My TV binge watching habits started pretty young. I sat down in the living room every Monday thru Friday promptly at 5 p.m. to watch Gilmore Girls...for a minimum of seven years. (This was always followed by The O.C. on Soapnet at 3 and 4...it's amazing that  I got any homework done.) As you can imagine, I watched the series through multiple times. So much so that I memorized those quick-witted, long-winded soliloquies that were Amy Sherman-Palladino's specialty. I watched the series so much that I notice the immediate shift in the tone of the show once Palladino left (*ahem* Logan...)

And in case you haven't been on Buzzfeed lately, you will know that Gilmore Girls is coming to Netflix in seven short days! I now get to watch the series commercial free at a rate when my TV will continuously ask me if I am still watching because I haven't hit pause in several hours. I can't wait. 153 episodes, although I'm still on the fence about watching the last season, I always get frustrated by Rory's behavior and end up yelling at the screen a lot. 

And now for my favorite episodes and GIFs (which surprisingly centered around Paris Gheller, just go with it):

1. Season 1, Episode 1 "Pilot" (le duh) It makes me want to pack up everything and move to a quaint New England town.

2. Season 2, Episode 9: "Run Away, Little Boy” Three words: Chad Michael Murray. The early 2000s really were a great time for television. 

3. Season 2, Episode 19 "Teach Me Tonight" A study session, which leads to a car crash, which ultimately leads to the relationship that all fans rooted for.

4. Season 3, Episode 9 "A Deep-Fried Korean Thanksgiving" Lorelai and Rory prove that they are truly bottomless pits in this holiday episode. It takes much precision, strategy and stretchy pants, but they dutifully make their way from house to house for every variation of Thanksgiving dinner imaginable. 

5. Season 6, Episode 18 "The Real Paul Anka" We find out that Jess, the kid no one thought would amount to anything, actually has his life in better order than most of the cast, and much more so than Rory. What little hope we had of his return to the show ended in this, his final episode. In my humble opinion, the show just spirals downhill from here. 

The fall network lineup is full of fake White House sets. Perhaps spurred by the success of Scandal and House of Cards, their are two new dramas entering the scene. It's time to brush up on your American Government and current affairs because they can't make all of these plots up, sometimes they're based on a mustard seed of truth. It's time to gear up for backstabbing and power plays on Capitol Hill. Are you ready?

State of Affairs (Begins Nov 17 on NBC)

Top CIA analyst Charleston Tucker assembles the President's Daily Briefing (PDB) while trying to get to the bottom of her fiancé's murder that will reveal itself as a shocking mystery.

Madam Secretary (CBS)

Elizabeth McCord (Leoni) is the newly appointed Secretary of State who drives international diplomacy, battles office politics and circumvents protocol as she negotiates global and domestic issues, both at the White House and at home.

Scandal

I'm on the fence about watching the new season of Scandal. I was sucked in to the storyline of DC's finest fixer and her rag-tag team in the first season. I also have followed along with Shondra's fast-paced monologues on Grey's Anatomy for years. However, I have a serious issue with the way Olivia always returns to Fitz and doesn't believe that she can be successful or find love with anyone else. And Fitz is just whiney. Period. I will give it one last shot, but my hopes are not high.

House of Cards

The new season unfortunately doesn't start until 2015, but that doesn't mean you can't rewatch Frank Underwood's climb to the top from the very beginning. 

You can find the Fall TV lineup here. What shows are you looking forward to returning?

I'm writing this before the season finale airs so to not be tempted to, or accidentally, give away any details about last night's episode. I know that once a season ends, I go through some serious Scandal withdrawals. So much so that I always end up starting back at the beginning and watching all the episodes. In my opinion, the first season was brilliant and the show is slowly going downhill, but I'm invested in it, so of course I'm going to stick it out until the end.

Question...am I the only one who is getting extremely fed up with the Olivia and Fitz tension? Because I'm over it. So over it. 

If you find yourself wondering what you will do in these next few months without our favorite lady in the white hat (and impeccable white suits, coats and gloves), here are my favorite quotes from my favorites at Pope and Associates.

It’s time to set your DVR, organize your Hulu queue, or for the diligent television fans out there, make a Google calendar dedicated to your favorite shows. That’s right; the fall television season is in full swing. Whether you like the undead, workplace comedies or political dramas, the networks have you covered in primetime.

There are 31 shows debuting this month and even more producers holding their breath, hoping for a second season. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” shows promise to become a regular on the Fox Tuesday lineup. Produced by the same genius minds that gave us “Parks and Recreation” and staring SNL alum Andy Samberg, this cop comedy will make even the most serious viewers chuckle.

In case there aren't enough shows about vampires and the undead, “Sleepy Hollow” and “Dracula” are making an appearance just in time for Halloween. Apparently there is a niche market of 19th-century literature enthusiasts who are also obsessed with “The Walking Dead.” “Sleepy Hollow” follows Ichabod Crane, after he awakes in modern times, on his journey to defeat the Headless Horsemen. While there are a few “Welcome to 2013” moments in the pilot episode, the show will not focus on Crane’s adjustment to technology. Instead he partners with Abby Mills, a detective who has also had a close encounter with death in the flesh, to prevent the apocalypse. 

“Dracula” will air on Oct. 25. The producers of “Downton Abbey” and “The Tudors” revisit Bram Stoker’s famous novel. Dracula returns to Victorian England disguised as an American entrepreneur interested in electricity, but his real goal is to seek revenge against those who cursed him with immortality centuries earlier.

Other freshman shows include “The Crazy Ones,” a family/workplace comedy starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams. The father-daughter advertising duo tries every crazy idea that comes to mind in order to save their agency. On the other end of the spectrum is the thriller “Hostages.” The family of a doctor, who will be operating on the United States president, is taken hostage by a rogue FBI agent. The doctor is ordered by the kidnappers to assassinate the president to save her family. Also, fans of historical dramas will not want to miss “Reign,” which follows the teenage years of Mary, Queen of Scotts. 

Standard favorites that will also make an appearance include: “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Parks and Recreation,” “New Girl,” “The Mindy Project,” “Scandal,” “Modern Family,” “The Middle” and “Once Upon a Time.”

Do not be surprised if your grades slip by midterm. All of the hours you previously dedicated to studying for your chemistry exams will now most likely be spent on Hulu.

Because I didn't want to spend another watching #RetroMTV's marathons of Laguna Beach and The Hills, I was bound and determined to find another show  to indulge in. Why do the networks think that the summer is the time to take a hiatus from new episodes is beyond me. Summer is when I have plenty of time to watch two (or three or four) hours of television at a time. The fall and spring? Not so much.

On the agenda this summer: Parks and Recreation. I will forever be sad that I didn't start watching it back in 2009, but don't worry, I have been making up for it the past few weeks. 

So I thought that I would give a {SHORT} list of my favorite quotes thus far. For the record, Aziz is by far my favorite character (behind Amy, obviously). In the words of Chris Treager, Parks and Rec is LITERALLY my favorite show right now.

“I strapped an MP3 player to one of those floor-cleaning robots. Call him DJ Roomba. Little guy cruises around and plays music. What’s hot, DJ Roomba! DJ Roomba, tearin’ it up! "

Tom explains Apps and Zerts. Also, chicken parmesan is chicky chicky parm parm. LOLZ.

                                         

Seriously, Jerry is the WORST.

AND THEN THERE WAS JEAN-RALPHIO. 

Well I hope that you have also found your perfect 

summer binge tv show, 

because summer is almost over. 

If you haven't, there is always The Hills 

on every weekday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on MTV. 

No one will judge you for watching it, I promise.

Especially not me.

One thing you should know and accept about me 

is that I love "reality" television. 

Nine times out of 10 my tv is turned to Bravo.

During school, I would catch up on reruns of Laguna Beach 

and The Hills while drinking my coffee before chapel.

I don't know what draws me to semi-real shows like those

or the Housewives. And don't even get me started on my 

love of The Rachel Zoe Project. {I DIE.}

Perhaps it is all of the cool shots of LA or New York? 

Maybe it's all of the brunches? {which is my favorite meal}

Or maybe it's the thrill of trying to decipher when the producers intervened 

or when moments are just pure reality gold. 

If you thought The Hills was scripted 

{which it was. case in point: Stacy the Bartender. helloooo}

then wait until you watch Made in Chelsea, the London equivalent. 

What I love most about MIC is when two cast members 

happen to "casually" bump into each other 

while walking their dogs or window shopping. 

Really? I know Chelsea is a fairly small neighborhood, but come on.

Although I know all of the situations are in limbo between true and fake, 

I would like to think that the cast are all somewhat friends in real life 

and that there are no "Stacy the Bartender" characters 

who keep popping up in random story lines.  

{The fact that I refer to characters and story lines should concern me}

No matter, I cannot wait for Tuesdays when MIC is streamed online.

And if, like me, reality television holds a special place in your heart, 

if you have fond memories growing up watching LC, Lo, Kristen, Audrina, and Spiedy

then perhaps you might want to take the summer to immerse yourself in the lives

of similar people across the pond.

Here are two videos to pique your interest even more: 

#1 {Promo Video #IMREADY} Hilarious parody of the show but spot on.

#2 {L'Americano - music video featuring several of the boys and filmed at a party on MIC.}

Hope you are enjoying your Thursday! And maybe I've talked you into adding yet another show to your queue this summer :)

-Jess

As I'm writing this post,

I'm watching the final episode of Gossip Girl. 

Is this even real life? 

I've devoted six years of my life 

to debating Dan and Serena,

Chuck and Blair,

Nate and Serena, 

Dan and Blair

...

the madness went around in circles

season after season.

This show created fashion icons. 

Blair Waldorf is the reason that headbands

came back into style.

Almost every actor and actress has been on the 

cover of a magazine. 

And who could forget the infamous Chuck Bass basketball outfit? 

You better believe that Samantha and I 

will lunch on the Met steps every day

on our trip to nyc for spring break.

My goal is to have a gossip girl themed trip.

In my opinion, Josh Schwartz is a genius. 

Unfortunately I got into The O.C. too late 

and had to watch reruns every afternoon on Soap Net

during high school. I was instantly hooked on the show.

And when I heard that Schwartz was working on a 

East Coast version, I knew I would fall in love all over again.

I hate to say that I see myself as a Blair, but it's true. 

I always thought that Serena gets everything handed to her 

and didn't understand why people don't like her sometimes. 

Blair, on the other hand, worked hard for what she wanted

{albeit she mainly schemed of some sort, but she had good intentions.}

I won't give any spoilers about the final episode 

because I know there are some of you less dedicated fans 

who will watch it on Hulu later. Shame on you. 

What character do you most identify with? 

Are you team Chuck and Blair?

{if your answer to the second question is no, i don't think we can be friends.}

xoxo

Jess