What are we watching?

Over the weekend, I stumbled upon a new show on MTV called Parental Control. The premise is that parents finally get a say in who their son or daughter dates. The parents send their child on two blind dates in hopes that he or she will choose one of them and dump his or her girlfriend. In the episode I saw, the son chose to stay with his girlfriend who bickered with his mom constantly. Needless to say, mom was disappointed that he didn't choose the girl she picked for him. It seems like an alright show, typical MTV fare perfect to catch on a rainy weekend marathon in between episodes of Laguna Beach and Real World/Road Rules Challenge, but MTV kills me with all this reality programming...where are the "music videos?"

I was torn last night between watching North Country with Charlize Theron on HBO, and catching the season premieres of Cold Case and Desperate Housewives. From what I saw of Cold Case, it's definitely coming back strong. Desperate Housewives looks like it's finally returning to the confident swagger of the first season. Susan didn't annoy me as much as usual and her scene with a comatose Mike in this hospital bed was poignant. Bree's sexual awakening was hilarious, and all too real, as a majority of women never reach "the promised land" or it takes years to get there, as in Bree's case. Bree seems to have the worst luck with men - now her fiancé is accused of murdering his wife, and I believe it. Lynette's deft handling of her husband's baby mama is a cautionary tale for anyone even thinking of dating or marrying a man with kids - DON'T!

So far this season, the penis count is two-for-two. Last week it was Mayor Royce; this week, Omar. What can I say about The Wire that hasn't already been said? It's the best show on TV. Last night's episode didn't disappoint. The neighbors scurrying away in fear from Omar on his cereal run to the corner store was all the more ironic given that he was unarmed...unfortunately the gun didn't go with this outfit. McNulty's turnaround from bad to good is becoming a bit disturbing. I think that there's more to that 180 degree turn than meets the eye. And, while he's playing daddy to his girlfriend's kids, where are his own sons? Prez is in so way over his head with these students. I think Prez represents the viewing audience who is also watching in awe and stunned by what these children are capable of. Marlo is such a charismatic young fellow, and I see Michael as his protégé in the making. I fear, yet can't wait to see what happens, when Marlo and Michael link up. It's inevitable. I feel kind of bad for Bodie, but he can't hold it down on his own. He too may have to join forces with Marlo. I'm glad "Amsterdam" Colvin is back and I feel that he represents the intentions of The Wire's producers, who know that the best way to understand why drugs, violence and crime is so prevalent in the ghetto is to look beyond the current crop of drug dealers and gang bangers - they're already lost. Any hope rests on the shoulders of the younger kids in middle school and junior high, and to get to them before they turn to life on the streets. My heart literally broke when Dukie turned his little fan to blow on the face of the girl who slashed the face of her fellow student who had been taunting and teasing her. While everyone is busy tending to the victim, only Dukie pays attention to the angry girl. Perhaps he wishes he had the strength and courage to do what she did.