Scott, I think you make an excellent observation, which I too tried to stress in pointing to these bad episodes: these two shows are usually very good, and a stinker every so often should hardly surprise. It’s a pity and rather telling, however, that the mistakes always seem to be in lurching to the left, never to the right. When we see a TV drama episode that paints the Tea Party movement in a good light, then we’ll have something special.

As to The Middleman, I saw only a couple of episodes, but I agree that it was a good show. ABC Family can be hit or miss, yet it’s clear that they try to make decent shows.

It’s a shame that some people (you know where to find them) are eager to yell “Boycott!” over a single episode of a TV show. As I’m fond of reminding people, a TV series is like 22 mini-movies in one year and you’re bound to have good ones mixed with bad ones.

One great conservative-friendly show from a couple years ago is ABC Family’s much-missed The Middleman.