So again, let's get right to it:
I watched Red Band Society and The Mysteries of Laura last week.
- Red Band Society: Loved it. The kids were really awesome, which is important. Octavia Spencer is a little over the top—but if she brings it down even one notch, she'll be perfect. There was one scene that really got to me, and that's when I was hooked. Still, a pilot is one thing. Sustaining it over the long haul is something else, and I had a few "I don't think these people would be spending this much time in the hospital" and "I don't think that would happen moments—even though I know it's based on some true stories. So I've given this a three-time commitment. Best news for me: Vic likes it too. He was really not expecting too—did you read last week's blog about what this show is about?—but he did. So if we pick it up, I won't have to find time to watch it by myself.
- The Mysteries of Laura: "Uneven" is the best word I can use to describe it. It was too much of a comedy for the serious scenes to be taken as seriously as they needed to be—especially the penultimate scene. The good: I do like Debra Messing in this. There are things she did that were really, really funny. The bad: As I mentioned last week (I think—I'm too lazy to go back and check), I really hate bratty kids. Based on the reviews, I expected her kids to be super bratty, which they were. And I thought it was going to be her fault—and part of it was. But what surprised me, and not in a good way, was that I feel like the main reason they are bratty is their man-child father. And so I hate him more than I hate the bratty kids. And there were a lot of predictabilities. Without Debra Messing, I would put it in the trash heap. I'm not ready to sign a lease, but I'll go month-to-month (a.k.a., episode-to-episode). (If you want to read a more horrible review, check out this: http://time.com/3378582/review-the-mysteries-of-laura/
Oh, before we go on, here's a reminder of how I rate shows:
- 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.
- 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.
- This year, I'm adding a "month-to-month" rating—I'm not ready to give it a three-time commitment, but I'm not ready to dump it. How sad must it be to be a show that I can't even commit to three episodes for?
- If I don't care for a show, it goes in the "dumping pile." I've dropped shows after five minutes and after five years. Most shows get a full episode viewing, however.
- Madam Secretary: I think this is my most anticipated show. I love Tea Leoni, and I love earnest political dramas (and this looks earnest). The preview I watched looked awesome. Can. Not. Wait. (TV Guide editor's choice)
- Gotham: I'm a huge Batman fan, and even though this is not about Batman, it still has Batman's cast of characters. On the down side, I haven't been able to sustain love for any other comic book adaptations, so this could go that way as well. (TV Guide editor's choice)
- Scorpion: The short commercials that you see on CBS do nothing for me, but the longer version I've seen online is better. It's not getting any critical love, though, so it's anyone's bet how much I'll like it. (Entertainment Weekly: "Given the times, TV is overdue for a clever hacker thriller. This is not it.")
- Forever: I liked this show when it was called New Amsterdam and starred Jamie Lannister from Game of Thrones. Let's see if they do anything I haven't seen before.
- Black-ish: This would not be on my list, but it is getting good reviews, so I'll try it. (TV Guide editor's choice)
- How to Get Away with Murder: This is definitely a highly anticipated show for me (and for TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly). If I could get all of The Help on my small screen, I would love it.
- Transparent: This is a show on Amazon that is getting fabulous reviews. Not sure when—or if—I'll start watching it (it's available starting September 26), but I thought I'd mention it in case any of you are fans of Jeffrey Tambor (Arrested Development and many, many others) and Judith Light (Who's the Boss and many, many others).
- The Good Wife: I loved where they took it last year, although I don't love when they—SPOILER ALERT—kill off a main character for what seems like no reason. But Florrick+Agos+Lockhart(?)—I wanna see where that goes.
- Sleepy Hollow: I had an up and down relationship with this show last year, but I am looking forward to its return. Tom Mison (Ichabod Crane) is awesome.
- The Blacklist: I did not end up loving this as much as I wanted to--it wouldn't be in my top ten list—but it's solid and reliable and mysterious, so I'm tuning in again.
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: This is one of Vic's shows. I couldn't sustain enough love to spend my limited amount of TV time watching it.
- Person of Interest: This is still one of my favorite shows, but I'm not in love with the direction it's headed. And yes, I'm still ticked off that they—SPOILER ALERT—killed off Carter last year. Is there anyone out there who doesn't know how I feel about killing off series regulars? Today Vic said something about Lexie Grey and I almost started crying again. At least they still have the dog.
- Chicago Fire: A solid performer.
- Modern Family: Still love this show. Love it.
- Chicago PD: This is one of Vic's shows. I've seen a little bit of it, and it's good, but again, I have to limit what I watch (because I already watch too much).
- Bones: I will still watch, but I'm ready for this show to end. After a show has been on the air for this long, it seems like the writers feel like they have to create ever-more preposterous storylines to keep people interested, when really, all they have to do is create compelling cases-of-the-week. But I have too much invested in the characters to quit, so back on the schedule it goes.
- Grey's Anatomy: I really loved it last year, and I can't wait to keep watching.
- Scandal: A guilty pleasure.
- Blue Bloods: A solid performer. I know it's too earnest for some, and Tom Selleck's politics get in the way for others (and Donnie Wahlberg just married Jenny "don't vaccinate your kids" McCarthy, which makes me question his intelligence), but I love the Reagan family.
I don't really have any predictions of which show will be the first to get the boot this year. Nothing looks that bad. How about you? Thoughts?
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