And this year, I've only caught two pilots, but luckily, from the buzz around, those are apparently the two best shows.
Obviously, WE ARE ALL ALREADY WATCHING GLEE, RIGHT?
RIGHT?The other best show is, of COURSE, in the EXACT SAME TIME SLOT, but you can DVR Modern Family on ABC (also on Wednesdays at 9pm) and watch it after Glee. (To check out the pilot, use the password "tiaz909y" here).
But alas, maybe some of the other shows will turn out better than expected. Hey, this time last year, I wouldn't have thought twice about The Mentalist but look how that turned out!?
Anyways, here's my breakdown of all the new fall shows on the main networks sorted by day of the week:
SUNDAYS
A pretty stable night with very little that has changed with only two new shows on the main networks and The CW completely bowing out.
Returning Shows I Will Watch: Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters
Returning Shows on Cable I Will Figure Out A Way To Watch: (because I don't get them on my cable in Canada): Mad Men
That Show Is Still On?: America's Funniest Home Videos
Why People Would Watch: Those Moonlight fans are crazy loyal and Alex O'Loughlin stars in this, without the broody vampire stuff. Now people not that into vampire shows can watch something he's in. Plus he's in the next Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy and looks cute in it.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's not a vampire show starring Alex O'Loughlin. It looks kinda lame.
Why I Would Watch: I never got the Alex O'Loughlin love... but he's growing on me, probably because there's no vampire broodiness. Plus Broadway's Christopher J. Hanke (who I saw in The Full Monty National Tour) is in this, along with Julia Ormond and Alfre Woodard, two actors I like.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It's about organ donation and thus is another medical drama that I don't really need. Then again, I said that about Nurse Jackie and look how that turned out? Unfortunately, this looks more earnest and sappy then snappy and smart like NJ. Plus it's on against Desperate Housewives and I'm not really looking to add new shows to my Sunday lineup.
What It Hopes To Be: St. Elsewhere meets Providence
What It Hopes Not To Be: Forgotten.
Worthy?: I'll check it out, just cause of the cast, and it looks it could be mildly entertaining when there's nothing else to watch, but nothing to make it required viewing.
Why People Would Watch: It's Seth MacFarlane's new show and looks like the Black version of Family GuyWhy People Wouldn't Watch: If they aren't into Family Guy.
Why I Would Watch: Jason Sudeikis and Arianna Huffington have re-occuring roles. Sanaa Lathan is a regular voice.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: I'm not into Family Guy.
What It Hopes To Be: The Black Family Guy.
What It Hopes Not To Be: The Black American Dad.
Worthy?: I don't mind animated comedies, in theory, but I'm just not into Seth MacFarlane stuff.
MONDAYS
Start of the week but it looks quite spotty. With lots of show I'm mediocre on (House, Lie to Me, Castle, Dancing with the Stars). And again, only two new shows for the night (I'm not counting The Jay Leno Show. That doesn't exist in my world)
Returning Shows I Will Watch: How I Met Your Mother, Gossip Girl, The Big Bang Thoery
Returning Shows on Cable I Will Figure Out A Way To Watch (because I don't get them on my cable in Canada): Greek and the remaining episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager
That Show Is Still On?: One Tree Hill
Why People Would Watch: Jenna Elfman headlines this new comedy. Grant Show is in a comedy (well trained from all those years on Melrose Place). It's in the timeslot between How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half MenWhy People Wouldn't Watch: Jenna Elfman headlines this new comedy. She seems really polarizing.
Why I Would Watch:: Jon Foster (life as we know it) and Ashley Jensen (Extras, Ugly Betty) co-star and I love them.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It's more like Two and A Half Men than HIMYM
What It Hopes To Be: Dharma and Greg's Younger Brother
What It Hopes Not To Be: Courting Alex
Worthy?: I actually liked Courting Alex (Eflman's last failed show) and considering I'm pretty much ignoring timeslot competitors DWTS, Heroes, House, this will fit well after HIMYM until 9pm for now.
Why People Would Watch: It's a "high octane" show with what looks like lots of explosions and stuff. Did I mention it was a MEDICAL show?Why People Wouldn't Watch: It looks really dumb.
Why I Would Watch: It's Peter Berg's new show, and since his last one was Friday Night Lights, I'm required to give this a chance. He made a football show that made me CARE, so maybe this might be better than it looks. Lots of FNL people behind this, plus, FNL's Kevin Rankin is a regular cast member here.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: The previews look REALLY dumb.
What It Hopes To Be: ER on steroids
What It Hopes Not To Be: Speed set in hospital
Worthy?: I'm still really dubious about it and would have totally ignored it if it weren't for all the Friday Night Lights connections. So I'll definitely check it out for now, if only for FNL's sake, but I'm still not convinced.
TUESDAYS
Well, Tuesdays in the states looks dismal until So You Think You Can Dance is added to the lineup and they go into the Top 20 Performances on Oct. 27th. In Canada, we actually have Season 2 of So You Think You Can Dance Canada performance episodes until Oct. 20th (just in time to pass the baton back to the American counterpart) to keep me busy on Tuesdays.
Returning Shows I Will Watch: So You Think You Can Dance
Returning Shows I Might Keep Up With: 90210 solely because of Matt Lanter, Being Erica mainly because of Tyron Leitso
That Show Is Still On?: N.C.I.S.
Why People Would Watch: The show is smarter than it sounds and looks. And in this economically troubled times, what could be more fascinating than people attempting to start new businesses? A reality show about business by Mark Burnett that DOESN'T involve Donald Trump.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's a reality show. A reality show about business. A reality show about business that almost has the auditions format of Idol
Why I Would Watch: It's based on Dragons Den which has versions all over the world. The Canadian version on CBC is actually really fascinating and interesting to watch, and a LOT smarter and classier than you would think this show would be. I actually learned a lot about creating a business and how it works from the Canadian investors comments. Plus, the US version poached 2 of the Canadian "Dragons" investors (Robert Herjavec and Kevin O'Leary) and turned them into Sharks (although I liked the other 2 guys and the woman the best on the Canadian version, Kevin and Robert are the more like "Simon").
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It's against So You Think You Can Dance, the mother of all reality shows.
What It Hopes To Be: Dragons Den
What It Hopes Not To Be: The Apprentice
Worthy?: Not required viewing but based on the Canadian version, I actually want to watch this, and it's quite entertaining to watch. I wouldn't stay home for this but if I'm home, I'd watch.
Why People Would Watch: It's based on the original mini-series V which everyone except me seems to remember and love. It's a sci-fi show on ABC with a very pretty cast.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's a sci-fi show on ABC, will they keep it on long enough to actually wrap up stories? Will people have patience on top of Lost?
Why I Would Watch: Scott Wolf. Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet on Lost). Canadian Laura Vandervoort (Instant Star, Smallville) and Monica Baccarin (Firefly), plus re-occuring guest role for Alan Tudyk (Firefly)?! Awesome!
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Seems super creepy. And if they don't know where this is going, I'm out.
What It Hopes To Be: V The Series, Lost with Aliens
What It Hopes Not To Be: The ratings for Invasion, Jericho, Threshold
Worthy?: Scott Wolf? I'm in!
Why People Would Watch: It's Melrose Place bitch! Before Gossip Girl, before The OC, there was Melrose Place. Where pretty and vapid people "lived" and slept around and connived and slept around. Plus, the hope that Heather Locklear will return as AMANDA as a ratings saviour.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Fear of STD's.
Why I Would Watch: Michael Rady. Canadians Jessica Lucas and Shaun Sipos. Colin Egglesfield cause he's pretty.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Ashlee Simpson (oh barf). The lame premise/mystery/twist. Of ALL the former residences, all they could get was Thomas Calabro as Michael Mancini and Laura Leighton as a no-longer-dead-but-were-going-to-kill-her-again Sydney? I know Doug Savant and Marcia Cross won't be returning since they're on a legit hit, and Grant Show is trying a legit sitcom, and Courtney Thorne Smith is just basking in the money from Ally McBeal and According to Jim. Even Josie Bisett has a pretty good gig going on The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but what about Andrew Shue? I know he's moved on and helping poor soccer kids and actually living a real (and respectable sounding) life but ANDREW SHUE! So yummy!
What It Hopes To Be: Melrose Place with Gossip Girl sensibilities
What It Hopes Not To Be: 90210
Worthy?: Because I'm shallow, I'll try a few episodes, but if it can't get the ground running like 90210, both of them are being evicted from my schedule.
Why People Would Watch: It's an N.C.I.S. spinoff. It stars Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool JWhy People Wouldn't Watch: It's an N.C.I.S. spinoff.
Why I Would Watch: Chris O'Donnell, LL Cool J, Linda Hunt and Peter Cambor (so underrated on Notes From the Underbelly)
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It's an N.C.I.S. spinoff, and based on the one episode of the original that I watched in a hotel because it was the only English show on at the time, I realized I should have watched the other shows in foreign languages. I might have actually understood the other shows more.
What It Hopes To Be: N.C.I.S. or CSI: Miami
What It Hopes Not To Be: Actually good.
Worthy?: As much as I love O'Donnell, Cool J, Hunt and Cambor, uh, NO.
Why People Would Watch: Julianna Margulies with Chris Noth. Hathaway meets Big! Noth lands in a sex scandal so the good wife Marguillies must start anew, balancing being a mother and going back to work as an attorney.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Sounds really dour and dowdy.
Why I Would Watch: The ensemble cast is GREAT! Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls), Christine Byranski, Graham Phillips (13: The Musical), Josh Charles.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It sounds like it could be really boring.
What It Hopes To Be: Desperate Housewife The Drama
What It Hopes Not To Be: Cane
Worthy?: I had no interest in this until I heard about the ensemble cast. Now for Czuchry, Byranski, Phillips and Charles alone, I'm intrigued.
Why People Would Watch: It's Christian Slater doing a Jerry Bruckheimer show.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's Christian Slater doing a Jerry Bruckheimer show.
Why I Would Watch: It's on ABC.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Nothing about this show is even remotely making me interested, and sadly, the show is following its name a bit too closely.
What It Hopes To Be: Without a Trace
What It Hopes Not To Be: Whatever show Slater was on last year, the name which I've already forgotten... doh!
Worthy?: What show is this again?
WEDNESDAYS
Only CBS has their lineup intact but here's the night where the two best shows (or the word on the street says), Glee and Modern Family compete against each other in the same timeslot. Of course.
Returning Shows I Will Watch: The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, So You Think You Can Dance
Returning Shows on Cable I Will Figure Out A Way To Watch (because I don't get them on my cable in Canada): Top Chef, Friday Night Lights
That Show Is Still On?: CSI: New York
Why People Would Watch: A hospital show, but from the nurses perspective. Extremely loyal Buffy fans who will follow Michelle Trachtenberg.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Another hospital show.
Why I Would Watch: Guillermo Diaz (Weeds) and James Tupper (Men In Trees) are in the cast.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Another hospital show.
What It Hopes To Be: ER without the doctors, Grey's Anatomy from a different perspective
What It Hopes Not To Be: Lipstick Jungle but about nurses.
Worthy?: I really doubt it. Diaz, Tupper and Trachtenberg might pull me in enough to check it out but against New Christine and SYTYCD, it probably won't survive the tug of war.
Why People Would Watch: Kelsey Grammar's new show.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Kelsey Grammar's new show which is apparently REALLY bad.
Why I Would Watch: Since I was one of the few people that actually enjoyed Back To You, I'd be game for yet another Kelsey Grammar show. While I don't think he's all that and sometimes overrated/overpaid, I can still watch Frasier reruns anytime so that's got to mean something. Plus James Burrows is directing again.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Apparently it's really bad.
What It Hopes To Be: According to Frasier
What It Hopes Not To Be: According to Jim
Worthy?: Against New Christine and SYTYCD? I doubt it.
Why People Would Watch: Patricia Heaton plays a harried mom.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Patricia Heaton plays a harried mom without Raymond.
Why I Would Watch: Neil Flynn (Scrubs) is the father. He might actually even get a character name! Plus as noted before, I actually liked Back To You and Patricia Heaton was about the only thing I could stand about Everybody Loves Raymond.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: It's another suburban family comedy. Without anything that looks new.
What It Hopes To Be: Everybody Loves Patricia
What It Hopes Not To Be: Surviving Suburbia
Worthy?: It's against the second half hour of SYTYCD results show, where we actually find out the results. NO. Plus I already have Gary Unmarried and I think I can only have one mediocre comedy-that-I-like in my lineup.
Why People Would Watch: Because it's the best new show of the fall season. Because it's funny, dark, twisted, complex and simple. Because it delves into High School with a new twist. Because it has musical numbers, an awesome cast, and great guest stars.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Because they are stupid poo pooheads. Because they'll automatically dismiss this show for being a "high school" show or a "musical" without being smart enough to realize how much more it really is.
Why I Would Watch: Duh, because it's AWESOME!
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Because someone kidnapped and blinded me and threw me in a windowless dungeon.
What It Hopes To Be: High School Musical with a dark twisted mind.
What It Hopes Not To Be: Cop Rock, Viva Laughlin
Worthy?: My straight guy friends who checked out the pilot (and who usually don't like musicals) LOVED IT. There might actually be some hope yet! Of COURSE this is worthy! Do NOT even CALL me between Wednesdays at 9-10pm from now on.
Why People Would Watch: Pretty people looking beautiful.Why People Wouldn't Watch: Jealousy
Why I Would Watch: Pretty people looking beautiful and I'm totally shallow (if you haven't been able to figure out so far)
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Mischa Barton. Bitch.
What It Hopes To Be: Make Me America's Next Top Supermodel: The Dramatization
What It Hopes Not To Be: Models Inc.
Worthy?: Of all the new CW shows, this one intrigues me the most, probably because it seems to know exactly what it is and what it's going for, and nothing more, and nothing less. Oh, and duh, pretty people!
Why People Would Watch: Because it's a complex sitcom that is emotionally deep, hilariously observant and just twisted enough to take the typical "suburban sitcom" into a new direction.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's too complex and the humour is too dry.
Why I Would Watch: Faves Ed O'Neil (Married With Children, Julie Bowen (Ed, Boston Legal, Lost), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (The Class), Sofia Vergara (Men In Trees, Dirty Sexy Money) and Ty Burrell (Back To You) are amongst the cast in a VERY FUNNY and VERY TOUCHING and VERY ENTHRALLING sitcom.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Glee will be on at the same time.
What It Hopes To Be: Arrested Development but with slightly more normal families.
What It Hopes Not To Be: Sons & Daughters (even though I REALLY liked that show)
Worthy?: Most definitely YES. The worst part of this show is that it's scheduled against Glee, the hottest buzz show this year. Hopefully ABC will move it or like Better Off Ted, give the worthy shows a chance and be patient with it.
Why People Would Watch: Cougars! And the cougar is Courtney Cox!Why People Wouldn't Watch: They're scared of plastic surgery.
Why I Would Watch: Dan Byrd (Aliens in America) plays Courtney's son. The ensemble cast includes Christa Miller, Josh Hopkins, Brian Van Holt, Busy Phillips and Ian Gomez (Javier!), and it's from Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Word is it's bad.
What It Hopes To Be: Friends fifteen years in the future.
What It Hopes Not To Be: The Cougar: The (Scripted) Comedy
Worthy?: Even though the buzz is bad, I still really want to see this based on pedigree alone.
Why People Would Watch: Based on the famous movie/book The Witches Of Eastwick. Rebecca Romijn co-stars.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's apparently terrible
Why I Would Watch: The Devil is played by Canadian Paul Gross (Due South, Sling & Arrows) even though he's apparently completely miscast. Sara Rue (Less Than Perfect) co-stars, and Lindsay Price, who I don't think I like but always wins me over, stars. Plus, as a showkiller, I feel bad for Price (Lipstick Jungle, Coupling).
Why I Wouldn't Watch: If it's Lipstick Jungle with a devil.
What It Hopes To Be: Sex and the City with a Big Devil
What It Hopes Not To Be: Lipstick Jungle, Cashmere Mafia with a devils twist
Worthy?: I'm curious about this but I'm not hopeful, and I might have enough saved up from earlier in the night to catch up on.
THURSDAYS
There are 7 days in a week but apparently the networks like to shove everything on Thursdays don't they?
Returning Shows I Will Watch: Survivor, Bones, The Office, 30 Rock, Fringe, Supernatural, The Mentalist
Returning Shows I Usually Watch but I Might Have To Drop: Private Practice, Grey's Anatomy
Why People Would Watch: It looks like Lost light, with a fun sci-fi twist on a human drama.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It might be as confusing as Lost
Why I Would Watch: The cast alone, with John Cho (Harold and Kumar), Sonya Walger (Lost), Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love), Jack Davenport (Coupling UK), Brian O'Byrne and Courtney B. Vance (Law & Order: Criminal Intent) is reason alone. The freaky/fun premise sounds intriguing. And Dominic Monaghan (Lost) guest stars/re-occurs? Nice!
Why I Wouldn't Watch: If it doesn't know where it's going, or wastes its talented cast, I'm out.
What It Hopes To Be: Lost light.
What It Hopes Not To Be: Heroes
Worthy?: Next to Glee and Modern Family, this is the show I'm looking most (flash) forward to.
Why People Would Watch: It's about teenage vampires.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's about teenage vampires.
Why I Would Watch: Degrassi Nina Dobrev joins Shenae on The CW. Let's hope this one turns out better. Plus, Lost alum Ian Somerhalder AND Steven R. McQueen (Everwood). Love those two.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: Paul Wesley who I have hated on every show he's been on. And here he plays the protagonist that were supposed to sympathize with? I don't think so.
What It Hopes To Be: Twilight The TV show
What It Hopes Not To Be: 90210 with vampires.
Worthy?: If it weren't for Paul Wesley, I'd be all in, but I HATE HIM so I'm not sure yet. The commercials also like a little cornball, but since CTV will move it to 7pm where it won't conflict with anything, why not?
Why People Would Watch: A quirky comedy with the very funny and strangely good looking Joel McHale as the lead.Why People Wouldn't Watch: It's too quirky? It's not actually funny? Chevy Chase?
Why I Would Watch: Joel McHale and the fact that I'm assuming this comedy has his sense of humour. Oh, and John Oliver from The Daily Show is in it too!
Why I Wouldn't Watch: If Chevy Chase becomes the focus.
What It Hopes To Be: Arrested Development/ The Office at a community college.
What It Hopes Not To Be: Parks & Recreation
Worthy?: Let's hope it's more The Office but the trailer looks pretty funny and again, Joel McHale!
FRIDAYS
When did Fridays actually get busy?
Returning Shows I Will Watch: Ugly Betty, Southland, Dollhouse
That Show Is Still On?: 'Til Death
Why People Would Watch: NFL fans who want a laugh, Black people looking to fill the void left by The CW dumping the comedies that will re-run in the future on BET.Why People Wouldn't Watch: They're White.
Why I Would Watch: Daryl "Chill" Mitchell (Ed) and CCH Pounder (The Shield) star. Especially to see CCH Pounder in a comedy.
Why I Wouldn't Watch: I would forget that it's on.
What It Hopes To Be: The Game or Girlfriends for boys.
What It Hopes Not To Be: A Black Coach
Worthy?: Not to sound racist but probably not. Though seeing CCH Pounder in something light sounds super intriguing.
SATURDAYS
Time to catch up on anything you missed! Or go out and have a life! Or watch Glee again (cause you know you'll want to, ya Gloser!).
Vance at http://tapeworthy.blogspot.com
Wow! I bow down to the comprehensive nature of this post AND to your excellent taste, although I only will be able to watch some of these shows. I had not even heard of Modern Family, but now I'll look out for it (try to tape it? see if they post episodes somewhere?) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you still keep this up :p
ReplyDeleteKudos!
We must have seen different Trauma promos because the ones I have seen look epic. C'mon, Buddy Garrity looses a finger. My biggest worry about the show is how can they keep that intensity in this economy.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't know what you are taling about on Thursday, Survivor is the only show on for me. Monday is my logjam, HIMYM, Big Bang Theory, Trauma, Greek, Football and VH1 might con me into watching that Eddiew Griffin show. Luckily there is nothing on Tuesday so I'll have time to play catch up then.
I just can't help getting annoyed every time I see a clip for "Mercy"...it looks very pretentious with a lot of over-acting. I'm afraid the main girl will fall into the "love to hate" category.
ReplyDelete