What to watch once all your favourites are in re-runs.

I know, it's been awhile... With our schedule, it's hard for me to keep up with all the new shows. And I've purposely left a lot of stuff on the DTVR to watch when everything is in repeats (due to the writers' strike).

Speaking of the writers' strike - they are back in negotiations today - which is a positive step, that's for sure. However, I don't have a lot of hope that anything will be resolved before Christmas anyway... And did you hear? There will quite possibly be an actors' strike next year (summer, maybe?).

So what will you watch once there are no new scripted shows? We never got into Nip/Tuck, so I think we'll start from the beginning on that series.

What I can recommend to you (download, rent or buy complete seasons):

1. Weeds. If you aren't watching this show, why not? It's fantastic. Probably my favourite show. We just finished watching the third season. And I will be in withdrawal until next August.

2. Damages. An awesome murder-mystery in 13 episodes. We loved this series and went crazy waiting for each new episode since there was always some kind of cliff-hanger the episode before...

3. Friday Night Lights. Here's why.

4. Amazing Race. If you aren't watching this season, go ahead and jump in now.

5. Dexter. I think all episodes are on Movie Central On Demand. It's a crazy premise - and gruesome. But some of the best stories and acting on TV.

6. Entourage. Watch from the very first season. It's sooooo funny.

So that should keep you busy during the new-TV-drought.

TAR, Heroes and Grey's.

The Amazing Race 12: So much fun. If you aren't watching this show, you should be. Observations from the latest episode:

- Phil's jeans looked especially wide to me - not a style I'm used to seeing on men. And his spiky, wet hair at the end. Hilarious. I heart Phil. He's the best host.

- How much must Lorena hate watching herself in this episode? She totally lost it. And I can't say that I would have reacted better than her. How frustrating - milking a dry camel.

- And yet Lorena and boyfriend totally came back to not finish last. Now THAT is tenacity. Good for them.

- Although I would have rather have seen them go home instead of the sisters just because it would wittle down the number of couples left on the show and make it easier for me to keep them straight.

- Holy crap on who'syourdadday having a hernia. Isn't surgery the treatment for a hernia? And yet he's still running. At the beginning of the show I thought it was a given that who'syourdaddy and Christina would be eliminated - but they sure surprised me.

- How gross was the drinking of the camels milk? I think I gagged every time I saw a contestant knock it back. Ewwwww.

- Kudos to brother/sister for doing so well in the "learn it" challenge. Just brilliant for them to split up the words.

Grey's Anatomy:

- Do I dare to hope that this may be the end of Gizzy? Please!

- Hmmm - new love interest for McDreamy? Can't say I'm disappointed. I'm tired of Mer/Der.

- Very sad about the guy with the pencil ending up in a permanent coma. Didn't you just want to smack all those girls who were so sad for him? You know, the ones that didn't even KNOW him? God...

Heroes:

- A great episode. Although I'm not sure it served them well to show everything that happened four months ago this late in the season. Perhaps they should have just started the season with this episode.

- Nice to know how Peter ended up in that crate in Ireland.

- Sad to see how D.L. died.

- Interesting how Adam's blood can heal. Very very interesting.

- I'm so sad that the last new episode of the season will be on December 3. And unless the writers strike is over soon, it'll be a very long time before we see another new episode.

Thank god for TAR. And FNL. And don't forget DH.

The Amazing Race - What a FUN show. Love love love. The Goths continue to amaze. While other teams seems to be falling apart (who'syourdaddy and Christina, I'm talking about YOU).

I was sad to see the ministers go. I loved when one of them said "we may be ministers but we are under no illusions that God cares if we win this race or not." Just awesome. I hate when people on this race pray to god. I may not be a religious person, but I do know that there is not any kind of god that would waste her time on affecting the outcome of a reality show. Heh.

Grandpa stripping down to cross the muddy stream was hilarious. The best part was when Nick said, "I have no comment." Nick is one of my favourites. And I was mad when who'syourdaddy went off on him. That was stupid.

I am still a bit confused with all the couples on the show - I can't get them straight yet - but I'm sure as more and more teams get eliminated, it'll be easier.

Finally, that one barbie girl hoisting that furniture up - amazing. Just amazing. I have a new respect for that team.

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Friday Night Lights: I love Landry. I love Landry's dad. I love the scenes between Riggins and his brother. I love love love this show. I cannot thank Sally and Karen enough for turning me onto FNL.

It is going to be a sad sad day when there are no more new episodes of FNL. Probably only a couple weeks from now. And word has it that this writers' strike will go on for months and months - if not years. Can you even imagine???

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Desperate Housewives: Another decent episode. Although I am so mad at Brie for going behind Orson's back and doing that to baby Benjamin. Brutal. And Mike as a pill addict? Not sure I'm buying that but I guess they needed an "interesting" storyline for Mike and Susan. And Catherine continues to manipulate. Fun! Finally, Gabby killed Victor? I'm guessing not. But it might be months and months before that is revealed (re: writers' strike).

TV - Monday to Thursday

Heroes: Solid solid episode. For the first time in a long time I CANNOT wait for next week. I love when the show focuses on the characters I know and love from last year. Bring on Parkman! Bring on Peter! Love. And FINALLY we see how Hiro's journey into the past fits with the present and the future. FINALLY. Even Scott was hating the whole Hiro in old Japan bit - and Scott loves everything Heroes.

America's Next Top Model: I cannot believe Sarah got eliminated for being too small to be a "plus-sized model" and too big to be a regular model. Brutal. I love her. She is such a classic beautiy.

Ugly Betty: Great stuff with Victoria Beckham. That is all I can say. I am hating the way the Betty and whatshisname story is working out.

Grey's: A good episode. Except for the way Gizzy was happy at the end. I've said it before and I'll say it again: DOWN WITH GIZZY. I cannot handle it.

On the other hand, I am enjoying the stuff with Mer and Lexi. And to find out their dad is a drunk... nice twist.

Also really enjoyed Der and the Chief as a couple. Very cute.

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I think my favourite show from the news season is Dirty Sexy Money. As soon as it records on my DTVR, I just HAVE to watch it. There is no waiting with that one.... I was disappointed there was no show this week... but, let's face it, I'm going to be very disappointed in a few weeks when there are NO NEW SHOWS due to the Writers' Strike. (Just give them what they want, network execs... for the love of god, give them what they want!)

BTW, I am still wanting to love Pushing Daisies (again, no new episode this week... but that's okay because I'm a couple weeks behind on this show anyway...). And I have to say, I do enjoy it a little more each episode I watch. It is growing on me (heh - nice pun, huh?).

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Something good might actually come out of this writers' strike - I have heard rumblings that Big Brother might be back in January (as opposed to July) due to the strike. CBS would rather move BB up in the schedule and have new programming than leave it for the summer. I'll keep you posted...

TAR 12. Desperate Housewives. Friday Night Lights. Grey's Anatomy.

How excited were all of you that The Amazing Race 12 began last night? Not as excited as my house, I bet. Ry was twitching he was so anxious for 7:00 pm. I think TAR is his favourite show.

Quite an interesting bunch of contestants, don't you think? I watched my boys' eyes get huge when they saw the goth couple. (Two comments about them: 1. I didn't know pink hair was goth. 2. Goth boy HAS to be gay, don't you think?)

After being introduced to all the teams, Scott mentioned that it was difficult to pick the strongest couple. I called the brother/sister team right away. He then called the recently dating couple, aka "The Hippies" (TK and Rachel). And I just knew that Jennifer and Nathan were going to be the fighting couple of the season.

Did I totally call it or what? Brother/Sister won this leg. Jennifer and Nathan totally fought. And I still think Goth boy has to be gay.

Interesting how a donkey totally did in Ari and Staella (what kind of name is that, btw???). Hahahahahahahaha - Karma IS a bitch. Shouldn't have stole that cab, Ari.

Other teams to watch:

Who'syourdaddy (Ron) and Christina. (Question: where was he when Christina was growing up? He said he was absent during her formative years - s0 I am curious.)

Grandpa and Nick. (How is Nick old enough to be an airline pilot? Can't wait to see more of Grandpa based on Nick's description of him - foul mouth and inappropriate comments - should be fun!

Can't wait for the next episode.

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I once again loved Friday Night Lights. That show is quality. Landry as the football hero - SHUT UP! As if I didn't love Landry enough before. And Tyra breaking up with him - why don't you just stab me in the heart? Sigh. And my love also grew for Matt when he finally shut Julie down. It's about time.

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Desperate Housewives - I enjoyed last night's episode. Danielle dressing up as Brie - hilarious. Adam's response to Brie asking him to never reveal what he was about to encounter: "Like you faking your pregnancy?" Totally cracked me up.

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Grey's - I am still so NOT buying George and Izzy. When will it end??? Uggghhh. I think my favourite character on the show now is the new lady doctor (Hahn??). She is so awesome. Loved the smack-down she gave the chief.

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I was sad to hear about the network writers' strike. Could mean that we have a whole lot fewer shows to watch. I guess all we can do is cross our fingers and hope that the strike is over very soon.