tv

new and noteworthy tv: 10/1-10/7

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So trying to keep up to date on the new shows so I can determine whether they get another shot or I can ignore any future episodes. Magnum and FBI barely managed to be memorable enough to mention while New Amsterdam had a couple of good characters but was both annoying overall and had forgettable cases, pass. In the not good but maybe one more category, Manifest which wasn’t a good show but at least had an interesting enough premise and Million Little Things has some good actors but didn’t manage to make me feel invested in them or the setup. And interest was piqued by Mr Inbetween, the half hour drama criminal for hire and parent among other things, Single Parents with not quite a solid premise but the characters have room to be funny, and Murphy Brown, good return premise but needs time to see if it find its legs, while Cool Kids and Last Man Standing are both very sitcom if that’s your thing.

And excited this week for the return of some funny Superstore, Will & Grace, Fresh Off the Boat, Speechless, Z Nation and some serious with Madam Secretary. And of course there is more new stuff to come.

  • Us & Them (SonyCrack) Series Premiere, Monday – Boy meets girl and boy and girl’s friends, I don’t know that I would seek out a canceled Fox show on Crackle but with Jason Ritter and Alexis Bledel in the leads it might be worth it.
  • The Neighborhood/Happy Together (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday, 8/8:30pm – Not hearing great things about these but some good peeps so worth a look to see if there are good ingredients.
  • Star Trek: Short Treks (CBSAA) Series Premiere, Thursday – Some shorts to wet your appetite for more Star Trek.
  • Elite (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – The haves nots introduced to the school of the haves creates some tension and perhaps a murder.
  • Into the Dark (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday – Horror event series by some guy who does this sort of thing.

With some streaming returns: Big Mouth (Net, Friday), Little Things (Net, Friday), The Man in the High Castle (Am, Friday).

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/24-9/30

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I have yet to catch any of last week’s premieres but wrapped up Forever from the previous, it wasn’t perfect but overall the premise, characters, and odd tone kept me engaged. I’m likely to skip the rest of I Feel Bad which was a little forced and after three eps of Mayans although it’s got lots of potential I still remain unengaged in characters or story, I’m out. Happy for the return this week of the final season of Big Bang, The Good Place, Mom, and curious about the new vibe on Lethal Weapon. I will also tune in for at least the first This Is Us as well as a few new options.

  • Magnum PI (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday, 9pm – I’ll catch one of these to see how they reimagined the characters but don’t assume this one will make the queue.
  • Manifest (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – Interesting premise (plane returns 5+ years later without the plane people missing a beat) but sounds like execution leaves something to be desired.
  • FBI (CBS) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – I used to love early Law & Order but haven’t really been in sync with any of the new worlds created.
  • New Amsterdam (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Yes it’s another medical show but not sure this ideological approach will have enough to grab me.
  • Mr Inbetween (FX) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 11:25 – Haven’t heard much about criminal for hire but looks like it has possibilities.
  • Single Parents (ABC) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 9:30 – Will it be funny, we’ll see.
  • A Million Little Things (ABC) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – Hoping the buzz around this one means this could actually be a keeper as a group of friends deals with suicide.
  • Murphy Brown (CBS) Season Premiere, Thursday, 9:30pm – Technically not a new show but it’s back a chunk of time later and here’s hoping they’ve got a fresh take on today’s news Murphy style.
  • Last Man Standing (Fox) Season Premiere, Friday, 8pm – I don’t assume this has much of a new take at all but it was a solid enough sitcom and likely remains so.
  • The Cool Kids (Fox) Series Premiere, Friday, 8:30 – I’m hoping this retired life show gives these fun actors something good to work with.
  • God Friended Me (CBS) Series Premiere, Sunday, 8:30pm – We’ll see how god’s latest touch with humanity (or is it?) strikes.

And some returning streaming with Norsemen (Net, Wed), El Marginal (Net, Fri), Reboot (Net, Fri).

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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intriguing new fall tv

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I tend to try to watch all the new scripted shows at least once, and usually at least twice, so I keep spreading myself pretty this at the beginning of fall. Stay tuned for each Next Week to hear a little more including the cable and streaming series noted below but here’s what we’ve got that’s new.

  • All American (CW, 10/10) – TVG’s Matt Roush gives this the Friday Night Lights and The OC comparison, both faves and tough tones to match but with Taye Diggs as coach I’ll tune in.
  • Charmed (CW, 10/14) – I never thought the original of this was amazing but liked the sisters enough (still sad Doherty left) to stay tuned for more than a few seasons but not sure this revisit with new sisters will rise to the queue.
  • The Conners/The Kids Are Alright (ABC, 10/16) – Aside from the whole Roseanne thing I thought the return season of this just felt off so not sure I’m that interested even without her, but hearing some good things about Mary McCormack and Michael Cudlitz as ’70s parents of 8.
  • The Cool Kids (Fox, 9/28) – Hijinks in a retirement community with Vicki Lawrence, David Alan Grier, Leslie Jordan, and Martin Mull could have its moments.
  • I Feel Bad (NBC, 9/19 preview, 10/4) – I wasn’t won over by the first ep of this woman overwhelmed, from the gaming job to her Indian parents it all just felt a little forced.
  • FBI (CBS, 9/25) – The latest from L&O’s Dick Wolf follows a new set of those around law, or is it order?
  • God Friended Me (CBS, 9/30) – Either because or despite being non-religious person I am often charmed by shows like Joan of Arcadia and Kevin Probably Saves the World so will check out this done more digital style.
  • Legacies (CW, 10/25) – Vampire Diaries lore lives on through it’s youth and can’t imagine this boarding school for vampires, werewolves, and witches won’t hit the sweet spot for that crowd.
  • Magnum PI (CBS, 9/24) – I can only assume this will feel like the Hawaii 5-0/MacGyver reboot.
  • Manifest (NBC, 9/24) – This is the latest swing at the weird when a plane lands five years later without the flight having lost a beat, and rumor has it this has some good ingredients but maybe doesn’t quite put them altogether.
  • A Million Little Things (ABC, 9/26) – This is being pushed as sort of the new This Is Us and while I’m over that show I do enjoy a good dose of friend and family drama so I’m willing to give these friends, made up of a cast with potential, shaken by suicide a shot.
  • The Neighborhood/Happy Together (CBS, 10/1) – New neighbors and a new long standing house guest all have good cast (Cedric the Entertainer, Max Greenfield Beth Behrs and Damon Wayans Jr, Amber Stevens West respectively) so we’ll have to see if either of them can hit the sweet sitcom spot.
  • New Amsterdam (NBC, 9/25) – These promos are already bugging me but  maybe Ryan Eggold is allowed to reach a less smug ‘saving the hospital but doing it the right but maybe nonprofitable way’ story.
  • Rel (Fox, 9/9 preview, 9/30) – Another early preview that didn’t win me over with some flat jokes around this newly single dad getting a new start.
  • The Rookie (ABC, 10/16) – Ok so Nathan Fillion is probably closer to 50 than the 40 year old he plays but he’s always charming enough to see how he fills this out.
  • Single Parents (ABC, 9/26) – Another hope that the cast including Taran Killam, Brad Garrett, and Leighton Meister can keep the premise afloat.

And for other cable and streaming options: Camping (HBO, 10/14), Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Net, 10/26), Dirty John (Bravo, TBD), Escape at Dannemora (Show, 11/18), The First (Hulu, 9/14), Forever (Net, 9/14), The Good Cop (Net, 9/21), The Haunting of Hill House (Net, 10/12), Homecoming (Prime, 11/2), Into the Dark (Hulu, 10/5), Kidding (Show, 9/9), The Kominsky Method (Net, 11/16), The Little Drummer Girl (AMC, 11/19), Maniac (Net, 9/21), Mayans MC (Fx, 9/4), Mr Inbetween (Fx, 9/25), Narcos: Mexico (Net, 11/16), Origin (YT Prem, 11/14), The Romanoffs (Prime, 10/12), Sorry for Your Loss (Face, 9/18), Tell Me A Story (CBSAA, 10/31), Titans (DCUniverse, 10/12), Wanderlust (Net, 10/19), You (Life)

Premiere dates are subject to change so stay tuned for “next week”s and check your local listings.

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/17-9/23

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I caught another Mayans and will give it one more but not sure it’s going to make the cut. I did kind of dig Miniaturist so I’ll check another of those out. And have dove into Forever which also falls into the non-gym viewing as it’s not really a comedy comedy but so far it’s definitely interested me enough to keep going. And while I’ve stopped trying to follow even who is nominated, the Emmys are Monday.

  • Sorry for Your Loss (Face) Series Premiere, Tuesday – So apparently we also need to tune into Facebook for quality tv, this one is supposed to be worth a look with Elizabeth Olsen trying to move on after the death of her husband.
  • I Feel Bad (NBC) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – A new comedy that you may have seem promos for EP’d by Amy Poehler about a woman and her personal and professional challenges.
  • Dead Lucky (SundNow) Series Premiere, Thursday – No word on this multiple POV following a cop killing during a heist.
  • The Good Cop (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Josh Groban plays straight laced detective who teams up with Tony Danza’s disgraced cop father.
  • Maniac (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Intrigued by this limited series with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill in an unusual pharmaceutical trial.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/10-9/16

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I caught the first week of Mayans and although the first episode didn’t have much for me to think it was special, it laid out a lot of characters and seeds for drama so I’ll give it another go. I won’t give another go to The Purge which really would have had to have had something in the characters or setup that was pretty outstanding for me to want to go back in. I try to give comedies a little more leeway to find their legs but nothing got a smile on the flat Rel. The one thing that did have a spark of potential was the cheesy looking You on Lifetime, which with its stalker premise isn’t for everyone but sewed some good seeds of potential.

  • Life (Net) Series Premiere, Wednesday – A new Korean medical drama, these international releases don’t have much info around them.
  • The First (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday – Sean Penn as astronaut and family man, potentially worth a look.
  • Forever (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen star in a new comedy about a married couple that has a good pedigree and buzz.
  • The Rise of Phoenixes (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Mandarin story of power, desire, lust and love among people from different kingdoms in ancient China.

Plus some returning streaming shows: BoJack Horseman (Net, Friday), American Vandal (Net, Friday), Ingobernable (Net, Friday), Snatch (Crack, Thursday).

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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returning fall favorites

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It’s hard to keep track of it all but here’s a look at some of the things that I’m looking at in returning fall tv, don’t worry there’s still midseason (and various other starts) for things not on the list. Stay tuned for intriguing new fall tv.

  • The Big Bang Theory (CBW, 9/24) – This show amuses consistently enough and looking forward to seeing what this final season will bring to our gang.
  • Bojack Horseman (Net, 9/14) – Consistently one of the best shows, this weird take on a washed up, depressed, alcoholic horseman always bring it, can’t wait.
  • Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/5) – The Huangs bring their own family quirks at this look at their life in Orlando in the 90s.
  • The Good Place (NBC, 9/27) – This show has managed to stay so fresh I’m super curious as to how our dumb dumbs will manage this season.
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fxx, 9/5) – When a bunch of awful people never change and just keep being awful, it is surprisingly still fresh and funny.
  • Last Man Standing (Fox, 9/28) – I tuned out of this show when it was on, finding the right and left wing politicy jokes a little too ham handed but in repeats I got to sort of like the characters, though dubious about the replacement of yet another daughter.
  • Lethal Weapon (Fox, 9/25) – Speaking of replacements, after the real life Riggs and Murtaugh couldn’t get along Clayne Crawford’s antics got him unrenewed, so curious how this will work with Seann William Scott stepping in as the new maverick.
  • Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/7) – This started out as sort of a poor man’s Good Wife, but in a painful political spectrum its nice to see people dealing with fake real issues and knowing that although it’s not all good with help from our spunky Secretary it always mostly turns out ok.
  • Midnight, Texas (NBC, 10/26) – I think this show only lasted on my queue because it premiered during some downtime but this not revolutionary take on a small town of sort of extraordinary (vampires, witches, etc.) outsiders deal with random things, and of course saving the world.
  • Mom (CBS, 9/27) – I still love the play between Allison Janney and Anna Faris and their sober (mostly) friends, and I don’t turn away from a rerun.
  • Murphy Brown (CBS, 9/27) – It’s a stretch to call this a return but, I’m intrigued to see the update to Murphy and her news colleagues in today’s world.
  • Ozark (Net, 8/31) – This was one of my fave bingy shows last year, I was compelled to keep up with Jason Bateman as money launderer getting he and his family into, and sometimes out of, new fixes as he tries to make it work in this resort town.
  • Speechless (ABC, 10/5) – This whole family has so much personality that it’s almost not about the fact that one son is in a wheelchair unable to speak.
  • Superstore (NBC, 10/4) – More quirky misfits with this group of employees working the store and of course getting into each other’s lives.
  • This is Us (NBC, 9/25) – I have to say I almost didn’t list this, I’m pretty over this schmaltzy show other than a few story lines but will likely tune into the premiere to see where they’re taking it but I sense a breakup ahead.
  • Will & Grace (10/4) – One of the latest reboots, I enjoy visiting with these folks again, mostly when they steer into the reality of the fact that it’s more than ten years later.
  • Z Nation (Syfy, 10/5) – This show was the antidote to The Walking Dead treating the zombie apocalypse with a lightness that kept me tuning into this far after abandoning the other.

What are you most looking forward to the return of?

 

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new and noteworthy tv: 9/3-9/9

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In addition to the return of It’s Always Sunny on Wednesday I guess new fall tv is starting to sneak in. Stay tuned for annual posts on New and Returning Fall TV!

  • US Open Tennis (ESPN) – Play continues this week leading up to finals over the weekend, go Federer.
  • A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities (Net) Series Premiere, Monday – No word on these series comparing Taipei and Taiwanese-American community.
  • Model Squad (E!) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 8pm – If ANTM isn’t enough for you this gives a glimpse inside real models lives.
  • The Bobby Brown Story (BET) Miniseries Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – For those of you who just can’t get enough.
  • Mayans MC (Fx) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Fans of Sons of Anarchy (which I was), which had an admittedly uneven run, will tune in to this look at another motorcycle club this time in So Cal, though from the early episodes previewed by critics sounds like it’s missing some of the better aspects of the former.
  • The Purge (Syfy/USA) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – I’ve never seen any of these movies but can only assume it will have the same spirit, which for me doesn’t seem like a good one.
  • 54 Hours (SunN) Series Premiere, Thursday – A four part hostage drama based on a German bank robbery gone awry.
  • Save Me (Starz) Series Premiere, Thursday – No advance word on this suspect of a kidnapping searches for the real napper.
  • Rel (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday, 8pm – I never have high expectations for these made a comedy based on my real life, this one about a man restarting his life post divorce, but often worth a look.
  • The Miniaturist (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday, 9pm – I’m not usually a huge watcher of PBS series but you never know, this one set in 1686 Amsterdam where a bride’s gift of a miniature replica of their home conveys secrets.
  • Kidding (Show) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10pm – Jim Carrey in a show about a kids tv personality whose life starts to go awry definitely worth a look but early reviews are mixed.
  • You (Life) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10pm – Based on a novel, this “psychological thriller” follows Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley get his stalker on, maybe entertaining but likely not great.

Plus some returning streaming shows: I Love You, America (Hulu, Thursday),  Atypical (Net, Friday), Las Chicas del Cable (Net, Friday), Marvel’s Iron Fist (Net, Friday).

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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lifestyle

staycation – sausalito

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Sometimes you have a flexible schedule but maybe not enough time or money to take a real vacation, well that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like you’ve gotten away from it all for a bit. First stop the Ferry Building, you can also get a Ferry from Pier 41 but the Ferry Building is more convenient for most of downtown and is worth some time either before or after your trip. There’s Farmer’s Market Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday but even without there’s plenty of food. There are variations from more formal sit down like The Slanted Door (though pop-ins to the bar area work just as well) to Blue Bottle Coffee (I’m a recent convert to the decaf oat lattes) as well as specialty food spots plus a few nonfood items.

The Ferry itself is about a half hour and offers great views of San Francisco, Alcatraz, Golden Gate & Bay Bridges, and heading into Sausalito, and if you’re lucky like I was maybe some dolphins. Sausalito just off the Ferry is a pretty small area which makes it perfect for a little day trip. There are a handful of shops right as you disembark and right along Bridgeway Street. And while it is a bit on the touristy side there are a few galleries, Daniel Merriam’s Bubble Street Gallery is worth a look, and who can resist Soxalito for a cute pair of socks. One should definitely plan a meal stop. I hit Fish which is a chunk of a ways out of the main drag but I just wanted a casual quality piece of fish (and while a 30ish minute walk one way is doable the walk isn’t quite along the water so perhaps spring for an uber, note the Heath Ceramics factory store is also right there), I would also recommend Poggio or Sushi Ran. There are a few spots on the water, Scoma’s is pretty classic upscale seafood (I’ve only been to the SF location), but if not a meal maybe pop in to one of those spots to enjoy the view and have a drink. Since I had time to kill before the next Ferry back I was able to settle in for a tasting at Madrigal Family Winery where the tasting room brings the wine country a little bit closer.

Easy, picturesque, and a nice break from the daily grind! What’s your favorite day trip?

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/27-9/2

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How is it September already? Time to get out my back to school wear (in adult form) and prepare for Fall tv! I officially wait for the yearly Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview to let me know it’s time to get serious but some stuff will start to sneak in early. Until after Labor Day I’m still considering it summer so time to turn off the tv and get outside, or at least into a good matinee.

  • US Open Tennis (ESPN) – First round tennis play starts Monday, will it be a return of familiar faces at the end or some new blood?
  • Ink Master (Para) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – This season they’re keeping up with the bringing back of folks to keep us engaged as Cleen Rock One vs Christian Buckingham coaching newbies for the title, this is still one of my fave realities.
  • One Dollar (CBSAA) Series Premiere, Thursday – A small town mystery follows a dollar bill through the town to different people’s povs, I’m still not signing up for CBS All Access.
  • Ozark (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – It’s time to see what our pal Jason Bateman and his family are up to, this accountant/money launderer and his family trying to outlive organized and disorganized crime was one of the faves last year so hoping the Sophomore slump can give this a pass.
  • Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (Am) Series Premiere, Friday – John Krasinski is the latest to take on this role of analyst turned field agent which reportedly is solid thought not a standout on the small screen.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/20-8/26

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True confession, I got sucked into rewatching the first season of Beverly Hills 90210 (and it was almost unwatchable) only to find that it was the only season on Prime. Do I really need to throw down for Hulu to get old shows as well as originals? Not just that but other shows no longer seem to be found on Netflix or Prime, including things like the final season of Unreal. Until I decide I’m making some progress on Big Love, Fortitude, Alias Grace, and Rectify.

  • Deadwind (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday – This Finnish series brings us a new detective trying to get over her husband’s death and solve the murder of a young woman.
  • Rob Riggles Ski Master Academy (Crack) Series Premiere, Thursday – This comedy follows a ski master and his staff defend their academy.
  • Ghoul (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – A three part horror series where a prisoner turns the tables on his interrogators.
  • The Innocents (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Two teens run away and find more secrets including perhaps some secret powers.
  • Safe Harbour (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday – Five Australians on a yachting vacation turns awry when they find refugees on a fishing boat in this four part thriller.

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted as appropriate are typically PST.

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