TVSquad

As my newborn son (part of a twin set; the other is a girl) rests in my arms, I just want to take this moment to thank two cable channels for being there for us as we struggled through the sleepless first night home:  Nick@Nite  and The Hallmark Channel.

Yes, I said the Hallmark Channel!

The Hallmark Channel was on during the 11 P.M. till 1 A.M. shift with four episodes of M.A.S.H . When I was younger I never liked the early episodes with Frank Burns, Colonel Blake, and Trapper John. Now I like those more, as well as the first two seasons where Colonel Potter and B.J. Hunnicutt joined the cast (these are the episodes The Hallmark Channel is showing now). Once Frank Burns left and Charles Winchester joined the 4077th the show got a bit too preachy for me, and Col. Potter began to spout too many southern cliches.

After M.A.S.H goes off the air we switch to Nick@Nite. I enjoy this network more than I do its sister station; TV Land. I think that's because all of the sitcoms come from the 80's and early 90's, which is a comfort zone for us Generation-X types. Sure, there's way too much Roseanne (and I hope they substitute some of it with the Mad About You episodes that are starting April 10th) and I don't enjoy The Cosby Show episodes after Theo goes off to college, but there is usually something good to watch between those shows.  I like watching Who's The Boss and Full House just to watch kids growing up.

So, thank you, Hallmark Channel and Nick@Nite for help me, and my wife, stay awake during these times.  We'll remember you when we can sleep through the night.