2012-2013 TV Season

September is here, which means the fall TV season is just around the corner, and I do like some TV watching. Last year I tried to watch all the new shows, and as always, the ones I really liked the most didn't all make it into this season. I'm more of a drama watcher than a comedy watcher, but I did discover two new comedies last year to go with my Modern Family and The Middle watching. I tried all the shows last year because I needed something to blog about and didn't want to miss out on really good shows like I have in the past (The Good Wife, Mad Men). I'm one of those people that refuse to jump into a new show after it has already run for a few seasons unless I can go back and catch up. Alas, that isn't as easy as it used to be.

This year we changed cable stations, so I don't have the On-Demand feature like I did last year that helped make sure I watched all the new shows. This season I've done some research and read several critics' take on the shows to better prepare my DVR and watching schedule so that I also do not miss my favorite returning shows. I doubt that I will get to view all 21 new shows, but I've created a list of the ones I will watch, along with my returning shows. N = New and R = Returning

Sunday:

• 666 Park Avenue (N) - The premise sounds ridiculous, and anything with Terry O'Quinn is sure to be spooky, but it is one of the commercials that run 24/7 online when I watch abc.com to catch up on General Hospital and therefore is is stuck in my head.
• Once Upon a Time (R) - A returning show from last season and one I found so creative. Most writing classes that I took throughout my life had us rewriting fairy tales, and this show does that, taking it to the next level. It's a good one to catch up on online if you missed it last year. ABC is one of the few shows that lets you do just that.
• Revenge (R) - Another show that was new last year with good acting and interesting, mysterious plots. I'm not sure how they will continue it this season, but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting!
• Football (R) - But of course! And the Steelers open the show this week!

Monday:

• Revolution (N) - Not sure what the fascination is lately with the post-apocalypse, but again the commercials for this show have gotten in my head. I'm not much for sci-fi shows, that's my hubby's department, but it has J.J. Abrams's name behind it so everyone will watch.
• Dancing with the Stars (R) - Yeah, yeah, whatever, I like it.
• The Voice (R) - I only watch the first few days of this show, and I usually don't continue after the next round. I don't particularly care for the way the show works, but those first auditions? Priceless.
• The Mob Doctor (N) - Hmmm...another doctor show that includes the mob? I already watch General Hospital, so why the hell not?
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Tuesday:

• Ben & Kate (N) - This one doesn't sound too great, but I'm a sucker for a brother being nice to his sister and wanting to help her out. Might as well turn to fiction to get that.
• New Girl (R) - Love her. Love the characters.  Last season's ending? Just one of the best ever.
• Go On (N) - Again, the commercials during the Olympics suckered me in, and the buzz is that it isn't bad. It comes on at a good time as I record the results of DWTS and need something to watch in the meantime.
• Emily Owens, M.D. (N) - I'm watching this because it stars Meryl Streep's daughter, Mamie, and let's face it, if she has her mother's acting genes...
• The New Normal (N) - I'm not sure I will watch this one, but I might give it a shot. I read the plots are pretty lacking, but the acting is better.
• The Mindy Project (N) - I'm told this one has the best buzz, so it is on my list. Plus, I like it when the networks give shows to people outside the box. But seriously, it has got to be better for me than that Whitney thing last year.
• Vegas (N) - I loved Pan Am and The Playboy Club last year, and neither one made it, so I'm not too hopeful for this in the past drama either, but I'll watch it because I like Dennis Quaid. Although, it better not remind me of the other Vegas show I loved with James Caan.

Wednesday:

• Survivor (R) - Still my fav of all reality shows. Won't miss it.
• The Middle (R) - If you are from Indiana, you gotta watch this show. Axel is my nephew, Austin, all the way...well, maybe not in the brain department.
• Modern Family (R) - Best show on television, hands down. 
• The Neighbors (N) - This one didn't get a good buzz, but I loved the line I see in the promos where the kids say, "Mom, I go to public school, I know weird." or something like that. Enough to get me to tune in for at least the first show.
• Animal Practice (N) - Yeah, I already saw this one, and except for the monkey, I wasn't impressed.
• Chicago Fire (N) - Sigh. I'm trying to go into this one with a good attitude, but I'm not sure that any show with firefighters can compare after Rescue Me.
• Nashville (N) - This is the one that I'm most excited about as I adore Connie Britton and Country Music, so it's all good.

Thursday:

• Person of Interest (R) - Taraji P. Henson! (inside joke) Another one of my favs shows from last season. I have yet to watch the season finale because of some technical glitch, but this show is exciting from beginning to end and very creative and different.
• Up All Night (R) - Another comedy that got me hooked from last season. Hilarious! And the little girl? Adorable.
• Last Resort (N) - Interesting plot, exotic Island, and I'll give it a go.
• Glee (R) - S much fun with great storylines that will make you laugh and cry simultaneously.
• Elementary (N) - I don't know about this one. Tom and I enjoy Sherlock on PBS, so not sure how this will compare, but I love mystery, so I'll give it a go.

Friday:

• Grimm (R) - Although right now, it has already started and is on Monday nights. A very different show and I love the new direction it has taken so far, although not so much the intro.
• Malibu Country (N) - The buzz isn't good on this one, and that is too bad because I enjoy reruns of Reba, and who doesn't love Lily Tomlin? As there isn't anything else on Friday nights, I'll give it a shot and hope that the writers get better.
• Made in Jersey (N) - Another lawyer show, but what the heck not watching any now, so maybe this one will draw me in.

Other:

• Smash (R) - This little gem from last season is a midseason replacement, so I have some time to wait on it, but my whole family enjoyed the behind the scenes of off-Broadway.
• Body of Proof (R) - I can't believe they got rid of half the cast, but I like the show as it is simple and tidies up in an hour, so I'll be back. I just hope they can make it work for those of us upset over the loss of characters.

What not to do when ill

Shows that I have watched either on television or the Internet while sick at home:

• Jon and Kate Plus 8 - This show is seriously sad. How nutty is this woman? I just want to bring the kids home with me. Especially Cara and Maddy.

• The Bonnie Hunt Show - What a nice woman. So funny. Entertaining.

• Sports Center - Nothing better on Monday mornings then this show. I loved the coverage on Brett Favre and the Vikings.

• Bring it On: All or Nothing - A really cheesy movie starring Hayden Panettiere from Heroes.

• What Not To Wear - I loved this episode because it still had Nick Arrojo, my hero.

• A Baby Story - Still cry when I watch these shows.

• Little People Big World - These were some "lost" episodes. I enjoy this show, but always forget to watch it unless I'm channel surfing on a weekend.

• The Duggars - Read about this family, but to watch them....whoa.

• Reba - My sister-in-law introduced me to this show while on vacation two years ago. I never watch many sitcoms, and despite my love for country music, I never watched this show. But I have to tell you....it is hysterical! Catch the reruns on cable.
• Rescue Me - I'm still trying to get through my recordings of this season. One of the best shows on television today.

• Modern Family - I decided to check out pilots of some of the new shows that got decent reviews. I have to say that the pilot of this show is laug-out-loud funny. I enjoyed it so much I set my DVR to record it each Wednesday.

• Cougar Town - Not something I'll record, but entertaining for a sick-at-home woman.

• Medium - I forgot to record the season premiere of my fav show so I caught up on it via the Net.

• Today Show - Got to get some news.

• Wife Swap - WOW! It took me about four episodes of this show to realize that there is a setup. Some of these people! Some of these wives! And the husbands and their screaming? Jeez! Makes for entertaining television though.

• The View - Watched the Halloween costume episode today where I discovered that Kate Gosselin is the number one selling costume this year. How sad is that?

Random Thoughts

• Why would Troy Polamalu let them put his face on the cover of the new Madden Xbox game? When I saw this cover back in July I moaned and began praying for his health. Didn't do a damn bit of good. Troy got hurt and is out for 3 to 6 weeks. Larry Fitzgerald, start drinking your protein shakes and taking your vitamins. The Madden curse is staring you down now.
• Didn't Sarina Williams' parents teach her sportsmanlike conduct? She is one of my favorite tennis players, but her actions this weekend were horrid and uncalled for and she should be apologizing to the line judge, the US Open officials and the fans instead of excusing her behavior with, ".....in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly." Poorly is not the word I would have used.
• If I were Jay Cutler and had behaved the way he did this past season in Denver, I would have come out yesterday playing the game of my life. Instead, Cutler had 4 interceptions and his whining face on.
• I'm glad I didn't waste my time watching the MTV Video Awards where Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's speech to tell the world someone else should have won. And I'm not impressed with Beyonce bringing her up later on stage to try to save the day. Faked or not it didn't benefit Taylor Swift in anyway. Let's pick on the country people? Whatever. She still has the highest selling rate of recordings this year overall. Country musicians tend to let their work speak for them.
• Hines Ward will have a great game this next Sunday to make up for the dropped pass this past Thursday.
• Why is it that football coaches are getting fatter? Charlie Weiss? Rex Ryan? Andy Reid? Do they even look at themselves in the mirror? Exercise?
• Hurrah for Kim Clijsters! She helped give all mothers a big step up. And while we are at it another cheer for 17-year-old Melanie Oudin who just might give the United States something to look forward to. (Let's just hope her parents are doing their job in the sportsmanship category.)
• Why the hell does the person running the football pool I'm involved in add 4 college games in with 16 NFL games? I've never cared for college football and now I'm having to watch it and learn from it just to try to win the pot.
• Enjoyed the Sears commercial with Brett Favre making fun of himself. Lets hope he really does laugh at himself and can one day find something else to do.
• Thank god there are still gracious and poised athletes out there that make up for all the whiners and tantrum throwers in the sports world. Roger Federer comes to mind. In his last loss he cried instead of threatening someone and cursing, and then he came back and kicked ass the next time he played.

5 Shows I watched this week

• American Idol - I started out a Danny Gokey lover and ended up an Adam Lambert lover. While the finale wasn't up to other Idol snuff (Fantasia and last year's Davids) I thought both men did as well as could be expected considering the songs that were chosen for them. Seriously, they have got to get songwriters who write that last number for the artists who are left standing. Kara's song was not an Adam song, and I didn't think Kris did much better.

• Glee - I read about TV all the time, but I had not read anything about this show. It was like Fox didn't have a clue what to put in the slot after American Idol. I only watched it because it looked odd and caught my attention. I paused the DVR and returned to watch it later. I'm so glad I did. I haven't laughed that loud or that long in months. A hysterical show that makes fun of other shows within its show. The rest of the episodes won't be on until fall, but if you missed this first episode you should check out fox online. You won't be sorry.

• Scrubs - I thought it was a fabulous ending to a great show. Now I just read that the show isn't going to be canceled after all, which is quite annoying. Either way, Zach won't be back. He told me so....on Regis and Kelly.

• Lost - For a woman that only caught up on this show this past fall, I am hooked. I thought the season ender was a good one that left me wondering, thinking, wondering, thinking. The best part? The writers and creators actually have a timeline to end the whole series despite the high ratings.

• Survivor - I can't get enough of the show. I think it is still going strong, and finally, FINALLY, two contestants stood up to the jury and said things like, "Hello? This is a game. Damn right I lied my ass off, and if you didn't, well, that's the reason your ass is sitting in the jury." And Jeff Probst? Still sexy in my book.

ER nurses deserved more....

Starting off I want to say that I have yet to watch the final episode of ER as I'm saving it for a time that is right, but I have watched the hour show that was shown prior to the finale. That gave me my blog entry. Granted that was probably put together quite quickly, and without Michael Crichton, the writers might have been sad and boohooing, but I have to complain here for a minute.

I was not one of the original ER television viewers. I came along later. Since ER and Chicago Hope debuted the same time and both were set in Chicago I think I just ignored both of them figuring they would cancel each other out and be long gone before the end of the TV season. My mother watched both of them, told me they were good shows, and somewhere along the line, I began watching Chicago Hope. I loved it. I decided I would be dedicated to it. But then Mandy Patinkin got too big for his britches and the whining started, and I jumped into watching ER. I got hooked.

The show has always been a consistent, well-written television drama that kept me coming back each week. There were times I went to bed depressed at the storyline, but because the writers threw in humor the depressing scenes were manageable. The writers also made sure not to kill too many people in successive weeks. Even the so-called "baddies" in ER had tender sides to them that were shown in rare moments that made them likable. Once actors got bored with their roles and left the show, the producers still managed to find great actors to fill those empty spots. While I would lament the demise of one of my favorite characters (Dr. Green), I would learn to love his replacement. Just a great show all around.

Which brings me to my annoyance. So many regulars have come and gone on this show, and many of them returned this season as a tribute. All fine and dandy. I enjoyed seeing old favorites and several of the episodes brought tears to my eyes. But that hour show retrospect should have included those actors that have been on the show since the beginning. Yes, there were actually actors that started on the show and never left! Unfortunately, these actors were the nurses of the ER and were never given more of a role than that of cleaning up vomit and blood, calling for a surgeon, escorting people out of the trauma rooms, patting doctors on the backs, and just performing general emergency room procedures. We never saw them with their own storyline. We never saw their lives outside the ER. We never even knew if they had lives outside the ER. I never understood why those actors weren't given more of a storyline. Why the producers felt the need to keep them in the background.

There are three actors that come to mind:

1. Laura Ceron, who played Chuny Marquez, apparently didn't come on to ER until 1995, but she logged the third highest amount of episodes behind Noah Wyle and Laura Innes with 219 episodes. Chuny was the nurse who was always called to translate whenever a Spanish speaking patient came into the ER.
2. Deezer D who logged 188 episodes from 1994 to 2009 and comes in 5th place of most episodes acted. Deezer played nurse Malik McGrath who had a great sense of humor and brought the brawn when it was needed.
3. Yvette Freeman who played nurse Haleh Adams. Remember her? She was heavy, then she lost tons of weight (which was briefly mentioned in one show), and now she is heavy again. Yvette acted in 185 episodes from beginning to end.

I guarantee that these three actors had tons of memories and loads to say during that one hour reliving of ER. The fact that they were not included is an injustice that is flat out wrong. Instead, we had to listen to Steven Spielberg and actors that haven't been on the show since the mid-nineties. I just felt it was wrong. The three actors above did more than anyone and received less than anyone on that show.
They deserved mention. I'll miss them.

Weekly General Hospital Rant

I tried to do this on another blog, but I've decided to ditch that blog and this is one of the posts that will continue on because I have to get this out in the open for my own sanity. If you don't watch GH, just skip this weekly post.

• When did Kelly's reopen? Last thing I remember it blew up with Mike inside. True, Luke mentioned something about rebuilding, but then Luke has been mentioning things off and on through the month and then disappearing....(see #4 ) So Kelly's just opened without fanfare or mention? Or did I miss something?


• I hate the federal agents. Rayner is a complete idiot and the man who plays him is the worst actor. I could do a better job of acting and I'm not even a man! As for the pig-tailed Winifred....can she drop the "Spinelli speak"? She obviously did that while undercover because no FBI head honcho would hire someone who jabbers like that. Stop it. There is only one Spinelli.


• For months now I have suggested (to anyone who would listen) that the storyline should have Sonny and Jason really working for the WSB all these years undercover. I got excited when the FBI was brought in, but alas, the writers didn't follow my idea. And where is the WSB? Please...if you insist on this storyline then you should have used Scorpio. Or Sean? Way better actors and characters then this Rayner dude.


• And speaking of Scorpio....what happened to his "son" and Luke? We see them and now we don't. They are on one day and gone the next. It is starting to make me a tad nuts. Stick with a story, would you? And please....bring back Luke and give him a real story!


• Why is it that Sonny's home is so accessible? Everyone in Port Charles seems able to just walk in and wander around. For a mobster who has two bodyguards his security sucks!


• Really hate to see Sam back with Jason and Elizabeth back with Lucky. Can you spell B-O-R-I-N-G? I like that Sam is into detecting and danger (reminds me of Felicia, a WAY better character), but I hate her with Jason. Can we not find her someone else to work with. Maybe Mac? He could use a facelift. Let him get back into the thick of detective work instead of running around whining about everyone else's detecting.


• Please, please, please, stop hiring these new actors when you have old ones that are sorely missed. The great thing about GH is the past history. Stop all the mob nonsense and get back to the hospital and the people that run around in it. I miss Monica, Bobbi (although her face lift makes me sad), Alan, Edward, and Tracy. I don't; however, care about seeing someone who looks like someone else. Rebecca Shaw? Seriously, does that ever happen? Why wouldn't that woman run for the hills? I hope that storyline will emerge quickly, and it had better be something creative.


• And what is happening to the hospital? Is it completely burned? Is it even open? Are the nurses and doctors out of work? An update please!


• Love Sonny (and Maurice's ad-libbing) when he is in a scene with Spinelli. Kudos to the two actors!

Best & Worse at the Oscars 2009

Best Oscar Moments for me:

• Kate Winslet having her dad whistle so she could find him.
• Sean Penn's speech.
• The Japanese guy's speech "sanking" everyone and then calmly saying, "Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto."
• Anne Hathaway belting out her part in the opening musical number.
• The cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire really enjoying themselves and showing pure joy at all their wins.
• Ben Stiller doing his Joaquin Phoenix impression.
• Tina Fey and Steve Martin as presenters.
• Will Smith as a presenter.
• Queen Latifah singing a tribute to the members of the Hollywood community who have died.
• Jerry Lewis' speech. Sweet, short and to the point.

Yucky Oscar Moments for me:

• Cutting to Angelina Jolie when Jennifer Aniston was on stage.
• Cutting to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt yet again while Jennifer Aniston was on stage.
• That video spot with the two guys from some comedy I've never seen.
• Those who pulled out paper and read off names to thank. If you are going to do that sing it or something.
• Not enough songs nominated.
• Wall-E should have won more. Best animated film I've seen in a long time. I think it was over some people's heads.

Oscar Buzz

Sunday night I watched the Oscars. I haven't really watched them in a while because A) I've usually never seen the movies that are nominated and B) the show is too long and too boring. This year I watched because I was pulling for Slumdog Millionaire, a movie I actually saw and truly loved, and I was all caught up in the Mickey Rourke hype.

I thoroughly enjoyed the show. I loved Hugh Jackman's opening number and was thrilled with Anne Hathaway's performance. I was clapping like I was there when she belted out her part. I also enjoyed seeing the five past award winners coming out on stage and paying tribute to this year's nominees. I wondered if they had written what they were saying, which would have made it more meaningful if they had, but I thought it was a nice touch for both past and present. Apparently, I am in the minority.

Everything I have read the past two days has been mostly negative regarding this year's Oscar show, and everyone hated those five alumni. I don't get it. Our television newspaper critic had an article today that gave his suggestions for fixing the show. It took up almost an entire page and really wasn't helpful, in my opinion. I've decided to respond to all this whining. The following is some of the criticisms that annoyed me.

• Winners were too predictable. Really? Rocky winning Best Picture back in 1976? Only people that saw that coming were the fans who loved the movie. I suggest you throw in some other nominees that the other shows haven't honored if you think the SAG and Golden Globes are spoiling your fun.
• Oscars lack diversity. Most of Slumdog Millionaire's winners were not even Indian. Are you kidding me? You want movies about other countries to be produced, written and acted by people in that same country? Too bad for Indian directors and producers for not finding Vikas Swarup's book and realizing the potential. Kudos to Danny Boyle for doing so and for using real Indian children (not actors) in the movie. If you want diversity try opening up more nominated movie categories such as Best Comedy Picture and Best Musical to go along with Best Animated.
• The show is too long. Okay, this one I agree with. The Oscars are always long. I suggest you give out the boring awards that viewers at home usually don't care about (sound editing, costume design, set design, etc) before the show goes on air. That would cut out an hour right there and open up time for more entertaining numbers. All the presenters, nominees, guests, etc. show up and do the red carpet, go inside and mingle with cocktails and appetizers while you give out those awards. Then an hour later start the televised show. The Kodak theater audience will be happier with liquor and food in their bellies and the viewing audience will be glad to not have to sit through endless speeches from people we've never seen.
• Hated the five past winners complimenting the nominees. You like someone reading the names of the nominees and seeing a clip of their acting in the movie? Usually the same clip we see over and over again throughout the night. Yeah, that is entertaining. How nice was it seeing Goldie Hawn and Robert De niro? How funny was Cuba Gooding Jr.'s little speech to Robert Downey Jr.? Lighten up, folks!

5 Rants on last week's TV viewing

#1 - ER - (Yes, I know this was on the week before, but I just got around to watching it this week....during the day.) How depressing. Why is it that "they" have to get rid of regular cast members by killing them off? Note to the producers: NOT EVERYONE DIES IN AN ER. And I should know. I spent time in enough of them two summers ago. I didn't see anyone die there. And what? Mekhi Phifer couldn't put in one more year of ER? Just couldn't squeeze out anything else in his acting?
Yes, it was well done. Yes, I bawled like a baby. The part where Pratt started crying silently when he realized what was happening was heart-wrenching. Frank rushing ahead and opening the elevator and patting Pratt's shoulder was touching. Poor Morris having to give the ring to Bettina was just so sad. But seriously....could these poor ER doctors have some happiness in their lives? For once>

#2 - Steelers Football - Thank god we had some offense for a change! Ben was getting out of the pocket quicker and releasing the ball...into the hands of one of our own for a change. We were moving the ball in the running game with our 18th string running backs. Good to finally see some football!

Unfortunately, despite the fact that I picked the Steelers to win, my partner in the office pool (and the financial backer) went over my head and circled Jacksonville for the win. Had Jacksonville won we had a good chance of winning the whole pot.

Kelly: "You might as well just take $33 and set fire to it! That's what just happened."

Going into the bye with a win under our belt and a 4 and 1 record? Priceless!

#3 - America's Toughest Jobs (another one I'm still behind in) - Bullfighting? What ding dong came up with that job as a good one for the contestants to work? I didn't like it. But how tough was my girl Sandy? The women rock on this show and Rie did not deserve to lose in a cheap job as Bullfighting.

#4 - Sunday Football - Good to see Peyton back.
Not surprised that Chad Pennington is winning in Miami. Hello? Something to prove there, Brett Favre be damned.
Knew I should have gone with the Redskins.
Glad to see Warrick Dunn getting some recognition and some running yardage.
T.O.'s news conference after his game? Seriously? "God did this. God did that. God made him good. He owes God." Invoking the good Lord's name is supposed to make his teammates and the rest of us forget his comments from last week? I'm here to tell you right now that God has bigger things to concentrate on then the Dallas Cowboys. And besides, everyone knows that God's boy is Troy Polamalu.

#5 - Survivor - Once again I'm screaming, "Have you never seen this show before?" Crystal in her strapless dress? Michelle whining about being picked last? For the most part, I've always enjoyed something about the show in the beginning, but other than Bob this group of folks has left me wondering why.