What's On Tonight?

I'm actually not a big TV person. When I do watch TV, I usually catch up on some news or whatever is on the Discovery Channel or the History Channel. But there are a few shows that I get really excited about when September rolls around. Being able to sit down on the same night (or DVR it) and watch the progression of a story can be very enjoyable. While none of the new shows debuting this fall season interest me, a couple of my old favorites are returning once again to a TV near you.

Another project by J. J. Abrams, Fringe follows FBI Agent Olivia Dunham as she investigates a series of strange events known as the Pattern. From mutated animals to viruses that turn your skin clear - there is no limit to the odd and dangerous situations that Dunham finds herself in. Its reminiscent of the X-Files yet you can see a bit of Lost mixed in as well. Mostly dealing with pseudo-science like time travel, mind control, and alternate universes - Fringe is a great fix for my sci-fi geek needs and is presented with a sense of realness that makes the show more compelling. While some of the events are down right ridiculous, Fringe has always been enjoyable and I look forward to see what happens after season 2 ended with one gigantic cliff-hanger.

My favorite show on TV has always been Criminal Minds which follows a fictional department of the FBI known as the Behavioral Analysis Unit or BAU. Their job is to get into the heads of killers and use their profiling skills to track down and arrest them. Most of the episodes are self-contained, making Criminal Minds easy to watch even if you have missed an episode or two yet each episode still highlights one member of the team and helps expand and evolve that character. Unfortunately, this year CBS has decided to get rid of two key members of the BAU. I don't know what they were thinking, Criminal Minds has always had one of the highest ratings for CBS so why they think they must fix something that is not broke is beyond me. Some fans have even gone as far to blame Charlie Sheen for demanding more money to stay with CBS's sitcom Two and a Half Men, resulting in budget shortages among the other shows. Whether this is true or not, I'm not sure but I am definitely disappointed that NBC chose to tinker with an already tight and great cast. Hopefully, this will not ruin my favorite show on TV. With the sixth season set to start, only time will tell if CBS's decision was the right one.

As for what I've been watching this summer, the only show that really caught my attention and kept me watching was ABC's The Gates - another TV show with Vampires. Unlike some of the other shows on, the Gates fills a nice void in the Vampire trend - it's not overly violent or filled with sex like True Blood yet it has a more mature storyline than Vampire Diaries. Taking place in a private community, the Gates follows the new police chief as he learns of what really is lurking inside the Gates. From Vampires and Werewolves to evil witches and ghosts - the Gates actually does a good job blending in all of the common folklore monsters with an interesting and modern setting. With the season finale set to air next week, I'm excited to see what's in store for all the members of the Gates. Unfortunately, ABC is notorious for canceling shows after one season, so I'm hoping that the viewership and fan base will be enough to get the Gates a second season. If it does, I'll gladly travel back to see what happens inside this very dangerous private community.