Mid-Season Selections (January)

Yes, it is that time. That's right, it is time to cancel shows that weren't really given a chance to succeed only to put in shows with an equal chance at failure in their place. Here is a look at the mid-season shows we have to look forward to.

Work It (ABC)

PD: Tuesday, 1/3
Plot Summary: Centers on two unemployed car salesmen who realize that they are living in a woman's world, so they decide that to find work again, they must dress as women to get jobs as pharmaceutical reps.

Thoughts: It seems to be a regurgitated Bosom Buddies minus Tom Hanks. I will give it a shot with minimal optismism.

The Firm(NBC)

PD: Sunday, 1/8

Plot Summary: If you are thinking that this is a show based on the novel by the same name by one John Grisham, which would also make it a show based on the movie by that same name starring one Tom Cruise, you would be correct. Well done, putting those pieces together.

Thoughts: I care for Josh Lucas a great deal, but I just don't know how you can take a book or a 2 hour movie and stretch it into a successful TV series. I mean, don't we all kind of know the ending here?

Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC)

PD: Wednesday, 1/11

Plot Summary: Based on the book, "Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea" by Chelsea Handler - A comedy about a 20-something woman Chelsea (Laura Prepon), an opinionated and unapologetic young woman who lives life to the fullest.

Thoughts: Chelsea Handler is very, very funny. She is equally crude. That should tell you whether or not you will like this show.

Rob (CBS)

PD: Thursday, 1/12

Plot Summary: About Rob, a confirmed bachelor who has just married into a tight-knit Mexican-American family.

Thoughts: I honestly can't even drum up enough enthusiasm about this show to want to formulate my thoughts on it.

The Finder (FOX)

PD: Thursday, 1/12

Plot Summary: A spin-off from the TV Show, Bones - the main character is an eccentric but amusing recluse in high demand for his ability to find anything. He suffered brain damage while overseas, which has left him paranoid and suspicious of everything.

Thoughts: The cast made an appearance in last season of Bones and I enjoyed them. I am excited for this one.

Napoleon Dynamite(FOX)

PD: Sunday, 1/15

Plot Summary: This space deliberately left blank

Thoughts: It's like they waited until everyone was crazy sick of it and then they made a cartoon about it. Pass.

Alcatraz (FOX)

PD: Monday, 1/16

Plot Summary: The new thriller from J.J. Abrams about the mysterious disappearances and reappearances of those on the prison rock.

Thoughts: J.J. Abrams and Sam Neill? It is worth at least a look-see.

Touch (FOX)

PD: Wednesday, 1/25 (Preview...set to premiere in March)

Plot Summary: Centers on a father who discovers his autistic, mute son can actually predict events before they happen.                               

Thoughts: Kiefer Sutherland has all of the loyal 24 fans frothing at the mouth for his return to TV. I think it might be hard for these die-hard fans to see him play anyone other than Jack Bauer. I never really got into 24 so I am interested to see how this fares.

Cancellations and Accolades - Fall 2011 TV Update

Ok, here is the update on the Fall 2011 TV lineup.

Charlie's Angels (I made it through one episode...barely. It was bad, real bad.)

Free Agents (I saw the ones that aired and although I didn't hate them, I am not saddened by the loss of this one.)

The Playboy Club (This one actually surprised me. I didn't watch it at all, but it seemed like something that would appeal to the unwashed masses.)

How to be a Gentleman (The fact that this was canceled so quickly has made me question - slightly - my previous assumption that the American viewing audience doesn't care what they are sitting down in front of.)

On the chopping block:

Terra Nova - I didn't watch this one due to its extremely offensive sci-fi nature.

Pan Am - I have all of the episodes on my DVR, but haven't had a chance to watch them yet...maybe I will hold off and see if it will be worth it to invest my time/emotions.

A Gifted Man - This is a show that I don't ever really feel like watching, but once I am watching it, I really enjoy it. Patrick Wilson plays a great character.

Prime Suspect - This show was a bit of a surprise to me. I feel like the previews were a bit deceptive. It was grittier than I had anticipated, but after a couple of episodes, I was really liking it.

Ok, now for my ruling on the best new shows this season.

Sitcom: New Girl - Hands down, the funniest new sitcom. Unique characters and clever plot lines make this show a joy to watch.

Drama: Person of Interest - One of the coolest things about this show (aside from the obviously delightful Jim Caviezel), is that they have endless storylines that they can use as each episode is centered around a guest star rather than a main character.

Honorable mentions:

Up All Night - Although it got off to a rocky start, it has gotten funnier as the season has progressed. I am holding out hope that it will reach its potential and be worthy of having Will Arnett in it.

Last Man Standing - My comments in the original post about it basically being a more female inclusive Home Improvement have been validated. There are so many parallels that I can only hope that it was done on purpose. That said, if you don't mind the generic, laugh-track-accompanied sitcom, this one is not too bad.

The Equine Life of Sarah Jessica Parker

I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT                                                            

That is both the title of the movie I saw and the same question I keep asking myself. How is it that Sarah Jessica Parker continues to make formulaic, boring movies and still keep getting cast?                                                                         

The Gist: Definitely not worth seeing in the theater...probably not worth getting at redbox.

October Offerings: Series Premieres Continued

Last Man Standing (ABC)

PD: Tuesday, 10/11

Plot Summary: A married father of three tries to maintain his manliness in a world increasingly dominated by women.

Thoughts: It seems like they took the show Home Improvement, switched out the sons for daughters, gave him a hotter wife and changed his job from tool guy to outdoor sporting goods guy.

Man Up (ABC)

PD: Tuesday, 10/18

Plot Summary: Three modern men try to get in touch with their inner tough guys and redefine what it means to be a real man. The series revolves around the lives of three guys with questionable childish behavior and lifestyles who decide its time to do the one thing they had forgotten to do: act like real men. But they need to grow up a little before that can happen, even at their age.

Thoughts: I haven't seen a preview so this is based 100% on the premise read above...it sounds super lame.

Grimm (NBC)
PD: Friday, 10/21

Plot Summary: Set in present-day Portland, Oregon, the series puts a new twist on the stories of the Brothers Grimm in which a homicide detective learns that he is a descendant of a group of hunters known as "Grimms", who fight to keep humanity safe from the supernatural creatures of the world. Upon learning of his destiny and that he is the last of his kind, he has to protect every living soul from the sinister storybook characters that have infiltrated the real world.

Thoughts: I will admit to being intrigued enough to watch a few episodes. Also, the main guy is hot and I am not above being motivated by that.

Once Upon a Time (ABC)
PD: Sunday, 10/23

Plot Summary: The series is loosely inspired by the classic fairy tale stories except set in the present day, hence the series name. The stories hold a key to the mystery that will draw a bail bonds collector and the son that she gave up for adoption 10 years earlier to a New England town called Storybrooke, Maine. This town is actually a parallel world in which fairy tale characters look like normal people and don't remember their true identities or anything about their true lives.

Thoughts: I am pretty excited about this one...if they do it right, it will be rad. Also, for you Lost fans, the creators of the show were on the writing staff of Lost and there are apparently several references to the show, including 4 in the Pilot alone.

September Shows: The New Batch

Ok, it is that time of year. That's right...the new fall TV lineup! I have done the research so you don't have to. Please note that they are in order of premiere date...not preference. Without further ado, here are the new shows for this month:

Ringer (The CW)

Premiere Date (PD): Tuesday, 9/13

 Plot Summary: A young woman on the run from the mob poses as her wealthy twin sister to try and evade them, but soon discovers that her sister has a price on her head as well.

Thoughts: I have a policy against watching anything on the CW. This in no way sways me from said policy.

Free Agents (NBC)
PD: Wednesday, 9/14
Alex is recently divorced, and Helen lost her fiance a year ago. Obviously, these two are definitely not ready to be dating again. So naturally, they end up in bed together one night. Oops. And they're co-workers. Double oops.


Thoughts: If anyone can pull this stupid plot off, it is Kathryn Hahn and Hank Azaria. I am not convinced anyone can pull this stupid plot off.

Up All Night (NBC)
PD: Wednesday, 9/14 
Takes an irreverent look at parenthood through the point of view of an acerbic working mother, along with her stay-at-home husband and opinionated parents.


Thoughts: I will watch pretty much anything that Will Arnett deigns to do. I don't hate that Christina Applegate either. 




The Secret Circle (The CW)
PD: Thursday, 9/15
Cassie Blake's world is turned upside down after her mother dies in a mysterious accident, forcing Cassie to move in with her loving grandmother Jane in the small town of Chance Harbor, Washington.When strange and dangerous things begin to happen, Cassie's new friends are forced to tell her their secret - they are all witches and her arrival will complete the Circle.


Thoughts: What could I possibly say that this synopsis hasn't basically said for me?

The Playboy Club (NBC)
PD: Monday, 9/19

Centers on the Bunnies and patrons of the original Playboy Club in 1960's Chicago.


Thoughts: I can't begin to imagine what I could possibly find interesting about girls whose sole ambition is to work as a slutty bunny in a club or the men who patronize it.

2 Broke Girls (CBS)

PD: Monday, 9/19

Set in New York City, it chronicles the lives of two waitresses in their twenties - Max, who comes from a poor, working-class family and Caroline, who was born rich but is now down on her luck.

Thoughts: ...reserving judgment.

New Girl (Fox)

PD: Tuesday, 9/20
Jess Day is a young woman who, after discovering her long-term boyfriend is cheating on her, moves into a loft apartment with three male roommates - prickly bartender Nick, womanizer Schmidt and intense personal trainer Coach. The guys try to help Jess get back on her feet and into the dating world.


Thoughts: I am cautiously excited about this one - it has a rad cast.


Unforgettable (CBS)
PD: Tuesday, 9/20
The series follows a former NYC detective, Carrie Wells, who suffers from hyperthymesia, a rare medical condition that gives her the ability to remember everything. She is reluctantly asked by her ex-boyfriend and one-time partner to join his homicide unit after he asks for help with solving a case. The move allows her to do the one thing she has been trying to remember, how her sister was murdered.

Thoughts: Sounds intriguing...hopefully the execution is as well done as the creation.

Revenge (ABC)
PD: Wednesday, 9/21

Centers on a young woman who is welcomed into a community filled with people who don't know she's only there to exact revenge on those who had destroyed her family.


Thoughts: No thank you.

Charlie's Angels (ABC)

PD: Thursday, 9/22
A cat burglar, a street racer, and a dirty cop get a chance to turn their lives around; fighting crime and working for the mysterious Charlie Townsend.


Thoughts: This makes me think about when they tried to update Knight Rider. Ugghh, some things were just meant to stay in the past.


Person of Interest (CBS)
PD: Thursday, 9/22
Centers on ex-CIA hitman and a scientist who team up to prevent crimes before they happen.


Thoughts:You had me at Jim Caviezel. I heart him so bad. 

Prime Suspect (NBC)
PD: Thursday, 9/22
About Jane Timoney, an iconoclastic female detective who has to make her bones in a tough New York precinct that is dominated by men.

Thoughts: This reminds me a lot of the series Chase from last year (only lasted one season). I liked Chase. I tend to like the tough female detective characters. I think this has potential.

Whitney (NBC)
PD: Thursday, 9/22

The series follows the titular character, an opinionated woman and her very-supportive live-in boyfriend. Even though the two have decided that they will not commit to marriage, she does question how committed they are in their 5-year relationship and begins to fear what she sees as "relationship boredom" and worries what will happen next that could possibly end her relationship. She decides to use unconventional methods to keep the romantic flames glowing with the help of her close friends.


Thoughts: I have seen a couple of previews (as if this poster didn't already tell me it wasn't going to be funny) and basically they go for the obvious humor, and even then sometimes they miss. Much like I will be doing to their show.

A Gifted Man (CBS)

PD: Friday, 9/23

Centers on an ultra-competitive surgeon whose life is changed forever when his ex-wife dies and begins teaching him what life is all about from the here-after.

Thoughts: Patrick Wilson was such a tool on The A-Team...I have no doubt he will nail it here. Playing someone reformed...hmmm, we'll see.


Pan Am (ABC)
PD: Sunday, 9/25
 Period drama about the pilots and flight attendants who once made Pan Am the most glamorous way to fly.

Thoughts: I am rooting for it because it is somewhat original and I like to see how different decades are represented. Do I think it will be good? Not really.

Hart of Dixie (The CW)

PD: Monday, 9/26
The series follows Dr. Zoe Hart as she moves to remote Bluebell, Alabama, when there are no jobs available for her in New York.

Thoughts: Please refer to Ringer above.

Terra Nova (Fox)
PD: Monday, 9/26

Centers on the Shannons, an ordinary family from 2149 when the planet is dying who are transported back 85 million years to prehistoric Earth where they join Terra Nova, a colony of humans with a second chance to build a civilization.

Thoughts:................oh, I'm sorry, I must have dozed off for a minute there when they were talking about incredibly boring sci-fi stuff. 

Suburgatory (ABC)

PD: Wednesday, 9/28

The series follows a divorced father who decides to get away from New York City to the suburbs so he can give his 16-year-old daughter a better life. However, the move to 'burbs has the daughter wondering if they just entered the world of The Stepford Wives after they see how 'perfect' their new locale is, right down to the neighbors who welcome them into the cul-de-sac.

Thoughts: What you don't see is that the dad is played by Jeremy Sisto, most recently of Law & Order, but more importantly, he played Elton on Clueless. He is the selling point to me on this one.

How to Be a Gentleman (CBS)

PD: Thursday, 9/29

The series chronicles the friendship between an uptight columnist and his more freewheeling trainer.

Thoughts: Nothing about this screams intelligent or ironic humor (which is really the only kind that exists in my mind). 

The Help

Books are almost always better than their movie counterparts, I think that is universally agreed upon. It is hardly a fair comparison. Movies have to condense a grip of events into roughly two hours and something always seems to get lost in translation. They are also battling your imagination, which they are always going to lose. They would have to cast someone better than the perfect character you created in your brain, make sure to include all of your favorite parts of the book and they would need to keep whatever central theme you decided the book had. And after all that, you would have a movie just equal to the book, not one that surpasses it.

I can think of a couple of movies that are at least as entertaining as the book. The Princess Bride comes to mind. It probably helps that the movie was almost nothing like the book so it avoided most of the comparisons. Pride and Prejudice is one where I actually prefer the movie to the book, although I know I am in the minority on that one. How could I have possibly created a better Mr. Darcy than Colin Firth?

So, I started reading the Help a few weeks ago. I really wanted to have it read before the movie came out so the casting director's choices wouldn't superimpose themselves over the characters I had already created in my mind's eye. I only made it about halfway through the book before I saw the movie.

I thought the casting was inspired. There wasn't a single person I would have changed (very rare for me). They were obvious caricatures meant to represent a type, but I think that was the point.

There were a lot of timeline inaccuracies, probably more obvious to me since I was actually in the middle of the book. These didn't bother me - I could see that it was done to help move the story along and make it more fluid.

The crux: very well done adaptation of a very enjoyable book. Warning: bring kleenex (I bawled my face off).

What movies based on books do you like?

Cowboys and Aliens in Paris at Midnight

COWBOYS & ALIENS - I know I am a little late in the game to be reviewing this movie as it is probably on its way out of the theaters, but here it is for what it is worth.

This movie is directed by Jon Favreau, who I care for a great deal (he directed Iron Man 1 & 2 and Elf). I had already heard from a few people that they had enjoyed this movie so I went into the theater with the hope and expectation of liking it. I wasn't disappointed.

The crux: What it lacks in dialogue and character development, it makes up for in action and entertainment.

MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
The crux: If you like Woody Allen movies, you will like it...maybe even love it. If you don't (I don't), you will be looking around for something to use to bludgeon yourself to death and thanking the urine gods for the need to use the restroom and thus insuring yourself of a few blessed minutes away from the blathering that is happening onscreen.

I know there is a certain cachet to being in an Allen movie and so I understand why cool actors like Owen Wilson and Adrian Brody feel the urge to do one - but it doesn't mean I like it.

To be fair, I know A LOT of people who enjoyed this movie...I just wasn't one of them.

Ten Dollars. Two people...One Day

For my local readers who may not know, allow me to share this little nugget: select Regal Theaters have $5 movies on Tuesday nights. Any Tuesday, any movie (except 3D and IMAX obvi), any showing. For a list of participating theaters, click here. 

The very estimable Natalie Kennedy and I find ourselves at the Fiesta more often than not on a Tuesday night. This past Tuesday was no exception.

We decided to see One Day. Here is the story line (courtesy of IMDB): After spending the night together on the night of their college graduation Dexter and Em are shown each year on the same date to see where they are in their lives. They are sometimes together, sometimes not, on that day. 

I went into this blind, having never seen a preview. I had seen the poster (seen above) with the tagline "Twenty years. Two people...One day" so I cleverly pieced together that this would span a couple of decades of their life. 

I have been a fan of Jim Sturgess since Across the Universe and I am a sometimes-fan of Anne Hathaway. I thought they were both great in this. It was a cute, occasionally funny, at times earnest and usually very sweet movie. 

WARNING: mild spoiler ahead...

I was debating about how to review this movie without giving anything away and came to the conclusion that if you are reading this blog, you either want to know if a movie is worth going to or you are a loyal friend who would read my blog regardless of the content. So, with that possibly erroneous conclusion in mind, I will tell you that I am not a fan of movies without happy endings. I am not one who watches a movie for the lesson or the art. I want to have 2 hours where I am not thinking about work, or any of the myriad of other mundane details in my life, where I can just sit and be entertained. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't like a good drama - I do. It just means that I want to leave the theater feeling better than when I came in.

As I'm sure you have ascertained by now, being the clever readers that you are, this movie did not allow me to walk out of the theater happier than going in.

The crux: This movie had me invested from the get-go. It had a good story line,   interesting characters and  a cute love story. If you hate sad endings, skip it. If you don't mind them, get it while it is hot. If you are somewhere in between, Redbox it.

If any of you have seen this movie, tell me what you thought of it. If you haven't, drop me a comment anyway.

Summer Series Summary

Confession: I am someone who lives in fear of there being an amazing TV show out there and me not knowing about it. I realize that may sound silly to some of you, but I genuinely like TV. I know it is the fashion is to pretend like you don't have the time to watch it or that you prefer the erudite and cerebral pursuits to the fatuous hunt for somewhat brainless entertainment. If you are that guy...read no further. I am banning all things scholarly and academic from my blog.

For this, my first post - I will be sharing my thoughts on the Summer Series' of 2011, specifically new series'. My follow-up blog will cover my favorite summer shows from years past (only the still-running shows...canceled shows will just depress me).

WILFRED

Premise: The story of Ryan, a depressed man who believes he is getting nowhere in his life and plans to kill himself. In the middle of his attempted suicide, he is asked to watch his neighbor's dog, Wilfred, but Ryan can only see Wilfred as a real person instead of an animal that everyone else sees. As they begin to bond more and become friends, Wilfred teaches Ryan a life lesson about people, love, and living.

Sounds ok, right? I will admit that I am a tad bit more lenient with shows that are original. If you are coming up with something fresh, you are allowed to be a bit dumber than your less original counter-parts. That said, I don't care how original you are if your show is complete crap. 

Here is my rule with new TV shows: I will watch 3 episodes of a show before deciding to delete the DVR timer. I recognize that a pilot episode is rarely that great because they are spending most of the show setting up the characters and storyline. If you haven't won me over by the 3rd episode though, you have lost the opportunity.

This is one of the very few shows (I can think of maybe 2 or 3 in my extensive history of TV watching) that I just couldn't bring myself to watch even a second episode. The first was painful enough and I would hope that I have enough self-love to spare myself the agony of any more.

Bottom Line: Don't do it...learn from me and save yourself!

SUITS

Premise: One of Manhattan's top corporate lawyers sets out to recruit a new hotshot associate and hires the only guy that impresses him: Mike Ross, a brilliant but unmotivated college dropout. Though he isn't actually a lawyer, this legal prodigy has the book smarts of a Harvard law grad and the street smarts of a hustler. However, in order to serve justice and save their jobs, both these unconventional thinkers must continue the charade.

This is my favorite new series. I like all of the characters and the storylines are actually interesting. This is one of a small handful of shows that I usually watch on the night it comes on rather than whenever I have time to catch up.

If you haven't seen this show yet...might I suggest catching up on this year so you can be ready for next summer?

FRANKLIN AND BASH

Premise: Lawyers and lifelong friends Jared Franklin and Peter Bash are recruited by a large firm's major partner after winning a high-profile case.

I got the premises for these shows from IMDB. I don't feel like this one really does the show justice. They are actually super unconventional trial attorneys that pull ridiculous stunts in court. If you are looking for a realistic court drama, keep looking. If you are looking for a light-hearted, usually funny, always entertaining show about 2 besties - here it is.

I will admit, I might be a little biased in its favor since I really like Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer (who I may have met at a Barenaked Ladies concert once). I was pretty bummed when Raising the Bar got canceled (random fact: UK, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Canada all spell it cancelled) and am rooting for this one to last. 

I think those are the only new shows I tested out this year...let me know if I am missing out on anything. I do have all of the episodes of Falling Skies on my DVR, but haven't had a chance to watch them yet. Is it worth the 10 hours of my life it would take to catch up on it?

I hope you enjoyed my delicious insight into this year's crop of Summer shows. Let me know what you think of the new shows this year.