tv

new and noteworthy tv: 1/21-1/27

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thefollowing

Monday

  • The Following (Fox, 9pm) Series Premiere – Ready to check out more degrees of Kevin Bacon as he plays a former FBI guy pulled back in by the pursuit of a killer he once captured.
  • Lizard Lick Towing/Swamp Hunters (Tru, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Was selling a bad idea, and the a family searches the swamps for relics.

Tuesday

  • The Taste (ABC, 8/10pm) Series Premiere – Another food competition, this one has Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson.
  • The Ultimate Fighter (Fx, 8pm) Season Premiere – Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen.
  • Edge of America (Trav, 9pm) Series Premiere – Geoff Edgers travels the US for unusual fun.
  • Ramsay Behind Bars (BBCA, 9pm) Series Premiere – Ramsay teaches inmates how to cook in a London prison.

Wednesday

  • Big Rich Atlanta/Kimora (Style, 8/9pm) Series Premieres – Atlanta relationship reality and then watching Kimora Lee Simmons talke the helm of JustFab fashion co.

Thursday

  • Winter X Games (ESPN, various) – The winter variety of the games kicks off in Aspen.
  • Project Runway (Life, 8/9pm) Season Premiere – After a road to the runway, they’re back, though apparently without Kors this time, and this season being a ‘team’ format doesn’t promise for everyone getting along.

Friday

  • Spartacus (Starz, 9pm) Season Premiere – Looks like this is the final season.

Saturday

  • Australian Open (ESPN2, 12am, various) – If you haven’t figured out what the time difference with Australia is you can give up by now, both men’s and women’s finals seem to be on at 12am, on the only grand slam not on network television.
  • My Big Redneck Vacation/Swamp Pawn (CMT, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Hitting Florida beaches and then selling stuff from the swamp.

Sunday

  • Screen Actors Guild Award (TNT, 7pm) – Honoring performances.
  • The Vanilla Ice Project (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Ice, ice, baby.

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: 10/22-10/28

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The return of a few more comedies, now we just wait to see what gets canceled next…

Monday

  • Debate (6pm, various) – One more.
  • Totally Clueless (MTV, 7pm) Series Premiere – I really hate all hidden camera shows, so hidden camera game show is not calling to me.
  • Richard Hammond’s Crash Course (BBCA, 10pm) Season Premiere – First stop Hollywood stuntman.

Tuesday

  • Secrets of the Dead (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – Starting with real life Last Resort, or at least a guy who didn’t launch a nuclear torpedo.
  • Happy Endings/Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23  (ABC, 9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – This time slot is now officially overbooked assuming I am still bringing the laughs.

Wednesday

  • World Series Game 1 (Fox, 4:30pm) – Will the Giants be joining the Tigers?
  • The Houstons (Life, 9pm) Series Premiere – Whitney’s family carries on, on camera.

Thursday

  • Project Runway All Stars (Life, 9pm) Season Premiere – Still seven behind on the current season.

Friday

  • Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – More Chef Ramsay.
  • Mockingbird Lane (NBC, 8pm) – The Munsters return in what I think is a pilot that didn’t get picked up.
  • Gold Rush/Jungle Gold (Disc, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Finding gold and more gold.
  • Say Yes to the Dress (TLC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Bridesmaids argue.
  • Health Inspectors (Food, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Food poisoning your friends.

Saturday

  • The Haunting of (Bio, 10pm) Series Premiere – People share their haunted experiences.
  • The Graham Norton Show (BBCA, 11pm) Season Premiere – Schwarzenegger continues his publicity tour.

Sunday

  • Ice Loves CoCo (E!, 10:30pm) Season Premiere – I guess he still loves her.

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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what’s your reality…

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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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new and noteworthy tv: 7/16-7/22

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The final week of the tour should be getting folks in shape for Olympic coverage coming next week…

Monday

  • The Batmobile (CW, 8pm) – Sadly I don’t know if we’ll see any Christian Bale in the evolution of the Batmobile.
  • Eureka (Syfy, 8/9pm) Series Finale – What will go wrong in Eureka next and will they live happily ever after, I’m kinda over this show but always kinda sad to say goodbye.
  • Market Warriors (PBS, 9pm) Series Premiere – Flea market fun.
  • Degrassi (Teen, 10pm) Season Premiere – More teen Canadian drama.

Tuesday

  • American Gypsies (NGC, 9pm) Series Premiere – Let’s follow along with some Manhattan psychic gypsies.
  • The LA Complex (CW, 9pm) Season Premiere – When Canadian teens want to make it big they go to LA, this was so bad it was good and then it just got bad, do I tune back in?

Wednesday

  • Mama Drama (VH1, 11pm) Series Premiere – Mothers and daughters together again.

Thursday

  • Project Runway (Life, 9pm) Season Premiere – We’re back from the All Stars!
  • Great Lake Warriors (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Sailors operating tugboats on Great Lakes.
  • Sullivan & Son (TBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – A son returns to buy back his dad’s bar, and the actor is a comedian, so I think it’s supposed to be funny.

Friday

  • King of Dirt (DIY, 9pm) Season Premiere – Landscape away.
  • John Oliver’s New York Stand-Up Show (Com, 11pm) Season Premiere – More stand-up.

Saturday

  • 30 Greatest NBC Olympic Moments (NBC, 8pm) – USA, USA, USA!
  • Rove LA (TVG, 10pm) Series Premiere – Australian comedian interviews US stars.

Sunday

  • Tour de France (NBC, 10am) – The final week’s coverage on NBCSN rides into Paris for the glory lap and a final sprint stage, will the jerseys change hands before then?
  • Teen Choice Awards (Fox, 8pm) – Because our teen icons need to be honored.
  • Bar Rescue (Spike, 9pm) Season Premiere – Transformation of failing bars.
  • The Bachelorette (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Finale – I have at least one friend who still watches these, she picks and then they all talk…
  • Flip Men (Spike, 10pm) Season Premiere – Turning foreclosures around.

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: 3/19-3/25

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Perhaps some good movies will start opening to keep me entertained…

Monday

  • Dancing with the Stars (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Who goes home first the old person or the awkward athlete?
  • La La’s Full Court Life/Styled by June (VH1, 9/9:30pm) Season /Series Premieres – Family drama and celebrity stylists.
  • Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – Kick flip it.

Tuesday

  • Hardcore Pawn (Tru, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – Trade it.
  • The Little Couple (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Adoption?

Wednesday

  • Bent (NBC, 9pm) Series Premiere – Will Amanda Peet’s type A gal fall for her crazy contractor in this latest sitcom?
  • Duck Dynasty (A&E, 10pm) Series Premiere – A look at a family and their duck hunting gear business.
  • House of Consignment (VH1, 10pm) Series Premiere – How to pick new staff.
  • Real Vice (ID, 10pm) Series Premiere – Reenactments of Miami crimes.

Thursday

  • Project Runway All Stars (Life, 9pm) Season Finale – I’m about six behind and am sure I will hear or read who wins.

Friday

  • My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Beauty pageants and wedding gowns.

Saturday

  • Ball Boys (ABC, 3pm) Series Premiere – Think sports memorabilia.

Sunday

  • Long Island Medium/Leave it to Niecy (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – What happens when your medium mom meets your boyfriend and getting your kids to know your new hubbie.
  • Luck (HBO, 9pm) Series Finale – One horse too many went down.
  • Mad Men (AMC, 9pm) Season Premiere – It’s back, though I have yet to begin this series.
  • Mythbusters (Disc, 9pm) Season Premiere – Duct tape survival gets put to the test.

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: 2/20-2/26

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Time to catch up on TiVo backlog, I’m at 25% full…

Monday

  • Basketball Wives (VH1, 8pm) Season Premiere – Blah.
  • Bethenny Ever After (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Blah, blah.

Tuesday

  • It Gets Better (Logo/MTV, 11pm) – User videos and celebrity messaging targeted to support LGBT youth.

Wednesday

  • Ghost Hunters International (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – Ghosty Peru.
  • American Weed (NGC, 10pm) Series Premiere – A look at Colorado’s medical-marijuana industry.

Thursday

  • Lifeguard! (Weath, 9pm) Series Premiere – Baywatch reality style.
  • Project Runway: After the Runway (Life, 10pm) – All-stars kicks off the post show chit chat.
  • MMA Junkie Live (Spike, 11pm) Series Premiere – Well it doesn’t look like I get Spike but for those who do…

Friday

  • Car Warriors (Speed, 10pm) Season Premiere – And does anyone get this channel?

Saturday

  • Being Human (BBCA, 9pm) Season Premiere – I am confused by both the British and US versions being on at the same time.
  • The Independent Spirit Awards (IFC, 10pm) – Seth Rogan hosts.

Sunday

  • Academy Awards (ABC, 4/5:30pm) – The red carpet gets rolled out early but the real question is who will win my Oscar pool.

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: 1/2-1/8

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It’s a new year and the new shows are starting up again…

Monday

  • Antiques Roadshow (PBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – How much for that thing in your attic?
  • The Bachelor/Wife Swap (ABC, 8/10pm) Season Premiere – And the returning bachelor is Ben Flajnik followed by a dose of celebrity swap via Tracey Gold and Carnie Wilson (tomorrow is the Gary Busey episode).
  • Pretty Little Liars/The Lying Game  (ABCFam, 8/9pm) Season Premieres – Will liars never learn.
  • Hoarders/Intervention (A&E, 9/10pm) Season Premiere – More people need help.
  • Alaska Wing Men (NGC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Starting by offering air support to dog racers.
  • It’s a Brad, Brad World (Brav, 10pm) Series Premiere – If you’ve been missing a little something from Rachel Zoe’s office.

Tuesday

  • The Biggest Loser (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Sweat ’til you cry.
  • Switched at Birth/Jane by Design (ABCFam, 8/9pm) Season/Series Premieres  – More family fun.
  • Work It (ABC, 8:30pm) Series Premiere – Rumor has it the worst show of the year, er, the tv year.
  • Jamie’s American Road Trip (BBCA, 10pm) Series Premiere – Jamie starts in East LA.

Wednesday

  • Dog the Bounty Hunter (A&E, 10pm) Season Premieres – More bounties.
  • Nova (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – First a look at volcanoes and those who study them.
  • Toddlers & Tiaras (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Whatever.

Thursday

  • Wipeout (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Winter wipeouts.
  • Project Runway Allstars/24 hour Catwalk (Life, 9pm) Series Premieres – Does your returning favorite make it past first round and can a collection be put together in a day?
  • Jersey Shore (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – Must we have another season?

Friday

  • Say Yes to the Dress (TLC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Can they find the perfect dress?
  • Merlin (Syfy, 10pm) Season Premiere – Get ready for more hocus pocus.
  • Portlandia/The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (IFC, 10/10:30pm) Season Premiere – Funny folks return.

Saturday

  • Republican Presidential Candidates Debate (ABC, 9pm) – David Gregory moderates.

Sunday

  • Ax Men/Cajun Pawn Stars (Hist, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Bring out the ax and bring in the junk.
  • The Firm (NBC, 9pm) Series Premiere – The series picks up some time after the book and movie leave off, we’ll see.
  • Gator Boys (AnPl, 9pm) Series Premiere – Animal rescue gator style.
  • Downton Abbey (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – People seem to dig this series and now season two.
  • Shameless/House of Lies/Californication (Show, 9/10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Showtime dramedies return including a new one with fave Kristin Bell among others.
  • Absolutely Fabulous (BBCA, 10pm) Season Premiere – The return of Edina and Patsy for those who miss them.
  • Watch What Happens (Brav, 11pm) Season Premiere – Andy Cohen hosts.

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: 10/31-11/6

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Everything is basically out, I’m still overbooked in a couple slots, and have a bit of a TiVo backlog so it might be time for a few more cuts…

Monday

  • Rock Center with Brian Williams (NBC, 10pm) Series Premiere – A new news magazine and Brian Williams actually can be pretty funny.

Tuesday

  • Covert Affairs (USA, 10pm) Season Premiere – What case will the rookie agent get next and will she run in heels?

Wednesday

  • Top Chef (Brav, 10pm) Season Premiere – Cook it up.

Thursday

  • Bones (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – What shows get eliminated from my schedule to fit in the expecting Bones?
  • Tim Gunn/Project Accessory (Life, 9/10pm) – Behind the seams with Tim Gunn on regular runway, and then somehow I missed the premiere of the accessory version.
  • Burn Notice (USA, 10pm) Season Premiere – Can Michael balance working with the CIA and his extracurriculars?
  • Cellblock 6 (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Return to prison.

Friday

  • Fish Hooks (Dis, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – Animated fish dealing with tween life, this must be Disney.

Saturday

  • Color Splash (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Do we really need a Twilight themed home makeover?

Sunday

  • The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – They’re back.
  • Swamp Wars/Call of the Wildman (AnPl, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Animal Venom unit and then animal rescue, like you’ve never seen before?
  • John Sanford’s Certain Prey (USA, 9pm) – Might or might not be intrigued to see Mark Harmon as Lucas Davenport.
  • Chef Hunter (Food, 10pm) Series Premiere – Out of work chefs compete.
  • Hell on Wheels (AMC, 10pm) Series Premiere – This is one of those titles that says nothing, it’s apparently a post civil war drama where among other things a confederate soldier seeking revenge.
  • Police POV (Tru, 10pm) Season Premiere – We hit the streets with them again.

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 summer show roundup

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Well it’s that time of year again, the summer fluff is mostly out. And what do I think so far?

  • Alphas (Syfy) Stay Tuned – This is yet another spin on the Heroes theme, certain folks have unique abilities, this time they’re working with the government to stop the evil but good and evil just might not be all that clear, this isn’t as campy as some which may make it more watchable or may make it less engaging.
  • Awkward (Mtv) Stay Tuned – The high school awkward phase has been done before but there’s just a dash enough of good writing to make the characters and situations interesting, will she make it work with her crush, or is there another guy out there for her, and how much humiliation in the interim.
  • Combat Hospital (ABC) Tune Out – Grey’s Anatomy at war didn’t engage me enough to stick through the first episode which maybe isn’t fair or maybe watching at least part was more time than it was worth.
  • Falling Skies (TNT) Tune Out – I was borderline on this, it’s not a bad show, about putting up the good fight after an alien invasion, but I just found I didn’t much care about the battles or the relationships.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) Tune In – This is my favorite new show, it has all the ingredients of a singing competition, but the combination of elements in each episode (initial challenge, music video, and final singing for save) and the reality of competing for a role in a specific show with really talented kids makes it a must see.
  • Franklin & Bash (TNT) Stay Tuned – The cases and premise are pretty dumb but Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer are still somehow kind of endearing in their rebellious lawyer style.
  • Happily Divorced (TVL) Tune Out – Unless you have really been missing The Nanny, this dated feeling sitcom about Fran living with her gay now ex husband is a pass.
  • Love Bites (NBC) Stay Tuned – This show didn’t catch on but it was actually a pretty good take on the romcom, boiling every possible story down to three vignettes an episode.
  • Necessary Roughness (USA) Stay Tuned – A newly separated shrink gets what seems like a windfall when she’s asked to help out professional football player, but athletes, the team’s staff, and her family may still all be too crazy, she’s pretty likable in the overarching football story but the weekly cases in other sports seem a little too pat.
  • The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABCFam) Tune Out – Always willing to give the weird a shot, in this version this girl finds she’s descended from some sort of cat people, she’s the hope of the race but unfortunately may kill anyone she gets kissy with, will she survive long enough to… whatever it is she’s supposed to do, just nothing really to grab onto.
  • The Protector (Life) Tune Out – Not a terrible show but just nothing noteworthy about this police procedural where the title character is a woman trying to balance family and work.
  • State of Georgia (ABCFam) Tune Out – Raven-Symoné and Majandra Delfino attempt to play this generation’s Lucy and Ethel and I just can’t get on board.
  • Suits (USA) Stay Tuned – It’s unbelievable that a lawyer would risk it all to hire a non law school grad to his firm that only hires Harvard grads, but this all business ‘closer’ has a dynamic with his protege who reads and learns it all protege that is keeping me engaged.
  • Switched at Birth (ABCFam) Tune Out – This show was actually sort of sweet in the look at the families and difficulties of two girls who learn they were the biological daughters of different families but it was a little too sappy too keep up with.
  • Teen Wolf (MTV) Tune Out – I was intrigued by the new guy as wolf trying to balance that along with friends and romance but it just got too stupid.
  • Web Therapy (Show) Stay Tuned – I wanted to like this Lisa Kudrow as internet shrink as her web series made the leap to broadcast, but couldn’t quite enjoy her terrible advice or uncomfortable relationship with her husband.
  • Wilfred (Fx) Tune In – The US update to the wacky Australian concept where a guy sees a dog as a man in a dog suit is super odd but I can’t turn away as I wait for whatever unpredictable hijinks Wilfred will get them into.

What else is sticking around in the TiVo queue: Burn Notice, Celebrity Rehab, Closer, Drop Dead Diva, In Plain Sight, Leverage, Louie, Project Runway, White Collar and on occasion but tenuous Eureka, Glades, Rizzoli & Isles.

I do tend to take a pass on most new reality fare.

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my schedule

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Until mid-season or the schedules shake up again I’ve mostly settled in to a lineup. So far here’s how things shake out. Though there aren’t any new breakout hits for me I have added a couple new picks.

Monday

  • 8pm – Chuck (NBC)/How I Met Your Mother (CBS) [House (Fox)]
  • 10pm – Castle (ABC)/Hawaii Five-O (CBS)

I’m still tempted to drop House but I get into this mental state where I feel like I’ve invested so many seasons into it so I kind of want to see how things play out. Other than that old favorites Chuck, HIMYM, and Castle are joined by fluffy fun enough so far 5-0.

Tuesday

  • 8pm – No Ordinary Family (ABC)/Glee (Fox)
  • 9pm – Raising Hope/Running Wilde (Fox)
  • 10pm – The Good Wife (CBS)/Parenthood (NBC) [Detroit 1-8-7 (ABC)/Sons of Anarchy (Fx)]

So far NOFamily is a nice mix of family drama and super skills [though this isn’t a bad show I found I wasn’t engaged enough to keep it on the listings] while the uneven Glee still keeps me coming back. Keeping SofA on the schedule is not a problem since FX replays stuff repeatedly, but debating on what to do about wanting to add 1-8-7 to my already booked hour. Since both Hope and Wilde are on my chopping block I wish I could move one of these up an hour.

Wednesday

  • 8pm – The Middle/Better With You (ABC)/America’s Next Top Model (CW)
  • 9pm – Modern Family/Cougar Town (ABC)/Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
  • 10pm – The Defenders (CBS)/Law & Order: Los Angeles (NBC) [Terriers (Fx)]

Am losing interest in ANTM and the Law & Orders but keeping them in the running with the comedies. Better w/You isn’t quite funny but the episode about living in a fire house kept me interested just because I’ve always wanted to live in a fire house (or light house) but it may go soon. Terriers is probably my favorite new show so keeping that on the agenda isn’t a problem while Defenders is so far sort of charming enough to keep me tuned in.

Thursday

  • 8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS)/Bones (Fox)/Community/30 Rock (NBC)
  • 9pm – Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)/The Office (NBC) [Project Runway (Life)]
  • 10pm – The Mentalist (CBS)/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx)

Another tough first hour as I’m not willing to give up Bones, Big Bang or Community though the rest of the night seems to fit in fine. Holding out to see if Office picks up or drops off, especially with Michael’s scheduled departure.

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