Whew! My DVR almost choked on all the new and returning (and continuing) shows this past week. Here’s what made me say "yay," "nay," and "meh."
Yay
1. The Good Wife
Welcome back to my TV, Julianna Margulies. You’ve aged so very beautifully. Even the young, innocent (and ultimately way less interesting) Carol Hathaway would be jealous.
(I could do without the “wife” part of the show, but oh well.)
2. FlashForward
If this show can crank up the apocalyptic and shun the sentimental, I think I’ll dig it. Even though Joseph Fiennes keeps weirdly reminding me of Esteban on Weeds. And even though the stupid CamelCase title annoys me. And even though I’m sad that Sonya Walger didn’t get to keep her real accent.
(But hey, apparently we can look forward to some lesbian characters? Bonus!)
3. Mad Men
Week after week, this show satisfies and piques and puzzles. Its detour into horror-ville was shocking and fun. And every time I think Peggy and Joan can’t get more delicious, they do.
4. The New Adventures of Old Christine
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Wanda Sykes. ‘Nuff said.
5. The Office and Parks and Recreation
The first one goes without saying. The second is finally coming into its own. Poehler!
6. Whatever, Martha!
Are you watching this show? No? Why not? Imagine a snarky vlog that’s actually watchable (and is on your TV instead of buffering on your laptop).
Meh
1. Modern Family
It was a lot funnier than I thought it would be, but they can’t do that OMG-they’re-all-related surprise every week. And the women are mostly forgettable.
2. Glee
The most recent episode (”Put a Ring on It”) was an improvement, but the show could still be so much better overall. Jane Lynch’s divine comedy is keeping it afloat.
Of course, the coming-out storyline was moving and sweet. I wish this show had been on TV when I was a gay middle schooler.
But for the love of jazz hands, lose the lip synching! Also, take the opportunity to showcase some real choirs. I was in show choir from fifth grade through senior year (yes, and band and jazz band and drama too; I was a dork), and the top groups at the competitions were always awesome. They won’t need to lip sync.
Nay
1. Project Runway and Top Chef
Why are these shows so blah this year? I’m almost past caring.
2. Grey’s Anatomy
I watched the two-hour premiere in 25 minutes. And that was almost too much. Sara Ramirez and Jessica Capshaw, why are you wasting your time on this bilge?
Again, whew! Bring on the second week — I hope my poor DVR can keep up.
I fear that P&R may have missed its window to gain an audience. It’s much better this year than last, but may be too late to save it. We need classic eps back to back to back to back and that’s simply asking too much to get the watercooler talk up to get the viewership up.
I think that The Good Wife is an interesting show to watch online, but I’m not going to watch it in real time because it collides with one of my other universes.
Finally, Top Chef…every year the show is infuriating, because it is a true competition. I almost deleted that last bit because it requires that I back it up with facts, and I should. But trust me, attitude does not get you far, and definitely doesn’t win you a crown. Being able to cook does…except for Hosia. Last season undermined the show.
Agree on most counts, except I like Glee a bit more than you. It hasn’t reached the height of the pilot, but this week was markedly better than the week before. So I’ve decided to be hopeful. And, hey – Jane Lynch.