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summer cleaning – season passes

August 4, 2019 No Comments

As I wrapped up with the series finale of iZombie it reminded me that it was time to take a pass at my season passes with the ending of a variety of shows. Following are some of the ones I’m saying goodbye to (good thing I have plenty else to keep me busy).

You lived a good life:

Humans (AMC) – I absolutely loved the first season of this and although there would be more story to be told on the role of sentient synths the series felt like it ran a good course.
iZombie (CW) – This tale of a woman turned zombie who solved crimes by eating brains took us on a fun journey with her friends and lots of zombie action and felt like it told the story it wanted with the wrap up.
Life in Pieces (CBS) – It may not have been the best series but there was enough funny with this family to keep me tuned in but ok that it was time to wrap it.
Gotham (Fox) – I honestly haven’t even started watching the final season but this show had some great moments but again the pre batman story has an expiration date.

Gone too soon:

Abby’s (NBC) – This friends hanging out at a bar had a good enough cast and ingredients for this to be a very fun hang show had it been given some legs.
Deadly Class (Syfy) – This comic book tale set in the 80s of an underground high school of the deadly arts had great tone and soundtrack and sad I won’t get to see what happens next.
Speechless (ABC) – Truthfully this is almost in the you lived a good life, but this special needs family just felt like it had more depths to explore as their family moved into a new chapter.
Whiskey Cavalier (ABC) – I love a good caper film and this top secret team was just plain fun.

Saving me some TiVo time:

Fam (CBS) – Generic comedy had some good ingredients but I won’t miss it.
The Passage (Fox) – I was a bit intrigued by the huge change in the season finale but overall this show was trashy in a way that I didn’t put down but am totally ok with it not being on the list.
The Cool Kids (Fox) – There is a nostalgia factor with the actors and the straightforward comedy, I thought this would catch on more but honestly it wasn’t something that really hit.

Streaming sadness (no technical season pass):

Forever (Amazon) – This was a very odd story but I really enjoyed the first season and was intrigued to see where else they would go.
Patriot (Amazon) – Ok sad spy probably put us through as many seasons as our protagonist could take but I’m glad we had him while we did.
Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix) – Zombies were all the rage but this Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant one was really the most fun.
Sneaky Pete (Amazon) – Just starting the final season and while imperfect I enjoyed Giovanni Ribisi con man fun.
The Tick (Amazon) – A fresh take on the comic superheroes active in our world and the folks they interact with.

Also in their final seasons, or about to be, Agents of Shield, Elementary, The Good Place, Killjoys, Legion, Madam Secretary, Mr Robot, and Will & Grace have each had a good run and happy to know they have time to wrap up properly.

my schedule

November 17, 2017 No Comments

Things are already wrapping up for their fall finales but everything is finally basically out so here’s where I’m at. *New shows indicated.

Monday

10pm – The Brave* (NBC)

This show isn’t necessarily all that good but it has avoided must of the unbearable personal stories or soapy drama that made the others of this ilk unwatchable, and you know so far they succeed on their missions in an uplifting way.

Tuesday

8pm – The Middle/Fresh off the Boat (ABC) / Lethal Weapon (Fox)
9pm – This is Us (NBC) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
10pm – Kevin (Probably) Saves the World* (ABC)

Some good classics are still hitting the queue, though I am almost over This Is Us unless they find a way to make anyone else as interesting as Randall and his family’s stories. I am thoroughly enjoying the oddball Jason Ritter series where he’s trying to balance family and his new secret missions with his invisible to others new cohort.

Wednesday

8pm – Speechless (ABC)

I dropped this show mid-way through last season but am glad to say I listened to critics and got back on board.

Thursday

8pm – Gotham (Fox) / Superstore/The Good Place (NBC) / The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
9pm – Will & Grace*/Great News (NBC) / Mom/Life in Pieces (CBS)

I am mostly waiting for Gotham to be canceled and I am not sure how into Great News or Life in Pieces but some good comedies are still hitting Thursday night including the funny familiar though uneven Will & Grace.

Sunday

8pm – Ghosted* (Fox)
10pm – Madam Secretary (CBS)

I’m enjoying the buddy paranormal fighting comedy and the Secretary still gives me hope for politics where most things turn out ok.

And because no one lives on network alone, some cable shows that are in the queue: Better Things (Fx), Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBCA), Full Frontal (TBS), Good Behavior (TNT), Ink Master: Angels* (Spike), You’re the Worst (FXX), Z Nation (Syfy)

And I still haven’t watched this season yet but they’re backing up: The Long Road Home* (NGC), Mr. Robot (USA), Project Runway (Life), Queen Sugar (OWN), Top of the Lake (Sun)

my schedule

October 28, 2016 No Comments

There’s always room for tinkering but as it stands here’s what I’ve got on the plan, or at least the TiVo queue.

Monday

8pm – Gotham (Fox)
10pm – Timeless (NBC)

Wacky time travel is the new addition to this timeslot, it’s a rompy fun show and we seem to get a new historical event each week plus of course some sort of overarching conspiracy. And I’m hanging in with this slant on the Batman world with the characters and cases still providing enough interest.

Tuesday

8pm – The Middle (ABC) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine/New Girl (Fox)
9pm – Fresh Off the Boat (ABC) / No Tomorrow (CW) / This is Us (NBC)
10pm – SHIELD (ABC)

New additions this this night include two hours that have been engaging so far. One a ridiculous rom-com where they keep playing with whether the dude is crazy (he is predicting the apocalypse, but you know citing science) and whether crazy matters if he’s good in the meantime. And the second the natural family drama fill in for Parenthood which so far has some members of the family more well-rounded than others but it’s keeping me in. And sticking with some of the amusing and riding out the ups and downs of the Marvel tv incarnation.

Wednesday

8pm – Lethal Weapon (Fox)

As long as you don’t pretend it’s a remake the new buddy cop drama is fun. Note I almost stuck with Speechless, the kid in the wheelchair and his aide are great but the show doesn’t end up bringing enough comedy for me.

Thursday

8pm – The Big Bang Theory (CBS) / Superstore/The Good Place (NBC)
9pm – Pitch (Fox) / Mom/Life in Pieces (CBS)

New additions here are the afterlife mix up which I find amusing with the plot so far moving quickly into new territory each week and the girl baseball player which isn’t revolutionary but so far I find the main characters engaging. I did watch one episode of The Great Outdoors and will check out another but don’t imagine sticking around. And I am holding on to some other amusements.

Sunday

9pm – Madam Secretary (CBS)
10pm – Elementary (CBS)

Neither of these are the most amazing for me but I like enough about them and the roles that they play in my schedule so am going to stick them out.

And lest we forget about other random cable channels that I tend to watch less on schedule: Atlanta (FX), Better Things (Fx), Queen Sugar (OWN), Younger (TVL), You’re the Worst (Fxx), and Z Nation (Syfy). I was also intrigued enough by the first Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBCA) to take it for another spin, though it is admittedly so odd I don’t know whether that’s going to be enough or too much.

Plus there’s still midseason! What’s in your schedule?

new and noteworthy tv: 9/19-9/25

September 18, 2016 No Comments

With the return of the fall season I’ve returned to noting the majority of the season premieres of scripted shows along with new series. My TiVo is going to start getting a workout again.

The Big Bang Theory/Kevin Can Wait (CBS) Season/Series Premieres, Monday, 8/8:30pm – Still a fan of Big Bang and am not expecting any more from Kevin James’ new comedy than stereotypical comedic family.
Gotham/Lucifer (Fox) Season Premieres, Monday, 8/9pm – Looking forward to what James Gordon is up to with the latest criminal element and didn’t quite catch on to the devil coming to town.
The Voice (NBC) Season Premiere, Monday, 8pm – This season Miley Cryus and Alicia Keys join Levine and Shelton.
The Good Place (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – One of the new comedies I’m looking forward to as Kristen Bell joins Ted Danson in a heavenly way.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine/New Girl/Scream Queens (Fox) Season Premieres, Tuesday, 8/8:30/9pm – I’m amused by the first hour of this block.
NCIS/Bull/NCIS: New Orleans (CBS) Season/Series Premieres, Tuesday, 8/9/10pm – I haven’t heard great things about the new Michael Weatherly as renowned trial consultant but perhaps.
Agents of SHIELD (ABC) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – I’ll tune in to see what the next chapter holds in this slice of the Marvel world.
This is Us (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – This dramedy of intertwined lives is being compared to Parenthood which makes me want to give it a go.
The Goldbergs/Speechless/Modern Family/Blackish/Designated Survivor (ABC) Season/Series Premieres, Wednesday, 8/8:30/9/9:30/10pm – I tuned out of this comedy lineup but will check out this latest family comedy and Kiefer Sutherland taking on the presidency.
Lethal Weapon/Empire (Fox) Series/Season Premieres, Wednesday, 8/9pm – I’ve heard enough promise in the latest incarnation of this buddy cop drama and am still engaged with the soapy musical family.
Survivor (CBS) Season Premiere, Wednesday, 8pm – Millennials vs. Gen X, I’m not only not following this show anymore I’m not sure how old that makes the participants.
Law & Order: SVU/Chicago PD (NBC) Season Premieres, Wednesday, 9/10pm – For those that are sticking these out.
Easy (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday – Curious to see what this ensemble cast, anthology, romantic comedy series is about.
Grey’s Anatomy/Notorious/HTGAWMurder (ABC) Season/Series Premieres, Thursday, 8/9/10pm – I couldn’t keep up with the myriad of seasons of Grey’s and didn’t want to keep up with Murder and I’m not hearing great things about this Piper Parabo criminal law and media newcomer though I’ll check it out.
Rosewood/Pitch (Fox) Season/Series Premieres, Thursday, 8/9pm – I skip the private practice forensics but I’ll check out this first woman pitcher show.
Superstore/Chicago Med/The Blacklist (NBC) Season Premieres, Thursday, 8/9/10pm – The Good Place also joins the lineup of the amusing Superstore and though I skip the generic med I do stay tuned for James Spader.
Longmire (Net) Season Premiere, Friday – I enjoy the stories and characters and beautiful country.
Transparent (Am) Season Premiere, Friday – Still hear great things about this series.
Hell’s Kitchen/The Exorcist (Fox) Season/Series Premiere, Friday, 8/9pm – I don’t do Ramsay but I did actually read a good review of the latest demonic possession.
Last Man Standing/Dr Ken/Shark Tank (ABC) Season Premieres, Friday, 8/8:30/9pm – Yes both of these comedies are still on, followed by more pitches.
MacGyver/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods (CBS) Series Premiere, Friday 8/9/10pm – As some of you know I was a huge MacGyver fan both with sincerity and the appropriate dose of kitch and although I’ve seen this kid use a Swiss army knife in the preview I’m really not optimistic about this reboot, followed by crime in various styles.
Van Helsing (Syfy) Series Premiere, Friday, 10pm – Yet another redo that might be a redon’t.
Once Upon a Time/Secrets and Lies/Quantico (ABC) Season Premieres, Sunday, 7/8/9/10pm – The lineup returns.
Bob’s Burgers/The Simpsons/Family Guy/Last Man on Earth (Fox) Season Premieres, Sunday, 7:30/8/9/9:30pm – Seasons 7, 28, 15 and 3 joined by the first season of Son of Zorn.
Poldark (PBS) Season Premiere, Sunday, 8pm – I rarely keep up with the PBS fare.
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS) Season Premiere, Sunday, 8:30pm – Is there a mole in the department, not sure since I’m not sure who’s actually in the department?

The procrastinator lists items that may not be on your regular season pass, though notation does not imply recommendation. Times noted are typically PST.

returning fall favorites

September 14, 2016 No Comments

This year fall sort of snuck up on me but as usual as much as it’s upon us it’s a slow roll. A few of the shows that I’ve got on season pass ready to return:

The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/19) – This show might not be revolutionary but still makes me laugh enough to look forward to it for the fun mix of personalities.
The Blacklist (NBC, 9/22) – I would be happy never to see Elizabeth again and Red may not be enough to keep me tuning in for another season but my interest is still greater than my annoyance, for now at least.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/20) – Another one I find funny, the characters have all grown in nice ways and create interesting complementary relationships.
Elementary (CBS, 10/2) – I found I was paying less attention to this last year but still like the main characters enough, and enjoy having a good procedural to be available so for now I’ll tune in for more than Joan’s outfit.
Empire (Fox, 9/21) – There was a bit of a sophomore slump on this one but I love a good fast moving soapy show and the musical accompaniment adds a nice touch.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/11) – The mix of cultures and generations in our 80s era setting are well explored with a nice ensemble of well-drawn characters.
Gotham (Fox, 9/19) – I never love this reinvention of the early years of the dawn of Batman as much as I want to but I find that I always enjoy the villains and the complexity of the ‘good’ guys more than I think I’m going to.
Life in Pieces (CBS, 10/27) – I spent every episode last season deciding whether I was going to keep watching this show but I made it through the year so we’ll see if this extended family laugher keeps me laughing.
Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/2) – I am keeping this show in the lineup as basically a poor man’s The Good Wife but this politics meets family show will do for now.
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC, 9/20) – Repeat Gotham description here.
The Middle (ABC, 10/11) – This comedy has help up to the test of time and continues to bring amusement even as college is taking them away.
Mom (CBS, 10/27) – This show has grown into a nice comedy while still keeping the drama of the darker moments of their lives.
New Girl (Fox, 9/20) – Repeat The Big Bang Theory description here.
Superstore (NBC, 9/22) – There was enough intriguing and amusing in this workplace comedy to keep me coming back.

And of course a few cable fare: Longmire (Net, 9/23), Project Runway (Life, 9/15), Rectify (Sund, 10/26). The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/23), Younger (TVL, 9/28), You’re the Worst (Fxx, 8/31), Z Nation (Syfy, 9/16)

Though as I read my reccos I realized most aren’t that strong, here’s hoping the new crop of shows offers some new faves. Stay tuned for my look at what I’m looking forward to.

my schedule

November 7, 2014 No Comments

A pretty dismal season for television so far though one or two options still might make the cut. Still waiting for State of Affairs but until then, here’s where I’m at:

Monday

8pm – Gotham (Fox)
9pm – Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
10pm – Blacklist (NBC)

The jury is still somewhat out on Gotham but there’s enough interesting about it that it’s still sticking for now. And returning series remind me that there were better shows last year, Hollow is still bonkers but super fun, Spader still makes it.

Tuesday

8pm – ~~Selfie~~ (ABC)
9pm – SHIELD (ABC) / New Girl/Mindy Project (Fox) / Marry Me/About a Boy (NBC)

Happy to keep some of these comedies around, actors are likable enough for me to keep for now, and Shield has been finding some new rhythms though I oppose a triple booking I am deferring a cut with On Demand.

Wednesday

8pm – The Middle (ABC) / The Mysteries of Laura (NBC)
9pm – The 100 (CW)

Ok, I’m not totally sold on Laura but it’s a decent enough filler for now while Middle and 100 are still keeping me in.

Thursday

8pm – Bones (Fox) / Big Bang Theory/Mom (CBS)
10pm – Elementary (CBS) / Parenthood (NBC)

I really am almost done with Bones but it’s still a decent procedural and keeping up with the rest of the regulars.

Friday

9pm – Grimm (NBC) / ANTM (CW)
10pm – ~~Constantine~~ (NBC)

After two Constantines I’m not sold but still don’t feel like I have a feel for the week to week, it’s a good pair with the solid freak of the week on Grimm and yes the models, last year’s addition of boys was a welcome one.

Sunday

8pm – Madam Secretary (CBS) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)

Secretary still sort of comes across like the poor man’s version of West Wing crossed with Good Wife (which is still fantastic) but even a poor man’s version keeps me in so far and Brooklyn still keeps me amused.

And for the cable fodder: Benched (USA), Ink Master (Spike), The League (Fxx), Project Runway (Life), Sons of Anarchy (Fx), Z Nation (Syfy)

What’s in your queue?

Update: Selfie is cancelled and Constantine no longer made the cut.