Wednesday 9/14.
- Head Cases. The goofy premise actually works well upon it's initial execution. Chris O'Donnell (where's he been?) suffers from panic attacks, which cost him his family and his job and put him in a mental hospital for a few months. Upon release he is paired up with Adam Goldberg, who suffers explosive disorder, and somehow they have to make it work as ex-mental patients and lawyers. The premiere was entertaining, and not as over the top as I expected. ***
- Over There. Still a must see show, for me anyway. This episode follows Mrs. B on her AWOL trip, where she hits rock bottom. The group in Iraq is charged with erecting a new building for an Iraqi town. That proves to be a difficult assignment as dissension arises in the town about what to build. This may not be the most realistic portrayal of the war, but it does make a good show. ***.5
Thursday 9/15.
- Starved. Sam starts a new philosophy where earth matter is not needed, so he starts going to a tanning salon for his "meals." Another guy has his jaw wired shut following a heart attack. Whacky over the top show. **.5
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The title of the episode says it all "Charlie was Molested." A dark past is revealed, or is it? It does lead to an amusing intervention. **.5
Friday 9/16.
- Threshold. CBS's new alien suspense series shows a lot of promise. The 2 hour premiere does a good job at establishing our setting and introducing our intrepid band of alien hunters. Our team is lead by Carla Gugino, and includes Peter Dinklage and Brent Spiner. This could prove to be a surprise hit. I am already anticipating what is going to happen next. ***.5
- Stargate SG-1. The two hour summer season finale (actually mid-season break) gives us some of the best work of the season. They discover what appears to be a genetically engineered person, but actually incorporates Annubis genetics. This opens up SG Command to some serious problems. The encounter with the son of Annubis leads to a possible way of fighting the Priors. It ends when it is discovered that one of the Jaffa leaders has joined the Priors. ***
- Battlestar Galactica. Best science fiction on TV and based off of one of the cheesiest. This episode has them discovering a Cylon virus is starting to control the ship. While searching for a solution, hundreds of Cylon raiders show up. They are forced to enlist Sharon to find a cure. Meanwhile, Chief sets up to build a new ship. This description does not do it justice, just watch it, next week is the season finale. ****
Article comments
1 - JohnWStiles
Thanks for the coverage. I can't bring myself to watch TV much these days. Waiting for The Sopranos and Gray's Anatomy and trying to justify a $60 per month cable bill...
2 - Eric Berlin
I thought Bones was terrible, and I'm a big Boreanaz fan. Maybe I just don't have a lot of patience for the very tired procedural model. I fault the writing, mostly, which just wasn't as perky as it was trying to be.
That said, I really do hope they bring back The Inside, which features fellow Whedon vet Adam Baldwin.
It's Always Sunny grew on me over the season to the point where I really started to look forward to it. The cast is wonderfully wacky, and the writing is bizarre, dark, and funny.
I stopped watching Starved after the yark factor got too high for me (I have a fairly weak stomach!). Too bad, as it has potential.
Prison Break achieves what it aspires to: escapist fun (in the clink, of all places!). I'm enjoying it, curious to see where it will go. "Escape is only the beginning," we're told.
We'll see!
3 - Bob A. Booey
Who started this terrible trend of calling the CSI-ripoff shows "crime procedurals"? It's apparently caught on, because EVERY review and critic I've read for the fall season is using the term "procedural." I hate it almost as much as I hate these shows. I want to know which studio executive or TV writer is responsible for this so I can stomp on their boxy black framed glasses.
That is all.
4 - Chris Beaumont
I'm pretty sure that The Inside got canned. They didn't even air all the completed episodes!
I like the Bones leads enought to give it some time to develop.
Did you know Charisma Carpenter will be a recurring character on Veronica Mars? She'll be a trophy wife.
Something I heard about Prison Break: I heard a rumor that once they escape, the show remains in the prison and focuses on another character trying to escape. I don't think that is true though....
Bob,
What term would you use? I have seent he use of procedural since L&O started, probably earlier. It seems to fit, but I am open to other terms to use.
5 - Bob A. Booey
How about "CSI ripoff" or "Law & Order ripoff"? Whichever is most appropriate to the show in question.
That is all.
6 - Eric Berlin
Chris -- They show Carpenter briefly during a V Mars promo. She's the second Buffy/Angel alum to hit the show as Alyson Hannigan was a recurring character during the first season.
Yeah, I think there's gonna be some kind of major twist with Prison Break as the plot line of getting the brothers out of jail will have to climax and be resolved at some point. I'm guessing they're going to go the 24 route and continue to escalate the levels of political corruption. The Martha Stewart evil mastermind character will become more involved at some point, etc.
Somehow it will have to revolve around the prison (I'm guessing), which will be interesting to see.
7 - Chris Beaumont
Haven't seen that promo...
For Whedon fans, Joss himself will be making a cameo in, I believe episode 2.6 of Veronica Mars.
8 - Eric Berlin
Kevin Smith will as well, as a convenience store clerk, I believe!
Looks to be a great season...
9 - Bob A. Booey
It's officially Buffy-sanctioned, the heir to the Buffy chick power genre.
Joss doesn't have anything to do with the show, though, right?
That is all.
10 - Chris Beaumont
No, I just think he really likes it, is all. I think a few former Buffy/Angel writers are working on it.
11 - Bob A. Booey
Like I said before, it's Buffy without the monsters, sex, and kung fu. A lot of the dialogue and the strong female characters remind me of Buffy, but it's obviously less sarcastic, witty and pop culture referential.
That is all.
12 - Eric Berlin
It's a pretty sexy show, Bob, particularly near the end of the season. And I'd venture that the wit and pop culture factors are not that far below Buffy at her/its peak.
13 - Eric Berlin
Salon just honored Veronica Mars with its "Buffy" award for the most underrated yet beloved show on TV.
14 - Joanie
Bones isn't horrible, but it lacks the fire of the original (and Miami) version of CSI. They better do something soon to make it a viable candidate for a full-season run.
Veronica Mars always scores high with me, if only because the show's kept my friend employed.
15 - Temple Stark
Sibling rivalry at an impasse.
TV/Video Editor Joan picked this his pick of the week. Go HERE to find out why. And thank you very much.