As always, fall grids are courtesy of The Futon Critic, found here: http://www.thefutoncritic.com/guide/
8p
Big Bang Theory - CBS
Community/30 Rock - NBC
Bones - FOX
A lot to like in this hour, but Community reigns supreme, despite a lackluster finale. With Parks & Recreation being held til midseason, Community is the most consistently funny show on the night, hands down (Sunny in Philly can be funnier on occasion, but is typically hit or miss). Showrunner Dan Harmon had a "good not great" show at the beginning of the year, but quickly started focusing on what worked (Troy & Abed doing pretty much anything together, small doses of Ken Jeong, Allison Brie as a naive sexpot) and fixing what didn't (McHale toned down the smarm a bit, and Gillian Jacobs was discovered to be much, MUCH funnier as a pathetically out of touch and awkward person instead of a know-it-all love interest). Much like Cougar Town, it started playing to the talents of its cast, and became a substantially better show for it. Easily the show I'm most looking forward to on Thursdays.
Which makes it a shame its up against two stalwart hits in Big Bang Theory and Bones. These are probably the most traditional comedy and drama I watch, and they're very good at what they do, it's just that what they do is simply not overly exciting for me. I like both shows enough to keep watching, but they're rarely a priority, backing up on the TiLoh until I've run out of better things to watch and then marathoning through them. Solid B-level television, and there's nothing wrong with that.
I should say more about 30 Rock here, but it's too much for this space. In short: not a great past season, but Baldwin is always funny and if they can stick to skewering corporate culture and the media instead of Jack and Liz's love lives, I'll be much happier (unless said love lives involve the Beeper King or Jon Hamm. Then it's ok. For either Jack or Liz, I don't care).
9p
The Office - NBC
I still have 10 episodes of CSI from last season sitting around waiting to be watched, but I just don't really care anymore. Not so much the show's fault I don't think - Fishburne fits in much better now than he did early in his run, the supporting cast is still game, and visually the show is remarkably distinctive - as it is time's. After 10 seasons, I just don't think they've got anything new to show me. Call it Law & Order syndrome - I know they're putting out quality week after week, I just am kind of numb to it at this point.
Which leave The Office as my sole show this hour. I wasn't a huge fan of last season, but hopefully having to send off Steve Carrell and find his replacement will give the narrative some of the pep it was missing last season. Amy Ryan returning is a good sign, as her presence seemed to help the writers bring out the best in Michael Scott.
10p
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - FX
Burn Notice - USA (Nov premiere)
Sunny in Philly had its best season last year - or its most consistently funny, anyway - so I'm looking forward to this one. Caitlin Olson's real-life pregnancy should hopefully provide fodder for plenty of crude jokes about childbirth, which is actually a good thing in the hands of these guys. Burn Notice rebounded from a mediocre season 3 in the first part of its 4th season (which just wrapped last week), so I'll be hoping they continue the trend with the back 6 episodes. The writers have done nice work integrating Coby Bell with the existing cast, so here's hoping they take the momentum they've got and run with it.
Anyways, that's what I'll be watching. What about everybody else?
I left The Office a few seasons ago. Kinda meh about.
ReplyDeleteSticking with Community, and need to catch up bones and burn notice. I liked the new guy. I agree they did a nice job integrating him into the cast.