Favorite TV shows return after a summer of reruns

As much as I love to read, I also love a few television shows. When they end for the summer, I don't miss them at first, because I'm busy catching up on my reading, and we spend a lot of time outdoors with our 6-year-old daughter, Tessa. But, come August, I am really ready for them to start back again.

I don't have as many favorite shows as some people I know. But, during the fall, I have three nights a week where I have to watch, or at least, have my digital video recorder set to capture those shows. During the winter months, I have to watch "American Idol" on Tuesday nights. In fact, this show that led us to purchase our DVR, the best invention ever.

My favorite show is "House, M.D." on FOX 17. I think the psychology major in me just wants to psychoanalyze the lead character, Dr. Greg House, for which the show is named. He's anti-social, narcissistic and a drug addict. When the show ended last spring, he was having delusions and hallucinations and had decided to check himself into rehab and a mental hospital.

This season started with what the writers called a mini-movie and featured House in "detox" and then as an in-patient. In case anyone hasn't seen it, I won't give any spoilers, but I was truly moved by this episode. Hugh Laurie, who portrays House, is a gifted actor, and it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes. House is the only show I watch on Monday nights.

Tuesday nights are free for now, but when January rolls around I will be watching "American Idol." I can't wait until it starts back, because I think Ellen DeGeneres will be a wonderful judge.

Wednesdays are my busy days for television. Two of my shows have already started back. One is a truly guilty pleasure, and I hate to even admit I watch it. I like "America's Next Top Model." I know it's trashy, and I know it's mind candy, but I can't help it. I don't miss it if I can help it.

I also watch "Top Chef" on Bravo, which also started back a few weeks ago. I'm not sure why I like this one either. I'm not much of a cook, but I love to eat. Maybe that has something to do with it. I guess I also like watching the contestants squirm when they have to do something they aren't used to, like cooking a gourmet meal over an open campfire.

Another of my all-time favorite shows is "Criminal Minds" on CBS, which helps round out my Wednesday night. I actually came to this show late. I just started watching it earlier this year, so I missed a few seasons. Luckily, Netflix carried them, and I was able to get caught up quickly.

I know why I like this show. It features FBI agents who profile criminals. At one point, I always thought I would like to do something in that field, working with the criminal mind. In fact, if for some reason I can't go to graduate school immediately after I get my bachelor's degree, I am going to try to find a job in the criminal justice field until I can go to graduate school. It also helps that this show has some serious eye candy, too, in the form of Shemar Moore.

Last season, this show ended with a bang when one of the head profilers was seemingly shot by a serial killer he helped capture who later escaped. However, the previews show him wrestling with the killer, so I'm hoping he lives. By the time you read this the season premiere will already have aired, but as of this writing, I have no clue what will happen.

Thursdays feature the show I have been watching the longest -- "Survivor." I started watching the first season, and I haven't missed a season yet. I also haven't missed very many episodes. Again, I think the reason I like this one so much is the psychological aspect of the game. It really is a social game, and I would love to participate one of these days. It started back last week, and Tessa and I watched the season premiere together. She loves it, too, which is kind of funny in a way. She was born on Mother's Day in 2003, and that night, I sat in my hospital bed at Middle Tennessee Medical Center and watched the season finale of the show. I didn't let giving birth get in the way of my favorite show.

So, if Ella decides to come when one of my shows is on, I'll be watching from the hospital, too. Now that I've talked about them all, it seems like a lot, but I don't think five shows a week are really that many, do you?

-- Tamara Belinc is a freelance writer for The Times-Gazette. She can be reached at tambelinc@gmail.com.