Channel Surfing
by Laura Nachman
Bucks County Courier Times
August 10, 2004

As we head into the final month of summer, here are some of my winners of the season.

Winners:

"Last Comic Standing" - NBC - One of the few reality shows that utilizes (gasp) talent, the Jay Mohr series will continue in the fall.

"The Assistant" - MTV - This spoof of reality shows is one of the few times that Andy Dick isn't completely annoying.  As a matter of fact, he's great.  "You're clipped!"

"Amish in the City" - UPN - The network airs almost ten straight minutes of promos to get viewers to watch its other shows, because this is one of the few UPN shows that people are watching.

"The Amazing Race" - CBS - Though Fox bombed earlier this year with "The Littlest Groom," "Race" has struck gold with little-person Charla, my new hero.

Mo Rocca - The dry pundit is everywhere - from the Democratic National Convention on CNN, to VH1's "I Love the 90's," to his own show "Things I Hate About You" on Bravo.

FX - Shows like "Rescue Me" and "Nip/Tuck" are making FX the "HBO" of basic cable.  Plus tons of "90210" reruns, what could be better?

Full House reruns - The lovable Tanners are on two cable networks - Nickelodeon and ABC Family Channel.  When can we have that "Full House" reunion? 

Joe Simpson - The biggest star on MTV is the father/manager of Jessica and Ashlee, who has a big role in "Newlyweds" and "The Ashlee Simpson Show."

"I Love the 90's" - VH1 - The July special earned high ratings for VH1.  How long until "I Love the Millennium?"

Dave Chappelle and Oprah - The Comedy Central star just signed a contract worth 30-million dollars.  Winfrey signed a deal to keep her on the air until 2011 for an estimated 200-million dollars a year.

Tuesdays - The best night of the week with "Blow Out" (now complete), "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," "Nip/Tuck," "The Amazing Race," "Big Brother 5," "Last Comic Standing," and "Sex and the City."

"Sex and the City" - TBS - It's great to see the old episodes, old hairstyles, and accessories (the "Carrie" necklace)!

Next week - the losahs!