Boob Tube

I have a confession to make ~ I don't watch a lot of television.

During my nine-year career in television news, I had many more days of sans-cable than with.

When I was a little girl I was actually "grounded" from television for years (there are whole series that appeared in late 80s and early 90s that I never had the pleasure of enjoying) because my grades weren't good enough.

These days, my social and civic calendar is far too busy to stick with a religious schedule of television viewing, so I am at the mercy of the occasional free night and the programming schedule of the Big Four networks.

But even though my Boob Tube habits are sporadic, I've still managed to develop a short list of favorites for autumn.

Monday night:
8 pm Dancing with the Stars (ABC) - I love Bruno's flamboyance, I love the glitzy costumes, the rockin' bods and I love the story lines. I hate Samantha Harris' vapid commentary.

9:30 pm Samantha Who? (ABC) - What can I say ~ it's a show about a single girl made for single girls. I also enjoy Christina Applegate's character - she grapples with good and bad just about as much as I do.

10 pm Boston Legal (ABC) - I'm not really married to this show, but I've had a thing for James Spader ever since he was the preppy asshole in Pretty in Pink, and I once saw William Shattner at the Lexington Joseph Beth bookstore (he was wearing the tightest khaki pants and was hanging around a college girl), so I guess I'm somewhat partial.

Tuesday night:
I don't really find anything enticing for this daypart. I might give The Mentalist (9 p.m., CBS) a try, but I don't really know if I'll stick with it. Sometimes I catch Law and Order SVU (10 p.m. NBC) but it's not something that warrants clearing my calendar.

Wednesday night:
8 p.m. Pushing Daisies (ABC) - I get a kick out of this quirky, surreal spin on life and death. I also really enjoy Kristen Chenoweth's over-the-top voice and personality in this show. PD got put on the back burner during the writers strike, and I am really glad to see this creative attempt make a return to the small screen.

10 p.m. Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) - Unabashed sex, slime, secrets and scandal. This show sheds a light on a Big Apple family dynasty, riddled with celebrity, money, fashion and intrigue. Also affected by last year's writers strike, I hope this one doesn't quickly fizzle.

Thursday night:
8 p.m. Ugly Betty (ABC) - I love love love this show. Betty has a mouth full of metal and wears the most godawful getups, but her heart of gold shines through in every episode. Everything seems to go wrong for Betty every single time, and yet somehow she manages to find the blessings and silver linings in her (sometimes not so) simple life.

9 p.m. The Office (NBC) - My boyfriends are back and you're gonna get in trouble. I can't wait to see Dwight and Andy back in action in Scranton. Will Jim propose to Pam? What's up with that new HR woman who arrived on the scene in last season's finale? Is Toby really gone for good? And Michael. Michael, Michael, Michael. Oh, how I cannot wait for The Office to be back open for business.

10 p.m. ER (NBC) - I haven't watched ER in years - I think I stopped after Dr. Green died of a brain tumor in Hawaii. This season is the series' last, so I just might check it out to see how it all ends (and hey, a girl can pray for a cameo by Dr. Doug Ross, right?)

Friday night:
I almost never watch television on Friday nights ~ I enjoy my friends and my cocktails far too frequently. Still, every once in while, a girl needs to stay in and skip out on her social life. When I decide to hole up and hang out on the couch on Friday nights, I check out Wife Swap (8 p.m. ABC) and Supernanny (9 p.m. ABC) and thank the good Lord above that I don't have kids or a freak of a husband. 20/20 (10 p.m. ABC) is the main event - I like John Stossel's shtick.

Saturday night:
I can't remember the last time I was home on a Saturday night, but looking at the schedule, I'd have to say I'd turn on Dateline NBC (8 p.m. NBC), 48 Hours Mystery (10 p.m. CBS) or Law & Order SVU (10 p.m. NBC) ~ only if I were battling the plague and if Downtown Cincinnati ran out of alcohol.

Sunday night:
The most trying night of the schedule. My friends and blog fans know that traveling and good food are the two great passions of my life. My friends and blog fans also know I am a sensitive sap of a girl, and that's why I'm torn between Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (8 p.m. ABC) and Amazing Race (8 p.m. CBS). It is a sure bet, I end up crying while watching EM:HE, but I also really enjoy the vicarious adventure offered up on AR. We'll see which program wins out this autumn.

9 p.m. ushers in the most anticipated hour of television in my little household. Desperate Housewives (ABC) is Must See T.V. It's Appointment Television. It's Call Me And Expect To Get The Voice Mail Television. This season has warped five years into the future from where it left off in the spring - and I can't wait to see what it will dish out to Bree, Lynette, Gaby, Susan and Edie.

At 10 p.m., I usually keep the tv turned on to Brothers and Sisters (ABC) because I don't feel like looking for the remote or getting up to change the channel. It's not nearly as good as DH, but it's still pretty damn good.

What shows are you looking forward to this fall?