tv

new and noteworthy tv: 3/20-3/26

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Not a lot new happening here so I can pay attention the Americans, Humans, and Legion.

  • Shots Fired (Fox) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 8pm – I haven’t heard much but looks like mildly positive possibilities for this Dept of Justice investigation drama into small town shooting murders and police involved shootings with the lens of white and African American.
  • Grace & Frankie (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – This isn’t a great show but there’s enough going on with the great cast that it’s entertaining.
  • Ingobernable (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – No word yet on this Mexican political drama about president and first lady.

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: 3/13-3/19

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And just like that I’m behind on television again… Still need to check out Feud and the new seasons of The Americans and Underground plus keeping up on shows I’m digging like Humans and Legion though somehow it’s easier to watch junky tv like giving Catch another shot.

  • Adam Carolla and Friends Build Stuff Live (Spike) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Sounds like it’s a talk show where he talks and then helps famous friends build stuff.
  • Trial & Error (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10/10:30pm – This seems to spoof the true crime documentaries with John Lithgow as defendant, rumor has it this isn’t amazing but the top notch cast might make it worth watching.
  • Snatch (Crackle) Series Premiere, Thursday – Apparently it’s loosely based on the flick, a group of small time con artists end up in the sights of big time criminals after they find a truck o’ gold, not that promising.
  • Marvel’s Iron Fist (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – The latest in the Netflix Marvel universe is unfortunately getting no good buzz.
  • You Are Wanted (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – A German release this drama tells the story of a hotel manager whose identity is stolen things start to get dicey.
  • Truth and Lies: The Family Manson (ABC) Friday, 9pm – More about the family.

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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prime television

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I finally broke down and signed up for Amazon Prime, not for the shipping but for the tv. Being old enough to remember the idea that most tv is free unless you want to throw down for ‘premium’ cable I’m now viscerally opposed to the nickel and dime feeling that I’m supposed to subscribe to everything to watch good tv. I still can’t bring myself to pay for beyond basic+ cable so I miss out on the quality from HBO, Showtime, and apparently even channels like Spike (darn that Ink Master). Then people keep talking about great shows on Amazon, Hulu, and now even CBS All Access with the introduction of The Good Wife spin-off The Good Fight. Don’t even get me started on other random subscription services.

I’ve been a long subscriber of Netflix, getting on board when this took over from my video rental service and staying when I relinquished the availability of all videos in the dvd delivery service and moved just to streaming. My rationale at the time was that there was enough available on streaming to keep me occupied and that I wasn’t watching enough movies to keep the rentals going. This was before the introduction of things like Orange is the New Black and House of Cards made their original content buzzworthy,  but when that came out followed by others it just sealed the fate of my keeping the service.

To supplement I’ve been renting the occasional movie on Amazon but with the a la carte pricing the cost of seasons of tv just seemed daunting. I recently finished watching Mad Men (streaming on Netflix) and I decided I had waited long enough to watch the show that was so highly regarded, The Wire.

So I could throw down for an HBO or HBO Now subscription but as long as I’m not too put out by missing the current seasons Amazon seemed to offer more bang for the buck. For $99/yr (bringing monthly down to $8.25/mo) you get the old catalog of HBO shows (not the currents), you get a handful of free movies, and you get some additional services including of course free shipping. So now that I’m in I’ve also added their original series. Have Bosch, Catastrophe, Fleabag, One Mississippi, and Transparent along with those yet to come sealed my forever fate? And what else should I be watching?

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new and noteworthy tv: 3/6-3/12

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I feel like we’ve had a little bit of a break from new TV so I’m ready to dive back in to at least the Americans!

  • The Bachelor: The Women Tell All (ABC) Monday, 9pm – Clearly there is always more to say.
  • The Americans (FX) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Yes please, as noted one of my fave shows.
  • The Partner (CNBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – The dude from The Profit is looking for a… partner and will select from a batch of ten.
  • People Icons (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Iconic celebrity love stories.
  • Underground (WGN) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – I ended up sticking with and digging this tale of the Macon 7 slave escapees and interested to see what a new season will bring.
  • Kicking & Screaming (Fox) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – Pampered folks are paired with actual survivalists to give it a go.
  • The Catch (ABC) Season Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – This turn the tables con couple wasn’t great but somehow I stuck with it, surprised that it’s returning but I’ve heard they’re refining it a bit and we’ll see where things go.
  • Buddy Thunderstruck (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – A stop motion adventure of a truck driving dog named Buddy and his ferret mechanic (I don’t always list all the animated fare but a dog named Buddy!).
  • Hand of God (Am) Season Premiere, Friday – I’ve yet to dive into this one.
  • Love (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – I can’t say I recommend this misfit couple in the making but it’s one of those shows that I was somehow compelled to keep watching.
  • American Crime (ABC) Season Premiere, Sunday, 10pm – A return of much of the excellent cast in a new take that starts with a Mexican immigrant heading to farmland and getting caught up in more social issues, I dropped this S1 but have heard enough good buzz to check it out.

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: 2/27-3/5

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As I await the Oscars I struggle with catching up on movies vs catching up on tv. I’ll have to commit to getting my overdue top movie list done this week : )

  • When We Rise (ABC) Miniseries Premiere, Monday, 9pm – In this four-parter LGBTQ civil rights are dramatically chronicled from the ’70s to the present with some mixed reviews.
  • Taken (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – A prequel to the Liam Neeson film franchise where we learn about the young CIA operative, which I’ll check out but can’t imagine being good.
  • National Treasure (Hulu) Miniseries Premiere, Wednesday – Don’t confuse this latest British drama about a comedian accused of rape in the ’70s with the amazing Nic Cage flick.
  • Chicago Justice (NBC) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 9pm – Another break out in the Dick Wolf Chicago series.
  • Time After Time (ABC) Series Premiere, Sunday, 9pm – H.G. Wells and Jack the Ripper travel to modern days, why do I feel like I’ve seen this series, oh right it was a movie.
  • The Arrangement (E!) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10pm – Struggling actress is cast as a spouse in what could loosely be a Tom Cruise dramatic biography.
  • Feud (Fx) Series Premiere, 10pm – Ryan Murphy’s latest starring Jessica Lange as Joan Crawford and Susan Sarandon as Bette Davis, I wouldn’t miss checking this out.

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: 2/20-2/26

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A little more roll-out of nothing much I’m interested in which is good as I’m just getting rolling on The Wire.

  • The Breaks (VH1) Series Premiere, Monday, 9pm – A series continuing on after the cable movie of the same name following three friends and their hip hop dreams.
  • Sun Records (CMT) Series Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – Limited series based on the musical Million Dollar Quartet in the early years of rock’n’roll.
  • My Brother, My Brother, and Me (Seeso) Series Premiere, Thursday – Based on their podcast of more comedy than advice advice.
  • The Blacklist: Redemption (NBC) Series Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – I’ll check out this Blacklist spinoff but not sure if having dropped the original I’ll be as engaged, though theoretically it doesn’t have most annoying Elizabeth.
  • Patriot (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – Following intelligence officer in pipelines and nuclear deals, reportedly it’s a dramedy.
  • Ultimate Beastmaster (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – A new physical obstacle course style competition, globally.
  • The 89th Annual Academy Awards (ABC) Sunday, 5:30pm – I am torn on my Oscar pool, should I vote for LaLa Land or not…

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: 2/13-2/19

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Finally wrapped up Mad Men (excellent) and moved on to The Wire, plus I recently bit the bullet on Amazon Prime so I’m diving in.

  • Humans (AMC) Season Premiere, Monday, 10pm – I quite enjoyed this slant on some ‘synths’ gaining consciousness stepping out of their place as tools of human society and intrigued to see where they and their human counterparts go.
  • The Mindy Project (Hulu) Season Premiere, Tuesday – I haven’t been up to date since this moved to hulu but I’m sure she’s still wacky.
  • Doubt (CBS) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – This latest legal drama looks to be a bit on the soapy side but intrigued to see Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox in fresh roles.
  • Hacking the Wild (Sci) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – Using everyday technology and science to make it through the wilderness.
  • The Good Fight (CBS/AA) Series Premiere, Sunday, 8pm – As a big Good Wife fan I’m excited to see what this spin-off will bring but irritated because I’m not willing to pay $6/month for the CBS streaming service to watch it, though I may watch the first episode airing on CBS to see how irritated I’ll be.
  • The Paley Center Salutes NBC’s 90th Anniversary (NBC) Sunday, 8pm – Star studded look.
  • Big Little Lies/Crashing (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday, 9/10:30pm – This book adaptation brought by David E. Kelley with all-star cast Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, and Shailene Woodley as mothers of seven-year-olds is getting mostly positive buzz though no word on the latest comedy about a comedian.

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: 2/6-2/12

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I somehow haven’t gotten back to finishing up Mad Men which means I must be keeping myself busy enough.

  • APB (Fox) Series Premiere, Monday, 9pm – Rich dude takes over a police district with what sounds like isn’t glowing results (entertainment wise).
  • Imposters (Bravo) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – I always like to check out a con artist series this one has the wife falling for her current mark while being tracked down by former targets.
  • Detroiters (Com) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10:30pm – Comedic look at a couple of buddies who try to make it in advertising, in Detroit, we’ll see but not promising.
  • Legion (Fx) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – This X-Men character promises a new series that’s getting great buzz even for non-comic fans as schizophrenic may not be so mentally challenged after all.
  • Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (ABC) Friday, 8pm – Maybe this is his year.
  • The Collection (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – Haven’t heard anything about this post WWII fashion house drama.
  • Grammy Awards (CBS) Sunday, 8pm – James Corden hosts.

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 picks – top tv of 2016

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So I’m still lacking or behind in a couple of networks so all things Amazon, HBO, Showtime, Hulu (other random ‘networks’ I don’t get) will be absent…

  • Atlanta/Better Things/You’re the Worst (Fx) – So apparently Fx can dominate comedies as well as dramas, though each of these shows brings beyond the standard sitcom, Atlanta (with Donald Glover making his mark) has probably gotten the most buzz with more irregularities that might bring higher highs but also a few lows, while Better Things sweet and slightly odd (as befits Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K.) is the one I was most anxious to keep watching; and while this season didn’t quite match last season’s amazing arc YTW still stands out for some perfectly terrible character mess.
  • Sweet/Vicious (MTV) – Don’t let the network cause you to prematurely dismiss this, this college vigilante team has a great mix of drama and humor and ass kicking, though I’m constantly worried about our fair heroines.
  • Happy Valley (Net) – Of the various English crime shows I tuned into (Broadchurch, The Fall, River, etc.) this one stuck with me the most for having just a great new protagonist Sergeant Catherine Cawood who deals with personal and professional drama that makes this rural England setting anything but happy.
  • The Americans/Orphan Black (Fx/BBCA) – Still two of the more amazing things on tv with brilliant performances in very tense situations be it spy drama or clone drama it all gets much better than the genre by the very real characters.
  • BoJack Horseman (Net) – This show continues to drive our primary character deeper into depressive situations and he continues to fail in a way that for some reason bridges the not likable but still desperately want him to stop failing but also clearly not wanting that because I want the show to keep going, and yes this is an animated show about a world where people interact with animal people, just go with it, it allows for unique funny and things like the magical underwater episode.
  • The Good Place (NBC) – Networks can still occasionally compete and this new look at a surreal world of the afterlife which somehow seems to move just quickly enough to turn each of the things I was worried about (and it was renewed!).
  • The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (Fx) – In what turned out to be a year of OJ this show (which will be followed by future American Crime Stories 2: Katrina and 3: Versace) may have particularly resonated because of the reminiscence to what was clearly a strong cultural event but also for the unreal reality of the situation brought to light by some impressive performances.

And for a look at what the critics looked at a few compilations by Metacritic and Uproxx (formerly HitFix).

 

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new and noteworthy tv: 1/30-2/5

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Looks like mid-season is kicking off with a few new entries.

  • Super Bowl Greatest Commercials (CBS) Tuesday, 8pm – Hosts Boomer Esiason and Daniela Ruah count ’em down.
  • Showtime at the Apollo (Fox) Wednesday, 8pm – Steve Harvey hosts.
  • The 100 (CW) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 9pm – I was super into this show for a while but found it slipping, fan blowback for handling of certain characters aside, but curious to see where we go this season.
  • Madiba (BET) Miniseries Premiere, Wednesday, 8pm – I haven’t heard anything about this Laurence Fishburne led Mandela three part account.
  • Powerless (NBC) Series Premiere, Thursday, 8:30pm – A comedic entry into the DC Comics world where every day folk toil around superhero adjacent insurance scenarios, looks less than groundbreaking but perhaps a look.
  • Superior Donuts (CBS) Series Premiere, Thursday, 8:30pm – New school and old school set in a donut shop with Judd Hirsch as the old school, gives possibilities for this comedy to find its stride.
  • Training Day (CBS) Series Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – Another questionable entry into the movie premise spun for TV with Bill Baxton as a reportedly less menacing Denzel.
  • Santa Clarita Diet (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – I’d watch Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant in anything so I’ll tune into what looks like a tongue in cheek suburban zombie fare.
  • 24: Legacy (Fox) Sunday, 7:30pm – Rumor has it this has some of the pros and cons about the original 24 so use that as you gauge.

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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