This topic has pretty good timing. Just the other day, with the current television season coming to a close, I posted my grades of the finale episodes of the top 9 shows that I watched religiously this year.
I think I enjoy TV more than movies, in particular, the quality serialized shows. Lost is probably my favorite show right now, but Arrested Development, Deadwood, and 24 are right up there on the list. All of them, along with a few other shows I watch (Veronica Mars and Smallville) feature excellent casts, great writing (with just enough calculated plot twists) and storylines that reward the faithful viewer. I also am a big fan of Survivor and The Amazing Race. I think I like them more than the other “reality” shows because they follow the same formula as the series I like – excellent casts and quality storylines with just enough twists mixed in.
I’m also currently in the middle of watching the first season of the new Battlestar Gallactica series that Owen recommended to me a while back. I’m liking it quite a bit – particularly because it’s being broadcast in HD.
Now that summer is here, my television viewing will tail off quite a bit. I’ll be watching the new season of Entourage on HBO and the next season of BG starts in July. But, that’s about it for the summer “season” – unless there’s some big secret that one of the networks is keeping.
Finally, even though it’s four months away, there are some intriguing new series that I’m planning to check out this Fall. Prison Break on Fox is intriguing, provided the non-stop promos don’t annoy me too much over the summer! Fox also has Kitchen Confidential, a new comedy with a weird restaurant plot, but I’m especially intrigued by the cast, and Reunion which will follow the lives of six friends over the course of 20 years – all in one season, and culminating in the death of one of them. (it’s like 24 to the extreme).
Over at ABC, I’ll check out the first episode or two of Emily’s Reasons Why Not because I’m in love with Heather Graham. Invasion is one of a handful of alien-oriented shows on the networks next season, but looks to be the most promising right now.
CBS has two shows that intrigue me: The Unit about special forces types that sounds like Alias, but features a great cast, and Out of Practice a typical family-type sitcom that only interests me because Henry Winkler is part of it (and he’s outstanding on Arrested Development)
NBC is one struggling network, huh? The cast of Four Kings could make this the new Friends while My Name Is Earl is one of the quirkiest concept comedies on the schedule.
On the UPN and WB fronts, the only show that stands out to me right now is Everybody Hates Chris on UPN. And that’s only because Chris Rock is involved, and well, he’s funny.
So, ummm, yeah, I still like TV. :)
–Paul (waymorefunner)
Happy Free For All Friday!
