TVSquad

To be honest, I don't usually think of television as something to be thankful for. This time of year I usually reflect on how lucky I am to have loving husband, a supportive family, and loyal friends. Also, as I'm sure most people do, I pause for a moment of gratitude for the things I take for granted most days: my health, my job, enough to eat, the clothes on my back, etc.

But now that I think about it, after I say thank-you for all the above, I guess I am rather thankful for television (especially on the weeknights). After a long day at work or running errands, I can't say I'm not grateful that a new episode of Cane, The Office, or Boston Legal is on. And on Sundays, the inevitable dreaded Monday morning is made more bearable by Desperate Housewives or some HBO series (I used to love Rome).

1. Shows that finish in a set amount of seasons: Sometimes a show comes along that has a set narrative and a set way to develop its characters. I love these shows because their plots are cohesive and they know where their going each week. Of course the drawback to these shows is that they don't last that long. My favorite example is HBO's Rome. Sadly, it only lasted two seasons but the plot was tight and each episode was extremely entertaining. I realize not much of television operates this way because who can resist the urge to make money off of a good thing. But, I hate shows that go on and on without answers (hello, Lost). They just take advantage of the loyal fans they hooked in their first seasons (hello, Prison Break).

2. Animated shows for adults: From classics like The Simpsons to all the quirky stuff on Adult Swim, I love animated TV shows. Who doesn't like cartoons? And who doesn't like cartoon characters that cuss and say other crass things? My all-time favorites are South Park, Beavis and Butthead, Home Movies, and Space Ghost.

3. DVR: Now where would I be without my DVR machine? I don't even know if I have to explain the importance of this device or how it has enhanced my TV experience. I love having the option to watch my shows at their scheduled time or watch them when I feel like it. If I'm tired, I can go to bed and watch them the next morning. If I'm out at dinner, I can watch them when I get home. I think I love my DVR (almost as much as I love my iphone).

4. Commercials: I know this is an unconventional one but when I really think about it, I am thankful for the existence of commercials. I know that ads can be annoying but commercials make TV possible. Television shows need money to operate and selling commercial spots get them that money. Not to mention that some of the commercials are pretty funny. They put a lot of work into them (there was a Rice Krispies commercial filming across the street from my building and you would have thought that they were filming the next Spiderman).

5. Shows that make me laugh out loud: I love to laugh and any movie or television show that can tickle my funny bone is okay in my book. My favorite shows that make me laugh are Boston Legal and The Office. When I started thinking about them, they are really very similar (although you wouldn't see it at first). Of course, there's the obvious: both shows are set in offices (one at a law firm and the other a paper company). But both shows are so funny because they fully invest in quirky off-beat characters who consistently behave in absurd yet sympathetic ways. Boston Legal has Denny Crane and Jerry Espenson and The Office has Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute. I also am loving Dirty Sexy Money for the same reasons.

So there's my list of things I'm thankful for. I wish you all a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving this year.