So, my friend Sally says she gets bored of television.
These are words that I do not understand.
A long time ago, ABC had an advertising campaign which essentially said, “Television. Go ahead. Watch. We’ll make more.”
Truer words.
Anyway, everything is a little screwy this week with Thanksgiving.
Castle is back on after a week of for Gabrielle Gifford’s amazing story. Let’s get back to the unimportant stuff, like whether this cop and writer can ever figure things out or not. Allegedly a stellar episode on top of that, btw.
Also, the CBS line-up is still new on Monday, Dancing with the Stars wraps up its lackluster season, NBC continues to do whatever it is that they are doing and Fox has dinosaurs and cranky doctors.
I’ll be enjoying my super guilty pleasure, Hart of Dixie. I ridiculously enjoy this show.
On Tuesday, everything is new. However, the X-Factor bumps Glee and the New Girl out of the way. It’s Simon Cowell’s world and we just live in.
Good thing there is break, because this gives me a chance to work on my love/hate relationship letter with Glee. C’mon, just one week of consistency. This is all I ask.
Also, I should mention that one of my USA faves is back on--Covert Ops. Fun, frothy USA fare. You could jump in and not suffer an injury--pretty easy to pick it up.
Wednesday, I’ll be over at Sally’s house watching her make pumpkin pies since I can’t be there Thursday morning for pie and bacon breakfast. Double Darn. While at her house, I’ll see if we can watch the Wednesday comedies, as they are all new. So is Revenge. And Top Chef. It is only the third week in, so good times. All programming is new this night., except for Psych on USA. Boo USA network.
Why no one is showing the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving this evening is beyond me. Seems sacrilegious to me.
This break will also give me the opportunity to work on my other blog post, the Two R’s in my life: Revenge and Ringer. One, I get why I watch it. The other, not so much.
Okay, so Thursday is when ABC is showing Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. In addition to a very Gaga (as in Lady) Thanksgiving. Why the face? These are two things that don’t seem to go together, but there it is.
Fox, btw, has their Ice Age Christmas special on this night, as well as Happiness is a Warm Blanket Charlie Brown.
Two Peanuts specials on one night is a good thing. Go Snoopy.
Friday night is a hodge podge of holiday specials and movies on the big networks.
So there you go.
I’ll be watching craptastic holiday movies on the Hallmark channel. Because nothing says holiday fun like sappy moves. I may class it up with ABC Family ones, but that’s a stretch.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Prognostication
I'm briefly reveling in my happy dance of "I told you so."
Why?
My most h8ted show, H8ters, cancelled by the CW.
"How to be a Gentleman" sent to the doghouse that is Saturday night, then having production shut down, shows that if you can't retain a big lead-in because you're a stupid show, you're toast.
"Free Agents" gone. Despite lead Hank Azaria's assumption that it would get at least 13 episodes, it got the axe this week. Poor Giles.
My crystal ball: Not long for the world before it premieres is "Man Up." Because it looks terrible. "Grimm" will hold true to its title as well.
That is all. Resume your Sunday television, which for me is an attempt to bring the DVR down to 50%.
Why?
My most h8ted show, H8ters, cancelled by the CW.
"How to be a Gentleman" sent to the doghouse that is Saturday night, then having production shut down, shows that if you can't retain a big lead-in because you're a stupid show, you're toast.
"Free Agents" gone. Despite lead Hank Azaria's assumption that it would get at least 13 episodes, it got the axe this week. Poor Giles.
My crystal ball: Not long for the world before it premieres is "Man Up." Because it looks terrible. "Grimm" will hold true to its title as well.
That is all. Resume your Sunday television, which for me is an attempt to bring the DVR down to 50%.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Three Weeks In--Here's What I'm Thinking!
Fall TV is not for the feint of heart.
Currently my DVR is sitting at 85%, largely because CBS doesn’t have a reliable Internet viewing service and for some reason, my cable company doesn’t have the eye or its little baby sister, the CW available for on demand. Whatever.
So, Noel asked me to get on it with my thoughts on the new season now that its been underway for a few weeks. And while it is a sad fact of life that my day job and hobby both have their busiest times of year at the exact same moments, I’m pleased to say that I’ve watched enough to be slightly opinionated.
I’m bummed I didn’t write or post this yesterday, because my prediction for fastest to the cancellation line would’ve been The Playboy Club. That went down today, and so now I’m left with prognosticating what I think will go on the chopping block next.
Subscribing to the theory that you need to give shows a couple/few weeks to marinate before making a judgement, I’m not for sure what will get the ax in the coming days/weeks. If the world was just, I’d say that How to be a Gentleman (Thursday, 8:30, CBS) would get the heave-ho. But again, it has only aired one episode, and before they chop it, I’d say they will air it one or two more times.
It could be Charlie’s Angels, because I’ve watched the first 20ish minutes of the pilot and I was pretty bored. Yes, everyone’s hot, and I love Drew Barrymore (the producer) as much as the next gal, but I don’t know if that will be enough to last an entire season.
Other than that, here are my thoughts on what I’ve been watching (new shows only...returning later).
Monday
Two Broke Girls--Enjoyable, but not a rave from me. There are definite things I like about it; like the fact that they have a horse in their backyard and the end gimmick about how much money they’ve earned toward their goal of opening a bakery, but my world would not come crashing down if my DVR forgot to record it.
Terra Nova--I defer to Zach, who actually watched the pilot. “It’s good, interesting and I wish you would’ve remembered to DVR it last night.”
Tuesday
New Girl--I saw way too much of a the pilot in preview form, so I was definitely meh after the first episode. Last week I enjoyed slightly more toward the end of the episode and this week I found myself entertained in the first five minutes. This is a positive upward trend. I should also mention that its picked up for an entire season already.
I’ve watched the pilot of Ringer, but I don’t have the world’s deepest desire to go through the other three that are currently sitting on my DVR. I know I’ll get there, but it isn’t at the top of my priority list.
Unforgettable sits on my DVR awaiting my attention.
Wednesday
Okay, I really liked some things about Up All Night, one of which was how Will Arnett is not playing his usual character. However, I’m not enjoying it as much during the second and third episodes, and I can’t quantify as to the why. But NBC has already ordered a full season, so clearly my opinion doesn’t overly matter.
I can say almost the same thing for Free Agents. Except for the full season order thing. This could be the next on the cancellation list. I found myself liking the pilot more than I thought I would, but it is definitely not appointment viewing for me. Despite having Giles.
I watched the first night of X-factor, and while I get the hype and enjoy some of the differences from Idol, I’m not hooked. I’ll keep checking in, but I won’t waste the DVR space quite yet.
Suburgatory--I liked it. I really liked it. It has only been on once, but it gets my vote for most enjoyable new comedy. Lots of recognizable faces; I’m most excited by Alan Tudyk (from Firefly!). However, I’ve only seen the pilot.
Revenge--My favorite new guilty pleasure of the fall, based solely on the pilot. I haven’t had a fun soap-type show in a long time, so I’m excited to have found a winner!
Thursday
Whitney was not nearly as egregious as I thought I would think it was. I am ashamed to admit I’ve chuckled once or twice. Yet, I still didn’t think it would get a full season order. Which it did.
I’ve seen approximately 20 minutes of Prime Suspect. Having never seen the original, I can’t make a comparison. I still need to go back and finish a couple of episodes before I solidify my Jerry Springer final thoughts.
Person of Interest--I watched the pilot, but didn’t pay rapt attention to the entire story. Zach’s watched the second episode and he really liked it. Two thumbs up from Z!
I watched the pilot of The Secret Circle, and I may officially be too old. I’m keeping my supernatural soap opera teeny bopper show limit to The Vampire Diaries.
Friday
I’m slightly ashamed to say that I liked the pilot of A Gifted Man. A little sudsy, a little super natural, and fairly enjoyable. But again, it could be the supporting cast that has me hooked.
Sunday
I’m waiting for the time to see Pan Am.
Okay, so that’s what I’ve sampled and thought about so far.
Two items of note:
1) Psych returns October 12--we love our USA characters!
2) This will be the only time I mention American Horror Story. It premieres Wednesday night on FX and just seeing anything about it scares the holy living poop out of me. I. Do. Not. Do. Scary.
So there you go! More later about what's been on for a bit...
Currently my DVR is sitting at 85%, largely because CBS doesn’t have a reliable Internet viewing service and for some reason, my cable company doesn’t have the eye or its little baby sister, the CW available for on demand. Whatever.
So, Noel asked me to get on it with my thoughts on the new season now that its been underway for a few weeks. And while it is a sad fact of life that my day job and hobby both have their busiest times of year at the exact same moments, I’m pleased to say that I’ve watched enough to be slightly opinionated.
I’m bummed I didn’t write or post this yesterday, because my prediction for fastest to the cancellation line would’ve been The Playboy Club. That went down today, and so now I’m left with prognosticating what I think will go on the chopping block next.
Subscribing to the theory that you need to give shows a couple/few weeks to marinate before making a judgement, I’m not for sure what will get the ax in the coming days/weeks. If the world was just, I’d say that How to be a Gentleman (Thursday, 8:30, CBS) would get the heave-ho. But again, it has only aired one episode, and before they chop it, I’d say they will air it one or two more times.
It could be Charlie’s Angels, because I’ve watched the first 20ish minutes of the pilot and I was pretty bored. Yes, everyone’s hot, and I love Drew Barrymore (the producer) as much as the next gal, but I don’t know if that will be enough to last an entire season.
Other than that, here are my thoughts on what I’ve been watching (new shows only...returning later).
Monday
Two Broke Girls--Enjoyable, but not a rave from me. There are definite things I like about it; like the fact that they have a horse in their backyard and the end gimmick about how much money they’ve earned toward their goal of opening a bakery, but my world would not come crashing down if my DVR forgot to record it.
Terra Nova--I defer to Zach, who actually watched the pilot. “It’s good, interesting and I wish you would’ve remembered to DVR it last night.”
Tuesday
New Girl--I saw way too much of a the pilot in preview form, so I was definitely meh after the first episode. Last week I enjoyed slightly more toward the end of the episode and this week I found myself entertained in the first five minutes. This is a positive upward trend. I should also mention that its picked up for an entire season already.
I’ve watched the pilot of Ringer, but I don’t have the world’s deepest desire to go through the other three that are currently sitting on my DVR. I know I’ll get there, but it isn’t at the top of my priority list.
Unforgettable sits on my DVR awaiting my attention.
Wednesday
Okay, I really liked some things about Up All Night, one of which was how Will Arnett is not playing his usual character. However, I’m not enjoying it as much during the second and third episodes, and I can’t quantify as to the why. But NBC has already ordered a full season, so clearly my opinion doesn’t overly matter.
I can say almost the same thing for Free Agents. Except for the full season order thing. This could be the next on the cancellation list. I found myself liking the pilot more than I thought I would, but it is definitely not appointment viewing for me. Despite having Giles.
I watched the first night of X-factor, and while I get the hype and enjoy some of the differences from Idol, I’m not hooked. I’ll keep checking in, but I won’t waste the DVR space quite yet.
Suburgatory--I liked it. I really liked it. It has only been on once, but it gets my vote for most enjoyable new comedy. Lots of recognizable faces; I’m most excited by Alan Tudyk (from Firefly!). However, I’ve only seen the pilot.
Revenge--My favorite new guilty pleasure of the fall, based solely on the pilot. I haven’t had a fun soap-type show in a long time, so I’m excited to have found a winner!
Thursday
Whitney was not nearly as egregious as I thought I would think it was. I am ashamed to admit I’ve chuckled once or twice. Yet, I still didn’t think it would get a full season order. Which it did.
I’ve seen approximately 20 minutes of Prime Suspect. Having never seen the original, I can’t make a comparison. I still need to go back and finish a couple of episodes before I solidify my Jerry Springer final thoughts.
Person of Interest--I watched the pilot, but didn’t pay rapt attention to the entire story. Zach’s watched the second episode and he really liked it. Two thumbs up from Z!
I watched the pilot of The Secret Circle, and I may officially be too old. I’m keeping my supernatural soap opera teeny bopper show limit to The Vampire Diaries.
Friday
I’m slightly ashamed to say that I liked the pilot of A Gifted Man. A little sudsy, a little super natural, and fairly enjoyable. But again, it could be the supporting cast that has me hooked.
Sunday
I’m waiting for the time to see Pan Am.
Okay, so that’s what I’ve sampled and thought about so far.
Two items of note:
1) Psych returns October 12--we love our USA characters!
2) This will be the only time I mention American Horror Story. It premieres Wednesday night on FX and just seeing anything about it scares the holy living poop out of me. I. Do. Not. Do. Scary.
So there you go! More later about what's been on for a bit...
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Weekend Time!
Three Day Weekend, Rancho Bee-Bop!
CBS
CBS has one of the only two new offerings tonight. A Gifted Man is described as a cross between The Ghost Whisperer and House. Brilliant/arrogant neurosurgeon starts to see saintly dead ex-wife two weeks after her demise. She worked with the poor, he caters to the rich. He starts to listen to her and work at the free clinic. Medical crisis of the week show, which boasts a pretty darn good cast, including Lizzy Bennet from my favorite version of Pride and Prejudice and Mags from Justified last year. Those two actresses will have me checking out a show I would normally ignore. (And Johnathan Demme directs too).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfJ8Owkno5A
The rest of CBS’ Friday night has CSI: NY, which has been around for some time and Blue Bloods, in its sophomore season. I succumbed to Selleck and became addicted to Blue Bloods last year (it might have been the Wahlberg who won me over, honestly.)
NBC
Chuck moved to Friday. And it is in its last season. Ending on a major twist, I can’t wait for this abbreviated--only 13 episodes--season. #goteamchuck
Grimm is the night’s other new offering. At its most simplistic, detectives solve crime in fairy tale land. A bit more explanation: The Grimm Brothers didn’t just write the fairy tales, they were criminal profilers who wrote cryptic messages in their stories to warn us of the evil that lurks around. One of their descendants has inherited their ability to detect the evil supernatural beings around us and he solves the crimes. The buzz is that up against Supernatural and Fringe, they really don’t stand much of a chance. I’ll have a lot of TV to catch up on, so I’m going to pass. (Plus, I don’t do scary well).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3rFsv_WSE
Dateline. Still here.
FOX
Not a Gordan Ramsay Fan.
Wish I had stuck on the Fringe bandwagon after season 1, but I got too far behind on Hulu, so I’m only caught up via blogs. This is whacked out, crazy science fiction at its best. I’d start the DVDs.
ABC
Nothing new here. Move along (although, to be fair, Exteme Makeover: Home Edition moved).
CW
Nikita is on my list of shows to check out on DVD.
Supernatural has long scared me far too much for my own liking. I don’t do scary well (mentioned twice, as it is so very true!)
Let’s talk Saturday!
I think there are two things of note here:
1. David Spade still has gainful employment. But his show is on Saturday, the death spot.
2. I can’t believe Cops is still on.
And with that, it is time for Sunday!
CBS
Nothing new, but some time changes. The Good Wife’s move seems as if it will put the final nail in the coffin of Desperate Housewives on ABC.
NBC
I feel like I should know what they are doing after football season, but apparently I don’t off the top of my head. Bummer. It won’t be until January anyway.
FOX
Their night of cartoons adds Allen Gregory, the story of a 7-year-old whose gay dads send him off to public school after being homeschooled his whole life. He’s obnoxious, precocious (in the not cute way) and also described as Truman Capote-esque. It follows in the vein of Family Guy, so not very appropriate for children. Let alone his crush on his very old principal. Werid. From the mind of Jonah Hill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xUlfno9QTM
The rest of their line-up has been around for forever and a day.
ABC
Once Upon a Time is a show that I’m having trouble wrapping my head around, but at the same time, find myself intrigued and will most definitely check out. It goes like this: A group of storybook characters--Snow White and the Evil Queen, etc.--have been cursed into forgetting who they are and are living in modern day Storybrooke, Maine. The show alternates between their fairy tales and modern day and comes from two writers of Lost--making it a show with lots of puzzles and chance for viewers to get their conspiracy on. Bring it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmWaOnpM_Ro
Desperate Housewives: Final Season. Game on!
Pan Am is on most lists as one of the season’s best. Set in 1963, it is a time of travel where people got dressed up and were not necessarily treated like cattle. Also, its got a wee bit of espionage thrown in for fun. Apparently this is an escapist drama/romance/little bit of spy caper show that has everyone glowing about how enjoyable it is--and with Tommy Schlamme as an executive producer, it comes with a pretty good pedigree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVdLIvcNRE
Phew....That’s it for the nights this fall on broadcast. Abbreviated cable info to come, as well as what I’m thinking about what I’m watching.
Now I just have to figure out how to watch it all!
CBS
CBS has one of the only two new offerings tonight. A Gifted Man is described as a cross between The Ghost Whisperer and House. Brilliant/arrogant neurosurgeon starts to see saintly dead ex-wife two weeks after her demise. She worked with the poor, he caters to the rich. He starts to listen to her and work at the free clinic. Medical crisis of the week show, which boasts a pretty darn good cast, including Lizzy Bennet from my favorite version of Pride and Prejudice and Mags from Justified last year. Those two actresses will have me checking out a show I would normally ignore. (And Johnathan Demme directs too).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfJ8Owkno5A
The rest of CBS’ Friday night has CSI: NY, which has been around for some time and Blue Bloods, in its sophomore season. I succumbed to Selleck and became addicted to Blue Bloods last year (it might have been the Wahlberg who won me over, honestly.)
NBC
Chuck moved to Friday. And it is in its last season. Ending on a major twist, I can’t wait for this abbreviated--only 13 episodes--season. #goteamchuck
Grimm is the night’s other new offering. At its most simplistic, detectives solve crime in fairy tale land. A bit more explanation: The Grimm Brothers didn’t just write the fairy tales, they were criminal profilers who wrote cryptic messages in their stories to warn us of the evil that lurks around. One of their descendants has inherited their ability to detect the evil supernatural beings around us and he solves the crimes. The buzz is that up against Supernatural and Fringe, they really don’t stand much of a chance. I’ll have a lot of TV to catch up on, so I’m going to pass. (Plus, I don’t do scary well).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh3rFsv_WSE
Dateline. Still here.
FOX
Not a Gordan Ramsay Fan.
Wish I had stuck on the Fringe bandwagon after season 1, but I got too far behind on Hulu, so I’m only caught up via blogs. This is whacked out, crazy science fiction at its best. I’d start the DVDs.
ABC
Nothing new here. Move along (although, to be fair, Exteme Makeover: Home Edition moved).
CW
Nikita is on my list of shows to check out on DVD.
Supernatural has long scared me far too much for my own liking. I don’t do scary well (mentioned twice, as it is so very true!)
Let’s talk Saturday!
I think there are two things of note here:
1. David Spade still has gainful employment. But his show is on Saturday, the death spot.
2. I can’t believe Cops is still on.
And with that, it is time for Sunday!
CBS
Nothing new, but some time changes. The Good Wife’s move seems as if it will put the final nail in the coffin of Desperate Housewives on ABC.
NBC
I feel like I should know what they are doing after football season, but apparently I don’t off the top of my head. Bummer. It won’t be until January anyway.
FOX
Their night of cartoons adds Allen Gregory, the story of a 7-year-old whose gay dads send him off to public school after being homeschooled his whole life. He’s obnoxious, precocious (in the not cute way) and also described as Truman Capote-esque. It follows in the vein of Family Guy, so not very appropriate for children. Let alone his crush on his very old principal. Werid. From the mind of Jonah Hill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xUlfno9QTM
The rest of their line-up has been around for forever and a day.
ABC
Once Upon a Time is a show that I’m having trouble wrapping my head around, but at the same time, find myself intrigued and will most definitely check out. It goes like this: A group of storybook characters--Snow White and the Evil Queen, etc.--have been cursed into forgetting who they are and are living in modern day Storybrooke, Maine. The show alternates between their fairy tales and modern day and comes from two writers of Lost--making it a show with lots of puzzles and chance for viewers to get their conspiracy on. Bring it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmWaOnpM_Ro
Desperate Housewives: Final Season. Game on!
Pan Am is on most lists as one of the season’s best. Set in 1963, it is a time of travel where people got dressed up and were not necessarily treated like cattle. Also, its got a wee bit of espionage thrown in for fun. Apparently this is an escapist drama/romance/little bit of spy caper show that has everyone glowing about how enjoyable it is--and with Tommy Schlamme as an executive producer, it comes with a pretty good pedigree.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oVdLIvcNRE
Phew....That’s it for the nights this fall on broadcast. Abbreviated cable info to come, as well as what I’m thinking about what I’m watching.
Now I just have to figure out how to watch it all!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Thursday's Heir
Thursday Night--Best Night on Television?
Welcome to Thursday, the evening that has long been regarded as the king of TV. I don’t know if that is true anymore, but I do know there is a glut of good TV tonight.
Check out the grid:
CBS
The eye made the radical change of moving CSI out of their 9 p.m. slot to replace it with a show from two pretty big entertainment names: JJ Abrams (pedigree too long to list) and Jonah Nolan (The Dark Knight; he also wrote the pilot). Buzz has that this is the show for the die-hard Losties out there. The premise is that John Reese (Jim Caviezel--local Mt. V boy and The Passion of Christ), a former CIA operative now living off the grid (ish) and looking homeless is recruited by the mysterious and billionaire Mr. Finch (Michael Emerson, Lost) to bring vigilante style justice to those who are about to perpetrate some sort of heinous crime, via this machine that spits out information about the crime before it happens. Sounds very Minority Report (back before Tom went couch-jumping crazy), but the pedigree of producers and stars will make me check it out. Worried about the machine concept seeming too crazy? This will be the slow, Lost-like mystery reveal. For those of you in Marysville, I give this my highest J+ rating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xN_BNYhc4
Their other new show, How to be a Gentleman, is based on the book of the same name. And while I just watched the 4 minute preview and didn’t find it the most heinous thing to ever cross my eyeballs, I wouldn’t call it appointment TV for me either. The cast include Kevin Dillon, Dave Foley and Mary Lynn Rajskub. It is yet another retelling of the Odd Couple, and based on its position on CBS following Big Bang Theory, I’d be shocked if it didn’t last a season. This is the same spot that America let run 22 episodes of Sh** My Dad says, after all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zw6Od0FwRs
The other two shows are returning. Big Bang Theory is in its fourth season, and perpetually on our DVR. It is starting in syndication this fall, so if you’ve never watched and want to get your geek on, I’d check it out.
I’ve always said that The Mentalist is just a sophisticated CBS version of Psych, and I stand by that. I love Psych. I don’t watch The Mentalist, as I only need one fake psychic detective in my life.
NBC
Also offering up two different new shows this fall season, NBC is presenting us with Whitney, a raunchy-ish comedy about a single woman who really is just pleased as punch to have a boyfriend. No need for a ring on her finger. One review I read said this show seems like an off fit for Thursday night NBC compared to the rest of their line-up, but if it doesn’t do well, then they’ll bring Up All Night over before 30 Rock comes back after Tina Fey’s maternity leave. I enjoyed the preview more than I thought I would.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnc2QbRZsDM
Their other new show is the new US version/update/reboot of Prime Suspect, starring Maria Bello, who is pretty much kick-ass in all that she does. I must confess that I’ve never seen the original, despite worshipping Helen Mirren for her general awesomeness in all that she touches. Reviews are solid for the crime procedural, with the only negative press centering around her choice of hat. Whatever. They’d never pick on a man if he wore a hat. If you like crime shows, I can’t see as how you wouldn’t want to watch this one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUOUrWxIWbs
The other 3 shows have been around for a bit. Community and Parks and Recreation are two of my absolute favorite shows. While I usually watch them on Hulu, that’s just a matter of DVR space and wanting to savor them on the laptop. Joel McHale, also a fake boyfriend, is just part of a great cast in Community, while Parks and Rec also boasts a great ensemble group. It took P&R a bit to find its footing, but now in its fourth season, the crazy town of Pawnee, Indiana is a great place to visit. I also think you can jump into these shows and still find them funny.
The Office went through some huge changes last year, and we still don’t know who the replacement boss is going to be. We do know James Spader will be in and quickly go to corporate, but other than that, they are promoting from within.
FOX
X-Factor results kicks off the night. I do not understand why these shows have to be 60 minutes. (Except for So You Think You Can Dance. That’s worth it.) Anyway, just because it is cheap and easy to produce doesn’t mean that they need to fill the hour with so much unnecessary shtuff.
Bones is tied with Castle as our favorite crime procedural, and for good reason. It is crazy enjoyable. Last spring, Bones found herself preggers by Booth. They are accommodating Emily Deschanel’s real pregnancy by cutting the season to only 13 episodes. Horror. Sadness. Despondence. Bummed. Also, not premiering until after the World Series.
ABC
From executive producer Drew Barrymore comes the latest reboot of Charlie’s Angels. And this cast is ridiculously hot. The latest Bosley does not do the Bosley name justice, as he is too handsome for his own good. The twist this time is that they are a thief, a crook and a bad cop working for/getting redemption from Charlie. So devilish more than angelish. The three leads are familiar faces, but the initial response to this reboot is tepid. No Farrah (rip) spark yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2P_jP76qqI
The rest of their night belongs to Shondaland with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. If you gave up on Grey’s the season before last, and didn’t tune in last season, it bounced back quite nicely. Private Practice remains a check in show for me. Its not that hard to follow, occasionally they change where people work and who is romancing whom and I have to infer more than I want to on a Thursday night before bed, but otherwise, your standard fare.
CW
Vampire Diaries, despite allegedly having its female protagonist be 18 and still in school, is turning up the sexy factor. If you haven’t watched before, you could really jump in and be okay, but might I recommend enjoying this guilty pleasure from the get-go and getting caught up. Sure, its about Vampires (so 2009), but hello, Ian Somerholder. I need to find a poster. I heart him and his snark.
Their new show is The Secret Circle, where the producers of TVD take on witches. Cassie (Britt Robertson, Life Unexpected) is an orphaned 16-year-old who moves to our fair state of Washington to live with her grandma to find out she is the descendant of Salem (not Oregon) witches. Evil lurks around every corner, pretty teenagers do amazing magical things, adults are not what they seem to be and the CW probably retains its lead-in numbers from TVD so all is right with the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWK0vfwYhqA
Still the best night on television, heir to The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers and Night Court followed by ER or just another good night of boobtubeness in this golden age of television? Not for sure if we can go wrong either way.
Welcome to Thursday, the evening that has long been regarded as the king of TV. I don’t know if that is true anymore, but I do know there is a glut of good TV tonight.
Check out the grid:
CBS
The eye made the radical change of moving CSI out of their 9 p.m. slot to replace it with a show from two pretty big entertainment names: JJ Abrams (pedigree too long to list) and Jonah Nolan (The Dark Knight; he also wrote the pilot). Buzz has that this is the show for the die-hard Losties out there. The premise is that John Reese (Jim Caviezel--local Mt. V boy and The Passion of Christ), a former CIA operative now living off the grid (ish) and looking homeless is recruited by the mysterious and billionaire Mr. Finch (Michael Emerson, Lost) to bring vigilante style justice to those who are about to perpetrate some sort of heinous crime, via this machine that spits out information about the crime before it happens. Sounds very Minority Report (back before Tom went couch-jumping crazy), but the pedigree of producers and stars will make me check it out. Worried about the machine concept seeming too crazy? This will be the slow, Lost-like mystery reveal. For those of you in Marysville, I give this my highest J+ rating.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68xN_BNYhc4
Their other new show, How to be a Gentleman, is based on the book of the same name. And while I just watched the 4 minute preview and didn’t find it the most heinous thing to ever cross my eyeballs, I wouldn’t call it appointment TV for me either. The cast include Kevin Dillon, Dave Foley and Mary Lynn Rajskub. It is yet another retelling of the Odd Couple, and based on its position on CBS following Big Bang Theory, I’d be shocked if it didn’t last a season. This is the same spot that America let run 22 episodes of Sh** My Dad says, after all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zw6Od0FwRs
The other two shows are returning. Big Bang Theory is in its fourth season, and perpetually on our DVR. It is starting in syndication this fall, so if you’ve never watched and want to get your geek on, I’d check it out.
I’ve always said that The Mentalist is just a sophisticated CBS version of Psych, and I stand by that. I love Psych. I don’t watch The Mentalist, as I only need one fake psychic detective in my life.
NBC
Also offering up two different new shows this fall season, NBC is presenting us with Whitney, a raunchy-ish comedy about a single woman who really is just pleased as punch to have a boyfriend. No need for a ring on her finger. One review I read said this show seems like an off fit for Thursday night NBC compared to the rest of their line-up, but if it doesn’t do well, then they’ll bring Up All Night over before 30 Rock comes back after Tina Fey’s maternity leave. I enjoyed the preview more than I thought I would.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xnc2QbRZsDM
Their other new show is the new US version/update/reboot of Prime Suspect, starring Maria Bello, who is pretty much kick-ass in all that she does. I must confess that I’ve never seen the original, despite worshipping Helen Mirren for her general awesomeness in all that she touches. Reviews are solid for the crime procedural, with the only negative press centering around her choice of hat. Whatever. They’d never pick on a man if he wore a hat. If you like crime shows, I can’t see as how you wouldn’t want to watch this one too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUOUrWxIWbs
The other 3 shows have been around for a bit. Community and Parks and Recreation are two of my absolute favorite shows. While I usually watch them on Hulu, that’s just a matter of DVR space and wanting to savor them on the laptop. Joel McHale, also a fake boyfriend, is just part of a great cast in Community, while Parks and Rec also boasts a great ensemble group. It took P&R a bit to find its footing, but now in its fourth season, the crazy town of Pawnee, Indiana is a great place to visit. I also think you can jump into these shows and still find them funny.
The Office went through some huge changes last year, and we still don’t know who the replacement boss is going to be. We do know James Spader will be in and quickly go to corporate, but other than that, they are promoting from within.
FOX
X-Factor results kicks off the night. I do not understand why these shows have to be 60 minutes. (Except for So You Think You Can Dance. That’s worth it.) Anyway, just because it is cheap and easy to produce doesn’t mean that they need to fill the hour with so much unnecessary shtuff.
Bones is tied with Castle as our favorite crime procedural, and for good reason. It is crazy enjoyable. Last spring, Bones found herself preggers by Booth. They are accommodating Emily Deschanel’s real pregnancy by cutting the season to only 13 episodes. Horror. Sadness. Despondence. Bummed. Also, not premiering until after the World Series.
ABC
From executive producer Drew Barrymore comes the latest reboot of Charlie’s Angels. And this cast is ridiculously hot. The latest Bosley does not do the Bosley name justice, as he is too handsome for his own good. The twist this time is that they are a thief, a crook and a bad cop working for/getting redemption from Charlie. So devilish more than angelish. The three leads are familiar faces, but the initial response to this reboot is tepid. No Farrah (rip) spark yet.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2P_jP76qqI
The rest of their night belongs to Shondaland with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. If you gave up on Grey’s the season before last, and didn’t tune in last season, it bounced back quite nicely. Private Practice remains a check in show for me. Its not that hard to follow, occasionally they change where people work and who is romancing whom and I have to infer more than I want to on a Thursday night before bed, but otherwise, your standard fare.
CW
Vampire Diaries, despite allegedly having its female protagonist be 18 and still in school, is turning up the sexy factor. If you haven’t watched before, you could really jump in and be okay, but might I recommend enjoying this guilty pleasure from the get-go and getting caught up. Sure, its about Vampires (so 2009), but hello, Ian Somerholder. I need to find a poster. I heart him and his snark.
Their new show is The Secret Circle, where the producers of TVD take on witches. Cassie (Britt Robertson, Life Unexpected) is an orphaned 16-year-old who moves to our fair state of Washington to live with her grandma to find out she is the descendant of Salem (not Oregon) witches. Evil lurks around every corner, pretty teenagers do amazing magical things, adults are not what they seem to be and the CW probably retains its lead-in numbers from TVD so all is right with the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWK0vfwYhqA
Still the best night on television, heir to The Cosby Show, Family Ties, Cheers and Night Court followed by ER or just another good night of boobtubeness in this golden age of television? Not for sure if we can go wrong either way.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Happy Hump Day!
Wednesday--We’re Half Way Thru!
I like to pretend that there is at least one night of the week that I’m not glued to the tube. Usually I pick Wednesday. But let’s be honest, shall we? Like there’s one night I’m not watching TV...just not going to happen.
CBS
Nothing new on the eye tonight. This is the 23rd cycle of Survivor, and while they’ve added some differences to the game by bringing back two previous survivors, everything pretty much remains the same. And I still have a secret crush on Jeff Probst. I think he’s charming.
Criminal Minds--this is the 7th season. I’m fairly certain there is nothing I can convince you to start watching now if you aren’t watching it already.
CSI--the original has changed its home. After squatting on Thursdays at 9 for the past billion years, the show is changing days and time. Ted Danson (of Beckett fame) (Who am I kidding. If you don’t know him from Cheers, you deserve to be confused by the Beckett reference) is on board, replacing Laurence Fishburne’s charachter.
NBC
The peacock network kicks off their night with two new comedies. Of the two, I’m more partial to Up All Night. Will Arnett and Christina Applegate are new parents who refuse to acknowledge that their newborn is changing their world. Maya Rudolph of SNL also stars. Good word of mouth and looks funny enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5db6eixmiv0
Free Agents is based on a highly successful UK series of the same name. So far, the only thing British that I see about the series is that Giles from BTVS, Anthony Stewart Head, is the boss. My first few viewing of the 30 second commercials left me with a strong “meh” feeling. I was slightly more intrigued with the 3+ minute preview, but still don’t see this making the rotation. It is about two people on the rebound. They work together, yet still keep hooking up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFDYl0_JX5E
Harry’s Law was on last Spring, and while I didn’t mind it, I also didn’t seek it out or make an appointment to see it every week. Kathy Bates plays a lawyer who has opened up an office on the wrong side of the tracks. She also sells shoes out of her office. I’m probably not selling this as strongly as I could be. Or maybe that’s the problem with the show. Another law procedural with a slight variation on the basic premise.
Law and Order’s last show standing, SVU, opens up its season amidst cast changes with the two leads (take a deep breath Clarkie, it will be okay). If you can handle the trauma/drama of the change, you’ll be fine.
FOX
If you are a fan of American Idol, you’ll probably get sucked into the X-Factor. Simon and Paula are back, and the difference is that you don’t have to fit a narrow demographic to have a shot--there’s also a group category. The judges get to groom their top picks (I know, now it sounds like the Voice), but the top prize, monetarily speaking, is larger as is the national exposure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iX4K1c4cck
I hate my teenage daughter stars Jamie Presley (My Name is Earl) with the premise that two moms, bffs since high school, can’t believe they are raising daughters who are like the girls that tortured them when they were in school. I’ve read that its done poorly. I’ll switch over to ABC when/if I’m done with the X-Factor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iX4K1c4cck
ABC
With two new shows to their line-up, ABC has one of my favorite shows, hands down in the 9 o’clock spot. If you aren’t watching Modern Family, you are really missing out on an HA-larious show. I’m going to say it: I’m never disappointed. Yep, its that good.
The Middle is not on my continuous radar, but I’ve seen it and thought that it was just okay. It’s in its third season, so if you haven’t seen this mid-west family with a strange group of kids, you may want to check it out. But I’d rather watch Simon and Paula.
Happy Endings was an interesting surprise last Spring. Friends-esque is one way to describe it, although the dynamic is a little different (there is a black character and a gay character). Other than that, 3 guys who are buddies, 3 girls who are pals and well, I chuckle a bit when I watch.
Suburgatory is the new show, and a single dad whisks his daughter out of NYC to the suburbs to have a better life. Of course, then, the mocking of the excess and lifestyle of those suburban peeps is fodder for the show. Hearing moderate good buzz and I smirked along with the promo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ0L0lF4I4M
Revenge is a divided show in some ways. I’ve read that its good, and then, of course, that its bad. Its got a lot of Internet buzz because of its sexy and sudsy concept: The Count of Monte Cristo reworked to be in modern day Hamptons. Amanda’s father is wrongly jailed 17 years ago, and when she finds out that he is innocent, she seeks out to destroy all those that put her papa away for life. This one is for you if you want the complete opposite of all the crime procedural on the other channels.
You’ll recognize some high profile faces, and I’m reading the lead is strong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHtxCcC7OQM
CW
I’m torn between writing “Don’t Bother” for H8R and America’s Next Top Model, but I’ve got a little bit of disdain to issue forth first.
H8R is a waste of too many brain cells. Mario Lopez--who’s career peak was Saved by the Bell--is giving those ‘celebrities’ a chance to change the minds of those people who hate them.
Stupid, waste of time in an already overblown celebrity crazed culture.
And I just can’t believe that America’s Next Top Model is still on. I’m sure I could google this answer, but what happens to these women? And is it still on so people can make fun of Tyra?
I’m not really asking.
I like to pretend that there is at least one night of the week that I’m not glued to the tube. Usually I pick Wednesday. But let’s be honest, shall we? Like there’s one night I’m not watching TV...just not going to happen.
CBS
Nothing new on the eye tonight. This is the 23rd cycle of Survivor, and while they’ve added some differences to the game by bringing back two previous survivors, everything pretty much remains the same. And I still have a secret crush on Jeff Probst. I think he’s charming.
Criminal Minds--this is the 7th season. I’m fairly certain there is nothing I can convince you to start watching now if you aren’t watching it already.
CSI--the original has changed its home. After squatting on Thursdays at 9 for the past billion years, the show is changing days and time. Ted Danson (of Beckett fame) (Who am I kidding. If you don’t know him from Cheers, you deserve to be confused by the Beckett reference) is on board, replacing Laurence Fishburne’s charachter.
NBC
The peacock network kicks off their night with two new comedies. Of the two, I’m more partial to Up All Night. Will Arnett and Christina Applegate are new parents who refuse to acknowledge that their newborn is changing their world. Maya Rudolph of SNL also stars. Good word of mouth and looks funny enough.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5db6eixmiv0
Free Agents is based on a highly successful UK series of the same name. So far, the only thing British that I see about the series is that Giles from BTVS, Anthony Stewart Head, is the boss. My first few viewing of the 30 second commercials left me with a strong “meh” feeling. I was slightly more intrigued with the 3+ minute preview, but still don’t see this making the rotation. It is about two people on the rebound. They work together, yet still keep hooking up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFDYl0_JX5E
Harry’s Law was on last Spring, and while I didn’t mind it, I also didn’t seek it out or make an appointment to see it every week. Kathy Bates plays a lawyer who has opened up an office on the wrong side of the tracks. She also sells shoes out of her office. I’m probably not selling this as strongly as I could be. Or maybe that’s the problem with the show. Another law procedural with a slight variation on the basic premise.
Law and Order’s last show standing, SVU, opens up its season amidst cast changes with the two leads (take a deep breath Clarkie, it will be okay). If you can handle the trauma/drama of the change, you’ll be fine.
FOX
If you are a fan of American Idol, you’ll probably get sucked into the X-Factor. Simon and Paula are back, and the difference is that you don’t have to fit a narrow demographic to have a shot--there’s also a group category. The judges get to groom their top picks (I know, now it sounds like the Voice), but the top prize, monetarily speaking, is larger as is the national exposure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iX4K1c4cck
I hate my teenage daughter stars Jamie Presley (My Name is Earl) with the premise that two moms, bffs since high school, can’t believe they are raising daughters who are like the girls that tortured them when they were in school. I’ve read that its done poorly. I’ll switch over to ABC when/if I’m done with the X-Factor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iX4K1c4cck
ABC
With two new shows to their line-up, ABC has one of my favorite shows, hands down in the 9 o’clock spot. If you aren’t watching Modern Family, you are really missing out on an HA-larious show. I’m going to say it: I’m never disappointed. Yep, its that good.
The Middle is not on my continuous radar, but I’ve seen it and thought that it was just okay. It’s in its third season, so if you haven’t seen this mid-west family with a strange group of kids, you may want to check it out. But I’d rather watch Simon and Paula.
Happy Endings was an interesting surprise last Spring. Friends-esque is one way to describe it, although the dynamic is a little different (there is a black character and a gay character). Other than that, 3 guys who are buddies, 3 girls who are pals and well, I chuckle a bit when I watch.
Suburgatory is the new show, and a single dad whisks his daughter out of NYC to the suburbs to have a better life. Of course, then, the mocking of the excess and lifestyle of those suburban peeps is fodder for the show. Hearing moderate good buzz and I smirked along with the promo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ0L0lF4I4M
Revenge is a divided show in some ways. I’ve read that its good, and then, of course, that its bad. Its got a lot of Internet buzz because of its sexy and sudsy concept: The Count of Monte Cristo reworked to be in modern day Hamptons. Amanda’s father is wrongly jailed 17 years ago, and when she finds out that he is innocent, she seeks out to destroy all those that put her papa away for life. This one is for you if you want the complete opposite of all the crime procedural on the other channels.
You’ll recognize some high profile faces, and I’m reading the lead is strong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHtxCcC7OQM
CW
I’m torn between writing “Don’t Bother” for H8R and America’s Next Top Model, but I’ve got a little bit of disdain to issue forth first.
H8R is a waste of too many brain cells. Mario Lopez--who’s career peak was Saved by the Bell--is giving those ‘celebrities’ a chance to change the minds of those people who hate them.
Stupid, waste of time in an already overblown celebrity crazed culture.
And I just can’t believe that America’s Next Top Model is still on. I’m sure I could google this answer, but what happens to these women? And is it still on so people can make fun of Tyra?
I’m not really asking.
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