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new and noteworthy tv: 3/16-3/22

March 15, 2015 No Comments

As for alternate tv distribution, another supposedly good one from Netflix, with Kyle Chandler ta-boot, and Community returns and we’ll see if Yahoo is the right home for it. I will of course turn in for teen zombie fun and take a pass at the latest situation they hope is comedic with a pregnant gay bestie and newly married couple for Big Happy.

Monday – Dancing with the Stars, Season Premiere (ABC, 8pm), Southern Charm, Season Premiere (Brav, 10pm)
Tuesday – Community, Season Premiere (Yahoo, 12:01am), iZombie, Series Premiere (CW, 9pm), Married at First Sight, Season Premiere (A&E, 9pm), Undateable/One Big Happy, Season/Series Premieres (NBC, 9/9:30pm)
Wednesday – Walk of Shame Shuttle/Barely Famous, Series Premieres (VH1, 9/9:30pm), The Soul Man, Season Premiere (TVL, 10:30pm)
Friday – Bloodline, Series Premiere (Net, 3:01am), Children’s Hospital, Season Premiere (AdSw, 11:59pm)
Sunday – Neighbors with Benefits, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm)

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.

new and noteworthy tv: 12/30-1/6

December 27, 2013 No Comments

Can you believe we’re already talking about January, well at lease new stuff is starting to come back again…

Monday

Happy New Year, Charlie Brown/Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (ABC, 8/9pm) – Wrapping up the year and the holiday season.
Cake Boss (TLC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Alligator cake among others.

Tuesday

New Year’s Rockin’ Eve/Presents the 30 Greatest Women in Music (ABC, 8/10/11:30pm) – For your celebratory entertainment.
A Toast to 2013/New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly (NBC, 8/10pm) – Or this.
New Year’s Eve Special (Fox, 11pm) – Or this.

Wednesday

Rose Parade (Various) – Check out them floats.
Dance Moms/Kim of Queens (Life, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premiere – Open call auditions and then pageant tutelage.
Lone Target (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – A former Navy Seal evades capture, or does he?
Tattoos After Dark (Oxy, 11pm) Series Premiere – Cuz that’s when all the drinkin’ and good decisions happen.

Thursday

Community (NBC, 8/8:30pm) Season Premiere – It’s back!
The Taste/The Assets (ABC, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Judged on a bite of food and then an 80’s CIA mole hunt miniseries.
Couples Therapy (VH1, 9pm) Season Premiere – Therapy it up.
Ridiculousness (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – Web videos and mocking.
Steven Seagal Lawman (Reelz, 10pm) Season Premiere – So he made it to a third season.
Toned Up (Brav, 10:30) Series Premiere – Best friend fitness trainers.

Friday

How to Live to 1oo (Cook, 6pm) Series Premiere – I guess we tune in to find out.
Something Borrowed, Something New (TLC, 7pm) Season Premiere – Big ole wedding.

Saturday

Mythbusters (Disc, 8pm) Season Premiere – Star Wars busted.
Raising Whitley (OWN, 9pm) Season Premiere – Some stuff happens with some people.
Rev. Run’s Renovation (DIY, 10pm) Series Premiere – Renovate it.

Sunday

The Bachelor (ABC, 8pm) – Let’s take a look at Juan Pablo.
Beachfront Bargain Hunt/Island Hunters (HGTV, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – New homes in the Hawaiian way.
Blood, Sweat & Heels (Brav, 9pm) Series Premiere – Following a group of ‘assertive’ NY career women.
Downton Abbey (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – This Masterpiece Classic is back.
Best of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (NBC, 9pm) – A look back.
The Curse of Oak Island (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Legendary treasure and a cursed island.

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.

new and noteworthy tv: 2/4-2/10

February 4, 2013 No Comments

Monday

Rules of Engagement (CBS, 8:30pm) Season Premiere – What, this show’s still on?
Monday Mornings (TNT, 10pm) Series Premiere – Medical melodrama with a dash of ridiculous, I’ll check at least one.

Tuesday

Betty White’s 2nd Annual 90th Birthday Special (NBC, 8pm) – Blow those candles.
Smash (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Taking it to Broadway.
Tosh.0 (Com, 10pm) Season Premiere – Shouldn’t this be like Tosh.4 by now?

Wednesday

American Idol (Fox, 8pm) The Hollywood rounds start, might I take a peek?

Thursday

Community (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Will the new showrunner keep that special something?
Brand X With Russell Brand (FX, 11:30pm) Season Premiere – More Russell.

Friday

The Job (CBS, 8pm) Series Premiere – Compete for a job.
Touch (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Kiefer keeps following his son.
Something Borrowed, Something New (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Wedding it up.
The Jenny McCarthy Show (VH1, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Why did I think she was going to OWN?

Saturday

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – St. Valentine’s festivities.
Oddities/Odd Folks Home (Sci, 9/9:30) Season/Series Premieres – A shop of oddities and then a trip to some of the folk’s houses.

Sunday

The Grammy Awards (CBS, 8pm) – Sing it.
SNL in the ’80s (NBC, 9pm) – Lost and found.
Battlestar Gallactica: Blood & Chrome (Syfy, 9pm) – What happened when Adama was a youth? for those of you who missed this online.
Gypsy Sisters (TLC, 9pm) Series Premiere – Life with a gypsy family in West Virginia.
Snapped (Oxy, 9pm) Season Premiere – Sometimes I think I might snap.

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.

best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2012

January 3, 2013 No Comments

Well the critics have weighed in, but what do I recommend? It’s hard to tell how unbiased I can look at each individual season but based on previous lists some shows are still faves and alas some shows have definitely dropped off. And of course there are some other shows in my queue, clearly I watch more than ten, or eleven, shows a year. Based on today’s thoughts here’s where I’m at:

Justified (Fx) – Raylan the Kentucky Marshall is a fave, some season arcs are stronger than others but they do a great job with the supporting cast and keeping me tuned in to who he will shoot, or get shot by, next.
Good Wife (CBS) – They’ve managed to evolve the story of this woman who is standing by her man, raising her family, practicing law and dealing with official and unofficial politics in a way that just keeps me hooked.
Sherlock (PBS) – I guess you can never have too much Holmes, sadly only three episodes per season setting him and Watson in modern day, a great look at the traditional stories with new slant on the characters.
Parenthood (NBC) – I actually dropped this show when it first came on but now am hooked on the Braverman’s and their drama, at times ridiculous they have some great and touching moments.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – Small town politics with a cast of characters that are quirky and endearing, makes me laugh out loud.
Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – The complications upon complications, and the lack impulse control that these people suffer from, keeps me wondering how they can keep going without all being dead but I can’t look away.
Louie (Fx) – He’s the critics’ darling and for good reason, you can tell he definitely does what he wants on this show you never know what you’re going to get but this sad guy is getting a lot right.
Community (NBC) – The nods to all things pop culture in these eps keeps it a cut above, curious how the new show runners will keep it going.
Cougartown (ABC) – As folks should know this show is moving to TBS, but the cul de sac crew drinking wine makes me laugh, maybe because I’m also usually drinking wine.
Bunheads (ABCF)/ Hart of Dixie (CW) – These shows are going to get a dual listing, although I can’t honestly say that either of these shows are the best on tv I find them both very enjoyable with their flawed leading lady tries to do right in a small town slant.

Lots of good tv to be had, what’s on your list?

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.

my schedule

October 17, 2012 No Comments

We’ll see if anything changes and I’m always pretending I’ll be a bit more ruthless with some cuts, but here’s where things are netting out for now.

Monday

8pm – How I Met Your Mother (CBS) / Bones (Fox)
10pm – Castle (ABC)

I’m kind of over all of these shows but feel dedicated to see them through for their resolution and still glimmers of my past appreciation.

Tuesday

8pm – Ben & Kate (Fox) / Hart of Dixie (CW)
9pm – Happy Endings/Don’t Trust the B in Apt 23 (ABC) / New Girl/The Mindy Project (Fox) / Go On/The New Normal (NBC)
10pm – Parenthood (NBC) / Vegas (CBS)

My biggest competitive slot at 9… Ben & Kate aren’t rock solid yet so we’ll see where it goes, but the rest of the funnies, assuming Endings and Apt 23 come back in good form, are pretty solid, capped off with some good family drama and a so far kind of intriguing Vegas.

Wednesday

8pm – The Middle/Suburgatory (ABC)
9pm – Modern Family (ABC)
10pm – Nashville (ABC)

More funny, and I’m only one in but enjoyed the drama of the Nashville songsters and the actual and subjective politics surrounding them and the pretty catchy tunes.

Thursday

8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS) / 30 Rock (NBC)
9pm – The Office/Parks & Rec (NBC)
10pm – Elementary (CBS)

When’s the last time I was enjoying so many comedies, though hoping Office will go out on a good note, and then the enjoyable latest iteration of Sherlock and Watson.

Friday

8pm – Community (NBC) / ANTM (CW)
9pm – Grimm (NBC)

So Community isn’t back yet, but whenever and wherever it hits I’ll check it, I have somehow been sucked back into ANTM hijinks, and still digging the silly and sometimes grisly weekly fairy tale mystery.

Saturday

Day of rest or frolic

Sunday

9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)
10pm – The Mentalist (CBS)

A good dramatic lineup to cap off the week with my favorite network drama Wife.

And still working in my less time slot specific cable entries of It’s Always Sunny (FX), The League (FX), Major Crimes (TNT), Sons of Anarchy (FX), The Walking Dead (AMC) and tentatively American Horror Story (Fx).

What’s in your queue?

returning fall favorites

August 23, 2012 No Comments

The fall season is starting to trickle in… Until we get the full lay of the land of the new stuff, let’s take a look at what I’m looking forward to that’s coming back.

Community (NBC, Oct 19) – They’re able to do a crazy good job with random theme episodes and ongoing arcs that leverage the characters as well as pop culture.
The Good Wife (CBS, Sept 30) – Still one of my favorite dramas, I am somehow interested in all the aspects of the people, cases, relationships and politics.
Happy Endings (ABC, Oct 23) – This is my fave buddy/relationship comedy as each of these characters have evolved into their own random peeps.
Hart of Dixie (CW, Oct 2) – My new favorite fluffy small town rom-com, I want to see if ~~Summer~~ Zoe is still rocking the shorts at her medical practice.
The Mentalist (CBS, Sept 30) – This procedural has maintained the most of my interest, mostly due to Simon Baker being a likable wackadoodle.
New Girl (Fox, Sept 25) – This show too had some growing pains in the first season but I like that Jess has found a better balance of innocence and reality and the supporting cast has become more well rounded.
Parenthood (NBC, Sept 11) – What will befall the Bravermans this season, they get into some stupid situations but usually treat them with the right amount of humor and heart.
Parks & Recreation (NBC, Sept 20) – I almost wanted this show to end with the council election because it was just so perfect but am thrilled to see the return of these misfit government workers.
Sons of Anarchy (FX, Sept 11) – Every season I wonder how Jax and the crew will get out of their latest fix and am eagerly anticipating their new season of good bad guys.
The Walking Dead (AMC, Oct 14) – I finally caught back up and am ready for a new season of relationships strained to the max as they fight for their survival of the zomb-pocalypse.

Honorable Mentions (On the TiVo): 30 Rock (NBC, Oct 4), The Big Bang Theory (CBS, Sept 27), Bones (Fox, Sept 17), Castle (ABC, Sept 24), Dexter (Show, Sept 30), Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23 (ABC, Oct 23), Grimm (NBC), Hot in Cleveland (TVL, Nov 28), How I Met Your Mother (CBS, Sept 24), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX, Oct), The League (FX, Oct), The Middle (ABC, Sept 26), Modern Family (ABC, Sept 26), Suburgatory (ABC, Oct 17).

Debatable but may check in: American Horror Story (Fx, Oct), America’s Next Top Model (CW, Aug 24), Law & Order: SVU (NBC, Sept 26), The Office (NBC, Sept 20), The Voice (NBC, Sept 10).

Chime in with comments on what you’re looking forward to or other questions on returning faves.

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

new and noteworthy tv: 3/12-3/18

March 11, 2012 No Comments

I’m finally making a dent in my backlog…

Monday

The Bachelor (ABC, 10pm) – After the final rose.
Navajo Cops (NGC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Cops Indian reserve style.

Tuesday

Fashion Star (NBC, 9:30pm) Series Premiere – Jessica Simpson, John Varvatos, and Nicole Richie mentor the latest fashion designers, the new feature is you can buy the winning clothes.

Wednesday

South Park/Ugly Americans (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season Premieres – Animation amusement.
Monster Man (Syfy, 11pm) Series Premiere – Creating monsters is the family business.

Thursday

Community (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Ok so it’s sort of a midseason return but I am happy to have it back.
Missing (ABC, 8pm) Series Premiere – Ashley Judd isn’t a CIA agent, she’s just a mom looking for her son! I’ve seen this preview a bunch and will tune in but have low hopes.
Behind the Music (VH1, 9pm) Season Premiere – But wait there are more stories to tell.
The First 48: Missing Persons (A&E, 10pm) Season Premiere – People are missing.
Sweet Genius (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Chocolaty treats.

Friday

Fairly Legal/In Plain Sight (USA, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – A couple of feisty gals return.
Four Weddings (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – And a hookah lounge.

Saturday

Tennis (ABC, Sat/Sun, 11am, ESPN2 earlier in the week) – ATP tennis from Indian Wells, Ca.

Sunday

Frozen Planet/Unchained Reaction (Disc, 8/10pm) Series Premieres – Artics and creating chain reaction contraptions.

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.

best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2011

January 3, 2012 2 Comments

The critics have given their best lists so it’s time for mine. As most of you know I don’t get top tier cable so some of the HBO and Showtime and other options are waiting for a Netflix showing for me to properly evaluate. And as with all of my top ten lists there could be a good degree of variability particularly on order but also on inclusion depending on the way the wind blows… but here’s where I ended up today:

Justified (Fx) – Last season’s plot line did a great job of not only showcasing why we love US Marshall Raylan but the complexities of the good and not so good guys in rural Kentucky.
The Good Wife (CBS) – I’m still impressed with the well rounded stories and characters and the politics that go into everything they do, be it the weekly court case, the running of the law firm, the family drama and of course the politics.
Parks and Recreation (NBC) – This series started off a little rough not quite knowing what to do with their Office spinoff-ish format, but the show has really found its footing week after week with small town office politics and the characters involved.
Sons of Anarchy (FX) – Have recently been wondering how many club members could die a season and still keep going, but this show makes me mostly suspend belief as I am caught up in all the tensions wondering how they will ever make it through the next jam.
Bones (Fox) – So far I still enjoy the chemistry and character between/of the two leads as their relationship progresses on this sciency procedural with a supporting cast of folks that add good stuff to each week.
The Glee Project (Oxy) – This new angle on talent competition, looking for someone who would fit into a specific show focusing on slightly underdog characters, coached and judged by the cast, staff, and creators gives a great look at both the talent and what goes into getting it all together.
Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher each embodied a wonderfully nuanced character dealing with the dramas of life, I enjoyed what was unfortunately the final season.
Parenthood (NBC) – Ah the silly Bravermans keep making missteps but they seem to mostly balance family drama ridiculousness with some touching and truthful moments from each of the generations.
Cougar Town (ABC)/Community (NBC) – These two comedies were more uneven than some but still consistently gave me the most laughs and enjoyment, both took a little while to find their footing but they each were able to find the funny in their off beat characters and situations.

And of course lots of stuff almost made the list, my TiVo is certainly full! What are your picks?

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

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