Twentysomething in Buffalo

And My Emmy Nominees Are...

Emmy nods came out last week, and though I don't consider myself an extremely avid TV-watcher, I found myself checking to see who made the cut.

I rarely watch live TV anymore; instead, I'm either DVRing, ordering episodes through Netflix or buying entire seasons of shows I know I'll enjoy. I never thought I'd be "renting" TV shows more than movies, but these days I feel like the selection is better.

So, although I agree with some of the Emmy selections, I'd like to recommend my own nominations for best series (both comedy and drama). Disclaimer: unlike the real awards, I'm cheating and making my noms by going off the series as a whole, not just this season. All are great for twentysomethings and older, others are not recommended for watching during family time.

*Dexter- For those of you unaware, Dexter is a forensic detective by day, serial killer by night. Don't worry though- he kills the guys that really deserve it (which opens a whole different discussion on morals and ethics). Every time my boyfriend or I mention we're hooked to a non-Dexter fan, we get that same concerned look and the standard "Isn't that...dark?" inquiry. Yes, it's dark. And twisted, and creepy and at times so graphic that you're cringing or covering your face with your hands, or both. But underneath those heavy layers of dirt lies Dexter, a simple guy with a complicated past, and it's fun trying to decide whether he's the hero or the villain.

*Weeds- I'd heard good things about this series for a while, but it wasn't until a month or two ago that I actually started watching Season 1. Let's just say I'm already on to Season 2. Though the series focuses on, of course, the growth and distribution of Mary Jane by its star actress Mary Louise Parker, it also takes an extremely candid look at dysfunctional families, societal pressures, dead marriages and false friendships. Dry sarcastic humor, quick zingers and witty jabs are all key ingredients in the recipe for a good Weeds episode, and it's rare that you'll find a single one that falls flat.

*Heroes- This show is furthest from anything I'd typically watch, primarily because I'm not a huge fantasy fan. I can only take so many "that could never happen" moments, so I held off watching Heroes for awhile until my family finally sucked me in. Although last season was a bit shaky, especially with the strike, the writers are one of the best things about this show. Their creativity and ability to transform ordinary people into compelling characters is brilliant, and with constantly changing story lines, it's hard to predict where these complex, intriguing Heroes will take us.

*Brothers & Sisters- Hold the groaning. Having never watched a single episode of Days of Our Lives or Guiding Light, this is as close to a soap opera as I've ever come. I realize that the story lines aren't always original, and there's always some amount of predictability, but I've come to love the Walker family, flaws and all. Whether the clan is struggling to revive their floundering family business, trying to rebuild after the hurt of infidelity, or trying to sabotage each other's romantic lives, these relationships seem real and genuine, and I'll continue to watch Nora, Kitty, Sarah, Kevin, Tommy and Justin (oh, and Rebecca) fight and make up until the end.

*LOST- As one of the only shows that is able to capture my complete and total attention when on TV, LOST is also one of those shows that makes you feel, well, lost if you miss an episode. I've filtered in and out as a viewer over the series, because I feel like I need the entire, consecutive experience to understand who everyone is and why they're a part of the island. Kate, Jack, Hurley...and what about that Ben guy? Luckily, a friend just purchased all of the past seasons, so during one of 2008's winter storms I'll be able to hibernate and catch up.

Agree? Disagree? What did I unfairly miss?

--- Molly Hirschbeck

The Winter "Coma"

Call it laziness - because it is, but every year between mid-January and April you can usually find me in my sweats parked on the couch watching TV.

I, like many other Buffalonians, get sucked into the gloominess of the end-of-the-winter blues. I am sick of being cold, I am sick of scraping the ice and snow off of my car, and I am sick of being stuck indoors. So, my cure is usually grabbing some take-out and hibernating for the rest of the season.

In the past few weeks, because of my increasing addiction to the television, I have made many observations.

1. As a huge Food Network fan, I have had enough of Rachel Ray. For some reason food lovers and daytime TV fans across the country view her as America's sweetheart in the kitchen. However, I view her as annoying, and her constant use of food nicknames and acronyms immediately forces me to change the channel.

I was at the Empire Grill last week hearing specials from our waiter when he accidentally blurted out "E-V-O-O." Followed by an, "I can't believe I just said E-V-O-O."

2. How many times can shows like "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond" be aired in one day?

I used to love "Seinfeld," but seeing Jerry and the gang on FOX and TBS up to five times a day ruins the humor for me. I realize these shows were big hits, but it would be nice to watch a movie, or have some more options to choose from, (and I'm not talking about the three varieties of "Law & Order").

3. Keith Olbermann and Steven Colbert are my heroes.

I couldn't help but fall over laughing when Eliot Spitzer walked out on the set of "The Colbert Report." It's about time we got to see the lighter side of Spitzer.

And Olbermann's sense of humor and sarcasm seem more entertaining to me than any skit shown on "Saturday Night Live."

4. Although I am passionate about reality TV, lately it isn't what it used to be.

Bret Michaels isn't looking for love; he's looking to boost his ego and lust over girls half his age. Scott Baio puts fatherhood to shame, and "The Moment of Truth" casts a dark cloud over the whole genre.

I wonder if some if these "reality" shows are even real anymore.

Now that the writers' strike is over hopefully I'll see some entertainment improvements. But, I'm sure by the time that happens, it will be spring and and I'll have a bit more motivation to get off the couch and enjoy the sunshine.

Is anyone else stuck in the dreary, end-of-the-season blues?

- Kelly Boquard

Unexpected benefits of the Writers' Strike

As a wannabe writer myself, I have nothing  but support for the Writers' Guild pursuing a better deal for all writers. I think it's only fair that writers should get something back in Internet residuals - that's where future entertainment profits are coming from - and if they don't get their stake now, it'll be that much harder to get later on.

As a television viewer, it's disheartening to see the glut of crap reality television shows, made only worse since "American Gladiators" failed to live up to the campy heights the original reached. But last night something crazy happened - the writers' strike actually improved a television show: The Grammys.

With less extraneous dialogue, the Grammy Awards were all killer and no filler. Between awards, instead of forced skits we got interesting performances from artists, particularly an excellent and moving performance by Kanye West and a surprisingly (and relatively) clear performance from Amy Winehouse.

It's the first time I have ever enjoyed an award show, ever. No writers actually forced some much needed restraint into- the broadcast, and producers were forced to fill time with music. How novel for a music show.

It got me thinking - what other shows or genres might be improved, sans writers? Or maybe not without writers, but without dialogue?

First thing that jumps to my mind, and it's a doozy: Everything currently on MTV or VH1. The Hills (It's ALL FAKE PEOPLE, and badly done at that) would all of a sudden be reduced to what it really is at its core: a slick product placement commercial. TRL would become a music video countdown show. Hell, maybe they'd show music videos!

Any of you have any suggestions for improving shows? Leave 'em below.

-- Evan Parker Pierce

HBO Segment: A well-deserved slap in the face

I am a huge fan of tailgating and the Buffalo Bills. But as I have expressed before, I think there are too many people that cross the line with their tasteless antics and obnoxious attitudes.

Did anyone notice that most of the footage of Buffalo was of either someone falling over or vomiting? Is this really the image we want to portray?

I am no saint on Sunday mornings at the Ralph, but seeing one girl bare her chest for a stadium full of chanting fans and another double-fisting bottles of Crown Royal was like watching a commercial for "Girls Gone Wild."

I don't blame the Buffalo fans; I think they are loyal and inspiring. Instead, I blame the individuals who seem to miss the point of tailgating. I recall one Washington fan ranting incoherently about being some sort of head of a drinking club. I couldn't help but blurt out, "are you kidding me?" Was an initiation process and binge-drinking etiquette his idea of having goals in life?

I have only really experienced horrendous behavior at the game a few times, but it seems like there are many others out there who are just fed up with it.

What do you think?

- Kelly Boquard

I confess: I could do without reality TV

I will admit it, I find a few reality shows entertaining. And Kelly you're right, you are definitely not alone in loving reality TV. My roommate is a reality TV junkie. Maybe it's the fact that I'm usually silenced when I enter her room during a new episode of "The Hills," or that she can't be bothered during prime time hours three out of seven days of the week, that makes me shun most reality television shows.

The shows I enjoy are usually the ones that require some actual "reality." My favorite is NBC's "The Biggest Loser."  The show is a fitness reality series and follows a group of obese contestants during a three-month-long weight loss competition.

I may be wrong, but I think it's highly unlikely that producers are staging the actual "weight loss" part of this show. Unless these contestants are all involved in some behind the scenes liposuction, I think the amount of weight they lose is pretty impressive and worthy of a prime time television spot. At least with this kind of reality TV they are promoting a healthy lifestyle instead of a luxurious, fame-filled and morally void existence.

I'll even watch a few minutes of "Rock of Love" to get a laugh from the female contestants fighting for the love of Bret Michaels, who I'm sure is quite the catch.

But "The Hills" is too much. I just can't bring myself to listen to the drama of girls whose lives seem to revolve around material possessions. Whether or not that is true, the show's producers do a pretty good job of depicting the characters as spoiled brats who live in the boutiques of L.A. If the show revolved more around Lauren Conrad's career as an aspiring fashion designer (or whatever she does) and not her cat fight with wha'ts her name, maybe I could understand why it belongs on national television.

But the truth is that it does belong on national television because, as Kelly wrote in a recent post, millions of people love it and can't bring themselves to turn the channel.

-- Lauren Mariacher

I confess: I love Reality TV

I watch the news to keep up on current events; I keep up on sports to root for my favorite teams and because they are exciting, and I tune into police dramas for the twists and turns of the plots. But my real guilty pleasure is reality TV.

As ignorant as reality programming is, I can't help but be drawn into the constantly trashy entertainment value of it. The divas on "The Hills," the wrath of chef Gordon Ramsey on "Kitchen Nightmares," the belligerence on "The Real World," and the circus on "I Love New York 2" are what really get me through the week.

I know I'm not alone. These shows wouldn't be on prime time television if there weren't millions out there who also indulge in the pleasures of reality TV. Some of the most masculine men I know talk about how they hate Spencer Pratt ("The Hills") and how cute they think Lauren Conrad is.

Even celebrities are getting wrapped up in the drama. Bret Michaels of the band Poison tried to find his "Rock of Love" this year (unsuccessfully), Heidi Klum is about to kick off season four of "Project Runway," and actress Jane Seymour and Las Vegas guru Wayne Newton were on "Dancing With The Stars."

I think I find these shows so entertaining because they are so ridiculous. They may be known to undermine the intelligence of their viewers, but that certainly hasn't stopped people from watching them. They are also a great conversation icebreaker.

And as much as I can't stand the vainness of Tiffany "New York" Pollard and her male entourage on "I Love New York 2," you better believe I will be watching her show at 9 tonight with my cell phone on silent, and a nice big bowl of popcorn.

  --Kelly Boquard