The Obligatory TV Post of Doooooom!
So, it's September, and the new TV season has begun, and as I am insane and am trying to watch almost everything in the world (it feels like), I thought I should post brief thoughts on what I'll be watching when I'm shirking my duties (including such important things as writing, book reviewing, dishes, laundry, and sleeping). How will I keep holding down a job (even my lame part-time one), with all that TV to watch? I don't know. I do know I'll whittle down the list as I watch some new shows and decide what to keep up with and what to ignore. Check after the cut for a very long list of my tentative fall TV shows.
I've recently been thinking about why I watch so much television, and while this is a post I might do later, I landed on the idea that, for me, watching television and reading are similar activities (one using on average less brain power, of course). They are both about the storytelling. They are both about falling in love with characters. They are both about utterly capturing my imagination. And finally, they are both about over-analyzing why a writer or or actor or director made this choice and either commending them or complaining about them. At length.
Here are my categories (with explanations as necessary):
Must See TV
Giving It A Shot
DVR Purgatory: for shows I still DVR but no longer watch until several episodes have built up and I feel inexplicably guilty; often, these shows are on the fence in terms of whether I will keep watching them
DVD Catch-Up: for shows I am several seasons behind on and basically Netflixing or will Netflix one day
Online Only: for shows that I can't catch either when it's on and don't fit into my DVR schedule, or for shows really low on my priority list
Monday
Castle: season 3 starts this week on ABC. Must See TV. I have my problems with this show (mostly having to do with why shows always have to have that push-me-pull-me romance among male and female leads) but it can't be beat for witty humor, pop culture references, and Nathan Fillion. Honestly, though, the bantering but supportive relationship between two side characters -- Ryan and Esposito -- are what really makes me love this show.
How I Met Your Mother: season 6 starts this week on CBS. Online Only. Last season was pretty terrible and I actually quit watching halfway through, but I have loved this show for so long, I feel I can give the new season a shot.
Hawaii Five-O: first season starts this week on CBS. Sometimes reboots of old shows are awesome (Battlestar Galactica) and sometimes they suck (Bionic Woman). Only time will tell, but this has a great cast, so I'm giving it a shot.
Chuck: season 4 starts this week on NBC. I love this show. I seriously, seriously love it. I wish I didn't have to stress out over possible cancellation every season. Must See TV.
The Event: season one starts this week on NBC. These high-concept shows with a big, complex continuing storyline are usually ones I give up on (hello, FlashForward), but sometimes I get sucked in, so I'll give it a shot.
Tuesday
No Ordinary Family: first season starts next week on ABC. I like superheroes, I liked The Incredibles, I'll give it a shot.
Detroit 187: first season starts this week on ABC. Another procedural cop show? There are a lot of those on my list, because I do love detective shows, mysteries, and the like, and this one has gotten some decent press. Giving it a shot.
Glee: season two starts this week on FOX. C'mon, it's Glee. It infuriates me, I have so many problems with it, I tear apart every episode and hate what they do with some characters, but right now I am still loyal. Right now it's must see TV, but it's awful close to DVR purgatory.
Sons of Anarchy: season three started on FX. This is a DVD catch-up show that I am always meaning to try out but haven't gotten to.
Caprica: second half of season one starts in October on Syfy. I loved Battlestar Galactica, even though it was so depressing it made me want to die, but I never got into this one. It's on my DVD catch-up list.
Wednesday
Modern Family: second season starts this week on ABC. I can't wait for this awesomely hilarious show to return. Must see TV!
Criminal Minds: season 6 starts this week on CBS. It's must see TV, though the firing of AJ Cook, the pushing out of Paget Brewster, and the green-lighting of the truly awful spin-off series is enough to make me see red. CBS may have royally screwed up this fantastic ensemble crime drama and if so, I will not be watching past this season.
Undercovers: first season starts this week on NBC. This looks like it might appeal to Chuck fans. Giving it a shot.
Terriers: first season started in early September on FX. I really, really like it, and it seems like a great fit for Psych fans (of which I am a big one) who are looking for a similar back-and-forth vibe between the two PI leads but want to see what a slightly darker, less ridiculous duo would act like. This is some must see TV for me, but I am worried about the show. It has a terrible name and terrible promos and nobody seems to have heard about it. This may end up being another Life (another of my favorite crime procedurals that got canceled too early).
Psych: second half of season 5 starts in November on USA. God, I love this show. Must see TV.
Thursday:
The Big Bang Theory: season 4 starts this week on CBS. I have always meant to watch this show, but now it's four seasons in and I haven't. DVD catch-up for sure.
The Mentalist: season 3 starts this week on CBS. This is firmly in DVR purgatory right now. I liked the first season, lost interest in the second, and I'm not sure if I should watch the third. I love Simon Baker but hate his character, so we'll see.
30 Rock: season 5 starts this week on NBC. I used to love this show, but I keep missing it and not caring. It's a mix of online only and DVD catch-up because I have seem so many sporadic episodes.
Bones: season 6 starts this week on FOX. DVR purgatory, close to giving up on it completely. I'll give it a few episodes but I'm so close to bailing.
Fringe: season 3 starts this week on FOX. I hated the pilot, but I caught the odd episode and I'm kind of intrigued by how much I liked those. So, this is a DVD catch-up. One day.
The Vampire Diaries: season 2 started early September on CW. I really didn't want to want to watch this, but it's gotten some fabulous press, and CW can do it right once in a while. DVD catch-up, and I'll give it a few episodes to decide if I am going to settle in for the long haul.
Nikita: first season started early September on CW. I'm giving it a few episodes. So far it's okay but I don't know if I care about the premise long enough to get really sucked in.
Burn Notice: second half of season 4 returns in November on USA. Must see TV.
Friday:
Blue Bloods: first season starts this week on CBS. It's another cop drama. But it has Tom Selleck, so I'm giving it a few episodes.
Supernatural: season 6 starts this week on CW. I was surprised this show moved to Friday, but Thursday is a really overstuffed timeslot. Season 5 was pretty weak, overall, but they have a new showrunner now and I love the boys, so I can't let the show go yet. Must see TV.
Sanctuary: season 3 starts in October on Syfy. I like this show, but it's one of those DVR puragatory shows because the season arcs never manage to catch my attention. I'll keep watching it but it's one of those as time allows show. May move to online only.
Sunday:
Mad Men: season 4 is over in October, on AMC. I feel guilty for missing it for so long, really, in a way that I never felt guilty for missing Lost. DVD catch-up.
The Walking Dead: first season starts in October on AMC. Dude, a TV show about zombies? Based on a graphic novel series? Must see TV! At least for a few episodes and I decide if it sucks.
Dexter: season 5 starts next week on Showtime. I'm doing a DVD catch-up right now (I'm on season 3), but it doesn't really matter because I don't get Showtime, so this will always be a DVD show. I do like it so far, and like how different it is from the books without totally losing the character of Dexter.
Summer shows that just ended/will end soon that I will watch the next season of:
White Collar: love this USA show, love Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer, must see TV
Leverage: each episode is a mini-heist movie. Still awesome after three seasons. Love it!
Warehouse 13: season two on Syfy just ended, and this season has been better than the first, so it's a "must watch" for me
Eureka: season four on Syfy just ended, and even though last season kind of sucked, this season was awesome, so must see TV again
Haven: another Syfy show, but this show was simply okay, so I will start the second season in the summer and see how it goes
The Glades: after a pretty bad pilot, this A&E show picked up and became that kind of light, diverting crime show I enjoy for pure entertainment. I'll keep watching.
ETA: Leverage
I've recently been thinking about why I watch so much television, and while this is a post I might do later, I landed on the idea that, for me, watching television and reading are similar activities (one using on average less brain power, of course). They are both about the storytelling. They are both about falling in love with characters. They are both about utterly capturing my imagination. And finally, they are both about over-analyzing why a writer or or actor or director made this choice and either commending them or complaining about them. At length.
Here are my categories (with explanations as necessary):
Must See TV
Giving It A Shot
DVR Purgatory: for shows I still DVR but no longer watch until several episodes have built up and I feel inexplicably guilty; often, these shows are on the fence in terms of whether I will keep watching them
DVD Catch-Up: for shows I am several seasons behind on and basically Netflixing or will Netflix one day
Online Only: for shows that I can't catch either when it's on and don't fit into my DVR schedule, or for shows really low on my priority list
Monday
Castle: season 3 starts this week on ABC. Must See TV. I have my problems with this show (mostly having to do with why shows always have to have that push-me-pull-me romance among male and female leads) but it can't be beat for witty humor, pop culture references, and Nathan Fillion. Honestly, though, the bantering but supportive relationship between two side characters -- Ryan and Esposito -- are what really makes me love this show.
How I Met Your Mother: season 6 starts this week on CBS. Online Only. Last season was pretty terrible and I actually quit watching halfway through, but I have loved this show for so long, I feel I can give the new season a shot.
Hawaii Five-O: first season starts this week on CBS. Sometimes reboots of old shows are awesome (Battlestar Galactica) and sometimes they suck (Bionic Woman). Only time will tell, but this has a great cast, so I'm giving it a shot.
Chuck: season 4 starts this week on NBC. I love this show. I seriously, seriously love it. I wish I didn't have to stress out over possible cancellation every season. Must See TV.
The Event: season one starts this week on NBC. These high-concept shows with a big, complex continuing storyline are usually ones I give up on (hello, FlashForward), but sometimes I get sucked in, so I'll give it a shot.
Tuesday
No Ordinary Family: first season starts next week on ABC. I like superheroes, I liked The Incredibles, I'll give it a shot.
Detroit 187: first season starts this week on ABC. Another procedural cop show? There are a lot of those on my list, because I do love detective shows, mysteries, and the like, and this one has gotten some decent press. Giving it a shot.
Glee: season two starts this week on FOX. C'mon, it's Glee. It infuriates me, I have so many problems with it, I tear apart every episode and hate what they do with some characters, but right now I am still loyal. Right now it's must see TV, but it's awful close to DVR purgatory.
Sons of Anarchy: season three started on FX. This is a DVD catch-up show that I am always meaning to try out but haven't gotten to.
Caprica: second half of season one starts in October on Syfy. I loved Battlestar Galactica, even though it was so depressing it made me want to die, but I never got into this one. It's on my DVD catch-up list.
Wednesday
Modern Family: second season starts this week on ABC. I can't wait for this awesomely hilarious show to return. Must see TV!
Criminal Minds: season 6 starts this week on CBS. It's must see TV, though the firing of AJ Cook, the pushing out of Paget Brewster, and the green-lighting of the truly awful spin-off series is enough to make me see red. CBS may have royally screwed up this fantastic ensemble crime drama and if so, I will not be watching past this season.
Undercovers: first season starts this week on NBC. This looks like it might appeal to Chuck fans. Giving it a shot.
Terriers: first season started in early September on FX. I really, really like it, and it seems like a great fit for Psych fans (of which I am a big one) who are looking for a similar back-and-forth vibe between the two PI leads but want to see what a slightly darker, less ridiculous duo would act like. This is some must see TV for me, but I am worried about the show. It has a terrible name and terrible promos and nobody seems to have heard about it. This may end up being another Life (another of my favorite crime procedurals that got canceled too early).
Psych: second half of season 5 starts in November on USA. God, I love this show. Must see TV.
Thursday:
The Big Bang Theory: season 4 starts this week on CBS. I have always meant to watch this show, but now it's four seasons in and I haven't. DVD catch-up for sure.
The Mentalist: season 3 starts this week on CBS. This is firmly in DVR purgatory right now. I liked the first season, lost interest in the second, and I'm not sure if I should watch the third. I love Simon Baker but hate his character, so we'll see.
30 Rock: season 5 starts this week on NBC. I used to love this show, but I keep missing it and not caring. It's a mix of online only and DVD catch-up because I have seem so many sporadic episodes.
Bones: season 6 starts this week on FOX. DVR purgatory, close to giving up on it completely. I'll give it a few episodes but I'm so close to bailing.
Fringe: season 3 starts this week on FOX. I hated the pilot, but I caught the odd episode and I'm kind of intrigued by how much I liked those. So, this is a DVD catch-up. One day.
The Vampire Diaries: season 2 started early September on CW. I really didn't want to want to watch this, but it's gotten some fabulous press, and CW can do it right once in a while. DVD catch-up, and I'll give it a few episodes to decide if I am going to settle in for the long haul.
Nikita: first season started early September on CW. I'm giving it a few episodes. So far it's okay but I don't know if I care about the premise long enough to get really sucked in.
Burn Notice: second half of season 4 returns in November on USA. Must see TV.
Friday:
Blue Bloods: first season starts this week on CBS. It's another cop drama. But it has Tom Selleck, so I'm giving it a few episodes.
Supernatural: season 6 starts this week on CW. I was surprised this show moved to Friday, but Thursday is a really overstuffed timeslot. Season 5 was pretty weak, overall, but they have a new showrunner now and I love the boys, so I can't let the show go yet. Must see TV.
Sanctuary: season 3 starts in October on Syfy. I like this show, but it's one of those DVR puragatory shows because the season arcs never manage to catch my attention. I'll keep watching it but it's one of those as time allows show. May move to online only.
Sunday:
Mad Men: season 4 is over in October, on AMC. I feel guilty for missing it for so long, really, in a way that I never felt guilty for missing Lost. DVD catch-up.
The Walking Dead: first season starts in October on AMC. Dude, a TV show about zombies? Based on a graphic novel series? Must see TV! At least for a few episodes and I decide if it sucks.
Dexter: season 5 starts next week on Showtime. I'm doing a DVD catch-up right now (I'm on season 3), but it doesn't really matter because I don't get Showtime, so this will always be a DVD show. I do like it so far, and like how different it is from the books without totally losing the character of Dexter.
Summer shows that just ended/will end soon that I will watch the next season of:
White Collar: love this USA show, love Tim DeKay and Matt Bomer, must see TV
Leverage: each episode is a mini-heist movie. Still awesome after three seasons. Love it!
Warehouse 13: season two on Syfy just ended, and this season has been better than the first, so it's a "must watch" for me
Eureka: season four on Syfy just ended, and even though last season kind of sucked, this season was awesome, so must see TV again
Haven: another Syfy show, but this show was simply okay, so I will start the second season in the summer and see how it goes
The Glades: after a pretty bad pilot, this A&E show picked up and became that kind of light, diverting crime show I enjoy for pure entertainment. I'll keep watching.
ETA: Leverage