Yes, I openly admit it, I am a writer and a reader who also loves TV. I watch way too much of it, and here’s what I’m loving right now:

The one two punch of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. – In my opinion it is the sharpest hour on TV right now, bar none.

Reality TV – Love the classics, such as Survivor and The Amazing Race, but will go on record as one of the few who HATE the All Star versions. Can’t help loving Dancing with the Stars even though it’s cheesy and I know I shouldn’t. (I even voted last season. Yikes!) Finally, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. It’s a guilty pleasure that I know I shouldn’t think is funny, but, I Love You, Kathy! There, I said it.
Update: Dirty Jobs on Discovery Channel --Love Mike Rowe and the endless pleasure he gets out of saying ‘poo.’ Also love how he amuses himself when talking about lube.

Comedies – Alec Baldwin’s personal issues aside, I love 30 Rock. Tina Fey is a smart, funny woman who deserves all of the respect she’s getting right now. And, just for giggles, that guy who plays Kenneth makes me smile every time he’s on the screen. I also love The Office, and, shocker! I’m rooting for Pam and Jim to get together. (I know, I’m such a renegade.) My pick for the sleeper comedy of the last few years is How I Met Your Mother. If you can watch Neil Patrick Harris on that show and not crack up then you don’t have a funny bone. Period.

Dramas – I tend to go for the ones with fantasy elements, such as Heroes. (Prettiest cast on TV, love the Pasdar.) I also love Battlestar Galactica. It’s so much more than just a sci-fi show. House is another favorite. It’s all about Hugh Laurie for me with that one. Last, but certainly not least, is Friday Night Lights. It’s the single best hour of drama on TV right now, and I love the entire cast from top to bottom. I just wish more people would realize that it isn’t about football and give it a chance.
Update: Mad Men on AMC --The lead actor who plays Don Draper in this show is such a find. I can’t take my eyes off him when he’s on the screen. The supporting cast is stellar as well, and the mood and atmosphere of a 1960’s add agency hits beautifully on every note. Torchwood on BBC America --I love everything about this little gem of a show, but most especially adore Capt. Jack Harkness. The kiss he shared with the other ‘Captain Jack’ was hands down the hottest thing on TV in 2007.

A few books on my keeper shelf, in no particular order:

To Love a Dark Lord by Anne Stuart – She gives tortured heroes a whole new level of cynicism and darkness. This is the first book of hers I ever read and it’s still my favorite. I love her.

Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath – I don’t think I’ve ever read a more well written vulnerable hero who just absolutely breaks your heart from page one on. His name is Houston, and if you haven’t met him yet, I implore you to run out and find him, pronto.

The Tin Star by J.L. Langley – Read it and just try not to fall in love with Jamie and Ethan. I dare you.

In My Wildest Dreams by Christina Dodd – Hot, hot sex scenes that also pack a great emotional punch. Just Great.

Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie – This is the first book of Crusie’s that I’d ever read and when I finished it all I could think was, “Wow. I want to be just like her.”

Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas --A must read purely for the hero of the story. I adore all of Lisa Kleypas’s books, so this easily could have been Dreaming of You or Devil in Winter, too. Love the heroes in both of those equally well.

A Lady of the West by Linda Howard --There are some tough scenes in this book, but with three compelling, satisfying romances between the pages, this is a story I go back to again and again.

Also in no particular order. And just a side note, there isn’t going to be anything brand new on this list. I haven’t been to a theater in at least two years.

Pay It Forward – For my money one of the most wonderfully romantic movies ever. Plus, I’ll watch anything with Kevin Spacey at least once.

Beautiful Thing – Small British movie about two teenage boys who fall in love. It’s not stylized or preachy in any way, just a nice story of new love.

Christmas Vacation – Mindless fun, but the saucer scene still makes me laugh every time I see it. Also, if I don’t watch it at least once during the holiday season I feel as though there’s something important I’m forgetting to do.

Brokeback Mountain –The only thing that would have made it better is a happy ending. I’m just sappy that way.

White Palace – For me, James Spader has never been better or more heart wrenching than in this film. It’s a really good little movie.

I tend to skew old school where music is concerned.

I am a true kid of the eighties and early nineties, so give me anything from those old MTV days and I’m generally happy. It can be anything from Guns-n-Roses Appetite for Destruction, to U2’s The Joshua Tree. I will say that my favorite soundtrack of all time is Empire Records. It was a so-so movie, but the CD is exceptional. Strangely enough, when I write, I always have CMT or GAC playing very softly in the background. For some reason I find country music to be very soothing and it allows me to focus when I sit down at my computer to write. Go figure.

Other stuff I love:

Hockey – Something about it turns me on, in particular hockey goaltenders. I enjoy football and baseball as well, and I make it a point to keep up with my local Tampa Bay teams.

Ice-cold apple juice – We stop drinking it when we grow up and I don’t really know why. Make it a point to try it again and just see if your taste buds don’t thank you for it.

Giving a little bit of something every month to charity – It can be hard when times are lean, but it always makes me feel good when I write a check, even if on some months it can only be ten dollars. (Trust me, I’m not rich…yet. I have big plans though. Do you hear me Publishers Clearing House, Lotto, Deal or No Deal… Somebody? …Anybody?) My most recent fave is the RED campaign, but I also love Habitat For Humanity, America’s Second Harvest, Heifer Project International. If you’re not sure I don’t think you can ever go wrong with Oprah’s Angel Network. She covers a wide variety of bases with that organization, and I love that every single penny of your donation goes directly to the cause.

The Internet - I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it. It’s as simple as that.

Great friends who are always there for you – This is for my Gold Crown Gang. B, J, J, J, M, and C. Most of you will never see this, but that’s all right. It was important for me to acknowledge your friendship. We’ve managed to stay connected when others did not, and that makes us all pretty damn special.
 

Go to the 'Tell me about you’ page and share some of your favorites. I’m always looking to discover something new. This page will be added to quarterly, so check back often!

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