8/16/05--T.V. recommendations

I hate reality television.  Never saw one episode of Survivor, The Bachelor, The Big Race....any of that shit.  And yet, here in the dog days of summer I've found myself checking out a couple of reality shows.  I feel such shame.  The other evening, I sat down and watched an evening of television, and laughed my ass off.  I started with:
1) BRAVO>KATHY GRIFFIN MY LIFE ON THE D-LIST--this is the best reality show on t.v. right now.  Griffin is absolutely hilarious, taking in all the vagaries of celebrity with a jaded eye, and mooching anything free whenever she can get her hands on it.  I love the fact that she's so honest about her own cheapness.  She has become what Joan Rivers USED to be.
2) Welcome to The Simpsons.com---after 16 years, the show isn't always "on" like it used to be...but every once in awhile, they hit one out of the park.  Such was the case the other night, when the episode dealt with Bart wanting to convert to Catholicism.  Now, I was born and raised Catholic, and I really probably should've taken offense at what I saw, but I was too busy laughing my ass off.  Among the hilites:  The young priest recalling for Bart the day he received his calling from God,
Marge's view of what Catholic heaven must look like (think "Riverdance") and finally, religious zealot and next door neighbor Ned Flanders explains Catholicism to Marge ("Its like Simon Says with no ending!").  Very, very funny episode.
3) Family Guy--since, as I just mentioned, the Simpson's no longer hits a home run every single time out anymore, I'm often asked what my favorite show on television is.  No contest.  This show takes that fine line that the Simpson's so carefully tread upon...and step on, kick it and stomp all over it.  The series that wouldn't die has been brought back time and time again, mainly because its the funniest, and yet most depraved, show on television.  A must see.
4) Comedy Central's Roast: Pamela Anderson--now, despite what I just said about the Family Guy....for one single night....and not an entire season of shows.....this was one amazing night.  I mean, at first glance you might wonder why in the hell someone like Pam Anderson would be getting roasted.  Personally, although she's a very nice looking woman with a couple of nice store boughts....I couldn't care less about Pamela Anderson.  That being said--this was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life.  Crude, vulgar, decadent....it was all that and more.  This wasn't the kind of show that you'd show to your conservative Aunt Millie from Topeka.  But holy crap would she be missing one funny ass show.  Some of the comics featured are:
Jimmy Kimmel, Adam Corolla, Nick Dipaolo, Greg Giraldo, Jeffrey Ross & Lisa Lampinelli.  In particular, Dipaolo & Laminelli KILLED.  A must see when its repeated 50 times during the month on Comedy Central.

Later,
Jeff

PS...okay, okay...even though I don't like reality shows, I also admit that I got roped into watching American Idol by my wife....and that whole RockStar Inxs is a great train wreck.  And speaking of train wrecks, what could be better than watching the slow inevitable downward spiral that is Whitney Houston on that Bobby Brown show....and then there's.....ah, screw it.  I think I'm hooked.