chuck – procrastinationchronicles.com

psych-like

August 12, 2020 No Comments

I was having a happy hour with friends (virtual of course) and mentioned that I was going to dive into Peacock to watch the latest Psych movie. I had recently binged the whole series and wanted to close it out. A friend said his mom has enjoyed Psych and was looking for similar shows to recommend, I think he also mentioned Chuck (which is also super fun) as another good example. So thinking fun, episodic, kind of capery,

I as per usual spaced on anything good. One of the reasons I capture lists in this blog is so that I don’t continually forget things. Another friend suggested Burn Notice which we all agreed was a good choice. But after some time Leverage was announcing a reboot, and I thought that too would be a good option. So with a moment to think here are a few of the shows I wish I could come up with off the top of my head, in alphabetical order of course. They might not all be for every Psych fan but there’s a little something here for everyone.

Bones* (Hulu, Prime) FBI agent and forensic anthropologist crack cases, and while the romance heats up between these opposites attract it’s really her team of scientists that give this a ton of appeal.
Bored to Death (HBO/Prime) Jason Schwartzman decides to become a detective when stifled by his writing, what could be better, well side kicks Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis as his friends who get dragged into the hijinks, great fun.
Burn Notice (Hulu, Prime) A spy recently disavowed by the U.S government uses his special skills and ragtag spy friends to save folks in trouble, funny, charming, and action packed.
Castle* (Prime Purchase) Another opposites attract/partners premise Nathan Fillion as crime writer turned consultant has enough charm to keep things interesting.
Elementary (Hulu) Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu make an updated version of Holmes and Watson consulting with the NYPD and make for a lot of fun solving an odd case or two.
Eureka (Prime) This one is a little more quirky genius scientists than a typical crime buster but the sheriff finds himself investigating one calamity after another that tends to have someone beyond the norm explanations which is good fun.
Firefly (Hulu) This one is actually a bit more space cowboys but take my word for it, it’s full caper fun as Nathan Fillion is on our list again as the captain of a ship filled with an odd group of passengers and crew that is as busy getting into trouble as evading those trying to find them.
iZombie (Netflix) This show is a bit Veronica Mars meets zombies, and while it is a zombie show our protagonist taking on the personality of the victim (yes through eating their brain) each week and helping solve the case is a delight.
Leverage (Prime Purchase) A team of criminals pull off an elaborate con each week, but all in the name of righting a wrong, as noted they’re rebooting this with Noah Wyle replacing Timothy Hutton, still a great team.
Mentalist (Prime) – So you can’t have this list without the comparable premised ‘psychic’ handling cases, but Simon Baker has enough charm to make this less campy version still a lot of fun.
Monk (Prime) Tony Shalhoub carries this former police officer turned police consultant as his character’s OCD, among other things, makes him unbearable but excellent at figuring out what others can’t.
Pushing Daisies (Prime) This piemaker can bring someone back from the dead with his touch, but only for a minute or someone else dies, and he uses it to solve murders along with a fab supporting cast including his love interest who he of course can’t touch.
Sherlock (Netflix) This isn’t quite as campy as some of the others but Benedict Cumberbatch’s detective is a ton of fun and while each season is more of an overarching story there’s just three extended eps per.
Terriers (Hulu) A little grittier than some of the other options but our unlicensed PI ex cop/recovering alcoholic and criminal buddies are such a pleasure to meet and watch then get as much into trouble as out of it.

I’m sure I’m missing some good ones, what would you add? And of course for more bingeable options check out the longer list. Availability as always subject to change. * Full transparency, while I really enjoyed each of these shows for a while I’m not sure I actually stayed with either until the end.

binge season

June 12, 2014 3 Comments

Summer used to be known as a time to get outside because there was nothing on tv (and you know because of the nice weather). But today ‘nothing on tv’ is a little less true and even if you can’t find any live tv what better time to do a little catching up on series you might have missed the first time.

Personally I like to balance my standard catch up and new summer shows with one new series I plan to glut on, and I prefer that new series to be one that has already completed. I also prefer series that are available via one of the mediums I already have access to (I’m not yet ready to pay for a new cable or streaming service unless I’ve exhausted all my other options).

Following are a few of the things I’m considering as well as a few shows I might recommend:

Absolutely Fabulous (BBC) – These ladies are so culturally ingrained but I’ve only seen them outside the actual show.
Big Love (HBO) – Are we intrigued by the polygamists?
Caprica (Syfy) – I wrapped BStarG not that long ago and was wondering if this was worth a follow up.
The Comeback (HBO) – This is an exception to the complete rule because I read that the cancelled show is in fact coming back, what better time to jump in to Lisa Kudrow’s character try to revive her career?
Deadwood (HBO) – Outlaw misfits in the gold rush, oh and Timothy Olyphant, need I say more?
Oz (HBO) – Prison drama, as I understand it a little more serious than current OITNB.
Prime Suspect (Netflix) – I recently started pulling up this one, lady detective not so revolutionary but reminds me a bit of The Closer in the getting to squad to accept her sort of thing, considering putting it back at the top of the queue.
Rescue Me (Fx) – Recently tuned in to Sirens which I enjoyed and was sort of described to me as a lighter version of this.
The Shield (Fx) – Corrupt police with Michael Chiklis might fill my recent gap in police dramas.
The Wire (HBO) – Everyone talks about this but it’s a lot of episodes and until recently hasn’t been available enough without Netflix dvds, but am I ready to finally commit?

And for some of the shows I might recommend if you’re looking for summertime fodder:

Buffy/Angel/Firefly/Dollhouse – No surprise here, last summer’s plan (or the summer before) was to rewatch the previously unavailable to me Joss Wedon series start to finish, totally worth it.
Battlestar Gallactica/Friday Night Lights – Two of my more recent binge shows, very different but both well worth a watch for the characters and drama of their own communities.
The X Files – I’m not sure I actually finished this series once we moved to other players but I’ve recently started to re-gander at this one.
Arrested Development – I redid this one before Netflix picked up the last season, and though the revisit season was worthwhile but of mixed success the original series sure holds up.
Freaks and Geeks/Undeclared – Want to get a taste for early Apatow humor, Freaks particularly worth a look for the great cast in early roles with some teen angst and whatnot.
Don’t Trust the B- in Apt 23 – Recently went back to catch this since I’m not sure they ever aired them all and quite amusing.
Terriers/Saving Grace/The Riches/Chuck – A few series I haven’t been back to but quite enjoyed the first time around.

Not currently as easily available but worth a watch: Beverly Hills 90210 (the original), Bunheads, Flight of the Concords, Gilmore Girls, Men of a Certain Age, The O.C., Pushing Daisies, Six Feet Under, Sopranos, Southland, and Veronica Mars.

Let me know in the comments what you think I should pick next, I think you can tell what I’m leaning toward.

movies, tv

stream it…

December 24, 2013 No Comments

Just in case someone you know recently received or signed up for Netflix streaming, the procrastinator thought it might be time to do a recommendation round up to help with your distractions. For latest movies and all series you still might need to go to the full dvd subscription but I find enough to keep my backlog filled during my regular series downtime. I definitely lean toward the television (at least until I get a couple more series under my belt) but there are a few new and old movie options that are worth a peek as well.

TELEVISION

House of Cards/Orange is the New Black/Arrested Development – Netflix original series might be what drove you to pull the trigger and they’re worth a watch (plus the backlog of earlier AD still hold up).
Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog – Sometimes I just like to revisit the Joss Whedon backlog.
Battlestar Galactica/Friday Night Lights/Chuck/Terriers/The Riches/Saving Grace/Freaks and Geeks – These more dramatic series, some cut far too short and some a little long, are good slightly irregular watching.
Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23/My Boys – Some comedic fare for just a little something quick.
Sherlock/Luther/Parenthood/Sons of Anarchy – A mix of dramatic series that are still going and definitely worth a look if you have yet to get on board.
Louie/Wilfred/The League/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Parks and Recreation – And a little comedy catch up for those also still running.

On my to do list: Mad Men, The Fall, Rescue Me, Top of the Lake

MOVIES

A peek at some more recent releases back into the classics:

The Hunger Games
Safety Not Guaranteed
Jeff Who Lives at Home
Hit & Run
Adventureland
Young Adult
Lars and the Real Girl
Bernie
The Kids are Alright
Zoolander
Being John Malkovich
House of Yes
Lost in Translation
Memento
The Breakfast Club/Ferris Bueller’s Day Off/Clueless/13 Going on 30/Heathers – Some classics never get old.
The Italian Job, Parker, Blitz, Safe – I’ve developed a Jason Statham video weakness.

On my to do list: The American, Being Elmo, Cinema Paradiso, End of Watch, Extract, Flight, Drug War, Hoop Dreams, Melancholia, The Messenger, Our Idiot Brother, The Road, Tiny Furniture

Of course you can check the new releases and recently added to keep up to date. What’s missing from the list?

new and noteworthy tv: 1/23-1/29

January 22, 2012 No Comments

I still haven’t figured out the Australian Open coverage but I’m glad I have TiVo…

Monday

The Bad Girls Club (Oxy, 10pm) Season Premiere – I’m not totally clear on whether this premise entails trying to make the girls less bad or not.
Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern (Trav, 10pm) Season Premiere – Starting out with a trip to the Twin Cities.
Cake Boss (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Cakes and the boss.

Tuesday

State of the Union (Various, 9pm) – What’s up USA?
All Star Dealers (Disc, 8pm) Series Premiere – Not just stuff, famous person’s stuff.
My First Place (HGTV, 8pm) Season Premiere – House hunting.
Joan & Melissa (WE, 9pm) Season Premiere – More plastic surgery?

Wednesday

Dark Minds (ID, 7pm) Series Premiere – An author, a profiler, and a killer reexamine crimes.
Touch (Fox, 9pm) Series Premiere – Keifer is back, this time can his son predict the future?
The Challenge (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – Real World and Road Rules peeps are back at it.

Thursday

Winter X Games (ESPN, 6pm, and ESPN2/ABC various times) – Wintertime in Aspen, Colorado.
Fat Chef (Food, 10pm) Series Premiere – A look at folks in the food industry trying to work on their weight.
Russell Simmons Presents (Com, 10pm) Season Premiere – Standup and be funny.
Inside Comedy (Show, 11pm) Series Premiere – A chat with comedians.

Friday

Chuck (NBC, 8/9pm) Series Finale – Sad to see Chuck’s final mission.
Spartacus (Starz, 10pm) Season Premiere – Fighting harder than ever.

Saturday

Australian Open (ESPN2, 12am, Sun 12am) – The women’s and men’s finals cap off a week of coverage.
UFC (Fox, 8pm) – Evans vs. Davis.

Sunday

Luck (HBO, 9pm) Series Premiere – Horse racing and Dustin Hoffman, I’m intrigued.

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.

my schedule

November 1, 2011 No Comments

There still may be some rearranging but here’s where I’m at…

Monday

8pm- How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
9pm – House (Fox) / Hart of Dixie (CW)
10pm – Castle (ABC)

Hart of Dixie is the new addition to this evening, not an incredible show but I like Rachel Bilson and the Gilmore Girls-esque town, it makes me happy. House has been hanging by a thread on my schedule but I’m always interested if not entertained by the supporting cast shakeups.

Tuesday

8pm – Glee (Fox)
9pm – New Girl/Raising Hope (Fox) / Ringer (CW)
10pm – Parenthood (NBC)

New Girl is one of two new enjoyable sitcom additions with a nice quirky feel that I hope they’ll grow into well, and it brought Raising Hope, which I sort of enjoy, back from being abandoned by me. Ringer is hanging on by a thread but I keep wanting to give Buffy a chance and see where it’s going.

Wednesday

8pm – The Middle/Suburgatory (ABC)
9pm – Modern Family/Happy Endings (ABC) / ANTM (CW)
10pm – L&O: SVU (NBC)

Sitcom addition number two, Suburgatory, is another nice dose of quirky fun made better than average by the lead. ANTM all star edition is getting me back on board with this, and the new cast may not be enough to keep me on board with SVU.

Thursday

8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS) / Community/Parks & Rec (NBC)
9pm – [Grey’s Anatomy (ABC)] / Person of Interest (CBS) / Bones (Fox) /[The Office (NBC)]
10pm – The Mentalist (CBS) / Prime Suspect (NBC)

Prime Suspect may not be getting great ratings but it is coming into its own, while it’s clearly the 9 o’clock hour that’s a problem. Grey’s is always borderline on schedule, but I can pick them up online if need be while PofI isn’t the most awesome new show I might be more interested than the no longer in its prime Office.

Friday

8pm – Chuck (NBC)
9pm – Grimm (NBC)

I was a little over Chuck’s family drama over the past season(s) but hoping their final year and rogue spy troupe is back to basics and giving the new fantastical procedural a go.

Saturday

Day of rest or frolic

Sunday

9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)

She’s still good.

And not forgetting cable I’ve got Sons of Anarchy (Fx), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx), Walking Dead (AMC) still in the queue and am still on board but not sure how much I love the new totally bizarre but working it out American Horror Story (Fx).

new and noteworthy tv: 10/24-10/30

October 21, 2011 No Comments

My schedule is almost solidified…

Monday

Hoarders/Monster In-Laws (A&E, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Too much stuff, too difficult family?
Disappeared (ID, 10pm) Season Premiere – A look at people no longer around.

Tuesday

Auction Hunters/Flip Men (Spike, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premiere – Auctions and houses updated.
Homicide Hunter (ID, 10pm) Series Premiere – A retired police detective looks at murder cases.

Wednesday

Whitechapel (BBC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Something tells me this new detective’s case might not be open and shut.

Thursday

It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Happy Halloween!
Beavis and Butt-head/Good Vibes (MTV, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premiere – They’re back and joined by new animated surfers.

Friday

Chuck/Grimm (NBC, 8/9pm) Season/Series Premiere – What will Carmichael Industries bring and then what if fairy tale characters committed crime.
Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns (TBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – The Browns are back.
Gold Rush/Flying Wild Alaska (Disc, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Whatever.
Brides of Beverly Hills (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Another twist on the bridal salon.

Saturday

The Graham Norton Show (BBCA, 10pm) Season Premiere – More chatting.

Sunday

Allen Gregory (Fox, 8:30pm) Series Premiere – Jonah hill voices a kid mature beyond his seven years.
The Next Iron Chef (Food, 9pm) Season Premiere – All star edition.
On the Case with Paula Zahn (ID, 10pm) Season Premiere – The search for a killer.

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.

returning fall favorites

September 6, 2011 No Comments

The drought is almost over, and as I wait for the critics to chime in on what’s worth a watch of the new crop of shows, we can take a look at what I’m most looking forward to returning.

Bones (Fox, 11/3) – Of the procedurals this still is probably my fave, like all the characters, and curious to see how the Booth/Bones baby will play.
Community (NBC, 9/22) – Embracing pop culture and media to the hilt, way more hits than misses with our pack of misfits.
The Good Wife (CBS, 9/25) – They’ve done an excellent job making each character and each storyline dimensional enough that I’m intrigued by it all, this season will the good wife be a little bad?
Modern Family (ABC, 9/21) – This show is a little uneven for me, but when it’s on, it’s on and the mix of family characters makes me laugh.
Parenthood (NBC, 9/13) – I had written this show off early but after a marathon I ended up falling a little bit in love with the Bravermans and their family drama, and Lauren Graham and Peter Krause don’t hurt.
Parks & Recreation (NBC, 9/22) – This show has really found its stride with the small town politics and their quirky crew, adding Rob Lowe and Adam Scott was also surprisingly a great move.
Sons of Anarchy (FX, 9/6) – It’s just too fun to watch these bad boys try to do good, and sometimes try to do bad, a hunky lead and complex family and motorcycle club relations keep me coming back for more.
The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/16) – I am thoroughly intrigued as to how they’re going to keep the story of these survivors of the Zombie-pocolypse going after a short season intro, although I’ve learned not to watch before bed, I can’t wait for season two.

Honorable Mention (TiVo Season Passes): ANTM (CW, 9/14), The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/22), Castle (ABC, 9/19), Chuck (NBC, 10/21), Dexter (Show, 10/2), Glee (Fox, 9/20), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9/22), HIMYM (CBS, 9/19), House (Fox, 10/3), It’s Always Sunny (FX, 9/15), L&O: SVU (NBC, 9/21), The Mentalist (CBS, 9/22), The Office (NBC, 9/22).

Shows listed in alphabetical order and all premiere dates are of course subject to change.

shows on probation…

June 1, 2011 No Comments

E! recently asked readers what shows they were retiring from their schedules (aka DVR DOA). This of course led me to wonder about my own personal cancellations. Aside from shows that have in fact been canceled I don’t know that I officially retired anything from my lineup but a few are definitely on probation, and let me tell you why:

American Idol (Fox) – This is the one show that I actually am planning to retire, but we’ll see how desperate I am mid-season after checking out X Factor, I find the week after week performances a bit redundant, the more interesting talent (good and bad) gets eliminated earlier than the bland but likable, and the judges lack of judging has caused my fast forwarding to become too much.
America’s Next Top Model (CW) – I have skipped a couple seasons and think about dropping this every year, the model wannabes and their challenges are actually entertaining, and annoying, but again the week after week format with my not actually caring (or remembering) who wins is right on the brink.
Chuck (NBC) – This show has been on my favorite list for many years because of the sharp wit of the juxtaposition of the spy world and the nerds of Buy More, as well as some genuine good chemistry, but I so tired of the family mythology… with that wrapped up and it extended for a final season I’ll check out the final 5 eps on TiVo (and still probably ride out the final season).
Hawaii 5-0 (CBS) – The problem with this show is that it just isn’t that good, I like the joking between the leads, mostly thanks to Dano, but mostly don’t really follow the case of the week or care about the characters, though most weeks I’m game enough to see them romping through paradise chasing some scum balls, though if the TiVo backs up enough I still may delete all.
House (Fox) – I get it, he’s curmudgeonly, and not in a ‘but he’s really a good guy’ kind of way, but he’s also a genius, but watching he and his staff almost kill or let a person die each week until they figure out the puzzle with a House a ha moment has gotten a bit redundant, with him kicking his self destruction up a notch and Cuddy exiting we’ll see if the dynamic intrigues.
L&O: SVU (NBC) – This will be the last of the bunch and while I have tired of Olivia and Elliot, as well as some of the ripped from the headline sexual stories, I’m intrigued as to the change in dynamic that will come with Elliot not returning, hopefully a little more time with Munch and Tutuola.

Any other casualties out there?

looking beyond summer…

May 24, 2011 No Comments

The fall upfronts are done. ‘The what?’ Some of you may be asking… This is when the networks start pimping their fall shows to advertisers.

Personally I try not to get too invested in anything new. Most of the pilots aren’t finalized and certainly aren’t reviewed so things can change dramatically between now and then (and even go away). Though I am admittedly not immune the hope of a high concept show (Charlie’s Angels), the return of a favorite talent (Sarah Michelle Gellar in Ringer), or creators with a somewhat proven track record (Once Upon a Time from the creators of Lost and Spielberg’s Terra Nova).

What I tend to pay a little more attention to at this point are shows that have been canceled (see notations below) and shows in a schedule shootout. Every fall there is at least one time slot where something gets kicked to the curb that would normally make the cut. I do like to watch new shows at least once so thank goodness for a couple of replays and online viewing to ensure the right picks are getting the season pass. Here’s what it’s looking like for me for now:

Monday

8pm – How I Met Your Mother/Two Broke Girls (CBS) vs. Terra Nova (Fox) vs. The Sing-Off (NBC)
9pm – House (Fox) vs. Hart of Dixie (CW) vs. Two and a Half Men (CBS) – willing to give Ashton a try
10pm – Castle (ABC) vs. Hawaii Five-O (CBS) vs. The Playboy Club (NBC)

Tuesday

8pm – Last Man Standing/Man Up (ABC) & Glee (Fox)
9pm – Ringer (CW) & New Girl (Fox)
10pm – Unforgettable (CBS) & Parenthood (NBC)

Wednesday

8pm – The Middle/Suburgatory (ABC) vs. The X Factor (Fox) vs. Up All Night/Free Agents (NBC)
9pm – Modern Family (ABC) vs. ANTM (CW) vs. Harry’s Law (NBC) vs. The X Factor/I Hate My Teenage Daughter (Fox) – I admittedly can’t endorse 2 out of those 4 but I do watch
10pm – Revenge (ABC) & L&O: SVU (NBC) – say goodbye to Stabler

Thursday

8pm – Charlie’s Angels (ABC) vs. Big Bang Theory/How to Be a Gentleman (CBS) vs. X Factor Results (Fox) vs. Community/Parks & Rec (NBC)
9pm – Grey’s (ABC) vs. Person of Interest (CBS) vs. The Secret Circle (CW) vs. Bones (Fox) vs. The Office/Whitney (NBC)
10pm – The Mentalist (CBS) & Prime Suspect (NBC)

Friday

8pm – Chuck (NBC)
9pm – Grimm (NBC)

Saturday – Nothing

Sunday

8pm – Once Upon a Time (ABC)
9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)
10pm – Pan Am (ABC)

And for a look at your own schedule check out TV Guide’s fall grid and for what’s been canceled (and sticking around) check out The Futon Critic’s scorecard. New shows are in italics.

best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2010

January 19, 2011 1 Comment

Well the critics have weighed in, and now it’s my turn. I should caveat that I don’t have ‘real’ cable, so although I am roughly up to date (at least on this season) of Dexter, this does skew my list away from Showtime and HBO series which I tend to catch on dvd. And as always a top ten list is a little subjective, different day I might have picked different shows, different order, but here goes…

Terriers (Fx) – It was good while it lasted, this show may have been handicapped by its obtuse title and marketing but the buddy PI show of two likable losers hit all the right notes as it balanced the episodic and ongoing plots with moments of hilarity and true character anguish.
Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – These guys are still a favorite as the motorcycle club and their families get into trouble after trouble trying to keep the small town a world of their own, the bad guys are bad but the good guys are badder.
Justified (Fx) – Oh Raylan… how do you describe the joy of a show about a questionably self defeatist trigger happy US Marshall in a small town with a surprising amount of crime.
The Good Wife (CBS) – What started as a silly premise has turned into a show with great layers where I actually care not just about the cases, but the relationships, the office politics, and the politics, with rich characters in every area.
Community (NBC) – Joel McHale has a great ability to come across as smarmy in a way that is still likable, and they’ve found a way to do that with each of these characters turning their best and worst characteristics into funny, while using popular culture to frame dialogue and episodes more successfully than I can recall anyone else doing.
Cougar Town (ABC) – Ok so maybe I find the drinking wine jokes funny, but this show which has evolved nicely from a show about older women dating younger dudes, to focusing on a group of friends (the cul-de-sac crew) and the dumb things they do that consistently make me laugh.
Bones (Fox) – So we all hate Hannah and every ploy they do to keep these two apart, but the moments between Bones and Booth whether amusing or touching is the best you’ll find in a weekly procedural, add fun supporting characters, situations, and science and you’ve got a good show.
Chuck (NBC) – I like this show more when they’re not focusing on Chuck’s parental conspiracies but still adore the interplay between the spies and the geeks.
Dexter (Show) – I don’t think I’ve ever worried about a criminal as much as I worry about Dexter, with his need to kill, the folks who suspect him, and of course his trying to work and have a family, I feel bad about complaining about my schedule.
Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – I missed the first season of this but catching up in reruns and watching the second, the men won me over with their regular middle aged lives, the late forties may not always be pretty, but apparently they can be entertaining.

1 2 3 4 Next »