Hey all,
It's been a while since I talked about the current crop of television shows and I thought today that we would touch base. Honestly I think the amount of TV I am watching is decreasing as many shows I like have either taken a step backwards or have drawn to an end. Let's look at what hasn't been working first.
When the fall and mid-season shows dropped, there wasn't that many new programs I was looking forward to. So far only three have managed to make the cut. I quickly lost interest in shows like The Mentalist and I didn't even watch the first episode of the new NBC drama Kings. Even established shows that I have enjoyed in the past haven't been as compelling. Heroes is one that I keep waiting for to take off. A very solid show with great characters, I just don't know if the writers know where they are going with it this season. For nearly 3 seasons we have been waiting for some epic throw downs between the super powered folk and it seems like all they want to do is tease us with it. Just get to the fights! A little action will go a long way toward developing characters to the viewer.
Terminator is another show that is facing the same dilemma. For a show about robots from the future killing people there is a hell of a lot of talking. I love great characterization, but when I watching a show called Terminator, I want some damn terminators. Even the show I was most looking forward to this season, Joss Whedon's Dollhouse, runs that same parallel. It's a show where each girl can be anything, but I don't know that they are providing enough entertainment to be successful long term. Admittedly the last few episodes have been better, but I still can't call it a great show.
Fox's Fringe is borderline show for me. I love the concept, but I am still waiting to be sold on each character. I haven't made an attachment to any of the leads, but I like the general subject matter, sort of Lost meets the X-Files. I think it pays by being in a safe timeslot on Tuesdays when I don't have any counter programming.
There have been some positive moves in programming this season. I still think that The Office may be comically the best show on television. They continue to push the boundary of awkward, socially channelling humor each week. Just a great cast of characters and Steve Carrell as Michael Scott may be the most fearless actor in TV. Next up is Chuck from NBC. This show I think finds the best balance between pure fun and action and character development. It's got an overall story that furthers each character, but it intersects each week with humor and action to keep things going. Just a great balance.
Then there is Lost. Without a doubt the BEST show on TV. This season the producers have taken the show up a notch from last, no small task, bringing the mysteries of the island to the forefront. They still provide more answers to our questions, but leave enough room to ask another question in its place. Just from top to bottom the best show each week.
There have been some sad departures this season as well. First out was the criminally underrated Pushing Daisies. Fun, quirky, and offbeat, I wish it had the chance to continue. I fear there was simply to long a layoff between season 1 and 2 with the writer's strike last year and it became a victim of the ratings. This was certainly a show that had something for everyone, men, women, young, or old, it was a very pure form of entertainment that wasn't preachy. Just a good show. Another loss that will hit me hard very soon is the cancellation of the only other new show this season I like, ABC's Life on Mars, about a cop from today stuck in 1973. One part Lost, one part crime drama, it entertained many fascinating concepts. This ranged from time travel and mental illness to social issues like gender and race issues that were so prevalent in the 70's. I am really sad to see it go as it was one of my favorite programs on TV.
The biggest loss is undoubtedly Battlestar Galactica. Easily one of the best shows on TV (second only to Lost for me) it wrapped up its run in an epic 2 hour finale, full of blockbuster action and really great closure for the cast of characters we had come to know. Despite future BSG spinoff's in the works, the main show and cast is done. With it went a great balance of action and character beats, where you really watched the characters grow and change over the 5 year run of the show. Each person is a far different cry from who they were in the beginning. I'll miss BSG, there really was nothing else quite like it.
That's my rundown of the current state. My guess for a follow-up would be a good re-evaluation around the end of the season, specifically in the final episode of Lost. Thanks for reading, I'll be back again this week hopefully finishing up the last chapter of Three More Bullets and maybe even some new Darkest Dawn by the end of the month. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Showing posts with label The Line Up. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Line Up. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, November 15, 2008
The Line Up
Hey all,
As we are significantly into the fall season I have come out with some good interpretations of many of the programs I am watching. Overall, a very weak fall roster. I guess that is to be expected with the writer's strike really cutting into production time, many networks didn't have that wide range to pick from that they normally would.
Of all the new shows I think my favorite is Life on Mars, about a cop from today who is trapped in 1973. After the shoe string premise, it really dives into being a cop in Ne York in the early 1970's, a city chock full of change and racial divides. The characters are all very different, each filling in a needed niche.
Other than that I am not sold on any of the new shoes. Shows like My Own Worst Enemy with Christian Slater and Lipstick Jungle are nearing the axe, as well as Knight Rider and even my beloved Pushing Daisies. I think Daisies, which started off so strong, got hurt the most by the strike. With only a 9 episode first season and ABC not bringing in new episodes until almost 9 months later, they lost any momentum they may have had. That is what is hurting them now, they have been out of people's minds for to long.
Fridays continue to stay dismal with Crusoe and Sanctuary, two highly touted genre shows that haven't lived up to their potential. I feel the same way with Kath and Kim. I want to like the show more than I do because I think the casting is great, it just hasn't found a balance between the awkward humor of the Office and the straight up fun of My Name is Earl.
Speaking of the Office, this has to be the best returning show of the season. Each episode has been better than the last. It continues its well worn path of awkward hilarity.
Mondays continue to chug on with Terminator, a show I hope continues to do well, but is up against stiff competition. I feel the same way with Chuck, a program that I really like for its general fun and sense of life. A lot of people seem to want to rip Heroes, but I have been okay with the seasons so far. I know that several of the producers of the show were let go and I am hoping that will provide a springboard to some more action.
A pleasant surprise, for me at least, is Legend of the Seeker, a genre fantasy show based on author Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth books. Its one part Adventures of Hercules, one part faithful adaptation. It is definitely a bit camp, but a show that I have come to look forward to.
I think the strongest launches have been in the field of animation. Family Guy and South Park continue to show they are proven hits over the years. I come to look forward to their shows with more regularity than many of my old stalwarts. I even have to give props to Cartoon Network's Clone Wars, which has really rebounded against the camp of the film version.
Hopefully January will revive the TV doldrums with the return of Lost and the debut of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. As new stuff rolls out I'll try to keep you abreast of what you should be watching. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
As we are significantly into the fall season I have come out with some good interpretations of many of the programs I am watching. Overall, a very weak fall roster. I guess that is to be expected with the writer's strike really cutting into production time, many networks didn't have that wide range to pick from that they normally would.
Of all the new shows I think my favorite is Life on Mars, about a cop from today who is trapped in 1973. After the shoe string premise, it really dives into being a cop in Ne York in the early 1970's, a city chock full of change and racial divides. The characters are all very different, each filling in a needed niche.
Other than that I am not sold on any of the new shoes. Shows like My Own Worst Enemy with Christian Slater and Lipstick Jungle are nearing the axe, as well as Knight Rider and even my beloved Pushing Daisies. I think Daisies, which started off so strong, got hurt the most by the strike. With only a 9 episode first season and ABC not bringing in new episodes until almost 9 months later, they lost any momentum they may have had. That is what is hurting them now, they have been out of people's minds for to long.
Fridays continue to stay dismal with Crusoe and Sanctuary, two highly touted genre shows that haven't lived up to their potential. I feel the same way with Kath and Kim. I want to like the show more than I do because I think the casting is great, it just hasn't found a balance between the awkward humor of the Office and the straight up fun of My Name is Earl.
Speaking of the Office, this has to be the best returning show of the season. Each episode has been better than the last. It continues its well worn path of awkward hilarity.
Mondays continue to chug on with Terminator, a show I hope continues to do well, but is up against stiff competition. I feel the same way with Chuck, a program that I really like for its general fun and sense of life. A lot of people seem to want to rip Heroes, but I have been okay with the seasons so far. I know that several of the producers of the show were let go and I am hoping that will provide a springboard to some more action.
A pleasant surprise, for me at least, is Legend of the Seeker, a genre fantasy show based on author Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth books. Its one part Adventures of Hercules, one part faithful adaptation. It is definitely a bit camp, but a show that I have come to look forward to.
I think the strongest launches have been in the field of animation. Family Guy and South Park continue to show they are proven hits over the years. I come to look forward to their shows with more regularity than many of my old stalwarts. I even have to give props to Cartoon Network's Clone Wars, which has really rebounded against the camp of the film version.
Hopefully January will revive the TV doldrums with the return of Lost and the debut of Joss Whedon's Dollhouse. As new stuff rolls out I'll try to keep you abreast of what you should be watching. Thanks!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The Line Up
Hey all,
With the Fall TV season upon us I thought it a good time to update on the television schedule. Heck, some shows have already rolled out, specifically on the CW network. Unlike last season for my viewing choices, this season has a lot of the programs I want to watch packed on the same days. I'll break it down by day, then recap my choices at the end. Kind of a long post so grab a drink!
Monday-
This is by far the number one night for TV in my book. There are so many programs on that I will be unable to watch everything that I want even with the DVR. First off, you have CBS with their great sitcom line up of Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and a new show called The Worst Week. NBC rocks out hard with Chuck and Heroes returning. Fox Brings Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles and Prison Break, and the CW has it's hit Gossip Girl. Not to mention ABC with Dancing With the Stars and Samantha Who. Also in the late slot CBS has CSI: Miami and NBC has Christian Slater's new show My Own Worst Enemy, about a secret agent who has two personalities in his head. Not to mention Monday Night Football on ESPN.
So far my picks are during the first hour are Chuck and Terminator, then Heroes and Two and a Half Men during hour two. I may give that Worst Week a try as well as Slater's show with the free slot on the DVR. What really hurts is not being able to watch Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother (or HIMYM for short). Those were two sitcoms I really liked, HIMYM especially over the last two seasons, and Big Bang appealed to my nerd sensibilities. My plan is to try to DVR them during the summer hiatus and hope for the best. I'll catch Monday Night Football only when I go out with friends to watch the games, the DVR will pick up what I miss. Still Monday is packed full!
Tuesday-
Tuesday, for me, is one of my off nights to be spent clearing out the DVR. Not a lot of shows that appeal to my habits, but here is the rundown. ABC has new programs Opportunity Knocks, and Dancing With the Stars (results show) and in the late slot returning Eli Stone. NBC has NCIS, new detective show The Mentalist (reminds me of Monk honestly), and in the late slot Without a Trace. Fox has House, and J.J. Abrams (of Lost and Alias fame) new show Fringe, which I have heard very little save that it is a drama with Sci-Fi elements. CW has all new programming with the remake of 90210 and The Privileged, about a young tutor adjusting to living with the rich and famous. NBC is out with a 2 hour block of The Biggest Loser and Law and Order: SVU.
I will definitely give Fringe a shot with Abram's track record. My room mate will definitely be on SVU, and I won't rule out the possibility of trying out The Mentalist, but typically I am not a fan of detective or cop shows, with the rare exception.
Wednesday
Wednesday is a little better. ABC has returning my favorite new show from last year Pushing Daisies, along with Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money in the late slot. CBS has The New Adventures of Old Christine and new sitcom Gary Unmarried, then Criminal Minds and CSI: New York late. The CW has America's Next top Model and new show Stylista, a reality show about aspiring fashion editors. Fox has Bones, then a sitcom block of 'Till Death and new show Do Not Disturb. NBC has the remake of Night Rider, Deal or No Deal, and Lipstick Jungle in the late slot.
My picks are Pushing Daisies for sure and I'll watch 'Till Death, though even I admit that is a guilty pleasure. For some reason, neither myself nor my room mate got into the TV movie of Night Rider last year, despite our love of the show during it's original run in the 80's. I doubt we will watch it.
Thursday
Thursday has a very strong line up as well, easily the second best of the weeks for my viewing habits. ABC has Ugly Betty and Greys Anatomy returning, and a new cop show Life on Mars, about a cop who awakes from a coma to find himself in 1973, and must find a way home. CBS has reality show mainstay Survivor: Gabon, powerhouse CSI, and against Life on Mars in the late slot The Eleventh Hour, about a scientist working for the government who must investigate a string of weird occurrences during the 11th hour of the day. The CW has returning genre shows Smallville and Supernatural. Fox also has returning shows The Moment of Truth and Kitchen Nightmares. NBC rolls out its sitcom line up with My Name is Earl, new show Kath and Kim, The Office, and 30 Rock (sharing the slot along with SNL Weekend Update coverage of the elections).
For me NBC is the big winner, I'll certainly keep up with Earl and The Office, and Kath and Kim has looked very funny on the reviews. Besides which I am a big fan of Selma Blair. To be honest I hadn't heard much about Life on Mars until researching this entry, but I do like time travel and that will get a look. I also know plenty of people who will be following Supernatural and everybody (but me apparently) loves CSI, so that should mean a lot of busy DVR's this night.
Friday
Let's be honest, this and Saturday are the worst nights for television. I'll roll my picks for these two days after recapping both. Friday is slightly better, but still pretty slim. CBS has the Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Ghost Whisper and new show The Ex-List, about a woman who learns from a psychic that her future husband is an ex-boyfriend, and if they don't reunite with in a year she will be single forever. In the late slot is Numbers. ABC is reality TV with Wife Swap and Supernanny, with 20/20late. FOX has reality game shows Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and Don't Forget the Lyrics. The CW has sitcoms Everybody Hates Chris and The Game leading into repeats of America's Next Top Model. Finally NBC has the television series adaption of Crusoe (about Robinson Crusoe) and more Deal or No Deal with cop drama Life returning.
Saturday
The only station with new programming is FOX with an hour long block of Cops leading in to America's Most Wanted. NBC has news show Dateline, then repeats of Night Rider and Law and Order: SVU. ABC has College Football. The CW has no new programming, all of it will be locally allotted (meaning reruns of Friends or some such) and CBS has something called Crimetime Saturday (of which I have no idea, probably news briefs or repeats of other shows) leading in to 48 Hours Mystery.
To be completely honest, I have little interest in any of these shows. I know a few people following Ghost Whisperer and that is most likely the best choice for your programming needs. I may give Crusoe a try with it having a late premier in October, though it will depend on how many programs make the cut. If I am over invested in programming, it may not.
Sunday
Another strong night of TV, led by FOX with its animation line up. First off it leads with its NFL recap show The OT, then into The Simpsons, King of The Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad. NBC is all football with its recap show Football Night in America and Sunday Night Football. ABC has America's Funniest Home Videos. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and late Desperate Housewives. It also has a super late 10pm show returning, Brothers and Sisters. CBS has 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, and Cold Case late. It also runs a later show against Brothers and Sisters, returning special forces action drama The Unit. The CW is all new with sitcoms In Harms Way and Surviving Suburbia. Then into Valentine, a show about a family of Greek Gods that secretly bring soul mates together. The its Easy Money in the late slot, a drama about a family who run a high interest loan business.
My picks are Fox's animation lineup and football. Desperate Housewives and Cold Case will be big with many fans, though they are not my cup of tea.
Several shows will return mid-season. CBS returns a personal favorite, sitcom The Rules of Engagement and a new show Harper's Island (a murder mystery show). FOX has a heavy line up in January with 24, juggernaut American Idol, Hell's Kitchen, and new shows like Joss Whedon's highly buzzed Dollhouse and The Cleveland Show ( a Family Guy spin off). NBC returns perennial Law and Order, Friday Night Lights and Medium, and has new shows called Merlin and Kings. The CW will return Reaper for Season 2. ABC also returns its juggernaut Lost, along with The Bachelor, According to Jim, and acquires Scrubs from NBC.
That is a lot of TV to process, and it can be hard to decide what shows make the time in your busy schedule. So I am going to leave you with my top 5 picks for this fall as well as my top two picks for best new series (at least potentially!) I am not including Lost, BattleStar Galactica, nor Dollhouse, shows I am eagerly awaiting returns on but won't be back on until next year. I'll recap those in January, closer to their debuts.
1- Pushing Daisies- easily one of the best series on TV, unlike anything else being made right now.
2- Heroes- the ship will right this season, just remember the last season finale, it will be great.
3-The Office- By far my favorite sitcom, awkwardness has never been so funny.
4-Chuck- honestly, I have really been looking forward to this returning. Even I am kind of surprised.
5- Terminator- This takes care of my action fix and they need the support to continue making more episodes.
Top 2 new shows
1-Kath and Kim - Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, I am hoping they bring the funny.
2-Fringe - The same guy that made Lost AND Alias. I'll give it a try.
To conclude, a lot of good shows, a lot of tough choices. I'll update you on my picks later into the season, and find out what made the cut. Don't forget, The CW has already started, and FOX rolls out Monday with Terminator. September 22nd will launch most of CBS and NBC's (except Prison Break which debuted this past Monday.)
Happy watching!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
With the Fall TV season upon us I thought it a good time to update on the television schedule. Heck, some shows have already rolled out, specifically on the CW network. Unlike last season for my viewing choices, this season has a lot of the programs I want to watch packed on the same days. I'll break it down by day, then recap my choices at the end. Kind of a long post so grab a drink!
Monday-
This is by far the number one night for TV in my book. There are so many programs on that I will be unable to watch everything that I want even with the DVR. First off, you have CBS with their great sitcom line up of Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and a new show called The Worst Week. NBC rocks out hard with Chuck and Heroes returning. Fox Brings Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles and Prison Break, and the CW has it's hit Gossip Girl. Not to mention ABC with Dancing With the Stars and Samantha Who. Also in the late slot CBS has CSI: Miami and NBC has Christian Slater's new show My Own Worst Enemy, about a secret agent who has two personalities in his head. Not to mention Monday Night Football on ESPN.
So far my picks are during the first hour are Chuck and Terminator, then Heroes and Two and a Half Men during hour two. I may give that Worst Week a try as well as Slater's show with the free slot on the DVR. What really hurts is not being able to watch Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother (or HIMYM for short). Those were two sitcoms I really liked, HIMYM especially over the last two seasons, and Big Bang appealed to my nerd sensibilities. My plan is to try to DVR them during the summer hiatus and hope for the best. I'll catch Monday Night Football only when I go out with friends to watch the games, the DVR will pick up what I miss. Still Monday is packed full!
Tuesday-
Tuesday, for me, is one of my off nights to be spent clearing out the DVR. Not a lot of shows that appeal to my habits, but here is the rundown. ABC has new programs Opportunity Knocks, and Dancing With the Stars (results show) and in the late slot returning Eli Stone. NBC has NCIS, new detective show The Mentalist (reminds me of Monk honestly), and in the late slot Without a Trace. Fox has House, and J.J. Abrams (of Lost and Alias fame) new show Fringe, which I have heard very little save that it is a drama with Sci-Fi elements. CW has all new programming with the remake of 90210 and The Privileged, about a young tutor adjusting to living with the rich and famous. NBC is out with a 2 hour block of The Biggest Loser and Law and Order: SVU.
I will definitely give Fringe a shot with Abram's track record. My room mate will definitely be on SVU, and I won't rule out the possibility of trying out The Mentalist, but typically I am not a fan of detective or cop shows, with the rare exception.
Wednesday
Wednesday is a little better. ABC has returning my favorite new show from last year Pushing Daisies, along with Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money in the late slot. CBS has The New Adventures of Old Christine and new sitcom Gary Unmarried, then Criminal Minds and CSI: New York late. The CW has America's Next top Model and new show Stylista, a reality show about aspiring fashion editors. Fox has Bones, then a sitcom block of 'Till Death and new show Do Not Disturb. NBC has the remake of Night Rider, Deal or No Deal, and Lipstick Jungle in the late slot.
My picks are Pushing Daisies for sure and I'll watch 'Till Death, though even I admit that is a guilty pleasure. For some reason, neither myself nor my room mate got into the TV movie of Night Rider last year, despite our love of the show during it's original run in the 80's. I doubt we will watch it.
Thursday
Thursday has a very strong line up as well, easily the second best of the weeks for my viewing habits. ABC has Ugly Betty and Greys Anatomy returning, and a new cop show Life on Mars, about a cop who awakes from a coma to find himself in 1973, and must find a way home. CBS has reality show mainstay Survivor: Gabon, powerhouse CSI, and against Life on Mars in the late slot The Eleventh Hour, about a scientist working for the government who must investigate a string of weird occurrences during the 11th hour of the day. The CW has returning genre shows Smallville and Supernatural. Fox also has returning shows The Moment of Truth and Kitchen Nightmares. NBC rolls out its sitcom line up with My Name is Earl, new show Kath and Kim, The Office, and 30 Rock (sharing the slot along with SNL Weekend Update coverage of the elections).
For me NBC is the big winner, I'll certainly keep up with Earl and The Office, and Kath and Kim has looked very funny on the reviews. Besides which I am a big fan of Selma Blair. To be honest I hadn't heard much about Life on Mars until researching this entry, but I do like time travel and that will get a look. I also know plenty of people who will be following Supernatural and everybody (but me apparently) loves CSI, so that should mean a lot of busy DVR's this night.
Friday
Let's be honest, this and Saturday are the worst nights for television. I'll roll my picks for these two days after recapping both. Friday is slightly better, but still pretty slim. CBS has the Jennifer Love Hewitt's The Ghost Whisper and new show The Ex-List, about a woman who learns from a psychic that her future husband is an ex-boyfriend, and if they don't reunite with in a year she will be single forever. In the late slot is Numbers. ABC is reality TV with Wife Swap and Supernanny, with 20/20late. FOX has reality game shows Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and Don't Forget the Lyrics. The CW has sitcoms Everybody Hates Chris and The Game leading into repeats of America's Next Top Model. Finally NBC has the television series adaption of Crusoe (about Robinson Crusoe) and more Deal or No Deal with cop drama Life returning.
Saturday
The only station with new programming is FOX with an hour long block of Cops leading in to America's Most Wanted. NBC has news show Dateline, then repeats of Night Rider and Law and Order: SVU. ABC has College Football. The CW has no new programming, all of it will be locally allotted (meaning reruns of Friends or some such) and CBS has something called Crimetime Saturday (of which I have no idea, probably news briefs or repeats of other shows) leading in to 48 Hours Mystery.
To be completely honest, I have little interest in any of these shows. I know a few people following Ghost Whisperer and that is most likely the best choice for your programming needs. I may give Crusoe a try with it having a late premier in October, though it will depend on how many programs make the cut. If I am over invested in programming, it may not.
Sunday
Another strong night of TV, led by FOX with its animation line up. First off it leads with its NFL recap show The OT, then into The Simpsons, King of The Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad. NBC is all football with its recap show Football Night in America and Sunday Night Football. ABC has America's Funniest Home Videos. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, and late Desperate Housewives. It also has a super late 10pm show returning, Brothers and Sisters. CBS has 60 Minutes, The Amazing Race, and Cold Case late. It also runs a later show against Brothers and Sisters, returning special forces action drama The Unit. The CW is all new with sitcoms In Harms Way and Surviving Suburbia. Then into Valentine, a show about a family of Greek Gods that secretly bring soul mates together. The its Easy Money in the late slot, a drama about a family who run a high interest loan business.
My picks are Fox's animation lineup and football. Desperate Housewives and Cold Case will be big with many fans, though they are not my cup of tea.
Several shows will return mid-season. CBS returns a personal favorite, sitcom The Rules of Engagement and a new show Harper's Island (a murder mystery show). FOX has a heavy line up in January with 24, juggernaut American Idol, Hell's Kitchen, and new shows like Joss Whedon's highly buzzed Dollhouse and The Cleveland Show ( a Family Guy spin off). NBC returns perennial Law and Order, Friday Night Lights and Medium, and has new shows called Merlin and Kings. The CW will return Reaper for Season 2. ABC also returns its juggernaut Lost, along with The Bachelor, According to Jim, and acquires Scrubs from NBC.
That is a lot of TV to process, and it can be hard to decide what shows make the time in your busy schedule. So I am going to leave you with my top 5 picks for this fall as well as my top two picks for best new series (at least potentially!) I am not including Lost, BattleStar Galactica, nor Dollhouse, shows I am eagerly awaiting returns on but won't be back on until next year. I'll recap those in January, closer to their debuts.
1- Pushing Daisies- easily one of the best series on TV, unlike anything else being made right now.
2- Heroes- the ship will right this season, just remember the last season finale, it will be great.
3-The Office- By far my favorite sitcom, awkwardness has never been so funny.
4-Chuck- honestly, I have really been looking forward to this returning. Even I am kind of surprised.
5- Terminator- This takes care of my action fix and they need the support to continue making more episodes.
Top 2 new shows
1-Kath and Kim - Molly Shannon and Selma Blair, I am hoping they bring the funny.
2-Fringe - The same guy that made Lost AND Alias. I'll give it a try.
To conclude, a lot of good shows, a lot of tough choices. I'll update you on my picks later into the season, and find out what made the cut. Don't forget, The CW has already started, and FOX rolls out Monday with Terminator. September 22nd will launch most of CBS and NBC's (except Prison Break which debuted this past Monday.)
Happy watching!
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Monday, August 11, 2008
The Line Up
Hey all,
It's been a while since a new edition of The Line Up, my column on my current TV habits. In the dearth of summer TV programming, their usually isn't much to watch. That all changed on Friday though, with the arrival of the 2008 Olympic Games.
I don't know what it is about the Olympics, but I really become obsessed with watching them when they roll around. Especially the summer games. Normally, there is no way I watch swimming, diving, or track and field events. But you add that level of global competition and national pride, and something clicks inside me.
It's really the scope of the games that gets me. Close to 150 countries vying to be the best in the world, not only for personal glory, but for all the people of their nation. It's really a moving experience.
I didn't get to see all of the opening ceremony, but what I did see looked spectacular. The size and grandiose effects the Beijing has put forth has assuaged any doubts I may have had about China hosting the games, and about their ability to step up as a super power. I think this helps China, offering a better look than mostly gets reported about the country.
In terms of the events, I have watched a ton of coverage, including Women's Fencing and Badminton (so you know that I have the Olympic fever if I am watching that!) I was especially impressed with the cross country bicycle race. The back drop for the ride included Tienanmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven AND the Great Wall of China. Just incredible. This week will see them amping up swimming and diving events which I really root for, as well as gymnastics which I really get into, but again only at the Olympics, Add the drama surrounding men's basketball with the "Redeem Team" and their quest for gold, this is going to be one of the best games ever.
Do yourself a favor and tune in. Every fours years we can get a small glimpse of something that brings the world together in both a spirit of competition and national pride. This is chance to watch greatness and a chance to see something historic. Not only China's rise to a super power, but the globalization of sports across the world. I can't wait to see more.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
It's been a while since a new edition of The Line Up, my column on my current TV habits. In the dearth of summer TV programming, their usually isn't much to watch. That all changed on Friday though, with the arrival of the 2008 Olympic Games.
I don't know what it is about the Olympics, but I really become obsessed with watching them when they roll around. Especially the summer games. Normally, there is no way I watch swimming, diving, or track and field events. But you add that level of global competition and national pride, and something clicks inside me.
It's really the scope of the games that gets me. Close to 150 countries vying to be the best in the world, not only for personal glory, but for all the people of their nation. It's really a moving experience.
I didn't get to see all of the opening ceremony, but what I did see looked spectacular. The size and grandiose effects the Beijing has put forth has assuaged any doubts I may have had about China hosting the games, and about their ability to step up as a super power. I think this helps China, offering a better look than mostly gets reported about the country.
In terms of the events, I have watched a ton of coverage, including Women's Fencing and Badminton (so you know that I have the Olympic fever if I am watching that!) I was especially impressed with the cross country bicycle race. The back drop for the ride included Tienanmen Square, The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven AND the Great Wall of China. Just incredible. This week will see them amping up swimming and diving events which I really root for, as well as gymnastics which I really get into, but again only at the Olympics, Add the drama surrounding men's basketball with the "Redeem Team" and their quest for gold, this is going to be one of the best games ever.
Do yourself a favor and tune in. Every fours years we can get a small glimpse of something that brings the world together in both a spirit of competition and national pride. This is chance to watch greatness and a chance to see something historic. Not only China's rise to a super power, but the globalization of sports across the world. I can't wait to see more.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, March 08, 2008
The Line Up
Hey all,
Sorry about the gap in posting so far this month, there has been a lot of little things that have not been condusive to writing. Work of course always rears it's ugly head and has seen me working some serious shifts in the previous week. Between numerous meetings and visiting supervisors I just haven't been home that much, some time working 11 or 12 hour days. My hope is that this current week we can get on some sort of regular schedule or at least get another manager that we were promised to help ease the load. Hey with my luck though I'll probably be back to where I started!
There have been some other stuff going on. Last night saw brand new episodes of one of my favorite television programs Ninja Warrior. Found on G4 its a Japanese import show that's everything American Gladiator wants to be. A highly difficult 4 stage obstacle course that pits 100 people against its rigors. Some of the challenges range from athletes to fishermen to dancers to models to the out and out ridiculous. The obstacles, which you have to see to believe are incredibly difficult, like running up a curved wall to grab the lip, to crossing a hanging curtain over a pit of water to jumping from monkey bar to monkey bar across an incredible span. It's amazing to see what these athletes are capable of. In the 10 plus years of the show only 2 men have ever completed all 4 stages. Last night saw the 7th all women of Ninja Warrior tournament.
All of the obstacles require speed, strength, endurance, stamina, and balance. The men's course focuses more on strength, the women's highlight balance. The last three tournaments for women have seen back to back to back victories for the only woman to have completed the the course, whose name is Ayoka. Of the 110 women who started stage 1, only 4 advanced. Passing obstacles like wobbly stepping stones, off set balance beams where you hit a button, run across one beam, jump to an off set next beam, then jump to a third platform to catch a punching bag that released when you hit the button to ride it across a pool of water. Then it's up the short cargo net to the balance tank, where you roll on a barrel on a ramp across a pool of water to a platform. Then you catapult from a trampoline to an elevated small round platform in an event called the Hot Rocket. Then you jump down to a padded platform, across a short balance beam into the Angled Run, where two sections of wall, one on the right, one on the left separated by a small gap are pitched at a 22 degree incline. You have to run across the angled wall to a rope ladder, climb it an hit a buzzer. Oh Yeah, and all this has to be done in 85 seconds. That's hard right!
Four women advanced to Stage 2, where the obstacles push your sense of balance and strength even harder, with spinning balance logs, elevated rounded stepping stones, monkey bars and free hanging balance beams. Even 3 time champion Ayoka failed to pass this course, though one challenger made it to stage 3. The third stage, the only 1 untimed, has a peg jump, where you jump from one narrow peg shaped platform to the next and a long foam domino hill that rise over 10 feet from the ground. Domino Hill beat the challenger who couldn't make it to the third task, an inclined rock wall. There was still a stage 4 whose challenge we did not get to see.
Ninja Warrior is full of everything you have to love about competitive television. Feats of strength and athleticism, sheer humor at some of the strange participants and a sense of awe watching people do things that look impossible. It will be about 2 months until the next new episode of Ninja Warrior, the men's competition. Sadly that's the only drawback of the show. Since the Tournament is only held in Japan 4 times a year, you only get new episodes about every quarter. Two men's, in the summer and the winter, and two women's, in the fall and spring. But G4 has plenty of backlog, over 10 years worth of episodes for you to watch and root for. You should definitely add G4 for this show alone, it's well worth adding to your cable package and ranks as one of my top 5 shows to watch.
Ninja Warrior.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sorry about the gap in posting so far this month, there has been a lot of little things that have not been condusive to writing. Work of course always rears it's ugly head and has seen me working some serious shifts in the previous week. Between numerous meetings and visiting supervisors I just haven't been home that much, some time working 11 or 12 hour days. My hope is that this current week we can get on some sort of regular schedule or at least get another manager that we were promised to help ease the load. Hey with my luck though I'll probably be back to where I started!
There have been some other stuff going on. Last night saw brand new episodes of one of my favorite television programs Ninja Warrior. Found on G4 its a Japanese import show that's everything American Gladiator wants to be. A highly difficult 4 stage obstacle course that pits 100 people against its rigors. Some of the challenges range from athletes to fishermen to dancers to models to the out and out ridiculous. The obstacles, which you have to see to believe are incredibly difficult, like running up a curved wall to grab the lip, to crossing a hanging curtain over a pit of water to jumping from monkey bar to monkey bar across an incredible span. It's amazing to see what these athletes are capable of. In the 10 plus years of the show only 2 men have ever completed all 4 stages. Last night saw the 7th all women of Ninja Warrior tournament.
All of the obstacles require speed, strength, endurance, stamina, and balance. The men's course focuses more on strength, the women's highlight balance. The last three tournaments for women have seen back to back to back victories for the only woman to have completed the the course, whose name is Ayoka. Of the 110 women who started stage 1, only 4 advanced. Passing obstacles like wobbly stepping stones, off set balance beams where you hit a button, run across one beam, jump to an off set next beam, then jump to a third platform to catch a punching bag that released when you hit the button to ride it across a pool of water. Then it's up the short cargo net to the balance tank, where you roll on a barrel on a ramp across a pool of water to a platform. Then you catapult from a trampoline to an elevated small round platform in an event called the Hot Rocket. Then you jump down to a padded platform, across a short balance beam into the Angled Run, where two sections of wall, one on the right, one on the left separated by a small gap are pitched at a 22 degree incline. You have to run across the angled wall to a rope ladder, climb it an hit a buzzer. Oh Yeah, and all this has to be done in 85 seconds. That's hard right!
Four women advanced to Stage 2, where the obstacles push your sense of balance and strength even harder, with spinning balance logs, elevated rounded stepping stones, monkey bars and free hanging balance beams. Even 3 time champion Ayoka failed to pass this course, though one challenger made it to stage 3. The third stage, the only 1 untimed, has a peg jump, where you jump from one narrow peg shaped platform to the next and a long foam domino hill that rise over 10 feet from the ground. Domino Hill beat the challenger who couldn't make it to the third task, an inclined rock wall. There was still a stage 4 whose challenge we did not get to see.
Ninja Warrior is full of everything you have to love about competitive television. Feats of strength and athleticism, sheer humor at some of the strange participants and a sense of awe watching people do things that look impossible. It will be about 2 months until the next new episode of Ninja Warrior, the men's competition. Sadly that's the only drawback of the show. Since the Tournament is only held in Japan 4 times a year, you only get new episodes about every quarter. Two men's, in the summer and the winter, and two women's, in the fall and spring. But G4 has plenty of backlog, over 10 years worth of episodes for you to watch and root for. You should definitely add G4 for this show alone, it's well worth adding to your cable package and ranks as one of my top 5 shows to watch.
Ninja Warrior.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
The Line Up
Hey all,
Good news this week as the Writer's Guild of America returned to work on Wednesday, ending the 100 plus day strike. This means that many televsion shows will be returning before summer break to film additional episodes!
Some of my favorite programs, such as Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Office, and How I Met Your Mother will return to production. Some shows will remain on hiatus until the fall season, like Chuck and Heroes. A few even got the axe, such as Bionic Woman and Journeyman. I'm sorry to see Journeyman go, but at least knowing that some of these programs are returning sooner than anticipated. Lost was projected to run 2 more 16 episode seasons and are keeping that commitment. Tentatively planning for 6 to 7 more shows, producers have promised to make up for the shortene episodes the following season. The Office, How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl, and other sitcoms are also planning 6 to 8 additional episodes.
Battlestar Galactica was also planned to run 2 additional seasons of around 16 to 20 episodes per season. Season 4 will drop early April and run through the already shot shows, and tentativly plan to break for around a month, then start up with the remaining 8. Season 5 will most likely come around April of 2009.
My new favorite, Pushing Daisies will also return in the fall for a full season. The fates of many animated programs, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy are unknown as they still have original content to air.
The biggest concern now for movie and televison fans is the possibilty of an actor's strike in June. The Screen Actor's Guild, like the Writer's Guild of America, is also up for contract negotiaion. Many actors are already clamoring for a quick resoltion to prevent another strike, similar to what the Director's Guild of America did at the beginning of the year before thier contract was up. Personally, I do not see a holdout, people have already seen the early effects of the writer's strike and won't want more people to lose income, as well as the potential box office losses that could be effected in 2009.
If I missed a show you want to know about hit me up in the comments section. I'll drop whatever knowlege I can find for you. As always, thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Good news this week as the Writer's Guild of America returned to work on Wednesday, ending the 100 plus day strike. This means that many televsion shows will be returning before summer break to film additional episodes!
Some of my favorite programs, such as Lost, Battlestar Galactica, The Office, and How I Met Your Mother will return to production. Some shows will remain on hiatus until the fall season, like Chuck and Heroes. A few even got the axe, such as Bionic Woman and Journeyman. I'm sorry to see Journeyman go, but at least knowing that some of these programs are returning sooner than anticipated. Lost was projected to run 2 more 16 episode seasons and are keeping that commitment. Tentatively planning for 6 to 7 more shows, producers have promised to make up for the shortene episodes the following season. The Office, How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl, and other sitcoms are also planning 6 to 8 additional episodes.
Battlestar Galactica was also planned to run 2 additional seasons of around 16 to 20 episodes per season. Season 4 will drop early April and run through the already shot shows, and tentativly plan to break for around a month, then start up with the remaining 8. Season 5 will most likely come around April of 2009.
My new favorite, Pushing Daisies will also return in the fall for a full season. The fates of many animated programs, such as The Simpsons and Family Guy are unknown as they still have original content to air.
The biggest concern now for movie and televison fans is the possibilty of an actor's strike in June. The Screen Actor's Guild, like the Writer's Guild of America, is also up for contract negotiaion. Many actors are already clamoring for a quick resoltion to prevent another strike, similar to what the Director's Guild of America did at the beginning of the year before thier contract was up. Personally, I do not see a holdout, people have already seen the early effects of the writer's strike and won't want more people to lose income, as well as the potential box office losses that could be effected in 2009.
If I missed a show you want to know about hit me up in the comments section. I'll drop whatever knowlege I can find for you. As always, thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
The Line Up
Happy Feburary all!
WOW, already one month down in 2008. I am not even use to calling it 2008 yet and here we are already through Janurary. Sorry about the lack of posting the last few days, I have really been suffering from a bout of writer's block and I just can't seem to find topics to converse about.
I do have to say that as much as I love football, I don't think tomorrows Super Bowl is going to be that good. I am not really a fan of either team, though I guess I am rooting for the New York Football Giants to win. The Patriots are just to damn smug and going completely unbeaten in the season would just add to that factor. I tend to root for underdogs in situations where I don't have a clear cut favorite. If anything the Super Bowl commercials should be enjoyable, I've alread heard rumors of prevews for Iron Man and Wanted debuting on there, so there is that.
On the TV front I have to say that I am enjoying the new Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles more than I would have thought. It's a fun sci fi program that doesn't require the immense backstory that predates so much of my other favorite shows. It doesn't hurt that they have two hot women kicking ass all the time. I do wish that at some point though we have to turn John Conner into a pro active type of fighter. This program, taking place between T2 and T3, may not be the place, but at least glimpes of what is to come would be nice. My only other thing they need to do is be careful of exploiting the time travel aspect too much. Too much messing with continuity will affect both this series and the future movie franchises they have in development. Let's just enjoy and fun program while we still have new episodes.
It also goes without saying that I am glad Lost is back. Easily one of the best shows on TV came back on Thursday with more unanswered questions. I am hoping that this slow build from the first show will give us some good bang for our buck through the next 7. With such a tightly scripted show the shortened season could really hurt the payoff this go around. Ulike Heroes, which re-wrote the final episoe to be a cliffhanger/bookend to accomodate the writer's strike, Lost is staying true to formula. I'm sure I'll have more tocomment on the show as the season rols out. All I do know is that adding flash forwards AND flashbacks will make for some great drama!
Lastly, I finally got my roommate Jason in Battlestar Galactica. The only good thing to come out of the writer's strike is his willingness to watch new programs (because let's face it, there is nothing else on!) Re-watching BSG just reminds me of how well this show is done. Tight scripts with plotlines weaving through multiple seasons, great casting and some of the best season cliffhangers in televison. Jason made a comment about BSG that I found to be totally true. BSG rides that fine line about revealing answers to plot questions better than any other show on TV. Lost holds onto it's questions to long, for every answer you get, you also get two more questions. Heroes doesn't leave you guessing long enough. They are pretty quick with the payouts, moving in a faster plot direction. BSG straddles that line so well. I have so many questions, but they give you just enough to keep you guessing. That is not to say that i don't love Lost or Heroes, they are both some of my favoite programming. I just ove me somne BSG. New episodes are dropping in March, as well as season 3 on DVD. You have plenty of time to catch up at the video store befroe then.
Anyway, I intend to gt to some Flash Fiction in my next post, and as always, thanks for reading. Oh and a quick note.. my spell check is acting buggy again so sorry for any mistakes I may have made.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
WOW, already one month down in 2008. I am not even use to calling it 2008 yet and here we are already through Janurary. Sorry about the lack of posting the last few days, I have really been suffering from a bout of writer's block and I just can't seem to find topics to converse about.
I do have to say that as much as I love football, I don't think tomorrows Super Bowl is going to be that good. I am not really a fan of either team, though I guess I am rooting for the New York Football Giants to win. The Patriots are just to damn smug and going completely unbeaten in the season would just add to that factor. I tend to root for underdogs in situations where I don't have a clear cut favorite. If anything the Super Bowl commercials should be enjoyable, I've alread heard rumors of prevews for Iron Man and Wanted debuting on there, so there is that.
On the TV front I have to say that I am enjoying the new Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles more than I would have thought. It's a fun sci fi program that doesn't require the immense backstory that predates so much of my other favorite shows. It doesn't hurt that they have two hot women kicking ass all the time. I do wish that at some point though we have to turn John Conner into a pro active type of fighter. This program, taking place between T2 and T3, may not be the place, but at least glimpes of what is to come would be nice. My only other thing they need to do is be careful of exploiting the time travel aspect too much. Too much messing with continuity will affect both this series and the future movie franchises they have in development. Let's just enjoy and fun program while we still have new episodes.
It also goes without saying that I am glad Lost is back. Easily one of the best shows on TV came back on Thursday with more unanswered questions. I am hoping that this slow build from the first show will give us some good bang for our buck through the next 7. With such a tightly scripted show the shortened season could really hurt the payoff this go around. Ulike Heroes, which re-wrote the final episoe to be a cliffhanger/bookend to accomodate the writer's strike, Lost is staying true to formula. I'm sure I'll have more tocomment on the show as the season rols out. All I do know is that adding flash forwards AND flashbacks will make for some great drama!
Lastly, I finally got my roommate Jason in Battlestar Galactica. The only good thing to come out of the writer's strike is his willingness to watch new programs (because let's face it, there is nothing else on!) Re-watching BSG just reminds me of how well this show is done. Tight scripts with plotlines weaving through multiple seasons, great casting and some of the best season cliffhangers in televison. Jason made a comment about BSG that I found to be totally true. BSG rides that fine line about revealing answers to plot questions better than any other show on TV. Lost holds onto it's questions to long, for every answer you get, you also get two more questions. Heroes doesn't leave you guessing long enough. They are pretty quick with the payouts, moving in a faster plot direction. BSG straddles that line so well. I have so many questions, but they give you just enough to keep you guessing. That is not to say that i don't love Lost or Heroes, they are both some of my favoite programming. I just ove me somne BSG. New episodes are dropping in March, as well as season 3 on DVD. You have plenty of time to catch up at the video store befroe then.
Anyway, I intend to gt to some Flash Fiction in my next post, and as always, thanks for reading. Oh and a quick note.. my spell check is acting buggy again so sorry for any mistakes I may have made.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Sunday, October 14, 2007
The Line Up
Hey all,
I figured I would get around to posting my thoughts on the fall schedule finally, as we are entering the fourth week of programming. Never before have I been so excited about so many different programs in one season, and ultimately ended up so underwhelmed. I am watching alot of these programs, but none of them have the same compelling viewling natures of my tried and true returning favorites, like Lost, Heroes, The Office or Battlestar Galactica.
My favorite new shows so far are Pushing Daisies, about a guy who can reanimate the dead, and Journeyman, sort of a Quantum Leap with a recurring cast. Daisies is fun and quirky and totally unlike anything else on television. Ultimately I feel that is what is going to cancel the show, Its too fun and quirky, so different that I don't know if most people will get the shows vibe. I also feel that Journeyman will also be canceled, I haven't read a lot of favorable reviews and I don't think it can decide if it wants to be self contained in each episode, or have a broader more Lost or Heroes type of serial storyline. That being said, I loved the concept of Quantum Leap and this is pretty much the same, updated and tweaked sure, but still engaging and I like that by watching every week you get a bigger picture, but if you miss an episode you aren't totally lost. I guess I like what I think most people will dislike.
Bionic Woman is a real toss up for me. I really dislike the actress playing the bionic woman, but I really like BSG's Katee Sackhoff as the lead baddie. She is a totally dominating actress on the screen and really overpowers the main character whenever they share screen time. Since some f the producers of this show are involved with BSG, I feel they can right the ship. They need to make us care about the Jaime Summers character and give her some strength of character, I feel if the lead can step up her role, and tone down her litle sister per episode, I think you will have a good show. I'm sticking with it for now.
Close to the chopping block is Reaper. I haven't removed it yet, but other than the Devil, I don't really like any of the characters, its Clerks meets Buffy, with none of the pop culture cred. What made those other shows great is the pop culture nerdity that they embraced, while focusing the show on that genre audiance that sticks with shows like that. Reaper sems to me to be going for a broader appeal, and really falling short.
Just a few more show notes, The Office has been fantastic this season and we are 2 weeks away from the final season of Scrubs, both of which should really solidify a powerful Thursday night with My Name is Earl. Heroes had a slow premier episode, but it really has been heating up since then. I am very excited to see where this is going.
That about sums up the TV lineup, thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
I figured I would get around to posting my thoughts on the fall schedule finally, as we are entering the fourth week of programming. Never before have I been so excited about so many different programs in one season, and ultimately ended up so underwhelmed. I am watching alot of these programs, but none of them have the same compelling viewling natures of my tried and true returning favorites, like Lost, Heroes, The Office or Battlestar Galactica.
My favorite new shows so far are Pushing Daisies, about a guy who can reanimate the dead, and Journeyman, sort of a Quantum Leap with a recurring cast. Daisies is fun and quirky and totally unlike anything else on television. Ultimately I feel that is what is going to cancel the show, Its too fun and quirky, so different that I don't know if most people will get the shows vibe. I also feel that Journeyman will also be canceled, I haven't read a lot of favorable reviews and I don't think it can decide if it wants to be self contained in each episode, or have a broader more Lost or Heroes type of serial storyline. That being said, I loved the concept of Quantum Leap and this is pretty much the same, updated and tweaked sure, but still engaging and I like that by watching every week you get a bigger picture, but if you miss an episode you aren't totally lost. I guess I like what I think most people will dislike.
Bionic Woman is a real toss up for me. I really dislike the actress playing the bionic woman, but I really like BSG's Katee Sackhoff as the lead baddie. She is a totally dominating actress on the screen and really overpowers the main character whenever they share screen time. Since some f the producers of this show are involved with BSG, I feel they can right the ship. They need to make us care about the Jaime Summers character and give her some strength of character, I feel if the lead can step up her role, and tone down her litle sister per episode, I think you will have a good show. I'm sticking with it for now.
Close to the chopping block is Reaper. I haven't removed it yet, but other than the Devil, I don't really like any of the characters, its Clerks meets Buffy, with none of the pop culture cred. What made those other shows great is the pop culture nerdity that they embraced, while focusing the show on that genre audiance that sticks with shows like that. Reaper sems to me to be going for a broader appeal, and really falling short.
Just a few more show notes, The Office has been fantastic this season and we are 2 weeks away from the final season of Scrubs, both of which should really solidify a powerful Thursday night with My Name is Earl. Heroes had a slow premier episode, but it really has been heating up since then. I am very excited to see where this is going.
That about sums up the TV lineup, thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Nerd Fantasy Draft
Hey all!
*still no viable spellcheck*
As football season has started, so has all the talk of fantasy football. While I am not a fantasy footballer, today is an important part of any nerds fantasy draft, for new fall televison marks it's comeback next week. The reason its a draft is that now we will have to see what programs make the cut on the DVR, and who gets left behind. How many of the new shows will get good yardage, and what will be busts.
This will be my second season wih the fall TV lineup and the DVR and I have to say the field looks strong. Despite a few holdouts, like Lost and Battlestar Galactica not starting until January, there are a lot of strong looking new programs.
Pretty much the only holdover sill making my cut from new shows last year is Heroes. Studio 60 and Drive busted out, but I see some positive looking dramas to replace them. I am looking forward to Chuck and Bionic Woman to come out as the best of the rest.
Here's my lineup:
Sundays are pretty light with Fox dominating with The Simpsons and Family Guy. I am not a big fan of American Dad but King of the Hill may make it on the list, I end up watching them in reruns anyway
I will admit to being intrigued by CBS doing a musical drama called Viva Laughlin, but I am not going to bother with something that will so quickly be cancelled.
Mondays have the DVR in overdrive between CBS and NBC. CBS has the sitcoms with How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother being a favorite. I am also going to try Big Bang Theory, a new nerd comedy since I am watching everything else in that time period.
NBC is coming with the aforementioned Heroes, Chuck and a possibility in Journeyman, a show about a time traveler, but I don't have high hopes or it.
Tuesdays belong to the CW with Beauty and the Geek ( a terrible yet complelling series) and Reaper, a quirky show that's getting a lot of comparisons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The pilot is directed by Kevin Smith so that's worth it for one episode at least.
Wednesdays are light until Lost comes back. Bionic Woman should dominate that night. I have heard good things about the show Pushing Daisies about a guy who reanimates the dead with a touch and kills them again with another touch. I might try that when it rolls out in October.
Thursdays belong to NBC with Must See TV and My Name is Earl, The Office, and Scrubs. I may give 30 Rock another try, but I didn't enjoy it the few times I watched it last season. Maybe its not my cup of tea.
Fridays and Saturdays are dead fr TV... these are the best times to catch you on the shows you didn't get a chance to watch through the week itself.. Hope you didn't mind me waxing nerd poetic here. My last few posts have been poem heavy so I thought I would talk about something lighter.
I'll post again this weekend, maybe another poem that I have been working on. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad@
*still no viable spellcheck*
As football season has started, so has all the talk of fantasy football. While I am not a fantasy footballer, today is an important part of any nerds fantasy draft, for new fall televison marks it's comeback next week. The reason its a draft is that now we will have to see what programs make the cut on the DVR, and who gets left behind. How many of the new shows will get good yardage, and what will be busts.
This will be my second season wih the fall TV lineup and the DVR and I have to say the field looks strong. Despite a few holdouts, like Lost and Battlestar Galactica not starting until January, there are a lot of strong looking new programs.
Pretty much the only holdover sill making my cut from new shows last year is Heroes. Studio 60 and Drive busted out, but I see some positive looking dramas to replace them. I am looking forward to Chuck and Bionic Woman to come out as the best of the rest.
Here's my lineup:
Sundays are pretty light with Fox dominating with The Simpsons and Family Guy. I am not a big fan of American Dad but King of the Hill may make it on the list, I end up watching them in reruns anyway
I will admit to being intrigued by CBS doing a musical drama called Viva Laughlin, but I am not going to bother with something that will so quickly be cancelled.
Mondays have the DVR in overdrive between CBS and NBC. CBS has the sitcoms with How I Met Your Mother, Two and a Half Men, and Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother being a favorite. I am also going to try Big Bang Theory, a new nerd comedy since I am watching everything else in that time period.
NBC is coming with the aforementioned Heroes, Chuck and a possibility in Journeyman, a show about a time traveler, but I don't have high hopes or it.
Tuesdays belong to the CW with Beauty and the Geek ( a terrible yet complelling series) and Reaper, a quirky show that's getting a lot of comparisons to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The pilot is directed by Kevin Smith so that's worth it for one episode at least.
Wednesdays are light until Lost comes back. Bionic Woman should dominate that night. I have heard good things about the show Pushing Daisies about a guy who reanimates the dead with a touch and kills them again with another touch. I might try that when it rolls out in October.
Thursdays belong to NBC with Must See TV and My Name is Earl, The Office, and Scrubs. I may give 30 Rock another try, but I didn't enjoy it the few times I watched it last season. Maybe its not my cup of tea.
Fridays and Saturdays are dead fr TV... these are the best times to catch you on the shows you didn't get a chance to watch through the week itself.. Hope you didn't mind me waxing nerd poetic here. My last few posts have been poem heavy so I thought I would talk about something lighter.
I'll post again this weekend, maybe another poem that I have been working on. Thanks for reading.
End of Line.
Gerrad@
Sunday, June 10, 2007
TV Guide
Hey all!
thought I would do a quick post on the end of the regular TV season. There are so many good shows that without a DVR i don't think anyone could keep up with them all.
Let's start off with the good.
Heroes- That's how you build a series. A solid stretch of episodes in the season. It gave us both questions and answers and kept you wanting more the entire time. I did feel the that the final battle with Sylar was a little weak, I was really looking for a powerful showdown, like the hinted in the Days of Future Past episode a few weeks previous. I still thought though that they set up next season with just enough to keep you amped for more, but gave you enough closure that you feel sedated by it. I can't wait for the next season. Coupled with that the Heroes: Origins mini series that is supposed to take place this summer, that should significantly increase my anticipation with a slate of new characters that may get added to the ongoing show. That's a great ideas swiped straight out of the comic books!
Lost- I came to Lost late, I didn't get into the series until about a month before season 3 started. I watched all of season 1 and 2 on DVD, and I personally think that season 3 was the strongest. It gave you much needed answers, why Locke was in the wheelchair, where those fucking polar bears came from, who the Others really are, Ben's secret origin. As well it posed more questions, who is Jacob, what is the smoke monster, how can Locke heal so easily on the island, is Juliet really a good guy, how is Walt back? All great questions. And the killer season ending with the island sequences being flashbacks and the scenes with jack being real time.. WOW that threw me for a loop.
I was sad to see so many character losses this season, Charlie, especially as he had really become a great character. I think I understand why they wrote him out though.. he had come full circle and found redemption on the island.. just like Eko. They really couldn't take his character anywhere but backwards. Besides thsi opens up the exploration of these new characters, Juliet, Ben, Desmond. 2008 can't come to soon!
I also thought that BattleStar Galactica had a great season finale. In sitcom news I really want to see more of My Name is Earl (good cliffhanger!) The Office (most painfully funny show on TV) and How I Met Your Mother.
The bad.
The series ending of my beloved Gilmore Girls. Such a bold and well written show that really transcended its CW stereotype. I am truly sad to see it end.
Veronica Mars. As I last read it was cancelled and unless the network goers with the flash forward to Veronica's CIA days.. I think the shows done. That's a damn shame too.. its smart, witty, and so acerbic... they don't make shows like this on TV.. for me it was a better version of TVs Buffy the Vampire Slayer.. less fan boy and more real life appeal.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip- A smart show brought to you by the guy who makes smart shows, Aaron Sorkin... this should have been a success, smart scripts, good actors, a good time slot.. and its failed... I have been enjoying the finals episodes that they are airing on Thursdays now.. but it just seems like they paid good money for the episodes and they are airing them as they have nothings better on then. Oh well.
I've also bitched enough about Fox cancelling Drive. Fox has so little that appeals to me anymore.. without the Simpsons or Family Guy I don't think I'd watch the network at all. I must be one of the few who really HATES American Idol..
Anyway that's my TV update....
Hope to post another True Story Time in a few days....Oh and I added a link to Penny-arcade.. a really funny webcomic that I enjoy.. I am gonna add a few other website s that are part of my daily routine...keep an eye out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
thought I would do a quick post on the end of the regular TV season. There are so many good shows that without a DVR i don't think anyone could keep up with them all.
Let's start off with the good.
Heroes- That's how you build a series. A solid stretch of episodes in the season. It gave us both questions and answers and kept you wanting more the entire time. I did feel the that the final battle with Sylar was a little weak, I was really looking for a powerful showdown, like the hinted in the Days of Future Past episode a few weeks previous. I still thought though that they set up next season with just enough to keep you amped for more, but gave you enough closure that you feel sedated by it. I can't wait for the next season. Coupled with that the Heroes: Origins mini series that is supposed to take place this summer, that should significantly increase my anticipation with a slate of new characters that may get added to the ongoing show. That's a great ideas swiped straight out of the comic books!
Lost- I came to Lost late, I didn't get into the series until about a month before season 3 started. I watched all of season 1 and 2 on DVD, and I personally think that season 3 was the strongest. It gave you much needed answers, why Locke was in the wheelchair, where those fucking polar bears came from, who the Others really are, Ben's secret origin. As well it posed more questions, who is Jacob, what is the smoke monster, how can Locke heal so easily on the island, is Juliet really a good guy, how is Walt back? All great questions. And the killer season ending with the island sequences being flashbacks and the scenes with jack being real time.. WOW that threw me for a loop.
I was sad to see so many character losses this season, Charlie, especially as he had really become a great character. I think I understand why they wrote him out though.. he had come full circle and found redemption on the island.. just like Eko. They really couldn't take his character anywhere but backwards. Besides thsi opens up the exploration of these new characters, Juliet, Ben, Desmond. 2008 can't come to soon!
I also thought that BattleStar Galactica had a great season finale. In sitcom news I really want to see more of My Name is Earl (good cliffhanger!) The Office (most painfully funny show on TV) and How I Met Your Mother.
The bad.
The series ending of my beloved Gilmore Girls. Such a bold and well written show that really transcended its CW stereotype. I am truly sad to see it end.
Veronica Mars. As I last read it was cancelled and unless the network goers with the flash forward to Veronica's CIA days.. I think the shows done. That's a damn shame too.. its smart, witty, and so acerbic... they don't make shows like this on TV.. for me it was a better version of TVs Buffy the Vampire Slayer.. less fan boy and more real life appeal.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip- A smart show brought to you by the guy who makes smart shows, Aaron Sorkin... this should have been a success, smart scripts, good actors, a good time slot.. and its failed... I have been enjoying the finals episodes that they are airing on Thursdays now.. but it just seems like they paid good money for the episodes and they are airing them as they have nothings better on then. Oh well.
I've also bitched enough about Fox cancelling Drive. Fox has so little that appeals to me anymore.. without the Simpsons or Family Guy I don't think I'd watch the network at all. I must be one of the few who really HATES American Idol..
Anyway that's my TV update....
Hope to post another True Story Time in a few days....Oh and I added a link to Penny-arcade.. a really funny webcomic that I enjoy.. I am gonna add a few other website s that are part of my daily routine...keep an eye out.
End of Line.
Gerrad!
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