Is it possible that there is nothing new or noteworthy on this week? Aside from Wednesday’s America’s Next Top Model season finale and the American Music Awards on Sunday I don’t have much to report. I do vote for Analeigh to be the winner. On Top Model, not the AMAs.
my schedule
Well another year of television and almost everything has started. Until they cancel more stuff, move stuff around, or we get to midseason changes here is where things seem to be settling in for me. I wouldn’t recommend it all but it’s what I watch, or at least what I tend to tivo (I am still trying to narrow this down to no more than two shows per timeslot).
Monday 
- 8pm: NBC – Chuck (CBS – The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother) (CW – Gossip Girl)
- 9pm: NBC – Heroes (CBS – 2 1/2 Men/ABC – Samantha Who?)
Tuesday
- 8pm: Fox – House
- 9pm: CBS – The Mentalist (CW – Privileged)
- 10pm: NBC – Eli Stone (NBC – L&O: SVU)
Wednesday 
- 8pm: Fox – Bones (ABC – Pushing Daisies) (CBS – The New Adventures of Old Christine/Gary Unmarried)
- 9pm: NBC – Life
- 10pm: ABC – Dirty Sexy Money (NBC – L&O)
Thursday
- 8pm: NBC – My Name is Earl
- 9pm: NBC – The Office/30 Rock (ABC – Grey’s Anatomy)
- 10pm: ABC – Life on Mars
Friday 
- 9pm: CBS – The Ex List (CW – ANTM encore)
- 10pm: CBS – Numb3rs
Saturday
- Nothing
Sunday
- 9pm: CW – Easy Money
But wait there’s more… known midseason and cable picks: Breaking Bad (AMC), Burn Notice (USA), Celebrity Rehab (VH1), The Closer (TNT), Dexter (Show), Eureka (SciFi), Flight of the Conchords (HBO), Greek (Fam), Lost (ABC), Project Runway (Bravo), Reaper (CW), Saving Grace (TNT), Scrubs (ABC), Sons of Anarchy (FX).
next week 9/1
New and notable in the week ahead, procrastinator picks are underlined.
Monday
- Gossip Girl (CW, 8pm — repeats Sun/6pm) Season Premiere – What has become of split couples Blair/Chuck and Serena/Dan? Something tells me someone will be doing it as we greet our gang in the Hamptons before we return to school.
- Prison Break (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – This two hour premiere continues the ridiculous brothers and others criminal chase, now apparently they’re working for homeland security… loved this show first season and can’t tune in now.
- One Tree Hill (CW, 9pm – repeats Sun 7pm) Season Premiere – I think that Lucas is still deciding between Brooke and Peyton and some other girls.
- The Middleman (ABC Fam, 10pm) Season Finale – I actually found this show pretty enjoyable with its mix of comicy humor and sarcastic fun as the Middleman and his trusty sidekick Wendy fight the weird.
- Raising the Bar (TNT, 10pm- repeats 9/2) Series Premiere – This courtroom drama is getting average reviews, but if courtroom dramas are you thing it might not be all bad with Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Gloria Reuben, and Jane Kaczmarek.
Tuesday
- 90210 (CW, 8pm – repeats Th/8pm) Series Premiere – This two hour event returns us to beloved West Beverly Hills High School along with a returning principal and his transplanted family, and Brenda is on for at least 4 eps and Kelly is the guidance counselor, apparently they’re more mature now.
- The Shield (Fx, 10pm – repeats) Season Premiere – This final season starts with more drama, I have yet to catch this cop series but it’s in the queue as folks say great things.
Wednesday
- America’s Next Top Model (CW, 8pm – repeats Sun, 8pm) Season Premiere – The latest ladies (and one preop transgender gal) are cast in the two hour launch for another round of ridiculous drama and surprisingly engaging modelicious challenges that always promise to bring out the fierce.
- Bones (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – This show returns with a two hour premiere as Booth and Bones do their special forensic anthropologic fbi investigations in England, promises lots of good fun.
- Ghost Hunters/Destination Truth (Sci fi, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Ghost hunting and paranormal mosques oh my.
- Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 10pm- repeats) Series Premiere – This one hour+ show starts out with family issues and rival motorcycle gang hijinks.
- Top Design (Bravo, 10pm – repeats) Season Premiere – This 75 minute starter has the gang designing a loft, of course with limited time and money.
Thursday
- Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Gordon takes two hours to revisit kitchen’s he’s harassed before.
- Republican National Conventions (Various channels) – The convention wraps up its Minneapolis coverage that started Monday.
Friday
- Stand Up to Cancer (ABC/CBS/NBC, 8pm) – A big gang of celebs support cancer research (and oppose cancer).
- Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Kathy Ireland and the State Superintendent of Georgia meet the new 5th grade class in the 2 hour premiere.
- Samurai Girl (ABC Fam, 6/8pm – Sa/Su 8 and various times) – This six-part miniseries follows a girl whose marriage is interrupted and must avenge her family’s honor, or something like that.
Saturday
- Cops/America’s Most Wanted (Fox, 8/9pm) Season Premieres – The folks they are criminals and must be gotten.
- US Open Tennis (USA, throughout the week, CBS Fri-Sun) – The gang raps up this hard court run with a champ Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday
- Hole in the Wall (Fox, 8pm) Series Premiere – This is the one where contestants have to shape their bodies to fit through holes they’re thrust through.
- America United: Support of Our Troops (ABC, 9pm) – Folks like Pam Anderson and Jessica Simpson honor the troops.
- MTV VMAs (MTV, 9pm – repeats) – Host Russell Brand keeps it moving, we hear no Britney but I’m sure the Jonas Brothers will show.
- True Blood (HBO, 9pm) Series Premiere – Alan Ball of Six Feet Under takes another pass at tv with this vampires live among us but they’re drinking synthetic blood, or are they, series based on books by Charlaine Harris.
- Entourage (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – The guys are back as Vincent Chase and buddies deal with business and pleasure.
Check your local listings for final times and repeat showings.
tv guide fall preview
Labor day is upon us and fall is here! TV Guide still does a nice job laying out the new season. I am a big fan of the printable premiere calendar and of course the grid of what’s on when: http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview-2008/
Sadly as I take a closer gander at scheduling it’s looking a little cramped in a couple of slots. Monday at 8 with Big Bang/HIMYMother, Gossip Girl, Terminator, and Chuck. Then Wednesday at 8 with Pushing Daisies, Old Christine, ANTM, and Bones. I like to limit myself to two shows max per time slot so I’m going to have to make some accommodations. At least CW typically reruns ANTM and GGirl, and of course there’s some stuff online. I mean who could think of dropping a show, for other than enjoyment considerations, but that’s often how it happens for me. And of course I never expect the new shows to all hit so I should be able to drop one of the cramped Tuesday at 9 options of The Mentalist, Privileged, and Fringe (sadly the cute Joanna Garcia may lose to the cuter Simon Baker and of course JJ Abrams newest product).
So poke around and see what’s going to be happening. I will of course continue to note the premieres in the Next Weeks. And as soon as I hear a little more from the critics I’ll let you know what of the new stuff we’re all most excited about.
more fall fun
So some folks were asking about shows that they know I watch but weren’t listed in Fall Favorites… By now folks know I watch and enjoy more shows than a person probably should. In addition to previously noted favorites Bones, Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Gossip Girl, Heroes, The Office, Pushing Daisies, and 30 Rock, there are a few other returning shows that typically hit my tivo:
- America’s Next Top Model (CW, Wed 9/3 ) – Yes Tyra is annoying but it’s not really about her, it’s about the annoying wannabe models and this year they promise a transgender contestant.
- Big Bang Theory (CBS, Mon 9/22) – I don’t love this show but Sheldon makes me laugh enough, and Darlene is joining her Roseanne boyfriend as a regular this season.
- Brothers & Sisters (ABC, Sun, 9/28) – I almost don’t even like this show but I can’t help but tune in to see what mess the Walker family is getting into and this season we should see the real illegitimate half sibling.
- Criminal Minds (CBS, Wed 9/24) – I usually actually only catch this special FBi unit cathing the brutal serial killer of the week show in repeats.
- Eli Stone (ABC, Tues 10/14) – This quirky guy with visions that may be leading him along won me over, but did we really leave him in a coma after an operation?
- Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, Thurs 9/25) – Yes Grey herself is totally annoying but maybe as she theoretically sticks with McDreamy this season we can focus on the rest of the good supporting cast.
- House (Fox, Tues 9/16) – Last year’s shakeup to cranky House’s team gave him some new fodder, though they didn’t find a good balance yet of old and new, and what of best bro after his girlie’s death?
- How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Mon 9/22) – This show still has a lot of hilarity, though I don’t care how he met the mother, or whether it is or isn’t Sarah Chalke.
- Law & Order (NBC, midseason) – I dropped this for a few years but found myself tuning back in this last season as the current ensemble seems to be working.
- Law & Order: SVU (NBC, Tues 9/23) – I know this show is all about Stabler and Benson but I don’t love them, though I keep tuning in, this is the one with the sex crime slant.
- Life (NBC, Mon 9/29) – This detective back on the force after being falsely accused amused and interested with his oddball antics though not so much on the conspiracy of his conviction.
- Lost (ABC, midseason) – Well I loved the start of last season but at the end of the day was a little underwhelmed by the Oceanic 6 getting off and having to go back, this season starts a new chapter, I’m very curious and definitely still in.
- My Name is Earl (NBC, Thurs 9/25) – I am still amused enough by Earl and his trashy family getting his karma back in line, though bored by the coma version of Earl and the normally likable Alyssa Milano.
- The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, Wed 9/24) – I still think this is a great role for Dreyfus to do broad funny as an crazy and awkward single mom with her misfit family.
- Numbers (CBS, Fri 10/3) – This isn’t a great procedural but the interplay between FBI and math genius brothers solving cases works, though math brother just lost his credentials, whatever will they do.
- Reaper (CW, midseason) – This show started strong last season and almost lost me with its capture of the week but the devil’s bounty hunter and friends found a new rhythm by introducing some additional intrigue, and the devil is fantastic.
- Samantha Who? (ABC, Mon 10/6) – Applegate is winning as her post amnesia persona tries to marry her old bad ways with her new clean slate.
- Scrubs (ABC, midseason) – I was surprised by the network move though I think this show has a great cast and good balance of silly fun, though we’ll see how well they transition to the predicted new young cast additions.
- Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox, Mon 9/8) – This show grew on me as the cast and intrigue were better developed while Sarah and her son John try to change the future by jumping years with the help of hot chick terminator Summer Glau.
- Two and a Half Men (CBS, Mon 9/22) – This show’s lost its edge a bit for me as the brothers work their odd couple dynamic with lazy kid getting less cute as he grows up, but there are still some good laughs.
And before you ask, current cable faves include: Battlestar Galactica (behind but catching on dvd), Breaking Bad, Burn Notice, The Closer, Dexter (dvd), Eureka, Flight of the Conchords, Greek, Project Runway, The Riches (yet to be renewed), and Saving Grace.
reality detox
I made a decree a few years ago that I wasn’t adding any more reality television, I just watch too much television and I can be easily sucked into nearly anything. I also decided that I’d be dropping a few of the regulars, ANTM obviously made the cut, Survivor and American Idol did not (I did tune back into AI this last season but that’s it, I’m pretty sure). I watched my first full episode of the Bachelorette just to be able to contribute to the conversation of what kind of guy I thought was cute (of that lot, Graham, but not just because he’s super hot).
I tried not to sample too much of the new options that they trotted out over the years though I was a big fan of Rock Star: INXS/Supernova. Last year when I expanded my television from network to basic cable my channel surfing led me to review a show or two more. After some sampling, Project Runway is a keeper, I love the personalities but it’s the clothes each week that kept me coming back. Rock of Love stayed on the tivo for the first season but I couldn’t stay on the train wreck through season two.
Last season I was so indignant about the new show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew that I almost didn’t watch the first episode. Now I knew Dr Drew was a real Dr, I had listened to Loveline on KROQ back when it started and was Dr Drew and the Poorman, but I didn’t realize he was an addiction specialist. I still had my doubts as I thought reality had sunk to a new low. But you can tell where this is heading, I was addicted.
Sure there was a train wreck aspect to things, but I was again surprised at how I came to be interested in the lives of people who I really couldn’t care less about. When Jeff Conaway left we all thought he was going to die when he checked out, and were frustrated that Chyna was having trouble even identifying/admitting what her problem was, and we all hoped that they would make it. Dr Drew and the staff really appeared to want to help these people and seeing them struggle with the filmed/celebrity aspect of the show was a challenge that I wonder how it will change in the next season.
And you can tell where this is leading, there is a next season. Casting is confirmed as: Jeff Conaway (back after back surgeries to give it another go), Sean Stewart (reality specialist and son of Rod/Sons of Hollywood), Amber Smith (model/actress?), Rodney King (from back when reality made people famous), Nikki McKibbon (this year’s American Idol), Steven Adler (this year’s rocker from Guns n Roses) and Tawny Kitaen (Actress?). And we also have Gary Busey (this year’s Baldwin sharing his path to sobriety – 13 years sober from his cocaine addiction?).
I assume this means they’ll be checking in now, but we won’t see shows until around October. Does that mean to fill this summer I should watch more Denise Richards or Living Lohan? The answer to that is no.
fall is in the air
Well we’ve had a week to wrap up the up fronts where networks tout their fall and onward tv seasons for advertisers, so let’s take a look at what looks like it will look like:
ABC
New:
- Life on Mars – David E Kelley’s version of BBC series where cop transports back to 1970s
- Opportunity Knocks – Game show where they knock on your door, or something
Returning: 20/20, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Boston Legal (final season), Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Samantha Who?, Supernanny, Ugly Betty, Wife Swap
Midseason returns: According to Jim, The Bachelor, Lost, Scrubs (New from NBC)
Noteworthy not returning: Men in Trees, Miss Guided, October Road, Women’s Murder Club
CBS
New:
- Eleventh Hour – Jerry Bruckheimer’s latest, adapting from the british 4 part sci fi series dealing with mysterious cases
- The Ex List – This one is based on an Israeli show where a psychic tells a woman she has already met her true love and so she revisits the exes
- The Mentalist – Simon Baker uses his powers of observation to solve crimes
- Project Gary – Comedy starring Jay Mohr as a recent divorce, and contractor which might explain the ‘project’ part
- Worst Week – This comedy of newly engaged couple is another BBC show made over american style
Returning: 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, Big Bang Theory, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Ghost Whisperer, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, New Adventures of Old Christine, Numb3rs, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, The Unit, Without a Trace
Midseason returns: Rules of Engagement
Noteworthy not returning: Moonlight, Shark
CW
New:
- 90210 – The next generation, as a new brother and sister move and start at West Beverly High, including pop bys by Jennie Garth as Guidance Counselor
- Surviving the Filthy Rich – With Reba’s JoAnna Garcia as nanny to rich kids, based on a book series
- Stylista – New reality from Tyra Banks where folks compete to work at Elle
Noteworthy note: Contracting out Sunday nights to production finance company Media Rights Capital who will be responsible for two dramas and two comedies and selling the ad time.
- FAT City, IM Valentine, Book of Murphy, Surviving Suburbia
Returning: ANTM, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural
Midseason return: Reaper
Noteworthy not returning: Aliens in America, Girlfriends, New Amsterdam
Fox
New:
- Fringe – JJ Abrams latest starring Joshua Jackson teaming up to investigate unexplained phenomena, I wanna say like the x-files
- Do Not Disturb – Comedy starring Jerry O’Connell working at one of NY’s uber hip hotels
Returning: American Dad, America’s Most Wanted, Bones, Cops, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Family Guy, House, King of the Hill, Kitchen Nightmares, Moment of Truth, Prison Break, Simpsons, Smarter than a 5th Grader, Terminator, Til Death
Midseason return: 24, American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen.
Noteworthy not returning: Back to You
NBC
New:
- Crusoe – As in Robinson…
- Kath & Kim – Molly Shannon and Selma Blair in remake of Australian sitcom about mother and daughter living together again
- Knight Rider – If you caught the ‘hit’ tv movie you’re familiar with this remake
- My Own Worst Enemy – Christian Slater as a gov agent/normal guy whose two lives start to blur
- Thursday Night Live – Special SNL shows leading up to the elections
Returning: The Biggest Loser, Chuck, Dateline, Deal or No Deal, Heroes, E.R. (final season), L&O:SVU, Life, Lipstick Jungle, My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock
Midseason returning: Friday Night Lights, L&O, Medium
Noteworthy not returning: Bionic Woman, Journeyman, Las Vegas
Additional Notes:
Tons of new shows scheduled for after fall, but we’ll chime in later once those become more solid, other than the fact that I should note there’s an Office spinoff scheduled as well as the new Joss Whedon show Dollhouse with Eliza Dushku, scheduled for midseason. I miss the Grr Arg.
And if you want to see the current stab at the schedule you can check it out at TV Guide.
who is…
America’s Next Top Model?
Our plus-size, full-figured, normal-person model Whitney! It was a tough road as Whitney had been in the bottom two for a few weeks.
First with the final four needing to step it up, the challenge was work behind the camera. Their test was a shoot with Paulina, and while Whitney seemed professional, Fatima with her relaxed manner won an extra 50 shots.
And the whole gang could have used more shots as the 50s style glamour shoot was a weak week for all. Whitney missed being in the bottom two for the first week in a while, but while Fatima’s ‘tude is turning off the judges, tranny looking Dominique was sent packing.
And then the final three did the usual Covergirl commercial and photo shoot. Whitney was still seeming a bit overdone and fake in the spot but her photo was top of the bunch. Anya had great moments in her commercial even with her weird Hawaiian accent but would need some serious editing, though Paulina said in her photo she looked dumb. But it was robotic Fatima who though lovely looking didn’t seem like she’d be able to take direction and was sent home.
Then for the final runway show the ladies were joined by last year’s winner Saleisha to wear Versace. We all thought they both were doing some weird arm things but in their two looks Whitney was able to step it up. Anya had taken great photos and won challenges throughout the competition but at the end of the day it wasn’t enough. Personally I would have liked to have seen Whitney crack the exterior a little more for her commercial but she definitely got my vote.
next week 5/12
Stay tuned this week for the finales of many a show, does this mean it’s summer?
Monday
- Samantha Who? (ABC, 9:30) Season Finale – Samantha’s birthday brings her family, buddies and romance together for some chaos.
- Medium (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – Being a medium and a mom is a challenge, or something.
- The Bachelor (ABC, 10pm) Season Finale – I hear it’s one of the most dramatic and romantic yet!
Tuesday
- Beauty and the Geek (CW, 8pm) Season Finale – And I’m sure the beauties and the geeks have all learned a little about each other.
- Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – One of the detectives is caught up in a case and becomes a suspect.
- Women’s Murder Club (ABC, 10pm) Season Finale – The gals get involved in the pursuit of a the kiss me not killer.
Wednesday
- America’s Next Top Model (CW, 8pm) Season Finale – The latest Top Model will be chosen.
- Til Death/Back to You (Fox, 8/8:30pm) Season Finales – I don’t actually watch either of these comedies but I’m sure hijinks will ensue.
Thursday
- My Name Is Earl/The Office (NBC, 8/9pm) Season Finales – Both these shows will air two part episodes as finales.
- Smallville/Supernatural (CW, 8/9pm) Season Finales – There will be battles.
- CSI/Without a Trace (CBS, 9/10pm) Season Finales – There will be murders and missing people.
- ER (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – And the special guest star is… Steve Buscemi.
Friday
- Ghost Whisperer/Moonlight/Numb3rs (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Finales– Um, ghosts and vampires and fbi cases.
Saturday
- Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30pm) – Steve Carrell and Usher join to round out the season.
Sunday
- Extreme Makeover/Desperate Housewives (ABC, 7/9pm) Season Finales – Two hour episode of Makeover followed by housewives that are oh so desperate.
- Academy of Country Music Awards (CBS, 8pm) – They came, they sang, they won, and lost.
- Everybody Hates Chris/Aliens in America/The Game (CW, 8/8:30/9pm) Season Finales – Everybody… ok I don’t watch these shows either.
- The Simpsons/King of the Hill/American Dad (Fox, 8/8:30/9:30pm) Season Finales – Animated shows need time off too.
antm down to 4
We’re narrowing down the ladies, just a few more and we’ll have another top model. And what does that mean, not much… So what’s happened? So while Lauren was being raced off for cutting into her thumb, Fatima lost her travel documents and as a non us citizen was trying to lock those down before she’s dropped from the competition for not being able to travel…
Paulina gave the gals a test interview and set them loose on a red carpet and cocktail party. Whitney and Stacy Ann both came across as fake, Dominique couldn’t come up with the dress designer’s name and Lauren inappropriately swore. But who surprised me most? Crazy accented Albino Anya impressed with being personable and being herself. She won her second individual shoot, this one for 7-up and in addition to her lemons and limes she actually got paid a little 10k check.
And the shoot was a little airport action where the gals did a group shoot taking turns being the key gal. Everyone except Fatima of course who was off getting her papers in case she was chosen to travel internationally. Though getting those papers was almost was got her eliminated. Fortunately for her they thought that overall she was stronger than Stacy Ann who was too darned perky to seem real and didn’t seem to be pushing it on the shoots.
Good thing Fatima got those papers because the ladies were off to Roma! So the gals did a little Italian meet and greet with a designer who gave a little mini challenge, of I don’t know, who he liked most… and picked Anya. That weird girl has got something.
And then on to the Italian speaking Cover Girl commercial. No one was good, but Whitney continued her fake presentation by being over the top, and Lauren was so awkward and lifeless it was almost too painful to laugh, but I couldn’t help myself. It was like someone was trying to be the opposite of everything they were supposed to be doing. So although they dragged the final two moment out with Whitney, no photos could cancel out Lauren’s terrible in person walking and talking.
Then we learned a little local skills, gladiator style fighting. The skills were of course were put it to the test in a shoot. Whitney won the challenge and took Anya on a shopping spree for her win. Then Tyra shot the renaissance castle shoot. And Fatima who says she is going to get called first… did. And for those called last… Whitney seems a bit stuck, lovely but still a little too sexy… and Katarzyna was nice, but just seems to fade back not popping in person and in her photos.
So I have to say of the girls left I like Whitney best, and I love it that a plus size girl is finally staying in the game, but based on past performances she’s not the favorite. Dominique who is noted as ‘not fresh’ in person (i.e. old) and is super annoying, seems to have been able to pull off some good shots. And albino Anya who has the oddest in person presence just seems to step up again and again. Fatima looks great in person and on film but her holier than though attitude might be translating to her shots whilst she rests on her laurels. So who will win? Who cares. But I’ll still stay tuned for the next two episodes…