returning fall favorites

the-good-wife

Well we’re easing into it but I think we can officially categorize post Labor Day September as fall. And while I’m still waiting for a little more info on new shows to see what I’m most excited about there are some returning favorites already queued up with a season pass.

  • The League (Fxx, 10/3) – This is one of those off color Fx (now Fxx) series that has sort of grown on me, people who are so wrong it’s right, no football appreciation required (if you like It’s Always Sunny this is a nice pairing).
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 9/9) – This show has had some uneven spots but watching the interpersonal drama, and admittedly the significant violence, and who’s lying, Jax, makes it a can’t miss to see where our favorite motorcycle gang ends up.
  • New Girl/The Mindy Project (Fox, 9/16) – Both of these shows have improved with time and with fleshing out the ensemble, they make me laugh enough.
  • The Good Wife (CBS, 9/21) – Last season this show really demonstrated how to shake up a longer term series, and still hold on to what makes it special; still has the best balance of weekly cases with the personal and political drama where I’m interested in what everyone is doing.
  • Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 9/22) – One of the critics I read dubbed this show ‘bonkers awesome’ and she’s right, it’s a ridiculous premise but the fast pace and main character dynamics keep it oh so interesting and did I mention headless horseman ridiculous?
  • The Blacklist (NBC, 9/22) – This one is really all about James Spader and fortunately that’s enough to keep this criminal with unclear motives catching bad guys on his list interesting.
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/22) – They’ve done a pretty good job keeping what could be a one note show going, adding to the ensemble and growing the characters a bit, but keeping the mockery in top form.
  • Parenthood (NBC, 9/25) – As we enter the final season we can assume that the Braverman family will not be drama free and while I haven’t loved every story arc I’ve come to be invested, plus I would follow Lauren Graham and Peter Krause anywhere.
  • Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/28) – The latest addition to funny, again finding the balance of the could be annoying main character Samberg has been key but it’s really the ensemble with the amazing Andre Braugher among others that makes it.
  • The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/12) – Each season has had a different feel based on where the cast is but I’m intrigued to see them back together and of course getting out of whatever fix they’re in since the live people are often more of a problem than the dead ones.
  • The 100 (CW, 10/22) – I keep giving these relatively cheesy CW shows a shot and this one, which is basically pretty people land on earth and so far run into pretty people who survived, but I’m often a sucker for that whole moralistic creating your own society and what’s really right, we’ll see if this season keeps me coming back.
  • Grimm (NBC, 10/24) – A procedural show of the not normal variety, in that there is a world of non humans among us, and while I wouldn’t say I love this show the characters and stories keep me coming back.
  • Elementary (CBS, 10/30) – I can’t watch this show at the same time as Sherlock because they’re so different in tone but I am down for seeing what our re-imagined Holmes and Watson get up to each week mostly because I like Miller and Liu.

Notable mention (those that are either a little uneven, a little passed their prime, or too fresh to see if I’m hooked): Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 9/23), The Middle (ABC, 9/24), Bones (Fox, 9/25), Mom (CBS, 9/29)

And keep your love for a few of these shows on the back-burner until mid-season and beyond: The Americans, Cougar Town, Hannibal, Hart of Dixie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Justified, Lost Girl, Louie, The Mentalist, Orphan Black, Parks and Recreation

What are you most excited to see return?

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/23-9/29

crazyones

My first fall conflict, I’ll catch The Black List Saturday while I give Castle and Hostages a run…

Monday

  • How I Met Your Mother/2 Broke Girls/Mom/Hostages (CBS, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – There have been moments of great humor throughout the years on HIMYM and here’s hoping the final season brings some of those, I can’t recommend Broke but I have to admit I’ve tuned in and chuckled, so here’s to hoping Mom has a few of its own with Anna Faris and Allison Janney and Hostages can extend a movie premise into a series for Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott.
  • The Voice/The Blacklist (NBC, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I’m out on Voice but you know, the original judges are back, then James Spader returning is always worth a look.
  • Black Ink Crew (VH1, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – More tattoo parlor drama.
  • Castle (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Beckett won’t leave the show but they will undoubtedly continue to manufacture some ridiculous relationship drama.

Tuesday

  • Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD/The Goldbergs/Trophy Wife/Lucky 7 (ABC, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Series Premieres – Cautiously optimistic for any Joss Whedon show as these agents protect us, less optimistic for 80s flashback sitcom and the latest lottery winners but sandwiched in there is Malin Akerman and Bradley Whitford bringing some potential funny to family life.
  • NCIS/NCIS: Los Angeles/Person of Interest (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Yup, I’m out on these.
  • Income Property (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Basement apartment anyone?
  • Fangasm (Syfy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Fans become roomies to get ready to embody their, I don’t want to say, geeky Comikaze culture.

Wednesday

  • The Middle/Back in the Game/Modern Family/Nashville (ABC, 8/8:30/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – The return of some family funnies around a new take on the Bad News Bears, followed by a show that I dug starting last season but I somehow have 19 saved on my TiVo.
  • Revolution (NBC 8pm) Season Premiere – The power of the power, not so much for me.
  • Criminal Minds/CSI (CBS, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Crimes and killers, fortunately for me another pass.

Thursday

  • The Big Bang Theory/The Crazy Ones/ Two and a Half Men/Elementary (CBS, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I am still enjoying the expanded cast on this show, have my fingers crossed for the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams, skip the men but am back for more Sherlock and Watson cases.
  • Parks & Recreation/The Michael J. Fox Show/Parenthood (NBC, 8pm) Season/Series Premieres – Was loving MJF on Good Wife but here’s a return to comedic form in what I hope is a nice pairing with P&R followed by more Braverman drama.
  • Glee (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – The show must go on.
  • Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – What ridiculous drama must these hospital employees survive next?

Friday

  • Masterchef (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Junior edition.
  • Undercover Boss/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Let’s pretend I don’t watch these on Friday just because I have too busy a social life.
  • Dateline (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – It’s newsy.

Saturday

  • 48 hours (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – It’s newsy.
  • Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:29) Season Premiere – Tina Fey and Arcade Fire.

Sunday

  • 60 Minutes/The Amazing Race/The Good Wife/The Mentalist (CBS, 7/8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Newsy, and then I skip the Race which peeps enjoy but tune back for Wife and Mental.
  • Once Upon a Time/Revenge/Betrayal (ABC, 8/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I’m anticipating dropping Betrayal like I did the two earlier shows, but worth a look.
  • The Simpsons/Bobs Burgers/The Family Guy/American Dad (Fox, 8/8:30/9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – Animation domination.
  • Instant Mom (Nick, 8:30pm) Series Premiere – Tia Mowry returns to sitcom form as a new step mom.
  • Breaking Bad (9pm) Series Finale – Apparently people are into this show which wraps its run tonight.
  • Homeland/Masters of Sex (Show, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Another drama joins the lineup with a look at early sex researchers.
  • Eric & Jessie (E!, 10pm) Series Premiere – Eric Decker and his fiance…
  • Eastbound & Down/Hello Ladies (HBO, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Is he a family man and is he a ladies man?

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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returning fall favorites

elementary_banner

Some new stuff is a’coming but before we get caught up in the new shiny things here are some of the tried and true that I’m most looking forward to:

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/26) – This show is still good for a chuckle and the upping of the gal pals doesn’t hurt.
  • Elementary (CBS, 9/26) – Sherlock and Watson in a new modern day slant, I dig them and it.
  • The Good Wife (CBS, 9/29) – Still one of my fave dramas, balancing good characters and story.
  • Grimm (NBC, 10/25) – Ghoul of the week in a fairy tale kind of way kept me coming back.
  • Hart of Dixie (CW) – Our big city doctor may not be all that revolutionary but sometimes you need a cute small town show.
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/The League (FXX) – So wrong they’re right.
  • Luther (BBCA) – Ok this is basically already done but I love some Luther.
  • The Mentalist (CBS, 9/29) – Slightly odd no longer fake psychic still keeps me intrigued.
  • The Middle (ABC, 9/25) – Good ole middle American family comedy, under the radar but worth a look and a laugh.
  • The Mindy Project/New Girl (Fox, 9/17) – These ladies and their supporting casts both got a good stride last year.
  • Parenthood (NBC, 9/26) – The Braverman’s are always getting into some trouble or another, but I just want them all to be happy.
  • Parks & Recreation (NBC, 9/26) – When they’re on, this might be my favorite comedy on tv.
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 9/10) – Damn those MC guys can’t just chillax, lots of drama and conflict and lack of impulse control, all in the name of trying to make something or other right.
  • The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/13) – Zombie fun and what’s the right choice in the new world order?

Honorable Mention (aka still on the TiVo): Bones (Fox), Castle (ABC, 9/23) How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 9/23), Modern Family (ABC, 9/25).

What are you most looking forward to?

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critics’ picks – top tv of 2012

louieTime to get started on our year end lists! While the tv shows aren’t currently fresh, the critics’ best and award noms give you something to get ready to tune back into. I can’t personally recommend all of these shows (stay tuned for my top ten list) and as most readers know I don’t catch most of the real cable on first run (HBO, Show, Starz), but from the breadth of shows there is a little something out there for everyone. So without further ado here’s a sampling of top tv picks:

  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) – E
  • 2012 Election  – JP
  • 30 for 30 (ESPN) – DF
  • 30 Rock (NBC) – AS, PGA, TG
  • American Horror Story: Asylum (Fx) – AFI, GG, JP, MoR, MZS
  • Archer (Fx) – MZS, TG
  • Ben and Kate (Fox) – TG
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – E, MR, PGA
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – GG, TG
  • Boss (Starz) – GG, TG
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR,  MZS,  PGA, TG
  • Call the Midwife (PBS) – MR
  • Castle (ABC) – E
  • The Colbert Report (Com) – KT, MM
  • Coma (A&E) – MZS
  • Community (NBC) – E, MZS, TG
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – PGA
  • Dexter (Show) – MR, TG
  • Don’t Trust the B- In Apartment 23 (ABC) – TG
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – MR, PGA
  • Enlightened (HBO) – GG
  • Episodes (Show) – GG
  • Game Change (HBO) – AFI
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – AFI, DF, E, GG, JP, MoR, PGA, TG
  • Girls (HBO) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, TG
  • Glee (Fox) – E, GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – KT, MR
  • Gossip Girl (CW) – E
  • Happy Endings (ABC) – E, MoR
  • Hatfields & McCoys (Hist) – MZS
  • Homeland (Show) – AFI, AS, E, GG, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • The Hour (BBCA) – DF, TG
  • House of Lies (Show) – TG
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – E
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – TG
  • Justified (Fx) – KT, TG
  • Louie (Fx) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • Luck (HBO) – AS, MM, MZS
  • Mad Men (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • Magic City (Starz) – TG
  • The Middle (ABC) – MR
  • The Mindy Project (Fox) – E
  • Modern Family (ABC) – AFI, E, GG, PGA, TG
  • Nashville (ABC) – KT
  • New Girl (Fox) – E, GG, MoR, TG
  • On Freddie Roach (HBO) – DF
  • Once Upon a Time (ABC) – E
  • Parenthood (NBC) – AS, JP
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, DF, E, JP, KT, MoR, TG
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – TG
  • Revenge (ABC) – E
  • Scandal (ABC) – E
  • Shameless (Show) – TG
  • Sherlock (PBS) – MM, TG
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – MR, TG
  • Supernatural (CW) – E
  • Treme (HBO) – AS, DF, MZS, TG
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) – E
  • Veep (HBO) – TG
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – AFI, E, MM, MR, TG
  • Wilfred (Fx) – TG

AFI – AFI Television Programs of the Year, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Hitfix, DF – Dan Fienberg for Hitfix, E – E! Best Comedies and E! Best Dramas, GG – Golden Globe nomination, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for Ew, MM* – Mary McNamara for LA Times, MR* – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz on Vulture, PGA – Producer’s Guild, TG – Tim Goodman’s Best Comedies and Dramas

* Some top votes were for categories of shows or notations to things like Clint’s chair speech and referee strike.

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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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new and noteworthy tv: 9/24-9/30

Things are really rolling now and starting to get my first time slot triple bookings, thank goodness for OnDemand…

Monday

  • How I Met Your Mother/Partners/2 Broke Girls/Mike & Molly/Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, 8/8:30/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – I’m sticking it out to find the mother though the series is uneven, and may give the broke girls one more shot but there’s not enough in our other comedies to keep me laughing or action in Hawaii to keep me tuned in.
  • Dancing With the Stars/Castle (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Premieres – More dancing and then the latest couple has finally gotten together.
  • Chrissy & Mr. Jones (VH1, 9:30pm) Series Premiere – The latest reality couple, spin-off from Love and Hip Hop.

Tuesday

  • New Girl/Ben and Kate/The Mindy Project (Fox, 8/8:30/9:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – What could pan out to be a funny lineup.
  • NCIS/NCIS: LA/Vegas (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Military investigations and then back to Vegas.
  • Private Practice (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Medical and personal drama returns.
  • Call Me Fitz/Less Than Kind (Dir, 9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – Am I missing out on anything without DirectTV?
  • Tosh.o/Brickleberry (Com, 10pm) Season/Series Premiers – Tosh shares and then the comic stylings of cartoon inept forest rangers.

Wednesday

  • Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Is there a new captain in the mix and do I care anymore?
  • Criminal Minds/CSI (CBS, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Crime it up.
  • The Middle/Modern Family/The Neighbors/Revenge (ABC, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Neighbors doesn’t look to bring much funny but I’ll give it a shot as I revisit some pretty funny fams but no cheesy comeuppance for me.
  • South Park/Key & Peele (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season Premieres – Cartoon kids and sketches.

Thursday

  • The Big Bang Theory/Two and a Half Men/Person of Interest/Elementary (CBS, 8/8:30/9/9:30/10) Season/Series Premieres – I kind of wish Big Bang had a better partner, and Person didn’t hook me, but then I’ll tune back with cautious optimism for the new Sherlock.
  • Last Resort/Grey’s Anatomy/Scandal (ABC, 8/9/10pm) Series/Season Premiere – Last Resort is getting some buzz and I did finally drop Grey’s, and Scandal…
  • SNL Weekend Update Thursday (NBC, 8pm) – More politics and funny.
  • Prank My Mom (Life, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Does pranking a mom seem like a good idea?

Friday

  • Kitchen Nightmares/Fringe (Fox, 8/9pm) Season Premieres – Nightmares and weirdness.
  • CSI: NY/Made in Jersey/Blue Bloods (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I’ll give the Jersey girl a shot.
  • Flea Market Flip (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Who can reinvent their finds for the biggest funds.

Saturday

  • 48 Hours (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – Killer justice.

Sunday

  • 60 Minutes/The Amazing Race/The Good Wife/The Mentalist (CBS, 7/8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – News, racing, and then the return of two of my fave dramas.
  • The Simpsons/Bob’s Burgers/Family Guy/American Dad (Fox, 8/8:30/9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – Cartoon it up.
  • Once Upon a Time/666 Park Avenue (ABC, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Let the fairy tales continue and then the hotel creepiness begin, worth a shot.
  • Call the Midwife (PBS, 8pm) Series Premiere – Will this 1950s London midwife be the new PBS rage?
  • Making Monsters (Trav, 8pm) Season Premiere – Starting with Megadeth props.
  • Dexter/Homeland (Show, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Another season of cops, killers, and coverups and people with Showtime say good things about Homeland.
  • Destination Fear (Trav, 11pm) Series Premiere – Looking for the haunted.

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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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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critic’s picks – top tv 2011

It’s that time of year again, yearend top tens! So the critics favored some new and some old. I don’t have Showtime, or HBO, so more to add to my queue. Check the links at bottom for a little more background and in some cases a longer list (people, I know 10 is arbitrary but 30?). Stay tuned for my Top TV of 2010, I’m still assimilating my TiVo backlog.

  • 30 Rock (NBC) – TG
  • American Horror Story (Fx) – MEF, GG
  • Archer (Fx) – TVM
  • Awkward (MTV) – MoR, MEF
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – MR
  • The Big C (Show) – Sat
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – AS, Sat, TG, JL, AFI, GG
  • Boss (Starz) – GG
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • The Colbert Report (Com) – KT
  • Community (NBC) – AS, Sat, JL, MoR, JP, MR, AVC
  • Cougar Town (ABC) – TVM
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – AFI
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – MEF, JL, MoR, MR, DF, KT
  • Enlightened (HBO) – GG, JP, KT, AVC
  • Episodes (Show) – Sat, GG
  • Friday Night Lights (DirTV/NBC) – JP, AS, Sat, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, DF
  • Fringe (Fox) – TVM, MR, KT
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, MoR, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • Glee (Fox) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JL, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, KT
  • Homeland (Show) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, TVM, MoR, AVC, AFI, MR, JP, DF, KT
  • The Hour (BBCA) – DF
  • The Inbetweeners (BBCA) – TG
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – Sat, TG
  • Justified (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, JL, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, MR, DF, KT, AVC
  • Louie (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, DF, KT, AVC
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – AS, MoR
  • The Middle (ABC) – MR
  • Modern Family (ABC)  – Sat, MEF, AFI, MR, GG
  • New Girl (Fox) – MR, GG
  • Parenthood (NBC) – JL
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, TG, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, DF
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – MEF
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – Sat, MEF, TVM
  • Treme (HBO) – Sat
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) – DF
  • The United States of Tara (Show) – AS

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, AVC – AV Club, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix, GG – Golden Globes,  JL – Jace Lacob for The Daily Beast, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, MEF – Maria Elena Fernandez for The Daily Beast, MR – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for The Huffington Post, Sat – Satellite Awards, TG – Tim Goodman for the Hollywood Reporter, TVM – TVMcGee

 

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my schedule

There still may be some rearranging but here’s where I’m at…

Monday

  • 8pm- How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
  • 9pm – House (Fox) / Hart of Dixie (CW)
  • 10pm – Castle (ABC)

Hart of Dixie is the new addition to this evening, not an incredible show but I like Rachel Bilson and the Gilmore Girls-esque town, it makes me happy. House has been hanging by a thread on my schedule but I’m always interested if not entertained by the supporting cast shakeups.

Tuesday

  • 8pm – Glee (Fox)
  • 9pm – New Girl/Raising Hope (Fox) / Ringer (CW)
  • 10pm – Parenthood (NBC)

New Girl is one of two new enjoyable sitcom additions with a nice quirky feel that I hope they’ll grow into well, and it brought Raising Hope, which I sort of enjoy, back from being abandoned by me. Ringer is hanging on by a thread but I keep wanting to give Buffy a chance and see where it’s going.

Wednesday

  • 8pm – The Middle/Suburgatory (ABC)
  • 9pm – Modern Family/Happy Endings (ABC) / ANTM (CW)
  • 10pm – L&O: SVU (NBC)

Sitcom addition number two, Suburgatory, is another nice dose of quirky fun made better than average by the lead. ANTM all star edition is getting me back on board with this, and the new cast may not be enough to keep me on board with SVU.

Thursday

  • 8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS) / Community/Parks & Rec (NBC)
  • 9pm – [Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)] / Person of Interest (CBS) / Bones (Fox) /[The Office (NBC)]
  • 10pm – The Mentalist (CBS) / Prime Suspect (NBC)

Prime Suspect may not be getting great ratings but it is coming into its own, while it’s clearly the 9 o’clock hour that’s a problem. Grey’s is always borderline on schedule, but I can pick them up online if need be while PofI isn’t the most awesome new show I might be more interested than the no longer in its prime Office.

Friday

  • 8pm – Chuck (NBC)
  • 9pm – Grimm (NBC)

I was a little over Chuck’s family drama over the past season(s) but hoping their final year and rogue spy troupe is back to basics and giving the new fantastical procedural a go.

Saturday

  • Day of rest or frolic

Sunday

  • 9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)

She’s still good.

And not forgetting cable I’ve got Sons of Anarchy (Fx), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx), Walking Dead (AMC) still in the queue and am still on board but not sure how much I love the new totally bizarre but working it out American Horror Story (Fx).

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/19-9/25

So my TiVo might be maxed out this week…

Monday

  • Dancing with the Stars/Castle (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Premieres – I don’t do dancing but still enjoy Castle and his muse.
  • How I Met Your Mother/Two and a Half Men/2 Broke Girls/Hawaii Five-0 (CBS, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Still find enough to laugh at on Mother which kicks off with an hour and then willing to give Ashton and the Broke Girls a watch, 5-0 is maybe going to retire from my schedule but we’ll see how the night goes.
  • The Sing-Off/The Playboy Club (NBC, 8/10pm – PBC replays on Bravo 9/25) Season Premiere – I might not stick with it but I actually kind of enjoy these singing things and Ben Folds as I recall is a great judge, and I don’t know about the bunnies.
  • American Underworld (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – Mark Allen Johnson pursues dangerous stories.

Tuesday

  • The Biggest Loser/New Girl/Raising Hope (NBC, 8/9/9:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – I don’t do the feel good of loser but willing to give Girl a go and maybe a second chance to Hope which I kind of dropped last year.
  • Dancing with the Stars/Body of Proof (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Premiere  – Meet the cast then results followed by Dana Delaney in a show that I found too poorly done.
  • Glee (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – This show is uneven but when it works it’s wonderful.
  • NCIS/NCIS: LA/Unforgettable (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – I don’t really do Navy but am willing to give the supposedly forgettable show a once over.
  • Tosh.0/Workaholics (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season Premieres – More of this funny.

Wednesday

  • The Middle/Modern Family/Revenge (ABC, 8/9/10pm – Revenge replays 9/23) Season/Series Premieres – Two funny comedies get an hour each and then it looks too cheesy to stick with but maybe once.
  • The X Factor (Fox, 8pm) Series Premiere – I actually want to watch this but the two hour time slot is filled up, perhaps just a drive by to catch the judges in early audition rounds.
  • Criminal Minds/CSI (CBS, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Get your crime on with returning CM cast and Ted Danson joining the lab.
  • Harry’s Law/L&O: SVU (NBC, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Cast shakeups on both shows are worth a look though maybe not continued watching.
  • The Ultimate Fighter (Spike, 9pm) Season Premiere – 32 new hopefuls compete.

Thursday

  • The Big Bang Theory/Person of Interest/The Mentalist (CBS, 8/9/10pm – POI replays 9/24) Season/Series Premiere – The funny guys are followed by some pre crime fighting and what happens to our protagonist after taking out Red John?
  • Charlie’s Angels/Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8/9pm) Series Premiere – The angels aren’t supposed to be good so may be muscled out of this time slot for me, though I’m still sticking with Grey’s.
  • Community/Parks & Recreation/The Office/Whitney/Prime Suspect (NBC, 8/8:30/9/9:30/10pm – Prime Suspect replays 9/24) Season/Series Premieres – Hoping that the new boss on office and whitney can hold up the funny, though Whit is rumored to not, and intrigued by Bello as the latest lady detective.
  • Prison Diaries (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Confessions from death row.
  • Sweet Genius (Food, 10pm) Series Premiere – Another sugar packed competition.

Friday

  • A Gifted Man/CSI: NY/Blue Bloods (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Series /Season Premieres – Willing to take a look at the surgeon with a ghost but skip the rest of the crime night.
  • Kitchen Nightmares/Fringe (Fox, 89pm) Season Premieres – Pass.
  • Nikita/Supernatural (CW, 8/9pm) Season Premieres – Pass.
  • Dateline (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Pass.
  • Ghost Adventures/The Dead Files (Trav, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere -Not my kind of travel.

Saturday

  • Bang for Your Buck/Dear Genevieve/The Making of (HGTV, 2:30/5/7pm) Season Premieres – Spa bath, master bath, and the making of the magazine.
  • 48 Hours Mystery (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – Newsy.
  • Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:29pm) Season Premiere – Alec Baldwin hosts with Radiohead.

Sunday

  • 60 Minutes/The Amazing Race/The Good Wife/CSI: Miami (CBS, 7/8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – It’s all about the wife.
  • Extreme Makeover: Home Edition/Desperate Housewives/Pan Am (ABC, 7/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Will give the retro flight show a shot.
  • The Simpsons/The Cleveland Show/The Family Guy/American Dad (Fox, 8/8:30/9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – I don’t really do these.
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO, 9pm) Season Premiere – The empire continues.
  • Sister Wives/Long Island Medium (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Wives and a psychic.
  • Dirty Soap/Kendra (E!, 10/11pm) Series/Season Premieres – More reality.
  • IRT (Hist, 10pm) Season Premiere – More deadly roads.
  • Storm Chasers (Disc, 10pm) Season Premiere – More storms.
  • Watch What Happens (Brav, 11pm) Season Premiere – More late night talk.

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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