Sunday, September 24, 2006
Review of the New TV Season So Far
So - a TON of new stuff on TV this Fall. A lot of it actually good, some not so good, some that shouldn't have been ever scripted, and some returning shows that have either improved or are on borrowed time.
My TiVo is working overtime after a summer slump of NO good summer programming except for Big Brother 7. So I'll break down each day for you, for what has premiered or started their new seasons so far. I'll give you a thumbs up in the air for good, thumbs in the mouth for "biting my nails to see if it should survive" and thumbs up the ass for "I'd rather have my thumb up my ass than see or hear of this show ever again.
Sundays - 8pm The Amazing Race (CBS) - Thumb in the Mouth
It's the 10th season for the reality show that shouldn't have (made it this long due to lackluster ratings.) After a dismal family edition that I skipped and the following season that I didn't see due to some interesting counter programing somewhere else, I've decided to give this one another chance. The bad? Do NOT ever have a 90 minute premiere again. Too long and boring. Also, don't eliminate a team at a stopping point and not call it a Pit Stop. Clearly the race didn't start again until the next morning, why cut someone this early - and then cut another team at the actual first Pit Stop. Hopefully this decision will come clear later on in the race. The Good? VERY DIVERSE CASTING - Muslims that will stop to pray along the race route? That's real. Young Indian couple strengthening their bond before having kids? GREAT reason to go on the race. A dating couple where the woman is missing her leg, and the man is also her doctor AND they do triathalons? Talk about giving me reason to get my ass out of bed. I litterally cried when she scaled the Great Wall of China by her self. Thank-you for putting in average looking "rednecks" from a red state, but couldn't you have left out the UBER-stereotypical gay couple? Poor Poor Casting.
Monday - 8pm The Class/How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Two thumbs in the ass. THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE LAND OF LOST, NIP/TUCK, ETC ETC FOR COOKIE CUTTER SIT-COMS. They should all be banished to a pay cable channel so that only those who care to tune in and tune out can. Sit-coms died last year with Will and Grace.
10pm - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - Thumbs WAY UP IN THE AIR. Probably the best pilot I've EVER seen. Sharp and on point writing that rivals Buffy and Angel. A cast of some really large number that doesn't seem that large due to a general interest in their piece of the production. An inspired opening scene. The return of Matthew Perry (one bad note - his first scene of the show channeled Chandler Bing a little too much) and the best line ever delivered on TV - by Amanda Peet's character - "I made the NASDAQ dip just by showing up to work the next morning." but said in such a disarming way - BRILLIANT. WATCH THIS SHOW.
Tuesday - 10pm - Smith (CBS) - Thumb in the ass. If CBS wanted an 'Alias' type show, why didn't they just buy the rights to it from ABC when they cancelled it last year. Two birds, one stone. We would have gotten at least one more season to hash out the hurried plot lines of 'Alias' last six episodes (plus possibly more Amy Acker!) AND we now wouldn't be forced to flip past Smith, which is on now. Like a bad Doppleganger to Alias. Why in the world are we rooting for the bad guy? One of the main characters shot a guy in the head and another in a back on a deserted beach, from the woods, from behind, like a coward. Amy Smart's character just needs to be slapped, and I feel NO remorse for the lead. If you want out. STOP. It's already starting to read like early 'Alias' when Sydney wanted to get out of the CIA/SD6. Please, be original.
11pm (immediate replay) - Nip/Tuck (FX) - Two tumbs up in the air after being in the mouth. Yes, it has returned to form after The Carver story line of last year. While that plot had its moments, it seemed to drive the characters away from each other than keeping them interacting within themselves. The Soap factor is up, the topics are juicy again (Why does Dr. MacNamara oppose giving Dr. Troy lipo, saying he's being superficial, when he's being superficial over his new baby's birth defect BEFORE he's born?) Plus they are finally giving Liz a real story line with both Michelle, the new owner of the practice, and a future guest stint as a possible girlfriend for her by Alanis Morisette. Possible stunt casting aside, thank-you to this show for writing all types of relationships into a script without white washing them. So what am I waiting for? Kimber's fall from Scientology grace. This show will now be watched at 10 instead of waiting for the 11pm replay. Smith is GONE.
Wednesday - 8pm - Jericho (CBS) - Thumb in the mouth. Creepy pilot, good suspense, pretty cool (but also disturbing premise). But I'm thinking the fall-out of the last standing town in America after Nuclear Attack would play better as a TV movie or mini series instead of over 22 episodes (possibly more if they get picked up for season 2 - but then what?) Think Lost with bombs and no hatch....but why do I think Lost can't be copied?
Thursday - 8pm - Survivor: Cook Islands - Thumb in the mouth. Already better in the player and action department than Guatemala and Exile Island. The racial divide of tribes is actually INTERESTING and puts a good spin on the game. Don't listen to the people boycotting - they haven't even seen the show. However, I will say I hope this year is a straight game of Survivor (with rules that are VERY similar to if not exactly the same as Season 1.) This is the only time the game is interesting, when its at bare bones. Who cares how many times the tribes are mixed up, or change camps, or send someone to Exile Island (another dumb idea). It's Outwit, Outplay, Outlast, not Get Caught In the Confusion of Which Buff to Wear."
10pm - Six Degrees - Thumb way up in the air. Maybe its because I just moved to New York, so the premise of strangers finding purpose and connection in other strangers in NYC hits very close to home. But the writing is good, the characters are realistically flawed, the mystery behind each person is layered well into the story, but not so much (like Lost) where they run the risk of seeming redundant or running in circles. Plus, bringing Erika Christinansen to the small screen is genius. GIVE THIS SHOW THE CHANCE IT DESERVES TO PLAY OUT A FULL SEASON IF NOT LONGER.
Fridays - 10pm - Law and Order (NBC) - Thumb in the air. Now in its thirty fifth season (or what seams like it) they have shaken things up a little and replaced the old male detective with a FEMALE! She's a rookie and she's still the smartass of the duo. But not because of experience, but because of her naivite (sp?). Maybe this will bring about more cases that are (realistically) lost or thrown out due to being so passionate about convicting, that mistakes are made (always the better episodes.) I will say that the season opener.....BAD Britney/K-Fed parody. This show is too smart to stoop that low in order to come up with a case for the episode. Original cases are always better (like Linda Carter's stint as a hussling mom over all three L&O shows. PERFECTION.)
Part two will come after the first week in October when Heroes, Lost, Veronica Mars, Desperate Housewives and Brothers/Sisters all begin their runs. I'm pulling for Veronica this year, it deserves a real chance on the CW, and for Heroes, even though its an X-Men concept, the characters seem a little deeper than comic book drawings.
As for those continue-runs that need to go?
The Simpsons, Family Guy (so disjointed, even for FOX), American Dad, The War at Home (all FOX shows, who WATCHES this stuff?)
Extreme Makeover Home Edition - the cry fest that makes you mad that you don't have a disability.
Deal or no Deal - ONE night a week or the curse of Millionaire will be bestowed on thee.
7th Heaven - cancelled then brought back. WHAT THE FUCK. And we couldn't keep Angel on the air for a sixth season?
Prison Break - they're out, end of story.
The Bachelor - just bad and further support for why straight people shouldn't get married.
Any CSI except for the original.
Wife Swap - and they say that GAY people will destroy the meaning and sanctity of marriage?
The OC - five numbers for you 90210, but worse.
Gilmore Girls, please go down after this season.
One Tree Hill - worse than The OC, so does that make it the third level of Hell?
The Biggest Loser - Celebrity Fit Club does it better with people you actually care or cared about at one time.
Smallville - was supposed to be done after season 4, now on season 6, they are having to break all of the rules they originally set out for the show (no flying, no Lois, no superhero crossovers) and are treading on the thin line of rewriting the mythos of Superman, not good.
ER - no original cast members left. Doesn't this make it a new show?
And final prediction? The CW does NOT combine the ratings from the old WB and UPN. Each show still scrapes the bottom 20 and all of the shows are canceled, save Americas Next Top Model (moved to VH1), Everyone Hates Chris (off to CBS or FOX), Supernatural (given to NBC) and Friday Night Smackdown! (sold to Spike TV, USA or one if its more appropriate homes, Bravo or Logo. Muscle men in tights pinning each other and caught in a web of soapy plot lines that would make Melrose Place explode again in embarassment? COME ON! I think pro-wrestling is how us gay people are going to finally infiltrate the minds of rednecks.)
My TiVo is working overtime after a summer slump of NO good summer programming except for Big Brother 7. So I'll break down each day for you, for what has premiered or started their new seasons so far. I'll give you a thumbs up in the air for good, thumbs in the mouth for "biting my nails to see if it should survive" and thumbs up the ass for "I'd rather have my thumb up my ass than see or hear of this show ever again.
Sundays - 8pm The Amazing Race (CBS) - Thumb in the Mouth
It's the 10th season for the reality show that shouldn't have (made it this long due to lackluster ratings.) After a dismal family edition that I skipped and the following season that I didn't see due to some interesting counter programing somewhere else, I've decided to give this one another chance. The bad? Do NOT ever have a 90 minute premiere again. Too long and boring. Also, don't eliminate a team at a stopping point and not call it a Pit Stop. Clearly the race didn't start again until the next morning, why cut someone this early - and then cut another team at the actual first Pit Stop. Hopefully this decision will come clear later on in the race. The Good? VERY DIVERSE CASTING - Muslims that will stop to pray along the race route? That's real. Young Indian couple strengthening their bond before having kids? GREAT reason to go on the race. A dating couple where the woman is missing her leg, and the man is also her doctor AND they do triathalons? Talk about giving me reason to get my ass out of bed. I litterally cried when she scaled the Great Wall of China by her self. Thank-you for putting in average looking "rednecks" from a red state, but couldn't you have left out the UBER-stereotypical gay couple? Poor Poor Casting.
Monday - 8pm The Class/How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - Two thumbs in the ass. THERE IS NO ROOM IN THE LAND OF LOST, NIP/TUCK, ETC ETC FOR COOKIE CUTTER SIT-COMS. They should all be banished to a pay cable channel so that only those who care to tune in and tune out can. Sit-coms died last year with Will and Grace.
10pm - Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - Thumbs WAY UP IN THE AIR. Probably the best pilot I've EVER seen. Sharp and on point writing that rivals Buffy and Angel. A cast of some really large number that doesn't seem that large due to a general interest in their piece of the production. An inspired opening scene. The return of Matthew Perry (one bad note - his first scene of the show channeled Chandler Bing a little too much) and the best line ever delivered on TV - by Amanda Peet's character - "I made the NASDAQ dip just by showing up to work the next morning." but said in such a disarming way - BRILLIANT. WATCH THIS SHOW.
Tuesday - 10pm - Smith (CBS) - Thumb in the ass. If CBS wanted an 'Alias' type show, why didn't they just buy the rights to it from ABC when they cancelled it last year. Two birds, one stone. We would have gotten at least one more season to hash out the hurried plot lines of 'Alias' last six episodes (plus possibly more Amy Acker!) AND we now wouldn't be forced to flip past Smith, which is on now. Like a bad Doppleganger to Alias. Why in the world are we rooting for the bad guy? One of the main characters shot a guy in the head and another in a back on a deserted beach, from the woods, from behind, like a coward. Amy Smart's character just needs to be slapped, and I feel NO remorse for the lead. If you want out. STOP. It's already starting to read like early 'Alias' when Sydney wanted to get out of the CIA/SD6. Please, be original.
11pm (immediate replay) - Nip/Tuck (FX) - Two tumbs up in the air after being in the mouth. Yes, it has returned to form after The Carver story line of last year. While that plot had its moments, it seemed to drive the characters away from each other than keeping them interacting within themselves. The Soap factor is up, the topics are juicy again (Why does Dr. MacNamara oppose giving Dr. Troy lipo, saying he's being superficial, when he's being superficial over his new baby's birth defect BEFORE he's born?) Plus they are finally giving Liz a real story line with both Michelle, the new owner of the practice, and a future guest stint as a possible girlfriend for her by Alanis Morisette. Possible stunt casting aside, thank-you to this show for writing all types of relationships into a script without white washing them. So what am I waiting for? Kimber's fall from Scientology grace. This show will now be watched at 10 instead of waiting for the 11pm replay. Smith is GONE.
Wednesday - 8pm - Jericho (CBS) - Thumb in the mouth. Creepy pilot, good suspense, pretty cool (but also disturbing premise). But I'm thinking the fall-out of the last standing town in America after Nuclear Attack would play better as a TV movie or mini series instead of over 22 episodes (possibly more if they get picked up for season 2 - but then what?) Think Lost with bombs and no hatch....but why do I think Lost can't be copied?
Thursday - 8pm - Survivor: Cook Islands - Thumb in the mouth. Already better in the player and action department than Guatemala and Exile Island. The racial divide of tribes is actually INTERESTING and puts a good spin on the game. Don't listen to the people boycotting - they haven't even seen the show. However, I will say I hope this year is a straight game of Survivor (with rules that are VERY similar to if not exactly the same as Season 1.) This is the only time the game is interesting, when its at bare bones. Who cares how many times the tribes are mixed up, or change camps, or send someone to Exile Island (another dumb idea). It's Outwit, Outplay, Outlast, not Get Caught In the Confusion of Which Buff to Wear."
10pm - Six Degrees - Thumb way up in the air. Maybe its because I just moved to New York, so the premise of strangers finding purpose and connection in other strangers in NYC hits very close to home. But the writing is good, the characters are realistically flawed, the mystery behind each person is layered well into the story, but not so much (like Lost) where they run the risk of seeming redundant or running in circles. Plus, bringing Erika Christinansen to the small screen is genius. GIVE THIS SHOW THE CHANCE IT DESERVES TO PLAY OUT A FULL SEASON IF NOT LONGER.
Fridays - 10pm - Law and Order (NBC) - Thumb in the air. Now in its thirty fifth season (or what seams like it) they have shaken things up a little and replaced the old male detective with a FEMALE! She's a rookie and she's still the smartass of the duo. But not because of experience, but because of her naivite (sp?). Maybe this will bring about more cases that are (realistically) lost or thrown out due to being so passionate about convicting, that mistakes are made (always the better episodes.) I will say that the season opener.....BAD Britney/K-Fed parody. This show is too smart to stoop that low in order to come up with a case for the episode. Original cases are always better (like Linda Carter's stint as a hussling mom over all three L&O shows. PERFECTION.)
Part two will come after the first week in October when Heroes, Lost, Veronica Mars, Desperate Housewives and Brothers/Sisters all begin their runs. I'm pulling for Veronica this year, it deserves a real chance on the CW, and for Heroes, even though its an X-Men concept, the characters seem a little deeper than comic book drawings.
As for those continue-runs that need to go?
The Simpsons, Family Guy (so disjointed, even for FOX), American Dad, The War at Home (all FOX shows, who WATCHES this stuff?)
Extreme Makeover Home Edition - the cry fest that makes you mad that you don't have a disability.
Deal or no Deal - ONE night a week or the curse of Millionaire will be bestowed on thee.
7th Heaven - cancelled then brought back. WHAT THE FUCK. And we couldn't keep Angel on the air for a sixth season?
Prison Break - they're out, end of story.
The Bachelor - just bad and further support for why straight people shouldn't get married.
Any CSI except for the original.
Wife Swap - and they say that GAY people will destroy the meaning and sanctity of marriage?
The OC - five numbers for you 90210, but worse.
Gilmore Girls, please go down after this season.
One Tree Hill - worse than The OC, so does that make it the third level of Hell?
The Biggest Loser - Celebrity Fit Club does it better with people you actually care or cared about at one time.
Smallville - was supposed to be done after season 4, now on season 6, they are having to break all of the rules they originally set out for the show (no flying, no Lois, no superhero crossovers) and are treading on the thin line of rewriting the mythos of Superman, not good.
ER - no original cast members left. Doesn't this make it a new show?
And final prediction? The CW does NOT combine the ratings from the old WB and UPN. Each show still scrapes the bottom 20 and all of the shows are canceled, save Americas Next Top Model (moved to VH1), Everyone Hates Chris (off to CBS or FOX), Supernatural (given to NBC) and Friday Night Smackdown! (sold to Spike TV, USA or one if its more appropriate homes, Bravo or Logo. Muscle men in tights pinning each other and caught in a web of soapy plot lines that would make Melrose Place explode again in embarassment? COME ON! I think pro-wrestling is how us gay people are going to finally infiltrate the minds of rednecks.)
// posted by ProudJock Matt @ 1:15 PM 
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