samcro – procrastinationchronicles.com

new and noteworthy tv: 12/8-12/14

December 7, 2014 No Comments

Well it’s been an interesting road, and though I know it can’t go on and I’ll be somewhat relieved to be done with it, I’ll miss the men and the mayhem. I’ll also check back and see how the second season of Ground Floor comes together.

Monday: The Great Christmas Light Fight, Season Premiere (ABC, 8pm), Mike & Molly, Season Premiere (CBS, 8:30)
Tuesday: Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (ABC, 8pm), Bye Felicia!, Series Premiere (VH1, 9pm), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (CBS, 8/10pm), Ground Floor, Season Premiere (TBS, 10pm), Sons of Anarchy, Series Finale (FX, 10pm)
Thursday: Blake Shelton’s Not So Family Christmas (NBC, 10pm)
Friday: Marco Polo, Series Premiere (Net, 12:01am), Wake Up Call, Series Premiere (TNT, 9pm)
Saturday: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer/Frosty the Snowman/Frosty Returns (CBS, 8/9/9:30pm)
Sunday: Backstage with Disney on Broadway/Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014 (ABC, 7/9pm), Undercover Boss, Season Premiere (CBS, 8pm), The Bible’s Greatest Secrets/Secrets of the Bible, Season Premieres (AHC, 9/10pm), The Newsroom, Series Finale (HBO, 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.

my schedule

November 7, 2014 No Comments

A pretty dismal season for television so far though one or two options still might make the cut. Still waiting for State of Affairs but until then, here’s where I’m at:

Monday

8pm – Gotham (Fox)
9pm – Sleepy Hollow (Fox)
10pm – Blacklist (NBC)

The jury is still somewhat out on Gotham but there’s enough interesting about it that it’s still sticking for now. And returning series remind me that there were better shows last year, Hollow is still bonkers but super fun, Spader still makes it.

Tuesday

8pm – ~~Selfie~~ (ABC)
9pm – SHIELD (ABC) / New Girl/Mindy Project (Fox) / Marry Me/About a Boy (NBC)

Happy to keep some of these comedies around, actors are likable enough for me to keep for now, and Shield has been finding some new rhythms though I oppose a triple booking I am deferring a cut with On Demand.

Wednesday

8pm – The Middle (ABC) / The Mysteries of Laura (NBC)
9pm – The 100 (CW)

Ok, I’m not totally sold on Laura but it’s a decent enough filler for now while Middle and 100 are still keeping me in.

Thursday

8pm – Bones (Fox) / Big Bang Theory/Mom (CBS)
10pm – Elementary (CBS) / Parenthood (NBC)

I really am almost done with Bones but it’s still a decent procedural and keeping up with the rest of the regulars.

Friday

9pm – Grimm (NBC) / ANTM (CW)
10pm – ~~Constantine~~ (NBC)

After two Constantines I’m not sold but still don’t feel like I have a feel for the week to week, it’s a good pair with the solid freak of the week on Grimm and yes the models, last year’s addition of boys was a welcome one.

Sunday

8pm – Madam Secretary (CBS) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
9pm – The Good Wife (CBS)

Secretary still sort of comes across like the poor man’s version of West Wing crossed with Good Wife (which is still fantastic) but even a poor man’s version keeps me in so far and Brooklyn still keeps me amused.

And for the cable fodder: Benched (USA), Ink Master (Spike), The League (Fxx), Project Runway (Life), Sons of Anarchy (Fx), Z Nation (Syfy)

What’s in your queue?

Update: Selfie is cancelled and Constantine no longer made the cut.

returning fall favorites

September 9, 2014 No Comments

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?

new and noteworthy tv: 9/8-9/14

September 6, 2014 No Comments

SAMCRO enters its final season and for all the ups and downs I can’t imagine missing Jax burning it all down. And I’m dramatically less caring about Oprah adding another Tyler Perry with Loving and Syfy trying its hand at Zombie fun.

Monday: Rewrapped, Season Premiere (Food, 8pm), Love Prison, Series Premiere (A&E, 10pm)
Tuesday: Masterchef Canada, Series Premiere (Cook, 9pm), Fashion Rocks (CBS, 9pm), If Loving You Is Wrong, Series Premiere (OWN, 9pm), Sons of Anarchy, Season Premiere (FX, 10pm), Adam Devine’s House Party, Season Premiere (Com, 10:30pm)
Wednesday: Hell’s Kitchen, Season Premiere (Fox, 8pm), Under the Lights (CBS, 9pm), Couples Therapy/I Heart Nick Carter, Season/Series Premieres (VH1, 9/10pm), South Beach Tow, Season Premiere (Tru, 9:30pm), The Ultimate Fighter, Season Premiere (FS1, 10pm)
Thursday: The Biggest Loser, Season Premiere (NBC, 8pm), Haven, Season Premiere (Syfy, 10pm)
Friday: Oscar Pistorius the Verdict (CBS, 8pm), Real Time with Bill Maher/Live, Season Premiere (HBO, 9/10pm), Z Nation, Series Premiere (Syfy, 10pm)
Sunday: Countdown to/Miss America (ABC, 8/9pm), The Roosevelts, Miniseries Premiere (PBS, 8pm)

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.

movies, tv

stream it…

December 24, 2013 No Comments

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?

returning fall favorites

September 17, 2013 No Comments

Some new stuff is a’coming but before we get caught up in the new shiny things here are some of the tried and true that I’m most looking forward to:

The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/26) – This show is still good for a chuckle and the upping of the gal pals doesn’t hurt.
Elementary (CBS, 9/26) – Sherlock and Watson in a new modern day slant, I dig them and it.
The Good Wife (CBS, 9/29) – Still one of my fave dramas, balancing good characters and story.
Grimm (NBC, 10/25) – Ghoul of the week in a fairy tale kind of way kept me coming back.
Hart of Dixie (CW) – Our big city doctor may not be all that revolutionary but sometimes you need a cute small town show.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia/The League (FXX) – So wrong they’re right.
Luther (BBCA) – Ok this is basically already done but I love some Luther.
The Mentalist (CBS, 9/29) – Slightly odd no longer fake psychic still keeps me intrigued.
The Middle (ABC, 9/25) – Good ole middle American family comedy, under the radar but worth a look and a laugh.
The Mindy Project/New Girl (Fox, 9/17) – These ladies and their supporting casts both got a good stride last year.
Parenthood (NBC, 9/26) – The Braverman’s are always getting into some trouble or another, but I just want them all to be happy.
Parks & Recreation (NBC, 9/26) – When they’re on, this might be my favorite comedy on tv.
Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 9/10) – Damn those MC guys can’t just chillax, lots of drama and conflict and lack of impulse control, all in the name of trying to make something or other right.
The Walking Dead (AMC, 10/13) – Zombie fun and what’s the right choice in the new world order?

Honorable Mention (aka still on the TiVo): Bones (Fox), Castle (ABC, 9/23) How I Met Your Mother (CBS, 9/23), Modern Family (ABC, 9/25).

What are you most looking forward to?

new and noteworthy tv: 9/9-9/15

September 8, 2013 No Comments

Labor Day is over and fall is in the air, well technically fall starts on the 22nd…

Monday

The View/The Talk (ABC/CBS) Season Premieres – The talkers return, and Jenny McCarthy officially joins in.
US Open Tennis (CBS, 2pm) – Don’t forget that they moved the men’s to Monday, giving what McEnroe will repeatedly tell you is a much needed break after the semis.
The Million Second Quiz (NBC, 8pm) Series Premiere – Seriously, not sure how Ryan Seacrest finds the time to host this latest gameshow?
Exploding Sun (Reelz, 8pm) Miniseries Premiere – Julia Ormand and David James Elliott are in a solar storm show.

Tuesday

Sons of Anarchy (FX, 10pm) Season Premiere – Can’t wait for the latest drama from Jax and the gang, will they overcome their lack of impulse control?

Wednesday

The X Factor (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – If I’m tracking this correctly hosts are Simon Cowell and some other people.
Restaurant Stakeout/Thieves, Inc (Food, 9/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Restaurants not working and shoplifters stealing.
NFL Turning Point (NBCSN, 10pm) Season Premiere – Go football.
Too Young To Marry? (Oxy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Parental consent?

Thursday

Derek (Net, 12:01am) Series Premiere – Ricky Gervais is taking on a nice guy role, can his simpleton keep you entertained, the latest Netflix new offering thinks so?
CBS Fall Preview (CBS, 8:30pm) – What of the offerings looks appealing?
Burn Notice (USA, 9pm) Series Finale – I’m excited that this show is coming to its conclusion, it really is time to move on.

Friday

Haven (Syfy, 10pm) Season Premiere – Returning to the drama of small town syfy-style problems.
Kendra on Top (WE, 10pm) Season Premiere – Couldn’t care less about Kendra’s fitness results.
Real Time With Bill Maher (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – Wind him up, let him go.

Saturday

Cops (Spike, 8pm) Season Premiere – Bad boys.

Sunday

Miss America (ABC, 9pm) – Lara Spencer and Chris Harrison host.
Foyle’s War (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – Three new eps of post-WWII detective drama.
The Great Santini Brothers (Hist, 10pm) Series Premiere – Moving company bros.

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.

best, tv

procrastinator picks – top tv of 2012

January 3, 2013 No Comments

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?

best, tv

critics’ picks – top tv of 2012

December 27, 2012 No Comments

Time 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.

new and noteworthy tv: 9/10-9/16

September 9, 2012 No Comments

Labor Day is over and fall is in the air…

Monday

The Voice/The New Normal (NBC, 8/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Blind auditions and banter followed by cute new ‘family’ sitcom.
Basketball Wives LA (VH1, 8pm) Season Premiere – The wives are back.
Fall TV Preview (CBS, 8:30pm) – Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs of Two Broke Girls host the sharing of new CBS fare.
All On the Line (Sund, 9pm) Season Premiere – Joe Zee returns to lend more expertise to clothes and clothiers.
Hoarders (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – More horrors of stuff.

Tuesday

Parenthood (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Following official return of Go On and new timeslot and new ep for New Normal the Bravermans and all their drama return.
Sons of Anarchy (Fx, 10pm) Season Premiere – Trouble is brewing in Charming and I know I’d be too tense to watch an hour and a half premiere on a school night but so excited this is back.
Bomb Girls (Reelz, 10pm) Series Premiere – New drama following women at work during WWII, who gets Reelz?

Wednesday

The X Factor (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – Check out Britney and Demi joining for a new season.
Damages (Dir, 9pm) Series Finale – How will the crazy end?
Cajun Pawn Stars/American Restoration (Hist, 9:30/10pm) Season Premieres – Pawning cajun style followed by restorations American style.
Guys with Kids (NBC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Three dads don’t look to bring a ton of comedy.

Thursday

Glee (Fox, 9pm) Season Premiere – Almost intrigued to see them take the Rachel show on the road.
The Real Housewives of Miami (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Miami wives new and old.
Rock Center with Brian Williams (NBC, 10pm) Season Premiere – More newsiness.

Friday

Shark Tank/What Would You Do / 20/20 (ABC, 8/9/10pm) Season Premieres – New inventions, awkward situations and news stories.
The Ultimate Fighter (Fx, 9pm) Season Premiere – Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson.
Primetime Preview (NBC, 9:30pm) – Matthew Perry hosts a look at NBC’s new stuff.

Saturday

Bayou Billionaires/Redneck Rehab (CMT, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Spending money and getting back to country roots.
Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s (Own, 9pm) Season Premiere – New shop.
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30pm) Season Premiere – Seth MacFarlane hosts.

Sunday

Rehab with Dr Drew/Behind the Music (VH1, 8/9pm) Series/Season Premieres – More struggles with addiction, this time it’s dubbed without the ‘celebrity’ angle which I can’t help it but I’ll watch, followed by a look at Train.
Boardwalk Empire (HBO 9pm) Season Premiere – The season begins on New Year’s Eve.
Weeds (Show, 10pm) Series Finale – I lost this show seasons ago but it somehow wraps up.

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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