As the Olympics roll along its impossible not to admire the stubborn, dogged determination it takes to be the greatest at any one thing. It's the reason we stand and cheer when Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods or Michael Phelps demolish the field in their given area of expertise. It's why Mozart, and Shakespeare, and Van Gogh still resonate loudly (literally in Mozart's case when I've got my Bose cranked) so long after they are gone.

When I stare lovingly at myself in the mirror, as I so often do, I can't help but think two things. First, how did I manage to get toothpaste into my hair and hair gel in my mouth? Second, my steely gaze reminds me that I have the same fore-mentioned determination within myself...but no innate talents or abilities through which I can manifest this desire. So instead of conquering the world or smashing record books, I sit through twenty + hours of television per week. And I mean all television. Even the stuff that stinks, (You know who you are, new Knight Rider) when I'm tired and just want to go to bed and have turned pale white from no sun, I dig deep inside, splash water on my face, and endure. I'm that dedicated. Kind of gives you chills when you think about it, doesn't it? Here is little me, the guy with forty items in the twenty items or less line at the grocery store, rejecting the appropriate guilt, and instead staring the little old lady behind me down. "That's right Grandma, you've got to wait a little longer to get home and eat that TV dinner and box of Fig Newtons." My point? It's possible to be proud of who you are and what you're accomplishing even if you aren't born with a four foot vertical, the ability to write symphonies at 5 years old, or Romeo and Juliet dancing around in your head, waiting to be written. Shoot, I'm living proof that a person can be proud of themselves even when they probably shouldn't be.

Gee, when I write it all out, some small part of me realizes that I should be ashamed. Granted, it's a really small part and I've already locked it away in my basement closet, but I felt it for a moment. I mean, I watched freaking Seventh Heaven when I could have been out hiking a mountain or something. And the scary part is I don't really regret it. I'm just annoyed my wife won't buy into my plan where I quit my job and become a full time television-watcher. We could live off of cabbage and beets planted in the backyard during commercial breaks, along with water sucked out of our neighbor's spicket when they aren't home. The children could stand on street corners begging for money to pay for HD TV and TiVo.(They're 1.5 and 5 and adorable, so they'd rake in the dough). As for the mortgage, well, no one is paying that anymore with the market being how it is these days, so it would probably be years and years before we got kicked to the curb. I could go on in excruciatingly elaborate detail, hinting of a troubled mind that has thought too hard and to seriously about this, but instead I'll just reiterate that my wife shoots that whole way of thinking down before it ever even gets off the ground. What a wet blanket.

Speaking of my wife, and jumping back to the topic of determination: Michael Phelps is wonderful, but it is my wife, as she ruggedly goes on attempting to make ladies out of our two little girls despite my terrible influence, who inspires me. She endures more than anyone I know, spreading love instead of complaining, even when we all give her good reason to do the latter. How can I compete with a person like that? I'm honestly angry at how unfairly high she sets the bar. Until they add the Panicked Dog-Paddle (It's like the regular dog-paddle except that the swimmer just tries frantically to keep his or her head above the water. Its a quasi-event like speed walking) to the Olympic swimming schedule, I'm reduced to standing close to my lady so that some of her glory might cascade off and hit me. I'm not too proud to take all the second-hand glory I can get. You probably already get that about me if you've read any of the paragraphs above. Well, enough rambling for now. This was supposed to be about television, right?

So let me start by warning anyone newer than I am to this site (That probably isn't too many people) to follow TV.com's advice and read the subimssion guidelines before you start turning a ton of stuff in such as quotes and trivia! I went along blissfully turning in item after item like it was going out of style. And how did I do? 1 for my first 5 were accepted. And it was all simple stuff I messed up. So read up, make sure you use the correct format (i.e. bold and italics ) and always put a source. Otherwise you'll have a wonderful record like mine right from the start

Aside from trying to save other people from sharing in my embarressment, I also want to post a quote from a recent article that I think just goes to show that Roswell was ground-breaking (and wonderful) in more ways than one.

Here is an article I found online discussing the way teen books are big money makers when they get adapted from television or film:

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5483254&page=1

And in that article, who does Les Morgenstein, president of Alloy Entertainment, say started the trend? The Roswell High books by Melinda Metz, of course! Says Mr. Morgenstein: "'Roswell' was the lightbulb moment for me that these books we were doing could really translate to film and TV," Morgenstein said. "We had developed the book property, and then when Hollywood bought the rights, we were sort of pushed out of it. So I thought, 'Why shouldn't we get in on the ground floor? It's all about owning the intellectual property, the concept.' So now, in New York, we're developing the book concept, finding the right writer. And in L.A., we're finding the screenwriter and developing the script. We're not just in on the ground floor, we are the ground floor."

One more way Roswell rocked. All the more reason it should be brought back or made into a movie. Pipe dream, I know, but I refuse to give up!

Hello fellow TV addicts:

So here I am, new to TV.com but loving it so far. A place where I can have all the series I've loved lined up in front of me. Well I guess I found this site just in time, because the fall season is almost upon us. I'm more than a little embarrassed to admit that as each season approached, I build a spreadsheet schedule so I don't miss anything exciting. I like to think that makes me a super organized person, but it probably just makes me a big geek. I'll attach a copy of that schedule here, cut and pasted from excel, just so anyone happening by gets a good laugh:

Fall 2008 TV Schedule MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySunday7:00PMDollhouse - Jan 2009 - FOX ________________ Terminator - 9-8-08 - FOX _________________ Chuck - 9-29-08 - NBC _______________ Gossip Girl - 9-1-08 - CWFringe - 9-9-08 - FOX ______________ 90210 - 9-2-08 - CWFriday Night Lights - 10-1-08 - Directv ______________ Bones - 9-3-08 - FOX Smallville - 9-18-08 - CW Ghost Whisperer - 10-3-08 - CBS __________________Crusoe 10-17-08 - NBC 7:30PM 8:00PM 24 - Jan 2009 - FOX __________________ Heros - 9-22-08 - NBC House 9-16-08 - FOX __________________ The Mentalist - 9-23-08 - CBS ______________ Privileged - 9-9-08 - CW Lost - Jan 2009 - ABC Supernatural - 9-18-08 - CW 8:30PM9:00PMMy Own Worst Enemy - 10-13-08 - NBC Dirty Sexy Money - 10-1-08 - CBSEleventh Hour -10-9-08 -CBS Life - 10-3-08 - NBC Brothers and Sisters - 9-28-08 - ABC9:30PM

Wow, all that above is what happens to an excel chart when you post it on here. Trust me, my version has lines and numbers and is as perfect as apple pie. Oh well, you get the point: I'm going to be watching a lot of shows. What would I do without TiVo?

Ok, instead let me just list the shows I'll be watching, in no particular order, for the most part, and hopefully reviewing as I go (all times listed are Mountain, I think):

Terminator the Sarah Connor Chronicles - returns 9-8-08 - Mondays at 7PM I'm not saying it's perfect, but I did have a good time watching season one when nothing else was on. So long as they work to keep injecting a little more personality into the characters (I realize the robot is a robot, so I don't mean her... well actually her too) I'll stick around. They need to find a way to play up John Connor maybe starting to forget that Cameron is a Terminator and feeling a little too much for her. That could be fun, and would drive his poor mom nuts.

Chuck - returns 9-29-08 - Mondays at 7PM This is another show entering it's second season that doesn't have me totally and completely hooked, but that I can't say I didn't enjoy at the same time. The characters are all pretty fun, and a few times they had a line or two on the show that really cracked me up, such as Chuck, while being told by radio how to make an emergency landing in a helicopter, asking sincerely "is this one of those helicopters that turns into a boat" like in the video-game he played.

Gossip Girl - returns 9-1-08 - Mondays at 7PM (I've got two freaking TiVos) A guilty pleasure, I must admit. My wife first made me watch this because the voice-over each episode was Kristen Bell, who she hoped might join the cast. That hasn't happened, but I've had a great time watching just the same. Sweeter and softer feel to it than I expected, and thats helped separate it for me from a million other shows just like it.

Fringe - premieres 9-9-08 - Tuesdays at 7PM Definitely willing to give this type of show, which looks like it's shooting to be a cross between the X-Files and J.J. Abrams usual mysterious fair, at least a chance.

90210 - premieres 9-2-08 - Tuesdays at 7PM I didn't watch the original much at all, but my wife says this one is on our list whether I like it or not.

Friday Night Lights - returns 10-1-08 to DIRECTV, then replayed on NBC in 2009 - Time TBA I was beyond thrilled when I heard about the deal with DIRECTV to bring this show back and try to expand the audience. I can't remember the last time I've heard TV execs talk about how they love a show so much they plan to keep it around whether or not it makes money or has enough people watching it. I'm impressed, to say the least. There is nothing like this on television, and I can't ever remember having characters feel as real as they do here.

Bones - returns 9-3-08 - Wednesdays at 7PM It took quite a while into the first season before I felt like this show hit it's stride. Once it did, the relationships made all the difference in keeping me hooked. And the lack of a real romantic relationship between the leads so far has the torturing X-Files feel to it. I just hope we get more of a payoff and have them end up together big time down the road.

Smallville - returns 9-18-08 - Thursdays at 7PM Okay, I like Superman. It's hard not to have fun watching a show based around him. That having been said, Smallville does drive me nuts sometimes. How in the heck is Clark Kent still afraid to fly? And for all the smart dialogue they have at times, why can't they make the emotions realistic and genuine?

Ghost Whisperer - returns 10-3-08 - Fridays at 7PM At times I think the crush I had on Jennifer Love Hewitt growing up has maintained my interest in this show even when it's been pretty hokey and overly touchy-feely, which is about every episode.

Crusoe - premieres 10-17-08 - Fridays at 7PM I know little to nothing about this show, but figured why not try the 2 hour premiere and give it a shot. There isn't much like it on TV story-wise, so maybe it will surprise me.

24 - returns Jan 2009 - Mondays at 8PM What has it been, five years since the last season aired? It feels that long. I can't wait to see Jack back to kicking butt against improbable odds, so stay out of prison Kiefer!

Heroes - returns 9-22-08 - Mondays at 8PM This show has my wife more engaged then me, which is strange because I'm more the comic book/superhero type than she is. I can't say this show isn't fun though.

House - returns 9-16-08 - Tuesdays at 8PM Crotchety old House sure makes it hard to love him, but like a person in an abusive relationship, I keep coming back for more just the same.

The Mentalist - premieres 9-23-08 - Tuesdays at 8PM Another show I've not seen previewed often, but that I plan to at least try. Simon Baker seems like a decent lead, so maybe there is potential here.

Privileged - premieres 9-9-08 - Tuesdays at 8PM Once again, the workings of my wife. I think this will be another of the million or so CW shows(with some exceptions of course) that all feel alike and aren't that great, but I'll try it and reserve judgement to keep everyone happy.

Lost - returns Jan 2009 - Wednesdays at 8PM 3 seasons to go. J.J. sure better have answers when all is said and done, but I doubt he will. Thankfully the show is well enough made that I'm enjoying the ride regardless.

Supernatural - returns 9-18-08 - Thursdays at 8PM Suffers, I think, from never having had any kind of major female character. I watch and usually have at least some fun, but always wish there was more substance behind the characters.

My Own Worst Enemy - premieres 10-13-08 - Mondays at 9PM Christen Slater was just plain cool as I grew up, and I wanted to be like him. I'm curious to see if he's still got it. Certainly the sarcastic voice is still there.

Dirty Sexy Money - returns 10-1-08 - Wednesdays at 9PM As complex as it is cool. I love Donald Sutherland and found this show's first season to be engaging each and every episode.

Eleventh Hour - premieres 10-9-08 - Thursdays at 9PM Yet another show I know little about. It sounds interesting, especially the part about the main character having a beautiful blond girl for a body guard. I like strange stuff like that.

Life - returns 10-3-08 - Fridays at 9PM Damian Lewis is pretty darn awesome as the lead and makes the show for me. Unfortunately I think it is on it's way out considered the late Friday time-slot, but maybe a miracle will happen and it will stick around. I'll watch till the end regardless.

Brothers and Sisters - returns 9-28-08 - Sundays at 9PM Ok, kind of a different deal on this one. I've never watched the show even once because I'm not a big fan of Sally Fields. But then I saw Emily Van Camp, who I admit to having a crush on with my wife's permission, and I read a little more about the series. It sounds good enough to at least try, so I'm about to cram seasons one and two into the next few months via DVD. I will be ready when season three hits the airways.

Dollhouse - premieres Jan 2009 - Time and day TBD You know I won't miss the start of any, and I mean ANY Joss Whedon show. I can't wait for this to hit the air, re-shot prelude and all.

So that is it: my Fall 2008 tv schedule. I look forward to reviewing everything on here and having a blast in process. If anyone actually reads this or anything else I write, feel free to beat me up for any and all mistakes. I can take it and appreciate it.

And again to reiterate - 90201 is completely, 100%, absolutely, undoubtedly, without reservation, whole-heartedly just for my wife's sake. I swear it! I'll watch, but only because she's making me

Anyway, I'm not exactly sure how in the world I'm going to have time to watch all this, work my full time job (yes, I do actually work), keep my wife and two little girls happy, feed and gets scratched by my two Bangle cats, clean and feed my saltwater fish tank, and clean and feed the baby turtle my daughter had me buy her along with the strict assurances that she would do all cleaning and feeding. So yes, this will be an adventure, but I do plan to at least try all the shows listed and review them on here. Bare with me, I'm new to all this and might in fact be terrible at it. We shall see, that's for sure. Until later, I'm signing out and tuning in. Have a great weekend

- Andrew