How to Get Into a Show

Since I've been pushing everyone to watch "30 Rock", I thought I'd share my rules of how to get into a TV show.

1. Never judge a show by its pilot. The pilot episode (1st) is usually the weakest one. Have you SEEN the "Friends" or "Seinfeld" pilots? Joey was nothing like what his character turned out to be and Seinfeld recast his father. I've even gone as far as to leaving a show after the first couple of episodes and tuning back in after 6 or 7, because by then, the show usually has found its feet and you can get a better idea of what the flavor will be.

2. Give any new show the 5 episode trial. This is the dating phase. But, you need to try and watch 5 consecutive episodes, especially since most shows (even sitcoms) have storyline archs that go on for several episodes. Sometimes you can tell a show is a real stinker by episode 2 or 3. If it's REALLY bad, you can give up early but always try to give it to the 5th episode before deleting it off your Tivo or DVR. Remember, some of the best shows need to grow on you (i.e. "30 Rock" and "Arrested Development" -- those two especially because they're so equally smart and silly, it takes time to really catch the humor).

3. Trust the feedback. If people are raving about a show, it's probably worth watching. Of course, you need to know who to listen to. My taste might be completely different than yours, so you probably don't want to follow my recommendations. But feel it out from friends who like the same stuff you do. And if you're an Entertainment Snob like me, definitely trust the critics.

4. Give a series a second chance next season. Some shows just have weak seasons, but often they'll came back with a bang. I know Season 3 turned off a lot of "Lost" viewers, but season 4 was AMAZING! "Grey's Anatomy" went through a terrible time when Izzie and George broke up, but now it's looking up. This is easy to determine by the buzz a show gets. When a show is having it's "comeback" it's all over the place; every entertainment venue will be going off about it.

5. If a show is hard to get into, just do your research. Watch reruns or watch it online. Or if you don't want to go to the trouble, just ask someone who watches the show regularly to give you the run down. My sister was trying to get me into "Gossip Girl" but I hadn't done any of my above rules when I initially tried. I started over and just had her sum-up the 1st season for me. Now, I'm hooked and will watch season 1 when I have the chance.

You may or may not care about TV as much as I do, but let's face it. TV is better than movies these days. I'd rather get my fix daily or weekly then wait months for a decent film to come into the theaters.