This will be the first in a (hopefully) long line of posts designed to expand the horizons of my dear readers. Yes, both of you. There are some things in this world that are so awesome, they simply must be shouted out to in the blogosphere. In this season of striking T.V. writers, it seems appropriate to begin with what just might be (all apologies to THE OFFICE) the cleverest show on T.V.

30 ROCK, as you may or may not be aware, is the brainchild of Tina Fey, former SNL writer and quite possibly the funniest woman on the planet. The show is so great because it's got something for everyone. There are plenty of topical jokes that will make the kids chuckle, and there are also several very sly references slipped into each episode that only those with a sophisticated sense of humor (or that at least think they do) will get. What other show set in 2007 makes a (funny!) Haldeman reference? I know my dad will be the only one that even knows what I'm talking about there.

30 ROCK is so brilliant that it's difficult to describe. I urge you to go to nbc.com, where they have full episodes you can watch for free. Yep, free! Relive the moment when Tracy, in his best mentor voice, instructs young Kenneth to "Live every week...like it's Shark Week." Then there was the time Jack read a critic's review of his family's brand of wine that stated that it tasted like "...the urine of Satan after a hefty portion of asparagus." Or who could forget the time a frustrated Jenna declared "If the president is so serious about the war on terror, why doesn't he hunt down and capture Barack Obama before he strikes again?"

Watch it. Love it. Tell your friends.

As you’ve probably heard, the WGA (Writers Guild of America) is on strike because of a disagreement with movie and television producers over royalties and residuals (read: $$$). What this means to you and me is that the T.V. studios are rapidly running out of scripts, and our favorite shows will soon be off the air, if they aren’t already. What will be left are reality and game shows, whose writers aren’t members of the Guild.

As an aspiring WGA member, I feel it my duty to support the writers. However, as a television viewer (I love The Office, House, and 30 Rock), I feel obligated to offer some few programming suggestions to the studios as they struggle with what to put on the air.

ABC

Are You Edible?
A daring reality show that invites professional cannibal chefs to sample brave viewers and inform them of their level of “scrumptiousness”. Watch out for the zesty wit of Nuwandubumppu, the “Simon Cowell of cannibalism”. Television has never been so tasteful.


CBS

CSI: Santaquin
A gritty look at the crack team of crime solvers in central Utah’s thriving metropolis. Be amazed as they use the latest technology to solve the mystery of Nephi Smith’s missing cat (SPOILER! It was under the porch) and Sariah Rockwell’s rickets (SPOILER! Lack of sunlight).


NBC

Are You Smarter Than Ben Bernanke?
Twelve aspiring capitalists compete to see who can bring the country to financial ruin the fastest. The most unqualified contestant becomes the new chairman of the Federal Reserve, with President Bush rewarding their incompetence with his trademark, “You’re hired!”


FOX

Oedipus Island
You thought your family had problems! The “mother” of all reality shows.


The CW

Heaven help you; I have nothing for you. I doubt anyone’s noticed that nobody’s writing your shows anymore. (Are you listening, Gossip Girl? XO! XO!)