Fall TV Season

It's been a while since I pondered the merits of commercial television for my faithful readers, so let's discuss some of the new and returning shows shall we?

ABC looks primed to keep their edge as the best network outside of HBO for programming choices. Boston Legal just rung up Emmy victories for both James Spader and William Shatner, the highest rated midseason show in like 20 years is Grey's Anatomy, let's not forget Lost is back to give us no more answers and now we have Invasion to triumph with a time slot immediately following the Emmy winner for best drama in Lost. I'd say ABC likes their chances to dominate in the ratings this year. Especially considering that CBS and NBC have taken significant losses in the sitcom category the last couple of years. No more Raymond, Friends, Frasier, Will and Grace stinks and the mere fact that Two and a Half Men is the #1 comedy on TV tells you a lot about what's wrong with the world. Doesn't anyone watch Arrested Development for fuck's sake? Nope. Yet somehow it's back for a 3rd year and continues to rack up Emmy awards.

But not all is lost for NBC and CBS. My Name is Earl is genuinely likable thanks in great part to Jason Lee, his porn stash, a skinny but no less stupid Ethan Suplee and a rather hilarious Jaime Pressley. This style of sitcom, Malcolm in the Middle as opposed to Yes, Dear, possesses the potential to trick people into thinking they are watching something other than a horrible sitcom. I just hope the writing keeps this one fresh enough to watch. CBS on the other hand has it's staple of cop shows like all those CSIs and Without a Trace and Cold Case, and has added a couple hundred more this year. People like them, so why would they change gears? I thought CSI got really strong at the end of last year culminating in the big Tarantino directed finale, so I'm hoping they renew that energy. Although I'm certain folks will watch regardless. I'm steering clear of most of the new cop themed shows just so my palette doesn't get diluted. I've never thought we needed so many procedural cop dramas even back when Law and Order kept cloning itself, and I'm not changing now. Also in CBS's favor is that crowd pleaser Survivor is back (with my Philly girl Steph I might add), Amazing Race is fresh off an Emmy win and they just had a superb summer with both Rock Star and Big Brother finding major audiences. CBS is the leader of the pack when it comes to reality TV. Who saw that coming? Slow and steady wins the race FOX.

Speaking of FOX, I don't know shit about that channel's lineup. Same with WB and UPN. I guess I've become a bit of an adult and I've narrowed my vision to shows that appeal more to my demographic. There was a time, not so long ago, when I was hooked on Dawson's Creek and 90210. But nowadays, you can have your OC and One Tree Hill. If I want to look at young hotties I'll put on MTV for 10 minutes. And if I want soap opera shit, well I guess I find it on HBO where they can show boobies and say fuck. I'm all jazzed up for new Curb Your Enthusiasm and the Ricky Gervais series Extras on HBO.

To come full circle, I just watched Boston Legal and Grey's Anatomy today thanks to the magic of DVR and I have to say that I really enjoy both shows immensely. They have a great blend of laughs and drama, and the casts are pretty and talented. I'm not really into the Desperate Housewives bullshit, so for me this is where my money goes. Not since the days of LA Law and ER/Chicago Hope have I felt the airwaves had quality legal/medical dramas worth watching. Sure I know that ER is still on, but honestly it's become a parody of itself by staying on the air for so long. I'm sure there are some out there that can't wait to chew up Criminal Minds or Close to Home or Invasion or Surface, but do you think any will last past a season 1? Come on, Geena Davis as President? The airwaves are flooded with junk right now. Don Johnson and the kid from Undeclared have outlasted Adam Goldberg and Chris O'Donnell with their very similiar premised lawyer shows. And that's just fucking weak. Do yourself a favor and watch Boston Legal and Grey's Anatomy. You won't be disappointed.