My midseason TV report card

[samhexum]

• The networks have now all gone on hiatus so it’s time to impart some of my genius commentary.

  ABC has now fully and annoyingly embraced the cable model with its Thursday night lineup. They began with eight episodes in nine weeks, now they are taking 15 weeks off and not coming back until the beginning of March, at which point they will have 10 consecutive episodes to close out the season. If they keep the same schedule next year that means it’ll be 18 weeks off in the summer until they start up again in the fall. At least that’s still more episodes and shorter breaks between halves of seasons than cable/streaming shows tend to do.

  A couple of old war horses are having good seasons… Grey’s Anatomy has gotten a new show runner in season 21 and it has helped. Eammon Walker left Chicago Fire after 12 seasons and Dermot Mulroney has been an excellent replacement as the new fire captain; his character has brought a new dynamic, and it has helped the show have a strong season so far.

  Ghosts keeps rolling along; a couple of weeks ago they had my new favorite episode and 55 episodes in it is still delightful. We know how every ghost but one died and we know the ghost power that each has, except for one. I am enjoying Matlock and Elsbeth, so the CBS Thursday lineup is enjoyable for me.

  Law & Order and SVU have been nothing special, although the last SVU before the break was terrific, with a stand out performance by Peter Scanavino. The FBI’s keep plugging along; nothing outstanding, but highly watchable.

  As for streaming and cable, Hacks had a terrific season, somebody somewhere is having a terrific final season and I’m going to miss it, I haven’t started only murders in the building yet, evil’s final season was terrific and I’m going to miss it, and…

  Last year I saw a couple of complimentary headlines about a show called Colin from Accounts, but a cursory look told me that it was an Australian romcom about a heterosexual couple, so I figured the subject matter didn’t really interest me and since it was Australian I wouldn’t know anyone in it, so I didn’t bother.

  I saw more complimentary headlines for season two but had the same reaction. Then I saw a preview on Paramount+ and I said “oh I do know somebody in it." Apparently, Andy, the husband from Evil, is Australian. I didn’t know that, although I did know that Kristen, his wife on the show, was Dutch.

  Anyhoo… I find him attractive, though nothing all that special, so I figured I’d give it a shot. I watched season one in one night and season two in two.

  It has two 8 episode seasons, with half hour episodes. It was created by and stars him and his wife, who is about 12 years younger than he is. They alternate writing the episodes and a woman with her last name has directed a few of the episodes so I assume that’s her sister.

  It’s a quirky, offbeat show that doesn’t have big themes or plot lines as it just meanders along as their relationship slowly evolves and grows.

  The series starts off with the most adorable meet cute… As she is crossing the street, she flashes her boob at him as he is making a turn, and he is distracted and hits a stray dog, whose back legs are paralyzed, and AU$12,000 later they have to collaborate on taking care of him, all of which happens in the first five minutes, so I’m not giving anything away.

  And they name the dog Colin from Accounts.

 

Edited November 27, 2024 by samhexum
to ensure maximum delight for the reader!

[viewing ownly]

I've been watching the "Young Sheldon" spinoff, and am stunned that "George & Mandy's 1st Marriage" is getting such great reviews and decent ratings. It's a comedy. I've seen about 4 or 5 shows, and have yet to laugh at all. It isn't unwatchable, but a sitcom is supposed to be....funny. 

Something new this fall that I really don't like is College Football inserting a TV timeout like the pros do at the 2-minute mark before halftime and end of game. Give each team 2 timeouts per half instead of 3 since you're doing this. Kudos to any stadium crowd that avoids singing "7 Nation Army". Find something newer.

As far as newer game shows, I've enjoyed "Beat The Bridge". It doesn't appear to have been renewed for a second season. I liked season 1 of "The Floor", but the fad grew old for me, and I stopped watching it this year after the season 2 premiere. Perhaps Bravo could consider "Cash Cab - After Dark", with nearly naked attractive men competing to win. George Stephanopoulous could be the host - he's really buff now. 

My guilty pleasure this Fall has been "House of Villains". Funny how the two people competing on the show that people are the least familiar with are the only two that I was knowledgable of, Richard Hatch from "Survivor", and Mr. Pectacular from "Big Brother". I never watch anything "Housewife" or "MTV", but the fake arguments and smack talk are the cream of the crop for trashy, mindless viewing. 

[+ EVdude]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:09 PM, samhexum said:

As for streaming and cable, Hacks had a terrific season, somebody somewhere is having a terrific final season and I’m going to miss it

Yep… thumbs up on both! SbSw is such a gem.

[samhexum]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:09 PM, samhexum said:

• Eammon Walker left Chicago Fire after 12 seasons and Dermot Mulroney has been an excellent replacement as the new fire captain; his character has brought a new dynamic, and it has helped the show have a strong season so far.

Eammon Walker will guest star in episode 18 of CHICAGO FIRE.

[samhexum]

On 11/26/2024 at 10:09 PM, samhexum said:

• The FBI’s keep plugging along; nothing outstanding, but highly watchable.

MOST WANTED & INTERNATIONAL have been cancelled.

[MikeThomas]

Check out The Pitt with Noah Wylie.  Excellent show.

[Ali Gator]

For me, so far this season I've been DVRing a handful of network shows so I can FF through the commercials. Here's what I've stuck with throughout the season, thus far:

Abbott Elementary:  Each episode continues to surprise me by being able to make me laugh out loud, this far into the series run (fifth season). Every actor has fully developed their character, and Janelle James (as Principal Ava Coleman) is a stand-out. Why hasn't she gotten an Emmy yet ?  Added to that, such eye candy (from such talented actors) as Zack Fox (anyone better looking than him on TV?), Tyler James Williams, and Matthew Law - wow. 

 

Matlock: I thought I'd give this show a 'try' when it first premiered, and have been hooked ever since. Let's call it now - Kathy Bates will walk away with the Emmy next year. Sure the show has plenty of flaws (I doubt if Emmy voters will take it seriously), and many (if not all) of the characters are written as 'caricatures' (I doubt any supporting player will ever see an Emmy) ,  but it's fast-paced and engaging.  And then there's the gorgeous David Del Rio as 'Billy' at the law firm...if only the writers can figure out a way to get him into a scene without his suit on (preferably in his birthday suit).

Elsbeth: Oh, I loved her on 'The Good Wife' and 'The Good Fight'. Couldn't wait for her own show - and Season One didn't disappoint. Season Two....ehhh. Some episodes work, some do not. It's very uneven which I didn't find by the previous two shows from the same creator. I feel like these characters (rather cliched characters) were never fleshed out and the writing is rather lazy. I'll finish off this season, but right now I doubt I'll be tuning into next season.

Call the Midwife:  I've already watched season 14 on PBS Passport (airs on PBS the end of March) so I won't give away any spoilers. The show does kick off with 1970, which I was 6 years old then. And it does bring back faded memories from 55 years ago (especially some of the clothes). It's one of the better seasons (I think) in recent years, so longtime viewers won't be disappointed. I believe the show has been renewed for two more seasons at this point (which will bring us to 1972).

[samhexum]

13 hours ago, Ali Gator said:

this...

Abbott Elementary:  Each episode continues to surprise me by being able to make me laugh out loud, this far into the series run (fifth season). AGREED ... such eye candy (from such talented actors) as Zack Fox (anyone better looking than him on TV?) YES, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

Matlock: I thought I'd give this show a 'try' when it first premiered, and have been hooked ever since. Let's call it now - Kathy Bates will walk away with the Emmy next year. Sure the show has plenty of flaws (I doubt if Emmy voters will take it seriously), and many (if not all) of the characters are written as 'caricatures' (I doubt any supporting player will ever see an Emmy) ,  but it's fast-paced and engaging.  ALL TRUE

Elsbeth: I feel like these characters (rather cliched characters) were never fleshed out AGREE SOMEWHAT, though I did enjoy Prince Harry's father-in-law's*** anniversary date and Kaya's tenant's awkward morgue cupcake from the delightful Valentine's episode.

***(six degrees of kevin bacon)

 

Edited March 16 by samhexum
for no good reason at all

[+ purplekow]

A show i do not particularly enjoy but which has some of the best beefcake is Fire Country.  I mean they have a fire or a disaster of the week format which gets old pretty fast.  However, in an epidose last night, the character played by Jordan Calloway was had an extended shirtless scene whicle making breakfast for a hook up,.female, and he definitely got my attention.  He look even more ripped than in this photo.  . 

Also featured is Rafael De La Fuente. 

Edited March 15 by purplekow

[+ purplekow]

6 hours ago, purplekow said:

A show i do not particularly enjoy but which has some of the best beefcake is Fire Country.  I mean they have a fire or a disaster of the week format which gets old pretty fast.  However, in an episode last night, the character played by Jordan Calloway was had an extended shirtless scene whicle making breakfast for a hook up,.female, and he definitely got my attention.  He look even more ripped than in this photo.  

Max Theriot dearly departed after season 6 of Seal Team has gotten bigger and I think I prefer the Seal Team version but you decide.   

 Fire Country  .                                                                              vs Seal Team.                  .     Seal

Edited March 15 by purplekow

[samhexum]

22 minutes ago, purplekow said:

A show i do not particularly enjoy but which has some of the best beefcake is Fire Country.  I mean they have a fire or a disaster of the week format which gets old pretty fast.  However, in an epidose last night,

Ever since I've been online I've found I often type episdoe.

[samhexum]

ABC on Thursday revealed the fates of all but one of its scripted series. 

The network has renewed 9-1-1 (Season 9), Grey’s Anatomy (Season 22), The Rookie(Season 8), Shifting Gears (Season 2) and Will Trent (Season 4). 

They all will join previously renewed fan-favorites Abbott Elementary (Season 5) and High Potential (Season 2), and the forthcoming 9-1-1: Nashville (starring Chris O’Donnell), on ABC’s 2025-26 primetime schedule.

That leaves just one bubble show: Doctor Odyssey. The Joshua Jackson drama has been averaging 4.9 million weekly viewers, demonstrating just 77% retention out of 9-1-1 — only slightly better than what Grey’s did in the 9 pm time slot last season. Sources tell TVLine that ABC remains engaged in creative conversations about a potential Season 2, and its fate will be decided at a later time.

[Merboy]

2 hours ago, samhexum said:

 

ABC on Thursday revealed the fates of all but one of its scripted series. 

The network has renewed 9-1-1 (Season 9), Grey’s Anatomy (Season 22), The Rookie(Season 8), Shifting Gears (Season 2) and Will Trent (Season 4). 

They all will join previously renewed fan-favorites Abbott Elementary (Season 5) and High Potential (Season 2), and the forthcoming 9-1-1: Nashville (starring Chris O’Donnell), on ABC’s 2025-26 primetime schedule.

That leaves just one bubble show: Doctor Odyssey. The Joshua Jackson drama has been averaging 4.9 million weekly viewers, demonstrating just 77% retention out of 9-1-1 — only slightly better than what Grey’s did in the 9 pm time slot last season. Sources tell TVLine that ABC remains engaged in creative conversations about a potential Season 2, and its fate will be decided at a later time.

wow Grey's Anatomy is on Season 22?  I had no idea it was still on TV.  I know Law and Order: SVU is like on Season 1,000 by now....

[samhexum]

2 minutes ago, Merboy said:

wow Grey's Anatomy is on Season 22?  I had no idea it was still on TV.  I know Law and Order: SVU is like on Season 1,000 by now....

You're off by 974.  (Yes, it's season 1974 and Mariska looks damn good, considering)

And Grey's still has 2 full-time original cast members and Meredith Grey is in 7-9 episodes per season these days.

[samhexum]

Ritter and Carver are out on Chicago Fire next season for budgetary reasons. Bummed about both; Ritter more so.  I thought Carver was the injured one last night.  Good episode.

I would rather they reduce Herman to recurring than cut Ritter.

Supposedly Dick Wolf is gonna be cutting the number of episodes the actors on the NBC shows will be in.

It's been ridiculous how awful the health and family lives of the characters on FBI: MOST WANTED have been this season...  every episode one of them is sick or attending to a family situation.

It was also noticeable on FBI, though not as much.

 

[MikeBiDude]

7 hours ago, samhexum said:

Ritter and Carver are out on Chicago Fire next season for budgetary reasons. Bummed about both; Ritter more so.  I thought Carver was the injured one last night.  Good episode

What about pretty boy Damon? Will he recover and return?

 

[samhexum]

40 minutes ago, MikeBiDude said:

What about pretty boy Damon? Will he recover and return?

No word, although at least they didn't disfigure him like they did with Steve McQueen's gorgeous grandson.