The Show I Wanted To Love and The Show I Wanted To Hate

Weird! Me talking about about t.v. Just roll with it, friends.

So...just about everyone I know loves the show Big Bang Theory. Seriously. My mom, several of my BFFs, a couple of my kids...everyone! And since I so desperately want to be in on everything, all the jokes and references and whatever, I have tried watching it.

Several times. A couple times with Uncle Lorie, a few times with my kids, and yes, even once or twice on my own. I laughed, a little bit, but not heartily. Don't get me wrong; it's not for lack of understanding most (like maybe 92%) of the smart-person jokes, or the academia silliness. I get it. But it's just not funny to me.

And I'll go ahead and admit it right here, right now (hellooo Jesus Jones, where ya been???): I cannot stand the character Sheldon. Nor can I stand Blossom (what's her name? Mayim Bialik or something like that). And Blossom speaking in monotone? Bye.

There, I said it. I feel better now. Yes, I know they're supposed to be the poster children for uber-nerds and the fact that they're so scary smart is what makes them ironically funny and impossibly lovable, but for whatever reason the voices, the mannerisms, for the love of God even Sheldon's face and his posture grate on my nerves like Walter's coarse foot pads grate on my lower back while we sleep.

So I've given up on Big Bang Theory. I hope we can coexist peacefully in this world, and that there are no hard feelings.

The show I wanted to hate? Up All Night. When I first saw the promos, I was all "oh great. People have discovered that parenting can be hard and funny all at the same time! I thought I was the only one! Thank God someone finally made a show about it (said in an overly obvious sarcastic voice)." It's kind of like how Gwyneth Paltrow became the Saint of Parenting when she became a mom (clear away, all who have come before me. I am here now to spread the gospel of proper, whole parenting. So sayeth the Gwyneth). It's like the hipster/parent thing: now that you have gone and procreated, the past thousand or so years of world history has crumbled like an Oreo submerged in milk and you alone are carving, hacking and clearing a path through this brave new land, PARENTHOOD.

Yes, it's been done before. True, being pregnant is way cooler now, and you have way cuter baby gear, but it's all been done before. Get over it. Call me in 14 years when your adorable Silas or Hazel comes home with whiskey breath and a hickey. I'll still have your back, but I will be mouthing "I TOLD YOU SO" behind it.

So I thought this show would be awful. I thought that since I am so far removed from days of diapers and explosive poop and colic, this show couldn't possibly entertain me. I tuned in only because of my love for Maya Rudolph, Will Arnett and especially Christina Appelgate. I love her. Did I ever tell you that one of my most guilty, secret-pleasure movies is "The Sweetest Thing"? It is.

I thought it would be bad, but guess what? It's awesome. Much to my delight it doesn't dwell on the "baby" stuff. Don't get me wrong..there's a baby in there, and the stroller humor and diaper wipe humor but it goes way beyond all of that. They delve into a myriad of topics that are relevant to all of us parents, not just the new ones: juggling jobs and families, longing for your life before kids, lame and annoying neighbors, and trying to maintain friendships with your friends who are on completely different paths.

I found myself guffawing out loud during the pilot and then sat on my butt and watched the rest of the shows available on demand (most of the episodes are available for FREE on the CBS website, link above!). And they really had me during "The Birth" episode, when the first song on their "Birth Mix" was the same one I karaoked to at my 45th birthday party last month. In front of people. Where was this show when I was a new mom??

Dare I say, and this is borderline blasphemous...it makes me laugh in a 30 Rock kind of way.

Sorry if I have offended any Big Bang people. I tried! I really tried. Believe me, with the way my life is going right now, I am desperate for diversions. But sorry...it's more of a Big Yawn to me. Maybe it has to marinate for a while, and in a couple of years I'll go back and embrace it.

In the meantime, I will be giggling at Up All Night with the 80's references and jokes about wine. And kind of, sort of, missing those early days of parenting. But not really.