Remember The Cosby Show? Full House? Growing Pains? Wonder Years? Urkel? Fresh Prince? Family Ties? on and on...
Now name the family sitcoms on the networks now...Old Christine? 2 1/2 Men? There are none. So where do you go for family shows today? To the marketing machine known as Disney. I had no idea that this market existed at all until last year when High School Musical 2 or 3 hit fever pitch. To me, Hanna Montana was a kids show. I had no idea how big the audience was. Now there is a witch show that is huge too. I have not seen any of these shows as I have no kids, but I am glad they still exist even if it has to be all a part of the Big Mouse.
Somehow I don't think they are as good as the Cosby gang, Alex P. Keaton, Michael Seaver, or even Zach Morris. The Disney shows are probably a little tamer so maybe that is a good thing.
The networks should think about getting back into the game...and maybe they are.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
This show stinks...
The Tony Kornheiser radio show is one of the true joys in life. If you have a radio on at work or spend time in a car everyday, there can be nothing better. It is only occasionally about sports and never has athletes on. He is supremely self critical and neurotic. He can be very funny, nostalgic, and he isn't afraid to say what's on his mind.
The show kicks back up on Tuesday on an ESPN radio affiliate. It will be available via podcast or streaming. Check it out.
The show kicks back up on Tuesday on an ESPN radio affiliate. It will be available via podcast or streaming. Check it out.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
FALL PREVIEW - TUESDAY
8PM
Shark Tank* - ABC (V* starts in this slot in November)
NCIS - CBS
Biggest Loser - NBC
So You Think You Can Dance - Fox
90210 - CW
30 for 30 - ESPN
This hour is all about 30 for 30 until V starts. I wasn't into 90210 the first time around. Biggest Loser and Shark Tank are trash TV. I am legitimately excited for 30 for 30, a (hopefully) groundbreaking series of documentaries about various elements of sport over the past 30 years. The Iverson one promises to be epic (from the Hoop Dreams director).
Verdict - I will get pulled into SYTYCD and I will watch the 30 for 30s that intrigue me. Anything about the Red Sox is out.
9PM
Dancing with the Stars (results) - ABC
NCIS LA* - CBS
Biggest Loser hour 2 - NBC
SYTYCD hour 2 - Fox
Melrose Place* - CW
This is baaad TV. You have two dancing shows, a weight loss show, a spin off staring LL Cool J and a remake of a 15 year old show. Ugh. Both Dancing shows get 3 hours a week and Biggest Loser gets 2. You really do need to dig deep to find the good shows out there.
Verdict - As I said, I will get pulled into SYTYCD.
10PM
The Forgotten* - ABC
The Good Wife* - CBS
Sons of Anarchy - FX
The Hills/The City - MTV
I will give the nod here to The Forgotten, Christian Slater's detective show. I want the show to work, although I don't think it will. The Good Wife is a lawyer show starring Julianne Margulies that I have no interest in. I never got into Sons of Anarchy although my brother seems to be excited for its return. The MTV shows will turn your brain to mush but people watch to see the shiny people bop around.
Verdict - Forgotten and hoping for a full DVR.
Recap - This is not a good night. You should have plenty of time to catch up on the DVR or watch some sports.
Shark Tank* - ABC (V* starts in this slot in November)
NCIS - CBS
Biggest Loser - NBC
So You Think You Can Dance - Fox
90210 - CW
30 for 30 - ESPN
This hour is all about 30 for 30 until V starts. I wasn't into 90210 the first time around. Biggest Loser and Shark Tank are trash TV. I am legitimately excited for 30 for 30, a (hopefully) groundbreaking series of documentaries about various elements of sport over the past 30 years. The Iverson one promises to be epic (from the Hoop Dreams director).
Verdict - I will get pulled into SYTYCD and I will watch the 30 for 30s that intrigue me. Anything about the Red Sox is out.
9PM
Dancing with the Stars (results) - ABC
NCIS LA* - CBS
Biggest Loser hour 2 - NBC
SYTYCD hour 2 - Fox
Melrose Place* - CW
This is baaad TV. You have two dancing shows, a weight loss show, a spin off staring LL Cool J and a remake of a 15 year old show. Ugh. Both Dancing shows get 3 hours a week and Biggest Loser gets 2. You really do need to dig deep to find the good shows out there.
Verdict - As I said, I will get pulled into SYTYCD.
10PM
The Forgotten* - ABC
The Good Wife* - CBS
Sons of Anarchy - FX
The Hills/The City - MTV
I will give the nod here to The Forgotten, Christian Slater's detective show. I want the show to work, although I don't think it will. The Good Wife is a lawyer show starring Julianne Margulies that I have no interest in. I never got into Sons of Anarchy although my brother seems to be excited for its return. The MTV shows will turn your brain to mush but people watch to see the shiny people bop around.
Verdict - Forgotten and hoping for a full DVR.
Recap - This is not a good night. You should have plenty of time to catch up on the DVR or watch some sports.
Catching up on TC
Between the move and the lapse of cable, I have only seen the first episode of the new season of Top Chef. Tonight gives me my first real chance to catch up. There is a new 75 minute episode on at 10PM.
On the homefront, I am tasked with installing the washing machine tonight. Has a man ever drowned in his own basement?
On the homefront, I am tasked with installing the washing machine tonight. Has a man ever drowned in his own basement?
Paula Who?
Check out the ever growing list of stars who will sit as guest judges on Idol this year. NPH is my personal favorite. It will be legan - wait for it...click here...dary!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
HALL OF FAME - The X-Files
The Truth is out there. Trust No One. Wow this show just blew my mind. The first mythology based show I ever watched. It is the model by which Supernatural, Fringe, Warehouse 13, and countless other shows have based their season arcs and episode plots.
The X-Files was about 2 FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, as they investigated paranormal shenanigans. That statement is like saying Moby Dick is about a whale. I hate even typing it. The show is layered, original, funny, scary, and full of the kind of planning you which shows had today. Episodes are split into two general categories - stand alone and mythology.
The stand alone episodes were procedural in nature. They are wrapped up in a nice and tidy 45 minutes or so. That is not to say they were lesser in any way. Some of the greatest episodes are stand alone. They often featured great cameos and fantastic writing. The quality of the stand alones made X-Files one of the coolest shows you'll ever watch.
Then there was the mythology episodes. A tangled web of story that spanned continents and worlds and decades and bees and black oil. It started with Mulder's obsession with his sister's abduction which led to his relentless pursuit of the truth and those who attempt to obscure it. And obscure it they do. Led by the Cigarette Smoking Man, an all-time best bad guy, those who would keep the truth from Mulder were always two steps ahead. It was frustrating and fantastic. Thinking about it right now makes me want to pop in season 1 right now. These mythology episodes tied together over seasons and were what made the show one of a kind. You needed a map and a compass not to get lost.
Then there were the characters. Mulder was the first cool nerd of TV. His character was smart, sarcastic, fanatical, devoted, and a true believer. Duchovny is a legend. He has attained a level where he can do no wrong in my mind.
I own all nine seasons. I have gone through the DVDs twice. They remind me of a friend of mine from law school who spent the better part of a semester in his room smoking cigarettes and watching my X-files DVDs. Funny thing is he was the one who got me into the show. Duane Barry was my first - a triple episode in which Scully has a rough go of it. This is an addiction as much as it was a show. I see it in shows like Fringe and Smallville. But there can be only one.
The X-Files was about 2 FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, as they investigated paranormal shenanigans. That statement is like saying Moby Dick is about a whale. I hate even typing it. The show is layered, original, funny, scary, and full of the kind of planning you which shows had today. Episodes are split into two general categories - stand alone and mythology.
The stand alone episodes were procedural in nature. They are wrapped up in a nice and tidy 45 minutes or so. That is not to say they were lesser in any way. Some of the greatest episodes are stand alone. They often featured great cameos and fantastic writing. The quality of the stand alones made X-Files one of the coolest shows you'll ever watch.
Then there was the mythology episodes. A tangled web of story that spanned continents and worlds and decades and bees and black oil. It started with Mulder's obsession with his sister's abduction which led to his relentless pursuit of the truth and those who attempt to obscure it. And obscure it they do. Led by the Cigarette Smoking Man, an all-time best bad guy, those who would keep the truth from Mulder were always two steps ahead. It was frustrating and fantastic. Thinking about it right now makes me want to pop in season 1 right now. These mythology episodes tied together over seasons and were what made the show one of a kind. You needed a map and a compass not to get lost.
Then there were the characters. Mulder was the first cool nerd of TV. His character was smart, sarcastic, fanatical, devoted, and a true believer. Duchovny is a legend. He has attained a level where he can do no wrong in my mind.
I own all nine seasons. I have gone through the DVDs twice. They remind me of a friend of mine from law school who spent the better part of a semester in his room smoking cigarettes and watching my X-files DVDs. Funny thing is he was the one who got me into the show. Duane Barry was my first - a triple episode in which Scully has a rough go of it. This is an addiction as much as it was a show. I see it in shows like Fringe and Smallville. But there can be only one.
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
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.
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