BLOG: MyTube: What's worth watching
By Laura Reineke, Blogs Editor
November 1, 2007 | 9 p.m.
We’re all guilty of sitting in front of the TV set, aimlessly flipping channels, whining because “there’s nothing good on!” Get excited, because this fall season is chock full of awesome television.
If TV shows were people, fall pilot season would be the first day of a new school year: a time when the reigning cliques return to judge, befriend, gossip about, and, in some cases, full-out ignore the new freshman class. As a shameless entertainment junkie, I fill the role of “teacher,” employing those same behaviors on a slightly more responsible level in order to weed out the slackers. I do this by first dividing the entire programming slate (aka the “school”) into classes.
In keeping with our school-related metaphor, let’s call the first class “freshmen.” These shows are shiny, new, and come with a lot of expectations, hoping to succeed in a cutthroat environment. The “upperclassmen,” on the other hand, mask their cancellation worries with superiority complexes that only a few can justify. Finally, the “rebels” are too cool for school and won’t be returning until midseason.
Let’s talk about new programming – the freshmen. Fall season is the trickiest season because no matter how impressive the pilot, one can never tell if a show will head toward high ratings or Cancellation Nation (anyone else remember “The Nine”?).
Two of the most promising newcomers are “Chuck” (NBC, Mondays 8 p.m.) and “Reaper” (The CW, Tuesdays 9 p.m.). The first details the adventures of a computer geek (Zachary Levi) who, after accidentally downloading an encrypted email from his former college roommate, gets recruited as a special operative for the U.S. government. In the second, a young college dropout (Bret Harrison) in a dead-end job learns his soul has been sold to the devil, and, as a result, must fulfill his duties as a bounty hunter for hell. If they sound similar, it’s because they are, but while “Chuck” ramps up the action and “Reaper’s” supporting cast shines, this is no “Studio 60” versus “30 Rock” debate. Both shows are equally well-written and clever, with engaging leads and plotlines that haven’t been exhausted by the end of the pilots, which, by the way, were directed by McG and Kevin Smith, respectively. Refuse to choose, like me, and give each a fair shot.
Another freshman I have my eye on is “Pushing Daisies” (ABC, Wednesdays 8 p.m.). It’s a simple story from the mind of Bryan Fuller (“Heroes,” “Wonderfalls”) about a pie maker (Lee Pace) who can raise the dead for one minute only. It’s told in a crazy, colorful, slightly unconventional style that will definitely not appeal to everyone, but I thoroughly enjoyed the pilot and recommend it as well.
Now, let’s move on to the upperclassmen. Over the past few years, the networks have begun assembling returning rosters of a surprisingly high caliber. Of particular note is NBC. Though it severely declined after the departure of “Friends,” Thursdays are back to being must-see TV on the Peacock Network. Seriously, TiVo “Grey’s” if you insist on sticking with it, but tune your set to a ridiculously awesome lineup that includes: “My Name is Earl” (8 p.m.), the Emmy-winning “30 Rock” (8:30 p.m.), my personal favorite “The Office” (9 p.m.), and the final season of “Scrubs” (9:30 p.m.). Make a point the following day to then check out the most recent episodes of “Ugly Betty” on abc.com and “How I Met Your Mother” on cbs.com. Both are excellent, but neither can top the two hours of awesomeness provided by NBC.
Other notables in the upper class include: “Friday Night Lights” (NBC, Fridays 9 p.m.), a show so uniformly amazing that you should feel ashamed not having watched the first season; “Desperate Housewives” (ABC, Sundays 9 p.m.), if only for the addition of Nathan Fillion; “House M.D.” (FOX, Tuesdays 9 p.m.), whose formulaic structure has been shaken a bit by casting changes, and last, but not least, “Heroes” (NBC, Mondays 9 p.m.), one of the few shows that manages its storylines in a timely fashion.
Speaking of delays, that brings us to the rebels. I hate to put too fine a point on it, but this category consists solely of “Lost” (ABC, Wednesdays, timeslot TBA) and “Battlestar Galactica” (SCI-FI, Fridays 10 p.m.), which are returning in 2008. Now is the perfect time to catch up on the rich mythology of these groundbreaking dramas, because while both are going into their fourth seasons, it’s the end of the line for “Battlestar” and the beginning of the end for “Lost,” which will bow in 2010. Sure, there have been some creative missteps along the way, but if you’re looking for solid writing, believable character developments, and hours upon hours of (slightly geeky) entertainment, buy the DVDs and hold out for just a little while longer, because these shows are the epitome of quality television.
There are dozens of new and returning shows airing this fall season, but thanks to the TV gods, we’ve been blessed with an abundance of solid options from which to choose. Next time you’re flipping channels instead of doing homework, keep my recommendations in mind. You never know what shows will make your grade.
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