lastman – procrastinationchronicles.com

my schedule

October 31, 2018 No Comments

Most of the dust has settled and very few shows were picked up by me, let’s see what I’m still looking at.

Tuesday

8pm – The Conners (ABC)
9pm – Lethal Weapon (Fox)

I do find The Conners a much fresher take than the previous Roseanne incarnation and while I’m a little less enthusiastic about the update to a new wildcard partner on Lethal Weapon, the new dude has potential but the stories and characterization seem light and knowing Wayans is bowing out after this season leaves a low enthusiasm. I’ve also dropped This is Us because the few things I thought were well done were far outweighed by my disdain for most of the characters and plotting.

Wednesday

9;30pm – Single Parents (ABC)

It’s not quite a good show but so far I like the characters enough to see if they can be something like the new Cougartown with kids.

Thursday

8pm – Big Bang Theory (CBS) / Superstore/The Good Place (NBC)
9pm – Mom (CBS) / Will & Grace (NBC)

The favorite laugers have returned and I’ll also give Murphy Brown one more shot but while I like the cast and the idea of their slant on news today it’s just not quite hitting the mark for me. I still need to catch Legacies on CW but having passed on previous incarnations am assuming that will also get a pass but who knows it could be a gem of a young supernaturals option.

Friday

8pm – Last Man Standing/Cool Kids (Fox) / Speechless (ABC)

No promises on keeping Kids but as a pairing with the predictable but mildly entertaining Last Man, it’ll get another viewing. And I still find Speechless fresh but I’m dropping Fresh Off the Boat which is hitting the repetitive character archetype point Modern Family did for me after a few seasons. I also couldn’t get on board with Midnight, Texas for a second season but it was a fun summer show last year.

Sunday

8pm – God Friended Me (CBS)
10pm – Madam Secretary (CBS)

And here’s to my night of hope, while God is a little too schmaltzy it scratches the Kevin Probably Saves the World itch, and Tea Leoni gives me hope that politics can be challenging but people are trying to do the right thing.

And a we’ve got some continued fun in cable with: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS), Ink Master (Spike), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fxx), You (Life), Z Nation (Syfy)

What are you watching?

returning fall favorites

September 6, 2018 No Comments

It’s hard to keep track of it all but here’s a look at some of the things that I’m looking at in returning fall tv, don’t worry there’s still midseason (and various other starts) for things not on the list. Stay tuned for intriguing new fall tv.

The Big Bang Theory (CBW, 9/24) – This show amuses consistently enough and looking forward to seeing what this final season will bring to our gang.
Bojack Horseman (Net, 9/14) – Consistently one of the best shows, this weird take on a washed up, depressed, alcoholic horseman always bring it, can’t wait.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/5) – The Huangs bring their own family quirks at this look at their life in Orlando in the 90s.
The Good Place (NBC, 9/27) – This show has managed to stay so fresh I’m super curious as to how our dumb dumbs will manage this season.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fxx, 9/5) – When a bunch of awful people never change and just keep being awful, it is surprisingly still fresh and funny.
Last Man Standing (Fox, 9/28) – I tuned out of this show when it was on, finding the right and left wing politicy jokes a little too ham handed but in repeats I got to sort of like the characters, though dubious about the replacement of yet another daughter.
Lethal Weapon (Fox, 9/25) – Speaking of replacements, after the real life Riggs and Murtaugh couldn’t get along Clayne Crawford’s antics got him unrenewed, so curious how this will work with Seann William Scott stepping in as the new maverick.
Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/7) – This started out as sort of a poor man’s Good Wife, but in a painful political spectrum its nice to see people dealing with fake real issues and knowing that although it’s not all good with help from our spunky Secretary it always mostly turns out ok.
Midnight, Texas (NBC, 10/26) – I think this show only lasted on my queue because it premiered during some downtime but this not revolutionary take on a small town of sort of extraordinary (vampires, witches, etc.) outsiders deal with random things, and of course saving the world.
Mom (CBS, 9/27) – I still love the play between Allison Janney and Anna Faris and their sober (mostly) friends, and I don’t turn away from a rerun.
Murphy Brown (CBS, 9/27) – It’s a stretch to call this a return but, I’m intrigued to see the update to Murphy and her news colleagues in today’s world.
Ozark (Net, 8/31) – This was one of my fave bingy shows last year, I was compelled to keep up with Jason Bateman as money launderer getting he and his family into, and sometimes out of, new fixes as he tries to make it work in this resort town.
Speechless (ABC, 10/5) – This whole family has so much personality that it’s almost not about the fact that one son is in a wheelchair unable to speak.
Superstore (NBC, 10/4) – More quirky misfits with this group of employees working the store and of course getting into each other’s lives.
This is Us (NBC, 9/25) – I have to say I almost didn’t list this, I’m pretty over this schmaltzy show other than a few story lines but will likely tune into the premiere to see where they’re taking it but I sense a breakup ahead.
Will & Grace (10/4) – One of the latest reboots, I enjoy visiting with these folks again, mostly when they steer into the reality of the fact that it’s more than ten years later.
Z Nation (Syfy, 10/5) – This show was the antidote to The Walking Dead treating the zombie apocalypse with a lightness that kept me tuning into this far after abandoning the other.

What are you most looking forward to the return of?

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).

new and noteworthy tv: 9/21-9/27

September 20, 2015 No Comments

Fall television is officially here, in addition to some returning reccos I’ve basically underlined anything new, your guess is as good as mine for most part. Hearing some potential for Life in Pieces (Modern Family meets Parenthood), Blindspot (Blacklist + tattoos), Scream Queens (Mean Girls meets Scream), Quantico (Grey’s FBI), and cautious about a Heroes reboot. Looking lacking but I’l take a look are sadly The Muppets, Limitless, Rosewood, The Player, and Blood & Oil.

Monday – The Big Bang Theory/Life in Pieces/Scorpion/NCIS: Los Angeles, Season/Series Premiere (CBS, 8/8:30/9/10pm), Gotham/Minority Report, Season/Series Premiere (Fox, 8/9pm), The Voice/Blindspot, Season/Series Premiere (NBC, 8/10pm), Castle, Season Premiere (ABC, 10pm)
Tuesday – The Muppets/Fresh Off the Boat, Series/Season Premiere (ABC, 8/8:30pm), NCIS/NCIS New Orleans/Limitless, Season/Series Premiere (CBS, 8/9/10pm), Scream Queens, Series Premiere (Fox, 8pm), The Bazillion Dollar Club, Series Premiere (Syfy, 10pm), If Loving You Is Wrong, Season Premiere (OWN, 10pm)
Wednesday – The Middle/The Goldbergs/Modern Family/Black-ish/Nashville, Season Premieres (ABC, 8/8:30/9/9:30/10pm), The Mysteries of Laura/L&O: SVU, Season Premieres (NBC, 8/9pm), Rosewood/Empire, Series/Season Premieres (Fox, 8/9pm), Survivor, Season Premiere (CBS, 8pm)
Thursday – Grey’s Anatomy/Scandal/How To Get Away With Murder, Season Premieres (ABC, 8/9/10pm), Heroes Reborn/The Player, Series Premieres (NBC, 8/10pm), Fashionably Late With Rachel Zoe, Series Premiere (Life, 10:30pm), Are You The One, Season Premiere (MTV, 11pm)
Friday – The Amazing Race/Hawaii Five-0/Blue Bloods, Season Premieres (CBS, 8/9/10pm), Last Man Standing/Shark Tank, Season Premieres (ABC, 8/9pm), Step It Up, Series Premiere (Life, 10pm)
Saturday – Fame Kills/Behind the Screams, Series Premieres (Reelz, 8/9pm), 48 Hours, Season Premiere (CBS, 9pm)
Sunday – Once Upon a Time/Blood & Oil/Quantico, Season/Series Premieres (ABC, 7/8/9/10pm), Super Soul Sunday, Season Premiere (OWN, 7pm), 60 Minutes, Season Premiere (CBS, 7:30pm), Bob’s Burgers/The Simpsons/Brooklyn Nine-Nine/Family Guy/Last Man on Earth, Season Premieres (Fox, 7:30/8/8:30/9/9:30pm), Indian Summers, Series Premiere (PBS, 9pm)

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.

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?