"I’ve been waiting all my life/ And now I found ya/ I don’t know what to do/ I think I’m falling for you"

It's fall: the most wonderful time of the year. Why is it the best you ask? College football? Close second but not what I'm talking about in this post. The leaves changing colors? Nope. Cooler temperatures? Nice especially in the south but no. School is back in session? Never. New television series and episodes?!? YES! It's the greatest. And there isn't a writer's or actor's or director's strike looming so maybe we will get some full seasons of quality shows this year! Man, that writer's strike was the worst, wasn't it? I think it was understandable and called for because the writers deserve the profits too but man it sucked not having new shows to watch. But this year is good to go so let's review a few new shows since they are hitting their stride (or not) with a couple of episodes under their belt.

1. Glee! I. Love. This. Show. I remember seeing previews last summer and being intrigued. A show about a high school choir filled with characters that literally march to their own beat. There's a new optimistic sponsor, the addition of the star football player, and the opposition of the always entertaining Jane Lynch as a scheming cheerleading coach trying to get funding back for her winning squad. So will the social stratification of high school be turned on its head if the glee club has cool kids? I watched the preview after the season finale of American Idol (Yeah Kris Allen!) and I thought it was funny and creative. All nice things but I really wasn't hooked. When it started again in the fall, I would watch and be entertained but still not completely in love with it. But after the "Vitamin D" episode, yeah, I was officially a gleek (that's geek and glee combined for you less sharp tools in the shed). Here is what sold it for me and the quality is terrible but you know YouTube and their copyright laws and this was the only visual evidence remaining.

It is awesome. I had it as my status on gMail with only the word "Obsessed" preceding it. Because that is oh so very true. I love it, I love it, I love it. And I am so glad that quirky show is doing well. I think Matthew Morrison is perfect (but I've already professed my love for him), Lea Michele is amazing (a mini Idina Menzel), and Cory Monteith is surprisingly endearing as well as adorable. I love this show and highly recommend it. I want the World Series to be over so that the show can resume.

2. Please, this show had me when it simply said "From the network that brought you LOST". I've explained my, uh, obsession with LOST in other posts so, really, just tell me there are going to be a few parallels and I'm game. Now, unfortunately this show comes on at the same time as several other shows so... I sort of didn't watch the first three or four episodes. But luckily, my brother JP had them all recorded so I got to catch up during my last trip to Birmingham. Love this show. I don't really consider myself to be into sci-fi stuff but I'm liking it. The premise: Everyone in the world blacks out at the exact same time for 137 seconds and sees themselves six months into the future. Now do they work towards what they saw in the future or fight against what is going to happen? Free will or destiny? Sound like another show we know (and love)? Actually, this recap site I read points out a whole bunch of similarities between Lost and FF but I mean, I don't hate it. I'm an episode behind though so don't ruin anything for me!

3. The Vampire Diaries. Whatever, if you've read Twilight, don't act like you're above this show. Yes, I know the vampire craze is getting ridiculous but this show is actually, dare I say it, good. Well it features Ian Somerhalder, who you may remember as Boone on the first two seasons of Lost. That being said, we were all sad when Boone died so if he returns to primetime as a vampire, and a bad boy one at that, I'm all about it. Paul Wesley is no Robert Pattinson, but I will gladly tune in and watch him try his best. Oh yeah the premise. Well it features two hot vampire brothers, one is good (Wesley as Stefan) and one is bad (Somerhalder as Damon), and they are fighting for the affections of the lovely, grieving Elena. Elena has a striking resemblance to a girl named Katherine, the same girl Stefan and Damon fought over 145 years ago. It's based on a book series I've never read but it's entertaining and I'm liking it. I also can be a fourteen year old girl about things (See: Twilight) so maybe I'm not the best one to ask.

4. V. I write this a mere 52 minutes after the series premiere. I'll keep watching but I'm definitely ehhh about this one. But I was also severely confused during the pilot. I just ask that the characters not all look alike, well namely the priest and Juliet's (sure her name is Erica in the show but we all know her as Juliet from Lost. Man, Lost is a common thread for all of these shows) FBI buddy. You should know what I mean if you've watched the pilot. I'm intrigued. But I also possibly sense some failure. Which could suck since it's the return of Bailey Salinger (Scott Wolf) and we all know he is good lookin (another common theme). The premise: Weird spaceships hover over 29 major world cities carrying "the Visitors" who claim to come in peace and only need "some water and a mineral that is abundant on earth but necessary for their survival since they are far from home" and in exchange they will share some of their technological advances and magically heal people all over the world. And then of course it turns out they are aliens who are trying to exterminate mankind. Or... something like that. I'll keep you updated on whether or not this one is a winner.

And those are the new shows I am watching this fall. I can only fit so much t.v. into my life. I've watched an episode or two of "Community" and thought about giving "Modern Family" a shot but I'm not sure.

But let's have a quick visit with some of the old favorites:

1. The Office. Love this show, always will. I feel like this new season is truly one of the best ones yet. Jim and Pam's wedding alone was enough to send the ratings through the roof in my book. I am growing a bit tired of the whole Michael/Jim competition going on so hopefully that will end soon. And can Rainn Wilson please win a Emmy already?! Seriously, Jon Cryer? Who even watches that show of his? I'll tell you who-- no one. And can someone throw a nom at John Krasinski?! He is half the reason why the show is so brilliant. Just a nomination, that's all I want.

2. 30 Rock. I won't lie. I was not into this show in the beginning. And by "not into it" meaning that I didn't watch it. Actually I think when it premiered, I was still into Grey's Anatomy and the times conflicted. Then I think I was bitter it kept stealing awards from The Office (namely Alec Baldwin taking away Best Actor from Steve Carell) so I refused to watch it. But then I started seeing some episodes after The Office, and well, I like it. And I'm currently catching up on season one. Favorite characters: Kenneth the Page and I really love Pete. I don't know why I love Pete, I just do. But really, it's great and if you were bitter like me, stop and let a little comedy in your life. :)

3. Gossip Girl. Talk about a dissappoint this season. Who would have thought it would become boring once Chuck and Blair were actually together? But sadly, it has. I was Team Serena in the beginning but my God, I cannot stand her character at all now. Not to mention it sounds like Blake Lively has marbles in her mouth whenever she talks. And that whole "going to Europe and acting insane so daddy will find me" plot was ridiculous. And Dan is dating a movie star? Not buying it. Let's hope this show picks up the pace because apparently newcomer Vampire Diaries is kicking its butt in the ratings.

And let's not forget good old reality shows:

1. The Hills. Sigh. There was a time it was such an addiction but it's going downhill so fast. Even Kristin, the girl you love to hate, is having trouble breathing some life into this show. Maybe because it is so absolutely fake and they openly address the fact that it is. Sigh. I miss LC. And whoever does the "Next Time on The Hills" preview seriously deserves a raise because every time I tell myself I am going to give up, the preview sucks me right back in. For example next week: Fight between Kristin and Jayde over Brody? I am so there. Even though the episode will most likely suck and the editor just combined the sole thirty interesting seconds of the twenty-two minute episodes

2. The City. It's better than The Hills this season even though Whitney's life has taken the backseat I guess since Jay isn't there to be a douche. I am over this Olivia storyline since there is no way anyone could ever act like that and keep a job. I know this isn't real life but still, if I were Erin I'd slap her. Erin is by far my favorite this season solely for the fact I think she looks exactly like Laura Bell Bundy, former star of Legally Blonde the Musical which I admit I loooooove. I am even liking Roxie since she tells it like it is. And Kelly Cutrone always bring the entertainment. So The City... we're good.

3. Survivor. My family sucked me back into this one. But it truly is entertaining. Well maybe not as much as previous seasons since Foa Foa is only a few tribe members away from being completely eradicated. But since the previews have informed us that a merge is impending, maybe things will get interesting. For Galu, I am pulling for Brett and for Foa Foa I am rooting for Dr. Mick. Now that I've said that, they will probably be the next two voted out. Let's hope not!

4. Project Runway. After months of waiting due to lawsuits and copyright issues, we are finally mere episodes away from Bryant Park for this group. I don't extremely care for any of the remaining designers-- personality or talent wise. That being said, I am pulling for an Althea win. She seems like the most likable and she has some talent. Even though I feel like we are firmly being set up for an Irina win. Boooo Irina. But as long as Tim Gunn is a part of PR, I will continue to tune in. I want him to be my best friend. Like in the episode where he was comforting Shirin about her design sucking, he could do that to me about finding a job! I heart Tim Gunn!

5. The Amazing Race. Another one I got sucked back into by the family. Always entertaining and hey, it's educational and helps me learn some geography and culture. I am pulling for the Globetrotters team, the Blonde team (Meghan and Cheyne), and the father/son team (Gary and Matt). I think Gary's joke about "Should I tell Matt he's adopted now?" in the most recent episode after the obviously gay brothers team came out to the remaining contestants, I think is one of the best lines I have heard on reality television ever.

My final conclusion after writing this post: I watch too much television. Thank God for Tivo and watching full episodes online!