Long time no blog. It’s been over a year and that seems quite long enough to procrastinate and play around on twitter (follow me over there @IrrationaliTV for shorter rants/musings on TV, the biz, vodka, and food).
I’ve had several requests (thanks, Mom) for a “what to watch” for fall so I’m highlighting the new shows and returning shows that I think might be worth watching. The shows I don’t give a shit about (Dancing with pukes) or are definitely not worth watching (that horrid Tim Allen show) I ignore completely in this post as I do in life. If there is one you think I missed in error or are curious about just how godawful it is, hit me up in the comments and I’ll amend. I am going to list shows in the order in which they are premiering.
Sons Of Anarchy Season 4. 10pm Tuesdays on FX. Premieres tomorrow night (9/06/11) with a special 90 minute ep.
It’s not a show for everyone but if you like strong, in your face, smart character dramas where the bullets fly, the hogs are loud, the men are hot, and shit regularly blows up then this show is for you. Tune in and then run to netflix streaming for seasons 1&2. Season 3 is out on DVD/BD.
Ringer Season 1. 9pm Tuesdays on CW. Premieres 9/13/11
Tune in as the collective TV audience welcomes back (and worships) the much missed Sarah Michelle Gellar to the TV screen. Yes, Buffy is back and this time she is playing twins in an adult (long story on how this ended up on teen friendly CW) noirish mystery. No superpowers this time but she does have a lot of great hunky (it’s still a good word, shut up) costars. The pilot screener I watched had some pacing and horrid green screen issues but I imagine they have that fixed by now. I’m looking forward to seeing how this show develops.
Parenthood Season 3. 10pm Tuesdays on NBC. Premieres 9/13/11.
I gave up on this show early last season because Peter Krause’s character was pissing me off and I love me some Peter Krause but I’ve been hearing good things so I’m going to catch up on last season through hulu plus and then dive back in. I hope I haven’t been led astray.
America’s Next Top Model Cycle 17. 9pm Wednesdays on CW. Premieres 9/14/11
Yeah, I don’t get it either. It’s painful, cringeworthy, and sends all the wrong messages to women and men everywhere. I still watch it. I blame you, Pamela. It’s my one “I really am horrified that I watch this” show. You all have one. Shut up.
Up All Night Season 1. 10pm Wednesdays on NBC. Premieres 9/14/11
Christina Applegate is back with Will Arnett as her husband and the ridiculously talented and funny Maya Rudolph as her best friend in a new comedy about marriage, work and a new baby. I’m very excited for this show and expect Christina to finally get the big hit she deserves with this one. Or at least a barely limping by on ratings but critical hit since it’s on NBC.
Free Agents Season 1. 10:30 Wednesdays on NBC. Premieres 9/14/11
I don’t have a very strong opinion on this one since I have yet to watch a screener but it’s a remake of a popular BBC comedy and it has a strong cast (Hank Azaria, Kathryn Hahn, Anthony Stewart Head) so may be worth keeping the channel on after Up All Night. I’ll be watching the first 3-4 episodes before making a call on it.
The Vampire Diaries Season 3. 8pm Thursdays on CW. Premieres 9/15/11
This fun over the top teenage angst filled monster drama is back for another year of unbelievably good looking (and barely legal) vampires werewolves witches and bloody mayhem. I won’t miss a second.
The Secret Circle Season 1. 9pm Thursdays on CW. Premieres 9/15/11
From the same people that bring us too gorgeous for words teenage vampires on TVD, now we have a companion show with too gorgeous for words teenage witches. Bonus: Gale Harold is a dad up to no good and looking incredibly sexy while doing it. I enjoyed the pilot and will stick around for 5-6 episodes since that is how long it took TVD to get good.
Archer Season 3. 10:30 Thursdays on FX. Premieres 9/15/11 for a short 3 week run before returning for the rest of the season in its normal January timeslot.
Archer is by far the best animated comedy on TV. By a landslide. No contest. All other animated shows wish they were Archer and all other animated characters wish they were Archer. No other show is this smart and this wrong except maybe Louie but you’re watching that already. RIGHT?!
Since I don’t want to make these posts too long for the twitter generation I’ll pause for now. I have 33 more new or returning shows to regale you with for just the month of September. Another dozen in October. And don’t even get me started about the goodness coming up for mid-season.
Please let me know your thoughts and feel free to point out my mistakes/spelling errors/and where I have butchered English grammar.
Tags: America's Next Top Model, Archer, Free Agents, Parenthood, Ringer, Sons of Anarchy, The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, Up All Night
September 12, 2011 at 5:30 am |
Hmm. A local TV critic who likes Whedony stuff thought that Ringers was awful. I’ll be interested in seeing it.
September 12, 2011 at 9:46 am |
Most critics seem to be lukewarm on the Ringer pilot. They say SMG is good but the material may not be good enough. I didn’t think the pilot was great or anything. It definitely had issues (that I think I mention) but the premise has lots of potential and it has a fine group of actors. I never judge a show too harshly based on pilots. They are rarely what the show ends up being.