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summer cleaning – season passes

August 4, 2019 No Comments

As I wrapped up with the series finale of iZombie it reminded me that it was time to take a pass at my season passes with the ending of a variety of shows. Following are some of the ones I’m saying goodbye to (good thing I have plenty else to keep me busy).

You lived a good life:

Humans (AMC) – I absolutely loved the first season of this and although there would be more story to be told on the role of sentient synths the series felt like it ran a good course.
iZombie (CW) – This tale of a woman turned zombie who solved crimes by eating brains took us on a fun journey with her friends and lots of zombie action and felt like it told the story it wanted with the wrap up.
Life in Pieces (CBS) – It may not have been the best series but there was enough funny with this family to keep me tuned in but ok that it was time to wrap it.
Gotham (Fox) – I honestly haven’t even started watching the final season but this show had some great moments but again the pre batman story has an expiration date.

Gone too soon:

Abby’s (NBC) – This friends hanging out at a bar had a good enough cast and ingredients for this to be a very fun hang show had it been given some legs.
Deadly Class (Syfy) – This comic book tale set in the 80s of an underground high school of the deadly arts had great tone and soundtrack and sad I won’t get to see what happens next.
Speechless (ABC) – Truthfully this is almost in the you lived a good life, but this special needs family just felt like it had more depths to explore as their family moved into a new chapter.
Whiskey Cavalier (ABC) – I love a good caper film and this top secret team was just plain fun.

Saving me some TiVo time:

Fam (CBS) – Generic comedy had some good ingredients but I won’t miss it.
The Passage (Fox) – I was a bit intrigued by the huge change in the season finale but overall this show was trashy in a way that I didn’t put down but am totally ok with it not being on the list.
The Cool Kids (Fox) – There is a nostalgia factor with the actors and the straightforward comedy, I thought this would catch on more but honestly it wasn’t something that really hit.

Streaming sadness (no technical season pass):

Forever (Amazon) – This was a very odd story but I really enjoyed the first season and was intrigued to see where else they would go.
Patriot (Amazon) – Ok sad spy probably put us through as many seasons as our protagonist could take but I’m glad we had him while we did.
Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix) – Zombies were all the rage but this Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant one was really the most fun.
Sneaky Pete (Amazon) – Just starting the final season and while imperfect I enjoyed Giovanni Ribisi con man fun.
The Tick (Amazon) – A fresh take on the comic superheroes active in our world and the folks they interact with.

Also in their final seasons, or about to be, Agents of Shield, Elementary, The Good Place, Killjoys, Legion, Madam Secretary, Mr Robot, and Will & Grace have each had a good run and happy to know they have time to wrap up properly.

my schedule

October 31, 2018 No Comments

Most of the dust has settled and very few shows were picked up by me, let’s see what I’m still looking at.

Tuesday

8pm – The Conners (ABC)
9pm – Lethal Weapon (Fox)

I do find The Conners a much fresher take than the previous Roseanne incarnation and while I’m a little less enthusiastic about the update to a new wildcard partner on Lethal Weapon, the new dude has potential but the stories and characterization seem light and knowing Wayans is bowing out after this season leaves a low enthusiasm. I’ve also dropped This is Us because the few things I thought were well done were far outweighed by my disdain for most of the characters and plotting.

Wednesday

9;30pm – Single Parents (ABC)

It’s not quite a good show but so far I like the characters enough to see if they can be something like the new Cougartown with kids.

Thursday

8pm – Big Bang Theory (CBS) / Superstore/The Good Place (NBC)
9pm – Mom (CBS) / Will & Grace (NBC)

The favorite laugers have returned and I’ll also give Murphy Brown one more shot but while I like the cast and the idea of their slant on news today it’s just not quite hitting the mark for me. I still need to catch Legacies on CW but having passed on previous incarnations am assuming that will also get a pass but who knows it could be a gem of a young supernaturals option.

Friday

8pm – Last Man Standing/Cool Kids (Fox) / Speechless (ABC)

No promises on keeping Kids but as a pairing with the predictable but mildly entertaining Last Man, it’ll get another viewing. And I still find Speechless fresh but I’m dropping Fresh Off the Boat which is hitting the repetitive character archetype point Modern Family did for me after a few seasons. I also couldn’t get on board with Midnight, Texas for a second season but it was a fun summer show last year.

Sunday

8pm – God Friended Me (CBS)
10pm – Madam Secretary (CBS)

And here’s to my night of hope, while God is a little too schmaltzy it scratches the Kevin Probably Saves the World itch, and Tea Leoni gives me hope that politics can be challenging but people are trying to do the right thing.

And a we’ve got some continued fun in cable with: Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (TBS), Ink Master (Spike), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fxx), You (Life), Z Nation (Syfy)

What are you watching?

returning fall favorites

September 6, 2018 No Comments

It’s hard to keep track of it all but here’s a look at some of the things that I’m looking at in returning fall tv, don’t worry there’s still midseason (and various other starts) for things not on the list. Stay tuned for intriguing new fall tv.

The Big Bang Theory (CBW, 9/24) – This show amuses consistently enough and looking forward to seeing what this final season will bring to our gang.
Bojack Horseman (Net, 9/14) – Consistently one of the best shows, this weird take on a washed up, depressed, alcoholic horseman always bring it, can’t wait.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/5) – The Huangs bring their own family quirks at this look at their life in Orlando in the 90s.
The Good Place (NBC, 9/27) – This show has managed to stay so fresh I’m super curious as to how our dumb dumbs will manage this season.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Fxx, 9/5) – When a bunch of awful people never change and just keep being awful, it is surprisingly still fresh and funny.
Last Man Standing (Fox, 9/28) – I tuned out of this show when it was on, finding the right and left wing politicy jokes a little too ham handed but in repeats I got to sort of like the characters, though dubious about the replacement of yet another daughter.
Lethal Weapon (Fox, 9/25) – Speaking of replacements, after the real life Riggs and Murtaugh couldn’t get along Clayne Crawford’s antics got him unrenewed, so curious how this will work with Seann William Scott stepping in as the new maverick.
Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/7) – This started out as sort of a poor man’s Good Wife, but in a painful political spectrum its nice to see people dealing with fake real issues and knowing that although it’s not all good with help from our spunky Secretary it always mostly turns out ok.
Midnight, Texas (NBC, 10/26) – I think this show only lasted on my queue because it premiered during some downtime but this not revolutionary take on a small town of sort of extraordinary (vampires, witches, etc.) outsiders deal with random things, and of course saving the world.
Mom (CBS, 9/27) – I still love the play between Allison Janney and Anna Faris and their sober (mostly) friends, and I don’t turn away from a rerun.
Murphy Brown (CBS, 9/27) – It’s a stretch to call this a return but, I’m intrigued to see the update to Murphy and her news colleagues in today’s world.
Ozark (Net, 8/31) – This was one of my fave bingy shows last year, I was compelled to keep up with Jason Bateman as money launderer getting he and his family into, and sometimes out of, new fixes as he tries to make it work in this resort town.
Speechless (ABC, 10/5) – This whole family has so much personality that it’s almost not about the fact that one son is in a wheelchair unable to speak.
Superstore (NBC, 10/4) – More quirky misfits with this group of employees working the store and of course getting into each other’s lives.
This is Us (NBC, 9/25) – I have to say I almost didn’t list this, I’m pretty over this schmaltzy show other than a few story lines but will likely tune into the premiere to see where they’re taking it but I sense a breakup ahead.
Will & Grace (10/4) – One of the latest reboots, I enjoy visiting with these folks again, mostly when they steer into the reality of the fact that it’s more than ten years later.
Z Nation (Syfy, 10/5) – This show was the antidote to The Walking Dead treating the zombie apocalypse with a lightness that kept me tuning into this far after abandoning the other.

What are you most looking forward to the return of?

my schedule

November 17, 2017 No Comments

Things are already wrapping up for their fall finales but everything is finally basically out so here’s where I’m at. *New shows indicated.

Monday

10pm – The Brave* (NBC)

This show isn’t necessarily all that good but it has avoided must of the unbearable personal stories or soapy drama that made the others of this ilk unwatchable, and you know so far they succeed on their missions in an uplifting way.

Tuesday

8pm – The Middle/Fresh off the Boat (ABC) / Lethal Weapon (Fox)
9pm – This is Us (NBC) / Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)
10pm – Kevin (Probably) Saves the World* (ABC)

Some good classics are still hitting the queue, though I am almost over This Is Us unless they find a way to make anyone else as interesting as Randall and his family’s stories. I am thoroughly enjoying the oddball Jason Ritter series where he’s trying to balance family and his new secret missions with his invisible to others new cohort.

Wednesday

8pm – Speechless (ABC)

I dropped this show mid-way through last season but am glad to say I listened to critics and got back on board.

Thursday

8pm – Gotham (Fox) / Superstore/The Good Place (NBC) / The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
9pm – Will & Grace*/Great News (NBC) / Mom/Life in Pieces (CBS)

I am mostly waiting for Gotham to be canceled and I am not sure how into Great News or Life in Pieces but some good comedies are still hitting Thursday night including the funny familiar though uneven Will & Grace.

Sunday

8pm – Ghosted* (Fox)
10pm – Madam Secretary (CBS)

I’m enjoying the buddy paranormal fighting comedy and the Secretary still gives me hope for politics where most things turn out ok.

And because no one lives on network alone, some cable shows that are in the queue: Better Things (Fx), Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBCA), Full Frontal (TBS), Good Behavior (TNT), Ink Master: Angels* (Spike), You’re the Worst (FXX), Z Nation (Syfy)

And I still haven’t watched this season yet but they’re backing up: The Long Road Home* (NGC), Mr. Robot (USA), Project Runway (Life), Queen Sugar (OWN), Top of the Lake (Sun)

returning fall favorites

September 13, 2017 No Comments

The fall season doesn’t have quite the weight it once did but the shows are coming back. So here’s a look at some of the things that I’m looking forward to.

Better Things (FX, 9/14) – This Pamela Adlon series was the half hour show that I most looked forward to in what I sort of think of as the Louie vein of comedy.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 9/25) – I’m always happy to see what the gang is getting up to.
Bojack Horseman (Net, 9/8) – It’s odd but it’s good on so many layers.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox, 9/26) – Since the original they’ve really found a way to bring out great qualities in each character and pairings.
Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (BBCA, 10/14) – This was such an wacky series but I was won over by the conspiracies and time travel and the relationships that formed.
Elementary (CBS, 10/2) – Still invested in the pair of crime fighters if not always the crime and whatever the overarching drama is.
Fresh Off the Boat (ABC, 10/3) – The backdrop of immigrant family in the 90s adds a nice layer to the family hijinks.
Good Behavior (TNT, 10/15) – Intrigued to see what our con woman and hit man get up to this season.
The Good Place (NBC, 9/20) – This was a great intro last season and I’m excited to see where Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, and the gang take us this season.
Lethal Weapon (Fox, 9/26) – Light and fluffy this new duo of Riggs and Murtaugh have a good groove.
Madam Secretary (CBS, 10/8) – This is my hopeful political show where just enough magically gets resolved that I can ignore the real world for a bit.
The Middle (ABC, 10/3) – This show has done a surprisingly good job of keeping the family comedic beats as the kids age.
Mom (CBS, 11/2) – Allison Janney, Ana Faris, and their mostly recovering cohorts bring it in a great balance of real and unreal ways.
Mr Robot (USA, 10/11) – Also a little uneven but the wins on this show are strong enough for me to dive back in.
New Girl (Fox, 9/20) – One more season before the roomies and romances take their full stride into the tv afterlife.
Queen Sugar (OWN, 10/3) – This is my first Oprah drama and I like the way the location is as much of a character as the fragmented family of sugar farmers.
Speechless (ABC, 9/27) – I actually dropped this show last season but after hearing continued good things went back and picked it up and was rewarded enough to season pass it.
Stranger Things (Net, 10/27) – I wasn’t as enamored of this show as everyone else, maybe much due to my Winona disdain, but it’s definitely a fun bingeable what I’ll call summer show.
Superstore (NBC, 9/28) – The characters in this show have developed enough to make me keep tuning back into this work place comedy.
This is Us (NBC, 9/26) – This one is on everyone’s radar, and while I find it a bit uneven the drama on here fills my missing sort of Parenthood slot.
Transparent (Am, 9/22) – I’ve binged this since finally getting onboard with Prime and as reported it’s well worth a watch for the Pfefferman drama.
Will & Grace (NBC, 9/28) – I guess I’m calling this returning, and while I’m actually curious to see how it goes I remember the early series less dramatic moments fondly enough that I can’t imaging not sticking with it.
You’re the Worst (Fxx, 9/6) – I really enjoy the risks this show takes in regard to characters and storytelling and will keep tuning back in.

With a few others that I’ll check back in on: Gotham (Fox, 9/21), Life in Pieces (CBS, 11/2), Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD (ABC, 9/20), Search Party (TBS, 11/19), Z Nation (Syfy, 9/29)

Note: Premiere dates subject to change always check your local listings.