new and noteworthy tv: 6/26-7/2

Diving back into The Wire and even though I have some backlog on Orphan Black, Queen Sugar, and Fargo, I decided to embark on some new options. Deadwood has been on the list for a while, but I think I was too tired to start, I’ll try that again at another point (to subtitle or not to subtitle?). And I launched into the much anticipated GLOW, and while I liked the first two episodes (it’s about a half hour) I’m not entirely positive I’m in sync with the vibe, maybe yet.

  • Tales (BET) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 8pm – An anthology series that uses current and class hip-hop songs to tell ‘cinematic’ stories.
  • Broadchurch (BBCA) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – Starting the final series of the trilogy with a new case.
  • Younger (TVL) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – How will Liza’s lies impact this year? I like this fun show.
  • Battle of the Network Stars (ABC) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – I remember this show fondly but I think the deluge of ‘star’ shows might dull the fun in seeing them compete.
  • All or Nothing (Am) Season Premiere, Friday – A season with the Arizona Cardinals.
  • Gypsy (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Naomi Watts as a screwed up therapist sounds promising but the early reviews are not.
  • Killjoys (Syfy) Season Premiere, Friday, 8pm – Another perfect summer series, space bounty hunters is just kind of fun.

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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procrastinator’s bubble shows

bones

As we wait for fall tv schedules to be announced and final cancellations to come in (upfronts are scheduled to start next week), I have to admit that I’m almost looking forward to cancellations. My backlog gets to be sort of daunting, and of course new shows will come out in the fall. So some of the shows that I’m tempted to give up on could use a little push. Though the wind could change based on scheduling or a good run, following are some of the things that might no longer make the cut.

  1. 2 Broke Girls (CBS) Renewed – This show is one that I find almost funny, and although I don’t have a season pass of it, when I’m looking for a half hour I somehow seem to keep tuning back in, chances of dropping are moderate.
  2. American Crime (ABC) TBD – I only watched the first couple and was intrigued but wary, a cancellation might keep this backlog off my to do list to see if it’s worthwhile, chances of dropping are high.
  3. Bones (Fox) TBD – Once upon a time I quite enjoyed this procedural and I still enjoy many of these characters enough, but it’s kind of done and not sure I’d feel terrible about letting this go the way of Castle (which I’ve already dropped), chances of dropping are high.
  4. Broadchurch (BBCA) Renewed – I just wrapped up this season, and it was one of the shows that I enjoyed but kind of found myself checking how many minutes of the show were left, I’ll be tempted to tune back in to the premiere to see what the new season story line/mystery will be, chances of dropping are moderate.
  5. Grimm (NBC) Renewed – This show was kind of fun for a while but I’m kind of over the monster of the week and all the interpersonal drama has worn itself out (I love it when most characters get a chance to go bad but not digging Juliet’s current vibe), chances of dropping are high.
  6. The Last Man on Earth (Fox) Renewed – While the pilot was a treat this show quickly became about how annoying Phil could be, I’m short the last two of the season which could determine whether I’m intrigued by the current direction, chances of dropping are moderate.
  7. Madam Secretary (CBS) Renewed – This show is fine, it’s just quite predictable that she’ll face a dire situation each week and come out of it morally intact, and it just comes across as not as good as The Good Wife, but it still works, chances of dropping are low.
  8. The Mindy Project (Fox) TBD – I’ve quite enjoyed some of these episodes but just didn’t love this last season, not sure whether this ongoing pregnancy story line will continue to waylay the laughs but I’ll probably check in, chances of dropping are low.
  9. Sleepy Hollow (Fox) Renewed – The first season of this show was so fun, while the second season did everything it could to keep us mired in the more tedious aspects and characters, I think this new season is sort of another fresh start so worth checking, chances of dropping are low.
  10. Undateable (NBC) TBD – Another half hour that has some potential and started when there was’t a ton on, it just doesn’t quite keep me laughing enough to warrant it being on the to do list, chances of dropping are high.

There are tons of sites that track status of things, here are a couple: TVLine and Metacritic. Anything you’re looking to let go?

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