Growing up, there was a rule in my house. Actually there were many rules in my house - because as long as I lived under
their roof I had to follow
their rules. And, there were many days that I thought that my parents were out to ruin my life with these rules. However, there was one rule that really affected my habits for years to come.
Rule #143: Until you pay bills, there will be no watching of the television on a school nightThis wasn't as bad for me growing up as many people think. We didn't get cable for a long time, anyway, so it wasn't like I missed out on much. But I was also one of those kids whose parents never needed to ask, "What do you have for homework." I was the kid who said, "Mommy, did you check my homework yet?" She recently admitted to me that she hardly ever even checked the assignments, only signed, because she knew it was probably right. Thus, television wasn't so much of a priority to me until later in high school when I started loving various shows. Even then, the demand of my workload hardly allowed me to watch TV.
Flash forward to college. It was the first time in my life that I (1) had my own TV and (2) got one in my room. For the first year, it was almost as if it wasn't there. I used it to watch Oprah. I can't remember watching much else. I have always grown used to listening to music whenever I'm in my room; therefore, a stereo or my computer was all I ever needed.
Well, over the last three years I've fallen into network television's
boobie trap. Commercials as well as some of my dearest friends have wooed me into watching television, one great show at a time. I still watch less TV than most people I know. I don't think I'll ever be that person who turns on a TV as soon as I walk in a room - like Monsieur N, who has my television in his room since I hardly use it anyway. But there are certain shows that I love to watch, even
need to if I've had a rough day.
I present to you
Mademoiselle M's list of favorite television shows
Oprah Winfrey ShowThis here is my
gurrrl. She don't know me yet but we may as well be best friends like her and Gayle King. I've never been the type to be like
OH MY GOD, THERE IS P.DIDDY. I'LL JUST DIE IF HE COMES OVER HERE. I mean, after all, celebrities are just people too. But if I met Oprah...
omg. I think I would be speechless. There is so much I would love to talk to her about, to ask her... She's is one of the most inspiring people in the world and I have so much admiration for the woman. On top of that, her show is great. She has her days when I'm like, "why are we talking about this Oprah?" But most of them are great; just looking at how long it has been on the air and remained a force on network television is amazing. This is the only celebrity I would truly love to meet (as in
MEET, meet) in my lifetime.
Law and OrderLet's just say that this is where the TV junkie in me came out. This was one of those shows that a friend of mine used to watch way back (
I'm old people) in high school but I could never get into. During my second year in college, I was living in the freshmen dormitory - due to a leadership role I was in and it was not an RA position - and so I wasn't spending as much of my time hanging out in other people's rooms as before. This led me to put on my TV a lot more than ever. Well, USA TNT and TBS always play Law and Order. Somehow.. I'm still not quite sure how it happened... those channels became the default channels for my TV. I was
hooked. Anytime I needed a mental break or time to myself I'd turn on Law and Order. I would eventually get hooked to watching Bobby on Criminal Intent. He's crazy. Every show we learn something new about him. The way he solves his cases are just insane... he has funky
psychological tactics that bring down the criminal every time. Gotta love him.
Ugly BettyOh man, Betty cracks me up. This girl is the most unfashionable person in the entire world's imagination who could work for the most premiere fashion magazine ever known to mankind. That's just my opinion. But she is
fantabulous in her very own way that not even people at Mode (think Vogue) can find the heart to dislike her. She has big dreams, a big smile, and a great big personality. She's a real person in a world that is full of
pretentious and shallow people. She keeps it real and breaks it down when you need it most. Plus, she's got your back through it all. What's not to love about that?
America's Next Top ModelSo I plan on growing another 5 inches by 25 so I can become a model. And in preparation for that, I watch
ANTM so that I can be as
divalicious as
Tyra. You think I'm joking?
Hmph. Then I refuse to say anymore.
Grays AnatomyI started watching this show last fall. There would be evenings that I'd be hanging out in various friend's rooms and at 8 o'clock (on thursdays), all things became silent except for the TV. I've hardly ever seen people react like that for a show but I found myself slowly transforming into them as weeks went by. It's a terribly addictive show with a fantastic plot and talented actors. Did you know that it is written by a black woman? Her name is
Shonda Rimes. So I'll definitely keep watching for as long as it's on.
24
Jack is a G. Really that's all there is to say about the star of the show. I started watching a few years ago when my parents kept ranting and raving about it. Finally I got Monsieur N hooked and it's become one of those shows we always watch together. Even when I was in France we would watch it together via webcam... "MAN did you see that!?" Some people say that the show isn't as great as it used to be. Well I haven't been watching since its inception so I can't really judge that but I do know that this show is off the hook. It is a fast-paced and action-packed show that constantly keeps you on the edge of your seat and counting down to the next week (or in this case, hour).
Notable Mentions
While these shows aren't
must sees for me, I definitely will watch them if they happen to be showing those days I randomly turn on the TV.
House: (Fox) This used to be one of those
must see shows but while I was in France I wasn't able to watch it very consistently online (it's hard to find recent TV shows online while abroad cuz they don't let you watch it on the network's website if you are not in the US...). Now I feel like I've missed out on a lot so I don't pay attention to when it's even on. It's a great show that my mommy got me hooked on and she still watches to this day.
The Game: (CW with Tia Mowry) Monsieur loves this show and he's always making me watch it. Now I like it but I still only watch it when he has it on.
Girlfriends: (CW) This used to be one of my favorite shows. But, like House, I missed so much while I was away. This was an impossible show to find recent episodes of online. I've heard that it is so different now. Some say they don't even like it anymore. Maybe I'll turn on my TV one of my least busy Mondays and see what it has become.
Big Shots: (ABC) This shows after Grey's Anatomy. If there was ever a male version of shows like Sex and the City or Desperate Housewives, this would be it.
Private Practice: (ABC with Taye Diggs and red-head from Grey's) I just watched this show for the first time last Wednesday. I really liked it and I can't really describe to you why just yet. I do know that it reminds me of the show
Strong Medicine that used to show on Lifetime. My sister had me hooked on that show way before I was hooked on most of these others I mentioned in this post.
The Boondocks: I don't even know if this shows on TV anymore but I like it because I like the comic strip. He's controvertial cuz holds nothing back . I guess that's what I like.
What are your favorite shows? What channel and what time... ? cuz I need to work on using my procrastination time better.
The step show was hosted by Fonzworth Bentley, which was entertaining. Aside from that.. whew… the show was definitely something. Let’s just say that the “war” between the Deltas and the AKAs is something serious when it comes to the step show. These girls are all so fierce and precise with everything they do on stage. But this year there was no denying that the Deltas put.it.down. I looked on Youtube but no videos seem to be up yet. They are worth searching for later this week though! 
