The Lowell - New MTV, Mia television, filters out insipid shows (2/04)

New MTV, Mia television, filters out insipid shows (2/04)

Written by Sam Bowman

In an era of less-than-humorous sitcoms and repetitive reality shows, finding something appealing to watch on TV can be challenging. With the generally mediocre mid-season replacements already in gear on many television networks, it’s time to highlight the shows actually worth tuning into. Now I’m no TV expert, but I do watch my fair share, so here are my picks of the week: Sunday: There is no question that Alias is the best choice for Sunday night viewing. This action/drama has developed quite a following over the past two and a half years — and for a good reason. Each week Alias packs more suspense into one hour than four and a half months of waiting for college acceptance letters. However, the show is not all flashy fights and explosions. It may be the eye-catching gimmicks that hook you, but the exciting storyline keeps you coming back for more. I’ll admit if you’re just joining the bandwagon now, the twisting plot may be a bit daunting; however, renting the first season on DVD is well worth the $4.12 per set to get caught up with this superb series.

Monday: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, unless it’s caught on tape, of course. And that’s exactly what NBC’s new drama Las Vegas is all about. The show centers on the surveillance team of the fictional Montecito Resort & Casino in Sin City. I have to confess, I was initially hesitant about a program featuring supermodel Molly Sims as one of its many good-looking leads. But it turns out that behind this bevy of beautiful actors are some truly impressive acting abilities. It probably doesn’t hurt that seasoned actor James Caan, who made The Godfather a classic with his portrayal of crime boss Sonny Corleone, lends credibility to the cast.

Shea Breslin

Tuesday: Okay, I think some of you know what’s coming, and those of you who don’t must have been living in a hole for the past three months. My recommendation for Tuesday is none other than The Simple Life. After an impressive two-month run, Fox has decided to air a sequel to this surprise hit. Before you throw down your newspaper in disgust, let me make my case. With so many serious issues clouding the world today, sometimes it’s nice to just sit back and watch something completely meaningless —something like two socialites stuck in a little town in Arkansas for a month. The Simple Life stars hotel heiress Paris Hilton and singer Lionel Richie’s adopted daughter (some people have all the luck) Nicole Richie. Whether you love them or love to hate them, you have to admit these two girls are hilarious, unintentionally, of course. Their spoiled upbringing has made for some great one-liners, such as Paris’ now famous "What is Wal-Mart? Is it like, they sell wall stuff?" As an added plus, it’s always fun to check out the girls’ million-dollar wardrobe. However, if that doesn’t interest you guys out there, let’s just say that for the exorbitant prices they pay for their outfits, the clothes don’t come with a whole lot of material.

Wednesday: I’ve had a lot of guilty pleasures in my life, but none guiltier than The O.C., and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s okay, you can admit you watch it; you’re not alone. In August, over 7.5 million people tuned in to watch the show’s premiere, and the numbers have only grown since then. I’ve been waiting for the 90210 of our generation and with The O.C., it looks like it has finally arrived. I seemed to have missed the boat on Dawson’s Creek, which some argue was the supreme teen drama, but for some reason, adolescents growing up in a North Carolina fishing village are a tad difficult to identify with. Not that I can relate to the trials and tribulations of being a rich So Cal teen. It’s more the language the characters use and jokes they make. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard phrases my friends and I regularly say repeated on the show. If you’re still doubtful about tuning into a show which casts 25-year-old actors as juniors in high school, you may be forgetting a key element, which, in my opinion, carries the series. Orange County plays a major role in this prime-time teen soap. The writers have given a very glamorous and exciting feel to this setting. The show makes Orange County look like such a non-stop party that I’ve actually pulled out a map to see which U.C. is closest to Newport Beach.

Thursday: It appears that this really will be the last season of Friends, so I encourage all of you to watch while you still can. A show where each cast member is paid $1 million per episode better be good, and it is. Over the years, viewers have gotten to know these six friends intimately. Their experiences, pet peeves and idiosyncrasies are all shared with the audience. And yes, as cheesy as it may sound, these six unique characters really have become America’s friends. Throughout its 10-year run, Friends has managed to draw in exceptionally high ratings, mostly because of its original material. The show has stayed away from the systematic plots and predictable patterns that most sitcoms use. Though the multiple leading cast members do have defining attributes that make them special, they do not incorporate the clichéd "types" found on many other TV shows.

Friday: Now, I really tried to find you a good show to kick off the weekend, but the truth is, ever since ABC cancelled Boy Meets World four years ago, I haven’t been much of a Friday night TV fan. So take this opportunity to go outside. Breathe some fresh air. You’ve been watching too much TV this week, and anyway, your television could use a day off.

Saturday: Rounding out the week is Saturday Night Live. For those of you who aren’t partying until the wee hours of the morning, but still don’t want to go to bed at 10 p.m., have I got the perfect show for you. Now in its 29th season, SNL is still as funny as it was back in the good ole days of John Belushi and Gilda Radner. Each week at 11:30 p.m. this sketch comedy show welcomes a host and musical guest to poke fun at what’s going on in the world today. The talented cast has impeccable comedic timing, and their hilarious imitations are always dead-on. And c’mon, where else are you going to see Justin Timberlake in a blonde wig imitating Jessica Simpson? When a sketch is dull, it can seem to drag on forever, but good ones, which most are, make suffering through those occasional boring skits worthwhile.

So these are my TV picks of the week. I’d love to get to the worst shows, but I’ve got to run. I can’t find my remote, and The O.C. is about to start.

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