TV action!
I thought it was probably a good idea to make a list of all the TV series I'll be watching come the Autumn (when all the good telly starts again), mainly because there's a lot and I'm bound to forget. There's some commentary there too, if you like that sort of thing.
Definitely
Bored to Death (September 20th)
The new HBO series starring Jason Schwartzman as an alcoholic writer operating illegally as a would-be detective. Awesome premise and lead actor aside, it also stars Zach Galifianakis, Parker Posey, Ted Danson, and Kristen Wiig, so it's quite obviously going to be brilliant with a cast like that.
Doctor Who (TBC)
We've got the three remaining specials to look forward too, which gain added importance and excitement as they're the conclusion to David Tennant's tenure as the Doctor. Hopefully they won't be as disappointing as Planet of the Dead.
Dollhouse (September 25th)
It's back, against all odds. I know that this series has yet to really catch fire for a lot of people - it certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, but having watched the first season on holiday I ended up falling in love with it and I can't wait to see where the story goes next, especially with Whedon promising a more visceral, cinematic second season. This'll also mean at least another thirteen episodes of the strangely gorgeous Dichen Lachman, which isn't something I'm unhappy about.
FlashForward (September 24th)
Against all my better judgement I'll be giving this a go. It's sort of being marketed as the successor to Lost, the cast is very good (Jack Davenport! John Cho!) and the premise is quite interesting, although I'm not entirely sure if it'll sustain my interest. It could be an enormous mess or a compelling sci-fi thriller. I'd quite like it to be the latter.
Fringe (September 17th)
More delightfully barking mad science-gone-wrong. The introduction of the parallel world means this series is certainly starting to broaden its canvas and I'm sure everyone is excited to see the follow-up to There's More Than One of Everything's mind-boggling Twin Towers-based cliffhanger, not to mention more of John Noble's fabulous Walter Bishop, one of the best characters on television.
Gavin and Stacey (TBC)
The most heart-warming, delightful comedy in recent memory is back for its third and apparently final series. I'm not sure what else there is to say apart from the fact that it'll be great to see all these loveable characters again.
Kamen Rider Double (September 6th)
The 11th series in the modern Japanese superhero franchise which seems to be injecting lots of fresh blood and new ideas into the franchise. Hopefully this will be a gamble that pays off, particularly as it looks rather impressive judging by the promo material so far.
Legend of the Seeker (November 7th)
I wasn't sure whether to include this as I'm still only on episode eight of the first season, but once I get caught up I'll definitely be following the second. Very likeable, exciting high fantasy, full of kinkiness, Bridget Regan and overused slow-mo. EDIT 9/9/09: Caught up. Show is amazing. Season two a must-watch.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (September 17th)
The fifth season of this brilliantly irreverent, dark and cringe-inducing US comedy series. A strange mix of very real situations and outright farce, which I've never really seen done with such unflinching verve. The characters are all the best kind of scum.
Merlin (September 19th)
The first season was very solid indeed, so if the second builds on that, has more ongoing storylines and less stuff based in Camelot then this should be even better. And even if that doesn't happen, Katie McGrath's compelling, complex Morgana will be more than enough to keep me entertained.
Peep Show (September 18th)
The sixth series of the best comedy series of the decade. I assume we'll getting more exercises in thrillingly awkward and politically incorrect humour with Mitchell and Webb's both likeable and hateful leads.
The Sarah Jane Adventures (October 15th)
The Sonic Lipstick-equipped ex-companion is back for a third series of child-friendly sci-fi adventure. A kids show it may be, but SJA boasts surprisingly mature, intelligent writing alongside a great bunch of characters. K-9 is going to be in this series a lot more, much to my delight. The Doctor is making an appearance too, which could either be cool or complete shit.
Shooting Stars (Now airing)
Eranu! The long-awaited turn of the fantastic surreal quiz show, fronted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer. An acquired taste if there ever was one, but I love it and I'm chuffed to bits that it's back.
Stargate Universe (October 2nd)
Despite the recent controversy, I'll still be giving this a go because I feel I can't really judge until I've actually seen it and my affection for Stargate is doing a good job of canceling out my various misgivings. There's a distinct lack of spaceships and aliens on our TV, so this should fill the gap nicely if it turns out to be good. I'm very excited about its departure from the established feel of the franchise, not to mention Robert Carlyle, I just hope it doesn't fall flat on its arse.
Supernatural (September 10th)
Possibly the last season. I guess we can expect more Demons Vs Angels alongside the introduction of Lucifer. What can I say? Supernatural is just a reliably excellent show and I doubt it'll fall at the potentially final hurdle.
Maybe
Glee
People have been raving about this. As far as I can ascertain it's a musical, set in a high school. Erm... I won't jump to the obvious conclusions here. I'm sure it's very good, but I worry that its novelty value might wear off and it'll become cloying and irritating, like Pushing Daisies.
Paradox
BBC sci-fi/crime series starring Tamsin Outhwaite, which is clearly a very compelling selling point. Naff casting aside, this is British sci-fi so I feel duty-bound to support it, but I'm not especially enthusiastic.
V: The Visitors
Battlestar Galactica-esque reimagining of the hokey 80s miniseries. Could be overly grimdark and depressing, could be alright.
The Vampire Diaries
I like vampires. But this is on The CW and it's clearly been commissioned because of Twilight's success and it could well be all teenie and blergh. Also, I might just be getting too old for that sort of thing.
Anime
Fairy Tail
Shounen with favourable comparisons to One Piece. Could be good, could be your standard shounen dross - I'd rather it be the former, because I have a weakness for well-executed shounen.
Sasameki Koto
Gay high-schoolers. Hopefully it'll be a bit less irksome and boring than Aoi Hana, which had potential but suffered from some pretty uninspiring leads.
Trapeze
From the makers of Mononoke, this looks deliciously offbeat (an eccentric counselor with a demonic car?). I'm always up for some originality in anime, especially considering the stagnant state it currently seems to be in.
What will you guys be watching?
Definitely
Bored to Death (September 20th)
The new HBO series starring Jason Schwartzman as an alcoholic writer operating illegally as a would-be detective. Awesome premise and lead actor aside, it also stars Zach Galifianakis, Parker Posey, Ted Danson, and Kristen Wiig, so it's quite obviously going to be brilliant with a cast like that.
Doctor Who (TBC)
We've got the three remaining specials to look forward too, which gain added importance and excitement as they're the conclusion to David Tennant's tenure as the Doctor. Hopefully they won't be as disappointing as Planet of the Dead.
Dollhouse (September 25th)
It's back, against all odds. I know that this series has yet to really catch fire for a lot of people - it certainly isn't everyone's cup of tea, but having watched the first season on holiday I ended up falling in love with it and I can't wait to see where the story goes next, especially with Whedon promising a more visceral, cinematic second season. This'll also mean at least another thirteen episodes of the strangely gorgeous Dichen Lachman, which isn't something I'm unhappy about.
FlashForward (September 24th)
Against all my better judgement I'll be giving this a go. It's sort of being marketed as the successor to Lost, the cast is very good (Jack Davenport! John Cho!) and the premise is quite interesting, although I'm not entirely sure if it'll sustain my interest. It could be an enormous mess or a compelling sci-fi thriller. I'd quite like it to be the latter.
Fringe (September 17th)
More delightfully barking mad science-gone-wrong. The introduction of the parallel world means this series is certainly starting to broaden its canvas and I'm sure everyone is excited to see the follow-up to There's More Than One of Everything's mind-boggling Twin Towers-based cliffhanger, not to mention more of John Noble's fabulous Walter Bishop, one of the best characters on television.
Gavin and Stacey (TBC)
The most heart-warming, delightful comedy in recent memory is back for its third and apparently final series. I'm not sure what else there is to say apart from the fact that it'll be great to see all these loveable characters again.
Kamen Rider Double (September 6th)
The 11th series in the modern Japanese superhero franchise which seems to be injecting lots of fresh blood and new ideas into the franchise. Hopefully this will be a gamble that pays off, particularly as it looks rather impressive judging by the promo material so far.
Legend of the Seeker (November 7th)
I wasn't sure whether to include this as I'm still only on episode eight of the first season, but once I get caught up I'll definitely be following the second. Very likeable, exciting high fantasy, full of kinkiness, Bridget Regan and overused slow-mo. EDIT 9/9/09: Caught up. Show is amazing. Season two a must-watch.
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (September 17th)
The fifth season of this brilliantly irreverent, dark and cringe-inducing US comedy series. A strange mix of very real situations and outright farce, which I've never really seen done with such unflinching verve. The characters are all the best kind of scum.
Merlin (September 19th)
The first season was very solid indeed, so if the second builds on that, has more ongoing storylines and less stuff based in Camelot then this should be even better. And even if that doesn't happen, Katie McGrath's compelling, complex Morgana will be more than enough to keep me entertained.
Peep Show (September 18th)
The sixth series of the best comedy series of the decade. I assume we'll getting more exercises in thrillingly awkward and politically incorrect humour with Mitchell and Webb's both likeable and hateful leads.
The Sarah Jane Adventures (October 15th)
The Sonic Lipstick-equipped ex-companion is back for a third series of child-friendly sci-fi adventure. A kids show it may be, but SJA boasts surprisingly mature, intelligent writing alongside a great bunch of characters. K-9 is going to be in this series a lot more, much to my delight. The Doctor is making an appearance too, which could either be cool or complete shit.
Shooting Stars (Now airing)
Eranu! The long-awaited turn of the fantastic surreal quiz show, fronted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer. An acquired taste if there ever was one, but I love it and I'm chuffed to bits that it's back.
Stargate Universe (October 2nd)
Despite the recent controversy, I'll still be giving this a go because I feel I can't really judge until I've actually seen it and my affection for Stargate is doing a good job of canceling out my various misgivings. There's a distinct lack of spaceships and aliens on our TV, so this should fill the gap nicely if it turns out to be good. I'm very excited about its departure from the established feel of the franchise, not to mention Robert Carlyle, I just hope it doesn't fall flat on its arse.
Supernatural (September 10th)
Possibly the last season. I guess we can expect more Demons Vs Angels alongside the introduction of Lucifer. What can I say? Supernatural is just a reliably excellent show and I doubt it'll fall at the potentially final hurdle.
Maybe
Glee
People have been raving about this. As far as I can ascertain it's a musical, set in a high school. Erm... I won't jump to the obvious conclusions here. I'm sure it's very good, but I worry that its novelty value might wear off and it'll become cloying and irritating, like Pushing Daisies.
Paradox
BBC sci-fi/crime series starring Tamsin Outhwaite, which is clearly a very compelling selling point. Naff casting aside, this is British sci-fi so I feel duty-bound to support it, but I'm not especially enthusiastic.
V: The Visitors
Battlestar Galactica-esque reimagining of the hokey 80s miniseries. Could be overly grimdark and depressing, could be alright.
The Vampire Diaries
I like vampires. But this is on The CW and it's clearly been commissioned because of Twilight's success and it could well be all teenie and blergh. Also, I might just be getting too old for that sort of thing.
Anime
Fairy Tail
Shounen with favourable comparisons to One Piece. Could be good, could be your standard shounen dross - I'd rather it be the former, because I have a weakness for well-executed shounen.
Sasameki Koto
Gay high-schoolers. Hopefully it'll be a bit less irksome and boring than Aoi Hana, which had potential but suffered from some pretty uninspiring leads.
Trapeze
From the makers of Mononoke, this looks deliciously offbeat (an eccentric counselor with a demonic car?). I'm always up for some originality in anime, especially considering the stagnant state it currently seems to be in.
What will you guys be watching?