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psych-like

August 12, 2020 No Comments

I was having a happy hour with friends (virtual of course) and mentioned that I was going to dive into Peacock to watch the latest Psych movie. I had recently binged the whole series and wanted to close it out. A friend said his mom has enjoyed Psych and was looking for similar shows to recommend, I think he also mentioned Chuck (which is also super fun) as another good example. So thinking fun, episodic, kind of capery,

I as per usual spaced on anything good. One of the reasons I capture lists in this blog is so that I don’t continually forget things. Another friend suggested Burn Notice which we all agreed was a good choice. But after some time Leverage was announcing a reboot, and I thought that too would be a good option. So with a moment to think here are a few of the shows I wish I could come up with off the top of my head, in alphabetical order of course. They might not all be for every Psych fan but there’s a little something here for everyone.

Bones* (Hulu, Prime) FBI agent and forensic anthropologist crack cases, and while the romance heats up between these opposites attract it’s really her team of scientists that give this a ton of appeal.
Bored to Death (HBO/Prime) Jason Schwartzman decides to become a detective when stifled by his writing, what could be better, well side kicks Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis as his friends who get dragged into the hijinks, great fun.
Burn Notice (Hulu, Prime) A spy recently disavowed by the U.S government uses his special skills and ragtag spy friends to save folks in trouble, funny, charming, and action packed.
Castle* (Prime Purchase) Another opposites attract/partners premise Nathan Fillion as crime writer turned consultant has enough charm to keep things interesting.
Elementary (Hulu) Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu make an updated version of Holmes and Watson consulting with the NYPD and make for a lot of fun solving an odd case or two.
Eureka (Prime) This one is a little more quirky genius scientists than a typical crime buster but the sheriff finds himself investigating one calamity after another that tends to have someone beyond the norm explanations which is good fun.
Firefly (Hulu) This one is actually a bit more space cowboys but take my word for it, it’s full caper fun as Nathan Fillion is on our list again as the captain of a ship filled with an odd group of passengers and crew that is as busy getting into trouble as evading those trying to find them.
iZombie (Netflix) This show is a bit Veronica Mars meets zombies, and while it is a zombie show our protagonist taking on the personality of the victim (yes through eating their brain) each week and helping solve the case is a delight.
Leverage (Prime Purchase) A team of criminals pull off an elaborate con each week, but all in the name of righting a wrong, as noted they’re rebooting this with Noah Wyle replacing Timothy Hutton, still a great team.
Mentalist (Prime) – So you can’t have this list without the comparable premised ‘psychic’ handling cases, but Simon Baker has enough charm to make this less campy version still a lot of fun.
Monk (Prime) Tony Shalhoub carries this former police officer turned police consultant as his character’s OCD, among other things, makes him unbearable but excellent at figuring out what others can’t.
Pushing Daisies (Prime) This piemaker can bring someone back from the dead with his touch, but only for a minute or someone else dies, and he uses it to solve murders along with a fab supporting cast including his love interest who he of course can’t touch.
Sherlock (Netflix) This isn’t quite as campy as some of the others but Benedict Cumberbatch’s detective is a ton of fun and while each season is more of an overarching story there’s just three extended eps per.
Terriers (Hulu) A little grittier than some of the other options but our unlicensed PI ex cop/recovering alcoholic and criminal buddies are such a pleasure to meet and watch then get as much into trouble as out of it.

I’m sure I’m missing some good ones, what would you add? And of course for more bingeable options check out the longer list. Availability as always subject to change. * Full transparency, while I really enjoyed each of these shows for a while I’m not sure I actually stayed with either until the end.

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.

new and noteworthy tv: 2/26-3/4

February 25, 2018 No Comments

With the closing of the Olympics comes the starting of a few more shows. I’ve had a little bit of a lull and started to dip back into things like Agents of SHIELD and Queen Sugar as well as keeping trucking on some streaming.

iZombie (CW) Season Premiere, Monday, 9pm – I find this show very fun as our Zombie gal helps solve crimes, and now that Zombies are more exposed what will happen to her friends and foes?
Living Biblically (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday, 9:30pm – This sitcom lands its protagonist in an effort to live the good life by the ways of the bible, though not a lot of strong reports.
Good Girls (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – Good cast and what sounds like an iffy execution are still worth a watch as good moms go bad aka start robbing.
McMafia (AMC) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – Drama, suspense, family… as we see how this Russian exile trying to live the straight and narrow get drawn into global crime, supposedly a good POV.
Shoot the Messenger (WGN) Series Premiere, Monday, 10pm – Another crime drama this one starting with a reporter heading to meet a source, no report on the quality of this one.
UnReal (Life) Season Premiere, Monday, 10pm – The first season of this was great but the second was a train-wreck of disappointment so I’ll give this one a look but I’m not all that hopeful.
Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious BIG (USA) Series Premiere, Tuesday, 10pm – One reports indicates that this true crime drama is a cut above Menendez but not quite American Crime Story.
The Looming Tower (Hulu) Series Premiere, Wednesday – A fictional look based on the nonfiction book about the lack of sharing of info between CIA and FBI and the possible impact on the rise of Bin Laden, led by Peter Sarsgaard and getting some good buzz.
Glam Masters (Life) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – A friend of mine was just saying she might need a makeup reality show to supplement ANTM and Runway perhaps this might fit the bill.
Atlanta (Fx) Season Premiere, Thursday, 10pm – This irregularly toned Donald Glover helmed look at his life in Atlanta was one of my faves though it’s been a while since it wrapped toward the end of 2016.
B: The Beginning (Net) Series Premiere, Friday – A new anime has characters in a world of advanced technology, crime, and action.
The Good Fight (CBSAA) Season Premiere, Sunday – As a big fan of The Good Wife I still couldn’t buy into the model of paying for more individual channels but hoping this spinoff is still bringing some good.
Oscars (ABC) Sunday, 5pm – Following an hour+ of arrivals it’s time to see who wears what, says what, and takes home the statues.

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

new and noteworthy tv: 4/3-4/9

April 2, 2017 No Comments

Well life commitments are already getting in the way of my tv watching habits. Aside from immediately wanting to watch the finale of Legion (can’t wait to see what S2 is going to be like) I’ve tried to knock out some of the non-streaming new shows to see if they need to be added to the queue. Rebel actually looks like it could be fun with a pass on Shots Fired, Imaginary Mary, and Nobodies, I have been for some reason holding onto iffy Trial & Error, with comedies it’s sometimes worth seeing whether they can grow it into anything.

Chewing Gum (Net) Season Premiere, Tuesday – I caught the first season of this oddball comedy and though intrigued I don’t know that I found it amusing enough to tune back in for another.
Dimension 404 (Hulu) Series Premiere, Tuesday – A sci-fi anthology with stories digging into the digital age.
iZombie (CW) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – Excited to see where our favorite zombie and her group of of companions with their crime solving and getting into trouble end up.
Prison Break (Fox) Season Premiere, Tuesday, 9pm – I loved the first season of this show though the following seasons finally drove me to extreme enough frustration to abandon, while I always thought it would work best as a limited series the one review I read of the reboot said this might be closer to the later than the former seasons.
Brockmire (IFC) Series Premiere, Wednesday, 10pm – Hank Azaria and Amanda Peet star in this comedy bringing a disgraced baseball announcer down to the minor league which sounds like it could have some good elements.
The Toy Box (ABC) Series Premiere, Friday, 8pm – It’s like Shark Tank for toys with a panel of kids.
First Dates (NBC) Series Premiere, Friday, 8pm – A voyeuristic look at first dates.
You the Jury (Fox) Series Premiere, Friday 9pm – Viewers decide verdicts.
The Son (AMC) Series Premiere, Saturday, 9pm – Pierce Brosnan as a 1900’s frontier time empire holder may or may not bring western enjoyment.

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

new and noteworthy tv: 10/5-10/11

October 4, 2015 No Comments

I am excited for the return of our zombie heroine and glad to store up some more scary zombies on Walking Dead that I’ll watch some time when I have more time. I do also like to tune into the latest premise of Horror Story but tend not to stick with it.

Tuesday – The Flash/iZombie, Season Premieres (CW, 8/9pm), Botched, Season Premiere (E!, 9pm), People’s Couch, Season Premiere (Brav, 10pm), Storage Wars: Miami, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm)
Wednesday – Casual, Series Premiere (Hulu, 1am), Arrow/Supernatural, Season Premieres (CW, 8/9pm), American Horror Story, Season Premiere (FX, 10pm), Couples Therapy, Season Premiere (VH1, 10pm)
Thursday – The Vampire Diaries/The Originals, Season Premieres (CW, 8/9pm), Ridiculousness/Broke A$$ Game Show/Middle of the Night Show, Season/Series Premieres (MTV, 10/10:30/11pm)
Friday – Red Oaks, Series Premiere (Am, 12am), Reign, Season Premiere (CW, 8pm), Undateable, Season Premiere (NBC, 8pm), The Enfield Haunting, Mini-series Premiere (A&E, 10pm), True Monsters, Series Premiere (Hist, 10pm)
Saturday – The Last Kingdom/The Graham Norton Show, Series/Season Premieres (BBCA, 10/11:15pm)
Sunday – America’s Funniest Home Videos, Season Premiere (ABC, 7pm), The Walking Dead/The Talking Dead, Season Premieres (AMC, 9/10:30pm), 90 Day Fiancé, Season Premiere (TLC, 10pm)

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

returning fall favorites

September 20, 2015 No Comments

It’s that time of year again. And while the new shows trickle in here’s a look at some of the returning fall shows I’m excited about.

The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/21) – This show has done a pretty good job of keeping things going and evolving with the genius misfits and their pals.
The Blacklist (NBC, 10/1) – It’s still only worth it for James Spader but we’ll see whether Liz on the run works.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/27) – They’ve gotten a good rhythm with Samberg’s foolishness and fleshing out the other characters, makes me laugh.
Elementary (CBS, 11/5) – My current fave standard procedural, I enjoy the reinvention of the modern day crime fighting duo and think some of the less successful asides are wrapped.
Empire (Fox, 9/23) – The funnest reentry into last season’s schedule the campy family and music drama is irresistible.
Fargo (Fx, 10/12) – Last season’s odd crime ensemble captured the spirit of the flick but brought out a new slant, and this season attempts to do the same in a new tale.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 9/22) – This immigrant family embracing suburbia in the ’90s has enough anticipated humor and enough unanticipated that it was refreshing.
The Good Wife (CBS, 10/4) – They haven’t all been home runs but they’ve managed to reinvent this show in a compelling way after so many seasons, excited to see the latest not so good Alicia.
iZombie (CW, 10/6) – This show is less zombie more of a Veronica Mars-esque girl getting in over her head detective show and she happens to eat brains which give her a little dead person insight.
The League/You’re the Worst (Fxx, 9/9) – Worst was a fave from last season which grew into more than just a coupe of snarky people, but the ensemble remains snarky with another season of people who actually are the worst in fantasy football and in life.
Longmire (Net, 9/10) – Glad this show got picked up on Netflix and happy to spend another season with the laconic lawman and the latest troubles.
The Royals (E!, 11/15) – Season one of a look behind the scenes of a fake royal family was fantastically trashy and fun, can’t wait to see what comes of them next season.
The Walking Dead/Z Nation (AMC, 10/11; Syfy, 9/11) – I enjoy a little post apocalypse world and these two shows give a totally different tone of voice.

A few other items that I’ll check back in on and see whether I want to keep them in the queue: Bones (Fox, 10/1), Gotham (Fox, 9/21), Grimm (NBC, 10/30), The Last Man on Earth (Fox, 9/27), Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/4), The Middle (ABC, 9/23), The Mindy Project (Hulu), Mom (CBS, 11/5), SHIELD (ABC, 9/29), Sleepy Hollow (Fox. 10/1), Undateable (NBC, 10/9)