I want you to pull out your weapon, and shoot Admiral Cain in the head. With that command, Battlestar Galactica’s first episode of season 2B (or 3, if you count like a normal person) came to end. Damn, what an episode. The original “Battlestar Galactica”, if you remember, was a terrible rip off of Star Wars that had a short run on NBC back in 1978-79. Well, forget about that version. I thought it was cool when I was 5 but it does not hold up well. The current show stars Edward James Olmos (Commander William Adama), Mary McDonnell (President Laura Roslin), James Bamber (Apollo), Katie Sackhoff (Starbuck), and James Callis (Baltar). The premise of both BSG’s are the same yet the execution of the shows are light years apart. (geeky pun alert!)

“Galactica” is the best show on televison and yet I find myself watching it by myself every week. Why? The curse of science fiction, that’s why. My wife and I watch Lost, 24, My Name is Earl, and other shows together, but when it comes to watching BSG, she wrinkles up her nose and walks out of the room. This is the fault of Trekkies and every bad sci fi show that sprung up in after Kirk first filled the big chair. She was nice enough to at least listen to my description of “Galactica.” “Tiffanie, Cylons attacked the human home world, Caprica, and the Battlestar Galactica, a really big spaceship, has to flee and protect the last remnants of their civilization while searching for the legend of Earth!” Yeah, the look on her face was a combination of sadness and genuine regret that she shares a bed with me. She’s not wrong to be suspicious of my hidden geek tendencies. I did watch every episode of Star Trek: Enterprise. However, I’ve never tried to get her to watch the truly dorky shows I enjoy. In return, she does not ask me to watch 7th Heaven or Real World/Road Rules Challenge. A married couple needs separate flat screens to keep the marriage happy. With “Battlestar Galactica” though, I think she’s missing out on a wonderful show but I can’t seem to convince her this isn’t Babylon 5.

Does anybody else have a problem convincing their wife or girlfriend to watch this show? Unlike other sci fi shows, the writing carries this show; not the three-breasted green alien from the planet Sluttica. In fact, I don’t even consider BSG science fiction anymore. It’s better than that. So, with the third season underway, I think I’m going to push the show on my wife one more time. Unfortunately, I have a feeling I’ll be watching it alone again next week. Drop me a line at matt@cinemablend.com if you have a better strategy than focusing on the good looks of the male stars. Edward James Olmos, HAWT!

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What to Watch (1/15 to 1/28)

Sunday January 15

24 (FOX) 8:00 EST PM (2 hours)
7:00-8:00 AM, 8:00-9:00 AM ( Season 5 premiere)- An assassination rocks the nation as President Logan prepares to sign an arms and mutual defense treaty with Russia. Yeah, but why do you need a treaty when you have a one man wrecking crew named Jack Bauer?

Monday January 16

24 (FOX) 8:00 EST PM (2 hours)
9:00-10:00 AM, 10:00-11:00AM- Jack is still on the run, but attempts to follow the leads he’s discovered on a terror threat involving Russian separatists. The over/under on Jack uttering “DAMMIT” is currently at 4. Get your bets in by 7:59.

Tuesday January 17

Scrubs (ABC) 9:00 & 9:30 EST (2 episodes)
My New God- Dr. Cox’s born-again sister tests her brother’s faith when she visits for her nephew’s baptism. Meanwhile, Turk and Carla try to conceive a child! Hilarity ensues, most likely!

My Missed Perception- A seriously ill senior decides to drop J.D. as her doctor and switch to Dr. Cox after J.D. wrongly concludes she’s at peace with dying. Other things happen which jeopardize everyone’s accreditation.

Boston Legal (ABC) 10:00 PM EST
Helping Hands-Daniel Post (Michael J. Fox) offers his services to Denise in a harassment case; Shore has hands full with Jerry’s defense and Crane’s wedding plans. This is a weekly must normally but with Fox back on TV, don’t dare miss it!

Wednesday January 18

Lost (ABC) 9:00 PM EST
The Hunting Party- Jack, Locke and Sawyer pursue Michael into the jungle as he searches for Walt. Will he find the Others instead? Meanwhile, Sun reacts surprisingly to Jin’s desire to join the search party; Hurley and Charlie commiserate about “what women want”; The backstory involves Jack. All this serious stuff and we have the fat guy and the hobbit wondering why they can’t get laid? Oh you J.J. Abrams, you!

War That Made America (PBS) 10:00 EST (2 Hours)
A Country Between; Unlikely Allies (Debut)- Reenactments are used in this two-part look at the French and Indian War which includes the importance of Indians during the conflict that helped spur the American Revolution. Graham Greene narrates. (Part two airs 1/25) Wow, you weren’t expecting something educational were ya? Well, Invasion sucks, so too bad!

Thursday January 19

My Name is Earl (NBC) 9:00 EST
Stole P’s HD Cart-Earl helps reopen a hot-dog cart that used to be an institution in Camden County before he and Ralph stole it after being paid $200 to do so by a larger competitor. I don’t care what’s happening as long as Randy and Crabman are in it.

Without a Trace (CBS) 10:00 EST
Patient X- A therapist vanishes and the team suspects one of her former patients, whose identity is unknown, is responsible. Um, this is the description for each week. Just put blank lines instead of ‘therapist’ and ‘patients’.

Friday January 20

Besides, Battlestar Galactica, I can’t in good conscience recommend anything on this night. Take your wife out to eat or something you lazy bum. Make sure to be home before…

Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi) 10:00pm EST
Epiphanies- President Laura Roslin orders the termination of the cylon pregnancy while death draws near. Meanwhile, a group of Cylon sympathizers endangers the fleet. Frackin’ sympathizers! Sorry, I just wanted to say frack.

Saturday January 21

Saturday Night Live (NBC) 11:30 EST
Peter Sarsgaard hosts; The Strokes perform- It’s Saturday Night. If you are at home, at least act cool and watch the show that is about 2 years removed from anything remotely good (except for the Narnia rap. Gold, Jerry, Gold!). Hire Billy Beyrer already!

Sunday January 22

AFC Championship Game (CBS) 3:00 EST
Pittsburgh battles Denver for the right to go to Detroit for the Super Bowl. Detroit. Um, are shoulder pads bullet proof?

NFC Championship Game (FOX) 6:30 EST
Carolina plays Seattle for the NFC title. The winner goes to Detroit and gets hit with an octopus when the Red Wings score a goal.

Monday January 23

How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8:30 EST
Drumroll Please- At a wedding, there’s instant attraction between Ted and a woman. Both agree to preserve the evening in memory by not exchanging names of numbers, but Ted falls too hard to let it go and tries to find out her identity. Forget Ted, what’s Barney gonna do?

24 (FOX) 9:00 EST
Day 5: 11:0 AM-12:00 Noon- CTU tries to find a mole in the midst, and a suspect hiding among the hostages at the airport introduces a harrowing new element to the terrorist equation. It’s nice too see Samwise Gamgee joining network television. Over/Under on “DAMMIT” stays at 4 this week.

Tuesday January 24

American Idol (FOX) 8:00 EST (2 hours)
Auditions/Greensboro, NC- I can only recommend this terrible show to watch the auditions. I’m sure they are mostly fake but I need a good laugh.

Boston Legal (ABC) 10:00 EST
Too Much Information Denise takes on an HMO in a privacy-invasion case that resulted in murder; Shore comes to the rescue when Catherine’s cries for help manifest in a crime spree; and Brad gets the firm’s blessing to drive a wedge between Crane and Beverly. As long as Shatner keeps bedding women, hawking dvds, and shooting paintballs, I’m gonna keep him on my cool guy list.

Wednesday January 25

Jamie Foxx: Unpredictable (NBC) 8:00 EST
Foxx performs with Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Angie Stone, Snoop Dogg, The Game, and Common in this music special which will feature dramatic vignettes about the actor-singer’s life. Seriously, this is going to be hilariously bad or pretty damn good. I’m hoping for a trainwreck.

Lost (ABC) 9:00 EST
Fire + Water- Locke suspects that Charlie’s back on drugs when Charlie’s surreal dreams lead him to believe Claire’s baby, Aaron, is in danger. Sawyer encourages Hurley to put the moves on Libby. We get more of Charlie’s back story and maybe some hot Hurley action. Um, that doesn’t sound good at all.

War That Made America (PBS) 10:00 EST (2 Hours)
Turning the Tide; Unintended Consequences- This is the conclusion of the two part special. After three years of warfare, the tide turns in favor of the British. Gosh, I wonder how this ends? Invasion still sucks so you might as well finish the special.

Thursday January 26

My Name is Earl (NBC) 9:00 EST
Monkeys in Space- Earl only has a limited amount of time to make up for ruining the birthday party of Hank Lange, an old friend who is about to serve a 20-year prison term. Meanwhile, Randy decides to get a job after Joy calls him a mooch. My 6 year old daughter loves this show. Please don’t report me to the Department of Family and Children’s Services.

The Office (NBC) 9:30 EST
The Carpet- Michael questions the loyalty of his staffers when someone defiles his carpet, so he then treies to bond with them by relocating Jim’s desk in the main office area. This version is better than the British one. USA! USA!

Friday January 27

Battlestar Galactica (Sci-Fi) 10:00 EST
Black Market- Lee is appointed to investigate a black market operation within the fleet after (SPOILER DELETED) is murdered in his quarters. Just watch the damn show, will ya? I promise you that watching the Sci-Fi Channel will not hinder your dating chances. (It ain’t gonna help though).

Saturday January 28

Road to Perdition (ABC) 8:00 EST
I don’t normally watch movies on network TV but there is nothing else on. This movie is underrated though. Tom Hanks is a family man/killer who goes on the run from his mob boss (Paul Newman).




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Tell me what to watch! If you have a TV show that I need to watch, me. I’ll watch the show and you’ll get to see your words in lights!
Well, no lights. Maybe italics. If the show is really good, maybe bold! Yeah!