ONLINE EXCLUSIVE – Catch up on television over spring break

Not all of us will be hopping on a plane destined for some tropical locale this spring… Not all of us will be hopping on a plane destined for some tropical locale this spring break. While some are frolicking on beaches working on their tans, you can do something much more productive: Catch up on all the television you missed while you were toiling away at homework all semester.

ABC, NBC and CBS all have full episodes, sometimes even full seasons of their shows online. With a wide variety of shows offered, there’s something to suit whatever mood you happen to be in.

Drama

NBC’s brilliant but ratings-challenged “Studio 60” has most of the first season on its Web site for your viewing pleasure. The first few episodes of the show focused primarily on the inner workings of a television show, and might have been a little too “inside” for most viewers.

Creator Aaron Sorkin wisely refocused the show and made it more about the personal lives of the cast and crew, and therefore more accessible. Even if you find yourself a little lost with some of the technical jargon, the show is worth watching for the snappy dialogue and strong performances. Watch this one while you can – unless there’s a serious improvement in ratings, it’s unlikely the show will last beyond its first season.

Action

The cheerleader has been saved, and now the heroes are turning their attention to the world. “Heroes” remains successful for its ability to intertwine the characters more and more while introducing new storylines to ratchet up the drama and action. Everyone seems to be connected in some way or another, and the show manages to be genuinely surprising week to week.

Although the dialogue can be a little corny and the acting questionable at times, it’s worth watching just to see where they’re going next. Whether you’re a fan of supernatural storylines or not, this NBC show will suck you in.

Comedy

CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother” continues to be one of the funniest sitcoms on the air – it isn’t yet another attempt at domestic high jinks. It focuses on a group of friends living in New York and doesn’t come off like a cheap knockoff of “Friends.” Although having only one episode online is a cruel joke, it’s worth your time – and when you get sucked in, you can rent the first season on DVD.

If one episode isn’t enough, go over to NBC and watch “30 Rock.” You probably missed this show because it airs opposite “Grey’s Anatomy” and “CSI,” but it’s definitely worth checking out. The first few episodes are a little rough, but it finds the right balance a few episodes in by focusing more on Alec Baldwin’s and Tina Fey’s characters. It’s best to disregard Jane Krakowski, who does little more than screech and bat her eyes at the camera.

Guilty Pleasure

After a dark and disappointing third season, most viewers stopped caring about the lives of those pretty and troubled kids from “The OC,” but the fourth season was one of the best, if not the best, of the series.

Many viewed Marissa’s death at the end of season three as a sign the show was dead, but the show actually took a turn for the best when it didn’t have to worry about Mischa Barton’s lack of talent and charisma.

Although “The OC” has been officially canceled and the last episode has aired, spring break might be the time to take a trip back to those confusing times between high school and college. Push through Ryan’s two-episode flirtation with cage fighting and you’ll remember why this show was such a hit in its first season.