I’ve been doing some dabbling in shows that were on ‘best’ lists and a few I tried and am not going to do for one reason or another: Cunk on Earth (Net), The Curse (Show), How to with John Wilson (Max), I think You Should Leave (Net), Scott Pilgrim (Net).

I did wrap up the latest season of Upload (Prime) which I find cute though the premise is starting to wear a little thin. And Lucifer (Net) whose premise they did a surprisingly good job stretching out (not without some hiccups) but overall was really fun.

• Fool Me Once (Net) Series Premiere, Monday 1/1 – A conspiracy when an ex-soldier sees her murdered husband on a secret cam in this British mystery
• Extended Family (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/2, 8:30pm – They actually snuck in a preview of this which I missed but a good cast with Abigail Spencer, Donald Faison, and John Cryer could help this comedy.
• The Brothers Sun (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/4 – A Taipei triad member hits LA to protect his mom and brother who don’t know the truth.
• Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/4 – Based on a book where witches are productive members of society until a death turns things into a witch hunt.
• Grimsburg (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/7, 9:30pm – A new addition to the ‘animation domination’ lineup, Jon Hamm voices a detective who must find himself, or something.
• Funny Woman (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/7, 10pm – In 1960s London a beauty queen turns to television comedy.
• Safe Home (Hulu) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/9 – A woman fleeing a high-profile law firm turns to helping people escaping domestic violence but can’t escape her own past.
• ECHO (Hulu/Dis+) Series Premiere, Tuesday 1/9 – Another Marvel, this one about Maya Lopez fleeing Wilson Fisk’s criminal empire.
• Criminal Record (App+) Series Premiere, Wednesday 1/10 – A London thriller where an anonymous call brings two detectives on a crash course with an old case.
• TED (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 1/11 – A prequel to the TED films with Seth MacFarlane voicing the stuffed bear.
• Monsieur Spade (AMC) Series Premiere, Sunday 1/14 – Clive Owen stars as hardboiled PI Sam Spade in retirement, until something comes up.
• True Detective (HBO) Season Premiere, Sunday 1/14, 9pm – I have yet to get caught up enough with my HBO to do these but I understand the seasons are standalone, Jodie Foster and Kali Reis step into the leads.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.

After I finished the second season of those messy but compelling Yellowjackets on Showtime I called it. I still have Paramount+ for the remainder of Ink Master but with such a backlog I decided not to dive into anything else. I did watch one ep of The Curse which was a little more annoying than entertaining for me. I also finished the season of entertaining Deadloch on Prime, a nice mix of comedy and small-town murder intrigue. And the last of All Rise on OWN which was a nice courtroom drama with a hopefully positive spin.

The best of lists should start rolling out so I may prioritize a bit differently to get my list done within a reasonable amount of time. Of this week’s options, I’ll certainly grab Reacher when I have some time. I am also enjoying the latest season of Fargo some typical brutality but also some fun characters. I sampled but didn’t stick with NCIS: Sydney, I’m not a watcher of the rest of that so if that’s your bag it might be a good one.

• Archie (Britbox) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/7 – Jason Isaacs as Cary Grant in this four-part drama
• The Lovers (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/7 – Opposites clash/attract with this supermarket checkout gal and political broadcaster meet.
• Culprits (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 12/8 – An assassin is targeting the crew of elite criminals who pulled off a big heist.
• Reacher (Prime) Season Premiere, Friday 12/15 – I feel like everyone ripped through the first season of this show and he’s back, the first few eps available and then weekly through Jan.
• Such Brave Girls (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 12/15 – An English comedy about a mother and two daughters after their husband/father leaves.

The procrastinator lists mostly scripted items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST, please check your local listings.