What made you the TV viewer you are today?

What show made you a TV fan?

Clearly most of us take TV a bit more seriously than the average viewer. So what was the show that got you hooked?

We've talked about this before but I always think summer time is a great time to revisit why we so ardently love this genre.

For me, it was "Cheers." More specifically it was the first season cliffhanger that had Sam and Diane kiss. After the episode was over, I immediately called my friend to process (something I don't think happens as much in the era of DVRs). I counted down the days of the second season premiere on my calendar (that summer seemed to go on forever) and I instructed my family that no one was to talk to me during the premiere (behavior like this might explain why my parents were insistent on limiting my TV time). It's why I'll watch anything Ted Danson is in.

We all care about TV passionately. We are not your average viewer.

So what show made you the TV viewer you are today? Talk about it below.

Merlin

"Merlin," which premieres Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC, plays out a little bit like if the gang on "Gossip Girl" went back to medieval times and got to use magic. Prince Arthur (Bradley James) is a young punk who thinks he can get away with just about anything because he's the King's son. Merlin (Colin Morgan) is a teen who doesn't quite know what to do with his powers. Gwen (Angel Coulby) is the young lady who catches both their eyes.

Anthony Head (Giles on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer") plays King Uther, Arthur's dad. King Uther has outlawed magic in his kingdom and has taken to beheading anyone who breaks his rule. That puts Arthur in quite a bit of danger in the pilot. Although Head has been in a few series since "Buffy" ended, it is great to have him back on network TV. But I do wish his part had a bit more oomph.

"Merlin" definitely has "A Knight's Tale" feel but the pilot falls flat. It's good that the series is not taking itself or its time period too seriously. But the special effects aren't great and plot a little trite. Morgan's Merlin is a little too wide-eyed and Arthur too much of a jerk. This is a complete refashioning of the Camelot so don't look for things to play out the way they did in books you read growing up.  But I think there could be a fun show here. And perhaps there is. "Merlin" is already a big hit in England and Australia. The second season of "Merlin" starts airing in England in the fall. For now two and a half out of five stars. After you watch Merlin, let me know what you think.

Amy Awards

The voting ballot is now up for the 2009 Amy Awards. If you haven't voted yet, you have until this Sunday, June 21 at 5 p.m. vote. Click here for your ballot.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Mechad Brooks is Eggs on "True Blood." He was Matthew Applewhite during the second season "Desperate Housewives."

This is more of a where will I seen her again? Gillian Jacobs was the ballet dancer who kept passing out on "Royal Pains." You see her again soon because she stars in the new NBC comedy "Community."

Kit Pongetti was the Janitor's wife Lady on "Scrubs." She was the paramedic who told Casey she could die at any time on "Greek."

Rebecca recognized Lee Tergesen as Detective Nick Carey in the season premiere of "The Closer." Tergesen was Tobias on "Oz," Peter during the second season of "Desperate Housewives" (remember he was the one Bree dated), and Scribe on "Generation Kill." Rebecca remembers him from playing Chett on the TV version of "Weird Science."

Paola Turbay, Adrienne's mom Cindy on "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," was Detective Mikki Mendoza on "The Closer." She was also Isabel Vega on the short-lived CBS series "Cane." My friends at TNT tell me that Turbay will be back for at least one more episode of "The Closer."

Debra Monk was the wife of the kidnapped man on "The Closer." She was Andy's ex-wife Katie on "NYPD Blue" and George's mom on "Grey's Anatomy." Kaj-Erik Eriksen was her son. Among his many roles, he was Danny on "The 4400" and David Scali on "The Commish." Miguel Sandoval was the kidnapper. He's D.A. Manuel Devolos on "Medium."

Ask TV Gal

Have any idea when part two of "Maneater" will be on again? I taped the first one and don't want to start watching it unless I can be sure to finish the second installment. Thanks, Cheryl

I checked with the folks at Lifetime and the good news is that the network will be airing "Maneater" again. The bad news you have to wait a little while. The entire four-hour miniseries will air again on Sunday, August 9 from 5-9 p.m.

Is Holly Maples an official regular on "In Plain Sight?" I absolutely love the sparring between Eleanor and Mary. Rebecca

The official word on Holly Maples is that she joined the cast of "In Plain Sight" this season in a recurring role so we will definitely be seeing her for the rest of the season which is a good thing considering her blossoming romance with Stan.

Remember you can now follow me on Twitter.

That is all for today. Don't forget that it's the series finale of "The Unusuals" tonight at 10 p.m. on ABC. (All together now, "Boooooo!") I'll be back on Friday with quotes of the week and to get a jump start on all the shows premiering next week starting with a review of the season premiere of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager." Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week. Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com.

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