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2008 Fall TV Wrap-Up

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:37:10 +0000

Another fall television season has come and gone -- are you all enjoying the new series? Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with the new shows, as well as my favorite returning series. Each fall, we're usually inundated with new shows, so this year was especially enjoyable since the majority of last year's series had earned a spot on the primetime schedule.

Many people have asked me which new series I liked best this fall. Since my taste in television varies a great deal, this isn't an easy question to answer. I could never narrow it down to one particular show because what I love about one series is completely different from what I find intriguing about another.....

My Pick(s) for the Best New Series: Fringe and 90210

As one who just can't seem to get enough sci-fi in my diet, Fringe had me hooked before the very first commercial aired. I've always loved the possibility of teleportation, reanimation, etc., so this series constantly grabs my attention and doesn't let go even after the final credits have flashed across the screen.

Back in the '90s, I was probably one of the biggest 90210 fans around. Through the years, I have continued to watch the reruns again and again. Sad fact is that 296 episodes were produced and I have watched each of them at least a half dozen times.... yes, the math is very scary, but at least I can consider myself a walking 90210 encyclopedia. Don't judge, it makes it much easier for me to be able to help viewers understand the brilliance behind the latest incarnation of my favorite zip!

What's Ahead in 2009?

From the return of Jack Bauer to the maddening mystery of ABC's Lost, 2009 can't come soon enough for this TV fan. Here is a list of the shows that are set to return in the winter/early spring of 2009:

24 - Fox
According to Jim - ABC
American Idol - Fox
Battlestar Galactica - Sci-Fi
Big Love - HBO
Damages - FX
Hell's Kitchen - Fox
Kyle XY - ABC Family
Law & Order - NBC
Lost - ABC
Medium - NBC
Nip/Tuck - FX
Reaper - The CW
Scrubs - ABC
The Apprentice - NBC
The Bachelor - ABC
The L Word - Showtime

Enjoy the rest of the television season tube fans!

^{Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels/The CW � The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.}

This Week's Premiere Schedule

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:35:26 +0000

This is the last week of this fall's television premieres and before you know it, 2009 will arrive (as will many more shows). Although this week isn't quite as plentiful as in previous weeks, some exciting new and returning series are headed our way.

My Pick for the Week: My Own Worst Enemy brings film star Christian Slater back to the small screen and I couldn't be happier! Slater works overtime in the series in a dual role: Henry Spivey, a typical middle-class family man with 2.3 kids and Edward Albright, a highly trained operative who can speak 13 languages and has the skill to kill with only his teeth. Big problem -- Henry and Edward happen to live in the same body and neither is aware of the others existence. This should make for an interesting night of television.

Premiere Schedule for the Week

Monday

9:30pm ET Samantha Who? - ABC
10:00pm ET My Own Worst Enemy - NBC

Tuesday

10:00pm ET Eli Stone - ABC

Friday

8:00pm ET Crusoe - NBC
10:00pm ET Crash - Starz

Thursday's Television Premieres

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:04:07 +0000

Thursdays have always been a big television night, and although I love having so many choices -- I hate having so many choices. In the last few of years, any new series invading the Thursday realm have been pitied because that is where many shows go to die a quick and painful death. Unless the series is a big hit, it's extremely rare for anything new to survive in the 8:00-10:00pm time slot on this crazy night. I'll never understand why networks continue to press their luck.

With that said, NBC is forging ahead with a new comedy series that actually looks promising. Molly Shannon and Selma Blair star in Kath and Kim, a story about a dysfunctional mother and daughter relationship. Kath is having the time of her life until her newly married daughter moves back home after leaving her husband of six weeks. Will Kath's new romance hit the skids now that her depressed daughter is back in the picture?

My Pick for the Night: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation may be entering its ninth season, but continues to keep audiences on their toes after all these years. Despite the fact that two other intriguing dramas will also debut tonight, I still find myself stuck on my favorite forensic show. Picking up where they left off last season, the team investigates the murder of one of their own. Imagine their shock when (and if) they track down the killer. New characters enter the mix this season, including film star Laurence Fishburne, which should make for yet another exciting season of this compelling drama.

Thursday Night Premiere Schedule

8:30pm ET

Kath & Kim - NBC

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - CBS

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

Eleventh Hour - CBS
Life on Mars - ABC
The Sarah Silverman Program (10:30) - Comedy Central

In the Home Stretch....

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:20:11 +0000

I can't believe that in the next 11 days, all of the fall shows will have premiered. It seems like just yesterday the fall season began. Time sure flies when you're a coach potato, eh? The last two weeks of premieres were pretty crazy, so you'll all be happy to know that while this week is fairly light, it by no means reflects on the excitement headed our way!

On Tap This Week

South Park - Comedy Central
The Sarah Silverman Program - Comedy Central
Kath & Kim - NBC
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - CBS
Eleventh Hour - CBS
Life on Mars - ABC
The Starter Wife - USA Network

Are you enjoying the new shows this season? How do the returning shows measure up to last year? Thoughts? Comments? Post 'em below!

Friday's Premiere Schedule

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:47:57 +0000

Tube fans, get in your naughty chairs and settle in for another huge night of television premieres!

Until a few years ago, Fridays weren't typically a big night for television. With the economy wreaking havoc on the country, settling down for a night of television at home is the perfect way to forget about the financial disasters at hand for a few hours. It's escapism at its best.

My Pick for the Night: Supernanny is one of the few shows on television the entire family can watch together. As parents, we all have had our share of difficult moments with our children and often wonder how people make it through the rough times. The families featured on ABC's Supernanny allow parents who are having problems raising their children take comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone. Of course, the other great reason to watch is to see children (and often their parents) behaving worse than any other child you've ever met. If you think you have it bad at times, all you need to do is tune in to this show for perspective.

Friday Night Premiere Schedule

8:00 - 9:00pm ET

Everybody Hates Chris - The CW
Ghost Whisperer - CBS
Wife Swap - ABC
The Game (8:30) - The CW

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

The Ex List - CBS
Sanctuary - Sci-Fi Channel
Star Wars: The Clone Wars - Cartoon Network
Supernanny - ABC

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

Numb3rs - CBS

^{Photo: Bob D'Amico � 2008 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.}

Bzzzzzzzzzz - Wednesday's Premiere Schedule

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:15:45 +0000

Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money -- Ah, I have waited so long for my Wednesday night shows to return! While most television shows returned last spring following the writers strike, ABC decided to hold these Wednesday night dramas over until the fall season. My heart was broken, yet I was relieved to know that my three guiltiest pleasures would ultimately return.

My Pick for the Night: Pushing Daisies was one of last season's most-anticipated new shows. The story about a pie maker named Ned, who could bring the dead back to life with just one touch, treated viewers to romance, mystery, laughs and loads of charm. Its Dr. Suess-like narration and use of brilliant colors makes this series unlike anything I've ever seen on television.

Also returning tonight is Friday Night Lights on DirecTV. The series had previously aired on NBC, but failed to achieve satisfactory ratings. However, there was no denying the incredible fan base the show had built, so NBC made a deal with DirecTV to exclusively air new episodes in the fall. Don't have DirecTV? No worries, NBC plans to air these episodes early next year.

Wednesday Night Premiere Schedule

8:00 - 9:00pm ET

Pushing Daisies - ABC

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

Private Practice - ABC
Friday Night Lights - DirecTV

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

Dirty Sexy Money - ABC

^{Photo: Kate Turning � 2008 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.}

Monday's Television Premieres

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:11:37 +0000

After last night's mega-premiere buffet, the networks are taking things a bit easier tonight. However, that certainly doesn't mean there isn't plenty of excitement in store for viewers tonight as two fantastic NBC dramas make their way into our living rooms.

My Pick for Tonight - Life: Imagine being a cop, getting framed for a crime you didn't commit and spending years in prison being brutalized by the criminals you put away.... How determined would you be to hunt down those responsible?

On NBC's crime drama Life, Detective Charlie Crews spent 12 long years in prison and is now a free man after being proven innocent. Prison changes a man and for Charlie, the change is quite chilling at times. I really shouldn't say much more, I don't want to ruin it for those who plan to tune in to this amazing drama. If you haven't given this series a shot yet, I would recommend trying just one episode -- you'll be hooked!

Monday Night Premiere Schedule

8:00pm ET - Chuck returns on NBC
10:00pm ET - Life returns on NBC

D'Oh! Sunday's Premiere Schedule

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:45:38 +0000

It's hard to believe The Simpsons have been around for 20 years. By all rights, Bart, Lisa and Maggie should be well into their 20's and working for a living. At the very least, shouldn't Maggie finally toss that pacifier and learn to use the potty? Imagine the money this poor family has spent on diapers alone!

Last week's crazy premiere schedule was an embarrassment of riches, but Sunday night really takes the cake as 12 returning series invade our living rooms once again. It's nights like this that really make me wish someone would create a DVR capable of recording 3 or more shows at once. Not that I would actually have time to watch everything, but at least I could have more options.

Another wild and crazy premiere week awaits, so get comfy and let the fun begin....

Sunday Night Premiere Schedule

7:00 - 8:00pm ET

Extreme Makover: Home Edition (two-hour special) - ABC
60 Minutes - CBS*

8:00 - 9:00pm ET

The Amazing Race - CBS*
The Simpsons - Fox
King of the Hill (8:30) - Fox

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

Cold Case - CBS*
Desperate Housewives - ABC
Dexter - Showtime
Family Guy - Fox
American Dad (8:30) - Fox

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

Brothers & Sisters - ABC
Californication - Showtime
The Unit - CBS*

* A important note for CBS viewers: If recording your shows for the night, you should program your Tivo/DVR to record an additional hour of programming since football can run overtime during the afternoon, thus delaying everything that airs after the game.

^{� 2008 TTCFFC All Rights Reserved.}

Premiere Week Continues: Thursday's Premieres

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:34:03 +0000

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a huge reality TV fan, but there are a couple of shows I do consider guilty pleasures and Survivor happens to be one of them. As each season passes, I keep telling myself that it's time to vote myself off the island and move on, but something just keeps pulling me back in and I fear it might be Jeff Probst.

For many years, Thursdays have been the most competitive night of television. This season is no exception as the networks prepare to battle it out once again for the Nielsen crown. Sadly, I think there are too many choices to make as there are so many fantastic shows airing on Thursdays. I think I'll stick with my Survivor/Smallville combo at 8pm and head over to ABC at 9pm for my McFix of McDreamy.

I highly recommend tuning in to the final season of ER. For a series heading into its 15th season, it continues to keep viewers on their toes each week. Watch for loads of twists and turns this season -- not to mention a healthy dose of gratifying surprises along the way!

Thursday Night Premiere Schedule

8:00 - 9:00pm ET

My Name is Earl (1-hour) - NBC
Survivor: Gabon (2-hour special) - CBS
Ugly Betty - ABC

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

Grey's Anatomy (2-hour special) - ABC
The Office (1-hour) - NBC

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

ER - NBC
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (10:30) - FX Networks

Premiere Week Continues: Wednesday's Premieres

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:17:57 +0000

Where did all of the television comedies go? During the golden days of Seinfeld and Friends, the networks had a nice balance of comedy and drama series. In recent years, dramedies such as Desperate Housewives, Reaper and Ugly Betty seem to have replaced the traditional comedy format. As a result, the networks aren't laughing quite as much, and viewers aren't exactly amused with anything new that comes their way.

CBS seems to be one of the only networks still determined to show audiences a good time. With a successful two-hour comedy block on Monday nights under their belt, CBS is bringing the laughs to Wednesday night with the recently relocated New Adventures of Old Christine and the new series Gary Unmarried. Pairing these comedies with the tried and true Criminal Minds/CSI: NY combo is an interesting gamble, but will it pay off?

Facing off against the new CBS comedy block is the reinvented Knight Rider series. The classic '80s series returns to television with an incredibly gorgeous cast and a remodeled KITT car. If you thought the original KITT was neat, just wait until you see what 20 years of technological advances has done for Knight Industries. This will definitely be one of the coolest shows on television!

Wednesday Night Premiere Schedule

8:00 - 9:00pm ET

9:00 - 10:00pm ET

Criminal Minds - CBS

10:00 - 11:00pm ET

CSI: NY - CBS
Lipstick Jungle - NBC