Voice-overs

I don't watch a lot of television but from what I do watch, I've noticed that over the last 2-3 years some of the most popular shows (excluding gameshows, which is really all reality TV is) have used voice-overs. Why is this?

The theologian in me wants to believe that people (or at least TV producers) are seeking a grand metanarrative to give meaning to their lives. That somehow the voice of an omniscient narrator, connecting each storyline and plot, mirrors a personal desire for community and connectedness. The realist in me recognizes that voice-overs are quick ways to move a story forward.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are voice overs used too much? Do they "tell" when they should "show"? Is the average viewer too ignorant to understand a show unless they are knocked over the head with the shows theme-for-the week (vis-a-vis, Desperate Housewives). Or are shows loosing any sense of subtly and nuance?

Here are a list of shows I thought of that use narrators or voice overs. Help me out by posting any others that you know of that I have not. I am especially interested if you have noticed any shows that have recently debuted that include voice overs.

Desperate Housewives
Grey's Anatomy
My Name is Earl
Arrested Development
Myth Busters

...any else?

Marathoning Update

Many of you know I'm preparing for a marathon. I thought I've give a little update on how my training is going. I've hit a kind of middle ground. I still have seven weeks to go, plenty of time to get hurt or worn out. A couple of times life has gotten in the way of my training, so right now I'm scrounging around for some marthonivation, something to get me geared up again. I've gone on the website, I've been re-reading old issues of Runner's World Magazine, and I've been trying to get myself mentally prepared.

This past Saturday I did have some pain in my foot as I far though the country roads of Indiana. We were on a trip to visit our friends Drew and Andrea and I woke up early to get a run in. I don't think that pain had anything to do with Indiana itself, but just in case I'm not going to run anywhere in Indiana for awhile. I'm going to stick to the well worn streets of Michigan.

If your looking for something to do come October, the Grand Rapids Marathon is looking for volunetters. I think you get a t-shirt. You can sign up on the website. Then you can come see me run. (and about 2000 other people.) Cheers.