Fall Schmall… The Winter 2010 TV schedule is cuckoo-bananas! Ducky and GMMR sat down, screeners in hand, mapped out all the premiere dates and dished the dirt on all the new and returning shows.
What did we think of the first 5 episodes of CHUCK Season 3? What about the new season of 24 featuring Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff)? What about new shows like LIFE UNEXPECTED, THE DEEP END, CAPRICA, HAPPY TOWN and HUMAN TARGET?
Want to know when DAMAGES, LOST, SOUTHLAND, GLEE and NURSE JACKIE return? Want to know how long you have to wait for Lauren Graham to shine in PARENTHOOD? How many more weeks until the return of TV Talk’s recurring listener fave “2 Idiots Talk LOST”?
It’s been 7 weeks since our last podcast and 7 weeks since we last saw each other. You totally thought GMMR and Ducky had called it quits didn’t you? How dare you…
An extended gig in the Hamptons originally sidelined the podcast, then a horrible back injury kept this terrible TV twosome apart until now!
For our first big podcast of the Fall, we thought we’d make up for lost time with a huge 2 hour 10 minute carcast full of laughs, tears, a near death experience and even some New England leaf peeping!
Shows covered in this podcast:
HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER, BIG BANG THEORY, GOSSIP GIRL, HOUSE, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, THE BIGGEST LOSER, THE GOOD WIFE, V, GLEE, MODERN FAMILY, COUGAR TOWN, TOP CHEF, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, FLASH FORWARD, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, BONES, SUPERNATURAL, FRINGE, THE OFFICE, PARKS & RECREATION, 30 ROCK, COMMUNITY, GREY’S ANATOMY, PRIVATE PRACTICE, UGLY BETTY, DOLLHOUSE, SOUTHLAND, WHITE COLLAR, THE AMAZING RACE, SURVIVOR, DEXTER, MAD MEN and GREEK.
We hope you enjoy our ode to Fall TV so far this season and hope you’ll join in the conversation. Leave your thoughts on what we covered in the comments section of this post! We’d love to hear what you’ve got to say about the new Fall lineup.
The new Fall TV season is less than a week away and while I’ve been busy trying to watch all the new pilots I have to say that I’m not super excited about the new crop of shows. Bummer huh?
My podcasting partner in crime GMMR and I have been trying to schedule time to talk Fall TV and we hope to have all of the network podcasts up in the next week so hold tight. We’ve posted our thoughts on the new shows for The CW so please listen to that podcast to see what we love and/or hate.
In the meantime here are the shows I plan on watching this Fall. Shows in BLUE are what I plan on watching LIVE or DVR’d. Shows in PINK are ones that I will have to catch online or via iTunes.
MONDAY (click to enlarge) Monday’s have traditionally been a pretty busy night of TV viewing for me. However, this year it’s looking pretty open.
I’m annoyed that the power hour that started my night of television last year has been split up because BIG BANG THEORY and HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER was a partnership made in heaven. I’ll be interested to see what happens to BBT at such a late hour (and I hope to remember its on that late) and if I feel like the vibe is the same without it’s partner.
Another year, another chance to officially drop HEROES. Last year I decided to watch then within 5 episodes I dropped that lame duck for the 2nd time in 3 seasons. Going into Season 4, I’ve vowed to not even give it a single frame of consideration. Will. Not. Watch!
After a brief vacation from the kids on the Upper East Side, a summer marathon has renewed my love for all things GOSSIP GIRL. That doesn’t mean I won’t get annoyed with the repetitive storylines and the lame quick-wrap secondary storylines – it just means I’m excited for the show to return and kick some ass! Let’s not fuck it up Savage & Schwartz.
If you’re interested in ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE starring Jenna Elfman, Ashley Jensen and Grant Show you should watch. It’s a very traditional sitcom and paired with TWO AND A HALF MEN, I think it’s going to be a huge hit. I just don’t see myself watching it week to week. The pilot is cute, Elfman is adorable and the premise is fun. Mark my words, this is one of the biggest new shows in 09.
TUESDAY (click to enlarge)
Believe it or not, I’m only watching two shows on Tuesday’s but hell if that isn’t four frakkin’ hours of television.
I’m a total sucker for the weight loss and emotional meltdowns of THE BIGGEST LOSER so there’s no chance I’m not watching Bob and Jillian bust some fatties once again. Love that damn show.
Obviously you know I’m a huge SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE junkie so that’s a no brainer – or is it? I’ve been very vocal about how I don’t love the idea of bringing SYTYCD to the Fall. I love having it as my summer obsession because I have less shows to watch in the summertime which means more time for a Paso Doble or two. Pushing it on us in the middle of the onslaught of new and returning shows seems cruel and I hate that it’s going to take up two hours of my Fall TV schedule. There… I’ve said it.
I’m not gonna lie – from time to time I will probably watch The CW’s reboot of MELROSE PLACE. I actually enjoyed the pilot episode. It’s 100% better than I expected it to be and surely my partner Jon will want to pop in and out of that salacious complex.
*If you’re wondering about BETTER OFF TED, don’t worry its coming back after DwtS ends (which isn’t soon enough)!
**ABC’s reboot of V starts November 3rd at 8pm (shitty time slot for a show that is not suited for 8pm) and I’m super excited. I loved the original as a kid and I really enjoyed the pilot for the remake. Plus, it’s got Elizabeth Mitchell, Alan Tudyk and Scott Wolf!
WEDNESDAY (click to enlarge)
Wednesday night is really the only night I’m giving new shows a chance at making it into my live/dvr rotation.
SYTYCD has it’s results show at 8pm and that’s followed by GLEE (which we all know I flippin’ heart). It’s a great one-two punch and I’m really looking forward to Wednesday’s – thanks FOX!
Over on ABC, my favorite new comedy, MODERN FAMILY gets paired up with the pretty good COUGAR TOWN. Trust me when I tell you to tune in to MODERN FAMILY. The pilot has laugh out loud funny jokes throughout and one of the best, THE BEST, things I’ve ever seen in the final few minutes. COUGAR TOWN is fun, a little dirty and honestly who doesn’t love having Courtney Cox, Busy Phillips and Josh Hopkins back on their screens?
EASTWICK is not as bad as you think it might be. The hour grew on me as it progressed and I’m willing to give it a couple weeks which is more than I can say for many of the new shows this Fall.
This morning NBC announced the majority of their Fall 2009 TV Lineup and while we’re still waiting on the fate of CHUCK, there are a ton of returning and new shows to occupy our minds.
While I’m on pins and needles for CHUCK (fate will be determined on May 19th), I’m pretty psyched for the 3rd incarnation of PARENTHOOD (sans Keanu but with Peter Krause!!!) and DAY ONE not the mention THE SOUP’s Joel McHale in COMMUNITY!
Returning Shows: THE OFFICE, 30 ROCK, THE BIGGEST LOSER, CELEBRITY APPRENTICE, LAW & ORDER: SVU, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, HEROES, SOUTHLAND, PARKS AND RECREATION, SNL: THURSDAY UPDATE and JAY LENO’S 10pm crapfest.
Returning Shows Still on the Bubble: CHUCK, LAW & ORDER, MEDIUM, MY NAME IS EARL
New Comedies: 100 QUESTIONS
Emmy winner James Burrows (“Will & Grace,” “Friends”) directs “100 Questions,” a new comedy series written and executive-produced by Christopher Moynihan (“For Your Consideration”) that provides hilarious answers to 100 questions about love. Charlotte Payne (Sophie Winkleman, “Peep Show”) is looking for love and has rejected multiple marriage proposals — but she has yet to meet Mr. Right. When she joins a popular online dating site, she gets a little help from her dating counselor Ravi (Amir Talai, “The Ex List”) – who requires her to take a 100-question compatibility test. The questions aren’t easy for Charlotte to answer, and each one requires her to recount a poignant and humorous time in her life with friends Leslie (Elizabeth Ho, “Women’s Murder Club”), Jill (Joy Suprano, NBC’s “Law & Order”), Mike (Christopher Moynihan “For Your Consideration”) and Wayne (David Walton “Quarterlife”). The test becomes a journey of self-discovery for Charlotte who begins to realize what she truly wants in a relationship. Ron West (“Psych”), Kelly Kulchak (“Psych”) and Michelle Nader (“King of Queens”) join Moynihan as executive producers.
COMMUNITY
From Emmy Award-winning directors Joe and Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) comes “Community,” a smart comedy series about higher education — and lower expectations. The student body at Greendale Community College is made up of high-school losers, newly divorced housewives, and old people who want to keep their minds active. Within these not-so-hallowed halls, “Community” focuses on a band of misfits, at the center of which is a fast-talkin’ lawyer whose degree has been revoked (Joel McHale, “The Soup”), who form a study group and end up learning a lot more about themselves than they do about their course work. In addition to McHale, the series also stars: Gillian Jacobs (“The Book of Daniel”); Yvette Nicole Brown (“Rules of Engagement”); Danny Pudi (“Greek”); Alison Brie (“Mad Men”); and comedy legend Chevy Chase (“Saturday Night Live”). “Community” is a Krasnoff Foster Entertainment, Harmonious Claptrap and Russo Brothers production in association with Sony Pictures Television and Universal Media Studios. Russ Krasnoff (“The Soloist”), Dan Harmon (“The Sarah Silverman Program”), Joe Russo (“Arrested Development”), Anthony Russo (“Arrested Development”) and Gary Foster (“The Soloist”) serve as executive producers. Joe and Anthony Russo directed the pilot that was written by Dan Harmon.
New Dramas: DAY ONE
From executive producer/writer Jesse Alexander (“Heroes,” “Lost,” “Alias”) and director Alex Graves (“Fringe,” “Journeyman”), “Day One” tells the story of life on earth following a global catastrophe that has devastated the world’s infrastructures. Beginning with the immediate aftermath of the cataclysmic event, an eclectic band of survivors — played by Adam Campbell (“Date Movie”), Catherine Dent (“The Shield”), Julie Gonzalo (“Eli Stone”), David Lyons (“ER”), Derek Mio (“Greek”), Carly Pope (“24″), Thekla Reuten (“Sleeper Cell”) and Addison Timlin (“Cashmere Mafia”) — strives to rebuild society as they unravel the mysteries of what happened and face their uncertain future. The group, all residents of one apartment building in suburban Van Nuys, Calif., embarks on a quest for survival and discovers that hope is found in small victories — and heroes are born every day. “Day One” is a Universal Media Studios production.
More Fall 2009 NBC Drama Previews after the jump… (more…)
Hey gang, I just wanted to take a quick minute in between festival duties to say that I’ve seen both of TV’s big 10pm premieres tonight and you should check them out for very different reasons. HARPER’S ISLAND is campy and fun while SOUTHLAND is gritty, a little quirky and incredibly well done.
HARPER’S ISLAND premieres on CBS at 10pm and like I said, it’s a very fun (somewhat campy) horror murder mystery that will play out over the next 13 weeks. Really, do I need to tell you more than it has Christopher Gorham in it and he’s just the cutest thing on earth? Yes? Okay… how about Katie Cassidy for all the straight boys (and gay girls) out there? Still want more? There’s at least one death in the premiere. You’re still asking for more? There’s lots of blood… and water… and half naked girls… and sex… and people hanging from trees… and did I mention Christopher Gorham?
Oh, here’s something I hadn’t mentioned before… Elaine Cassidy – she rocks! She plays Abby Mills who’s coming back to Harper’s Island for the first time since a serial killer got a little up close and personal… payback’s a bitch!
Alright, you want the lowdown? I really enjoyed the premiere of Harper’s Island – it’s a fun who-dun-it with some good old fashion horror thrown in. I think it has some problems, it’s a little campy, but overall I think it works to the shows advantage. I appreciate that the creators have a plan and an endgame in mind so we only have to think about 13 weeks worth of storylines. There are a set number of people and a promise to kill most of them as the weeks go on and on – I’m down with that. The good thing is that I truly want to find out who’s behind all of this mayhem so I’m in it for the long haul. Even better, some of these characters are total douches that I want them to die, isn’t that part of the fun? One by one…
Check out a little behind the scenes action to get you in the mood for your trip to Harper’s Island…
Now over on NBC at the exact same time (thank you scheduling geniuses) is the premiere of SOUTHLAND. I was so pleasantly surprised by Southland because I honestly had zero interest in taking on another show before I watched the screener and I can now say that I loved it.
It’s very well shot, acted and written and I was shocked at the heart the show represents. I love that the focus isn’t on any one character or storyline in particular but on the job as a whole. It’s an ensemble drama that follows multiple LAPD officers on multiple cases throughout the city and we’re slowly let into their personal lives over the course of any given episode. It seems natural, organic and almost documentary-like in its storytelling techniques and honestly, who doesn’t love a show that bleeps out the swear words?
Regina King rocks. It’s good to see C. Thomas Howell working again (wasn’t he eaten by a cougar on 24). I’ve always had a soft spot for Shawn Hatosy so you can’t lose there. Tom Everett Scott? He’s doing that thing he do-woooooo. I’m always happy to see Michael Cudlitz in anything so… Benjamin McKenzie steps very easily out of the Ryan Atwood role to shine as the rookie on the beat – the one we’re obviously supposed to identify with most.
Still not sold? What if I told all of you fans of THE O.C. that you finally get to see Oliver get his tonight? Ahhhh, now I’ve got ya.
Don’t miss SOUTHLAND tonight on NBC, it’s pretty fantastic!
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