tv

my schedule

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Well another year of television and almost everything has started. Until they cancel more stuff, move stuff around, or we get to midseason changes here is where things seem to be settling in for me.  I wouldn’t recommend it all but it’s what I watch, or at least what I tend to tivo (I am still trying to narrow this down to no more than two shows per timeslot).

Monday chuck.jpg

  • 8pm: NBC – Chuck (CBS – The Big Bang Theory/How I Met Your Mother) (CW – Gossip Girl)
  • 9pm: NBC – Heroes (CBS – 2 1/2 Men/ABC – Samantha Who?)

Tuesday

  • 8pm: Fox – House
  • 9pm: CBS – The Mentalist (CW – Privileged)
  • 10pm: NBC – Eli Stone (NBC – L&O: SVU)

Wednesday bones_main.jpg

  • 8pm: Fox – Bones (ABC – Pushing Daisies) (CBS – The New Adventures of Old Christine/Gary Unmarried)
  • 9pm: NBC – Life
  • 10pm: ABC – Dirty Sexy Money (NBC – L&O)

Thursday

  • 8pm: NBC – My Name is Earl
  • 9pm: NBC – The Office/30 Rock (ABC – Grey’s Anatomy)
  • 10pm: ABC – Life on Mars

Friday life.jpg

  • 9pm: CBS – The Ex List (CW – ANTM encore)
  • 10pm: CBS – Numb3rs

Saturday

  • Nothing

Sunday

  • 9pm: CW – Easy Money

But wait there’s more… known midseason and cable picks: Breaking Bad (AMC), Burn Notice (USA), Celebrity Rehab (VH1), The Closer (TNT), Dexter (Show), Eureka (SciFi), Flight of the Conchords (HBO), Greek (Fam), Lost (ABC), Project Runway (Bravo), Reaper (CW), Saving Grace (TNT), Scrubs (ABC), Sons of Anarchy (FX).

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tv

next week 10/27

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New and notable in the week ahead… procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

  • Chuck/Samantha Who? (NBC/ABC, 8/9:30pm) – Arrested Development’s Tony Hale performs a guest star rock block on two of tonight’s fun shows.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS, 9:30pm) – A special night presentation of the pilot, does this mean Worst Week is out, the network says no.
  • South Park (Com, 9:30pm) – Can pink eye ruin Halloween?

Tuesday

  • Greek (ABC fam, 9pm) Season Finale – They have managed to stretch one school year over multiple seasons but it’s time for things to come to an end, but just for this year thankfully, next year Rusty moves into the house, but what will become of non president Casey?
  • Coolio’s Rules (Oxy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Rap dude starts a catering business and raises his kids in this latest reality addition.
  • It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Will Linus ever see the Great Pumpkin?

Wednesday

  • Barack (Fox, CBS, NBC, 8pm) – He’s paying for some time, as I understand it his fundraising can afford it.
  • Shaken Not Stirred (MyNet, 10pm) Series Debut – DL Hughley, Anthony Anderson, and Paul Rodriguez start their interviews with Al Sharpton.

Thursday

  • 30 Rock (NBC, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – They’re back and starting a string of guest stars with Megan Mullally.

Friday

  • Ghost Hunters (SciFi, 7pm) – Seven hour special presentation.
  • Halloween H2O (Fx, 7pm) – Check out the 20th anniversary edition of this holiday classic.

Saturday

  • Gladiators (BBCA, 4/5pm) Series Premiere – I think this might be American Gladiators but British, would just saying British Gladiators be too much to ask?

Sunday

  • Brotherhood (Show, 8pm) Season Premiere – I’m already hooked on Dexter, I can’t watch another show on a cable channel I don’t get.
  • The Simpsons (Fox, 8pm) – Treehouse of Horror strikes again.
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sports, tv

next week 8/25

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New and notable in the week ahead…

Monday

  • Deal or No Deal (NBC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Don’t ask me how they can make people randomly picking briefcases filled with money last an hour.
  • America’s Toughest Jobs (NBC, 9pm) Series Premiere – From the creator of Deadliest Catch and Iceroad Truckers real folks get a dose of overly tough reality in this multi job competition.
  • Saving Grace (TNT, 10pm) Summer Finale – What will we do until Grace comes back?
  • Exiled (MTV, 10:30) Series Premiere – So apparently the over indulged previously shown celebraters from My Sweet 16 are now being sent to see how the other half lives.

Tuesday

  • Gavin & Stacey (BBCA, 8:40pm) Series Premiere – A comedy following a couple from England and Wales who try to mix their lives.
  • Greek (ABC Fam, 9pm) Season Premiere -I’m excited for this fluffy college show to return, though Casey should get over Evan and Kappie.
  • Janice Dickenson Modeling Agency (Oxy, 10pm) Season Premiere – This season models new and old, the oldest being Janice, move in together.

Wednesday

  • Shear Genius (Bravo, 10pm) Season Finale – The final cuts are in.

Thursday

  • Democratic National Convention – Starting Monday through Thursday the convention can be seen on many a channel at many a time… check your local listings.

Friday

  • Grizzly Man Diaries (Anim Pl, 6pm) Series Premiere – An eight part series documenting the life of Timothy Treadwell (from the creepy Grizzly Man movie) in the decade before his death.

Saturday

  • Starter Wife (USA, 9am) – A little marathon of the start of Debra Messing’s freshly single series.

Sunday

  • US Open Tennis (USA starting Mon, CBS Sa/Su) – So what are the chances the final will be Nadal (1) vs Federer (2) and Ivanovic (1) vs Jankovic (2)… let’s see how this goes.
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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 8/11

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New and notable in the week ahead…

Monday

  • Sesame Street (PBS, 7am) Season Premiere – Feist and Jack Black hang out on the street, I’ve always wanted to visit the street.
  • Greek (ABC Fam, 6pm) – For those of you who may have missed out on this fun light show about some folks in the fraternities and sororities you can catch a first season ep every night this week at 6 starting with the pilot.
  • The Mole (ABC, 10pm) Season Finale – I’m sure I noted when this show started up again but I didn’t realize this show was still on.
  • Olympic Roundup – NBC evening coverage has medals for swimming, men’s team gymnastics, and men’s synchro 10m diving, as well as some prelim beach volleyball.

Tuesday

  • Samantha Who? (ABC, 9/9:30pm) – For another funny show that you may have missed, catch Christina Applegate waking up with amnesia from the start.
  • Olympic Roundup – NBC evening coverage has medals for swimming, women’s team gymnastics, and women’s synchro 10m diving, as well as some prelim beach volleyball.

Wednesday

  • Olympic Roundup – NBC evening coverage has medals for swimming, men’s individual all around gymnastics, and men’s 3m synchro diving as well as some prelim beach volleyball and women’s road cycling.

Thursday

  • Olympic Roundup – NBC evening coverage has medals for swimming and women’s individual all around gymnastics as well as beach and indoor volleyball.

Friday

  • Star Stories (BBC, 9:20pm) Series Premiere – Comedians reenact the stories behind the stars stories.
  • Olympic Roundup – NBC evening coverage has medals for swimming, men’s shotput, as well as track and field, beach and indoor volleyball.

Saturday

  • Instant Beauty Pageant (Style, 9pm) Season Premiere – This is where The View’s first young one Debbie is… regular gals do a pageant in the mall.
  • Olympic Roundup – NBC coverage of basketball, cycling, rowing, badminton, water polo, beach volleyball, trampoline, track and field, diving, and of course swimming.

Sunday

  • Skins (BBC, 9/10pm) Series Premiere – It’s a coming of age story…
  • Bob Saget Roast (Com, 10pm) – Get ready for lots of inappropriate Mk and A Olsen jokes.
  • Kung Fu Killer (Spike, 10pm) Miniseries – Did someone say David Carradine and Kung Fu? this two part series wraps tomorrow night.
  • Olympic Roundup – NBC coverage of cycling, rowing, badminton, table tennis, equestrian, indoor and beach volleyball, track and field, diving, and individual gymnastics events.
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next week 6/9

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Monday

  • Greek (ABC Fam, 8pm) Season Finale – I think they might be going into season three still in the same college year, that’s the way to keep them in school forever.
  • Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (HBO, 9pm) – A doc on the director, his films, and yes his fleeing the US after pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old, including a new interview with the victim.
  • Nashville Star (NBC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Billy Ray hosts what I can only assume is a country style american idol.

Tuesday

  • Independent Lens: Cool School (PBS, 11pm – check local listings) – Looking back on story of curator Walter Hopps and the Ferus Gallery art scene launching artists in the 50-60s.

Wednesday

  • Celebrity Circus (NBC, NBC, 9:30pm) Series Premiere – Seven ‘celebrities,’ including now famous for being on reality tv Christopher Knight among others, learn some fine circus tricks.
  • Men in Trees (ABC, 10pm) Series Finale – Looks like the gang sends off the series with a talent show, can’t wait, ok won’t watch.
  • Top Chef (Bravo, 10pm) Season Finale – I guess we pick the chef who is tops.

Thursday

  • Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List (Bravo, 9pm) Season Premiere – Rolling into season four we follow Kathy Griffin and her D list adventures in this unscripted show.
  • Bill Engvall Show/My Boys (TBS, 9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – A guy and his family/a girl, four guys, and a sports bar – let the humor begin. (They are replaying one of last season’s eps of BES on CBS on Mon/8pm)

Friday

  • Battlestar Galactica (SciFi, 10pm) Season Finale – I’m only on season one on dvd so who knows what’s going on at this point with the space caravan and the cylons.

Saturday

  • Dana Carvey: Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies (HBO, 10pm) – Carvey’s first HBO special in a while has him making the jokes and doing the impressions.

Sunday

  • Tony Awards (CBS, 8pm) –  Whoopi Goldberg hosts, and she’s supposed to be wearing something designed by Runway’s Christian, I haven’t hit the NY Broadway scene this year so can’t comment on the plays.
  • TV Land Awards (TVLand, 9pm) – If you don’t want to watch the Tonys but you still want an award show…
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next week 3/24

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Monday

  • Greek (ABC Fam, 8pm) Season Premiere – Popular older sis and geeky younger brother navigate the Greek system with varied drama and success.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8:30) – This is the episode where Britney resurfaces, and the entire cast says how normal and professional she was.
  • The Hills (MTV, 10pm) Season Premiere – The ‘reality’ show that follows a group of now known to many folks, this time two of the gals hit Paris,  I can only identify them from the weekly magazines.

Tuesday

  • Autism: The Musical (HBO, 8pm) – A documentary that follows the kids and families dealing with autism as they put on a musical.
  • Jericho (CBS, 10pm) Series Finale – Well, they brought it back but nobody came, so the post apocalyptic show will end its run.

Wednesday

  • Great Performances: Peter and the Wolf (PBS, 8pm) – This year’s Oscar winner for animated short, though there’s no narration it’s apparently quite clear – plus they throw in a making-of.

Thursday

  • Smallville (CW, 8pm) Strike Hiatus – The show’s Superman mythology began with Clark and Lex as buddies and has shown an interpretation of their journeys to become mortal enemies, 6 or so new eps expected late April..
  • Miss/Guided (ABC, 8/8:30pm) Season Finale – Rumor Willis guests as our guidance counselor manages her adult high school life.
  • The Apprentice (NBC, 9pm) Season Finale – This year’s celebrity winner will get money for charity in lieu of a Trump hiring.
  • Reaper (CW, 9pm) Strike Hiatus – Sam tries to save Andi from lost soul of the week, 5 or so new eps expected late April..

Friday

  • In Treatment (HBO, 9:30pm) Season Finale – This five night a week drama where the shrink sees patients wraps up it’s nine week run.
  • Battlestar Gallactica (SciFi, 10pm) –  The series does a special presentation before the new season kicks off.

Saturday

  • Kid’s Choice Awards (Nick, 8pm) – Jack Black hosts this kids celebrating event.

Sunday

  • The Tudors (Show, 9pm) Season Premiere – Apparently this focuses on the early years of King Henry VIII’s reign.
  • Unhitched (Fox, 9:30pm) Season Finale – And the dating mishaps continue.
  • State of the Union (Show, 10pm) Series Premiere – This is Tracy Ullman’s new sketch comedy show.
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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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