Must See TV

I grew up in a household where the television set was always turned on. Deciding what to watch after dinner was as much a nightly ritual as washing the dishes. Although each of us cast our individual votes, the final decision was not based on democratic principles at all. It was my father who had the ultimate veto power. I do remember certain television shows that were family favorites, and my sisters and I would sit on the living room floor and watch with Mom and Dad. Shows like Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, and Three's Company were mainstays. My mother liked Little House on the Prairie, and I'd be surprised to learn that my father missed a single episode of M.A.S.H.

As a child, the days of the week were marked by what was on TV that night. Sunday night was Trapper John, MD, the end of which marked both bedtime and the end of the weekend. Friday was the Donnie and Marie show. Saturday we watched The Love Boat and Fantasy Island. When I was in junior high, my favorite TV night was Tuesday. I would work diligently to finish all of my assignments at school so I wouldn't have homework and could catch Too Close for Comfort and Hart to Hart. Later favorites were Hotel and Remington Steele. The entire family loved The Golden Girls, and my older sister and I still recount our favorite episodes of Designing Women.

As I grew up, my television tastes changed. I remember really loving the show thirtysomehing even though my school and social lives were so busy I didn't get to catch it very often. I remember a short-lived television show called A Year in the Life that I really enjoyed. Sadly the network cancelled it after only a few episodes. I loved the show Life Goes On in its last couple of seasons. And, I must admit that I went through a Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place phase during my college years.

Television began to loose its appeal during my college years. Don't get me wrong, I have never sworn-off TV entirely. But, I have grown out of my need to have something to watch during my leisure time. In fact, if I'm home alone, I won't often turn on the TV unless there is something specific I want to watch. Under normal circumstances, I can usually take or leave much of what is on the tube. There is one show, however, with which I have become completely enthralled, and I will not miss an episode.

The ABC drama, Brothers and Sisters, is perhaps one of the best shows on TV right now. An ensemble cast led by Oscar and Emmy award-winner, Sally Field, tackles such subjects as homosexuality, infidelity, divorce, and drug addiction in a matter-of-fact and realistic manner. This is the stuff that real life is made of, and the writers and actors should be commended for capturing it in such a way that viewers are more than entertained. If the shows other viewers are like me, they are profoundly drawn into the lives of the Walkers. Sarah, Tommy, Kitty, Kevin and Justin, the grown children of Nora Walker (Sally Field) and her disceased husband, William, could easily be our own siblings; they could be us. Their lives are familiar to our own, and the fact that we see ourselves in them, makes the drama poignant and meaningful.

Ken Olin, whose acting credits include thirtysomething, heads up a team of executive producers that is a veritable who's who of television success (Jon Robin Baitz--The West Wing; Greg Belanti--Dirty Sexy Money & Everwood; and Mark Perry--Party of Five & The Wonder Years). Add to that the star power of cast members Sally Field, Patricia Wettig (thirtysomething), Rachel Griffiths (Six Feet Under), Calista Flockhart (Ally McBeal), and Rob Lowe and the recipe is an instant success. Individual acting credits aside, the chemistry between the actors is an obvious factor in the show's appeal. One cannot help but wonder what role that chemistry plays in the magic that is so apparent with this creative endeavor. Perhaps it can be likened only to kismet, that serendipitous energy that occurs only when we find ourselves in the right place at the right time. Brothers and Sisters is that rare blend of creative genius and incredible talent.

Brothers and Sisters airs Sunday nights on ABC. Check local listings for times. Or, catch entire full-length episodes on ABC.com. At least for me, Brothers and Sister sis must see TV!

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Must See TV