Recliner, blanket, dog, TV

I’m not much of a television watcher because A) I always seem to have a list of more important things that need doing and B) I have a really hard time staying up past 9 p.m. So sad. But true.

Winter finds me watching a lot more TV than I do during the summer and I admit I’ve got a couple of serious series addictions going on. Snuggling down with a blanket, a mug of cocoa, Phoenix (if and when he's tired) and the latest adventures of FBI profilers and homicide detectives is a great way to spend a cold winter’s night.

I watch TV for pure entertainment, so my list isn’t exactly filled with intellectual, highbrow stuff. (We don’t have cable or a satellite dish — what a surprise — so we’re basically limited to the network channels and a few extra digital stations. That's fine. I'm easily entertained.)

One of my favorites is “Criminal Minds.” Okay, this show is dark and violent and disturbing and makes me wonder if any of our neighbors might be serial killers but the good guys always catch the bad guys in the end and I can reassure myself that most people are not psychotic killers who hide bodies in the basement. I want computer skills like Garcia’s and a memory like Reed’s.

“NCIS” is lighter version of “Criminal Minds.” The body count usually isn't as high. Again, the good guys always win. Best part is Agent Ziva David’s frequent twisting of the English language.

My favorite addiction is “Grimm.” Back in the day, I took a college course on fairy tales (yeah, seriously) and let me tell you, the instructor was totally into his subject and wasted no time explaining that the real Grimm Brothers fairy tales were not all about happily ever after. Many of them were morality tales used to threaten small children into good behavior least they get drug off and eaten by monsters.

The teaser for the NBC series says, “Remember the fairy tales your parents used to tell you before bedtime? Well, those weren’t stories, they were warnings.” Apparently, a large number of people weren’t listening because they get drug off and eaten by monsters on a regular basis in this series. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and if you’re looking for intense, psycho-drama-thriller stuff this probably isn’t for you. If you love shows that are off the beaten path, this one gives a new twist on classic tales along with a laugh and occasional spook. Reminds me a bit of the Anita Blake vampire hunter series by Laurel Hamilton, minus the porn (if you read any of her stuff, you know what I mean.) Plus the scenery is enjoyable on a number of different levels.

The Farmer watches it, too. Or more exactly, he watches me watching it and yells “BOO!” when he thinks it’s appropriate. I’m wise to him now so I don’t jump anymore. Or at least not quite as high. It disturbs Phoenix.

Finally, “Three and a Half Men.” The show has changed since Charlie Sheen had his crack-up and left the series but how can I not watch Homestead’s own Ashton Kutcher? More eye candy. It’s still a very goofy and irreverent show and exactly what my deadline-fried brain needs by the time I get home from work on Monday night.

To tell the truth, I’m not good at sitting still for very long, so an hour of TV is about my limit for one night. Once warm weather gets here, I’ll end up taping things or watching on-line (yippee, a new bonus of having high speed internet access!)