All the new fall TV shows have premiered. Have you put season passes on your favorites yet? Have you been discussing new shows the morning after with your friends and co-workers?
I’ll bet you haven’t.
This has proven to be the least buzzed-about TV season in recent memory. Among people I talk to, within and outside of EW, not one network show has inspired passionate affection. Sure, most people who’ve seen Raising Hope agree that it’s funny. I enjoyed the pilot of Hawaii Five-O, but I can’t say I’m hooked. Ditto No Ordinary Family, which has possibilities as the show begins to balance its light and dark elements. But the one series so many critics and industry folks were psyched for — Lone Star — got canceled by Fox before it could even build a respectable cult.
There are lots of shows that aren’t awful, and are perfectly good escapism, including Blue Bloods, Nikita, The Defenders, Law & Order: LA, and Undercovers. But at this point, I don’t see any of these becoming either substantial hits, the way Modern Family and Glee did last season, or cult faves, as Fringe and Chuck and Castle have in recent years. And are any of you really still thinking The Event is going to replace Lost as your go-to mythology show?
What’s going on? Why is most of America more entranced by Dancing With the Stars, Grey’s Anatomy, and Two and a Half Men than in anything new? How did this become the season more notable for its head-ache-inducing mediocrities — Hellcats or $#*! My Dad Says, anyone? — than for its attempts at crowd-pleasers, let alone ground-breaking television?
I think a few trends converged to make this an artistically timid fall season.
• Everyone wanted to replicate the mass-cult, serialized storytelling of Lost, but no one knew how to execute it. After FlashForward, Dollhouse, and Harper’s Island all failed as big-audience draws, the networks looked around and said, forget it — people don’t want to commit to serialized TV. (The immediate ratings nose-dive of My Generation was the new season exception that proved this rule.) Let’s give ‘em a lot of self-contained hours from producers with proven track records, the executives seemed to say as one. Thus Jerry Bruckheimer’s Chase, Blue Bloods from producers who worked on The Sopranos, and the Hawaii Five-O reboot.
• In hard economic times, people want to feel there’s comfort on TV, and that television entertainment will supply reassurance that the country still has rules. Thus the profusion of law-and-order shows like the ones named above, plus Jimmy Smits’ Outlaw, Detroit 1-8-7, Law & Order: LA and The Whole Truth.
• It’s the cable, stupid. The entire notion of the “fall TV season” has been whittled away by incursions from cable. Not long ago, most original cable series aired in the summer months. No more: From Boardwalk Empire to Sons of Anarchy to the unending variations of Real Housewives, cable programming has had a termite-like effect on The House That Broadcast TV Built, weakening its foundations.
The result? More viewers who are working hard, coming home, looking at what’s on, and thinking, the hell with trying to remember what some vaguely-titled show called The Event or Chase is about — why not just veg out in front of Dancing With the Stars or wait to see whether or not those new judges wreck American Idol?
What do you think? Does this fall season seem particularly unappealing to you, or is it just that you’d rather stick with shows you know?
Follow: @kentucker
I have to say that the only new shows this season that I’ve started watching this season is Nikita and Raising Hope. And I’m starting to lose interest in Nikita as well. Raising Hope is still funny though. But everything else that I’m watching I already started in previous years. Fringe is my go to show! It just keeps getting better and better!
Hey Ken…were Glee and Modern Family instant hits? I don’t think they were. And even cult hits like Chuck took awhile. At least it wasn’t cancelled right away like Lone Star was.
Actually Glee and Modern Fam were hits when they came on! And i agree that Fringe is by far the best and most interesting show on tv
Actually Glee wasn’t an instant hit. That show bowed to a middling 5 to 7 million viewers when it premiered. It was only after the Emmy nominations and heavy, heavy promotion that Glee finally moved into hit territory. It took a full year for it to double it’s ratings.
Glee was definitely an instant hit that grew into a much much bigger hit. I disagree with Jo – by the time of the emmy’s, it was a mega-success that spawned several singles and albums appearing on the billboard charts and had already had a renewal for its THIRD season.
If I had any guess as to why there are no new phenomenon’s this year in television, it’s just that sometimes you can deal with a lot of new shows, and sometimes you can’t. I think most years of a lot of new “hits” are followed by years without many.
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@Ethan — you’ve missed Jo’s point. I think the poster is talking specifically ratings…you are talking about a different kind of success. When Glee first premiered, it was done so at the odd time in the TV season, to give people a taste of the show. The pilot didn’t get stellar ratings. Then there was heavy promotion by Fox. Fox renewed the show for two seasons, but only after it was comfortable with the ratings and business decision to keep such a unique show on the air.
Yes, Glee took some time to build up viewers but 7 million viewers is too not bad, it would still probably qualify it as an instant hit. And Modern Family was an instant hit.
I like The Defenders with Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell. Has a good mix of humor and drama within their lawyers-driven show based in Las Vegas. But I think that last season had so many good freshman shows (many got nominated for Emmys–Modern Family won for best comedy) that it’s really hard to top it with this year’s set of new shows. And there are far too many Lost copycats.
Modern Family was in the top 20 most of last season. And it continued to build in momentum all season which led to its Emmy win. I think when Glee’s cast constantly sang some familiar pop hits as the season went on (and did soundtrack albums), the show increased in its ratings. When it got those multiple Emmy nominations and had those Madonna / Britney Spears shows, that really took them over the top.
Is No Ordinary Family amazing? Not yet, but it’s the best bet of the new network shows this fall, its funny and addictive, and the only new show I can’t wait to see next week. It doesn’t quite feel like anything else on television, It doesn’t try as hard as Heroes, so it can’t fall as hard. It’s just…fun I guess. Hopefully it’s one that will stick around for a while.
I like this show so far, but one thing really irks me. Super-fast mother is trying to keep her and her families powers secret, yet she and her assisstant walk around work talking about ‘your powers’ in normal voices in full offices and hallways. And yes, it is getting better as it balances it’s light with its dark sides (Josh Stewart is awesome). I too hope that this show sticks around. I wanna see just how evil Stephen Collins’ (Rev. Eric Camden from Seventh Heaven) character actually is.
Yeah, No Ordinary Family is a fun show, but it’s a bit underwhelming. It’s basically a smaller scale version of Heroes (which I miss dearly), and so far not as exciting as that show’s first two seasons. It’s been done before so I wouldnt be surprised if it does get canceled. Powers do not seem as realistic and fluid as in Heroes but not too over exaggerated and stylized like in Smallville
Very few, if any, come close to the to the “off season” hits; such as Justified, The Glades, Covert Affairs. Hesitate committing to any new broadcast shows for fear they’ll get yanked out. We like L&OLA, excellent ensemble and writing. We really like Blue Bloods and Outlaw, BUT they are on same nite, same time. We’ve been begging for quality programs for Friday nights, so we get two at same time. It’s ridiculous! If they would provide different genres of shows in each time slot, it would be a win – win for everybody! We are big fans of Chiklis and Benz, so we checked out No Ordinary Family. So far, so good! We like Alex McLoughlin and Scott Caan. Alex was in two good series before Hawaii5-0 that would have done well for 5-8 years if they had just been given a chance. We’re watching 5-0, but it’s getting iffy. Other than that, prime time is getting anemic! We’d rather watch cable show reruns…or turn it off…
Favorite Shows: Rubicon, The Closer, PBS Mystery
Still enjoy: Grey’s Anatomy, Glee, CI with Goren & Eames
Am giving The Event a chance
Still miss: Men In Trees, FlashForward
Agree, calistoga. I really enjoyed Covert Affairs this summer and I wasn’t expecting that. I remember Leverage started off-season and that’s quickly become one of my favorites.
As for the new season and new series, I have Blue Bloods, Nikita and Hawaii Five-O on season pass. I’m enjoying them but wouldn’t be hearbroken if they disappeared. Ordinarily, I don’t like cop/procedural shows but Blue Blood has a nice family element added and 5-O has a great looking cast and scenery. Tried Undercovers. JJ Abrams is just not doing it for me with this one. The spies catering business doesn’t seem to be well-integrated into the show and the missions are lame. Very different than the amazing first 2 seasons of Alias. I only made through one episode of Outlaw and pretty much the same for The Whole Truth.
Other posters are right, however; it does take awhile for some shows to build. I stuck with Mad Men and that’s certainly paid off, but the first couple of episodes in season 1 made me very uncomfortable and I wasn’t sure I’d stick with it but am so glad I did. Took me a bit to get into Big Bang, Chuck and Community, but now I enjoy all 3. Don’t usually watch any of them live, but I get to them at some point during the week.
I was also going to say that I often avoid new shows because so much stuff gets canceled, especially the one hour dramas.
@Reason: my sentiments exactly! I purposely did not pick a lot of new shows to watch because of cancel happy execs at ALL the networks. It is always easier to watch new things on cable because those networks will at least commit to a full season or more before they cancel anything.
@Ncdrew – When I referred to “off-season” hits, I was just noting new entry hits. Forgot to mention Nikita, didn’t I? My other fave shows Bones, Leverage, White Collar, Mentalist, Castle, both NCIS’s, and will kick myself when remember 2-3 more. We agree on BlueBloods, but give Outlaw a closer look. Smits character is so complex plus good writing, I look forward to more of it. My guilty pleasures are Idol, AGT, and SYTYCD!
@elr – Totally agree. The one-hour dramas on cable are our best bet!!! The games the broadcast stations play with pilots & short series is an insult to us, the consumers to their cherished sponsors. For years, we’ve known and have been telling them this. I think they are starting to believe us, but now overreacting with their hasty cancellations!!
The cable shows are just — better. None of new season shows is anywhere near the caliber of Covert Affairs, Justified, White Collar, Burn Notice and the sadly canceled Saving Grace. I love how USANetwork says their shows are character driven, and I couldn’t agree more. I love the cable dramas because the characters have depth, complexity and exist on an excellently drawn canvass. I’ll still tape and watch the reality shows and maybe NCIS, but that’s it.
@reason I agree also: I used to give every show one chance to impress me but now I choose only one new show to watch every fall. This fall it is ‘The Event’. I am tired of investing time into a show only to see it get canned and have no chance for closure.
Gave up on fall new shows, except Terriers, which is on cable, and maybe Chase. But too risky anymore to get involved and then have shows cancelled. LOVE cable shows—Justified, Saving Grace (may she rest in peace), Royal Pains, The Glades, Burn Notice, In Plain Sight, Covert Affairs, Rizzoli and Isles….Still love Bones, House, NCIS’s, Fringe….Am I the only one that absolutely loves The Good Guys on Fox??? I have laughed at each and every episode!!! I love my TV, just not how the networks run TV anymore. But you can’t blame them totally. They have to make money…and when you are paying a schmuck like Charlie Sheen millions per episide??? They have to make that money somehow. Oh, and GLEE Rules!!
I look forward to all of the shows that have come out this season as well as the tried and true. I love the three CSI’s. I look forward to watching which federal villian the chase crew will go after next. I love the reborn Hawaii 5-0. the Criminal Minds, the Law and orders, NCIS both of them. I do admit there are some strange shows out there such as the Event. But as I have told my friends give them time. I am very diapointed in the networks for dropping some shows that I thought were terrific such as Miami Medical. I think that these people need to get a life and just let us watch shows that allow us to escape from our lives and be entertained.
@ScottPeterson – THE scott peterson??? LOL Totally agree with you about Miami Medical with Jeremy Northam. Everything was perfect about this one. We were settling back ready to enjoy it for YEARS!!! POOF! GONE!
Cool! That’s a celvre way of looking at it!
Best new show this year is–hands down–Rubicon. And, unfortunately, not that many people are watching, so it might not get renewed even on AMC.
Ken Tucker wrote a nice piece on it a couple of weeks ago, but hasn’t followed up.
Beyond Rubicon, I find “The Event” to be excellent popcorn fare. I liked Lone Star–the two episodes before it got canned. The rest, I could take or, mostly, leave.
Am in total agreement — Rubicon has been great! Sadly, it’s sorta like The Wire, where if you aren’t paying attention, you’ll get lost.
Is noone else loving ‘Chase’ I love it, yeah it might be generic but i love a good old tough girl with a soft heart kicking some ass and having daddy issues all at once, on top of that brill supporting cast, a new potential romance and amazing guest stars!
I love chase, it is the only show I have committed to watching alongside Raising Hope which is also fantastic. Personally I would rather watch Chase than DWTS anyday, but up against Castle and Hawaii 5-0 its drowning, it needs a new timeslot and fast.
I too love Chase and can only hope they give it a chance to build an audience (or, as suggested by Robyn, give it a new time slot. I’m also enjoying The Defenders (much better than I expected) and would have continued watching Lone Star had they given it a chance.
Chase is horrible. I watched the first two episodes and thought the writing was so weak it could have been done by a high school drama club.
I say bring Pushing Daisies back! It was fun and entertaining! It had good ratings and they still cancelled it, it didn’t even get a chance to wrap the story. Or even last years Eastwick had better ratings than my generation and still they don’t let the show grow!
Fringe and Supernatural have my loyalty. Of the new shows, I’ve kept up with The Event and PVRed every Hawaii 5-O, but they aren’t my priorities. I think this is a really terrible year for new shows. Most of them lack imagination.
Spot on
Totally lame season.
Outsourced is absolutely brainless and offensive.
Good decision to shelve Parks and Recreation, wasnt it NBC?
It’s not offensive. You’re probably one of the people who calls everything offensive when you haven’t even seen it.
@A- even if it isn’t offensive I still bet it’s no where near as amazing as Parks and Rec.
Yeah, unless you’re just going to argue that having a call center staffed with Indians is offensive, it’s really not offensive at all. It’s not great, either, but that’s an entirely different issue.
The pilot was kinda bad but the last two (?) shows have been pretty funny.
I agree, Tracy, it’s not as amazing as Parks and Recreation. But it’s a decent comedy and it’s just annoying to hear people say it’s offensive when it so clearly is not. It’s obvious the people making those comments have not even seen a minute of the show.
@MCS, Trust me I would love to hate on NBC for shelving Parks and Rec, but I believe Amy Pohler’s pregnancy was the reason it moved to midseason.
It is a horribly offensive show.
@A, and you’re probably one of those people who have never met an actual Indian person in your entire life, and thus fail to see the ridculous stereoptypes that make up the entire “comedy” of this show because you think that’s what Indian people are really like.
I really enjoy Outsourced, I think it’s very well done so far.
Nice judgments, Erin. FYI, there are A LOT of Indians in my graduate program, some of them I am good friends with, and guess what? They’ve seen the show and thought it was funny. So take your condescending attitude elsewhere.
Now let me have my try at judging you: you’re probably one of those people who is always offended for other groups of people even when said group is not offended themselves.
I’m sorry, A, how DARE I question the self-declared God of proclaiming all things offensive or not? If YOU don’t find it offensive, then clearly it’s not, of course, becuase your opinion is fact, right?
Im indian and didnt find it offensive at all. My parents and grandparents loved it too! Most indians are just happy for the attention. Its great!
Erin, you are just marvelous at reading comprehension. Really, you are.
I can make the same comment directed at you. If YOU find it offensive, then clearly it is, right? Because your opinion is fact, right?
I know several Indians who aren’t offended by the show. Do you personally know Indians who ARE offended by the show?
Now, why don’t you go off and grow up a bit.
And to Shannon, thank you for giving an opinion that has some credibility.
I’m thoroughly enjoying Outsourced & I’m not normally a sitcom person. There is a likability is almost every character on that show. I suspect it won’t stick around, but I’m going to enjoy it while it does. (For what it’s worth, I think most people know better than to assume sitcom characters are an accurate representation of real life… It’s comedy people.)
Not offensive, just boring. Kind of like how I feel about Parks and Recreation.
I don’t see a problem with this year’s shows. I have some favorites. I learned not to listen to critics…especially with that whole Lone Star fiasco. Every critic said it was fantastic. Well, no it wasn’t.
Does everyone remember that Parks and Rec took some time to find it’s stride? Let’s see how Outsourced goes. I agree the last two episodes show promise.
And cult faves like Chuck with it’s 5 million viewers don’t make money for the networks. So this years shows may not be so bad. These new shows may not be hits right out of the gate, but give em time.
Wait Trish, Lone Star was fantastic. You were too busy believing the tabloids and watching DWTS or believing the hype and watching The Event to notice.
I, for one, am liking the new season. It’s just different times. you can’t expect all your coworkers to like something like “Raising Hope” b/c the humor is pretty specific. The good shows have a niche audience. The days where all of America comes home to watch MASH are gone.
Wait Eric, Trish is correct. Lone Star wasn’t very good. I do not read the tabloids, watch DWTS or The Event. I did watch the 1st episode of Lone Star and it was BAD.
Out of all the new shows, strangely enough, my favorite is Better With You. And I’m not much for procedural comedies, but I laugh a lot every week. Great great cast.
I also like Better With You. But like most shows these days, if my DVR didn’t pick it up I’d miss it.
Better With You!! Thanks for mentioning that!! Frankly, I like it better than what follows it, Cougar Town. Better With You is a fun light comedy that doesn’t seem is re-hashed or mean as Cougar Town can be.
I love Detroit 187 – excellent acting and great stories fantastic
I like it, too. I’m surprised that it’s barely getting mentioned.
I was just about to comment on how strange it is that it’s not getting any press. Love Detroit 1-8-7 and think it deserves some more attention!
It reminds me of Homocide, which is a good thing.
I like Detroit 187 also! The fact that nobody is saying much about it worries me though. It’s like a cross between Homicide and NYPD Blue. I’m not usually into cop shows, but I love Homicide and this show too. I actually like Blue Bloods too, but I think Detroit 187 is better. Hope it stays for a while!
I agree. It’s a great show with amazing acting. I wish it got more attention.
Ditto
Hi. I’m reviewing your Just Spring book and wtnaed to download the examples from o’reilly. Do you have a zipped version of the example directory? At present, they’re only offered to be downloaded a file at a time, which is rather painful and time-consuming. Thanks, Ken
I love it too!!! I love The Good Wife still, but now I watch Detroit 1-8-7 first and The Good Wife on the internet.
Agreed. I’m absolutely hooked on Detroit 1-8-7. Haven’t really gotten into anything else new this season but this one I love. Great characters and keeps getting better each episode. Hope ABC gives it a chance.
I’m waiting on Detriot 187. It looks great and I’m a huge fan of Imperioli, but ABC always cancels great shows that I really like. Same reason I waited 1-1/2 seasons with Castle before I started watching. I don’t want to get hooked and have ABC pull the rug out from under me.
I really enjoy Detroit 187 also, but as someone who lives just outside of Detroit I was kind of worried that it’s only people from the area who like it for the novelty of seeing places they know on TV and that no one from outside of Michigan would be watching. :-/
The new shows I’m hooked on are H50 and Raising Hope.
LOVE LOVE Hawaii Five O. Hoping it lasts for awhile.
Sure, it fits more of the 80s/90s procedural that’s not “Viewer Discretion Advised” material, but I like that good shows are coming back off the edge like 24, CSI, and others have been.
so is pete stewart done chsniag fame and fortune while forsaking the lord in favor of those efforts? or are we as fans and listeners going to be bludgeoned by his blogs and rants about this and that again like with the accident experiment? i used to love grammatrain, but i’m tenative to listen to them again, especially if he intends to act the way he was.
Pretty cool post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wtnead to saythat I have really enjoyed reading your posts. In any caseI’ll be subscribing to your blog and I hope you post again soon!
Maybe people don’t get as excited as they used to because they’re sick of shows getting built up so far by the media that they can’t possibly live up to the expectations (Flash Forward). That being said; I love Hawaii 5-0, and I hope it’s sticking around for awhile, too.
Big Hawaii 5-0 fan…ive actually told many of my friends and family to watch and now there hooked. The other new show ive been keeping an eye on is Nikita. Nothing else caught my interest. The Event is no Lost.
Big Hawaii 5-0 fan…ive actually told many of my friends and family to watch and now there hooked. The other new show ive been keeping an eye on is Nikita. Nothing else caught my interest. The Event is no Lost.
Right there with ya on H50 – but I’ll admit the draw for me was Alex *thud* O’Loughlin. Too bad his show, “Moonlight” didn’t stay, because it’s way better than that kiddie pablum, “Vampire Diaries, and the “Twilight” films.
Moonlight is entertaining, but it is not better than Vampire Diaries. That’s just crazy talk.
Moonlight was a hot mess and very very boring.
i could never get into moonlight even though i loved the concept.
I actually like O’Loughlin better in 5-O than I did in Moonlight, which I never got into.
“Moonlight” was to “Angel’ what “FlashForward” was to “Lost.”
Moonlight was an Angel wanna be, and never even came close
Brett, your analogy was right on. maybe the moonlight fans never watched angel
Liked Moonlight. Vampire Diaries is for teen girls. Saw the first show and it looked horribly derivative. But very attractive young cast, so I can see how it would appeal to some.
Moonlight was nothing like Angel, and never tried to be. Completely different premise, and completely different vampires.
One important thing for me is that these two shows do not have scheduling conflicts with other shows that I like to watch. I only have a two-tuner DVR. I couldn’t even try Lonestar since I already had two shows that I watched at this time.
Don’t make excuses, you could have watched Lone Star online.
Not if Kim’s server is like mine. It would prob. take double the time to watch it online.
I resent the Hellcats comment lol I love that show… It might not be groundbreaking television but to put it in the same category as $%!^ my dad says? No.
Me too. Hellcats is awesome!
Hellcats is the favorite new show in my house too!
Hellcats is a fun show (and the cute girls don’t hurt!)
Who knew Ashley Tisdale could act?
Thank you! I was wondering why Hellcats is getting so much hate. Sure, it’s not television that makes you think, but it’s fun, and there is some actual acting talent in the cast.
Hellcats has become my guilty pleasure, surprisingly. Also, is anyone else seeing shades of Buffy era Sarah Michelle Gellar in Ashley Tisdale’s performance? Pleasant surprise.
SMG was AWESOME in BTVS! How dare you compare Ashley to her? Because Buffy was once a cheerleader? Pretty lame comparison, if you ask me. Joss Whedon would never have done a show remotely like Hellcats.
I tried Hellcats – in the first ep when the one girl said she didn’t vote for her and it was obvious that the other two had to have agreed; the blond said ‘I voted for you’ and the girl said ‘really?’ – I turned the show off. How can a college student not figure this out?!
Definitely on board with Hellcats, I wasn’t expecting much but it is good and has so much more potential. Actually that is the only new show I am watching, I tried The Event and it was bad, is trying too hard to be different, bring back FlashForward!
You’re kidding, right? It has some of the worst acting I’ve seen in a while. Ad I’ve seen a lot of CW shows.
Don’t trash Hellcats as “mediocre.” It is well written and acted. There is much more substance than I would have expected and I never miss it.
It’s not a deep groundbreaking show, but it’s not supposed to be. It’s just fun!
Hey, that’s the greaetts! So with ll this brain power AWHFY?
Yes fall tv has failed us. I watch Hawaii Five-O but I wouldn’t throw my remote at the DVR if it didn’t record it. The last two episodes of Undercovers are still on my DVR unwatched. Nikita is lacking chemistry between its leading cast, even though I like Maggie Q. I am more interested in my Grey’s, Smallville, and Bones than most of the new shows. The old shows have revitalized themselves this season so I don’t really have an incentive to add new ones.
I totally agree with this. I’m surprised that Tucker didn’t many how alot of shows that have been on TV for years have suddenly revitalized. I’m more excited for older shows than anything else thats new.
But I think that is Ken’s point…that we are all sustaining shows from last year and/or continue watching old favs. What hasn’t come forward this season is a new bonafide hit.
well we are invested in the older ones. Even when they are going through a slump, we still watch.
agreed. i didn’t think i’d say it this season, but i gotta say ‘grey’s anatomy’ is actually pretty good! it seems to be getting back on track to where it was in the beginning – i’m especially enjoying the relationship between mer and cristina.
I’m the same with Five-O and Nikita. I could watch or not, doesn’t matter much to me. Heck, I can barely get excited about the shows I’m invested in, but I still watch because well…I’m invested. (Except for Fringe. I caught and realized I was an idiot for not keeping up last season and now I’m re-dedicated to it.) I’m having better luck Netflix-ing old shows. I tried Buffy the Vampire Slayer and that turned out to extremely rewarding, so I’m thinking I’ll just check out other completed shows I’m interested in.
Try out Jack & Bobby, Roswell, and Nip Tuck. Great shows like Buffy, and you can stream them on netflix.
If you liked Buffy definitely try Angel and Firefly. I miss Joss Whedon shows!
i use to watch fringe, but give up near end of season with botch schedule ,not knowing when new episodes would air, rumors of cancellation, got s1 , still havent watched the last 5episodes of it, and look now its in its third season,looking to acquire s2 soon ,hopefully to watch it at my leisure one rainy sunday afternoon when i have no internet coz i didnt pay the bill, lol..
I finally caught up with Supernatural, I love the switch to Fri after Smallville. I’m also catching up with shows like Parks & Rec, Modern Family and Parenthood that I didn’t get a chance to watch before.
Running Wilde left my DVR queue after half an episode… disappointing.
I wanted to like Nikita but as with so many shows,(Dollhouse for example) they have a great premise but move away from it from the get go. I could have watched 2 seasons of Nikita, where she actually works for the Gov’t instead of against it, on special missions before she “escapes”. Maggie Q is almost a supporting character on that show.
I agree I think if they had done at least 1 season with her working for the gov’t then went to this season I would like it. It’s this whole thing about how’s she’s trying to bring them down, but it doesn’t mean anything. It’s like starting to watch a series in the middle, and I think that’s why I’m having issues staying interested.
I gave a lot of new shows a try, I really did. But like you said, nothing has really got me hooked. During premiere week, I gave Lone Star, My Generation, Undercovers, Better With You, Bleep My Dad Says, Raising Hope, and No Ordinary Family a shot.
Sticking with No Ordinary Family, Raising Hope, and Better With You, but that’s it. And none of them are my new favorite show either.
Maybe this means we’ll get some better shows mid-season after half of the fall season shows have been canceled?
Here’s the deal:
The big shows in the 2000s: 24, Lost, Grey’s, Desperate Housewives, CSI, House, Fringe, etc. ALL thrived on pushing the envelope and maxing out on shock value that we as viewing audiences haven’t yet fully experienced.
Now that that’s happened, the American viewing audience has become cynicized, expecting anything and everything to happen and stating that it wasn’t original (hence the failure of Lone Star & My Generation – same old try to be shocking).
I think America is ready to revert back to laid back, fun TV. So DWTS & Idol will continue to succeed. This is also why Hawaii Five O is taking off. Not so serious, fun yet keeps you intrigued. It’s not as critically acclaimed because it doesn’t require you to watch from week to week or miss the story.
Good take. I agree 100%
i think thats part of it. the other part is networks keep canceling shows before they have a chance to grow an audience so viewers are less likely to give shows a try that they think might get cancelled because they don’t want to invest time in a show that may be pulled out from under them.
I think that’s also why Crap My Dad Says is doing okay. It’s like eating meatloaf–it’s nothing fantastic, but after a long day at work, if it’s on the table and doesn’t require too much thought, why not?
My husband is watching Crap my Dad Says so by default (tiny NYC apt) I have to watch it. It is so f-ing stupid. I have never seen anything so dumb in my life. It makes 2 1/2 Men look brilliant. I dread Thursdays now- used to be my favorite TV night.
Sorry, had to get that out. I am going to start going out again on Thursday nights with the kids from my office.
diggity—your comment is hysterical. even if it’s true. def made me laugh on a monday morning.
Good point — I think that’s why the USA Network shows like White Collar and Psych do relatively well.
I agree with sd. Until I know a show will be around for a while, I don’t want to get too invested in it. Why should I if they’ll just yank it off the air?
“Crap My Dad Says’ is doing alright for the principal reason that William Shatner is a likable, watchable performer with good comic timing, and the writing’s on a par with most situation comedies. I’ll take this show over critical darlings like “30 Rock,” “The Office,” or “Parks & Recreation,” none of which I’ve found especially entertaining.
I have ended up watching Crap my Dad Says simply because it follows Big Band Theory. Big Bang is so well written, it is hilarious. Crap… has some good actors – I wish the writing would improve to give them better material.
That’s 2 cleevr by half and 2×2 clever 4 me. Thanks!
I watched most of the new fall shows and found alot of violence and no morals on them like: The Event, Lonestar, H5O, etc. I still like Dancing with the Stars, Desperate Housewives, Rescue Me, Bros & Sis, Tudors, Chuck, Eureka, Stargate U, Being Erica, Mad Men, Grey’s, Private Practice, Survivor, Parenthood, Modern Family, The Middle… The new shows I like are: Defenders, Blue Bloods, Mike & Molly, Shit My Dad Says, Raising Hope, Running Wilde, and Outsourced . I started liking My Generation, but it got cancelled after 2 shows! I liked Christine & Til Death, but they were cancelled. I still watch too much tv, but it is mainly entertaining.
You only want to watch TV shows that advocate morals that you believe in, and yet you’re a fan of Desperate Housewifes? Why on earth would you watch that? There’s barely any one character on there that is a good role model, even the heroic types have committed some of the deadly sins. (adultery, murder etc.)
I don’t think you should look to TV for moral guidance. Sure, it should influence what shows you let your children watch, but it isn’t intended to be a guide on how to live your life. It’s fiction!
Try Hellcats, it’s good.
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There is only one new show that I fell hard for this season and it wasn’t on the major networks. Terriers is hands down the best new show this season, and yes I am including Boardwalk Empire which personally I find a bit over-rated. The rest could drop off the airwaves tomorrow and I wouldn’t care. I’ve already given up on Nikita and Undercovers. A few others are on thin ice, including the uneventful The Event, the Whole Truth which turned Rob Morrow into an obnoxious man-child and Hawaii Five-O which degrades Grace Park’s character further each week as she has no purpose other then the damsel in distress or as T & A. Sadly it seems to be just me and a handful of others watching Terriers and I doubt it will get a second season, heck it might not even finish up this one.
I had the first few episodes of Terriers on the DVR, and finally started watching from the start this weekend… and I was almost shocked how great that show is. First cop/PI show I’ve really liked since Life After Mars.
I love Terriers. I started watching it on a whim because it had Michael Raymond-James from True Blood, but I keep coming back for Donal Logue. He’s freakin’ amazing in this show.
I totally agree with Foresha! Terriers is a GREAT show that will probably get axed because it was not promoted by FX. Now FX is in dispute with Dish Network so they pulled programs but I still pay to watch TERRIERS.
Completely agree! I didn’t even know it was coming on because it got very little or no mention in the press. I stumbled on a review of the first ep on another site and figured I’d give it a shot, mainly because I adore the two leads. I was pleasantly surprised by how great it is. Writing, stories and acting are all top-notch. Well done, FX!
I love watching this show. Good acting and decently written with a nice cast. And as stated before, better than several of the other “cop” shows.
The only thing I find is FX doesn’t really give their programming much promotion outside of the channel. I’m also excited that Archer is coming back in Jan. So obnoxiously funny!
Agree – fav new show!
I wish you had not forced me to come out like this. I etsdet celebrity. It distracts from fame. But if you must know, I am basing a character on a composite of various bloggers and have been reading your blog. There. That is all I will reveal until de-lurking day next year.
I know my dad/stepmom are loving it, so that is 2 more for ya! I would check it out but no cable.
I’m not much for cop/PI shows – so many, for so long – but Terriers is altogether different. Crackling dialogue, unexpected but plausible plot turns, and remarkable performances from EVERYONE help make it the best of the new bunch. I think you’re a bit premature with your dismissal of The Event, though. Still too early to tell on that one.
Sounds like someone hasn’t been watching “5-O.” Grace Park was subduing suspects and helped track a stolen Mercedes with her laptop while she was stopped on the highway on this past Monday’s episode.
Yeah, I tried a few shows but the only one I’ve kept watching is Raising Hope. I also liked Lone Star a lot, but we all know how that ended
This season has been disappointing
Actually, yes, I have gotten DVRs for Event, Hawaii Five-O, Blue Bloods, No Ordinary Family, L&O LA and Nikia. But I agree, the networks seem to be going too safe this season. The one exception was Fox taking a chance on a show like Lone Star with an antihero vibe more fitting for cable only to have no one watch it. Some years you just miss out but still good stuff out there.
This tv season sucks! I’d rather watch Lost on dvd anyday. I MISS LOST!!!
I love how all the critics were standoffish about acknowledging the groundbreaking nature and huge pop cultural impact of Lost when it ended. Oh, the ending was too controversial, Lost doesn’t deserve an Emmy for it’s final season, we heart Mad Men and it’s overrated period piece drama, blah blah blah. And now they’re all, well, this new show is no Lost, Lost did this kind of thing so well and it’s damn near impossible to reproduce such a phenomenon…. The Lost fans could have told you that, if you weren’t too busy poo poohing the show. There will never be a show of it’s type again.
Scratch that last sentence- there will be shows that TRY to be everything Lost was, a blend of time bending storytelling, complex canvas of character arcs, sci fi, action and existential exposition, but I doubt there will be one that actually succeeds as well. Although hope springs eternal.
I agree with everything you said. Lost had this magic that none of it’s copycats could ever reproduce, but they’ll keep trying.
I agree with this sentiment in general. And not only Lost but Battlestar Galactica and 24 to a lesser degree. The truth is we really lost some quality shows over the past year. Some of that you just can’t make up for. Probably ever, definitely not right away.
I was disappointed that ABC only gave “My Generation” two episodes before canceling it. The show would have done better if it wasn’t scheduled opposite NBC’s Thursday night block of comedies.
NBC’s comedies?? The 8:00 hour on NBC is just about as low rated as My Generation. It got its @ss kicked by big bang theory and bones!!
Community is very funny,but it’s up against Big Bang Theory,another funny show.I usually watch one at 8 then watch the other one on my dvr at 8:30.
Walking in the presence of giants here. Cool thinnikg all around!
Umm, don’t blame My Generation’s weak rating on NBC comedies, which are low rated themselves.
Its almost clinartey the graphics card and I wouldn’t mind betting its an ATI card.When it comes to Linux Nvidia cards have much better support, however I do have an ATI successfully running on one of my Ubuntu boxes, using the generic drivers.But if its working well on your other box, then thats the problem.LUg.Mac user since 2000.
Started grad school this fall so didn’t want to invest in any new shows. Only one I seriously might have watched was The Event.
Am mad that Outsourced is on Thursday nights and Parks and Recreation won’t be back until January.
Only thing “new” I’m excited about is The zombie series coming to AMC, Parks’ return in January, and the long-awaited return of Danny McBride’s EASTBOUND AND DOWN (LOVE IT!!!!)
Also, am very much looking forward to CONAN next month.
You’re my twin. I would trade all of this fall TV for Parks to come back earlier. (but Raising Hope is awesome, and I hope it sticks around for a while. it’s got it…it being awesomesauce martha plimpton and the most unique comedy timing)
The Walking Dead is going to be AMAZING (I hope)
Hell yeah. (I hope)
Right now Smallville, Fringe, and Supernatural are the only must-see TV on network stations. Otherwise, there’s Boardwalk Empire, which I love more and more every week, Dexter, hell even Haven on SciFi.
The only reason pelpoe think that Idina Menzel was the best was because she was the original, and that’s how pelpoe know the show/role. All of them are good, otherwise they wouldn’t be on Broadway.
As a Christian, I believe I’m to be ereparpd to meet my Maker at any moment, not that I’m a pessimist. As a Minister of the Gospel, in your personal beliefs, do you believe that the end of the world is coming in 2012 and that we Christians should prepare for the true ‘end’ rather than be seeking places to “ride out the storm” as lots of other folks seem to be doing? The consensus seems to be that the end of the world, ‘as we know it’ is coming, but we just need to survive it and adjust. Do you believe we’re going to have any options?
I am liking the fun not-so-serious Hawaii 5-0. My husband is liking the new L&O, Detroit 187, Defenders, Outlaw and Blue Bloods
The Event and Chase were a dissapointment.
Don’t get HBO, if we did I would add Boardwalk Empire.
I like Hawaii 5-0 too, and started watching it only because Daniel Dae Kim from Lost is in it… but I’ve grown to kind of like it. I also like Detroit 187 and the Defenders.
I do like Raising Hope, H50, and Blue Bloods, but that’s about it. I liked Lonestar, but oh well with that!
I agree with you, and I also like The Defenders. I am disappointed that Lonestar was cancelled so quickly. I was interested in it and wanted to see where it was going.