Fall Television Preview

So kind of in response to Jack's post with a television preview, I have decided to list the shows that I am looking forward to and why. Unfortunately, with school (most of my classes are nights), work and studying, I doubt I will be able to be religious about it. But with a combination of iTunes, downloads, and DVR - I hope to set with keeping up my favorite shows. Thus, instead of placing them by date/time, I have ranked them as best as I could with my interest.

1. Battlestar Galactica - I blogged about this show previously, but I cannot emphasize what a good show this is. It meets the scifi genre but does not go overboard. In fact, there is a distinct effort to focus on the drama and writing rather than trying to explain or create geeky things. The concept of life after the apocalypse is fascinating and the survival, military, and war nature of the show provide many compelling story lines from the strain of endless combat missions, the perils of a new planet, resistance versus occupation and more. Not to mention, the writers have done an amazing job creating believable characters. Yes, none of them are A-list stars and some of them clearly are outmatched by some of the more brillant actors/actresses they work with, but the writing is amazing. It inspires, it challenges, and it keeps the story moving and changing so that there is always a drive to know what happens next. However, this drive is less of the thriller endings employed in 24 and Prison Break - but being so drawn into a story and characters, that you want to know whats next and not hows it going to end as in the former.

2. Scrubs -This is one of my favorite comedies and its dirty little secret was that it made me start thinking about medicine as a career. The show follows the antics of a new doctor with a vivid imagination and active inner monologue. The humor is geeky and sometimes slapstick but it is a unique show as it does not have a laugh track and leaves nothing sacred. And yet, it also strives to have a good message. The fascinating part to me is with my limited experience with medicine and skills, this show is actually very accurate, does not try and pump up the drama with extraordinary cases, but focuses more on the everyday lives and not the adrenaline pounding scenes.


3. Veronica Mars - I have only seen the first season and I have to say that I was tossed around on the whirlwind. The show managed to keep the season long mystery that provided the thrill of wanting to know how it ends and whodunnit?, but the characters again in this show are drawing. The draw to this show other than the plot is Kristin Bell and her character Veronica Mars. She plays the teen detective who with wit, charm and brains manages to stay strong in the face of personal challenge. But at the end, it is a detective show with an amazing arc. I cannot wait to catch up on the second season DVDs, but I doubt I will be able to follow the third season live.

4. House - The beauty of this show is House. He is an arrogant asshole doctor who really drives the chemistry. Some of the discussions and procedures do make me cringe when I watch them inaccurately, but the enjoyable aspect of the show is that it does not have many connecting plots. Thus, each episode can be view independently at any time rather than consecutively like many of these other shows.

5. Lost - I think this is the show that has met the hype. It is amazing watching it and then realizing that I could not explain or say anything to my little brother who had only seen season 1. The show moves rapidly, demands a high intelligence, and is so intricately plotted that it really drives the viewer to keep watching. I would like to see more of the survival nature of being marooned on the island, but I cannot wait for its return.

6. Prison Break - I missed this show while it aired, but caught up with it over the last week. It is amazing. The show does not forget that its protagonists are cons, but has created a very compelling cast of characters - with varying shades of grey, an overwhelming conspiracy, and has shown a committment (as seen in the 2nd season premeire to change things dramatically and not be wary about bloodshed.) I highly recommend it. In many ways, it is a show very similar to 24 with a lot of time factors, tense moments and plot points. However, 24 is constrained by the 24 hours, whereas Prison Break effectively utilizes the increased time and avoids what I dread in 24 - the twist in the last 5 minutes of every episode. The show as my little brother say is very "gangsta".

7. 24 - Which brings us to 24. This show is great. I do not know if I could do a season, with a week between episodes. I missed last season, cannot wait catch up, but am really looking forward to seeing where they are going with. Oh and Jack Bauer is a badass.

8. My Name is Earl/Office/Everybody Hates Chris/How I Met your Mother - four comedies that I have only caught one or two episodes of. Would like to catch up, have no idea when. BTW - when did Neal Patrick Harris become a badass.

10. The Unit/Numb3rs/Bones - two CBS dramas and a Fox Drama that are great to catch when I can. But that do not have to be followed religiously like the ones above. These are like the Yuengling of TV shows, good enough on a regular basis, but I would not miss it or get it if I was treating myself.

New Shows that I am considering adding:

1. Psych - started watching it over the summer. Humorous. Witty. Worth it.

2. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - will wait to reserve judgement. Has extreme potential.

3. Heroes - SAA

4. Jericho - could be very very much up my alley as far as interests. Read Pat Frank's Alas Babylon.

5. Vanished - saw the premeire. Interested but will not go out of my way to follow.

6. Standoff - has Ron Livingston who I like as an actor. Could be good, then again, this has the potential to be awful.