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!

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.

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.

Tuesday is here. And Buffy is back, baby!

Okay, so I’m going to start with the CW. Because, as mentioned above, it is all about Buffy. As a die hard BTVS fan, I have got to say, I’m a little giddy about the prospect of her return to TV. What, you’ve never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Quick, start streaming it from somewhere and watch all 7 seasons before you continue on with this blog post.

We’ll wait.

tick. tick. tick. I’m not joking.


Okay, I’m joking...a little. Because I know some of you are afraid of scary TV (Rondi, I’m looking at you...), or others of you don’t want to make the 130+ hours of TV commitment to the series, I get it. But still, your excuses are running dry and you should make good TV a priority.

Speaking of which, let’s see if there is any of that on Tuesdays this fall.

CW

Well, I’m not the world’s biggest 90210 v. 2 fan, and I don’t necessarily read every word that ‘s written out there in the blogosphere, but I can accept its guilty pleasure status for many TV peeps. So if you’re watching, great. If not, that’s probably more than fine too.

I’d rather talk about Ringer, and Buffy’s return to TV. Its premise is mildly-to-very confusing. Let’s see if I can explain it as simply as possible. In the spirit of respect, I’ll stop calling Sarah Michelle Gellar Buffy, since she now plays two characters in her new show. Yep. She’s twins. First, she’s Bridget. B is an ex-stripper in AA who is getting ready to testify against a Native American crime boss. Her twin sister, Siobahn is a wealthy New York socialite with her own host of problems. The twins have been estranged for 6 years following some sort of incident, but they briefly reconcile and do the most obvious thing: go for a boat ride, where the next logical thing occurs: Siobahn drowns (but she doesn’t). Obviously Bridget then assumes her life, only to find that it is just as complicated as her own. Siobahn has a husband, a love-ah, and a BFF, none of which knew she was a twin, so B is able to slide right into S’s life without anyone really suspecting anything. Yet. It is a noir type of drama, and I’m hearing that it is good--the pilot is allegedly almost too full and not very happy, but overall, most people are saying this show holds great promise. I’m going to go ahead and give this one my season pass, all thanks to SMG.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2JPzJ6WujU

NBC

Biggest Loser. People still lose weight, but without Jillian Michaels. Always inspiring, but also, I hear, not the rating stronghold it once was.

Parenthood is the show I most regret not jumping on board with when it was a midseason replacement two years ago. One of these days I’ll actually pony up for the Hulu plus subscription so I can stream them all and get caught up.

CBS

Well established in my TV missive history is my love of Mark Harmon. So I sheepishly admit that I only watch NCIS when it is on perpetual repeat on USA. Much like Law & Order, I feel I can get caught up whenever I need to. But this show remains a perennial juggernaut, and its following is loyal.

So you see where I’m going with NCIS:LA, right? I do love LL & Chris O’Donnell, but this show has never caught my deep love and respect or time to get into it. I need to get the first season DVDs at some point and learn its cannon, then I’ll be good to go.

CBS ends its Tuesday powerhouse with a new show, Unforgettable, starring Poppy Montgomery who previously starred in Without a Trace. This is a standard CBS type of show--a crime procedural. I must admit, I’m intrigued by the premise. Poppy’s character, Carrie, is a former cop with hyperthymisia--meaning she can remember everything. Good for a cop, bad for a relationship. She gets put onto a case with a former partner who also happened to be a personal-relationship-gone-bad guy, and thus, a series is born. Again, I’m intrigued. CBS does this type of show well, so I can’t imagine this show won’t be around for a full season. (And for those of you who loved Nip/Tuck, it has Dylan Walsh in it.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uom6m0fGLg

ABC

The alphabet network kicks off their Tuesday night with two comedies. Got to do some research for a second. Hold on....

Last Man Standing is Tim Allen’s return to TV. Basically, all I can see from the preview is that it is Home Improvement with a couple of different variations--he owns a sporting goods shop and in his house, he is surrounded by women. Hi jinx ensues! If you want to road trip back to the 90’s, I’m sure there will be a catch phrase involved that is similar to grunting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85yRm0JqF98

I just watched the preview for Man Up.

I may never be the same again. And not in a good way.

I did not find it funny at all. And I like Teri Polo.

It is hard to believe this is an enjoyable hobby for me.

I watched it so you don’t have to, but judge for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sBfQqwiSDw&feature=relmfu

DWTS results. Why an hour? Because it is cheap and easy to produce. When I can’t watch all of the live dancing, I buzz through this little hour and get all caught up.

Body of Proof. Did you catch it last spring? It had its moments. Nice crime procedural all in all, but it is all about Dana Delaney and Jeri Ryan. They play off each other nicely. If you haven’t seen it, think Quincy, but bitchier.

FOX

And that leaves us will Glee. Shark jumper? Stupid? Fun? Best show ever?

All of that rolled into one complicated mass. I still like Glee. I am hoping for more even writing this season, or I may not really care whether it is on the DVR, because I can always catch up on Hulu. If you watch, there have been some great things written out there about the unevenness of the writing and general story arc problems. I agree with all of them. Hopefully with the additional of real writers in the room instead of just the three that have written every episode, it will be much better.

New Girl is the most beloved new show of the season. I’ve seen the previews and I’m convinced. I could try to explain it, but I think the preview is worth your time to explain it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qqojuj1zoU

They’ve had to recast the Wayans character since he’s on another show, but otherwise, this one looks like a keeper. Best description of Zoey Deschanel’s character? Adorkable.

And our final offering from Tuesday is Raising Hope. Did you catch it last season? It is from the same creators as My Name is Earl and you can tell. That is not a slam, but a statement of fact. If you like Earl, you’d like this. It is a little raunchy, but only in the Roseanne sense, not the Two and a Half Men sense.

See you tomorrow for Wednesday.

And Jump on the Ringer bandwagon. It premieres tonight!

Oh that’s right. It’s time for New TV.

Let’s kick it off with our Monday chart. Just a reminder, I stick with the five basic channels and rarely get too out of the box when it comes to other cable choices. And since I don’t pay for premium channels, I can’t wax too philosophical when it comes to HBO or Showtime (I do get Starz, but I haven’t committed to any of their shows).

And, as much as it pains me to remind everyone, I do usually watch everything at least once or twice. I’m strangely proud and embarrassed all at the same time. Also, thanks to the DVR and Hulu, we rarely watch anything live.

Finally, I may say something that seems “spoilery” to you, so fair warning. Whatever I mention won’t be straight spoiler scoop, but information that is already out there.


CBS
The Lost of comedies--How I Met Your Mother--is one of our personal favorites, and the big news is that this year we will see Barney get hitched. But will it be to Robin? And allegedly, the mother will be at the wedding--but if we see her or not, that is another story. HIMYM is perpetually on our DVR.

If you are in to comedy, everything I’ve read says 2 Broke Girls is one of the best fall shows. It will make the DVR! Want to take four minutes to decide for yourself? Here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUkwxpMVW9M&feature=fvst

As for CBS’ remaining Monday lineup, of course I will see how Charlie is killed off in Two and a Half Men and Ashton is brought in. That one will get boffo ratings, for sure.

I watched Mike and Molly often last year, but it wasn’t appointment viewing for me. Mainly because it was filled with enough innuendo that I actually attempted to make good parenting choices and not watch it with the kiddos.

We enjoy, quite much, Hawaii Five-0. It ended on a strange twist last season, so we’ll start the year with the team apart and all of that good stuff, but then they’ll get back together and the magic will ensue.

NBC
So, they’ve got the Sing-Off for two hours on Mondays. Umm. Okkkaaayyy. Enjoyable enough for a limited four-week run during the holidays, I’m sure the need to cash in on The Voice and try to compete with The X Factor, coupled with cheap production costs made this series get a longer run. I enjoy a cappella groups more than most, but I can’t see this being appointment TV for me. And not just because Nicole-former-pussy-cat doll jumped ship to the X factor and there’s a new female judge. I’m sure I’ll breeze through every now and again though, just to show my support to Nick Lachey.

Then there is The Playboy Club. From what I’ve read, the real reason the Utah affiliates are not running the show isn’t because of its premise, but because it is really, really, really B.A.D. A drama set in 1960’s Chicago at the Playboy Club, there will be murder, intrigue and all of that sexy stuff. Girls will be in bunny suits, boys will be in suits, and all in all, it won’t be Mad Men. I’m sure I’ll check it out via Hulu once or twice, but even though it has Hef’s blessing, I’m thinking meh.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-95qfa956A&feature=related

FOX

Terra Nova. Nope, just because there’s dinosaurs and Steven Spielberg doesn’t mean that its Jurassic Park IV. Actually, for TV, this show has a huge budget and CGI dinosaurs. While it was originally supposed to air last May, it was put on hold to get better. Most reviews say that was the wise thing to do and this show gets my highest Zach rating. Meaning, if there was as how tailor made for Zach, this is it. Starting in 2149, the earth is in bad shape. Everyone has to wear gas masks, overpopulation is a huge problem and all in all, it is dismal and bleak. Except for the wormhole that sends colonists back 85 million years. And that’s what people do if they are lucky enough--they get to go back and start all over. Except they are dinosaurs. And some secret people living outside of the colony that seem to attack them some. That could be a bit of a problem. DVR space reserved for this one--and there is a chance there will only be 13 episodes this season, what with the huge price tag per episode.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6aNEIZwPFc

House. By this stage of the game, you are either watching or not. I’ve been a watcher for a while, but at some point last season, I got a wee bored and didn’t watch the last few episodes. I read about them, so I know what happened, and with Cuddy not returning this season and rumors that it could be on its last legs, even with a much talked about twist for the start of the season may make it awhile before I catch up with it on Hulu.

ABC
Dancing with the Stars has an intriguing cast this fall. While I rarely watch the show from beginning to end, I do like to DVR and then catch up super fast. All the controversy with Chaz Bono, btw, seems overblown. He’ll either be able to dance with Lacey or he won’t be able to. It doesn’t matter that he was once the daughter of Sonny and Cher and now he’s their son, the talk of boycotting because of his transgender status seems super stupid. Besides, this cast looks very interesting, star status or not: Carson Kreely, Hope Solo, David Arquette, Ricki Lake, Chynna Phillips, George Clooney’s ex, and the boy Kardashian. I expect to be entertained as I watch this on fast forward.

Castle. Now that was a cliff hanger last May! While we all know that there is no way Beckett will bite it, I can’t wait to see all the fall out, the new commander, and the witty repertoire this show does so well. Nathan Fillion is one of my many TV geektastic crushes/fake boyfriends.

CW

I gave up on Gossip Girl after the first season. While I know that it has mass guilty pleasure appeal, and I stopped watching, I do know what’s going on because it has such a huge internet following.

So that takes us to our final show, Hart of Dixie. Cutting to the chase, I’m choosing to label this one of my favs for the fall. And now, it isn’t becasue of TV Guide’s review, which says, “Couldn’t blame the South for threatening to secede again after sampling this patronizingly phony, city-fish-out-of-backwater lump of country-fried hokum.” It has more to do with eonline’s review: “Confession time: We want to bear hug this show and never ever let it go. It is more than a worthy successor to the feel-good WB drama throne. If Everwood picked up Gilmore Girls at a bar for a night of quippy fun, the result would be the adorable Hart of Dixie. Sprinkle some Doc Hollywood on that baby for good measure.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7NhT8Gfhy0

This has guilty pleasure written all over it for me, so I’m setting the DVR and going to town. It is on the CW, so that means it will most likely at least get a full season.

And that, my friends, is Monday.

Set your DVRs!