Like anything, watching television can be a habit. There are certain shows that you tune into on a regular basis because they make you feel safe, comfortable and give you that feeling of stability that may or may not surround the rest of your life. Because of that it can be difficult to latch on to a new show to watch. There's that uncertainty, that fear that you won't get used to the plot or the characters or the general feel for the show.
This is particularly true in my case since I watch a certain set of shows each week for review. However, this season I have decided to expand my television horizons a bit and search for some new programs to get involved with. By new programs I don't mean shows premiering this season, but programs that have been on the air for a while that I have never sen before of have glanced at from time to time. So, without further pontification, here are five shows that I'm now tuning into.
Chuck - This is one of those shows that I used to glance at from time to time when I had an opportunity and I enjoyed what I saw. The show didn't take itself too seriously; yet, it didn't go too broad in its comedy. This season I have decided to watch the show in full, and I haven't been disappointed. Chuck is a likable character who many of us pseudo-geeks can relate to in both their personal and professional lives (well, not me, but other pseudo-geeks). There's all of that, plus Yvonne Strzechowki, who plays Agent Sarah Walker, is smoking hot!
Entourage - One reason for me to start watching this show: cable upgrade. Since I didn't have HBO previous to this summer (nor Showtime, see below) I never had the opportunity to view this show on a regular basis. Now that I do, I end up watching it on Sunday nights or throw it into the DVR for future viewing. What I realize after watching the show is that it isn't one of those laugh-out-loud comedies -- at least not now. There's a good bit of drama and heart to this show that reflects the changing lives of four best friends who have found their own directions.
Big Bang Theory - Again, this is another show I glanced at from time to time last season, but didn't get into. What turned me around to the program was the appearance of the cast at ComicCon this past summer. With the clips they showed prior to the panel discussion added to the genuine honesty of the cast, I felt it was my duty to tune in. That, and the simple fact that CBS is one of the very few places where you see a true 'live before a studio audience' sitcom. So far, so good this season as the characters stretch their personalities.
Two and a Half Men - I've said it before, but I'll say it again: why is this still called Two and a Half Men? Angus T. Jones just turned 15 (October 8th...Happy Birthday, Angus!) and is nearly as tall as the other two stars of the series. Maybe it should be called Two and 3/4 Men. Still, the show remains funny and, with Angus growing up, there are new avenues that the show can take. Just this week, we had a pretty funny installment where Angus' character Jake decides to drink for the first time. In typical sitcom fashion, the consequences are unfortunate . Two and a Half Men is silly, unrefined comedy...something that is rare on television.
Dexter - Again, lack of premium channels prevented me from watching this show previously. I didn't even view it when it had its short run on CBS. But I've been tuning in pretty regularly this season and enjoy this skewered take on the criminal procedural. One thing I realized in watching this is that Dexter is a perverse version of a superhero. I thought of this during last week's episode in a scene where Dexter knew information about a suspect before his police brethren did and wanted to beat them to the punch in order to kill him. It was like Superman seeing something with his telescopic vision and acting on it before anyone else realized what was going on.
Family Guy - Other than the "Blue Harvest" and the 100th and 101st episodes I didn't really make Family Guy regular Sunday viewing. I just felt it was getting tired and nothing original was being done. For some reason that has changed this season. That's probably due in part to the second episode titled 'I Dream of Jesus'. Never in my time watching the show did I actually laugh out loud until the many sequences featuring "Bird is the Word" in this episode. The capper: Brian and Stewie destroying the single a la Office Space.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-11-2008 @ 11:41AM
Malfoy Roark said...
One thing I will say is don't judge Entourage by this season. This is its worst season by far. I'm not saying its BAD, but its far from Entourages best work. If you haven't rented the DVDs to check out the previous 4 seasons, please do so pronto. :)
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10-11-2008 @ 12:17PM
Steven said...
I'm saving up all the Entourage episodes this season to watch them all at once, but I thought the first episode was decent. I'm doing the same with season 3 of Dexter. If you haven't rented the first 2 seasons, you're missing out.
Family Guy on the other hand is lame. It's run out of ideas. The gags they do that last for minutes on end are absolutely stupid. Yeah, we got that gag the first 300 times you said it. Needless to say, I'm taking it off my TiVo.
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10-11-2008 @ 12:29PM
Nacho said...
The bird is the word episode of family guy was not just the worst episode of FG in its history, it wasn't just the worst episode of a show in television history, it was the worst thing that has ever been passed off as entertainment in the history of mankind.
I weep for anyone that mistook that tripe as humor.
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10-11-2008 @ 1:24PM
bruce said...
"I Dream of Jesus" was one of the better FG episodes in recent seasons, but I still find American Dad to be much funnier, smarter, fresher, and far more original every week it's on with Family Guy. It's an urban legend that Family Guy is funnier than American Dad. I think Snopes.com debunks it somewhere on the site.
I wish more people would watch "Life" (NBC). I normally hate cop shows, but I really love this show. Damien Lewis is fantastic, so is Sara Shahi (who looks a lot hotter this season, can't quite elaborate on why - curlier hair but that's not it). I'm very happy the show is back on, but I can already feel its undue cancellation.
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10-11-2008 @ 2:21PM
Usama said...
I forgot Sarah was on that show. I would be willing to watch an episode just to see her. But I'm not sure when it's on and I have trouble getting into any other cop show ever since The Wire ended (which was so much more than a cop show but hopefully you know what I mean). Anyway I think I'll check out at least one to see Shahi.
10-11-2008 @ 7:58PM
Brent McKee said...
I totally agree about getting people to watch "Life" even if it is on Friday night. This show deserves to find an audience, even with Donal Logue. Damien Lewis is great and Sarah Shahi is gorgeous.
10-13-2008 @ 12:48AM
Jeff N. said...
I watch Life and I think it is one of the best shows on TV. Too bad others haven't discovered it as of yet.
10-13-2008 @ 11:56AM
Frank said...
I tried again with Life, but couldn't do it.
I watched about 30 mins of the season premiere and quit.
I just don't get why people are digging this show...
10-11-2008 @ 1:36PM
Rob said...
My top six (on air at the moment):
1) The Unit
(The most underrated TV show on air right now)
2) Sons of Anarchy
3) Life
4) How I Met Your Mother
5) Heroes
6) House
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10-11-2008 @ 2:23PM
Usama said...
1) stargate atlantis (last season)
2) how i met your mother
3) dexter
4) friday night lights (I predict last season, but thanks DirecTV)
5) 30 Rock (when it starts up)
6) the office
10-11-2008 @ 2:27PM
C C said...
Pretty good list. Dexter has been the best show on tv the last 2 years, and this season is shaping up nicely (the ending of the last episode-superb). Chuck is a nice, goofy diversion on Monday nights. Two and a Half Men is unfairly underrated; it's raunchy, but there's always one laugh-out-loud line in each episode-more than I can say about a lot of other comedies.
This fall, I'm watching Dexter, House, Bones, and Life. I'll probably catch a few episodes of 30 Rock when it returns. And I keep watching Mad Men to try to understand why the critics think it's so great. I'm astounded by the historical inaccuracies. My mom says the attitudes of the Mad Men "world" are about 10 years off-it was that way in the early 50's, not the early 60's.
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10-11-2008 @ 2:29PM
bruce said...
Usama: you can pick up the season 1 DVD for pretty cheap (or download it). While it's a short season due to the writers' strike, it's still a fantastic show and a thoroughly entertaining DVD for like $24. It's on Fridays at 10/9pm on NBC... which is, unfortunately, a shit time-slot, all things considered. Last night's episode was quite entertaining.
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10-11-2008 @ 9:35PM
Usama said...
thanks! i'll put it on my netflix queue and post-midterms i'll get to it
10-11-2008 @ 3:38PM
ML said...
I love "Life". I've been enthralled with that show since it began. I hope they don't cancel- it should go back to Monday nights. The new Capt. lends a bit of humor, too. Chuck is a nice show, because it's one where you can watch it with your kids- while they enjoy it (Morgan is a hit in my house), adults can enjoy the adult tone. Also the new show Life on Mars, could shape up to be a great show.
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10-11-2008 @ 7:31PM
Stacie23 said...
1. How I Met Your Mother
2. Survivor
3. Grey's Anatomy(even though it's only been on twice)
4. Gossip Girl
5. Chuck(I'm nervous about its ratings though)
6. The Office(Great Season so Far)
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10-11-2008 @ 11:35PM
Johnny Drama said...
1) NCIS
2) Sons of Anarchy
3) The Shield
4) Bones
5) Law and Order SVU
6) Life
10-11-2008 @ 9:54PM
bruce said...
I was curious where Sarah Shahi was from, and according to Wikipedia she is the great-great-granddaughter of the 19th century Iranian king Fath Ali Shah Qajar. No idea who that is, but she's royalty in a sense. She's iranian and spanish - interesting mix. Sure works well in her case. She was also a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader. Wikipedia rules.
I've concluded, after much though and due consideration, that they have her wearing more form-fitting clothes this season on Life, in addition to the new hairdo. I thought she was extremely pretty in season 1, but she's absolutely gorgeous in season 2.
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10-11-2008 @ 10:35PM
Steve said...
Richard I don't usually nit pick on this kind of stuff but you are way off on the spelling of Yvonne's last name it's Strahovski not Strzechowki.
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10-11-2008 @ 11:23PM
RichK said...
According to imdb it can be either. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2088803/
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10-12-2008 @ 3:31AM
Riley Freeman said...
life is a great show but monday and friday are both wrong nights for it. monday there is too much on and friday well thats the death slot. im disappointed with nbc for changing it to friday nights.
i would like to get into dexter but i feel im too late to the party. id need to get dvds and i refuseto buy dvds of a show i dont know if i will like. and since im in canada streaming is out of the question.
i only started watching entourage 2 seasons ago and this seasons has been pretty bad so far and understand that its because vince is going through a tuff time but they need to spice it up fast
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