Chicago Sun-Times gets new TV columnist: Paige Wiser

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: OUR NEW TV CRITIC | As she starts job, Paige Wiser ponders the small screen's lure : April 17, 2009 : BY PAIGE WISER Sun-Times Columnist : I have had more than my share of residences over the years -- "garden-level" studios, condos, fixer-uppers. Eventually I had the moving process down to a science. I always kept in touch with a burly ex-boyfriend for the heavy lifting, and I always made sure to schedule cable installation well before my treadmill made it off the truck. : In short: A house without a television on is not a home. : This week my Sunday general-interest column disappears as I focus full time on TV. I believe firmly that there is no greater job. For me, there is no higher calling. : If you've ever survived a power outage, you know there is little that is lonelier than a dark TV. TV is company. It's the ultimate friend, offering you everything from the Lifetime channel for lost weekends to "Gossip Girl" for rowdy group viewings. : I know that many parents try to limit their children's access to TV. I am not one of those parents. How many of us, after all, can afford a nanny? Joking! Maybe you can't classify "Yo! Gabba Gabba's" classic "There's a Party in My Tummy" as educational, but the kids will almost certainly turn out better than those of us raised on the psychedelic fare of Sid & Marty Krofft. "Land of the Lost's" Sleestaks haunt me still. : What are my views on today's TV? : I think good TV is whatever people are still talking about the next morning. At the lowest-common-denominator level, that means the most recent "Bachelor" finale. For a while there, it even meant the Snuggie commercial. : My favorite show right now is "Lost." I get excited about shows that break new ground, and then own it. I came to "Lost" late, catching up on back episodes at the ABC Web site. Original, real characters. Vivid storytelling. Sharp writing. A bewildering mystery. And when I don't feel like being challenged, I can wallow comparing the pectoral cleavage of Sayid and Sawyer. Or watch to see who the smoke monster will dismember next. : In the "full disclosure" category, my husband is a radio producer for WGN and has a weakness for real estate reality shows like "House Hunters International." I assure you I will do my best to remain objective in this area. : While we are not considering any more children, we have three DVRs and would lovingly welcome more to the family. : I sincerely want to hear from TV lovers about what they are watching, and what they're looking for in a TV critic today. E-mail me at pwiser@suntimes.com, even if you just want to trade great lines from "The Amazing Race." I'm on Facebook and Twitter, and I'll be blogging at blogs.suntimes.com/tv. : In the meantime, I'll be watching. : : My TV influences : Clutch Cargo and his dog Paddlefoot : "The Gigglesnort Hotel" : "Saved by the Bell" : "Lace" : "Joanie Loves Chachi" : "WKRP in Cincinnati" : "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" : "Murder, She Wrote" : "Freaks and Geeks" : Obsessive viewing of every season of "Big Brother" : "Arrested Development" : "Veronica Mars" : Tyra Banks : Heidi Klum : Ricky Gervais on the British "The Office" : Creed Bratton from the new "The Office" : Alec Baldwin in "30 Rock"

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