Television’s Premiere Week is winding down and I have to admit, I’m not very impressed. There’s a few fun new shows but most of them should have been locked up in the Vault of Mediocrity. I’m pleased with my returning shows, although even with them it felt like hanging out with a good friend who’s been away for a while: a bit awkward and weird, but you care about them so you’re still enjoying your time together.
Best Returning Show, aka “This is so going in my blog.”
How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM) is the definite winner in my books. Robin and Ted moving on since their breakup was well done and funny, and it was great to see how they’re setting things up for the eventual playing out of the show’s title. I loved Marshall being smitten with Robin’s new boyfriend (played by Enrique Iglesias) and Mandy Moore looked great as a trashy tattoo girl. Bonus points for Slap Countdown.com! Awesome continuity!
Best New Show, aka “Chuck is the computer.”
It’s funny that the best two new shows have such similar premises: slacker dude working at a big chain store suddenly gets thrust into something big and intense and has to actually apply himself. In the choice between Chuck and Reaper, I’m surprised to find myself differing from the popular opinion because I currently prefer Chuck (although I will keep watching both). It’s like Jim from The Office in a Charlie’s Angels world – and it works. It’s pure entertaining fun plus there’s a kick ass spy girl who can dance and fight off assassins at the same time! They do a great job of spoofing regular spy shows, which makes me happy because my biggest issue with spy shows (and movies) is that they take themselves too seriously – something Chuck definitely doesn’t. At the end when Captain Awesome says “Awesome!” I exclaimed “Awesome indeed!”
To be fair, Reaper’s a really awesome show too. I love the dynamic between Sam and Bret – and that Sam immediately told his friends about having his soul sold to the devil (*grits teeth in annoyance from too many years watching Clark stupidly lie on Smallville*). I wish he would also tell the girl he likes; currently that’s something that annoys me. BUT, there’s some hysterical scenes especially with the Devil and Sam (the Devil: “I can be nice.”), and when Sam and Bret suit up (but not in a way that Barney from HIMYM would approve of) and then wait for the Dirt Devil to charge up. Also, how can I not enjoy a show in which Bret says to Sam: “I have never been so attracted to a man in my life... Uh, that’s not what I meant.” Tiny thing: it looked like Sam’s facial hair kept changing throughout the show which distracted me.
The Not-So-Good New Shows:
The Big Bang Theory: Cute but not brilliant. I may turn it on if all my other Monday shows are in rerun.
Private Practice: Everyone’s pretty, but it’s really boring. Too much focus on the patients, and not enough on the huge ensemble we’re supposed to be caring about. However, there’s a lot of talent involved in this show, so I’m hoping it’s just taking a while for them to get it to work.
Bonic Woman: The pilot episode jumped around way too much. About half-way through the episode, I realized that it had stopped making any sense (if it ever had), but that’s okay because I’d stopped caring. I did enjoy the fight in the rain between the Bionic Woman (Jaimie? I couldn’t be bothered to remember her name) and Katee Sackoff’s character – but mostly for the hotness of it. And even the great lesbian subtext between them isn’t enough to make the show appealing to me. The acting in general was horrendous!! (Not that the writing was that good.) Even Katee who I love on Battlestar Galatica (BSG) disappointed. This is something I’d turn on while doing chores around the house in the hopes of catching the fight scenes.
Dirty Sexy Money: Finally another new show that isn’t boring or nonsensical. Again, not brilliant but actually quite fun. The mystery stuff isn’t that engaging, but the characters are fun. I’m interested enough to keep watching.
I decided to not even watch Gossip Girl after being assured by my girlfriend and best friend (who, like me, both enjoyed the O.C.) that this show is just boring trash that takes itself too seriously.
New shows from this week still to watch: Back to You, Journeyman and Moonlight.
The Returning Shows:
Heroes: I admit that I’m someone who watches and enjoys Heroes, and after it’s over I don’t think about it again. It’s basically good entertaining fun for me, so I was satisfied with the season premiere. They brought us up to speed, while leaving some things open and set up some intriguing new storylines. I was very amused that Mohinder and Matt are co-parenting – awesome! I’m excited about a new season!
Dancing with the Stars (DWS): I enjoyed that they split it up between men and women the first two nights. It allowed the celebrities to not be compared with the professional dancers. I’m not sad that the “deceptively unfit” supermodel was eliminated, although it was sorta tacky on the second night when there was a comment about sending someone home tomorrow and they cut to the supermodel girl frowning. I do have some favourites already: Jennie Garth, Sabrina (the Cheetah Girl, although I wish she’d stop referencing it), Jane Seymour and Helio. I admit that Helio’s a favourite because he just seems so lovely. Oh! And Felix seems to have real potential. I’m so happy DWS is back, and it’s especially fun to have Bruno commenting on “crotch action” again!
Bones: It had been so long that I’d forgotten things from the season finale like Zak going off to war, so was horrified when he wasn’t around at first – and then very happy when he returned. I’m very pleased that they’re setting up a season long mystery, I enjoy arcs! Although I do wish it wasn’t cannibal related because I spent much of the episode being very creeped out. Best episode quote, Brennan: “Why ‘bingo baby’?”
The Office: Definitely the show I was most excited about this week and overall I was pleased with the episode. (This is the show that felt oddly awkward to me at first, like over the summer I’d forgotten our dynamic.) It wins for excellent continuity: the computer Tech guy returns from “Email Surveillance”, there's a mention of Kevin’s skin cancer scare and there's the return of the stripper from the bachelor party for Bob Vance. Also, I loved how the documentary crew actually confronted Jim and Pam, forcing them to admit they’re dating. And btw, my reaction to that: Yay!!! They’re so cute. I’m really hoping they’ll keep them together. I’m sad about Dwight/Angela but kudos to Angela for not letting him get away with killing her cat - I’m still horrified on her behalf! And it was super awesome that Toby (Michael’s nemesis) won the race!! I’m feeling optimistic about the season ahead!
Corner Gas: The charming and funny Canadian sitcom returns with the fun antics of our favourite Dog River residents. Lots of fun TV references – especially Canadian TV shows like the Beachcomers and Street Legal. I got a kick out of an actor with a distinctly Canadian accent playing an American – very fun! Brent was his usual endearing self saying things like: “Au Contraire. And I don’t say that lightly or with a correct accent.” Oh Brent, I can so relate!
House: When all of House’s staff were fired/quit, I was thrilled! I felt that the format each week was becoming predictable; we knew exactly how Cameron, Chase and Foreman would react. I’m pleased that they’re mixing things up and that House is forced to figure out how to solve the cases without his team. I was amused by the Janitor and the House & Wilson “terrorism.” Next week looks very funny!
Still on my DVR waiting for me to watch them: Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy and My Name is Earl.
And what show am I looking most forward to next week? The season two premiere of Friday Night Lights!!!! It’s returning to NBC this Friday, October 5th (and same time on Global TV in Canada). This was my favourite drama last season, so I’m excited to see how it does in its sophomore season
