(I wrote this as the last entry on my Vox blog, welcome to TypePad for those of you that have followed me here)
If anyone out there is still reading, this is the penultimate entry to this blog as Vox is shutting down. I will find a new home for my old posts and perhaps a renewed sense of purpose to keep it going. The final post will be a pointer to the new location as soon as I figure it out.
On that happy note, it's time for the fall TV preview! A brief review of the rules: It's only stuff I care about, with an occasional diversion in to other shows I know some of you care about that I don't. So if I don't mention it here, it's for one of two reasons. One, I don't care, or two, I missed it entirely.
There's not a lot of buzz surrounding this season. Most of the buzz seems focused on cable shows and returning shows. There are a few new ones that look worth a try, but I have yet to see anything that screams WATCH ME.
Monday: Once again a crowded night, even with the departure of 24. At 8:00 you’ve got How I Met Your Mother (Sept. 20), Chuck (Sept. 20) and House (Sept. 20). Not even a breather between premieres to choose which one you want, unfortunately. At 9:00 there are two new shows that look at least worth a look. Lone Star (Sept. 20) on Fox looks like it could be a fun, soapy con man kind of drama. NBC has a new mystery chase show called The Event (Sept. 20). If you’ve seen NBC at all in the last month you’ve seen a vague mysterious promo for it. I don’t really know that much more about it, but the buzz is decent, so I think I’ll check it out. At 10:00 we’ve got the returning Castle (Sept. 20) on ABC, which I adore and will continue watching. CBS is bringing back a Hawaii Five-0 (Sept. 20) reboot that looks like it might be fun. It’s got a hell of a cast, and if they can bring it in to the modern age and keep it interesting it could be a fun, Hawaii based procedural.
Tuesday: This looks like a good night to recover from Monday’s onslaught. Fox has moved Glee (Sept. 21) to Tuesday nights at 8:00. I’m still a little baffled as to why I watch this show, but it’s a bit of a cultural phenomenon, so I guess I’ll hang in for a little while longer. The only other vaguely interesting show on Tuesdays is ABC’s No Ordinary Family (Sept. 28), whose elevator pitch can be summed up thusly: “It’s The Incredibles in live action.” Decent enough cast, might be worth a look or two.
Wednesday: The 8:00 hour of Wednesday has the new show from J.J. Abrams, Undercovers (Sept. 22) on NBC. It’s sort of Alias with a hot couple instead of just a hot chick minus the whole mythology thing. Could be a fun way to spend 44 minutes, could be awful. This is one that’s been on my list since I heard about it, so I’m going to give it a try. Also at 8:00 is Survivor: Nicaragua (Sept. 15). I’m debating adding a reality show back in to the rotation. If I do, Survivor is a leading candidate. The only show of interest in the 9:00 hour is ABC’s Modern Family (Sept. 22). I decided last year that it wasn’t my thing, but it’s gotten such rave reviews that I might have to reconsider my position. Maybe. At 10:00, NBC has the new Law & Order: Los Angeles (Sept. 29). Looks like they’ve got a decent cast to start with, so I’ll probably watch, if only because I’ll be missing the original. Wednesday also has a couple cable shows I’m going to watch. FX has a new show called Terriers (Sept. 8) That looks like it could be a lot of fun. Mythbusters (Oct. 6) also returns with new shows, starting, I believe, with the one I was an extra for. South Park (Oct. 6) also starts a new season.
Thursday: CBS is taking on NBC’s comedy Thursday night by moving The Big Bang Theory (Sept. 23) up against Community (Sept. 23) at 8:00. Big Bang Theory has become one of my favorite shows, so my season pass stays with the move. At 8:30, 30 Rock (Sept. 23) returns. It wasn’t as good last season as some, but still one of the best comedies on TV. At 9:00, the best show you’re not watching returns to Fox: Fringe (Sept. 23). Jumping in to Fringe at this point might be a little confusing, but it’s a really good show and if you don’t have time to catch up on DVD, I still say give it a go. Also at 9:00, the return of the CBS stalwart CSI (Sept. 23). Also worth noting on Thursdays is the return of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Sept. 16) on FX.
Friday: The networks are making a big push for Friday night to actually have content and viewers. Will it succeed? Doubt it. Still, there are a few shows worth setting the DVR for. At 8:00, Fox has Human Target (Oct. 2), which I was quite enjoying, and the CW has moved Smallville (Sept. 24) to Fridays. Again, why I watch Smallville will forever remain a mystery to me, but there you have it. At 9:00, ABC has moved the newly Melina Kanakaredes-less CSI: NY (Sept. 24) from its Wednesday night slot, and Fox has relocated the occasionally entertaining Bradley Whitford show The Good Guys (Sept. 24).
Saturday is once again vacant.
Sunday: Not much to note on Sunday nights either, with The Simpsons (Sept. 26) and The Amazing Race (Sept. 26) the only network shows of note. HBO, which I don’t get, has a new show that’s generating a lot of buzz called Boardwalk Empire (Sept. 19). It’s about Atlantic City in the 1920s and the pilot was directed by none other than Martin Scorsese. If I had HBO, I’d be checking it out for sure. Also on Sunday right now, if you’re not watching Mad Men, what is wrong with you?
Goodbye vox, hello typepad. The occasional comment on your blog posts continues to be pretty much my only contribution to the internets. Thanks again for the updates!
Posted by: Rob Jensen | 09/14/2010 at 05:30 PM