tv

more fall fun

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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.

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sports, tv

next week 7/14

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New and notable for the week ahead… live times are noted as pst, always check your local listings.

Monday

  • The Bachelor (ABC, 8pm) – Where are they now? Or you can look it up on tvguide.
  • The Closer (TNT, 9pm) Season Premiere – I have been watching reruns of this on TNT and just realized that they are skipping episodes and not showing the whole seasons, now I’m debating whether trying to netflix just the episodes I missed which is kind of a pain, they are doing a marathon throughout the day.
  • Saving Grace (TNT, 10pm) Season Premieres – I’ve been looking forward to season two of Holly Hunter drinking and sleeping with inappropriate men and dealing with her angel Earl.
  • China’s Stolen Children (HBO, 9pm) – The latest special…

Tuesday

  • The Cleaner (A&E, 10pm) Series Premiere – Benjamin Bratt is a now clean but not problem free addict who helps others get clean, and for some reason has a crew of folks to help him out.
  • From G’s to Gents (MTV, 10pm) Series Premiere – Can they make these bad boys go good, a new reality competition was definitely needed to answer that.

Wednesday

  • Project Runway (Bravo, 9pm) Season Premiere – I think the whole gang is back for the new crew of competition.
  • Dog the Bounty Hunter (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – This guy is apparently back with a vengeance.
  • Celebrity Circus (NBC, 10pm) Season Finale – Wee man, Stacey Dash, and Antonio ‘actor” Sabato Jr. compete for… circus bragging rights.
  • Family Foreman (TV Land, 10pm) Series Premiere – Apparently we need to see more of George Foreman in this reality series.

Thursday

  • The Gong Show (Comedy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Dave Attell (?) hosts the new version of this classic hit of wacky acts.
  • Reality Bites Back (Comedy, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – What could follow the Gong Show better than comedians competing in classic game show feats from gladiators to smarter than a 5th grader.

Friday

  • Monk (USA, 9pm) Season Premiere – Tony Shaloub plays a nutso phobic private detective.
  • Psych (USA, 10pm) Season Premiere – A particularly observant guy pretends to be psychic and solves crimes with a buddy.

Saturday

  • Action Sports Tour (NBC, sa/su 1pm – also on USA sa/su 12am) – The Right Guard Open is the Cleveland stop of the Dew Tour.
  • Beach Volleyball (NBC, sa/su 11:30am) – The AVP Crocs Tour shows us the finals from Brooklyn.
  • Skateboarding (CBS, 12pm) – The Maloof Money Cup Championships from Costa Mesa, Ca.
  • And of course you could catch up on more of the tour de france, moving right along…

Sunday

  • High School Musical: Get in the Picture (ABC, 8pm) Series Debut – Nick Lachey hosts this competition for kids to get into the action of the High School Musical franchise, and I think the winner gets shown in the closing credits.
  • ESPYs (ESPN, 9pm) – Justin Timberlake hosts as they recognize sports achievements throughout the year.
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tv

summer drought

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sgrace.jpg

Aside from continued reality and game shows, is there anything new coming this summer? Well if you have cable you’re not without hope, and there’s even one or two for you network kids… Here’s a couple of things I’m mostly looking forward to:

Sunday, June 1
In Plain Sight (10 p.m., USA) Series Premiere – This premiered last night though I have yet to watch, and it does repeat throughout the week (yeah for cable repeats), but I miss a good fresh procedural so I’m excited to see Mary McCormack as a US Marshall dealing with folks in witness protection.

Tuesday, June 3
30 Days (Fx, 10pm) Season Three – I actually have yet to catch this show but I’m intrigued by the premise, ‘Supersize Me’ guy (and other designated folks) walks the walk in this reality take on 30 days in the life of people from minimum wage workers to white supremacists to coal miners.

Thursday, June 5
Swingtown (CBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – I’ve read some good and bad of this show about a couple who moves into a swinging 70s neighborhood, it’s either an interesting look at the 70s sexuality and politics or it’s just trashy and superficial, either way could be worth a look.

Fear Itself (NBC, 10pm) Series Premiere – This could be as dreadful as last season’s ‘Masters of Science Fiction’ but they’ve got some good talent lined up to do standalone episodes, and perhaps they might even be scary, so probably inconsistent but maybe some gems.

Thursday, July 10
Burn Notice (USA, 10pm) Season Two – I’ve been catching up on this in repeats and though I initially dismissed this ex spy guy as a stiff and predictable, I found the camp and the characters grew on me, fluffy is fine for summer.

Thursday, July 11
Flashpoint (CBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – I have no reason to expect this to be any more than a burned off summer series but I give network stuff a chance during the summer, so this Emergency Task Force drama is worth a shot.

Monday, July 14
The Closer/Saving Grace (TNT, 9/10pm) Seasons Two – Here are a couple of leading ladies who know how to entertain, Kyra Sedgewick is a deputy chief running a special unit cracking down on crime making things happen with her interrogation skills while Holly Hunter is a cop who won’t stop fighting crime unless she’s getting drunk, sleeping with inappropriate men, or talking to her special guardian angel, I can’t wait.

Sunday, July 27
Mad Men (AMC, 10pm) Season Two – I initially skipped this show as the thought of watching a show about advertising… lets just say I get enough of that in my day job, but folks they are a raving, so much that I’m tempted to check it out. Fortunately they’re doing a season 1 marathon 7/20 12pm.

Tuesday, July 29
Eureka (Sci Fi, 9pm) Season Three – I caught this show in the first season and was entertained by this secret super scientist community, it’s quirky characters, and the hijinks that ensue, while of course the not super scientist sheriff needs to help keep it all together.

Other summer series:
Charlie Jade (June 6, SciFi, 8pm), Army Wives (June 8, Life, 10pm), The Bill Engvall Show/My Boys (June 12, TBS, 9/9:30pm), The Middleman (June 16, ABC Fam, 8pm), Monk/Psych (July 10, USA, 9/10pm), Stargate Atlantis (July 11, Sci Fi, 10pm), The Cleaner (July 15, A&E, 10pm), Weeds/Secret Diary of a Call Girl (June 16, Show, 10/10:30pm), Primeval (Aug 9, BBC, 9pm)

For most of the rest you’ll have to wait ’til fall but for those of you who asked: Dexter season three premiere is currently scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 28, with season two now available for download on iTunes and on dvd Aug. 19. And Flight of the Conchords isn’t scheduled until 2009 though the dvd for season one is out. And of course these dates may change, I’ll continue to check in on premier dates on ‘next week’ posts.

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best, tv

my top tv of 2007

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daisiesSo we’ve seen other’s picks for the top tv, but what about me? Well I think if you’ve read any of these posts you have an idea… But what you may not know is that although I seem to be comfortable spouting my opinion, if I actually have to quantify something as ‘The Best’ or ‘Top Ten’ I am immediately concerned that I have forgotten something or will change my mind the moment I write something down, which I often do, I mean tv does change with each episode… So I’m throwing down ten items in alphabetical order and I reserve the right to change my mind.

And of course one should recall that I don’t get real cable so my lack of endorsement for certain cable shows, well isn’t really a lack of endorsement.

  • Chuck (NBC) – This show isn’t more than it is, a funny action romp, but what it is, it does really well and I find myself looking forward to it each week, it’s not so much about a regular guy being pulled into the spy world as it is the spy world being pulled into the regular guy’s life and the situations with spies and with the regular folks each tend to amuse and entertain.
  • Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) – Again, I think folks tend to not give enough credit to a campy drama done well. These characters (and actors) are not only their stereotypes done to excess but also typically a subtle twist, I am entertained by the weekly trouble they get themselves into as well as finding out what who killed Dutch.
  • Flight of the Conchords (HBO) – So an HBO show? Yes I was up to date since I was at an HBO watcher’s house when it premiered, and I really can’t do this show justice with a description but the New Zealand comedy satire folk singing duo trying to make it in New York, randomly breaking into music video song stylings is super funny.
  • Heroes (NBC) – Well I warmed up to this show over the season last year and though disappointed with the start of this season, found myself yet again drawn into the cast that blurs the line between using their abilities for good or evil and how you can’t tell most of the time which is which as they try to save the world, or not.
  • Lost (ABC) – It’s been so long since I’ve seen this that I almost didn’t put it on the list, but it continues to entertain with a formula that seemed impossible telling character stories through past and present, from an island that is as full of mysteries as it is new characters.
  • Pushing Daisies (ABC) – The best new show of the year according to many, and I can’t not delight in it myself, I do give special credit for people who try to push things, and their 360 approach to the tone is wonderful, they’ve had some fantastic guest stars and episodic mysteries but managed to keep the right focus on the core cast with the ultimate can’t-be-together couple of Chuck and Ned.
  • The Riches (FX) – Another unbelievable premise that just keeps me on the edge of my seat as this Traveler family pretends to be the Riches (folks who were killed in a car accident), and how they continue to keep afloat and keep out of the way of the other Travelers who wish them ill (to say the least) and their internal struggles along the way… it kept me tuned in.
  • Samantha Who? (ABC) – This is my favorite new comedy and with the dearth of funny out there I think that’s not only entertaining but important. It’s a combination of Christina Applegate really getting a vehicle that suits her great combination of funny, dorky, attractive, bitchy and sweet in her own special way and of course the writing and the great supporting cast don’t hurt with special shoutouts to Jean Smart and Sookie and surprisingly Barry Watson.
  • Saving Grace (TNT) – You know I’m not sure this is actually one of the best shows but Holly Hunter and her screwed up character are like a car wreck you can’t look away from and her struggle with the angel trying to save her and her friends and family… well I just can’t look away.
  • 30 Rock (NBC) – This show has edged out my previous vote of funniest show How I Met Your Mother (which I still find quite funny) and it found it’s place as the dysfunctional staff of a late night sketch comedy show spouts hilarity on more levels than I can catch if I’m not paying attention, and has been funny each and every time I sit down to watch.

I also didn’t officially list, but wanted to give a special shout out to two shows that I have adored that ended their run in 2007 Gillmore Girls and Veronica Mars, oh how I do miss these sassy gals.

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tv

next week 12/17

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Monday

  • Clash of the Choirs (NBC, 8pm – m-th) Premiere – Some songsters take some choirs and get them geared up to let loose like only a choir can do.
  • Duel (ABC, 8pm – m-f and sun) Premiere – Six part series of game shows where people compete against each other in some sort of trivia.

Tuesday

  • The Biggest Loser (NBC, 9pm) Season Finale – The final weigh in will tell us who has won the most by losing the most.
  • Saving Grace (TNT, 10pm) Season Finale – Didn’t I just write about this show coming back?

Wednesday

  • A Holiday Celebration at Ford’s Theater (ABC, 10pm) – Apparently this is an annual event where the first family watches some folks like Wynonna perform.
  • Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (CBS, 8pm) – Just can’t get enough of that snowman.

Thursday

  • CSI (CBS 8/9pm) – On a night of mostly repeats you can get reacquainted with this season’s opener of the miniature killer taking Sara.

Friday

  • Home for the Holidays (CBS, 8pm) – This one has Fergie, James Blunt and Sheryl Crow singing to raise awareness for foster care.
  • The Next Great American Band (Fox, 9pm) Season Finale – No matter what, those Clark Brothers have a great career ahead of them!

Saturday

  • Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (ABC, 8pm) – Jim Carey helps bring this children’s book to life.
  • Elf (CBS, 8pm) – Will Farrell is endearing and funny in this fish out of water tale of an elf hitting the real world.

Sunday

  • Elmo’s Christmas Countdown (ABC, 7pm) – Celebs and muppets, how could that be bad?
  • Story of Santa Claus (CW, 8pm) – An animated telling of Nicholas Claus.
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tv

next week 12/3

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Monday

  • Charlie Brown Christmas (ABC, 8pm) – In case you missed this last week, Whoopi also does a little behind the scenes of this holiday classic.
  • Heroes (NBC, 9pm) Finale – This is the wrap up of the first of what were supposed to be three arcs, pending strike resolution, finale may be more accurate than intended.
  • Saving Grace (TNT, 10pm) – She’s back and things are getting stormy, is it just the tornadoes hitting Oklahoma?

Tuesday

  • Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (CBS, 8pm) – I think this is how we were told being different was a good thing, Rudolph is much more forgiving of childhood torment than most…
  • Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (CBS, 10pm) – I’ve never actually watched one of these but I believe it’s models in underwear and maybe some wings.
  • Beauty and the Geek (CW, 8pm) Season Finale – And the winner is…

Wednesday

  • Santa Claus is Coming to Town (ABC, 8pm) – I really should make a new holiday animation or claymation special since they seem to fill the season.
  • Life (NBC, Mon and Wed 10pm) – A special two part episode starts on Monday and ends in its regular slot, as our weird detective hunts down pieces in his own mystery.

Thursday

  • Barbara Walters: 10 Most Fascinating People of 2007 (ABC, 10pm) – Every year she throws in a mix of folks with some popular entertainers and you know, they have a moment.
  • ER (NBC, 10pm) 300th Episode – Peter Fonda guests on a tour through former patients while Luka and Abby deal with their own drama.

Friday

  • Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (CBS, 8/8:30pm) – Really I need to get moving on this new holiday project.
  • Movies Rock! A Celebration of Music in Film (CBS, 9pm) – Some song singing should be shown.

Saturday

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas (ABC, 8pm) – This one is the movie, though 2008 will be my year for claymation…
  • Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Farrell (NBC, 9:30pm) – I do find Farrell funny in some of his stuff, but I think I dropped SNL during his years.

Sunday

  • Oprah Winfrey Presents: Mitch Albom’s ‘For One More Day’ (ABC, 9pm) – Washed up Michael Imperioli spends a day with dead mother Ellen Burstyn.
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tv

summer cable treats

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I did mention that I don’t have real cable, but I have had the opportunity to get addicted to just a few cable shows at someone else’s house. A dangerous precedent but sometimes you just have to live dangerously.

  • Flight of the Conchords – (HBO) So there’s these two New Zealand guys who are in a band that does these pretty hilarious ‘folk-parody’ songs. I don’t know what these guys are really like but the characters and situations that they’ve created for this half hour show about their band (Flight of the Conchords) trying to make it in NY, that almost feels like an extended music video, is totally random and just makes me laugh. (Season finale week of Sept 2)
  • Saving Grace – (TNT) Set in Oklahoma City, Holly Hunter plays this total wreck of a person, Grace, who seems to mismanage her relationships, family, and of course police career all while being visited by an angel Earl who is apparently trying to save her, which of course she’ll have none of, but she does have her forensic friend analyzing some of the objects she gathers. (Season finale week of Sept 16)
  • Rock of Love With Bret Michaels – (VH1) I have so much disdain for those dating shows like the Bachelor, but watching the lead singer of Poison try to pick a gal is like an accident you just can’t look away from. The women basically seem crazy and slutty as they try to win dates with Brett in ridiculous challenges and of course live in a house together and get all catty. It’s like a really well done satire of one of these shows. (Week of 9/9 we’re down to four, not sure if there’s more…)
  • Scott Baio is 45 — and Single – (VH1) Ok this show wasn’t even any good but somehow I watched it all. Scott Baio works with a lifecoach and hangs with friends as he confronts his history of womanizing to see if he can, or wants to, settle down with current girlfriend, and of course former playmate. There’s a little voyeuristic fun but the format and Scott VO make it a little too packaged. (Finale aired but still rerunning)

And for the record I tried but couldn’t keep up with:

  • John From Cincinnati – (HBO) I really tried to give this show a shot, I like surfing and the cast and creators were reputable, but the oddly stilted characters and supernatural happenings never quite clicked. So season one finished up and didn’t get renewed.
  • Burn Notice – (USA) Ok so I only watched one of these but though it had the ingredients for being a fun spy action show it didn’t quite work and I almost didn’t finish the first episode. I’ve read some good reviews so maybe it hit its stride later.
  • Damages – (FX) I made it through two of these… Glenn Close and Ted Danson are both almost interestingly despicable as we watch a new associate get dragged into more than she bargained for personally and professionally at her new law firm, but I just couldn’t quite stomach the over the top plotting.
  • Greek – (ABC Family) Sometimes a relatively tame and pretty mindless stereotypical show about kids in college, in the greek system, is all that you’re looking for, but maybe ABC Family isn’t my channel.
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