My workout playlist

A lot of people love to listen to music to get into their workout, but the thing that most takes me out of my head is some good TV. Now I can't just watch anything. Nothing too boring -- I love "What Not to Wear," but it is clearly designed to be watched while reading a magazine or talking on the phone. And trying to concentrate on "Battlestar" or "The Wire" while keeping my heart rate up is just impossible. Shows like that deserve greater attention.

There are three types of shows that have that perfect blend of interesting and easy. I don't think so hard that I forget I'm supposed to be working out and I'm not so bored that I find myself flipping channels and slowing my pace to read show descriptions.

LADIES WITH SUPERNATURAL PROBLEMS:
Right now, that means "Drop Dead Diva." It's a charming show about an aspiring model who is killed in an accident only to discover that it's not her time and be put back in the body of a similarly deceased plus size attorney. Who happens to work at the model's fiance's firm. And the only people who know her secret are her sweet, supportive BFF and her guardian angel Fred. Shut up. It's a good show. Last night it actually made me tear up and slow down. And Elliot Gould was a guest star. What, you think you're too good for Elliot Gould? Pish.

Another alternative in this genre is "Being Erica," which I LOVED. It's a Canadian import that got its American debut on... Oxygen? Lifetime? Soapnet? I can't remember, but it's awesome. Erica is a thirty something screw up with tons of regrets about the past and she's given the opportunity to fix these regrets by going back to certain days in her past and doing them over. Things work out pretty well until she impulsively stops her brother from dying and totally effs up the future. The show just got ten Gemini nominations and the second season should be coming soon.

DVD workout options: "Wonderfalls" and "Dead Like Me"

QUIRKY CRIME SOLVERS:
"Psych" is enjoyable, but that's because of the likability and chemistry of the cast, not because of it's intricate plotting. That's why it's perfect for a workout. I enjoy the banter and the loose silliness without dwelling on the weird coincidences that follow Shawn and Gus around like a thick, affable fog. Other quirky crime solvers I like to get sweaty with: Richard Castle of "Castle" and Sheriff Carter from "Eureka," though he's less quirky and more the straight man in the town that quirk built.

TEEN SHOWS:
It's no secret that I love teen shows. I can't help it. And ABC Family Channel (minus that unwatchable "Secret Life" dreck) is fantastic. "Make It or Break It" is like "Stick It" meets "One Tree Hill." It's about a squad of Olympic hopeful gymnasts and their families. And since the athletes in questions are teen girls, there's lots of drama, though if I'm being honest, the viciousness has gone downhill since bitchy Lauren rigged a vault, causing an accident that could have paralyzed underdog Emily. But there's still catfighting and boyfriend-stealing and lots of flippy gymnastics moves. What's not to love?

Also on ABC Family, "Greek" is returning in September. When last we saw the denizens of CRU, Cappie and Casey were on the verge of finally getting it together and admitting their love, Evan was less evil than he'd been all season, Rusty still hadn't scared off his girlfriend and Dale being pressured into premarital relations by a full-on cougar. Also, Jesse McCartney seemed to have disappeared and no one missed him at all. If you haven't given this show a chance, you really should. Whether you were Greek or not, it's a nice look back at college and with it's racially diverse cast and frank depiction of gay and lesbian relationships, it's actually pretty progressive.

Greek: Separation Anxiety

Last night, my bff/college roomie/hetero-lifemate Mac called and said "Do you remember how we used to IM each other from across the room? They're totally doing it on Greek." This is a variation on a conversation we frequently have about the show. “Remember when drinking before noon (on a week day) was socially acceptable?” “Remember theme parties?” “Remember when our friends took pharmaceutical psychostimulants to study for tests and didn't OD'd or get caught in order to teach us a lesson about life?” You get the idea: We miss college.

And this show, like college, is all about grey area. As much as I love me some teen melodrama, it's nice to see a show that presents the collegiate experience the way I remember it. And since I went to a very preppy Southern school, yes, many of my peers were that attractive and stylish.

The recent storyline about Ashleigh and Casey's faltering friendship really took me back. There were times in college when I found myself wanting to shepherd a friend away from a less-than-worthy suitor. And like Casey, I learned that imposing ones idea of perfection on ones friends rarely leads to a “Thanks You,” but more often to a forced look at ones own screwed up love life. What Case hasn't learned yet is that obnoxious college boyfriends often turn into husbands and people are more likely to side with a spouse than a bossy friend. Also, if you've protested too much, you end up seeming like a total cooze at the wedding.

Disclaimer: Mac did not marry a Travis. She married a Rusty in Evan's clothing. I think that comparison just got weird. I apologize.

Lonelygirl15 goes legit

Just like the Blair Witch before her, I knew Lonelygirl15's Bree was fake before I watched a second of footage. After reading the LA Times article, I watched a handful of episodes, was impressed with the new model for entertainment and then basically forgot about her. Then I heard Jessica Rose, the actress who played Bree, was in I Know Who Killed Me and I thought, "Good for her." Then I thought, "Wait. Now she's been exposed to Lohan. Maybe not so good."

Well Rose survived that experience and now she's got the recurring role of Zeta Beta pledge (and Rusty love interest!) Jen K. on Greek. Her fizzy energy is perfect for a character who's chatty awkwardness successfully plays down her beauty. And all that time confessionalizing to a web cam seems to have given her an appealingly unselfconscious style of delivery.

Overthinking TV

So I was watching Greek the other day, enjoying a fun episode about date parties and sex, and I noticed nods to both Grey’s Anatomy and Ugly Betty. Not surprising since they’re both on ABC, Greek’s parent channel. What struck me as strange was that Grey’s Anatomy was referenced as a show that the characters watch, while Mode, Ugly Betty’s employer, was referenced as a magazine that everyone reads. Following that logic, Ugly Betty and Greek exist in the same universe. Spencer could be Betty’s summer intern. Zaniness could ensue.

Over on The N, things get even stickier. Aubrey Graham and Stacey Farber of Degrassi appeared as themselves on an episode of Instant Star. So in the universe of Instant Star, Degrassi is a popular Canadian show. But on a recent episode of Degrassi, the characters were singing a Jude Harrison song at Karaoke. So in the universe of Degrassi, Jude’s a rockstar. Logically those scenarios should negate one another and the Epitome Pictures back lot should implode, leaving a blackhole in the middle of Toronto. Though logically, I shouldn’t think this deeply about a show that isn't Lost.

Similar Show Smackdown: Greek vs. The Best Years

Both shows are about college, but the similarities don't stop there! They each feature a campus celebrity, a token black dude, a shaggy lothario with a heart of gold and a girl who gets into a sorority despite mugging down with the boyfriend of one of her future sisters. So who will win in this cable TV fight-to-the-death?
Rusty and Casey, the brother/sister stars at the forefront of Greek, are pretty damn perfect. They have a sweet sibling chemistry that I really buy and I'm already invested in the variety of characters that fill out their lives. I love the subtext-laden, but all smiles talk that Casey had with the pledge who unapologetically screwed Casey's boyfriend as well as the loyalty of Rusty's new brothers. Sure they kept him up all night doing light gardening in the backyard, but they're not going to let him flunk a pre-requisite for his major. Some of the sorority girls are a little cartoonish (mostly the president), but for the most part, Greek's an honest portrayal of the college life I experienced (though for the record, I was not in a sorority).

Other things I was not in college: a former foster child who witnessed and was tempted to cover up a death on the first day of school. The Best Years had an impressive pilot, but the following episodes have been a little on the meh side. The wad has been blown on the will they/won’t they relationship between Samantha and Devon. I’m dreading the future storylines that revolve around a couple that I actively dislike as a pair. I suppose it’s asking too much for our heroine to notice a sweetie like Noah, who despite looking 30, has won my heart. Who else do I love against my better judgment? Dawn and Trent with their actual will they/won’t they tension. And now that Kathryn’s ceased her inexplicable war against Samantha, maybe she won’t make me wanna gouge my own eyes out.

Here's what it comes down to, kids: honestly good TV vs. Canadian(?) Teenage Melodrama. I love both, but while I’m watching The Best Years for the veiled references to and guest appearances by cast members of Degrassi, I'll be watching Greek because I’m genuinely want to spend time with these characters.

No More TV Wasteland

Remember back in the day when summer meant non-stop reruns? Sure, that gave you a chance to get caught up on shows you didn't watch the first time around, but now we have TV on DVD and the summer's chalk-full of brand new content. Here's a sample of what I'll be watching:

Army Wives - June 3 - Lifetime's new drama looks like a prime guilty pleasure waiting to happen.

Kyle XY (pictured) - June 11 - I'm watching the first season on ABC Family's website right now and I can't wait to further unravel the mystery of the bellybutton-less boy.

The 4400 - June 17 - Will Season Four of USA's convoluted drama be as addictive as the first three? I'm counting on it.

The Closer - June 18 - Kyra Sedgwick's back for what will no doubt be another incredibly satisfying season of TNT's high-rated procedural.

Degrassi: The Next Generation and The Best Years - June 29 - Wild boars couldn't keep me away from the new season of Degrassi. The N's new college drama The Best Years looks okay-ish, but will get at least one courtesy viewing for following something involving Spinner.

Greek - July 9 - Now ABC Family's new college drama from the producers of Wildfire looks like something I could get behind...

Monk - July 13 - USA. Nuff said.

My Boys - July 30 - Remember this? It was on TBS. It was pleasant. There was a cliffhanger kiss with the cute former roommate... What? I wanna see how it turns out.