tv

new and noteworthy tv: 1/21-1/27

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thefollowing

Monday

  • The Following (Fox, 9pm) Series Premiere – Ready to check out more degrees of Kevin Bacon as he plays a former FBI guy pulled back in by the pursuit of a killer he once captured.
  • Lizard Lick Towing/Swamp Hunters (Tru, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – Was selling a bad idea, and the a family searches the swamps for relics.

Tuesday

  • The Taste (ABC, 8/10pm) Series Premiere – Another food competition, this one has Anthony Bourdain and Nigella Lawson.
  • The Ultimate Fighter (Fx, 8pm) Season Premiere – Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen.
  • Edge of America (Trav, 9pm) Series Premiere – Geoff Edgers travels the US for unusual fun.
  • Ramsay Behind Bars (BBCA, 9pm) Series Premiere – Ramsay teaches inmates how to cook in a London prison.

Wednesday

  • Big Rich Atlanta/Kimora (Style, 8/9pm) Series Premieres – Atlanta relationship reality and then watching Kimora Lee Simmons talke the helm of JustFab fashion co.

Thursday

  • Winter X Games (ESPN, various) – The winter variety of the games kicks off in Aspen.
  • Project Runway (Life, 8/9pm) Season Premiere – After a road to the runway, they’re back, though apparently without Kors this time, and this season being a ‘team’ format doesn’t promise for everyone getting along.

Friday

  • Spartacus (Starz, 9pm) Season Premiere – Looks like this is the final season.

Saturday

  • Australian Open (ESPN2, 12am, various) – If you haven’t figured out what the time difference with Australia is you can give up by now, both men’s and women’s finals seem to be on at 12am, on the only grand slam not on network television.
  • My Big Redneck Vacation/Swamp Pawn (CMT, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Hitting Florida beaches and then selling stuff from the swamp.

Sunday

  • Screen Actors Guild Award (TNT, 7pm) – Honoring performances.
  • The Vanilla Ice Project (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Ice, ice, baby.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 1/14-1/20

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the-carrie-diaries-ftr

Of course my daytimes book up right when the Australian Open gets going…

Monday

  • Australian Open (ESPN2, various) – Happy tennis down under.
  • The Carrie Diaries (CW, 8pm) Series Premiere – If I ignore the Sex and the City and Carrie Bradshaw references I am inclined to have hope for an 80s girl origin story.
  • Continuum/Being Human/Lost Girl (Syfy, 8/9pm) Series/Season Premieres – I’m less inclined to be interested in terrorists that escape their execution in 2077 by traveling back in time, but find both the return of the ghost, the vampire, the werewolf, and then the succubus to be good if not somewhat campy fun.
  • Extreme Smuggling/Shipwreck Men (Disc, 8/9pm) Series Premieres – Smuggling techniques and maritime salvage.

Tuesday

  • The Bad Girls Club (Oxy, 8pm) Season Premiere – New bad girls invade Atlanta.
  • Pioneers of Television (PBS, 8pm) Season Premiere – Ryan Seacrest hosts starting with a look at funny women.
  • Face Off (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – Competing makeup artists.
  • Real Husbands of Hollywood/Second Generation Wayans (BET, 10:30pm) Series Premieres – Semi scripted ‘reality’ husbands and then Damien Dante and Craig Wayans give their take on funny.

Wednesday

  • American Idol (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – I won’t do it, I won’t watch, I’m out.
  • Ghost Mine (Syfy, 10pm) Series Premiere – Really, a ghost show focusing on mines?
  • Workaholics/Kroll Show (Com, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – The guys try to be funy and then Nick Kroll from The League takes on all kinds of characters in this new sketch show.

Thursday

  • Anger Management/Archer (Fx, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Charlie’s back and then a comedic animated spy business is back.
  • Bellator MMA Live (Spike, 10pm) Series Premiere – Pat Curran and Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire fight.
  • King of the Nerds (TBS, 10pm) Series Premiere – Who’s going to be top nerd?
  • Legit/Totally Biased w. Kamau Bell (Fx, 10:30/11pm) Series/Season Premieres – Series following a crass comedian and then comedian and then comedic insights.

Friday

  • Best Week Ever (VH1, 10pm) Series Premiere – What’s going on this week?
  • Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – More Bill.

Saturday

  • A Idiot Abroad/Stuff You Should Know (Sci, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – More travel mocking and then a new mockumentary series.
  • Ripper Street/Wild Things with Dominic Monaghan (BBCA, 9/10:15pm) Series Premiere – Old London murders and new dangerous creatures.

Sunday

  • Kourtney & Kim Take Miami/Chasing the Saturdays (E!, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Girls I don’t care about followed by a girl band I don’t care about.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 10/29-11/4

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Finally clearing enough new shows to get back to Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy…

Monday

  • Pranked (MTV, 7:30pm) Season Premiere – Pranks.
  • Scare Tactics (Syfy, 7:30pm) Season Premiere – Pranks in a creepy way.
  • Love It or List It (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – What happens when the house you love isn’t spacious enough?

Tuesday

  • Total Blackout/Viral Video Showdown (Syfy, 10/10:30pm) Season/Series Premiere – Challenges in the dark and competing videos.

Wednesday

  • It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (ABC, 8pm) – Linus awaits.
  • The Real Exorcist (Life, 11pm) Series Premiere – Facing their demons.

Thursday

  • CMA Awards (ABC, 8pm) – Country it up.
  • GT Academy (Spike, 11:30pm) Series Premiere – Apparently GT stands for Gran Turismo, drivers compete.
  • Reality Show (Show, 11:30pm) Series Premiere – Comedic stylings bring a show about a failed producer taking a stab with reality.

Friday

  • Last Man Standing/Malibu Country (ABC, 8/8:30pm) Season/Series Premieres – It’s almost like the return of Tool Time and Reba.
  • Brides of Beverly Hills (TLC, 10pm) Season Premiere – Starting with Hulk Hogan’s ex shopping for a wedding gown.

Saturday

  • Horse Racing (NBC, 5pm) – The Breeders’ Cup from Santa Anita.

Sunday

  • The Next Iron Chef (Food, 9pm) Season Premiere – Iron alums return.
  • The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Old and new wives.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 10/22-10/28

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The return of a few more comedies, now we just wait to see what gets canceled next…

Monday

  • Debate (6pm, various) – One more.
  • Totally Clueless (MTV, 7pm) Series Premiere – I really hate all hidden camera shows, so hidden camera game show is not calling to me.
  • Richard Hammond’s Crash Course (BBCA, 10pm) Season Premiere – First stop Hollywood stuntman.

Tuesday

  • Secrets of the Dead (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – Starting with real life Last Resort, or at least a guy who didn’t launch a nuclear torpedo.
  • Happy Endings/Don’t Trust the Bitch in Apartment 23  (ABC, 9/9:30pm) Season Premieres – This time slot is now officially overbooked assuming I am still bringing the laughs.

Wednesday

  • World Series Game 1 (Fox, 4:30pm) – Will the Giants be joining the Tigers?
  • The Houstons (Life, 9pm) Series Premiere – Whitney’s family carries on, on camera.

Thursday

  • Project Runway All Stars (Life, 9pm) Season Premiere – Still seven behind on the current season.

Friday

  • Kitchen Nightmares (Fox, 8pm) Season Premiere – More Chef Ramsay.
  • Mockingbird Lane (NBC, 8pm) – The Munsters return in what I think is a pilot that didn’t get picked up.
  • Gold Rush/Jungle Gold (Disc, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Finding gold and more gold.
  • Say Yes to the Dress (TLC, 9pm) Season Premiere – Bridesmaids argue.
  • Health Inspectors (Food, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Food poisoning your friends.

Saturday

  • The Haunting of (Bio, 10pm) Series Premiere – People share their haunted experiences.
  • The Graham Norton Show (BBCA, 11pm) Season Premiere – Schwarzenegger continues his publicity tour.

Sunday

  • Ice Loves CoCo (E!, 10:30pm) Season Premiere – I guess he still loves her.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 9/3-9/9

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Labor Day signals the end of summer, and typically the start of nice weather in SF, perhaps a bit more tennis before we get serious about new tv…

Monday

  • US Open Tennis (CBS, 8am, T-Th ESPN2, F-Su CBS) – Enjoy Labor Day with a little tennis and then if you have to work perhaps skip the cable coverage during the week and tune back in starting with the men’s and women’s semis on Friday.
  • Switched at Birth (ABCFam, 8pm) Season Premiere – The gals go through another year of drama with their extended family.
  • American Chopper/Fast n’ Loud (Disc, 9/10pm) Season Premieres – Senior and Junior collaborate and then let the car restoration continue.
  • Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Trav, 9pm) Season premiere – Sometimes the places that don’t take reservation are just plain weird.
  • Coma (A&E, 9pm) Miniseries Premiere – A remake of the ’78 thriller.
  • T.I & Tiny (VH1, 9pm) Season Premiere – Camping?
  • Girlfriend Confidential (Oxy, 11pm) Series Premiere – Eva from ANTM and some other gal pals hang in the big city.

Tuesday

  • Flipping Out (Brav, 9pm) Season Premiere – Designer flips out while trying to flip a house.
  • Democratic National Convention (NBC, CBS, ABC, PBS, 7pm T/W/Th) – It’s the Democrat’s turn.

Wednesday

  • Ghost Hunters (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – A serial killer’s revenge.
  • Sweat Equity (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Converting a basement.

Thursday

  • 2012 MTV Video Music Awards (MTV, 8pm) – Kevin Hart hosts.
  • Raising House (DIY, 9pm) Series Premiere – Starting with a rebuild.
  • Texas Car Wars (Disc, 10pm) Series Premiere – Let the rivalries begin.
  • Living Abroad (HGTV, 11pm) Series Premiere – Three American families living in Shanghai.

Friday

  • Stand Up to Cancer (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, 8pm) – Celebs perform, chat about, and take money for cancer.
  • Making the Team/Cheer (CMT, 9/11pm) Season/Series Premieres – Cowboy’s prelims and if you’re a diehard cheer fan…

Saturday

  • My Fair Wedding (WE, 9pm) Season Premiere – Medieval-themed wedding.
  • I Was Impaled (Health, 10pm) Series Premiere – Seriously a whole show on impalements?

Sunday

  • Long Island Medium/Breaking Amish (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Family and the hereafter and then I think there might need to be special protections about filming the Amish, I mean how can they know how terrible reality tv is and how much privacy they’re giving up?
  • Wallander (PBS, 9pm) Season Premiere – How long until his peace is interrupted by a mystery?

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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new and noteworthy tv: 8/27-9/2

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A little more time ’til fall hits so time for a bit more tennis…

Monday

  • US Open Tennis (ESPN2, 10am) – The US Open kicks off, plus preview and Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day Sunday on CBS.

Tuesday

  • The Republican National Convention (ABC, CBS, NBC, 7pm also Wed/Thurs) – Convening.
  • 19 Kids & Counting/Abby & Brittany (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Lots of kids and then 22 year old conjoined twins.
  • Property Virgins (HGTV, 9pm) Season Premiere – Property happens.
  • Addicted (Health, 10pm) Season Premiere – Combating addiction.

Wednesday

  • Buying and Selling (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Getting ready to buy and sell.
  • Restaurant Stakeout (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Struggling chef needs help.

Thursday

  • Gigolos (Show, 11pm) Season Premiere – They’re back.

Friday

  • Perhaps a little ANTM?

Saturday

  • Doctor Who (BBCA, 9pm) Season Premiere  – The Doctor’s next escapade.

Sunday

  • TV’s Most Dynamic Duos (ABC, 8/9pm) – Robin Roberts counts them down.
  • Million Dollar Contractor (DIY, 10pm) Season Premiere – Big restorations.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 8/20-8/26

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A light week may mean more Netflix catch up and of course I’m on about page 500 of 650 on my book… Or you know I could go outside.

Monday

  • Beyond Scared Straight (A&E, 10pm) Season Premiere – Prison fun for rebellious kids.
  • InBetweeners (MTV, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – I never caught the UK version of this comedy about high school awkwards, worth checking out.

Tuesday

  • Face Off (Syfy, 9pm) Season Premiere – Creature creation competition.

Wednesday

  • Dirty Jobs Down Under (Disc, 10pm) Season Premiere – Mike Rowe goes down under.

Thursday

  • Repeats, reality, netflix?

Friday

  • America’s Next Top Model (CW, 8pm) Season Premiere – Fierce Fridays begin with a new crop of judges and a college crew of wannabes, I will at least check out the new talent.
  • Bering Sea Gold/Yukon Men (Disc, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Hunting for gold and then hunting in Alaska.
  • Say Yes to the Dress/I Found the Gown (TLC, 9/10pm) Season/Series Premieres – Wedding dress fun.

Saturday

  • US Open Series (CBS, 9:30am, during week at ESPN2) – Men’s finals at Winston-Salem Open.
  • Wrestlemania (NBC, 9pm) – Rock vs. Cena.

Sunday

  • A day of rest.

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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olympic me

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So I love the Olympics. There’s something very feel good about it and as much as I think of Olympians as not human, it’s fun to see folks compete in some of the regular and irregular sports. Much like my fragmented watching of various sports I thought I’d share a fragmented list of observations:

  • I like that there are five channels of coverage but I can’t watch 1,000 hours, so I’m ok with NBC picking ‘favorites’ even if I don’t always agree, though you could mix it up a bit.
  • I feel like I was able to sample a bit of everything except: sailing, modern pentathlon, handball, and field hockey.
  • NBC needs to make sure the listings are correct because I can’t tape five channels for 24 hours straight ‘just in case’.
  • I don’t mind the delayed coverage but I can’t come back to your website without seeing who just won on something yet to be televised.
  • I don’t mind the delayed coverage but I hate people who need to comment on social media about how awesome it was that person XX won gold, can’t you be more vague until I get a chance to be as excited as you are.
  • I like some of the feel-good bits, but love that I can fast forward past them because I don’t care who is getting tweeted about the most.
  • I feel bad that I buy in to the fact that not winning gold is a failure.
  • If I remember you from four years ago I care more.
  • What’s with all the yellow Nike shoes?
  • I’m super intrigued by sports that are added or removed, this year removals were softball and football with additions of women’s boxing and mixed doubles for tennis.
  • I don’t think it’s wrong but I think it’s weird that there are four different things that you can throw: javelin, discus, shot put, and hammer.
  • Who knew tug of war used to be an Olympic sport?
  • Sports that I think should be removed from the Olympics because they’re not ‘sporty’ enough: synchronized diving, trampoline, rhythmic gymnastics, synchro swimming pairs (team synchro is still bad-ass).
  • Sports that I think should be removed from the Olympics because they’re too boring: badminton, air rifle.
  • Sports that I think should be removed from the Olympics because they get enough glory elsewhere: basketball, tennis.

All in all there were some fun moments but I’m glad to get back to regular programming. Time to get in to training for fall! Did you watch? What were your favorite and least favorite things?

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new and noteworthy tv: 8/6-8/12

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One more week of sporting and getting ready to sample some fall fun…

Monday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, gymnastics, men’s diving, beach volleyball.
  • Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives (Food, 10pm) Season Premiere – Non traditional traditional fare.

Tuesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, gymnastics, beach volleyball.
  • Shipping Wars (A&E, 9pm) Season Premiere – Let the wars resume.
  • Extra Yardage (DIY, 9:30pm) Season Premiere – First stop creating an artist retreat.
  • Hard Knocks (HBO, 10pm) Season Premiere – Miami Dolphins.

Wednesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s diving, beach volleyball.
  • Here Comes Honey Boo Boo (TLC, 10pm) Series Premiere – Because we need a Toddlers & Tiaras spinoff.
  • Paranormal Witness (Syfy, 10pm) Season Premiere – Parapsychological investigations.
  • Go On (NBC, 11:05pm) Series Premiere – Chandler’s back and NBC is trying to give it a little Olympics promo check in on him as sportscaster checking out a support group.

Thursday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s diving, beach volleyball, bmx cycling.
  • Totally Biased wtih W. Kamau Bell (Fx, 11pm) Series Premiere – Comedic political talk and whatnot.

Friday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, men’s diving, bmx cycling.
  • The Dead Files (Trav, 10pm) Season Premiere – More hauntings.

Saturday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and field, women’s volleyball, men’s diving.
  • Tanked (AnPl, 9pm) Season Premiere – A whole show about special tanks?

Sunday

  • Olympics (NBC, 7pm) – Closing Ceremonies.
  • Hell on Wheels (AMC, 9pm) Season Premiere – The railroad returns.
  • Shark Week (Disc, 9pm) – Sharks, sharks, and more sharks get going on Discovery.
  • Animal Practice (NBC, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Another try at post Olympic promotion, sadly this show perhaps about an animal hospital couldn’t look more dumb.

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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new and noteworthy tv: 7/30-8/5

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A little tardy with my posting but it’s really all Olympics anyhow… As it has been, tune into the myriad of channels NBC, NBC Sports, MSNBC, CNBC, Bravo and Telemundo. Check out http://www.nbcolympics.com/ for specific listings, though of course be prepared for a spoiler or two if you click it, highlighted below are prime time spots.

Monday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Men’s team gymnastics, Swimming, Diving, Beach Volleyball.
  • Off the Hook (Disc, 9pm) Series Premiere – Extreme catches.

Tuesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Women’s team gymnastics, swimming, women’s syncro platform diving.
  • All the Right Moves (Oxy, 9pm) Series Premiere – Follow dance dudes from So You Think You Can With the Stars as they dance it up reality style.
  • HGTV Design Star All Stars (HGTV, 9pm) Series Premiere – Six former designers.
  • Rat Bastards (Spike, 10:30pm) Series Premiere – Hunting giant swamp rats?

Wednesday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, diving, men’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

Thursday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, women’s gymnastics, and beach volleyball.

Friday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming, Diving, women’s Volleyball, men’s Trampoline (really?), and the start of Track and Field.
  • Super Saver Showdown (OWN, 9pm) Series Premiere – Doing more on less.

Saturday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Swimming conclusion, Track and Field, Diving, and Beach Volleyball.
  • Home By Novogratz/Dina’s Party (HGTV, 7pm) Season/Series Premieres – Homes and parties.
  • The uneXplained (Bio, 10pm) Series Premiere – Metaphysical helpers.

Sunday

  • Olympics (NBC, 8pm) – Track and Field, Gymnastics apparatus, Diving, and Beach Volleyball.
  • Flip Men (Spike, 10pm) Season Premiere – The guys flip it.

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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