Why I Don't Study Past 7pm

The wealth of new channels that I've been treated to lately have brought me not only a new way to waste time (flicking from station to station takes much longer than it used to), but they have also brought me two new shows to love. Usually, I don't develop addictions to shows I watch on ACTUAL television. The ads drive me slightly insane, both those that feature in the middle of the show and those in the week leading up to it. Sadly, putting your hands over your ears and humming loudly so the plotline isn't spoiled is not socially acceptable (apparently). But since 7mate, Gem, Go and others have graced my screen, I've become an ACTUAL television convert. This is for two reasons: Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother.

I recently read an article that suggested Big Bang Theory was a show for guys. Sure, the cast is mostly male, but I fundamentally disagree. I don't think it's a show for men. I think it's a show for people that feel just slightly out of the ordinary. In fact, it might even be a celebration of those people. While I adore many shows with an abundance of beautiful and popular people (Gossip Girl, The O.C, One Tree Hill... the list goes on), it is refreshing to come to know and love a cast of characters that are more interested in science than glamourous parties and (gasp!) not always so beautiful. Of course, Penny (Kaley Cuoco) is in some ways the exception. However, even she has her quirks that make her all the more endearing. This show is well worth a look.

For years now, I'd been hearing about this show called How I Met Your Mother. For whatever reason, I never bothered to see what it was like. Probably because it was always on ACTUAL television, and never in a box-set sitting in my loungeroom cupboard. It wasn't until I went killing time on the plane earlier this year that I discovered exactly why this show was so loved. It's a cliche, but the characters are people you can imagine being friends with. Well, except maybe Barney (Neil Patrick Harris). I'm sure we all know many people who think they are Barney, but only on television could there be someone so fabulous. Lily (Alyson Hannigan) and Marshall (Jason Segel) are the couple everyone wants to be, Robyn (Cobie Smulders) is ultra cool and Ted (Josh Radnor) is the lovable hopeless romantic you can't help cheering for. And plus, it's really, really funny. The humour they share is exactly the kind of humour you can imagine sharing with your own goofy friends, and that's what makes it so special.

After becoming a loyal HIMYM fan, I started exploring what the other extra channels had to offer and stumbled across Big Bang Theory. The rest, as they say, is history!

Perfection: Offspring Season 2 comes to a close.

If there was a textbook checklist for a memorable season finale, the Offspring episode aired on Wednesday night would tick all the right boxes. A wedding, a beautiful dress, family feuds, a pregnancy and questions about paternity (the last two may or may not be related). Of course, the most important requirement is something romantic, preferably involving a choice between two loves and lots of running down the street looking frantic. Yep, Offspring had it all.

For those who haven't been keeping up to date, here's a bit of background. Nina (Asher Keddie) is in a state of confusion after the return of former flame Chris (Don Hany), just when everything was starting to go well with Patrick (Matthew Le Nevez). All this is happening as Nina's sister Billie (Kat Stewart) and her on-again off-again beau Mick (Eddie Perfect) are gearing up to put a year of hard knocks behind them and tie the knot. Really, it was always going to be a fantastic finale. But the extra touches that were oh-so-Offspring made this episode extra special.

The wedding is to be held in a house that Proudman Real Estate is in charge of selling: a bit awkward, seeing as the owner is unaware that their property is being used as a marriage venue. Only the Proudmans would think to do something like this. With friends providing the music for when Billie walks down the aisle and another acting as marriage celebrant, we're reminded of the close-knit extended family that we've come to know and love. And then, a twist, that sees the wedding end up somewhere even appropriate.

Meanwhile, devoted fans of either Patrick or Chris were screaming at the television as Nina awkwardly um-ed and ahh-ed about which devastatingly gorgeous man was right for her. It remains unclear which choice she will make until the final few minutes. Personally, I was cheering at this stage, and something tells me lots of other viewers were too. Her decision felt right, like you couldn't believe you'd ever thought she might do something else. Everything was happy, everything was perfect and it was looking like it was about to be the most blissful season ending ever. But hang on, this is Offspring we're talking about. It couldn't have finished without an unexpected bombshell, could it?

Then again, that bombshell is a blessing- it means we're going to be treated to more of this show. And when it's a show as good as this, that is what really makes a perfect finale.

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Crownies: the verdict is in.

There's something especially great about a good Aussie drama. Maybe it's the element of pride, or the familiar landscape. Perhaps it's the fact that we're so surprised we came up with something worth watching, that it becomes far more addictive than it actually should be. For whatever reason, shows like Seachange and Love My Way hold a special place in this TV addict's heart. This is why when the new ABC series Crownies premiered on Thursday night, my hopes were high. Despite continued disappointment, the wonder of an Aussie drama that gets it right had me holding onto the chance that another one was on its way.

So did it hit the spot? Not exactly. After weeks of intense promotion, it was definitely a let-down. The ad I'd seen at least 5 times made it look better than it actually was- less intrigue and glamour, more unlikable characters and an obvious attempt to seem gritty. The 2 hour long premiere seemed to drag on, and I found myself looking at the clock in hopes that 10.30 would soon arrive.

That said, it wasn't all bad. There were some impressive performances. Indiana Evans (formerly of Home and Away and H20: Just Add Water) as Tatum Novak, the bubbly and friendly one, was a standout. Her friendship with the endearingly hopeless Richard Stirling (Hamish Michael) will be one to watch over the next installments. The mystery of who released a highly sensitive brief to the media gives another reason to keep watching. This aspect of the plot was done well, as the viewer was given reason to believe it could have been any of the young crownies that betrayed their friends and colleagues.

Despite initial disappointment, I'll be tuning in again next Thursday. This is partly because of the strengths I've just discussed, and partly because my faith in the occasional brilliance of home-grown drama won't allow me to give up on this one just yet.