OK, let’s talk TV!
First, we’re going to talk about last week. Then we’re going to talk
about the new shows—most of which start up this week! Then I’m going to give
you a link to a premiere date calendar so you can find out when all of the
shows you watch (but I don’t) are starting. And finally, I’m going to go on a
little Emmy rant.
Last week:
Three shows were on last week that I will report on:
·
Bones: Not too shabby of a premiere. They took
the worst part of last season’s finale and fixed it.
·
Sleepy Hollow: This went in a completely
different direction than I was expecting, and I can maybe see how it could
work. I’m intrigued. It goes on my three-time list. For those of you who don’t
know or don’t remember, here’s how I roll with a new show:
o
If I like it immediately, I add it to my viewing
schedule. This is rare. I didn’t even add my beloved Grey’s Anatomy to my
permanent viewing list until midway through the second season.
o
If I like it but am not sure where it’s going, I
put it on my three-time list. That means I try three episodes and make a
decision from there. This is where most of my new shows go. And I’d say the
results are 50-50 whether I add it or not. If I don’t particularly care for a
show but I really like the actors, this saves the show from …
o
… the dumping pile. I’ve dropped shows after
five minutes and after five years. Most I’m able to sit through an entire
episode.
·
Brooklyn Nine Nine: I wanted to like it more
than I did. Andy Samberg was a little too
zany, and Andre Braugher was a little stiff. But I laughed out loud in several
spots, and I really feel like this has potential. Three-time list.
·
Monday
o
We Are Men (9/30): I am trying this because I
like Tony Shalhoub and Jerry O’Connell, but the more I see of it, the less I like
it, and it is getting mixed to negative reviews.
o
Hostages (9/23): This is an interesting idea for
a limited-run show, and in fact they are only producing 15 episodes this
season. I don’t see how it can take a second season, however. Good actors,
interesting premise. TV Guide Top 10.
o
The Blacklist (9/23): One of my—and most critics
that I’ve read—most highly anticipated shows. I love James Spader, and the
material looks rich.
o
Almost Human (11/4): This is my other most
highly anticipated show. I can’t believe I have to wait another month and a
half for it! It’s from the creators of Lost and Fringe, and it stars Karl Urban
and Michael Ealy, two amazing dudes. This is another one that the sources I’ve
read love.
·
Tuesday
o
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (9/24): I really
wasn’t interested in this at all—until I started reading about it and seeing
the previews. It’s an intriguing premise, and it could really pay off. This,
too, is getting critical raves.
o
Trophy Wife (9/24): This is one I’m watching for
Bradley Whitford. I just love him, and I have to see how it plays out. I also
like Malin Ackerman (the titular wife) and Marcia Gay Harden (one of the exes).
It does not look good, however, and I don’t expect to add it to my viewing
schedule.
o
Lucky 7 (9/24): This is not getting critical
acclaim, and the premise has been done better before. And even though it is a TV Guide Top 10, I don’t expect I’ll add
it to my schedule.
·
Wednesday
o
Back in the Game (9/25): I like the two leads in
this (James Caan, Maggie Lawson), although I don’t know that it will be that
good. (But it is a TV Guide Top Ten.)
o
The Tomorrow People (10/9): My friend Michelle
says this is a remake of one of her favorite shows growing up. I had no idea it
was a remake! She expects it to be nothing like her childhood memory and
expects to drop it, but I am not shackled by this, so it might be OK.
o
Ironside (10/2): Speaking of shackles, I don’t
think this is anything like the beloved show with Raymond Burr, but I like
Blair Underwood, so I’ll try it anyway, even though most critics are panning
it.
·
Thursday
o
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland (10/10): This is
sort of a spin-off of Once Upon a Time, which I watched for one season and then
dropped. But it looks different, and it’s getting some critical acclaim, so I’m
going to try it.
o
The Crazy Ones (9/26): This is getting mixed
reviews, but it has Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Geller, so I have to at
least give it a shot.
o
Reign (10/17): I’m so-so on this show and
probably won’t like it, but my decision to watch was boosted by a TV Guide Top Ten designation.
o
The Michael J. Fox Show (9/26): I’ve long been a
fan of M.J. and his wife, Tracy Pollan—so having a show loosely based on their
lives makes me smile.
·
Friday
o
Dracula (10/25): Huge fan of the blood sucker,
so I have to watch. Not a huge fan of Jonathan Rhys-Myers, and they always
screw up Dracula, so I don’t expect to keep watching.
o
Enlisted (11/8): I’m not even wholly committed
to trying this show, so chances of my picking it up are pretty slim.
·
Saturday
o
Is there even any TV on on Saturdays?
·
Sunday
o
Betrayal (9/29): I’m not a huge fan of nighttime
soaps (anymore—you know I was a huge
fan of Dallas and that ilk in my younger (waaaaay younger) days. But we watched
a preview of this, and Vic actually
thought it might be interesting. So, OK, I’ll bite.
o
Masters of Sex (9/29): This is on Showtime,
which we do not get, but it has gotten such rave reviews we may watch it on our
super secret online viewing portal.
Let me tell you about some shows I’m not trying, in no particular order:
·
Mom: I love Allison Janney, and Anna Faris can be
hilarious. Even the subject matter sounds like it can be both funny and touching.
But I am no longer a fan of the laugh track—and this sounds like it has a laugh
track. Give me a live studio audience (a la Friends) or a Modern Family any
day.
·
Dads: No. And I predict (hope) it will be the
first thing canceled this year …
·
… unless it’s The Goldbergs.
·
The Millers: Oh, how I love Will Arnett and
Margo Martindale. But oh, how I don’t love a laugh track and the setup-pitch
one-liner comedy anymore.
·
Super Fun Night: Love Rebel Wilson. Can’t
imagine loving this show.
·
Sean Saves the World: Love Sean Hayes. Can’t
imagine loving this show.
A few notes about returning shows that I read in TV Guide:
·
Criminal Minds is going to have a special
episode later this year that “brings back some old favorites.” I can’t wait to
see Elle and especially Gideon again. THAT BETTER BE WHAT THEY MEAN BY “OLD
FAVORITES.”
·
I’m excited that Sarah Shahi is joining the cast
of one of my favorite shows, Person of Interest.
·
Revolution looks like it’s going to be a whole
new show this year. Interesting.
Premiere dates:
Emmys:
So I just
found out today that, in addition to the “death montage,” where they show the
faces and names of people who died in the past 12 months who were influential
in television, this year the producers decided to run five special memorials
during the show of people who were, I can only assume, were extra influential. Like
James Gandolfini. Jean Stapleton. Jonathan Winters. Gary David Goldberg. And …
Cory Monteith? When I told Vic who was on the list and I mentioned Monteith’s
name, he said, “Who?” (Finn on Glee, for those of you who don’t know.)
I think most
people could figure out why the first four names were on the list. James
Gandolfini—the first modern antihero, paving the way for Vic Mackey, Walter
White, Dexter Morgan and who knows how many others. Jean Stapleton—Dingbat. The
heart and soul of All in the Family and a legendary comedienne. Jonathan
Winters—a TV legend who had appeared on dozens of TV shows over his long
career, including his own. Gary David Goldberg—creator of Family Ties and
Brooklyn Bridge, among others. All previous Emmy winners, by the way. Cory Monteith—drug
addict with three whole seasons of Glee under his belt, and no Emmy
nominations.
Well, maybe
there weren’t any more-notable people who died in the past 12 months. Oh, yes,
there were. (I apologize in advance if I leave out your favorite.) Annette
Funicello, sweetheart of the Mickey Mouse Club. Jack Klugman, star of the two
long-running TV shows The Odd Couple and Quincy, M.E. And my personal favorite,
Larry Hagman. Do I even need to tell you his resume? No. How many people say “Who?”
when you mention his name? Not very many. Larry Hagman was a television icon
whose appeal spanned generations. The Who Shot J.R.? episode of Dallas
pioneered the modern cliffhanger. He was beloved by his family co-stars. He
loved his life and worked (if you can call what he did “work,” given his relish
for the role of J.R. Ewing) practically until the day he died. And he was
generous to boot, donating time and money to various charitable organizations.
Instead, we’re
going to celebrate and honor someone who basically caused his own death and will,
in the long run, leave no imprint on the television world whatsoever. (One
could argue that Gandolfini’s physical condition caused his own death as well,
but no one could say he was not a brilliant actor who changed the television
landscape.) And why? Because the Emmy producers want to lure younger viewers to
the show. (No, this is not speculation—this is what they said in response to
the outcry.)
Asshats.
See you next
week (or earlier!) with a report on the new shows I watch this week!
