Well, this is the last week before my TV viewing schedule goes absolutely, completely batshit insane. I've already dropped one new show--True Blood--since I couldn't even compel myself to watch the entire first episode. The new 90210 is still on probation. Ryan Eggold is all kinds of hot, but the fact that I'm mostly watching for the grownups--some of whom aren't even series regulars--doesn't exactly bode well. Despite it not being part of my original fall grid, I've added Privileged to the lineup, and it's a stronger contender than 90210. Adding it does make Tuesdays at 8 iffy, though, at least until Greek and Eureka finish their current runs.

I had hoped to be caught up with House before the season premiere tonight, but that didn't quite happen. I'm through episode 5 of S4, so only 11 to go--a lot closer than the 35 I was behind a few weeks ago! So far, I'm not minding the arc of House finding a new team. I've read a lot of bitching and moaning about Chase and Cameron being marginalized, but so far I just don't care. Cameron mostly irritated me anyway, and although Jesse Spencer is gorgeous, I often felt that Chase was underdeveloped. His new dynamic with House is more compelling to me, even though there's less focus on his character.

After I finish marathoning House, I really need to tackle Supernatural, and then Lost.

Monday night TV this week was good, if not great. For starters, Chuck and Blair continue to be the best thing about Gossip Girl. ( XOXO )

As noted in last night's very brief entry, One Tree Hill made me cry. Like, a lot. ( James Lucas Scott FTW )

Last but not least, there was Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. I just really enjoy this show, even when it's maybe not the most exciting episode. ( Silkwood Showers )

Life has gotten quite a bit better since my last post. My stress level at work has gone way down, and in the last three days or so I seem to have remembered how to sleep at night.

I'm also quite proud of myself, because I finally joined the community center at the local park district. They have really nice cardio and strength training equipment, and I've gone 5 of the last 6 days. Right now I'm just doing 30 minutes on the bicycle, but it's a start. I can't help but think that the physical activity is helping me sleep better. I've been pretty down on my self-image for a while, and I'm hoping this changes that.

Went and bought FNL on DVD today, which I'm very excited about. One of my friends pre-ordered Heroes for me as a birthday gift, but it's being shipped to her house, so I don't actually have it yet. I also need to go buy House S3.

Two of my summer shows are on hiatus the next week or two (Psych and Burn Notice) due to the US Open, but since I love tennis, I'm totally okay with it. Fortunately, Greek is still around and still awesome!

Does anyone happen to know the title and artist of the song used at both the beginning and end of last night's House (it was playing when he got out of bed, and again when he was playing the piano)? The word "desire" was used as a refrain, but the only song I know with that refrain is by U2, and this was most definitely not that. :)

Help with this would be greatly appreciated!

Wow, House is just twelve kinds of awesome. It's like I forget just how fantastic it is until I actually sit down and watch it.

( Episode spoilers within )

Loved the Sherlock Holmes shout-out on tonight's episode of House. (His house number was shown to be 221B.) ( Also... )

Haven't had a chance to watch last night's episodes of Gilmore Girls or Supernatural yet, although I'm looking forward to both shows. My viewing time was devoted to the FOX network instead. There's a part of me that wants to boycott because of the Arrested Development situation, but depriving myself of Prison Break and House would hurt me more than them. Yeah, I'm weak...

Anyway, I really enjoyed both Bones and House last night, although I think I need to rewatch both shows. It's hard to catch the subtle details when you have an almost-three and an almost-two-year old in the house. (Good thing they're really cute. :) )

Brennan's complete lack of pop-culture savvy and utter ignorance of social niceties continues to be my least favorite aspect of Bones. Although, it was pretty funny when the one club chick said "She's using Cartesian philosophy to say she's down with the music." Heh. ( I don't know what that means )

House is such a magnificent bastard. Even though they occasionally show his human side, they haven't woobiefied him, thank goodness. Cameron, on the other hand, continues to be utterly useless and annoying. Chase and Foreman snarking on her crush on House was awesome, though. ( Pissy )

New Veronica Mars tonight! Should we place our bets as to whether Weevil will actually be in the episode?

I'm seriously considering signing up for fanfic100, but I can't decide what I want to claim (that hasn't already been taken). sadiekate has laid claim to VM's Sheriff Lamb, and I highly recommend checking her stories out. Some are Veronica/Lamb, which I didn't think I would like, but they're awesome. Her Lamb character and backstory pieces are also really interesting.

Dude. Have I mentioned how much I love Prison Break? 'Cause I so do. Several times during last night's episode, I told the TV how hot Wentworth Miller is. Egads. How far is it to Joliet? (Okay, the prison where they film is 66 miles from my house, according to MapQuest.)

( An origami rose )

For all my fellow Veronica Mars fans, there's a nice interview with Jason Dohring here.

I'm still trying to catch up with the week of TV I missed during my vacation. So far I've made it through Crossing Jordan, Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, Bones, and House. The sad part is, I don't even know what all I have left. I don't think I've even watched Gilmore Girls from the week before yet. Aaah! TV overload!

I've decided I have mixed feelings about Bones. I enjoy the show, and I'll keep watching, but I guess I feel like Emily Deschanel needs to loosen up a bit. It's not entirely her fault--the fact that the writers keep making her say "I don't know what that means" is annoying. I thought it was cute when Temperance was oblivious to all the guys hitting on her, but to have her be oblivious to all pop culture and a best-selling novelist is just stupid. And seriously, who in their right mind would say something to their boss about having sex with a (sort-of) co-worker on a "field trip"?! Gah. And apparently, the Jeffersonian is supposed to be the Smithsonian. Whatever.

I still love House, but I wish they'd give Chase something to do, already. Also: shut up, Cameron. I get that she's pretty and all, but did the TB Africa doctor guy really need to fawn all over her? Sheesh.

Oh! When I was watching Grey's Anatomy, and the girl in the wheelchair, Nicole, asked Alex to kiss her? Total Chase flashback. Only, in a weird twist, Alex proved he is smarter than Chase and didn't kiss her, even though it wouldn't have been nearly as squicky, since at least she was 18. After his speech to the girl, I knew at some point during the episode, he was going to plant one on Izzie. Boy, did he ever! I'm trying really hard not to succumb to the Alex/Izzie 'ship, but that was hot. Plus, George was high-fiving her afterwards, which doesn't exactly scream repressed love. *snuggles hopeless George/Izzie 'ship*

Could Bailey be any more awesome? When she stopped the elevator so Derek could cry in the train episode...wow. She obviously cares about the people she works with. And I loved the interns' reactions to her dress.

Burke told the Chief about him and Cristina! Woo! Go Burke! Way to be infinitely more mature than Derek.

*sigh* I admit, I was happy that Derek chose Addison over Meh. But things do not look good for the Drs. Shephard. Addison chose to move for her career, not to be with Derek. And Derek chose to stop talking to Meh because Bailey told him to, not because he wanted to. These are not good things.

I actually liked Meh for trying to get everyone away from the "pregnant" guy. I couldn't believe he and his wife weren't angrier. I would have been screaming.

I still love me some George. His scenes with Burke were absolutely priceless. And when Burke told him he was still his guy? Too sweet. I can't believe that woman's heart caught on fire. Bizarre.

I'll be posting a separate entry for Lost, because let's face it--it deserves one.

( Gilmore Girls )

( Supernatural )

( Bones )

( House )

Wow. That was long. Damn crowded Tuesday night TV.

I'm not planning on watching Reunion tonight, because CSI is premiering. Also because it is dumb. I expect it will experience a precipitous drop in ratings, not only because of CSI, but also because two weeks have passed since the premiere. But that's just my feeling.

Happiness is season (and series) premieres! I watched Bones and House tonight (while TiVo-ing Gilmore Girls and Supernatural; actually, I TiVo-ed all four, but I watched FOX live), and I really, really enjoyed them both.

First, Bones. I expected to like it, and I did. It's not really surprising, given that I'm a total sucker for nearly all procedural dramas (CSI: Miami being a noteworthy exception, due to my aversion to David Caruso, and even that I gave 2 1/2 seasons before giving up). Plus, it has Angel! I realize that David Boreanaz isn't exactly Oscar-caliber, but I like him anyway. :) I also really enjoyed Emily Deschanel (spelling?) as Dr. Brennan. ( Mildly spoilery thoughts behind the cut )

Oh, House, how do I love thee? This show rocks my world. Hugh Laurie is a friggin' god. Although seeing the commercial for the S1 DVD and hearing him speak with his own accent was weird, since I haven't actually watched the special features on the set yet. ( Thoughts and LOVE behind the cut )

Did anyone else watch Prison Break on Monday? I really enjoyed it, which is bad, since I watch too much TV already. But I think it will be interesting to see how the premise plays itself out. Plus, Wentworth Miller is, shall we say, compelling.

( More thoughts behind the cut )

Ran over to Best Buy during my lunch break yesterday to pick up House on DVD. Whee!

In crappier news, my car is in the shop again and repairs will set me back $850. Bleah. Maybe I should just buy a new car...

I can't believe Andy Roddick lost in the first round of the US Open. I could even watch the whole match, I got so frustrated. Guess I'll be rooting for Rafael Nadal now. Or, really, anyone who isn't Roger Federer.

It's a good thing King George kept his Supreme Court nomination speech short, because I hadn't seen last night's episode of House, and I would have been annoyed if it was pre-empted completely.

No idea what the actual episode title was, but it could easily have been named "Return of the Second-Tier WB Stars." Do you think it bothers Scott Foley that his ex-wife is having a baby with Ben Affleck?

Anyway, I really enjoyed the episode. The dynamic between Cameron, Chase, and Foreman was so much nicer before Chase went all traitor-rat-bastard. I loved the scene in the bar when they were speculating why House needed the $1000. And much to my amazement, the scene with House and Cameron leaving the monster truck rally didn't make me nauseous--although it didn't make me 'ship them, either.

So the reason Wilson lied to House is because he was having dinner with House's ex, Stacy, who later appeared in the show portrayed by Sela Ward? Bad Wilson.

I love this show. How long until season 2?

Last night's episode of Rescue Me was awesome, of course. But boy, does Tommy have issues. ( Thoughts behind the cut )

Real life stuff has been...interesting lately. Nothing too tumultuous has been going on with me specifically, but things are messy within my group of friends. My friend M has been married to E for three years now, and they have two little boys. E is a total sweetheart--she makes M happy, she's a good mom, and she's just a nice person in general. She's a lot more liberal and less strait-laced than her in-laws, but is that such a sin? Meanwhile, M's brother, M2, is married to S. And M and M2's parents treat S like she walks on water. They very obviously favor her over E, and it is pissing me--and several other people--off. The thing is, most of us barely tolerate S. She's immature and clingy and needy, and she's turned M2 into a person the rest of us barely know anymore.

( Ranty ramble behind the cut )

mspooh, do you have any good Sheppard/Weir fic recs? I've read pretty much everything I can find, but I'm eager for more.

I watched Rescue Me quite faithfully when it first premiered last season, and I really, really liked it. But at some point, I stopped watching, and I don't really know why. While watching the season two premiere last night, though, I realized that I missed a lot. ( Thoughts and spoilers for the season premiere )

Also watched House last night. It was another episode that I hadn't seen, so that was cool. Ah, for those sweet, sweet days before they turned Chase into a traitorous rat-bastard. Jess Spencer is just so pretty. And as a (somewhat lapsed) Catholic, his scenes with the nun had me swooning. Is that wrong? We could bond over our shared Church issues...

And was it just me, or was the scene at the end with Wilson and House laughing and talking over "Christmas dinner" just delightfully slashy? I don't really 'ship anyone on this show, and maybe my brain has been tainted by watching The O.C. or something, but Wilson and House just have a really great, interesting friendship. Robert Sean Leonard and Hugh Laurie totally rock. Also, Hugh Laurie playing the piano at the end? Guh. *drools*

I have to say, I enjoyed the season finale of House on Tuesday night, even though last week's episode was superior. ( More thoughts behind the cut )

veronicamarsfic is slowly but surely eating my flist. Holy crap, is that a prolific group. I honestly don't read most of the stuff, because a lot is "LoVe" schmoop, but there are a few truly talented authors.

hackthis has been writing Star Wars RPS, which I so do not usually approve of, but damn, is it good. Go. Read. Visualize the pretty.

Got a weird review for Unholy Alliance today, in which the reviewer asked me to take a break from Dark Angel and General Hospital and finish the story. Now, I did write GH fic once upon a time, but I haven't done so in years, and I have never written any DA fic, so I don't know what that was all about. But it amused me nonetheless.

Work is really, really slow right now, which makes me very bored. The days totally drag, and I find myself writing fic for lack of anything else to do. (Less likely that I will get caught doing that than surfing the 'net.) This might explain my sudden burst of fic productivity.

So, according to Zap2It, Everwood is moving to Thursday night next season. The way the article was worded, I got the impression that it will be airing in the 9/8c timeslot, which puts it up against the original CSI. I am not pleased, as those are two of my favorite shows. Bad enough that Tuesday was such a TV tornado this season; I don't need that on Thursdays as well. I'd rather it aired in the 8/7c, because I really don't care about Joey or The O.C.

House was fantastic last night. I actually watched both last week's and this week's yesterday, and I enjoyed them both. Although I'm never a proponent of superior/subordinate romantic relationships--even on TV--I actually didn't mind the way they handled the House/Cameron date last week. I even "awwed" a little when House pulled the corsage out of the fridge. That said, I still don't want their potential coupledom to become a focal point of the show. ( This week's episode ROCKED )

Today is a good day. For one thing, it's Tuesday, which means new episodes of Veronica Mars and House! American Idol, too, although that is somewhat less exciting. Speaking of VM, I was very excited to hear that it has been picked up for a second season. Next thing you know, I'm actually going to start having faith in network TV...obviously, the apocalypse is nigh.

Today is also a good day because ImbecileBoy is not at work. I was out sick yesterday (I swear, I get everything), and he's taking the day off, so it's been a blissful four days since I last had to put up with him. Admittedly, he hasn't been annoying me quite as much lately, but I'm still happier when I don't have to deal with him.

I'm officially hooked on Grey's Anatomy. I still watch Crossing Jordan, but I've started taping GA--largely because I can then watch the beauty that is Patrick Dempsey as many times as I want. Seriously, I have no idea when he got so freaking hot. I mean, he's always been cute--yes, count me among those who loved him in Can't Buy Me Love and Happy Together--but now he just smolders. When he and Meredith were in the locker room, and he was just staring at her...how did she not jump him right then and there? Oy. She's an idiot. And she is--and others before me have pointed out--such a Mary Sue. It's tempting to write fanfic featuring an original character, just because I know said character would be less of a Mary Sue than she is. Plus, Ellen Pompeo is by no means devastatingly gorgeous--she's all squinty eyes and mousy hair--and the character of Meredith Grey doesn't exactly have a sparkling personality, so why are all the men on the show swooning at her feet? Why are none of them drooling over Izzie?

I absolutely adore George, and I loved that the VIP patient kept calling him a "beautiful boy," even though the actor is not what I would call traditionally handsome. He's just...huggable.

I even find Alex cute, in a shut-up-or-I'll-slap-you-asshole kind of way. I think it would be sort of hysterical if he and Cristina hooked up. Also, I'm mildly freaked out by the fact that the actor apparently played Massimo in the Jennifer Lopez/Matthew McConaughy flick The Wedding Planner. Never would have put that together without TV Tome.

Is anyone else becoming seriously disturbed by Carlos and Gabrielle's relationship on Desperate Housewives? ( More thoughts behind the cut )

Am I the only one who actually likes Det. Matt Seely on Crossing Jordan? Maybe it's just because I think he's cute, but I find something rather endearing about him. Sure, he's abrasive and arrogant, but so is Jordan. He's obviously interested in Lily, and I really felt that he was trying to help her in the only way he knew how. The fact that Garrett basically told him to get lost was annoying. I hope they don't try to go back down the road of a Garrett/Lily romance, because that would squick me out. I don't care for the boss/subordinate relationships so many TV shows seem to gravitate towards. Besides, I think Garrett's relationship with Rene Walcott is much more interesting.

I'm in serious Everwood withdrawal. It's coming back next week, right?

I'm on the verge of totally spastic right now, but in a good way. I finally got around to doing my taxes last night (yay for TurboTax!), and I was elated to discover that my refund is enough to let me buy this incredibly awesome Nikon Digital SLR camera, and have plenty left over for my family's proposed trip to Disney World later this year. Life is good. :)

I cannot express how ridiculously excited I am about this camera. I already have a Nikon 35mm SLR, which I love, because it takes some kickass pictures. And I have Nikon digital camera as well, which I also love, because it's small and convenient and makes the pictures really easy to share. But this new toy is going to be the best of both worlds--the quality of an SLR with the convenience of a digital. I know that I'll still use the other two cameras, but this is going to be my baby for a while, I think. Eee! I'm totally freaking out. I can hardly wait to go to the store after work today.

New Veronica Mars tonight--woohoo! I'll be taping both VM and House, since I won't be home.

Is the Everwood hiatus ever going to fucking end? Summerland needs to go away. I think something on UPN beat it last night.

Glancing at my LJ today, it occurred to me that I haven't really done a gushy fandom post in a while. My bad. Of course, part of the problem is that my beloved Everwood and Veronica Mars are both on hiatus or in reruns right now, which sucks all sorts of ass.

I have been enjoying American Idol in all its cheesetastic glory. My two favorites are Bo and Nadia. Constantine is all kinds of smarmy, but he actually did pretty well this week, which struck me as a sign of the apocalypse or something.

I'm three weeks behind on Alias, and I have no idea when I am going to catch up, because I am never fucking home anymore.

I really enjoyed CSI last week, in large part because none of the principle characters were fighting with each other. And Nicky's smackdown of Cavaliere at the end was 10 kinds of awesome. Loved, loved, loved seeing Wil Wheaton as Walter the Crazy Homeless Guy. I knew he was going to be on the show, thanks to his super-cool blog, Wil Wheaton DOT Net, and I was not disappointed in his performance. Quite the departure from squeaky-clean Wesley Crusher. (And yes, I liked Wesley on ST:TNG. I was 10 when the show premiered. And he was cute. Shut up.)

Numb3rs continues to kick ass, and my love for Rob Morrow and David Krumholtz grows by leaps and bounds every week. Rob Morrow's non-Botoxed face with its adorable eye crinkles make me swoon. And I just want to run my hands through David's gorgeous curly hair and get lost in those dark chocolate eyes. Yum. Also, Sabrina Lloyd is v.v. cool. And Navi Rawat should be a regular on the show.

I've been dorking out over Star Wars ever since the Episode III trailer premiered on The O.C. last week. I'm really excited to see the movie, and hoping against hope that I won't be disappointed this time around. I have to admit, the lightsaber duels in the prequel trilogy are far superior to those in the classic films.

Hmm, maybe I need a Star Wars icon too...

Oh! I'm completely addicted to House as well. That show rocks. And Jesse Spencer is just so very, very pretty. Mmmmm.

Today is my first day back at work after being out sick for two days. In all honesty, I probably could have come back yesterday, but I was exhausted and I desperately needed to clean my house, so I stayed home. Anyway, I still don't feel all that great, with a persistent cough and an overall feeling of fatigue, but I'll survive.

Watched House for the first time on Tuesday night, mostly because Veronica Mars wasn't on. I really enjoyed it, and I'm totally crushing on Dr. Chase (played by Jesse Spencer). Definitely a step up from that dippy movie with Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning. Remember when Brittany Murphy was in Clueless, and was both funny and non-skeletal? I miss that Brittany. Remember when Dakota Fanning wasn't unnaturally prepossessing for her age, and therefore non-creepy? No? Me either.

Anyway, House. Once VM returns to the schedule, I think I might have to start taping it. Which means my friends can tape their own episodes of One Tree Hill. (Since I tape Gilmore Girls anyway, I've just been taping both and loaning them the cassettes. I'm my friends' TV pimp, y'all.)

Didn't see American Idol last night, although I can't say I'm heartbroken over any of the 4 rejects. And as shameful as it is to admit it...I actually find Ryan Seacrest somewhat appealing. I mean, I know he's a tool and all, but the self-deprecating humor and gentle pokes at AI itself are rather endearing.

Yeah, I need help.

Haven't watched last night's Alias yet, but it has The Sark, so how bad can it be? (Seriously, how bad? Anyone?) *Note to self: Make a Sark icon*

Watched CSI: New York, and I'm loving Flack a little more each week. For one thing, Eddie Cahill has absolutely magnificent blue eyes. He did pretty much nothing for me when he was Tag on Friends, but then I saw him as Jim Craig in Miracle, and something changed. Incidentally, if you haven't seen that movie, rent it NOW. I don't care if you don't like hockey. It is awesome and inspirational and just flat-out rocks. *2nd note to self: Make a Miracle icon.*