Take two of these and keep it moving...

I basically spent Valentine’s Day in misery suffering from what I later found out was bronchitis.
At least, that’s what the doctor said it was. And I should accept that coming from a licensed medical professional. I realize that.

But it’s the way he arrived at this diagnosis that's got me scratching my head. In fact, I’m still scratching my head about several doctors’ visits I’ve had in the last year or two.
With each visit, lately I’m feeling more and more like I’m going through a drive-thru window at a fast food restaurant more than I am seeking medical attention, check ups or whatever.

First, let me clarify: This is in no way an attack on the medical community at all because Lord knows we need them. They work as hard as, if not harder, than many other professionals out here.

And really, maybe it’s my fault for watching too much “Grey’s Anatomy” or “ER” through the years, but I coulda sworn a standard doctor’s visit entailed some level of warmth, hospitality and at LEAST a question-and-answer period.
(For the sake of anonymity, I’m not going to name the place or anything like that.)

But my recent experience all started when I tried really hard to go to my primary doctor just to find out what the heck was going on with me.
Unfortunately, that office was completely booked with patients, probably suffering with the same thing I have or the flu or whatever other “heebie jeebie” out there, because God knows it’s all going around everywhere.

So I was put on a waiting list, but I didn’t want to take a chance on not getting to a doctor before the day’s end, so I went to another facility that handles this kinda stuff.
After waiting forever just to see the doctor, when I got in there he basically listened to my heartbeat, looked down my throat with the light thingy and promptly diagnosed me with bronchitis.

I was amazed. I coulda sworn I thought they would have had to take some blood, swab my tongue, take some DNA or something before arriving to a conclusion like that.
My eyes widened, reflecting my shock and he mistook it for alarm: “Don’t worry, it’s pretty common this time of year. I will have the nurse bring you the information for your prescription. Thank you and have a nice day,” he said.

This entire process took all of 5 minutes and I tried as hard as I could to ask as many questions as I could quickly think of in that brief time frame, but by the time he completed that sentence, his hand was on the knob and he was on his way out.
So I finally managed a “Wow, that was pretty quick!” And he smiled and said “Yes.” And that was that. He was outta there, while my mouth hung open with “But, but...”

And I’m still scratching my head trying to figure this whole thing out.
I know in these hard times of lay-offs, strenuous work hours, cutbacks and everything else that, just like journalism and many other industries, even healthcare has to struggle to keep afloat, but is this really what I should expect now when it comes to a doctor’s visit? Is this the norm or did I just pick the wrong time of day or place to go?

My medical peeps, will you help me out on this one?

Pass the Kleenex

So, I’ve been all geeked and DVR-ready for the new TV season and was all too excited to catch the season premieres of my favorite shows.
My TV show lineup went a little something like this: Last Thursday night ABC shows “Ugly Betty” and “Grey’s Anatomy” on through Sunday with ABC shows “Desperate Housewives,” (Yes, I STILL watch that show,) and “Brothers and Sisters” and then rounding it off Monday night with my CW show “Girlfriends” and my latest addition “The Game.”

And while I enjoyed all the twists and turns of the storylines in each of these show’s episodes, is it me or were they a bunch of sad, tear-jerker storylines?

I mean, I expect to grab some Kleenex for Grey’s Anatomy - that’s just a given. But “Ugly Betty”???! That was one of the cruelest surprises of all because through most of the show, they gave me a false sense of relief that Santos was actually alive and recovering from what looked like a fatal gunshot. Then, in the last five to 10 minutes of the show, we realize it was all in Hilda’s head. I mean that was incredible writing, but so awfully heartbreaking…

And the rest of my shows pretty much continued the same way. I mean there’s Lynette’s cancer battle on “Desperate Housewives,” and the dangling cliffhanger on whether or not Justin survived the bomb explosion in “Brothers and Sisters;” the emotionally explosive and almost violent dissolution of Melanie and Derwin’s relationship on “The Game.”

Then, just when I really thought I was gonna get my laugh on watching one of my favorite shows “Girlfriends” it got all serious at the end when Joan’s fiancée is called to war! I mean, they coulda thrown Joan a bone after all the drama and insanity she’s gone through to find the love of her life.

Man…I need to them lighten up on these storylines. Is anyone else feeling me on this on any of these shows or any of the season premieres of your favorite shows? Or maybe I just need to freshen up my TV lineup.

Goodbye Dr. Burke

So it’s official: Grey’s Anatomy’s sexy, intellectual Dr. Preston Burke has been fired.

Or, technically, the actor that portrayed him, Isaiah Washington, was fired. And I’m sad.

When a friend of mind emailed me the news early this morning, I didn't want to believe it.

Of course, his termination comes as no huge surprise to G.A. fans, especially in light of all the controversy surrounding him and those infamous anti-gay slurs he made about fellow actor T.R. Knight (George O’Malley.)

And as much as I LOVE the character of Dr. Burke and have always respected the career of Washington, I had to side with right and admit he was just plain ol’ wrong for what he said.

And as with any wrong, I felt he had to suffer the consequences, whatever that may be. I mean what was he thinking?!

Unfortunately for me, I still LOVE the character of Dr. Burke, especially Washington’s portrayal. So, this latest news makes me sad.

In fact, I really think the true losers in this whole mess are the fans.

I mean, forget the war in Iraq, the presidential campaign or even the rising crime. The firing of Washington is a tragedy of epic proportions.

You have to be a true, hardcore GA fan to understand where I’m coming from. That show has some of the best writing, acting and on-screen chemistry on television.

As Barbara Streisand’s “The Way We Were” plays in my head …

I mean, they were like this wonderful, uniquely diverse family of hardworking, smart professionals dealing with everyday, real-life situations that anybody could relate to. The themes transcended race, religion and gender.

Like a United Colors of Bennetton ad brought to life.

And their portrayals are so real and gripping that I swear sometimes you’re literally on the edge of your seat, bawling your eyes out or laughing your behind off, or curled up in a ball of anticipation at the end of each episode.

So that makes Washington’s departure something akin to the loss of a loved one or something. Well, in TV land anyway.

I’m wondering now if they're gonna replace him or just let the character go. I mean, I love Shonda Rhimes and I think her writing is just phenomenal, but I don’t want a replacement. That’s like adding insult to injury.

Right now, I just can’t even see how the show will be the same. Especially will all those loose ends that left us hanging in the season finale. I mean what’s gonna happen now? Oh lawd is the end near?

GA fans are y’all feeling me? What do y’all think Shonda should do or should have done?

Do you speak TV?

Y'all know by now that we talk about everything on here from the serious, heavy stuff, to the silly stuff. So, I'm going a little light today because I'm wondering what my TV heads out there are thinking about the latest season/series finales?

I watched "Girlfriends" and while I was happy about Joan finally getting engaged, it really felt like a much-needed series finale. I say “much-needed” because without the character of Toni Childs, this past season was just sad, more than anything. I mean, you can tell the actors and writers worked really hard to keep it going and I kept watching all season out of loyalty, but no doubt the show lost its flavor for real without the return of Toni.

I think I’m probably one of the few "Gilmore Girls" fans left out there. And I’m not even a 100 percent true fan because this whole season has been such a snore for me, that I hadn’t even gotten around to watching my DVR recordings of the show. I didn’t even make it to the finale. So I was glad to know it was a series finale, yet disappointed that the series had to go out like that.

Then, there’s the heartbreaking "Grey’s Anatomy" season finale. I’m a die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fan and all, but I was SO disappointed with this finale for a number of reasons. Well, that is until I read Shonda’s blog about it. (I’m referring to the show's creator Shonda Rhimes. Yes, in my head we’re on a first name basis.) After reading that I feel slightly more hopeful about the coming season. Otherwise, that season finale also felt more like a series finale.

OK, OK, for those of you who don’t watch any of these shows, you’re probably thinking I’ve finally lost my mind for good or you stopped reading this long time ago. But for those of you who do watch at least ONE of these shows, what did you think about the finales? What do you hope to see next season? What about any other season finales out there? What shows did you like or not and why?