I had the pleasure of introducing a friend to both Thai food and 30 Rock this week, both things I am amazed they have gone this long without. And it got thinking about what a joy it is to get to experience something wonderful for the first time, or at least be there to see someone else experience that feeling.

What I’m saying is, the Olympics have been on a long time. There’s been some natural disasters, some musical disasters (that’s you, “We Are the World 25″), and some patriotism. But now I’m really ready for my stories to be back. In some ways, it’ll be like the first time all over again.

This is what we thought this week, share your thoughts in the comments!

Scott

Men Of A Certain Age: “Back In The Shit”
As a 27 year old, I really shouldn’t enjoy Men Of A Certain Age. It’s about dudes nearing fifty grappling with divorce, gambling addictions, diabetes, and sneaking suspicions that they’ve wasted their entire lives… but with wry, observational comedy! Nothing much really happens beyond hanging around with car salesmen and party store managers in diners and on their hikes-that-are-actually-leisurely-strolls up hills in suburban L.A. Over its first 10 episode season, though, MOACA (I pronounce it “mocha” so it sounds chocolatey and delicious) has attained the elusive comedic hangin’ with friends vibe that I currently only get from MOACA (mmm… chocolatey), Modern Family and The Office. Its characters are subtle and lovable, and the tone and writing are awkwardly funny in a wholly relatable way that can appeal to its target audience of middle-aged TNT viewers and jazzy young hepcats like myself. This last episode wrapped up the events of the season a little too on the nose; I liked Terry’s sudden emotional growth spurt, but I think Joe’s dark side would’ve seemed a little more sad and believable if stretched out over another episode or two, and Owen deserved a longer respite at the competition before being brought back into the fold by his newly softened dad. But I’m now anxiously awaiting the return of MOACA, and all the chocolatey goodness that comes along with it.

Zoe

The Daily Show
Since we’re not some sort of liberal mouthpiece, there’s usually not much of a reason to bring up The Daily Show here. And there’s nothing particularly amazing that happened on The Daily Show this week. But what was nice is that most of the week was comedians visiting. And while Jon Stewart’s interviews certainly have their own style, they’re also the part of the show I’m more likely to skip. But there’s something really nice about when fellow comedians – especially ones who are friends with Jon – come on. It’s basically just five minutes of watching people have a great time, laughing until they can’t breathe. And I always enjoy watching that.

Psych: “Think Tank”
I was singing Psych’s praises but a few weeks ago, and I stand by them, but sometimes the show is a little too much…exactly what you think it is. By which I mean it’s so formulaic, it actually fights minor, formulaic changes. This week Shawn’s dead was offered a consulting job with the police department, which would be a slight plot development with essentially no major changes and plenty of chances for hijinks (and possibly even character growth!) And yet, they decided not to do it. Because even a cliche, rote change of the formula is too much of a change for Psych.

I haven’t decided yet whether this tendency is wholly genius or not.

Dennis

Greek: “Love, Actually, Possibly,  Maybe… Or Not”
Every week I’ve been meaning to mention how much I enjoy Nora Kirkpatrick’s relatively recent character addition, Catherine, but I never quite find a way to fit her in. Luckily this week’s Valentine’s ep featured Catherine quite prominently, so I finally have my opportunity! I’ve enjoyed Catherine scenes with her mentee Casey since she showed up at the start of this season, but whodathunk that throwing Casey’s younger brother Rusty in the mix as a potential love interest would really let CTU’s greatest overachiever shine? Catherine’s scheduled pre-date with Rusty, where she spoke entirely in one-word answers (most meek little yeses)? Hilarious! And getting hit with a literal Cupid-themed arrow, just as she finds that Casey blackmailed Rus into their date? Icing on the valentine’s cupcake!  Catherine mentioned in the episode she’s planning on going to Yale Law. Is it too much to hope she pulls an Andrea Zuckerman, skips Yale, and ends up sticking around at CTU Law with Casey in the fall, instead?

The Deep End: “White Lies, Black Ties”
I’ve been singing this show’s praises (if calling a show “not awful,” can be considered praise) for a few weeks now, while it inches closer and closer to cancellation. Well, it’s too bad this season (probably series) finale went full circle back 6 episodes (Shortest. Season. Ever) to the show’s pilot in its infinite badness. There was nothing in this episode that wasn’tpredictable. Of course Malcolm and Addy’s case wasn’t over at the 15 minute mark. What would the rest of the episode be about? Of course when we see Cliff and Susan at couple’s therapy, and then there’s a break-in at Susan’s house and Cliff moves back in, there’s going to be an episode-ending reveal that Cliff hired the intruder. I was happy to see Kevin Alejandro (Hilda’s baby daddy on Ugly Betty, Rudolpho on Weeds, Anton V. on nuMelrose, and Moretta on Southland), and pleased some storylines were resolved (Addy and Jason broke up, Beth and Liam publicly revealed declared their love of eachother), it’s too bad this was such a dismal end to the show. I guess it makes it helluva lot easier it’s probably not coming back.

Lost: “Lighthouse”
When watching this week’s episode with a few of my friends, I actually remarked that I don’t know why anyone invites Jack anywhere. Dude always throws a tantrum (in this case, breaking all the freaky mirrors in the island lighthouse). I bet a kid he always ruined everyone’s birthday party. Least it seems this was all part of Jacob’s master plan to begin with. Can’t Mark Pellegrino be in every episode? I enjoy him so, and this show seems to be short on new faces this year (sorry Ilyana, still not caring about you). Maybe instead of that Locke & Ben spin-off Terry O’Quinn is rumored to shopping around, ABC can greenlight The Jacob and UnLocke Variety Hour? If anything can bring the variety show to the new millennium, it’s Mark Pellegrino and a smoke monster.