tv

new and noteworthy tv: 2/23-3/1

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LastManWhile reality has maybe stooped to a new low with Sex Box where couples have sex in a box, apparently as some sort of therapy, there are a few new scripted shows to check out. Is Will Forte really the Last Man an odd premise but I’ve heard good things? And can we find success in mismatched cop partners in Creek? Will the Secrets or the Lies keep us intrigued? And of course what’s next for our latest President in Cards?

  • Monday – The Voice/The Night Shift, Season Premieres (NBC, 8/10pm), The World Dog Awards (CW, 8pm)
  • Tuesday – TV’s Hottest Commercials Countdown (CW, 8pm), Counting Cars/Gangland Undercover, Season/Series Premiere (Hist, 9/10pm), Keyshia Cole, Series Premiere (BET, 9:30pm), Outlaw Country, Series Premiere (WGN, 10pm), Parks & Recreation, Series Finale (NBC, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – Survivor/The Amazing Race, Season Premieres (CBS, 8/9:30pm), Catfish, Season Premiere (MTV, 10pm), Kosher Soul, Series Premiere (Life, 10pm)
  • Thursday – My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding/Welcome to Myrtle Manor, Season Premieres (TLC, 9/10pm), Party Down South, Season Premiere (CMT, 9pm), Victoria’s Secret Swim Special (CBS, 10pm)
  • Friday – House of Cards, Season Premiere (Net, 3:01am), Sex Box, Series Premiere (WE, 10pm)
  • Saturday – The Good Witch, Series Premiere (Hall, 8pm), Shania: Still Live (ABC, 9pm), Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s/2 Fat 2 Fly (OWN, 9/10pm)
  • Sunday – Once Upon a Time/Secrets and Lies, Special/Season/Series Premiere (ABC, 7/8/9pm), Last Man on Earth, Series Premiere (Fox, 9pm), All-Star Academy, Series Premiere (Food, 9pm), Battle Creek, Series Premiere (CBS, 10pm)

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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procrastinator picks – top tv of 2014

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fx_americans_keyart_p_2012The tv seasons don’t really lend themselves to an end of the year roundup. I’m somehow even less able than with films to remember how I am really feeling about a show exacerbated by the fact that I can’t always distinguish one season from the next. I’ve also waited so long for this list I might be judging The Americans and Justified off of this season instead of the last but they’d still be in the running. At the end of the day I could reorder these 100 different ways but here’s where I’m at this moment:

  1. The Americans (FX) – What a couple of bad ass Russian spies, I’m worried about their balancing their layers of deception with all of those around them, including their family, at least I’m always pretty sure they will somehow make it out of the trickiest of situations.
  2. Orphan Black (BBCA) – The lead in this series playing a myriad of characters was enough to sell it but they’ve kept the supporting characters and plot on par.
  3. The Good Wife (CBS) – I’m not sure where they’ve been going this year but am happy with the continued reinvention and the way that they balance these rich characters and story lines that keep ‘good’ a questionable characterization.
  4. Hannibal (NBC) – The lead actors in this show really make the creepy factor sing, with visual and story layers around them to match, can’t wait to see what the next season will bring.
  5. Justified (FX) – Oh Raylan I’ll hate to see you go after this season but I’m glad to see you pulled in for one last go with these characters who may at sometimes be dumb but they’re always complex.
  6. Ink Master (Spike) – Still my favorite reality show, I love the mix of the different skills and artistry it takes to be good at all the aspects of tattooing and of course just a dash of people drama.
  7. Fargo (FX) – What a random show this was capturing the spirit if not the story of the original film, quirky and dark with a cast of well-drawn characters, this is one of those shows I’m just glad gets made, and I’m curious to see what the next will bring.
  8. You’re the Worst (Fx) – This was my favorite new comedy of last year, centered on a couple of dysfunctional people, their dysfunctional attempt at a relationship, and their dysfunctional friends, funny.
  9. Parenthood (NBC) – I didn’t always love the paths that this family was sent on but the departure of the Bravermans will leave a hole in my schedule if not my heart.
  10. Orange is the New Black (Net) – This show continues to be a great go to binge watch if not because of the lead’s story then because of the myriad of surrounding stories to tell.

Honorable Mention: The Middle / SHIELD (ABC), The Walking Dead (AMC), In the Flesh (BBCA), The Big Bang Theory / Elementary /  The Mentalist / Mom (CBS), The 100 / Hart of Dixie (CW), Brooklyn 99 / The Mindy Project (Fox), Louie / Sons of Anarchy (Fx), Sleepy Hollow / Gotham (Fox), The Blacklist / Parks and Recreation (NBC), House of Cards (Net), The Honorable Woman (Sund), Lost Girl (Syfy), Cougar Town (TBS)

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new and noteworthy tv: 2/16-2/22

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mentalistWell Lisbon and Jane have had a tough ride and it’s time for them to live happily ever after. I’ll set to record but not much good word on the new Odd Couple. And of course time to get my Oscar ballot together.

  • Monday – The Book of Negroes, Miniseries Premiere (BET, 8pm), Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life (CBS, 9pm)
  • Tuesday – Repeat After Me, Series Premiere (ABC, 8:30pm), 19 Kids & Counting/Our Little Family, Season/Series Premiere (TLC, 9/10pm), Countdown to the Oscars (ABC, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – The Mentalist, Series Finale (CBS, 8pm)
  • Thursday – QI, Series Premiere (BBCA, 8pm), The Odd Couple/Two and a Half Men, Series Premiere/Finale (CBS, 8:30/9pm), Vikings, Season Premiere (Hist, 10pm)
  • Friday – Preachers of Detroit, Series Premiere (Oxy, 8pm), Style by Jury, Series Premiere (TLC, 9:30pm), The Jack & Triumph Show, Series Premiere (AdSw, 11:30pm)
  • Saturday – Countdown to the Oscars (ABC, 8pm)
  • Sunday – Countdown/Red Carpet/Opening/Oscars/Red Carpet (ABC, 12:30/5:30/8:30pm)

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: 2/9-2/15

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schittsNot much this week, checking out a couple of unappealing sounding plots with good casts, but not another Amazon show I won’t get since I won’t buckle and pay for yet another method of viewing television.

  • Tuesday – Amish Mafia, Season Premiere (Disc, 9pm)
  • Wednesday – Schitt’s Creek, Series Premiere (POP, 10pm)
  • Thursday – The Slap, Series Premiere (NBC, 8pm)
  • Friday – Bosch, Series Premiere (Am, 12:01am)
  • Saturday – Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm), Sexy Beasts, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm)
  • Sunday – SNL 40th Anniversary (NBC, 8pm)

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: 2/2-2/8

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bettercallsaul

I tuned out of breaking bad at around season two or so, not as excited about Saul as perhaps other but still worth a watch. Have heard good critical buzz about the new Fresh comedy and am trying not to hold Americans comparisons (which shows will always lose) against Allegiance.

  • Monday – Kids Baking Championship, Series Premiere (Food, 8pm), Swamp People/Appalachian Outlaws, Season Premieres (Hist, 9/10pm)
  • Tuesday – Street Art Throwdown, Series Premiere (Oxy, 9pm), Being Mary Jane, Season Premiere (BET, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – Fresh Off the Boat, Series Premiere (ABC, 8:30pm), Earth a New Wild, Series Premiere (PBS, 9pm), Mystery Diners, Season Premiere (Food, 9:30pm), Match Made in Heaven, Series Premiere (WE, 10pm)
  • Thursday – Allegiance, Series Premiere (NBC, 10pm), Broke A$$ Game Show, Series Premiere (MTV, 11pm)
  • Saturday – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?, Series Premiere (Sci, 10pm)
  • Sunday – Super Soul Sunday/In Deep Shift with Jonas Elrod, Season/Series Premieres (OWN, 11am/12pm), The Grammy Awards (CBS, 8pm), The Jinx/Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Series/Season Premieres (HBO, 8/11pm), Better Call Saul, Series Premiere (AMC, 10pm), Coaching Bad, Series Premiere (Spike, 10pm), Legend of the Superstition Mountains, Series Premiere (Hist, 10pm)

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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tv

new and noteworthy tv: 1/26-2/1

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americansTennis to keep us occupied, until the Super Bowl for those who do that. And of course excited for the intriguing Americans, sad for the end of Parenthood (though it’s time), and will continue to dabble in Rescue Me lite with Sirens.

  • Monday – Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials (CBS, 8pm), Black Ink Crew, Season Premiere (VH1, 9pm), Ellen’s Design Challenge, Series Premiere (HGTV, 9pm), Fat n’ Furious, Season Premiere (Disc, 10pm)
  • Tuesday – Sirens, Season Premiere (USA, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – The Americans, Season Premiere (FX, 10pm), Mississippi Men, Series Premiere (Hist, 10pm), Secrets of the Dead, Season Premiere (PBS, 10pm)
  • Thursday – Parenthood, Series Finale (NBC, 10pm)
  • Saturday – SNL Presents a Sports Spectacular/NFL Honors (NBC, 8/9pm)
  • Sunday – Australian Open (ESPN, Women’s Final Sat 12am/Men’s Final Sun 12am), Super Bowl (NBC, 3pm), Kitten Bowl (Hall, 12pm), Puppy Bowl (AnPl, 12pm)

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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tv

new and noteworthy tv: 11/19-11/25

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backstrom

A little tennis, the start of the final run of Raylan, and worth checking into the new he’s a jerk but a smart jerk formula, this time with Rainn Wilson, and of course some new reality.

  • Monday – Australian Open (ESPN2, Various)
  • Tuesday – State of the Union (Various, 6pm), Friday Night Tykes/The Short Game, Season/Series Premieres (Esq, 6/7pm), Justified, Season Premiere (Fx, 10pm)
  • Wednesday – Dual Survival, Season Premiere (Disc, 9pm), All-American Makers, Series Premiere (Sci, 10pm), Best New Restaurant, Series Premiere (Brav, 10pm)
  • Thursday – Backstrom, Series Premiere (Fox, 9pm), Morgan Spurlock, Season Premiere (CNN, 9pm), Nightwatch, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm), Million Dollar Critic, Series Premiere (BBCA, 10pm)
  • Friday – Bring It!/Preachers’ Daughters, Season Premieres (Life, 9/10pm), King of the Nerds, Season Premiere (TBS, 9pm), Love, Lust, or Run, Series Premiere (TLC, 10pm)
  • Saturday – Black Sails, Season Premiere (Starz, 9pm)
  • Sunday – Miss Universe (NBC, 8pm), Sons of Liberty, Mini-series Premiere (Hist, 9pm)

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: 1/12-1/18

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12-monkeys
Pass on Eye Candy a dabble into serial killing via dating app, ready to check out Man Seeking following Sunny and the tv version of 12 Monkeys, but may pass on Granchester which isn’t getting quite the buzz of other British mysteries. I also have M&J and Muskateers on my guilty list but not sure I recommend either other for anything but fluff, which isn’t bad. And of course the final season of Parks.

  • Monday – Eye Candy, Series Premiere (MTV, 10pm), Friends to Lovers?, Series Premiere (Bravo, 10pm)
  • Tuesday – Genealogy Roadshow, Season Premiere (PBS, 8pm), Parks & Recreation, Season Premiere (NBC, 8pm), Face Off, Season Premiere (Syfy, 9pm), Big Giant Swords, Series Premiere (Disc, 10pm), Wrestling with Death, Series Premiere (WGN, 10pm), The Kroll Show, Season Premiere (Com, 10:30pm)
  • Wednesday – Melissa & Joey/Baby Daddy, Season Premieres (ABCF, 8/8:30pm), Nova, Season Premiere (PBS, 9pm), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Man Seeking Woman, Season/Series Premieres (Fxx, 10/10:30pm), Workaholics/Broad City, Season Premiere (Com, 10/10:30pm)
  • Thursday – The World Dog Awards (CW, 8pm), Critics’ Choice Awards (A&E, 9pm), Chopped Canada, Season Premiere (Food, 9pm)
  • Friday – World’s Funniest Fails, Series Premiere (Fox, 8pm), 12 Monkeys/Helix, Season/Series Premieres (Syfy, 9/10pm), Diners, Dive-ins & Dives, Season Premiere (Food, 10pm),
  • Saturday – Beverly Hills Pawn, Season Premiere (Reelz, 9pm), The Muskateers, Season Premiere (BBCA, 9pm), My Big Redneck Family, Season Premiere (CMT, 9pm)
  • Sunday – Christina Milian Turned Up, Series Premiere (E!, 10pm), Granchester, Series Premiere (PBS, 10pm)

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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critics’ picks – top tv of 2014

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transparentWe’ve said goodbye to 2014 and when I think of how we spent it, it mostly with some television. The critics have posted their top picks so take a look and see what they think. Stay tuned for more top picks including my top tv.

  • The Affair (Show) – MRo, GG
  • The Americans (Fx) –  JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, MZS, DF, AFI
  • Broad City (Com) – JP
  • Cosmos (Fox) – MZS
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – GG
  • Enlisted (Fox) – MR
  • Fargo (Fx) – JP, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, DF, AFI
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – MRo, TG, HS, EW, DF, AFI, GG
  • Girls (HBO) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JP, MRo, HS, EW, GG
  • Hannibal (NBC) – AS, EW, MZS, DF
  • Happy Valley (Net/BBC) – MR
  • High Maintenance (JP)
  • The Honorable Woman (Sund) – TG
  • House of Cards (Net) – GG
  • How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – AFI
  • Inside Amy Schumer (Com) – EW
  • Jane the Virgin (CW) – MR, MRo, AFI, GG
  • The Knick (Cin) – AFI
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – JP, MZS, DF
  • The Leftovers (HBO) – AS
  • Louie (FX) – JP, TG, EW
  • Mad Men (AMC) – TG, AS, EW, MZS, DF, AFI
  • The Missing (Starz) – MZS
  • The Normal Heart (HBO) – MRo
  • Olive Kitteridge (HBO) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Orange Is the New Black (Net) – JP, MR, TG, AS, HS, DF, AFI, GG
  • Penny Dreadful (Show) – MR
  • Private Violence (HBO) – MZS
  • Please Like Me (Piv) – EW
  • Rectify (Sund) – MR, AS, EW, DF
  • Review (Com) – MR, AS, DF
  • The Roosevelts (PBS) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Shameless (Show) – DF
  • Silicon Valley (HBO) – JP, HS, AFI, GG
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) – MRo
  • Transparent (Am) – JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, AFI, GG
  • True Detective (HBO) – TG, AS, MZS
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – TG, HS
  • You’re the Worst (Fx) – MR

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, MR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MRo – Matt Roush for TV Guide, TG – Tim Goodman for The Hollywood Reporter, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, HS – Hank Stuever for The Washington Post, EW – Entertainment Weekly, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz for Vulture, DF – Daniel Fienberg for HitFix, GG – Golden Globe Awards

And for a roundup of more lists check out: News for TV Majors 

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new and noteworthy tv: 1/5-1/11

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empire

So things are finally starting to come in and I’ll be giving a look to the latest Marvel spin off for some 40’s secret agent, some campy music biz, and perhaps a little 90’s do over. Of the reality fare I might give a look to the furniture makers though I’m not sure making furniture is suited to quick construct formula. And of course the final season for any Cougar fans.

  • Monday – Antiques Roadshow, Season Premiere (PBS, 8pm), The Bachelor, Season Premiere (ABC, 8pm), Love It or List It, Season Premiere (HGTV, 9pm)
  • Tuesday – Marvel’s Agent Carter, Series Premiere (ABC, 8pm), Masterchef Junior, Season Premiere (Fox, 8pm), Dance Moms/Child Genius, Season/Series Premieres (Life, 9/10pm), Fixer Upper, Season Premiere (HGTV, 9pm), Haves and Have Nots, Season Premiere (OWN, 9pm), Living Different, Series Premiere (Oxy, 9pm), Switched at Birth, Season Premiere (ABCFam, 9pm), 60 Minute Sports, Season Premiere (Show, 10pm), Framework, Series Premiere (Spike, 10pm), Wild Transport, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm), Cougar Town, Season Premiere (TBS, 10:30pm), The Challenge, Season Premiere (MTV, 11pm)
  • Wednesday – American Idol/Empire, Season/Series Premieres (Fox, 8/9pm), People’s Choice Awards (CBS, 9pm), My 600-lb Life/My Strange Addiction, Season Premieres (TLC, 9/10pm), Hindsight, Series Premiere (VH1, 10pm), Nazi Mega Weapons, Season Premiere (PBS, 10pm), Wahlburgers/Donnie Loves Jenny, Season/Series Premieres (A&E, 10/10:30pm)
  • Thursday – Archer, Season Premiere (Fx, 10pm), Babylon, Series Premiere (Sund, 10pm), Love Thy Sister, Series Premiere (WE, 10pm), Portlandia, Season Premiere (IFC, 10pm)
  • Friday – Cold Justice, Season Premiere (TNT, 8pm), Glee, Season Premiere (Fox, 8pm), Marriage Boot Camp/David Tutera’s Celebrations, Season Premieres (WE, 9/10pm), Banshee, Season Premiere (Cine, 10pm), Golden Globes Special (NBC, 10pm), Real Time with Bill Maher, Season Premiere (HBO, 10pm), Comedy Bang! Bang!, Season Premiere (IFC, 11pm)
  • Saturday – All About Sex, Series Premiere (TLC, 11pm)
  • Sunday – Golden Globes/Arrivals (NBC, 7/8pm), Girls/Togetherness/Looking, Season/Series Premieres (HBO, 9/9:30/10pm), Shameless/House of Lies/Episodes, Season Premieres (Show, 9/10/10:30pm)

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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