Four Things a TV-Lovin’ Mama Can Look Forward to in 2013

The three weeks after Christmas are a sad, sad time for a TV fan. On the plus side, we’re no longer exposed to that creepy Folgers commercial where the brother and sister practically make out at their Christmas reunion. But on the downside, we’re limited to constant reruns and bowl games named after snack foods.

While catching up on episodes of MTV’s Catfish has served as my excuse for putting the girls’ Christmas presents together on hold, I think it’s finally time to turn off the TV for a few days and dream of all I can look forward to in 2013.

Hello, Governor!: Was there any politician that creeped us out more in 2012 than The Governor on The Walking Dead? Ok, maybe Todd Akin, but he never pickled zombie heads or staged MMA-style fights featuring shackled walkers pining for dinner.

After the snoozefest that was season two of The Walking Dead, the producers have introduced a character scarier than any zombie with the Jim Jones-esque Governor and made the show edge-of-your-seat watchable again. Witnessing Andrea fall under the Governor’s weird-guy-at-the-bar spell was almost as disturbing and stomach-churning as being ringside when brothers Merle and Daryl reunite under vicious cirumstances. The crazy shenanigans start again on February 10.

The HIMYM Wedding: Sometimes you just have to put something you love out of its misery. Like Old Yeller or those pre-pregnancy jeans. However, on Christmas Eve, CBS announced Jason Segel and his How I Met Your Mother costars are returning for a ninth season, which means Ted will be meeting his wife over the early bird special at IHOP or while yelling at kids to get off his damn lawn.

While I’ve been trying to quit HIMYM since the “ships passing in the night” shtick has gotten old, the recent engagement between Barney and Robin makes breaking up hard to do.

Last year’s cliffhanger paired with the unraveling of the intricate engagement plan makes me want to shove Ted out of the new episodes (which start January 14) and concentrate on a couple that’s actually fun to watch. Plus, I secretly channel Cobie Smulders “NO ONE ASKED YOU, PATRICE!” every time the lady at the cosmetic counter points out I have the forehead of a 50-year-old.

Raise a glass to Cougar Town: Since having kids has limited my ability to 1) drink and 2) drink outside the home, I look forward to socializing with my friends from Happy Endings every Tuesday night. However, a visit from some old friends means I have new drinking partners to keep up with.

On January 8, the wine-soaked Cougar Town returns to my Tuesday night lineup. When  ABC cancelled Cougar Town last year, TBS quickly snapped up the comedy for a fourth season which kicks off with a peek at Jules and Grayson’s first week of wedded bliss and Travis’ 21st birthday. The return means I need to prep my liver for my imaginary socializing and prep my DVR so it doesn’t overheat from my Happy Endings/The New Normal/The Mindy Project/Cougar Town cocktail.

That Smash episode where Grace Adler wears all the crazy scarves: Being a gigantic Broadway musical fan, I started watching Smash last year to fill my “Oooo…what goes on behind the scenes?” curiosity. Over the course of numerous episodes, it evolved into “Ooooo…what the *%#* is going on with this crazy-ass show?”

From Karen’s Bollywood extravaganza to Uma Thurman’s peanut poisoning, Smash grew into an over-the-top soap opera that became as addictive as the Pringles and vodka combo I need to get through each episode. However, reports are surfacing that Smash will have some positive new revamps for 2013 starting on February 5 (Sayonara, douchebag Ellis! Hello, divalicious Jennifer Hudson!) and has promised to strip Julia of her bag-lady inspired wardrobe.

These are just the tip of the iceberg for midseason excitement. I'm also ready for returning favorites like Downtown Abbey, Portlandia and Girls as well as new shows like The Americans on FX, which follows KGB Russian spies living in suburbia, and The Carrie Diaries, the 1980’s prequel to Sex and the City. (For all the upcoming premiere dates, check out BuddyTV.com.)

So, my fellow TV fans and moms, what new and returning shows did you wish for this holiday season?

Photo: abc.com

By Nicole Plegge, Lifestyle Blogger for SmartParenting

Metro East mom Nicole Plegge is the lifestyle and pop culture blogger for SmartParenting. Besides working full time for a local nonprofit and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls.