I Just Read About That…

The new Fall TV season is pretty much underway.  It brings back a lot of old favorites, as well as a few new series that we’re going to check out.

How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
Started off with a bang.  But I can’t see how the series can last another season after this one (we’re already really close to meeting their mother).

Mike & Molly (CBS)
I’m really happy that Sookie from The Gilmore Girls got a new show.  But, man, the pilot was bad.  We’re so used to watching shows with no laughter at all that this show’s laugh track was painful.  There’s even a spot where a particularly unfunny joke was told and you could actually hear the laugh track just stop, not fade out.  Reviews said the pilot was bad but that it got better.  We’ll give it another watch, but I’m not holding out hopes.  I mean, how many fat jokes can one show make?  The second episode pulled out every sitcom trope in the history of TV.  It was bad.  But the characters are compelling (and the lead actors are strong, so I hope it gets better.  We’ll give them one more shot.

Chuck (NBC)
We were very excited for the return of this show.  It did not disappoint, although things have changed enough that it will take some getting used to the new dynamics.  Hooray for the Buy More!

We will not be watching The Event.

Glee (FOX)
I’m a little disappointed that the show is turning into a guest-spot central. (And really you’re trying to sell me that Britney Spears’ appearance is going to be a bigger episode than the Madonna or Lady Gaga one?  In the first episode, I liked the new girl they introduced better than just about anyone else on the show (and it appears she will not be on anymore?)  And, it continues to defy any logic of the real world, but I guess I’ll have to get over that.  I’m delighted with the extra screen time for Britanny (and man she puts everyone else on the show to shame with her moves).

Running Wilde (FOX)
The folks from Arrested Development get yet another show on Fox, which will certainly be canceled regardless of its quality.  Why do I hurt myself by getting involved with these shows that are doomed.  Despite some negative press, the show was very funny (and a couple of AD shoutouts were much appreciated). I could watch David Cross and Will Arnett shout at each other for 20 minutes.  Entertainment Weekly seems to hate this show, but I thought episode 2 was weirdly enjoyable.  I have high hopes for this one.

Parenthood (NBC)
It’s weird that they’ve sped up the Dylan song at the beginning to fit more characters into the credits.
What I like about this show is that most of the characters are unlikable at some point or another, which makes for a reasonably realistic portrayal of life.  In fact as I try to think of my favorite character, I don’t know that I have one.  But Lauren Graham is always awesome (even if she always plays the same character) and Peter Krause is solid.  (Although  his wife on the show my be too far along the “unlikable” scale).

We were both amazed that Life, Unexpected was still on the air.

Better with You (ABC)
Another pilot that we’d heard good things about.  This is a pretty traditional sitcom (replacing The New Adventures of Old Christine in our traditional sitcom line up).  I don’t really like trad sitcoms but this one had excellent timing (and Kitty from That 70s Show!).  The pilot episode made me laugh a lot more than I expected.  And episode two, despite so many conventional sitcom tropes, was also pretty good.  High hopes for this one, too.

Modern Family (ABC)
Happy to see it got the recognition it deserved.  The first episode was very strong.  Lets hope the success doesn’t go to their heads!

America’s Next Top Model (CW)
I dislike this show more and more each season.  We’ve gotten it down to about 10 minutes with FFwding.

The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Not sure why they changed the day it’s on.  Why does everyone think that Thursday is the big night?  And sadly, it will no doubt kill off Community.   I’m also bummed that “Bazinga” is apparently the show’s catch phrase, now.  But the writing and acting are sharp and I get more laughs from this than just about anything else.

Community (NBC)
This has rapidly become the show I look forward to the most.  Troy and Abed are great together, and although this show is in no way reflective of a real community college, it’s a delightfully absurd highlight of the week.

30 Rock (NBC)
Despite the rest of the world, I just don’t think 30 Rock is all that. The show seems so proud of itself and so insider that I feel like I ‘m supposed to be impressed with how clever they are.  And enough with the guest stars!  But it does have its moments of genius.

The Office (NBC)
With Michael Scott leaving at the end of t he year, this season promises to push some nonsense.  I’m quite excited.  The second episode was really great in terms of  things actually happening (the Pam as Office Manager plot was fantastic).

Outsourced (NBC)
I can’t decide if this show is really dreadful or just trying to find its footing.  It’s also funny how similar it is to The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.  The Indian jokes were fewer in Episode Two, which is good, and which will hopefully lead to a group of characters, not just a group of stereotypes.  I suspect it will get canceled before that can happen though.

Project Runway (Lifetime)
I love Mondo.  I hate the 90 minute format.  The seriously last thing I wanted from this show was more talking from narcissists.  Stop miking them during the runway show, please. And enough with the chat sessions on the couch.  Don’t these people get enough air time as it is?  Next season, bring us back to 60 minutes, or give us more Tim.

And speaking of cable, we never caught up with Mad Men this summer (so we’re still in Season One).  We brought home Breaking Bad but still haven’t watched it yet.

We’re very much looking forward to another David Cross/Will Arnett pairing on The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret.  The first episode was very broad, but really funny.

Some very successful summer shows that are just ending:
Tosh.0, which we loved.

Warehouse 13 which was quite enjoyable for a SyFy (really?  you haven’t gone back to the far more sensible SciFi?) original show.  The effects were often embarrassing and it was amusing trying to see who the actors were not (he looks just like…, oh and she looks just like), but it had strong writing and good suspense.

2010 has promise.  Fewer in quantity (which is good for more free time), but hopefully better in quality!