Olympic gold medal image from Flickr.

Now that the Olympics are over, television schedules — and thus my life — will go back to normal, for the most part. The Olympics are a well-loved  tradition that brings people together and honors the world’s best athletes. Still, it will be nice to get back to following the storylines of my favorite sitcoms. Here are the five reasons I’m glad the Olympics are over.

1. ‘30 Rock’

True, “30 Rock” won’t be on this week because of another series showing an hourlong special. Still, The Olympics had to end to make way for the special, and after the special airs, “30 Rock” season four can finally continue. “30 Rock” is my favorite show, so I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens. Maybe one of the characters will get a no fax cash advance?

2. ‘The Office’

“The Office” is the series showing an hourlong special and knocking “30 Rock” from the lineup, but I ain’t mad. Commercials show that Pam will go into labor, which means we should be treating to a New Baby episode. Who doesn’t love that?

3. ABC Wednesdays

Showing the Olympics on NBC doesn’t just affect the programming on NBC. Most other network stations have been showing reruns of their primetime shows during primetime. I am assuming this is because of the Olympics. I’ll be very happy when I get to watch a new Wednesday lineup on ABC, and I am especially looking forward to “Modern Family.”

4. More airtime for other things

As a person who frequently reads and watches news from multiple sources multiple times a day, it’s always slightly irritating when one subject dominates coverage for an extended period of time. I’m glad to go back to reading about all the other stuff — even stuff about secured loans.

5. No more awkward silences

OK, I admit it, I didn’t watch the Olympics. I didn’t watch any of it. For the past couple of weeks people have tried to start conversations with me about events I didn’t watch or people I’ve never heard of. Of course, my total lack of knowledge about the Olympics would stop these attempted conversations dead in their tracks.

Alec Baldwin image from Wikimedia Commons.

Yes, it’s definitely Awards Season, and up next on the schedule are the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The ceremony airs Saturday on TNT and TBS, and the SAG Awards web site says the show will be live, so check the schedule to see what time it will air in your area.

Back when I used to like to make predictions, I found that if I ever ended up having to put my money where my mouth is, I’d need a loan for sure. So, I have given up on trying to guess who is going to win. Instead, here are a list of my 10 favorite SAG Award nominees for television series.

10. Edie Falco as Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to keep up on “Nurse Jackie” because I couldn’t afford the fancy cable package anymore, but I saw the first season and really enjoyed it. Falco’s character is so complex and interesting, with so many layers, sometimes it’s hard to know what to think of her — kind of like a real person.

9. Steve Carell as Michael Scott in The Office

Carell’s performance as Michael Scott often makes me squirm, but that’s what he is going for, so I guess that means he is doing a pretty great job. In its sixth season, it seems “The Office” is starting to lose a little momentum, but it’s still holding my interest.

8. Curb Your Enthusiasm, outstanding comedy ensemble

Larry David, Susie Essman, Jeff Garlin and Cheryl Hines definitely deserved to be nominated for the 2010 SAG award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. It’s hard to tell with this one whether it’s just type-casting or even scripted reality television, but whatever is going on with “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” it’s working.

7. The Office, outstanding comedy ensemble

A couple of years ago, this choice would have been closer to the top of my list, but after so many successful years on the air, I think it’s time to make way for some newbies, such as …

6. Modern Family, outstanding comedy ensemble

A lot of shows take a little while to warm up to. It takes time to get to know the characters and really appreciate them. However, with “Modern Family” I felt like I knew the characters from day one. Put that together with all the laughs on the show, and  you’ve got yourself a winner.

5. Tina Fey as Liz Lemon in 30 Rock

Fey’s character on “30 Rock” is a great example of layered and believable. She manages to be strong, smart and powerful yet insecure and a little crazy at the same time. She reminds me of myself and most of my friends.

4. Toni Colette as Tara Gregor in The United States of Tara

Watching Colette play Tara Gregor and her various multiple personalities in “United States of Tara” is really an amazing sight to behold. Most actors are highly acclaimed for being able to completely nail one character, and she manages to pull off playing four very different people in this series, not to mention a hissing, animal-type … thing.

3. 30 Rock, outstanding comedy ensemble

I think “30 Rock” is the funniest show on television, and I never miss it. This cast manages to keep things feeling fresh and new, and despite feeling like I know everyone on the show personally, they still manage to surprise me.

2. Glee, outstanding comedy ensemble

Between the comedy, the subtle drama and the amazing musical performances, “Glee” is my favorite show on television. The characters are fun, dynamic and diverse. The situational comedy is spot on. The way this show manages to pull of dramatic plotlines without being dramatic is impressive. Long live “Glee”!

1. Alec Baldwin as Jack Donaghy in 30 Rock

If there were ever a way to completely destroy one of my favorite shows, writing Jack Donaghy out of “30 Rock” would be the way. I love Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan, but I am absolutely addicted to Alec Baldwin. Despite my shout-outs to other actors for this category, Alec Baldwin deserves to take home the 2010 SAG award for this one.

Julie Bowen plays Claire Dunphy on "Modern Family."

I loved this quirky comedy from the very first episode. The central nuclear family, the Dunphys, is filled with great characters, especially the clueless dad, but it’s the nontraditional families that surround them that really make the show. The grandpa with his sexy, younger-than-his-daughter Columbian wife — who are either very rich or in need of debt repair — and her 10-year-old-going-on-40 son are interesting, complete characters, and they’re funny. Mitchell and Cam with their adopted baby Lily are endlessly lovable and hilarious, and “Modern Family” does them the favor of not writing them as the stereotypical, mostly-for-laughs gay men we have seen so much on prime time TV.

5. ‘Project Runway’

I think “Project Runway” does a good job of focusing on the fashion design competition and not personal drama. Sure, there’s some personal drama, but it’s just enough to let you get to know what is interesting about the contestants. People watch “Project Runway” to see who will win and lose each round, not to find out who said what about whom. Of course, I can’t write about “Project Runway” without mentioning its single best asset: Tim Gunn. Who doesn’t love him?

4. ‘The Office’

In previous seasons, “The Office” would have been No. 1 on my list, but ever since Jim got his management position, the dynamic of the show just isn’t quite the same. Jim has always been my favorite character, and he was also the sane center of the show. Now, I sometimes feel like I don’t know him anymore. Still, “The Office” is one of the best-written shows on TV, and I am excited to see what this season brings. Pam and Jim’s baby is on the way, and Dunder Mifflin will be sold to a company owned by Kathy Bates.

3. ‘Top Chef’

This show is off-season at the moment, but I look forward to it no matter what time of year it is. The best thing about this cooking competition show is that it keeps getting better each season. The challenges are more interesting, the quickfires have higher stakes and the chefs are getting better. Season six, in Las Vegas, was the most exciting, competitive, unpredictable season yet, and I can’t wait for “Top Chef” to get back on the air — even though I think Kevin should have won last season.

2. ‘30 Rock’

Maybe I’m just excited because it came back after its break this week, but I think “30 Rock” is the funniest show on television. The guest stars are always amazing and well-used. The characters are just crazy enough to be funny and just complex enough to be believable. I’m excited to see what happens this season when Liz’s previous love interest, the too-handsome Dr. Drew Baird, returns. And I can’t wait to hear what comes out of Tracy Jordan’s and Jack Donaghy’s mouths.

1. ‘Glee’

While “30 Rock” is the funniest show on television, “Glee” is the best. It strikes an excellent balance between drama and comedy and, of course, music! The cast is full of amazing performers, both musically and theatrically. The plotlines are sometimes borderline ridiculous, but “Glee” is the type of show that asks us to suspend disbelief. “Glee” fans do it willingly because the reward is priceless.

Kathy Bates will be on "The Office." Image from Flickr.

Word has gotten out that Kathy Bates will be on “The Office” for several episodes, starting next month. Consider this your official spoiler alert from your no fax payday loans source: If you don’t want to know anything about what’s going to happen on “The Office,” stop reading now.

Kathy Bates on “The Office” will play the CEO of a company that acquires Dunder Mifflin. She will be on several episodes starting Feb. 4. New episodes of “The Office” will be back on NBC next week, Jan. 21. Just so you know exactly how long you have to wait for Jim and Pam’s baby, I read on the Seattle PI (See: http://www.seattlepi.com/tvguide/414054_tvgif10.html) site that the baby episode will be a two-parter, March 4 and March 11.

New ‘30 Rock’ this week — times two!

“30 Rock” returns this week, Thursday, with not one but two brand-new episodes. I don’t know what we, the loyal “30 Rock” audience did to deserve this, but I can hardly wait! Furthermore, I read up a little bit about what’s in store this season, and it looks like we are in for more fun surprises.

Remember that guy who Liz dumped because he was too handsome and it caused him to live in a “bubble”? Yeah, I thought  that was kind of dumb of her, too. Anyway, Dr. Drew Baird, played by Jon Hamm, is returning to to show just in time for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 11.

More fabulous guest stars

Though we have a while to wait until Kathy Bates is on “The Office” and Jon Hamm comes back to “30 Rock,” the guest star of all guest stars will join the cast of “Community” this week. He gave “The Office” a ratings boost when he showed up on an episode of that show, and now Jack Black wants to join Jeff’s study group.

With two new episodes of “30 Rock” and Jack Black guest starring on “Community” Thursday, I don’t know how I’ll be able to stand the wait.

NBC says "The Office" will continue for another season.

Even the popular network television station NBC hasn’t been immune to the economic downturn as discriminating advertisers get stingy about where they spend their money.

NBC trails CBS, Fox and ABC in prime-time ratings, a huge factor for companies looking for where to buy advertising. NBC hopes to avoid needing short term loans by launching six new shows, which it has announced two weeks before the other major networks.

Drama queens

NBC is launching six new shows, four of which are dramas. The network is hoping to capitalize on the popularity of the 1989 film “Parenthood” with a family drama of the same name. The new show is based on the film.

Throwing a couple more shows into an ever-growing niche, NBC is launching two new medical dramas. “Trauma” follows a fictitious San Francisco trauma team. Entertainment Weekly calls it “one of those ultra-NBC, “pulse-pounding,” lives-in-danger-of-exploding shows in the tradition of ER and Third Watch.”

The second medical drama, “Mercy,” appears as though it may be more like a romance than an action flick. According to EW:

(Head nurse Veronica is) married, but a cute doctor arrives at the hospital (in a wincing Grey’s Anatomy moment, he’s actually referred to as “hot doctor guy”). Hot doc proves to be a former lover of Veronica’s: ooh, complications ensue!

The fourth drama, “Day One,” chronicles the aftermath of a global catastrophe.

Aiming for laughs

NBC is also launching two comedies this fall, the first headed by Joel McHale of “The Soup.” The show is called “Community,” and it’s “about a community college full of misfit students and teachers,” according to EW.

“100 Questions” will also aim to tickle viewers’ funny bones with stories of a woman who signs up on an online dating site and is faced with 100 questions.

NBC also plans to run six new episodes of “Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday,” which got great ratings during the election.

Who goes and who stays

NBC will not officially announce its lineup until May 19, when a schedule and concrete list of returning shows will be revealed. However, the network has already said it will bring back “Heroes,” “Southland,” “Parks and Recreation,” “The Office,” “30 Rock,” “The Biggest Loser,” “The Celebrity Apprentice,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “Friday Night Lights.”