The State of the TV Season
I'm borrowing this meme from ww1614, because I always love a chance to blather about TV (Oh, and no spoilers here past the most recently-aired episodes of each show.) Plus, it's great for distracting me from the flu that has mostly gone away but is still a pain in the ass nose. *sniff*
The State of the TV Season
Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: Yes, I watch it. So do you. Just admit it already. ;) I hate that I keep judging the sob stories against each other ("This couple with two disabled kids and a blind dog isn't as worthy as the woman who's raising seventeen foster kids on a McDonalds' salary!"), and I loathe the themed bedrooms that the kids will outgrow in two years. But damn, I can't stop watching. So, the addictive factor earns it a THUMBS UP.
Battlestar Galactica: Time to set aside my hardcore Kara-bias. The New Caprica arc was amazing. "Unfinished Business" was gorgeous; I love that type of non-linear, almost dreamlike storytelling. Basestar of Love/Doom? Whatever. I adore when my 'ships get complicated and frakked-up, but I wish the show had taken its time with Kara/Lee instead of throwing us into the frustrating love quadrangle. Sam is turning into six feet of awesome, which makes me suspect he's one of the Final Five. Speaking -- I'm enjoying the Final Five guessing game. Baltar might be more interesting in much smaller doses, and while I'm looking forward to the trial, it's bound to be a letdown because we know Callis isn't going anywhere. I'm also starting to worry that the cast has gotten too damn big, with RDM trying to juggle discrete storylines that don't mesh together as well as they should. Unlike most, though, I'm a veritable fountain of optimism where my show is concerned. THUMBS UP.
Monday
24: Best damn comedy on TV! It gives Ugly Betty a run for its money in terms of over-the-top soapiness. That said, this season is definitely a letdown. Karen/Bill is my new OTP. Morris could be amusing, but he's not there yet. What happened to my bitchy role-model-for-life Chloe? Jack's family? Whatever. But I can deal as long as we see his father and brother instead of Kim Bauer (who, let's hope, was in Valencia when the nuke went off.) The terrorists were great in the first four episodes, but now it's all about the family. Bleh. At least the terrorists got to blow shit up! Whee! Please bring back Hottie!Assad, like, NOW. Oh, and how the hell did America ever elect Wayne Palmer? THUMBS DOWN.
Heroes: I've always thought this one was overrated, though I'll admit that's influenced by my own issues (much the same way that I hate Grey's Anatomy.) I honestly don't give a damn about any of the characters, except Hiro and -- residual Nine love -- Christopher Eccleston's guy, whose name I haven't bothered to learn. I missed the past two episodes, so I downloaded one of them and watched, hoping my apathy was just misplaced. Nope. Still not loving it. THUMBS DOWN.
Tuesday
Gilmore Girls: I used to love you. Hell, I've been watching since your series premiere back on Thursday nights. Can I have THAT show back? I don't even care enough to say more about you. THUMBS DOWN.
House: I approach it with no expectations, so I'm seldom disappointed. The Tritter arc? Whatever. No suspense, since we knew House himself would never really change. I'm not invested enough to really pay attention to the other characters' arcs or lack thereof. House is somewhat amusing. Mostly, though, it's a good show for tuning in, being entertained for an hour, then forgetting about it until the next week. In that respect, THUMBS UP.
Veronica Mars: S1 was one of the best full-seasons of TV that I've ever seen; if you're new to my LJ, I loved that show as much as I currently love BSG. Sometime during S2, I realized that I don't care anymore. Not in a negative way -- I just lost my emotional investment in the characters. I don't think the show is *bad*, nor am I upset by various plot arcs. I'm just ambivalent. I think this is because I never fell in love with the characters themselves; even back in S1, I was more in love with the overall story and mood. I'm still watching it, though as a later-in-the-week download. THUMBS DOWN.
Wednesday
Friday Night Lights: SO much love. Y'know, I think my reactions are actually similar to what I just said about S1 of VM. I adore nearly all of the characters, but I don't have a strong emotional attachment to them. I do *love* the overall themes and mood, especially the melancholy, seething quiet. Plus, much of my connection is wrapped up in my own experiences with Texas high school football (I was in the marching band for a suburban Dallas HS.) I've resigned myself to the expectation that we'll only get one season of this show, so I'm treasuring each episode as a slice of life. THUMBS UP.
Lost: Honestly? I've completely forgotten about this show. The first six episodes were lackluster, to say the least. I want to adore Sawyer, but he's been getting on my nerves for a while. Do the rest of the castaways exist? Because it sure seems like the writers have forgotten them. Here's hoping that the rest of the season can recapture my attention. THUMBS DOWN.
Thursday
Ugly Betty: SO MUCH FUN. They're already so over-the-top soapy that I can't imagine how much more they can toss in there, but I know it'll be fun to watch. Betty is darling, though her arc has suffered a bit at the expense of all the other characters. Henry is so damn adorable that he can't possibly be real. Daniel's really growing on me, but I hope they'll let him be a bastard again. Amanda/Marc = fantabulous. The writers seem to be trying too hard to integrate Hilda into the Manhattan world; let her and Ignacio have their own interesting arcs, thanks. And finally: I want more Justin!!! THUMBS UP.
My Name Is Earl: Not quite must-see for me anymore, but the episodes themselves are full of snarky fun. I like that the writers are mixing up the format, such as the Rashomon "My name is ___" thing and the hilarious COPS parody. And the Josh episode with all the online meta was just lovely. THUMBS UP.
The Office: I'm not as drawn into the show as many of my friends are, but I think that's probably a good thing; I can enjoy the show on its own merits. I don't necessarily agree that Pam deserves to be pining after all those years of Jim pining for her -- hey, he's the one who hoped she'd dump her fiance after he expressed his love for her, which is asking a hell of a lot of a woman. That said, this extended dance is exactly what they need in order to get their heads screwed on straight. I rather like Jim with Karen, though she's obviously not going to be around much longer. I'm starting to get tired of Dwight -- as Roush(?) has said several times, he's the one character on the show who always comes across as an actor playing a role, and that's turning into too much of a distraction for me. THUMBS UP.
Scrubs: I'm always going to adore this show, but it's definitely showing its age. I do appreciate that they've toned down the near-ridiculous wackiness, but now the writers seem to be trying too hard. The musical was great, but not *as* great as it could've been. I still adore Turk/JD, and I like what we're seeing of Turk/Carla. I really like Elizabeth Banks's character and her relationship with JD, but every time they mention the baby, my brain shuts down in revulsion. Can they just pretend she never got pregnant? JD should never, ever spawn. Eeeeuw. THUMBS DOWN.
30 Rock: It really is turning into the heir apparent to my late, lamented Arrested Development. Not quite as quirky and wildly intelligent, but still very clever and smart. Tina Fey is a great actor and an even better writer; I really liked what Sepinwall recently said about how her episodes show a uniquely female sense of humor, and he did mean that as a compliment. Hey, Liz? I know you dumped him, but could you pretty please bring back Dean Winters anyway? ("But there's a new thing called 'women's liberation' which gives you women the right to choose, and you have chosen to abort me, and that I must live with." HA!!!) Tracy Jordan and the writers are the weak links, but Kenneth Ellen is darling, and Alec Baldwin just might be God. Last week's episode earns a thumbs-up simply for mentioning the Defenestration of Prague and for allowing Alec Baldwin to say "Boo-yah." THUMBS UP.
Friday
Psych: I almost skipped Friday until I remembered that I watch this show. ;) Honestly? If I added up all the elements that make it not very good, I should give it a thumbs down. James Roday's acting is sometimes cute but mostly obnoxious. The episodes are predictable and too damn twee. In fact, it feels like "filler" too much of the time. That said, I can't seem to resist it because it can be so damn adorable. Dule Hill (who I hear was great on West Wing) is fabulous and sweet. It's enjoyable without taking itself remotely seriously -- which is a big reason why I like it. Psych never tries to be more than it is, and this is a rare occasion where I applaud a show's lack of ambition. ;) THUMBS UP.
Saturday
Seriously, is anything on?
I was going to head out for some shopping, but now I'm utterly exhausted again. Ugh. Since going to bed on Thursday night, I've slept a total of 34 hours. I suppose taking another nap wouldn't be a bad idea, given how little sleep I get during the week, but I do hate wasting a perfectly nice Sunday afternoon. Eh, whatever. I'm gonna crawl back into bed and hope I can sleep off the rest of this illness, because I cannot afford to take Monday off, too. Stupid influenza.
The State of the TV Season
Sunday
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition: Yes, I watch it. So do you. Just admit it already. ;) I hate that I keep judging the sob stories against each other ("This couple with two disabled kids and a blind dog isn't as worthy as the woman who's raising seventeen foster kids on a McDonalds' salary!"), and I loathe the themed bedrooms that the kids will outgrow in two years. But damn, I can't stop watching. So, the addictive factor earns it a THUMBS UP.
Battlestar Galactica: Time to set aside my hardcore Kara-bias. The New Caprica arc was amazing. "Unfinished Business" was gorgeous; I love that type of non-linear, almost dreamlike storytelling. Basestar of Love/Doom? Whatever. I adore when my 'ships get complicated and frakked-up, but I wish the show had taken its time with Kara/Lee instead of throwing us into the frustrating love quadrangle. Sam is turning into six feet of awesome, which makes me suspect he's one of the Final Five. Speaking -- I'm enjoying the Final Five guessing game. Baltar might be more interesting in much smaller doses, and while I'm looking forward to the trial, it's bound to be a letdown because we know Callis isn't going anywhere. I'm also starting to worry that the cast has gotten too damn big, with RDM trying to juggle discrete storylines that don't mesh together as well as they should. Unlike most, though, I'm a veritable fountain of optimism where my show is concerned. THUMBS UP.
Monday
24: Best damn comedy on TV! It gives Ugly Betty a run for its money in terms of over-the-top soapiness. That said, this season is definitely a letdown. Karen/Bill is my new OTP. Morris could be amusing, but he's not there yet. What happened to my bitchy role-model-for-life Chloe? Jack's family? Whatever. But I can deal as long as we see his father and brother instead of Kim Bauer (who, let's hope, was in Valencia when the nuke went off.) The terrorists were great in the first four episodes, but now it's all about the family. Bleh. At least the terrorists got to blow shit up! Whee! Please bring back Hottie!Assad, like, NOW. Oh, and how the hell did America ever elect Wayne Palmer? THUMBS DOWN.
Heroes: I've always thought this one was overrated, though I'll admit that's influenced by my own issues (much the same way that I hate Grey's Anatomy.) I honestly don't give a damn about any of the characters, except Hiro and -- residual Nine love -- Christopher Eccleston's guy, whose name I haven't bothered to learn. I missed the past two episodes, so I downloaded one of them and watched, hoping my apathy was just misplaced. Nope. Still not loving it. THUMBS DOWN.
Tuesday
Gilmore Girls: I used to love you. Hell, I've been watching since your series premiere back on Thursday nights. Can I have THAT show back? I don't even care enough to say more about you. THUMBS DOWN.
House: I approach it with no expectations, so I'm seldom disappointed. The Tritter arc? Whatever. No suspense, since we knew House himself would never really change. I'm not invested enough to really pay attention to the other characters' arcs or lack thereof. House is somewhat amusing. Mostly, though, it's a good show for tuning in, being entertained for an hour, then forgetting about it until the next week. In that respect, THUMBS UP.
Veronica Mars: S1 was one of the best full-seasons of TV that I've ever seen; if you're new to my LJ, I loved that show as much as I currently love BSG. Sometime during S2, I realized that I don't care anymore. Not in a negative way -- I just lost my emotional investment in the characters. I don't think the show is *bad*, nor am I upset by various plot arcs. I'm just ambivalent. I think this is because I never fell in love with the characters themselves; even back in S1, I was more in love with the overall story and mood. I'm still watching it, though as a later-in-the-week download. THUMBS DOWN.
Wednesday
Friday Night Lights: SO much love. Y'know, I think my reactions are actually similar to what I just said about S1 of VM. I adore nearly all of the characters, but I don't have a strong emotional attachment to them. I do *love* the overall themes and mood, especially the melancholy, seething quiet. Plus, much of my connection is wrapped up in my own experiences with Texas high school football (I was in the marching band for a suburban Dallas HS.) I've resigned myself to the expectation that we'll only get one season of this show, so I'm treasuring each episode as a slice of life. THUMBS UP.
Lost: Honestly? I've completely forgotten about this show. The first six episodes were lackluster, to say the least. I want to adore Sawyer, but he's been getting on my nerves for a while. Do the rest of the castaways exist? Because it sure seems like the writers have forgotten them. Here's hoping that the rest of the season can recapture my attention. THUMBS DOWN.
Thursday
Ugly Betty: SO MUCH FUN. They're already so over-the-top soapy that I can't imagine how much more they can toss in there, but I know it'll be fun to watch. Betty is darling, though her arc has suffered a bit at the expense of all the other characters. Henry is so damn adorable that he can't possibly be real. Daniel's really growing on me, but I hope they'll let him be a bastard again. Amanda/Marc = fantabulous. The writers seem to be trying too hard to integrate Hilda into the Manhattan world; let her and Ignacio have their own interesting arcs, thanks. And finally: I want more Justin!!! THUMBS UP.
My Name Is Earl: Not quite must-see for me anymore, but the episodes themselves are full of snarky fun. I like that the writers are mixing up the format, such as the Rashomon "My name is ___" thing and the hilarious COPS parody. And the Josh episode with all the online meta was just lovely. THUMBS UP.
The Office: I'm not as drawn into the show as many of my friends are, but I think that's probably a good thing; I can enjoy the show on its own merits. I don't necessarily agree that Pam deserves to be pining after all those years of Jim pining for her -- hey, he's the one who hoped she'd dump her fiance after he expressed his love for her, which is asking a hell of a lot of a woman. That said, this extended dance is exactly what they need in order to get their heads screwed on straight. I rather like Jim with Karen, though she's obviously not going to be around much longer. I'm starting to get tired of Dwight -- as Roush(?) has said several times, he's the one character on the show who always comes across as an actor playing a role, and that's turning into too much of a distraction for me. THUMBS UP.
Scrubs: I'm always going to adore this show, but it's definitely showing its age. I do appreciate that they've toned down the near-ridiculous wackiness, but now the writers seem to be trying too hard. The musical was great, but not *as* great as it could've been. I still adore Turk/JD, and I like what we're seeing of Turk/Carla. I really like Elizabeth Banks's character and her relationship with JD, but every time they mention the baby, my brain shuts down in revulsion. Can they just pretend she never got pregnant? JD should never, ever spawn. Eeeeuw. THUMBS DOWN.
30 Rock: It really is turning into the heir apparent to my late, lamented Arrested Development. Not quite as quirky and wildly intelligent, but still very clever and smart. Tina Fey is a great actor and an even better writer; I really liked what Sepinwall recently said about how her episodes show a uniquely female sense of humor, and he did mean that as a compliment. Hey, Liz? I know you dumped him, but could you pretty please bring back Dean Winters anyway? ("But there's a new thing called 'women's liberation' which gives you women the right to choose, and you have chosen to abort me, and that I must live with." HA!!!) Tracy Jordan and the writers are the weak links, but Kenneth Ellen is darling, and Alec Baldwin just might be God. Last week's episode earns a thumbs-up simply for mentioning the Defenestration of Prague and for allowing Alec Baldwin to say "Boo-yah." THUMBS UP.
Friday
Psych: I almost skipped Friday until I remembered that I watch this show. ;) Honestly? If I added up all the elements that make it not very good, I should give it a thumbs down. James Roday's acting is sometimes cute but mostly obnoxious. The episodes are predictable and too damn twee. In fact, it feels like "filler" too much of the time. That said, I can't seem to resist it because it can be so damn adorable. Dule Hill (who I hear was great on West Wing) is fabulous and sweet. It's enjoyable without taking itself remotely seriously -- which is a big reason why I like it. Psych never tries to be more than it is, and this is a rare occasion where I applaud a show's lack of ambition. ;) THUMBS UP.
Saturday
Seriously, is anything on?
I was going to head out for some shopping, but now I'm utterly exhausted again. Ugh. Since going to bed on Thursday night, I've slept a total of 34 hours. I suppose taking another nap wouldn't be a bad idea, given how little sleep I get during the week, but I do hate wasting a perfectly nice Sunday afternoon. Eh, whatever. I'm gonna crawl back into bed and hope I can sleep off the rest of this illness, because I cannot afford to take Monday off, too. Stupid influenza.