Or what you can write off without a look. So why not take some time and see what the networks have cooking for the fall season.
Click here for the overview of dramas and then click here for the show rundowns for each network.
Then click here to read about how the networks want to find humor in the recession. And then at the bottom of that page, you'll see a rundown of Fox's comedy offerings and links to the other networks.
Even the notoriously smarty pants "Countdown With Keith Olbermann" (and I say that with affection and admiration) makes a mistake that bedevils many of us. In a caption promoting Friday night's story about Sarah Palin's interview, the "Countdown" crew on MSNBC mixed up whose (possessive) and who's (contraction for "who is").
We have only one rule to remember: Possessive pronouns never use an apostrophe.
Last week, the digital TV conversion coupon program was running out of money. Now it's all gone.
Looks like we all have something in common: we like comedy that makes us squirm.
In December, the N&O staff voted The Office their favorite show of 2008, and in an informal online poll, so did Happiness readers. (Unless that was just Lorenzo voting over and over and over.).
Maybe it's because we all think we have a Michael Scott as a boss. Or we all think we sit beside a Dwight. And let's get real -- we all know an Angela. And I'm guessing we all secretly think we're like Pam or Jim, the only "normal" ones in that group of slightly creepy, slightly insane and highly innappropriate coworkers who totally lack any smidgen of self-awareness.
Or maybe we just think it's funny. I won't psychoanalyze. Especially since another show about an extremely dysfunctional workplace came in at #2.
So what are your favorite shows? Check below for the top ten.
Apparently, the other networks think FOX's "American Idol" reign as the show that smacks down all shows in its time slot may be shaky.
At least that's the premise of this Variety piece.
If not, you might want to hurry. The government might be running out.
It looks like all those commercials reminding us about the February changeover are more effective than expected. Read this.
You may have noticed that Barack Obama's election has prompted a lot of articles, soul searching, and navel gaving.
On the pop culture end, there's been a lot of Huxtable comparisons. (Link might require registration.)
Check out this well-written article from the L.A. Times.
It explores how televison, which often tries to reflect the tone of the times, may have a tough time mining the themes of the presidency.
The Real Exorcist (7pm-11pm, SCI-FI) - If your appetite runs toward the devilish this night before Halloween, the Sci-Fi Channel has 4 episodes in a row of something called The Real Exorcist. I don't have the nerve to watch this, but if you do, tell me what it was like.
The Office (9pm, NBC) - Is this the end of Michael and Holly? Lorenzo insists Amy Ryan has a "real" acting career to get back to. Also, Pam is the only person at Corporate who wears a Halloween costume to work. That just happened on Boston Legal Monday night, but we're sure it'll be funnier on The Office.
30 Rock (9:30, NBC) - Tina Fey has worked her behind off playing Sarah Palin on SNL, and hopefully the big payoff will be much deserved higher ratings for 30 Rock. On tonight's season premiere, Liz Lemon wants to adopt a baby and begs her coworkers to act "normal" (we've all been there) while the adoption official visits. Jack (Alec Baldwin) is demoted and must fight his way back up the corporate ladder.
Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew 2 (10pm, VH1) - Happiness loves this show. And also Steven Adler. This is the second episode (ep. 1 replays at 9pm). If you miss this, VH1 will show repeats many many times over the weekend. It's better than you think it'll be.
American Gangster (10pm, BET) - American Gangster profiles Monster Kody Scott of the South Central L.A. Monster Scotts.
Several members of the U.S. Senate say the National Football League is not making enough football games available on free television for local fans, The Associated Press reports.
The NFL has said that it provides free TV broadcasts in the home cities of competing teams.
But the senators have written a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the NFL is too narrowly interpreting what constitutes a home city, AP reports.
For example, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter says the NFL does not consider the western Pennsylvania town of Johnstown to be part of the home market of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The senators are asking the NFL to reconsider its policy.
A message left by AP with the NFL was not immediately returned.
Specter locked horns with the NFL previously over the Spygate mess involving the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick. He criticized the league for disposing of evidence in the matter.
The Barack Obama Show (8pm CBS, NBC, FOX, MSNBC, BET, UNIVISION) - This is a first -- a politcal candidate buys up a whole half hour of primetime. What can he possibly say that he hasn't already said? Will he play it safe?
Pushing Daisies (8pm, ABC) - Obama isn't on ABC, so if you don't like the Obama/Biden ticket, then watch Pushing Daisies. Now's your chance!! A whole hour of sweet, whimsical escapism. It's the antidote for political stress.
World Series Game 5 (8:30pm, FOX) - Maybe.
Dirty Sexy Money (10pm, ABC) - Patrick wants to introduce his tranny lover to the world, which would probably risk his run for Senate. Or hey, maybe not. And I remember from last week's previews that Trip collapses -- he was all splayed out on the floor. Maybe he fakes fainting to shut Patrick up.
