hollow – procrastinationchronicles.com

breaking up is hard to do

March 29, 2017 No Comments

With the wrapping up of Grimm and Bones, two shows that I quite enjoyed but abandoned along the way, made me start doing another think on shows that had once be enjoyed (some making my favorite tv of the year lists) and had to be given up along the way. Real estate for tv shows these days is limited so though I like to give some a long leash eventually the cost (time)/benefit (enjoyment) needs to hit a reality check.

The 100 (CW) – This pretty teens style CW show really developed into an interesting post-apocalyptic take but after a mixed season last year (as well as some unfortunately cast cuts) this year’s latest impending doom just couldn’t keep my interest.
The Blacklist (NBC) – I was never a fan of Elizabeth and as all the drama revolves around her it was always a matter as to whether Red and the others could balance that out, and when things turned to Elizabeth and her baby I couldn’t take it anymore, I wish they had killed her off.
Empire (Fox) – I love a fun soapy show and the musical angle on this just made it that much more fun, but these all seem to have a shelf life, no matter how much I enjoy the characters there’s a limit to how many circles of drama can keep me engaged.
The Outsiders (WGN) – This captured a little of the spirit of the total chaos of Sons of Anarchy with the wild folks in the woods but turned out to be too much of a mixed bag to keep it in the lineup.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox) – The first season of this was what’s been described as ‘bonkers awesome’ and then while they continued to struggle with how to manage the stories and supporting cast the key was always the chemistry between the two leads, and when they decided to nix one of the two in a reboot that was it for me.
The Walking Dead (AMC) – Ok, so the drama here was usually a good balance of zombie chaos outshone by drama and violence of the more human kind but somehow eventually managed to undermine the characters and my patience in sticking through some of the downs for more sparing ups.

And some previous drops Awkward, Grey’s Anatomy, Last Man on Earth, Major Crimes, Modern Family, Nashville, Suits and my most controversial Breaking Bad following season 2 (I am tempted to go back and see if I would have turned back around on this).

procrastinator’s bubble shows

May 5, 2015 No Comments

As we wait for fall tv schedules to be announced and final cancellations to come in (upfronts are scheduled to start next week), I have to admit that I’m almost looking forward to cancellations. My backlog gets to be sort of daunting, and of course new shows will come out in the fall. So some of the shows that I’m tempted to give up on could use a little push. Though the wind could change based on scheduling or a good run, following are some of the things that might no longer make the cut.

2 Broke Girls (CBS) Renewed – This show is one that I find almost funny, and although I don’t have a season pass of it, when I’m looking for a half hour I somehow seem to keep tuning back in, chances of dropping are moderate.
American Crime (ABC) TBD – I only watched the first couple and was intrigued but wary, a cancellation might keep this backlog off my to do list to see if it’s worthwhile, chances of dropping are high.
Bones (Fox) TBD – Once upon a time I quite enjoyed this procedural and I still enjoy many of these characters enough, but it’s kind of done and not sure I’d feel terrible about letting this go the way of Castle (which I’ve already dropped), chances of dropping are high.
Broadchurch (BBCA) Renewed – I just wrapped up this season, and it was one of the shows that I enjoyed but kind of found myself checking how many minutes of the show were left, I’ll be tempted to tune back in to the premiere to see what the new season story line/mystery will be, chances of dropping are moderate.
Grimm (NBC) Renewed – This show was kind of fun for a while but I’m kind of over the monster of the week and all the interpersonal drama has worn itself out (I love it when most characters get a chance to go bad but not digging Juliet’s current vibe), chances of dropping are high.
The Last Man on Earth (Fox) Renewed – While the pilot was a treat this show quickly became about how annoying Phil could be, I’m short the last two of the season which could determine whether I’m intrigued by the current direction, chances of dropping are moderate.
Madam Secretary (CBS) Renewed – This show is fine, it’s just quite predictable that she’ll face a dire situation each week and come out of it morally intact, and it just comes across as not as good as The Good Wife, but it still works, chances of dropping are low.
The Mindy Project (Fox) TBD – I’ve quite enjoyed some of these episodes but just didn’t love this last season, not sure whether this ongoing pregnancy story line will continue to waylay the laughs but I’ll probably check in, chances of dropping are low.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox) Renewed – The first season of this show was so fun, while the second season did everything it could to keep us mired in the more tedious aspects and characters, I think this new season is sort of another fresh start so worth checking, chances of dropping are low.
Undateable (NBC) TBD – Another half hour that has some potential and started when there was’t a ton on, it just doesn’t quite keep me laughing enough to warrant it being on the to do list, chances of dropping are high.

There are tons of sites that track status of things, here are a couple: TVLine and Metacritic. Anything you’re looking to let go?

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.

returning fall favorites

September 9, 2014 No Comments

the-good-wife

Well we’re easing into it but I think we can officially categorize post Labor Day September as fall. And while I’m still waiting for a little more info on new shows to see what I’m most excited about there are some returning favorites already queued up with a season pass.

The League (Fxx, 10/3) – This is one of those off color Fx (now Fxx) series that has sort of grown on me, people who are so wrong it’s right, no football appreciation required (if you like It’s Always Sunny this is a nice pairing).
Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 9/9) – This show has had some uneven spots but watching the interpersonal drama, and admittedly the significant violence, and who’s lying, Jax, makes it a can’t miss to see where our favorite motorcycle gang ends up.
New Girl/The Mindy Project (Fox, 9/16) – Both of these shows have improved with time and with fleshing out the ensemble, they make me laugh enough.
The Good Wife (CBS, 9/21) – Last season this show really demonstrated how to shake up a longer term series, and still hold on to what makes it special; still has the best balance of weekly cases with the personal and political drama where I’m interested in what everyone is doing.
Sleepy Hollow (Fox, 9/22) – One of the critics I read dubbed this show ‘bonkers awesome’ and she’s right, it’s a ridiculous premise but the fast pace and main character dynamics keep it oh so interesting and did I mention headless horseman ridiculous?
The Blacklist (NBC, 9/22) – This one is really all about James Spader and fortunately that’s enough to keep this criminal with unclear motives catching bad guys on his list interesting.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/22) – They’ve done a pretty good job keeping what could be a one note show going, adding to the ensemble and growing the characters a bit, but keeping the mockery in top form.
Parenthood (NBC, 9/25) – As we enter the final season we can assume that the Braverman family will not be drama free and while I haven’t loved every story arc I’ve come to be invested, plus I would follow Lauren Graham and Peter Krause anywhere.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/28) – The latest addition to funny, again finding the balance of the could be annoying main character Samberg has been key but it’s really the ensemble with the amazing Andre Braugher among others that makes it.
The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/12) – Each season has had a different feel based on where the cast is but I’m intrigued to see them back together and of course getting out of whatever fix they’re in since the live people are often more of a problem than the dead ones.
The 100 (CW, 10/22) – I keep giving these relatively cheesy CW shows a shot and this one, which is basically pretty people land on earth and so far run into pretty people who survived, but I’m often a sucker for that whole moralistic creating your own society and what’s really right, we’ll see if this season keeps me coming back.
Grimm (NBC, 10/24) – A procedural show of the not normal variety, in that there is a world of non humans among us, and while I wouldn’t say I love this show the characters and stories keep me coming back.
Elementary (CBS, 10/30) – I can’t watch this show at the same time as Sherlock because they’re so different in tone but I am down for seeing what our re-imagined Holmes and Watson get up to each week mostly because I like Miller and Liu.

Notable mention (those that are either a little uneven, a little passed their prime, or too fresh to see if I’m hooked): Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 9/23), The Middle (ABC, 9/24), Bones (Fox, 9/25), Mom (CBS, 9/29)

And keep your love for a few of these shows on the back-burner until mid-season and beyond: The Americans, Cougar Town, Hannibal, Hart of Dixie, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Justified, Lost Girl, Louie, The Mentalist, Orphan Black, Parks and Recreation

What are you most excited to see return?