best, tv

critics’ picks – top tv of 2014

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transparentWe’ve said goodbye to 2014 and when I think of how we spent it, it mostly with some television. The critics have posted their top picks so take a look and see what they think. Stay tuned for more top picks including my top tv.

  • The Affair (Show) – MRo, GG
  • The Americans (Fx) –  JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, MZS, DF, AFI
  • Broad City (Com) – JP
  • Cosmos (Fox) – MZS
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – GG
  • Enlisted (Fox) – MR
  • Fargo (Fx) – JP, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, DF, AFI
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – MRo, TG, HS, EW, DF, AFI, GG
  • Girls (HBO) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JP, MRo, HS, EW, GG
  • Hannibal (NBC) – AS, EW, MZS, DF
  • Happy Valley (Net/BBC) – MR
  • High Maintenance (JP)
  • The Honorable Woman (Sund) – TG
  • House of Cards (Net) – GG
  • How to Get Away with Murder (ABC) – AFI
  • Inside Amy Schumer (Com) – EW
  • Jane the Virgin (CW) – MR, MRo, AFI, GG
  • The Knick (Cin) – AFI
  • Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – JP, MZS, DF
  • The Leftovers (HBO) – AS
  • Louie (FX) – JP, TG, EW
  • Mad Men (AMC) – TG, AS, EW, MZS, DF, AFI
  • The Missing (Starz) – MZS
  • The Normal Heart (HBO) – MRo
  • Olive Kitteridge (HBO) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Orange Is the New Black (Net) – JP, MR, TG, AS, HS, DF, AFI, GG
  • Penny Dreadful (Show) – MR
  • Private Violence (HBO) – MZS
  • Please Like Me (Piv) – EW
  • Rectify (Sund) – MR, AS, EW, DF
  • Review (Com) – MR, AS, DF
  • The Roosevelts (PBS) – MRo, HS, MZS
  • Shameless (Show) – DF
  • Silicon Valley (HBO) – JP, HS, AFI, GG
  • The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (NBC) – MRo
  • Transparent (Am) – JP, MR, MRo, TG, AS, HS, EW, AFI, GG
  • True Detective (HBO) – TG, AS, MZS
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – TG, HS
  • You’re the Worst (Fx) – MR

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, MR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MRo – Matt Roush for TV Guide, TG – Tim Goodman for The Hollywood Reporter, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, HS – Hank Stuever for The Washington Post, EW – Entertainment Weekly, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz for Vulture, DF – Daniel Fienberg for HitFix, GG – Golden Globe Awards

And for a roundup of more lists check out: News for TV Majors 

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returning fall favorites

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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?

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

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louieslide_650

Who can’t love Louie, and if you haven’t sampled this series I not only recommend it, but should note that different episodes are often quite different in tone and structure, but all show our hapless protagonist in funny form; the other show of note is the return of In the Flesh, that is less zombie than a look at a society with the dead and the undead. I am tempted but not that interested in checking out Rosemary’s Baby, and since I don’t get Showtime I’m not that concerned that I have little idea what’s up with the new creepy Victorian Penny Dreadful.

  • Monday – 24, Season Premiere (Fox, 8pm), Live & Hip Hop Atlanta, Season Premiere (VH1, 8pm), Louie, Season Premiere (Fx, 10pm)
  • Tuesday – Alaskan Bush People, Series Premiere (Disc, 10pm), Freakshow/Small Town Security, Season Premieres (AMC, 10/11pm), Totally Tracked Down, Series Premiere (Reelz, 11pm)
  • Wednesday – Hollywood Exes/La La’s Full Court Life/Marrying the Game, Season Premieres (VH1, 9/10/10:30pm), Catfish, Season Premiere (MTV, 10pm)
  • Thursday – American Comedy Awards (NBC, 9pm), Maron/Comedy Bang Bang, Season Premieres (IFC, 10/10:30pm)
  • Saturday – Iyanla, Season Premiere (OWN, 9pm), In the Flesh, Season Premiere (BBCA, 10pm)
  • Sunday – Rosemary’s Baby, Mini-series Premiere (NBC, 9pm), Master Class, Season Premiere (OWN, 10pm), Penny Dreadful, Series Premiere (Show, 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.

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movies, tv

stream it…

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fnl

Just in case someone you know recently received or signed up for Netflix streaming, the procrastinator thought it might be time to do a recommendation round up to help with your distractions. For latest movies and all series you still might need to go to the full dvd subscription but I find enough to keep my backlog filled during my regular series downtime. I definitely lean toward the television (at least until I get a couple more series under my belt) but there are a few new and old movie options that are worth a peek as well.

TELEVISION

  • House of Cards/Orange is the New Black/Arrested Development – Netflix original series might be what drove you to pull the trigger and they’re worth a watch (plus the backlog of earlier AD still hold up).
  • Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog – Sometimes I just like to revisit the Joss Whedon backlog.
  • Battlestar Galactica/Friday Night Lights/Chuck/Terriers/The Riches/Saving Grace/Freaks and Geeks – These more dramatic series, some cut far too short and some a little long, are good slightly irregular watching.
  • Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23/My Boys – Some comedic fare for just a little something quick.
  • Sherlock/Luther/Parenthood/Sons of Anarchy – A mix of dramatic series that are still going and definitely worth a look if you have yet to get on board.
  • Louie/Wilfred/The League/It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/Parks and Recreation – And a little comedy catch up for those also still running.

On my to do list: Mad Men, The Fall, Rescue Me, Top of the Lake

MOVIES

A peek at some more recent releases back into the classics:

  • The Hunger Games
  • Safety Not Guaranteed
  • Jeff Who Lives at Home
  • Hit & Run
  • Adventureland
  • Young Adult
  • Lars and the Real Girl
  • Bernie
  • The Kids are Alright
  • Zoolander
  • Being John Malkovich
  • House of Yes
  • Lost in Translation
  • Memento
  • The Breakfast Club/Ferris Bueller’s Day Off/Clueless/13 Going on 30/Heathers – Some classics never get old.
  • The Italian Job, Parker, Blitz, Safe – I’ve developed a Jason Statham video weakness.

On my to do list: The American, Being Elmo, Cinema Paradiso, End of Watch, Extract, Flight, Drug War, Hoop Dreams, Melancholia, The Messenger, Our Idiot Brother, The Road, Tiny Furniture

Of course you can check the new releases and recently added to keep up to date. What’s missing from the list?

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best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2012

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BunheadscastHart_of_Dixie_intertitle

Well the critics have weighed in, but what do I recommend? It’s hard to tell how unbiased I can look at each individual season but based on previous lists some shows are still faves and alas some shows have definitely dropped off. And of course there are some other shows in my queue, clearly I watch more than ten, or eleven, shows a year. Based on today’s thoughts here’s where I’m at:

  • Justified (Fx) – Raylan the Kentucky Marshall is a fave, some season arcs are stronger than others but they do a great job with the supporting cast and keeping me tuned in to who he will shoot, or get shot by, next.
  • Good Wife (CBS) – They’ve managed to evolve the story of this woman who is standing by her man, raising her family, practicing law and dealing with official and unofficial politics in a way that just keeps me hooked.
  • Sherlock (PBS) – I guess you can never have too much Holmes, sadly only three episodes per season setting him and Watson in modern day, a great look at the traditional stories with new slant on the characters.
  • Parenthood (NBC) – I actually dropped this show when it first came on but now am hooked on the Braverman’s and their drama, at times ridiculous they have some great and touching moments.
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – Small town politics with a cast of characters that are quirky and endearing, makes me laugh out loud.
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – The complications upon complications, and the lack impulse control that these people suffer from, keeps me wondering how they can keep going without all being dead but I can’t look away.
  • Louie (Fx) – He’s the critics’ darling and for good reason, you can tell he definitely does what he wants on this show you never know what you’re going to get but this sad guy is getting a lot right.
  • Community (NBC) – The nods to all things pop culture in these eps keeps it a cut above, curious how the new show runners will keep it going.
  • Cougartown (ABC) – As folks should know this show is moving to TBS, but the cul de sac crew drinking wine makes me laugh, maybe because I’m also usually drinking wine.
  • Bunheads (ABCF)/ Hart of Dixie (CW) – These shows are going to get a dual listing, although I can’t honestly say that either of these shows are the best on tv I find them both very enjoyable with their flawed leading lady tries to do right in a small town slant.

Lots of good tv to be had, what’s on your list?

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best, tv

critics’ picks – top tv of 2012

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louieTime to get started on our year end lists! While the tv shows aren’t currently fresh, the critics’ best and award noms give you something to get ready to tune back into. I can’t personally recommend all of these shows (stay tuned for my top ten list) and as most readers know I don’t catch most of the real cable on first run (HBO, Show, Starz), but from the breadth of shows there is a little something out there for everyone. So without further ado here’s a sampling of top tv picks:

  • 2 Broke Girls (CBS) – E
  • 2012 Election  – JP
  • 30 for 30 (ESPN) – DF
  • 30 Rock (NBC) – AS, PGA, TG
  • American Horror Story: Asylum (Fx) – AFI, GG, JP, MoR, MZS
  • Archer (Fx) – MZS, TG
  • Ben and Kate (Fox) – TG
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – E, MR, PGA
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – GG, TG
  • Boss (Starz) – GG, TG
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR,  MZS,  PGA, TG
  • Call the Midwife (PBS) – MR
  • Castle (ABC) – E
  • The Colbert Report (Com) – KT, MM
  • Coma (A&E) – MZS
  • Community (NBC) – E, MZS, TG
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – PGA
  • Dexter (Show) – MR, TG
  • Don’t Trust the B- In Apartment 23 (ABC) – TG
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – MR, PGA
  • Enlightened (HBO) – GG
  • Episodes (Show) – GG
  • Game Change (HBO) – AFI
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – AFI, DF, E, GG, JP, MoR, PGA, TG
  • Girls (HBO) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, TG
  • Glee (Fox) – E, GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – KT, MR
  • Gossip Girl (CW) – E
  • Happy Endings (ABC) – E, MoR
  • Hatfields & McCoys (Hist) – MZS
  • Homeland (Show) – AFI, AS, E, GG, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • The Hour (BBCA) – DF, TG
  • House of Lies (Show) – TG
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS) – E
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – TG
  • Justified (Fx) – KT, TG
  • Louie (Fx) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MM, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • Luck (HBO) – AS, MM, MZS
  • Mad Men (AMC) – AFI, AS, DF, JP, KT, MR, MoR, MZS, PGA, TG
  • Magic City (Starz) – TG
  • The Middle (ABC) – MR
  • The Mindy Project (Fox) – E
  • Modern Family (ABC) – AFI, E, GG, PGA, TG
  • Nashville (ABC) – KT
  • New Girl (Fox) – E, GG, MoR, TG
  • On Freddie Roach (HBO) – DF
  • Once Upon a Time (ABC) – E
  • Parenthood (NBC) – AS, JP
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, DF, E, JP, KT, MoR, TG
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – TG
  • Revenge (ABC) – E
  • Scandal (ABC) – E
  • Shameless (Show) – TG
  • Sherlock (PBS) – MM, TG
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – MR, TG
  • Supernatural (CW) – E
  • Treme (HBO) – AS, DF, MZS, TG
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) – E
  • Veep (HBO) – TG
  • The Walking Dead (AMC) – AFI, E, MM, MR, TG
  • Wilfred (Fx) – TG

AFI – AFI Television Programs of the Year, AS – Alan Sepinwall for Hitfix, DF – Dan Fienberg for Hitfix, E – E! Best Comedies and E! Best Dramas, GG – Golden Globe nomination, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for Ew, MM* – Mary McNamara for LA Times, MR* – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for Huffington Post, MZS – Matt Zoller Seitz on Vulture, PGA – Producer’s Guild, TG – Tim Goodman’s Best Comedies and Dramas

* Some top votes were for categories of shows or notations to things like Clint’s chair speech and referee strike.

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critic’s picks – top tv 2011

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It’s that time of year again, yearend top tens! So the critics favored some new and some old. I don’t have Showtime, or HBO, so more to add to my queue. Check the links at bottom for a little more background and in some cases a longer list (people, I know 10 is arbitrary but 30?). Stay tuned for my Top TV of 2010, I’m still assimilating my TiVo backlog.

  • 30 Rock (NBC) – TG
  • American Horror Story (Fx) – MEF, GG
  • Archer (Fx) – TVM
  • Awkward (MTV) – MoR, MEF
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS) – MR
  • The Big C (Show) – Sat
  • Boardwalk Empire (HBO) – AS, Sat, TG, JL, AFI, GG
  • Boss (Starz) – GG
  • Breaking Bad (AMC) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • The Colbert Report (Com) – KT
  • Community (NBC) – AS, Sat, JL, MoR, JP, MR, AVC
  • Cougar Town (ABC) – TVM
  • Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) – AFI
  • Downton Abbey (PBS) – MEF, JL, MoR, MR, DF, KT
  • Enlightened (HBO) – GG, JP, KT, AVC
  • Episodes (Show) – Sat, GG
  • Friday Night Lights (DirTV/NBC) – JP, AS, Sat, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, DF
  • Fringe (Fox) – TVM, MR, KT
  • Game of Thrones (HBO) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, MoR, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, DF
  • Glee (Fox) – GG
  • The Good Wife (CBS) – JL, AVC, JP, AFI, MR, KT
  • Homeland (Show) – AS, TG, MEF, JL, GG, TVM, MoR, AVC, AFI, MR, JP, DF, KT
  • The Hour (BBCA) – DF
  • The Inbetweeners (BBCA) – TG
  • It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fx) – Sat, TG
  • Justified (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, MEF, JL, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, MR, DF, KT, AVC
  • Louie (Fx) – AS, Sat, TG, TVM, MoR, JP, AFI, DF, KT, AVC
  • Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – AS, MoR
  • The Middle (ABC) – MR
  • Modern Family (ABC)  – Sat, MEF, AFI, MR, GG
  • New Girl (Fox) – MR, GG
  • Parenthood (NBC) – JL
  • Parks and Recreation (NBC) – AS, TG, JL, TVM, MoR, AVC, KT, JP, AFI, DF
  • Raising Hope (Fox) – MEF
  • Sons of Anarchy (Fx) – Sat, MEF, TVM
  • Treme (HBO) – Sat
  • The Vampire Diaries (CW) – DF
  • The United States of Tara (Show) – AS

AFI, AS – Alan Sepinwall for HitFix, AVC – AV Club, DF – Daniel Feinberg for Hitfix, GG – Golden Globes,  JL – Jace Lacob for The Daily Beast, JP – James Poniewozik for Time, KT – Ken Tucker for EW, MEF – Maria Elena Fernandez for The Daily Beast, MR – Matt Roush for TV Guide, MoR – Maureen Ryan for The Huffington Post, Sat – Satellite Awards, TG – Tim Goodman for the Hollywood Reporter, TVM – TVMcGee

 

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new summer show roundup

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Well it’s that time of year again, the summer fluff is mostly out. And what do I think so far?

  • Alphas (Syfy) Stay Tuned – This is yet another spin on the Heroes theme, certain folks have unique abilities, this time they’re working with the government to stop the evil but good and evil just might not be all that clear, this isn’t as campy as some which may make it more watchable or may make it less engaging.
  • Awkward (Mtv) Stay Tuned – The high school awkward phase has been done before but there’s just a dash enough of good writing to make the characters and situations interesting, will she make it work with her crush, or is there another guy out there for her, and how much humiliation in the interim.
  • Combat Hospital (ABC) Tune Out – Grey’s Anatomy at war didn’t engage me enough to stick through the first episode which maybe isn’t fair or maybe watching at least part was more time than it was worth.
  • Falling Skies (TNT) Tune Out – I was borderline on this, it’s not a bad show, about putting up the good fight after an alien invasion, but I just found I didn’t much care about the battles or the relationships.
  • The Glee Project (Oxy) Tune In – This is my favorite new show, it has all the ingredients of a singing competition, but the combination of elements in each episode (initial challenge, music video, and final singing for save) and the reality of competing for a role in a specific show with really talented kids makes it a must see.
  • Franklin & Bash (TNT) Stay Tuned – The cases and premise are pretty dumb but Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer are still somehow kind of endearing in their rebellious lawyer style.
  • Happily Divorced (TVL) Tune Out – Unless you have really been missing The Nanny, this dated feeling sitcom about Fran living with her gay now ex husband is a pass.
  • Love Bites (NBC) Stay Tuned – This show didn’t catch on but it was actually a pretty good take on the romcom, boiling every possible story down to three vignettes an episode.
  • Necessary Roughness (USA) Stay Tuned – A newly separated shrink gets what seems like a windfall when she’s asked to help out professional football player, but athletes, the team’s staff, and her family may still all be too crazy, she’s pretty likable in the overarching football story but the weekly cases in other sports seem a little too pat.
  • The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABCFam) Tune Out – Always willing to give the weird a shot, in this version this girl finds she’s descended from some sort of cat people, she’s the hope of the race but unfortunately may kill anyone she gets kissy with, will she survive long enough to… whatever it is she’s supposed to do, just nothing really to grab onto.
  • The Protector (Life) Tune Out – Not a terrible show but just nothing noteworthy about this police procedural where the title character is a woman trying to balance family and work.
  • State of Georgia (ABCFam) Tune Out – Raven-Symoné and Majandra Delfino attempt to play this generation’s Lucy and Ethel and I just can’t get on board.
  • Suits (USA) Stay Tuned – It’s unbelievable that a lawyer would risk it all to hire a non law school grad to his firm that only hires Harvard grads, but this all business ‘closer’ has a dynamic with his protege who reads and learns it all protege that is keeping me engaged.
  • Switched at Birth (ABCFam) Tune Out – This show was actually sort of sweet in the look at the families and difficulties of two girls who learn they were the biological daughters of different families but it was a little too sappy too keep up with.
  • Teen Wolf (MTV) Tune Out – I was intrigued by the new guy as wolf trying to balance that along with friends and romance but it just got too stupid.
  • Web Therapy (Show) Stay Tuned – I wanted to like this Lisa Kudrow as internet shrink as her web series made the leap to broadcast, but couldn’t quite enjoy her terrible advice or uncomfortable relationship with her husband.
  • Wilfred (Fx) Tune In – The US update to the wacky Australian concept where a guy sees a dog as a man in a dog suit is super odd but I can’t turn away as I wait for whatever unpredictable hijinks Wilfred will get them into.

What else is sticking around in the TiVo queue: Burn Notice, Celebrity Rehab, Closer, Drop Dead Diva, In Plain Sight, Leverage, Louie, Project Runway, White Collar and on occasion but tenuous Eureka, Glades, Rizzoli & Isles.

I do tend to take a pass on most new reality fare.

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