A new season begins

I know, I know, it has been way too long. Even a pop culture freak needs to take a break sometime my friends. I am now overloaded with thoughts to share with you, but I will organize my thoughts by category so I don't overwhelm you.

This edition will feature one of my favorite topics -- television. It was a slow summer for TV -- I will never understand why Summer TV has to be flooded with bad reality shows and dance competitions and talent competitions and now come Fall I am forced to try to DVR 3 shows at the same because all the good shows have returned.

What did I watch this summer? Big Brother, of course. It is the stupidest premise ever -- a group of people live in a house with no contact with the outside world and compete in silly competitions and vote each other out. There is no reason why I should want to spend three hours of my week watching this except that it is the funniest show ever. These people are losers and watching them yell at each other about loyalty and honor while gossiping behind each others backs was the best. I know most of you don't watch, but there was one contestant named Jessie (a boy) who is a bodybuilder / wrestler from the Midwest and he would flex his muscles at everyone and at himself in the mirror all day long. It was priceless.

I also spent my summer watching three seasons of How I Met Your Mother on DVD. This show is genius and I am so excited to watch Neil Patrick Harris host the Emmy's tonight. It is about a group of late 20's, now early 30's friends who live in NYC and the trials and tribulations of their dating lives and friendships. Each character has its quirks and the combination of the four is simply genius. And Neil Patrick Harris is legen- wait for it - dary (his character's favorite phrase). I really did not watc hthis show before because I assumed it was a typical CBS sitcom, but this is so cool and fun, not lame at all.

Of course there was a lot of MJ coverage filling my time earlier in the summer, but just recently there was finally the perfect tribute to Michael Jackson -- fittingly, the opening of the MTV VMA Awards. I have abandoned watching most of this show because it is usually overrun with gangster rap and rock bands I haven't heard of, but this year, the pop culture vibe suited my style. (Let's not mention the fact that the concept of a show honoring the year's best videos on a channel that doesn't even play videos is pretty ludicrous). Of course we all talked about Kanye's retarded interruption of Taylor Swift's acceptance speech -- seriously this guy's head is going to explode very, very, very, soon. But it was Madonna's opening speech in tribute to MJ that captured my attention. This was the best speech I have heard about Michael -- it was personal (calling out that both Madonna and Michael were born the same month of the same year and that she lost her Mother at a young age while he lost his childhood), honest (he was human while a King of Pop) and moving. And then the army of MJ dancers performing his greatest moves ending with Janet dancing her tribute to Michael alongside him on the screen. It was amazing. And I am now satisfied to end the summer of Michael Jackson.

I know you all want to know what I am going to watch this Fall, so let me give you Rachna's guide to all things television...I can't believe I have figured this out in a schedule format, thanks to EW for helping me and my OCD.

Let me start by telling you one show I will not be watching 5 times a week. Jay Leno. I can't believe we are losing serial dramas so NBC can put Jay Leno in Primetime. I preferred Letterman before, and Jay ruining the primetime schedule only makes me like him less.

SUNDAY -- Mad Men and Brothers and Sisters plus Curb Your Enthusiasm (will have to watch ON Demand). Mad Men is really on target this season -- I thought last season was amazing but a little cold and sterile while this season has more of an emotional pull. And I love that as much as I want the characters to redeem themselves, Don from his philandering, Betty from her coldness, Peggy from abandoning motherhood, the show just refuses to give in to my sentimental pleading (because the show is not supposed to be sentimental!)

MONDAY -- How I Met Your Mother (I'm not caught up, but will save it until I catch up...), Gossip Girl. Heroes if officially off the radar people, let it go.

TUESDAY -- Will be my catch up day, because there is nothing to watch...

WEDNESDAY -- This is a tough night. For comedy, The New Adventures of Old Christine, plus can't wait for Modern Family with Ed Harris from Married with Children (it looks amazing) And of course Glee!! I also want to try Mercy the nurse drama which will hopefully replace my ER fix. And for now, Top Chef which is one of the best season's ever (love the battling brothers).

THURSDAY -- Don't even think about asking me to go out on Thursdays. I'm booked. Need to try Flash Forward for my Lost fix until Lost returns for its final season. Plus Survivor which is already outstanding with crazy Russell who spilled out everyone's water on the first episode. Plus Grey's which redeemed itself by the end of last season. Oh and then of course the NBC comedy block of Parks and Recreation, Office and Community / 30 Rock. Oh and did I tell you that I love the Mentalist? I guess the hot Simon Baker has something to do with it, but it is a problem because there is no way I can watch over 5 hours of TV plus Project Runway in one night. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY - I need to stay away from the television except for SNL of course. I am dumbfounded that Lorne Michaels fired Michaela Watkins (she did Hoda in the Today Show sketch and the Bitch pleeaze blogger bit on Weekend Update). I was excited that she was there to carry the burden from Kristen Wiig who was in every single skit. Why get rid of her? I don't get it...

I am a little upset right now because I can't figure out when V is airing, but it will be on my schedule. I lived for V as a kid. I even played it with my friends at recess (no I don't know remember the game, we certianly did not rip our skins off). Elizabeth Mitchell from Lost stars with Scott Wolf from Party of Five. Enough reason for me. Help me find it!!

Okay folks, this was blog overload. Time to watch the Emmy's even though most of my favorites are not nominated, but Neil Patrick Harris is hosting which means it is guaranteed funny.

In case you forgot my mantra...it is especially true considering everything I admitted to you above.

Don't be ashamed of your obsessions...
they are too much fun.