What to watch (and not watch) in 2009

Lucky for us television came back with a vengeance after those dreaded days of the writer’s strike. Remember resorting to watching American Idol because there was nothing else on? Times were tough. In order to help you manage your time properly, I’ve dissected some of television’s best and worst shows to let you know what to continue, what to start and what to drop.

Keep Watching:
30 Rock
This comedy has yet to have a disappointing episode. Starting off strong from season one with the genius comedic team of Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, it was’ hard to believe’ 30 Rock could get any better, but season three is bringing in the big guns (does it get any bigger than Oprah? I mean figuratively, not literally). With some of the most impressive cameos on television, as well as the combined crazy of Tracy Morgan, Jane Krakowski, and Jack McBrayer, something tells me this award-winning peice of comic gold is just getting started.

Intervention
If you’re into dysfunctional families’ and reality television, feast your eyes on this tastefully done documentary about people all over the U.S. battling drug addiction, alcohol abuse and eating disorders. Cameras follow addicts through their daily lives as they’ grasp at every last lifeline in order to survive. Unbeknownst to the featured addicts, an intervention is organized by the family and one of the show’s interventionists. The show follows up with many of its participants, inducing moments of tears as well as laughs, if only to keep from crying. Intervention is now in its sixth season, so if you haven’t been watching, get addicted.

Start Watching:
Summer Heights High
British accents make you sound smarter and an Australian accent makes you sound funnier. Take it from comedian Chris Lilley, the brilliant mind behind HBO’s newest adoptee, Summer Heights High. Lilley plays the three main characters in this mock-umentary about a high school in Australia. Though, admittedly, it seems a bit out-there at first, Lilley’s bratty yet lovable characters become the most entertaining fake people you’ve never met. He nails the role of the melodramatic drama teacher, the illiterate school punk, and the snobby teenage girl from private school who is, like totally, the hottest girl in school.

United States of Tara
Finally, in this world of remakes and Rock of Love sequels, comes a completely original TV series. The gorgeous and talented Toni Collette plays Tara, a middle-aged mother who suffers from multiple personality disorder. In the pilot episode we meet T, the outrageous teenage personality, as well as Buck, the manly-meat-hunter personality who never fails to be disgustingly inappropriate. Collette is brilliant in this role, or well, multiple roles, as she manages to make us laugh as well as pull strongly at our heartstrings as we her and her’ family struggle with her disorder. The show provides a deep, personal look at an intriguing, rarely understood disorder in a tasteful, entertaining way.

Stop Watching:
Grey’s Anatomy
I’ve personally never been a fan of this melodramatic estrogen fest, what with the love triangles and whiney female leads. Yes, in its first few seasons it was an entertaining hospital drama with excitement and suspense, but in it’s 5th season former die-hard fans are turning it off mid-way through an episode – if they even turn it on at all. Not only are fans dropping like flies, but cast members are as well. When more than one of your leads wants out of their contract, it’s time to give it up.

Pushing Daisies
I am aware of the fact that this show, as well as many others, has already been sent to the chopping block. Nevertheless, it is an aesthetically pleasing romp through a pie-maker’s dream world, which I will, in fact, miss. While the first season was cut short by the writer’s strike, it seemed like a refreshing new show that I had hoped would go far. However, even I, a rampant fan of the show as well as Lee Pace’s adorable face, will admit that its second season was dull and lost my attention rather quickly. It was fun while it lasted, but I am not going to oppose its being taken off the air.