TV Reviews v. 1

Before you judge me, please note that I have a DVR and insomnia. I tape these shows by setting the season to record weeks in advance, and then in the middle of the night (and middle of the afternoon when I get out of class) try to catch up. Its my novocaine. Don't judge. TV is a great release.

Shows you should check out:

Studio 60:
NBC, Monday 10:00 Eastern.

The latest television project by Aaron Sorkin. Staring Amanda Peat, Matthew Perry, Stephen Weber (yes of Wings) and Bradley Whitford. The premise is that Studio 60 (which is basically Saturday Night Live) is being run into the ground, and NBS (the broadcasting company) have to fire the former producer after an on-air meltdown. Perry and Whitford write and direct movies, but because of a positive drug test, are going to be out of work for 18 months. They also used to be writers for Studio 60. Now they have been asked to take over the show entirely. To make things more complicated, Perry has an ex-girlfriend on the cast of Studio 60. Amanda Peat is the new head of NBS, and Weber is the asshole president of the company. Long story short, Sorkin is a great writer, maybe the best I've ever seen (when it comes to dialog at least). The cast is strong, and the first episode was good. Sorkin loves to take a "behind the scenes" look at things, a la West Wing and Sports Nite and does it very well.

Justice:
Fox, Wednesday 9:00 Eastern.

This is being billed as "doing for lawyers what House did for Doctors." The show is well done. Kerr Smith plays a young stud defense attorney with the firm of TNT&G. The basics are that there is a team of 4 lawyers who make up a big Hollywood defense firms. All the big news stories involving murder ultimately end up with the firm. It is visually impressive, using a lot of technology and CGI to tell the story of trial. Warren Zevon's Lawyers, Guns, and Money is featured in the opening credits, which is excellent. The show is good. Slightly predictable. Thus far they haven't lost, nor have they defended someone who is guilty. That's the big catch with the show. At the end of the episode, after you get a Jury Verdict, they show you what "actually happened". It is an interesting approach, and the show is fun to watch. They finally (in week 4) began to develop some characters beyond just being attorneys. This is produced by Jerry Brukheimer, so, that lends some credibility to it. Its worth checking out. I enjoy it because I can practice my objections to all the obnoxiously improper things they say in court.

Nip/Tuck:
FX, Tuesday 10:00 Eastern.

Nip/Tuck returns for a fourth season. Not a lot needs to be said. One of the best shows on TV. Its too hot for basic cable, so FX carries it for Fox. It could only be improved by moving to HBO. Two plastic surgeons dealing with the drama of life, business, and sex in Miami. What more can you ask for? The show is taking some interesting turns. Christian Troy is being portrayed as potentially gay. Sean and Julia are having a handicapped child. MacNamerra/Troy has been sold to a new owner, Matt and Kimber are practicing Scientology, and Mario Lopez has joined the cast as a rival plastic surgeon. If you haven't seen this show, go rent season 1. Then rent season 2. Then when you finish, rent season 3. Then catch up as quick as you can with Season 4 (we are three weeks into the season) and next week is going to be crazy.

Heros:
NBC, Monday 9:00 Eastern.

This show has not premiered, but they gave away free downloads of the first episode on iTunes and I got a chance to check it out. Basically the show is about "human potential" and "genetic mutation". Its unclear where they are going with the show, but the characters are all "normal people" who suddenly (and coincidentally around the same time) find out they have special abilities. One guy in Japan can break the space-time continuum and teleport. One guy who is running for NY City Council can fly. One guy, an artist, can predict the future through his paintings. Another girl in the mid-west cannot be injured (she jumps off 70 foot platforms, walks through fire, mangles her hand in the disposals, etc.), a cop who can read minds, etc. You get the idea. The first episode is well done, and it appears to be an attempt to create a drama of "inter-twined people wrapped up in a large scale mystery" much like Lost. This is a theme that is developing on TV. Everyone is trying to write a crazy, complex, confusing drama to recreate the appeal of Lost.

Other shows that have started but need no review:

Family Guy
Fox, Sundays, 9:00 Eastern

American Dad
Fox, Sundays, 8:30 Eastern

War at Home
Fox, Sundays, 9:30 Eastern

The Simpsons
Fox, Sundays, 8:00 Eastern

House
Fox, Tuesday, 9:00 Eastern

How I Met Your Mother
NBC, Monday, 8:30 Eastern

Shows that start this week or next:

Lost
ABC, Wednesday 9:00 Eastern
Begins Oct 4.

Third season promises to be just as intense as the first two. Similar to Nip/Tuck if you have missed this show, go rent it immediately!

Grey's Anatomy
ABC, Thursdays 9:00 Eastern
Begins Sept 21.

Season three starts tomorrow, and promises to be more of the same. The characters are likeable (except the main character, ironically). The show is fun though, and pretty light hearted even in its tense moments.

My Name is Earl
NBC, Thursday 8:00 Eastern
Begins Sept 21.

Jason Lee is back as Earl. Earl is white trash that has discovered the value of karma. Its funny stuff.

The Office
NBC, Thursday, 8:30 Eastern
Begins Sept 21.

Its not the British version, but its still good. Watch it.

Shows premiering that I am curious about but haven't seen:

Six Degrees
NBC, Thursday, 10:00 Eastern
Begins Sept. 21

Kidnapped
NBC, Wednesday, 10:00 Eastern
Begins Sept. 20

The Nine
ABC, Wednesday, 10:00 Eastern
Begins Oct. 4.

Smith
CBS Tuesdays, 10:00 Eastern
Begins Sept. 19

Friday Night Lights
NBC Tuesdays 8:00 Eastern
Begins Oct. 3.

Thirty Rock
NBC, Wednesday, 8:00 Eastern
Begins Oct. 11.

Twenty Good Years
NBC, Wednesday, 8:30 Eastern
Begins Oct. 11.

So, there you have it. My take on this falls TV schedule. I'll review some other stuff as I get time.

You can tell that I am bored tonight.

Someone save me from myself!

Stay Tuned...