life – procrastinationchronicles.com

next week 12/15

December 14, 2008 2 Comments

Monday

Chuck/Heroes/My Own Worst Enemy (NBC, 8/9/10pm) Season Finales – Heroes is noted as fall finale and Enemy is leaving for good.
Terminator (Fox, 8pm) Season Finale – Will anyone be terminated?
I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Lucy and Linus’ brother ReRun kicks it up a notch for the holidays.
Drama High (ABC, 9pm) – The making of high school musical, sorry that’s not the high school musical, it’s some high school putting on the Wiz.
Intervention (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – This series kicks off following a 50 year old woman who suffers seizures if she tries to stop drinking.

Tuesday

The Biggest Loser (NBC, 8pm) Season Finale – It’s always heartwarming to see how far they’ve come, if you like that sort of thing.
Momma’s Boys (NBC, 10pm) Series Finale – 32 women, 3 bachelors, and yes 3 moms who help out the selection.

Wednesday

A Muppets Christmas (NBC, 8pm) – Will the muppets get the letters to Santa?
Life (NBC, 9pm) Season Finale – Zen principals might not be enough to solve crime, save your friends, and get justice in corrupt conspiracies?

Thursday

Million Dollar Password (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – Can Aisha Tyler kick William Shatner out of the spotlight.

Friday

Greatest Holiday Moments (NBC, 8pm) – A countdown of tv and film moments.

Saturday

WWE Tribute to the Troops (NBC, 9pm) – Wrestlers can bring up anyone’s spirits.

Sunday

The Shift (Inves, 10pm) Series Premiere – A docuseries that follows homicide detectives.

I had to spread the news to two fans of My Own Worst Enemy that it was officially shutting down. I had to admit that I had already dropped the show because it stressed me out too much. The already axed show that I am missing a little bit is Easy Money, though admittedly only a little bit. I am happy that of the already kept shows, Mentalist and Life are in the bunch. Unfortunately there are a number of other shows that may or may not be sticking around like Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money. I will just keep the season pass on tivo as long as they keep putting them out.

TV Guide has a nice recap of what’s in, what’s out, and what’s on the bubble.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Fall-2008-Shows-66966.aspx

next week 11/3

November 1, 2008 No Comments

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

Monday

Inside the Actor’s Studio (Bravo, 8pm) Season Premiere – I’ve never actually watched this show but I assume they just spend some quality time with actors, this week it’s Goldie Hawn.
First Class All the Way (Bravo, 9pm) Series Premiere – Get an inside peek at schmancy travel with a ‘concierge’ who takes us along on trips we can never afford.
SNL Presidential Bash (NBC, 9pm) – This special two hour presentation revisits political sketches new and old.
Raising the Bar (TNT, 10pm) Season Finale – This is the legal show where the Saved by the Bell guy has the really bad hair.

Tuesday

Election Coverage – No matter where you go you’re gonna find them talking election.
Daily Show and Colbert Report (Com, 10pm) – For those who prefer a little sass with their information.

Wednesday

Life (NBC, 9pm) – This falsely accused back on the force slightly odd detective show tries out a new time slot.
Law & Order (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – The kids are back bringing a little more cops and lawyers to the case of the week ripped from the headlines.

Thursday

50 cent: The Money and the Power (MTV, 10pm) Series Premiere – Our latest celeb reality show has ‘entrepreneurs’ competing for 50’s dough.

Friday

Survivorman (Disc, 9pm) Season Premiere – The Sierra Nevadas are this week’s place to survive, but it looks like this week Les might get lost.
Henry Rollins: Uncut (IFC, 10:30pm) Season Premiere – Rollins visits New Orleans.
Whale Wars (An Pl, 9pm) Series Premiere – It’s a war with the whalers not with the whales.

Saturday

Yeti (Scifi, 9pm) – If you’re desperate enough you can check out this made for tv movie about a college football team that crashes in the mountains and faces a snow creature.

Sunday

Ruby (Style, 8pm) Series Premiere – Ruby apparently weighs 477 pounds at the start of her a weight loss journey.
Summer Heights High (HBO, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – This eight part high school mockumentary is an Australian import.

my schedule

October 28, 2008 1 Comment

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

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

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

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).

next week 9/29

September 27, 2008 1 Comment

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

Monday

Chuck (NBC, 8pm, repeats Sat) Season Premiere – A fun mix of action and humor as mild mannered tech repair guy starts another season of spy fun with his regular and spy companions.
Life (NBC, 10pm and Friday) Season Premiere – Eccentric cop returns to the force for another season after being framed and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit.

Tuesday

The IT Crowd (IFC, 10pm) Series Premiere – This one is a UK import introduces a couple techies and their less techie boss.
Paris Hilton’s New BFF (MTV, 10pm) Series Premiere – Without Nicole Richie I don’t really see what Paris’s draw is.
Scare Tactics (SciFi, 10pm) Season Premiere – Tracy Morgan hosts what seems to me like super cruel tricks on people.

Wednesday

Pushing Daisies (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – This was perhaps my favorite show of last season, it’s a visual delight as crimes are solved by our pie maker bringing folks back to life for a moment of hopeful insight.
Private Practice (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – I’ll give this imperfect Grey’s spinoff one more shot, but was so not feeling Addison’s new life with the medical group misfits.
America’s Got Talent (NBC, 9pm) Season Finale – Can they top last year’s ventriloquist?
Friday Night Lights (DirecTV Channel 101, 9pm) Season Premiere – I wasn’t really following this move but if you’re a fan I guess it’s good it’s still on.
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – The Darling family is at it again, all except Samaire Armstrong who is rumored to return for guest visits, this is rich person drama done right.

Thursday

Vice Presidential Debate (Various, 6pst/9est pm) – I think folks are more interested in this debate than in the presidential ones.
Magic’s Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed (MNT, 9pm) Series Premiere – Not sure I’ve yet to turn into a show on this odd non-network network and not sure this show will drive the change.
Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style (Bravo, 11pm) Season Premiere – Gretta Monahan joins Tim ‘make it work’ Gunn in giving individual makeovers.

Friday

Wife Swap (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – Not a fan of this opposites exhibiting or doling out what seem like extremist behaviors to someone else’s family.
Ghost Whisperer (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – Jennifer Love Hewitt whispers to ghosts, though I’m not sure she really whispers.
Everybody Hates Chris (CW, 8pm) Season Premiere – Chris returns to start high school.
WWE Smackdown (MTN, 8pm) Season Premiere – I think this was on the CW last season.
The Game (CW, 8:30pm) Season Premiere – Not sure what’s going on with the ladies of the football league.
Supernanny (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – The nanny’s deal with the brats some more.
The Ex List (CBS, 9pm) Series Premiere – Jane Doe from Grey’s tracks down all her exes after being told she’s already met the one.
Sanctuary (SciFi, 9pm) Series Premiere – I’m not sure what this show’s about but apparently it includes live action over virtual sets and originally began online.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Cartoon, 9/9:30pm) Series Premiere – Animated Star Wars, what more do you need to know?
Numbers (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – Math wiz Charlie’s no longer got FBI clearance, whatever will FBI brother Don do?

Saturday

My Big Redneck Wedding (CMT, 9pm) Season Premiere – Monster trucks and weddings go together like…
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team (CMT, 9:30) Season Premiere – Really there have already been two seasons of this show?

Sunday

4real (CW, 5/5:30pm) Series Premiere – Cameron Diaz heads to Peru then folks named K’naan and Sol travel to Kibera in East Africa.
In Harm’s Way (CW, 6/7pm) Series Premiere – Real people in tough jobs like bull riding and the coast guard.
America’s Funniest Home Videos (ABC, 7pm) Season Premiere – The videos, they are funny.
Valentine (CW, 8pm) Series Premiere -Greek gods bring a new (or old) technique to bringing folks together.
Easy Money (CW, 9pm) Series Premiere – Roseanne’s Laurie Metcalf runs a loan-shark business…
The Girl’s Next Door (E!, 10pm) Season Premiere – Did I hear a rumor that one of Hef’s gals is getting the boot, may not see that in this ep as Hef celebrates year 82 in Vegas.

more fall fun

August 18, 2008 No Comments

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.

potpourri

April 9, 2008 2 Comments

Not much to report on tv shows themselves this week so I thought I’d just check in on a few things of note.

NBC released its year round upfront to the upfronts. Although I actually try not to pay much attention to these since everything changes or disappears before it goes live but, worth noting are a ‘The Office’ spin-off, the surprising return of not great ‘Knightrider‘ and ‘Lipstick Jungle‘ but also another shot for ‘Life‘ which I just told someone wasn’t coming back.

As for the other networks we’re not official yet but I might be a tiny bit excited about Joss Whedon’s (Buffy!) expected ‘Dollhouse‘ show starring Eliza Dushku (Faith!) and trepidatious about Rob Thomas’s (VMars) ‘90210‘ the next generation (Donna has expressed interesting in playing a milf though it sounds like they’re courting Kelly to round out the older generation on the show).

‘Project Runway‘ is slated to move from Bravo to Lifetime, not this next season but the one after, though NBC has something to say about that. People with Tivos will follow but will this impact the show or the networks? Wait do I get Lifetime? And if I hear correctly ‘Scrubs‘ is moving to ABC. So what one more season?

‘ANTM‘ is getting busted for showing some full frontal – albino Anya’s nudie shoot with Nigel was deemed by some to be inappropriate for evening eyes. I actually watched this and thought she was wearing little coveries but I guess they just blurred her out, really it was all fine, but conservative parental organizations are still arguing about Dennis Franz’ butt on ‘NYPD Blue‘ so perspective is not something these organizations have.

Oh and Kathie Lee Gifford took up residence in the last hour of ‘The Today Show‘, I haven’t watched this in ages but maybe she can put some life in what I recall was nearly dead air.

best, tv

top tv of 2007

December 24, 2007 2 Comments

30 rock So if I’m sharing end of the year best lists I would be remiss not to throw down a little tv. The problem is it seems like a strange time to do a best tv list. So though midseason shows may be getting the short shrift we’ve probably seen enough of things to give it a go.

Andy Barker, PI (NBC) – GF
Battlestar Galactica (SciFi)- MSN, SK
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – TV
Big Love (HBO)- GF, JP, GG, MA*, MSN
The Bronx is Burning (ESPN) – TV
Brotherhood (Show) – GF, MR
Brothers and Sisters (ABC) – SAT
Burn Notice (USA)- KT
Californication (Show)- GG, MR
Chuck (NBC) – SAT, TV
The Colbert Report (Comedy) – JP
CSI (CBS)- KT
Damages (FX) – DB, GG, MA, SK, TV
Desperate Housewives (ABC) – KT
Dexter (Show)- AFI, DB, SK, MR, SAT*
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) – GF, TV
Entourage (HBO) – GG
Everybody Hates Chris (CW) – AFI
Extras (HBO) – GG, SAT
Flight of the Conchords (HBO) – GF, JP, SAT
Friday Night Lights (NBC)- AFI, DB, JP, KT, MA, MR, MSN, SAT, SK
Frisky Dingo (Cartoon) – KT
Gossip Girl (CW) – TV
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) – GG, SAT
Heroes (NBC) – DB
House (Fox)- GG
Kid Nation (CBS) – JP
Life (NBC) – KT
Life of Ryan (MTV) – KT
Longford (HBO)- AFI
Lost (ABC) – DB, JP, MA, MR, SK
Mad Med (AMC) – AFI, DB, GF, JP*, MA, MR*, GG, MSN*, SAT, TV
Nip/Tuck (FX) – DB
The Office (NBC) – JP, MSN
Planet Earth (Discovery) – GF, JP, MR, MSN
Pushing Daisies (ABC) – AFI, DB, GF, JP, MA, MR, GG, SAT*, TV
The Riches (FX)- JP, SAT
Samantha Who? (ABC) – TV
The Sarah Silverman Program (Comedy)- JP
The Shield (Fx) – JP, MA, MR, MSN
Sopranos (HBO) – AFI, DB, GF, JP*, KT, MA, MR, MSN
Tell Me You Love Me (HBO) – AFI, JP, KT
Top Chef (Bravo) – JP
30 Rock (NBC)- AFI, DB*, GF*, JP, KT*, MA, MR, GG, MSN
The Tudors (Show) – GG, MR
Ugly Betty (ABC) – AFI, MA, SAT
The War (PBS) – JP, MR, MSN
Weeds (Show) – JP, MR, SAT
Yo Gabba Gabba! (Nick) – JP

AFI – American Film Institute, DB – David Bianculli on Fresh Air, GF – Gillian Flynn for EW, GG – Golden Globe Nominations, JP-James Poniewozik at Time (new and returning), KT – Ken Tucker for EW, MA – Michael Ausiello for TV Guide, MR-Matt Roush at TV Guide, MSN, SAT-Satellite Awards, SK-Stephen King for EW, TV – TV Guide

* denotes top pick. I’ll update this list as new critic’s picks become available.

next week 12/3

November 30, 2007 5 Comments

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.