Time to look back on our thoughts regarding Wednesday’s television slate from the fall.
CBS
Criminal Minds – Last season saw A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster written out of the show and replaced by Rachel Nichols. Someone must have realized it was a mistake, as this season Rachel Nichols has been replaced by A.J. Cook and Paget Brewster. As it enters its seventh season, it may not be the best move to return back to the old status quo.
Well, we certainly are back to the status quo. It is still entertaining, but I don’t know how long you can keep beating this horse before he dies.
NBC
Up All Night – Two espisodes in and it has been decent so far, with the appeal of Christina Applegate cancelling out the annoyances of Will Arnett. The scenes at home with the baby have far surpassed those at work to this point.
This has turned into a pretty decent show, and has been rewarded with a move to Thursdays. Christina Applegate has been her usually charming self and I have even come to enjoy Will Arentt’s performance in this.
Free Agents – This has not been very good so far, despite featuring the return of Anthony Stewart Head to American television sets. I give it until January, if that long.
Seems I was a little generous with the January prediction. I think it lasted 3 weeks.
Harry’s Law – Last season had Kathy Bates running a store front law firm of 4 employees, righting the wrongs of the neighborhood. After one episode of this season, that firm has grown to a full-fledged enterprise, leading me to believe that this will now become the next Boston Legal, with Bates playing the Alan Shore role. I’m not sure if that is a road I want to go down again.
This is still around, but I’m no longer watching. The changes between seasons made it easy to drop, since the show I was watching last season really no longer exists.
Changes for the winter are Whitney moving from Thursdays, and the debut of the newly titled Are You There, Chelsea?, featuring the return of Laura Prepon to network television. That alone is reason to give it a shot.
FOX
I Hate My Teenage Daughter – This isn’t scheduled to debut until late November, and, based on what I’ve seen of it in previews, it isn’t likely it will last much beyond that. I may give it a chance due to the leads, Jamie Pressly and Katie Finneran, who I’ve enjoyed in the past.
This is taking a break to make room for American Idol, which is probably for the best as this was one of the least funny comedies I’ve seen.
ABC
Suburgatory – Don’t know much about this one. IMDB says it is about “a teenage girl who moves to the suburbs.” Exciting stuff. I’ll give it a shot due to the involvement of Dollhouse’s Alan Tudyk.
This has been a surprise hit for me. Jane Levy has been one of the breakout stars of the fall and her chemistry with Jeremy Sisto has made this show very entertaining.
Modern Family – Following a cleanup at the Emmys, this returns for its third season with a new Lilly and hopefully more of the same zaniness that we’ve come to know and love.
Continues to impress.
Happy Endings – The only surviving entry of last spring’s collection of comedies about friends that are in relationships in different stages.
This show has grown into a bona fide hit, improving on its brief run last spring. These last three shows are giving NBC’s Thursday night comedy block a run for its money.
Revenge – I’m watching the pilot as I type this. Not sure if I’ll stick around past that, but I’ll give it an hour to grab me.
And grab me it did. This show is strangely addicting, with Emily VanCamp playing the scheming role very well.