CBS Fall Lineup

This fall, I was planning to make a lifestyle change.  I had been thinking and praying about it for some time, and was at peace with my decision.

Goodbye, Melinda Gordon

I had decided to delete The Ghost Whisperer from my DVR.  This was a very difficult decision, but after having a collection of eight episodes from the spring backlogged in my DVR in JULY, I think it was clear that we were both moving in different directions.

HOWEVER, CBS jumped the gun and cancelled the show before I could make this lifestyle change.  I guess I am just as perceptive as the network’s execs.  They should totally hire me.

Melinda Gordon was an important part of my life from the moment she convinced that lost Vietnam vet’s soul to cross over that fateful day in 2005.  I shall miss her, Jim, Delia, Ned, Ely and Aiden, along with those that haunted her—the shineys, the shadows, the weepies, the creepies, the crawlies…I couldn’t keep up with all of them. 

Now on to the new stuff!! First, let me publicly state that I do not care for CBS’s website.  I find it difficult to navigate, and it takes me three clicks to get to the preview I would like to see.  I recommend the CBS website brass find a copy of Nielsen (1993) for web usability guidelines and suggestions.  Or maybe just look at ABC and do what they do.  It’s not hard, really.  I do like the fact that CBS gives you the option to embed previews into another website, which I am doing here so each of you can decide (in one click, mind you) for yourselves which shows will make your DVR list. (If the shows don't appear in your web browser, click on the You Tube link about halfway down.  For whatever reason, it makes the others work. And my apologies, CBS insists upon playing their commercials.)

CBS only has five new shows, a testament to Les Moonves and the CBS geniuses that are able to pick and place such great shows. Here are my picks and pans by night and time:

Mike and Molly (Monday at 8:30)—I think this show will become near and dear to my heart.  I like the title because I have a cousin named Mike and he has a dog named Molly.  How cute!  But really, this show is about Mike and Molly, two nice people with struggles to lose weight.  I totally relate. They want to date.  Dang, I was on a roll with the rhymes, now I’m stuck. 

ANYWAY…Mike develops a little crush on Molly and he asks her out.  I have not been disappointed by CBS’s comedies, and I think this one will rank right up there with How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory.  The show stars Melissa McCarthy—she was on Samantha Who? and has been in several other movies and shows.  She’s super cute and a good actress. 

Hawaii Five-O (Monday at 9)—Let’s first get this out of the way:  

Ok, that was fun, now wasn't it?  I cannot speak the word “Hawaii” without this song popping into my head.  One of the greatest t.v. theme songs of all time. 

CBS has decided that they need to re-make the 1970s hit show.  I never watched the show the first time around, but I am very aware of the fact that it is a classic. 

I don’t know about this one.  I just don’t know.  The previews look really good.  It looks like a fun cop show. I want to like it. But the child of the 70s inside me wants to hate it.  I’m stuck.  I love Hawaii with all my heart, so that makes me excited to see the show, simply so that I can see more Hawaiian scenery.  On the other hand, I’m just not much of a cop show person.  But Scott Caan (who is having a birthday today!  Happy birthday, Scott!)  plays Danno, and I have liked him since he was Tweeder in Varsity Blues, and then I loved him when he was in Ocean’s 11. Then in Ocean’s 12. And then again in Ocean’s 13. 

Ok, here’s my plan.  Hawaii Five-O makes the cut, but it has three episodes to make me love it, otherwise, it’s getting blown off the list like an angry volcano.

Book ‘em Danno. 

The Defenders (Wednesday at 9)—Based on the preview, Jerry O’Connell and Jim Belushi work really well together.  They’re funny together.  I think this could be a good show, but for some reason, I’m not feeling it.  It’s set in Vegas, which I love, and I get to look at Jerry.  I can’t pinpoint why I won’t be adding this to my lineup, but I just won’t.  If you’re into legal dramas, give this one a chance, and if Hawaii Five-O doesn’t work out (and I don't think it will, despite what Entertainment Tonight says), then The Defenders may get added in its place...or maybe I'll take up another hobby, because I clearly watch too much t.v.

S#*! My Dad Says (Thursday at 7:30)—William Shatner is the dad that says stuff.  He’s the best part of this show.  But I’m thinking no.  First of all, I hate it when people try to force something in to a t.v. show.  Does anyone remember Dirty Dancing the t.v. show?  Probably not, because it was a bad idea! But CBS tried to make a t.v. show out of something that clearly should have stayed a movie.  Same thing goes for this show.  S#*! My Dad Says is a Twitter site.  It should stay that way.  In the preview, the acting looked strained, unnatural and poorly timed.  I could be wrong, but this one doesn’t make my cut.

Blue Bloods (Friday at 9)—Tom Selleck.  Donny Wahlberg.  Oh yes.  The 12-year-old New Kids on the Block fan inside of me is squealing right now.  I’ll be loving you forever, Donny!!!

CBS has some really great shows, and we are fans of many of them.  Here are the CBS shows on my DVR:

Sunday:  The Amazing Race. I used to love this show, but lately, I’m growing tired of it.  The American people must be tired of it too, as it has been shortened to 30 minutes.

Monday:  7 p.m.:  How I Met Your Mother; 8:30 p.m.:  Mike & Molly; 9 p.m.: Hawaii Five-O.

Note:  CBS has moved Big Bang Theory to Thursday.  This better not mess with my recordings of other shows!!!

Tuesday:  9 p.m.: The Good Wife. I LOVE this show!!!  Nurse Carol Hathaway.  Mr. Big.  Great cast, great story line, great show altogether!

Wednesday:  7 p.m.:  Survivor. That’s all Scott. 

Thursday:  7 p.m.:  The Big Bang Theory. So funny!!!!!

Friday:  9 p.m.:  Blue Bloods. This appears to be the Brothers and Sisters of the law enforcement world, and since I missed the boat on Brothers and Sisters, this show will make up for it.

Saturday:  Nothin.  I’m at the football game.

Nice work, CBS.  I think you have pulled together an excellent lineup, and I can’t wait for September 20!!