Week of September 19th, 2010

Now here we go. Things really picked up this week as pretty much everything started it’s new seasons. Without further delay let’s get started. I have to be honest and say none of the new shows really captured my attention and I’m going into a lot of them pretty blind. Like always please feel free to share your thoughts as well.

Boardwalk Empire: The much anticipated premiere. Very captivating and Steve Buscemi is always watchable. I’m looking forward to more of this. If I had any complaints it was at times a little sort of wink wink nudge nudge.

House: A good start to the season. Looking forward to some more straightforward episodes. I miss Thirteen already.

Chuck: Another good season premiere. Could have used a quick refresher via “previously” though. I missed all the other characters that make this show so wonderful though. The stuff coming in the rest of the season looks good and I really like Chuck & Sarah together in an actual relationship.

Castle: It’s good to see this back. Stania Katic & Nathan Fillion are magic together and this show is just really brilliant and smart. Also one of the best portrayals of a father/daughter relationship since Veronica Mars.

How I Met Your Mother: This used to be one of the smartest, best half hours on tv but last season it really sort of dropped in quality. This episode didn’t do much to fill me with hope for this year but I have to admit I can’t wait to see where it takes us. Also I love Rachel Bilson.

Lone Star: This kept my attention but I feel like the premise won’t last long before it gets overly soapy and dull. Time will tell.

Hawaii Five-0: I wasn’t really excited about this at all. However appearances by James Marsters and William Sadler in the first scene was a welcome surprise. It’s kinda cheesy and very unrealistic. I wish CBS would stop trying to ram Alex O’Laughlin down our throats though. Overall not impressive.

The Event: I feel like this is a bad attempt to try to be a new Lost. Of course the problem with that is there will never be another Lost. Networks need to stop trying. Good cast but really generic and it didn’t grab me.

Chase: Incredibly cookie cutter and not with strong enough writing or interesting enough characters to care about.

Raising Hope: Some decent laughs. I was a My Name Is Earl fan and this seems to be in a similar vein.

Running Wilde: Obviously not Arrested Development but a new show from Mitch Hurwitz with David Cross & Will Arnett with a Kerri Russell bonus is pretty exciting. The first episode was entertaining but not really great. I hope for more.

Glee: This show is just a parody of itself at this point. Although Jane Lynch is still great and Heather Morris is still hot and had the one funny line in the whole episode.

Warehouse 13: Season finale and this show is still going strong. Twisty with great characters and humor. Can’t wait for next season.

Unnatural History: Another season finale. In my original review of this show I was pretty negative but for some reason I kept watching (coughItaliaRiccicough) and I’m glad I did. I find this a nice hour of light entertainment. This episode was no different. Hope it comes back. This show has really improved.

Undercovers: So far this has been the strongest new hourlong I’ve seen. Not surprisingly it’s from J.J. Abrams. I didn’t think I’d like this based on the promos but it’s decently entertaining and has some promise. This still wasn’t exactly a killer pilot. A lot of cliches and a little too mainstream feeling but maybe it’ll improve.

Modern Family: Not the best episode but maybe it suffered from high expectations. I’ll admit this is one premiere I was highly looking forward to. It didn’t disappoint though. I did kinda hate they stole a joke directly from The Office though.

Better With You: Some decent talent including the super cute JoAnna Garcia, but this was painfully unfunny and standard sitcomy. I don’t think I’ll tune back in to this one. And it’ll probably be canceled soon.

Criminal Minds: Tim Curry is super creepy. The man is brilliant. I’m still mad at this show for getting rid of my 2 favorite characters though.

Hellcats: An improvement this week. They throttled back on the ridiculous and stupid drama a little to allow for a brief respite. Still lots of room to improve though.

Cougar Town: This show improved vastly over the course of its first season and it’s keeping up the streak here. Funny and quirky.

Life Unexpected: This was one of the better episodes of this show. When they go more for the comedy than the weak drama. Oh and now it has Emma Caulfield, who I barely recognized at first.

Community: Best season premiere of the year. Brilliant and self aware. Alison Brie was just incredible in this episode as was Gillian Jacobs.

30 Rock: Same old 30 Rock which means some of the funniest, best written comedy on television.

The Office: The opening was a little jump the shark-y but overall ok. This wasn’t the strongest episode ever though. Especially after 30 Rock & Community just killing it.

Outsourced: this is pretty low quality. Also why the world hates America. Please cancel this now.

Bones: Good return after a heartbreaker of a season finale in the spring. Something felt a little off but I think that’s what they were going for. The reason for the team reformation could have been better and more organic though.

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Last week felt a little unresolved and this was why. This is sorta just the continuation. Some good stuff but still not at 100%.

The Vampire Diaries: Really enjoying the Caroline storyline and the roadtrip was entertaining. Not crazy about the werewolf thing though.

The League: Decent half hour of laughs.

Grey’s Anatomy: Pretty typical episode. Feel like there could have been some better moments in this one though.

Detroit 1-8-7: This feels like a bad Homicide ripoff. It’s cliche and the dialogue is painful.

The Whole Truth: This was pretty watchable. It’s reminiscent of some other past shows but it’s enjoyable. Time will tell how they make the format seem original. I think some people might be put off by the fast pace but I liked it.

The Defenders: This show was just dull. Everything about it was very bland. And the acting was just horrible.

CSI: Good way to start off the season. And I really like the new girl.

$#*! My Dad Says: Unfunny typical sitcom dreck.

Lost Girl: A bit of an improvement over the pilot. I like the direction this is going in.

My Generation: I feel like I’m going to be very harsh on this show because this is actually about my generation. The fake documentary style needs to be toned way down. It’s obnoxiously fake. It seems like the goal of this show is to make me feel old, annoy me, and be boring.

Nikita: Love Julie Gonzalo’s guest spot. This show has plenty of weak spots but has some good points as well. I’m still hoping it improves more.