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I’ve been watching a lot of TV lately and have come to the conclusion that network TV is good again. I was a major skeptic after the writer’s strike. All of the major networks (FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS) have me captivated by at least one show this season. And although I often watch online, or on demand, I make sure to stay on top of the latest episodes.

First up…

New Girl

From the pilot episode I was captured. I watched the pilot on demand before it premiered and I was laughing uncontrollably. I actually watched it two times in a row. Jess is unapologetically unique and isn’t afraid of going against the grain. From the looks of things, she’s been that way her whole life. She’s a girl that will break out into a goofy song and doesn’t give a damn. But her warm hearted spirit and child-like innocence can easily be misconstrued. What I love most about Jess is that despite her bubbly persona, she isn’t afraid to keep it real. She can call out her friends/roommates on their shortcomings and deliver a heavy-dose of reality with a spoonful of sugar.

Smash

According to my twitter timeline, it’s like Glee for grownups. Although I’ve never given Glee a chance, something about Smash had me captivated from the beginning. Maybe it’s because based on a Broadway show about America’s favorite bombshell, Marilyn Monroe. Not to mention, Katharine McPhee’s voice is a force. But that’s no shade to the rest of the cast, because the songs are amazeballs and as of May 1st, “The Music of Smash” can officially be copped on iTunes. I’m not really sure who the breakout star is on this show. Whether you’re a diva or not, no one gets everything they want. One bad performance can move you from being the star of the show to the end of the chorus line. Hands down this is a show filled with showbiz drama and good music. Win.

GCB

Good Christian Bitches. My bestie told me I would love this show and boy was she right! Centered on a reformed mean girl who is forced to return home (Dallas, TX) to the open & often critical arms her incredibly wealthy mother. Amanda Vaughn had a cheating husband who was indicted for a Ponzi scheme then killed in a freak(y) car accident. But despite life’s challenges, Amanda is ready to turn over a new leaf. The only problem is the group of gals whose adolescence she all but ruined are now atop Dallas’ social ladder waiting to make Amanda’s life a living hell; not unlike the torture she inflicted upon them in high school. Each of the GCBs has is full of snarky comments, maintains an outlandish lifestyle, and has a killer wardrobe. Top it off with a healthy dose of scripture to justify their crazy antics and its laughs and drama for days. LOVE THIS SHOW!

Scandal

You’d have to be under a rock if you haven’t heard of ABC’s new powerhouse drama airing right after my favorite show of all time. Olivia Pope is a woman that makes things happen. Good or bad, she’s well connected enough to put a spin on a situation to prevent and/or manage a scandal for her high-profile clients. It’s not just her job that’s intriguing, Olivia’s humanness & femininity make me adore her all the more. When her affair with the President of the United States was revealed, it made perfect sense. A woman with that much swagger has to be enthralled by the most powerful man in the world. What I love more is her grace and poise in his presence. You could tell from episode one that she was weak for him, and would only succumb when she was vulnerable. I’m excited about the mysterious plot points and how they’ll play out. Only four episodes in and Scandal has definitely got my attention.

How I Met Your Mother

Now in its seventh season, I’m very late in jumping on the How I Met Your Mother bandwagon. But once I got hooked, there was no turning back. Thanks @Netflix. On the surface, HIMYM is yet another sitcom with a group of singles & newlyweds living, loving & sexing their way around NYC. The show is funny, relevant, and insanely accurate when it comes to the rules of dating and modern relationships. It’s also nice knowing that the story ends well, but the adventure of getting there is half the fun. All the while we get to know some really dope characters. Ted Mosby is the love-seeking eternally optimistic architect. Marshall Eriksen is the eccentric Midwestern “good guy” lawyer. Lily Aldrin is a meddlesome shopaholic yet pure-hearted teacher. Robin Scherbatsky is a commitment phobic, career oriented journalist, dubbed honorary bro. Barney Stinson often upstages as the narcissistic blogger, know-it-all playboy/corporate thug. By far, the funniest show I’ve seen on CBS in very long time & I can’t wait for more.

I can willingly admit that my perception of network TV has certainly been changed. I was starting to think think reality shows were on track to be the status quo in television. But I’m glad to see creative writing and good production are still a strong presence in network prime time. For so long, I thought only HBO & Showtime knew how to produce great shows. It’s good to see that I was wrong.