There's nothing better than winding down at the end of the day in front of a favorite primetime television show, the celebrities' faces becoming more familiar than those of family and friends. It is within our favorite programs that we can safely enter a new identity and life (with the added bonus of a nighttime snack).
We can imagine balancing "McDreamy," "McSteamy" and "McVet" while simultaneously saving lives. We can laugh at the small dysfunctional company in Scranton, Pa., because we know firsthand what it's like to work for a boss who doesn't know his left hand from his right. And just when we think our lives are the most complicated, we know it could be worse - we could be lost on an island running from polar bears and the mysterious "others."
Whether it's Meredith Grey choosing between men, Jim Halpert heartbroken and pining for Pam or Jack conducting another surgery with only a needle and thread, almost everyone is obsessed with a show or two. TV has a way of hooking us with comedy and suspense, so that we suddenly find ourselves drooling to know what happens next.
According to students on campus, "Grey's Anatomy," "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "The Office" and "Family Guy" are among the most-watched shows of the season. Re-runs of "Sex and the City" are also at the top of the list.
"'Lost' is my favorite show. I love it and hate it at the same time because they leave you hanging every two seconds," said Bhargav Patel, a junior aerospace engineering major. The show, which airs on ABC Wednesdays at 9 p.m., will be on hiatus until Feb. 7 - it returns with 16 new episodes in a row.
"I love 'Grey's Anatomy.' The relationship problems are easy to get hooked on," said Kristen DeRigge, a freshman sociology major. "George is my favorite character because he's so helpless and pathetic. He tries to be all nice and considerate but gets dumped on all of the time."
Having lovable characters like George from "Grey's Anatomy" keeps fans wanting to come back for more - if only to ensure George, the underdog, finally has something good happen in his life.
"It's so good because they have the drama, comedy and sex all wrapped up into one show," said Gillian Sweny, a freshman communications major.
"Grey's Anatomy," which airs on ABC Thursdays at 9 p.m., is a close contender among students with a show that consists of five desperate women and their problems at home.
"'Desperate Housewives' is my favorite show," said Jason Petrie, a freshman biology major. "It's so dramatic but also so funny how they put individual household problems into the same families."
The quirky stories of each housewife have kept viewers tuned in to ABC Sundays at 9 p.m. for the past three seasons on the edge of their seats, wondering which murderous secrets will be revealed next.
One of the show's competitors is Fox's "Family Guy," which also airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. In their fifth season, Peter and the rest of the Griffin gang are another favorite among UB students.
"Family Guy is so great. It's so funny and the humor is such clever humor," said Brandis Miller, a freshman psychology major.
Who would have thought that a TV show about a talking British baby with plans to take over the world and an intelligent alcoholic dog that's also able to speak would become such a hit? It is proof that the less "normal" the storyline, the better.
"I love the show "Weeds" because it's about a soccer mom who grows weed. It's just so good," said Matt Jagodzinski, a sophomore undecided major. The show, which aired Mondays at 10 p.m. on Showtime, completed its second season Oct. 30, and whether or not there will be a third has yet to be announced.
Re-runs are also among the most-watched programs by UB students, especially "Seinfeld," "Friends," "That 70's Show," "The O.C.," "Arrested Development" and the all time classic, "The Simpsons," to name a few. It can be heartbreaking when a favorite show is taken off the air, but fortunately there are DVD sets available to watch each episode over and over again.
"I loved 'Sex and the City.' It was an amazing show," said Danielle Beech, a freshman undecided major. "Carrie Bradshaw is definitely my favorite character. I would love to have my own column and give advice out to everyone."
Above all, students enjoy shows that make them laugh.
"'The Office' and 'Arrested Development' are my two favorite shows," said Maureen Finn, a junior business major. "I miss 'Arrested Development' but never get sick of the old episodes. I'm glad 'The Office' is still running because I'm a big fan of the Jim/Pam drama."
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
