What to Watch on TV this Weekend: Jenn's Guide

May 6 – May 12, 2016

I think a certain section of TV viewers has an elitist attitude toward programming: It has to “teach” and “educate” and result in “intellectual growth.” While I actually agree with that to an extent, a part of me sometimes likes to indulge in fictional, entertaining television. From sitcoms to dramatic series, there’s a lot of well-done programming out there. And, as it turns out, it’s really not a bad thing.

A concept known as “narrative transport” has been identified by psychologist and author Dr. Melanie Green, an associate professor at the University of Buffalo. Narrative transport is the feeling we get watching a fictional character – when we feel we are there, in the story, living the character’s experiences. I would think it also happens when we read a good, fictional book.

However we want to label or categorize it, watching fictional TV is an escape. Whereas watching reality TV, documentaries or televised news means that we are simply observing the real actions of others, fictional television allows us to leave our present situation, if only for an hour. In a world that can throw curve balls daily and present challenges we never see coming, a little escape here or there can only be a good thing.

Here are a few suggestions for the upcoming week of May 6 – 12.

Hawaii Five-O

Friday, May 6 – CBS – 9 p.m.

The classic Hawaii Five-0 series is back as Detective Steve McGarrett and Danno try to get crime on the island all figured out. Typically suspicious and untrusting detectives work with a former Honolulu detective, Chin Ho Kelly, who was demoted after being wrongfully accused of corruption. And, Kono, the token over-eager, recent graduate from the academy is along for the ride to annoy everyone as he learns to navigate real-life crime. The scenery and people are beautiful, and it’s actually not too cheesy. Aloha!

Blue Bloods

Friday, May 6 – CBS – 10 p.m.

Love, love, love this show. Tom Selleck and his mustache make a grand appearance each week as New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan. He is the patriarch of a multigenerational family of policemen, including elder son, Danny (Donnie Wahlberg, my crush), and daughter Erin (Bridget Moynahan), who is a district attorney. As usual, fiction imitates reality when, in this episode, the group has to deal with public outrage over a jury that doesn’t indict a killer cop whose shooting of an innocent victim is caught on video.

Call the Midwife

Saturday, May 7 – KOCE – 9 p.m

PBS is known for presenting smart, witty programming, and this show doesn’t disappoint. The show is adapted from a book of memoirs from Jennifer Worth. “Jenny” is a midwife who works in a convent and deals with the varying personalities of its nuns. Of course, she finds her way and, ultimately, knows she made it to the best possible environment. We get to love and laugh with her – and with the feisty nuns.

The Good Wife

Sunday, May 8 – CBS – 9 p.m.

Attorney Alicia (played by Julianna Margulies) has been forced to pick up the pieces of her life after her politician slime-ball husband has an affair and ends up in prison. Betrayed and humiliated, she still has a family to run and an important job and life to live. We’ve seen this scenario play out in real life, thanks to the colorful realities of Washington, D.C. and other political positions of power. But when her husband re-enters politics years later as governor of Illinois, she is tested to the extreme.

Dateline

Sunday, May 8 – NBC – 10 p.m.

The mother of all newsmagazine shows, Dateline is the show that first caused me to choose the sofa over the bars on Friday night. Now the show airs a few times per week, rather than on Friday nights only. We get a healthy dose of homicide before we have to start a new week. My paranoia levels have never been higher, though: Whom can we really trust? It’s the show in which you never want to star!

Mike & Molly

Monday, May 9 – CBS – 8 p.m.

By now, we all know how absolutely hilarious Melissa McCarthy is, and how much she owns her life, her body, etc. I like her, and she is great in this comedy about two overweight singles who meet at an overeaters’ anonymous-type setting. The usual family elements are in the mix: overbearing mother-in-law, out-of-line but lovable sister, and a best friend or two to round out the scope of laughter. It’s a great show, and you’d better catch it now (and watch the syndications). McCarthy has outgrown it, and this is the last season.

This feature is brought to you by Cox Communications.

Check out the new Contour from Cox where you can find your favorite shows and movies after with Smart Search and voice commands, save up to 1,000 hours of programming, watch anywhere in your home and more.

To learn more about the latest in Cox TV offers, click here.

Do you have enough speed to stream movies? Discover your speed with just a click.

Cox is in the Community. See how we support our local communities at www.Cox-Cares.org.