New TV Season ('05)

This is the second year that my “should watch” list exceeds the time I have “to watch”. So, in the middle of the week, how is the list holding up?

New Series

• My Name is Earl
  Yeah, it's as funny as has been promised. Jason Lee nails the role and supporting cast members like Jaime Pressly add tremendously to the white trash humor. Best line (also a decent summary of the plot): “Karma, karma happened. And I believed it too. Think about it, as soon as I decided not to help Kenny, Joy broke into my room and beat me up with a phone.” This one's firmly on the radar.
• Surface
  Lots going on with this one. Sea monsters appearing all over the place--attacking nuclear subs, brushing by exploratory submersibles, being raised by curious teenagers, etc. There's a bit much going on, but it looks interesting. It's also nice to see Lake Bell back on TV.
• HBO's Rome
  Same quality programming we expect from HBO. Just the right amount of blood, gore, and sex for flavor, accenting a great story line with mature characters. Polly Walker's Atia is my favorite character--she does a great job highlighting the politicking of the that must have been prevalent during the period. From the character description on Rome website: “Atia of the Julii is snobbish, willful, and cunning. She is also sexually voracious and totally amoral. In a culture in which woman lack formal power, and men leave for months and years on military campaigns, the wives, daughters, and mothers have built powerful networks an alliances completely independent of the men's worlds. Atia is among the women who serve as the shadow rulers of Rome.” Definitely a must see.
• Prison Break
  A thinking man's drama, PB tells the story of Michael Scofield, who has himself sent to jail to help his brother escape death row. The plot involves enough planning, subterfuge, and twists to do Rome proud--most of it implausible. I'm still watching, but the blip is fading fast.

Returning

• Medium
  Patricia Arquette's back, looking just as lovely and watchable as ever. I'm glad the major stress between Allison and her hubby has been mitigated--the chemistry demands some stress, but the “breakup level” was a little too much for the show.
  (Interesting side note: While researching this article I found that the series is based in fact. Huh.)
• LOST
  Ah, you are already watching it. If not, get yourself the first season DVDs and start, now.
• America's Next Top Model (5)
  “Bitch Fest” officially Jumped the shark two (or more) seasons ago when they stopped focusing on the cat fighting between the girls and instead switched to drama in each of their lives and competition. With Janice's departure it looks even worse.
• Las Vegas
  Jumped the shark last season (or before) when the staff started solving International crime. This season has too many changes--message from network: “ratings are falling and we are trying some desperate measures to revitalize the show.” Not a chance.
• Survivor Guatemala
  Same show, different season. Yeah, I used to poke fun at folks that watched it--but it's still one of the most original (and half-decent) reality shows on TV.

Upcoming

• Desperate Housewives
• The Apprentice (Shark alert, oh wait, that's last season)
• Grey's Anatomy (Infinitely watchable)