It didn't occur to me until this fall season, when I struggled to find room, among the "Desperate Housewives" and the "Gossip Girl(s)," for the various new shows I'd wanted watch.

Could I add "My Own Worst Enemy" to my TiVo lineup? It was already busy; "Chuck" and "Heroes" on one network, "Prison Break" on another, and a host of laughs and gossip on others. Could I handle another hour?

Turns out, I didn't have to. NBC made the decision for me when it canceled the show.

Good thing, too, because I couldn't squeeze that hour into my schedule. I was tempted; I liked the concept enough, but after two episodes I was pretty confused. If my TV time was already stretched too thin, I didn't want a show that made me think too much.

NBC also took care of "Lipstick Jungle" -- not that I watched that drivel, anyway. But now that it's canceled, I don't have to worry about whether Wendy will bounce back after she was fired, or whether Nico and Kirby will patch things up, or if Victory -- well, doesn't matter. I don't have to worry about it anymore. Not that I ever did; I don't even watch the show.

My thanks, also, goes to CBS, for its part in paring down my tight viewing schedule. That network axed "The Ex List," which, to be honest, didn't have a bright future. It had certain charm, but that charm was largely obscured by its reliance on contrived seriousness.

Not every show can be a winner.

That said, I've got some advice for Fox and ABC. I've still got a few more hours to shave off of my overtaxed TiVo.

First off, ABC. I could do without "Private Practice." I still like it, but I don't love it. Addison has grown so far beyond the surgeon she used to be at Seattle Grace -- she's become shrill and whiny and, now that she's the boss, kinda bossy. I liked the old Addison, the snarky, independent Addison -- the Addison of "Grey's Anatomy."

It's easily a show I could stop watching but I can't seem to let it go just yet. I'd feel too guilty, after I've invested all this time. I keep waiting for the show to surprise me, and it rarely does. But I could easily give it up, if it weren't on the air.

So how about it, ABC? Feel like letting this one go? It's not too late to trade it for "Pushing Daisies" or "Dirty Sexy Money" -- I didn't need a decision made by you on those two; I was pretty content with those on my schedule. Right night, wrong shows.

And Fox. Don't get comfy; I've got two words for you: "Prison Break."

Seriously. I ask myself, after each episode, why I'm still watching. I mean, it's totally ridiculous. Nothing makes logical sense: Characters cover miles of ground in minutes, the guy with the brain tumor can dissect any technical roadblock in seconds, the girl who got her head cut off really wasn't decapitated. I mean, I know it's television, but these are government agencies they're working with -- where's the bureaucratic red tape?

(Side note: The big shadowy "company" that plays the bad guy? Is it the same "company" running the show in "Heroes"? They are on at the same time.)

And CBS, if you want to "take care" of "Eleventh Hour," I wouldn't mind. I mean, I like the show, but the pairing of icy blond federal agent with quirky and brilliant scientific mind is working so much better on "Fringe," so I'm sticking with that.

Whatever you do, though, don't touch "The Mentalist." I've grown quite fond of this "Psych"-with-a-tragic-backstory. (The serious shows always have to make the main character broken, don't they?)

And ABC, don't touch from "Life on Mars." There's an hour I don't mind passing, even if it is in 1973.

So, networks, If you could wrap up this business before "Lost" returns in January, that would be great -- I'll need to make some room.