TiVo and DVR makers must be in cahoots with network television. Why else would they pit three of my favorite shows against one another.

This week Fox moves "Bones," the forensic drama starring Emily Deschanel and "Angel’s" David Boreanaz, to Wednesday at 9 p.m., the very same time as ABC’s ratings champ "Lost" and UPN’s ratings-challenged critical darling "Veronica Mars." All three feature new episodes, with "Bones" and "Veronica" (guest-starring Penny Marshall and Lucy Lawless, respectively) delivering the first new shows since winter break. Grrr! Argh!

The Wednesday 9 p.m. slot is already the only time my husband and I watch prime time separately. He often stays at work late to tape "Lost" while I refuse to abandon quippy Veronica. With the best character development and smartest dialogue since my beloved "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," I’ll undoubtedly be watching the Kristen Bell teen detective vehicle on UPN Wednesday. I keep up with "Lost" during commercials.

Unfortunately, without TiVo or DVR, I’ll miss "Bones," which was ousted from its original Tuesday time slot to make room for yet another installment of "American Idol." Shuffling TV shows is nothing new for networks. The practice can often spell disaster for a series. Take ABC’s spy drama "Alias," starring Jennifer Garner. This fall ABC moved the series to Thursdays at 8 p.m. after it earned its highest ratings as a lead-out from "Lost" on Wednesdays last spring. The Wednesday triple threat of "Alias," "Lost," and "Invasion" could’ve been sci-fi gold. Instead, "Alias" flailed on Thursdays.

I’ll continue to cope as long as the WB doesn’t move "Supernatural" to Wednesdays, too.