As a general rule, I try to only blog about things no one could possibly care about. Generally, I enjoy things before they're popular, and occasionally eschew popular things for no better reason than because everyone likes them. Take Alan Moore's Watchmen, for example. I have been wearing a homemade Comedian button, complete with blood drop, pinned to my black trenchcoat for years. I have to admit, I'm way stoked about the movie. But the fact that people are suddenly "discovering" Watchmen is mildly irritating to me, in the same way the popularity of the Lord of the Rings movie bothered me.

Part of it is doubtless a feeling that I'm suddenly that much less unique as a person. But a larger part of it is that a lot of these Johnny-come-lately fans are the same people who, before Hollywood got around to the dramatization, not only refused to read the books but actively persecuted those who did!

But I digress, characteristically, before I've even begun. Talking about evening television is pretty trivial stuff by comparison with my usual rants. But I think it is absolutely fascinating to watch Heroes and Lost repeatedly swap places in the race for competent writing. You know, less than two years ago there was an episode of Robot Chicken that made fun of geeks who started every conversation with, "Heroes is so much better than Lost, it actually has a plot that goes somewhere!"

I admit, I said that to a lot of people.

But here we are in the fifth season of Lost, and I'm ready to forgive season three entirely. While the second half Heroes' third season has improved over the last 26 episodes or so, I am sick to death of the easy-come-easy-go powers game. Do we really have to nerf Peter every single season? That's just lazy writing. And whatever happened to his Irish girlfriend, anyway? "Nothing ever happens in Lost" has become "The same thing happens over and over in Heroes."

Yes indeed--Heroes was the new Lost. Suddenly, Lost is the new Heroes. Faraday is my favorite, Desmond is brilliant, I miss Charlie but on the whole I'm very pleased with the direction the show has taken. It's such a simple thing, a silly thing. Evening television, who cares, right? But you'd think those crazy network executives could catch a clue. A popular series must be managed carefully! Don't kill the goose that lays golden eggs. Don't put hack writers on a great series and expect to coast on fan goodwill.

Anyhow, it's trivial but that's what's on my mind right now. And hey, for most people this will be the most interesting, relevant post I've written in months, so, bonus!