Has anybody else noticed that the same syndicated TV shows seem to be picked up by all of the channels??? For example, just recently it seems that The George Lopez Show must have been released into syndication and suddenly appears on 3-4 different channels. How many different channels need to carry the same syndicated programming at the same time? Sometimes it can be good and sometimes it can be bad. I wish there was a little more variety and sometimes a show I like to watch is replaced by something new. Most of my favorite television shows I have watched from the start, but once in a while I find a show in syndication that I really enjoy. One example of show that I really did not get hooked on until it was in syndication was King of Queens. After that, I began watching the new shows as well. Another such show for me is Scrubs. I find Scrubs to be one of the most entertaining shows on television and I may have never fully appreciated it unless I was able to watch the re-runs in syndication.

Scrubs is currently in its seventh (and last) season since debuting back in October of 2001. This very original NBC sitcom is about the doctors and staff at the fictitious Sacred Heart hospital featuring very quirky humor yet also dealing with some serious issues as well. The show was created by Bill Lawrence who also created the sitcom Spin City. Spin City was one of my favorite shows back when it was on (1996-2002), so it is no surprise that I enjoy Scrubs as much as I do, too. Scrubs has never been a big ratings hit, but it has managed to stay in the NBC lineup. It was renewed for this final 18 episode seventh season, but due to the writers strike, it now looks like the sitcom's season could be cut short. It sounds like the strike will force the show to cut down to just 11 or 12 episodes and six of those have already aired. If the strike goes on much longer, the actors' contracts will expire and it's likely that the remaining episodes would never be produced. A couple weeks ago, Scrubs star Zach Braff (J.D. on the show) sent out a MySpace bulletin which in part read "Many of you have asked about the fate of the final episodes of Scrubs. If the strike goes on too much longer there is a good chance they will never be written or shot and the series finale will remain in the mind of our show's creator, Bill Lawrence..." Fans of the show could end up losing out because of the writers strike and this fantastic show may not get the proper ending that it deserves.

I just wish this writers strike would get settled. There are many fan favorites that do not have any more new episodes left to air until the writers come back to work. These shows include some of the most popular on television: Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, CSI, 30 Rock, Heroes, The Office and Two and a Half Men. I thought I might give you some further insight into my taste in television through a Top 10 list. The list will only include current shows and will not include sports (even though that is probably what I watch most). Without further ado, here is OLD SCHOOL'S TOP 10 CURRENT TV SHOWS:
Honorable Mention. Inside the Actors Studio (Bravo) - I love movies and actors and this show, hosted by James Lipton, is an insightful look at both of those topics. Even though it has aired since 1994 featuring over 200 guests, it is not your traditional television program, so that is why I list it as an honorable mention. I never miss an episode.
10. South Park (Comedy Central) - Believe it or not, this show is still going strong (debuted back in 1997) addressing current topics, sometimes controversial, and making me laugh. Not ranked as highly as it might have been in the past, I still laugh at the re-runs when I see them and it is still set on my DVR to record new episodes. I really enjoy cartoons and this is one of two animated shows on my list.
9. Family Guy (Fox) - Here is the second animated show on the list, though there are several other cartoons that I really enjoy (see my January 11^th posting where I discuss Adult Swim). This show has an interesting history because it was actually cancelled back in 2002, then shown on Adult Swim where it developed a cult following for several years before returning to Fox in 2005. The show features mostly sophomoric and irreverent humor, but still provides mindless entertainment which I need sometimes.
8. The Office (NBC) - This show, which is the American version of a show loosely based on the concept and characters of a UK show of the same name, makes me laugh out loud at least once every episode and not many shows can do that. On the other hand, The Office can often be very awkward and many of the story lines have advanced very slowly or in an uninteresting way. Overall, I give this show a lot of credit and have not missed one episode since it debuted back in 2005.
7. Psych (USA Network) - Please refer to my January 13^th posting for my thoughts on this particular show. I highly recommend you give it a try.
6. Scrubs (NBC) - As discussed above, I really enjoy this show and am sad that it will be coming to an end this year. The problem is that these good shows go away and not enough good new shows come to take their place. Some of the good shows that do come, don't get the ratings to stay (like Studio 60, Arrested Development and Love Monkey to name a few).
5. Saturday Night Live (NBC) - I have always been a huge fan of SNL though I am not overly excited about the current cast. This show has always featured some of the best comedy talent anywhere and I go on forever regarding some of the classic sketches and characters it has created. Lorne Michaels is a genius.
4. American Idol (Fox) - Yes, I am an American Idol fan, but not of the horribly bad performances that so many people enjoy watching. No, I am a music lover and I enjoy the outstanding performances and seeing the growth that these artists experience during the course of the show. This show is just beginning its 7th season and continues to be a phenomenon. It provides some of the most entertaining television around and, best of all, will not be affected by the writers strike.
3. The Amazing Race (CBS) - Just ending its 12th season, this is by far my favorite "reality" show. If you have not watched it, you don't know what you are missing. First, you get to see countries and cultures all over the world that you may never get exposed to otherwise. Then you get to see very interesting competition and social interaction not just between the different teams but also between the teammates. I do also still watch each season of Survivor (and am looking forward to its 16th season starting soon), but that show cannot hold a candle to Emmy award winning The Amazing Race.
2. How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Now in its third season, this show immediately jumped on to my favorites after just seeing one or two episodes. The show is narrated by the main character as he tells his children the story about his younger years and how he ended up meeting their mother. This show often makes me laugh out loud especially because of one of my favorite television characters of all time, Barney Stinson played by Neil Patrick Harris. Unfortunately, production of this show has been halted due to the strike. I am not sure how long this show can play out, but I am quite sure it will remain one of my favorites as long as it continues.
1. Two and a Half Men (CBS) - In its 5th season since debuting back in September 2003, I feel this is the funniest show on television. It stars Charlie Sheen and Jon Cryer as well as some of the best sitcom writing in history. Like many series, I feel this one took about a season to fully find itself, but since that point the show never looked back. The chemistry between Sheen and Cryer as well as the young boy on the show is just outstanding. I am happy to see this show is now appearing in syndication, so if you have not watched it up to this point, you can either purchase it on DVD or catch the syndicated re-runs. Obvious by my #1 ranking, I can't recommend this show enough.

There are my Top 10 shows right now. I think you will notice right away that there is nothing there that is too deep, serious or depressing. I prefer my TV shows to entertain me, amuse me and relax me. When you add in all of the sports I watch, I don't have time for anything less. A couple shows that are quickly creeping up and will likely make this list soon include 30 Rock (NBC) and Mad Men (AMC). I did not watch either show when they first began, but I am catching up and both seem to be excellent. Again, I would not be able to watch much of what I do if it was not for the DVR or Tivo which I have mentioned before as one of the best inventions in my lifetime. Feel free to leave comments on your favorite TV programs.

That's Kickin' it for today. Thanks for reading and please come back often. I have not hit any sports topics for a few days, so I hope to get that done soon. If you are looking for some "juicy" Hollywood news, check out this website: www.mynippon.net/blog. If you do, tell them that Old School sent you.

Check this out: Here is a photo taken at just the right angle. Wow, that soccer player has quite the long arm. Probably not much of an advantage in a sport like soccer where you mostly use your feet...

Quote of the day: "It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them." -Mark Twain

Download this: "Overkill (Acoustic)" by Colin Hay - This song originates on Hay's album Man at Work, but also appears on the Scrubs (Original Television Soundtrack) album as well. It is an outstanding acoustic version of the Men at Work song.