2013 has been cruel to TV that I like. Between the shows that have been cancelled and the shows that are ending, there’s not much to look forward to for the Spring. Ben and Kate is gone, the US version of The Inbetweeners is gone, Don’t Trust the B—- is done (but we had stopped watching anyhow), 30 Rock is done, The Office is finishing up, Parenthood & Bunheads have budget issues which means there is some amount of question about their future and The Mindy Show is awful.
And yet, after that introduction, it’s not like there’s nothing on.
So here’s what’s on our schedule as February draws to a close. I never bothered to tally shows by network before but let’s see:
NBC: 4 FOX: 3 CBS: 3 Comedy Central: 2 FX: 2 PBS: 2 ABC: 1 Lifetime: 1 SyFy: 1 IFC: 1
The Simpsons (FOX)
Critics are pretty critical of this show, and yet I still think it’s sharp. They seems to be out of the parody phase and back into storytelling. There’s always a few jokes that make me laugh out loud, and very few episodes that I would say are disappointing.
Bob’s Burgers (FOX)
Bob’s Burgers continues to thrill me with how funny it is. There’s some outrageousness, but it’s mostly a funny show about a family. And all of the voices are perfect, I wouldn’t change a thing.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS)
HIMYM is back for the last season next year. And I feel like this season has been kind of transitional. It definitely hasn’t been the best. Now that Barney is settling down the humor must necessarily go somewhere else, and that’ a shame. The Marshall Lily plotlines have thankfully strayed from the baby, so maybe they’ll be fun again. I really hope the show goes out with a bang. High five.
Elementary (CBS)
I’ve been really enjoying this show–the Sherlock Holmes thing is really solid and I like the character interactions.
New Girl (FOX)
New Girl is now my favorite comedy. Every character is great (Winston needs more meaty roles but he seems to be getting a little more lately). It is consistently funny and the actors have really come into their own.
Go On (NBC)
Go On is one of those shows that I like sometimes. I was sure I wouldn’t (call it the post-Friends curse), but when the show isn’t just about Matthew Perry I think it’s quite solid–it works better as an ensemble. Let’s see if they can do something more with it. Although I’m led to believe that ratings aren’t very good.
Tosh.0 (Comedy Central)
Tosh said it best the other night: This show is too cheap for Comedy Central not to make. Hard to believe but I feel like Tosh has run out of genuinely funny things to make fun of (who would have thought you could exhaust the internet?). He’s doing more skits and bits and they’re just not that funny. And yet we keep watching.
Workaholics (Comedy Central)
I fear that this season has not been as good as past seasons. Not sure what it is.
Modern Family (ABC)
A new baby is never a good sign for a TV show. I mean, look what Lily has done to it (man she’s a bad actress, what were they thinking?). But as long as the show sticks with Phil and his family as the man focus, all will be well.
Face Off (SyFy)
One of my favorite hours of TV these days. It is the best contest show going, showing real creativity and a real product at the end. There’s some amazing artists here.
Big Bang Theory (CBS)
The show has gotten back into a comfortable zone which I like–for a time, the Howard in Space plot wore itself thin, but things seem to be back on track, which is good. Although frankly I could easily see the Leonard/Penny romance ending–it’s just not that compelling or understandable–Sheldon’s assistant would have made an excellent girlfriend for him. Plus, you’d think by now Penny would have gotten Leonard to delayer in the house–he has on a shirt and two coats and she’s wearing a thin pajama top–temperature issues in this apt or what? I’m also happy that Raj is getting more screen time–let’s hope he gets more money for it too.
Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Still consistently funny and now its even gotten sweet!
The Office (NBC)
This is the final season for The Office. It’s time. The Jim/Pam storyline is an interesting twist this season. And I’m really not sure how they’re going to finalize it. The threatened Dwight spin-off has been nixed, but there are moments when I think it might have been interesting. I wonder what all the regulars will do when the show is over.
Community (NBC)
It’s back! Who would have imagined it would really come back. We’re all a bit gun shy about the show since Dan Harmon is no longer in charge. The show feels a little flat, but true fans that we are we are waiting for it to get its sea legs back.
Project Runway (Lifetime)
I care less and less about the show. Which is weird because the show itself doesn’t really change–maybe that’s the problem.
Archer (FX)
Oh my do I love this show. This season’s Bob’s Burgers tie in was genius. This may actually be my favorite show right now.
Totally Biased (FX)
Kamau is a great host. The show is consistently funny and thoughtful–not bad for a once a week half hour show. The joke where he criticized Obama was hilarious.
Portlandia (IFC)
Ending next week already. The show is consistently inconsistent. The funny bits are hilarious, but there are a number that just don’t quite work. But overall I really enjoy it and I hope it keeps going!
New Scandinavian Cooking (PBS)
Just throwing a mention to this unexpected cooking show from Scandinavia. Its’ a lot of fun to watch–especially when he cooks in the middle of a street or on a mountaintop.
The Mind of a Chef (PBS)
There are a dozen or so episodes of this show, which is about David Chang and his mates as they basically enact the things they talked about in Lucky Peach. I had no idea it was on, but TiVo found it for me. I’m always happy when it pops up.
Finished up
Parenthood (NBC)
The season was pretty good–I’m glad the cancer plot is over and the adopted kid hates the parents plot. In fact it seems like most of the plots were resolved successfully (except the Sarah/Ray Romano/Jason Ritter triangle). Given that there’s budget issues I wonder if that was a preemptive way to “end” the show just in case.
Bunheads (ABC FAMILY)
This half season of Bunheads was actually the end of the first season (apparently). I don’t know what that means, but this week is the final episode I read that there were budget issues for the show, which can’t be good. It might also explain the lack of Kelly Bishop. She is definitely missed, but the show is holding up without her. I am delighted with how solid the show is overall and the introduction of more quirky characters only makes me like it more.
Ben and Kate (FOX) CANCELLED
Ben and Kate was turning into one of my favorite shows. In fact when they reran a bunch of episodes recently, I enjoyed them a lot. It wasn’t a brilliant show but it was gentle comedy, something that stood up to repeated veiwings. Echo Kellum was awesome and I hope he gets more roles. Lucy Punch was also brilliant. And the little girl was adorable and funny without being overbearing. Shame it got turned off so soon.
30 Rock (NBC) ENDED
The show ended very nicely. Well done everyone.
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