My thoughts on the fall TV schedule thus far ... (LONG)

[arabian]

Well, I took off five shows of my viewing schedule and have picked my new favorite show of the season. The four I removed were ...

Supernatural -- I don't know if it was doing to Ava what they did, my complete and utter lack of interest in anything Sam-related or the fact that it bugs the frickin' hell out of me in EVERY EPISODE wondering how the heck they pay for anything!?!?!? But the bottom-line is that the show just doesn't interest me anymore. And frankly, it doesn't help that new chick is simply a less virginal-looking, more bad-ass version of Alona Tal's character from last season. I liked Alona Tal, guys. If I weren't watching the show, I WOULD have for her. If you were going to re-introduce a more bad-ass version of her character, you should have just worked more on her character. The history was there, but instead you had a failure of imagination, so fail. Honestly, the show bores me. I've had it on my DVR since Thursday night, just now got around to watching it ... and, stopped 10 minutes into to pay some online bills. So, yeah, sorry Jensen. I love ya, you're pretty, and a great actor, but I just am not interested enough to watch this show for just you.

Desperate Housewives -- This was a long time coming. I've actually had this one waiting since last Sunday and just now watched it today and thinking back on the show overall, I realized that I don't like Edie, Susan's kinda annoying still, Mike is a total tool, Gabrielle annoys the HELL OUT OF ME (and always has), I think Bree's storyline is lame, Carlos is a douchebaggy tool and Lynette's story is B-O-R-I-N-G! So bye, bye ladies of Wisteria Lane.

Kid Nation -- I loved the first episode, but the following episodes were just meh. And I figure that if it does turn around, I have it on ON DEMAND, so there's that.

Pushing Daisies -- I tried to get past the narration that TELLS so much of the damn story, instead of showing it. I tried to get past Kristin Chenoweth being cast over the actress I know who would have been perfect. I tried to get past the fact that Anna Friel's just eh to me. I tried, tried to get past the whimsy and hoped that it would get better in the next episode, but no, no, it's just. too. much. Maybe if I adored Lee Pace instead of really, really, really liking him. Maybe if I really, really, really liked the other cast members. Maybe if they had stuck with the original script in casting and kept the piemaker and Chuck as 25-year olds the whimsy would have worked better. I don't know. And maybe this will be a show I come back to at the end of the season, watch it all and fall in love, but for now, I don't have the time to wait for it to work its spell on me. So, bye-bye.

Bionic Woman -- I just couldn't get past all that bugged in the Pilot, or the fact that Isaiah Washington was cast, so yeah. No.

So I've sampled most of the shows I'm going to watch, new and returning and here are quick thoughts so far ...

Shows I'm sure I'll stick with ...

- Cold Case: Good, not great, but I still enjoy it and more often than not get a good tearing up, if not an actual cry.

- Brothers & Sisters: Still loving this. Period.

- Everybody Hates Chris: It's a download one; I enjoy it still. Don't love it, but I enjoy it and will keep watching.

- Prison Break: Yeah, I'm pissed about Sara, but I still enjoy the pulpy goodness that is PB. And William Fichtner? Yum.

- Dancing with the Stars: I'm sticking with this for four reasons.

1. Julianne. Love that girl, love her dancing and Helio is charming, if no Apolo.
2. Jane Seymour. Love her, enjoy her dancing.
3. Marie Osmond. LOVE HER, love watching her dance.
4. The probably-won't-happen-quit-dreaming chance that Apolo will show up sometime in the season for one more dance with Julianne.

I'm just not that into it this season despite really liking some contestants because it's so telegraphed that Sabrina's gonna win. So what's the point? But, I'll stick around for the four reasons above.

- How I Met Your Mother: Even the subpar shows are still better than almost everything else. LOVE.

- Biggest Loser: I'm enjoying this, my first season and I love Alison Sweeney (go EJAMI!) and Jillian.

- Beauty & the Geek: I don't love the twist, but I still enjoy the show.

- Boston Legal: I love this show. James Spader is awesome; the new cast is (for the most part) wonderful and I'm really enjoying the season so far.

- America's Next Top Model: I'm this show's bitch, seriously. And Heather? Is one of the few contestants on this show EVER I could actually see making it in the industry for real. If she does not win? Oh, Tyra!

- LIFE: I. LOVE. THIS. SHOW. If you're not watching it. WATCH IT!!!!!!!!! I love Damian Lewis, love his character, Charlie, love the premise of the show. I love Charlie's relationships with everyone he has relationships with, love everything about this show. LOVE IT. The last ep was meh in comparison to the first two shows, but still the best thing I watched on TV all week. LOVE. IT. My favorite new show of the season.

- Dirty Sexy Money: I like it; don't love it, but I like it, so I'm sticking with it.

- The Office/My Name is Earl/30 Rock: I'm cheating by combining, but it's the same for all three. I'm still enjoying everything about them and laugh myself silly. They're keepers.

- Survivor: I still miss Ozzy, but I love this show.

- Ugly Betty: I love. End of story.

- Grey's Anatomy: I'm really, really enjoying this season so far. Love Lexie. Love George/Izzie (together and separately). Love Bailey. Love Callie. Love the idea (and always have) of Callie/Sloan. Love Christina. Don't hate Meredith. Don't hate Derek. Thumbs up!

- Moonlight: Is the show pretty, uhm, not so great? Yeah. Is Jason Dohring on it? Yeah. Will I be sticking with it to the bitter end as long as the Dohring remains on it? Hell yeah. I do admit at this point, by episode three, that were it not for the Dohring's presence, yeah, it'd be gone from my DVR list. Hopefully the show will step it up and give us some more Dohring. I want some more Dohring.

- Friday Night Lights: I almost put this in the 'not sure I'll stick with it' category because other than the continued awesome of Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton? This is NOT the show I fell in love with. It's not about football anymore; it's not about community anymore. Julie is a selfish, spoiled, rotten, little brat. Tim is barely negligible; as is Jason; as is Smash. The Tyra/Landry story does NOT belong on this show. (As if Landry from S1 wouldn't have immediately, IMMEDIATELY, called 9-1-1. As if ANYONE on this show from S1 wouldn't have immediately, IMMEDIATELY, called 9-1-1.) All the characters are in little islands of their own storylines and never the twain are meeting ... and it SUCKS! God, why is it so freaking difficult to maintain quality from season to season for most shows? Ugh.

Eh, not sure ...

- Shark: I love the new addition to the cast, but am hating the daughter now and am finding myself just bored with the cut and dried procedure of it, saved only by James Woods. He's great, but I don't know if he's great enough to keep me watching. We'll see.

- Bones: I can't believe I'm even listing this here, but it's just been meh this season so far. It needs to pick it up, because I have a lot of Tuesday competition.

- Women's Murder Club: Sigh, I wanted to like this more because I have the biggest girl-crush on Angie Harmon, and Aubrey Dollar I love from her Guiding Light days, but I don't like the DA character (although, she and Kyle Secor have potential) and I don't know, the dialogue was not all that. I wasn't expecting brilliant television, but I was expecting highly enjoyable campy television, winking at the audience a bit for the ho-hum premise. And I expected that because of all the reviews; sadly, I didn't get it. It took itself way too seriously. But, man, oh, man ... Angie was AWESOME! and Aubrey was lovely. I'm giving it a few more episodes.

Comments

[unicorn23.livejournal.com]

Great post. I always look forward to your TV recaps (of the shows I watch anyway).

First off, I can't believe you're taking PD off your schedule. It's too bad but I guess the show is not for everyone. I do hope you change your mind down the line though.

Secondly, I love that you're singing the praises of Life. It truly is one of the better new shows out there and I'm afraid that its "under-the-radar" status is going to hurt it. NBC needs to promote this show more and come to the realization that they have a hidden gem in this show.

Thirdly, ditto on the Angie Harmon awesomeness on Women's Murder Club. She's the only reason this show is even on my schedule and I'm going to stick with it even though the show could be a little better. I wasn't too keen on the DA either. The actress was a little bland.

Lastly, I agree with you about DWTS. I'm still rooting for Julianne/Helio FTW but it's irritating that it seems like ABC wants Sabrina to win. It's unfair because she went to freaking dance school (right?)!! It'd be icing on the cake if Apolo returns to the show. I would die.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Too much whimsy and the cast doesn't work well enough for me.

Life is JUST so awesome. Nice to know that so many on FL like it too. Woohoo!!

Yes, Angie Harmon is just awesome. Her delivery of the simplest lines just gives them an edge. Love. her.

I wouldn't be surprised if she did go to dance school. It's just, ugh! Worst ringer on the show ever!!!!!

[terileigh.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to add my two cents on the FNL thing (because I too am not a fan of Moonlight, and yet watch it, eventhough I sometimes just fast forward through until Jason's one or two scenes).

I'm hoping that once we get our Coach back in our town, the show will go back to having a similar feel as last year's. I'm HOPING, and maybe it's giving the show too much credit, that the split up feel of the storylines is mainly because the "team" is no longer really together, and maybe once they get that back, it will become more cohesive.

I hope. :-/

[arabian.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping you're right and that this disconnect is deliberate, but I still worry. Especially with Tami calling that Glenn dude. I swear if they go even a flirtation route with Tami and him, I'm going to see red. BURNING, HOT-RAGING RED!!!! people.

[ww1614.livejournal.com]

I tried to get past Kristin Chenoweth being cast over the actress I know who would have been perfect.

Yes! Maybe I would have watched. I just can't get into it.

I'd agree re Alona except I think I just will never get into SPN. Oh well!

[arabian.livejournal.com]

She's just sooooooooooo wrong age-wise.

The pretty that is Jensen sucked me in, but the rest of the show just didn't live up to him (except for Ava and they fucked that over big-time!)

[p2880.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy that you like Life. I thought I was the only one. Totally agree about Moonlight and Friday Night Lights. The Tyra/Landry story line is the worst thing ever. I'm just about to give up on Moonlight. If I watch live anymore I'll really start to hate Alex O'L and Sophia Myles. Even my love for Jason can't make me sit through their scenes. (OK, maybe I'll stick it out to episode 6, the Jason episode.)

[arabian.livejournal.com]

No, I've read other blogs and stuff of people liking Life. Tis an awesome show. I should download the first three eps and burn them to a DVD for my sister to watch. Aha! That's a plan!

Eh, tape ML and ff through to the JD scenes.

[depudor.livejournal.com]

Heh. Guess which one of all of those is my favorite show?

It wasn't long ago that I was agonizing over FNL vs. ML on Fridays, and now I can barely be bothered to care. If I had to choose which one would survive, I'd go with ML because of JDoh. Yeah, the show sucks, but I no longer consider FNL to be quality TV, either.

Now the big conundrum is Wednesday, which is where all the good TV is. That's the one night I wouldn't want to give up.

Supernatural -- I don't know if it was doing to Ava what they did, my complete and utter lack of interest in anything Sam-related or the fact that it bugs the frickin' hell out of me in EVERY EPISODE wondering how the heck they pay for anything!?!?!?

I think they explained this back in the first season, when they paid for everything with stolen credit cards. The writers probably avoid mentioning it now because they don't want to highlight the fact that the brothers Winchester are criminals.

- Survivor: I still miss Ozzy, but I love this show.

Ozzy? The guy from the race card season? How could you like that guy? He never smiled. I was so happy when Yul won. That was my favorite victory ever.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

I ADORED Ozzy. I loved Yul, too, but I ADORED OZZY. Watching him in those challenges was a thing of beauty. And you know what they say? A thing of beauty is a joy forever. And he did too smile. Whenever the mighty Aitu four kicked the other team's ass over and over and over and over again, he smiled. He even did a cute little leap, tapping his heels together once. Sigh.

Twas the only season where although I wanted Ozzy to win, I was perfectly happy with Yul winning. Best final two Survivor EVER!!!

Hmm, your favorite? I'd love to think Life, but I'm not sure.

Yeah, I remembered the stolen credit card thing, but in light of all of their other brushes with the law, that just doesn't fly. Too much lack of logic in the ointment, sorry. And you know I already agree about FNL.

[depudor.livejournal.com]

Best final two Survivor EVER!!!

Heh. It wasn't a final two. ;P

I haven't seen Life. Judging from the comments, I guess I'll have to check it out, although the ratings don't offer much comfort. And I'm kind of mad at NBC for not promoting this show. If it weren't for the fact that I track the ratings for all the new shows (old habit), I'd never have heard of it.

My favorite new show? Kid Nation! yeah, no one's more surpised than I.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Yeah, whatsherface didn't even count. Seriously.

Life is just wonderful. And yes, NBC is sucking about promoting it. Boo! Hiss!!

Really? About KN? Hmm, I do have it ON DEMAND, maybe I'll check it out again, I'm only one episode behind.

[sinca.livejournal.com]

Oh man, Dep, I'd love to hear your thoughts about FNL's demise. I am so upset about what they've done to that program. Are you posting about it anywhere?

[falena]

I too was looking forward to your recaps.

I'm really enjoying Grey's Anatomy this year too, I was gladly surprised by that.

AS for FNL, the murder plotline is the dumbest shit ever, I totally agree with you, but I think Jesse Plemons and Adrienne Palicki are acting the hell out of it. I bought their romance, but I'd preferred it if it had happened under different circumstances. And yes, the show is damn bleak and disconnected this year but I think it was intentional. Hopefully Coach Taylor will be back soon, he was the glue keeping the pieces together in Dillon. Still, this is by far the best show on tv at the moment, imo.

I gave Moonlight a shot just for Jason, watched the first two episodes and spent most of the time cringing. So yeah, I dropped it. However, I'm counting on you to tell me if it improves magically and I'll start watching again. Because I need JD on my screen.

Pushing Daisies -- I tried to get past the narration that TELLS so much of the damn story, instead of showing it.

YES, YES, YES! I thought I was the only one thinking this! I'm still willing to give the show a few more episode to find a better balance, because I adore Lee Pace, but I'm not feeling the great love everybody else seems to be feeling. Meh.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

Yeah, I was not even planning on watching it because last season did NOTHING for me, even loving George/Izzie. But it's back on track in my book, so yay!

I hope you're right that it's intentional on FNL, but I dunno. We'll know soon enough, right?

Well, you can always just watch the JD scenes. I clip them and put them up on my JD-board (http://p068.ezboard.com/bjddic).

Yaeh, I really like Lee Pace, but the whimsy and overkill narration drives me insane.

[harper47.livejournal.com]

Interesting. I took Bionic off my list after the first episode. I took KN off after two episodes. I've taken Dirty, Sexy - which is okay but just not something I am looking forward to all the time off my list and will just rent it sometimes. I'm also only watching PD right now for Kristin and Chi. The whimsy and narration bugs me. I'm trying to like it but I don't know how much more I'll watch.

I disagree about Supernatural - which I loved this week and Moonlight, which I think keeps getting better and better. I really enjoyed this week's episode so I'm sorry you're not liking it that much. the feral vampire, the mythology, the chemistry - all equal liking for me. And I think DH is having it's best start in years so I guess I disagree there too. (see I wondered why your new Moonlight forum wasn't seeing a lot of commentary from you)

Well, at least we still have a few shows we can squee over. I'm not rooting for Julianne/Helio unless it comes down to him and Sabrina and then I'm Helio all the way. I agree that Grey's is better this year, far better.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

I know you love SPN, I just don't. On my flist, I'm so in the minority there. As for ML, I do like it. I never said I'm not liking it; I just watch a lot of TV and I don't know that I'd still be watching it as I'm trying to cut down if not for Jason. I like it. As for my forum -- it's not a Moonlight forum, it's a Jason forum and a relatively new one at that and so naturally there's not a lot of commentary. I post as much as there's a reason to post, but there's not much going on in terms of the board as it is for JD-fans, not ML-fans and therefore with so little JD on the show right now and not much substance to his scenes, it's hard to have a lot to talk about.

We do still share a few shows, true dat.

[eolivet.livejournal.com]

Yay, yay, yay, I'm just so happy you're back to enjoying GA. :D My fellow George/Izzie fan...sometimes it feels like they're only two of us in the world. ;)

Is Jason Dohring on it? Yeah. Will I be sticking with it to the bitter end as long as the Dohring remains on it? Hell yeah.

My personal philosophy on Moonlight exactly. :D

Yeah, I'm pissed about Sara, but I still enjoy the pulpy goodness that is PB. And William Fichtner? Yum.

That about sums up my PB watching philosophy, too. ;p I'm attached to these guys, what can I say? :x

IMHO, "Boston Legal" and "Grey's Anatomy" are the two most improved shows this year. :) Every single ep of BL has been outstanding. :D I was so glad to see Carl Sack get to argue a case -- John Laroquette is awesome!! :p

(Is "Heroes" on here? I didn't know if you watched that.)

Also: if Drew can show up and dance with Cheryl last year, Apolo can have a return performance, as well. ;)

[arabian.livejournal.com]

You know I hated it last season. Ugh. But really good so far this year. Yay!! We're not the only two, we're just probably the only two on are respective flists, LOL!

So we pretty much agree on everything here. Yay! No, I was going to watch Heroes, but when KB was cast, I realized I didn't love the show even remotely enough to put up with her. It's the same reason I'm not watching Gossip Girl, although I think I'd like it. If she's not playing Veronica in S1, or opposite Logan, I can happily live the rest of my life without ever seeing or hearing or watching anything having to do with that person ever again.

[hiddeneloise.livejournal.com]

100 percent agree on FNL. What the hell happened?! I was tentative about it coming back anyway. The first season was such a self-contained, fluid thing, it should have been the last one. I know people love it and all, but I never felt all that strongly about it. I enjoyed it and I adore Connie! She was the standout. And on the personal note, I kind of gotten attached to Matt. But I could feel it would just be hard to continue the flow once they get into a new season. I was resigned to that. But I couldn't have imagined what it came back as. It's disjointed, depressing (and not in a good way) and downright creepy.

Giant WORD on "Pushing Daisies." Tried. Thought would love it for the visuals alone -- what with being a painter and all -- got a headache and felt nothing but annoyance. Then again, I felt annoyed through the most of "Wonderfalls" that everyone seemed to love, so what do I know. LOL.

Agree about "Moonlight." Mediocre at best, but it doesn't bother me much because I'm not there to concentrate on it. I just watch for JD. And -- and this is not just my bias talking -- his scenes really are the best! He and A'OL have chemistry that A'OL and SM clearly don't. :)

"Women's Murder Club" I didn't even pretend to attempt to watch. The mere title bugs me. LOL. I don't care that it's a procedural (I watch a few and enjoy them), I just don't like Patterson.

I need to check out "Life." I don't know why I didn't. I loved Damian Lewis in pretty much everything I saw him in so far.

"Grey's" is so not my show. Sigh. I tried. In every season. These people just grate on me. And I usually love Sandra O! Oh, well. I'm more upset about "Private Practice." Bad enough they cast Booby McNipples, they had to make it into total crap. Addison was the only character I could get behind. Not anymore. Grr.

"Biggest Loser!" The only "reality" show I ever watch! Simply put, it doesn't wallow or celebrate its pathologies, it fights them! :) I always liked it, every season a little bit more, actually. And this one is no exception.

I gave up on "Ugly Betty" a while ago. Sadly, it didn't do much for me to begin with. AF is fantastic. So are many other actors. It's just ... I don't know. Didn't grab me, didn't keep me.

On the other hand, I still love "The Office." And Michael is still my favorite. :) I am not obsessed with the show, I don't feel compelled to discuss it with anyone or, say, make icons. I don't ship anyone. I can go with whatever direction they take it. I just enjoy the funny. It's definitely my kind. :)

And that's about it for our overlapping stuff.

[arabian.livejournal.com]

Well, we agree on the first half. LOL! I tuned into WMC because I so have crush on Angie Harmon. She wows me!!!!

Life is the awesome. I've never seen Damian Lewis before, but he's WONDERFUL!!! I know you're not a GA-fan, and while I am, I do agree with your comments on PP.

Aww, you don't like UB? Sad, I love it so. As I do The Office, so yay, taht's something.

[daria-103.livejournal.com]

There's not too many new shows I can comment on as we don't have them over here yet but there's still a good few that i totally agree on.

Supernatural, I never got into this show as they didn't show it properly over here (always on at different times) but I doubt I would have watched it anyway. That Jared guy, who's surname I can't spell, has bugged the hell out of me since Gilmore Girls. In fairness to him I didn't really like GG anyway but his character in particular really, really grated on me. The screwing over of Alona Tal has done nothing to make me want to give it a chance.

Desperate Houswives - I became a casual viewer in season 2, didn't really bother me if I missed an episode. It's pretty much lost me now. Susan is one of the most irritating characters on television and all of the rumours about fueds between the women has made it quite hard for me to believe their characters are friends. I know one shouldn't affect the other but when the reported fueds are more publicised and interesting than the show, it becomes kind of hard to see the characters and believe them anymore.

Cold Case and Everybody Hates Chris are the kind of shows that I don't mind missing an episode but when I come across them on tv I'll watch and enjoy. They're good, not great but I'll still tune in.

America's Next Time Model - I swear everytime that I'm not going to watch but i get sucked in. Once I see an episode I have to see who wins.

My Name Is Earl - I love this show, I can't even explain why I just really enjoy it. Makes me laugh out loud, will definitely keep watching, ditto for Ugly Betty.

Grey's - we're still on last season over here, I despise Meredith at the moment, she's really grating on me so it's good to hear that she gets less annoying. We just got the two hour PP intro episode over here, I almost wet myself laughing when they all sat down to ogle Piz as he went surfing.

Moonlight - as long as it's got JD I'm a fan.

FNL we don't have over here so I have no opinion. I did read on digitalspy.co.uk today though that it took a big dip in ratings against Women's Murder Club, dropped by something like 19% down to 5million viewers and got 5% of the 18-49 demo.here's the link to the story - http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/a77697/sharp-fall-for-friday-night-lights.html. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news :(

[arabian.livejournal.com]

I so agree about MNiE. It's just a hilariously awesome show. LOVE IT!!! Yes, stick through GA. I know it sucks; I KNOW it sucks, but this season has been really good so far. So YAY!!!!!

Honestly, FNL could get canceled and I don't think I'd care as long as Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton showed up somewhere else where I could glory in their awesomeness. It's been that disappointing this season. But, hey, we only had 2 eps; it may turn around.

[dreamer-98.livejournal.com]

The probably-won't-happen-quit-dreaming chance that Apolo will show up sometime in the season for one more dance with Julianne.

Looks like you'll get your wish. They're having this 100th episode special (either next week or two weeks from now, I'm not sure) and past stars are coming back to perform, including Apolo and Julianne and Mel and Maks. Yay! :-)