privileged – procrastinationchronicles.com

next week 6/1

May 31, 2009 1 Comment

New and notable in the week ahead… procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Well the term celebrity is once again being loosely applied, with folks like Janice Dickinson, Sanjaya, and a lesser Baldwin, among others, will folks tune in to vote them off?
Medium (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – This is Medium’s last night on NBC but CBS has picked Allison up for another year of visions.
The Tonight Show (NBC, 11:35pm) – Conan takes the reins…

Tuesday

According to Jim (ABC, 8/8:30pm) Season Finale – I wasn’t sure this show was still on, though apparently this season is its last.
Earth 2100 (ABC, 9pm) – Bob Woodruff reports on where things could be going.
Inside the Obama White House (Tues/Wed, NBC, 9pm) – Brian Williams kicks it and shows us some dish.
Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – The negotiations continue with Benson and Stabler but regardless next year the show will go on.
Man vs. Wild (Disc, 10pm) – Will Ferrell joins for a real life adventure through the frosty wild, but reportedly does not drink his own urine.
Paris Hilton’s My New BFF (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – I guess last year’s winner isn’t her BFF anymore, maybe she is hanging with Nichole Ritchie.

Wednesday

Law & Order (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – Are these stories still ripped from the headlines, if so watch out for charity folks.

Thursday

Jimmy Kimmel Live/NBA Countdown/Finals Game (ABC, 6pm) – We kick off the finals with some Kimmel and some basketball, Kimmel starts before in the East and after in the West.
Burn Notice (USA, 9pm) Season Premiere – Will Michael’s life improve now that the people who burned him are going to leave him alone, I doubt it, and catch up on the earlier shows marathon-style starting with the pilot Tues at 6am.
The Listener (NBC, 9/10pm) Series Premiere – If a paramedic can hear your thoughts would he be entertaining?
Royal Pains (USA, 10pm) Series Premiere – Brothers hit the Hamptons, one becomes a reluctant concierge Dr and the other is trying to make him less reluctant.
Tosh.0 (Com, 10pm) Series Premiere – Comedian Daniel Tosh riffs on crap you find on the web.

Friday

Privileged (CW, 8pm) – The show may not go on but you can watch season one again, or catch it for the first time.
Ghost Adventures (Trav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Not so much ghostbusters as wananabe ghost recorders.
Whale Wars (AnPl, 9pm) Season Premiere – Another season of folks in a boat trying to protect whales.

Saturday

Tennis (Fri, Sat, Sun, 7/6am) – Catch the French Open finals this weekend, following more weekday play, to see if Serena can take number 1 from Safina and if Roger can triumph over Nadal on his best surface.
Game Show Awards (GSN, 8pm) – Isn’t winning a game show award enough?

Sunday

Tony Awards (CBS, 8pm) – Neil Patrick Harris hosts this year’s best of Broadway.
Bridezillas/Amazing Wedding Cakes (WE, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – More real life wedding drama.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – Can a girl get a simple sweet sixteen party on this reality drama.
Brooke Knows Best (VH1, 10/10:30pm) Season Premiere – This one is the daughter of Hulk Hogan.
Army Wives (Life, 10pm) Season Premiere – The ladies are back for another season of drama.
Kendra/Denise Richards (E!, 10/11pm) – More reality for the former playmate and the ‘actress’.
Z Rock/Ideal (IFC, 11/11:30pm) Season/Series Premiere – Clearly there need to be even more reality shows.
Next Food Network Star (Food, 9pm) Season Premiere – Who will be the next Martha Stewart, or at least the next whoever won last season.

* Times noted are PST.

next week 12/1

November 28, 2008 No Comments

New and notable in the week ahead, procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

Shrek the Halls/How the Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC, 8/8:30pm) – It’s after thanksgiving so I’m ready to embrace the new season, ho ho ho!
Privileged (CW, 9pm) – This Monday night slot with reruns in the usual Tuesday at 9 gives folks more opportunity to dig this simple but delightful premise of girl trying to do right by spoiled kids, business mogul grandmother, her own imperfect family, and some hot dudes.
Samantha Who? (ABC, 9/9:30pm) – Dancing with the Stars is done and Samantha rocks a whole hour this week, who wants to bet her good intentions turn humorous?

Tuesday

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (ABC, 8pm) – Yes he is.
2008 World Music Awards (MNT, 9pm) – I don’t know, yet another music awards show where Beyonce performs.
According to Jim (ABC, 9/9:30pm) Season Premiere – Really this show is still on?
Paris Hilton’s My New BFF (MTV, 9/10pm) – The finale and the reunion special, I wonder if Nichole Ritchie paid her to find someone else?
Bad Girls Club (Oxy, 11pm) Season Premiere – More ‘bad girls’ move in to make a ruckus.
Shatner’s Raw Nerve (Bio, 11/11:30pm) Series Premiere – William Shatner kicks off the first two eps of his interview show with Valerie Bertinelli and Tim Allen.

Wednesday

Christmas in Rockefeller Center (NBC, 8pm) – Al Roker and Jane Krakowski host the annual tree lighting with lots of celebrity guests.
Secret Millionaire (Fox, 8pm) Series Premiere – It sounds like rich folks work alongside less rich folks before giving them some cash in this latest reality offering.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Grammy Nominations Concert/Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (CBS, 8/910pm) – A little something for everyone.
The Contender (Vs, 10pm) Season Premiere – Another round of contenders.
Tyler Perry’s House of Payne (TBS, 10/10:30pm) Season Premiere – A couple of reruns lead up to the season premiere.

Thursday

Barbara Walters (ABC, 10pm) – This year’s ten most fascinating people.

Friday

Greatest Holiday Moments (NBC, 8pm) – I think there should be some claymation on the list.
Lipstick Jungle (NBC, 9pm) – Is this new timeslot where this show has been sent to die?

Saturday

Crusoe (NBC, 8pm) – Crusoe and Friday are still on the island but now they’re there on Saturday.

Sunday

The Amazing Race (CBS, 8pm) Season Finale – The remaining teams head to Portland and a couple folks get the dough.
House of Saddam (HBO, 9/10pm) – The first parts of a four part miniseries.
Leverage (TNT, 10pm) Series Premiere -Timothy Hutton heads a crew of thieves who steal from the rich, I love a good heist show, I have no idea if this is a good heist show.

Well another year of television and almost everything has started. Until they cancel more stuff, move stuff around, or we get to midseason changes here is where things seem to be settling in for me. I wouldn’t recommend it all but it’s what I watch, or at least what I tend to tivo (I am still trying to narrow this down to no more than two shows per timeslot).

Monday

8pm: NBC – Chuck (CBS – The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother) (CW – Gossip Girl)
9pm: NBC – Heroes (CBS – 2 1/2 Men/ABC – Samantha Who?)

Tuesday

8pm: Fox – House
9pm: CBS – The Mentalist (CW – Privileged)
10pm: NBC – Eli Stone (NBC – L&O: SVU)

Wednesday

8pm: Fox – Bones (ABC – Pushing Daisies) (CBS – The New Adventures of Old Christine/Gary Unmarried)
9pm: NBC – Life
10pm: ABC – Dirty Sexy Money (NBC – L&O)

Thursday

8pm: NBC – My Name is Earl
9pm: NBC – The Office/30 Rock (ABC – Grey’s Anatomy)
10pm: ABC – Life on Mars

Friday

9pm: CBS – The Ex List (CW – ANTM encore)
10pm: CBS – Numb3rs

Saturday

Nothing

Sunday

9pm: CW – Easy Money

But wait there’s more… known midseason and cable picks: Breaking Bad (AMC), Burn Notice (USA), Celebrity Rehab (VH1), The Closer (TNT), Dexter (Show), Eureka (SciFi), Flight of the Conchords (HBO), Greek (Fam), Lost (ABC), Project Runway (Bravo), Reaper (CW), Saving Grace (TNT), Scrubs (ABC), Sons of Anarchy (FX).

what’s new?

October 20, 2008 4 Comments

Well the majority of the new shows have hit the air and although I’m not sure there are any real stand outs this year there are a few that so far have been added to my repertoire.

Easy Money (CW, Sun 9pm) – Nothing is easy as we follow a family that runs one of those high interest loan shops and learn that the favorite son who is keeping the business on track questions the business and whether he is in fact their son.
The Ex List (CBS, Fri 9pm) – I don’t know that I won’t get tired of this gal looking up and hooking up with her exes from days gone by but so far the perspective and supporting cast just feel fresh and funny.
Life on Mars (ABC, Thurs 10pm) – I’ve never seen the original UK series so I’m not sure how they compare but I am enjoying Jason O’Mara as a present day cop mysteriously finding himself having to solve crimes in the 70s with tough guys Harvey Keitel and Michael Imperioli.
The Mentalist (CBS, Tues 9pm) – I do like Simon Baker, and he strikes a good balance with the smug and injured lead character using his peculiar skills in observation and personal interactions to help solve crimes.
Privileged (CW, Tues 9pm) – Joanna Garcia is just darned likable as she tries to help two troublesome girls get their grades up while keeping them out of trouble and figuring out how to deal with her own family and live her own life.

threshold for bad

September 24, 2008 3 Comments

So I watch a lot of shows that I may not be in love with yet but I’m willing to wait to see where they’re going. Some say I have a high threshold for bad television. But there’s bad and then there’s bad. Knight Rider was almost so bad it was good, too bad it was just bad. It was like I was watching a cheesy 70’s show without the nostalgia factor. I will admit that I never really caught the first round so not sure whether being a true fan would help or hurt. I tend to think the new transformer Kitt and the black ops Iraq vet and accidental heart breaker Michael Knight might not live up to the Hoff standard.

What else hasn’t made the cut? Do Not Disturb, where Jerry O’Connell hits on chicks and other hijinks ensue while they’re trying to run a hotel. Just not quite funny. And Worst Week where a guy is humiliating himself and his fiancé’s family by doing things like accidentally urinating on a marinating goose and setting things on fire. I just can’t stand this painful kind of humor.

I’m giving at least one more episode to 90210, Fringe, Gary Unmarried, The Mentalist, and Privileged.

new fall tv

September 8, 2008 No Comments

Well this season is a bit of a wild card as this last year’s strike shook up the pilot cycle. Shows didn’t produce in the same way and most didn’t have a traditional critical review. Since most critics are relegated to watching shows live like the rest of us we’re relying a little more on buzz and people associated show than critical reviews.

So what am I looking forward to:

90210 (CW 9/2) – The nostalgia factor alone (Brenda and Kelly return!) makes this a must see, though so far it’s not quite appointment tv.
The Ex List (CBS 10/3) – Though I admittedly was annoyed by her Jane Doe character on Grey’s, Elizabeth Reaser’s new role has potential as she looks up her former loves to find the one that could be true.
Fringe (Fox 9/9) – With JJ Abrams (Lost and Alias) behind the show who can help but be a little excited though early leakings of the pilot have people noting that it has potential but a little way to go.
Life on Mars (ABC 10/9) – This redo of a BBC hit has present day cop stuck in the 70s, there’s potential with casting like Jason O’Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, and Lisa Bonet.
The Mentalist (CBS 9/23) – Simon Baker (the Guardian) stars as a former ‘fake’ psychic and now uses his skills and charisma for good, I just really like him.
My Own Worst Enemy (NBC, 10/13) – I always dig a spy show and I actually like Christian Slater though I can’t quite picture him as two different characters, the spy org apparently plants a brain chip to create a clean cut alter ego and this one is breaking down.

And of course there’s more shows coming:

Crusoe (NBC 10/12) – A series based on the old story is pretty hard to take seriously.
Do Not Disturb (Fox 9/10) – Jerry O’Connell stars in this Hotel comedy hoping for hilarity, he’s normally likable enough but initial reviews haven’t been good.
Easy Money (CW 9/21) – A family of loan sharks walk the line of legality in this ‘dramedy’.
Eleventh Hour (CBS, 10/9) – Rufus Sewell stars in this redo of BBC miniseries where a scientist and his by-the-book FBI partner come in at the last minute to solve scientific mysteries, for some reason the promos just look dull.
Gary Unmarried (CBS 9/24) – Jay Mohr stars as a single dad divorced guy dealing with his kid, his ex, and his new life, though Mohr can be good this show might be average.
In Harm’s Way (CW 9/21) – This reality show checks out folks in tough jobs.
Kath & Kim (NBC 10/9) – This remake of the Aussie show stars likable Selma Blair and Molly Shannon in roles that made me cringe in the previews.
Privileged (CW 9/9) – Cute Joanna Garcia (Reba) is a live-in tutor for some spoiled girls, based on some books, this show might not be great television but it could be entertaining enough.
Knight Rider (NBC 9/24) – This show was previewed in a tv movie this last year and neither new lead (Michael Knight’s son), nor Kitt (voiced by Val Kilmer), nor the story had any new or retro pizzazz.
Stylista (CW, 10/22) – It’s another reality competition and in this lackeys are hoping for an entry level lackey gig at Elle magazine.
Surviving Suburbia (CW 11/2) – Bob Saget returns to the comedic in this darker role of husband and father dealing with life.
Valentine (CW 9/21) – Greek Gods play with regular folk’s love lives, Aphrodite in the regular world seems doubtful.
Worst Week (CBS 9/22) – Based on another hit British show, I’m skeptical that although the lead is apparently appealing this one problem after another show can keep the laughs coming.

sports, tv

next week 9/8

September 6, 2008 3 Comments

New and notable in the week ahead, procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

Terminator: SCC (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Sarah and her son John moving in time to try to stop things before they go awry, and stay alive, though the leads are both a little stiff, as the supporting cast and stories were developed so was the interest (though I might have to lose it in this time slot against GGirl and Chuck).
CMA Music Festival (ABC, 9pm) – Fans and country stars are shown from this four day music festival.
Dr 90210 (E, 10pm) Season Premiere – This reality follows a doctor in Beverly Hills I assume.

Tuesday

Fringe (Fox, 8pm-replays Sun) Series Premiere – 95 minute start of the JJ Abrams series (Lost, Alias, Felicity) brings us what’s being most closely compared to the X-files, as an FBI agent investigates “phenomena” with the help of old science guy and son (Dawson Creek’s Joshua Jackson).
Privileged (CW, 9pm-replays Sun) Series Premiere – Cute Joanna Garcia (Reba) is introduced to the world of the spoiled as a live in tutor.
Fashion Rocks (CBS, 9pm) – Denis Leary hosts this mix of fashionable rockers and rocking fashions.
The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo, 11pm-repeats) Series Premiere – Follow real life celebrity fashion stylist and her posse as they style the celebrities.

Wednesday

Greatest American Dog (CBS, 8pm) Season Finale – The final three dogs compete, and I admit that I’ve dropped off this show but the difference in dog’s (and owners) performance on the different kinds of challenges was fun to see.
‘Til Death (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – This Brad Garrett and others show about two couples, one jaded, one not, has never made it to my watched list.
Do Not Disturb (Fox, 9:30pm) Series Premiere -Jerry O’Connell plays the general manager of this hip hotel with apparent staff shenanigans.
Real World/Road Rules Challenge (MTV, 10pm-repeats) Season Premiere – I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen this show which starts its 16th season of competition.

Thursday

MTV’s Top Pop Group (MTV, 10pm-repeats) Series Premiere – Music acts compete as Mario Lopez hosts.
Comics Without Borders (Show, 10pm-repeats) Series Premiere – This looks like a standup comedy showcase.

Friday

2008 Alma Awards (ABC, 8pm) – Eva Longoria Parker hosts the Latino Awards with recipients like America Ferrera
Don’t Forget the Lyrics (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – And the lyric singing continues.

Saturday

Action Sports (Sat/Sun NBC, USA) – The Toyota Challenge takes us to Salt Lake City as the guys get closer to winning the Dew Cup my favorite is still the vert skate and though Bucky’s in the lead it’s anyone’s game.
Coco Chanel (Life, 8pm) – Shirley MacLaine plays fashion icon Chanel in this tv movie of her life.
MADtv (Fox, 11pm) Season Premiere – Jerry O’Connell guests as this skit series returns.
SNL (NBC, 11:30) Season Premiere – Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps hosts and hopefully doesn’t embarrass himself with Lil Wayne performing.

Sunday

Catch up on tivo or replays of premieres of Fringe and Privileged, I love when they replay starters to give you some time to catch before you settle into a season.

tv guide fall preview

August 27, 2008 No Comments

Labor day is upon us and fall is here! TV Guide still does a nice job laying out the new season. I am a big fan of the printable premiere calendar and of course the grid of what’s on when: http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview-2008/

Sadly as I take a closer gander at scheduling it’s looking a little cramped in a couple of slots. Monday at 8 with Big Bang/HIMYMother, Gossip Girl, Terminator, and Chuck. Then Wednesday at 8 with Pushing Daisies, Old Christine, ANTM, and Bones. I like to limit myself to two shows max per time slot so I’m going to have to make some accommodations. At least CW typically reruns ANTM and GGirl, and of course there’s some stuff online. I mean who could think of dropping a show, for other than enjoyment considerations, but that’s often how it happens for me. And of course I never expect the new shows to all hit so I should be able to drop one of the cramped Tuesday at 9 options of The Mentalist, Privileged, and Fringe (sadly the cute Joanna Garcia may lose to the cuter Simon Baker and of course JJ Abrams newest product).

So poke around and see what’s going to be happening. I will of course continue to note the premieres in the Next Weeks. And as soon as I hear a little more from the critics I’ll let you know what of the new stuff we’re all most excited about.