What Are You Watching?

I was talking with some friends recently about how the writer's strike has changed our daily routines. For my part, I usually like to come home, curl up on the couch with my laptop and watch three hours of TV. Especially Thursday nights. It's a perfect way to unwind from the daily stress.

With the writer's strike shutting down Primetime TV, the networks are scheduling competing, knock-off reality shows. Well, I do love a small amount of trash TV, but I just can't waste my limited brain space for "Duel" or "Clash of the Choirs". Particularly when I can get the wrap-up report on The Soup.

The Soup is a gem of a show. Witty, timely, and to the point. I don't need to watch "I love New York", when Joel McHale reenacts his own interpretation of each week's reality offerings. It's unfortunate that New York had to visit the 'parrot zoo' given her fear of parrots. This important tidbit, sure to be a question in future editions of "Trivial Pursuit" (The Reality Show Edition), was gleaned in five minutes, rather than dragged out over the course of an entire VH1 episode.

Of course, a friend of mine has turned me on to a new show on MTV, the inventor of the 'reality program'. It's called, "A Shot of Love with Tila Tequila". Sort of like "The Bachelor", this reality farce poses man vs. woman for the affections of Tila Tequila. For those who may want to watch the full series online (currently not a reasonable source of income for writers, but reality show writers aren't unionized, and so they choose to get screwed so watch online), this is a spoiler. The series ends, according to MTV.com,

This is it... the final elimination. Tila explains her emotions of excitement and nervousness. A teary-eyed Tila explains to Dani and Bobby that she has come to love the both of them and that this decision was far harder than she expected. She goes on to further explain what qualities she has come to love in both of them and thanks them both for opening their hearts to her. Tila Tequila wants to take a shot at love with... Bobby.

After a long kiss with Bobby, Tila remembers Dani, who has already begun walking back to the house. Tila yells for her and chases down Dani. They embrace and Tila breaks down, explaining that it isn't easy for her.

Tila takes Bobby up to her room, which he has never seen. In the end, she chose a man.

In full disclosure, I haven't watched this show yet. And, despite my displeasure of reality shows, I found myself setting the Tivo for Wednesday's airing of Tila. Maybe it's because I just can't force myself to go to the gym, live healthier, smarter life. No, I need to be home. I need to exercise my Tivo. I need to curl up on my couch with my laptop and forget who I am for a few hours. And hopefully with Tila Tequila, I can forget the troubles of our economy, my personal life, and focus on something more important: someone else's nuttiness.

All this brings me to a very important question. What are you watching in lieu of your favorite TV shows?