General TV stuff …
…because I'm going to spend this season permanently behind on a lot of shows and discussion.
Chuck: : So far, I am feeling much the same way about it as last season, or half-season, or whatever it was. I am still glad they've gotten onto the Chuck-Sarah relationship portion of the series. I like them working together. Also, pairing Morgan and Casey continued to be a good idea, and I was amused by Morgan's explanation of just why the CIA needed the Buy More misfits back. (Wouldn't it be great to be playing Big Mike though – name in the credits and a four episode paid vacation!) I am less thrilled by the "Ellie must be protected" storyline AGAIN, only now with added yuck because of the baby.
I still give the show credit for being more fair than most with the gratuitous undressing. Last week we had Olivia Munn, this week we have Old Spice Guy. We have Sarah in underwear and Awesome in bike shorts. Personally, I think Awesome and Old Spice Guy should have an abs-off.
However, overall my level of enthusiasm for Chuck continues to be tepid. I'm not disliking it but I don't see it on my DVR and go "Oooh, must watch at once!"
Community: Compare Chuck to Community for example. Naturally, they are different sorts of shows and Community only has to fill a half-hour. But it's not an entirely unfair comparison. Community is more restricted in setting, and there is also a larger cast that must be served in a smaller amount of time. Chuck has a general premise that has shifted quite a lot since its start and it also mixes humor with action and drama. Both shows have, in fact, gone to different places since they began. But Community has got to be one of the most clever shows on TV right now. It is a show for TV watchers specifically, and pop culture enthusiasts in general. As much as I love the character of Liz Lemon and continue to enjoy 30 Rock, its praises have been oversung when you look at what each is doing.
The only turn-off I have with Community at the moment is how it is so relentlessly from the POV of the attractive young white guy. Especially with this cast, it's so obvious how anyone not fitting that description plays second fiddle on TV. But in general it continues to surprise and please.
30 Rock: Speaking of 30 Rock, it's obviously still got it. I learned during S1 not to eat while watching because I inevitably verge on a spit take every time. This episode was no different. I was entertained by Kenneth and Tracey pining for one another, by Jenna's unexpected competence, and by Liz and Jack each finding a kindred spirit. I love Liz's nerdy, awkward romance with Carol, and while Jack and Avery's strategic power plays don't resonate the same way, two people finding a worthy romantic opponent is great to watch.
The Office: The season opener was painless to watch (assuming one can ever term The Office to be entirely painless) but the test will be whether or not I still feel that by episode five. I know the show will go on without Steve Carrell but I don't know as I'll still be around by season's end.
Castle: Not too much to say here, other than I'm really enjoying how they continue to develop Esposito and Ryan's roles. Also, I found Martha's recent storyline about her unexpectedly deceased would-be fiancé to be touching and a great choice for the character. I think as long as Castle continues to let Fillion be Fillion, Beckett to have her strong backbone, and remembers to add to the development of the secondary characters, I will continue to be on board. My only other comment is that it's too bad Stephen J. Cannell will no longer be making any cameos. I liked the poker night writers' group setup from S1 and wouldn't mind seeing its return.
Covert Affair: Over now, but I think I'll keep it on the schedule. The general plots were so-so, I haven't been taken with them. But I like the cast of characters and the coming fight of the married partners for their roles in the agency seems promising. The sister and her family continue to be an ill used footnote to the show, and I hope the central drama of the lost love affair goes by the wayside because it didn't grab me. But I think there's a chance the show will grow on me.
There's a bunch of new shows I've been seeing reviews for that sound interesting, but things are so full on the viewing schedule now that I don't know as I'm going to be able to follow up on any of them. I'm watching 7 other shows in addition to the above, not counting stuff like the latest Ken Burns' documentary, the return of Caprica, or the eventual return of shows like Leverage and White Collar. I definitely can't relate to people who have nothing they want to watch on TV; my plate has been too full for years.
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Chuck: : So far, I am feeling much the same way about it as last season, or half-season, or whatever it was. I am still glad they've gotten onto the Chuck-Sarah relationship portion of the series. I like them working together. Also, pairing Morgan and Casey continued to be a good idea, and I was amused by Morgan's explanation of just why the CIA needed the Buy More misfits back. (Wouldn't it be great to be playing Big Mike though – name in the credits and a four episode paid vacation!) I am less thrilled by the "Ellie must be protected" storyline AGAIN, only now with added yuck because of the baby.
I still give the show credit for being more fair than most with the gratuitous undressing. Last week we had Olivia Munn, this week we have Old Spice Guy. We have Sarah in underwear and Awesome in bike shorts. Personally, I think Awesome and Old Spice Guy should have an abs-off.
However, overall my level of enthusiasm for Chuck continues to be tepid. I'm not disliking it but I don't see it on my DVR and go "Oooh, must watch at once!"
Community: Compare Chuck to Community for example. Naturally, they are different sorts of shows and Community only has to fill a half-hour. But it's not an entirely unfair comparison. Community is more restricted in setting, and there is also a larger cast that must be served in a smaller amount of time. Chuck has a general premise that has shifted quite a lot since its start and it also mixes humor with action and drama. Both shows have, in fact, gone to different places since they began. But Community has got to be one of the most clever shows on TV right now. It is a show for TV watchers specifically, and pop culture enthusiasts in general. As much as I love the character of Liz Lemon and continue to enjoy 30 Rock, its praises have been oversung when you look at what each is doing.
The only turn-off I have with Community at the moment is how it is so relentlessly from the POV of the attractive young white guy. Especially with this cast, it's so obvious how anyone not fitting that description plays second fiddle on TV. But in general it continues to surprise and please.
30 Rock: Speaking of 30 Rock, it's obviously still got it. I learned during S1 not to eat while watching because I inevitably verge on a spit take every time. This episode was no different. I was entertained by Kenneth and Tracey pining for one another, by Jenna's unexpected competence, and by Liz and Jack each finding a kindred spirit. I love Liz's nerdy, awkward romance with Carol, and while Jack and Avery's strategic power plays don't resonate the same way, two people finding a worthy romantic opponent is great to watch.
The Office: The season opener was painless to watch (assuming one can ever term The Office to be entirely painless) but the test will be whether or not I still feel that by episode five. I know the show will go on without Steve Carrell but I don't know as I'll still be around by season's end.
Castle: Not too much to say here, other than I'm really enjoying how they continue to develop Esposito and Ryan's roles. Also, I found Martha's recent storyline about her unexpectedly deceased would-be fiancé to be touching and a great choice for the character. I think as long as Castle continues to let Fillion be Fillion, Beckett to have her strong backbone, and remembers to add to the development of the secondary characters, I will continue to be on board. My only other comment is that it's too bad Stephen J. Cannell will no longer be making any cameos. I liked the poker night writers' group setup from S1 and wouldn't mind seeing its return.
Covert Affair: Over now, but I think I'll keep it on the schedule. The general plots were so-so, I haven't been taken with them. But I like the cast of characters and the coming fight of the married partners for their roles in the agency seems promising. The sister and her family continue to be an ill used footnote to the show, and I hope the central drama of the lost love affair goes by the wayside because it didn't grab me. But I think there's a chance the show will grow on me.
There's a bunch of new shows I've been seeing reviews for that sound interesting, but things are so full on the viewing schedule now that I don't know as I'm going to be able to follow up on any of them. I'm watching 7 other shows in addition to the above, not counting stuff like the latest Ken Burns' documentary, the return of Caprica, or the eventual return of shows like Leverage and White Collar. I definitely can't relate to people who have nothing they want to watch on TV; my plate has been too full for years.
Comments at Dreamwidth