Finally, my television watching will get back to a semblance of normal. OK, there really isn’t “normal” in today’s TV grid, but I can dream, can’t I?
Earlier this week, Jack Bauer returned to the airwaves of FOX as 24 began its seventh season. Day 7 finds Jack in the United States (the movie Redemption showed us what he’s been doing since Day 6 ended) and sitting before a Senate committee. Not good for our Jack. The FBI takes him away from the Senate, only to land him in the middle of yet another bad day. Well, at least Jack’s back!
Tonight will find me watching new episodes of Bones, Eleventh Hour, Grey’s Anatomy, Supernatural, and the premiere episode of The Beast, starring Patrick Swayze, on A&E. You’re right, I won’t be watching all of them in real time. Isn’t that why the DVR was invented?
Tomorrow night, Battlestar Galactica‘s final act begins on the Sci-Fi Channel. While I’m sad to see BSG end, I am more than ready for these last 10 episodes: Who is the final Cylon? What happened to Earth and the 13th Tribe? Will Starbuck go crazy, trying to figure out her ‘destiny’? And what happens next for our dysfunctional BSG family?
Last week, new episodes of the CBS shows Cold Case, NCIS, The Mentalist, Ghost Whisperer, Flashpoint and Numb3rs were on my to-see list. I’d given up on Flashpoint after a few shows this summer, thinking it would never return. I didn’t want to get caught up in another show, only to have my heart broken. I was wrong; CBS renewed it, and I’m watching now, although I’m a little lost on what’s going on behind the scenes. You know, I don’t know why I watch so much on CBS; they didn’t use to air full episodes on-line (I would have liked to catch up on episodes I missed of Eleventh Hour and Flashpoint) and there are no wallpaper downloads available for any of their shows. Anyone listening?
A few other shows (ones I don’t normally watch) have already returned, including House on FOX, Damages and Nip/Tuck on FX, Scrubs and Ugly Betty on ABC, and 30 Rock and ER on NBC, to name just a few.
I’m also enjoying the TNT series Leverage. If you haven’t seen this one, I recommend it. Starring Timothy Hutton, the show follows a team of former bad guys turned good guys still playing at being bad guys. Believe me, it’s good – well written and acted, fast paced, interesting cases, good fight scenes. And it’s funny, too. Always a good sign in my book.
Next week, get ready to return to the island on Lost (I can’t wait!), the new series Lie to Me tries to find a home on FOX, Fringe takes us to the edge again on FOX, and Burn Notice returns to center stage on USA.
For those of you with the premium channels, United States of Tara premieres Sunday on Showtime and Big Love and Flight of the Conchords return to HBO.
The last week of the month, I’m looking forward to the return of Life on Mars (Wednesdays on ABC), and the return of The Closer and the premiere of Trust Me on TNT.
February will find me watching Dollhouse (I’m a major Joss Whedon fan) and the return of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, both on FOX, and the returns of Life, Chuck and Heroes on NBC, while March brings Castle to ABC (starring Nathan Fillion from Firefly and Serenity!) and Kings to NBC. I’m a little conflicted about the new Cupid on ABC; I really enjoyed the short-lived version a few years ago starring Jeremy Piven, so I’ll wait and see on this one. It does have Bobby Cannavale (Third Watch) in its favor.
April premieres The Unusuals on ABC, a cop show starring Amber Tamblyn that might be worth a look; Harper’s Island on CBS, a murder mystery set during a wedding (not sure how long that one will last, but it does have Christopher Gorham, Harry Hamlin and Jim Beaver (Bobby on Supernatural), so I’ll check it out.
Oh, and if you haven’t noticed, I totally ignore reality shows. I even dislike writing the words, let along acknowledging such shows exist. Give me a well-written drama any day of the week, and I’m a happy camper.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on the returns of Saving Grace and Eureka, the 2009 special eps of Doctor Who, and when Caprica and Stargate: Universe premiere. Oh, my poor DVR!
Any other new or returning shows that need to be on my radar?
