new and noteworthy tv: 1/8-1/14

The first week and I’m already behind. Though happy to see some new reality coming back I’ll definitely have to limit the tennis watching.

  • End of the F***ing World (Net) Series Premiere, Friday 1/5 – I missed this on last week’s list and it’s getting some good buzz so wanted to call it out
  • ANTM (VH1) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 8pm – Yes, Tyra is back and looking at women of all (relatively) ages.
  • Ink Master (Spike) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – This season they’re bringing three ‘masters’ back to act as team leaders to coach competitors.
  • Alone Together (Free) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 8:30pm – Millennial platonic couple navigates the world of LA, comedically.
  • The Critics’ Choice Awards (CW) Thursday, 8pm – Another awards show I won’t watch but am mildly interested in the results, though this year I am further behind on movies than ever.
  • My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Letterman is back doing interviews in a more focused form and starts with Obama.
  • Philip K Dick’s Electric Dreams (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – A new sci-fi anthology series based on Dick’s work and featuring some good talent, I’m only on season 2 of Black Mirror.
  • Australian Open (ESPN2) Sunday, 4pm – Let the first Grand Slam of the year begin.

Some season premieres of shows to check for dvr recording if you’re watching this sort of thing: The Magicians (Syfy) Wednesday, 9pm; Taken (NBC) Friday, 9pm; Victoria (PBS) Saturday, 9pm; Divorce/Crashing (HBO) Sunday, 10/10:30pm.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/3-8/9

weathermanBetter late than never?

  • Monday – Vegas Rat Rods, Season Premiere (Disc, 9pm), Significant Mother, Series Premiere (CW, 9:30pm), Great American Food Finds, Series Premiere (Food, 10:30pm)
  • Tuesday – CMA Music Festival (ABC, 8pm), It Takes a Sister, Series Premiere (Oxy, 9pm), Playing House, Season Premiere (USA, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – ANTM, Season Premiere (CW, 8pm), Job or No Job, Series Premiere (ABCF, 9pm), Mr Robinson, Series Premiere (NBC, 9pm), A Wicked Offer, Series Premiere (CW, 9pm)
  • Thursday – Project Runway, Season Premiere (Life, 9pm), Behind Bars, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm), Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Season Premiere (CMT, 11pm)
  • Friday – Club De Cuervos/Project Mc2, Series Premieres (Net, 3am), Human Resources, Season Premiere (Piv, 10pm), The Comment Section, Series Premiere (E!, 10:30pm)
  • Saturday – America’s Next Weatherman, Series Premiere (TBS, 11pm)

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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my schedule

gotham

A pretty dismal season for television so far though one or two options still might make the cut. Still waiting for State of Affairs but until then, here’s where I’m at:

Monday

  • 8pm – Gotham (Fox)
  • 9pm – Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
  • 10pm – Blacklist (NBC)

The jury is still somewhat out on Gotham but there’s enough interesting about it that it’s still sticking for now. And returning series remind me that there were better shows last year, Hollow is still bonkers but super fun, Spader still makes it.

Tuesday

  • 8pm – Selfie (ABC)
  • 9pm – SHIELD (ABC) / New Girl/Mindy Project (Fox) / Marry Me/About a Boy (NBC)

Happy to keep some of these comedies around, actors are likable enough for me to keep for now, and Shield has been finding some new rhythms though I oppose a triple booking I am deferring a cut with On Demand.

Wednesday

  • 8pm – The Middle (ABC) / The Mysteries of Laura (NBC)
  • 9pm – The 100 (CW)

Ok, I’m not totally sold on Laura but it’s a decent enough filler for now while Middle and 100 are still keeping me in.

Thursday

  • 8pm – Bones (Fox) / Big Bang Theory/Mom (CBS)
  • 10pm – Elementary (CBS) / Parenthood (NBC)

I really am almost done with Bones but it’s still a decent procedural and keeping up with the rest of the regulars.

Friday

  • 9pm – Grimm (NBC) / ANTM (CW)
  • 10pm – Constantine (NBC)

After two Constantines I’m not sold but still don’t feel like I have a feel for the week to week, it’s a good pair with the solid freak of the week on Grimm and yes the models, last year’s addition of boys was a welcome one.

Sunday

  • 8pm – Madam Secretary (CBS) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
  • 9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)

Secretary still sort of comes across like the poor man’s version of West Wing crossed with Good Wife (which is still fantastic) but even a poor man’s version keeps me in so far and Brooklyn still keeps me amused.

And for the cable fodder: Benched (USA), Ink Master (Spike), The League (Fxx), Project Runway (Life), Sons of Anarchy (Fx), Z Nation (Syfy)

What’s in your queue?

Update: Selfie is cancelled and Constantine no longer made the cut.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/18-8/24

intruders

Netflix adds a BBC police woman drama to the lineup, Intruders introduces another peculiar possibly paranormal tale of some peeps, and Masterpiece kicks off another mystery. As for reality I can’t really recommend ANTM to anyone who’s not already on-board but did find the intro of dudes last season to be a good one, and though it’s not a tattoo competition show will check out Epic to tide me over ’til the others return. And of course prepping for more tennis.

  • Monday: ANTM, Season Premiere (CW, 9pm), Atlanta Exes, Series Premiere (VH1, 9pm)
  • Tuesday: Wizard Wars, Series Premiere (Syfy, 10pm), A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Season Premiere (Ova, 10pm)
  • Wednesday: Happy Valley, Series Premiere (Netflix, 12:01am), Million Dollar Listing: Los Angeles, Season Premiere (Brav, 9pm), Preachers of L.A., Season Premiere (Oxy, 10pm), Epic Ink, Series Premiere (A&E, 10:30pm)
  • Thursday: The Simpsons, Marathon of all eps (Fxx, 10am-9/1), Gypsy Sisters, Season Premiere (TLC, 9pm)
  • Friday: Bering Sea Gold/Airplane Repo, Season Premiere (Disc, 9/10pm)
  • Saturday: Doctor Who/Intruders, Season Premiere (BBCA, 8/10pm)
  • Sunday: CBS Solutes the U.S. Open/Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day (CBS, 10:30/3), Masterpiece Mystery: Breathless, Series Premiere (PBS, 9pm), Music Video Awards (MTV, 9pm)

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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breaking up is hard to do

breaking-bad

As a person who clearly loves some television, and spends a decent amount of time watching it, even I can’t watch everything. I’ve found over time that I like a well balanced portfolio… a little quality drama, a little comedy, a little procedural. Sometimes I want to sit down and focus on a show I think is great and sometimes I want to have something on in the background while I write a pchron post.

What I need to avoid is having a TiVo backlog so large that I feel like it’s a to do list or I’m spending time watching something I don’t enjoy all that much and haven’t gotten back to Friday Night Lights for example which I happen to really be enjoying.

So why can’t I let go? Some shows used to be good. Some shows are good enough but there are too many things that I like more. And some shows may be great but they drive me crazy for one reason or another (stop being so dumb/mean/crazy!). So cutting the cord on committing to the rest of Under the Dome (which I felt great about until someone started talking about how good it was getting) made me take a look back at some of the shows I’ve let go.

  • American Horror Story (Fx) – Loved some of season one just too random crazy.  
  • American Idol (Fox) – Over the judges and the repetitiveness of the rounds.
  • Bates Motel (A&E) – I liked the way they recreated the characters but too much crazy in that town.
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – This is the one that gets most people, I like an anti hero but I still need someone to root for.
  • The Carrie Diaries (CW) – This show was cute, but a little too cute.
  • Criminal Minds (CBS) – I still occasionally catch this in reruns, just not enough interest in cast or cases to keep me invested in the brutalness.
  • CSI (CBS) – Again just not interested enough in cast or cases.
  • Franklin & Bash (TNT) – I like a dumb cable show with quirky leads, but there are a lot out these days so not all make the cut.
  • The Glades (A&E) – I almost like the leads, just not quite enough.
  • Glee (Fox) – This show had some amazing moments but it just started to falter too much.
  • The Killing (AMC) – The leads are great, particularly Holder, but the misleads and unsolve were too much for me to return to S2.
  • L&O:SVU (NBC) – Whatever Benson.
  • Perception (TNT) – Not sure if it’s that I don’t love RL Cook in this or if I’m not quite sure about the cases or McCormack’s ‘perception’ solving them.
  • Person of Interest (CBS) – Intriguing but somehow not engaging…
  • The Voice (NBC) – I get why people dig Blake and Adam but tuning back in second season not as into the competitors.

And some of these are on the chopping block:

  • Awkward (MTV) – I loved the first season of this but now Jenna has just gotten more annoying, we’ll see what the new showrunners bring.
  • Bones (Fox) – This was once one of my favorite procedurals, but I’m kind of over it, not because they’re together or not but because it’s hard to stay fresh after eight seasons.
  • Burn Notice (USA) – Ok it’s in the final season I’m hanging in there.
  • Castle (ABC) – Ditto Bones though season 5…
  • Crossing Lines (NBC) – If this show hadn’t been on when there wasn’t a lot else I’m not sure I would have stuck out the first season.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – Another last season that is keeping me hanging in for my need for completion and hope for a few of those choice moments.
  • Major Crimes (TNT) – I did love me some Closer but our new lead’s calm might be working against the show.
  • Modern Family (ABC) – I find this show brings some funny, but its gotten a little too stereotypical and repetitive.
  • Nashville (ABC) – I remember really enjoying the first couple eps, but saved almost all of season 1 on dvr and have yet to return, not a good sign.

There have also been a few shows that for me have come back from a drop:

  • American Idol (Fox) – Ok I dropped this again but at one point I got sucked back in, reality shows can do that any season for me.
  • America’s Next Top Model (CW) – I have a couple of friends who watch this so it’s harder for me to chat about the silliness that this show is if I don’t watch.
  • Parenthood (NBC) – The Bravermans sucked me in after dropping them one day when I was sick and checking out OnDemand.

The fall season is always a good time to reevaluate so we’ll see what makes the cut. I’m sure there are other things I’ve cut or am about too cut, what about you, anything getting the ax?

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/29-8/4

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL

Monday

  • The Writer’s Room (Sund, 10pm) Series Premiere – The first ep starts with talk of Breaking Bad.

Tuesday

  • Capture (CW, 9pm) Series Premiere – Contestants hunt each other, as this is a reality show I’m not sure they kill their prey.

Wednesday

  • Do Something Awards (VH1, 8pm) – Go community service.

Thursday

  • X Games (ESPN/BC, various) – The games come to LA.
  • Young Hollywood Awards (CW, 8pm) – What would young Hollywood do without their own awards?
  • Hatfields & McCoys (Hist, 10pm) Season Premiere – Moonshine baby.

Friday

  • America’s Next Top Model (CW, 8pm) Season Premiere – This season they’ve added wannabe fierce dudes.

Saturday

  • Too Cute! (AnPl, 9pm) Season Premiere – Adorable animals abound.
  • Psychic Tia (A&E, 10pm) Series Premiere – This is one of those self-explanatory titles.

Sunday

  • Secret Millionaire (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – More supposed to be touching encounters.
  • Ride-iculous (Trav, 8:30pm) Season Premiere – Top thrill rides.
  • Shark After Dark (Disc, 11pm) Series Premiere – One assumes shark and darkness.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 11/12-11/18

It’s so easy to get behind on Sons and Walking Dead

Monday

  • Made In Chelsea (Style, 8pm) Series Premiere – If you’ve tired of American socialites, these ones are English.
  • Oliver Stone’s Untold History of the United States (Show, 8pm) Miniseries Premiere – Ten part series on history in 20th century.
  • Teen Mom 2 (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – And then there’s this.

Tuesday

  • Little People, Big World/Extreme Couponing (TLC, 9/10pm) Series/Season Premieres – A new little couple and may the discount be with you.
  • Mankind the Story of All of Us (Hist, 9pm) Miniseries Premiere – Another ten part history on more history.
  • Million Dollar Decorators (Brav, 10pm) Season Premiere – For the house I can’t afford…

Wednesday

  • Whitney (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Now that Animal Practice is out…

Thursday

  • Perhaps pick up my book.

Friday

  • ANTM (CW, 8/9pm) – The latest episode is followed by the always underwhelming behind the scenes.
  • We Will Always Love You (CBS, 10pm) – A tribute to Whitney.

Saturday

  • 24/7 (HBO, 11:15pm) Season Premiere – Pacquiao/Marquez.

Sunday

  • American Music Awards (ABC, 8pm) – Top forty after forty years.
  • Oprah’s Favorite Things (OWN, 8pm) – Military spouses get some bounty.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation other than those underlined. Times noted are typically PST.

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my schedule

We’ll see if anything changes and I’m always pretending I’ll be a bit more ruthless with some cuts, but here’s where things are netting out for now.

Monday

  • 8pm – How I Met Your Mother (CBS) / Bones (Fox)
  • 10pm – Castle (ABC)

I’m kind of over all of these shows but feel dedicated to see them through for their resolution and still glimmers of my past appreciation.

Tuesday

  • 8pm – Ben & Kate (Fox) / Hart of Dixie (CW)
  • 9pm – Happy Endings/Don’t Trust the B in Apt 23 (ABC) / New Girl/The Mindy Project (Fox) / Go On/The New Normal (NBC)
  • 10pm – Parenthood (NBC) / Vegas (CBS)

My biggest competitive slot at 9… Ben & Kate aren’t rock solid yet so we’ll see where it goes, but the rest of the funnies, assuming Endings and Apt 23 come back in good form, are pretty solid, capped off with some good family drama and a so far kind of intriguing Vegas.

Wednesday

  • 8pm – The Middle/Suburgatory (ABC)
  • 9pm – Modern Family (ABC)
  • 10pm – Nashville (ABC)

More funny, and I’m only one in but enjoyed the drama of the Nashville songsters and the actual and subjective politics surrounding them and the pretty catchy tunes.

Thursday

  • 8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS) / 30 Rock (NBC)
  • 9pm – The Office/Parks & Rec (NBC)
  • 10pm – Elementary (CBS)

When’s the last time I was enjoying so many comedies, though hoping Office will go out on a good note, and then the enjoyable latest iteration of Sherlock and Watson.

Friday

  • 8pm – Community (NBC) / ANTM (CW)
  • 9pm – Grimm (NBC)

So Community isn’t back yet, but whenever and wherever it hits I’ll check it, I have somehow been sucked back into ANTM hijinks, and still digging the silly and sometimes grisly weekly fairy tale mystery.

Saturday

  • Day of rest or frolic

Sunday

  • 9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)
  • 10pm – The Mentalist (CBS)

A good dramatic lineup to cap off the week with my favorite network drama Wife.

And still working in my less time slot specific cable entries of It’s Always Sunny (FX), The League (FX), Major Crimes (TNT), Sons of Anarchy (FX), The Walking Dead (AMC) and tentatively American Horror Story (Fx).

What’s in your queue?

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what’s your reality…

I’ve had a couple recent conversations with people about our television faves and habits. And like many conversations the question comes up in some form or another, do you watch reality shows? And if so which ones? My party line is that I truly try not to add any new reality shows. Not because I don’t think there are some good ones, but because I am afraid that I could get sucked into any of them. They’re also for me somewhat easier to drop between seasons because the cast changes and I’m not invested. I have managed to keep a few around so here’s what’s still in the queue?

  • ANTM (CW) – The combination of ridiculousness and the actual skill that it seems to take to be a model are compelling – runway, shoots, commercials – I thought I had finally dropped this but two things sucked me back in, 1) I have two good friends who are dedicated and although we no longer try to get together on a regular basis we do try to get together once a season 2) all-stars season brought back some faves.
  • Project Runway (Life) – My favorite of the skill competitions, it’s a totally unrealistic way to design fashion, but the process and the result are always enthralling and the personalities that design fashion are not without drama.
  • Rehab with Dr Drew (VH1) – I should not have started watching these but I actually did it with a bit of disgust that they were taking advantage of these people for ratings, but the good Dr. truly cares, and although the editing process showcases more of the train wrecks than anything else, which you can’t look away from, it’s the closest I get to wanting a feel-good moment.
  • What Not to Wear (TLC) – Who doesn’t love a good makeover? Ok, well if you don’t this show clearly isn’t for you, but Stacy and Clinton offer some good quips and tough love as they manifest real change for most of these people even if some of them fight it every step of the way, plus it never hurts to learn a good tip or check out a good outfit.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) – I’ve extolled the virtues of this show before but have to be honest that I have the last three eps of last season getting stale on my TiVo, I still do love the competition and the jam packed format and clearly focused casting make it a good tale.

I don’t do as much of the dating, dancing, cooking, celebrity lifestyle, or straight up voyeuristic… But remember the first season of Real World? Remember the first season of American Idol? I stuck with Survivor for a few seasons, Rock of Love for more than I will admit, Apprentice for a couple, Simple Life, Rockstar, Pop Stars, and the Voice for a whole season. Hmm what else am I forgetting?

These recent conversations came up with recommendations for Lizard Lick Towing and Long Island Medium which makes me wonder what I’m missing out on. What are your favorites, guilty pleasures, and recommendations? Chime in with comments below and tell me what might be worth a watch.

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returning fall favorites

The fall season is starting to trickle in… Until we get the full lay of the land of the new stuff, let’s take a look at what I’m looking forward to that’s coming back.

  • Community (NBC, Oct 19) – They’re able to do a crazy good job with random theme episodes and ongoing arcs that leverage the characters as well as pop culture.
  • The Good Wife (CBS, Sept 30) – Still one of my favorite dramas, I am somehow interested in all the aspects of the people, cases, relationships and politics.
  • Happy Endings (ABC, Oct 23) – This is my fave buddy/relationship comedy as each of these characters have evolved into their own random peeps.
  • Hart of Dixie (CW, Oct 2) – My new favorite fluffy small town rom-com, I want to see if Summer Zoe is still rocking the shorts at her medical practice.
  • The Mentalist (CBS, Sept 30) – This procedural has maintained the most of my interest, mostly due to Simon Baker being a likable wackadoodle.
  • New Girl (Fox, Sept 25) – This show too had some growing pains in the first season but I like that Jess has found a better balance of innocence and reality and the supporting cast has become more well rounded.
  • Parenthood (NBC, Sept 11) – What will befall the Bravermans this season, they get into some stupid situations but usually treat them with the right amount of humor and heart.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC, Sept 20) – I almost wanted this show to end with the council election because it was just so perfect but am thrilled to see the return of these misfit government workers.
  • Sons of Anarchy (FX, Sept 11) – Every season I wonder how Jax and the crew will get out of their latest fix and am eagerly anticipating their new season of good bad guys.
  • The Walking Dead (AMC, Oct 14) – I finally caught back up and am ready for a new season of relationships strained to the max as they fight for their survival of the zomb-pocalypse.

Honorable Mentions (On the TiVo): 30 Rock (NBC, Oct 4), The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Sept 27), Bones (Fox, Sept 17), Castle (ABC, Sept 24), Dexter (Show, Sept 30), Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23 (ABC, Oct 23), Grimm (NBC), Hot in Cleveland (TVL, Nov 28), How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Sept 24), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX, Oct), The League (FX, Oct), The Middle (ABC, Sept 26), Modern Family (ABC, Sept 26), Suburgatory (ABC, Oct 17).

Debatable but may check in: American Horror Story (Fx, Oct), America’s Next Top Model (CW, Aug 24), Law & Order: SVU (NBC, Sept 26), The Office (NBC, Sept 20), The Voice (NBC, Sept 10).

Chime in with comments on what you’re looking forward to or other questions on returning faves.

Shows listed in alphabetical order and all premiere dates are of course subject to change.

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