Let’s face it – we all have goals.  I have two in particular – 1) to get fit, 2) to finish some projects (a.k.a. books). That said, it’s hard to deny my urges to watch compelling television or movies.  After all, I am a “master” of communication – and was a student of media.  It’s my job (or at least it’s what I went to school for) to consume media – I love it.  I draw inspiration from it.  I study it (to recognize trends or techniques).  So no, I don’t feel guilty about my viewing addictions – I am shameless, and I am proud, ha!

Now that my defense is out of the way, here is the list of what I’ll be watching:

WWE RAW – Mondays 8/7c on USA Network

WWE RAW has been on my watch-list since waaaaay back in the day.  It’s compelling television (most of the time) – but really, I’m drawn to idea of physicality – I love watching people fight! I love all the nuanced references to everyday pop culture and how real-life issues or controversies are built into the storylines.  I’m a fan – I can honestly count on one hand the number of episodes of Monday Night RAW I’ve missed in the last decade! It’s like my religion! So you should have expected this to be here.

Sleepy Hollow – Mondays 9/8c on FOX

All I can say is thank God for whoever invented DVR! Do you know how many shows I never watched pre-DVR because they aired during Monday Night RAW?  Well, I shall miss no more!  I watched the first episode of this on Hulu Plus, because I lost track of time and missed the premiere on FOX.  I wasn’t sold immediately, but all week, I’ve just been thinking about this show and eagerly anticipating episode two – so it’s on the watch-list.  I assume you all know the legend of Sleepy Hollow – so I won’t bore you with the details of the show, except to say that it’s a modern-day re-telling, where Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman wake up in our world.  Trippy!

NCIS – Tuesdays 8/7c on CBS

I never started watching this run-of-the-mill crime procedural (and TV’s “number one drama”) until about three years ago.  Since then, I’ve made an investment in the characters – and after the events of last season, and the hinted at, emotional send-off of Ziva David (Cote de Pablo), it’d be hard to turn away now.  So here we go…

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – Wednesdays 9/8c on NBC

SVU is entering its 15th season – so I think it would be pretty safe to assume you all know what it’s about.  Last season ended with a perp. walking free and showing up in Detective Benson’s house! Olivia was held at gun-point and the screen went black.  Now, the creators are promising the two-hour season premiere will be the most compelling and dramatic episode ever – sending Olivia to places she’s never gone before.  Sounds dark! I’m in!  If Olivia’s life-changing situation isn’t enough to bring you in, the writers are crafting an episode starring Cybill Shepherd that combines the Paula Deen and Trayvon Martin controversies (a celebrity chef in fear, shoots an unarmed black teen).

American Horror Story: Coven – Wednesdays 10/9c on FX

Witches, voodoo, New Orleans, Kathy Bates, Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange, and Sarah Paulson – enough said.  I really liked season one of AHS – and season two? Well, that was a rare thing, wasn’t it.  I loved it – I think the second season was far better than the first! Now we’re at season three and the creators have added MAJOR talents to the show!  Kathy Bates will portray Madame LaLaurie – a New Orleans socialite known for being a torturous slave-owner!  What could be better?  The fact that Bates is said to be in conflict with the famed voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (Angela Bassett).  And let’s not forget – Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson will be playing a mother-daughter combination of witches descended from Salem!  Teaser trailers have built my excitement, I’m ready for horrific, creepy, and thrilling Wednesday nights!

SCANDAL – Thursdays 10/9c on ABC

Consider my Thursdays “handled,” Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) style.  Having never seen this wildly-addictive show before this summer, I binge watched seasons one and two in about a week! Ever since then, I’ve been regretting finishing season two because the wait for season three is killing me (not really killing me, but you get the point). I’m not sure what kinds of drama will be unfolding – but I know there’s a surprise coming to Olivia – and there’s a mole that desperately needs to be found – and I know that I can’t wait to see the Olivia-Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) chemistry and story again! but… starting mid-October, SCANDAL will be taking a backseat to…

Covert Affairs – Thursdays 10/9c on USA

Since its creation – Covert Affairs has been a Tuesday show!  But I suppose USA knew I was going to fall in love with SCANDAL.  Season four of the spy-series has been vastly darker and more dramatic than ever before.  The creators promised the mid-season finale would “change everything” – and now?  Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) is going “off the grid” – wait, what? The show’s going to get even more intense – and even darker!? I don’t know if my heart can take it! I already dubbed the first half of this season as “palpitation-inducing” drama (not really causing my heart to palpitate, I’m just expressing my deep satisfaction with the show) – I can only (anxiously) imagine the second half! This is my favorite scripted show on television – and I’m ready for it to come back! Did I mention Jonathan Togo (from CSI) will be coming to the second half of the season to battle Annie Walker!?

WWE Smackdown – Fridays 8/7c on SyFy

(see above reasoning for why) I love the WWE – I’d love to work for the WWE.  If I could everyday of my life – I’d eat, sleep, and breathe the WWE.  While I’m not quite as dedicated to WWE Smackdown as I am to Monday Night RAW, I can’t deny my urges to see my favorite Superstars and Divas battling it out on a network that tells me to “imagine greater.” Yup.

Dracula – Fridays 10/9c on NBC

Why on earth would a network premiere a show in the death slot of prime time television!?  I can’t figure it out.  I am a fan of Jonathan Rhys-Meyers – and the story of Dracula – so it should go without saying, I’m really excited for this show! I think Meyers is the perfect choice to play the life-taking villain – his body of work would support this claim.  He has the look and the charisma to make this compelling to watch!  I think NBC has a sleeper hit on their hands (and a hit is something they desperately need)… I guess time will tell, but I know I’ll be watching!

Dancing on the Edge – Saturdays 10/9c on Starz

Starz has a way with television.  I loved Spartacus and I loved Magic City.  Now, they’re both gone and I’m in search of something new.  So what are they giving to me?  A 5-episode miniseries – a period-drama (originally created for BBC) set in 1930s England to the sounds of Jazz (more specifically – “a black jazz band becomes entangled in the aristocratic world of 1930s London as they seek fame and fortune” – thanks IMDb!). Once I read that Matthew Goode and John Goodman were involved with the project – this became a done deal.  I’m hooked already, and it hasn’t even premiered.

Masters of Sex – Sundays 10/9c on Showtime

A period-drama about the researchers whose exploration of human sexuality started the sexual revolution? Yes please. Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) are probably about to capture my imagination – I mean, just look at the promotional picture for the show – it looks very stylized – and I can appreciate style (I mean it looks like a well-and-beautifully produced and costumed show) – and sex.

Gator Boys – Sundays 10/9c on Animal Planet

I love this show – not only because its an animal show, but because hosts Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle are fun and daring hosts.  I love watching them go on calls and wrangle alligators in the waters of Florida! It’s a show riddled with danger – but they do it with such certainty and confidence that it makes me want to go on an alligator call! Wait, I don’t think that’s possible around St. Louis.  Damn.

Total Divas – Sundays 10/9c on E!

Now here’s a problem. Total Divas, Gator Boys, and Masters of Sex all in the same time-slot!? Fortunately for me, E! has re-runs two hours after the original airing of an episode! So all hope is not lost.  You already know by now that I’m a WWE fan.  But did you also know I became one the night legendary diva Trish Stratus debuted?  Probably not.  I’ve always watched for the Women’s Division (hey, I’m a feminist) so it makes sense that I’d lend my viewership to support it.  Despite what this show’s title suggests (yes, there is drama – and yes, some of the women are real “divas”), this is a groundbreaking reality-show that offers a “behind-the-scenes” look into the WWE.  Besides, it’s the edgiest show WWE has since going PG in 2008 – I mean, where else are you going to see The Bella Twins hurling a purple vibrator at one another?  I rest my case.

There you have it.  That’s what’s on my watch list.  Anything you’ll be joining me in watching?  Anything you’re excited to see?  Have I piqued your interest in a show? Let me know in the comments section!