de Outubro - Quinta-Feira
Kath & Kim (NBC, Nova)
CSI (CBS, 9ª Temporada)
Eleventh Hour (CBS, Nova Série)
Life on Mars (ABC, Nova - Versão USA)

10 de Outubro - Sexta-Feira
The Starter Wife (USA, 2ª Temporada)

13 de Outubro - Segunda-Feira
My Own Worst Enemy (NBC, Nova)

14 de Outubro - Terça-Feira
Eli Stone (ABC, 2ª Temporada)

17 de Outubro - Sexta-Feira
Crusoe (NBC, Nova)

29 de Outubro - Quarta-Feira
Stylista (CW, Nova)

30 de Outubro - Quinta-Feira
30 Rock (NBC, 3ª Temporada)

23 de Novembro - Domingo
24 Horas (FOX, Promocional da 7ª Temporada)

01 de Dezembro - Sexta-Feira
Crash (Starz, Nova)
(Série Baseada no Filme Vencedor do Oscar de Melhor Filme em 2006)

02 de Dezembro - Sábado
Dante´s Cove (Here Tv, 4ª Temporada)

25 de Dezembro - Quinta-Feira
Doctor Who (BBC, Especial de Natal)

Das que acompanho eis os comentários:

Gossip Girl – Retrata a vida dos jovens da elite nova-iorquina sob o prisma de uma blogueira (fofoqueira). Uma espécie de Malhação de luxo com tramas mais complexas. Você começa a assistir despretensiosamente e acaba se envolvendo com a estória e, conseqüentemente, acompanhando a todos os outros episódios.

Prison Break – Uma das séries mais densas do cardápio. Narra a epopéia dos irmãos Michael Scofield e Lincoln Burrows na tentativa de fugirem das armadilhas que o Estado americano coloca em seus caminhos e escaparem do presídio de segurança máxima. Um dos melhores roteiros que já acompanhei, repleto de mínimos detalhes que contribuem para entusiasmantes cenas de ação e suspense. Contudo, a série perdeu um pouco do fôlego após as duas primeiras temporadas, por conta do enredo que reúne apenas fugitivos, policia e conspirações, o que o torna meio restrito.

One Tree Hil – Essa sim é a Malhação americana. Dramalhão mexicano de marca maior. Serve como ultima opção de entretenimento.

House – Envolvente e impactante. A estória do dr. e milagreiro House, interpretado pelo brilhante ator britânico Hugh Laurie, que já faturou diversos Globos de Ouro e Emmys por encarnar o polêmico medico de conduta ética duvidosa, é intrigante do inicio ao fim. As bem amarradíssimas tramas nos prende de forma inexplicável.

Smallville – Nunca fui fã do Super Homem, entretanto, essa série me fisgou de tal maneira que beirei o fanatismo. Infelizmente, ao chegar a sua oitava temporada, as aventuras do homem de aço durante a juventude é o retrato fiel de uma série que já deveria ter posto um fim em sua trajetória. Receio que essa seja uma temporada catastrófica, a derradeira para a derrocada. A sétima se arrastou e, aos trancos e barrancos, conseguiu finalizar com alguma emoção. Mas, a que esta próxima de iniciar tem tudo para ser um verdadeiro fiasco, principalmente pela saída dos roteiristas titulares e da debandada de dois dos principais personagens da trama: Kristin Kreuk – a Lana, e Michael Rosenbaum – o Lex. Qual o propósito de acompanhar Smallville se fomos logrados da sensação de torcida para o final feliz entre Clark e Lana e, por conseqüência, o embate do Super Man com o vilão Lex Luthor?

How I Met Your Mother - Comédia marota e sagaz. Para os saudosistas de Friends, as confusões de Ted, que tenta contar aos filhos como conheceu a mãe deles, é um ótimo aperitivo, além de abordar a temática de amigos juntos, em uma casa especifica, em um bar em comum...

Two and a Half Men – Comédia de maior sucesso entre os norte-americanos. Particularmente, prefiro outras, mas, essa também é uma boa pedida quando as opções para o divertimento estiverem um tanto restritas.

Heroes – Foi interrompida abruptamente pela greve dos roteiristas hollywoodianos. Em principio, isso poderia significar um aspecto negativo, mas, para Heroes, não foi. A segunda temporada estava deprimente. Conseguiram descaracterizar e tornar chato o Peter Petrelli e, ademais, acrescentaram novos personagens de forma forçada, sem contextualizá-los com a trama. Enfim, a terceira temporada de Heroes é uma chance única para uma das séries de maior sucesso nos últimos tempos dar a volta por cima.

Simpsons – Faço parte do grupo e engrosso o discurso dos que defendem a vitaliciedade dessa fantástica série. Simpsons para todo o sempre.

American Dad e Family Guy – Cópias fajutas e de mau gosto dos Simpsons. Mas apresentam boas sacadas do estilo de vida americano e nos proporcionam algumas boas risadas.

Desperate Housewives – Uma das minhas favoritas. Envolvente, intrigante, impactante e emocionante. Em uma série, extraordinários roteiristas conseguem reunir comédia, suspense, drama e romance com uma genial sutileza. E, claro, não posso deixar de exaltar os excepcionais trabalhos de Teri Hatcher (a amorosa e maluca Susan Meyer), Felicity Huffman (a incrível mãe de cinco filhos Lynette Scavo), Marcia Cross (interpreta com maestria a purista, perfeccionista e inteligente Bree Van De Camp) e Eva Longoria (a sensual e sagaz latina Gabriele Soliz). A cada temporada a série se renova e nos presenteia com uma estória mais incrível que a outra.

Cold Case – Roteiro bem amarrado. Nos reserva ótimas estórias de suspense, e, de quebra, nos contempla com uma seleta trilha sonora.

Californication - De todas listadas acima, sem duvida alguma, a mais inovadora. David Duchovny dá um show na pele do sedutor, promíscuo e perspicaz escritor Hank Moody, que é apaixonado pela ex-mulher e faz de tudo para não decepcionar a filha adolescente. Série para adultos, com fortes cenas de erotismo. Bastante envolvente e engraçada.

Chuck – Excelente série de comédia, suspense e, até mesmo, ficção cientifica. As digressões do carismático Zachary Levi, como o nerd que tem em sua cabeça todas as informações confidencias da SIA, Chuck Bartowski, são simplesmente encantadoras e interessantes. Com personagens marcantes e únicos, é garantia de diversão e de fidelidade aos demais episódios.

Everybody Hates Chris – Atualmente, em minha opinião, a melhor série de comédia. De forma inteligente e absolutamente descontraída, a atração narra a injusta e recheada de confusões juventude de Chris Rock no Brooklyn, em Nova York, em meados da década de 80. Os personagens que compõem a família do garoto dão um show à parte, sobretudo Tichina Arnold, que interpreta a mãe.

Samantha Who? – Boa comédia. Vale mais pela ótima interpretação de Christina Applegate, como a desmemoriada “Sam”.

30 Rock – Muito boa comédia. Nos oferece um humor bastante refinado que requer certa bagagem histórica e conhecimento do noticiário referente aos EUA, como terrorismo e crises econômicas. Interpretações irretocáveis de todos os atores, principalmente de Tina Fey, de Alec Baldwin e de Tracy Jordan .

O calendário acima não mostra duas importantes séries: Greek, que há duas semanas teve a estréia de sua segunda temporada – envolve comédia e lições de moral, ambientada nas tão conhecidas fraternidades das universidades americanas; e Nip Tuck, que tem a estréia de sua sexta temporada ainda indefinida – série bastante intensa, com estórias inovadoras, polêmicas e, por vezes, bizarras; ainda assim, é uma das minhas prediletas; a exemplo de Californication, busca ilustrar a contemporaneidade de roteiros que derrubam paradigmas da conservadora TV americana.

Let's compare the conventions, shall we? The Republican convention crowd is mostly old, white people. The closest thing to a black person there was a Chuck Berry song playing on the PA system ("Johnny B. Goode," specifically). The old, white crowd tried to dance, but most simply appeared epileptic. One of the keynote speakers was Fred Thompson - the Republican senator turned actor turned failed presidential candidate. If he's not speaking about sex crimes, like on Law and Order: SVU, he shouldn't be speaking.

The Democratic convention seemed to have a much more lively crowd. There were plenty of old white people - Hillary Clinton, I'm looking in your direction - but they seemed, well, alive. It was not a polite crowd. They didn't offer golf claps. They really applauded. They yelled and generally seemed like they were willing to stay awake past 10 p.m.

And that's just the second night. Now, I admit the Republican convention got derailed a bit by Hurricane Gustav, but it shows no sign of recovering. The Democratic convention had its slow moments. Tim Kaine, anyone? Even the normally firey Dick Durbin was a bit off. But it always recovered.

But the Republicans threw up Fred Thompson and followed him with ... Joe Lieberman? Really? Why on Earth would you do that? You need to get people excited to be Republicans. The Thompson-Lieberman one-two punch only made them excited to sign their own do-not-resuscitate orders.

That's where the coolness gap comes in. It's cool to be a supporter of Barack Obama. He's the candidate of the cool people - the people who party and drink and stay up late and are passionate about being involved in the political process.

The Republicans are the opposite. John McCain is about as cool as the early-bird dinners he probably eats regularly. People are not Republicans because it excites them to be Republicans or because Republicans are dynamic and visionaries. No. People are Republicans because it feels safe.

And in the end, that will lose them the election. They cannot drum up enough excitement to get the needed votes to beat Barack Obama.

And that's a good thing. America needs an exciting president. It needs a president who inspires people. It needs a president who makes people want to be better. And when you get down to it, the Republicans don't have that. And in November, it will cost them.

Anyway I love the characters,  Det. Stabler, Det. Benson, and all others. But the one character that really turns me on has to be by far Dr. George Huang played by Bradley Darryl “B.D.” Wong.  What can I say I love an intelligent man and one in a suit is even better. Today, I decided to Wikipedia my crush and to my dismay I just found out that he is openly gay.  Not that there is anything wrong with being gay except that it's makes my fantasy a bit loney as I image Dr. Huang making out with another hot dude. :( 

I read the following this morning, not going to link to it because I'm afraid that the author is an episode of "Law and Order: SVU" waiting to happen.  The post was entitled,

Crystal at Deja Vu Friday Night (Coon Rapids)

If loving that headline is wrong then I don't wanna be right.  For those of you not in the Twin Cities, Deja Vu is a strip club downtown.  Coon Rapids is about a 3rd-ring suburb where if you don't see a washer and dryer stacked on a Camaro up on blocks with a meth lab inside, well, you weren't in Coon Rapids. 

And Crystal?  Too perfect.  Like a diamond.  Or a Diamond.  

The post went on to say,

Hi there. I hope you read this. It was my first time there and you made it very enjoyable. I know you dont live too far from me.

Holy shit, what!?!  "I know you dont live too far from me"?!  Somebody get Detectives Stabler and Benson on the line, stat.  I'm no legal expert but that's gotta be probable cause, right? 

"It was my first time there".  Um, sure.  If we exclude all the times you sat outside in your bubble-windowed van, sweating and swaying, waiting for "Crystal" to come out so you could follow her Lexus back to Coon Rapids and fantasize about grabbing her outside of her townhouse, then yes, you've never been there before.

And finally,

Email me and maybe we can grab a drink sometime.

Perhaps a more appropriate conclusion would have been,

Email me and maybe we can wrestle for control of my jigsaw sometime.

It's at moments like these that I ask myself, what would Ice-T do?  Lucky for me, he's a reader. 

Yo, Ice, what should I do in this situation?  Contact the local authorities?  Or, as in the "shrew-ossum" incident, just keep walking? 

What?  I should forget how to rap and grow a weird braid?  Really?  Ok, I guess.  If you think that will keep Crystal safe then I'll do it.

There you have it guys, you don't argue with Ice-T.  I'd like to thank him for participating in this first installment of Missed Connections at the FIC/LMC. 

Hey Crystal, you be careful out there ok?