Iko's New Favorite Shows - The Monday Edition

Since it's almost the end of TV season, I figured now was a perfect time to tell you about all the shows I've been loving...just in time for them to go off the air, without you watching a single episode, then getting canceled over the summer because no one watched them. Good work, Iko. Whatever, guys, better late than never. Actually, I think most of them are coming back and you can probably watch some of them online, anyway, so, actually, REALLY good work, Iko.

"The Big Bang Theory"
CBS says:

Leonard and Sheldon are brilliant physicists, the kind of "beautiful minds" that understand how the universe works. But none of that genius helps them interact with people, especially women. All this begins to change when a free-spirited beauty named Penny moves in next door. Sheldon, Leonard's roommate, is quite content spending his nights playing Klingon Boggle with their socially dysfunctional friends, fellow CalTech scientists Wolowitz and Koothrappali. However, Leonard sees in Penny a whole new universe of possibilities... including love.

Iko says: OK, yes, I realize this show has it's problems, namely in the "acting" of a few of it's stars, but I'm willing to overlook this fact, because the show is about science dorks, which is (clearly) what I am, too. I love the science humor and the extreme nerdiness of the four main characters. It reminds me so much of my own work, well, if I actually had other people to interact with in my lab. Plus, it doesn't focus on the Leonard-Penny drama too much, so, extra points for making the unrequited love storyline a B-plot at best. Bonus: Star Johnny Galecki also played the delightfully ridiculous Trouty on one of my favorite summer shows, "My Boys."* Check it out, on CBS, Mondays at 8:00 pm.

"How I Met Your Mother"
CBS Says:

It all started when Ted's best friend, Marshall (Jason Segel), dropped the bombshell that he was going to propose to his longtime girlfriend, Lily (Alyson Hannigan), a kindergarten teacher. At that moment, Ted realized that he had better get a move on if he, too, hopes to find true love. Helping him in his quest is his friend Barney (Neil Patrick Harris), a confirmed bachelor with endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and a foolproof way to meet women. When Ted meets Robin (Cobie Smulders), he's sure it's love at first sight, but destiny has something else in store. The series is narrated through flashbacks from the future.

Iko says: Why didn't I watch this show from the beginning? Actually, I did watch the first few episodes, but got sidetracked by "Prison Break" (whatever, it was season 1 of "Prison Break," the good season) and then kind of forgot about it. But, I've been completely obsessed with it all this season and even bought Season 1 and 2 on DVD, which I've been watching voraciously whenever I get a chance. This is probably my third favorite show period (behind "30 Rock" and "The Office") and, if they don't bring it back next season, I will honestly be heartbroken. It's hysterically funny, poignant without being cheesy or overly obvious about it, and generally made of awesome. The way the show uses time, jumping to the future and showing us things which happened in the past, almost as another character, is really interesting, and the continuity of the show is on point. Just when you think something that's happening is completely random, it's importance is revealed, either by the future or the past, which is such a nice change of pace from other, similar shows. It even remains in my good graces after a ridiculous performance by Britney Spears (and another one set to come). Also, NPH rocks the show, for serious. Please, please watch it so they bring it back next season!! CBS, Mondays at 8:30 pm.


"Samantha Who?"
ABC says:

What if you had the chance to start over, to do it all again? For Samantha Newly (Ms. Applegate), this fantasy becomes a reality after a hit-and-run accident leaves her in an eight-day coma. When she awakens in the hospital, she is surrounded by family and friends. The only problem is that she has no idea who they are - or who she is. In medical terms, Sam has retrograde amnesia, which allows her to fully function in the world but leaves her with no personal memories. Most people would deem this disorder a curse. But Sam may come to call it a miracle.

Iko says: This show has its issues, I'm not going to lie. But I like the cast - Christina Applegate is awesome, I have such a girlcrush on her, and Melissa McCarthy (Sookie, anyone?) rocks, plus, I think it's a really cute show and an interesting idea. I hope the writers can kick it up a notch when they bring it back in the Fall. And, as a bonus for the ladies, Barry Watson is inexplicably attractive in the show. Check it out:

I know, right? What happened to the guy from "7th Heaven?" (Not that I watched that show...) Mondays at 9:30 pm on CBS.

"Bones"
FOX says:

DR. TEMPERANCE BRENNAN (Emily Deschanel) is a highly skilled forensic anthropologist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute in Washington, DC, and writes novels as a sideline. When the standard methods of identifying a body are useless - when the remains are so badly decomposed, burned or destroyed that CSI gives up - law enforcement calls in Brennan for her uncanny ability to read clues left behind in the victim's bones.
Most law enforcement can't handle Brennan's intelligence, her drive for the truth, or the way she flings herself headlong into every investigation. SPECIAL AGENT SEELEY BOOTH (David Boreanaz) of the FBI's Homicide Investigations Unit is the exception. A former Army sniper, Booth mistrusts science and scientists - the "squints," as he calls them, who pore over the physical evidence of a crime. But even he cannot deny that the combination of his people-smarts and Brennan's scientific acumen makes them a formidable team.

Iko syas: Again, jumping on the bandwagon a little late here, this show is currently in season 3. Um, can I just say, David Boreanaz brings the hotness? Seriously. I always liked him on Buffy, but, come the EFF on.

That just isn't right! Also, I love a good mystery drama with a nice spattering of comic relief (and science(!)) thrown in for good measure. It's a drama, without too much of the drama (I'm looking at you CSI) and a great cast with good chemistry. Also, for all you man-hos out there, Emily Deschanel is pretty easy on the eyes, too. Mondays at 8:00 pm on FOX.

I'll combo the Tuesday and Wednesday shows in a future post and, clearly, everyone knows what I'm watching on Thursdays...plus "Ugly Betty." Seriously, watch "How I Met Your Mother." We need to keep it on the air peeps.

*Post on the best summer shows to watch coming soon, like, before they actually start, I promise.