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breaking up is hard to do

March 29, 2017 No Comments

With the wrapping up of Grimm and Bones, two shows that I quite enjoyed but abandoned along the way, made me start doing another think on shows that had once be enjoyed (some making my favorite tv of the year lists) and had to be given up along the way. Real estate for tv shows these days is limited so though I like to give some a long leash eventually the cost (time)/benefit (enjoyment) needs to hit a reality check.

The 100 (CW) – This pretty teens style CW show really developed into an interesting post-apocalyptic take but after a mixed season last year (as well as some unfortunately cast cuts) this year’s latest impending doom just couldn’t keep my interest.
The Blacklist (NBC) – I was never a fan of Elizabeth and as all the drama revolves around her it was always a matter as to whether Red and the others could balance that out, and when things turned to Elizabeth and her baby I couldn’t take it anymore, I wish they had killed her off.
Empire (Fox) – I love a fun soapy show and the musical angle on this just made it that much more fun, but these all seem to have a shelf life, no matter how much I enjoy the characters there’s a limit to how many circles of drama can keep me engaged.
The Outsiders (WGN) – This captured a little of the spirit of the total chaos of Sons of Anarchy with the wild folks in the woods but turned out to be too much of a mixed bag to keep it in the lineup.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox) – The first season of this was what’s been described as ‘bonkers awesome’ and then while they continued to struggle with how to manage the stories and supporting cast the key was always the chemistry between the two leads, and when they decided to nix one of the two in a reboot that was it for me.
The Walking Dead (AMC) – Ok, so the drama here was usually a good balance of zombie chaos outshone by drama and violence of the more human kind but somehow eventually managed to undermine the characters and my patience in sticking through some of the downs for more sparing ups.

And some previous drops Awkward, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man on Earth, Major Crimes, Modern Family, Nashville, Suits and my most controversial Breaking Bad following season 2 (I am tempted to go back and see if I would have turned back around on this).

new and noteworthy tv: 9/23-9/29

September 21, 2013 No Comments

My first fall conflict, I’ll catch The Black List Saturday while I give Castle and Hostages a run…

Monday

How I Met Your Mother/2 Broke Girls/Mom/Hostages (CBS, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – There have been moments of great humor throughout the years on HIMYM and here’s hoping the final season brings some of those, I can’t recommend Broke but I have to admit I’ve tuned in and chuckled, so here’s to hoping Mom has a few of its own with Anna Faris and Allison Janney and Hostages can extend a movie premise into a series for Toni Collette and Dylan McDermott.
The Voice/The Blacklist (NBC, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I’m out on Voice but you know, the original judges are back, then James Spader returning is always worth a look.
Black Ink Crew (VH1, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – More tattoo parlor drama.
Castle (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Beckett won’t leave the show but they will undoubtedly continue to manufacture some ridiculous relationship drama.

Tuesday

Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD/The Goldbergs/Trophy Wife/Lucky 7 (ABC, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Series Premieres – Cautiously optimistic for any Joss Whedon show as these agents protect us, less optimistic for 80s flashback sitcom and the latest lottery winners but sandwiched in there is Malin Akerman and Bradley Whitford bringing some potential funny to family life.
NCIS/NCIS: Los Angeles/Person of Interest (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Yup, I’m out on these.
Income Property (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Basement apartment anyone?
Fangasm (Syfy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Fans become roomies to get ready to embody their, I don’t want to say, geeky Comikaze culture.

Wednesday

The Middle/Back in the Game/Modern Family/Nashville (ABC, 8/8:30/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – The return of some family funnies around a new take on the Bad News Bears, followed by a show that I dug starting last season but I somehow have 19 saved on my TiVo.
Revolution (NBC 8pm) Season Premiere – The power of the power, not so much for me.
Criminal Minds/CSI (CBS, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Crimes and killers, fortunately for me another pass.

Thursday

The Big Bang Theory/The Crazy Ones/ Two and a Half Men/Elementary (CBS, 8/9/9:30/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I am still enjoying the expanded cast on this show, have my fingers crossed for the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Robin Williams, skip the men but am back for more Sherlock and Watson cases.
Parks & Recreation/The Michael J. Fox Show/Parenthood (NBC, 8pm) Season/Series Premieres – Was loving MJF on Good Wife but here’s a return to comedic form in what I hope is a nice pairing with P&R followed by more Braverman drama.
Glee (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – The show must go on.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – What ridiculous drama must these hospital employees survive next?

Friday

Masterchef (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Junior edition.
Undercover Boss/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods (CBS, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Let’s pretend I don’t watch these on Friday just because I have too busy a social life.
Dateline (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – It’s newsy.

Saturday

48 hours (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – It’s newsy.
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:29) Season Premiere – Tina Fey and Arcade Fire.

Sunday

60 Minutes/The Amazing Race/The Good Wife/The Mentalist (CBS, 7/8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – Newsy, and then I skip the Race which peeps enjoy but tune back for Wife and Mental.
Once Upon a Time/Revenge/Betrayal (ABC, 8/9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – I’m anticipating dropping Betrayal like I did the two earlier shows, but worth a look.
The Simpsons/Bobs Burgers/The Family Guy/American Dad (Fox, 8/8:30/9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – Animation domination.
Instant Mom (Nick, 8:30pm) Series Premiere – Tia Mowry returns to sitcom form as a new step mom.
Breaking Bad (9pm) Series Finale – Apparently people are into this show which wraps its run tonight.
Homeland/Masters of Sex (Show, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Another drama joins the lineup with a look at early sex researchers.
Eric & Jessie (E!, 10pm) Series Premiere – Eric Decker and his fiance…
Eastbound & Down/Hello Ladies (HBO, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Is he a family man and is he a ladies man?

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.

breaking up is hard to do

August 22, 2013 No Comments

As a person who clearly loves some television, and spends a decent amount of time watching it, even I can’t watch everything. I’ve found over time that I like a well balanced portfolio… a little quality drama, a little comedy, a little procedural. Sometimes I want to sit down and focus on a show I think is great and sometimes I want to have something on in the background while I write a pchron post.

What I need to avoid is having a TiVo backlog so large that I feel like it’s a to do list or I’m spending time watching something I don’t enjoy all that much and haven’t gotten back to Friday Night Lights for example which I happen to really be enjoying.

So why can’t I let go? Some shows used to be good. Some shows are good enough but there are too many things that I like more. And some shows may be great but they drive me crazy for one reason or another (stop being so dumb/mean/crazy!). So cutting the cord on committing to the rest of Under the Dome (which I felt great about until someone started talking about how good it was getting) made me take a look back at some of the shows I’ve let go.

American Horror Story (Fx) – Loved some of season one just too random crazy.
American Idol (Fox) – Over the judges and the repetitiveness of the rounds.
Bates Motel (A&E) – I liked the way they recreated the characters but too much crazy in that town.
Breaking Bad (AMC) – This is the one that gets most people, I like an anti hero but I still need someone to root for.
The Carrie Diaries (CW) – This show was cute, but a little too cute.
Criminal Minds (CBS) – I still occasionally catch this in reruns, just not enough interest in cast or cases to keep me invested in the brutalness.
CSI (CBS) – Again just not interested enough in cast or cases.
Franklin & Bash (TNT) – I like a dumb cable show with quirky leads, but there are a lot out these days so not all make the cut.
The Glades (A&E) – I almost like the leads, just not quite enough.
Glee (Fox) – This show had some amazing moments but it just started to falter too much.
The Killing (AMC) – The leads are great, particularly Holder, but the misleads and unsolve were too much for me to return to S2.
L&O:SVU (NBC) – Whatever Benson.
Perception (TNT) – Not sure if it’s that I don’t love RL Cook in this or if I’m not quite sure about the cases or McCormack’s ‘perception’ solving them.
Person of Interest (CBS) – Intriguing but somehow not engaging…
The Voice (NBC) – I get why people dig Blake and Adam but tuning back in second season not as into the competitors.

And some of these are on the chopping block:

Awkward (MTV) – I loved the first season of this but now Jenna has just gotten more annoying, we’ll see what the new showrunners bring.
Bones (Fox) – This was once one of my favorite procedurals, but I’m kind of over it, not because they’re together or not but because it’s hard to stay fresh after eight seasons.
Burn Notice (USA) – Ok it’s in the final season I’m hanging in there.
Castle (ABC) – Ditto Bones though season 5…
Crossing Lines (NBC) – If this show hadn’t been on when there wasn’t a lot else I’m not sure I would have stuck out the first season.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – Another last season that is keeping me hanging in for my need for completion and hope for a few of those choice moments.
Major Crimes (TNT) – I did love me some Closer but our new lead’s calm might be working against the show.
Modern Family (ABC) – I find this show brings some funny, but its gotten a little too stereotypical and repetitive.
Nashville (ABC) – I remember really enjoying the first couple eps, but saved almost all of season 1 on dvr and have yet to return, not a good sign.

There have also been a few shows that for me have come back from a drop:

American Idol (Fox) – Ok I dropped this again but at one point I got sucked back in, reality shows can do that any season for me.
America’s Next Top Model (CW) – I have a couple of friends who watch this so it’s harder for me to chat about the silliness that this show is if I don’t watch.
Parenthood (NBC) – The Bravermans sucked me in after dropping them one day when I was sick and checking out OnDemand.

The fall season is always a good time to reevaluate so we’ll see what makes the cut. I’m sure there are other things I’ve cut or am about too cut, what about you, anything getting the ax?

best, tv

critics’ picks – top tv of 2012

December 27, 2012 No Comments

Time to get started on our year end lists! While the tv shows aren’t currently fresh, the critics’ best and award noms give you something to get ready to tune back into. I can’t personally recommend all of these shows (stay tuned for my top ten list) and as most readers know I don’t catch most of the real cable on first run (HBO, Show, Starz), but from the breadth of shows there is a little something out there for everyone. So without further ado here’s a sampling of top tv picks:

2 Broke Girls (CBS) – E
2012 Election – JP
30 for 30 (ESPN) – DF
30 Rock (NBC) – AS, PGA, TG
American Horror Story: Asylum (Fx) – AFI, GG, JP, MoR, MZS
Archer (Fx) – MZS, TG
Ben and Kate (Fox) – TG
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – E, MR, PGA
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – GG, TG
Boss (Starz) – GG, TG
Breaking Bad (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
Call the Midwife (PBS) – MR
Castle (ABC) – E
The Colbert Report (Com) – KT, MM
Coma (A&E) – MZS
Community (NBC) – E, MZS, TG
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – PGA
Dexter (Show) – MR, TG
Don’t Trust the B- In Apartment 23 (ABC) – TG
Downton Abbey (PBS) – MR, PGA
Enlightened (HBO) – GG
Episodes (Show) – GG
Game Change (HBO) – AFI
Game of Thrones (HBO) – AFI, DF, E, GG, JP, MoR, PGA, TG
Girls (HBO) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, TG
Glee (Fox) – E, GG
The Good Wife (CBS) – KT, MR
Gossip Girl (CW) – E
Happy Endings (ABC) – E, MoR
Hatfields & McCoys (Hist) – MZS
Homeland (Show) – AFI, AS, E, GG, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
The Hour (BBCA) – DF, TG
House of Lies (Show) – TG
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – E
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – TG
Justified (Fx) – KT, TG
Louie (Fx) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
Luck (HBO) – AS, MM, MZS
Mad Men (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
Magic City (Starz) – TG
The Middle (ABC) – MR
The Mindy Project (Fox) – E
Modern Family (ABC) – AFI, E, GG, PGA, TG
Nashville (ABC) – KT
New Girl (Fox) – E, GG, MoR, TG
On Freddie Roach (HBO) – DF
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – E
Parenthood (NBC) – AS, JP
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, DF, E, JP, KT, MoR, TG
Raising Hope (Fox) – TG
Revenge (ABC) – E
Scandal (ABC) – E
Shameless (Show) – TG
Sherlock (PBS) – MM, TG
Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – MR, TG
Supernatural (CW) – E
Treme (HBO) – AS, DF, MZS, TG
The Vampire Diaries (CW) – E
Veep (HBO) – TG
The Walking Dead (AMC) – AFI, E, MM, MR, TG
Wilfred (Fx) – TG

AFI – AFI Television Programs of the Year, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Hitfix, DF – Dan Fienberg for Hitfix, E – E! Best Comedies and E! Best Dramas, GG – Golden Globe nomination, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for Ew, MM* – Mary McNamara for LA Times, MR* – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz on Vulture, PGA – Producer’s Guild, TG – Tim Goodman’s Best Comedies and Dramas

* Some top votes were for categories of shows or notations to things like Clint’s chair speech and referee strike.

watch this: breaking bad

August 16, 2012 2 Comments

I’m pleased to introduce our inaugural guest post, our first guestinator is our very own reader Leslie Zellers. Send the procrastinator a note if you’re interested in adding a “watch this” or other post or having the procrastinator contribute to your site.

Do you ever find yourself talking out loud to the TV, imploring the characters to make a different choice other than the obviously stupid choice they are about to make? Breaking Bad is one of those shows for me. I actually consider this a sign of good TV, since it means I am invested enough in what they are doing that I want to see it turn out ok for them. Although who are we kidding, things are not going to turn out ok for Walter White of AMC’s Breaking Bad.

For those who haven’t watched the show, which recently returned for its fifth season, I won’t give too much away. Even without watching the show for the first three seasons I knew that Walt – played by Bryan Cranston, who is utterly transformed from his role as dad on Malcolm in the Middle – is a high school chemistry teacher turned meth cook in order to provide for his family in the wake of a lung cancer diagnosis. Ok, that explains his motivations in season 1 but Walt’s reasons for continuing in the meth business become more complicated as the show goes on. Or maybe his reasons for continuing are simple – greed, power, and hubris – but it’s his life that becomes complicated in the wake of his decision.

Not only does Walt need to worry about getting caught by law enforcement, as anyone in the illegal drug business would, he also has to figure out how to hide his business from his family and navigate the territorial battles of rival drug dealers. All of which introduces us to the rich cast of supporting characters orbiting Walt. Jesse Pinkman (played by Aaron Paul) is Walt’s partner in the drug business. As a chronic underachiever in life, Jesse is treated with a mix of contempt and resignation from his former chemistry teacher, whom he refers to. Mr. White for all 5 seasons of the show even though Jesse probably knows Walt better than anyone.

Walt’s extremely uptight wife (Anna Gunn) vacillates between fear, hatred, and confusion the more she learns about Walt’s secret life. When Walt finally tells his wife where the money to pay for his cancer treatment came from, his distinction that he is a drug manufacturer not a drug dealer does not put Skylar at ease about the safety of her two children. And did I mention that Walt’s brother in law is a DEA agent? That would be enough intrigue for most shows, however Breaking Bad delves deeper into questions of morality and right and wrong by introducing us to a bad guy who is often more likable than Walt, the supposed “good guy” of the show. Giancarlo Esposito’s portrayal of cool and calculating chicken franchise owner Gus Fring features prominently in seasons 3 and 4 and is not to be missed.

Which brings me to the question of how to watch Breaking Bad. If you are a show novice I strongly recommend you follow the advice that I ignored and watch the show from the beginning. Whether you “binge” on multiple episodes in one sitting as described by Jim Pagels of Slate or watch the show at a leisurely pace is up to you. However I find that each episode requires my full attention — no going to the kitchen for a snack, because each scene serves a purpose.

For those who are already fans of the show, what do you want to see happen in this final season? Do you want Walt to get his comeuppance or would you like a “happy” ending?

Details: Breaking Bad, AMC, Sundays at 10pm (catch S5 with On Demand or from the start with Netflix streaming).

best, tv

critic’s picks – top tv 2011

December 28, 2011 No Comments

It’s that time of year again, yearend top tens! So the critics favored some new and some old. I don’t have Showtime, or HBO, so more to add to my queue. Check the links at bottom for a little more background and in some cases a longer list (people, I know 10 is arbitrary but 30?). Stay tuned for my Top TV of 2010, I’m still assimilating my TiVo backlog.

30 Rock (NBC) – TG
American Horror Story (Fx) – MEF, GG
Archer (Fx) – TVM
Awkward (MTV) – MoR, MEF
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – MR
The Big C (Show) – Sat
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – AS, Sat, TG, JL, AFI, GG
Boss (Starz) – GG
Breaking Bad (AMC) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, MR, DF
The Colbert Report (Com) – KT
Community (NBC) – AS, Sat, JL, MoR, JP, MR, AVC
Cougar Town (ABC) – TVM
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – AFI
Downton Abbey (PBS) – MEF, JL, MoR, MR, DF, KT
Enlightened (HBO) – GG, JP, KT, AVC
Episodes (Show) – Sat, GG
Friday Night Lights (DirTV/NBC) – JP, AS, Sat, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, DF
Fringe (Fox) – TVM, MR, KT
Game of Thrones (HBO) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, MoR, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, DF
Glee (Fox) – GG
The Good Wife (CBS) – JL, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, KT
Homeland (Show) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, TVM, MoR, AVC, AFI, MR, JP, DF, KT
The Hour (BBCA) – DF
The Inbetweeners (BBCA) – TG
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – Sat, TG
Justified (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, JL, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, MR, DF, KT, AVC
Louie (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, DF, KT, AVC
Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – AS, MoR
The Middle (ABC) – MR
Modern Family (ABC) – Sat, MEF, AFI, MR, GG
New Girl (Fox) – MR, GG
Parenthood (NBC) – JL
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, TG, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, DF
Raising Hope (Fox) – MEF
Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – Sat, MEF, TVM
Treme (HBO) – Sat
The Vampire Diaries (CW) – DF
The United States of Tara (Show) – AS

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, AVC – AV Club, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix, GG – Golden Globes, JL – Jace Lacob for The Daily Beast, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, MEF – Maria Elena Fernandez for The Daily Beast, MR – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for The Huffington Post, Sat – Satellite Awards, TG – Tim Goodman for the Hollywood Reporter, TVM – TVMcGee

best, tv

critic’s picks – top tv of 2010

January 3, 2011 No Comments

Well it’s that time again, the time to reflect on the best of the year that’s passed. A tv season doesn’t quite follow the annual flow but I’ll go with it and note what critics are touting as the best of the year.

Abbreviations follow the alphabetical listing and links to posted lists are at the end.

Stay tuned to see what made my personal top ten list.

30 Rock (NBC) – EN, AFI, TG, KT, GG, Sat
30 for 30 (ESPN) – AS, DF
Archer (Fx) – TGBetter Off Ted (ABC) – MR
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – E, GG
The Big C (Show) – AFI, GG, Sat
Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – SK, MR, EN, JP, AFI, JL, TG, AS, TVG, GG, Sat, DF
Breaking Bad (AMC) – SK, MR, JP, AFI, TG, AS, TVG, KT, Sat, DF
The Choir (BBCA) – TVG
Chuck (NBC) – E
Community (NBC) – EN, E, JL, AS, KT, DF
Cougar Town (ABC) – MR
Damages (Fx) – SK
Dexter (Show) – SK, E, GG, Sat
The Event (NBC) – SK
Friday Night Lights (DirTV) – SK, E, JL, KT, Sat, DF
Fringe (Fox) – MR, E, JL, KT
Glee (Fox) – E, AFI, TVG, GG, Sat
The Good Wife (CBS) – MR, EN, JP, JL, TVG, KT, GG, Sat
Great Migrations (NatGeo) – TG
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – E
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – E
The InBetweeners (BBCA) – TG
In Treatment (HBO) – EN
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – TG
Justified (Fx) – JL, TVG, KT
Life (Disc) – TG
The Life and Times of Tim (HBO) – TG
Lost (ABC) – MR, E, TG, TVG
Louie (Fx) – EN, JP, E, TG, AS
Mad Men (AMC) – MR, EN, JP, E, AFI, JL, TG, AS, TVG, KT, GG, Sat, DF
Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – TG, KT
Modern Family (ABC) – MR, E, AFI, JL, TG, TVG, KT, GG, Sat
Morning Joe (MSNBC) – SK
Nurse Jackie (Show) – GG, Sat
The Pacific (HBO) – JP, AFI, TG , AS, TVG, DF
Parks & Recreation (NBC) – MR, JP, E, JL, TG, AS, KT, DF
Party Down (Starz) – MR, JP, E
Raising Hope (Fox) – E, Sat
Rubicon (AMC) – MR, JP
Sherlock (PBS) – TVG
Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – SK, E, TG
Spartacus (Starz) – MR
SpongeBob SquarePants (Nick) – SK
Terriers (Fx) – MR, EN, JP, JL, TG, AS, TVG, DF
Treme (HBO) – EN, TG, AS
True Blood (HBO) – E
The Tudors (Show) – Sat
United States of Tara (Show) – EN, Sat
Vampire Diaries (CW) – E, DF
The Walking Dead (AMC) – SK, E, AFI, TG, TVG, GG
Work of Art: The Next Great Artist (Brav) – KT

AFI – American Film Institute, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix, SK – Entertainment Weekly, MR – Maureen Ryan for TV Squad, EN – Emily Nussbaum for NYMag, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, E – Dramas and Comedies, GG – Golden Globe Nominations, JL – Jace Lacob for the Daily Beast, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, TG – Tim Goodman for Hollywood Reporter, Sat – Satellite Awards, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Hitfix, TVG – Matt Roush for TVGuide

new and noteworthy tv: 3/15-3/21

March 13, 2010 No Comments

Procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

20/20 (ABC, 8pm) – Special Bachelor edition for the stories behind the rose, and maybe even behind the behind the rose.
Home Rules (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – A life coach helps this family get their home together inside and out (well the out has some remodelers help).
Price of Beauty/Transform Me (VH1, 10/10:30pm) Series Premieres – Jessica Simpson takes us on a tour of beauty, then three transgender hosts do some makeover wonders.

Tuesday

Justified (FX, 10pm) Series Premiere – Timothy Olyphant, based on a character by producer Elmore Leonard, and getting good buzz, you can’t keep me away.
Marriage Under Construction (HGTV, 11pm) Series Premiere – The series follows a couple through house purchase and remodel.

Wednesday

Addicted (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – I’m thinking this is more along the lines of Intervention than Celebrity Rehab.
Destination Truth (Syfy, 10pm) Season Premiere – Looking for ghosts and the seasonally appropriate leprechauns.
South Park/Ugly Americans (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premiere – The kids are back and then animated folks bring another spin to integrating werewolves, vampires, and whatnot into regular culture.

Thursday

Flash Forward (ABC, 8pm) – Catch Tuesday’s recap if you’re looking to catch up for the return of the season.
My First Sale/Selling New York/Tough as Nails (HGTV, 8:30/9/9:30pm) Series Premieres – Selling, selling, fixin’ to sell.

Friday

Thin Ice (ABC, 8pm) – Not sure what Elizabeth Hasselbeck is doing with Kurt Browning as they host this two part professional ice skating competition.

Saturday

DVR catch up day.

Sunday

Life (Disc, 8pm) Series Premiere – Created by the same team that did planet earth, nature aficionados and appreciators get ready.
Gene Simmons Family Jewels/Kirstie Alley’s Big Life (A&E, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – KISS action then Kirstie gets back on the weight loss wagon.
Jerseylicious/Kimora (Style, 8/9pm) Season/Series Premiere – Following folks in a NJ hair salon then checking out Kimora’s new kid.
Breaking Bad (AMC, 10pm) Season Premiere – What will the new season bring to our meth making cancer man and his cohorts?
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (ABC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Jamie tries to get America to eat right.

best, tv

critic’s picks – top tv of 2009

December 23, 2009 1 Comment

madmen We’re wrapping up the year and critics and award shows are singing the praises of the best of 2009. Following is a consolidation of what I’ve found on folk’s best lists.

Who said which? Initials included after titles and full names and links below. Am I missing some? Post them in comments and I’ll make updates. What do I think? Stay tuned for my year end tv post.

Battlestar Galactica (Syfy) – JP, MR, Wat, TG, AS
Better Off Ted (ABC) – TG, AS, CNN
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – AFI, MR, Wat, SA, AS, CNN, AF
Big Love (HBO) – JP, AFI, TG, SA, AF
Bored to Death (HBO) – TG
Breaking Bad (AMC) – JP, MR, WG, TG, KT, SA, AS, AF
Chuck (NBC) – Wat, AS, AF
The Closer (TNT) – TVG, SAG
Community (NBC) – TG, AS
Cougar Town (ABC) – TVG
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – TG, WG, SAG, AS
Damages (FX) – TVG, SA
Dexter (Show) – WG, SAG, TG
Dollhouse (Fox) – Wat
Flight of the Conchords (HBO) – TG, SA, AS
Friday Night Lights (NBC) – JP, AFI, TVG, MR, WG, Wat, KT, AS, AF
Fringe (Fox) – KT, CNN
Glee (Fox) – JP, AFI, TVG, MR, WG, SAG, TG, KT, SA, CNN
The Good Wife (CBS) – SAG, KT, SA
Greek (ABCFam)- TVG
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – TG, SA, AF
Hung (HBO) – TG
In Treatment (HBO) – SA, AS
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX) – TG
The League (FX) – TG
Lost (ABC) – JP, TVG, WG, Wat, TG, AS
Mad Men (AMC) – JP, AFI, TVG, MR, WG, Wat, SAG, TG, KT, SA, AS, AF
The Middle (ABC) – TVG
Modern Family (ABC) – JP, AFI, TVG, TG, MR, WG, Wat, SAG, KT, AS, CNN, AF
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency (HBO) – AFI
Nurse Jackie (Show) – AFI, MR, Wat, TG, KT, AF
The Office (NBC) – JP, TG, WG, SAG, AS, AF
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – JP, TG, Wat, SA, AF
Party Down (Starz) – AFI, Wat, AS
Sons of Anarchy (FX) – JP, Wat, TG, KT, SA
Supernatural (CW) – Wat
30 For 30 (ESPN) – AS
30 Rock (NBC) – TVG, TG, WG, SAG, SA, AF
24 (Fox) – TVG
Torchwood: Children of Earth (BBCA) – MR, Wat, AS
True Blood (HBO) – AFI, MR, Wat, SAG, TG, KT, CNN, AF
Ugly Betty (ABC) – AF
United States of Tara (Show) – AS
Weeds (Show) – SA

AF – Ausiello Files, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Star-Ledger, AFI, CNN, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for Entertainment Weekly, MR – Matt Roush for TV Guide Magazine, SA – Satellite Awards, SAG – Screen Actor’s Guild (best ensemble), TVG – TV Gal, TG – Tim Goodman for SF Chronicle Comedies, Dramas, Wat – The Watcher by Maureen Ryan, WG – Writer’s Guild

damn you cable

October 1, 2009 No Comments

HDTPCube Paying money to watch television is something that I may still need some help in getting over. When NBC made its signal change eons ago I finally broke down and got ‘basic’ cable to get channels clearly. And when I say basic I don’t mean not premium, I mean cable to get regular networks clearly, something that a city dweller should not feel compelled to do. So when along with my basic cable I received one or two additional channels like VS. (formerly OLN) offering me access to things like the Tour de Lance France I felt giddy.

And then at some point I had a cable problem and my wonderful cable guy didn’t put the blocker back on. A whole new world opened up to me. The world that was normally reserved for visiting my parent’s house and watching cable (minus HBO). I was slowly sucked into show after show, The Closer, Breaking Bad, even Rock of Love… It was a world I always said wasn’t worth the cost but I was getting it for FREE. And even when cable problems arose at a later time I decided to wait it out in fear of inviting the cable guy back over and having him put the dreaded blocker back on.

And then one day, no call to the cable guy, I woke to find that I could no longer get Gillmore Girls reruns on ABC Family. I could no longer get Project Runway on Lifetime. I could no longer get the final season of Monk on USA. What is a person to do? Well, I could pay for more cable, $29.99 a month seems reasonable and when that expires after 12 months I could probably negotiate down from the standing $59.99, which is an amount that seem ridiculous. And then there’s always the reported triple play deal of packaging cable, internet, and phone. Or I could try to take better advantage of the posting of shows online (it’ll get me through at least some current missing episodes) and of course I can wait for the shows that I might really care about to release on dvd.

So what to do? At least for now I’ll leave it on my list of things to do, along with upgrading my tivo.

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