The standard spate of new TV shows hit a few months ago, so I'm going to detail what I'm watching, enjoying, disliking, and looking forward to. Click the show titles go to their trakt pages, which each have links for their IMDB, TVDB, and Wikipedia pages. These are just my opinions, not facts, so make of it what you will. After all, the blog is titled "my thoughts" - that's all it is.
Back in the Game
- What's it about? A single mother coaching Little League baseball, her son, and her father.
- Where? ABC
- Alive? Cancelled, but they're running the original episode order (of 10)
Putting the future of Psych at risk because of Maggie Lawson's new commitment in this, at least we can hope Psych is standing on stronger ground after the cancellation of BitG. Also starring James Caan of Thief fame. It's not bad, but it's not good. I'm a fan of baseball and Lawson, so was drawn to this show but I've been disappointed with the sport being sidelined, episode plots being standalone, and the unbelievably annoying teammates of Lawson's character's son.
- Did I want it to continue? Not particularly. It was a harmless show, I'm apathetic about it.
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- What's it about? Agent Coulson's team of operatives traversing the globe in a rather large VTOL jet.
- Where? ABC
- Alive? Yes, 22 episode 1st season order
I've watched all the Avengers universe films apart from two Thor films, so I mostly understand all the allusions and references. Other than the pilot and retaining the EP credit, Joss Whedon seems to have mostly handed the helm to his brother Jed.
- Do I want it to continue? What with the Marvel affiliation I doubt it'll get cancelled, but it desperately needs more engaging plots. I'm apathetic towards it so far.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
- What's it about? A dramedy set in a police precinct.
- Where? FOX
- Alive? Yes, 22 episode 1st season order
I almost missed that this was on and I'm glad I spotted. Andy Samberg of SNL and Lonely Island fame plays a detective at Brooklyn's 99th precinct (as the title alludes). This is one of the shows I look forward to on a weekly basis - you get to know the characters quickly and their antics provide that type of humor that really appeals to me.
- Do I want it to continue? I hope this gets renewed for at the very least a 2nd season - it doesn't look like it costs too much to produce but it's funny and engaging.
Almost Human
- What's it about? A cop duo in the future.
- Where? FOX
- Alive? Yes, but no commitment beyond 6 episodes as still fresh
My most anticipated new sci-fi show, I was frustrated when it got pushed back. After Michael Ealy's role on the criminally short-lived Common Law, I wanted to see him back on TV in more than just guest roles and Almost Human delivers, despite the rather ambiguous (yet meaningful) title. I enjoyed Karl Urban in the two Star Trek films, so anticipated this futuristic buddy-cop drama to be nothing other than a winning combination - and for the most part, it is. Episodes start with a recap of what was established in the first episode, in an unfortunately underwhelming and clichéd manner. The actual show on the other hand, delivers. The chemistry is good, the writers have created enough sub-plot elements to last a while and develop key characters, and Ford seems to be the only car manufacturer in the future. Flippancy aside, if you want to watch a procedural cop drama set in the year 2048 with plenty of possible future expansion, this show is for you.
- Do I want it to continue? Again, I hope this gets renewed. However, it likely costs a lot more than Brooklyn Nine Nine to produce, but hopefully FOX will see it as financially viable enough to renew.
The Michael J. Fox Show
- What's it about? A news reporter and his family.
- Where? NBC
- Alive? Yes
One of the many new sitcoms. It feels awkward to watch and with such a large family unit, they haven't quite got the same winning character focus balance as Modern Family has, in that each episode seems to be split into equal amounts of plot focus on each character with the closing moral message recap trope. I doubt it'll get cancelled though, as anyone who would axe it will be vilified by the press.
- Do I want it to continue? I wouldn't mind if this got cancelled, as it isn't really making any dent, it just exists.
Ground Floor
- What's it about? A guy from the top floor sleeps with a girl from the ground floor - that's pretty much the whole plot.
- Where? TBS
- Alive? Yes, 10 episode series order
Unbelievably unfunny. There's not really much to comment on as it makes such little impact. Canned laughter and no redeemable characters.
- Do I want it to continue? If this lives past ten episodes, there's clearly a glitch in the matrix.
Trophy Wife
- What's it about? An extended family created from two divorces.
- Where? ABC
- Alive? Yes, 22 episode 1st season order
By far my favorite new sitcom. The better of the two new shows to feature West Wing alumni. The change in cast for the daughter after the pilot shook up her character a bit, but after a total of 8 episodes so far I think it's settled back down.
- Do I want it to continue? I want to see this show become the next Modern Family. It's not quite as smart, but I look forward to each and every episode.
Mom
- What's it about? A single mother, her daughter, her son, and her mother.
- Where? CBS
- Alive? Yes, 22 episode 1st season order
Absolutely dire. I gave it a shot as I liked Allison Janney in The West Wing and Primary Colors, but even she can't save this show. I laugh at most three times per episode. Where the Michael J. Fox show is awkward to watch, this is simply painful to watch. CBS probably gave it a shot because of Chuck Lorre's previous success with The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men, but this just exemplifies that not everything someone creates will be good.
- Do I want it to continue? A waste of the airwaves, especially considering CBS cancelled such gems as Vegas last year.
Welcome to the Family
- What's it about? Two families colliding.
- Where? NBC
- Alive? Cancelled after the first 3 episodes
It wasn't particularly impactful, but worse shows have been allowed to continue for it, so I feel sorry for the cast and crew.
- Did I want it to continue? Would've been nice to see more.
The Millers
- What's it about? A news reporter and his family. Gosh, that sounds familiar...
- Where? CBS
- Alive? Yes, 22 episode 1st season order
I'm not a particular fan of Arrested Development, but I liked 30 Rock so I gave Will Arnett's new show a go. He, Jayma Mays, and J.B. Smoove are good, Margo Martindale was great in a drama like Justified (which I highly recommend) but doesn't suit a sitcom, and I've never found Beau Bridges suited to comedies, just irritating. If the laughter is canned, and it very much sounds like it is, I wish they'd remove it. In some shows, the canned laughter covers up how dire a show is. In shows like this, which are moderately funny in their own right, the canned laughter makes me regret laughing when I do - not a good thing.
- Do I want it to continue? It has scope for improvement, but they'd better polish it quickly.
We Are Men
- What's it about? Four single men.
- Where? CBS
- Alive? Cancelled after just two episodes
I've not watched much of Monk but I appreciate that Tony Shalhoub is a decent actor, I've seen all the Harold and Kumar movies to be able to recognize the talent of Kal Penn, and recognized Jerry O'Connell from Jerry Maguire. The show had potential, but two episodes weren't enough to gather a balanced impression. CBS on the other hand, decided that the ratings for the two episodes were sufficient enough to warrant a swift canceling.
- Did I want it to continue? I didn't mind it, but two episodes wasn't enough for an good enough impression.
So, those are the new shows that I'm watching, but what am I looking forward to? Killer Women and Chicago PD. Why? Mainly because I like some of the cast members from their previous roles - hopefully then they'll be Trophy Wife style good rather than Mom style disappointing.