The electronic hearth

The title of this post is a term I learned back in my undergraduate days at Michigan, taking television classes and watching a lot of The Cosby Show. It conjures up a pretty depressing image of a family huddling around the television like they would a fire in the olden days. All I have to say is the electronic hearth in my home is glowing bright.

I'm on a VERY brief hiatus from 24 (read: one day). Season 5 will be in the dvd player in mere hours, I have no doubt.

I also rented 30 Rock and am just about through with Disc 1. This show is hilarious! I love it and can't say enough good things about it. I saw a few of the episodes during the season, but mostly out of context. Watching it straight through has given me a much better appreciation for the show and how funny it is. I love Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan. That combination couldn't get much funnier. I know people love Alec Baldwin, but I have never been such a big fan. I know he's a good actor and can be funny and all that, but I felt like I've never really gotten what all the fuss is about. I think this show has opened my eyes a bit. Not that I'm going to go back through his repertoire of films, but this role is perfect for him and he plays it so well. I watched the episode last night where he's supposed to be in one of the sketches as a GE executive and his assistant plays back the tape of him trying to film the GE in company ad. So funny. I love how the tape of his bloopers just goes on and on. Normally on a show it would play for like 10-15 seconds, and I swear this goes on for about 2 minutes or so. Please re-watch this if you have the DVDs, also re-watch in the second episode when they have to re-shoot the promos for the newly re-titled TGS with Tracy Jordan. The show has such a great cast and the writing is so sharp and witty. I love how it doesn't underestimate the intelligence of its audience. I also loved how when it won the Emmy for Best Comedy Series Tina Fey thanked the, "dozens and dozens of viewers."

I also re-watched last 6 episodes of last season's Grey's Anatomy. I kind of lost touch and missed a few episodes last season, so when I did actually watch the season finale it didn't make much sense. Now I sort of get it. It will be interesting to see where that show goes this next season. I'm kind of off and on with it, but I'm always interested and a supporter of Shonda Rhimes, T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl.

In all of this television madness, I have neglected Weeds - funny how the title kind of alludes to neglect as weeds sprout up in places that are neglected - that's a stretch and off-topic. Anyway, I am too embarrassed to admit after all my excitement of the new season starting that I have only watched the series premiere! I know, I know. I will catch up. I have to, especially since Mary-Kate Olsen is on this season! I have watched the promo with her and she looks amazing. This is one of the best cast additions since Janeane Garofalo joined 24. Head to head, it would be hard to choose which takes the cake for best addition.

I have yet to check out Extras and The Wire, two television series that I have been meaning to rent but haven't gotten around to yet. I've heard really good things about both of them. I watched some of Friday Night Lights during the season and it seemed pretty good. I'll put that in my queue too.

And I haven't even mentioned that new season premieres are just around the corner! The Office, Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock all start next Thursday night - and one hour episodes for the first four episodes of The Office (I think...I know the premiere is one hour). Plus, Amy Sherman-Palladino's new series and Private Practice, the Grey's offshoot...might be good, might be bad. I also want to check out Gossip Girl, Josh Schwartz's new series on the CW, just to see what it's all about. And this is just all I can think of off the top of my head...I'm sure there's more out there.

It's a small screen revolution!