Fox Fall Lineup

This fall, Fox is only premiering three shows.  I think it needs to do a little more than this, but I’m not running the network, am I? I’m not totally excited about these shows, but I am adding two of them to the DVR which is way more than Fox has received in the past. 

The Mob Doctor (Monday at 8) It’s Sopranos meets ER.  A Chicago doctor is in cahoots with the mob.  They saved her brother, and now she owes them a favor.  Never owe the mob a favor.  At the beginning of the preview, I was thinking no, but now I think I’m going to give this a shot.  I’m kind of fascinated with the mafia.  I like Chicago-based shows.  I like feeling like I’m a real doctor because I have a wealth of medical knowledge based upon ER and Grey’s Anatomy.  Dr. Irlbeck needs some continuing education, so I’m going to give this one a shot.

Ben and Kate (Tuesday at 7:30) This one looks seriously funny, AND it comes on right after Raising Hope, so this fits nicely into my Tuesday night.  Ben and Kate are brother and sister, with a less than wholesome childhood. Kate had a little girl when she was really young, so she had to miss her young adult years, and Ben never left the young adult years.  Maggie Elizabeth Jones from We Bought a Zoo is the little girl.  She’s so stinkin’ cute! I’d watch the show just for her.

The Mindy Project (Tuesday at 8:30) Mindy Kaling of The Office is the star of this show. Mindy is a doctor looking for the perfect guy. In the process of this she works in a hospital with a bunch of jerks.  I wanted to like this show, but I’m just not feeling it. Sorry, Mindy. Maybe next time.

One big change this year:  We are done with Glee. I was sort of done with it last season, but I’m not going to bother with it again this fall. I give it until Christmas before cancellation.

Here are our Fox shows by night and time:

Sunday:  Nothing

Monday:  The Mob Doctor

Tuesday:  Raising Hope and Ben and Kate

Nothing for the rest of the week

NBC Fall Lineup

Normally, I review the new shows in alphabetical order by network, but jump back! NBC pulled a doozie.  Instead of putting all of its new shows into premier week like the rest of the networks (which is, by tradition, the last week of September), it released two new shows on September 10.  I’ve been hard on NBC for the past few years, but I gotta say that this move was genius.  There is nothing on the tube at this time of year anyway, and oh, how I long for non-reality t.v.  Thank you NBC for making a bold move.  If the network execs walked into my office, I would start the slow clap for them. Because of this, I'm going out of order to review NBC ahead of Fox.

So not only has NBC made a very smart move by releasing two new shows, it also has some shows that are worth watching this year.

Revolution (Monday at 9) I like it.  This is a “what if all the power went out world wide?” type of show.  In this scenario, everyone puts their own small civilizations back together again, the militia rules the world, and a band of rebels try to find family members and get the power back on.  This show really reminds me of The Hunger Games.  It looks cool and creative, but unfortunately, I don’t think it’s going to last.  I hate that, because Billy Burke (A.K.A. Charlie Swan/Bella’s dad) is one of the stars, and I would like to see him be a Hollywood A-lister.  This is one of those shows that I’m going to watch on Hulu during lunch to see if I like it. 

Go On (Tuesday at 8) Matthew Perry is back!  This is one of the shows that I had to watch the pilot episode before I could watch the preview, but it was worth it.  Matthew Perry plays a radio show host that just got out of a relationship and doesn’t like his life.  So, he joins a support group with a bunch of other misfits.  I love Matthew Perry and will give any of his shows a shot.  I really liked Mr. Sunshine, but apparently no one else did.  This show seems a little different and has better momentum and a more talented cast.  I’m excited to see what happens.

The New Normal (Tuesday at 830) I wasn’t going to like it. But then I watched an extended trailer, and then I watched the pilot, and now I'm a fan.  NBC did a Jedi mind trick last week by premiering two new shows, and since I am judgmental and had already made up my mind without all of the information, I did not record this show. Shame on me.  I watched it on Hulu, and this show is hilarious.  Ellen Barkin plays the insane bigot grandma, the little girl is named Shania, Justin Bartha from the Hangover plays a gay dad, and NeNe Leakes from the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Glee plays a sassy secretary.  It’s awesome; I love it!

Animal Practice (Wednesday at 7) I’m shocked that I’m about to say this, but I think this looks funny.  It’s something different, and I like that.  Instead of yet another hospital drama, this is set in a vet hospital.  There’s a funny monkey that is a nice reminder of Marcell from friends.  I’m not completely convinced that this is going to work out, so this is going to be one that I watch on Hulu during my lunch breaks. 

Guys With Kids (Wednesday at 7:30) Meh.  Doesn’t look that funny. The trailer looked like forced acting.  I give it two weeks until cancellation.

Chicago Fire (Wednesday at 9) This one looks okay.  I’m afraid it’s going to be one of those shows that I say won’t make it, and then it’s a huge hit (i.e. Grimm.) The show is set in a Chicago fire house, and follows the fire and rescue crews. It kind of has a similar feel to ER.  I’m not adding this to the DVR, but it wouldn’t surprise me if this one makes it.

NBC has some other mid-season shows that look really interesting, and I see that Smash doesn’t return until later, which makes me want to cry. I love that show.

In summation, way to go NBC. This just  might be your season to shine.  Here’s our list of NBC shows by night and time:

Sunday:  Nothing

Monday:  Nothing

Tuesday:  Go On and The New Normal

Wednesday:  Animal Practice maybe

Thursday:  Nothing—The Office got cut from the DVR

Friday:  Nothing

CBS Fall Lineup

Last year, CBS only offered six new shows. This year, it’s offering FOUR.  That is unheard of.  The programming experts at CBS are really, really good.  Last year, only two shows survived…and speaking of surviving…I see Survivor is back.  This will make Scott very happy. It makes me very unhappy.  Let it go, CBS.  Let. It. Go.

I was way wrong about 2 Broke Girls last year.  I didn’t pick it, but it’s doing very well.

Partners (Monday at 7:30) I think it looks funny.  Two guys—best friends since grade school—live together and are business partners. One is gay, the other isn’t.  Hilarity ensues.  I’m adding it.  Michael Urie is one of the co-stars…he was Marc on Ugly Betty. I sure do miss that show. David Krumholtz from Numb3rs also co-stars.

Vegas (Tuesday at 9) This show is put on the list simply because of Dennis Quade.  We share a birthday, therefore I love him. (I also share a birthday with Hugh Hefner and Kristen Stewart. Can I get a shout out for April 9??)  It’s set in 1960s Vegas, which makes this another winner. I love Vegas, I love the 60s, I love the story of how Vegas turned from a saloon town that allowed gambling to a fabulous mecca. I love Vegas mob stories. It looks pretty freaking awesome.  Jason O’Mara co-stars. He looks pretty freaking awesome too.

Elementary—I realize I’m going to be shunned by my friends that are into English literature, but I’m just not into Sherlock Holmes.  This show is about a modern day Sherlock Holmes in Manhattan.  It stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu. If you’re into the Sherlock Holmes thing, I think you’ll like it, it’s just not for me.

Made in Jersey—I’m already tapped out on lawyer/crime shows.  New Jersey girl goes to college, goes to law school, then gets a cool lawyer job in New York.  I just don’t see this one working out.  Kyle MacLachlan is one of the co-starts and I really like him, but I think this is another one that’s just not for me.

And that's it!  Pretty short list, but it makes my review time much shorter. Here’s our list of CBS shows by night and time:

Sunday:  The Good Wife. And if NFL football doesn’t quit messing with my Sunday night lineup and shoving my show back a half to a full hour, I’m going to start smacking some linebackers.

Monday:  How I Met Your Mother, Partners, Hawaii Five-0.

Tuesday:  Vegas

Wednesday:  Survivor (This is all Scott. I am so over this show.)

Thursday:  Big Bang Theory

ABC Lineup Fall 2012

I gotta admit—I’m little gun shy after I made fun of Once Upon a Time and Grimm, so I’m feeling that my choices might not be in line with the American public.  However, I look back at my ABC predictions from last year and see that I was somewhat close.   

Although I chose Pan Am, I gave up on it at about the same time the network did. I predicted Last Man Standing would be successful with a certain audience and it was, although it is being moved to Friday night, which can’t be good.  I dissed, Man Up and Charlie’s Angels, and so did everyone else.  I called it on Suburgatory  and Revenge, and they’re back!

Here are the reviews for this year by night and time:

666 Park Avenue (Sunday at 9)—I’ve been looking for something to fill The Ghost Whisperer’s slot.  But this one looks even creepier than The Ghost Whisperer, so I think I’m going to like it!  I really like Terry O’Quinn and I absolutely LOVE Vanessa Williams. The female lead is Rachael Taylor; she had a few weeks on Grey’s Anatomy and I liked her character, so I’m looking forward to see what the show brings. Did you know she has a Australian accent in real life?  You learn a lot by watching abc.com.  Plus, I missed the boat on Once Upon a Time—it’s a hit and I made fun of it, so I’m looking for something weird to occupy my DVR.

The Neighbors (Wednesday at 8:30)—A family moves into a new neighborhood, and the neighbors are aliens.  What?  This looks stupid. No.  Reminds me of Third Rock from the Sun and I never really liked that one.

Nashville (Wednesday at 9)—This one is in because I’m such a huge country music fan.  I’m a bit skeptical because it reminds me a lot of Country Strong, which was a great movie with an AWFUL ending.  I’m interested though and am giving it six weeks rather than my usual three-week trial.

Last Resort (Thursday at 7)—This one looks good, especially if you’re into government conspiracy plots.  The cast doesn’t have many well known actors and actresses, but it’s worth a shot.  The gist is that an American submarine is fired upon by another American ship, and the soldiers on board must now figure out the next step.  It seems like a plot that’s better suited for a movie, and that’s the only reason why I’m not going to add it to my list.

Malibu Country (Friday at 7:30 starting in November)—It is with great remorse that I write this review.  I love Reba McEntire with all my heart. Aside from Patsy Cline, she is my most favorite singer in the world.  But hasn’t this been done before?  Husband cheats on wife, wife has to start a new life, funny things happen thereafter.  Yep, I know that story line.  It’s from the show Reba, staring……Reba McEntire.  Plus, it doesn’t even look that funny.  Lily Tomlin plays the mom, and I think she’s great, but her timing in the preview trailer looked pretty pitiful.  I’m so sorry to do this to you, Reba.  Go make another album and I’ll buy it.  I still love you!!

ABC has some mid-season shows that look really good. I’ll try to review them in December, but I said that last year and never did it.  I’ll do better this time.

Here are my ABC shows:

Sunday: Revenge and 666 Park Avenue

Monday: Nothing

Tuesday: Nothing

Wednesday: The Middle, Suburgatory, Modern Family, and Nashville

Thursday:  Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal

Friday:  20/20

Saturday: Nothing