The Catchall TV Thread
OK, it’s been a few weeks since we had a general TV thread. So I figured I’d put one up. Feel free to chime in about how you think the TV season is going; shows that the rest of us ought be watching; and what you dislike.
My thoughts.
First, NBC’s attempt to rethinking the network and be more like Fox with just two hours of “real” programming per week clearly has failed. Even Jay Leno is going around saying he wished he stayed on the Tonight Show. The other networks are cashing in on NBC’s mistakes. How long will this last? Put Jay out of his misery guys! And would Law and Order be doing so badly were it on Wednesday night in place of Leno rather than Friday night?
Speaking of NBC, what do you think about Comcast buying a controlling interest in NBC and the NBC controlled networks? (i.e. SyFy, MSNBC, etc.) My guess is that this all has to do with two issues. Net neutrality and the attempt to move TV to the internet. First the latter. Apple is rumored to be coming out with a $30 subscription service to all television shows ala Hulu but that which works through iTunes. Clearly Comcast wouldn’t want such a thing since it would undermine cable. Is this Comcast trying to ensure NBC doesn’t end up on the iPhone and AppleTV ? I think so. Plus Comcast wants to have more of a say in net neutrality (it’d love to be able to cap Bit Torrent, Apple movie downloads and Skype) Being a media controller probably would give them a bit more leg up here. How? By saying they are the content manager as well as the distributor.
However you look at it there’s a big fight brewing over new media. With the XBox, Roku, and PS3 doing movies on demand (with the AppleTV as, at this stage, a bit of an also ran) there is a serious chance that television as we know it would become irrelevant. So you have folks who are getting shut out right now (Apple) trying to become relevant while the old guard are attempting to protect their ancient and increasingly questionable business model.
Speaking of that, as I discussed at my blog there are odd things afloat at Dish. They are coming out with Dish Online which right now does little. But it appears to be akin to the others for downloading movies over the internet. It’s just not finished yet. What’s weird are the very big ads for downloading HD movies through iTunes. Why would Dish be doing that unless there was a chance for iTunes syncing with your Dish receiver? Cross your fingers. The best thing that could happen to media is Apple taking control of Dish. (Note I don’t think in the least that will happen, but I’d settle for AppleTV like syncing)
Going on to TV. How are your shows doing. My wife’s favorite show, Ugly Betty, got relegated to Friday night and judging by the ratings isn’t long for this world. Quick, someone explain to me why any expensive show gets put on Friday or Saturday night when the target market doesn’t watch? Wouldn’t it make sense to just put cheap reality fare there?
Fringe has relatively low ratings right now too. Bad omens. We’ll see how the next few weeks do.
J.J. Abrams is doing a new spy series for NBC. Reportedly he’ll write and direct a few episodes. This is a pretty talented guy. Let’s hope they plan a little longer term than they did with Alias. Alias was a great idea that went astray half way into the second season as they didn’t know what to do next. (Plus they forgot a lot about what made the first season so good)
So I finally watched American Chopper. I hadn’t watched in over a year. They broke up! Yeah, the dad and son now have competing shops. When did that happen? Almost makes me want to watch regularly again.
Mythbusters has been fantastic this season. Best parts. Making a car like a golf ball. (I was shocked that they got 5mpg better mileage!) And the myth of some horror movie where a head gets dunked in liquid nitrogen and then hit. (Yuck! But what a great idea for a myth – tear up all the silly horror movie stuff.)
Dexter has been very good this season. After episode 3, which seemed like a big cop out, I was pretty skeptical. But I kind of like where they’ve been going. Nothing has added up to much yet and it lacks that flow that most other seasons have had. However a lot established in the earlier episodes is starting to become important.
Some thoughts:
FlashForward has kept my attention so far. It’s a little bit slow in places and sometimes heavy on melodrama, but it seems to be pretty well thought-out.
I think Fringe has stayed pretty solid. Other than the Charlie mini-arc at the start of the season, this year seems to be focusing more on stand-alone episodes so far.
House started very strong. I’m a little bit disappointed that they seem to be retreating a little bit on the development of House’s character. We’ll see. The episodes have been good, even if they seem to be more formulaic as the season goes on.
I’m really enjoying Community. I can’t think of the last time a show has made me laugh this consistently. Also, nice Patton Oswalt cameo last week. The Office has been hit-and-miss for me. Parks and Recreation is better than I thought it would be.
My guiltiest of guilty pleasures: iCarly. That’s right.
Comment by BTD Greg — November 9, 2009 @ 11:41 am
I dumped FlashForward a couple weeks ago and have not regretted it. Just couldn’t put up with the acting/writing. That show makes me appreciate Lost.
I thought the V premiere was solid. Of course, having seen the original, I knew what was going on, but it was good nonetheless.
Community and Modern Family have revived the comedy genre.
NBC is dumb, dumb, dumb. And right now their affiliates are about to revolt because Jay Leno is giving a horrible lead in to the affiliates’ top property–the 10 o’clock news.
Comment by Tim J — November 9, 2009 @ 11:55 am
We’re enjoying the new series White Collar on USA. Matthew Bomer is just fun to watch – while we booed him on Chuck, we get to cheer him on here. =) And he was on that short-lived series about, um, some sort of conspiracy or something. Unfortunately, we have to download this one and Monk because USA has become practically unwatchable due to transmission problems. Anyone else in Utah with DirecTV have this problem?
We’re also enjoying the Good Wife – bland name, decent procedural.
Always look forward to Dexter. (I could do without the office romance, though.) Deb is so much fun to watch and listen to. Tragic taste in men, poor girl.
Comment by FHL — November 9, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
I am happy to hear NBC ordered more Chuck for early next year. That, while not redeeming them, brought a smile.
Modern Family, CougarTown and Community have stayed for us. We love Modern Family and Cougar Town more, however.
Seeing Castle dressed up as Mal from Firefly made me squeel like a school girl…
We dumped Flash Forward. Not even pretty, pretty Joseph could keep us invested.
Glee is phenomenol.
I keep watching The Good Wife for reasons unknown…
Comment by gabby — November 9, 2009 @ 12:34 pm
Oh, yes. White Collar. LOVING it.
Comment by gabby — November 9, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
I agree BTD Greg — Community has been a real surprise. The balance of elements is working, and they’re doing a good job of not overusing Abed and Pierce (Chevy Chase) and the Spanish instructor.
Parks and Rec is solid. The Office is shaky. 30 Rock continues to have absolutely hilarious moments.
I’m worried about Glee. The last episode brought things back a bit, but the soap opera stuff is playing way too broad and there aren’t enough performances — and not enough of the supporting cast.
The wife and I find ourselves not watching the Fox Sunday night comedies that are in our Hulu queue. It’s like, eh, there may be some funny, but is it really worth viewing the whole American Dad/The Simpsons/Family Guy/The Cleveland Show?
Comment by Wm Morris — November 9, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
30 Rock is still the sharpest comedy on TV, in my opinion. Brilliant stuff.
I watched the pilot of V and was disappointed by a number of things.
1. It doesn’t have the raw feel of the original V miniseries.
2. It’s lacking any kind of surprise (it was disappointing to see some characters reveal so early on that they were not who people thought they were).
3. The dialog is somewhat lame, and the political jokes fall flat.
Stargate Universe looks pretty good in the first few episodes.
Comment by Dan — November 9, 2009 @ 12:46 pm
In the UK, Sky TV (Newscorp’s popular satellite service) is now offering live content through the Xbox 360.
Comment by The Brit — November 9, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
The third season of Mad Men finished up last night and the finale was amazing. I think this was their best season so far.
Comment by Brian G. — November 9, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
I’m mixed on White Collar. There’s a lot about it I like. They clearly are mimicking the structure of Burn Notice. But there’s a nice breezy “Oceans 11″ vibe to it at times. We’ll see how it goes. What I worry about is that the episodic nature of the show seems a bit too pat, unlike Burn Notice.
Comment by Clark — November 9, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
SG-U is decent, but not great–the most recent episode is particularly strong and I hope they keep going that direction. Unfortunately, there’s only one character (Eli) who is remotely realistic and likable. They’ve pretty much killed off the Lou Diamond Phillips character (Telford), so I’m curious to see if there will be any sort of redemption, or if he’ll continue to be a jerk the whole series.
I haven’t been as into Flash Forward as I’d hoped. Again, the most recent episode was one of the better ones, but even that didn’t really keep my attention.
I’m still mourning the end of Defying Gravity, which was one of my favorite science fiction shows in a while (Kings being the other one I was similarly into that was similarly killed far too soon). On the plus side, I rediscovered Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars (a trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson) and that’s been sating my hunger for exploratory science fiction/soap opera. I don’t really get the whole negative comparison with Grey’s Anatomy–do people think all science fiction should be asexual or something? Science fiction is still about people, and people still interact with each other, frequently in soap opera-ish ways.
Comment by kristine N — November 9, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
Can I confess I’ve not watched The Simpsons in ages? I haven’t even watched the last few Treehouse of Horror episodes. I’m surprised it is still on.
I am very excited about Futurama although I’ve not heard when they plan to broadcast.
I have to confess I’ve not even watched The Office yet this season. It’s on the DVR but somehow the end of last season kind of turned me off a bit. I’m not sure why.
BTW – anyone see that ad with Dwight and Darrin Williams they were playing for the NBA? I loved the part where he says he got his ass kicked in Provo. LOL.
FHL, I’m kind of hoping the office romance has some significance. It feels like padding to keep characters interesting. Yes, they are trying to mirror all the characters having screwed up family life. But still.
Comment by Clark — November 9, 2009 @ 1:20 pm
Mad men has been awesome this season. The season finale was great. Can’t wait for next season.
Comment by MCQ — November 9, 2009 @ 2:45 pm
30 Rock is still amazing. I’m in the same boat as Clark re: The Office. Sitting unwatched on the DVR.
I’m getting sick of the repetitiveness of Glee. Things need to move.
We are watching Mad Men on DVD. So far (7 episodes in) I don’t get why everyone is crazy over it.
Comment by a random John — November 9, 2009 @ 3:04 pm
Mad Men is all on tivo waiting for the December lull. We’ll watch it then.
Comment by gabby — November 9, 2009 @ 3:29 pm
I don’t get 30 Rock. Lots of people seem to love it, but it seems extremely mediocre to me. Every once in a while, I try to watch an episode to see what I’m missing.
Glee is very uneven. This past episode was pretty good. I like how the jock with the mohawk is starting to develop as a character. I also liked that Sue’s character was given a bit more depth and wasn’t just the 2-dimensional villain. But overall, Glee is more often bad than good for me.
Comment by BTD Greg — November 9, 2009 @ 4:08 pm
The office is the only show I watch, (though I’ll pick up lost when it starts.) The wedding was a lot of fun, but it really feels like the show is going to have to end soon. I am not sure they can sustain a season after Pam has her baby, and it would be even worse if she didn’t have the baby.
Comment by Matt W. — November 9, 2009 @ 4:13 pm
I stopped watching Flash Forward. Glee is long gone for us.
30 Rock has some really funny moments, the problem for me is 1) Tina Fey sucks and 2) you just don’t care about any of the characters. It’s too corporate for my husband. He feels like it’s a network’s idea of a funny show, if that makes sense. Too contrived or something.
I haven’t been able to watch Parks and Rec because it’s just such a blatant Office rip off. I did sit through an episode last week, or most of one, and laughed a few times. I just can’t get past what an Office rip off it is.
DWTS is fun, Donny is doing really well. America’s Next Top Model is great, go Nicole! Win it for all us dorky girls! And Project Runway is sort of disappointing–none of the designers are very mindblowing.
Comment by Susan M — November 9, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
SG-U has been good – the best of the Stargates thus far. I stopped watching FlashForward.
So, it’s down to the NBC comedies for me. But that’s enough.
Comment by Supergenius — November 9, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
SG, no Mad Men for you? I think it’s the best thing on TV right now. By far
Comment by MCQ — November 9, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Susan M,
take it back! You are required by law to love Tina Fey! Don’t think that I won’t report you to the proper authorities…
Comment by a random John — November 10, 2009 @ 12:26 am
No one has mentioned Bored to Death. The show has really grown on me. Zach Galifianakis is great, between this show and The Hangover he’s really on the rise. It’s so good it’s even made me like Ted Danson again.
Other than that Dexter is the only other show I’m really into. Losing interest in Fringe. Giving V a chance.
The Dish news is very interesting to me since I’m a subscriber. I’ll be interested to see if anything comes of it.
Comment by mike d. — November 10, 2009 @ 7:53 am
I love Bored to Death. Really quirky and unexpected. Ted Danson is the best part, he’s a genius.
I agree with Susan on 30 Rock.
Comment by MCQ — November 10, 2009 @ 9:34 am
I’m going to catch trouble for saying this out loud – but I thought a recent episode of Grey’s Anatomy (the one titled “Give Peace A Chance”) was exceptionally good – perhaps one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen.
Comment by danithew — November 10, 2009 @ 11:11 am
I like Fringe so far. The second season has had some good, and some not-so-good, developments. They’ve toned down Walter’s character, which I think was a good thing: least season he was mostly quirky comic-relief, but he’s showing more depth and thoughtfulness this year.
However, I question their killing off a main character earlier this season (I’m avoiding spoilers for the DVR crowd – those who’ve watched know who I’m talking about). While it presented a great shock, I think that character is really missed: he provided a bit of normalcy to the X-Files vibe.
And speaking of X-Files, I worry that Fringe may be re-treading some of that show’s plots. The previews for this week’s ep sure looks a lot like XF’s “Pusher” ep. If I start seeing more XF rehashes as the season goes on, I may have to abandon the show.
Comment by Mudhead — November 10, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
MCQ, I watch Mad Men but don’t have cable, so I am following on DVD. It really is a great show.
Danithew, you are the last man on earth watching Grey’s Anatomy. And not without reason.
Comment by Supergenius — November 10, 2009 @ 1:13 pm
I’m waiting for LOST. Other than that, what can I say? I’m a married father of two in graduate school with three callings.
Comment by Ben Pratt — November 10, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
Ben Pratt: from someone who’s been there, trust me: you need 30 Rock.
Comment by BrianJ — November 10, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
Grey’s Anatomy wouldn’t normally be my show. My wife watches and I join in … but I still feel that particular episode was very, very good.
Comment by danithew — November 10, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
Fringe has to push the storyline more. I know they want one off stories, unlike Lost. But I think the viewership fell when the main storyline wasn’t progressing.
Supposedly the next three episodes deal with the main storyline though.
What I hope they don’t do is the X-Files thing where there are conspiracy but never any serious engagement with “the enemy.” I know Lost gets a rap of never progressing, but each season has a major reveal and then seriously engages with that. Thus far Fringe hasn’t done that.
Comment by Clark — November 10, 2009 @ 4:26 pm
I’m waiting for Lost as well. Looks like there won’t be any teasers or sneak peeks for the upcoming season.
Comment by Tim J — November 10, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
FlashForward, V, Good Wife, and White Collar will all do, but none is compelling. I will say, however, that Juliana Margulies does a great job of putting away her Nurse Hathaway image.
Somebody needs to speak up for Shark Tank. It has been bumped in favor of V, but some episodes still haven’t aired. It’s the best reality show yet, and, despite the artificial environment, a good primer on what sells and why.
Comment by Last Lemming — November 10, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
I’m pretty stoked about Lost. I think one problem Fox has as well is that they don’t air the episodes continuously with Fringe.
Comment by Clark — November 10, 2009 @ 11:13 pm
I gave White Collar two shows. I’m still iffy on it. Too much like everything else on USA, I think.
I am currently into Fringe, Community, Castle, Modern Family, Parks and Rec, and Cougartown (in that order). I’m also still watching How I Met Your Mother, but I really don’t know why anymore. Glee died an ugly death a while back.
Comment by John C. — November 11, 2009 @ 6:33 am
I’m watching V because it will be fun to see what they do with this remake, but really, everybody knows where it’s going.
I’m staying with FlashForward because every episode is getting a bit stronger, and because I love a time-travelish story line, and because it’s not blindingly obvious yet where they’re going with it. As opposed to the formula shows like Castle and White Collar. Which I’m also watching anyway.
Dexter is probably the best show on TV right now, but I find it too disturbing to watch.
Comment by C Jones — November 11, 2009 @ 11:16 am
White Collar definitely has been way too formulaic. And there isn’t enough of an added hook like Burn Notice has. (And I still think Burn Notice needs to shake things up a lot) They need to play up the breezy rat pack like vibe in White Collar. They had it nailed in the first episode but lost it in subsequent ones. We’ll see. It’s a show that I want to like but it hasn’t really grabbed me yet.
I knew FlashForward wouldn’t make it a full season so I wasn’t willing to invest.
NBC is really hurting. Not only is Leno making the CW look good but it’s “star” shows are failing. Heroes reached a new low as the few people who stuck by the show are wondering why they did. This is a network in trouble. (Partially why Comcast was able to pick up a controlling interest I’m sure)
What’s amazing to me is how well a show about theoretical physicists with Asperger’s Syndrome and other such problems is doing for CBS. It’s one of the top rated shows even though I know most of the jokes have to be going over peoples heads.
Comment by Clark — November 11, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
What show about theoretical physicists with Asperger’s Syndrome?
Comment by Susan M — November 11, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
Big Bang Theory. It’s actually pretty good. But there are a lot of inside physics jokes and techie jokes. Not to mention nerd jokes.
Comment by Clark — November 11, 2009 @ 12:58 pm
Big Bang Theory is brilliant and hilarious.
Comment by gabby — November 11, 2009 @ 6:13 pm
Hank, Dollhouse, Eastwick all canceled today. Two of those, I’ll miss…
Comment by gabby — November 11, 2009 @ 7:37 pm
Dollhouse? Bummer. Really liked that show.
Comment by Susan M — November 12, 2009 @ 10:07 am
John C: I really still like HIMYM. Didn’t you think Robin 101 was funny?
Comment by MCQ — November 12, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
So I’ve decided Fringe is the anti-X-Files. With the X-Files I always thought the main continuous alien plotline sucked and only enjoyed the one-off episodes. With Fringe the one off episodes are underwhelming and I keep wishing they’d get on with the plot.
Still, next week we find out the bald guy is actually a time traveler.
Comment by Clark — November 12, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
C Jones
It would have been brilliant of them to try and take it in another direction. But already you can tell they are not even taking it in the same direction as the previous one. Remember, Marc Singer’s little “freedom fighter” group were what we would call today “terrorists.” They literally killed the Visitors and those who helped them. That’s not viewed very entertainingly in today’s American empire.
Comment by Dan — November 13, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
#44
Ummm. . . so like this, only with aliens?
Comment by C Jones — November 13, 2009 @ 2:27 pm
Sadly it seems like the Prisoner sucks too. I was kind of looking forward to that.
Comment by Clark — November 16, 2009 @ 9:51 am
I saw V the first time around. It was quite the show at the time. But I can’t decide whether I’m really interested in another go-around. Is it going to be the same as the previous version with new actors or are they doing new things? I wonder how much they can differ from the core idea of the previous version – so maybe there’s no point(?)
Comment by danithew — November 16, 2009 @ 11:12 am
I’ve heard they are going a slightly different direction with it. But then I hated the first. I’ve heard pretty mixed things about the new one.
Comment by clark — November 16, 2009 @ 11:37 am
I saw V the first time around. Then I revisited it on cable a few years ago. Wow. It’s one of those things that you thought was cool at the time, but as an adult, time is not at all kind to it. Unbelievably cheesy and low-quality.
Now, granted, the update probably improves a ton on the special effects, but if they keep much of the story in place, it won’t be that great. I’m not encouraged by the early reports from friends (it’s slow and not that fun).
A couple of caveats: I tried to watch the updated BSG and just couldn’t get into it. So I’m probably not a good candidate for this sort of thing. Also, I feel like I have enough TV sci-fi of varying degrees of quality on my plate already (Lost, Fringe, FlashForward). I’m not that interested in adding another right now.
Comment by BTD Greg — November 16, 2009 @ 11:38 am
This may be an appropriate place to say Rest in Peace, Edward Woodward.
There’s only one Equalizer, and because of you, Mr. Woodward I will always think about buying a Jaguar, and enjoy grabbing people by the lapels and throwing them into walls and such.
And I will never climb into a giant wood effigy of a man full of farm animals.
Comment by Brian G. — November 16, 2009 @ 12:48 pm
LOL. The Equalizer had one of the greatest soundtracks for a TV show. Up there with Twin Peaks.
Comment by Clark — November 16, 2009 @ 3:56 pm
I watched watched the pilot and first episode of V, quite liked it. Of course, it’s still all exposition and easy reveals. I just hope it makes it at least a season or two before it goes all Alias and just totally falls apart.
Comment by Ben — November 17, 2009 @ 5:42 pm
Bored to Death was a great surprise. Ted Danson is really good in it. Curb Your Enthusiam has been stellar this season. It’s really back on the ball after last season. I wish Jerry Seinfeld would stick around after this season and make appearances like Richard Lewis and Ted Danson. Modern Family is very funny. It maybe the best new show of the season.
Comment by Rose Tyler — November 20, 2009 @ 12:05 am