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Shows Premiering This Week that Are Worth Your Time /
Seth Freilich
Miscellaneous | September 14, 2009 | Comments (42)
Each night, when Dustin posts the nightly Pajiba After Dark, he highlights the stuff on the tube for the night. But for those of you who are anal like me and like to plan ahead, here’s a quick-and-dirty highlight of the new shows, or returning shows, dropping this week which may be worthwhile (i.e., I’m not highlighting every new or returning show premiering this week).
Monday
“The Jay Leno Show” (NBC, 10 p.m.). Ok, this one’s not worth any of our time. But I’ll probably watch the first episode out of sheer morbid curiosity. Plus, there’s nothing else on since, because I’m on the West Coast, even the late Monday Night Football game (this week is a doubleheader) will be over. And for those of you one the East Coast, while the Chargers vs. Raiders game will only just be starting, the game will also already be over.
Tuesday
Nada. (But you should be watching “Sons of Anarchy” over on FX at 10 — s’really quite good.)
Wednesday
“Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League” (Showtime, 8 p.m.). If you’ve got Showtime, this sounds like an interesting five-part series, looking at the old AFL from its start-up days through its merger with the NFL. It’s produced by NFL Films, who always does good work.
Nothing else, new, premiering tonight, though I’ll be tuning back into “Glee” which is entertaining, in that Ryan Murphy over-the-top way.
Thursday
Tonight, for the first time in months, my DVR once again gets to earn its money.
“Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday” (NBC, 8 p.m.). I suspect this sucker is going to be of remarkably less quality than the version we saw last fall during the election, which really wasn’t all that strong to begin with (Emmy-winning Tina Fey as Sarah Palin, aside). But I’ll tune in out of curiosity, plus it’ll let me get a good DVR buffer on the next show, so I can skip the commercials.
“Survivor” (CBS, 8 p.m.). I know that many folks bailed on this show a long time ago. I don’t blame you. But I can’t help myself — I’m addicted to “Survivor” like nobody’s business and as long as it’s on the air, I’ll be watching. The first half of the seasons tend to be a bit lackluster, and I actually don’t care about any of the challenges all that much (and have even been known to fast forward through them sometimes). But when the scheming and plotting and strateegerizing starts kicking up (albeit half-assed in some seasons), I’m like a kid in a candy store. Fucking loves it.
“Parks & Recreation” (NBC, 8:30 p.m.). Not a great show, but enough laughs to be worth sticking with for the moment. But I could easily see this falling off my radar sometime during the season, particularly if I start falling behind with keeping up with m’stories.
“Fringe” (Fox, 9 p.m.). I’m not as ga-ga over this show as a lot of folks are. But it does tend to be more entertaining than not, and I’m a sucker for twisty sci-fi shit. Plus, it’s nice to see zombie Joshua Jackson out among the living.
“The Office” (NBC, 9 p.m.). Not what it used to be, but still one of the funnier shows on the telly.
“Community” (NBC, 9:30 p.m.). This is the Joel McHale and Chevy Chase ensemble comedy, about a community college. Early word has been good, and I like McHale a lot (“The Soup” has been one of the things that really helped me get through the summer TV doldrums), although the clips I’ve seen so far have been underwhelming. But I’m willing to give it a few weeks to see if there’s something here.
“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” (FX, 10 p.m.). Have you seen the Kittens Mittens commercial?
I need say no more.
Sunday
Yeah, nothing new worth anyone’s time on Friday or Saturday. Tonight, however, it’s the annual shit-show known as the Emmys. Plus a big football game with the Giants hoping to knock Dallas’ new TV off the rafters (is there a way for both of these teams to lose, damn it?). And with “Hung” and “True Blood” over, HBO’s dropping two comedies, one old, one new.
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO, 9:00 p.m.). Some seasons, this show’s brilliant. Some seasons, not so much. But even the “not so much” seasons generally tend to be worthwhile. With this season focusing on Larry putting together a “Seinfeld” reunion, I kinda suspect there will be some gold.
“Bored to Death” (HBO, 9:30 p.m.). Zach Galifianakis. That’s enough for me. Jason Schwartzmann and Ted Danson are bonuses. The trailer had a lot of people psyched, although I’m still keeping my expectations lukewarm. Hopefully it lives up to its potential.
And that’s the week of worthwhile premieres.
Comments
Posted by: Anna von Beaverplatz at September 14, 2009 11:37 AM
Thursday!
Bones!
Special Guest Star Cyndi Lauper!
For the second time today, SQUEE!