hmmmm...

that's all

When did tv shows become so partisan

When I watch television I don't think that the particular show I am watching will fulfill my partisan lining, but apparently according to the Nelson Ratings system, people of certain partying leanings watch similar television. I could understand this if it was all obvious leanings, such as Republicans watch the Bill Engvall Show and Democrats watch It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. These are actual television show party leanings, but there are other shows that I wouldn't think would have such leanings. Maybe that is because I watch them, and I don't understand why they would be popular amongst democrats and not republicans, and vice versa.


Looking at the Democrat leanings, I immediately look at I Love New York. What makes that show more akin to the party of the people as opposed to Rock of Love which is more akin to the Grand Ole Party. I am pretty sure I watch both and that most people I know watch both. They are both on VH1, many times would air following each other, but still have party leanings. I could stereotype here to figure out why they have their particular partisan alignment, but I will do that in my head, as you are probably doing right now. Eff it, essentially what they are saying is a show about a crazy black woman Democrats like and a show featuring an entire house full of rednecks would obviously be favorable to Republicans.

What makes this list even more interesting is aligning your television show watching with the particular partisan audience it matches up to. I like South Park, Doctor Who, The Colbert Report, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but none of the shows that are supposedly equal to both party television watchers. Does that make me a flip flopper because I don't specifically align myself with my fellow party television watchers? Should I start watching Damages because I am a Republican, because I can't stand that show? Or, should I start watching Ax men because I am a democrat because I don't particularly like any of those crazy job shows on the History Channel. I would really like someone to explain to me why a British show has a Republican leaning, that still doesn't make sense to me. Maybe it is because The Doctor wears those nice suits. Republicans like their suits.

Now Available for Your Viewing Pleasure: Grey's Anatomy Season 4

After a stealing the Season 3 DVD of Grey's Anatomy from my roommate this weekend, I decided that this show is probably one of the most addicting television shows on the television (thesaurus where are you?). No seriously, addicting. Maybe it is because You start from the beginning of the season and get pulled in to the characters, or it is because the show is just mindless, or maybe it is because it surprisingly has a really good soundtrack that doesn't annoy me. Now that I am caught up with Season 3, I can start with Season 4. Yes, I know I could have watched it on the TV like most of the American public, but it is much more fun when you can just watch the entire season at once and get really addicted to the characters and the terrible writing.

Anyways, I haven't seen Season 4, so today I can go buy it and watch it and forget about homework, and reading, and my life. Season 5 starts on September 25.

Does this mean I also have to watch Private Practice? Because I do have some standards...

Also available Today:
For the Philly Lovin: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 3 (Season 4 starts Sept 18!)
For the Kryptonite hating: Smallville Season 7
For the fashion despised: Ugly Betty Season 2

"No, they're the amazing cards where babies are doing hysterical things"

Hall is his first name and Oats is his last name

My Favorite Shows Currently On Air

10. Mad Men
I am excited for the premiere of the second season starting in July. This show was an unexpected suprise last summer and carriered on being a great show all the way to the season finale. Who doesn't love the great age of constant smoking and constant drinking of the 1960s. Yes women were only secretaries and men were total douche bag misogynists, but Mad Men doesn't shy from showing the viewer exactly what life was like in the advertizing world in 1960s. I was like a show that doesn't try to avoid political incorrectness.


9. No Reservations
Anthony Bourdain I love you. Who wouldn't love a bad ass chef who travels the world and has a great time doing it. I watch a lot of shows on the travel channel (I love you too Samantha Brown), but Anthony rocks them all with his carefree attitude and constant reckless adventures. New Season starting in two weeks and I can't wait.

8. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Pretty much Seinfeld in a bar and more funny. The episodic nature of the show is what pulls you in. You don't have to watch the entire season to know what is happening in each episode (but I would still recommend watching the entire season). The writers of this show, who are also the actors, don't shy away from any issue regardless of its taboo nature. It just finished up its third season with the addition of Danny Devito joining the acting cast.





7. Top Chef
As someone who can't cook this show makes me want to get up and go make something. As much as I would like to do that, I know that isn't going to happen, but we can wish. Each season is pretty much the same, but I still love it. Bravo and their professional job shows are great. I like reality television that has actual accomplished chefs competing and not the shitty ones that are on Hell's kitchen.

6. The L Word
Ahh, who doesn't love the L Word. Probably my guilty pleasure, but the show is great. It is Sex and the City with Lesbians (what could be better?). Going into its 6th and final season I will miss the girls of West Hollywood and their sex obsessed selves. Besides, we know we will all miss Shane. From beginning to end, I think I can only name one bad season ( erm ..4).



5. Friday Night Lights
This was one of the best shows to air for the 2006 Fall lineup but still people don't watch it. It is about football, but the show is excellently written and the direction is amazing. I don't think NBC knew how to market it and that was why the show never really got the audience it deserved. The show is on hiatus write now and will air in the fall on some obscure cable channel. Then NBC is going to try to air it on regular programming again in January.

4. Torchwood
Never had a show been so unbashful about homosexuality. Yes pretty much the entire cast has had a homosexual experience, but that isn't the focus of the show. Focuses on the Doctor Who organization Torchwood that investigates alien activity on Earth. The Characters have so much depth and the writing is great. Also any show that brings in James Marsters as a guest star (aka Spike from Buffy/Angel) has my vote. Also British television is so much more risque than American, and who doesn't love a Welsh accent.





3. Battlestar Galactica
Who ever though a Military Space Show would be so addicting. Just finishing the first half of its fourth season, the show just keeps you pulled in as Galactica trys to find the mysterious Earth. Every year the Academy of Television Arts ignores BSG for its top ten drama list, but it still have one of the biggest cult followings of modern science fiction. Now going into its second half of the fourth and final season, we will all be excited to see whats in store for the crew of Galactica. After its done, what the frack are we gonna do then?

2. Flight of the Conchords
After an amazing and hilarious first season, HBO scored it big for this eccentric comedy. About two guys from New Zealand who sing in a band, Flight of the Conchords has pleased fans and critics alike. With a second season starting soon, Flight of the Conchords is still flying high after last weeks Emmy top shows list came out with Flight of the Conchords suprisingly (and well deservedl) gitting a spot on the top ten comedies of the year list.





1. Doctor Who
The fourth season finale is on Saturday and with the major cliffhanger they left me with last week, it looks like it is going to be amazing. If you haven't seen this show you are either not british or not really into sci fi. Well too bad. Because you really don't have to be into either to enjoy it and get addicted like every other whoniverse follower. Space travel had never been so much fun since the introduction of the tenth doctor. He better not be regenerated after last week's cliffhanger!