FALL PREVIEW - Monday (corrected)

UPDATED 3:05PM: I incorrectly had the Showtime shows on Monday as they are in the summer. They are Sunday shows.

UPDATE 8:55PM: My wife points out that triple D and J&K+8 are gonna be on Mondays for a little while longer.

8PM

Dancing With the Stars - ABC

How I Met Your Mother/Accidently On Purpose* - CBS

Heroes - NBC

House - Fox

One Tree Hill - CW

Monday Night Football - ESPN (8:30 - Midnight)


I have no interest in One Tree Hill or DWTS. Zero. HIMYM is a must and I will therefore give Jenna Elfman's Knocked Up ripoff a try. Heroes is a little like watching a car accident but I have been a fan since day 1 and won't let myself give it up. I am rooting for a comeback...mostly, but I also wouldn't mind seeing it crash spectacularly either. House is a top notch show and I love the sarcasm and intelligence of House and of the show. But he and it can get a little too cruel and morbid at times. MNF is game dependent. I will end up watching at least part of every game but only the games I deem worthy will receive my full attention.

Verdict - I will watch Heroes and HIMYM/AOP. I will squeeze in House online on the side.

9PM

Dancing With The Stars - ABC

Two and a Half Men/Big Bang Theory - CBS

Trauma* - NBC

Lie To Me - Fox

Gossip Girl - CW

Monday Night Football - ESPN (8:30 - Midnight)


Wow is this a packed time slot. Big Bang Theory is a must after I catch up on season 2. Gossip Girl is an A-list show I have been into since day 1. Lie To Me never caught on with me even though I am a big fan of Mr. Orange. Trauma, a new show about paramedics in San Fransisco, is worth a shot if for no other reason than it is from the Peter Berg (of Friday Night Lights fame).

Verdict - It will be Gossip Girl and Big Bang. That is, until they ruin Chuck Bass. I will catch at least one or two Traumas to make sure I am not missing anything special.

10PM

Castle - ABC

CSI - Miami - CBS

Monday Night Football - ESPN (8:30 - Midnight)

No offense to Jay Leno, but I am not counting his show at 10PM every night. I did not catch Castle's first season but it did seem to be the kind of show I could get into. I am on the fence about watching an episode or two. I don't watch the CSI's. The ones I have caught were good too. I have an anti-CBS bias I am working on. Maybe I am just over procedurals.

Verdict - Catch up on the previous hours' TV or watch the 4th quarter of MNF.

Recap - If you work a DVR just right, here is what you can accomplish on a non-good football Monday:

8:20 - 8:45 HIMYM
8:45 - 9:10 AOP
9:10 - 9:55 Heroes (or House for those who gave up on Heroes)
9:55 - 10:40 Gossip Girl
10:40 - 11:05 Big Bang
11:05 - 12:00 MNF

That still leaves Trauma, House, Castle, or football. More often than you think, especially in the beginning of the season, you can catch other shows because of premiere dates and reruns. So the newbies will get their fair shake. All in all this is a very busy TV night.