State of TV: Tuesdays

Part two of my daily rambling about what I watch and why I watch it.

Tuesdays. 8pm. First and foremost is "Gilmore Girls," even though I completely hate the plot developments that happened last year. So many people bemoan the loss of the Palladinos, and I maintain that they were the writers that threw Luke and Lorelei together--something fans have been dying for for many years--and they were also the writers that totally fracked up that relationship by introducing April, Luke's out of the blue illegitimate daughter (and an ex-girlfriend as her mother), and turned Luke into a total asshole. If it was the intent all along to get Lorelei and Christopher together, they could have come up with a better plot line than that love child ridiculousness to separate Luke and Lorelei. In fact, why bother having them get together at all?

It gets me really worked up and, again, I blame it all on the Palladinos. If this season sucks, there's no one to blame but them. All that said, I still watch, just because I want to see if the show can pull itself out of the black hole. Also, the whole "Lane is pregnant" thing? I'll place the blame of that on the new guy. What a horrible way to treat a fun character. Have her marry too young, have a horrible honeymoon complete with unenjoyable (first time!) sex, and end up pregnant as a result. What has Lane ever done to deserve that?? *Sigh.* At least Jess is gone...for now.

I've already talked about giving up on "Friday Night Lights," which is also on at 8pm. I ended up watching the second episode while working, and remained just as uninterested. I don't think I can invest much more in it, since the ratings have been abysmal, and it's likely to get cancelled anyway.

The 9 o'clock hour brings us "Veronica Mars" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent." I don't think I need to go into why I watch "Criminal Intent," but just in case, I'll reduce it to two words: Vincent D'Onofrio. The episodes with Chris Noth are just annoying filler.

As for "Veronica Mars," I continue to be more and more disappointed with the show. It has yet to reach the high bar set by the first season, and I've said before that I found the second season a bloated, confusing mess. It seems the series will be presenting more one-off storylines in an attempt to attract new viewers, but the underlying mystery of the on-campus, head-shaving rapist is a little grim (albeit not as grim as the first season's murdered girl mystery); it's just I don't like the idea of rape being a constant plotline. They've covered this area before with Veronica's first season rape (and horrible conclusion to the mystery last season) so I hope they conclude this arc soon. As for the mystery her father is involved in, I am hopelessy lost about that one. I have no idea what the hell is going on. Also? Having all the characters ending up in the same college is just so..."90210." What happened to Veronica getting into Stanford? Was that another second season plotline that got buried in the mess?

You'll probably be surprised to learn that I watch "Help Me Help You" at 9:30, and even more surprised to learn that I actually like it. It's the one starring Ted Danson as a group therapist, and it's...funny. Not uproariously funny, but not completely asinine either. The "Arrested Development" influences are obvious: single camera, no laughtrack, and hopelessly dysfunctional characters, but I can excuse the copycat aspects now that there isn't the real thing around to watch anymore. If you haven't already, I'd say give it a shot. Can't hurt ya.

Unlike watching an episode of "Nip/Tuck" this season. That can be really painful. In all fairness, it's better than it was last year, with the stupid "Carver" plotline, but I just think the show's outrageousness has played itself out. This year's recurring plot involves Christian fearing he might be gay, and Sean dealing with having a deformed child. And murder. And a psychopathic psychiatrist. And organ snatchers. And Scientology. And a dying man paying Christian to have sex with his wife. And Jacqueline Bisset. And a dwarf nanny. And naked Rosie O'Donnell. These aren't single-episode storylines, people, they're what this season is all about, so I think it goes without saying: It's all too damn much.

She Used to Have a Carefree Mind of Her Own, And a Devilish Look In Her Eye

So I'm nearing the final disc of "Veronica Mars" season two, and I have to say, I don't think I like it. I got a kick out of the first season, and enjoyed it a lot, (although I didn't fall as madly in love with it as so many others did). But the second season just never really hooked me.

(Some spoilers ahead.)

I think having one central mystery, much of which centered around Veronica herself, was the main strength of the first season. But the second season has way too much going on: the bus crash; the lovechild; Logan's guilt or innocence; the guilt or innocence of the New Girl's dad; the Irish mafia; Cordelia half-naked whenever she's on screen; and countless other mini-mysteries than seem to kind of disappear for episodes at a time. It's just too much, and I found myself being unable to keep up with it all--and I was watching episodes back-to-back! I can't imagine what it would have been like watching it weekly, with re-runs thrown in to boot.

It's a disappointment, and makes me less excited for the third season. Maybe it will all come together wonderfully in the final episodes, but at this point, even if it did, I would still have to call the second season a huge let-down.

You Can Call Me Anything You Like, But My Name Is Veronica

Hey...you execs over at UPN? Could you do me a favor? I hear that Veronica Mars has been renewed, and good for you renewing a show based on its acclaim, and not its ratings. But could you do me a favor? I haven't been watching, save for a few episodes at the beginning of the season, because you scheduled it at the same time as "The Amazing Race," and you know how I feel about that show. But I know I SHOULD have been watching it. So...come summertime, could you just re-run the entire season? That way I could catch up and be all set for the second season, and I KNOW I'm not the only person who would do that. I bet by re-running the season (with no re-runs, or missing episodes, by the way) you could pick up a LOT of new viewers, and have a bonifide hit come the fall. I mean, it'd almost be STUPID not to.

So, look into that, OK? Thanks. You're the best.

Oh, and that Tyra freakout on AMTM Wednesday was awesome, BTW.