We’re still all about the Olympics with closing ceremonies on Sunday. If you’re looking for more inspiring stories you can catch My Last Days (CW) Wednesday, 9pm for a docuseries that takes a look at folks with terminal illnesses and what they’re accomplishing. Or just tune in to Superstore (NBC), a show I ended up finding amusing, with a special Friday episode (which is apparently is standalone and outside the timeline that last season left off).
new and noteworthy tv: 8/8-8/14
This week brings another Netflix show on Friday, Baz Luhrman’s The Get Down set in 1970s hip-hop world, it’s been described as a mess but with both good and bad things mixed in. And Hallmark’s Chesapeake Shores on Sunday based on the bestselling Sherryl Woods novel with a divorcee and mother returning home, which just sounds Hallmarky. And of course a lot more Olympics.
new and noteworthy tv: 8/1-8/7
This week is all about the start of the Olympics. I tend to follow the sports that NBC deems important by placement in prime time but am particularly looking forward to Beach Volleyball, Swimming, and Tennis. Don’t miss, but don’t feel bad about fast forwarding through, the Opening Ceremony Friday, starting at 7:30. And then circulate NBCSN, USA (both of which actually start soccer on Wednesday), Bravo, MSNBC, and of course NBC. And you can dabble in some of the lesser seen sports like handball, rowing, fencing, archery, and perhaps judo.
new and noteworthy tv: 7/25-7/31
For those of you who tired of the Republican National Convention (Various) we’ve moved on to the Democratic National Convention… And did I mention the new season of BoJack Horseman is out?
- MadTV (CW) Tuesday, 9pm – Sketch comedy returns.
- Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle (Com) Thursday, 10pm – A four night comedic contest.
- Last Chance U (Net) Friday – College football docuseries.
- Rogers Cup (ESPN2) Sunday, 10am/1pm – More of the tennis season.
- Kerri Walsh Jennings: Gold Within (NBC) Sunday, 1pm – Beach Volleyball’s golden girl.
- Teen Choice (Fox) Sunday, 8pm – John Cena and Victoria Justice host, at least I know who Cena is.
- Sharknado (Syfy) Sunday, 8pm – Apparently this is happening again.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.
new and noteworthy tv: 7/11-7/17
Well Wimbledon is over with so now to return to the queue and I’ll be adding Mr. Robot back in this week.
- Capital (Piv) Series Premiere, Mon-Thur, 10pm – English drama that I’ve heard nothing about on a network I don’t think I get plays its four eps this week.
- Difficult People (Hulu) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 3am – I don’t throw down for Hulu but this show is supposed to be amusing.
- ESPY Awards (ABC) Wednesday, 8pm – John Cena hosts some of the best moments in sports.
- Suits/Mr. Robot (USA) Season Premieres, Wednesday 9/10pm – Two very different USA shows return and while I’ve given up on Suits I’m very much in to see what season two of the odd Robot brings.
- Stranger Things (Net) Series Premiere, Friday, 3am – Winona Ryder returns in this ’80s Indiana mystery of a boy who disappears dipping into secret experiments, I’ll pass on this unless I’m later hearing it’s worthwhile.
- Vice Principals (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10:30pm – Dark comedy with Danny McBride and Walton Goggins worth a look.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.
netflix originals
There’s nothing new or noteworthy this week, except of course some fireworks tonight, so I thought I’d do a little roundup of some of the original programming on Netflix that could bide your time. The notes in parens are how many seasons I’ve seen of available and an underline notes a recommendation.
- House of Cards (3 of 4, renewed) – The first season of this was totally riveting and while the following seasons haven’t captured that magic it’s still pretty engaging.
- Hemlock Grove (3 of 3, ended) – This show is so bad I couldn’t turn away, it’s a wackadoodle town with a bad werewolf on the loose and that’s not the only supernatural occurrence afoot, and then it got worse.
- Arrested Development (1 of 1, renewed) – Definitely didn’t capture the magic of the original show but if you enjoyed the series this is worth catching (and if you haven’t watched the original series give it a look), curious to see what comes next.
- Orange is the New Black (3 of 4, renewed) – The main character is basically annoying, but fortunately they do a nice job of making each episode focus not only on the ongoing story but on lots of the quite interesting other individual characters.
- BoJack Horseman (2 of 2, renewed) – This turns out to be one of my favorite shows, and it did have to grow on me, as we get a look at washed up former star and his pretty depressing life, did I mention it’s an animated world of animal type people and people?
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2 of 2, renewed) – I enjoyed and cranked right through this comedy about a woman returning from bunker captivity, the format allows for our protagonist to merry whimsical childlike qualities with some depressing adult subject matter, with a handful of irregular sidekicks.
- Bloodline (1 of 2) – I was intrigued by this and stuck through the first season based on cast and some good buzz alone but was underwhelmed by the unfolding of the season and am skipping season two.
- Marvel’s Daredevil (2 of 2) – This grew on me over the first season but come second season the combination of lackluster characters and muddled story made me weary, though I’m sticking with it for the Marvel universe tie-ins with other Netflix shows.
- Grace and Frankie (2 of 2, renewed) – This show isn’t revolutionary but Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin still make a great team and with their extended family of former spouses and kids makes a nice ensemble.
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (1 of 1, renewed) – I enjoyed the original movie enough and really appreciated what they were trying to do by picking up those threads in this series but it’s really only for a die-hard fan.
- Narcos (1 of 1, renewed) – This was another one of those shows that was probably quite well done but I just never did enjoy the histori-drama enough to tune back in to next season of Colombian drug lords and the cops who are tasked with thwarting them.
- Longmire (Season 4, renewed) – I really enjoyed this series when it was on A&E and wasn’t disappointed in the season that came after its transplant, with our sheriff, some odd crimes, and beautiful country.
- Marvel’s Jessica Jones (1 of 1, renewed) – I thought this latest Marvel was quite engaging, as it felt more noir detective than superhero and our clearly flawed protagonist fought inner and outer demons, excited for the return and the also introduced Luke Cage.
- Master of None (1 of 1, renewed) – Aziz Ansari most known from Parks & Recreation creates a somewhat autobiographical comedic look which grows into a decent season arc.
- Love / Flaked (1 of 1, renewed) – A couple of ‘comedy’ shows about unlikable characters and the messes that are their lives, and I didn’t love either one but something compelled me to crank through each.
I tried but couldn’t:
- Marco Polo (1 season, renewed) – A look at the early years with Kublai Khan and the Mongolian Empire didn’t keep my attention.
- F is for Family (1 season, renewed) – I heard good buzz about this animated sitcom but alas to me not so much funny.
- The Ranch (1 season, renewed) – Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Debra Winger and Sam Elliott make a nice lineup of a family with prodigal son returned but for me no real laughs.
- Lady Dynamite (1 season, renewed) – I wasn’t won over by the odd comedian’s take but a friend just gave me a pitch to give it another go so I will.
Are they or aren’t they on the to do list?
- The Killing (Season 4, ended) – Negative, I gave up on this show after season 2.
- Sense8 (1 season, renewed) – This is one of those ones that everyone seems to say gets good about mid-way through so perhaps.
- Club de Cuervos (1 season, renewed) – I think I missed this Spanish language debut, and no buzz makes me dubious.
- Marseille (1 season, renewed) – Pass, I haven’t heard much good about this one.
- W/Bob & David (1 season) – I’m not a huge sketch comedy fan.
- Fuller House (1 season, renewed) – Not a watcher of the original so missing the nostalgia desire to tune back in.
- Netflix Presents: The Characters (1 of 1, ended) – As noted not a huge sketch comedy viewer.
- Hibana (1 season) – Remotely interested in taking a look at this Japanese novel adaptation if the queue weren’t so full.
Not including exclusive international distribution with examples like: The Fall (BBC) 2 of 2 seasons, River (BBC) 1 of 1, and most recent Marcella (ITV) 1 season.
new and noteworthy tv: 6/27-7/3
The Tunnel didn’t suck me in but not sure how much of that is having seen The Bridge, I’ll give it another to feel it out. I’ll also give another to Thirteen which was intriguing enough and the fun Queen of the South. American Gothic wasn’t as laugh out loud bad as I’d read it might be but it definitely wasn’t good. I’ve also finally finished Hemlock Grove which honestly just got worse with each episode. Tuning back into the latest season of Orange is the New Black and starting Roots.
- Dead of Summer (Free) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – Reopening a summer camp horror style.
- Barely Famous (VH1) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – This comedic take on reality shows with the two sisters’ foibles is actually pretty funny.
- Greatest Hits (ABC) Series Premiere, Thursday, 9pm – Chunks of time starting with the 80’s and some performances by bands of yore.
- All or Nothing (Am) Series Premiere, Friday, 3am – A look into the workings of the NFL.
- Marcella (Net) Series Premiere, Friday, 3am – This latest drama has a detective returning to work after twelve years.
- Marco Polo (Net) Season Premiere, Friday, 3am – I didn’t ever quite get into this.
- Killjoys (Syfy) Season Premiere, Friday, 9pm – This space bounty hunters show is a perfect summer series.
- Wimbledon (ESPN) Monday, 4am – Let the fortnight begin.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.
new and noteworthy tv: 6/20-6/26
From last week I think it was a pass on Wrecked, Uncle Buck, and Guilt. But Animal Kingdom is in and another look to be had at Brain Dead. This week I’m probably most optimistic for Thirteen if only because it’s on BBCA
- Greenleaf (OWN) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – A soapie new family drama set in the world of ministry.
- American Gothic (CBS) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – When someone in your family is involved in murders and that they may not be the only one in the family.
- Queen of the South (USA) Series Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – On the run after your drug dealing boyfriend is murdered.
- Thirteen (BBCA) Series Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – Returned after a 13 year disappearance, let’s hope this is better than The Family.
- The $100,000 Pyramid/Match Game (ABC) Series Premiere, Sunday, 9/10pm – Return of some more great game shows of yesteryear.
- Roadies (Show) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10pm- Comedy, about roadies, from Cameron Crowe, let’s hope it reaches the Almost Famous-ish level.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.
new and noteworthy tv: 6/13-6/19
Things are picking up again with some summer series, something might be worth it.
- Guilt (Free) Series Premiere, Monday, 9pm – A true crime-ish fictional look at an Amanda Knox-ish case done
ABCFamilyFreeform style. - Braindead (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – A political look with a goofy aliens are eating brains twist, who knows.
- Spartan (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – I think this is group ninja warrior.
- Animal Kingdom (TNT) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – I recall that the film this was based on was a pretty brutal look at crime family and think it’s transport to Southern California will keep at least some of that grit, with Ellen Barkin as matriarch, worth a look.
- Uncle Buck (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – If you had been waiting for a series version of this 1989 movie here you go, with Mike Epps leading the way.
- Famously Single (E) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – A bunch of ‘famous’ people move into a house for a look at their questionable romantic history.
- To Tell the Truth (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – Anderson Cooper hosts the new incarnation of this guess who the real person is.
- Wrecked (TBS) Series Premiere, Tuesday 10pm – It’s Lost done half hour comedy style, not optimistic but I’ll take a look.
- Dual Survivor (Disc) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 9pm – Are they working together for survival?
- Orange is the New Black (Net) Season Premiere, Friday, 3am – I still find this show worth tuning into for the breadth of stories they’re able to tell.
- Homestead Rescue (Disc) Series Premier, Friday, 10pm – Helping out folks who are trying to live off the grid, and failing.
- Mother May I Sleep with Danger (Life) Saturday, 8pm – I don’t know that I ever actually saw the original but this was held up as a key Lifetime movie sort of title, and the James Franco remake with a new lesbian vampire approach could be just terrible enough to work.
- The Tunnel (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday, 10:30pm – This remake of the Swedish or American (The Bridge) in UK/France could be worth a look.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.
new and noteworthy tv: 6/6-6/12
Well I am definitely excited for the return of UnReal, and early critical buzz is it’s still good. Too much of last week was spent watching the so bad I can’t turn away Hemlock Grove on Netflix, I was after all looking for something junky.
- Barbarians Rising (Hist) Series Premiere, Monday, 9pm – The barbarian side of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
- UnReal (Life) Season Premiere, Monday, 10pm – This was one of my favorite shows from last year a surprisingly riveting look behind the scenes of an imaginary Bachelor type dating show, Bachelor viewing not required,
- Casual (Hulu) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 3am – I don’t get Hulu but this is supposed to be good.
- People’s List (ABC) Saturday, 8pm – From People Magazine I believe they’re telling us who is currently being talked about.
- OJ: Made in America (ABC) Saturday, 9pm – This docuseries is supposed to be quite well done and a nice complement if you recently wrapped the FX series, don’t miss the secondary episodes when they move to ESPN.
- Tony Awards (CBS) Sunday, 8pm – Didn’t we already just award everything to Hamilton?
- Still the King (CMT) Series Premiere, Sunday, 9pm – A new half hour comedy where a one hit wonder played by Billy Ray Cyrus returns home to find he’s got more family than when he left.
The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.