When it comes to setting my TV viewing schedule, I’m a huge creature of habit, so once something cracks the rotation, it’s in there for a solid length of time, and it takes a lot to get it bumped. Lately though, there has been some good new programming that I’ve picked up, and some older shows have been moved out of the viewing rotation. Once something gets bumped, I don’t even bother catching it on DVR or On Demand. If you’re out, you’re out for good.
Here are a few shows that I’ve bailed on, and really would like to not hear about ever again: How I Met Your Mother, the entire Thursday lineup on NBC, Modern Family, The Middle. I used to really like HIMYM, as well as The Office, and 30 Rock. I never did care for Parks and Rec, and couldn’t get into Community. HIMYM has been replaced with House (a little weak so far this season, but passable), and the Thursday night NBC alleged comedy lineup has been replaced by The Big Bang Theory, followed by a half hour of impatient channel flipping while bitching that nothing is on, then on to USA for Royal Pains, followed by Archer on FX. I gave Modern Family and The Middle enough of a chance, and if I heard from one more person how awesome Modern Family was, I was gonna vomit. Superfans really ruined that one for me.
Here’s how my week usually breaks down:
Monday: House, The Chicago Code, Castle
Tuesday: There is absolute shit on until 10:00, when there are three shows that I like in Southland, Lights Out, and White Collar. Luckily, FX, TNT, and USA are all fond of rerunning their stuff ad nauseum, so I can catch everything, usually in the next day or so.
Wednesday: Again, at 8:00, there’s nothing, but I usually watch Criminal Minds at 9:00, and then it’s time to watch Raylan shoot some people on Justified at 10:00.
Thursday: The aforementioned 8:00 hour of The Big Bang Theory followed my ceaseless surfing, then Royal Pains and Archer. I really wish Fairly Legal came on at 9:00, since I’d rather watch that than Royal Pains, but such is life. I usually manage to catch the Fairly Legal replay at 1:00 AM, or later in the week/weekend. I don’t particularly love that show, but the chick is pretty hot, and it can be funny sometimes.
So, with all of that said, what am I missing? What are you guys watching that you can recommend? How terrible is my taste in TV shows?
That timeslot is murder. I have Southland, Lights Out, White Collar, Parenthood and Tosh.0 all in the rotation. Have to record the repeat showing of Lights Out and Tosh.0. Lights Out isn’t really very good and White Collar is just entertaining fluff and solid chemistry between the actors. But Southland, Parenthood and Tosh are all terrific, in my opinion.
Boo this man, Community and Parks & Rec both fucking own
any semblance of physical activity.
On Friday nights you’re missing The Soup, Real Time with Bill Maher and Overheard with Evan Smith. And on Sundays, Brick City on Sundance is always interesting. It’s a PR-spun version of The Wire, but worth checking out.
I find myself watching Southland, then the immediate replay of Lights Out at 11, and White Collar on DVR or On Demand whenever it’s available.
Usually catch The Soup on Saturday morning. Might have to look into this Brick City business.
HIMYM is awesome
also are we going to talk about how the Nets buttfucked the Knicks?
I’m usually late on shows and then scramble to get caught up, went through the entire run of Breaking Bad over the last couple months and then felt bad for not being there the whole time…Justified appears to be the show now that I’ll eventually start the process over with again
Modern Family is okay, but I agree with the superfans theory. Community is guilty of that, as well, but the writing on it is geared toward a different audience. Community is aimed squarely at people who devour pop culture, whereas Modern Family is aimed at a more liberal-minded Everybody Loves Raymond viewer.
Community is much better than Modern Family, I think, but also less mainstream. They need to be careful with the Pierce character, though. He’s veering awfully close to irredeemable. I suggest bumping off another member of his family.
This completely
Too much Ted.
We can discuss that here, amongst the TV talk, or I can throw up a post about it, in which I make as many references to the “opulence, I has it” guy as possible. You tell me which you’d prefer.
No argument here. NPH is the fucking man though.
Really hope they have some sort of resolution in mind with him because it’s getting uncomfortable at this point…I liked how both Sepinwall and the AV Club writeups of the episodes are almost similar asking why these people still let him hang around
Modern Family I think has hit a wall in that it keeps trying to find new ways to do the same thing…it’s funny enough but feels like it peaked already in this reporter’s opinion
Come to think of it, I think most shows that are “critically adored” but don’t necessarily top the Nielsens are guilty of superfans tainting the enjoyment of the show for others, at least to a certain degree. In my opinion, the only shows that have managed to remain bulletproof to superfans are The Wire, Breaking Bad and Arrested Development.
Although, Fat Albert is really trying to ruin The Wire.
I enjoy it, but it’s hit or miss for me. I think it’s hilarious that Sepinwall stopped recapping the show because the superfans in the comments kept blasting him for any criticisms of the show he voiced.
lol at Fat Albert.
So, The Chicago Code. Anybody besides Clayton in on that? I like it, although I fear that Jennifer Beals is ultimately going to hinder it.
I think the only sitcom I watch regularly is How I met Your MOther. Outside of that my TV watching is about as consistent as Hef’s bowels.
By the way…I’ve tried Community for the THIRD time now. There is absolutely nothing funny about that show. Last week? I mean…
I was wondering why Sepinwall didn’t have a post up last week about Modern Family, that’s just great
I become The Wire superfan only when trying to get others to accept it into their hearts…worked a couple times and I was thanked for it alter
I’m liking it a lot. The only complaints I have so far are the voiceovers that pop in and out (although they cut back on them this week) and Beals. She’s pretty good at playing the reserved, back-hall business part of the role, but when she has to get in someone’s face it just feels…I dunno, unbelievable.
They needed someone like a Glenn Close or CCH Pounder in that role. But that would cost them sex appeal, and plus it would be too much redundancy for Shawn Ryan, I imagine.
Have you seen the trailer for Cedar Rapids, where Clay Davis does an Omar impression? Hilarious. Probably the high point of that particular film, but man is it funny.
Trey, Community is more of a show you have to watch on a consistent basis rather than pick and chose random episodes
That said at the same time I don’t think it’s for everybody much like Arrested Development wasn’t for everybody either
And she looks patently absurd in the dress uniform.
Absolutely agree. It’s a very in-joke driven show for geeks. In a lot of ways, it’s The Big Bang Theory if The Big Bang Theory were on another network and not made by Chuck Lorre.
That happened with me and Arrested Development. Everybody I got to give it an honest try loved it but it was tough to get them to take the plunge
Johnny, I tried. I really have. It’s just not funny. I’m a Chevy Chase fan too.
I do love Arrested Development though.
Britta FTW!
I only gave Parks and Rec a couple episodes in its first season before deciding against it but was talked into the 3rd and am now working through the 2nd, quite the turnaround…Ron Swanson kills me
Peirce really is becoming awkward. I have a feeling Dan Harmen knows where he’s going with it but he’s taken it much further than I would have expected it to go. Should be interesting to see what they have in mind with the Peirce/ Jeff dynamic coming out of the last episode though.
I can’t get past the fact that I hated season one of Parks and Rec, and Amy Poehler and Raaaaaaaandy annoy me.
Wise choice coming back. I was lukewarm on the first season but stayed with it because I remembered the Office started out slowly too and the same people behind the Office are behind Parks and Recs
Trey it’s really which ones you catch as in some ways the show is sorta up and down. The show is capable of absurd highs (zombie Halloween, paintball, claymation, D&D, chicken finger mafia, the bottle episode, and debate to name a few), but it also is capable of sending out the middling episodes (last week’s the kfc space one, some of the very early episodes)
Sanders makes the good point that you’re missing out on Tosh.0
Also, I wasn’t a fan of Parks and Rec the first season, but really like it now. Also helps that I’m crushing on Aubrey Plaza.
I like Cougar Town on Wednesdays but then again I think Courteney Cox keeps getting hotter the older she gets.
Paintball and chicken finger mafia were fantastic.
Agree. I also like Christa Miller.
It got a million, zillion times better. It’s a good show. They toned down Leslie Knope, and made her more competent, and gave less Aziz and more lots of others.
There really aren’t a lot of good shows you’re missing that aren’t Thursday NBC comedies. There aren’t a lot of really, really good shows currently airing on TV, at least not that I can find.
The original Firefly (which I never saw) is going to be rerun on the Science channel (or discovery science), so I’ll catch that, since it’s about to come back from the dead.
Lights Out is not a good show. I only just watched last night’s. Irredeemably bad boxing scenes. As bad as have ever been.
Sounds like I was the only guy to watch Lie To Me here
Anyone wanna talk about Chopped?
My TV shows: (and I know p@ is similar)
- Pawn Stars
- American Pickers
- Gold Rush
- Swamp People (season 2 soon!)
- Pretty much anything History Channel related
- Storage Wars
Cougar Town is awesome. I like Bill Lawrence’s work
CougarTown is on a serious hiatus while Chandler destroys the time slot. And I disagree about Courtney Cox, although I watch this show and like it, she is my 2nd least favorite character on it.
I got an advance screener of the next 100 Modern Family episodes. The 2 homos get involved in a wacky misunderstanding while trying to be the best, gayest parents on earth. 100 times.
I have no idea why I didn’t, but I didn’t. I think I chose Human Target, which really plummeted.
I am really hurting for shows, quite honestly, this spring. I’m going to catch up on season 3 of Breaking Bad, during sweeps. That’s ridiculous.
I usually have Lights Out on while I’m writing stuff, and it makes good background filler. I keep hoping it will get better.
I actually quite liked the pilot. Last week’s episode, not so much. Not sure that show will be long for this world. But I’ll tell you what really sucks. V. Sadly, it doesn’t even meet the “so bad it’s good” criteria of a One Tree Hill or Jersey Shore.
complete and utter faux reality. You can almost see the cue cards. Not as bad as the mexican repo men show, but really bad.
The wife still watches Dirty Jobs with her hand in her pants, but we’re not doing too much real reality anymore (except me with Survivor, but that’s a game show)
Another Firefly is back rumor?
that makes one of you, in the whole world. I wish Andrea Anders would get to be successful. That chick is delightful (and Better off Ted was funny). I just don’t like the premise or the execution on that one.
I’ll tell you what TV show I’ve seen more than 10 episodes of that I’m least proud of – Gary Unmarried. I’ve had a thing for the lady who played Gary’s ex-wife ever since she, rather unbelievably, played a hooker on an episode of Sports Night.
I don’t like the cooking competition shows other than Iron Chef America and Throwdown with Bobby Flay (it’s awesome to watch him get owned).
I gave that one a solid shot too, and had to bail. Bring back Keen Eddie!
That made me laugh
It’s got legs, this rumor. If I hadn’t seen it just happen to a dead show, I wouldn’t think it was possible.
If anyone could tell me if they’re going to re-air this from the beginning at any time soon, I’d be grateful. I hear it’s wonderful.
Hopefully they don’t go the “remake the show 10 years later with a new cast on a soundstage with actors all wrong for the parts” the way they did with Cupid.
I took that cancellation really hard…the name was stupid and it was horribly marketed
I agree though I will say that last night’s episode was actually the first episode in that I’ve found decent in a long time
It’s not on right now but Psych is absolutely fantastic too
10 episodes ever, or this year? Because I’ve got some skeletons in my bad TV closet.
This year, I’m embarrassed to say I still watch Chuck.
Be short too major characters, since they were killed off in the movie. I’d still watch, though.
agreed completely. I really wanted that show to do well but it failed for some strange reason
The show that I really miss at the moment is Mad Men. Season 5 cannot get here soon enough
Ever, they canceled Gary Unmarried last year, drying up Jay Mohr’s income. His wife’s lips have been drooping ever since. This year, as far as bad TV I watch every week hoping it’ll get better, I suppose The Office counts.
I never heard of Downtown Abbey. Sounds like something I might have to buy for the summer.
Too Much Ted.
Community rocks. P&R is not outstanding.
Portlandia is….ok.
That reminds me, I’m a season behind on Mad Men.
This also works for Terriers.
Masterpiece Mystery is some of the best programming on in the late summer and fall
P&R is NOW outstanding.
I’m not a huge fan of IFC’s original programming, but bless them for rerunning old episodes of Larry Sanders. Why just the other night the Hankercizer tried to decapitate Larry’s shrew of an ex-wife. Good times.
/Hey now
I’m pissed that I missed 2/3 of that current day Sherlock Holmes miniseries on PBS. Shit’s not even available On Demand.
This.
That’s something to be pissed about. Think the only way around that is buying the DVD when it comes out.
I thought the last couple episodes were kinda funny but my problem is that I hate Michael and Holly together which seems to fly in the face of what the show wants me to feel
Have they made a poster version of the Swanson Pyramid of Greatness yet?
I assume you Parks and Rec folks will enjoy this.
Fucking LOVE Larry Sanders.
I am now almost fully up to speed on It’s Always Sunny in Philly and….I don’t know….it lost some steam, no? The first season was hilarious.
YES THEY HAVE
That’s something to be pissed about. Think the only way around that is buying the DVD when it comes out.
it’s already out. It costs 16 bucks too. I know because I already bought it. I also missed 2 out of 3.
Here’s the link
I’ll be the Wallander ones are just as expensive. Damnit
Sweet Dee has a Heart Attack might be one of the funniest episodes of anything I’ve ever seen.
FUCK TRY THIS
did anybody see that David Cross one? It was really bad. I dont’ remember the name, just Thunder Muscle.
Grey’s Anatomy. Blame the Wife.
Every time I see David Cross, all I can think is “you picked the wrong fuckin’ one, dude”.
oh, I forgot Fringe. Fringe is good. They’ve made a real effort to show off the lead chick’s ass more too. It got moved to Fridays, so I’d better enjoy every episode, because it will be gone soon
No, but I’d heard it was bad. He was on Bill Maher a few months back plugging that sucker. Speaking of people plugging things on Bill Maher, Kevin Smith’s appearance on there last week was one of the most unintentionally funny things I’ve seen on TV in quite some time. They were just ripping on him. Deservedly so, for what he was wearing and the terrible jokes he was trying to land.
I’ve come to like everything Kevin Smith does aside from making movies more than I like Kevin Smith’s movies. The podcasts are good, and the Evening with Kevin Smith DVDs are hilarious.
hopefully tonight is the night for this season.
That one’s actually undergone a bit of a creative resurgence this season. I started watch a few years ago because I enjoy the music they use in their montages and now I’ve been sucked in. I think it’s because I want to make the dwarf sex with Dr. Bailey.
Can’t see Kevin Smith anymore without thinking of him literally destroying that guy’s toilet…couldn’t make out what the audience guy was shouting about this time, didn’t sound like another 9/11 Truther who Maher went into the crowd to throw out the last time I remember there being such a dust-up
This. It was uncomfortable. As much as I don’t think Bill Maher is funny (his opening monologues suck), it’s a fantastic show.
\hoping we don’t go there.
I don’t catch the reference, but that’s my problem. I have every episode of Mr Show on a homemade VHS tape I bought on Ebay, as well as DVD. They don’t really hold up, but lots of it is still funny.
Worst show to ever watch 10 episodes of…when it’s all said and done this might be the case for True Blood, still on the fence about getting back on board for witches now
creative resurgence =
Katherine HeiglI don’t watch Bill Maher, but because I don’t like Bill Maher. I didn’t like PI either, because I don’t like Bill Maher.
Who here has seen more than 3 episodes of Shameless? And are there any gluttons for punishment watching Californication?
It’s from one of his standup bits. I recommend it.
they appear to have written Tara out, so there’s no reason not to keep watching. Plus, I know you love naked man ass.
I only ever see them available on Epix, which I don’t get ($15 bucks a month for one channel?)
Grey’s is still a winner for me, if only because that show gave methis song
Regrettably Yes. I have a personal connection that makes it required viewing.
That’s certainly understandable. He’s as oily and smug as they come, but some of his New Rules are funny. I watch it mainly to see the panel guests he has on in an uncensored setting. It’s always best when he doesn’t have actors/celebrities on who are just plugging something and don’t add anything of value, though.
But come on, Kevin Smith should’ve known better to come out there in a hockey jersey and jorts telling dick jokes. I mean, dude’s 40 and a millionaire. Of course Tavis Smiley’s going to look at him like a moron.
Probably the worst show I was into, and for some reason bothered when it got canceled, was The Nine. I watched however many episodes that actually made it to air. Also, The Unusuals. And The Forgotten.
i believe it is because of their on demand services. their library will just continue to grow, and won’t eliminate movies from it like the other movie channels do. it is ridiculous how many movies are available to watch.
it is, and it won’t and blah blah blah. But I really only need a movie or two a week, total. And there’s so many shows. I need those 15 dollars to buy tractor toys on Ebay.
What was that one show with Gary Cole and a young Lucas Black that was on about 10 years ago? American Gothic? Yeah, I liked that one. I also liked that Peter Berg show set in mental hospital that was only on for like three episodes.
1.5 hours until tee time.
More entertainment please.
i still watch Californication, but primarily on fast forward. I get through a horrible episode in about 5 minutes.
There’s a whole new post to explore, hot off the presses!
I watched the one where Susan Sarandon’s daughter showed her maguppies. Didn’t make up for the terrible movie with her and Anton Yelchin I had to sit through, but it was nice, nonetheless.
I have to watch Californication in all its languid glory and provide enthusiastic feedback.
It’s hard work.
they found some new, random, super cute, huge tittied “starlet” to get naked in this season. Well worth a few minutes, but not at all worth more than seeing her naked. It has Carla Gugino this year, but it’s awful.
It’s extremely indulgent and I suppose I just don’t share the taste.
holy crap what happened in here?
I think the first two episodes this season have been real good. *spoiler alert* although I hope the developing situation from the end of the last episode where they eluded to Eva being pregnant doesn’t take away from teh show*. I’m fairly pumped about tonights episode.
I think Californication and Eastbound and Down are meant to appeal to the baser instincts of men. I enjoy unclothed breasts and swear words as much as the next guy, but I can’t find the humor in either show. If I wanna hear Duchovny’s balls bouncing off something, I’ll just find out which L.A. Fitness he plays raquet ball at.
You miss two and a half hours, and you miss a lot.
also, if you are into “reality” tv there is a show on NatGeo called Wild Justice that follows around California game and fish officers that I can’t get enough of. this show reinforces the fact that there are rednecks in every state of the union. it’s really interesting.
I hate to admit I haven’t seen Eastbound and Down but I loved his work in Up in the Air despite its brevity.
Worth watching?
I’ve seen something similar about Alaska troopers. There’s good pockets of reality like that, but they’ll only be interesting for a few minutes tops.
Like Swamp Loggers. That show was good until they went back to a guy I’d already seen. Then it was gross.
Big giant N and a big giant O. But if you really want to watch, the first season is 6 episodes. The second season lasts longer than I could possibly conceive of making it.
a.k.a. Possum Cops
Uh oh. Ian in trouble, back to all square going into 18.
dead moose distributors
Into extra holes now.
I hate the Internets. You watching on TV or online?
TV
I guess if i had a tv in my office i’d get even less done.
Tree cops.
what makes that show interesting for me is the people they deal with, mainly the poachers and weed growers. I’ve also learned in that show that it seems that about everyone in Cali that wants a medical marijuana card can get one at any corner store.
I go to lunch and miss this post. Boo.
I DVR The Chicago Code on Monday, NCIS and Tosh.0 on Tues, Justified, Criminal Minds and Modern Family on Wed, The Office on Thurs (can’t stop watching until Michael is gone), Bill Maher on Friday and Iron Chef America on Sunday. I DVR every new episode of The Daily Show.
I also DVR episodes of No Reservations, but that comes on randomly as I set my DVR to record any episodes that I haven’t seen.
Could not have said it better. His show is best when it’s political hitters and him. Outside of a few celebs (Ben Affleck being one) they are wastes of space. Gary Shandling is an absolute abortion on the show. Just terrible, and this is coming from a huge Larry Sanders Show fan. I also give Maher credit for calling out “his side” a lot. There aren’t a lot of political shows that do that. He is a smug little fucker, but I love his show.
John Oliver’s report from Madison last night was great on TDS, the one woman completely missed his insulting her by saying “So what you’re fighting for is that the democratic process be undone and then done over again until you get the result you want?”
Oliver is excellent on that show. I love almost every bit he does. It’s sad that The Daily Show is one of the best shows on TV to get informed. The fact that it takes a comedy show mocking politics and the coverage it gets does more to inform me than cable news says a lot about that arena.