Ryan ChartrandIt’s the beginning of the quarter, and (if your professors know what’s good for them) you probably have a little more time on your hands than you did a few weeks ago. Whatever will you do with the time? I have four ideas for you.
If you’re anything like me, you have your few staple TV shows and then whatever happens to be on before or after. I know, it’s hard to branch out, even if you see a promising 30-second preview during “Oprah.” You probably don’t even have time to watch all the shows you want to watch (if you do, maybe I could get a few pointers from you on time management).
Even if time isn’t an issue, it’s still hard to choose which ones to invest in, especially when those 30 seconds don’t do them justice. That’s what I’m here for. Over spring break, in between trips to the piña colada bar and reapplications of sunscreen, I did some research (I love that I can call it that) and found quite a few new shows that have misleadingly similar stories. Two shows about rogue lawyers, two “Sex and the City” clones, two shows involving amnesia and two shows about twenty-somethings. Here are a few you should skip and a few to love. (I swear ABC isn’t paying me for this).
Not Worth It
“Canterbury’s Law” (FOX)
In “Canterbury’s Law,” Elizabeth Canterbury does whatever it takes to make sure the innocent walk free, even though she works just as hard to get the criminals off as well. We all love bad people that do good things, but “Eli Stone” has more heart, wit and did I mention the George Michael cameos?
“Amnesia” (NBC)
Despite the title, “Amnesia” doesn’t have to do with the medical condition. Hosted by Dennis Miller, the contestants are quizzed on specific details from their life for cash. Their life. NBC, are you serious?
“Lipstick Jungle” (NBC)
Before watching it, I thought “Lipstick Jungle” to be the legitimate heir to the “Sex and the City” throne. It has Brooke Sheilds and her white teeth, scandal, and Kim Raver’s character has an affair with a hot younger man (Robert Buckley).
“Quarterlife” (NBC)
The characters of “Quarterlife” are all creative working twenty-somethings trying to live out their dreams but also pay the rent. It’s actually a decent show, but it hits too close to home (that’ll be me in a few months).
Love It
“Eli Stone” (ABC)
Eli Stone is a San Francisco lawyer who suffers from a brain aneurysm that causes him to have odd hallucinations and outbursts that tell him which cases to select and how to win them. A reoccurring hallucination includes a singing George Michael.
“Samantha Who” (ABC)
“Samantha Who?” starring Christina Applegate is about a remorseful amnesiac who finds out little by little what her life was like before she was in a terrible accident. As it turns out, she was a jerk.
“Greek” (ABC FAM)
“Greek” is witty and highly addictive, so view with caution.
“Cashmere Mafia” (ABC)
“Lipstick” ultimately doesn’t compare to “Cashmere Mafia,” which has more watchable “Sex and the City” charm and way more laughs.
Allison Baker is an English senior, Mustang Daily columnist and pop-culture enthusiast.