I admit it -- I'm a TV junkie. I'm not ashamed. I've heard the argument that watching a lot of TV makes people stupid, and I don't buy it. It's all in what you watch, and what you get out of it. Heck, I even know one very smart person who watches Jersey Shore, if you can believe it.
Fall is almost here (sorry, summer-lovers) and that means -- TA DA!!!! -- TV is coming back! New shows, old shows, good shows, bad shows, and in between. So, without further ado, here are my picks for the good and the bad of the new shows and the returning ones (in my own humble little opinion, of course!)
Best of the New
1. Homeland -- Starring Claire Danes as a CIA agent and Damian Lewis (really hot red-headed British actor) as a soldier held captive for several years who finally comes home. She suspects he might have gone to the other side while he was missing, and is helping out terrorists now that he's back in the U.S. It's on Showtime, so hopefully we'll get it on one of the movie channels here.
2. Once Upon a Time -- Fairy tales in real life. I love it! Stars Ginnifer Goodwin (she was on that show with Bill Paxton about polygamists that I can't remember the name of right now) and Jennifer Morrison (she was on House but isn't anymore). It's about fairy tale characters that are trapped in the real world. If this one gets cancelled, I will be aggravated.
3. The Secret Circle -- OK, I'm biased about this one because it's based on a series of books I read when I was a teenager (and which I downloaded for my Kobo and still read now). If they follow the books, it's about a girl who loses her family and has to move to a new town.....where she discovers she comes from a long line of witches. Yeah, sounds cheesy and yeah, it's for teenagers -- but I don't care :)
4. The Ringer -- Another one that I admit bias towards. This time, because it has Sarah Michelle Gellar, aka BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER!!! I watched that show obsessively. And then I bought the box set. Which I still watch obsessively. I know it has a silly name, but it really is a great show. Ringer sounds cool, too. A woman on the run from bad guys takes over the identity of her twin sister, then finds out her twin sister's life ain't all that great, either.
5. American Horror Story -- Now, this one is on the American network FX, so we might not get it in Canada right away. And when/if we DO get it, DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN WATCH IT. It's about a couple who find out something is wrong with their new home. That's not the part you have to worry about. The part that you have to worry about is that it's on FX, and while they DO make great shows, they DON'T shy away from the bad words and the naked stuff. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Worst of the New
1. Terra Nova -- There is only one reason I already hate this show even though I haven't seen it: Dinosaurs. I am afraid of dinosaurs. This show might end up being absolutely amazing, but I am NOT watching it.
2. Hart of Dixie -- Manhattan doctor moves to small town, where she doesn't fit in with the townfolk. I liked this show........when it was called Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
3. The Playboy Club -- Takes place in the 60's, at a playboy club. Riding the coattails of Mad Men, in my opinion. I have a friend who's seen the premiere. He says it sucks. I'm not surprised.
4. Last Man Standing -- I like Tim Allen, but that's not enough to make me watch this show. It's a guy who is surrounded by women and not-manly-enough-for-him men. Yaaaaaaaawn.
5. H8R - Host Mario Lopez (really?) brings together celebrities with the regular everyday people who can't stand them. Celebrities then try to win them over. The only way I will watch this is if they let me be in episode where they put me alone in a room with Dr. Phil and a cattle prod.
Best of the Returning Shows
1. House -- No matter how ridiculous this show gets (and it can get pretty ridiculous) Hugh Laurie still rocks. From what I gather, the new season starts with House in prison for driving a car into Cuddy's house (remember how I said this show can be ridiculous?) I will watch this show for as long as they keep putting it on TV.
2. Cougar Town -- Goofy name, hilarious show. If you haven't given it a chance because it was a dumb name (and it really does) then I beg you to watch a few episodes. Hilarious, and also really touching sometimes. I was never a Friends fan, but Courtney Cox is so good in this show. Heck, EVERYONE is so good in this show. JUST WATCH IT ALREADY.
3. Community -- A show that gets great reviews, but not a ton of attention. There are a million reasons why you should watch it, but instead of going through them all, I'll just say two words: Chevy. Chase. That man can't NOT be funny.
4. CSI -- Two years ago, I wanted to gather every copy of this show and drop it in an ocean. It had gotten tired and annoying. I missed Grissom and Sara. I was bored. But now, they're adding Ted Danson. TED FRIGGING DANSON. So yeah, I'll be watching again.
5. Castle -- Not only does it star a handsome Canadian boy (Nathan Fillion) but it's just an all around good show. A mystery write who follows around a police detective to help get ideas for his books. Yep -- probably totally wouldn't happen in real life. Don't care. Good show. Please watch.
Worst of the Returning
1. CSI Miami -- I just.....I......I just hate this show so much.
2. Grey's Anatomy -- I used to love this show. Now......meh. Same old, same old. Time to go bye-bye.
3. Desperate Housewives -- Like Grey's Anatomy, I used to watch this show religiously. It's not that it got bad, it just got boring. I was glad to hear this will be the last season, because the actors on it are SO GOOD that they deserve a chance to get out there and start working on other things.
4. Mike & Molly -- THIS SHOW IS NOT FUNNY.
5. Just about every reality show -- Just stop already, please? I like my TV to be nice and fake :)
