What to Watch 3-15-13
T: Easy. You’ve got a new Fashion Police on E! and a new (still good) Grimm on NBC. 7p satellite, 10p cable; 9p. Respectively.
What to Watch, 11-16-12 #tv #whattowatch
T: Back to the typical Friday.
You’ve got Grimm on NBC. The Fall finale is either this week or next. I think it’s next. Check this show out. It’s really a great take that’s totally different than Once Upon a Time. Very enjoyable. Even M, who hates procedurals, likes Grimm. 8p.
CBS has a Whitney Houston tribute concert. Take that for what it’s worth. I was always an early Whitney fan. She obviously deteriorated dramatically. Sad to see. Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Yolanda Adams and CeCe Winans are among the performers. This could either be good…or really bad. I’ll DVR it. 10p.
M’s got her Fashion Police on E!. I love Joan—just recorded her new stand up act on Showtime last night—but it’s not something I could watch week after week. But that’s just me. 7p satellite, 10p cable.
M: You bet! I LOVE Fashion Police. I go back and forth between despising & rooting for the hosts. And I’ll tell you, while chatting about TV at work recently, 3 people I was talking to confessed that it’s a favorite Friday evening guilty pleasure — a 25 year old girl, a late 40s gay man and a 50ish, reserved woman. Joan says some really messed up stuff - love it.
Happy DVR’ing!
What to Watch, 11-9-12
T: Another typical Friday.
NBC has Grimm. I wish it did better numbers, but with ABC surging on Fridays, suddenly, I hope it doesn’t hurt it further. Still, NBC appears committed to the drama with the awesome duo. So I’m hopeful. 9p.
Late Night Round Up: Late Show with David Letterman has the always fun and now super gay Anderson Cooper (worst kept secret ever—though he really didn’t try to hide it, used to run into he and his boyfriend at restaurants all the time). I’m sure Dave will have him giggling. And I love it when Andy giggles.
Mr. Daniel Craig is on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Cannot, cannot wait to see Skyfall. This is one smooth, cool actor. I have to say, with the exception of Timothy Dalton’s Bond, they have been pretty spot on in keeping 007 going.
Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson has my darling Emily Van Camp. Revenge is on fire again this season. And it’s so fun to see her play a hybrid bitch and Amy from Everwood (may you RIP, Everwood). 11:35p, 12a, 12:35a.
Happy DVRing! Go see Skyfall!
What to Watch, 11-2-12
T: Typical Friday.
NBC has the only watchable show: Grimm. Still a good ride. They sure are burning through eps though. We’re going to have a repeat laden season down the road, I fear. 9p.
Over at ABC, and let me make it clear I am not reco’ing this, Reba is back on Friday night with Malibu Country. She’s a horrible actress. I loved her sitcom Reba on The WB. But it was all for the supporting cast. Which looks good on MC as well. I mean, Lily Tomlin? So we’ll see how much I can take. If you’re a Kirstie Alley fan, you may want to tune back in later for 20/20. Barbara Walters is interviewing her and (blah) promises juicy revelations. 8:30p, 10p.
M: Honest to god, Malibu Country + Last Man Standing is my quintessential definition of hell. Just Clockwork Orange me up & show me this crap. Maybe play “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina & the Waves while you’re at it.
(T: Readers, please note I pretty much trashed Reba and didn’t reco. And also that Last Man Standing was not even mentioned.)
(M: That wasn’t aimed at you, Mr. Defensive. I was commenting on the shows. Your distance is noted. )
(Semi) Happy Viewing!
What to Watch, 10-26-12
T: You know the Friday drill. DVR Grimm on NBC and you’re good. The one exception this week is a…
Late Night Round Up: The Tonight Show has the brilliant Sarah Silverman. One of the funniest chicks out there. Paula Deen is on as well and she’s at least good for a laugh. Rounding the show out is Lyle Lovett. That’s for R :)
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has the game James Van Der Beek (seriously, watch him on The Bitch From Apt. 23 on ABC). Should be a fun interview.
Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson has one of my faves, John Cho. From American Pie to Harold and Kumar to to Flash Forward to Go On, he can do no wrong. This dude is the real deal. 11:35p, 12:35a.
Happy Viewing!
Must See TV? Ummm, no.
T: In 2002, Friends averaged 24.5 million viewers on NBC’s Thursday nights. Now one of their comedies is lucky to get over 3 million. And Rock Center is about to fall below a million. Oh, how the mighty fell. And oh, how sad. Thanks Jeff Fucker. Oh, Zucker. And Bob Greenblatt is doing nothing about it. Just sad.
Yes. It is most definitely a different time for Broadcast. But a loss of over 21 million viewers in a decade is astonishing. NBC is trying for a comeback with The Voice (puke). It won’t last. These singing competition shows are fading (at least for now). They need to clean executive house and get someone in there that wasn’t part of Showtime if they want to remain a Broadcast net. I don’t think it’s beyond the realm of possibility that the Net could cease to exist as it is.
Yes. I know. They just won their first 18-49 ratings for September in 10 years. But it was all on the fading Voice’s shoulders. And again, I go back to that comparison of a Friends led Thursday to today’s. Drastic.
There are little gems on NBC. The New Normal has come into its own, despite Ryan (asshole) Murphy. Parks and Recreation is the second best sitcom on TV. But…that’s it. (OK, Grimm is so-so.) That’s seriously it!
Oust Greenblatt promptly, Comcast. Get someone back in here that can actually make a difference. If you care. And it doesn’t seem like you do.
M: So we spoke about this. Yeah - you are singling out NBC. ALL the broadcast networks have dropped. The Voice is still better than Idol or X Factor, because at least the contestants can sing. I hope NBC continues to cultivate their critically (and MauilovesChachi) acclaimed shows, despite ratings. If you don’t stand for something, you stand for nothing, and all that. They have stuck by Parenthood & that says a lot. 30 Rock is awesome - you’re wrong.
What to Watch, 10-19-12
T: Typically empty Friday night.
NBC has Grimm. Entertaining, fun and adventurous. It’s pretty much your only bet for Prime Time tonight. (Possibly making M proud, even I can’t stomach CBS on Friday nights). 9p.
Check out Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He’s the only new Broadcast talker tonight. And he’s got Chelsea Handler. When these two get together it’s usually comic genius. 12:35a.
So basically set the DVR and get out of the house! Happy Friday!
What to Watch, 10-12-12
T: Typically easy Friday.
NBC is your destination for Grimm. Still a fun, exciting show with a great pair of partners. Easy to get into, as well. So if you’re late to the game, you’ll be just fine. 9p.
That’s it! Happy (Barely!) Viewing!
What to Watch, 10-5-12
M’s weekly guilty pleasure, Fashion Police, is on tonight. I tell you, between that documentary on Joan Rivers and her awesomely inappropriate commentary on this show, I really love her again. She lost me for a while when she was on the red carpet & had no idea who anyone under 40 was. Maybe it’s the prep, but now she’s perfect for me. Or, as Kelly Osborne, would say, “Per-FEC-shun.” (She says it too frequently - it loses its power. T, does that sound familiar?)
That said, THIS group has a lot of balls calling themselves the Fashion Police:
Kelly’s hair looks terrible w/the red; but it is surprisingly flattering. God bless ya. Hope you get to eat again some day. E! 7PM
T: I will give you this, M, even after that apparent slam on me, I tuned into the after Emmys Fashion Police and enjoyed it. I’d agree with pretty much everything you said (save for my slam, obviously).
T: M is souring on Grimm but I’m hanging in. I enjoy the show and, let’s face it, there isn’t much more on Fridays worth your while. Literally NOTHING else, besides M’s police. It’s a fun hour. 9p.
Happy vegetating.
What to Watch, 9-28-12
T: Slim pickings. Usual for a Friday night.
Potentials:
Made in Jersey on ABC. This is reco’d ONLY because of Kristoffer Polaha. He’s one of my very favorite actors on earth and I can’t understand how all 742 shows he’s done have not been hits. This show sounds horrible…but I’m willing to give it a shot for my Kris. 9p.
M: Seriously? Seriously? Dude. Whatchoo doin’?
(T: It’s all about Polaha.)
What to Watch:
NBC has Grimm. Great, fun show with a great lead in David Guintoli. Your only absolute on a Friday evening. You’re guaranteed fun and some intrigue. 9p.
Happy Viewing!
What to Watch, 9-3-12
T: DVR the slim pickings and enjoy your Labor Day!
TNT has Major Crimes. This is one of those weird recos. Because it’s getting worse week by week. Yet I’m still hanging in there. But the writing and acting needs to gel pretty quickly or this reco shall disappear. 6p satellite, 9p cable.
Grimm has its final Monday appearance before going back to anchor NBC’s Friday night. It’s a fun show with a very dynamic duo in David Giuntoli & Silas Weir Mitchell. Hot and hilarious all at once. Worth your while. 10p.
Happy Labor Day!
What to Watch, 8-27-12
T: Just a few things. But the new season is right around the corner.
This is major old school, but Carol Burnett is hosting a best of The Carol Burnett Show on Documentary Channel. I’ve got a soft spot it my heart for this chick and few did a variety show better. Check it out if you have time this afternoon. Or set those DVRs. 12p satellite, 3p cable.
TNT has Major Crimes. I’m beginning to thing it IS a major crime. God knows it’s no The Closer. It’s clear just how dominant Kyra Sedgwick was. This isn’t exactly a reco. I don’t know if I want that responsibility. But I will give it another couple weeks. 6p satellite, 9p cable.
Web Therapy is new on Showtime. Good God, Lisa Kudrow can do no wrong. Ever. At all. Period. Unique show, unique improv, awesome guest stars. Tonight we get Lily Tomlin. And trust me, you can never go wrong there. Conan O’Brien is on as well. It doesn’t get much better than this. 8p satellite, 11p cable.
NBC has Grimm. Ratings are down across the board (shocker). But it’s still a great show with a great, albeit small, cast. There is one more Monday airing after tonight’s ep and then it’s back to Fridays. Check it out. It’s just about all NBC’s got! 10p.
Late Night Round Up: Chelsea Lately looks good tonight. On the panel is my second fave (I heart you, Josh Wolf), Ben Gleib. Oh, and there’s Josh Wolf too! Heaven! Kirsten Dunst is there promoting Bachelorette. I don’t care what anyone says about her. I love her and Bring It On is one of the greatest movies ever made.
M: Bachelorette was a major disappointment. Look for M Critique.
Late Show with David Letterman has Jake Gyllenhaal. Still love the dude after all these years. Dear lord, watched some of Brokeback Mountain not too long ago for the first time in years…WHAT a movie and WHAT a performance. He’ll be fun with Dave.
8p satellite, 11p cable (Chelsea). 11:35p.
Happy Viewing!
What to Watch, 8-20-12
M: Only original I’m checking out tonight is Grimm. I’m enjoying NBC’s early launches. I don’t have a “hopper” so I have to make choices — 2 on the DVR, what’s On Demand, etc. And I have a beautiful HD TV with surround sound that is unfortunately too old to have Hulu, so I prefer my experiences to come from my cable box. So thanks, NBC, for letting me sample before the glut of premieres.
Happy viewing! M
What to Watch, 8-13-12, Part 2
M: NBC continues to provide early looks at both new and returning shows. Grimm, which usually airs on Fridays, will be back tonight & for the next 4 Mondays. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio joins the cast (one of my favorite 3-name-Marys). Grimm = Procedural + Fantasy, but for some reason, I really like it. As do many. Maybe it can grab a few more viewers with this Monday night slot.
T: Completely forgot about Grimm. It’s a fantastic show on a network that can’t get any viewers. In this case, that’s lucky for us, Grimm wouldn’t have survived on another Broadcast net with its ratings. Go Grimm! If there can be any Olympic bump, let it be!!! (I seriously doubt it…but I would love to be wrong.)
And the lovely and amazing Norah Jones will be on Chelsea Lately. She is a very talented vocalist, and always charming & funny in interviews. E! 11PM EDT.
(T: She is so over!)
(M: Are you serious? Have you heard her new album produced by Danger Mouse? Norah has also been wisely selecting to be a guest vocalist on a lot of tracks for diverse artists/genres, while continuing to evolve her own personal style. If by “over,” you mean a bunch of lemmings may not buy a shitty single just because it’s popular (witness “Call Me Maybe”) to hit #1, you’re probably correct. Real music fans will continue to appreciate her as she continues to evolve.)
(T: Yes. Completely serious. Let her go on being a one note singer. No skin off my back.)
Enjoy!
People We Love
T: Silas is the best part of Grimm and everything else he has been in.
