If you were looking for a completely serious take on the Chuck premise, a super agent with computer-aided abilities, that was devoid of any and all humor, Intelligence was the show for you. Based on the ratings, however, not many people were looking for such a show. What should have been a no-brainer, with Josh Holloway in his first post-Lost starring role and Once Upon A Time‘s Meghan Ory teaming up as the microchipped agent and his handler, the show failed quickly. I bailed after 4 episodes and with no sign of improvement on the horizon. CBS aired the full 13 episode order before pulling the plug.
Tag / Chuck
Midseason Review – Mondays
Day 2 of our look back at my thoughts on the new fall television season and what is new for the winter and spring.
7:00
How I Met Your Mother – Entering its 9th and final season, the show finally introduced the titular mother in last spring’s finale. This entire season will take place over the weekend of Barney and Robin’s wedding, but should have some flashbacks and flashforwards involving the mother.
The show has worked best this season when the mother has been involved, which, sadly, hasn’t been too often. The plan is for it to air without reruns through the series finale in March.
Bones – Also returning for its 9th season, Bonesstarts the year on Mondays but is scheduled to move to Fridays after the World Series. Replacing it on Mondays will be
Well, FOX finally pulled the trigger and actually moved Bones to Fridays. Not much to say about the show that hasn’t already been said. It seems to just keep chugging along.
Almost Human – Brought to us by some of the good folks responsible for Fringe, I’ll give this a shot, assuming it ever does show up on Mondays.
We’re 9 episodes into the season and I’m still not sure what to make of this one. More often than not, I find myself falling asleep during the show, which I guess doesn’t bode well for it.
8:00
2 Broke Girls – Entering its 3rd season, it is time to accept that this show is not going to change. It will continue to feature two talented leads and surround them with base racial stereotypes and humor aimed towards the lowest common denominator. To this point, the charm of the leads has been enough to overcome bad things about the show. At some point, though, that is bound to change.
The status quo got shaken up a bit, first with the addition of the cupcake window at the back of the diner and then with the addition of the baking school. Continue reading →
2012 New Fall Season – Thursdays
Thursday night is traditionally the busiest night of the week. Here’s what’s on the slate for this season.
7:00
The Big Bang Theory – Entering its 6th season, the show is at its ratings high point. They pick up right where last season left off, with Howard married and in space.
30 Rock – Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin return for the 7th and final season. I will certainly look forward to these last 13 episodes.
Last Resort – Early reports are that this show had the best pilot of the season, but left some doubts as to how it could continue on on a week to week basis. I’m looking forward to seeing for myself.
7:30
Up All Night – Christina Applegate and Will Arnett return in the last minute renewal from last spring. The status quo gets shaken up a bit as Ava’s show was cancelled in last week’s season premiere, putting Applegate’s Reagan and Maya Rudolph’s Ava out of work.
8:00
Person Of Interest – The enigmatic hit returns for its second season. Michael Emerson was not given as much to do last season as one would have hoped following Lost, but his role did pick up somewhat towards the end of the year.
The Office – The producers had previously announced that this season would be the show’s last. With original EP Greg Daniels returning to bring the show to its conclusion. Last week’s season premiere introduced some new, younger employees that might cause Jim and Pam to re-evaluate their lot in life.
Grey’s Anatomy – The 9th season opens a few months after the plane crash that closed out last season. There will be some cast shakeups, as Chyler Leigh is gone and Eric Dane is leaving. While not as good as it once was (and what show is after 9 years), it is still an entertaining way to pass an hour.
2012 New Fall Season – Sundays
It’s that time of year again. The new fall season is upon us. Time to delve into the offerings that will clog up the DVR every Sunday night.
7:00
Once Upon A Time – ABC found themselves a winner last year with this series about fairy tale characters who have been forced to live in the real world thanks to the evil Queen. Last season ended with the characters remembering their true selves, which promises a new status quo for season 2.
8:00
The Good Wife – Thanks to the great DVR crash of 2012, I missed the last few episodes of last season. While never flashy, this show is always solid. The big problem in the fall will be catching the entire episode when football runs long.
Revenge – ABC’s other breakout hit of last season moves from Wednesday to Sunday as Emily VanCamp continues her secret rampage through the Hamptonites that ruined her father’s life. This was a surprisingly good soap that delivered the goods last season.
Dexter – Speaking of shaking up the status quo, last season ended with Jennifer Carpenter’s Deb walking in on Dexter mid-murder. To make things more interesting, former Chuck star Yvonne Strahovski joins the crew at Miami Metro.
Midseason Review – Fridays
Finishing up our look back at the fall television season.
CBS
Blue Bloods – The surprise hit of last season. A decently solid show with a small mystery that lurks in the background.
Last season’s mystery has been replaced by the occassional undercover plot, but still a consistent, if unspectacular, performer.
NBC
Chuck – The final season kicks off its thirteen episode run in late October. It will likely be a fun ride to the finish line.
And tonight is the finale. It will be sad to say goodbye to the Buy More. A good show that did not deserve the jerking around it has gotten in recent seasons.
Grimm – All I know is that Jennifer Morrison is involved and it has something to do with the Grimm fairy tales.
See, this is what happens when someone steals your Fall TV Preview issue of Entertainment Weekly and there are two shows with similar backgrounds. Jennifer Morrison, of course, is on Once Upon A Time. This show is horrible and I’m surprised it is still on the air. Yet NBC can’t find a place for Chuck or Community on the schedule.
FOX
Fringe – Peter is gone and the two universe’s have merged into one. I’m not sure what the new season has in store for us, but I’m on board.
You know, for someone who took at lot of grief for her “stiff” acting style, Anna Torv has played 5 distinct versions of the Olivia character and has applied different nuances to all of them. She really is quite good and it is a shame she will never be recognized for the work she is doing here. Also a shame is the ratings the show is getting, making it ever more likely that this will be the final season. Continue reading →
2011 New Fall Season – Fridays
CBS
Blue Bloods – The surprise hit of last season. A decently solid show with a small mystery that lurks in the background.
NBC
Chuck – The final season kicks off its thirteen episode run in late October. It will likely be a fun ride to the finish line.
Grimm – All I know is that Jennifer Morrison is involved and it has something to do with the Grimm fairy tales.
FOX
Upfronts Day 0
NBC jumped the gun and released their schedule for the upcoming fall season a day early. Chuck returns for a 13 episode final season, moving to Friday nights. 30 Rock gets bumped to mid-season due to Tina Fey’s pregnancy. Harry’s Law gets a surprise renewal and moves to Wednesdays.
New dramas in the fall include Prime Suspect, starring Maria Bello as a homicide detective fighting her way through the boys club. The Playboy Club tries to follow in the footsteps of Mad Men and goes back to the 60s at the legendary Chicago club. Grimm tries to follow in the footsteps (notice a pattern here?) of Supernatural, following a group of hunters going after the creatures from the Grimm fairy tales. Awake (finally a somewhat new premise) is a drama about a man who wakes up from an accident to find out he is living in two parallel worlds, one where his wife died in the accident and one where his son died.
On the comedy front, Whitney is a starring vehicle for roast sensation Whitney Cummings. Up All Night is “a modern take on parenthood.” Free Agents is based on a cult UK comedy and returns Anthony Head, TVs Giles, to America’s shores. Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea is inspired by the book from late night host Chelsea Handler and stars Laura Prepon. Best Friends Forever looks at best friends who promise to support each other. Bent is about a couple who are attracted to each other despite not having much in common.
Midseason Review – Mondays
As we start to gear up for midseason premieres and February sweeps, let’s take a look back at what I said and thought back in September.
7:00
How I Met Your Mother – It looks like we (and Ted) are finally going to meet the long-teased titular mother this season, which could be just what the show needs. It started to drag a bit last season, but the premiere seemed like they were back to form. At its worst, it is worth watching for Jason Segel and Neil Patrick Harris, who always bring their A-game.
Well, despite a tease here and there, we aren’t really any closer to meeting the titular mother. But, the season has been good so far, and the last new episode had Jason Segal show just how much range he actually has.
Chuck – The spy comedy enters its fourth season with a new season, a new Buy More, and, finally, Chuck and Sarah together for reals. One of the better shows on TV at bringing out nerd-culture without talking down to it.
The introduction of Chuck’s mother has been a godsend for the show, if only for the occasional guest spot from the surprisingly funny Timothy Dalton. Beyond that, the show has been up to its usual snuff.
2010 New Fall Season – Mondays
To start off, I realize I watch way too much TV. 2 HD DVRs and no social life help this out considerably.
7:00
How I Met Your Mother – It looks like we (and Ted) are finally going to meet the long-teased titular mother this season, which could be just what the show needs. It started to drag a bit last season, but the premiere seemed like they were back to form. At its worst, it is worth watching for Jason Segel and Neil Patrick Harris, who always bring their A-game.
Chuck – The spy comedy enters its fourth season with a new season, a new Buy More, and, finally, Chuck and Sarah together for reals. One of the better shows on TV at bringing out nerd-culture without talking down to it.
House – At this point, the case of the week is nowhere near as important as the characters, and this year House and Cuddy are together and 13 disappears for awhile. It will be interesting to see how long they can keep House and Cuddy together without toning down their workplace dynamic. On the plus side, Amber Tamblyn joins the cast while 13 is off shooting a movie.