So as we reach the end of the 2011-12 TV season, the Networks have pretty much made their choices of which shows are not coming back.  While I'm not as addicted to TV as Homer Simpson is, I'm very aware of what shows are where, whether my wife Nancy and I watch them or not.  Here's a few not coming back;

Alcatraz (FOX)-Lots of hype, a time traveling mystery and Hurley (or at least the guy who played Hurley and still acted like Hurley).  Great potential, lost it's way, ended in a cliff hanger that stays hanging.

Awake (NBC)-Fell asleep and felt quite confused with the plot.  Humanely put to sleep.

CSI Miami (CBS)-Ten years of David Caruso whipping off the shades are done.  "Well H., who killed the show?" "Frank, it's a simple case of being lost (glasses whipped off here) in the court of public opinion."

GCB (ABC)-I knew it was too good to be true.  Nancy and I absolutely loved this show, but it was too smart, too Texas, too mocking the Church, and too gutsy to play on a Sunday night.

A Gifted Man (CBS)-Started to save this on my DVD, but after a few weeks it went away for "retooling", I started to delete.

Harry's Law (NBC)-Double whammy here, too many times they switched air times, and too many changes in the second season.  Also, the "demos' skew too high, and Nancy and I, who also like this show, are now IN those demos.

House (FOX)-Yeah the last couple of years dragged..a lot!  On the positive they are ending in fantastic fashion.

Menphis Beat (TNT)-Loved the show, even if a show set in Memphis was filmed in New Orleans.

Missing (ABC)- OK show but too many viewers were.

Pan Am(ABC)-Another decent show, and a period piece,  However, that alone does not make it Mad Men.

The Playboy Club (NBC)-Think a Poor Man's Pan Am, which was a Poor Man's Mad Men.  Nuff said.

Ringer (CW)-Great start, no good resolution to the conflict.

The River (ABC)-Liked it, but it couldn't decide if it was Lost or Blair Witch Project.  In the end, the lack of viewers decided for them.

The Secret Circle (CW)-Teenage witches, I prefer Sabrina.

The Sing Off (NBC)-Another singing show they seemed to ruin in it's second season.  Besides, aren't there just too MANY singing shows STILL on the air?

Terra Nova (FOX)-Again with the hype.  Take away the dinosaurs and time travel and it's Lost In Space in the past.  Danger Will Robinson

Unforgettable (CBS)-I did after the pilot.

So which of your favorite TV shows are gone after this season?  Lemme know.

Mike Patrick

mike@wgy.com

One of the negatives about getting older is the loss of loved ones.  We all experience it, can't avoid it, circle of life and all that.

I've mentioned before my Dad Sam passed when I was 13 (and trust me, that was a LONG time ago).

This December, it will be seven years since my Mom Marie went as well.  Alzheimer's took her, and for many years I was bitter, angry, and just a touch afraid that that's how I'm going.

Since then, for the most part I've moved on.  Yeah I'll always think about it, but I don't obsess any more.  I have a great wife, great family, great career.  No regrets.

So as Mother's Day nears, I don't dread the day as I once did.

I see how great a mother my wife Nancy has been and continues to be to her two kids.

I also see how great a mother my daughter Megan is to our two grandsons Chris and Zach.

And in the end, I realize that the bulk of who I am (aside from my Dad's "anger management" issues), is a reflection of my Mom.

The greatest thing she taught me was to laugh, and to make people laugh.  Anyone who knows me would agree.  I'll take a pie in the face if it would make someone get the giggles (and believe me, I have).  I'm my own Stooge.

Thanks Mom.  Happy Mother's Day.

I strongly believe in helping my grandkids any way I can.  I'm a major advocate of getting the most out of your education, from Kindergarten all the way to college.  As much as I can, and when he asks, I will help my oldest grandson Chris (in 3rd Grade) with some of his homework.

Let me preface; I am a proud college granduate.  I have a BA in Broadcasting/Communications, and an Associates in Theatrical Arts.

While I don't fall into the Forrest Gump "I'm not a smart man" catagory, my life skills in reality have made me what I am today (insert appropriate joke here).

That said, both my wife Nancy and I get a little...let's say stumped..when it comes to helping Chris with some of his homework.

We both understand basic and essential math skills (love the calculator though), but it seems the way some schools phrase problems for the kids, one would need flash cards to understand how to understand the problem.

I'm going to sound like and old coot, but isn't a simple A plus B equals C, or D minus E equals  F, or G times H equals  I, or even J divided by K equals L good enough?

The way these problems look now, I need an interpreter, or at the very least, a 4th Grader.

Then there's spelling.  Oh the act of spelling is the same, but I don't remember for example having to spell let along know the word "germinate" and similar words in 3rd Grade.

Again, without sounding like Grumpy Old Man, it reminds me of polinate, which reminds me of reproduction, which reminds me of teaching 3rd Graders things I didn't officially learn till I think 7th or 8th Grade (and have a pretty good working knowledge of to this very day)!

Am I off base here?  Love to hear from parents (and grandparents) on the topic. 

Mike Patrick (and I know THAT'S spelled right)

mike@wgy.com

I consider myself a kind, loving, caring Grandfather.

I am around two of my Grandsons, 8 year old Chris and 4 year old Zach, a LOT.

I try to be a positive influence in their lives.

However, I'm also the "goofy" Grandfather, maybe even the "cool" Grandfather (to them).

I have what I call a "unique" sense of humor. Many others will probably agree with that statement.  I see life as "skewed", and live with a goal to laugh a lot every day  AND try to make others laugh.

In one instance recently, while I really wanted to, I just couldn't.

 Before I go further, I believe you'll all agree the world has changed SO much since most of us were kids, it's next to impossible to shield them from everything.

Watching TV alone (especially if adults aren't around) can be a potential bad influence.

Have you SEEN some of the original cartoon shows on the tube today?  It sure ain't Bugs Bunny that's for sure.

I find it hilarious but that's besides the point.

Back to the other day.  My wife Nancy and I were watching the boys at our house.  At one point, Chris and Zach said...something...to us.

I'm not going to say what they said.  It was NOT a "fudge" moment (see picture), but it could be considered...inappropriate.

Did they get it from Spongebob?  Diary Of A Wimpy Kid? The Smurfs?

More than likely a movie on TV or from a DVD at home. It's even possible it was heard from someone in school.

Immediately Nancy and I get a VERY VERY VERY serious look on our faces; not mad, just serious.

That's experience speaking.  If we had ANY reaction, that would be the cue to repeat what was just said.

We COULD have corrected them, however (this is a stretch but work with me), perhaps Mom and Dad are AWARE of what was said, and since we didn't know about it, we MIGHT be going against what they said.

So we just left it alone.  If I were take a guess, the boys (at the least Zach) had NO idea what it is they said.

So we let it go; Mom picked them up, end of story.

Then Nancy and I were alone.....

We broke up, to the point of tears. Some may consider that wrong, but we call it stress relief.

Have you had experiences like this?  I'd love to hear how you handled it.

Mike Patrick

mike@wgy.com

As a first-time father and working in morening raido getting sleep is at a prmeum. IT's not easy...

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