A Television Viewer's Diary: 1/22-1/28: 24

Welcome back to Diary! I am still trying to cut back on all the shows that I watch, but have found it increasingly difficult to trim. Each show I am ready to give up on displays some reason, no matter how slim, to continue coming back. I have to do something, perhaps some sort of drastic reduction, some way of forcing myself to stop.

The first step is admitting you have a problem. Here I am, before my audience (you are there, right?), admitting I have a problem. Thank you for your continued support, together, I think, I will be able to get through this.

Best show I watched this week: 24
Worst show I watched this week: Crossing Jordan

Sunday 1/22.

• Crossing Jordan (NBC 10pm). I'm starting to lose interest in this. One of the triggering factors was the introduction of the reporter/love interest, I just do not care about this character at all. That and the less screen time for the colorful supporting cast are conspiring to kill my interest. It would not surprise me to see this dropped from next seasons schedule. **
• Desperate Housewives (ABC 9pm). Gaby and Carlos argue some more about a baby, and Gaby has a face off with the returning nun from a few months back. Susan needs an operation, which would be her doctor/boyfriend's first, not exactly reassuring. This is another show that has lost some of its luster. **.5
• Grey's Anatomy (ABC 10pm). An episode of lies, lies I tell you! Cristina lies about moving in with Burke and Meredith lies about her renewed relationship with Burke. Alex also, after much delay, found his positive exam results. This series seems to gain some ground each week, it has a nice mix of wry comedy and emotional drama. ***

Monday 1/23.

• WWE: Monday Night Raw (USA 9pm). Last Raw before the Royal Rumble. ***
• 24 (Fox 9pm). The so-called non-stop season moves into its 5th hour, and the drama never stops. Jack is back in his old stomping grounds, where he finds Audrey leading to a reunion of sorts. Meanwhile Curtis is tracking the nerve gas and Logan agrees to institutionalize his wife, not to mention the assassin that is let into CTU. If only all shows could be as exciting as this. ****
• Las Vegas (NBC 9pm). This one keeps you coming back beyond all reason. The Monticito almost loses its license when $2 million is found to be missing, and Monica may have been involved. Mike finds a new side gig as the weekend weatherman after being pressed into service. This is what pop TV is all about. ***

Tuesday 1/24.

• Scrubs (NBC 9pm). Scrubs reaches its 100th episode in this pair. JD, Turk and Carla are questioned in a panel investigating their potential involvement in the death of a patient. Great to have this series on, I know I've said that a lot, but I mean it. ***.5
• Love Monkey (CBS 10pm). Tom Cavanagh's new series is pretty good, probably too good to last. It is quirky and funny and smart, just not what crowds typically flock to, when they can just as easily flip on the latest American Idol. Anyway, Cavanagh loses his job and girlfriend in the same day, forcing him to attempt a self reinvention. He takes a job at a small record label, where he tries to convince his former employers to lend them their top pop star for their fund raiser. This is a good show and I hope it is given a chance to attract an audience. ***

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. …

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