One Show a Day the Heather Way

We live in a fast-paced society and time is precious. So why waste time flipping through channels, hoping to stumble upon a good program? Below is a guide that will help you find one good television show to watch each day… Enjoy!

Sunday: Amazing Race (CBS 7:00PM)
Amazing Race, currently in its twelfth season, is a show in which pairs from all over the country race around the world in an effort to win $1 million. Whether they are recently-dating couples, brother/sister combinations, or father and daughter teams, watching each couple interact in high-stress situations is enough to bring out the psychologist in each of us. But participants aside, The Amazing Race gives viewers at home a view of countries around the world. Through challenges viewers are shown real villages, real cultural traditions and real local pastimes. It’s like getting a passport stamp without ever leaving the comfort of the couch. But don’t just take my word for it: Amazing Race has been given all five Emmys for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program.


Monday: Little People, Big World (TLC 8:00PM and 8:30PM)
Little People, Big World documents the life of the Roloff family. School, homework, soccer games, chores, vacations, projects on the farm, friends and the pie-in-the-sky ideas of Matt (the dad) who is always scheming to better the farm in one way or another. But more than just showing off their family life, Little People, Big World gives viewers an appreciation of the challenges that face little people living in a big world. The Roloffs show viewers just how resilient little people can be. And as Amy says in the opening credits, “We can do anything an average-sized person can do. Just in a different way.” Tune in to see all the Roloff-style antics each week…


Tuesday: Jeopardy! (ABC M-F 6:30PM)
Often called “America’s Favorite Quiz Show”, Jeopardy! gives contestants and viewers the opportunity to test their knowledge on a wide variety of topics every week night. Created by Merv Griffin in 1964, Jeopardy! has been hosted by Alex Trebek since 1984. In 2001 the show was ranked second in TV Guide’s 50 Best Game Shows of All Time, loosing only to The Price is Right. And while some may see Jeopardy! as a show for the older generations, it is a fun show that lets college students show off just how much they’ve learned in school. Answer: Jeopardy! Question: What is what I should watch on Tuesday nights?


Wednesday: Private Practice (ABC 9:00PM)
A new show this season, Private Practice follows the in-office and personal lives of the doctors working in the Oceanside Group. As a spin-off of ABC’s popular show Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice may not be living up to the expectations of critics, but since when did they know everything? Private Practice, intended to be a medical drama, comes off more like a night-time soap opera. So if you aren’t at all interested in which doctor is dating whom and who used to want to date that same doctor then Private Practice isn’t for you. But if you like a little cheesy drama with your blood and guts then tune in this week.


Thursday: Ugly Betty (ABC 8:00pm)
Ugly Betty, currently in its second season, is based on the Colombian ‘telenovela’ Yo soy Betty, la fea. Starring América Ferrera as Betty Suárez, Ugly Betty shows how this not-so-likely girl from Queens handles a job in the fast-paced and integrity-lacking world of fashion. The show highlights Betty’s work and personal life, and while she may be good-intentioned and sweet at heart, she often finds herself in predicaments stemming from her awkwardness and naïveté. Ugly Betty is good-natured show that always leaves viewers laughing and waiting for the next episode.


Friday & Saturday: Grey’s Anatomy & ER (TiVo’d on Thursday ABC 9:00PM and NBC 10:00PM, respectively)
That’s right, in order to find something good on Fridays and Saturdays, you’ll have to plan ahead and record two shows on Thursday night. Currently in its fourth season, Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama based on the life of Meredith Grey and the other doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital. While intra-hospital relations are highlighted, the surgical department and drama therein also entertain. Similarly, ER takes place at County General Hospital and gives viewers a nice mix of personal life drama and medical procedures and hospital politics. Currently in its fourteenth season, ER has gone through enough cast members to confuse any payroll department. And although it has not always stayed as strong as it started, ER is currently featuring a good cast with very well-written plots.

So instead of just randomly flipping through the channels, take a look at these must-see shows this week. And if you get hooked on one, then take advantage of the writers’ strike and catch up with all the reruns…Enjoy!

“Little People” are making a big difference

Little People, Big World is a show unlike any other. Sure, there are plenty of reality shows that chronicle the daily lives of families all over the country. But few actually take the time to educate viewers about an often-times misunderstood segment of the population. Those with dwarfism.

When you think of dwarves on television and in movies what is the first thing that comes to mind? Elves. Leprechauns. Munchkins. The punch line of a joke, right? Well the TLC program Little People, Big World is showing Americans that there is more to being a dwarf than just being little.

Little People, Big World follows the busy lives of the Roloff family. Based at the family’s huge farm in Hillsboro, Oregon, the show gives viewers a glimpse into the daily lives of little people. Matt and Amy Roloff are little and were both born to average-sized parents. They have four children, only one of whom is little. Jeremy and Zack, the 17-year old twins are about as different as different could be. But that difference does not only come from their height - Jeremy is average size and Zach is little - but also their approach to life. Then comes average-sized Molly. She is 14 years old and often takes a backseat to the antics of her three brothers. And lastly there is Jacob. Also average-sized, Jacob is a typical baby of the family.

As previously mentioned, Little People, Big World documents the daily lives of the Roloff family. School, homework, soccer games, chores, vacations, projects on the farm, friends and the pie-in-the-sky ideas of Matt who is always scheming to better the farm in one way or another. But more than just showing off their family life, Little People, Big World gives viewers an appreciation of the challenges that face little people living in a big world.

Most of us take for granted the fact that we can reach the gas and brake pedals in all standard cars by simply moving the seat. We do not think about needing pedal extenders installed. Most of us can reach the counter in our own kitchens without needing a stepstool to cut an apple or fry an egg. And most of us can sit on an average-sized chair without having to climb up into it.

And while these differences between averaged-sized people and little people are noted in the construction of decks and fences, the restoration of cars and the ways in which everyday tasks are completed, Little People, Big World is not looking for viewers to feel sorry for those with dwarfism. Rather, the Roloffs show viewers just how resilient little people can be. And as Amy says in the opening credits, “We can do anything an average-sized person can do. Just in a different way.”

In addition to showing how the Roloffs live with dwarfism, Little People, Big World shows the camaraderie and competition that little people from all over the country have when getting together at conferences. Zack Roloff especially enjoys the annual Dwarf Athletic Association of America conference in which he can compete on an equal playing field with people of his own size. And his soccer team won the soccer competition two years in a row!

Matt Roloff, in addition to maintaining a lucrative farm-based business, is an avid spokesman for the little people community. As former president of the Little People of America, he is invited to speak all over the country to groups who wish to better their customer service to little people. And while Matt may be invited to talk about how airline companies and hotel chains can better serve the little people community, his message of resiliency inspires those in attendance.

Little People, Big World is a light-hearted show with a great message. Anyone, no matter what size, can do great things. So tune in to TLC on Monday nights at 8:00 and 8:30 for two new half-hour shows. The Roloff family is sure to teach you something while bringing a smile to your face…