MTV is known for its scripted “reality” shows, but I can’t figure out whether its new series “Jersey Shore” falls under that category or is starring genuine neanderthals.I’m pretty sure the series was developed from this YouTube video, but shows like “Jersey Shore” are exactly why I don’t watch much television. Somehow I can’t seem to tear myself away from this. Maybe it’s because I know people in real life who fit perfectly into the stereotype being portrayed on the show — I even know a girl who is a dead-ringer for Snooki. Or maybe I am just really bored because it’s winter and I can’t get outside much anymore. But I do know that it reassures that I am not missing by going to “the club” and makes me feel even more at home in my neighborhood dives, where everyone just might know my name.

I won’t call “Jersey Shore” a guilty pleasure, I’ll call it reaffirmation that I’m making decent life decisions. I mean, at least I’m not punching chicks in the face.

I had started to lose faith in “Dexter” over the course of the season, as it seemed like it could have been pared down to 10 episodes from 12, but the season finale blew me away. So much so that now I feel like I need to go out and grab the book series by Jeff Lindsay — which I’ve heard nothing but good things about — to see what happens next. That rarely happens to me, as I’m more of a non-fiction fan, but it’s making me feel like some kind of “Twilight” or “Harry Potter” geek. I hope production on Season 5 begins ASAP.

My So Called Life

Dear internet, why are you such a treasure trove of time wasting pleasures? Thanks for ruining my life again! The worst part is how you suck me into glorious treasured television shows of my childhood and never let me escape. Hulu. Streaming Netflix. The occasional Youtube diamond in the rough. All are the bane and the glory of existence.My newest indulgence? I literally squealed with joy when I discovered that my favorite television show in the world,

My So-Called Life, has now become available for free viewing on Hulu. All nineteen episodes (the show was tragically canceled after one season) are available, and it’s as comforting as eating macaroni and cheese in bed on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The grunge fashion! The heartache! The teenage heartthrob! This show was formative to my ten year old self, and I am truly thrilled to indulge again in the wonders of this brilliant sitcom.

I’ve also been really digging a recent semi-obscure find, Austin Stories, which is mainly available on lo-fi (and sometimes annoying) Youtube. This short lived MTV sitcom existed for twelve episodes in 1997 and features a wonderful window into the city’s culture in the notorious days when Austin was known as slacker central.

Most tragic has been a recent late night habit: season one of Beverly Hills, 90210. Why is this worse than My So Called Life? I’m not really sure, but it is. Maybe it’s the high waisted jeans. Maybe it’s that every episode seems to have a heavy handed after-school special style “message” (don’t do drugs! don’t steal! don’t date old guys!). Or maybe it’s just that the acting is just, well, terrible. But my ten year old self would also appreciate my late night screenings, since it was always a secretive endeavor anyways after my mother watched an episode with me one school night and was shocked and appalled by the trash I was consuming. Some things never change.