tv

returning fall favorites

No Comments

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?

 

Continue Reading

tv

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

No Comments

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.

Continue Reading

lifestyle

staycation – sausalito

No Comments

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?

Continue Reading

tv

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

No Comments

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.

Continue Reading

tv

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

No Comments

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.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 8/13-8/19

No Comments

This week’s accomplishments include finishing out some gym viewing with Grace & Frankie and the series wrap of Love, both of which were about as fulfilling as they needed to be. I also hit the three part series A Very English Scandal which starring Hugh Grant’s deep side part and a host of great acting made it worth a watch for a look into this political scandal. I sampled Carter from last week which in peak tv didn’t quite make the list and without good reviews of All About the Washingtons or Insatiable, that leaves me with Lodge 49 which was definitely intriguing enough to go for another. I’m also kind of sticking with both Burden of Truth, a decent enough legal drama (for summer) and the reality competition Making It, which isn’t amazing but fun to see the random crafts these folks come up with.

  • Ronny Chieng: International Student (Com App) Series Premiere, Monday – The Daily Show’s Chieng gives us this comedy about studying abroad.
  • Disenchantment (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Matt Groening brings another animated tale, this one a spoof on fairy tale fantasy though rumor hasn’t it has potential but isn’t quite there.
  • The Investigator (Net) Season Premiere, Sunday – Not much info around on this returning series.

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.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 8/6-8/12

No Comments

This week’s wrap up included Black Mirror, which I’ve noted is well done but too depressing with its technology doom tales for me, as well as tech tale with questionable doom Humans, and am wondering if we’ll get a fourth season of that. Now moving on to sample Big Love, Fortitude, and A Very English Scandal.

  • Lodge 49 (AMC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – They’re describing this as a light-hearted, endearing modern fable, set in Long Beach a local ex surfer ends up looking for purpose in life at a lodge, reportedly this one is worth a look.
  • Carter (WGN) Tuesday, 10pm – Jerry O’Connell brings another take on the light-hearted with a turn as an actor who plays a detective becoming a detective after a public melt down, maybe just put he and Rachel Bilson together for Take Two Carter, though it’s probably not amazing O’Connell (like Bilson) is likable enough.
  • All About the Washingtons (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons throws down with an autobiographical scripted family sitcom with hip hop artist spending more time at home to raise the kids, who knows?
  • Insatiable (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – So this has been getting buzz just off of the previews for fat shaming as former fat girls is out for payback, I’ll stay tuned for reviews before adding to my queue.
  • La Casa de las Flores (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – This dark comedy about a family running a flower business with the patriarch has to take in his kids with his recently passed mistress, quien sabe?
  • Ordeal by Innocence (Am) Mini Series Premiere, Friday – An adaptation of Agatha Christie’s tale brings light to a family’s maybe murderer(s), looks like a good cast but will stay tuned.

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

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 7/30-8/5

No Comments

Another lackluster week for anything shiny and new. I did manage to wrap up my backlogged Underground, though honestly I think I didn’t enjoy season 2 as much with its broader focus. I also wrapped up In Treatment which after over one hundred episodes of therapy I’m not sure whether anyone is any more sane but I’m going to miss it.

  • A Very Secret Service (Net) Season Premiere, Monday – A silly take on the spy biz returns, even though I haven’t tuned in.
  • Making It (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – A latest reality entrant which caught my eye because it’s on network tv and because the host duo of Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman make me intrigued as to what these makers will get up to.
  • The Sinner (USA) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – This show, which I tuned out of, returns with a new mystery behind the crime scenario.

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

Continue Reading

tv

gym tv

No Comments

I’ve somehow had a few recent conversations about good tv to watch at the gym. Since I’m a very irregular gym goer my main draw for doing some cardio is having a good distracting show. I prefer streaming series to avoid commercials, half hour ‘comedies’ to keep the arc short, and since I watch on my phone nothing too dark (visually not tonally) or subtitled. Update: I should note something I realized while tuning into season 4 of Transparent that some of these shows have ‘adult’ content which I think is fine on my small phone but one may be wary in gym or other viewing.

Here’s some of the good ones in some semblance of recommendation order:

  • Bored to Death (Prime) – This series originally aired on HBO is the perfect gym show, Jason Schwartzman as a novelist with a craigslist ad as a PI gets into a new ridiculous caper each week along with delightfully flawed Ted Danson and Zach Galifinakis.
  • One Mississippi (Prime) – This show which should have been renewed beyond the two seasons available was a lovely trip with Tig Notaro’s semi-autobiographical character returning home to after her mother dies gives the offbeat local color as well as Tig’s voice through the show and the radio show she hosts within the show, I just always looked forward to the next episode.
  • Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix) – Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant are the perfect couple to follow on this suburban zombie story which is more over the top amusing than scary though there’s plenty of blood to mess up those pretty homes they’re trying to sell as realtors while trying to keep their business and family together.
  • Catastrophe (Prime) – This offbeat couple of Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney meeting in London for a traveling tryst gets complicated when she gets pregnant but their complications continue as does their humor while things continue to go awry but it’s really the way the two relate in a less than romantic comedy way that makes the moments.
  • Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (Netflix) – Since these usually run closer to 15 minutes, Seinfeld’s conversations with various comedians don’t amount to much but they do make nice filler if I’ve got a little time left on the elliptical but don’t want to start a while fresh episode.
  • One Day At A Time (Netflix) – This show is a very successful retake (remake, reboot?) on the original and while the characters are all great they’re a little too focused on the very special episode topics which add nicely done dramatic turns to the comedy but tends to not work as well for me at the gym.
  • Transparent (Prime) – I have yet to dive into the latest season but this was one of the first streamers I really enjoyed as this family of adult children deal with their father’s decision to come out as Moira a trans woman, and of course they’re all just generally a mess.
  • Fleabag (Prime) – Phoebe Waller-Bridge does the trick of keeping her protagonist close to the line of likable and relatable and while not always on the right side of that line she blunders her way through each episode as a woman dealing with family and tragedy.
  • Love (Netflix) – Also in the less than likable protagonist way this brings together two people that you might only wish on each other but Gillian Jacobs and Paul Rust somehow keep the relationship and the series something that you want to keep tuning in for.
  • Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix) – I enjoyed the earlier seasons a bit more than the latter, I have yet to tune into this most recent release, but Ellie Kemper returning to the real world after spending 15 years in a bunker being brings such enthusiasm to each interaction you can’t help but be amused by the ridiculousness that ensues.
  • Grace & Frankie (Netflix) – While this isn’t the best show I generally am entertained by each episode if not by the relationship of the polar opposite characters of Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin then by the escapades of their exes and their adult children.
  • The Tick* (Prime) – I watched this in the comfort of my own home and though it might be a bit on the dark side (visually) it is a very fun and pretty unique tone on the superhero scene and could work well for gym viewing.
  • Master of None* (Netflix) – I watched this at home as well but Aziz Ansari’s semi-autobiographical take on trying to figure it all out as each episode has its own take and adds up to something much better, this is another one of those that starts good but just gets better.
  • Glow* (Netflix) – I liked the first season quite a bit and am going to try swapping this into the gym rotation for season two as the gorgeous ladies of wrestling gathers Alison Brie and some additional misfits to try to throw down, some nice turns by Brie and Marc Maron among others.

And for the record there are a few streaming shows that I still recommend heartily but not for the gym

  • In Treatment (HBO/Prime) – This series is great and I tried it at the gym and it really didn’t work, it’s just too serious and play-like to keep a quick pace on the treadmill but you should check out the therapist in his sessions with various patients.
  • Dear White People (Netflix) – While a good series, the second season I thought better than the first, there is too much computer typing shown on screen to work well on the smaller screen but give it a look for complexities of race and other college foibles at an Ivy League College through a radio show and other interactions.
  • Bojack Horseman (Netflix) – I’ve just been doing this series since before my gym habit and while the broad comedy here might work the nuance of those visuals I think warrants a bigger screen, if you haven’t checked out the odd animated take on this alt world following BoJack who takes depression and self-sabotage to a new level but the nuances of characters is as amusing as it is dark.

While I’m still pretty inconsistent about the gym these shows are prolific enough to keep me going for now but let me know any other good picks in the comments, who knows I could start working out more!

* These three shows would likely be higher on the list if gym tested.

Continue Reading

tv

new and noteworthy tv: 7/23-7/29

No Comments

As I keep poking around streaming options it makes me wonder again if I should take a look at Hulu in addition to Amazon Prime and Netflix, but then it makes me wonder if I should look at reevaluating my cable again, and then I put off any looking at all.

  • Castle Rock (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday – JJ Abrams taking on Stephen King, material totally worth a shot.
  • Burden of Truth (CW) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 8pm – Big city lawyer’s return to her hometown leads to a look into a mysterious illness, no high hopes.
  • Orange is the New Black (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – I was a little over the prison takeover last season but still enough good character drama to make me want to check out the women hitting maximum security, but maybe just not right away.
  • Welcome to the Family (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – An offbeat comedy where a woman teams up with her father’s girlfriend after his death when they’re both left out of his will, there are so many new series I tend to wonder if those with little info aren’t up to snuff or just victims of the glut.

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

Continue Reading