Community

What have you been watching this week (w/e October 16)

16 October 2009 Rob Buckley 7 Comments

Still plenty to watch on TV, despite my dropping a large number of shows. Other than what I reviewed already this week, here’s what’s been on our pile of TV viewing:

  • Being Erica – We’re an episode behind but starting to feel a bit “Hmm” about it right now. The show feels like it’s lose the narrative drive of the first season. Why does Erica need therapy still?
  • Mad Men – I’m up to speed again. Season three’s definitely picking up after a slow first third and it’s great again.
  • Supernatural – Funny again. Yey. Good to see Paris Hilton reveal her true evil colours.
  • House – not sure about the story arc, but it’s good to see a return to earlier seasons (you know what I mean if you’re watching)

I have minimal recollection of Cougar Town, CSI, Dexter, Community and Modern Family, other than they were as good as usual, so keep watching if you aren’t already.

What have you been watching though? Tell us all here, but here’s important: if you’ve reviewed something on your blog, you can put a link to it here rather than repeat yourself (although too many links and you might get killed by the spam filter).

As always, no spoilers unless you’re going to use the <spoiler> </spoiler> tags, please

The pick of the new US shows (week two)

16 October 2009 Rob Buckley Post a comment

Just to update the list of new US shows worth watching, now a few more results are in. I’ve added their current Live Feed status if there is one, in case you worried they might be cancelled once you start watching:

Watch
Community (NBC): Review (Carusometer rating: 1) [OK]
Modern Family (ABC/Sky 1 – October 15): Review (Carusometer rating: 2) [Safe]
Cougar Town (ABC/Living – 2010): Review (Carusometer rating: 2) [Safe]
The Good Wife (CBS/More4-Channel 4 – 2010): Review (Carusometer rating: 2) [Safe]
Stargate Universe (SciFi/Sky 1 – already airing): Review (Carusometer rating: 2)
Trauma (NBC): Review (Carusometer rating: 2) [Endangered]
The Middle (ABC): Review (Carusometer rating: 2) [OK]

Don’t watch
Brothers (Fox): Review [Endangered]
The Vampire Diaries (The CW/ITV2 – 2010): Review [Safe]
Bored to Death (HBO): Review (Carusometer rating: 3)
The Forgotten (ABC): Review [Endangered]
Accidentally on Purpose (CBS/E4 – 2010): Review [OK]
Eastwick (ABC/SciFi – 2009/2010): Review [Endangered]
FlashForward (ABC/Five – already airing): Review (Carusometer rating: 3) [Safe]
Mercy (NBC): Review [Endangered]
Hank (ABC): Review [Endangered]

I’ll update the list again, once shows like Hard Target starting showing up on the map.

The CarusometerA Carusometer rating of 2

Third-episode verdict: The Middle

15 October 2009 Rob Buckley Post a comment

In the US: Wednesdays, 8.30c/7.30c, ABC

We’re in a comedy boom. Suddenly, there are decent comedies everywhere – as well as a few rubbish ones like Brothers and Accidentally on Purpose.

ABC has most of them: it’s got Cougar Town and Modern Family, although NBC has the best – Community. It’s also got The Middle.

Most years, The Middle would do well for itself – in fact, it’s already had a full season pick up – because it’s not bad. In fact, it’s pretty good.

Okay, it’s not really what you’d call funny. It’s accurate. You sit there through every episode thinking, “Oh yes, I recognise what this pithy look at middle class, middle America life is getting at. These situations are very familiar to me, and no doubt everyone who’s ever had to deal with life in The Middle.”*

But it’s not something you really laugh at. The producers try to make you laugh. They’ve assembled a good cast. They try to come up with funny situations. And you can sit through every episode with a wry-ish smile on your face. But laugh? Not so much.

The jokes just never seem to hit home, because they’re just too silly. The characters are all pretty unappealing and despite their everyperson situations, they’re hard to identify with.

It’s so very near the edge of great, but it never quite gets there.

So, despite this actually being okay, I’m dropping it in favour of other shows. Bad luck The Middle.

Carusometer rating: 2
Rob’s prediction: Will last a season at most but not get renewed

* Okay, I’m not American, don’t have kids and I don’t live in Indiana, but some things are universal.

Monday’s holistic detective news

12 October 2009 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

Doctor Who

Film

Art

Theatre

British TV

US TV

The pick of the new US shows

9 October 2009 Rob Buckley 2 Comments

There’s more to come, but I thought I’d give you all a rundown on what I think are the new US shows that are worth watching right now and which you should be avoiding. I’ve included their Carusometer ratings as proof if I made it as far as the third episode.

For UK viewers, I’ve handily highlighted which ones are going to be showing in the UK and when, if there’s an airdate:

Watchable
Community (NBC): Review (Carusometer rating: 1)
Modern Family (ABC/Sky 1 – October 15): Review (Carusometer rating: 2)
Cougar Town (ABC/Living – 2010): Review (Carusometer rating: 2)
The Good Wife (CBS/More4-Channel 4 – 2010): Review (Carusometer rating: 2)
Stargate Universe (SciFi/Sky 1 – already airing): Review (Carusometer rating: to come)

Haven’t made up my mind
Trauma (NBC): Review (Carusometer rating: to come)
The Middle (ABC): Review (Carusometer rating: to come)

Unwatchable
Brothers (Fox): Review
The Vampire Diaries (The CW/ITV2 – 2010): Review
Bored to Death (HBO): Review (Carusometer rating: 3)
The Forgotten (ABC): Review
Accidentally on Purpose (CBS/E4 – 2010): Review  
Eastwick (ABC/SciFi – 2009/2010): Review  
FlashForward (ABC/Five – already airing): Review (Carusometer rating: 3)
Mercy (NBC): Review  
Hank (ABC): Review