Well, we’re wrapping up the year and things are starting to slow down. Other than holiday specials of course. I’m doing some catch-up on people’s best TV lists. I figure I get about a month or so to sample what I’ve missed before I make my own list. One of those faves was the just completed Somebody, Somewhere on HBO. I have also kept making progress on my HBO backlog with Insecure which was an amusing/engaging journey of Black friends in LA.

I’m tempted to try out the Dexter: Original Sin prequel while I have Paramount+ but not sure I’ll stick around that long after InkMaster and Evil. I can always return but I want to hop over to Apple and maybe Peacock.

• What We Do in the Shadows (FX) Series Finale, Monday 12/16, 10pm – Though this show might not hit my top ten it has been consistently funny, and sorry to see it go.
• Laid (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/19 – A woman’s former lovers are dying and she tries to figure out what’s up in this rom-com?
• Protection (Brit) Series Premiere, Sunday 12/29 – A witness protection officer tries to get the the bottom of a security breach and her own personal entanglements.

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

I blew through A Man on the Inside (Net) mostly due to my back being tweaked but it was sweet and engaging. I also wrapped up Cross (Amazon) which I thought was ok, most of the cast was good but I couldn’t quite get into the season’s big bad or the dual storylines. Cruel Intentions (Amazon) was kind of a waste of a remake, it was too similar (with some noted updates) but didn’t recapture or bring anything fresh, though it was totally watchable if that’s up your alley. A few more things before we drop off for the holidays.

• Black Doves (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/5 – Spies, assassins, and vengeance, Keria Knightly helms this British Political Drama
• White Lies (SundN) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/5 – An investigative journalist digs under the pretty veneer of Cape Town, South Africa.
• Paris Has Fallen (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 12/6 – Based on the film, trying to stop a terrorist attack and not sure who can be trusted.
• The Sticky (Am) Series Premiere, Friday 12/6 – Margo Martindale heads a cast in a ‘fast-paced dark comedy’ based on the true story of a maple syrup heist.
• Somebody Somewhere (HBO) Series Finale, Sunday 12/8, 10:30 pm – This show is such a sweet and funny charmer, it’s been on my best lists and I’m sad to see it go.
• Ink Master (Para+) Season Finale, Wednesday 12/11 – I don’t know how I missed that a new season of this had started?! but they’re getting ready to wrap it up. I guess it’s time for me to get P+ and play a little catch-up on this and Evil which I’ve been meaning to do the last season, too bad Yellowjackets isn’t out until Feb.
• Queer Eye (Net) Season Premiere, Wednesday 12/11 – They’re back and Jeremiah Brent takes over for Bobby Berk as the person who does a shit ton of actual work in addition to emotional work.
• No Good Deed (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/12 – Three different families in a race to buy a 1920s Spanish-style home, with a good cast including Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, and Linda Cardellini from the maker of Dead to Me.
• Paris & Nicole: The Encore (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 12/12 – I have to say I found the original Simple Life quite funny and sweet so hoping these elder statesmen of reality can recapture some of that fun.
• The Bookie (Max) Season Premiere, Thursday 12/12 – I wasn’t totally enthralled with the first season of this but I stuck with it, for whatever that’s worth.
• Dexter: Orginal Sin (Para+) Series Premiere, Friday 12/13 – I did enjoy the beginnings of the original Dexter, I missed the return of that show but I might tune in to the prequel since I’m going to be revisiting Paramount+.

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

I muddled my way through Joan on the CW, for a jewelry heist show this was kind of a slog (for some reason I can’t quit a 6 part series it seems so short). I also finished the not-amazing The Penguin on Max, the highlight of this was Cristin Milioti, it was designed to be a series to bridge from the last Batman to the next so I won’t necessarily expect anymore here. I cranked through the too-quick 6-episode second season of The Diplomat, it may be ridiculous but it has me on the edge of my seat. I also finished up Wrestlers which I started last year and this docu take on small circuit wrestlers was sweet and intriguing but didn’t totally hold my interest.

A few new things on the horizon plus of course the Thanksgiving Day parade and the Dog Show and probably some football. And then I guess it’s officially the Christmas season.

• Maternal (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 11/18 – I don’t know that I need to revisit post-pandemic but this is set as three doctors return from maternity leave.
• Interior Chinatown (Hulu) Series Premiere, Tuesday 11/19 – I read this very oddly formatted book and am curious how they’ll approach it as a series focusing a background extra on a show set in Chinatown.
• Night Court (NBC) Season Premiere, Tuesday 11/19, 8:30pm – This show was amusing enough with the daughter of the original Judge Stone taking control of the court.
• Cruel Intentions (Am) Series Premiere, Thursday 11/21 – I dug the original version of this campy fun flick and am cautiously optimistic the series might be a treat.
• Man on the Inside (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 11/21 – Ted Danson back in a series by the creator of The Good Place yes please.
• Get Millie Black (HBO) Series Premiere, Monday 11/25, 9pm – Ex-Scotland Yard detective returns to Kingston to work missing persons cases.
• The Madness (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 11/28 – A media pundit gets framed for murder after stumbling upon a dead body.
• The Agency (Show) Series Premiere, Sunday 11/1 – An espionage political thriller.
• Children Ruin Everything (CW) Season Premiere, Friday 11/29, 9pm – Another funny enough show of parents and things going awry.

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

I finished up the latest seasons of Lincoln Lawyer and Only Murders in the Building both of which were relatively consistent with what you’d expect, I still enjoy the latter more than the former based on cast charm alone. I also did Agatah All Along which was an imperfect but really interesting addition to the MCU universe. I’m looking forward to a few of these upcoming shows and yes there’s election coverage.

• Inspector Ellis (Acorn) Series Premiere, Monday 11/4 – Three-part detective drama with a ‘tenacious’ copy who is dropped into a ‘failing’ investigation.
• St Dennis Medical (NBC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 11/12 – A mockumentary this one set at a hospital led by Allison Tollman, I like to give comedies a shot.
• Bad Sisters (App+) Season Premiere, Wednesday 11/13 – I liked the wrap-up of the first season so much I’m almost sad they’re trying again.
• Cross (Am) Series Premiere, Thursday 11/14 – Aldis Hodge stars as the James Patterson character in our latest book series adaptation, a detective and forensic psychologist looks into the minds of murderers.
• The Day of the Jackal (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 11/14 – An assassin played by Eddie Redmayne faces a British Intelligence officer played by Lashana Lynch in this latest adaptation.
• The Creep Tapes (Shud) Series Premiere, Friday 11/15 – A serial killer invites documentarians to record his life and maybe it’s not a good idea.
• The Landman (Para+) Series Premiere, Sunday 11/17 – Taylor Sheridan’s latest stars Billy Bob Thornton and John Hamm among others based on the podcast “Boomtown,” sure.
• Dune Prophecy (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 11/17, 9pm – I haven’t watched the latest Dune movie I’m not sure I’m up for a prequel.

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

I tried a few new network shows, NCIS Origins, I’m not an NCIS watcher so this early story might resonate more for others but it had a solid character and story, kind of gave Reacher vibes, not sure I’ll stick with it but might try one more. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage was pretty generic, again I didn’t watch Young Sheldon so those who did might dig it more. Also generic was Happy’s Place but it could be a comfort show that way Reba was in its day.

I finished up Nobody Wants This and the latest season of Heartstopper, both binge-able series of half hours. And excited that Veronica + Seth (aka the characters that I originally knew Kristin Bell and Adam Brody from) will be back for another season. I don’t know why my fave actors aren’t always in something cute.

• What We Do In The Shadows (Fx) Season Premiere, Monday 10/21 – This is sadly the final season but always happy to have these ridiculous vampires around getting into one fix or another.
• Beauty in Black (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/24 – The latest Tyler Perry about a stripper and a cosmetic dynasty family.
• Like a Dragon: Yakuza (Am) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/24 – A tv version of the video game I’ve never heard of, sure.
• Before (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 10/25 – A psychological thriller with Billy Crystal as a child psychiatrist who encounters a troubled boy, good cast.
• The Marlow Murder Club (PBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 10/27, 9pm – Adapted from the bestselling novels looking into I can only assume murders.
• Somebody Somewhere (HBO) Season Premiere, Sunday 10/27, 10:30pm – I love this sweet series and am excited for a new season of the characters’ evolution or lack thereof.
• Wizards Beyond Waverly Place (Dis) Series Premiere, Tueday 10/29, 8pm – One of the characters of the original gets pulled back into wizarding, I don’t know I never watched this.
• The Diplomat (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/31 – I tore through this Kerri Russell series and glad to see her back and dealing with the impossible personal and professional relations.

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

Fall tv keeps kicking in and I’m kind of enjoying it though my backlog might be suffering a bit. In addition to shows I’ll be tuning back in for Matlock and High Potential I dabbled a bit more. Brilliant Minds feels very generic, Murder in a Small Town feels quaint enough, Everybody Still Hates Chris hits familiar notes, and Joan was a slow start. I have also just started and am enjoying Nobody Wants This. Some new and returning faves to be on the lookout for.

• Accused (Fox) Season Premiere, Tuesday 10/8, 9pm – This show was mildly engaging as an anthological look at an individual in each episode accused of a crime.
• Abbott Elementary (ABC) Season Premiere, Wednesday 10/9, 9:30pm – This show is still a fun one, and I just read they’re working an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover this season.
• Citadel: Diana (Am) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/10 – I didn’t watch the original Citadel but if that was your jam this is probably a good choice.
• Roller Jam (Max) Series Premeire, Thursday 10/10 – Reality highlight, I do live the idea of looking at a variety of professions, hobbies, what have you and this roller-skating crew competition fits the bill.
• Teacup (Pea) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/10 – Based on the novel Singer a group of peeps come together to survive, oh it’s a comedy.
• Disclaimer (App+) Series Premiere, Friday 10/11 – A psychological thriller with Cate Blanchett and Kevin Kline about a journalist about to have her secrets exposed.
• Tracker (CBS) Season Premiere, Sunday 10/13, 8pm – Sure Justin Hartley going about finding peeps.
• NCIS: Origins (CBS) Series Premiere, Monday 101/4, 9pm – The prequel about a young Gibbs, NCIS is on season 22 so they’ve got some fans.
• Shrinking (App+) Season Premiere, Wednesday 10/16 – I loved the first season of this but as they’re parsing them week by week I may delay a month subscription to Apple TV Plus to catch it closer to the holidays.
• The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh (Am) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/17 – A comedy from the creator of black-ish about an Indian family starting in their first few months in the US.
• Lincoln Lawyer (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/17 – This isn’t my fave series from these kind of books but it’s solid.
• Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (CBS) Series Premiere, Thursday 10/17. 8pm – I love Big Bang but never got into the prequel, this is a spinoff of that.
• Ghosts (CBS) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/17, 8:30pm – This show is good for some amusement, wonder what they’ll be up to this season.
• Elsbeth (CBS) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/17, 10pm – This show was a good addition to the procedural crew with a fun lead by Carrie Preston.
• Rivals (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 10/18 – Some sort of rivalry within an ’80s English television network.
• Hysteria! (Pea) Series Premiere, Friday 10/18 – A heavy metal band tries to capitalize on the “Satanic Panic” until crimes start pointing at them.
• Happy’s Place (NBC) Series Premiere, Friday 10/18, 8pm – Reba McEntire is back and inheriting a bar with a half sister she didn’t know about.
• The Equalizer (CBS) Season Premiere, Sunday 10/20, 9:30pm – McCall is still looking out for peeps.

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

I managed to crank through Emily in Paris which is still ridiculous but perfectly fluffy. I’ve also started watching some of the new fall tv! Matlock was a fresh enough take on the title of the show if not an Andy Griffith remake (which is probably a good thing). High Potential also was entertaining if only for Kaitlin Olson in a procedural. Rescue: Hi-Surf was ok, I’m assuming we’ll get to know the characters, romances, etc. better but not sure this rescue of the week will be as engaging, I do like to watch surfing so it’s got that going for it. There’s a new episode tonight. We also have the VP debate hitting on 10/1.

I finished my rewatch of The Good Place and I forgot how many levels of that show there were, it really was so good, and the finale brings all the feels all over again. I also did a little Mom rewatch which is overall a fun show. Weird to see the evolution of focus and characters though I do selfishly wish that “Christy” had stuck around for the final season.

• 911: Lone Star (Fox) Season Premiere, Monday 9/23, 8pm – I don’t know why I stuck with this one and not the original but I feel like I heard this is the final season.
• Brilliant Minds (NBC) Series Premiere, Monday 9/23, 10pm – I don’t know why some shows are more appealing than others sometimes, I like Zachary Quinto but am maybe over the genius Dr. Thang, but I will of course watch it, and see what I think.
• Penelope (Net) Series Premiere, Tuesday 9/24 – This is done by the Duplass brothers who I generally appreciate but think this might be YA, a girl forms a new life in the wilderness to get away from society.
• Murder in a Small Town (Fox) Series Premiere, Tuesday 9/24, 8pm – Based on a book series this is a big city detective who solves crimes in a, you guessed it, small town.
• Everybody Still Hates Chris (Com) Series Premiere, Wednesday 9/25, 10pm – An animated version of the comedy series where Chris Rock tells stories of his youth.
• Grotesquerie (Fx) Series Premiere, Wednesday 9/25, 10pm – I’m done with Ryan Murphy’s horror and true crime recreations, this is the former.
• Nobody Wants This (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 9/26 – Veronica and Seth date, ok I know these actors from a lot of stuff but putting them together brings back Veronica Mars and The OC, in this it’s an opposites attract, meddling families kind of thing.
• Sullivan’s Crossing (CW) Season Premiere, Wednesday 10/2, 8pm – This was a schmaltzy show I almost quit last season and am planning to tune into one episode to see where things are at before cutting ties unless I get sucked in.
• Joan (CW) Series Premiere, Wednesday 10/2, 9pm – Jewel Thief, you bet.
• Heatstopper (Net) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/3 – This is a sweet show, and looking forward to seeing what these teens are up to.
• Found (NBC) Season Premiere, Thursday 10/3, 10pm – This is another show I am hoping to break up with, their missing person case of the week is fine but the overarching premise is just a little out of control.
• The Franchise (HBO) Series Premiere, Sunday 10/6, 10pm – A comedic take on the behind-the-scenes of the making and ecosystem of a franchise movie.

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

With my month of Peacock, I mostly was catching a few movies but I also wanted the second season of We Are Lady Parts. I admittedly had forgotten most of the first season so I just rewatched those as well and am glad I did, very fun again and setting up the most recent. I also started in on Only Murders In the Building (Hulu) and have to admit the one a week is kind of killing me. I tried the first two of English Teacher (Fx/Hulu) which definitely has some funny potential. Kite Man (HBO) isn’t as good as Harley Quinn but it’s still mildly amusing and worth it for Bane alone.

Fall tv is officially starting and I realize I normally do a roundup of network tv so depending on the week I might do that. Also, keep your eye out for another dose of Presidential debates on 9/10 and the Emmys on 9/15, should those be of interest to you.

• The Chicken Sisters (Hall+) Series Premiere, Tuesday 9/10 – I don’t normally pay much attention to Hallmark shows but small-town dueling fried chicken families run by Lea Thomson and Wendie Malick could prove to be sweet.
• Emily in Paris (Net) Part 2, Thursday 9/12 – I delayed this season’s binge until this chunk came out, I mean this show is super dumb but fun.
• The Old Man (Fx) Season Premiere, Thursday 9/12, 10pm – Season one of Jeff Bridges as an off-the-grid former CIA dude gets complicated when folks try to take him out, continues and I’m curious where it will go (not that I remember where we left off).
• How to Die Alone (Hulu) Series Premiere, Friday 9/13 – A “broke, fat, Black JFK employee” starts living after a near-death experience in this new comedy.
• Wynona Earp: Vengeance (Tubi) Special Presentation, Friday 9/13 – A movie based on the syfy series catches up with our characters, this was a fun show assuming I don’t have to remember what happened in 2021, I think Tubi is free and available.
• Three Women (Starz) Series Premiere, Friday 9/13, 10pm – A drama based on the book, Shailene Woodley plays a writer who gets three women to tell their stories, early reviews are mixed.
• Ridley/Van Der Valk (PBS) Season Premiere, Sunday 9/15, 8/10pm – A retired DI with his own issues goes another round of consulting with detectives then detectives Amsterdam style, I’ve enjoyed each of these enough but feel like they’re better for me in the off-season.
• High Potential (ABC) Series Premiere, Tuesday 9/17, 10pm – This is fall tv happening, with a new procedural (based on the French series) starring Kaitlin Olson (who really should land a good show) as a smarty who helps detectives notice things while raising some kids.
• Agatha All Along (Dis+) Series Premiere, Wednesday 9/18, 9pm – Kathryn Hahn is back with her character from WandaVision who is broken free of the spell that holds her, what next?
• Frasier (Para+) Season Premiere, Thursday 9/19 – This reboot did a new job of picking up with a fun character and evolving in a way that works well enough.
• Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Net) Series Premiere, Thursday 9/19 – The latest Ryan Murphy, I think I’ll pass.
• The Penguin (HBO) Series Premiere, Thursday 9/19, 9pm – Colin Farrell is pretty unrecognizable let’s see where this version goes, in general, I’m a Gotham ecosystem fan but this takes place after The Batman which I think I hated.
• Matlock (CBS) Series Premiere, Sunday 9/22, 8pm – More fall tv, I’m looking forward to seeing Kathy Bates take the title role.
• Rescue: Hi-Surf (Fox) Series Premiere, Sunday 9/22, 9pm – Fall tv is happening, this one is about North Shore lifeguards.

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