Whether students immerse themselves in the drama of Orange County, share laughs with the "Friends" crew in the aptly named "Central Perk" or delight in re-runs of shows from the early '90s (Full House, anyone?), nearly everyone has at least one television show that is held close to the heart.
As many rearrange their schedules to avoid missing that one show that they look forward to all week, one has to wonder why these shows have such power over the average college student population.
Many students, like second-year College student Anderson Koeniger, have serious reasons behind their love for a certain television show. Koeniger's favorite is "Boston Legal."
"Before that, it was 'The Practice,'" Koeniger said. "I want to be an attorney. The law firm/courtroom drama appeals to me for that reason. And ["Boston Legal"] is funny."
Other students have more general reasons for liking a certain sitcom.
"I like the 'Gilmore Girls,'" first-year College student Lorna Schadeberg said. "I like it because it's not only soap-opera-esque, it has more intellectual conversation and it's about a college girl."
Like Schadeberg, second-year College student Joseph Padgett is drawn to his favorite show, "The OC," as a result of the characters.
"The characters are great," Padgett said. "The story can get kind of lame sometimes, but the actors and actresses give [the show] personality."
And while "The OC" and other such shows directed specifically at teenagers are rapidly gaining in popularity, the classics have not lost their appeal.
First-year College student David Lessard said his favorite show is "Seinfeld."
"It's a show about everything, and yet about nothing," Lessard said. "It comes up in every conversation."
Some students, like second-year College student Katie Hearns, enjoy a particular show without quite knowing the reason. Hearns said she likes watching "Forensic Files."
"It's sort of like 'Unsolved Mysteries,' except that the mysteries are solved," Hearns said. "My roommates asked me why I like it, but I don't really know."
Hearns watches the show when she gets back from work because there's no one else home.
"It actually kind of creeps me out," Hearns said. "But it's fun to see how they solve the crimes with just a little piece of evidence. And all the stories are true."
With fascinating and oftentimes addicting plot lines, it becomes important to many students that they see their favorite shows every week.
Koeniger said it is "fairly important" that he see "Boston Legal" every week.
"It's not like it dictates my life," Koeniger said. "But if I miss it for some reason, I'm always upset."
Schadeberg felt the same way about watching "Gilmore Girls."
"I look forward to it every week," Shadeberg said. "But if I have to miss it, I'll just catch up on it later. Sometimes I have to tape it."
Other students are even more relaxed about their favorite television shows. Third-year College student Ashley Jenks enjoys watching "Gilmore Girls," like Schadeberg, but does not schedule around it.
"I don't watch it when it comes on every week," Jenks said, instead choosing to catch up on the show at a later time.
Some students, however, have no qualms about taking the extra effort to be sure they will not have to miss their favorite shows.
Padgett said watching "The OC" every week is "very important" to him.
"Sometimes I'll have to reschedule some things," Padgett said.
Students also enjoy watching television shows because they present an opportunity to spend time with friends.
"Our suite watches 'Gilmore Girls' together," Schadeberg said.
But some students, like Padgett, prefer watching their show alone or in a small group.
"I generally find people not paying attention," Padgett said. "I watch alone or with another person, not with a large group of people, like [with] a football game."
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