For whatever reason this fall, I had a disproportionately high number of shows I was vaguely to seriously interested in. And as someone that has whittled her television watching down to 30 Rock, The Office, a handful of HBO shows (usually about two per “season”) and a handful of “good” reality programming (also strangely clocking in at about two per “season”). I’m not sure why I’m so interested in what’s going on via my window to the world this fall – chock it up to unemployment, contributing to a new TV review blog, or perhaps avoidance of really hard projects that “technically” have no deadline. Whatever the reason I wanted to highlight what I’ve been checking out.
Modern Family (ABC). On paper this SO does not look like my show. But two different previews literally had me laughing out loud. So two good previews is proof enough to me that it at least deserved a shot.
Bored To Death (HBO). I’m a big Jason Schwartzman fan, so already, before we even get started I’m in. I loved him in I Heart Huckabees and from the previews, while it is a totally different character, the show seems to have a similar off beat sensibility that I think I’ll enjoy. I like the idea of an amateur private investigator, and if feels like that concept could have ideas for years and years without getting stale. I also love the idea of someone that is struggling with writing a book for um…obvious reasons.
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO). I’ve always like Curb, despite my general dislike of uncomfortable television, but I’ve somehow fallen off the wagon with Curb. This year I fully intend to get back on.
The Good Wife (CBS). I just think this show looks good. I’m a fan of Julianna Margulies and I like the set up, that the show seems to work as a procedural from episode to episode, but that it also has an overarching storytelling element. Before Life jumped the shark (second season, in my opinion) it has the same kind of storytelling – and it worked well – until they stopped caring about it (again, second season). I also feel like CBS is doing a great job of promoting this show, and so I feel like they’re pretty committed to it, which makes me slightly less nervous about getting invested in it myself. Networks take note.
Flash Forward (ABC). This show wins the advertising war for me hands down this year. I am tuning in for that hook alone. The cast looks good, the production values look good, the writing seems good, but it’s the hook my friends, the hook had me at hello. Just that shot of everyone falling down in the bank all at the same time insured that I would at least tune in for one episode. We’ll see how it goes from there. But the concept, while dangerous in terms of running out of steam, is original and fascinating.
Community (NBC). I’m really on the fence with this one. I’ll probably give it a chance, if only because of where it falls in the line up, but I haven’t been that wowed by any of the previews. I really like Joel McHale from E!’s The Soup, but the last time I saw Chevy Chase it was in that terrible Law & Order episode that was loosely (or you know, exactly) based on the “Mel Gibson situation” and I was really unimpressed. Then again, The Three Amigos was on cable the other day and he was hilarious. I’ll give it a shot, but call me cruel, with this much already on my tentative viewing schedule I’m not setting my TIVO until I laugh out loud half a dozen times. I’d love for it to be another must see like The Office, but I’m suspicious it’s going to be a little more must miss like My Name Is Earl.
New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS). I know this isn’t new. But I’ve decided this year I’m going to try to watch it. Every single time I’ve caught an episode in the past, or even just part of one, it’s been funny. Like, laugh out loud funny. And I love Julia Louis-Dreyfus, so why isn’t it on my schedule? I think mostly because it’s in a crappy time slot for me, I never remember it’s on, but this is what TIVO is for. It’s going on the TIVO, I’ll report back if it stays on.
I’m considering trying out Dollhouse (FOX) again since they’ve added Alexis Denisof to the cast, but we’ll see. I watched about half a dozen episodes last season and just couldn’t get on board, despite my usual love of all things Joss Whedon and the great concept.
I’ve also been kind of vaguely interested in Fringe, but with all this other TV it’s unlikely it’s got a chance to be added to the schedule.
It would be great if all these shows were awesome, but honestly, it’s a good thing if they don’t all deliver. I’m already watching or planning to watch Project Runway, Top Chef, The Office, 30 Rock, The Venture Brothers, Big Love, and Flight of the Conchords – and if I’m honest I’m also watching Flipping Out and Rachel Zoe and every episode of HGTV’s House Hunters (long story) that I can get my hands on – so that is A LOT of television for me. Not to mention I’ve started Netflixing Mad Men so I can catch up with the rest of the world on that one.
Somehow it seems wrong to root for some of these fail though…so I guess instead I’ll try to prepare myself for a lot of couch time. Quite frankly, not a problem.
Stay tuned for my midterm report next week about which shows have made the cut and which have been left for dead on the side of the TIVO road…
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Kelly is a freelance writer and artist living in New York who is relatively obsessed with comics and feminism, which generally make horrible bedfellows and explains a lot of her recurring headaches. You can read her rantings about such things at: http://1979semifinalist.wordpress.com 
