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So I watched the first three eps of 90210, and for the first was very surprised that I didn't hate it. Sure, it's about high school kids, and sure, they're obviously going to make up and continually break up, and sure, I don't get the Beverly Hills 90210 connections, but a few of those actors have some game. Three stars -- I'll read the paper while it's on.

However, on the third the show was starting to bug me. In three episodes, Annie has bumped back and forth between two obviously inferior guys several times already. And made out with one of them a few times. It's irritating. I could live with it, though, if it weren't for how annoying Naomi is being about her dad and his girlfriend. Yeah, sure it's not right that he's cheating on her mom. But honest to God, that's her mom's problem, not hers. What right did she have to go to Gail's work and bitch at her? And then go storming back at her mom screaming I TOLD YOU SO? ... And then feels bad for her mom? And I hear that in the weeks to come, she's going to try to ... stop her parents divorce? Wasn't she just yelling at her mom to end it? I don't get it. I'd hate to break up with the show after three episodes, but next week all the real shows get started, and I'll break up with you, 90210, if you don't get off your asses.

I am pleased to announce that Terminator: Sarah Conner Chronicles is none of this irritating. I watched all the first season and the first two eps of the second, and I am loving it. It's fun, it's got time travel, and John cut off his emo hair. I'm a happy girl.

Fringe by the way is definitely a keeper.

And The Closer season 4 finale? Oh. My. God. Best hour of television EVER. The performances were off the charts amazing. I can't wait for January.

The Closer

I may need to add a sixth star to my rating system. The 6-star show would be one that I put all other tv watching (and indeed parts of my life) on hold to watch around the clock. For a few weeks. Or more. And perhaps watch interviews and read press and buy magazines too.

The show that earns this rating is The Closer.

It is so good, and I am so obsessed, that I have started to watch Kyra Sedgwick's movies just to get a glimpse of the genius.

I've watched seasons one, two, and three in the last [insert acceptable amount of time here] and have pinpointed the moment in which I fell in love with the show. Not as you might think when she sends the rotten rich kid to Mexico, though I admit I did cheer. Not when the whole squad tenders resignations when a complaint is filed against her in the season one finale. Not when Gabriel wrangles the kittens, though that is classic.

No, I fell in love with the show when Brenda and Fritz are talking about moving in together and she is trying to offer all these reasons why they shouldn't do it, including having to install a second phone line, and when he tells her that these aren't problems, she says, "What if you stopped? Stopped liking me?" and he responds, "If I was going to stop liking you, I'd have done it already." --- Right there, I was lost. Because, let's face it. She's me.

Though I do admit that I enjoyed the whole Fritz left the door open day lol.

Fall TV

So I've been through the Fall 2008 schedule (can't really go further than that with so many shows premiering in winter but no real information about them) and have compiled a list of To Watch One Episode shows:

My Own Worst Enemy: judging from previews alone, the most solid drama up this year. NBC.

The Mentalist: Simon Baker can be a bit bland, and apparently his squinty eyes are fun to behold, and also this is quite similar to USA's show Psych. I like the pitch about powers of observation, though, so it earns a first ep watch.

Knight Rider: For sheer cheesiness and gadgets. Also because my family likes the original.

The SNL Election specials: Because.

Life on Mars: The only of ABC's new shows on my slate, though there aren't many to choose from. The time travel gets me.

Crusoe: Just interesting. I like the Swiss Family Robinson.

Eleventh Hour: I'm not convinced about the lead. But the scientific cases, cloning and the like, piqued my interest.

The Fridge: At first passed off, until I realized this is JJ Abrams new show, and he wins due to 5-star show Lost. It'll get at least an episode, probably more.

Terminator: Only new to me, not to the tv landscape. No justification required.

90210: Fairly sure I won't get through an episode, but for sheer curiosity.


Timeslots: Monday 8pm and Tuesday 9pm look the most clogged, weighing in at three shows apiece. I've also got temporary clogs at Wednesday 9pm and Thurs 10pm. I might get some help from Canadian channels, but the CTV website is unhelpful.

From all the hype, Mad Men might be worth picking up, if I could figure out when it's on.

Current

Tv shows on slate for Fall 2008.

How I Met Your Mother: 4 stars
Heroes: 5 stars
NCIS: 4 stars
Eli Stone: 3 stars, but climbing
Criminal Minds: 4 stars
Chuck: 3 1/2. Has potential.
Private Practice: 3 1/2. Convince me, show.

And Lost, for sometime in the winter. 5 stars.

The Closer, if showing on Canadian channel. Easily 4 1/2.

TV

A tv rating system:

5 stars: So awesome that I clear my schedule and turn off the phone. ie. Heroes, Lost
4 stars: Solid. Taped and watched regularly. ie. Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother
3 stars: Not bad. It might win the timeslot if nothing supercedes.
2 stars: I might have it on while baking .. maybe.
1 star: Run away, show. Far away.

Saoirse

Saoirse (pronounced "seer-sha") is the Irish word for freedom.