Guest Author - Amy Ralston Young

Call me crazy, but I had no idea that TBS showed anything other than Braves games and "Saved by the Bell" reruns. Imagine my surprise when I discovered Ted Turner's superstation has moved out from under the pile of reruns into new, original programming.

Don't worry, there are still plenty of syndicated shows in rerun ("Sex in the City," "King of Queens," "Everybody Loves Raymond..."), but now we can all enjoy original sitcoms as well.


"My Boys"
PJ Franklin (Jordana Spiro) is a twenty-something sportswriter for the Chicago Sun Times. She’s smart, funny, sexy, and perhaps too much of a tomboy.

Her group of friends consists of her brother Andy (Jim Gaffigan), commitment phobic Mike (Jamie Kaler) who works for the Cubs, Kenny (Michael Bunin) who owns a sports memorabilia store, hard-rock DJ Brendan (Reid Scott) who often finds himself sleeping on PJ’s couch, her old flame and rival sports reporter Bobby (Kyle Howard), and the lone female perspective in the group Stephanie (Kellee Stewart).

PJ is already successful and now she just wants to find a little love, but that proves to be harder than it should. Each episode deals with her ongoing struggle to find Mr. Right and her friends’ inabilities to land the right girl as well.

The show was created by Betsy Thomas, a sports fanatic herself, so although it may seem like a “chick” show, guys can enjoy it too.

Watch it: Mondays, 10 p.m. EST

Stars: Jordana Spiro, Jim Gaffigan, Jamie Kaler, Michael Bunin, Reid Scott,
Kyle Howard, and Kellee Stewart



“The Bill Engvall Show”
Blue Collar comedian Bill Engvall brings his unique humor to the world of sitcoms in this half-hour show about a therapist and his family – who could use a little help themselves.

Engvall plays Bill Pearson, a family counselor in Denver who thinks his family is the ideal we should all shoot for – boy is he misguided!

The show features great performances by Nancy Travis (Pearson’s wife Susan) and Tim Meadows (Pearson’s best friend Paul). The couple’s three children add to the chaos. It’s a much different format than fans of the “here’s your sign” purveyor might expect, but it is definitely funny.

Watch it: Tuesdays, 9 p.m. EST

Stars: Bill Engvall, Nancy Travis, Skyler Gisondo, Jennifer Lawrence, Graham
Patrick Martin, Steve Hytner, Tim Meadows,


“House of Payne”
From talented playwright Tyler Perry comes this comedy about a multigenerational family working their way through life.

After an unexpected event leaves CJ Payne (Alan Payne) and his kids without a place to go, they move into Pop’s (CJ’s uncle) house and comedy ensues.

Pops (LaVan Davis) is comfortable the way he is and doesn’t react well to the changes in his routine that come with three generations under one roof. His cantankerous nature is balanced by his loving wife Ella (Cassi Davis), who also provides a mother figure for CJ’s kids.

The cast is rounded out by Lance Gross, who plays Pops and Ella’s smart-mouthed son Calvin. Although he’s in college, Calvin finds plenty of time to bother Pops and borrow his money.

The sitcom did so well with its first two airings that TBS ordered another 100 episodes. Just to give you an idea of how monumental that is, most shows are renewed for 24 episodes (the typical length of a season) at a time.

Watch it: Wednesdays, 9 p.m. EST

Stars: Allen Payne, LaVan Davis, Cassi Davis, Larramie Shaw, China McClain,
Denise Burse, Demetria McKinney, and Lance Gross