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 Did the Writer's Strike rob you of your will to channel surf? Stephanie Garcia has found three shows that, for better or worse, deserve a shot to crack your TV schedule.
Despite a packed-to-the-brim schedule, my nightly TV date is absolutely crucial to my sanity and morale; I make sure to schedule in that hour every night to sit back and soak in those gorgeous flashing pictures radiating from the TV. For anyone who has used the writer’s strike as an excuse to stop watching TV (“there’s no Grey's, there must be nothing good on…”), I say, “Wake up and smell the TV Guide!” There is a whole world of television, a wide range of good, bad and “I’m solely watching this to zone out” shows, all waiting to be consumed. Take a chance, put away those House DVDs and begin exploring! Here, a peek at what’s on the tube this week:
John Adams (HBO):
With a talented, varied cast; a lusciously accurate setting; and powerful production values, HBO’s miniseries, John Adams, is a revolutionary success. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book by historian David McCullough and produced by Tom Hanks, John Adams brings a unique look at the Revolution and our Founding Fathers to contemporary audiences. Gritty and full of emotion, John Adams shows the struggles of an ordinary man thrust into an extraordinary situation. Paul Giamatti plays Adams with Laura Linney as wife Abigail. Both are extremely well-suited for their roles — I have to admit, I was surprised at how right Giamatti was for the part (I was not his biggest fan in Sideways). Despite its somewhat nerdy kicker, “He United the States of America,” Adams is one series even engineers don’t want to miss. John Adams is broken into seven parts, airing Mondays at 9 p.m.
America’s Prom Queen (ABC):
Just when you thought reality television couldn’t get much worse (besides Paris Hilton’s upcoming stab at reality TV), ABC presents viewers with America’s Prom Queen. Ten girls were moved into a gorgeous mansion and have begun competing to become the ultimate prom queen. Through a variety of challenges to test stereotypical “prom queen” qualities, the girls will have to face the prom committee (including wrestling scion Brooke Hogan and Jai Rodriguez, of Queer Eye fame) and risk elimination by the viewers. The first few episodes included a challenge to create the ultimate prom dress and perform hot new dance routines (I personally don’t remember performing choreographed routines at my prom, but that’s besides the point…). It’s chatty, it’s juicy, it’s drama-filled — what else would prom be about? America’s Prom Queen airs Mondays at 9 p.m.
Top Chef (Bravo):
The date was marked on my calendar and the week of the season’s premier, I was counting down the minutes — Top Chef is back! A must-see for all foodies and anyone addicted to the Food Network, this Bravo original is now in its fourth season. Based in Chicago, the sixteen chefs have already had to face deep-dish pizza, zoo animals and farmer's markets. The show is already rife with tension, as the new chefs are both talented and eccentric, making enemies, backstabbing at the judge’s table and forming cliques. Included in the chefs are a lesbian couple, a New Zealander, and several obnoxious loudmouths. Not only will personalities clash, but knives and spatulas will as well, as judge Tom Colicchio has praised this season’s chefs as one of the most talented groups Top Chef has yet seen. Top Chef airs on Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
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