tv

next week 9/22

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And the premieres are really cooking, get your tivos ready…. New and notable for the week ahead, procrastinator picks are underlined.

Monday

  • Heroes (NBC, 8/9pm) Season Premiere – First we countdown, maybe that means they try to explain what the heck has happened in the first two seasons, then what’s normally an engaging but uneven series has some promising buzz as this year we meet the ‘villains’.
  • Dancing With the Stars (ABC, 8pm, second rounds Wed/Thurs) Season Premiere – Who will delight America this season and how long can we keep Cloris Leachman in the mix?
  • The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – This show grew on me throughout last year, as the geeks and their straight woman/hot girl Penny make fun, super misfit Sheldon steals the show.
  • How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 8:30pm) Season Premiere – This show has a great ensemble and the Barneyisms are almost worth it alone.
  • Two and a Half Men (CBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – They’re back with more odd couple shenanigans.
  • Worst Week (CBS, 9:30pm) Series Premiere – Folks are saying this could be funny, but again, not sure about one mishap after another for a whole season.
  • Boston Legal (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Is this show still on? Is this show still getting emmy nominations?
  • CSI: Miami (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – I think someone shot Horatio, can anyone really stand David Caruso?

Tuesday

  • Opportunity Knocks (ABC, 8pm) Series Premiere – A game show where families win based on knowledge of each other.
  • NCIS (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – I admit I’ve never seen this navy investigation show.
  • Eureka (SciFi, 9pm) Season Finale – Maybe we find out what happened all those years ago and how their new fixer was involved.
  • The Mentalist (CBS, 9pm) Series Premiere – Simon Baker solves crimes after years as a fake celebrity psychic.
  • Law & Order: SVU (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Luke Perry won’t do 90210 so catch him in this ep, will he be creepy?
  • Without a Trace (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – I used to watch this show but no longer catch the FBI’s weekly missing person drama.

Wednesday

  • Knight Rider (NBC, 8pm) Series Premiere – Unless there were significant changes from the made for tv movie/pilot this one’s a pass.
  • The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – I actually like this ridiculous show where JLDreyfuss and her gang are obnoxious but funny.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS, 8:30pm) Series Premiere – Jay Mohr deals with his divorced dad lifestyle.
  • David Blaine (ABC, 9pm) – I’m always a little wary of these ‘magicians’ who do something like hang from a wire for days.
  • Criminal Minds (CBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – I think we ended last season with an explosion, is all the team coming back?
  • CSI: NY (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – This one isn’t as annoying as Miami and is a decent procedural.
  • Lipstick Jungle (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Of the identical average new chick shows of last season (the other was Cashmere Mafia) this one rolled over to this season, let’s hope they fine tuned things.

Thursday

  • Ugly Betty (ABC, 8pm) Season Premiere – I never quite appreciated this campy soap drama.
  • My Name is Earl (NBC, 8/8:30pm) Season Premiere – Last season’s coma didn’t quite work, let’s hope this season is back to its white trash misfit make amends roots.
  • Survivor: Gabon (CBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – So they’re in Gabon, wherever that is.
  • The Office (NBC, 9/9:30pm) Season Premiere – What’s in store this year for Michael and Pam and Dwight and that other main guy?
  • Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Now that we’re over most of the Mer/Der drama let’s get back to the rest of the gang.
  • ER (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – I recall hearing that this 15th season is the last and they’re trying to get as much of the gang back together as they can, Clooney is a long shot.

Friday

  • Presidential Debate (Various, 6pm/pst) – This election season feels like it has been going on forever but now we could really start to get down to it as Jim Lehrer moderates.

Saturday

  • Dirty Sexy Money (Soap, 9am) – Catch up on delightful season one with this marathon.
  • Chris Rock (HBO, 9pm) – In his Kill the Messenger special we see comedy from a few locations on his tour.
  • 48 Hours Mystery (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – I don’t know that I’ve ever watched this true-crime series.

Sunday

  • 60 Minutes (CBS, 7pm) Season Premiere – The stop watch still ticks.
  • Extreme Makeover: Home (ABC, 7/8pm) Season Premiere – I f I read this correctly a single mother of four took in her sister’s 10 children…. I can’t even take care of my plants, she deserves a house.
  • The Amazing Race (CBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – I understand this is one of the ‘good’ reality shows.
  • The Simpsons/King of the Hill/Family Guy/American Dad (Fox, 8-10pm) Season Premieres – The animation evening continues.
  • Desperate Housewives (ABC, 9pm) Season Premiere – As I understand it they’re refreshing things by skipping ahead five years.
  • Cold Case (CBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – Another one of those procedurals I didn’t keep up with.
  • Dexter (Show, 9pm) Season Premiere – Ok I’m still on season 3 on netflix but this one is addictive.
  • Brothers and Sisters (ABC, 10pm) Season Premiere – So if anyone missed it the now making out Rebecca and Justin are not really related, she only thought she was his sister for a while.
  • The Unit (CBS, 10pm) Season Premiere – When the team protects the vice and president elects, they could just paste a current candidates head on the actor’s bodies.
  • Californication (Show, 10pm) Season Premiere – Too easy to make a David Duchovny joke.
  • Little Britain (HBO, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – A fav british sketch show may take a few weeks to get its new american legs.
  • The Life & Times of Tim (HBO, 11pm) Series Premiere – Steve Dildarian former ad guy and fun painter creates this new animated series.
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tv

new fall tv

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Well this season is a bit of a wild card as this last year’s strike shook up the pilot cycle. Shows didn’t produce in the same way and most didn’t have a traditional critical review. Since most critics are relegated to watching shows live like the rest of us we’re relying a little more on buzz and people associated show than critical reviews.

So what am I looking forward to:

  • 90210 (CW 9/2) – The nostalgia factor alone (Brenda and Kelly return!) makes this a must see, though so far it’s not quite appointment tv.
  • The Ex List (CBS 10/3) – Though I admittedly was annoyed by her Jane Doe character on Grey’s, Elizabeth Reaser’s new role has potential as she looks up her former loves to find the one that could be true.
  • Fringe (Fox 9/9) – With JJ Abrams (Lost and Alias) behind the show who can help but be a little excited though early leakings of the pilot have people noting that it has potential but a little way to go.
  • Life on Mars (ABC 10/9) – This redo of a BBC hit has present day cop stuck in the 70s, there’s potential with casting like Jason O’Mara, Harvey Keitel, Michael Imperioli, Gretchen Mol, and Lisa Bonet.
  • The Mentalist (CBS 9/23) – Simon Baker (the Guardian) stars as a former ‘fake’ psychic and now uses his skills and charisma for good, I just really like him.
  • My Own Worst Enemy (NBC, 10/13) – I always dig a spy show and I actually like Christian Slater though I can’t quite picture him as two different characters, the spy org apparently plants a brain chip to create a clean cut alter ego and this one is breaking down.

And of course there’s more shows coming:

  • Crusoe (NBC 10/12) – A series based on the old story is pretty hard to take seriously.
  • Do Not Disturb (Fox 9/10) – Jerry O’Connell stars in this Hotel comedy hoping for hilarity, he’s normally likable enough but initial reviews haven’t been good.
  • Easy Money (CW 9/21) – A family of loan sharks walk the line of legality in this ‘dramedy’.
  • Eleventh Hour (CBS, 10/9) – Rufus Sewell stars in this redo of BBC miniseries where a scientist and his by-the-book FBI partner come in at the last minute to solve scientific mysteries, for some reason the promos just look dull.
  • Gary Unmarried (CBS 9/24) – Jay Mohr stars as a single dad divorced guy dealing with his kid, his ex, and his new life, though Mohr can be good this show might be average.
  • In Harm’s Way (CW 9/21) – This reality show checks out folks in tough jobs.
  • Kath & Kim (NBC 10/9) – This remake of the Aussie show stars likable Selma Blair and Molly Shannon in roles that made me cringe in the previews.
  • Privileged (CW 9/9) – Cute Joanna Garcia (Reba) is a live-in tutor for some spoiled girls, based on some books, this show might not be great television but it could be entertaining enough.
  • Knight Rider (NBC 9/24) – This show was previewed in a tv movie this last year and neither new lead (Michael Knight’s son), nor Kitt (voiced by Val Kilmer), nor the story had any new or retro pizzazz.
  • Stylista (CW, 10/22) – It’s another reality competition and in this lackeys are hoping for an entry level lackey gig at Elle magazine.
  • Surviving Suburbia (CW 11/2) – Bob Saget returns to the comedic in this darker role of husband and father dealing with life.
  • Valentine (CW 9/21) – Greek Gods play with regular folk’s love lives, Aphrodite in the regular world seems doubtful.
  • Worst Week (CBS 9/22) – Based on another hit British show, I’m skeptical that although the lead is apparently appealing this one problem after another show can keep the laughs coming.
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tv

tv guide fall preview

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tvguide.jpgLabor day is upon us and fall is here! TV Guide still does a nice job laying out the new season. I am a big fan of the printable premiere calendar and of course the grid of what’s on when: http://www.tvguide.com/special/fall-preview-2008/

Sadly as I take a closer gander at scheduling it’s looking a little cramped in a couple of slots. Monday at 8 with Big Bang/HIMYMother, Gossip Girl, Terminator, and Chuck. Then Wednesday at 8 with Pushing Daisies, Old Christine, ANTM, and Bones. I like to limit myself to two shows max per time slot so I’m going to have to make some accommodations. At least CW typically reruns ANTM and GGirl, and of course there’s some stuff online. I mean who could think of dropping a show, for other than enjoyment considerations, but that’s often how it happens for me. And of course I never expect the new shows to all hit so I should be able to drop one of the cramped Tuesday at 9 options of The Mentalist, Privileged, and Fringe (sadly the cute Joanna Garcia may lose to the cuter Simon Baker and of course JJ Abrams newest product).

So poke around and see what’s going to be happening. I will of course continue to note the premieres in the Next Weeks. And as soon as I hear a little more from the critics I’ll let you know what of the new stuff we’re all most excited about.

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tv

fall is in the air

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Well we’ve had a week to wrap up the up fronts where networks tout their fall and onward tv seasons for advertisers, so let’s take a look at what looks like it will look like:

ABC

New:

  • Life on Mars – David E Kelley’s version of BBC series where cop transports back to 1970s
  • Opportunity Knocks – Game show where they knock on your door, or something

Returning: 20/20, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Boston Legal (final season), Brothers & Sisters, Eli Stone, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Samantha Who?, Supernanny, Ugly Betty, Wife Swap
Midseason returns: According to Jim, The Bachelor, Lost, Scrubs (New from NBC)
Noteworthy not returning: Men in Trees, Miss Guided, October Road, Women’s Murder Club

CBS

New:

  • Eleventh Hour – Jerry Bruckheimer’s latest, adapting from the british 4 part sci fi series dealing with mysterious cases
  • The Ex List – This one is based on an Israeli show where a psychic tells a woman she has already met her true love and so she revisits the exes
  • The Mentalist – Simon Baker uses his powers of observation to solve crimes
  • Project Gary – Comedy starring Jay Mohr as a recent divorce, and contractor which might explain the ‘project’ part
  • Worst Week – This comedy of newly engaged couple is another BBC show made over american style

Returning: 48 Hours, 60 Minutes, Amazing Race, Big Bang Theory, Cold Case, Criminal Minds, CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Ghost Whisperer, How I Met Your Mother, NCIS, New Adventures of Old Christine, Numb3rs, Survivor, Two and a Half Men, The Unit, Without a Trace
Midseason returns: Rules of Engagement
Noteworthy not returning: Moonlight, Shark

CW

New:

  • 90210 – The next generation, as a new brother and sister move and start at West Beverly High, including pop bys by Jennie Garth as Guidance Counselor
  • Surviving the Filthy Rich – With Reba’s JoAnna Garcia as nanny to rich kids, based on a book series
  • Stylista – New reality from Tyra Banks where folks compete to work at Elle

Noteworthy note: Contracting out Sunday nights to production finance company Media Rights Capital who will be responsible for two dramas and two comedies and selling the ad time.

  • FAT City, IM Valentine, Book of Murphy, Surviving Suburbia

Returning: ANTM, Everybody Hates Chris, The Game, Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, Smallville, Supernatural
Midseason return: Reaper
Noteworthy not returning: Aliens in America, Girlfriends, New Amsterdam

Fox

New:

  • Fringe – JJ Abrams latest starring Joshua Jackson teaming up to investigate unexplained phenomena, I wanna say like the x-files
  • Do Not Disturb – Comedy starring Jerry O’Connell working at one of NY’s uber hip hotels

Returning: American Dad, America’s Most Wanted, Bones, Cops, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Family Guy, House, King of the Hill, Kitchen Nightmares, Moment of Truth, Prison Break, Simpsons, Smarter than a 5th Grader, Terminator, Til Death
Midseason return: 24, American Idol, Hell’s Kitchen.
Noteworthy not returning: Back to You

NBC

New:

  • Crusoe – As in Robinson…
  • Kath & Kim – Molly Shannon and Selma Blair in remake of Australian sitcom about mother and daughter living together again
  • Knight Rider – If you caught the ‘hit’ tv movie you’re familiar with this remake
  • My Own Worst Enemy – Christian Slater as a gov agent/normal guy whose two lives start to blur
  • Thursday Night Live – Special SNL shows leading up to the elections

Returning: The Biggest Loser, Chuck, Dateline, Deal or No Deal, Heroes, E.R. (final season), L&O:SVU, Life, Lipstick Jungle, My Name is Earl, The Office, 30 Rock
Midseason returning: Friday Night Lights, L&O, Medium
Noteworthy not returning: Bionic Woman, Journeyman, Las Vegas

Additional Notes:

Tons of new shows scheduled for after fall, but we’ll chime in later once those become more solid, other than the fact that I should note there’s an Office spinoff scheduled as well as the new Joss Whedon show Dollhouse with Eliza Dushku, scheduled for midseason. I miss the Grr Arg.

And if you want to see the current stab at the schedule you can check it out at TV Guide.

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