Remember the good old days when there were just three TV channels to pick from? Your choices were Bonanza, Sesame Street or some old lady making fruitcake. Ah, the simple times. Okay, I wasn’t alive back then, but I’ve heard about it and it sounds kind of nice.
Today, television is much more complicated. With hundreds of channels to choose from and thousands of shows on every day, finding the right ones for you is a tough job. And amid all the hype of mediocre shows with big promotional budgets, some of the best series on television can get overlooked.
Without a little help from the experts (or me), you could be left watching Law & Order reruns from an era when tight-rolling your pants was cool. Spare yourself. There’s always something better on. To help you on your quest for better television, here are a few of the lesser-known gems available for your viewing pleasure.
“Monk”
A new spin on the tired crime-drama concept, this USA original series follows the adventures of phobia-ridden private investigator Adrian Monk. Once a star police officer with the San Francisco P.D., Monk was forced to leave his job when he developed obsessive-compulsive disorder following the death of his wife.
Now an independent, crime-fighting detective afraid of everything from heights to germs to milk, Monk takes on bizarre cases and faces the day’s most daunting tasks (like organizing his sock drawer) with unconventional and comedic flair. This year Monk’s star Tony Shalhoub (formerly of “Wings”) took home an Emmy for Best Actor in a Drama Series. Shalhoub’s ability to effortlessly shift between comedic, dramatic and suspenseful moments sets this series apart from any of its crime genre peers. Not to mention, watching this guy freak out about the dangers of gum should make the rest of us feel much more normal.
USA; Fri. 9:30 p.m.
“Fairly Odd Parents”
On the same wavelength with their mega hit “SpongeBob SquarePants,” this Nickelodeon series follows the adventures of little 11-year-old Timmy and his well-intentioned but moderately incompetent fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda. Created by two stand-up comics with a knack for one-liners, “Fairly Odd Parents” delivers some of the best comedy on television and the animation is flawless.
Combining the slapstick goofiness of SpongeBob with intelligence and wit, you’ll completely forget you’re watching a show designed for eight-year-olds. So next time you need a good laugh, swallow your pride and turn to the kiddie channel. Just make sure no one else can see you.
Nickelodeon; Mon. ? Fri.: 7 a.m., 4 and 8 p.m.; Sat. ? Sun.: 10 and 10:30 a.m.
“Arrested Development”
FOX’s fledgling comedy is a refreshing and honest look at the typical American family unit. Okay, it’s not really about a typical American family, per se. And it’s not all that honest. And refreshing probably isn’t the right word. But it’s pretty darn hilarious in any case.
Craziness ensues when the wealthy Orange County Bluth family falls from grace and dad, George Bluth, Sr. (Jeffrey Tambor), lands in the slammer for cooking the business books. While good old dad parties with his new prison buddies, son Michael (Jason Bateman) returns home to salvage what is left of his eccentric family and their once-prominent name.
This “Malcolm in the Middle”-style sitcom is a signature FOX product from beginning to end, with wacky, yet relatable characters and out-of-the-box humor. Plus, Jeffrey Tambor looks freakishly like Dr. Phil, and that’s kind of cool.
FOX; Sun. 8:30 p.m.
“Joan of Arcadia”
It’s hard to find a series on television sporting a new story concept. In fact, it’s borderline impossible, but CBS’s new hit drama “Joan of Arcadia” is as close as any of the networks got to an original idea this season. The drama centers on Amber Girardi, a typical teenage girl whose world is turned upside down when God starts showing up in the guise of everyday people and giving her missions. As if fitting in with the high school crowd isn’t hard enough without the Big Guy singling you out in the hallway.
This drama is far removed in wit and intelligence from its schmaltzy distant cousin “Touched by an Angel,” and is one of the better-written dramas on television. Mark my words, there’s going to be buzz about this show come Emmy time. No, wait, don’t mark my words. I could be wrong. I’m wrong quite a lot. But it’s a really good show. And that I’m pretty sure of.
CBS; Fri. 7 p.m.
