Wednesday, September 30, 2009

NCIS Is God

Wow. 22 million viewers last night. And only two of them could have been my parents...if only Jay Leno could follow this show, his numbers might come back up. I don't think a show like this has ever gone from average viewers to no viewers to all the viewers over 8 years -- but this show somehow did. Is Mark Harmon that appealing? It's not fair for me to make fun of a show I don't watch...so I won't mock its content or following, I will only share in my public surprise that it is so successful this late in its run.

Couple Quick Thoughts

I really really really liked the season opener of 'Dollhouse' and 'FlashForward'. Lauren and I are officially quitting 'Brothers and Sisters' because its just too much of a soap opera...I know I know...it is what is has always been. But I believe it started out as a drama, and now its just about medical issues, divorces, and more medical issues. DONE.

I thought the 'Housewives' opener was pretty good actually, it has earned a stay of execution. I think after two more episodes I will decide if its stays or goes, but Sunday night and Monday are so packed right now, this show could go and I wouldn't miss it. Right now its just habit.

Here is my major FLASHFORWARD gripe - and trust me, this is making me angry (and I don't know why)....about half way through the show they went to commericial and the voice-over guy for ABC reminded the viewers of something they just saw and told us it might be an important clue...go to ABC.com for more information. At the next break, same thing..."WHAT YOU JUST SAW IS A CLUE, go to ABC.com AND FIND OUT MORE. DONT FORGET WHAT YOU JUST SAW". I threw-up in my mouth a little bit and shed a little tear. What they were basically saying is: "Hello Viewer, you are dumb. We think you quit watching Lost because it was too confusing to watch TV with your brain. Instead, we will just force-create an online community instead of letting one foster itself, and we will tell you what is important so your tiny brain won't have to hurt. Don't worry...sit back, watch the show, and we won't make it very hard for you.." PUKE. Thanks ABC, but that was a turn-off.

Finally, how are the new shows doing? Here you go:
http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2009-09-29-strong-season-start_N.htm

Thursday, September 24, 2009

The Interview Process

Someone at work told me this morning that they are interviewing both new medical dramas - 'Three Rivers' and whatever the new nurse show is. I liked that take on watching new shows, it really is an interview process. That being said, here are the candidates whose resumes I have seen thus far:

-Melrose Place: Got the callback for a second interview, but mostly because it was pretty to look at, wasn't too offensive, and reminded me of someone I hired in the past. (Get it? Hired in the past? This analogy is really taking off....). Although I called for a second and third interview, they may be clogging the DVR for quite awhile until I decide how else to hire.

-Modern Family: Hired. One episode, pure comedy genius. Racially, ethnically, and sexually uncomfortable and possibly offensive. Perfect. Great cast. Good to see Ed O'Neil again back as the patriarch with flaws, and I love the gay couple.

-Glee: Hired. I am not interviewing any 1 hour dramas this year, that department is not only full, but its overstaffed at this point. But there is always room for light-hearted simple dramedy. And set in high school with cast members whose average age is clearly 26? Sign me up.

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS:

-The season premiere of 'Old Christine' was laugh out loud funny again. As I have said for years on this blog, I don't want to like this show, I don't why I laugh so hard, but this show is so well written and so well acted, I can't let it go. If I was still working this analogy, I would say that Christine is the employee who you can't believe got hired, you don't know what the appeal is, you don't want them around, but damn...they sure do a good job.

-'Castle' and 'The Mentalist' are back as the zany crime solvers with a quirk...there are so many of them now - writers, psychics, mind readers, mediums, rich people, manics...it is hard to keep them straight. What I do know is that the two I am keeping on board kept me entertained in 2008-2009, and they get one year extensions. Lets hope against the sophomore slump, because the DVR is already filling up.

-'Fringe' second season premiere was awesome. Tonight should help set the tone for the season. It's not too late to join, and if you need to me fill in the backstory, just let me know.

-'Dollhouse' comes back tomorrow night. I am so excited but afraid I won't enjoy it as much as Season 1 because I was able to watch it all in 2 weeks...As I have said before, once a show is watched consecutively and quickly, its hard to go back to watching a season over 40 weeks...but hopefully this show will sustain the momentum I think it has.

I have an interview tonight with 'FlashForward' - based on the all the kudos coming out from critics, I think this one will be hired on site.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

In Case You are Wondering if Jay Leno Sucks...

Monday hour by hour:

8 p.m.
ABC: “Dancing with the Stars” season premiere (17.4 million viewers, 11.0/17 households)
FOX: “House” season premiere (15.8 million, 9.2/14)
CBS: “How I Met Your Mother” season premiere (9.2 million, 5.7/9)/”Accidentally on Purpose” series premiere (9 million, 5.7/8)
NBC: “Heroes” season premiere (6.3 million, 3.9/6)

9 p.m.
ABC: “Dancing with the Stars” (17.6 million, 11.3/17)
FOX: “House” (17.2 million (9.8/14)
CBS: “Two and a Half Men” season premiere (13.6 million, 8.5/12)/”The Big Bang Theory” season premiere (12.8 million, 7.8/11)
NBC: “Heroes” (5.8 million, 3.4/5)

10 p.m.
CBS: “CSI: Miami” season premiere (13.8 million, 8.7/14)
ABC: “Castle” season premiere (9.4 million, 6.2/10)
NBC: “The Jay Leno Show” (5.7 million, 3.8/6)

He does -- and America knows it. The problem is that his show is so cheap to make, they could sell local ads for sex hotlines or cheap auto insurance or Montgomery Flea Market (YouTube it) and still make a bunch of money. They real verdict comes during November sweeps. If Leno can get eyeballs to the 10 PM local news, he stays. If the NBC local news stations across the country get killed in Sweeps (which btw is the only reason we still have sweeps, to measure local news), then he goes.

Monday, September 21, 2009

NEW SHOWS THIS FALL

Here are new shows I am going to try this year...
**I think Melrose Place is terrible so far.
**I enjoyed Community, I look forward to the second week
**Glee is great

Monday, September 21:
Castle, 10 p.m. (ABC) - I watched some re-runs this summer, as far as one hour crime shows go, this one is easy to watch and clever. Its like good background.

Tuesday, September 22:
The Good Wife, 10 p.m. (CBS) - Lauren wants a new show that I wouldn't mind watching -- we will try this one, it's Julianna Margalues as a lawyer whose husband is a cheating politician in jail

Wednesday, September 23:
Cougar Town, 9:30 p.m. (ABC) - new Courtney Cox comedy, I will try it once
Modern Family, 9 p.m. (ABC) - this is the NEW COMEDY SHOW OF THE YEAR according to critics. Ed O'Neil and a bunch of people, supposed to be great.

Thursday, September 24:
Flash Forward, 8 p.m. (ABC)

Friday, September 25:
Brothers, 8 p.m. (Fox) - new Michael Strahan comedy
Dollhouse, 9 p.m. (Fox) -- I love this show in case anyone is looking to jump in. Watched it this summer and loved it.

Sunday, September 27:
The Cleveland Show, 8:30 p.m. (Fox)

Monday, September 28:
Lie to Me, 9 p.m. (Fox) - I like this show too, its another easy hour of one hour murder solving...Tim Roth, good cast. Easy to watch.

Tuesday, November 3:
V, 8 p.m. (ABC) -- this is going to be great (I hope)

Saturday, November 7:
The Wanda Sykes Show, 11 p.m. (Fox) -- she has a new Saturday night variety/talk show.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Is the Blog Back?

To be honest, I'm not really sure...after three seasons, I might have to hang this up for awhile. It's not like I'm done watching TV - that will never happen. It's not like I have nothing to say - that will never happen. I just don't have the motivation yet to sit down and write a post...I think it might be the long summer hiatus.

What I need is a reason. A compelling moment of television that deserves to be written about...and to be honest, I am not sure where this season is headed yet -- so much promise, most promise in a long time. So before I go...for now...here are a few random thoughts:

-I love 'Glee'. It's working out its kinks, but its great.
-I love 'Shark Tank'. Love watching these people try to sell business plans.
-I can't wait for 'Flash Forward' next week
-'Gossip Girl' was not so good so far
-'Greek' is not so good so far
-I hope 'Community' doesn't suck. Premieres tonight.
-'Fringe' is back tonight, yeah!
-'Dollhouse' is great, watched it this summer -- very very good.
-'Curb' starts next week, yeah!
-'The Office' starts tonight, yeah!
-'Mad Men' as usual is frickin fricktastic