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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?

dropped

September 6, 2012 2 Comments

I’ve mentioned some of the shows that I’m looking forward to, but fall is also the time to make some cuts. There have been a few shows that have been dropped over the years, I can’t wait for them all to get canceled… Sometimes it’s because I can’t keep up with more than two shows per time slot but typically I just can’t take it anymore. For these I’ve only included shows that I’ve stuck with for a bit, and admittedly these aren’t all recent drops.

American Idol (Fox) – I keep trying, and tune back in to catch the new competitors as well as the new judges but I just find myself with not enough to keep me tuning back in, I’m out.
The Apprentice (NBC) – I tried some of the early seasons of these but just can’t get on board with watching the ‘celebrities’ fight and fight their way through challenges.
Criminal Minds (CBS) – This gruesome case of the week got a little monotonous for me though I do still tune back into reruns now and again.
Glee (Fox) – I loved the moments where they got the mix of humor and heart and music just right but those got fewer and farther apart, I’m slightly intrigued about life after high school but history tells us that it won’t improve things.
Gossip Girl (CW) – I loved a few seasons of this but again post high school shenanigans and re-pairings lost my interest much like every other teen drama.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – I was still hanging on to this when a triple booking last season meant I would have to take an extra step like watching online, after I missed a couple eps… no more Meredith for me.
Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) – Though the show did make me want to visit Hawaii again, and I liked the banter between the boring and the funny leads, one character of interest in a case of the week wasn’t enough.
The LA Complex (CW) – It was so bad it was good but then this Canadian kids trying to make it big in LA just got plain bad.
Once Upon a Time (ABC) – I love a fairy tale remake but though I was engaged in some of the retold tales the present day town didn’t have much to offer.
Person of Interest (CBS) – If two men who don’t emote go around trying to save people does anyone care?
Private Practice (ABC) – Who would have thought that you could get cheesier than Grey’s?
Scandal (ABC) – The thing that may have kept me tuned into this was the fact that the lead wore some beautiful outfits, but the scandalous items and their resolutions are a little too preposterous.
Survivor (CBS) – Reality shows are the easiest for me to drop, I’m not engaged in the new set of characters and though new each season, it’s somewhat repetitive.

As noted on a couple shows are also probation: ANTM (CW), L&O: SVU (NBC), The Voice (NBC). What’s no longer in your queue?

more fall fun

August 18, 2008 No Comments

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.

next week 3/31

March 28, 2008 3 Comments

Monday

The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, 9:30pm) Season Finale – Could it be peramenopause and could her gynecologist be Jason Alexander.
CSI: Miami (CBS, 10pm m/t) – A special two parter brings Elizabeth Berkley back into David Caruso’s life.

Tuesday

Hell’s Kitchen (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – He yells at people again.
Live to be 150… Can You Do It? (ABC, 10pm) – Barbara (76) talks to ‘old’ folks including Paul Newman (83).

Wednesday

Criminal Minds/CSI: NY (CBS, 9, 10pm) – Post strike returns.

Thursday

My Name is Earl (NBC, 8/8:30pm) – Post strike return and Paris wouldn’t let Britney be the only useless guest star on a series.
Miss/Guided (ABC, 8:30pm) Season Finale – Apparently though I noted this as a finale last week, there is one more.
CSI/Without a Trace (CBS, 9/10pm) – Post strike returns.
Make Me a Supermodel (Bravo, 10pm) Season Finale – And a model is chosen.

Friday

Ghost Whisperer/Numb3rs (CBS, 8/10pm) – Post strike premieres.
Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi, 10pm) Season Premiere – The fourth season begins, and a friend is going to loan me the started dvd.

Saturday

NCAA Championship (CBS, 6pm) – In this one the ball goes through a hoop…

Sunday

Sony Ericsson Open (FSN, Sat noon/est, Sun 1pmest) – This one’s tennis… Women’s finals on Saturday and Men’s on Sunday, with coverage starting Sunday 3/30.

next week 1/21

January 18, 2008 1 Comment