We are about to begin season 3 of Dexter, which is one of the most innovative television series since TV began.

Dexter (played by Michael C. Hall) is a forensic scientist working for the Miami Police Dept, But this isn’t Bones. Dexter was adopted by a police office and his wife, both now deceased. His sister is a police office working at the same branch that Dexter does.

Dexter’s girlfriend is a divorced woman with two children that Dexter cares for quite a lot. Dexter has friends within the police force that he enjoys working with and having lunch and/or drinks. Dexter is the guy who brings in the doughnuts every morning to work. He is the guy who works hard at making and maintaining his relationships. He is the kind of guy everybody would like to know… kind of.

You may think Dexter is the perfect guy but he has one flaw, Dexter is a serial killer. One difference between Dexter and other serial killers is, Dexter kills other serial killers. When Harry (Dexter’s adopted dad played by James Remar) realizes what Dexter will become he doesn’t seek help for the young Dexter. Harry decides to instill a code of ethics in young Dexter. Basically the code of Harry is as follows, “if you have to kill, kill the bad guys. Before you do make sure they are guilty, and above all, don’t get caught”!

Dexter becomes an unusually twisted hero who goes after those really bad guys that slip through the system. Don’t get me wrong if Dexter gets caught you won’t feel sorry for him because he does love to kill. Though you won’t feel the least bit of sympathy for his victims, you do understand they are victims just the same. You won’t love Dexter but you won’t hate him either. You will want him to get caught but not before he cleans up Miami, and then cleans up your town.

You know someday Dexter will ignore the code of Harry and cross the line. When that happens you will want him locked up for life. But until that day comes you will watch as he brings down his next victim. Try not to smile too big as it happens.

Season 3s first episode of Dexter airs September 28 on Showtime. Season 1 & 2 are for sale on dvd. Showtime leaked episode 1 of season 3 on the net two weeks ago to get people excited. If you are sick of that mind numbing reality tv, or you have had enough of watching the same old same old, then this is the series for you. This is NOT a refurbishing of some old cop show. This is NOT a show trying to see how much writers can get away with. This is a show that gives you a new code of ethics that you may or may not be alright with. Whether you love to hate Dexter, or hate to love him you will get hooked.

I can’t wait for the new television season to begin, especially Supernatural. There are not too many tv shows these days that I actually enjoy watching. TV has gotten old and predictable, maybe because writers are too lazy or lack creativity to actually write something fresh. They just keep updating the same old storyline that has already been done to death. Don’t even think for a second that I can sit through that mind numbing reality tv crap. Writers strike, what a joke!

Not that Supernatural is fresh and new because it is basically the Hardy Boys with a twist. It is that twist that makes me like the Winchesters much more than I ever liked the Hardy’s.

Supernatural is about two brothers, Sam and Dean Winchester. Season one shows us that Sam (the younger brother played by Jared Padalecki) doesn’t want to be in the family business. The family business is of course laying to rest ghost, and killing demons, creatures of the night, and the occasional pagan god. They hunt all things Supernatural, thus the title. Sam doesn’t get along well with his family because he wants more out of life. Sam is in college studying to be a lawyer and is about to propose to his sweetypie until brother Dean shows up.

Dean (the older brother played by Jensen Ackles) is a smart mouthed, bad ass that is way beyond dysfunctional and yet he is very lovable. God I love Dean’s character. Dean tells Sam that their dad is missing and he needs his help. Sam goes with Dean looking for their dad. One thing leads to another and Sam joins Dean looking for their dad and hunting all things evil.

Supernatural is set up similar to X-Files, where you have a story line to follow from season to season. The X-Files story line being the whole alien/government conspiracy. Like X-Files, not every episode has something to do with the story line. But unlike X-Files, Supernatural doesn’t take itself too seriously which makes it so much more enjoyable. Like in an episode with Linda Blair, Dean makes comments like, “didn’t she look familiar?” and “I could go for some pea soup about now”. I love episodes with the trickster, who is a God that dishes out poetic justice.

The first episode of season 4 airs tonight and I’m so excited. When we last left Dean he was Hellraising it down in the pit. I’m not going to tell you why. I wonder how Sam will save him from that mess?

If you have never seen an episode of Supernatural then go rent it at your local video store. I highly recommend Supernatural! All of you who are already fans… THE FIRST EPISODE IS TONIGHT!!!!

Kati and I have been watching That 70’s Show. I remember catching a few episodes when it first started, but it didn’t really grab me back then. It’s one of those rare comedies that grow on you, the humor is more gentle than “in your face” type of thing. There is still the odd moment of being “out there” but usually it’s pretty down to Earth.

The characters definitely grow in stature as each season passes. I believe it ran for 8 seasons from 1998 to 2005.

I’m not really sure why the show is set in the 70’s. There is precious little in the way of “period jokes”, other than the occasional appearance of Tommy Chong reprising his 70’s role of “man” from Cheech and Chong days. It could in reality, have been set in any era. Perhaps the producers were originally aiming to make this like an updated version of Happy Days? If so it failed, but that doesn’t make it bad, quite the contrary, if it had been no more than a poor imitation of Happy Days the show would have failed.

The show centers on the lives and relationships of 5 very different kids hanging out at Erics place.

All the characters are very likable, with the exception of Mila Kunis as Jackie who is of course, not meant to be likable.

Kurtwood Smith is magnificent as the dry cynical Red Forman. Although not technically “the star” he is quite the scene stealer.

Danny Masterson is perfect as the 70’s Fonzie type character Hyde.

Topher Grace as Eric Forman, Ashton Kutcher as dipshit Kelso, and Wilmer Valderrama as the foreign kid Fez round the show out brilliantly.

BUT

For me the undisputed star, the be all and end all of the show is the magnificent Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti, Erics love interest.

Show? What show??

Oh yeah….Laura and Topher play off each other just perfectly. Watching the show, you feel that they belong together and any moves to change that creates a real feeling of disappointment. A staggering achievement for a mere sit com.

These two should work together again. Maybe a That 70’s Show movie?

Every now and then a TV show comes along that re writes the rules. Seinfeld was one such show. It was fresh, funny and very entertaining. In one huge swoop, Seinfeld changed the way sit coms were written. It may seem a touch dated now as we close in on a decade since it’s run ended. However it can’t be denied that there are still some sterling moments to be enjoyed.

As Seinfeld changed the face of American comedy in the 1990’s, so My Name Is Earl is changing it in the 2000’s.

The basic premise is this….A total loser and petty criminal named Earl, gets hit by a car and wakes up in hospital. While there he learns about Karma (from Carson Daly no less), and decides to make a list of all the bad things he has done, and try to make them good in an attempt to change his life around.

This is a brilliantly clever concept from a comedy point of view. It gives license to portray all manner of bad behavior and criminal situations, that happened in the “pre list” Earl days. Behavior and situations that would otherwise be taboo as it could be seen to be glorifying a life of crime.

What makes the show even more enjoyable is it’s wonderful supporting cast. Earls dopey brother Randy, his deliciously beautiful ex wife Joy and her new husband Darnell, his illegal immigrant Mexican lady friend Catalina plus a whole gaggle of semi regulars make this simply the best new comedy since Seinfeld.

When it comes to TV comedy, the Americans don’t always get it right, The Nanny, (which was of course, only the far better Who’s The Boss with the roles reversed), Perfect Strangers and of course that terrible show with Bette Midler in it that lasted a whole 6 weeks (from memory) on Aussie TV.

However when they get it right, Get Smart, Welcome Back Kotter, Married With Children, Home Improvement, Seinfeld, and Earl to name a few, it is total joy.