What I'm Watching This Fall

September 08, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Ah, autumn. With it comes the end of horrific LA heatwaves, comfy sweaters, and the advent of the fall season, with its new series and returning favorites? Is there really any better time of year?

It's with that thought that I take a look at what I'll be watching this fall season, which begins in earnest today. While I can't guarantee that I'll stick around for more than a few (or even one additional) episode of many of these series, below are the new and returning shows that have at least piqued my interest, based on their pilots.

And for more on my thoughts about returning series, check out the September 20th issue of USA Weekend, where I'm interviewed by TJ Walter about my top picks for returning series this fall.

sunday

8 pm: The Amazing Race (CBS)

It's hard to believe that the granddaddy of all reality series, The Amazing Race, is entering its fifteenth season this fall. While the success or failure of each individual season comes down to the strength of its casting, the series' innate strength lies in its clever challenges, the interpersonal dynamics of the couples competing for the million dollar cash prize, and the charm of its cool-as-a-cucumber host Phil Keoghan. Eye-opening travel experiences, constant bickering, and stressful roadblocks all play into its intelligent design. (Launches September 27th with a two-hour season opener)

9 pm: Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)

It's been nearly two years since we caught up with the misanthropic Larry David and Season Seven finds the neurotic Angeleno dating Loretta Black (Vivica A. Fox), attempting to reconnect with his ex-wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), writing a Seinfeld reunion for NBC, and generally making a nuisance of himself to everyone around him. (You can read my advance review of the first three episodes here.) (Launches September 20th)

9 pm: Masterpiece Mystery and Masterpiece Contemporary (PBS)

PBS' newly reinvigorated Masterpiece offers two cycles this fall, with its Mystery season currently on the air and bringing us Seasons Two and Three of the delightful and intelligent Inspector Morse spin-off Inspector Lewis. Then it's on to contemporary drama such as apartheid drama Endgame, starring Johnny Lee Miller and Chiwetel Ejifor, Place of Execution, starring Juliet Stevenson and Greg Wise, and Collision, starring Phil David and Paul McGann. Masterpiece Contemporary also welcomes new host David Tennant this autumn. (On Air; check local listings for details)

9:30 pm: Bored to Death (HBO)

Created by novelist Jonathan Ames, the whimsical and fun Bored to Death stars Jason Schwartzman... as a novelist named Jonathan Ames. Listless after a painful breakup with his girlfriend (Olivia Thirlby), Ames stumbles onto a copy of an old Raymond Chandler novel and resolves to become a private detective. Taking on a series of hapless cases, Ames is a mostly inept gumshoe as he attempts to navigate the bars and seedy motels of Manhattan while indulging in his duo of vices: white wine and pot. Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis also star as Ames' magazine editor boss and his neurotic comic-book creator best friend, who frequently end up entangled in Jonathan's schemes, whether it involves a missing girl, one-hitters, colonics, or burglary. (Launches September 20th)

10 pm: Mad Men (AMC)

AMC's savagely intelligent period drama Mad Men has me staying up late on Sunday evenings to ponder the delicious subtext of each and every encounter. In the deft hands of Matthew Weiner and crack team of writers, Mad Men's delightfully complex characters--played by one of the very best ensemble casts on television--have been wanting to stay in the 1960s long after the closing credits have rolled. (On Air)

monday

Chuck (NBC)

What's that you say? Chuck isn't on the fall schedule? You'd be right as I'm still scratching my head over NBC's decision to delay Chuck until next year. But every season there's one night of the week where there's absolutely nothing on that I want to watch and this year that night just happens to be Monday. But rather than stare sullenly at the television until Chuck returns in March, I'm taking matters into my own hands and catching up with the Buy More gang by rewatching the first two seasons of Chuck from the very beginning every Monday night. Think of it as me biding time until one of my favorite series returns from its way-too-long-hiatus. (Chuck returns in March 2010.)

tuesday

8 pm: V (ABC)

ABC has wisely opted to launch the new incarnation of cult classic 1980s mini-series V this fall instead of holding it for next year. Starring Lost's Elizabeth Mitchell, The 4400's Joel Grestch, Firefly's Morena Baccarin, The Nine's Scott Wolf, and a slew of other familiar faces, this V is invigorated by a post-9/11 consciousness and asks questions about terrorism, faith, justice, law, and blind trust. Just what do the Visitors want? Can FBI Counter-Terrorism Agent Erica Evans (Mitchell), Father Jack (Gretsch), and a ragtag resistance force prevent a full-on invasion... especially when the human race seems to be inviting the Visitors with open arms? Find out this fall. (You can read my advance review of the pilot for V here.) (Launches November 3rd)

9:30 pm: Better Off Ted (ABC)

The delightfully off-kilter workplace comedy series returns for a second season this fall. If you're at all like me, you've fallen for Better Off Ted's loopy charms, its insightful wit, and its scathing satire. Think of it as The Office on crystal meth. (Launches November TBA)

10 pm: Flipping Out (Bravo)

I can't get enough of the antics (and some would say madness) of OCD-afflicted real estate investor Jeff Lewis and his madcap band of employees. Despite it being a docusoap about house flipping (initially anyway), Flipping Out has blossomed into one of the most hysterical and enjoyable comedies on television. (On Air)

10 pm: The Good Wife (CBS)

I'm intrigued by CBS's legal drama The Good Wife, a winning cross between Ally McBeal and The Politician's Wife. Julianna Margulies plays Alicia, the dutiful wife of a politician (Chris Noth), who after weathering a sex scandal involving her husband, opts to return to the law and takes a job at a high-powered law firm where she has to content with a young whippersnapper (Matt Czuchry) out to gut her and the firm's ice queen partner (Christine Baranski). It's Margulies' most sympathetic and compelling role in quite some time and the pilot episode offers some nice banter, an engaging case, and colorful characters. (Launches September 22nd)

wednesday

9 pm: Modern Family (ABC)

If there's one series that I'm anxiously awaiting above all others, it would be ABC's single-camera comedy Modern Family, a witty and biting examination at what makes our families tick: the humor, the pathos, and the, well, insanity. Boasting a cast that includes Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Sofia Vergara, Eric Stonestreet, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson (and appearances from Shelley Long and Elizabeth Banks in the cards), this is one family comedy that I'm going to race home to watch every Wednesday. You'd be well advised to do the same. (You can read my advance review of the pilot episode here.) (Launches September 23rd)

9 pm: Glee (FOX)

While I wasn't the biggest fan of the pilot episode of Glee, I fell head over heels in love with the subsequent installments which kick off later this week. Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, Glee is a look at the soaring highs and depressing lows of teengerhood (and how we never escape these high school years even as an adults) and is chock full of stunning musical numbers, dark comedy, and more vendettas and plots than you can throw a Cheerio at. (You can read my advance review of the first few episodes of Glee's first season here.) (Launches September 9th)

9:30 pm: Cougar Town (ABC)

I wasn't quite sure what to make of Bill Lawrence and Kevin Biegel's new single-camera comedy Cougar Town, starring Courteney Cox, Christa Miller, Busy Phillips, Dan Byrd, Brian Van Holt, Ian Gomez, and Josh Hopkins. It's a raunchy look at a woman reentering the dating scene after her divorce and discovering that men her own age are dating women half of hers. I was pleasantly surprised by the pilot and I usually like Lawrence's witty spin on comedy, but I will have to check out the second episode before committing to this relationship. (Launches September 23rd)

10 pm: Top Chef: Las Vegas (Bravo)

I'm completely addicted to Bravo's culinary competition series Top Chef, which is hands-down the best food-oriented series on television today. Between the skill and vision of its competitors, the cutthroat competition, and the stunning results, Top Chef is compelling, gripping, and hunger-inducing television at its very best. (On Air)

thursday

8 pm: FlashForward (ABC)

What did you see? It might be the Alphabet's best shot at landing the next Lost... Or it could be The Nine redux. But whatever eventually happens to ABC's big budget ensemble drama about the mystery behind a worldwide phenomenon that had everyone on the planet glimpsing a vision of their fate six months in the future (those that didn't die during the two-minute mass unconsciousness, that is). There's a lot of potential at work in the series, which will be overseen by David S. Goyer and Marc Guggenheim and boasts a cast that includes Joseph Fiennes, Sonya Walger, John Cho, Jack Davenport, Zachary Knighton, Peyton List, Dominic Monaghan, Brían F. O'Byrne, Courtney B. Vance, and Christine Woods. Can we escape our fate? Are our lives predetermined? Can free will play a role in diverting our paths through life? And just who or what caused this strange catastrophic event? (Launches September 24th)

8 pm: Bones (FOX)

After a season finale that divided its fans with its cliffhanger ending, Bones returns with a fifth season that will deal with the not-quite-a-romantic-relationship going on between its two leads, Seely Booth (David Boreanaz) and Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), head on while also forcing the duo to solve some of the twistiest murder mysteries on television. Smart, sly, and sexy, Bones remains a slick and fun diversion. (You can read what series creator Hart Hanson told me exclusively about Season Five of Bones here.) (Launches September 17th)

8 pm: Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday (NBC)

Looking for some news commentary in your Thursday night television lineup? You're in luck as NBC brings back Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday for a limited run this fall. And, even better, Amy Poehler is set to co-anchor the satirical news magazine in its first outing. (Launches September 17th)

8:30 pm: Parks and Recreation (NBC)

NBC's Amy Poehler vehicle Parks and Recreation started out wobbly (to say it kindly) but gradually found its footing and its humanity as the first season's six episodes wore on. I'm curious to see just what Greg Daniels and Mike Schur do with the Pawnee, Indiana-set workplace comedy this fall. Would I be wise to stop holding my breath that they'll ditch the clunky hidden camera format and just let the characters breathe? (Launches September 17th)

9 pm: Fringe (FOX)

The Abrams/Kurtzman/Orci sci-fi procedural returns this fall after getting kick-started in the second half of the freshman season with revelations about past sins and parallel dimensions. I'm still not crazy about the largely episodic nature of the series but there are enough intriguing threads of its overarching mythology to keep me watching and entertained, not to mention a little terrified at times. (You can read my advance review of Fringe's second season opener here.) (Launches September 17th)

9 pm: Skins (BBC America)

The imported British teen series is finding its way in its third season, which introduced a whole new group of Bristol teens to its devoted audience and shipped off its graduating class after two sex and drug-filled seasons. Skins is alternately controversial, shocking, hilarious, and emotionally gutting, offering a look at teens without a modicum of nostalgia or preciousness. (On Air)

9 pm: The Office (NBC)

I'm teetering on the edge of giving up on The Office altogether after failing to fall for the last few seasons. That is, whenever Amy Ryan's hysterical Holly Flax wasn't on screen. Sadly, Ryan won't be back but the employees of Scranton's Dunder Mifflin Paper Company continue to soldier on, despite a lack of focus and an over-reliance on familiar sitcom tropes. Here's hoping the new season will bring the (painfully) funny and (endearing) pathos back into balance. (Launches September 17th)

9:30 pm: Community (NBC)

Hands down one of the fall's most promising new series, Community is a witty and wicked single-camera comedy that revolves around the disparate students of Greendale Community College and the small community they form together. With a winning cast that includes Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, Danny Pudi, Yvette Nicole Brown, Alison Brie, Gillian Jacobs, Donald Glover, and Ken Jeong, Community is mordantly funny, deeply layered, and has an unexpectedly sweet emotional core. In other words: watch it. (You can read my advance review of the pilot episode here.) (Launches September 17th, then moves to 8 pm on October 8th)

9:30 pm: 30 Rock (NBC)

I want to go to there. NBC's gleefully subversive and TiVo-friendly comedy 30 Rock returns for a fourth season this fall and I'm already lining up at its famous address to enter its topsy-turvy world. Liz Lemon (Tina Fey) and Jack Donaghy (Alec Baldwin) remain one of the best comedic duos and their odd couple--dare I say it?--friendship provides a strong throughline while the series' hilarious supporting cast keeps the madcap plots moving at a brisk pace. New adventures at TGS can't come quickly enough. (Launches October 15th)

10 pm: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX)

The laughs keep on coming on Thursdays. Bizarre, surreal, and absurd, FX's off-kilter comedy It's Always Sunny returns with a new batch of out-there plots, selfish characters, and side-splitting misadventures. Who knew that a low-budget comedy about a group of bar owners in Philadelphia would become one of my favorite television comedies? (Launches September 17th)

10 pm: Project Runway (Lifetime)

Sew what? Rounding out the night on Thursdays is sartorial competition series Project Runway, which is proving that its winning formula is at home anywhere, even on a totally different network altogether. As long as Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia stick around, I'll keep watching these designers make it work. (On Air)

friday

9 pm: Dollhouse (FOX)

I thought that Joss Whedon's divisive metaphysical action/adventure series Dollhouse was rather hit or miss last season: a few strokes of genius, some head-scratching plotholes, and irritatingly episodic storytelling. But the unaired thirteenth episode, "Epitaph One," brought the series closer to its potential. I still think that had the exquisite Dichen Lachman been the series lead, Dollhouse would be a hell of a lot more compelling but that's a rather moot point. Still, I'll stick around to see if things improve at all in the sophomore season. (Launches September 25th)

9 pm: Southland (NBC)

What could be a run-of-the-mill cop drama is elevated by some fantastic performances, most notably from Benjamin McKenzie, Regina King, and Michael Cudlitz. Audiences seemed to be fleeing in droves as the series' first season wore on but there were some fantastic character studies going on amid the shootings, murders, and gangland violence. Plus, the series boasts one of the most cinematic and memorable opening credit sequences ever. It might be exiled to Friday nights (and now delayed until the end of October), but I'm curious to see just what new plots develop for these LAPD officers. (Launches October 23rd)

9 pm: Stargate Universe (Syfy)

Admittedly, I didn't get around this weekend to watching the three-hour series opener for Stargate Universe (this week, I promise!) but I am keeping an open mind about the series, the latest in the long line of Stargate franchise series, despite never having watched any of its predecessors. There's something darkly compelling about what I've seen so far and the struggle to survive is a timeline and universal one, adding an immediacy and vibrancy to the overarching plot. (Launches October 2nd)

9 pm: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (BBC America)

I'll be winding down my week with Wossy as British talk show host welcomes such disparate guests as Dame Vivienne Westwood, Bono, Ricky Gervais, and James May every Friday night. (On Air)

10 pm: White Collar (USA)

Sometimes being bad is good. Neal Caffrey (Chuck's Matthew Bomer) is a slick and stylish career criminal with a penchant for forgeries and fine vintage suits. He's given an ankle monitor and teamed up with Peter Stokes (Carnivale's Tim DeKay), the gruffly intelligent FBI agent assigned to the white collar crime division who caught him twice before as they tackle some of the most crafty criminals in the business. Thanks to the winning chemistry between the two leads, White Collar is fun, fashionable, and clever. (You can read my advance review of the pilot episode here.) (Launches October 23rd)

TBA

Doctor Who Specials (BBC America)

David Tennant's swan song on Doctor Who begins this fall with the final three Doctor Who specials, which BBC America will air as close as possible to the original UK airdates. First up is "Waters of Mars," which finds the Doctor teaming up with Lindsay Duncan's Adelaide on Mars as they battle a water-based creature that infects its victims with a liquid compound. Then it's the final two-parter that brings the Doctor face to face with his ancient enemy The Master (John Simm) and his former companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate). Something tells me that things won't end too well for the Tenth Doctor, sadly... (November and December TBA)

The Inbetweeners (BBC America)

I've been waxing enthusiastically about this British comedy series, which airs on E4 in the UK, for the last few months and I cannot wait for American audiences to fall in love with this hilarious and raucous series about four suburban teenage boys. You'll laugh, you'll squirm, you'll groan with painful recognition. Yet despite the gross-out humor, the casual nudity, and the humiliation of it all, there's an innate sweetness to the series that keeps you coming back for more. (You can read my review of the first three episodes here and my review of the entire first two seasons here.) (Launches TBA)

The Prisoner (AMC)

Hello, Number Six. The cult classic series The Prisoner is reimagined for a contemporary audience in this international co-production starring Jim Caviezel, Ian McKellan, Lennie James, Will Kemp, Hayley Atwell, and Jamie Campbell Bower. From the nine-minute clip package I saw, it looks to be a stylish mindgame of a puzzle that will keep us guessing over the course of its six hours. (Launches November TBA)

And there you have it: what I'll be watching this fall. What did I leave off and what will you be watching this fall? Discuss.

Out of Office: Televisionary On Vacation

September 07, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Hi there, faithful readers. As it's Labor Day, I'm taking today off from my normal daily posting schedule to catch up with family (and get some work done).

But rest assured, Televisionary will be back tomorrow (Tuesday) with some fresh content, including an in-depth look at what I'll be watching this fall (organized by night), discussion of this week's episode of Mad Men, my daily Channel Surfing television news roundup, and more.

In the meantime, feel free to catch up on some of my recent and interesting reviews and interviews, which I've linked to below.

Happy Labor Day to those in the US and catch you tomorrow!

Reunions, Rapprochements, and Ridiculous Behavior: An Advance Review of Season Seven of "Curb Your Enthusiasm"

The Shape of Things to Come: An Advance Review of the Season Two Premiere of FOX's "Fringe"

Knife's Edge: Televisionary Talks to "Top Chef: Las Vegas" Contestant Jennifer Carroll

Honor (and Style) Among Thieves: An Advance Review of USA's "White Collar"

Blonde Ambition: Televisionary Talks to Anna Camp of HBO's "True Blood"

Follies of Youth: An Advance Review of Seasons One and Two of "The Inbetweeners"

Fantasy Life: Televisionary Talks to Hart Hanson About "Bones" Season Five

Song's End: Televisionary Talks to "Doctor Who" and "Torchwood" Duo Russell T. Davies and Euros Lyn

The Inevitable and The Inescapable: Televisionary Talks to David Tennant About "Doctor Who" Legacy, Sartorial Choices, and "End of Time"

Beware Visitors Bearing Gifts: In the Press Room with "V" Executive Producers Scott Peters and Jace Hall

Fall Forecasting: What Are You Watching Next Season?

August 26, 2009 by Jace Lacob

With the start of the fall season nearly upon us (in roughly two weeks' time), I'm wondering just what you're most excited about watching this autumn.

I'll be sharing my picks for new and returning series next week but I thought I'd get a jump on the upcoming season by asking you, my readers, which series you are most looking forward to and why.

Are you super-excited for ABC's FlashForward or does ABC's V rock your world more? Are ABC's Modern Family and NBC's Community the end-all, be-all of new comedies? Intrigued by The Good Wife or Three Rivers at CBS? So keen for the series launch of FOX's Glee that you've been singing along all summer? Or eagerly awaiting the launch of HBO's comedy Bored to Death?

Are you looking forward to the return of 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy, Heroes, or Bones, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sons of Anarchy, or other returning series?

Discuss.

Weekend Telly Reminder: "Mad Men," "True Blood," "Being Human"

August 14, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Ladies and gentlemen, start your TiVos.

Just a few reminders about some television this weekend that you should be sure to check out, come hell or high water.

The third season of Mad Men kicks off on Sunday night at 10 pm ET/PT on AMC. Fans of the period drama are in for a real treat as one of the very best programs on television returns for a triumphant third season that kicks off with a hell of a bang. (You can read my advance review of the Mad Men season opener here.)

Also on Sunday evening, is a brand-new episode ("I Will Rise Up") of HBO's supernatural soap True Blood, which transforms the series from being merely slickly seductive into something profound and gut-wrenching. If there's such a thing as one must-see episode of True Blood (and really, aren't they all are worth watching?), this is the one. You've been warned: miss this one at your peril. (You can read my spoiler-free review of Sunday night's True Blood here.)

And, finally, there's a heartbreaking new installment of BBC America's haunting Being Human on Saturday night that is a complete game-changer for the supernatural drama series. I had the opportunity to watch it a few weeks back and was mesmerized by how far the writers took the characters to their breaking points in this installment, in which Mitchell and George are forced to face the derision and rage of the human community over a misunderstanding which turns into a harrowing reminder of their true natures.

What are you most looking forward to watching this weekend? Discuss.

Televisionary TCA Summer Press Tour Wrap Up

August 13, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Dining with Padma and Gail: My "Top Chef" Quickfire Challenge Experience

August 06, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Just a few quick words about my participation yesterday in a special thrilling Top Chef Quickfire Challenge at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Pasadena.

While you sadly won't get to see the Quickfire on television (aw!), it was an absolute treat to get to have lunch with Padma Lakshmi, Gail Simmons, and my fellow television critic guest judges and then deliberate about which of the two dishes ruled supreme. (And believe me, get a group of foodies and critics together and it's rather tricky to come to unanimous decision.)

But I'm getting ahead of myself. The Quickfire Challenge brought together two teams of Top Chef contestants. On the one side: Team Old School, consisting of Fabio Viviani, Antonia Lofaso, and Ryan Scott. Staring them down from the other side of the stage: the newbies from Top Chef: Las Vegas: Ashley Merriman, Michael Isabella, and Mattin Noblia.

So how did they do? And which dish did we end up selecting as the winner? Let's discuss.

The challenge facing these crack chefs: to prepare the best dish possible within a twenty-minute time limit. No easy feat, given that they'd have to work together under tight time constraints and in front of a live audience in a less-than-ideal setting (it wasn't exactly set in a kitchen).

So what did the teams offer up?

Team Old School served up a seared halibut with a corn, onion, and crab succotash, and wispy, ethereal fennel fronds. It was absolutely delicious: the fish was perfectly cooked with a crisp bite on the outside and a moist interior that was flaky and sweet.

The sweetness of the corn and little heirloom cherry tomatoes were nicely balanced by the slight acidity of the creamy slash of sauce on the plate. We all decided that this was a dish that we could eat just about every day: it was sweet, savory, and fulfilling in the best sense of the word. I did feel, however, that the fish could have used a little hit of acidity, perhaps from some fresh lemon juice squeezed on at the last second.

As for the new chefs, they were eager to prove their superiority to their forebears on Top Chef. They offered up a gorgeously composed plate of coral-pink hamachi crudo served atop a puree of pistachio and preserved lemon. The crudo was topped with borage, pickled radish, and nigella (black onion) seeds.

I was at a loss for words: it was such a beautifully balanced and remarkable dish that the only word for it was transcendent. The hamachi was so deftly cut that it was positively, angelically smooth, offering up a sweet lusciousness. The slight spiciness of the borage leaves were complimented by a saline hit from some coarse Maldon salt and the crunch of the nigella seeds. And the puree? Exquisite; a nutty and acidic blend of pistachios and preserved lemons that made the entire dish sing in harmony.

To me, there was no competition whatsoever. While I loved Team Old School's dish (and would gladly order it again in a restaurant), the hamachi crudo was a once-in-a-lifetime dish that made me see hamachi in a new way, offered up an innovative combination of flavors and textures, and, well, left me speechless.

Which dish would you have chosen? Which dish would you have preferred to eat? And my question for Bravo: when can I judge another Quickfire Challenge again?

Top Chef: Las Vegas launches Wednesday, August 19th on Bravo.

Photographs courtesy of Denise Martin

Televisionary Comic-Con 2009 Wrap Up

July 29, 2009 by Jace Lacob

While the dust has finally settled on San Diego Comic-Con 2009, I've still got a bunch of pieces to finish writing, several interviews to transcribe, and a whole lot of press rooms to recount.

But in the meantime, I figured I'd offer up this round-up of all of the coverage for Comic-Con 2009 that have already posted to Televisionary. And rather than have to scroll through numerous pages of posts, I've presented the coverage here by series, listed alphabetically below.

24:

War and Peace: Kiefer Sutherland, Mary-Lynn Rajskub, David Fury, Freddie Prinze Jr., Anil Kapoor Talk Day Eight in "24" Press Room

The Promise of Peace (And Some Explosions): "24" Panel at Comic-Con 2009

Bones:

Dream a Little Dream: Deschanel and Hanson Talk “Bones” Romance

Caprica (and BSG: The Plan):

They Have a Plan: "Caprica/Battlestar Galactica: The Plan" Panel at Comic-Con 2009

Chuck:

Nerd Herd: Watch the Entire "Chuck" Comic-Con 2009 Panel!

Doctor Who:

Knock Four Times: David Tennant, Russell T. Davies, Euros Lyn, and Julie Gardner Bring “Doctor Who” to Comic-Con

Eureka:

"Eureka" Gets Surprise Fourth Season Pickup, Birthday Wishes for Colin Ferguson

Fringe:

Cracking the Pattern: Cast and Crew of "Fringe" Tease Second Season Details

Lost:

Lost But Not Forgotten: Team Darlton Promise "Familiar Faces" For Final Season of "Lost"

The Prisoner:

Invisible Chains: AMC Brings "The Prisoner" to Comic-Con

Stargate Universe:

Surviving in the Dark: "Stargate Universe" Cast and Crew Discuss the Future of the Franchise

Torchwood:

The Undiscovered Country: John Barrowman, Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner Defend "Torchwood" Decisions

True Blood:

"Trust Me": A Look Ahead and Back for "True Blood" at Comic-Con 2009

V:

Beware Visitors Bearing Gifts: In the Press Room with "V" Executive Producers Scott Peters and Jace Hall

Updates to this page will be made as I continue to add more Comic-Con 2009 coverage to the site, so keep revisiting this space for more information.

Comic-Con 2009: See You in San Diego

July 23, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Well, guys, it's time for me to hit the road and head off to San Diego Comic-Con 2009.

I'm taking the train down this morning and will be reporting from the convention and covering panels for such television series as Lost, True Blood, Doctor Who, 24, Bones, Caprica/BSG, The Mighty Boosh, Fringe, V, and much, much more. (And hopefully I'll find time to relax a little bit too at one of the multitude of official parties going on this weekend in San Diego.)

In the meantime, you can discuss Day One, Day Two, and Day Three of BBC America's Torchwood: Children of the Earth, talk about my review of Dollhouse: Epitaph One, read my interview with Mad Men's Rich Sommer, check out my advance review of Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead, sneak a peek at the new Doctor and his companion, and check out the plethora of other original content here at Televisionary.

I'll be posting as much as I humanly can amid the madness down in SD, but you can also follow my adventures via Twitter as well.

See you down in San Diego and be sure to say hi.

Comic-Con 2009: Who's In?

July 10, 2009 by Jace Lacob

With the schedule for San Diego Comic-Con ever so slowly making its way onto the official website (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are now up), I thought I'd ask once again this year: who's in for Comic-Con 2009?

Passes are once again impossible to purchase at this year's festival (with no on-site registration available for professions or press, no less), which boasts a lineup that includes panels for such series as Lost, True Blood, Chuck, Doctor Who, Flash Forward, V, Torchwood, 24, Bones, The Mighty Boosh, Eureka, Caprica, The Prisoner, Human Target, Dollhouse, Fringe, Psych, Stargate Universe, Smallville, Supernatural, Burn Notice, Robot Chicken, and a host of others. (Seriously, the list goes on and on this year.)

For my part, I'll be covering as many panels and press rooms as humanly possible and reporting from the convention as long as the WiFi connection holds. (My must-see panels this year: Lost, Caprica/BSG, True Blood, Doctor Who, The Mighty Boosh, and Entertainment Weekly's Wonder Women: Female Power Icons in Pop Culture with Elizabeth Mitchell, Kristin Bell, and Sigourney Weaver. Unfortunately, the Chuck panel lets out at the same time that Lost begins, making it rather tricky to negotiate...)

But I am curious to know: which panels are you attending and which are you most looking forward to? What are the must-have seats of this year's Comic-Con?

Discuss and see you in San Diego!

TV on the Radio: Televisionary on TV Talk Radio

June 12, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Had a truly fantastic time yesterday appearing live on TV Talk Radio, where I spoke about summer series like Nurse Jackie and True Blood, pilots, the state of the television industry right now, and what we can look forward to watching this fall.

If you happened to miss me chatting live with host Shaun Daily (a.k.a. Shaun OMac) yesterday, you can download yesterday's show on iTunes here or stream the show here.

In fact, I had such a great time participating, that I'll be returning to TV Talk Radio at a later date. Be sure to join in next time by not only tuning in to the show live, but also by actively participating: you can offer questions or comments in TV Talk's chat room and via Twitter.

Stay tuned and thanks for listening!

Reminder: Televisionary on TV Talk Radio Today

June 11, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Just a quick reminder that I'll be appearing live on TV Talk Radio today (Thursday) at 3:25 pm PT talking about summer series, pilots, and what we can look forward to watching this fall.

You can listen to me chatting live with host Shaun Daily (a.k.a. Shaun OMac) here or you can download or stream today's installment at a later time as well.

Plus, you can join in by not only tuning in to the show live, but you can also actively participate by offering questions or comments in TV Talk's chat room and via Twitter.

Stay tuned and thanks for listening!

Televisionary Soapbox: Please Watch "Chuck" Tonight on NBC

April 27, 2009 by Jace Lacob

If the real world were just as awesome as the fictional one we tune in to each Monday night to see on NBC's Chuck, the action-comedy series wouldn't be in any danger of cancellation.

And yet, with the series about to air the final installment of its second season tonight at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC, that's just where we are. It's entirely possible that tonight's episode of Chuck, which has yet to receive a pickup for a third season, could be the series' last.

I'm still keeping my fingers firmly crossed that NBC realizes what a sensational series this is and renews Chuck for a third season. Monday nights surely wouldn't be the same without Chuck. Hell, television right now wouldn't be the same without Chuck, which offers a winning combination of action, humor, workplace comedy, and, well, a sly skewering of underemployed twenty-somethings, stuck in a perpetual state of arrested development. It's a series that the whole family can watch together... and that's a rare beast in this day and age.

Those of you who watch this intelligent and fun series agree that Chuck is utterly unique. So why aren't more people watching? I'm not entirely sure. Maybe it was the fact that, due to the writers strike of last winter, the series' freshman season wrapped after just thirteen episodes and NBC opted not to get the series back into production and on the air until the following fall.

Or perhaps it's that the 8 pm timeslot on Monday nights has Chuck facing some stiff competition from Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory on CBS, House on FOX, Dancing with the Stars on ABC, and Gossip Girl on CW. Personally, I always watch Chuck live and TiVo whatever else I want to watch in that same time period. (I'd urge you to do the same, especially tonight.)

I've also wondered if Chuck's genius conflating of several storytelling genres--action/adventure, buddy comedy, romantic drama, workplace comedy--into one awesome package make it hard for fans to describe the series in a reductive logline to people who haven't watched the series before. One of the many beauties of the series has been that it's completely accessible to newbies, thanks to a mission-of-the-week format, but also keeps long-term viewers hooked with an overarching mythology that isn't confusing to follow or overly elaborate.

I've written endearingly (and at times gushingly) about Chuck since the very beginning. I've been hooked on Chuck since I first saw the pilot episode way back in early May of 2007 (it was one of the first I watched that year after loving the pilot script), so it's hard for me to imagine why more people aren't tuning in to this fantastic series. Bringing Chuck to life are the talents of a top-notch writing staff, working under the watchful eyes of creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak, star-making performances from series leads Zachary Levi, Yvonne Strahovski, and Adam Baldwin, and a truly superb supporting cast who bring the off-kilter world of the Buy More to life each week.

It's crunch time now, with only one original episode of Chuck left to air this season. I am sure that all eyes at the Peacock are going to be on tonight's ratings as they debate whether or not to give the series another shot on its 2009-2010 schedule. I'm hoping that studio Warner Bros. Television, which produces the series, has been looking to make some innovative deals in order to keep the series on the air, whether that means accepting a reduced episode count (say, thirteen episodes rather than the traditional twenty-two) perhaps with an option for additional installments, structuring a second window on a cable or satellite channel (DirecTV, perhaps?), or implementing some drastic budget/license fee reductions.

Personally, I'm willing to support both WBTV and NBC in all and any of those efforts. Thirteen episodes of Chuck is far too little, but it's better than not having any more episodes altogether. Watching Chuck on both NBC and in another window (plus on Hulu or NBC.com) is something I'm very happy to do. I'm even willing to see some beloved characters/actors from Chuck's sprawling cast leave the series--or get downgraded from series regulars to recurring--if it means reducing the series' episodic budgets.

Basically, the bottom line is this: I'm willing to do whatever it takes to see that Chuck gets renewed for a third season. I'm willing to get on my soap box and keep writing about Chuck, keeping Twittering about it, and keep talking about it until I'm blue in the face.

So, please, do me--and the entire Chuck fan base--a favor and tune in tonight at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC. Tell everyone you know to tune in. Talk about the series on Twitter, comment on blogs and web sites, spread information about tonight's season finale via word of mouth, and visit Subway (a company that has paid for product placement on the series) today and buy a sandwich for Chuck.

Chuck's fans are just as determined, loyal, and canny as our beloved troika of Chuck Bartowski, Sarah Walker, and John Casey, so send a message to NBC today that we're not going to let them kill off our smart and sly series without a fight.

Chuck's second season finale airs tonight at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.

Death Becomes Them: The Role of Character Deaths in Television

April 10, 2009 by Jace Lacob

With so many high-profile series like Lost, Desperate Housewives, and Heroes proving themselves willing to kill off main characters over the last few seasons (and rumors swirling about many a death on upcoming series by the end of the season), it got me thinking about the role of death on television and whether it's still an important tool in the television writer's arsenal of plot devices or an over-hyped gimmick to force viewers to tune in.

The most recent death on television was, of course, the shocking demise of Kal Penn's Dr. Lawrence Kutner on FOX's House earlier this week. In the April 6th episode, entitled "Simple Explanation," Penn's typically levelheaded character commits suicide very unexpectedly and his absence from work prompts two of the series' characters to investigate his whereabouts; they discover his body in his apartment with a gun by his side.

Reactions to the episode have divided both critics and audience alike, with some praising the realism and grace with which it was handled, while others, such as The Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan, decried Kutner's suicide as a sort of emotional blackmail. Comparing his death to that of former House character Amber Volakis (Anne Dudek), killed off last season, Ryan wrote, "Everything about the death of Kutner [...] smelled of manipulation. And how about that online "memorial" to Kutner that was advertised at the end of the show? Sigh. It just struck me as cheesy. I have been dissatisfied with House all season, but the death of Lawrence Kutner might just be the coup de grace for this once-great show." (Ouch.)

I turned to some industry insiders about their views on the subject of death on television and asked former Battlestar Galactica and Buffy writer/producer and current Caprica showrunner Jane Espenson about her thoughts on the death of Kutner on House, along with a cable network development executive and a studio current series executive (both of whom asked to remain anonymous for this story).

I asked Espenson about whether writers have overused death as plot device. "Of course the death of a character can be meaningful!" she told me. "Death is a part of life and is perfectly legitimate fodder for drama. It can also be a cheap plot twist. Like almost everything, it's about the execution."

"I loved the House storyline, and thought it was really well done," she continued. "Usually we talk about "earning" a plot development as big as a character death. As a writer, you try to make the death feel surprising, but, in retrospect, unavoidable or logical or necessary. On both Buffy and BSG, we wrote episodes in which characters (Joyce, Dualla) seemed to be recovering from dangerous situations and then succumbed--in the one case to disease, in the other, to despair. Both deaths were chilling and--I believe--earned."

"What House managed to dramatize was the much more difficult unearned-death-because-that-was-the-whole-point," Espenson explained. "It happens--deaths that are impossible to explain happen. And the writers didn't swerve off the road, either--Gregory House's reaction to the death was front and center, as it should be in this kind of show. The episode would still have been legitimate if it had involved a character the audience had never met before, actually. But making it about someone the audience was invested in gave it extra impact--helped us understand the characters' reactions more viscerally. That's what good drama does."

But would the current series executive agree with Espenson? I asked her the same questions about the House suicide and about death on television in general.

"I think it was a really interesting way to do a character death," she said of Kutner's suicide on House. "It wasn't promoted, and its purpose was more about House and his ability to not figure everything out than about the character that died."

"For me, it's not that I'm against killing off characters; I'm against killing off characters as a promotional strategy," continued our forthright studio executive. "It seems that so many series these days use character deaths as a way to pick up viewers or bring back old viewers. I would prefer that network showrunners concentrate on making the best show they can instead of picking which character will die during sweeps. I've seen so many commercials and read so many magazine articles that tout the death of a character before it's going to happen. The most recent example of this is Nicolette Sheridan's character on Desperate Housewives. When you promote a death so much, it completely loses all of the dramatic weight behind it."

So have character deaths lost all emotional impact these days? "I firmly believe that it is still possible to have a character's death mean something," admitted the studio exec. "The element of surprise is always good, but it's the execution that really makes it work for me. I think The Sopranos is a great example. That's a show where the viewer was always expecting a character to die strictly because of the world in which it took place, but it constantly provided jaw-dropping (Ralphie) and gut-wrenching (Big Pussy, Adriana) deaths. They were always done in a way that would result in a very visceral reaction from the audience and that is what makes a character death meaningful."

Our cable development executive was less kind about the subject matter.

"I think it is overused," he said of the use of death as a plot device today. "The networks and advertisers want attention. The easiest way to get everyone's attention is to kill someone off. It quickly becomes cliched. From a development perspective, it is incredibly unsettling towards everything else you are working towards."

"The networks are constantly scrambling to keep audience attention and especially today when network viewership at an all time low," he said. "More people than ever are watching TV but they aren't watching network TV. There's a massive disconnect. Why are there such huge plot twists? Why, in 24, is there going to be a nuclear disaster every season? To keep up audience attention. From a network development perspective, there's a need to keep pushing the envelope in order to keep audience interest there... When you're doing a 24-type show, or even House to a certain extent, each episode asks, 'What is this person going to die of?' It speaks to a frustrating model that [action, medical, etc.] shows like these are so similar that you have to find a way to do it differently each time because the characters aren't evolving. Why aren't they changing? Because they don't want to alienate viewers. Why can't you alienate viewers? Because you don't want to alienate any advertisers."

"We've also reached saturation levels as far as media goes," he went on to say. "Everyone is extremely aware of characters, actors, etc. Remember when Cynthia Watros was on Lost and she got a pilot and then we all knew something was going to happen to Libby on the show? Everyone knew it was going to happen because it was in the trades. And the trades aren't limited to industry readers anymore because everyone can go on to the Variety website and see what's happening with their favorite actors. People are becoming hyper-aware of who is being utilized or not utilized. We are no longer making TV shows in a bubble, for other little bubbles around the country; we're making TV shows for a mass audience that is aware and following all of your footsteps."

And yet that does speak a great deal towards what showrunners David Shore and Katie Jacobs were looking to do with Lawrence Kutner's suicide on show. It was unexpected, it hadn't been announced in the trades or in, say, TV Guide or on the cover of Entertainment Weekly (like Edie's death on Desperate Housewives), and it was shocking.

But, while the storyline may yield some character development down the road, its impetus wasn't story-based but rather that actor Kal Penn wanted to leave the FOX series in order to take a position in the Obama Administration. One can't argue that it was a promotional tool, because it wasn't promoted ahead of time, but was the death strictly for shock value or does it open up the series to explore new themes and stories?

I agree with Espenson that, when a death is "earned," it can be a fantastic storytelling device that potentially offers viewers an emotional wallop to the gut. And I am hopeful that writers can use the unexpected death of a character to further the overall story rather than just sell it as promotional, tune-in gimmick... so long as the media and network promo departments don't spoil it in advance, as they have in the past. (ABC's promos for Lost come to mind.)

Ultimately, death is a huge part of life and shouldn't be abandoned from the writer's toolbox any time soon. But creators and networks need to be aware that character deaths have to be earned above all else and not used as a throwaway storyline to trim the cast or "shock" the audience. Or they run the risk of truly de-sensitizing the audience at large.

What are your thoughts about Lawrence Kutner's death? Are too many series seemingly using character deaths as a promotional tool more than a story-based one? Discuss.

Televisionary in The New York Times Today!

March 25, 2009 by Jace Lacob

I always hate to self-promote but if there's a time to do so it's when you get mentioned in The New York Times... which doesn't exactly happen every day.

That's right, longtime readers, Televisionary has earned a mention in the pages of The New York Times itself, with yours truly being quoted in today's Arts section.

In "‘Motherhood’ Viewers: Hold the Ideas," an article by Brian Stelter about ABC ceasing to ask viewers for ideas for upcoming episodes of its new comedy series In the Motherhood, I'm quoted about why television series don't accept unsolicited (or, really, solicited) ideas from viewers for potential storylines... and I manage to relate the legal issue to Lost, of course.

Did you really expect anything less?

Televisionary's Interviews with the Cast and Creators of ABC's "Lost" Now Live!

March 12, 2009 by Jace Lacob

I've gotten many, many emails from readers wondering where and when they could see my recent interviews with the cast and crew of ABC's Lost.

The wait, I'm happy to say, is over.

My recent interviews with Lost's executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and cast members Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Emerson about the rest of Season Five are now live at the Sky1 website. (Sky1 is the UK home of Lost, which airs Stateside on ABC.)

You can watch my interview with Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse here and my interviews with Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, and Michael Emerson here.

Be warned, however, there are some SPOILERS contained therein as Team Darlton talks about Libby's backstory and whether we'll see Walt again and offers up a spoiler about something that's coming up in the next few episodes. Michael Emerson reveals a particularly juicy spoiler about Benjamin Linus' allegiances and Lilly reveals that a rather big decision is coming up in Kate's life... and jokes with me about who Kate would have hooked up with on the island if Jack and Sawyer wouldn't have been there.

What you won't get to see on the video, however, is how much Evangeline Lilly loved my stripey Paul Smith socks and Damon's answer about the island's name. (Sorry, guys!)

LOST - DAMON LINDLELOF AND CARLTON CUSE INTERVIEW:

SKY1 SPEAKS TO THE CAST OF LOST:

What do you think? Are you upset that Damon and Carlton aren't planning any resolution for Libby's backstory? Do you think that Walt's story is done for good? Are you shocked that Ben works for more people than we've ever thought? Whah?!? Discuss.

Stay tuned.

Televisionary Named One of "20 Entertainment News Twitter Feeds Worth Following"

March 11, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Televisionary has once again been singled out for praise and I can't help but be chuffed.

Televisionary's twitter feed (which can be found here) has been named one of "20 Entertainment News Twitter Feeds Worth Following" by Nicholas Carlson of Silicon Alley mainstay The Business Insider, joining a list of well-known Twitter personalities like Variety's Anne Thompson, E! Online's Kristin Dos Santos and Natalie Abrams, Zap2it's KorbiGirl, Los Angeles Times Entertainment, Pop Candy, and a host of others.

It is definitely an honor to be included in such highly esteemed company and I'm very thankful to Nicholas and Business Insider for selecting Televisionary's twitter feed to be singled out in such a list.

If you're not following Televisionary's twitter feed, I suggest you do so now as it's proven to be a great way for me to interact with readers of this site and keep you updated on what I'm doing and watching. (Need help getting there? Just click right here, sign up if you're not a member of Twitter, and hit Follow.)

Stay tuned.

Televisionary Turns Three Years Old!

February 04, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Happy birthday!

Televisionary is three years old today. I want to thank all of you loyal readers (and fellow couch potatoes) out there who have made this site the success that it is today.

When I first started Televisionary back in February of 2006, it was to have a place outside of work where I could share my views on television programming, discuss recent episodes and news with equal relish, and showcase some off-the-beaten-path series alongside those marquee names we all know and love.

I certainly never thought that Televisionary would be thriving three years and nearly 2,000 posts later, despite some massive changes in the television industry. Beloved series have come and gone in that time (sniffle, Arrested Development and Veronica Mars), the threat of work stoppages proved to be a reality, and basic cable has become a force to be reckoned with.

But throughout it all, I hope that I've been able to offer you my honest thoughts about television programming and share my passion and love for this medium while entertaining, informing, and at times perhaps coercing you into watching some new series you might not have originally tuned in for.

So please join me in raising a glass of champagne (and your remote) and toasting three great years of Televisionary... and many more to come.

Televisionary Named One of "30 Essential Twitter Feeds For TV Fans"

January 12, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Aw, shucks. I always feel so modest whenever Televisionary is singled out for praise.

Televisionary's twitter feed (which can be found here) has been named one of "30 Essential Twitter Feeds For TV Fans" by Rick Ellis of All Your TV, joining a list of Twitter luminaries like The Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan, Heroes' Greg Grunberg, The New York Times' Brian Stelter, Jimmy Fallon, HitFix's Daniel Fienberg, CNN's Rick Sanchez, and a host of others.

It is definitely an honor to be included in such highly esteemed company and I'm very thankful to Rick for selecting Televisionary's twitter feed to be included in such a list, especially as I haven't been using the (highly addictive) social networking platform for all that long, and to the followers of my twitter feed.

If you're not following Televisionary's twitter feed, I suggest you do so now as it's proven to be a great way for me to interact with readers of this site and keep you updated on what I'm doing and watching. (Need help getting there? Just click right here, sign up if you're not a member of Twitter, and hit Follow.)

Stay tuned.

What I'm Watching This Spring

January 05, 2009 by Jace Lacob

January usually signals the start of just a handful of new programs (Lost, maybe 24 if it's, uh, on that year) rather than an actual onslaught of new scripted programming.

This January features just that, with the return of some of my personal favorites like Big Love, Flight of the Conchords, and Damages (each returning from longer-than-usual hiatuses after last winter's WGA strike), the return of some Televisionary obsessions (Lost and BSG), and some new series like Lie to Me, The Unusuals, Dollhouse, United States of Tara, and The Beast, among others.

Some I'm dying with excitement about (i.e., Lost, Damages, Big Love, BSG and Conchords), others have already outlived their welcome (The Beast), and some just make me beyond depressed with how much they've failed to live up to their initial promise (ahem, Dollhouse).

It's with that thought that I take a look at what I'll be watching this spring. While I can't guarantee that I'll stick around for more than a few (or even one additional) episode of many of these series, below are the new and returning shows that have at least piqued my interest, based on their pilots.

mondays

8 pm: Chuck (NBC)

As if anyone would question my devotion to Chuck. The best damn action-comedy series on the air--ever--returns with all new episodes next month. What should fans be looking forward to? Glorious 3-D, a trip to the suburbs for Chuck and Sarah, and fallout from the winter finale in which Chuck saw his lady love gun down an unarmed man... and then casually lie to him about it. Trouble in paradise? (New episodes return February 2nd)

8 pm: Gossip Girl (CW)

This spring, the Upper East Side is about to get more crowded with new cast additions Laura Breckinridge and Desmond Harrington, the kids will learn about which colleges they'll be attending next year, and Georgina Sparks will return to wreak havoc on the lives of Manhattan's moneyed elite. All this, plus the fallout from the latest plot twist in star-crossed romance between Lily and Rufus. Just who is their mysterious love child? Hmmm... (New episodes return January 5th)

10 pm: Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations (Travel)

Enfant terrible, author, chef, and caustic occasional Top Chef guest judge Anthony Bourdain returns for another season of his celebrate travelogue series, in which he explores the local culture and cuisine at various locales around the globe and gets himself into a fair amount of trouble in the process. (Season Five launches January 5th)

tuesdays

8 pm: Last Restaurant Standing (BBC America)

The culinary competition series Last Restaurant Standing returns with a brand-new season, new aspiring restaurateur couples, and new challenges as they're mentored by award-winning chef, restaurateur, and author Raymond Blanc and open up their very own restaurants. I was completely addicted to the first season of this smart and compelling series and am hungry with anticipation for Season Two. (Season Two launches January 27th)

8 pm: 90210 (CW)

I know, I know. While I should have given up on this soggy teen update, I'm still TiVoing the series in the hopes that it will eventually improve. Here's to hoping that Rebecca Rand Kirschner can breath some life into this update of the classic teen series. And, if not, there's always Melrose Place to look forward to next season... (New episodes return January 6th)

9 pm: Fringe (FOX)

Fringe isn't quite living up to the potential it promised (I still wish they'd stick to serialized storytelling) but I haven't quite given up on the sci fi/action/thriller series just yet. I'm hoping that the latest batch of episodes ramp up the tension and the action and give us deeper reasons to care about Olivia and Co., strange cylinders, and bald Observers. (New episodes return January 20th)

wednesdays

8 pm: Old Christine (CBS)

When multi-camera comedies like Old Christine work, they really work... and when they don't, they hit the ground with a thud. This season of Old Christine has been creatively uneven (a lot of the former, a bit of the latter) but I still think Julia Louis-Dreyfus is absolutely spot-on as egocentric and self-absorbed Christine Campbell and the series boasts one of the very best supporting comedy casts in the business. Now if only series creator Kari Lizer would write some more scripts this season, I'd be a much happier viewer. (New episodes return January 14th)

9 pm: Lost (ABC)

The Televisionary obsession returns in just a few weeks with a season that begins with a bang and promises the answers to several long-standing mysteries and the creation of a few new ones for good measure as the Oceanic Six attempt to return to that creepy island, the remaining castaways struggle to survive in the face of new challenges, and the war between Benjamin Linus and Charles Widmore heats up. (Season Five begins January 21st; click here to read my advance review of the first two episodes.)

9 pm: Lie to Me (FOX)

I'm not usually a fan of procedural series but Lie to Me, from creator Sam Baum (The Evidence), is more intriguing than your average cops-chase-baddies series in that it offers a new take on that familiar trope. Cal Lightman (Tim Roth, in a virtuoso turn) is a walking lie detector; he can read people's facial and body expressions from ten paces and he knows when you've been naughty or nice. Aided by a team consisting of Dr. Gillian Foster (The Practice's Kelli Williams), natural Ria Torres (Monica Raymund), Lightman tackles a number of cases ranging from criminal investigations to work for the government... and yet his gift is a curse that isolates him from the rest of his fellow mankind. (Launches January 21st)

10 pm: Damages (FX)

The serpentine legal thriller returns with a sophomore season that promises to be just as complex and mindtrippy as its freshman year as Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrnes) continues her quest for revenge both against Arthur Frobisher (Ted Danson), the billionaire who killed her fiancé, and against her mentor Patty Hewes (Glenn Close), who attempted to have her permanently silenced. Season Two brings a new case and overarching conspiracy in the form of Daniel Purcell (William Hurt), new adversaries (like Marcia Gay Harden's icy Claire Maddox), and new love interests (Timothy Olyphant). All this, plus Patty's secret past is explored and some new mysteries emerge. Fasten your seatbelts, ladies and gentlemen... (Season Two launches January 7th; click here to read my advance review of the first two episodes.)

10 pm: Top Chef (Bravo)

The best damn reality series on the air right now continues with brand new episodes this spring as the remaining cheftestants face off in the culinary competition, new judge Toby Young joins the series to make some truly gasp-worthy criticisms, and some familiar faces return at the end of the month to square off once more in a reunion showdown. (New episodes return January 7th)

10 pm: The Unusuals (ABC)

Blend a hard-hitting cop series with an sprawling ensemble cast that includes Amber Tamblyn, Adam Goldberg, Harold Perrineau, and Jeremy Renner, some gallows humor, an overarching mystery plot, and some supernatural overtones and you might come close to the wacky charms of ABC's new drama The Unusuals. The latest addition to the homicide division discovers that her new co-workers are mightily funny... and quite possibly mightily guilty. (Launches April 8th)

thursdays

8 pm: Ugly Betty (ABC)

I'm really not sure why I am still watching Ugly Betty as this season has made me so bored that I often find myself drifting off during each episode, but I'm hoping that the writers will remember that it wasn't just the "heart" that made me tune in week after week to the dramedy but its innate humor. At least Marc and Amanda still make me laugh, even if a mawkish sentimentality has crept into the series' zany plots. Sigh. (New episodes return January 8th)

9 pm: The Office (NBC)

Likewise, I've found myself getting angry at the television every time The Office fails to engage me. Where this once glittering comedy mined the mundane workplace environment we've all slogged through for comedy gold, it now seems more content to push the characters into wacky and unrealistic behavior that seems more pedestrian sitcom territory than the groundbreaking comedy series I once loved. Can this creatively struggling series regain its footing? Fingers crossed. (New episodes return January 15th)

9:30 pm: 30 Rock (NBC)

The very best comedy on television keeps on bringing the funny. The Emmy Award-winning comedy from creator/star Tiny Fey keeps getting better and better with age and Season Three has deepened the relationship between Liz and mentor Jack Donaghy, even as Liz finds herself striving to deal with the egos of her stars, corporate power plays, adoption woes, and hallucinogenic airline medication. This spring, look for Salma Hayek to join the cast as Jack's new love interest Elisa, Chris Parnell to return as Dr. Spaceman, and Jenna to attempt Method acting in order to become Janis Joplin. Trying to have it all has never looked quite so sweet or been so hysterical. (New episodes return January 8th)

fridays

10 pm: Battlestar Galactica (Sci Fi)

The road to the series finale begins this month as the award-winning drama begins its final run of episodes. Look for major plot twists as the identity of the Final Cylon is revealed, the fragile alliance between the humans and the Cylons is tested, and new rivalries rear their ugly heads. I'm going to miss this intelligent and provocative series and the next batch of episodes doesn't look to disappoint in the slightest as Battlestar Galactica wraps up four seasons' worth of storylines. Who will live? Who will die? And who will see the dawn of a new day? Find out this spring. (Season 4.5 launches January 23rd)

sundays

9 pm: Big Love (HBO)

After a gap of a year and a half, the Henrickson clan finally returns this spring with Season Three with a new batch of episodes that are far darker and more tense than the first two seasons. With Alby in charge of the compound, Old Roman in jail, and the Henricksons under attack from all directions (including from within), look for shocking plot twists, stunning revelations, and heartbreaking drama. (Season Three launches January 18th, click here to read my advance review of the first three episodes.)

9 pm: Masterpiece (PBS; check local listings)

The 2009 season of Masterpiece began last night with Tess of the d'Urbervilles, a lush adaptation of Thomas Hardy's 1891 novel. On deck for the "Classic" part of the season: Wuthering Heights, Little Dorrit, Oliver Twist, and David Copperfield. (On air; click here for my advance review of Tess of the d'Urbervilles)

10 pm: Flight of the Conchords (HBO)

The boys from New Zealand are back! Season Two of the cult comedy promises new songs and videos from Flight of the Conchords, new challenges (lack of passports or working papers being one), and new adventures for our musical duo. Plus, more Murray and Mel. What more do you need to know? (Season Two launches January 18th; click here to read my review of the first episode)

10:30 pm: Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime)

I'm a huge Billie Piper fan from her days as Rose Tyler on Doctor Who and, while Secret Diary of a Call Girl (which aired in the UK on ITV) is definitely NOT for the same family-friendly audience as Doctor Who, I'm completely entraced by Piper's turn as Hannah whose after-hours career as Belle, a high-class call girl, have me hooked. (Season Two launches January 18th)

TBA

Ashes to Ashes (BBC America)

Ashes to Ashes, the sequel to Life on Mars which aired on BBC One last year, is set to air its first two seasons back-to-back Stateside on BBC America this spring. Take another trip down the rabbit hole as single mom/forensic psychologist Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) is shot in the head by a deranged kidnapper and wakes up in 1981. Clinging to life, she comes face to face with a man she thought was a fictional construct: Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister). From there, it's a host of mysteries both professional and personal as Alex tries to catch her parents' killer before he strikes, existential discussions, and a kick-ass soundtrack of 1980s faves. (Season One launches in March; click here to read my advance review--from February 2007--of the first episode.)

Skins (BBC America)

Season Three of the hit British teen drama might feature a brand-new cast (save the fantastic Effy), but I can't wait to see what the next chapter is of this awe-inspiring drama, slated to launch this month in the UK. From the looks of the new Season Three promo, one thing hasn't changed: this is still a no-holds-barred approach to the teen drama with all of its messiness intact. (Launches this spring; airdate TBA)

Mistresses (BBC America)

BBC America has just acquired the first two seasons of this drama, which follows the lives of four women, each involved in a series of--shall we say--complicated affairs. The digital cabler will air both seasons back to back later this year. Stay tuned for more details. (Airdate TBA)

And there you have it: what I'll be watching this spring. What did I leave off and what will you be watching this spring? Discuss.

Televisionary New Year Resolutions for 2009

January 02, 2009 by Jace Lacob

Happy New Year! It's been an exciting time in the Televisionary household this past year, between my marriage last June and some site-related successes, though I can't say that the television landscape, still recovering from the 100-day writers strike that began in November 2007, was filled with quite as much happiness and mirth.

Yes, the series that had their seasons shortened as a result of the strike have returned... but, sadly, many of them--including the heartbreaking Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money, and Eli Stone--have already gone the way of the dust heap by the time 2008 rolled to a close.

To that end, with 2009 upon us, I thought I'd come up with a few New Year's resolutions for myself that are--as opposed to most people's resolutions about losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.--solely television-focused.

So what exactly am I proposing? Let's discuss.

(1) Refrain from watching lousy, sub-par reality programming.

Yep, you read that correctly. That means no Momma's Boys, Homeland Security USA, True Beauty, or Superstars of Dance. With so much scripted television making a comeback (more on that in a bit), it's positively shameful that the broadcast networks are again making an investment in dreck like that rather than developing and airing quality scripted fare. Remember when reality programming was just a tiny segment of the schedule rather than the lion's share? Remind the networks that you are voting where your mouth (or wallet) is and that you're supporting scripted programming. (Though, naturally, there are the exceptions to the reality rule, such as Bravo's fantastic Top Chef.)

(2) Watch returning scripted series. Watch returning scripted series. Again: Watch returning scripted series.

The New Year brings us a plethora of brainy scripted programming, with several long-standing favorites slated to return in just the first few weeks of 2009. Hell, within a few weeks of one another Lost, Damages, Big Love, Flight of the Conchords, Secret Diary of a Call Girl, and Battlestar Galactica are all scheduled to kick off new seasons. Some of these (Damages, Big Love, and Conchords, for example) have been off the air for an extra long time, so be sure to do the cable nets a favor and show them some much-needed love by tuning in... and reminding the networks that these series do have an active and mindful fan base who have been eagerly awaiting their respective returns.

(3) Sample new scripted series.

Show the networks that people are hungry to try out new scripted series, even if every concept doesn't necessary click with viewers in the long-run. Not every series is meant for everyone but hopefully there's an audience out there somewhere for new series like The United States of Tara, Cupid, The Unusuals, Harper's Island, Better Off Ted, and Kings... if only to prove to the networks that long-term investments in developing new scripted fare is a wise move. Even better: if they continue to invest in time-tested piloting, rather than handing out full season orders to projects that aren't ready to yet take that move (and usually end up requiring more money in retooling/reshooting/recasting than they would have saved by just shooting a pilot up front).

(4) Watch more TV on DVD.

Over the years, I've amassed quite a collection on TV on DVD that most of the time sits patiently on my shelves waiting for a trip to the DVD player. Despite having so many new and returning series on the docket for 2009, I'm still planning on spending some time in the Televisionary past, taking a stroll down memory lane with the first few seasons of Gilmore Girls, rewatching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Wonderfalls, or Battlestar Galactica in its entirety, taking a trip across the pond with Brit imports like Skins, Ashes to Ashes, Gavin & Stacey, Spooks, Torchwood, or Doctor Who.

Or I'll pick up a few full-season collections of series that I didn't get a chance to watch in full the first time around on television, like The Lakes or Peep Show. Maybe I'll even find a few new Televisionary obsessions along the way. And if you haven't quite managed to amass the enormous collection I have, there's always Netflix...

(5) Remind ABC to air the final three episodes of Pushing Daisies.

Pushing Daisies aired its tenth episode back in December before disappearing into the ether. There are still three episodes that were filmed that have yet to air but ABC has not slated airdates for any of those remaining installments. Take a few minutes to remind ABC in your own way that you want to see the resolution to the second season of Pushing Daisies and don't want to wait for the inevitable DVD sometime later this year to do so.

Sadly, Daisies is dead and won't be coming back to life with a touch from the Pie Maker, but it doesn't mean that the series' devoted viewers shouldn't get to see those completed episodes on the air, even if it means burning them off on a Friday night or similar. Like lonely tourist Charlotte Charles, we need the closure such an encounter from beyond might bring.

So, my question to you readers is this: what television-related New Year's resolutions are you making for 2009? Discuss.