With Winter now in full swing, many of us Northerners are forced to find more indoor activities. If you’re looking for more smart and sexy shows that you can just jump in and enjoy without needing the backstory, check out some of the shows that make my weekly DVR list:
1) House – I don’t think this is new to many, this show is wildly popular. However, if you typically shy away from shows reminiscent of E/R simply because you’re tired of the genre, I urge you to check this show out. It will shock you how far from the norm this show can go. The biggest draw for most is the Irreverent Doctor House who will find a new way to make you say ‘did he just say that’ every week. However, beyond that, the show is smart and sexy, showcasing only the most difficult to diagnose medical conditions each week. It’s also fun to note that Hugh Laurie (Dr. House) is actually a cheerful and very funny Brit. It’s fun to watch him fake the American accent each week. Catch it on Tuesdays at 8pm on Fox
2) Chuck – This show is just pure fun. Zachery Levi’s title character Chuck is a lovable King of the ‘nerd herd’. He’s the quintessential under achiever that you can’t help but root for. In the show, Chuck was ‘given’ top secret government intel without his consent or knowledge. By given, I mean this information was downloaded to his brain by an old college pal that had crossed him. Now, the CIA must protect chuck and his head full of secrets by any means possible. Enter CIA Agents Walker and Casey who go deep undercover to keep Chuck out of trouble, while at the same time, Chuck uses his on-board intel to help them bust the world’s most dangerous criminals. What’s magnificent about the way this plays out is how they can make it seem dangerous enough without taking it all too seriously. Add to that, the campy machismo of Agent Casey and the delightfully beautiful Agent Walker (who also fakes an American accent by the way) who kicks so much ass she makes Buffy look like Barbie. The cast is rounded out by Chuck’s uber geeky best friend and his gorgeous sister and boyfriend ‘Captain Awesome’. check it out on Monday’s at 8 on NBC
3) The Mentalist – This show is starting to take off, I ‘m seeing a lot of press of the main Character Simon Baker. While it adds to a long list of ‘hour long murder mysteries’, Simon’s character a.k.a. the ‘mentalist’ is a new twist on an old story. Simon uses his uncanny ability to ‘read’ people to help solve the weekly crime, but not in the same sense as a behaviorist. It’s almost like parlor tricks and magic in the way he can manipulate and interpret peoples minds. The great part is, he’s not the serious and overly cerebral character you might expect, he’s charming and witty and most of the people he ends up with thinks he’s a quack. That only adds to the fun when eventually his talents pan out. You can see ‘The Mentalist’ on Tuesdays at 9pm on CBS.
4) Criminal Minds – This is everything ‘The Mentalist’ is not, but not in a bad way. This show follows an elite Behavioral Analysis Unit around the Country as they use their skills to anticipate the criminal’s next move. It’s a smart show with a dynamic cast that plays very well off of each other. This show is a fun hour long ride of rooting for the good guys and watching the ‘I’m smarter than you’ criminals go down in flames. The characters and diverse and somewhat deep, getting to know them is part of the charm of the show. Watch ‘Criminal Minds’ on Wednesday’s at 10pm on CBS
5) The Big Bang Theory – For the geek in all of us. While at first I admit I watched the show for the sexy young neighbor played by Kaley Cuoco, it didn’t take long to find absolute hilarity in the characters of Jim Parons and Johnny Galecki . The quirky ultra smart Physicists are a new breed of comedy team, taking all of our nerdy little tendencies and blowing them completely out of proportion. There is a little bit of sexual tension between Galecki and Cuoco in the show, though it’s true they did go on one date in the past that fell flat. Still, you can’t help but root for it, there is something wonderfully inspiring about the geek getting the girl. Gotta love the underdog. This is a very well written show and gets bonus points for being completely unique. Check it out on Monday’s at 8pm on CBS.