I watch a lot of scripted television each week and I have a lot of thoughts on the 2010 season so far. One note to readers, I do not watch any reality television so none of those shows will be discussed in detail. I decided to break my thoughts down by network. So here it goes:
NBC-Poor NBC is still the weakest of all the networks. They have been for a few years now and the trend seems to be contiuing. I can honestly say I only watch 2 shows on NBC- “Chuck” and “Parenthood”. I tried to watch “The Event” and could not get into it. It seems NBC has not had a major hit show in years. Now they have even decided to run all comedy shows on Thursdays, which was once the night of Must See TV for the network and should be anchored by a strong drama at 10pm. The problem is they don’t have one. They realized last year that “Law and Order” was old news yet they just replaced it with another “Law and Order” filmed in a different city. That is not progress or fresh thinking. I am hoping that the news this week that Bob Greenblatt, former head of Showtime will now be at the helm of NBC is a step in the right direction.
ABC- They seem to be a middle of the road network to me. I watch a few ABC shows including “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Desperate Hosewives”, but in my opinion the best show they have on right now is “Modern Family”. Also, I love “Castle” because of the dynamic and chemistry of the great leads on the show. I would say ABC does not have any huge breakout hits on the air right now, but they do have reliable and steady shows and they are home to the “Dancing with the Stars” juggernaut.
CBS- CBS seems to me the king of formula television. However, it is a formula that works. I watch more CBS shows than any other networks. I am a little upset that they have cancelled “Medium” after only a season and half of saving it from prior death on NBC, yet I do admire what the network has done overall. They have one of the strongest lineups on television right now, not just one night, but every night of the week. I am hooked on the new “Hawaii 50” and “Blue Bloods” is also pretty good. I also enjoy old favorites like “How I Met Your Mother” and one of the best show on television is the “Mentalist”. All in all CBS has earned their number one network ranking in my opinion.
FOX- Fox is a mixed bag for me. I love “Glee” and “Bones”. I used to love “House”, but think that since the show broke one of the golden rules on television and got two main characters together, the show is not as good this season as it once was. I also enjoy “Human Target”, although I think it should have started in October when it was supposed to. I think the best new comedy on television this year is “Raising Hope”. It is exactly the kind of comedy people in America want to see, a comedy about a struggling family. I think that is why it is a hit and “Running Wilde” failed. No one wants to watch a comedy about a rich guy wasting his money for a girl, not in this economy. I don’t watch “Fringe”, but I will say I am in complete agreement with the many fans that the move to Fridays mid season is not a good sign of FOX’s faith in the show. I also would be remiss if I did not mention that I was one of the few who watched the two episodes of” Lonestar” and wish it was given a better shot. Overall, FOX is infuriating and exciting to me at the same time.
The CW- The CW is hands down the most underated network on television. I think because it is not one of the orginal four networks it is treated almost like a stepchild. This is a shame because the CW airs qualitity programming. However, not enough people watch the network or give the shows a chance. Hence a brilliant show like, “Life Unexpected” only received a 13 episode order this season. Other shows on the newtork worth noting are the reboot of “90210” which is tackling some important issues such as homsexuality and rape this season. Also, “Gossip Girl” is a fun romp with one of the best couples on television; Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf. Finally, I will say that hands down “The Vampire Diaries” is the best show on television right now. It has the best ensemble cast on t.v. and their acting puts a lot of other shows on other networks to shame. What other show has the lead actress playing dual roles against herself??? If you think of any, let me know. I have heard it said that if the show was another network it might be even bigger than it is and I don’t doubt it. I am very nervous now that it will be on against American Idol starting in January, but I hoping that the quality of the show and the great fans will not let this become an issue.
Cable TV (HBO/SHO/TNT/USA/FX)- I cannot write this article and not mention that original programming on cable is not just for the summer anymore. There are quality cable shows on against networks shows right now. In fact on Wednesdays at 10, I do not watch any network shows. I watch “Psych” and “Terriers”. (“Terriers” by the way is an awesome show that is very low rated. It is actually way better than a lot of other shows on right now so I was sad to find out it is danger of cancellation.) It should also be mentioned HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” is a compelling new drama. As far as mid season goes almost all the shows I am looking forward to are cable shows- “White Collar”, “Southland”, and “Justified” to name a few.
Overall, I have enjoyed the 2010 season so far and I am looking forward to seeing how things play out for the midseason and if any of my opinions above will be changed by next May.
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What other show has the lead actress playing dual roles against herself???
Fringe. I would agree with you that TVD is a fabulous show that's overlooked because it's on CW but Fringe is miles and above a better overall show — and astoundingly, the main actress, Anna Torv, plays two versions of her characters pretending to be EACH OTHER and bats it outta the park.
Not just Ana Torv. Practically the entire cast play two version of themselves. Lance Reddick and John Noble are pure awesomeness. And who knew that Joshua Jackson would end up turning into such a badass? Fringe is hands down the best show on television. Really nothing comes close at the moment. Great, incredibly inventive, exceedingly exciting sci-fi television at it's best.
Oh and another thing, I didn't say enough about John Noble and his brilliance. Because he's playing two versions of his character that are so different from each other and does both of them brilliantly. I really look forward to the time where both Walters come face to face!
I had a feeling after I wrote this I would get called out on the double role thing because of Fringe. Someone I know had told me about the dual universe. As I don't watch Fringe, I cannot say how good eveyone is, but I believe I stand corrected in my comments above since there is more than one actress playing against herself on tv right now.
i couldnt agree more. vampire diaries is definitely the best show on television and its too bad that not enough people give it a chance because they label it as "a show on the CW".
The CW has only one good show and that is Supernatural. Vampire Diaries is sometimes okay, but it's also often times incredibly silly. Gossip Girl is a boring soap. 90210 pales in comparison to the original. Smallville use to be alright, but now it's a travesty. Supernatural is the only show that I geniunely like even though it should have ended last season and this season has felt like an anticlimax by comparison. I still enjoy it though. I will say that I haven't seen Nikita yet and that one actually does look good.
Fox – My favorite network. I still love House, Human Target and Glee. Fringe has become my new favorite show now that 24 and Lost are gone. This season has been phenomenal. It's a shame that this is very likely it's final season. Bones isn't great, but it's enjoyable enough kept a float mainly by it's cast. And not just the leads, but the supporting cast is great too. I love The Good Guys too. Too bad that show is over and canceled.
NBC – Now this is, IMO, the most underrated network on television. About a year or so ago, I would have agreed that this is the worst network on tv (other than the cw) but now I've actually been enjoying The Event and Chase. Chuck is good and The Office and 30 Rock remain reliable as ever. Looking forward to The Cape. So they still have some work a head of them but I do believe that NBC is heading in the right direction. Then again, I appear to be alone in enjoying Chase for some reason.
ABC – Good network. Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, No Ordinary Family, Modern Family, Cougar Town, The Middle all good shows.
CBS – Shows I watch on this network: NCIS: Los Angeles, The Good Wife, Hawaii Five-O.
Cable shows I enjoy – Covert Affairs, Dark Blue (R.I.P.), Justified. I want to catch up on Breaking Bad and Dexter as well.
I just dont know how you can due an overview criticism of the shows this fall when you have failed to watch by far one of the best shows on TV right now…fringe.
your credibility as a TV critique is in question
before anyone makes some stupid comment over writing "due" instead of "do" i realize i did that. i was having some beers and what can i say "dont drink and spell"
P.S you really watch Greys Anatomy and Desperate Housewives before you'd watch fringe?
Fringe is firing on all cylinders. Best show airing on TV in my opinion.
I agree with your deserved assessment of Vampire Diaries, that and Fringe are the only two shows on the air right now that I actually anticipate seeing. (Greek is coming back for it's finale in January, and this is one of my favorite shows). While the decision to move Fringe back to Fridays may seem like a poor decision, it was able to pick up momentum and viewers there before, and last year's move to Thursdays actually hurt it, so perhaps people will find it again. I really hope Fox gives it more time.
As for NBC, it certainly isn't what it was in it's glory days, and yes, there isn't too much on there I watch, except for perhaps the best sitcom on TV right now – Community. Talk about an underrated show! It's wickedly funny, and it's pop culture satire is perfection.
I don't think that CW is overlooked though because it's new (FOX is not one of the original networks, it debuted in the late 80's and didn't really have a critical hit until The X Files in the 90's), but because it caters to a younger demographic, as well as comic/Gothic fantasy. These are areas that seem to forever be overlooked by, if not critics who do give out love for TVD, award show voters. I mean if Gilmore Girls or Battlestar Galactica couldn't overcome this bias, I don't see Supernatural or TVD doing it.
FOX: I watch Fringe, House, Bones.. Fringe is by far the better of the 4 I watch (in my opinion, of course). This season especially it is becoming fascinating to watch and Anna Torv and John Noble never fail to impress me. I used to really enjoy House, but now I just watch it if I have time; it definitely hit its stride a couple seasons back. Bones is silly, but it's fun. I don't NEED to watch it every week, but it's enjoyable when I do. For the record, I used to watch Glee, but I stopped three-quarters way through last season.
ABC: Modern Family and Cougar Town. Both great comedies. Both intelligent with compelling characters and great acting. I have been known to watch Two and a half men for cheap laughs, but these are so much funnier and better on so many levels…(IMO)
CW: Supernatural. It's so underrated, and truly is a great show. Along with Fringe, this is the only one that I look forward to each week. I have been known to pass up a Friday night date because I would miss a new episode. The acting and mythology are great, as are the stand-alone episodes. Note: I don't watch The Vampire Diaries, because it's not for me, but it is well done. I used to watch and enjoy Smallville. Let's just leave it at that…
I don't watch anything on NBC or CBS…wait, what network is the Office on? NBC? I've been known to watch it once in a while, although not much as of late. And as far as other shows go, Doctor Who is in my top 5.
Anyway, just my two cents. This is all of course, only my opinion and I don't claim to have seen every show on TV :)