Fitshaced

The summer network TV primetime lineup is usually as entertaining to me as Lifetime's regular lineup. There are a lot of reruns, some reality shows, and an occasional special, but nothing too interesting. I think that's starting to change, though, as the networks aren't real good at sticking to the traditional 23-episode start-in-fall seasons anymore. And change is good if it means that The Goode Family and Better Off Ted have new summer episodes.

I was ecstatically surprised yesterday when I noticed that our DVR had a Better Off Ted episode queued up. It turns out I missed one last week, too. I think I've mentioned before that Better Off Ted was easily my favorite new show of the year. It has the potential to reach the 30 Rock and Arrested Development plateau, in my opinion. It's a little too early to tell.

Better Off Ted's comedy is usually dialogic, in origin, but the lab setting leaves some room for occasional slapstick, too. In these last two episodes, there's been a lot of wordplay, including some on Linda's bum last episode and the title of this blog from the episode before. The humor is occasionally over-the-top and obvious, but it always seems smart, even the slapstick, which is hard to pull off. Bottom line: my summer just got a little more enjoyable.

The Cards haven't been faring too well against the Giants right now. Even so, Monday night's game had something for everyone: lots of offense (for the Giants), three defensive plays on Sportscenter's Top Ten (on a slow sports day), and great pitching (from the skinniest of the Jonas brothers). So, it was a great game (if you're a Giants fan). ESPN shows really pushed the Carpenter/Big Unit matchup from last night as Cy Young winners collide, but tonight's pitching matchup could be just as quality, as my fantasy player Matt Cain faces Adam Wainwright. In case you're wondering, I'm wearing my Cardinals' colors, even though I could really use a good game from Cain.

That Lincecum game was interesting to watch on FSN-MW, the Cardinals' feed. Usually, announcers avoid mentioning perfect game/no-hitter bids – at least until the fifth or sixth inning – so they don't jinx the pitcher somehow (magically). The Cards' announcers, on the hand, mentioned it after about every pitch. They were probably stabbing voodoo dolls shaped like mops and sacrificing lambs during commercial breaks, too.

QotD:

What are you watching this summer?

My take: Everything I've mentioned, HBO, Conan, occasionally HGTV, and, right now, Wimbledon.