Geek @ Heart

I've realized that I'm a geek. I don't know why this comes as a surprise to me, but it does. I should have known this. I've always been a fan of sci-fi - movies, books, t.v., you name it.

A regular reader asked where I've been all week. The answer is that I began watching Farscape which aired on the Sci-fi Channel in the early 00s. I've watched three seasons in less than a week (and that's in addition to going to work). It's really well written and acted, even by the puppets from Jim Henson's studio. Yes, that's right. Puppets. Two of the main characters are actually played by puppets.

It's filled with action and intrigue and there have been some really interesting plot lines about prejudice and what it means to serve others. I still have a season and a made for t.v. movie to go. I understand that it was cancelled unexpectedly and the movie is to tie up loose ends. At least it got that much which is more than I can say for Deadwood, Pushing Daisies, or any one of numerous other shows.

My Love/Hate Relationship with TV

I love television - it's like you get to peek into a variety of individual, creative worlds. The best television makes you laugh, cry, think, dream. I often get caught up in my favorite shows and obsess endlessly over them until the next episode is on.

I hate television - I get completely caught up in a new story and wham! It's cancelled. Argh! Unfortunately, my favorite shows often get cancelled before their time because of low ratings: Wonderfalls, Veronica Mars, Deadwood, Life, Dollhouse, to name a few. (There are actually many more on this list.) Even my favorites that stay on air are constantly on the bubble of being cancelled (Chuck, Friday Night Lights, etc.). Supernatural has stayed on the air so long only because it's on the CW.

Then there are the other shows that I watch that are entertaining in the moment but not something I obsess over - 24, House, Castle, Royal Pains, Leverage. I enjoy these shows but if I miss a week I don't have to run immediately to Hulu to make it up. For the most part, though, these shows are successful and don't really rely on my viewership.

Lately I've been enjoying the Renaissance of the sitcom: Modern Family, Community, Cougar Town, are all shows I look forward to. It's a nice change up from the 100 versions of Law & Order or CSI or the latest medical drama.

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON "REALITY" TV. I refuse to participate in the dumbing down of America and the destruction of an entire industry, all in the pursuit of saving money.

What about you? Have any shows you obsess over? Mourn any shows cancelled too soon? Any shows you despise?