summer cleaning – season passes

Deadly Class

As I wrapped up with the series finale of iZombie it reminded me that it was time to take a pass at my season passes with the ending of a variety of shows. Following are some of the ones I’m saying goodbye to (good thing I have plenty else to keep me busy).

You lived a good life:

  • Humans (AMC) – I absolutely loved the first season of this and although there would be more story to be told on the role of sentient synths the series felt like it ran a good course.
  • iZombie (CW) – This tale of a woman turned zombie who solved crimes by eating brains took us on a fun journey with her friends and lots of zombie action and felt like it told the story it wanted with the wrap up.
  • Life in Pieces (CBS) – It may not have been the best series but there was enough funny with this family to keep me tuned in but ok that it was time to wrap it.
  • Gotham (Fox) – I honestly haven’t even started watching the final season but this show had some great moments but again the pre batman story has an expiration date.

Gone too soon:

  • Abby’s (NBC) – This friends hanging out at a bar had a good enough cast and ingredients for this to be a very fun hang show had it been given some legs.
  • Deadly Class (Syfy) – This comic book tale set in the 80s of an underground high school of the deadly arts had great tone and soundtrack and sad I won’t get to see what happens next.
  • Speechless (ABC) – Truthfully this is almost in the you lived a good life, but this special needs family just felt like it had more depths to explore as their family moved into a new chapter.
  • Whiskey Cavalier (ABC) – I love a good caper film and this top secret team was just plain fun.

Saving me some TiVo time:

  • Fam (CBS) – Generic comedy had some good ingredients but I won’t miss it.
  • The Passage (Fox) – I was a bit intrigued by the huge change in the season finale but overall this show was trashy in a way that I didn’t put down but am totally ok with it not being on the list.
  • The Cool Kids (Fox) – There is a nostalgia factor with the actors and the straightforward comedy, I thought this would catch on more but honestly it wasn’t something that really hit.

Streaming sadness (no technical season pass):

  • Forever (Amazon) – This was a very odd story but I really enjoyed the first season and was intrigued to see where else they would go.
  • Patriot (Amazon) – Ok sad spy probably put us through as many seasons as our protagonist could take but I’m glad we had him while we did.
  • Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix) – Zombies were all the rage but this Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant one was really the most fun.
  • Sneaky Pete (Amazon) – Just starting the final season and while imperfect I enjoyed Giovanni Ribisi con man fun.
  • The Tick (Amazon) – A fresh take on the comic superheroes active in our world and the folks they interact with.

Also in their final seasons, or about to be, Agents of Shield, Elementary, The Good Place, Killjoys, Legion, Madam Secretary, Mr Robot, and Will & Grace have each had a good run and happy to know they have time to wrap up properly.

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new and noteworthy tv: 7/3-7/9

I just wrapped up GLOW on Netflix, which was quite good but I just didn’t love it as much as I had hoped, for me it took a bit for the more dramatic mix of this half hour show to find its footing. And enjoying some summer fare like Killjoys, Orphan Black, Queen Sugar, Wynonna Earp, Playing House, and Animal Kingdom. Still need to take a pass at Broadchurch and the new Prime Suspect: Tennison.

  • Wimbledon (ESPN) Monday, 4am – The first round of this fortnight begins.
  • Tour de France (NBCSN) Monday, 5am – Apparently I no longer have this on my radar because it started on Saturday, too much tv for me to follow this race but might catch a replay of the preshow on Monday before the regular time race to get the lay of the land.
  • 4th of July Fireworks (NBC) Tuesday, 8pm – In case you don’t want to leave your home but still want to see the sparkle and some performances.
  • Snowfall (Fx) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – The rise of crack in LA in the 80s has gotten more talk of potential than raves about the start of the series.
  • Pure (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday – Import of a Canadian drama about a Mennonite pastor battling drug trafficking in his neighborhood.
  • Tour de Pharmacy (HBO) Saturday, 10pm – Andy Samberg’s latest comedic entry is a look back at the drug filled cycling, perhaps an amusing break from today’s actual tour?

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: 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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new and noteworthy tv: 6/27-7/3

The Tunnel didn’t suck me in but not sure how much of that is having seen The Bridge, I’ll give it another to feel it out. I’ll also give another to Thirteen which was intriguing enough and the fun Queen of the South. American Gothic wasn’t as laugh out loud bad as I’d read it might be but it definitely wasn’t good. I’ve also finally finished Hemlock Grove which honestly just got worse with each episode. Tuning back into the latest season of Orange is the New Black and starting Roots.

  • Dead of Summer (Free) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – Reopening a summer camp horror style.
  • Barely Famous (VH1) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – This comedic take on reality shows with the two sisters’ foibles is actually pretty funny.
  • Greatest Hits (ABC) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – Chunks of time starting with the 80’s and some performances by bands of yore.
  • All or Nothing (Am) Series Premiere, Friday, 3am – A look into the workings of the NFL.
  • Marcella (Net) Series Premiere, Friday, 3am – This latest drama has a detective returning to work after twelve years.
  • Marco Polo (Net) Season Premiere, Friday, 3am – I didn’t ever quite get into this.
  • Killjoys (Syfy) Season Premiere, Friday, 9pm – This space bounty hunters show is a perfect summer series.
  • Wimbledon (ESPN) Monday, 4am – Let the fortnight begin.

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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