I don't want to sound like the lamest person alive or anything, but since Nora was born and I took my maternity leave, I've gotten more into television. It's not that I watch more TV than I once did, it's that I care if television is good or not. Where TV was once mind numbing entertainment when I was at home sick or beat after a day of work, and I didn't much care what was on, J and I now look forward to specific shows. This is new for us. Go ahead, make fun. We get excited about television programs. Since I've put more energy into what I choose to watch, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with you.

"Freaks and Geeks." This one's not on the air anymore. In fact, it was only on for one season in 1999 before it was canceled. What were they thinking? This show is incredible. J and I just rented all the episodes and from the very first one I was completely in love with all of the characters. A few now-famous stars were in "Freaks and Geeks" before they were household names, like Seth Rogan, James Franco and Jason Segal (I love Jason Segal! He's hilarious!), but the entire cast delivers amazing performances. I mean, people, I don't talk like this - "delivers amazing performances" - what?! That's how much I love this show. It revolves around the lives of several high schoolers and takes place in the early 80s, but there's no point in my trying to convince you to watch it by explaining all the details. Instead, watch this clip of "geek" Sam Weir getting all revved up about the Parisian Pantsuit he bought to impress the ladies.

"How I Met Your Mother." I don't think it's worth it for me to tell you guys that I love comedies that everyone loves, for instance "30 Rock," so I'm concentrating on shows that don't get talked about as often, shows that surprised me. I'm not sure why it took us so long to get into "How I Met Your Mother," but we have become true fans, watching it every Monday night. We know what channel it's on without having to use the digital cable "guide" feature. We never really did this before - actually plan to watch something on TV - except with "Law & Order SVU," and we're sort of over that. I dig that the characters (Jason Segal again!) spend a lot of time exchanging witty banter in a bar and I'm totally entertained. I'm no expert, but I think that's an indication of great television writing.

"Oprah." I'm not even going to waste my time trying to explain to you the sheer brilliance that is this show...the powerhouse, the genius, the friend, that is this woman.

"The Real World: Brooklyn." Seriously? Seriously. I've had my complaints about the newer seasons of "The Real World," but with this season the show's creators have really upped the ante, and I like it. There's a transgender cast member, for one thing, and everyone seems to be having the innocent-yet-worldly conversations that made me like the show when it first came on the air. Bravo, MTV, bravo.

One show I used to like but don't anymore: "Jon and Kate Plus 8." I'd catch it from time to time when I was at home with Nora, because it's on about twelve billion times a day, and while I never thought I would enjoy a show about a family with eight kids, I found it endearing and, even better, entertaining when Jon and Kate would fight - which it turns out they do a lot. Now I feel like all they do is fight, and while I'm not one to judge parents with that much responsibility day after day after day, Kate seems a little, um, domineering, doesn't she? I have this sneaking suspicion that under the surface she is totally seething and might jump ship one day. We'll see.